New Comics Day: DC Universe by Len Wein; Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer Vol. 2; Black Panther Epic Collection; Captain America by Ta-Nehisi Coates Vol. 1

Our picks this week. Click the links to order items from Amazon.

From the Teen Titans to Swamp Thing, Len Wein had his fingerprints on just about every aspect of DC Comics. As a writer and later editor, Wein helped to innovate some of the company's most groundbreaking titles, including work on Watchmen, New Teen Titans, Justice League of America, Saga of the Swamp Thing and more. 
Now, for the first time ever, his greatest stories are collected together as a salute to one of DC's most important creators of all time. This sensational story of the DC Universe is told from the dawn of superheroes, starring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Justice League of America, the Teen Titans and more! Collects Teen Titans #18 & 20Phantom Stranger #20-24, JLA #100-102, Action Comics #419-420, #422-423, #425-426, #429, #432, DC Comics Presents #27-29, JLA 80-Page Giant #2, DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The '80s: Big Betrayal #1, and Swamp Thing Winter Special #1.

Wondering when Boomerang's status as Spider-Man's roommate would blow up? Well, the time has come and it's all here in this continuation of Nick Spencer's action-packed take on everybody's favorite web-head!
COLLECTING: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 6-12

Behold as the Black Panther sets out on adventures that only his co-creator, Jack Kirby, could conceive! T'Challa will discover the secret of King Solomon's frog, encounter alien races, battle eternal samurai warriors and much, much more. The history of the Wakandans, their majestic city, their amazing technology and the origins of Vibranium are also explored with a power and passion that only Kirby can offer. Then, Ed Hannigan and Jerry Bingham present an epic battle between the Black Panther, the Avengers and Ulysses Klaw. Next, T'Challa returns to the American South to root out the evil Soul Strangler's cult. Finally, Peter B. Gillis and Denys Cowan craft a compelling tale as the Panther fights apartheid in the neighboring nation of Azania.
COLLECTING: VOL. 2: BLACK PANTHER (1977) 1-15, MARVEL PREMIERE (1972) 51-53, BLACK PANTHER (1988) 1-4, MATERIAL FROM MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) 100

It's winter in America! For over 70 years, Captain America has stood in stalwart defense of our country and its people. But in the aftermath of Hydra's takeover of the nation, Cap is a figure of controversy, carrying a tarnished shield...and a new enemy is rising! Who are they? And how do they intend to co-opt and corrupt the symbol that is Captain America? Distrusted by a nation that seems to have lost faith in him, Steve Rogers is a man out of time - and out of options! Where can a now-unsanctioned Captain America turn for aid and assistance in order to stem the rise of the cabal of influence brokers known as the Power Elite? Join acclaimed BLACK PANTHER scribe Ta-Nehisi Coates for the next chapter of Captain America's life!
COLLECTING: CAPTAIN AMERICA 1-6, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2018 (AVENGERS/CAPTAIN AMERICA) 1 (CAPTAIN AMERICA STORY)

Time Capsule: Bing and Gary Crosby perform "Hey Jude" on "Hollywood Palace," Feb. 18, 1969


Pop Artifact: Isis/Shazam! publicity cel, 1976


 Via Heritage Auctions.

Details:
Isis, aka The Secrets of Isis was a live-action series, the first to feature a female superhero (predating both Wonder Woman and The Bionic Woman). The lovely Joanna Cameron starred as Andrea Thomas, a science teacher who discovers a magic gold amulet that gave her super powers whenever she said "Oh mighty Isis." Shazam! was another Filmation live-action Saturday morning series, starring Jackson Bostwick as the legendary Captain Marvel.

Video Find: Ken Nordine studio tour

Remembering the great voice-over and Word Jazz pioneer, who died at age 98 this week.

Video Find: King Crimson on "Fridays" 1981

I remember seeing this when it first aired. Nevermind the wardrobe, the 80s version of Crimson did incredible stuff that, in my opinion, still holds up - sharp, edgy and not proggy at all.




So long, Ken Nordine

Ken Nordine, known for his spoken "Word Jazz" LPs and radio show, is dead at age 98, reports WBEZ.

Along with his imaginative spoken word pieces, which include collaborations with Tom Waits and the Grateful Dead, Nordine provided voice-overs on a zillion TV ads, including work for Levis, Taster's Choice coffee and other products.

Here are a few examples of his work:







Video Find: 1960 space travel documentary "Universe"

An inspiration for the effects and design of "2001: A Space Odyssey."


Time Capsule: BBC "Tomorrow's World" segment on Nellie the School Computer, Feb. 15, 1969


Video: DC Collectibles - Toy Fair 2019 Reveals


New Music Friday: David Bowie; Elvis; Gladys Knight; Dale Watson; The New Seekers; Wadada Leo Smith

Our picks this week. Click the links to order discounted vinyl or CDs from Amazon:










Pop Culture Roundup: Casablanca; comics artist countdown

ITEM! Was Jack Benny in "Casablanca"? Booksteve investigates.


ITEM! Rip Jagger is counting down his favorite comics artists. Many expected choices on the list, but also some unusual ones, like Wayne Howard.


Cool! Marvel Legends Captain Marvel wave









Order here.

This build-a-figure wave includes:
  • Captain Marvel 
    • Alternate head
    • Alternate hands
  • Talos figure
    • Kree Sentry Leg
  • Nick Fury figure
    • Goose figure
    • Pistol
    • Kree Sentry arm
  • Captain Marvel (With Jacket) figure
    • Goose figure
    • Kree Sentry arm
  • Starforce Commander figure
    • Pistol
    • Kree Sentry Body
  • Grey Gargoyle figure
    • Kree Sentry head
  • Genis-Vell figure
    • Pistol
    • Kree Sentry leg

Watch: Extended trailer for "Doom Patrol" TV series


Video Find: "Jazz in Serious Music" - Leonard Bernstein TV special



Video Find: The Rolling Stones mime "I Got You Babe"


Cool: Hot Toys Captain Marvel action figure

Another of Hot Toys creepily realistic renditions.









Video Find: Harry Nilsson sings "Gotta Get Up"

Anyone had this tune stuck in his/her head lately?



Watch: "Derry Girls" season 2 trailer

Season 1, now on Netflix in the U.S., is one of the best and funniest things I've seen in a long, long time. Hopefully we'll get to see this one soon, too.

New Comics Day: Captain Marvel: Ms. Marvel - A Hero is Born Omnibus; Decades: Marvel in the 50s - Captain America Strikes! ; Batman -The Caped Crusader Vol. 2Jungle Girls; EC Archives -Piracy

Our picks this week. Click the links to order discounted titles from Amazon.

Before she became Captain Marvel, NASA Security Chief Carol Danvers' life had been intertwined with the alien Kree's interventions on Earth. When her genetic structure melded with that of the Kree, Danvers was imbued with new powers and an all-new Marvel hero was born! Famous X-Men writer Chris Claremont weaves complex plots and compelling characterization in the iconic original adventures of Ms. Marvel. The highlights are many: Ms. Marvel meets the Avengers for the very fi rst time. Mystique makes her first appearance. A battle with Ronan the Accuser. Encounters with the Guardians of the Galaxy and Sabretooth. The story reaches its epic conclusion in a Marvel milestone including the X-Men and the Avengers!
COLLECTING: MS. MARVEL (1977) 1-23; MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) 61-62, 76-77; DEFENDERS (1972) 57; MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE (1974) 51; AVENGERS (1963) 200, AVENGERS ANNUAL (1967) 10; MATERIAL FROM AVENGERS (1963) 197-199, MARVEL SUPER-HEROES (1990) 10-11, MARVEL FANFARE (1982) 24

Celebrate 80 years of Marvel Comics, decade by decade - with the complete shield-slinging adventures of the Captain America of the Fab Fifties! As Atlas Comics revived their super hero titles, the star-spangled Sentinel of Liberty took on a new mission - smashing the rise of Communism across the globe! But an old enemy lies in wait: the Red Skull! In this complete collection of Cap's 1950s revival, Captain America and Bucky charge into action against fi fth columnists, Soviet spies, secret agents from around the globe, and fearsome foes from Electro to the Executioner! Plus, a modern-day story pulling back the Iron Curtain on the '50s Cap, as he teams up with none other than Nick Fury!
COLLECTING: Material from Young Men 24-28, Captain America (1954) 76-78, Men's Adventures 27-28; Captain America: Theater of War - America First!

This new collection of 1980s Batman tales includes the legendary story "A Lonely Place of Dying," in which a new Robin emerges in the form of computer hacker Tim Drake, who rescues Batman from The Joker and Two-Face. This volume also includes the mystery story "The Many Deaths of Batman," and a run of stories in which the Dark Knight must stop crime boss Zucco. 
Collects Batman #433-444 and Batman Annual #13.

Thrill to the adventures of strong women who right wrongs–jungle style! Read all about them in this curated anthology of comic stories from the 1940s and '50s. 
Sassy, brassy, and beautiful, here are the Jungle Girls of the four-color Golden Age including: Tygra, Princess Pantha, Rulah, Fantomah, Judy of the Jungle, Camilla, Jun-Gal, Cave Girl, and of course, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle! 
Feast your eyes on the artwork of Frank Frazetta, Fran Hopper, Bob Powell, Everett Raymond Kintsler, Jack Kamen, and last but not least, Matt Baker! Also includes an Introduction by Dr. Sheena Howard, whose book, Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation won the 2014 Eisner Award for Best Scholarly Work.

Collecting the complete run of the EC Comics cult classic Piracy in color; featuring stories about the violence and cruelty of the pirates that sailed the seven seas.
Across these pages sail plunderers, pillagers, buccaneers, whalers, smugglers, pearl divers, treasure hunters, mutineers, and many more, in these brutal tales of life on the water.