Cover Story The DC Comics Art Of Brian Bolland

I was first introduced to Brian Bolland's art in Judge Dredd from Eagle Comics.  Later his work hit the mainstream with the 12-part DC Comics maxi-series Camelot 3000.

To the newer DC Comic Books collectors Brian is mainly known for his cover work-especially for Wonder Woman, The Flash and The Invisibles.

He has the distinction of being one of the first traditional ‘veteran’ comic book artists who embraced new computer technology-especially when it comes to illustrations.

It’s rumored that he does all of his drawings on computer including penciling and inking.

Comic book collectors prize his Joker and Batman one-shot graphic novel: The Killing Joke that helped define the modern Joker.

Since this book deals primarily with Bolland’s DC work it starts with several try-out covers before DC assigned him Camelot 3000.

Once established as a first rate, new talent penciller Bolland started cranking out covers for DC Comics.  Along the way he penciled several fill-in issues and back up stories.

Both slow and meticulous, DC took advantage of Brian’s perfectionism allowing him to contribute some of the most iconic covers for DC comics.  Many fans collect the issues for Brian’s covers alone.

The Cover Story The DC Comics Art Of Brian Bolland is filled with Bolland’s art including his sketches, various cover versions and interesting acts and notes about his work and maturing as an artist.

It’s a beautiful oversize hardbound book with a Joker slipcover that provides hour of viewing pleasure.

Star Wars 20th Anniversary

Back in 1997 Star Wars celebrated its 20th Anniversary.  Creator George Lucas and his company had managed to keep Star Wars in the public’s eyes all those years through the clever use of merchandise and promotion.

The children of the first generation of Star Wars fans had discovered the movie original trilogy and Star Wars was enjoying a new genesis.

Lucas would soon be releasing ‘special editions’ of all three original movies in theaters complete with new computer generated creatures and effects and extra scenes.

Topps Publishing commemorated Star Wars 20th Anniversary with an Official 20th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine.

Included in the photo-filled magazine were cast and character profiles, a retrospective on the trilogy, the how to of special effects, the upcoming reboots and what to expect, tributes, a history of the making of the film and much more.

For Star Wars fans the magazine offered one of the most complete examinations of the films outside of full-fledge book publications.

The Vader cover came in two editions: a plain cover and a gold embossed cover.

X-Factor #41 and #42

Team X-Factor has its hands full when it confronts giants, demons, trolls, dinosaurs and other monsters and mystical beings in issues #41 and #42 of X-Factor.

Arthur Adams provides the art and Louise Simonson the words as they introduce Alchemy.

The script is fun, funny and with Arthur’s pencils you never know what to expect.

The X-Factor team and The New Mutants are looking for mutants in London.

Meanwhile a young boy is working on his chemistry course completely oblivious of the fact that he has the ability to turn one element to another.

When he changes lead to gold he gets the attention of a nearby troll living under a bridge.

The troll tracks down the boy and kidnaps him to take him back to his lair to share the gold with other trolls.

Meanwhile the New Mutants and X-Factor arrive at the boy’s house only to discover he has been abducted.

They track the boy down by following a trail of gold objects and come face-to-face with the trolls.

It‘s magic and mayhem as the forces of science clash against old magic in a romp around the English countryside.

Marvel Comics' X-Factor and The New Mutants have never looked so good or trolls so threatening due in no small part to Arthur Adams incredible pencils.

Issues #42 and #43 offer a fun romp with plenty of mischief, mayhem, magic and mutants.

Winning Streak

I admit, I’m not much at playing games.  I have this unfortunate talent for losing.

I do, however, have a healthy respect for those that play games and play them well.

Board games, video games, roll playing games-you name it; it takes a lot of patience, talent for strategy and sometimes just dumb luck-none of which I possess.

In Winning Streak, by author (and game reviewer) John-Michael Gariepy, readers are given ‘Tales and Trivia of the Forty Most Popular Board Games’.

Inside the author covers every game from challenging games like Axis & Allies to kid games such as Candyland and Operation.

Each game is given its just due with careful examinations of game play, observations, and its place in gaming lore and much more.

Coupled in with the game reviews are personal observations, anecdotes, historical notes, fun facts, game strategies and some recommendations.

From easy to learn and play child games to the more challenging and intense strategy games the book runs the gamut of modern and classic board games.

If you love games, board or otherwise, this is an excellent introduction to games, how to play them, what to look for, interesting history facts and often funny anecdotes and observations.

Complemented by full color photos of the games, including covers and set-up shots, the book offers readers the opportunity to pick and choose the games best suited to their particular tastes and needs.

Serious full time gamers and novices will enjoy this very personal and informative book about board games.

Now where did I put my dice?

Hong Kong Fooey and Fred Flintstone With Chopper

Hanna Barbera revolutionized animated cartoons when the company began producing cartoons for Saturday mornings and primetime series such as The Flintstones and Jonny Quest.

Back in the early 2000s McFarlane Toys secured the rights to produce collectible and articulated figures and playsets based on Hanna Barbera cartoons.

While less than twenty were produced they are sought after by both McFarlane Toys and Hanna Barbera collectors.

It’s not really clear why McFarlane Toys produced such a small number of Hanna Barbera figures considering the animation studios was responsible for literally hundreds of characters.

Despite that the figures McFarlane Toys did produce are some of the best cartoon figures ever made faithfully recreating the characters in 3D.

The Fred Flintstone With Chopper was one of The Flinstones figures McFarlane Toys produced.

The Flinstones were ‘the modern Stone Age family’ copied from the Jackie Gleason The Honeymooners series from the 1950s.

The main cast consisted of Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble.  Later in the series the Flinstones had a little girl called Pebbles and the Rubbles a little boy Bam Bam.

The Flintstones pet was Dino The Dinosaur and the Rubbles' pet was Happy The Hopperoo.

The Fred Flintstone figure (as is his Chopper) is painted in matte finish paint.  This gives the figures a much more cartoonish look as befits their origin.

The packaging is a standard bubble pack hanger/shelf container.  It is clear with The Flintstones logo predominant on its front and a large photo of Fred on the side flap.  

On its back is a gallery of other Hanna Barbera toys.  The Hong Kong Fooey figure packaging is similar.

Fred sits straddled on his chopper.  He wears no helmet although one is include hanging for the extended seat back made of two tusks.  The helmet is a turtle shell in light green and brown with a leather strap.

Fred wears his distinctive orange and black spot outfit.  He also wears two leather wristbands with studs and a black leather vest that really sets off his aqua tie.

The figure looks identical to the Fred Flintstone animated figure right down to his large bulbous nose, large slit mouth, tousled top notch of black hair and large four finger hands and four toe feet.

The Chopper featured a stegosaurus skull head front mount, off which the two prominent horns are handlebars which Fred holds.

Extending out of the skull nostrils holes are two shafts of wood held midway by a horizontal wooden support and ending in a rough-hewn stone wheel.

A similar contraption holds the larger stone wheel in the back.

The gas tank is of stone as is the Fossil Fuel Engine with removable side panel.

Twin open-end horns are the exhaust which beltch twin flames of orange and yellow.  The footrest and stabilizer kickstand is made of bone.

The base for the Chopper looks like sandy soil with the rocks scattered about.  Two of the rocks hold the Chopper in place for display.

The Chopper pivots for wheel-poppin’ action.

Hone Kong Fooey rode the wave of popularity of Kung Fu and martial arts movies and TV shows prevalent in the 1970s.

The action figure wears his characteristic bright orange with white stripes outfit that ends at Hong Kong’s knees and elbows and is tied at the waist with a yellow rope.

The figure wears a black eye mask and is posed in a typical attack mode with its right arm extended to deliver a blow, it’s left arm pulled back at its side and both feet in the air in a striking pose.  The figure is mounted on a pole as if in mid-flight.

Included with the figure is a thief with black mask, blue hat, black vest, horizontal black and white stripe shirt, blue pants and brown shoes.  He has a tab on his right shoe toe that when clipped into the base spring allows the figure to spring back.

Also included is Hong Kong Fooey’s companion.  Solid yellow with two horizontal gray strips on its torso the figure mimics Hong Kong’s move.

Included with the three figures is a base that looks like a sidewalk section that includes a separate snap n section for the cat to clip on.

Both figure sets are nicely painted with no sloppy edges or bleed-overs.  Sculpting is superb mimicking the animated figures perfectly in 3D.

Wonder Woman 1984

The new Wonder Woman 1984 movie was panned by some critics.  Personally I don’t see a problem.  We are talking about the 1980s and the movie played like a 1980s movie.  I think critics missed that point.

Warner Bros. presents Wonder Woman 1984 on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Code Combo Pack.

The gist of the movie is that to be careful what you wish for-because you just might get it.  Steve Trevor returns, Barbara Minerva obtains powers equal to, or stronger, than Wonder Woman at a terrible price and as the movie progresses others who had their wishes fulfilled soon realize that sometimes its best to leave wishes unfulfilled.

Wonder Woman has just come into the peak of her powers-powers that are tested as her best friend transforms into her greatest nemesis: Cheetah.

Diana (Wonder Woman) must cope with the return of her long lost love only to lose him again and must battle a phenomenon that threatens the world-a threat of its own making.

Look for lots of action (I especially like the scenes on Paradise Island when Diana was a small girl and the fight with Cheetah), some genuinely funny moments and the homage to the ‘all about me decade’: the 1980s.

If you’re expecting the same type of storyline as seen in the first Wonder Woman movie you will be surprised and delighted by the Wonder Woman 1984 storyline.

Having lived through the 1980s, I can identify with all that went on during the decade as represented in the movie.

This is a much more personal movie that the first and it offers a real insight of what makes Wonder Woman tick and why she remained hidden all those decades after the movie’s events.

Look for lots of extras such as a ‘making of’ featurette, several spotlight shorts, a gag reel and a retro remix.

Vampire Buffy

During the 1990s Fox TV’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a huge hit.  Droves of fans loved the adventures of Buffy and her Scooby Gang that protected Sunnyvale citizens from all sorts of nasty critters.

Demons, vampires, witches, wizards and all sorts of denizens from the underworld and magical realms swarmed to Sunnyvale, the nexus of the supernatural.

Sideshow Collectibles created a huge collection of Buffy 12-inch, fully articulated figures-all of which came in Sideshow’s flip lid boxes with figure and accessory cocoons and protective clear plastic display panels.

What happens to the world’s most famous vampire hunter when she becomes a vampire herself?

Of all the Buffy, Buffy The Vampire Slyer 12-inch figures Vampire Buffy is my favorite.

The Vampire Buffy figure captures Buffy at her bloodsucking best.  Her cloths, facial features, accessories and overall look all click.  Everything works.

The packaging is a box with a flip open front lid.  On the over is a close-up of Vampire Buffy’s face.  Other Buffy photos are on all sides of the box.

Inside Buffy and her accessories are secure in a form fitting clear plastic cocoon covered by a clear sheet of plastic for display and protection.

The Vampire Buffy face is a masterpiece of sculpting.  Buffy’s human face is clearly distinguishable but she also has the pronounced forehead and heavy brows of a vampire, much like Angel.

Her eyes look slightly smaller than human and are sunk under heavy brows with no eyebrows.

Buffy still has her long blond hair but it is slightly pulled back from her large forehead.  Two hair strands hang on either side of her face.  Pierced earrings are also clearly seen.

The figure comes dressed in a short sleeve blouse with a horizontal black strip at the collar.  A white strip is below it, then a light blue then a broad black horizontal strip completes the blouse.

Over the blouse she wears a light blue jacket with long sleeves, cuffs, reinforced chest area, large blue collar, four large blue buttons and some pretty serious in scale stitching.

The rest of her wardrobe includes a pair of loose black slacks and black short boots.

Buffy’s hands are small and delicate with a silver ring on her left hand finger.

Accessories include a large two-blade battle-axe with a steel shaft and double hand leather/wooden handle.

A single ornate blade battle axe with attached single blade knife on a silver shaft and with a double wood and leather handle and wooden stack make up the rest of Buffy’s weapons.

A Buffy circular base and support wire stand allow the figure to pose in various action stances.

The figure poses with no clothing restrictions or strain, moves smoothly and holds the weapons without slippage.

The Incredible Hulk #168

As if things weren’t bad enough with Bruce Banner turning into the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk #168 from Marvel Comics, just imagine his dismay when the love of his life Betty Ross/Talbot turns into the winged, green Harpy!

After discovering that her husband Glen Talbot was killed rescuing her father, General ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, from Russia, Betty has a breakdown.

She blames her father for Glen’s death.

Modok, the misshapen leader of A.I.M has his own plans for Betty as an instrument of destruction.

He manipulates her mind and causes her to leave the hospital where she is interned just as the Hulk comes to visit her.

When the Hulk arrives she is gone.  He manages to track her down after encountering Modok back at Modok’s A.I.M. headquarters.

But it is too late.  Modok has already exposed her to an experimental Gamma radiation bath.

She transforms into the Harpy (a winged green monstrosity) and upon seeing the Hulk attacks-unleashing her hatred for both him and Bruce Banner for the untimely death of her husband and the pain they had caused her over the years.

It was just what Modok wants.

She attacks and to the Hulk’s surprise she is able to shoot Gamma radiation bolts from her hands that weaken the Hulk.

Before long she has the Hulk at her mercy and in the last panel of the issue it appears she has triumphed over the Hulk.

This is a sleeper issue.  I believe like the first appearance of Doc Sampson, the Abomination and even Wolverine in The Incredible Hulk comic book this issue holds the possibility of escalating in value.

Now that it is confirmed that a second Hulk movie is to be produced rumors abound as to who the antagonist will be. Speculators will soon clamor to find minor keys, such as this issue, so prices are sure to go up.

Currently this issue in mint condition in the raw goes for about $75 and a slabbed issue in the same condition averages about twice that amount.

Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, April 2021

Guardians Of The Galaxy The Ultimate Guide To The Cosmic Outlaws

So you think you know all there is to know about Marvel Comics: Guardians Of The Galaxy?

I thought I was pretty much up on the Guardians until I took a look at DK Books’ Guardians Of The Galaxy The Ultimate Guide To The Cosmic Outlaws.

Inside readers learn about the long and detailed history of the Guardians.

Look for a complete timeline, character profiles, the various appearances and series, guest stars, rosters, enemies, aliens, civilizations and more.

Full color illustrations, complemented by detailed informative text and little known facts, make this book a veritable encyclopedia of the Guardians Of The Galaxy.

The hardbound book is part of DK Books library of superhero reference books.  The book is as colorful, entertaining and insightful as the comic books themselves.

The Art Of Star Trek Discovery

Set 10 years before the original Star Trek series, the Discovery is an experimental Starfleet starship that uses a radical new type of warp technology.

Its crew consists of a diverse assortment of aliens.  Few people in Starfleet know of the Discovery as its mission and explorations are steeped in secrecy.

When Discovery first aired Star Trek fans were pretty evenly split down the middle in whether they loved it or hated it.

The first year of the series was a little confusing, raised more questions than it answered and loosely tied into the Star Trek Universe.

When the second season finished airing the pieces began coming together and it became clearer as to Discovery’s place in the Star Trek mythos.

The third season firmly planted it into Star Trek lore.

Titan Books and writers Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann proudly present The Art Of Star Trek Discovery.

The oversize hardbound book, with slipcover, contains conceptual art for both the firsts and second seasons.

Readers are guided through a visual tour of beautiful full color illustrations and photos from the series and well as are given informative text about how the series was done.

Most people have little idea just how much work goes into creating such a spectacular series.

Production design, set creations, costumes, alien designs, spaceships and equipment construction and much more must all mesh together to make the series work.

Inside look for weapons designs, costume visualizations, character (both human and alien) selection, wardrobe, hairstyles, body and facial conceptualizations, accessories and more.

Discover how both the physical and digital effects were created, the readout screens, handheld weapons and equipment, insignia, lighting, planet environments and small incidentals all came to fruition from the fertile minds of the creative staff of artists, artisans, craftsmen, carpenters, electricians and designers.

After looking through the book you can’t help but be impressed by the tremendous hard work, creative thinking and imagination that went into the series.

Platoon Pvt. Chris Taylor

One of the greatest films ever made about the horrors and controversy surrounding the Vietnam War was director Oliver Stone’s Platoon starring Charlie Sheen as Pvt. Chris Taylor, with supporting roles by Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe.

The film would inspire countless other films and TV shows about the war, that shed new light on the war that tore America apart.

Sideshow Collectibles recreated all three of their characters as 12-inch, fully articulated deluxe action figures.

In this review I’ll be examining the Pvt. Chris Taylor figure and his weapons and accessories.

The figure looks remarkably like the actor Charlie Sheen.  Its narrow face, long straight nose, close set eyes, heavy brow and pointed chin match the actor’s features perfectly.

The figure is fully articulated in all of its joints including the neck and torso and has its hands are set in grip positions for holding weapons and equipment with no slippage.

All the figure’s clothing, equipment and weapons are fashioned after the Vietnam War era.

Chris Taylor wears a standard issue green military outfit for the field.

Around his neck he wears a heavy scarf of green tucked into a heavy green coat consisting of a large tuned down collar, two vest pockets with flaps, two waist pockets with flaps and reinforced cuffs that open complemented by heavy stitching.

Over the coat he wears an equipment belt with shoulder straps with buckles and an equipment belt with a heavy clip buckle, loops and rivets.  Hanging onto the belt are two ammo pouches with heavy snap shut lids.  The belt and pouches are green.

The figure wears loose fitting trousers with two large pockets with the legs cinched at he bottoms.  The trousers end at the top of the figure’s tall-laced boots.  The boots appear to be canvas with heavy leather soles and toes.  Take a moment to look at the detail on the boots from the stitching to he laces-amazing!

Taylor also wears a special red headband like the one seen in the movie.

Included with the figure is a standard issue helmet with camo cloth covering, and M-16 Rifle with clip and shoulder strap, three hand grenades, a knife with scabbard and strap and ring attachment, a mine, detonation cord, a firing trigger, a small pouch and a larger pouch for carrying the various detonation equipment.

The M-16 is the most impressive of the weapons.  It’s heavy stock and grip, firing chamber and upper metal handle perfectly match its larger namesake.  It also has strap clips and a trigger guard and clip.

The figure easily holds the weapons and equipment with no slippage or chance of dropping them.

The figure is freestanding and requires no base or support wire.

Color application on the figure and weapons duplicate military standard colors with clean even lines and no slopovers.  Molding is crisp and sharp with no rough edges or flashing.  

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes!

I’ve said it before but needs repeating, “When it comes to collectibles, strong storage boxes are a must.”

When it comes to toys, model kits and other collectibles in small boxes, on hangers or wrapped in plastic a good strong box is necessary so the items don’t get damaged.

Nobody wants an expensive toy crushed because the box it’s stored in collapses or has a weak top.  

Collectors need boxes that are stackable, sturdy and not so expensive that they cost more than the collectibles they store.

Recently Uline send me a couple of its cardboard boxes that you fold and assemble.

They’re easy to fold and put together in a flash.  They are constructed of thick cardboard, hold up to stacking, and come in a variety of sizes.

I received two that measure:

Corrugated Box - 18 X 18 X 16"
Economy Storage File Box - 15 X 12 X 10”

The price is right and the quality is first-rate.

Besides boxes of every shape and size, Uline also stocks containers from buckets to wooden crates, a huge selection of office and warehouse supplies and much more.

For more information check out Uline’s website at: https://www.uline.com/.

Superman #44 and The Brave And The Bold #84

Two very important incidents happened in the DC Comics Universe both pre and post Crisis On Infinite Earths.

The incidents involve Batman and Superman.  I’m here to discuss both.

Before DC Comics ‘cleaned house” with its Crisis On Infinite Earths maxi-series, the DC Universe was a mess of discontinuity filled with alternate Earths, inconsistent superhero and super villain powers and lacking a cohesive whole for its comics.

In The Brave And The Bold title DC Comics had introduced a number of new characters that went on to gain their own series.

The comic then shifted to team-ups of various DC heroes.  

When artist Neal Adams began penciling the comic book it had already firmly established itself as a Batman team-up title.  Adams took it to another level with his reimaging of the Dark Knight.

He took Batman to his dark roots and fans loved it.

In The Brave And The Bold #84 the story shifts to World War II where Bruce Wayne meets up with Sgt. Rock and Easy Company during an espionage assignment.

Shifting to the present Batman is confronted by an old WWII adversary poised to kill him only to have the now aged Sgt. Rock save his life.

The ‘present’ story takes place in 1969-24 years after the war ended.  In the WWII era Wayne and Rock were not that far apart in age.  Yet in the ‘present’ story Sgt. Rock appears much older than Wayne does.

Still it makes for an exciting story and the Neal Adams’ art alone makes it a worthwhile read.

Currently a mint copy of the comic book goes for around $75.

Shift to the post-Crisis era.  Superman has been revamped by John Byrne and DC Comics.

Batman and Superman’s relationship has changed.  While in the pre-Crisis era they were ‘buddies’, in the post era they are often at odds with each other’s methods of fighting crime.

That being said they do respect each other and have each other’s back when necessary.

In Superman #44 they team up to battle a very real threat.  I won’t go into specifics other than to state at the end of 3-part saga (that also includes The Adventures Of Superman #467 and Action Comics #654) Superman entrusted Lex Luthor’s kryptonite ring to Batman.

His reason being that if he should go bad or be controlled by outside forces Batman has the means to stop him.

Since the Crisis maxi-series the DC Universe has gone through even more changes.  But, Superman’s trust in batman has not changed.  Should he go rogue Batman has the means to stop him.

Superman #44 sells for less than five dollars.  The entire trilogy can be purchased between 10 and 15 dollars.

Star Wars Icons Han Solo

Recently I picked up two oversize books at Ollie’s Discount Stores both of which were published by Insight Editions. One of the was Star Wars Icons Han Solo.

Perhaps the greatest rogue and scoundrel the Silver screen has ever seen is Han Solo as played by Harrison Ford in five Star Wars films.

Fans were aghast when Han died in The Force Awakens.

The beautiful oversize hardbound book comes with a half-slip case with a silhouette of Han on it along with the book title.

Behind the slipcase is a photo montage of art and photos of Han and others in the Star Wars cast.

Inside readers learn about the origin of Han, including the original Star Wars script description, characters designs and subsequent art and photos form the other Star Wars films Han appeared in.

Lavishly illustrated and filled with photos the book delves into the legacy of Han Solo right up to his death in The Force Awakens.  

A full section is dedicated to the influence Han had on other action heroes and how his legacy continues to be felt in the Star Wars films to this day.

Also included is a cornucopia of images of Han books, toys and other merchandise.  The book is the ultimate Han Solo reference tome.

Star Trek Discovery 2021 Wall Calendar

I’ll be the first to admit that when the Star Trek Discovery TV series first aired I had no idea what was going on or how the series would tie-in to the Star Trek Universe.

After a bumpy start its first year the show found its footing and successfully melded itself into the Star Trek Mythos.

This it did in several ways: by introducing characters and events from all of the Star Trek movies and TV series and by expounding on the Star Trek Universe itself.

Rizzoli/Universe Publishing has released a Star Trek Discovery 2021 Wall Calendar that features 12 full color photos taken directly fro the TV series.

All of the key characters and players are shown that have appeared during the first and second seasons.

Now you can “Go Where No Man Has Gone Before!” by simply checking your calendar.

As Spock would say, “Fascinating!”

Judge Dredd and Judge Death

Judge Dredd is the ultimate lawman and defender of Mega-City.  His evil doppelganger: Judge Death, is a horrific living corpse from and alternate universe where the ultimate penalty for living is death!

The two great creations are from the British 2000 A.D. comic book anthology weekly series made famous by artist Brian Bolland.

In 1999 Reaction Figures created both a Dredd and Death 6-inch, articulated action figures.

The Judge Dredd action figure comes on a bubble card with a form-fitting plastic cocoon holding the figure in place.  The card background consists of Judge Dredd color painting and a large vertical Judge Dredd logo with badge.

The figure features the Judge with has jutting jaw, red, blue and yellow helmet with badge insignia and visor.  Dredd’s shoulders are hidden by two large shoulder pads with the right one sculpted to look like an eagle.

Dredd wears a form-fitting blue outfit that covers his chest, torso, upper legs and upper arms.  The body suit has a long zipper from chest to crotch with a gold chain attached to Dredd’s badge.

He wears green elbow and shoulder pads, a green belt with a gold eagle buckle, green gloves and green boots with a gun holster on the right boot.

Included with the figure is a large hand weapon (Lawgiver Mark 1) painted a dull silver, a Birdie Lie Detector, a small dull silver dagger and a black Billy club. 

The Judge Death figure is a perverted version of Judge Dredd.

It wears a dark blue helmet with a silver grating over its eyes and shoulder pads-one a series of human bones and the other a dragon with its wings open over the Judge’s back and chest.

Other costume accessories include a bone laced elbow and shoulder pads, a grisly skull with wings belt buckle on a yellow bone belt and a large dull silver DEATH badge on its dark blue body leotard.

Judge Death’s bony hands and feet are bare.  His desiccated grinning skull juts form under his helmet

A black orb with yellow warning label (Dimension Jumper) and a human heart are also included.

The packaging is similar to the Judge Dredd bubble pack.  The only difference is that it has a full color painting of Judge Death as the  background.

Dark Magician Girl The Dragon Knight

Konami presents its latest Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game release with the Dark Magician Girl The Dragon Knight.

Look for a Game Mat, a 70+ Sleeved Card Holder, 50 Card Sleeves and a 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio.

Put a little ‘magic’ into your Dark Magician Girl The Dragon Knight Game with some accessories you can use ‘day’ or ‘knight’

Cushion your game with a new full-size soft, cushioned, and rubberized Game Mat measuring 24” by 14”

Protect your Cards in the new 50 Card Sleeve Pack. Keep your sleeved Cards in the sturdy and flip lid 70+ Sleeved Card Holder and top it all off with the 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio than holds 180 Cards.

Check out the cool reflective front and back covers.  Did I mention it has anti-slip pockets?

What better way to upgrade and protect your Dark Magician Girl The Dragon Knight YGO Trading Card Game Cards?

Wonder Showzen The Complete Series

Who doesn’t love kids’ educational TV shows?  Sesame Street, The Electric Company, The Magic School Bus--all of them are classics.

They teach kids right from wrong, how to get along, science, math and so much more.

Puppets, animation, live action-each and every one was used in some of the best of educational TV.

And then there’s Wonder Showzen The Complete Series DVD Collection from CBS/Paramount/MTV.  Oh, it looks harmless enough with its puppets, bright colors, songs, skits and the like.

Here’s the catch-it is definitely not for kids-unless of course they are sociopaths, weirdos or demented souls.

Sixteen episodes of inappropriate behavior, disturbing subjects and a cast of puppets and humans who dare to ask some unusual questions make up seasons one and two.

Join Clarence and the Beat Kids as they dare to take a kids’ show to where no kids’ show has even been before.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of kids friendly shows on TV, streaming, online, DVDs and other social communication avenues but nothing, absolutely nothing is like Wonder Showzen.

Extras include out takes, featurettes, bloopers and commentaries and even auditions.

It’s just for kids--NOT!

The Silver Surfer Super-Sized Annual #1

When Ikarus and The Eternals and the Super Skrull show up-there’s bound to be trouble and The Silver Surfer is caught in the middle!

In The Silver Surfer Super-Sized Annual #1 The High Evolutionary appears to The Eternals and ‘requests’ that they help him.

The Super Skrull returns from energy oblivion and together with The Silver Surfer they team up to stop The Eternals and The High Evolutionary’s mad plan.

In this Annual several small stories are included: Nova discovers Galactus is dying, Mantis finds herself totally alone in unfamiliar surrounding and artist Ron Lim provides a Silver Surfer art gallery.

While the original Marvel Comics' Silver Surfer Silver Age series by Stan Lee and John Buscema garners most of the collector praise The Silver Surfer Volume II series is well worth reading.

Much of the Surfer’s past, powers and reason for existence is explained and expanded upon.

The series established much of what the Surfer represents today and from which new creative teams draw inspiration from.

Die Hard

I absolutely love all of the Die Hard movies starring Bruce Willis as police detective John McClane.

Die Hard The Ultimate Visual History the oversize hardbound book from Insight Editions celebrates the movie franchise.

Authors James Mottram and David S. Cohen provide an exhaustive study of the films from concept to completion.

Complemented with hundreds of photos and illustrations along with insightful production notes and details the book is a massive archive of the films.

Behind-the-scenes photos and interviews, never seen before missing scenes and other fascinating observations and recollections fill the book.

Look for special inserts that recreate documents, special effects secrets, stage settings, actors and production staff recollections and so much more.

Costume designs, set and location photos, storyboards and information about the cast, crew, soundtracks and other production information delve heavily into the making of the famous film series.

All five films are examined including comments about the films’ imitators.

It’s a delightful excursion into creation of a film icon and the processes by which the films were brought to the big screen.

The Fly

Joe Simon and Jack Kirby were one of the most creative comic book teams in history.  They were responsible for a plethora of superheroes such as Captain America, invented Romance Comics, pioneered kid teams and challenged the medium their entire careers.

One of their creations was The Fly.  While the initial run of The Fly was short it influenced a number of young creators over the following decades.

When Rich Buckler agreed to head up the development of Archie Comics’ Red Circle imprint, one of its properties was The Fly.

While the initial release of the Red Circle Comics went smoothly editorial and publisher woes plagued the imprint.

Rich soon found himself at odds with the publisher, burdened by deadlines, dealing with creators and various other unexpected delays and problems.

Tragically the Red Circle line of comics faded after only a few short issues.

Still there were high points as some well-known creators (Steve Ditko being one of them) turned out some stellar work.

Issues #1 and #2 of The Fly featured covers by legendary comic book artist Jim Steranko.

Issue #1 also included introductions to The Shield and Mr. Justice while issue #2 spotlighted The Hangman.

It’s a pity Red Circle did not succeed as many of the stories were well written and illustrated and showed promise.

But, economics and print production woes seemingly doomed the relaunch before it really got it legs under it.

Years later DC Comics would attempt to relaunch Red Circle with much of the same results.

DC Superheroes The Ultimate Pop-Up Book

DC superheroes are some of the best in the business.  Their adventures have thrilled readers ever since Superman was introduced in 1938.

Up until recently DC fans have settled for the printed adventures of the DC characters in 2D.  Not any longer.  For some spectacular 3D, in-your-face DC action check out DC SuperHeroes The Ultimate Pop-Up Book.

Little, Brown and Company published this oversize foldout masterpiece.  Matthew Reinhart was the writer and creator of the fabulous 3D foldouts of DC’s mightiest heroes.

The cover is of think paper stock with brightly color illustrations of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman on its front with the DC Superheroes title in gold ink and a gold DC 75 logo on the back and spin.

Flip open 3D foldouts start with Superman then Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Darkseid, and a battle scene with DC heroes and villains battling it out.  All the pages include two small foldouts of key scenes and supporting casts.

It includes all sort of cool extras like a light up bat symbol, Wonder Woman's transparent plane and rope lasso and other cool props.

Colorful cutouts and clever pop-out shapes along with informative text about the characters make this a must have DC Comic Book fans’ gotta have list.