Stan Lee's "How To" Times Two

Anyone who knows anything about comic books knows that marvel Comics' Stan Lee rewrote the book on how to do comic books.  Almost single-handedly Stan redefined comic books, (especially superhero comic books) and how they were written and drawn.

 

of course he had help from such artistic luminaries as Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Buscema, Don Heck, Marie Severin, Gene Colan and other great artists and writers.

So, who better to offer instructions on how to write comic books and draw superhero comic books than Stan Lee?

Watson Guptill and Ten Speed Press present two books dedicated entirely to Stan's unique advice on how to do just that-write and draw superhero comic books.  And, boy, do the books deliver!

In Stan Lee's How To Write Comics Stan offers valuable advice on creating characters, storytelling tips, scripts, publishing, editing and so much more.

And just like Stan (who is known for his over abundance of verbal bantering) the book packs a punch as it delivers plenty of prose and artwork.

Just as impressive is Stan's How To Draw Superheroes that delivers even more art, how tos of drawing good guys and bad guys, sidekicks, monsters, brutes, robots, vehicles and gadgets, page layouts, super teams, vehicles and anything else a well-drawn superhero book needs.

Both books are packed with valuable advice, helpful hints, insider info and so much more, they're (dare I say it?) super! The books make excellent additions to any comic book artist and/or writer hopeful.

Draw! #28, Spring

TwoMorrows Publishing presents its professional "how-to" magazine on comics and cartooning.  If you are an aspiring artist then this is the magazine for you.  Industry professionals offer tips, techniques and advice for breaking into the comic book industry and developing your own personal style. 
This month's issue includes:

FAREL DALRYMPLE
Eric Nolen-Weathington interviews the writer/artist about world-building and surviving in the real world.
RIGHT WAY, WRONG WAY—ORDWAY!
Shazam! step by step, from plot to finished art.
Dave Bullock
Mike Manley interviews the director/storyboard artist/comic book artist—what doesn’t he do?
Comic Art Bootcamp
This month’s installment: In with the In Crowd: Drawing Multiple Figures.

Draw! #28, Spring
TwoMorrows Publishing presents its professional "how-to" magazine on comics and cartooning.  If you are an aspiring artist then this is the magazine for you.  Industry professionals offer tips, techniques and advice for breaking into the comic book industry and developing your own personal style. 
This month's issue includes:
FAREL DALRYMPLE
Eric Nolen-Weathington interviews the writer/artist about world-building and surviving in the real world.
RIGHT WAY, WRONG WAY—ORDWAY!
Shazam! step by step, from plot to finished art.
Dave Bullock
Mike Manley interviews the director/storyboard artist/comic book artist—what doesn’t he do?
Comic Art Bootcamp
This month’s installment: In with the In Crowd: Drawing Multiple Figures.

Alter Ego #126, July

TwoMorrows Publishing Alter Ego #126 (fanzine child of Roy Thomas) presents its 2nd 3D Comic Book Tribute Issue of the 1950s.  So put on your 3D specs and check out this very cool and retro issue:  (Did I mention the Joe Kubert Tor cover!?)

Writer/Editorial: Another 3-D-Lirium

Trials And Tribulations—In Three Dimensions!

Ken Quattro details the 1953 legal dispute between EC & St. John Pub.—illustrated in 3-D!

My Comic Mom!!.

1940s Catholic comics artist Vee Quintal, remembered by daughter Robyn Dean McHattie.

Seal Of Approval: The History Of The Comics Code – Chapter 3

Amy Kiste Nyberg on the 1954 Senate investigation of comic books.

Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt! Inkspots! –Part Two

More of Michael T. Gilbert’s first-ever comic strip.

Comic Fandom Archive: Steve Perrin –Part 3

Bill Schelly covers the 1960s fan-writer and Perrin covers SF/comics pro Edmond Hamilton.

Tributes To Nick Cardy & Carmine Infantino

re: [correspondence, comments, & corrections]

FCA [Fawcett Collectors Of America] #185

P.C. Hamerlinck, John G. Pierce, and C.C. Beck on Golden/Silver Age artist Pete Costanza.

Back Issue! #73, July

Batman fans rejoice!  TwoMorrows Publishing presents Back Issue! #73 that celebrates all things Batman for the Silver, Bronze and Modern Ages.  From sidekicks to all Batman's cool toys you'll find them all in this issue that's packed with color and black and white art and interviews and insider info about the Dark Knight and his entourage of characters, gadgets, villains and more!  Here's what to expect:

BACK SEAT DRIVER: Editorial by Michael Eury

Fantasy Batman team-ups in “The B&Bs We Didn’t See”

FLASHBACK: Taking Wing: Nightwing Moves Out from Under Batman’s Shadow

New Teen Titans scribe Marv Wolfman discusses Dick Grayson’s maturation

PRINCE STREET NEWS: Dick Grayson: Fashion Victim

Holy Haberdashery! Peeking into the Boy/Teen Wonder’s closet

CHECKLIST: Batgirl in the Bronze Age

From Dominoed Daredoll to information broker, issue by issue

BRING ON THE BAD GUYS: A History of the Man-

Friend or foe? Creators from Adams to Rozakis discuss Kirk Langstrom

WHAT THE--?!: It Came from the Fifth Dimension: Bat-Mite!

The life and times of Batman’s most annoying sidekick

FLASHBACK: Bronze Age Batmobiles

What would Batman do without his wheels?

FLASHBACK: Batman and the

Heroes old and new joined the Gotham Guardian to form one of DC’s most durable teams

PRO2PRO: Mike W. Barr and Alan Davis

Chatting with the writer/artist duo of one of the best Bat-runs of the ’80s

BEYOND CAPES: Commissioner Gordon in the Bronze Age

The evolution of Gotham’s top cop

FLASHBACK: The Final Days of World’s Finest Comics

The last years of this long-running series splintered the Batman/Superman team

OFF MY CHEST: Carrie Kelley: The Female Wonder

An analysis of the Girl Robin from Frank Miller’s Dark Knight

INTERVIEW: Jeph Loeb: Batman’s Mouthpiece

A sequel to the Long Halloween feature from BACK ISSUE #60

BACK TALK

Reader comments about BI #68 and more

Lawnmower and London Underground

Hayes has just released two new manuals that have proven to be very timely to me.

 

Haynes' practical guide to choosing, using and maintaining a lawnmower Lawnmower Manual is a blessing.  Here's why.

My old lawnmower is just about ready to give up the ghost.  It sputters, stalls, chugs, coughs, belches smoke and the rear left wheel is just about to fall off because the mower's frame is rusted and corroded.

Sounds like it's time for a new mower and with all the new options out there I'm not sure which brand or type to buy.

Along comes Haynes Lawnmower Manual by Brian Radam with its myriad tips on what to look for and how to maintain a lawnmower with specs, photos and diagrams.  I'm thrilled!

Coincidentally my neighbor (a nice lady named Francis) recently had her lawnmower 'die'.  
  
Yesterday she put the lawnmower out on the curb to be picked up with the trash.  I decided to take a look at it and lo and behold (with a little help from Haynes) I got it working again-she'll be thrilled when she gets back from vacation!  Thanks Haynes. 

The last couple of years my son and his wife have traveled to London.  They love the city and inundate me and my wife with tales of the city and specifically the London Underground mass transit system.

One day we plan on traveling to the British Isles with London being one of our primary stops.  I've always been a little wary of mass transit.  Couple with it being in another country and my hesitation heightens.

I like to know what to expect and to be prepared.

One again, thanks to Haynes and its London Underground Owner's Workshop Manual, I not only get to see (via photos) the various branches of the Underground but also I get to learn the history of the line from 1863 onward.

The more I look at the book, the more I like what I see.  Full color photos, informative text, diagrams, location shots and more make me feel as if I've ridden the Underground for years.  I'm excited about the prospect of visiting London and riding the Underground.  I understand the natives even speak English!

Fangoria #333, June

Godzilla bellows out on this month's issue of Fangoria and he's got good reason to bellow.  Check out the cool articles and photos is this issue.

INTERVIEW: JIM JARMUSCH The veteran poet of cinematic cool expresses his passion for vampires in “Only Lovers Left Alive.”
INTERVIEW: TILDA SWINTON It took a one-of-a-kind actress to breathe new eternal life into her “Only Lovers” bloodsucker.
INTERVIEW: JOHN POGUE He ventured across the pond to helm the Hammer production “The Quiet Ones” on the studio’s home turf. Plus: star Jared Harris speaks up.
PREVIEW: “PENNY DREADFUL” Victorian London plays host to classic creatures; can transplanted American Josh Hartnett cope?
PREVIEW: “THE SACRAMENT” Ti West leaves devils and ghosts behind to find the horror in religious manipulation.
INTERVIEW: HUH JUNG “Hide and Seek” allows the Korean director to reveal what spooks his fellow citizens.
PREVIEW: “BLUE RUIN” The way Jeremy Saulnier’s intense thriller presents it, payback is a bitch for both sides.
ON SET: “GODZILLA” Fango tours the badly battered locations of Gareth Edwards’ monster remake. Plus: reviews of classic Big G films on new Blu-rays!
PREVIEW: “THE MACHINE” It looks like a lady and tries to act like a human in Caradog W. James’ near-future opus.
PREVIEW: “MALIGNANT” The protagonist of Brian Avenet-Bradley’s latest indie chiller finds Brad Dourif literally messing with his head.
INTERVIEW: RANDY JURGENSEN The former policeman’s input made William Friedkin’s “Cruising” all the more arresting.
PREVIEW: “MR. JONES” Pry too deeply into his secrets, and you’ll suffer for his art in Karl Mueller’s surreal flick.
DIARY OF THE DEB: “BILLY’S CULT” On this New Jersey set, the terror would begin after Debbie wrapped for the day.
ON SET: “WOLF CREEK 2” Some people call tourists annoying; the villain of Greg McLean’s sequel calls them targets.
PREVIEW: “ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE” Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson rework their formative first feature as a meatier, bloodier project.
INTERVIEW: SCOTT SNYDER The comics writer is far from done telling the century-spanning saga of the “American Vampire.”
INTERVIEW: TOM SPINA When you want a screen creature to look its best/worst again, he’s the man you call.
FIRST RITES Growing up with Godzilla
POSTAL ZONE Bill Moseley says hi! Plus: remembering GWAR’s David Brockie
MONSTER INVASION Preview of “Cold in July,” and the 2014 Chainsaw Awards results!
TRASH COMPACTOR David A. Prior talks “Killer Workout”
THE VIDEO EYE OF DR. CYCLOPS Reviews of “Ms. 45,” “The Visitor,” “Dead Shadows,” “Daddy’s Little Girl” and others
DUMP BIN DIARIES Columbia River’s “Psychopaths and Maniacs”

Complete Cul de Sac

Author/artist Richard Thompson has a decidedly different and slightly skewed sense of humor.  That becomes evident once you read his beloved comic strip Cul de Sac.

The Complete Cul De Sac collects all of the Cul de Sac comic strips in one large hard bound slip case holding two oversize paperback books.

Cul de Sac centers around preschooler Alice Otterloop and her friends as they focus on many of life's unusual moments and common occurrences as seen through the eyes of a child.

The strip ran from 2007 to 2012 and ended because of the unfortunate illness of its creator from Parkinson's disease.

Andrews McMeel Publishing is proud to present the entire Cul de Sac collection of daily and color Sunday strips.

Thompson's imaginative illustrations and observations along with his much-loved water color illustrations make this collection a must have for any Cul de sac fan.

Falcon and Ivory

Hasegawa Hobby Kits has just released two new aircraft models.  Both are Limited Editions and 1:72 Scale.

 

As with all Hasegawa Hobby Kits the models are precision sculpted with tight fitting parts and minimal flashing are detailed to perfection and easy to assemble if the instructions are followed.  Painting instructions are precisely laid out and with the enclosed decals each model looks exactly like its larger counterpart, right down to minutest detail.

Hasegawa Hobby Kits prides itself on the accuracy of its models and veteran model makers will enjoy the historical, mechanical and authenticity of Hasegawa's models while novice model makers will appreciate how Hasegawa provides plenty of support and tips on how to make their model making experience enjoyable and rewarding.

 
The F-16BM Fighting Falcon Test Support is a rear mounted twin engine jet with impressive fire power-including missile capabilities.

The dual passenger cockpit contains state-of-the-art tracking, firing and warning instrumentation.

Long, slender and utilizing a large tail and wing profile the Fighting Falcon also comes with spare fuel tanks for extended flight capabilities.  It also is capable of night flight, long range enemy detection and offers impressive maneuverability and speed. 

The Shinmeiwa US-1 Rescue Ivory amphibious rescue aircraft boasts a lower fuselage shape like a boat, twin side pontoons for stability when land and taking off from water and retractable wheels for landing on turf.

Its large over-the-fuselage front wings support four powerful prop engines while its large tail fin (for stability) supports the rear wings mounted at its top.

Twin pilot seats comprise the multi window cockpit, various fuselage bulges hide delicate detection equipment and the large bulbous nose make air and sea rescue possible with its hidden scanning equipment.

While only a limited number of aircraft were produced the Rescue Ivory boasts and impressive rescue record of hundred of people.

The Lego Movie

"Really!?  A movie about Legos?  What a ridiculous idea!  It will never work!"


You know that was what the critics were thinking.  And we all know movie critics are never wrong.  Right!!!


The Lego Movie from Warner Bros. was an resounding success.  Packed with slapstick humor, innuendos and clever references the movie satisfied both young and old audiences.

Smart, clever, imaginative, funny, inventive and exhilarating-those are just a few of the words that describe the movie that caught everyone by surprise.


Featuring an all-star voice cast, The Lego Movie centers around Emmett, a plain and unexciting Lego Minifigure with a passion for--everything, that gets mistaken for 'The Special' who is believed to be the savior of the world.  

Drafted into service by a group of extraordinary members of a fellowship, Emmet soon discovers (as do his team mates) that he is completely unprepared and nearly useless for doing anything-especially saving the world.

The Everything Is Awesome Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD Ultraviolet/3D Edition comes with lots of extras including a free Lego Minifgure, commentaries, featurettes, character specials, fan-made films, deleted scenes, animation tests, a Sing-Along and much more-it's awesome!  

World Gone Wild

“The end is near!”  “The Apocalypse has arrived!”  “Zombies, they’re everywhere!”

Sound familiar?  It should.  For decades movies have portrayed the end times be it Biblical, zombie infested, ape dominated or completely devastated.   

Schiffer Publishing and author David J. Moore have compiled an impressive “Survivor’s Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Movies” volume that focuses on the tried and true horrific movie genre.

End of the world movies have and do flourish all over the world from mega-buck, special effects riddled movies to small independent films that tend to focus on a smaller storyline amidst the carnage and chaos.

If you’re looking for the end of the world then you’re sure to find in this massive collection of post-apocalyptic film reference.

Each and every movie is given a short synopsis, brief cast and crew bios and a short critique.  Sprinkled throughout are photos of certain films.

World Gone Wild is the ‘final’ word on the end of the world as depicted in film. 

Spray Paint and Paint Marker

It’s no secret that Liquitex sets the standard when it comes to artist acrylic paints and prep materials.  Known for its high quality products Liquitex has never rested on its laurels.  It introduces new and improved products on a consistent basic.

 

Two such new products are its Spray Paint and Paint Markers.

Liquitex’s Spray Paint is water-based, non-eye or skin irritant and dries permanently.

Utilizing Liquitex’s Color Spectrum ithe Spray Paint applies smoothly, allows artists to combine colors unlike traditional spray paint and can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Paint Markers use the same Color Spectrum, are water-based, apply smoothly and dry permanently.

Available in two tip sizes Liquitex’s Paint Markers allow artists to apply acrylic paint with precision and with their replaceable nibs and low odor Liquitex Paint Markers make Acrylic painting even more enjoyable.