The 1980s Images Of A Decade

You had to be there...and I was. I was in my late twenties and early thirties during the decade of the 1980 to 1989.

It was a time of incredible changes, amazing discoveries and a revolution of media, fashion, social norms and more.

In author Henry Carroll’s and publisher Thames & Hudson’s book: The 1980s Images Of A Decade. readers are invited to relive the decade of self-indulgence and change in a new pictorial tour.

I remember big shoulder dresses for women, Miami Vice, TV hunks like Tom Selleck, Glam Rock, the fall of the Berlin Wall, The Walkman, boom boxes, Rap music, Princess Diane’s wedding, the AIDS epidemic, MTV, 1980s movies, the discovery of the Titanic, Pee Wee’s Playhouse and so many other events.

Music, fashion, politics, sex, space exploration, computers--everything went through changes.

The book spotlights each key event with photos with brief descriptions followed by an in-depth look at how the 1980s was the ‘Decade of Me’ and how it still influences events even today.

Looking through this oversize, hardbound book printed on uncoated paper stock and with a retro-color cover I came to realize that the 1980s was 40 years ago.

Man, am I feeling old!

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Pacific Presents Rocketeer #1

The late Dave Stevens’s homage to the old movie serial heroes: The Rocketeer received his own comic book courtesy of Pacific Comics in Pacific Presents #1.

At one point The Rocketeer was so popular that it was awarded its own movie by Disney.

The story introduced the origin of The Rocketeer as well as the introduction of his girlfriend, sidekick and dog.

After obtaining a stolen rocket pack from an FBI agent killed by Nazi agents Cliff Secord decides to use the rocket pack to fight crime.

The story by Dave Stevens harkened back to the cliffhanger film series popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

Stevens’s art what what really shined as he captured the look and feel of time period.  It’s said that Stevens would labor over pages sometimes for days until he got things exactly right.

Unfortunately he died several years ago from an illness.  He did however get to see his creation made into a movie and bask in the success of the series.

Comic book legend Steve Ditko also premiered his latest and wackiest creation The Missing Man.

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

The Making Of Winnie-The-Pooh

Childhood-a time of innocence, wonder, full of life and unshackled by responsibility. All of us have experienced it all to one degree or another.

Part of childhood has to do with the fascination of life, curiosity and imagination. Anything is possible to children: dolls, toys and children’s’ literature characters all come alive.

One of the most popular imaginary, literary characters is Winnie-The-Pooh, that lovable honey-loving bear that occupies Hundred Acre Wood with his fellow forest creatures Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and others including the visiting human boy Christopher Robin. Winnie-The-Pooh lives in his tree called Mr. Sanders that is often visited by his friends.

Winnie and his entourage have been around for over 100 years. Surprisingly Winnie’s adventures only occupies four books. His popularity (especially in the United states) skyrocketed when Walt Disney animated his adventures. He and his friends have been a mainstay in children’s’ literature and are more popular than ever.

In publisher Rizzoli Universe’s and author James Campbell’s new book The Making Of Winnie-The-Pooh, readers are introduced to the writer and artist responsible for Winnie’s creation and adventures. Both writer A. A. Milne and illustrator E. H. Shepard were already well established in the publishing business.

Thier collaboration on the Winnie-The-Pooh books made them household names.

The book examines both men’s lives and careers before and after Pooh. Pages are filled with sketches and drawings of not only Pooh and his friends but other work, both written and drawn. You might be surprised on just how much work both men accomplished. Some are almost as well-known as their Pooh work.

Relive your childhood and visit 100 Acre Woods with all of its amazing occupants.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Kringle’s Courier

You have to hand it to Lemax when comes to shipping their various holiday villages, scenes, characters and accessories.

I just received the last of the six Lemax holiday displays to review. It came shipped in a heavy cardboard box, securely sealed with tape and filled with bubble wrap that hugged the interior box containing the Kringle’s Courier village scene.

The interior box holds the village. It is made of a slightly lighter cardboard material and is decorated with the appropriate holiday colors with photos on three sides of the village inside.

Once the flip-lid, secured with tabs, is opened the village is contained within a form-fitted, interior, two-side cardboard container secured with a Velcro strap.

The village, nestled in the form-fitted interior can be lifted out including its bagged power cord. Full instructions and two moisture packs are also included.

Attaching the power cord to the back of the village set-up is a simple matter to turn on the circular switch to activate the lights, a rotating platform and helicopter blades and cuing the holiday music soundtrack with the subtle background whir of the helicopter blades.

Beginning left to right and top to bottom the first thing to spot is the red and green delivery truck with a large, red bow tie wearing stuffed Teddy Bear on its roof. A large red ribbon wraps around the truck.

On the truck’s side are the words ‘Kringle’s Package Delivery'. The back slide up door to the truck, illuminated by a single light-up light of gold, reveals an elf inside stacking gifts while two elves outside bring him more packages to load.

A stand-up sandwich sign displays the words ’Guaranteed Same Day Delivery'. Various packages sit in and around the truck and in front of the buildings situated on a large base.

To the right is a red and green building accented by wood trim with a large ‘Kringle’s’ sign in red and green with a spotlight, a helicopter platform with a red and green helicopter with rotating silver blades and two elves loading up presents from a large brown bag. (I wonder whose bag that is?)

The roof of the building has red tile shingles and a large sign (with a light). It is trimmed in gold and states ‘Kringle’s Courier’ in red and green letters.. Snow is on the roof of the buildings.

The green roofed porch, with spotlight, has a large, stuffed Teddy Bear sitting on a weight scale with presents on each side.

The next building has a large, red pitched roof, four gold spotlights, a tilted red window bay with a six panel gold trimmed window. To its right on a circular platform is a large Christmas tree with red decorations and a large strand of silver trim wrapping the tree. A large silver star at the peak of the tree shines as a spotlight behind it illuminates the tree.

The circular base has a rotating platform that when turning reveals all sorts of presents going in and out of the building.

The lower floor is open with two large open doors of yellow.

Inside the building elves can be seen loading presents while one elf is maneuvering a forklift loaded down with a crate and presents. All of the elves in the village are dressed in red and green and wear caps trimmed in white.

The right side of the building has a clear pane window between two green columns. Lights shine inside the building.

The back of the village is plain except for a single window in the high peaked building. A window is also on its right side.

What a wonderful scene, especially when turned on with its lights, sounds and movement.

As with all Lemax villages the Kringle’s Courier village is packed with details, has excellent sculpt work, tight and crisp color application and lots and lots and lots of extras.

What a great table, window or anywhere Christmas display!

John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Porsche RS

When I worked at an ad agency in the 1980s my manager’s dream car was a Porsche Carrera RS. After I left the agency I saw on his Facebook page that he finally got one. Good for him.

Porsche has always been associated with sports cars-but not just any sports cars.

Porsche’s Carrera RS has always captivated sports car enthusiasts and has cemented quit a reputation for itself as ‘the’ sports car and it’s easy to see why.

It’s slick, aerodynamic design, powerful engine, accessories, plush interior, impressive instrument panel and driver cockpit design screams speed.

In Schiffer Publishing’s new book: Porsche RS, authors Constantine Bergander, Fabian Hoberg and Peter Bessler delve into the development, history and technology of the Porsche spors car from it inception to present day.

Full specs for all models, highly-detailed and informative text and gorgeous full-color photos look at each and every Porsche RS through the decades.

Porsche lovers are sure to want this deluxe hardbound book that offers the ultimate Porsche history and more.

It’s time to climb in, turn it on and hit the gas pedal for one of the most enjoyable and fast-paced literary rides imaginable.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Sean Connery 6-Film Collection

I am a huge fan of the James Bond films. All of the actors who played James Bond over the years have their strengths and weaknesses.

But, to me the ultimate film James Bond will always be Sean Connery. He originated Bond on films and it is his performance that one way or another influenced all actors who followed him in the role.

To me he is the ultimate fast-living, fast-car driving and fast-women chasing super-spy with a license to kill. He is James Bond.

Relive the incredible adventures of the British super-spy James Bond starring Sean Connery as Bond in the Sean Connery 6-Film Collection.

Thrill to Dr. No, From Russian With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Sean’s big comeback as Bond in Diamonds Are Forever.

Warner Bros. Discovery MGM Home Entertainment’s new 4K UltraHD + Digital Code collection features Dolby Vision ultra-vivid Imaging. It delivers unbelievable clarity, enhanced colors and highlights unavailable on standard DVD or Blu-Ray.

The images come to life with highlights and blacks 40 times brighter and 10 times darker. You’ll feel as if you're part of the action.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Beneath Our Feet

Over the past few decades it’s common to hear about, read or see where long lost dwellings, towns and cities are being uncovered along with their artifacts-much of it precious metals and jewels.

Common objects like tools, clothing, etc. are also uncovered shedding new light on what life was like centuries, even millennia ago.

In authors Michael Lewis’s and Ian Richardson’s and publisher Thames & Hudson’s and The British Museum’s hardbound book: Beneath Our Feet, join archaeologists and historians as they discover Britain’s long history in this fascinating book of long-buried, forgotten and unknown artifacts that trace Britain’s history through thousand of years.

Through the untiring and ground-breaking work of Portable Antiquities Scheme previously unknown and ancient artifacts from various territories bring Britain’s past to life.

Highly-detailed and engrossing text traces each piece’s origin, its place in history and the importance of its discovery. Photos of objects accompanied by details of their find and locations along with other information make for a riveting read.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

AVP Alien Vs. Predator

What happens when you pit two of universe’s most deadly alien hunters against each other?  Alien Vs. Predator faces off the face-hugging Alien parasite against the hi-tech Predator warriors in a film that links the two species together, courtesy of McFarlane Toys.

Two of the figures sets show the Predator winning out in one and the Alien stomping the Predator’s armored behind in the other.

Packaging consists of a clear bubble pack standup and hanger with colorful photos taken from the film and with the enclosed figures held in place by plastic form-fitting cocoons.

The first of the figures shows the Aien getting the upper hand over the Predator: Alien Attacks Predator.

Since the two figure sets consist of the same characters I’ll forestall describing the details on the figure in the next set.

In this set the Alien is a nasty quadruple version looking very much like a canine in build although with greater flexibility and dexterity with its hands.  It has an especially long tail with short bony spikes.

From its back protrudes four large tubular horns and its shoulder blades curve up and over its upper arms.

Its hands and feet have large claws and its head is long with an extended cranium that curves over its upper back.

Like all Aliens it has a jaw within a jaw and no visible eyes.

It color is a deep gray almost to the point of black.

It attacks the Predator from the front spearing it with its tail’s sharp end.  Its weight has pushed the Predator back.

The savage space parasite has speared the Predator with its barbed tail holding the Predator aloft and its green blood flows out.

The Predator is fully armored in metal with extended arm triple blades.  His upper torso is armored but his exposed abdomen makes an easy target for the Alien’s spiked tail.  

The Predator wears a helmet with a blank faceplate save for the shielded eyes.

His long braided hair extends from both sides.

A shoulder mounted ray gun perches on his right shoulder. Coloration is about the same as the alien save for the silver of its blades and some of its armor.

Both creatures are set against an ancient section of a stone wall.

The second figure set has the Predator holding the Alien by one leg and preparing to fling it away: Celtic Predator Throws Alien.  The Alien is thrashing wildly with its clawed hands and feet flailing in the air.

A circular base with ancient encryptions is also included.  The pose in this version allows you to see more of the Alien and Predator figures overall.

The chest carapace of the alien is bony and its muscle structure is easily seen all over the figure.

The Predator's chest with its armor and decoration, waist belt and leg mesh are clearly visible and with its wrist blades hidden its hands are seen. 

There’s also a better view of its helmet faceplate, leg armor its long knife secured to its lower right leg.  Flex of gold and copper coloring are also evident.

Both figure sets are extremely detailed in sculpt, paint and texturing.  The action scenes are especially well executed, as are the bases.

Isaiah 40:28 - Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Exploring Space

At the ripe old age of 72 I can remember when the Space Race began. I recall the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, the launch of the International Space Station, satellite launches and the Shuttle deployments.

Early spaceflight was exciting, awe-inspiring and the perfect fodder for a young imaginative mind. How could it not be? My two favorite TV shows of the 1960s were Lost In Space and Star Trek.

For nearly 70 years mankind has explored space-much of it manned. How is it possible to condense all that time into a single book written for children?

The creative team of Anne Ameri-Siemens and Anton Hallmann and Little Gestalten have done just that in their thin hardback book: Exploring Space Adventures Across The Universe With Emma And Louis.

Join the two intrepid children explorers as they not only explore man in space but begin things with a Big Bang, as they travel among the stars, planets and universe examining weather the moon, the various planets, examine mankind’s fascination of ‘what’s out there?’ and the future of space exploration

Beautiful illustrations accompanied by short, concise and informative text lead young readers along as they join Emma and Louis on their colorful space exploration.

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Duelist’s Advance

Have you ever wanted to make something of yourself? Do you feel like that you are right on the cusp of something big? Do you know deep down inside that you have what it takes to be great?

If so, then Duelist’s Advance from Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game is just what you’ve been looking for.

Get ready to take the next big step in your search for greatness as you take on other Duelists in a no-holds-barred competition with the winner claiming the number one spot!

Feel the flow and get ready to go as you take on one of the greatest challenges of your life in Duelist’s Advance.

Each Box contains 24 Packs with nine Cards per Foil Pack.

Be prepared to move ahead and high five the sky with the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Core Booster Set, Duelist’s Advance! 

The path to victory consists of:

• Brand-new Cards inspired by Yuma’s Deck from Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL.
• A plethora of new monsters including a new Rank 4 Gagaga Girl Xyz Monster.
• A brand-new Link-2 Monster from the Deck or Graveyard.
• A new maneuver that will help you replenish your monsters and Spells.
• Teleport Cards.
• New Fusion and Synchro Monsters.
• Monarchs band together.
• A brand-new Monarch.
• A new Squire.
• Some exciting Spell/Trap Cards.
• A brand-new World Premiere theme.
• The return of Starlight Rares.
• You could find Quarter Century Secret Rares.

Duelist’s Advance contains:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons. (24 of these Cards are also available as Starlight Rare and 1 special Card is only available as a Starlight Rare!)

It’s up to you. Do you retreat or advance? 

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

A Minecraft Movie

There have been a lot of video game to movie adaptations. However A Minecraft Movie is the most successful bringing in the largest box-office cash.

Actors Jason Momoa and Jack Black, along with a hilarious cast, star in a movie based on the best-selling video game of all time.

The Warner Bros. Discovery Legendary Entertainment Home Entertainment 4K Ultra HD + Digital Code Combo Pack delivers unbelievably clear images with enhanced colors, brightness and blacks. Couple it with an incredible soundtrack, superior digital and practical effects, computer animated images and hilarious script and it’s easy to see why the film was so successful.

Witness the creativity, inventiveness, determination, bravery and teamwork of five misfits as they struggle to survive and return home from the strange cubic world of Minecraft.

Watch as they traverse the cubist landscape, find themselves blocked and cornered by strange creatures and adversaries (including zombies) as they search for a mysterious and powerful artifact that will provide them the means to return home.

But an evil sow sorcerous also wants the artifact and she sends her horde of pig warriors to retrieve it.

Along the way the stranded humans must master the Minecraft world, protect it, fight off evil and discover how to pool their unique qualities to survive not only in the Mindcraft realm but in the real world as well.

Extras include a number of special featurettes about the Minecraft world, creatures, music, movie prep and character interaction.

Game on! Can you survive Minecraft?

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

 

Dream Businesses

I’ve worked all my life. Mostly I’ve labored 9 to 5 often at jobs I couldn’t stand-it was a living and a way to support my family.

In a few instances I enjoyed what I was doing. I never held a dream job. I wish I had.

But what if I could have? What would have been my dream job? People often ask themselves the same question. Most never do anything about to pursue their dream job

But, there are a few enterprising souls that dump the 9 to 5 and bravely reach for their own dream and become successful doing so. Maybe not so much monetarily, but spiritually and personally. They are satisfied and fulfilled.

Courier and Gestalten present their newest oversize, hardbound book: Dream Businesses Live And Work On You Own Terms.

Inside this beautifully photographed book measuring in at almost one-inch thick, there are stories of individuals that have taken life by the horns and set out on their own path to the perfect dream jobs.

Tales from all over the globe spotlight individuals that abandoned the 9 to 5 rat race and despite initial hardships, uncertainty and tight budgets, successfully created their own businesses where they are the bosses. They choose their own hours and reaped the full reward for their labors.

You’re never too old to start. All it takes is a little fortitude, backbone, a willingness to take chances and a vision to better your life and enjoy the trip along the way.

Look at me. Here I am at 72 years old and I’ve created a website where I write reviews. For over 30 years I’ve written reviews-first in print and then electronically. It has been my haven, my passion and my reason to create. It may not make any money but the benefits of freedom of expression is worth it.

There’s nothing wrong with keeping your current job while you search for your dream job. Let’s face it, bilsl need to be paid. That fact is made much more palatable when you know you have a plan, stick to it and eventually venture out on your own dream business.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

The Art Of Classic Crime And Mystery Movies

What is it about crime and mystery literature, TV shows and movies that fascinate us? Is it the conflict between good and evil? A hidden desire to break the law and get away with it? Do we all have a little bit of the gangster, bad guy or criminal in us?

Whatever the reasons, crime and mystery movies have enthralled, fascinated and mesmerized audiences since the early days of cinema.

From the early street gangster films, Film Noir, detective thrillers, blue collar and organized crime films to the more modern day and sometimes more subtle and psychological thrillers we can’t seem to get enough.

In The Art Of Classic Crimes And Mystery Movies deluxe hardbound book edited by Ed Hulse and foreword by Glenn Kenny and published by Schiffer Publishing, readers are treated to a vast gallery of crime and mystery movie posters, production stills and much more.

Get the behind-the-scene scoops on some the most famous crime and mystery films, complemented by 800 eye-popping posters.

I love it! What a fun way to travel through the decades and witness crime serials, gangster films and other tales of murder, intrigue, theft and even espionage!

Awesome full-color poster reproductions, fascinating text and lots of other film goodies make this book not only visual appealing but also fun to read.

Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The Air & Space Novelties Hanger Museum

UFOs and aliens are real! I know, I’ve seen them. You will too if you purchase Lemax’s The Air & Space Novelties Hanger Museum!

With its multiple UFOs and aliens, moving circular figure platform that looks like desert sand, lots of eerie lights and out-of-this-world soundtrack and narration it’s one wacky Area 51 type structure that is really out there!

The main building of the set-up looks like its made of corrugated steel with rivets-a typical steel structure. On the front of it is a large complex name sign. The curved roof and has another sign as does the back of the building. A red wind sock and a small black chimney along with a large spotlight complete the roof.

To the left of the building to the rear is a billboard with the words A Flying Disc and smaller text and a face of a woman screaming.

She is looking up to a large red dome flying saucer stuck on the billboard.

Three smaller silver with blue domes saucers are suspended from wires. The entire assemble rotates when the display is turned on. All of the lights on the buildings also light up as well as the interior of hazmat tent/building. A ghostly silhouette of an alien’s face shows through the tent wall.

To the left of the main building is a large open hanger door attached to the main building in a wooden frame. Another light is on top of it. The billboard base sits behind the door assembly as well as a huge green cactus and a fallen barrel.

On the perimeter of the display base are various desert plants, animal skulls, lights, and some small equipment.

On the front of the large hanger building are two sliding doors that are shut. Do not enter tape seals the doors shut. Several barrels, a plant, a cooler, a bucket and mop sit on the ground and a window and two posters are on its front entrance wall.

From the side hanger door to the open flaps of the hazmat tent a runway groove circles round and goes in the building.

On the runway groove are several aliens in space suits carry or pushing equipment. Turning on the display causes the aliens to enter and exit the tent and building. In front of the hazmat tent is a spacesuit, several wooden crates, air tanks and a large hose.

An air recirculating box with a silver hose is attached to the right side of the tent.

Behind the tent is the flight tower. It extends above the main building.

Its top has five large panes of window glass surrounded by a blue railing. On top of the tower is an alien, an antenna and a scanning disk. Inside the tower room is another alien standing in the middle surrounded by a wraparound control panel with various buttons. Flashing lights are on the upper part of the tower roof as are lights on the main building.

There are also barricades in front of the main building sitting on the black tarmac and tiled entryway.

Behind the hazmat building and on the tower is a black ladder with an alien climbing it, a cactus, and a large boulder outcropping.

It’s a pretty and amazing Spooky Town set-up that looks awesome with the lights out and with the soundtrack blaring and the various objects moving under the lights.

Like all of Lemax's product the Hanger Museum comes packed in a sealed cardboard box.  Inside the product box is securely shut with its flip lid and tabs. The box is decorated with images of the Museum Hanger and the display is protected by heavy card board and accessories and power cord by tissue paper.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Dinosaurs

So you think you know everything there is to know about dinosaurs? I guarantee after reading and looking over author Michael J. Benton’s new Thames & Hudson book Dinosaurs you may have second thoughts.

A lot of new discoveries and information has recently been ‘dug up’ about dinosaurs.

Most surprising of all is how they actually may have looked and behaved much of which scientists assumed got all wrong.

Discover new fossils, actual dinosaur skin tissue and other surprising revelations about dinosaurs. 

How did they defend themselves? What was their skin like? What did they eat? Were they meat eaters or herbivores or both? Did they have feathers? What are their modern-day descendants?

Photos of fossils, dig sites and color illustrations by Bob Nicholls of the possible appearances of said dinosaurs are included in this fascinating book that offers new visions of a lost world.

Proverbs 20:11 - Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

 

 

 

Luke Skywalker

When Kenner acquired the Star Wars toy license it began producing 12-inch Star Wars action figures-Luke Skywalker being one of them.

Although crude by today’s high-end, 12-inch, fully-articulated action figures the Kenner Luke Skywalker still had a few good things going for it.

While the figure itself had limited articulation and barely resembled Mark Hamill, who play Luke, the figure did sport some very authentic movie clothing.

The figure comes dressed in real cloth wraparound and buttonless beige overshirt, tan pants and cloth wrapped beige knee boots.

Also included is a leather and metal (in appearance) belt with pouches, loops and hooks.

The figure’s pre-posed hands could hold securely Luke's Lightsaber with its blue translucent energy blade, a black blaster rifle with grip and scope and over the head tech binoculars.

The figure and accessories are held in place by plastic wrapped wire and are displayed behind a clear plastic panel that is hidden when the font lid of the box is closed.

Inside the flip lid is complete bio of Luke. On the back of the box are photos of all the figures available in the Collectors Series.

Stitching on the cloths is tight, the accessories are nicely detailed and the figure, while a little clunky, is nicely colored and has tight articulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Marvel Fantastic Four For Dummies

I’ve mentioned several times before in earlier reviews that it was Marvel Comics Fantastic Four #1 that drew me into the world of Marvel Comics.

Up until that time Marvel (then Timely) existed by following trends: monsters, Westerns, war, romance, etc.).

It wasn’t until Marvel Editor Stan Lee (and the sole writer) was told by his boss to copy DC Comics’ successful Justice League Of America that things changed-drastically!.

Along with artist jack Kirby Stan created and wrote a comic book the way he wanted to do it and so was born the Fantastic Four and the beginning of a revolution in comic books.

In writer Justin Penistons’ and Wiley Brand’s new oversize softbound book: Marvel Fantastic Four For Dummies, comic book newbies and old veterans like myself are given a front-row seat to the creation of the Fantastic Four, an introduction to its many ground-breaking characters (including bad guys) and the universe-shattering locations and storylines that filled and still fill the pages of the Fantastic Four comic book.

A lot has changed over the decades and a lot remains the same.

Bold new ideas and concepts, tragedies and triumphs, members come and go and the best of the best FF stories are all in this book condensed down, to-the-point and complemented by killer art.

The FF members guess-starred in numerous other comic books over the years and other Marvel heroes have often trodden the pages of the FF comic book.

Visit the Negative Zone, travel to the stars, confront Galactus, meet the Inhumans, shrink to microscopic size and explore and witness hundreds of other worlds, dimensions and locations.

Is it any wonder Stan Lee dubbed the Fantastic Four comic book The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!??

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Diamond Previews, July 2025

Psalms 127:3 - Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.