Secret Origins and Continuity

OK, it’s time for another dose of my opinion.

When it comes to comic book character origins and continuity I am of the opinion to leave well enough alone.

Over the past few decades the ‘Big 2’ (Marvel and DC Comics) have gone about retelling their origin of various characters and respective comic book universe’s continuity.

Even smaller, independent publishers have ‘tweaked’ their origins and story continuity (Valiant is a perfect example).

I understand the logic. Publishers want to bring in new readers.  It’s difficult for a new reader to understand the long history of a well-established comic book company.

It’s a little disconcerting when said companies have been around since the 1930s and 40s.

Origins created decades ago may not seem relevant today and well as jumbled up continuities.

So what?

My advice is to leave the origins and continuities alone and focus on new stories.

In effect-ignore them.  Why continually update, change and mess with origins and continuity?

We’re talking comic books.  I’m not saying to completely disregard the past-just don’t overplay it.

Readers want modern, relevant stories.  Focus on that.

So what if Batman stared out as an armed vigilante or that Superman’s powers were toned down and he could only leap, not fly?

Does it really make a difference if Spider-Man was bitten by a radioactive spider at a science fair?

Why should it matter that the Fantastic Four tried to rocket to moon in order to beat ‘those dirty commies’ to it?

Stick with the characters as they appear today.

After decades of stories there will always be continuity glitches.  Move on.  Let the comic book ‘experts’ fuss and fume.  Average readers are forgiving.  They read the books because they like the characters and stories.

I’m not saying to ignore origins and continuity and write stories that are blatantly misleading, totally off the wall or downright and deliberate mis-tellings.

After all isn’t DC’s Imaginary Stories and Marvel’s What If? the perfect avenues to explore alternate realities and origins?

I have an extensive library of books about comic books reaching back close to 50 years.  

If I were to compile the many redoes of origins and ‘fixed’ continuity occurrences it would take me days, if not weeks, to do so.

Respect the past, don’t change it.  Stick to the now and tell good stories.  The origin and continuity glitches will take care of themselves.  

Indiana Jones Raiders Of The Lost Ark Cargo Truck

Perhaps one of the most famous action sequences in any movie is the Cargo Truck scene in Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

Indiana Jones chases after a German Cargo Truck holding the stolen Lost Ark Of The Covenant.

Once on board Indy is thrown in front of the truck, manages to climb onboard once again, after dispatching the driver, and recovering the Ark-but not for long.

The Cargo Truck toy from Hasbro Toys not only is a cool truck but it also comes without a foldout diorama to display the Cargo Truck in.

Although the last Indiana Jones movie (Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull) wasn’t the box office hit Paramount Studios and Lucas Films hoped it would be it did spawn some neat merchandise.

Hasbro Toys put out a whole collection of Crystal Skull toys but it also produced action figures, playsets and vehicles from Indy's other films.

From Indy’s first film (Raiders Of The Lost Ark) Hasbro made the Cargo Truck that carried the Ark Of The Covenant pilfered by the Nazi.

Everyone remembers the sequence.  Indy jumps to the truck from his horse, he climbs to the trucks cabin, knocks the driver out and starts to drive away.

The soldiers in the back attempt to stop him only to be brushed off the sides of the truck by Indy’s erratic driving.

The head Nazi manages to reach the cabin, knocks Indy through the windshield, upon which Indy grabs the grill, uses his whip to latch to undercarriage of the truck, climbs back into the truck and back to the cabin and knocks the Nazi out the window where he is crushed by the truck.

The military green Cargo Truck toy is an exact miniature duplicate of the movie truck.

Every thing seen in the movie is there, except the figures of course.

The Cargo Truck looks like a standard German transport truck of the time period (the late 1930s) and is well built.

The rear troop/equipment area is supported by a series of eight tires (four on each side).  Protecting the tire and wheels are large fender/wheel wells.  On each side of the cargo area are single steps leading up to the wheel wells which in turn allow soldiers to stand in foot slots on each side of the canopy covered area.  Additional handgrips are at the top of the canopy.

A step in back area allows the passengers to enter the canopy-covered area.

Several action figures can sit in the back area on the inner wheel wells or on the truck bed itself.

The cab of the truck is supported by two wheels/tires.  A fender covers each.  In front of the fenders are the truck lights, a heavy grill (that breaks away) a heavy bumper and a grip bar.

On top of the cab is a caged area for storage.  The cab has two heavy doors, open windows on the side and front, full interior details and enough room for two action figures.

Attached steps allow passengers to enter the cab from both sides.  Two spare tires (one on each side) sit just in front of the doors.

A special insert is enclosed in the two layer display box with color illustrations.

By following the simple instructions a full diorama can be made that recreates the desert scene as seen in the movie.

Of the various vehicles and accessories made for the Indiana Jones series of toys from Hasbro the Cargo Truck (in my opinion) is the best of the lot.

Details are right on, the vehicle is rugged and well put together, color is sharp and crisp and the added action extras make for a fine town.

Miracleman # 1

Writer Alan Moore started out early in his career writing stories for the Marvel Comics UK line.  One of the titles he wrote was the groundbreaking Miracleman.

Originally called Marvelman the series had to go through a name change for obvious reasons--Marvel and DC had dibs on the name.  Marvel for its company name and DC because it owned the rights to Captain Marvel the old Fawcett series.

DC successfully sued Fawcett for copyright infringement because Captain Marvel was too similar to Superman, won and eventually purchased Fawcett‘s library of characters.

DC Comics renamed Captain Marvel SHAZAM.

Writer Alan Moore offered a story in two parts: a nostalgic tale set in the 1940s/50s when Miracleman first appeared complete with his magic word and cast of characters and a modern tale where Miracleman reappeared.

But, times being as they are he is unprepared for many of the changes over the decades and must adjust especially to his once former kid sidekick who has a life of his own and a hidden agenda.

While this is an early Alan Moore story the seeds of his groundbreaking literary skills are evident.  His story pacing, characterizations and talent for reading more into a story than it first appears are all evident.

Recently Miracleman #1 (although it is a reprint published by Eclipse Comics in 1985) has risen in value.  Number one hovers around $10 for a raw copy and $100 for a slabbed version.

Brainiac, Darkseid, Mongol and Doomsday

Before McFarlane Toys acquired the 6-inch action figure rights to DC Comics gallery of characters Mattel Toys held the license for quite a number of years.

Mattel turned out some of the best DC Comics figures ever produced up to the point before the license switched over to McFarlane Toys.

One of the best sets of action figures Mattel created was the Superman line, specifically Superman’s villains.

I’ve selected a few key Superman villains figures to review-the ones I consider the best.

Brainiac originally started out as a green skin alien with several electrodes/ports on his head.

He roamed the galaxy collecting various alien cities that he shrunk to keep in bottles.  

Superman discovered one of Krypton’s (Superman’s home planet) cities in one of Braniac’s bottles, complete with shrunken Kryptonians.

Many Silver Age adventures brought Superman to visit the shrunken city.  It now resides in his Fortress of Solitude until he can figure out how to return it and it citizens to full size

The new Brainiac is more machine than organic.

His sole purpose is to study alien worlds and plunder them for cities to shrink and keep in his collection.  

His incredibly powerful brain has allowed him to almost defeat Superman a number of times.

The Mattel DC Superheroes Superman Brainiac 6-inch figure captures the look of the villain perfectly.

The highly-articulated figure is painted silver and gray and looks every bit the machine.

His humanoid frame has powerful motor driven legs and arms.

His transparent cranium reveals his supercomputer brain.  His skull-like head with its deep-set eyes and twin power cables on its sides remind me of a modified Terminator.

The cable-like neck attaches to a huge metal chest complete with power adapters and various equipment on its back and front.

At the shoulders additional clear areas reveal Brainiac’s inner workings.  Both arms end in powerful steel claw hands.

Back cables attach to hip mounted energy packs that power Brainiac’s mobility.

Articulation is hidden amidst the circuitry and metal parts reminiscent of a robot.

The figure stands independently on its own.

Included with the figure is a special Superman comic book and the figure is cradles in a bubble cocoon for protection and easy viewing.

Mongol has been a thorn in Superman’s side ever since he first encountered him in DC Comics Presents #27.

A ruthless despot who rules Warworld Mongol has a deep-seated hatred for Superman (the last Kyptonian.)

Mattel Toys recreates the massive, maniacal and mad Mongol with a 6-inch Mongul figure in its DC SuperHeroes series of toys that includes a Diorama instead of a comic book.

The menacing Mongol figure is bulging with muscles that are barely contained in his purple, plum, silver and light blue body armor.

Mongol’s bald head with its huge brow accents his deep-set eyes, small nose and large grimacing mouth. Only the deep yellow flesh of his head and hands are visible.

Mongol wears a silver headpiece that covers the back of his head and ears.

A large purple collar tapers down into his plum colored tunic that covers his chest, lower torso and most of his arms.

Silver metal straps with rivets wrap around his shoulder joints, lower arms, waist and upper legs.  Large light purple boots with accented ankle reinforcements and heavy boot treads cover his feet.

His silver metal belt is studded with control panels and buttons.

The figure is impressive, especially in the torso and various riveted components.

Color separation is precise with no flow over areas and articulation is well hidden and tight making the figure easy to pose.

Mongol’s face is a real study in fury and his large clenched fists accent his anger.

Meet the madman dictator who rules Apokolips and is by far the most deadly villain in all of the DC Universe: Darkseid.

Darkseid was created by Jack Kirby when he worked for DC Comics in the early 1970s as part of his Fourth World series of comic books.

Darkseid has been a constant threat to Superman (and the Justice League) for 50 years and there looks like there is no end in sight to his diabolical plans.

Totally ruthless, the evil despot has one goal: to discover the anti-life equation and put all of existence under his rule.

The Darkseid figure by Mattel totally captures the look of the massive, maniacal and merciless monarch.

His granite-like gray skin, massive frame, chiseled angry features and his sheer power are all there.

Just look as his muscles strain against his blue tunic barely contained by the massive metallic belt he wears.

Large blue gloves and knee boots bulge under his powerful hands and thunderous feet.

The granite face fanatic’s cranium is covered by a blue skullcap. A special Superman comic book is also included with the figure.

Darkseid hold a Mother Box (an intelligent computer) in his right hand.  The device allows Darkseid to create Boom Tubes (portals to anywhere in the universe.)

Articulation is masquerading as cracks in his stone-like skin and the figure easily stands and poses without any assistance form a stand.

Darkseid rules!

Doomsday has the distinction of physically killing Superman in an epic battle where the monstrous gray skin killing machine pierced Superman’s heart with one of his bony body protrusions.

Clad in torn green pants the giant monstrosity bristles with dozens of sharp bone pieces coming from his shoulders, chest, arms and hands and legs.

His snarling face is peppered with bones around his chin, over his eyes and along the sides of his head.  A long strand of gray hair grows on the top of his head.  

The monster still wears the remnants of the armor meant to hold him captive.  Pieces of it wrap around his thighs and waist.  Green boots cover his legs to just below his knees.

It took a lot of effort to sculpt the many bony protrusions on the monster’s body and to cleverly include articulation.

The figure also comes with a Superman comic book depicting the epic battle between Doomsday and Superman.

All of the figures have excellent coloring, tight and well-hidden articulation and superb sculpting.

Diamond Previews, November 2020

 

Dbury@50 The Complete Digital Doonesbury

Leave it to Andrews McMeel Publishing to create and publish a totally unique tribute book.

For 50 years G. B. Trudeau has written and drawn the comic strip Doonesbury.

In the strip the various characters from all walks of life, political affiliations, religions and more have somehow miraculously meshed together to make often scathing and yet hilarious observations about the human, political, social, religious and tradition norms of the day.

I remember first reading Doonesbury back in the early 1970s when i was just out of high school.  I most closely associated with Zonker and Mike but I loved all of the other characters despite their flaws and foibles.

In the Dbury@50 The Complete Digital Doonesbury hardbound slipcase collection readers are treated to a 224-page wire-bound book than highlights the years of Doonesbury’s publication including key storylines, pivotal moments and highlights.  

Readers also get a 16: X 20” poster featuring new drawings of the strips 64 most important characters.

But, the highlight of the package is a USB flash drive packed with all 50 years of Doonesbury (daily and Sunday strips), a calendar archive, character bios, and a weekly description of the strip’s contents.

A woven lanyard is also included.  

The slipcase collection arrives shrink-wrapped and is emblazoned on the cover with Dbury@50 The Complete Digital Doonesbury.

If you are a fan as much as I am of Doonesbury then you’re sure to love this stellar collection of one of the most famous and influential comic strips ever created-it even won a Pulitzer Prize!

Colorful Comic Book Short Boxes

Are you tired of the same old plain white comic book boxes?  After all comic book boxes hold comic books.  Shouldn’t they be as bright, colorful and exciting as the product they hold?

Comic book boxes should have images of superheroes on them, super bad guys, aliens, graphics, monsters and all the creatures from every genre of comic books.

BCW Diversified, Inc. understands comic book fans and their need to display and store their comic books creatively, visually exciting and in tune with their hobby.

That’s why BCW introduced its Comic Book Character/Graphics Short Boxes.

Each box features a licensed character(s) or images/grphics from comic book publishers.

Boxes have double thickness handles and bottom, are stackable and hold 150 to 175 Current and Silver Age comics.

Sizes are:

Interior Dimensions (WxHxL): 7 5/8 x 10 7/8 x 15 1/2
Exterior Dimensions (WxHxL):  8 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 16 3/4 

Each surface of the boxes is covered by colorful artwork.  The exterior of the boxes is coated and shiny (much like that of a comic book cover).  This makes the images pop and really showcases the boxes.

Comics may be stored themed according to the image on each box or however a collector desires.

The boxes are sturdy enough to stack several high, are easy to assemble and really brighten up a collection.

Box assembly instructions are printed on the fold-in interior panel.

My selection includes The Darkness, Witchblade, Bloodshot, Valiant, The Walking Dead, Keres, Aphrodite IX, Hellboy, Transformers and CPU.  Many other images/graphics are available.

I can’t wait to move my comic books from those old, dull white boxes to these exciting new image covered boxes.  Thanks BCW!

The New Teen Titans #8

With issue #8 of DC Comics’ The New Teen Titans something unusual and unheard of occurred.

While most superhero books are jam-packed with lots of action, fisticuffs and even more action issue #8 instead focused on the lives of the individual members of The New Teen Titans,

A Day In The Lives gave each member of The New Teen Titans their moment in the spotlight.  Readers were given an intimate, firsthand look at what made each member tick, their motivations, fears and strong sense of responsibility.

Cyborg dealt with his prosthetics and a lost love. Raven sought to be alone with starling results. Starfire relished her freedom and new modeling career.

Wonder Girl pursued her photographer career and love life. Beast Boy dealt with some family business and Kid Flash came to appreciate his family.

To me this issue marked a turning point in The New Teen Titans.  Artist George Perez and writer Marv Wolfman demonstrated a comfortable familiarity with their characters.

While the proceeding issues launched The New Teen Titans into popularity, with issue #8 a new maturity was introduced.

After this the stories became more personal, intimate and had a comfortable feel.  Readers were at ease with the team members and recognized their individual strengths and witnesses.

Other more subtle changes started to take place.  The characters started to look more and more like individuals not just cookie cutter figures.

Robin took on a more mature look and Starfire’s alien features were more noticeable.  

Cyborg was more rugged and at ease with his cybernetics. Beast Boy relished his power and became more imaginative in their use. 

Raven began to take on a more slender and angular look and Kid Flash lost his teenage look and matured into a young man.

The stories evolved in complexity and the page layouts became more daring, the details more elaborate and the overall dynamism of the titles ramped up a notch.

Issue #8 proved that a comic book did not need to be all action and fisticuffs.  Quiet and introspective character studies were just as interesting and far more revealing.

Currently a near mint copy of issue #8 in the raw goes for about $5 while a slabbed copy hovers close to the $75 mark.

Alien 40 Years 40 Artists

Once in awhile a movie comes out that completely shakes up the industry.  Alien was and is that kind of movie.

Forty years ago director Ripley Scott combined two genres: science fiction and horror, and shock movie going audiences with one of the most horrific, frightening, innovative and imaginative movies ever produced.

From its spectacular sets to its incredible practical and special visual effects the movie fired on all cylinders and became an instant classic.

It set the standard for not only science fiction movies to follow but horror movies as well.

Intense, suspense-filled and claustrophobic each scene built to an amazing crescendo and left audiences totally exhausted.

Titan Books presents Alien 40 Years 40 Artists with a foreword by Chris Foss.

Inside the stunning oversize hardbound book with it Alien ‘child’ cover the book features totally unique interpretations of images from the film.

The spaceships, crewmembers, the Aliens and other aspects and images from the film are rendered in drawings and paintings by some of the industry's top artists.  

Each of the forty artists provides a short text piece about their choice of an image and how Alien affected their lives.  Also included are sketches and conceptual images along with the finished pieces allowing readers to witness each artist’s concept to completion process.

It’s a stunning and beautiful compilation of art celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the groundbreaking film.

Dana Scully

For almost 10 years the FBI special unit team of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder investigated the strange and unusual.

Scully, the cautious cynic and Mulder, the wide-eyed believer, looked into alien sightings, abductions, supernatural occurrences and other out of this world happenings.

Their constant back and forth and believer versus unbeliever banter made for great TV.

The show was so popular that it spawned a feature film, a spin-off TV program and tons of merchandise.

The people at Sideshow Collectibles knew a good thing when they saw it so they created a series of 12-inch, fully articulated figures fashioned after the show’s stars and supporting cast.

Dana Scully in lab scrubs was one such figure.

The figure comes packaged in a flip lid box with a large photo of Dana Scully on the front along with the X-Files logo.  On the back of the box is a full color photo of the figure in scrubs along with a text piece about the character and show.  Additional full figure photos are on the sides of the box.

On the inside flap is more text information and a single piece of tissue paper that covers the clear plastic sheet covering the figure and accessories on the body of the box.

Inside the figure and accessories are held in place by a clear plastic, form fitting cocoon and plastic wire straps where necessary.

An ‘The X-File’ base and support wire are included for posing the figure.

The figure’s features look like actress Gillian Anderson of whom they are fashioned after.  Her red hair is pulled back.  The sculptor did a remarkable job of making the hair look real with distinct strands molded in plastic.

The figure’s eyes are a bright blue, it has red lips, a sharp small nose, small ears and soft light skin features.

The head swivels easily and is not bound by the clothing.

Both hands are small and delicate and pre-positioned to hold the accompanying accessories.

The overall articulation is well done with movement in the hips, legs, torso, arms, wrists and ankles.

All movement is smooth and unencumbered by the clothing.

Clothing consists of a short white lab frock with four large pockets, no cuffs and an oversize collar.  It lays over a two-piece light blue medical scrubs that fit loosely over the figure.  

The shirt has no collar and shortened sleeves.

The Scully figure wears off-white tennis shoes with laces.  Included with the figure are a human brain and heart, lab goggles, a scalpel and a cell phone.

All are easily held by the figure.  Posing the figure is made simple by enclosed stand and wire support.

The figure moves freely under the loose cloths with no bunching or binding.

The Official Eleventh Season Bonanza Volume One and Volume Two

Join Ben, Little Joe and Hoss Cartwright and their ranch hand Candy and Hop Sing their cook as they live at and work on the Ponderosa Ranch.

For over a decade Bonanza was one of the most popular TV series on network TV.  As the interest in Westerns waned its ratings began to slip.

The Eleventh Season would still see the series hovering around the top series on TV but within a few years the show would eventually be cancelled.

Running for fourteen seasons the show would leave the air when the season ended.  The previous year actor Dan Blocker passed away basically signaling the death knell for the series.

Still the Eleventh Season would prove just as exciting as the previous 10 seasons.

Highlights included a land rowing boat, Candy being accused of murder, a unsuspecting plan of revenge revealed, Joe and Candy vying for the attention of a young woman, Hoss being mistaken for a bank robber, Candy inheriting a fortune along with 23 more exciting episodes make up The Official Eleventh Season Bonanza Volume One and Volume Two DVD collections.

Both volumes feature the original music, are completely restored, offer some pretty cool extra features (including original commercials and commentaries), original episode previews and alternate Spanish soundtracks.

Any way you look at it the DVD collections deliver big excitement, enjoyment and extras, courtesy of CBS/Paramount.

Marvel Team-Up #79

Spider-Man, Red Sonja and Mary Jane Watson?

Before they became the superstar creative team on The Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont, artist John Byrne and inker Terry Austin turned out an incredible take in Marvel Comics Team-Up #79.

In the issue an ancient artifact turns a museum guard into a centuries old wizard set on world domination.

In the same museum an archaic sword transforms Mary Jane Watson into the female barbarian Red Sonja and Spider-Man comes along for the ride.

Teaming up, Spidey and Red take on the Wizard and his minions in a desperate attempt to stop his dastardly plans.

Needless to say things work out and once again Spidey (and Red Sonja) save the day.  The magical spell wears off and the guard and Mary Jane Watson return to their true forms.

This is a great issue that foreshadows the amazing stories Claremont, Byrne and Austin will start churning out for the X-Men.

In fact several of the characters seen in Claremont and Byrne’s run on Team-Up show up in The Uncanny X-Men.

I recommend fans of the creative duo check out their other collaborative pre-X-Men work on Iron Fist and Team-Up.  You won’t be disappointed.

Baby Blues BB3X

Three decades !?  It’s hard to believe that Rick Kirkman’s and Jerry Scott’s Baby Blues comic strip starring the MacPherson family has been around that long.

Containing one year of daily and Sunday strips, the 37th collection of Baby Blues also contains a special section on its third decade along with a few highlights from the first two years.

Some things never change even over 30 years.

Baby Blues deals with being a parent and the joy and challenges of raising kids-even if they do drive you crazy.

Just a few of the highlights include a barbeque gone wrong, painful earbud extractions, Frisbee mayhem, camping out on the roof, a much needed cellphone and so much more.

The special sections include photos, jam sessions, sketches, character designs, promotional material, trivia and lots of behind the scenes shenanigans from the writer and artist.

It’s Baby Blue BB3X from Andrews McMeel Publishing and it’s more fun than you can shake a pacifier at!

Classic TV--Keeper of the Purple Twilight

The Outer Limits.  Along with The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits served to scare the snot out of me when I was a young lad.

The Outer Limits opened each episode with the foreboding verbal warning:

"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image; make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery, which reaches from the inner mind to the outer limits."

Each week creatures and beings from other worlds and dimensions visited earth, usually with dastardly plans in mind.

An alien arrives on earth to scout out our planet for conquest.  He seeks to obtain a powerful weapon an earth scientist is developing.  He agrees to help the scientist develop the weapon if he will help him obtain emotions-something lacking in his race.

He obtains the emotions, has second thoughts and turns on his own race-thus saving the earth.

The Sideshows Collectibles’ (Toys) The Outer Limits (TV Land Special Edition) box is oversize in order to hold both Ikar and his Soldier.

Open the flip lid and on the inside of the lid is a synopsis of The Outer Limits episode Keeper Of The Purple Twilight.  On the opposite side of the box are the two figures held securely in place by a plastic cocoon and strips.  A clear plastic sheet covers the figures and cocoon protecting them--allowing collectors to view the figures.

The front of the box has a photo of Ikar and two Soldiers seen from the chest up.  The back of the box shows Ikar at a control panel.

Two stands with wire supports are included for posing the figures.

The Ikar figure comes dressed in a one-piece light-yellow velour jumpsuit with a wide belt and high Nehru collar.  He wears large silver (shoes) made of metal with rivets around the two prominent toe sections.

Ikar’s face is green with a large cranium.  He has a heavy brow with two yellow eyes with black irises.  Instead of a nose layers of overlapping green sections run down to his mouth.  The sections look a lot like fish gills.  He also has two large pointed ears.

His hands have five fingers-all of them nearly twice as long as normal human hands.

The figure is fully articulated and moves easily in its loose-fitting cloths.

Ikar’s Soldier is dressed the same as Ikar.  It has similar feet but both hands are large silver metal three blade weapons.

The Soldier has a small head, twice the amount of face flaps, no mouth and small ears.

A large silver weapon with a shoulder mount, handle, site and three cooling vents along with triple triangle decorations on each side is also included. Ikar can hold the weapon, but not the soldier.  

Paint application (especially on the face) is crisp, multi-tonal and clean.  Details match the figures as seen on The Outer Limits.

It’s a great set of figures featuring two classic The Outer Limits characters.

Rodent Invasion!--Rocket Raccoon

Back just a few years ago when Marvel Studios/Disney took a big chance and made Marvel Comics’ Guardians Of The Galaxy into a movie no one knew for sure if it would succeed.

Marvel Studios was on a run with its hit movies based on major Marvel Comics stars.  The big hitters like Captain America, The Avengers, Thor and Iron Man had been big hits.

Making Guardians was a big gamble as the team was a second tier group with some cosmic connections.

Marvel Studios need not have worried both Guardians one and two were big hits.

One such concern over their success was the inclusion of two team members that were totally digital: Groot and Rocket-a talking tree and a raccoon.

Audiences loved them-especially Rocket Raccoon with his saucy attitude and talent for mayhem and piloting skills.

But, long before Rocket became a film favorite he was introduced in of all places Marvel Comics Hulk comic book.

Even then there was something about the feisty rodent that attracted fans.  So much so he received his own 4-part mini-series by writer Carl Potts and artist Mike Mignola (of Hellboy fame).

The mini-series delved into Rocket’s past and impressive skills and quickly became a fan favorite.

While the regular comic book Joe may not be able to afford Rocket’s first appearance in The Incredible Hulk, the mini-series is still affordable.  Of course don’t expect to pay the original 75 cent price tag per issue.

Maiden, Monster and Mayhem!--The Creature Of The Black Lagoon

The design of the Creature in the classic sci-fi/horror film The Creature From The Black Lagoon was one of the most sophisticated and innovative creature designs of that time period.

When you consider the time the movie was produced in the 1950s the remarkable achievement when it came to the Creature’s costume design is quite amazing.

Not only did the stunt person wearing the costume have to wear a large foam rubber suit in several pieces they also were equipped with scuba gear cleverly hidden in the costume.

Underwater photography is always tricky because of the shifting and dim lighting.  To pull off a monster film where much of the action is in or under the water wasn't a small feat.

Such filming was in its infancy and many of the safety precautions and technology we take for granted today were not present at that time.

I love this figure-it is one of my favorite Sideshow Collectibles monster figures.

Like all Sideshow figures it is contained within a flip lid box with a clear plastic viewing panel, plastic cocoon for securing the figure and accessories and a secure plastic strip to hold the figure in place.

The cover is a reproduction of the original Creature movie poster and on the inside of the flap a full list of movie credits is included.

The fully articulated figure is a masterpiece of hidden pivot points, hinge articulation, ball and joint and swivel points all hidden by the layered scales of the Creature.

The details on the figure are amazing.  Every single scale, scale section and nuisance of the figure are present.  Every foot and hand claw is off white with deepening brown striations as they get closer to the finger and toe tips.

The figure’s head duplicates the deep-set, fish-like eyes, nostril ridge that goes into the red lip frog-like mouth and multi-layered chin-breathing chamber.

On each side of Creature’s face are a series of gills that start just below the brow and go all the way to the neck connection to the shoulders.

Each arm is covered by scaled sections as is the chest, torso, legs and back (with fins).

The figure’s hands are humanoid with four fingers and one thumb with webbing connecting all the digits.  Large claws end at each finger.

The large feet look bony with scale coverings and five toes each, with the inner toes shorter than the others.  They also end in claws.

The coloration is what makes the Creature, with its multi-layer green, light green abdomen and scale sections’ darker overlapping edges. 

 
The face, hand and feet detailing are the most elaborate and faithfully recreate the look of the Creature.

Included with the figure is a base, support wire and a reproduction of the skeletal hand discovered by the scientists in the movie.

The figure is a masterpiece of scaling, coloring, sculpting and articulation.  Is it any wonder it is one of my favorite figures?  

Spies and Superheroes!--Wally Wood’s T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1

Back in the heyday of the superhero fervor in the mid-1960s when Marvel Comics and the Batman TV show were in full swing one-time EC Comics penciller Wally Wood came up with his own comic book line published by Tower Comics.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents combined the spy craze of the 1960s with the comic book superhero genre in a successful series that featured great art, some intriguing stories and high production values.

Deluxe Comics brought back the Agents in 1984 that boasted a pretty impressive list of talent.  George Perez provided the cover and an interior art story.  Jerry Ordway contributed a sketch as did Steve Ditko and Keith Giffin contributed a Menthor tale.

Stan Drake and Pat Broderick contributed Iron Maiden and Dynamo sketches while Dave Cockrum takes on a full NoMan tale.  A final tribute is given to T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents’ creator Wally Wood.

After a lawsuit dispute and financial woes Deluxe Comics was forced to close its door thus ending the 1980s most successful run of Wally Wood’s T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

Sadly the high production quality and impressive creative teams were unable to save the series.  At that time the series sold well, considering it was a Direct Sale title only.

Who knows, had Deluxe Comics continued to publish it very well could still be in existence today?  It would make a fine legacy to artist Wally Wood who died at such a young age.

Cute, Cuddly and Lovable!--Honeythunder

Where did they come from?  Suddenly one day a group of soft fluffily creatures with big bodies and small heads appeared in the clouds.

No one knew who they were or why they suddenly appeared.  

What they discovered was that they were kind and gentle creatures who appreciated and loved all those they met--small heads but big hearts

Tiny Heads LLC presents a veritable zoo of cuddly cute animals that kids and adults alike will love.

Are they stuffed animals or pillows or both?

Recently Tiny Headed LLC sent me Honeythunder:  the pink, golden horn unicorn with golden hooves and a big fluffy body as soft as a cloud body.

It’s tiny head has a small white snout, a big smile, deep emotive black eyes, a tuff of white mane and two small ears.

It small fluffy white tail makes Honeythunder even more lovable.

What a great friend for cuddling, telling secrets to and to take wherever you go.

Along with Honeythunder Tiny Headed LLC sent several promotional items that included a soft towel/blanket with headshots of all the other Tiny Headed Kingdom creatures on it, a Honeythunder adjustable cap, an ice-cream cone pin, a beverage cup with oversize straw and brush cleaner, a drink coaster, a postcard and stickers.

What a wonderful plush toy! It makes for a great gift and part of the proceeds go to organizations around the world for those that support and help kids.

Space Alien and Armageddon!-This Island Earth Metaluna Mutant

The classic 1950s movie ‘This Island Earth’ was a science fiction film that stood out from the monster from outer space tripe prevalent at the time.

One of the most outstanding characters introduced in the film was the giant insectoid alien the Metaluna Mutant.

At the time the film was produced (the early 1950s) it was considered the most state of the art and spectacular example of visual and practical effects.  Sets, costume designs and character conception with also given high marks.

The film (unlike most sci-fi films of that period) was taken seriously and in it took 2 1/2 years to complete.

Looking back now the film is dated, somewhat cheesy and almost laughable when it comes to effects.

Still, at the time it was produced it had all the earmarks of a classic sci-fi tale as envisioned during the 1950s.

It is evident that a great deal of money was spent on the sets and other facets of the film.  Conceptually the film still stands up.

Aliens from another star system have gathered together the Earth’s greatest scientists under the guide of advancing mankind’s sciences.

The head scientist, Exeter, is the leader of a group of aliens from Metaluna who have come to Earth in an attempt to turn lead into uranium to power energy weapons and shields to stop their enemy, the Zargo, from destroying their planet.

Starting with the Metaluna Mutant’s figure’s head Sideshow Collectibles artists have done an excellent job of recreating the insectoid appearing horror with its huge pulsating brain, deep red veins on the brain and face surface, deep-set black eyes in twin red protruding circles and insect like mouth opening with its layered maw-much like a spider’s.

The huge head sets on the carapaced body between two large exoskeleton shoulders that are covered with red veins and surrounded by a large cluster of veins that wrap around the entire shoulder area.

Although the figure has no leg articulation it does have shoulder, neck, arm, wrist and ankle points of movement.

The figure also comes with a ‘This Island Earth” stand and support wire.

The Metaluna Mutant is a somewhat heavy and awkward figure and depends on the support to stand and pose.

The lower chest area is striated in five overlapping blue panels.

The arms are long and blue with four joints: one at the shoulders, mid-upper arms, mid-lower arms and wrists.

Covered with light blue carapace the arms also have small bumps or protrusions on the lower arms much like a crab or lobster.  Each arm ends in a large pincher hand with huge claws.  Every arm joint has exterior veins and red fleshy areas where the joins come together.

The creature's waist is a large red band that attaches to loose blue trousers that end in red veins at the cuffs.  The feet consist of two large pinchers and are covered with red veins over blue carapace.  

In the film the lower legs were originally supposed to be carapace covered and look similar to an invertebrate's legs.  The design proved too difficult to pull off so the creature wound up wit a pair of trousers with lower cuff veins.

A large carapace covered lump is also on the creature’s back.

Considering the period when the creature was created for the Silver Screen its design is pretty sophisticated and complex.  It’s reported the creature design cost close to $30,000-a considerable amount for that time.

Make It So! Engage!--Star Trek Picard Season One

Actor Patrick Steward returns to the TV role that made him a star.

In the Star Trek Mythos Captain Jean-Luc Picard stands as one of the most famous and resourceful starship captains in the Federation of Planets.

In Star Trek Picard Season One viewers meet a very different Picard as last seen 14 years ago.

Jean-Luc has retired to his family’s winery after his departure from the Federation. A troubling incident caused Picard to leave the Federation.

Now 14 years later Jean-Luc can’t shake an uneasy feeling and a growing discontent with his present life.

When a young woman desperately seeks Picard’s help and he watches helplessly as she is destroyed before his eyes it sets him out on a new mission and purpose.

As the mystery of woman's identity is revealed Picard discovers troubling events in the Federation.

He soon uncovers more clues as the involvement of Data, artificial life forms, the Borg, the Romulans and other players come to light.

When Picard reunites with the Borg Hugh and Seven of Nine the sparks start to fly as hidden and nefarious and dangerous plot is revealed.

It’s left to Picard and his newly assembled team and several old friends to confront the new threat.

The Star Trek Picard Season One Blu-ray from CBS/Paramount includes all the episodes from the First Season along with deleted scenes, gag reels, featurettes, an exclusive interview with Patrick Stewart and much more.

Superhero Discount!--Ollie’s Superhero Super Deals

I’ve been reading comic books going on 60 plus years.  For nearly half that amount of time I’ve been writing reviews about them.

I love reading about the history of comic books, especially superhero comic books.

As you might imagine I have assembled a pretty impressive library of books about comic books-the last count was in the hundreds.

For a long time it was difficult to find comic book reference material.  Only a handful of publishers consistently put out such books-I have most of them.

Most of the books tend to be on the expensive side so most of them I purchased or traded for at a local used book store, found them at yard sales or requested them as gifts for birthdays, etc.

When Ollie’s Discount Stores started appearing in Jacksonville, Florida where I live, I happened to visit one one day.

I was surprised at the size of its discount books section.

I was even more surprised when I discovered its huge selection of discounted graphic novels and pop culture centered books.  The store had in stock an impressive selection of bundled comic books for around five bucks for five or ten comic books-many of them brand new titles.

What really blew me a way was Ollie’s selection of books about comic books.

Within the last few weeks I've bought copies of books about Deadpool art, Black Widow art, a Jack Kirby retrospective, New 52 Posters and a huge book about The Avengers.

All of them cost a mere $7-$8 each-a cost much, much lower than the original retail prices.

The most recent of the books I picked up was The Marvel Library Of Jack Kirby published by Marvel Comics.

In it Jack Kirby’s entire career with Marvel Comics is showcased.  Growing up I loved Jack’s work-especially his work on The Fantastic Four and Thor.

Over the decade of the 1960s his work blossomed and his imagination was given free reign.  His technological gadgets, Kirby Krackle, powerful action sequences and incredible character designs thrilled me to no end.

It’s all in this new book about him starting with his early Timely work in the 1940s and 1950s to his spectacular work produced in the 1960s and his return to Marvel Comics period in the 1970s.  Jack Kirby truly was The King of Comics.

The Avengers The Ultimate Guide New Edition is basically an updated version of a previous publication,

It contains the history and character descriptions of Marvel Comics’ Avengers super team in addition to events that occurred since the last printing.

What makes this book special is the addition of a special light up cover.

Touch the red button on the front and the Avengers logo lights up along with Iron Man’s repulsor and chest ARC light.

Beautifully assembled and designed the book is filled with archival and new art and lots of fun information.

The Deadpool Merk With A Mouth oversize deluxe hardbound book features a cornocopia of Deadpool comic book covers, variant covers, interior art, textual history and much more about Wade Wilson.

Originally Deadpool was a tribute/parody of DC Comics’ Slade Wilson: Deathstroke The Terminator.

Deadpool creators Rob Liefeld and Fabien Nacienza introduced Deadpool in Marvel’s New Mutants.  He was shown along a few other notable characters but for some unexplained reason Deadpool caught on with fans and before long became a favorite.

Since that time Deadpool has starred in various titles, garnered two feature films, taken his place in merchandise mania and continues to draw in new fans.

The book is a loving tribute to the 4th Wall breaking mercenary with his characteristic smart mouth.

Just as amazing as the Deadpool book (same size and format) is the Black Widow book.

Marvel Comics resident former Russian spy gets the full historical and biographical treatment in this gorgeous full color book jammed with art and fascinating information.

The entire history of Black Widow is chronicled along with how she has changed over the decades.

It’s a beauty of a book with a full color protective book cover. Just like the red haired beauty it is examining, the book is big, bold, beautiful, full of surprises and fascinating.

I stopped buying new DC Comics (along with all other comic books) not long after DC Comics New 52 revamp of its comic books ended.

It’s not that I’ve completely given up on comic books, it’s just that being on a fixed income now that I’m retired I have to be careful where I spend my money.

Occasionally I’ll buy a comic book or like this selection of books-books about comic books.

My days of spending a chunk of my paycheck on comic books are long gone.

That being said I still have all my New 52 comic books and occasionally I’ll break out a few and enjoy a good read.

Ollie’s also has on sale the DC Comics The New 52 Poster Book is filled with 40 removable posters.  All of DC Comics main good guys are spotlighted in full color posters.  What a great way to decorate a man cave, collection room or any room in your house.

All five titles I’ve mention make excellent additions to any comic book lover’s library.

Werewolf From Space!--Marvel Premiere Featuring Man-Wolf #45

Man-Wolf had his premiere in Amazing Spider-Man.  The character proved popular enough to garner guest appearances in various Marvel Comics titles and eventually his own feature in Marvel Premiere #45 in 1978.

John Jameson, son of J. Jonah Jameson, is/was an astronaut who arriving upon the moon finds the mysterious Moonstone, that grafts itself to his body.

When the moon rises the stone transforms John into the Man-Wolf, a beast of uncontrollable rage.

In the new series within a series James has journeyed to the moon, killed the crew of the spacecraft that brought him there and proceeds to venture out to the moon’s surface.

He finds a cave and within it a glowing doorway appears. Stepping the though the doorway he finds himself confronted by warriors.

Amazingly his human consciousness also resurfaces and he is in control of his bestial form.

He discovers that the inhabitants of the moon foretold his transformation to the Man-Wolf.  He is destined to be their savior and to lead them against their sworn enemies.  And so he does,

Along the way he takes possession of their Sacred Sword and so begins the new adventures of the Man-Wolf courtesy of David Kraft, George Perez and Frank Giacoia.

Currently Marvel Premiere Featuring Man-Wolf #45 sells for about $10 raw and $75 slabbed.

A friendly note: Key Silver Age comic books are escalating in price to almost ridiculous levels and even non-keys are shooting up in value.  Bronze Age keys are now the targets of collectors with prices rising fast.  Non-keys are also moving up.   

Marvel Premiere Featuring Man-Wolf #45 is a perfect example of a minor key that is quickly going up in price.  Now is the time to buy Bronze Age comics before they become too expensive.