Jackie Chan Spartan X #1

Get ready for some X-Treme in your face action courtesy of Jackie Chan’s Spartan X Hell-Bent-Hero-For-Hire #1 courtesy of Image Comics, Michael Golden and Armando Gil.

It seems only logical to team up the ultimate man of action: Jackie Chan, with the ultimate action comic book illustrator in a publication that showcases both of their talents.

Spartan X is as near to human perfection as possible.  Many peg him as superhuman.  Fast, athletic, intelligent and trained in all the martial arts, Spartan X (Jackie Chan) relishes each challenge presented to him.

Often irreverent, humorous and flippant Spartan X in nonetheless a consummate professional who does his job and does it well regardless of the risks.

The story is interesting and exacting but what I find most appealing is the art of Michel Golden.

Michael is one of only a handful of artists who can draw anything and draw it well.

Never one to adhere to a formula comic book his illustrations are dynamic, unique, fluid and pull you in as a reader.

Every time I read a comic book featuring his art I’m practically out of breath by the time I’ve read it through.

This was true when he drew The Micronauts, Nam and fill-in issues for Batman and Doctor Strange, Bucky O’Hare and so forth.

Another unique ability of his is the talent to draw different genres.  He’s good at realism, humorous cartoons, horror, science fiction and so forth.

For an early showcase of his work check out The Avengers Annual #10 that introduced Rogue.  Wow!

While Spartan X only lasted four issues it’s well worth the effort to track down the issues.  You won’t be sorry.

Job 19:25 (NKJV) “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;”

Calendar and Planner

Mr. Potato Head 2022 Monthly/Weekly Planner Calendar
By Hasbro

Distributed by Andrews McMeel Publishing, the Mr. Potato Head 2022 Weekly Planner is a small planner (6 x8-inch) decorated with Mr. Potato Head on its blue cover.

Inside the months in 2022 are shown in calendar form useful for quick notes.

Following the calendar section are the months broken down as four days per page accompanied by hilarious and color drawings of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head dressed up in a variety of outfits and taking part in numerous activities-many of which are themed to a particular month‘s holiday.

Additional features include:

Fits neatly in book bags, totes, and backpacks
Stylish elastic band closure and lay-flat binding
Widely celebrated and nationally recognized holidays and observances for U.S. and Canada
Moon phases, based on Universal Time, throughout
Printed on FSC-certified paper with soy-based ink
Handy storage pocket against the back cover

National Geographic: Islands 2022 Wall Calendar
By National Geographic

The National Geographic Islands, from Universe Publishing and distributed by Andrews McMeel Publishing, calendar features some of the world’s most amazing tropical destinations with stunning full color photos of each.

Look for sandy beaches, swaying palm tree, inviting bays, rugged seacoasts, small inlets, stunning skies and crashing waves.

Sit back and enjoy the tropical paradises no matter where you live.

Printed on high-quality, Earth-friendly Forest Stewardship Council certified paper
More than 25% of the royalty proceeds directly benefit the National Geographic Society through National National/Disney’s “Purchase Has Purpose” Initiative
Includes all major and significant holidays
Features informative text throughout
Includes moon phases
Grids for adding appointments and reminders
Includes major official world holidays

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Stargirl: The Complete Second Season

Imagine you’re a teenage girl. One day you discover that your stepdad was at one time the young sidekick of the superhero Starman.

When Starman perishes, along with The Justice Society of America, your stepdad takes Starman’s magic staff and hides it away in the basement.

One day you discover the staff and are surprised when its power activates and you find yourself the heir to the Starman’s legacy.

Stargirl (Courtney Whitmore) embraces the mantle of Starman and with her stepdad decide to form a modern version of The Justice Society of America.

With her stepdad's assistance in his mobile, mechanical suit of armor, Stargirl goes about recruiting young members to the new Justice Society.

Of course never go smoothly as some of the old Justice Society’s enemies are not keen about a new JSA.

In the second season things get even dicier when Eclipso shows up and the dark entity of corruption turns friends to foes. Can Stargirl and the new JSA stay united to stop Eclipso and Shade and successfully add new member?

Forced to attend summer school Courtney and her new team-mates contend with Solomon Grundy, Dr. Mid-Nite and the death of Brainwave (especially Wildcat).

Stargirl: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray/Digital Code Combo Pack from Warner Bros. also includes a gag reel, a featurette and a very special thank you.

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The Grand Creators

Creation: artists create unique works of art derived from their imaginations.

What if artists could make their creations come alive?

Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game: The Grand Creators, will strategies into existence including World Premiere Spell Card for Inzektors,

Monsters with the knack for creating living art literally pour their blood and sweat into their creations.

 As a gamer you assemble a fellowship where you’re the hero. Just look at what you can do:

Summon a brave protagonist to the field as a Token.
Meet powerful new friends who will aid you.
Explore beautiful new Field Spells.
Get armed with mysterious Equip Spells.
Unleash a Trap Card that can Summon more heroic monsters.

Also be on the lookout for:

Dutiful Xyz Monsters who save souls.
A powerful Spell Card that will enhance “Inzektor” .

The Grand Creators Booster Set contains 60-Cards:

10 Ultra Rares
15 Super Rares
35 Rares
*15 cards in the set are also available as Collector's Rares

Each Foil Booster Pack contains 7 Cards:
1 Foil Card per Pack
6 Rare Cards per Pack

Witness art come to life.  But beware-are they good or bad?

Psalm 29:2 (KJV) “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

Star Wars Chronicles

There are books about Star Wars and then there are BOOKS about Star Wars.

Chronicle Books' Star Wars Chronicles, by Deborah Fine and Aeon Inc., focuses on the original Star Wars Trilogy (episodes 4-6).

A few years later Chronicle Books would release a Prequels book of the same size and scope.

To me, these are the most comprehensive books about the films imaginable.  They should be-they cost $150+ each.

The book is practically busting its binding with the amount of photos, art and schematics from everything from character design to set layouts.

Much of the photos and art have never been seen before other than in this book.

The oversize hardbound book comes in a clever magnetic flip lid case.

The gold over flap has several diecut spaces reminiscent of the portholes seen on the Millennium Falcon’s gun posts.

In the open diecut spaces readers can set several horizontal bars in silver and dark gray with spotlighted character poses.

The lid is shortcut allowing the black portion of the box to show on the right hand side.

Running vertical down the right side are diecut windows, each of which has a silhouette of a character seen in the strips.

Inside readers get a film by film examination of every element of the films.

Look for spaceship size comparison foldouts, model designs and constructions, full color character profiles in various poses, alien designs, weapon and accessory concepts and completions and set construction.

There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes photos, costume fittings, sketches, matte paintings, special effects, deleted scenes, novelizations and much more.

It’s an entire universe of photos, art and fascinating text.

Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”

Not Just A Walk In The Park

It may be hard to believe but Walt Disney Productions started out as a small animation company.  In the early 1950s Walt Disney took a big leap of faith when he opened Disneyland.

Almost two decades later Walt Disney World premiered to worldwide acclaim.

With the unbridled success of Walt Disney World, Walt Disney Productions slowly and methodically began scouting out new locations for Disney theme parks all over the world.

As Disney’s empire grew so to did its entertainment empire.  Soon resorts, cruises, TV and cable networks, streaming series and all sorts of merchandise venues were added to Disney’s impressive empire.

None of this happened overnight.  It was a well-planned, meticulously researched and arduous process.

Much of Disney’s expansion is credited to one man: Disney Legend James B. Cora.

In Disney Editions Not Just a Walk In The Park, James B. Cora (with assist by Jeff Kuritti) recalls his days as one of the spearheads of Disney’s worldwide entertainment expansion.

Over 60 years ago he started as a part-time attraction host.  With the push from a friend his unbridled enthusiasm, vivid imagination and hard work ethic soon elevated him to one of Disney’s key positions.

More than a memoir it is an engrossing book filled with lots of information, anecdotes, reflections and more about the places, people and projects he helped develop over the decades.  A special photos section is also included.

Learn about the trials and tribulations, successes, setbacks and ultimately the creation of Disney’s worldwide entertainment empire.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) “‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Batman Movie Cards

This is the set of Trading Cards that got me back into the non-sports Trading Cards hobby.

In 1989 director Tim Burton, inspired by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns mini-series, wrote and directed the first Batman movie starring Michael Keaton.

When the movie came out Topps Trading Cards released a Limited Edition Set of Batman Movie Trading Cards.

They came in a special flip lid Box decorated with photos and production art from the film.

Here’s where it gets interesting.  One hundred and thirty Cards make up the Base Set.

On the Box it states that 22 additional Stickers are included.

Obviously Topps changed the contents because 22 Puzzle Cards were included, not Stickers.

There is also 11 movie production Art Cards in the set.

I don’t know the reason for the switch from Stickers to Puzzle Cards-perhaps there was trouble with the Stickers themselves.

Regardless, the Cards are printed on gloss paper and feature some cool images and the Box is equally cool.

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Roger Moore in The Man With The Golden Gun

Roger Moore as James Bond finds himself the target of a professional assassin who kills his prey with a single gold bullet in The Man With The Golden Gun.

James finds out that there is a contract out on him and with his usual charm manages to find out more about his would-be assassin.

Unfortunately the movie was a box office flop.  While the premise was good the structure of the film failed.  It had some intriguing moments but the villain seemed a bit lackluster and the movie plodded along too slowly.

Not a good sign for the future of James Bond films starring Roger Moore.  The movie did make some money but it is considered one of the worse films of the franchise.

I consider the Roger Moore Bond films as the silliest in the series.  There was too much tongue-in-cheek humor and Roger was not exactly known for his high-octane fight scenes.

Yet as pedestrian as most of the Moore films were they were marketed to the hilt.  The movie posters were some of the best of the Bond films-perhaps to make up for the lackluster films themselves.

It is true that some of the films had good moments and some amazing stunts it’s just that I could never buy Moore as Bond.

Sideshow Collectibles acquired the rights to produce 12-inch James Bond film figures and Roger Moore as James Bond was one of them.

The figure is housed in a flip-lid box decorated with photos from the film along with text about the film and the film stars.

Inside the figure is snug in its form-fitting clear plastic cocoon held in place with plastic covered wires.  Accessories, along with its circular base and support wire, are also held in place in the cocoon.

The Sideshow Roger Moore figure's features capture the look of the actor’s face with his short brown hair, square jaw and chiseled features.  The flesh coloring is a little dark but does provide some tonal variations.

The hands are pre-positioned for holding the weapons and accessories with no slippage or wonkiness.

The figures comes dressed in a white shirt with a black tie and a light tan leisure suit coat with five gold buttons down the front and single buttons on all four of the pockets with flaps.

A brown pair of trousers and brown shoes make up the rest of the outfit.

The cloths are scaled to fit the figure and move easily when the figure poses with no binding, unnatural folds or ceases and are easy to remove and replace.

Additional items include a Walther PPK pistol, a bottle of champagne, a champagne glass and a carved wooden elephant statue with a base.

All of the extras are superbly detailed, feature crisp coloring and are scaled to the figure.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Fantasy & Science Fiction #759, January/February 2022

 

Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, February 2022

 

Bullitt, The Mod Squad, The Mystery Machine, The Partridge Family and Black Beauty

Throughout the history of movies and TV shows there have always been iconic vehicles.  For example James Bond’s Aston Martin or Batman’s Batmobile.

Johnny Lightning contributes four diecast vehicles and GreenLight Collectibles one in the genre.

Greenlight’s Hollywood 1968 Black Dodge Charger R/T from the movie Bullitt recreates one of the cars used in the film.

Bullitt set the standard by which all other car chase scenes in movies adhere to.

The chase through San Francisco basically is the genesis of high action, high power and fast car chase scenes seen in movies and TV for decades.

Sealed in a bubble pack the car is mounted against a Bullitt movie poster recreation.

The black car has full interior and exterior details including chrome trim, plastic windows and rubber wheels--all of which are included on the other vehicles, mentioned in this review.

The Johnny Lightning's Scooby-Doo! Mystery Machine van is painted up just like its larger namesake in aqua, light green and light orange.  Special light green wheels and a front spare tire cover are also included.

Next to the Batmobile The Green Hornet’s Black Beauty is a gadget packed crime-fighting machine.

Solid black, the large sedan includes a large chrome grill, square headlights and extended body on a heavy-duty frame.

The Partridge Family School Bus, decorated in bright geometric shapes in red, blue, yellow and white with heavy black borders has multiple windows, ‘The Partridge Family’ text on each side and full rear and front decorations.

The Mod Squad Woody has a solid metal body and chassis, wood trim and panels on all sides, a black spare tire compartment on its rear and heavy chrome bumpers and wheels

All of the movie and TV show vehicles are nicely detailed, accurate in appearance to their namesakes and made for the adult collector.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) “To everything there is a season,A time for every purpose under heaven:..”

Star Wars Made Easy

The Star Wars Universe can get confusing with all the different story plots, characters, creatures and locations.

Personally I find Star Wars Made Easy to be a quick and easy reference tool and a handy publication to provide me a refresher source on the movie series.

It’s remarkable that so much can be condensed down to a small hardbound book.

Each film is given a quick visual condensed synopsis with some clever text and each and every character is spotlighted with a few quips thrown in for good measure.

The book successfully compresses the films into one small hardbound book packed with art and photos.

Writer Christian Blauvelt and DK Books invite readers to explore the Star Wars Universe beginning with the basics and covering every movie from Episode I and ending with Episode VIII along with the standalone films and the TV films.

Each section asks pertinent questions Star Wars fans always ask and explains each in easy to understand terms.

So much Star Wars is packed into the book it’s hard to believe the author and DK Books managed to pack all of it in such a small book.

Philippians 4:4 (KJV) “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Tanks: PzKpfw III AUSF H and PzKpfw III AUSF M

As a kid I loved playing war.  I especially liked pretending to be a tank commander.  My friends and I would pull a few chairs together and once inside the enclosure we’d make believe we were inside a tank.

During WWII the Germans (Nazi) manufactured some incredible tanks.  Both the PzKpfw III AUSF H and PzKpfw III AUSF M were highly advanced and deadly tanks.

Admiral Toys created both tanks in small-scale diecast version for collectors.

Both tanks come in three side boxes with front viewing panels.  The tanks, with cocoons, are inside clear plastic lid boxes.

Taped below the bases are small antennas in plastic bags.

The tanks are cradled in form-fitting plastic cocoons and are secured to a large black base by small screws.

Consisting primarily of diecast metal painted gray the PzKpfw III AUSF H tank is bristling with all sorts of goodies.

Look for a swiveling turret with cannon and machine gun, various hatches and latches, twin exterior gas cans, a duffel bag with supplies fully detail tracks with side wheels and full chassis armor.

The detailing is perfection with every nook, cranny, hatch, latch, light and exterior equipment and protuberances in sharp, clean edge, crisp detail.

The PzKpfw III AUSF M is very similar in size to the PzKpfw III AUSF H except it has side armor plating.

The turret is larger as is the cannon and the various surface details have switched around such as the supply bag hatches.

It sports a tan and green camouflage paint scheme and slightly heavier armor plating.

The packaging is exactly the same.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Epiphany

I was sitting in church today listening to my pastor’s message.  He talked about Paul’s ministry and how he had a major about face and instead of persecuting Christians, he became one.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my blog.

I've caught myself being overly concerned about receiving review items so that I can continue to write reviews.

And then it hit me.  As much as I like receiving review items from companies it’s far more important that I witness to people via my e-mail, my blog reviews and commentaries.

I’m constantly sending out e-mails to various new companies (and my existing contacts).  At the end of my e-mail signature is John 3:16:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It’s God’s simple plan of salvation.  It is my desire that whoever receives my e-mail will read the passage and will get saved or at least it will peak their interest enough to investigate the scriptures.

Should they visit my blog I have John 3:16 predominantly displayed, along with a link explaining salvation.

So, here’s where the epiphany comes in.  It’s not so much about the reviews and review items; it’s about seeing people get saved.

Of course continuing to get review items and securing new items would be nice.  However should the review samples continue to dwindle I still have plenty of my own ‘stuff’ to review.  Think of them as ‘retro’ reviews.

I’ve switched my emphasis to spreading the gospel and I’ll let God provide the review items if he so chooses.

To all those companies that have provided review items over the years, thank you, it is appreciated.  For those new to my blog should you decide to provide review samples another big thank you.

My hope is you take the message of salvation to heart and get saved.  This life is short and no amount of things, good deeds or social status will get you to heaven-only Jesus Christ will.

He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

God bless.

The Wild Wild West, The Andy Griffith Show and The Automobile And American Life

Back in the mid-1960s the spy craze was at its height of popularity.

The James Bond films ushered in a new spy craze and with the threat of nuclear war, The Cold War and the menace of The Red Threat (Communism) the United States and the world were caught up in all things concerning espionage.

TV networks, never ones to pass up a profitable trend, began churning out Spy TV shows.  Most were relegated to the current times-all-except one.

The Wild Wild West on CBS TV combined the Western, Fantasy and the Spy genres into a unique show that showcased the best of all three.

Robert Conrad starred as James West and Ross Martin costarred as Artemus Gordon as two U.S. agents that confronted and fought both domestic and foreign threats.

The show successfully merged all three genres into a fantastic blend that kept viewers glued to their seats every week.

Unfortunately both Conrad and Martin have passed away but their adventures in The Wild Wild West lives on through syndication.

Author Don Presnell and McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, present the ultimate guide to the cult TV show with Wandering The Wild Wild West A Critical Analysis Of The CBS Television Series.

The book delves into the production of the show, provides an episode guide complete with cast and crew listings and synopsis of each episode, a look at the reunion TV movies, the lamented movie adaptation, Infographics and much more.

What a wonderful traipse down TV Memory Lane-I highly recommend it.

Authors Dale Robinson and David Fernandes provide an episode-by-episode with cast and production biographies and a guide to collectibles in The Definitive Andy Griffith Show Reference book.

Learn all about the folk both in front of and behind the cameras, full episode descriptions with cast and crew, notes and other fascinating information behind each episode in the series.

For a real old time memory jaunt about the TV show that charmed millions and is still as popular today as when it first aired, pick up a copy of this book today.

Ever since the automobile was introduced to the American public it has become an integral pat of American life.

In The Automobile And American Life Second Edition, by John Hetman, travel the decades and discover how the automobile shaped American society.

From clunky Model Ts to muscle cars to the high-tech wonders on the highways and roads today, the book delves into how the very landscape of American changed to accommodate the automobile.

From drive-ins, motels, the urban sprawl, how we shop, where we live and work and all aspects of American life the automobile has transformed America and Americans for decades.

History unfolds as the book examines each decade, the events shaping our country and how the automobile transformed our lives.

Discover how the automobile in America became a mega-business, what happened when foreign car manufacturers arrived and how they affected the auto industry, the rise and fall of the American auto industry and what to expect it he future.

America and the automobile are securely intertwined, intermingled and forever joined as the nation heads to the future.

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”

Bender

While I’m not that big a fan of Fox TV's The Simpsons, Family Guy and several of its other animated situation comedies I am a fan of the hilarious science fiction parody Futurama.

Set in the far future the series focuses on a bunch of human and alien misfits and their outrageous adventures.

My favorite character is the beer-guzzling, cigar-smirking and womanizing robotic wise guy: Bender.

The Bender bendable figure comes in a clear plastic hanger/standup with a futuristic city background and picture of Bender.

The Dark Horse Comics figure looks just like its TV namesake.

The entire figure is gray, with an single antenna on the top of its round head, two bulging white eyes with black iris encased in a rounded extended rectangle of metal, a large grilled mouth, a tin can shaped body with panel and knob, serpentine segments legs and arms, two finger hands and circular flat feet.

The figure is posable in all sorts of twisted positions due to its flexibility and it holds a long rod of steel in its left hand.

For fans of Futurama the Bender figure is a fun desk or shelf accessory.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

Abe Sapien

When the first Hellboy movie came out based on Mike Mignola’s comic book series viewers were amazed at how the filmmakers were able to capture the likeness of the comic book series characters.

Introduced in Hellboy was Abe Sapien a mysterious aquatic humanoid who was discovered in a lab as is believed to be hundreds of years old.  They named him Abe after Abraham Lincoln.

Sideshow Collectibles created a series of three Hellboy movie figures: Abe Sapien being one of them.

The Sideshow Abe Sapien 12-inch, full articulated figure is a stunning figure-especially the paint application, outfit and accessories.

With his aqua striated skin and lithe aquatic body Abe Sapien looks graceful even standing still-as does his 12-inch figure.  

The figure is housed in a flip lid box with a full figure illustration of Abe on its cover bust shots of Abe on its sides and a full figure photos of the figure and photos from the film on its back.

The inside flap has a short description of Abe along with a short list of cast members in he film.  The figure is housed in a form fitting plastic cocoon and secured with plastic/wire straps.  Covering the cocoon is a clear plastic sheet for viewing and protection.

A circular Hellboy base and support wire come with the figure.

The Abe Sapien figure comes with two heads that easily pop off for switching out.

Both heads are light blue in color, have large solid black eyes, a curved forehead that smoothly transitions into the small nose that has no ridge and a slightly inset red lip mouth

The chin has a dimple and breathing gills that rest on the lower jaw just behind the mouth.

The attached head wears a pair of circular goggles with a black strap.  The neck is covered by a striated black collar leading into a twin translucent rebreather resting on Abe’s shoulders

Over his light blue body accented by horizontal slightly darker blue strips, he wears a black body suit that ends at just above the elbows and knees.

Abe’s hands have pink fingernails and webbing between the fingers.

His webbed feet are hidden by black mid-calf boots.

Around his waist he wears large belt with several brown pouches and a large silver buckle with the B.P. R. D. red logo.

The pouches have black snaps and are rectangular in shape.

The paint application on the figure is superb with variated flesh tones and the articulation is well hidden and allows the figure to move freely.

Accessorizes are at scale and look identical to their Silver Screen counterparts. 

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Red Skull

Personally I think that next to Marvel Comics’ Doctor Doom the Red Skull is one the greatest comic book villains of all time.

A longtime foe of Captain America the Red Skull is the Nazi Third Reich personified.

Diamond Select Toys released a Marvel Icons Red Skull miniature bust back in 2007 with a limited release of 2,000.

Packed in a small flip lid box with a black background and a large face of the Red Skull along with the Marvel Icon logo on the front, the box has a clear front panel to best view the bust.

Inside a form-fitting clear plastic cocoon holds the bust in place.

The half torso Red Skull figure has no arms but is dressed in typical Nazi gray/green uniform with gold piping and buttons, shoulder epaulets, twin pockets and a black belt with a gold buckle.

The Red Skull’s leering head has a heavy brow, hollow cheeks and deep-set piercing eyes.

The bust sits on a circular black base.

Sculpting of the figure is nicely done as is the coloration and attention to detail.

It’s a nice miniature statue easily displayed on a desk, dresser or bookcase.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Legends of Marvel Series 3

Marvel Comics have taken over the universe.  Marvel comic books, novels, magazines, merchandise, TV shows and movies are everywhere.

Suddenly trading cards are gaining popularity-especially Marvel trading cards.

Back in 2012 Rittenhouse Archives (Sci-fi Hobby) released a special set of Legends of Marvel Series 3 trading cards.

The sets consisted of 25 cards and starred The Hulk, Storm and Moon Knight.  

All feature art of the characters on both sides as drawn by various artists.

Watch for this set to escalate in value as the trading card craze grows.

James 1:19 (NIV)”My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

Gratitude

This year I celebrate 30 years of writing reviews.  Boyce McClain’s Consumers’ and Collectors’ Corner has come a long way since its inception three decades ago.

Originally called Boyce McClain’s Comics Corner the single page ‘what’s hot and what’s not’ newsletter blossomed to eight pages and was distributed to shops all over Jacksonville, Florida.  

From there it expanded to a huge mailing list, changed names to Boyce McClain’s Collectors’ Corner, included ads and was sent to publishers and manufacturers all over the United States.

As times changed it evolved to an online publication that is seen and read all over the world.

I am extremely grateful to all of those that read the reviews and especially to the various companies that provided (and still provide) review samples.  I can’t begin to number the literally thousands of items I’ve received over the years.

I’ve give away, traded and sold many of the items but I still retain a sizable collection ranging from toys to comic books and so forth over the years.

I am especially grateful to God to whom I owe everything.  Without him none of this would have been possible.  He has truly blessed.

He’s given me the opportunity to share my faith and to donate items to missionaries and orphanages, to friends and family and to use some of the money made from selling items to give to my church for those in need.

As I’ve grown older I’ve learned that ‘things’ don’t satisfy.  As my former pastor once said, “I’ve never seen a hearse with a U-haul trailer behind it.”

I appreciate that God has allowed me to own (or should I say) ‘steward’ the many review items he‘s provided.

Eventually I’ll dispose of the majority of the items, whether by giving them away or selling them.  The money earned will be left for my family and church.

With God’ s grace and blessing I’ll be able to continue writing my reviews for many more years to come and to share the gospel in verse and through my personal testimony-God willing.

I ask this simple prayer that God keeps my eyes on writing good and honest reviews, to realize that items provided for reviews are only things and like all things they rust and tarnish and that I will  be able to share the gospel both in print and in word.

Psalm 118:24 (NIV) “The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”

The Man Called Nova #2

Leave it to writer Marv Wolfman to write a story that introduces two new characters that reads like a story in progress.

When I first picked up a copy of The Man Called Nova #2 from Marvel Comics I thought I had come partway into an already established story. Not so, Marv Wolfman and John Buscema crafted a story that starts already in progress.

John Buscema provides the pencils for the second adventure of Nova--a young man who is given immense power.

You may have heard of the Nova Corp. seen in the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies.

The Man Called Nova is part of that Corp.--sort of Marvel’s version of DC Comics’ Green Lantern Corp.

In this issue two new adversaries are introduced: the maniacal power hungry Condor and his reluctant strong-arm Powerhouse.

It’s pretty typical superhero-super villain fare but it’s still a fun read-especially with Buscema’s art.  

Like many Bronze Age comic books this is a low-key issue being that it introduced two new characters.

With Nova speculated to show up in the next Guardians movie and possibly in other Marvel films early issues, The Man Called Nova are sure to escalate in price.

Grab these early issues while you can before they become too expensive.

Romans 8:38-39 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  

Brown Ford Consul Saloon

What is it about old cars that are so appealing?  Is it their simplicity of design?  Or is it because they were easy to work on or is just the nostalgic feel you get from them?

I was born in 1953 and I remember seeing cars made as far back as the 1930s still running and being used.

Corgi celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the release of its Brown Ford Consul Saloon diecast car in 1/46 Scale.

As compared to the modern Corgi diecast releases the Ford Consul seems a bit crude but the quality is still there.

The rounded body of the car is painted a medium brown.  It has silver hubcaps, rubber wheels front and side windows, large chrome bumpers and no interior details.

It’s a sturdy little car with a solid under frame and looks very much like its organ release version of 1956.

Corgi went all out to celebrate the event with a special slip lid box, a Corgi A Model history pamphlet, a short description of the car and the car itself is cradled in plastic cocoon covered with yellow fabric.

It’s a Limited Edition release. I have #4,790 out of 5,000.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) “But as it is written:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”