Comic book books: Big, old, black-and-white reprints
I'm a bronze age baby. I hit my comics-loving peak at age 10, smack dab in 1975.
I still love comics of course. But that was when trips to the spinner rack took on their greatest importance. Later I got interested in records and girls and my priorities shifted.
And one of the things I loved most about reading comics back then were the great reprints. Marvel put out a bunch of reprint books each month. And stories from the 40s, 50s and 60s often appeared as backup features in regular titles. Plus there were those big 80- and 100-page giants and annuals. Not to mention those nice, tabloid-size treasuries.
But best of all were these:
"Superman from the 30s to the 70s" and "Batman from the 30s to the 70s" are still (somewhat tattered) treasures of my comics collection.
(There was a "Shazam" volume too, which I still regret not buying at the time and it still continues to elude me on eBay. I have the whole works on CD, but it's not the same...)
Sure, in 2006 we're spoiled for reprints with DC Archives and Showcase volumes and Marvel Masterworks and Essentials. But I'll never give up my "30s to the 70s" books. They're too much a part of me.
I don't know how many times I've read the stories they contain. I've loved these books to literal pieces, especially the Batman volume. The stories where Batman and Robin traveled back in time were particular favorites. Seeing the mean, gun-wielding Batman of the early tales was startling. And I loved learning there'd been a Batgirl before Barbara Gordon--not to mention a Batwoman!
There are a couple of sections in color, including Denny O'Neil and Irv Novick's classic "One Bullet Too Many," which in just a few pages (panels, really) shifted the tone and course of every Batman story to follow. All without an overpriced, overblown "event" series that promises to change everything but doesn't. It's a re-boot today's comics creators could learn a lot from.
There's great stuff in the Superman book too. It leads off with some of the "Socialist Man" tales, where the Man of Steel regularly championed the downtrodden while socking it to corporate fatcats. And from there it's on to the goofy Bizarro tales, Lois Lane's shenanigans and other assorted whimsies of the Weisinger era. The book ends with some stories from when Julius Schwartz took over the editorial reins, providing another great example of how to makeover a character on the fly.
What got me thinking about these books again and led me to pull them off the shelf is the arrival of DC's Showcase books. These are nice and thick like Marvel's Essentials, but on whiter paper and with better production. Perhaps they'll catch the attention of younger readers like the "30s to the 70s" books did mine. My 7-year-old son, for one, is excited to dig into the Showcase Superman volume I got the other day.
Younger readers will find a heap of fun stuff to read in the Showcase books. It's nice to think about a new generation of kids discovering these stories.
I still love comics of course. But that was when trips to the spinner rack took on their greatest importance. Later I got interested in records and girls and my priorities shifted.
And one of the things I loved most about reading comics back then were the great reprints. Marvel put out a bunch of reprint books each month. And stories from the 40s, 50s and 60s often appeared as backup features in regular titles. Plus there were those big 80- and 100-page giants and annuals. Not to mention those nice, tabloid-size treasuries.
But best of all were these:
"Superman from the 30s to the 70s" and "Batman from the 30s to the 70s" are still (somewhat tattered) treasures of my comics collection.
(There was a "Shazam" volume too, which I still regret not buying at the time and it still continues to elude me on eBay. I have the whole works on CD, but it's not the same...)
Sure, in 2006 we're spoiled for reprints with DC Archives and Showcase volumes and Marvel Masterworks and Essentials. But I'll never give up my "30s to the 70s" books. They're too much a part of me.
I don't know how many times I've read the stories they contain. I've loved these books to literal pieces, especially the Batman volume. The stories where Batman and Robin traveled back in time were particular favorites. Seeing the mean, gun-wielding Batman of the early tales was startling. And I loved learning there'd been a Batgirl before Barbara Gordon--not to mention a Batwoman!
There are a couple of sections in color, including Denny O'Neil and Irv Novick's classic "One Bullet Too Many," which in just a few pages (panels, really) shifted the tone and course of every Batman story to follow. All without an overpriced, overblown "event" series that promises to change everything but doesn't. It's a re-boot today's comics creators could learn a lot from.
There's great stuff in the Superman book too. It leads off with some of the "Socialist Man" tales, where the Man of Steel regularly championed the downtrodden while socking it to corporate fatcats. And from there it's on to the goofy Bizarro tales, Lois Lane's shenanigans and other assorted whimsies of the Weisinger era. The book ends with some stories from when Julius Schwartz took over the editorial reins, providing another great example of how to makeover a character on the fly.
What got me thinking about these books again and led me to pull them off the shelf is the arrival of DC's Showcase books. These are nice and thick like Marvel's Essentials, but on whiter paper and with better production. Perhaps they'll catch the attention of younger readers like the "30s to the 70s" books did mine. My 7-year-old son, for one, is excited to dig into the Showcase Superman volume I got the other day.
Younger readers will find a heap of fun stuff to read in the Showcase books. It's nice to think about a new generation of kids discovering these stories.
Quick hits
Rhino Handmade, the limited-edition arm of Rhino Records, is releasing a box set collecting recordings by comic Allan Sherman. (Mark Evanier says it's available cheapest via Barnes and Noble.)
Over at the official Star Wars site, you can download wearable paper character masks.
And here's a page where you can download cut-and-fold robots (this and the Star Wars item via BoingBoing.)
Dial B pays tribute to Bernie Wrightson.
Comics artist Charles Burns and Chris Ware chat, link via Drawn.
Mystery novelist and "Dick Tracy" comics scripter Michael Kilian has passed away.
Despite objections from the publishers of the "Asterix" comics, a French mobile phone manufacturer can register the brand name Mobilix.
The revived "Doctor Who" beat out "Desperate Housewives" as most popular drama in the U.K. National Television Awards. Britons are smarter than we are.
Music downloads from the videogame based on Jeff Smith's "Bone" comic are available here.
Will "Buffy" characters live on in straight-to-DVD films?
Over at the official Star Wars site, you can download wearable paper character masks.
And here's a page where you can download cut-and-fold robots (this and the Star Wars item via BoingBoing.)
Dial B pays tribute to Bernie Wrightson.
Comics artist Charles Burns and Chris Ware chat, link via Drawn.
Mystery novelist and "Dick Tracy" comics scripter Michael Kilian has passed away.
Despite objections from the publishers of the "Asterix" comics, a French mobile phone manufacturer can register the brand name Mobilix.
The revived "Doctor Who" beat out "Desperate Housewives" as most popular drama in the U.K. National Television Awards. Britons are smarter than we are.
Music downloads from the videogame based on Jeff Smith's "Bone" comic are available here.
Will "Buffy" characters live on in straight-to-DVD films?
Everyone do...the Batusi!
I haven't been to the comic book shop this week, but it sounds like DC went with Wonder Girl out of the numerous cover illustrations artist Michael Allred prepared for his issue of the publisher's "Solo" series. I'm looking forward to checking it out. In the meantime, let's review:
"Lost" tonight...
...is a repeat of the season opener (sigh). But if you wanna watch it again, or missed it the first time, you might wanna review the various clues and other notable things that occur during the episode. Check up TIP!'s roundup here.
Also see the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.
Also see the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.
New CD releases of note
Oct. 25
Vashti Bunyan Lookaftering
Marshall Crenshaw Downtown, Field Day, Good Evening and Mary Jean & 9 Others
Dave Edmunds Tracks on Wax 4 and Twangin'
The Fiery Furnaces Rehearsing My Choir
Rita Lee (ex-Os Mutantes) Bossa'n Beatles
Jimmy Smith Christmas '64
They Might Be Giants Here Come the ABCs
VA This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul
Nov. 1
Miles Davis The Cellar Door Sessions 1970
Nirvana Sliver: The Best of the Box
Wilco Kicking Television - Live in Chicago
Vashti Bunyan Lookaftering
Marshall Crenshaw Downtown, Field Day, Good Evening and Mary Jean & 9 Others
Dave Edmunds Tracks on Wax 4 and Twangin'
The Fiery Furnaces Rehearsing My Choir
Rita Lee (ex-Os Mutantes) Bossa'n Beatles
Jimmy Smith Christmas '64
They Might Be Giants Here Come the ABCs
VA This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul
Nov. 1
Miles Davis The Cellar Door Sessions 1970
Nirvana Sliver: The Best of the Box
Wilco Kicking Television - Live in Chicago
DC sneak peeks: the return of Kubert, Pini and Garcia-Lopez
If you checked out the DC Comics solicitations for January released the other day, you may've noticed three comics greats have new projects set to debut that month.
Here are some preview pages of the upcoming Sgt. Rock mini-series by Joe Kubert along with a fresh Elfquest story from Wendy Pini and a Justice League Classified arc by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (inks by Klaus Janson).
Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy by Joe Kubert
Elfquest: The Discovery by Richard and Wendy Pini
JLA Classified #16 by Gail Simone and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
New comics releases Oct. 26
Available now at yer local comics shop or via This is Pop!-supporting links:
Batman Begins Camouflage Batmobile
Batman Under The Hood TP
Conan Volume 2 God In The Bowl and Other Stories TP
Elfquest The Grand Quest Vol 11 TP
Hercules New Labors Of Hercules TP
Incredible Hulk Wall Statue
Krypto And Friends Animated Series Maquette Set
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 4 HC Ltd.
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 4 New Ed
Marvel Monsters Monsters On The Prowl
Marvel Universe Astonishing Kitty Pryde Bust
Marvel Visionaries John Romita Jr
Merchant Of Dennis The Menace TP
Mister X Vol 2 Secret Life Of Mister X TP
New X-Men Academy X Yearbook Special
Rogues Gallery Mysterio Bust
Silver Age Fantastic Four Mole Man Med Statue
Spider-Man Vs The Sandman Statue
Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 4 Inhuman TP
Uncle Scrooge #347
Vampire Buffy: 12-inch Buffy the Vampire Slayer figure
Fantastic Four movie figure assortment series 4
See the complete list of new and upcoming comics.
DVD new releases for Oct. 25, 2005
Alias - The Complete Fourth Season
Bewitched - The Complete Second Season (colorized)
Bewitched - The Complete Second Season (B&W)
Looney Tunes - Golden Collection, Volume Three
Tales From the Crypt - The Complete Second Season
Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection:V2
The Wizard of Oz (Three-Disc Collector's Edition)
Bewitched - The Complete Second Season (colorized)
Bewitched - The Complete Second Season (B&W)
Looney Tunes - Golden Collection, Volume Three
Tales From the Crypt - The Complete Second Season
Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection:V2
The Wizard of Oz (Three-Disc Collector's Edition)
DVD cover art: "The Adventures of Superman: Complete Second Season"
Here's a look at the set's cover. It'll be out January 17 and is available for pre-order via Amazon now.
Quick hits
The New York Times reviews the new first season DVD collection of "The Adventures of Superman."
Newsarama talks to comics writer Dan Slott, who has a continuing "Thing" series in the works.
Dial B remembers the silver age Spectre.
Newsarama talks to comics writer Dan Slott, who has a continuing "Thing" series in the works.
Dial B remembers the silver age Spectre.
Details on upcoming "Teen Titans" episodes
Here's a look at new episodes premiere over the next few weeks:
"Snowblind" Oct. 29
While battling a mysterious creature in the wilds of Siberia, Starfire is lost in a blinding snowstorm. Red Star, a reclusive young soldier, comes to her aid and the two become fast friends. When Robin and the rest of the Teen Titans arrive, they discover Red Star hides not only a tragic past, but a destructive secret.
"Kole" Nov. 5
While in the Arctic Circle, the Teen Titans once again take on Dr. Light. And when an accident sends the Teen Titans through the ice, they discover a exotic new underworld, and two new superheroes: Kole and her caveman sidekick, Gnarrk.
"Hide & Seek" Nov. 12
With the other Teen Titans off fighting exciting battles with the Brotherhood of Evil, Raven is left with the worst task of all -- transporting three rambunctious future superheroes to safety. But this simple task turns into an adventure in babysitting as Raven and her young charges are chased through the Alps by the Brotherhood of Evil's Msr. Mallah.
"Lightspeed" Nov. 19
With Titans dispatched across the globe, members of the Hive Five figure they have it made. Unfortunately their city-wide crime spree is cut short when a new hero in town spoils the fun. Handing him over to the Brotherhood of Evil may score the Hive Five points, but actually catching this lightning-fast do-gooder is much harder than it seems.
See the Best Teen Titans Sites on the Web.
"Snowblind" Oct. 29
While battling a mysterious creature in the wilds of Siberia, Starfire is lost in a blinding snowstorm. Red Star, a reclusive young soldier, comes to her aid and the two become fast friends. When Robin and the rest of the Teen Titans arrive, they discover Red Star hides not only a tragic past, but a destructive secret.
"Kole" Nov. 5
While in the Arctic Circle, the Teen Titans once again take on Dr. Light. And when an accident sends the Teen Titans through the ice, they discover a exotic new underworld, and two new superheroes: Kole and her caveman sidekick, Gnarrk.
"Hide & Seek" Nov. 12
With the other Teen Titans off fighting exciting battles with the Brotherhood of Evil, Raven is left with the worst task of all -- transporting three rambunctious future superheroes to safety. But this simple task turns into an adventure in babysitting as Raven and her young charges are chased through the Alps by the Brotherhood of Evil's Msr. Mallah.
"Lightspeed" Nov. 19
With Titans dispatched across the globe, members of the Hive Five figure they have it made. Unfortunately their city-wide crime spree is cut short when a new hero in town spoils the fun. Handing him over to the Brotherhood of Evil may score the Hive Five points, but actually catching this lightning-fast do-gooder is much harder than it seems.
See the Best Teen Titans Sites on the Web.
Quick hits
Gordon Lee, who played "Porky" in the "Our Gang" shorts, has passed away.
Turner Classic Movies plans to air nine films by famed animator Hayao Miyazaki, including "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke," "My Neighbor Totoro," "Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind," "Castle in the Sky," "Porco Rosso" and "Whisper of the Heart."
CPM is offering anime downloads for iPod. Initial offerings include the upcoming "Armored Trooper VOTOMS."
The new Asterix book reportedly takes a few swipes at Bush Amerika. Those pesky Gauls...
Premiere magazine has listed the 25 most shocking moments in film.
Jason Connery will play the lead in "Stan Lee's Lightspeed," a Sci Fi channel movie.
Actress Dakota Fanning will voice "Coraline" in an animated adaptation of the Neil Gaimin book.
A "Sin City" TV series is planned.
Longtime Lone Ranger comics artist Tom Gill has passed away.
Turner Classic Movies plans to air nine films by famed animator Hayao Miyazaki, including "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke," "My Neighbor Totoro," "Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind," "Castle in the Sky," "Porco Rosso" and "Whisper of the Heart."
CPM is offering anime downloads for iPod. Initial offerings include the upcoming "Armored Trooper VOTOMS."
The new Asterix book reportedly takes a few swipes at Bush Amerika. Those pesky Gauls...
Premiere magazine has listed the 25 most shocking moments in film.
Jason Connery will play the lead in "Stan Lee's Lightspeed," a Sci Fi channel movie.
Actress Dakota Fanning will voice "Coraline" in an animated adaptation of the Neil Gaimin book.
A "Sin City" TV series is planned.
Longtime Lone Ranger comics artist Tom Gill has passed away.
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