Coming Up: Batgirl - The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2


Out April 2. Pre-order from Amazon now.

Details:

Now, for the first time ever, Gotham's greatest heroine's adventures are collected in this oversize omnibus collection, Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2!

These hard-to-find 1970s tales featuring Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, are now recut and collected in their entirety! In these stories, Batgirl teams up with heroes including Robin and Red Tornado, and faces villains including Killer Moth, the Cavalier and Madame Zodiac.

Collects stories from Batman Family #12-20 and Detective Comics #481-519 and Batgirl Special #1


New comics collected editions for March 2019

Our picks. Click the links to pre-order items from Amazon.

When come the Gatherers! First, the machinations of Hera and Ares pit Hercules against Thor! A visit from the Starjammers and the X-Men proves painful for the Black Knight - and so do his feelings for Crystal and Sersi! And the demonic return of a classic villain teaches the Avengers to fear the Grim Reaper - not to mention his shambling Legion of the Unliving! Then, the Gatherers - Proctor, Magdalene and the Swordsman, plus Sloth and Cassandra - attack at last! But what is the secret behind their dastardly plan - and why is their next target Black Panther? Plus, the Avengers aid Arkon! And Captain America, Thor and the Fantastic Four are drawn into the time-travel saga of Citizen Kang!
COLLECTING: VOL. 23: AVENGERS (1963) 348-359, ANNUAL 21; MATERIAL FROM CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL 11, THOR ANNUAL 17, FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL 25

 
The legend of Conan continues! Tired of the thieving life, Conan signs on as a mercenary for the warring kingdom of Turan. The enemy will tell of Conan's legendary skill in battle - if any of them live to tell the tale - but palace intrigue may prove more dangerous to the barbarian. After all, it's never wise to bed a wizard's woman. Then, Conan joins with Red Sonja for a multipart adventure. Last, but far from least, we present Roy Thomas and Gil Kane's never-before-reprinted GIANT-SIZE adaptation of "The Hour of the Dragon," the iconic story of how Conan became king and conqueror and met the woman who would become his wife. And it's all restored to the original coloring!
COLLECTING: CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1970) 27-51, ANNUAL (1973) 1, GIANT-SIZE CONAN (1974) 1-4 AND MATERIAL FROM SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN (1974) 1, 8 AND 10

Celebrate 80 years of Marvel Comics, decade by decade - together with the groovy ghoulies of the Supernatural Seventies! It was an era of black-and-white magazines filled with macabre monsters, and unsettling new titles starring horror-themed "heroes"! Now, thrill to Marvel's greatest horror icons: The melancholy muck-monster known as the Man-Thing -whosoever knows fear burns at his touch! Morbius, the Living Vampire! Jack Russell, cursed to be a Werewolf-by-Night! And the flame-skulled spirit of vengeance, the Ghost Rider! But what happens when they are forced together to become...the Legion of Monsters? Plus stories starring Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Manphibian, the vampire-hunter Blade...and never-before-reprinted tales of terror!
COLLECTING: LEGION OF MONSTERS (1975) 1; MARVEL PREVIEW 8; MARVEL PREMIERE 28; MARVEL SPOTLIGHT (1971) 2, 5; FRANKENSTEIN (1973) 1; TOMB OF DRACULA (1972) 10; MATERIAL FROM SAVAGE TALES (1971) 1

Iron Man's nemesis, the Mandarin, has returned and he pushes the Golden Avenger to the breaking point. First, he pits Iron Man against the Incredible Hulk in a battle of the titans that only one will walk away from, and then he tears down Tony Stark after discovering he is Iron Man! It's an all-time Iron Man classic, and there's more where that came from. Tony Stark finds himself replaced by his own S.H.I.E.L.D. Life-Model Decoy. And this doppelganger doesn't just want to take Stark's place - he wants to take his life. Also featuring the Controller, the Titanium Man, the Crimson Dynamo, an epic throw-down with the Sub-Mariner and the first appearance of Madame Masque.
COLLECTING: VOL. 3: IRON MAN (1968) 2-24

 
The Marvel Universe has always reflected the world outside your window -- from the moment Captain America charged into battle in World War II, to the present day! Marvel's characters face relevant and real-life issues alongside their extraordinary adventures -- from grappling with alcoholism, to participating in politics, to celebrating diversity and everything in between! These powerful stories from Marvel's 80-year history feature iconic heroes tackling heavy-hitting subjects including drug abuse, teen suicide, HIV, terrorism, school shootings and more. Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) 97, HOWARD THE DUCK (1976) 8, IRON MAN (1968) 128, NEW MUTANTS (1983) 45, ALPHA FLIGHT (1983) 106, UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) 303, INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) 420, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) 36, CAPTAIN AMERICA (2002) 1, ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) 51, MS. MARVEL (2015) 13, CHAMPIONS (2016) 24; material from CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 2, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) 583.

From the heart of the Silver Age Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers bring you the World War II adventures of Sgt. Nick Fury! These creative titans took the Marvel method and applied it to the combat genre, creating the "war comic for people who hate war comics." Starring Fury, Dum Dum Dugan and the rest of the Howling Commados, the series was an instant hit and would even inspire filmmaker Quentin Taratino's Inglorious Basterds. In this augural Sgt. Fury Epic Collection, our heroes battle more Nazis than you can shake a bayonet at, team-up with Captain America and Bucky, battle the nefarious Barons Strucker and Zemo, and set out to capture Adolf Hitler himself!
COLLECTING: VOL. 1: SGT. FURY (1963) #1-19 

One of the all-time great stories of the Silver Surfer, by the legendary Stan "The Man" Lee and visionary French artist Jean Giraud, aka Moebius - as stunning now as it was 30 years ago! A star falls to earth. Panic grips the planet as mankind prepares for its inevitable end. But the star is a ship, and inside is a god. All he asks is adoration. Overcome with relief, man rushes to obey. There is only one voice of dissent that will not be silenced: the Silver Surfer, who recognizes the "god" as his former master! But why has Galactus encouraged mankind to live down to his darkest nature? The Sentinel of the Spaceways stars in a bewitching tale of man's folly and nobility.
COLLECTING: SILVER SURFER (1988) 1-2
 
Mickey's uncle wants to bring the tourists back to his fading seaside resort -- and Mickey and Goofy think populating the pier with fierce pirate cosplayers is the perfect solution! But when our heroes unwittingly open the floodgates for a real pirate raid by Black Pete and his scurvy crew, it looks like our heroes will be going from plan to plank!
Our latest volume in the Disney Masters collection features a swashbuckling series of travels and travails -- from cowboy capers at "Yesterday Ranch" to the fan favorite mystery of "The Vanishing Railroad!" Seven Mickey serials in all -- all newly recolored in the warm colors of the original comic books!
 


 

Watch/Listen: Stan Lee speech in animated Black Panther show

Stan's final performance in the onscreen Marvel Universe.


Coming Up: James Warren, Empire Of Monsters - The Man Behind Creepy, Vampirella and Famous Monsters


Out March 19. Pre-order from Amazon now.

Details:

This heavily illustrated biography features eye-opening ― often outrageous ―anecdotes about Warren, a larger-than-life figure whose ability as a publisher, promoter, and provocateur make him a fascinating figure. In addition to Forrest J. Ackerman’s Famous Monsters of Filmland, he published Help!, a magazine created by MAD’s Harvey Kurtzman, which featured early work by John Cleese, Gloria Steinem, Terry Gilliam, Robert Crumb, and Diane Arbus; Creepy and Eerie magazines, with covers by painter Frank Frazetta and comics art by Steve Ditko, Wallace Wood, Bernie Wrightson, Al Williamson, and many others. His most famous co-creation, the character Vampirella, debuted in her own magazine in 1969, and continues to be published today.


Time Capsule: Ella Fitzgerald on "Hollywood Palace," Jan. 11, 1969



Pop Culture Roundup: Stan Lee; Big Jim; Tolkien

ITEM! Stan "The Man" Lee raps with Marvelmaniacs at James Madison University, 1982.


ITEM! (Via Plaid Stallions) Big Jim playsets. I owned that Kung-Fu studio!


ITEM! An extensive display of memorabilia, manuscripts and artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien is the subject of a new exhibit in New York.



Coming Up: Ringo Starr's "Bad Boy" album out Jan. 25 in new vinyl edition


Ringo's 1978 album "Bad Boy" will be out in a new vinyl edition Jan. 25 from Friday Music. You can pre-order it now from Amazon.

Details from Friday Music (I doubt most folks agree that this is one of Ringo's finest albums, nor one of the finer LPs of 1978):

Often considered one of his finest works since the classic "Ringo" album from 1973, "Bad Boy" would become one of the Ringo Starr’s most loved ventures and one of the finer rock recordings of 1978. Featuring the hit single "Heart On My Sleeve", "Bad Boy" would be the centerpiece of his critically acclaimed television special "Ringo."

Whenever the legendary Ringo Starr makes a record, there’s always a little help from his superstar friends like producers Vini Poncia and arrangers James Newton Howard, who all contributed their studio expertise into making "Bad Boy" the stellar work that it is.

More Ringo classics like "Who Needs A Heart" kicks the Lp into high gear, followed up by his remake of the Naomi Neville hit "Lipstick Traces (on A Cigarette)" and Sir Richard Starkey's interpretation of The Supremes' smash "Where Did Our Love Go"...all truly making this a splendid time for all!

Friday Music is very pleased to announce the first time 180 Gram Translucent Blue & Black Swirl audiophile vinyl release of the Ringo Starr classic "Bad Boy." Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and Capitol Records in Hollywood, CA and pressed at R.T.I., for a super limited time, this super fine Ringo Starr Lp will also be housed in a striking gatefold cover which also includes rare photos and lyrics from the inner sleeve artwork, plus a 12" x 12" poster insert to enhance your Ringo Starr listening hours. 


Video: Happy Birthday, Tintin!


Coming Up: Swamp Monsters (Chilling Archives of Horror Comics)


Out April 16. Pre-order from Amazon now.

Details:

Something's out there in the mad, murky depths of the fear-filled, sinister swamp...  some... swamp... THING is coming for you! And it's out for mud!

The terror team that brought you Zombies, Return of the Zombies, and the petrifyingly popular, hit series, Haunted Horror, take you on an excursion of evil into the dankest, lagooniest corners of your nightmares, and dredge up over 240 pages of icky, drippy, slimy, grimy beasts from the grungy bottom of the Pre-Code comics' bog. See the art of these full color classic comics  by mire monster masters Bob Powell, Lou Cameron, Hy Fleishman, Lin Streeter, the Iger Shop, and marshy more! Swamp Monsters Includes a fascinating introduction by comics legend, the acclaimed artist of Swamp Thing, "Swampy" Stephen Bissette!



New action figure: Marvel Legends six-arm Spider-Man

When two arms aren't enough.



They made these: Marvel Comics tea pots



Coming Up: Justice League of America - The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 3


Out May 28. Pre-order from Amazon now.

Details:

One of the greatest eras in the history of the Justice League of America is collected here in Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 3. These cosmic tales turned the Justice League of America into the legends of the DC Universe that they are today, and are gathered in this expansive collection.

The beginning of the 1970s saw the heroes of the JLA trading in their secret New England cave hideout for the Earth-orbiting Satellite HQ. Plus, the League started expanding its lineup to include even more characters, such as the Elongated Man and the Red Tornado! Throw in team-ups with the classic Justice Society of America and the returned Seven Soldiers of Victory, and it's easy to see why these stories became fan-favorite epics.

Collects Justice League of America #147-181.


Cool Stuff: DC Comics "Hot Properties" sets

Some of the hottest real estate in the DC Comics universe: The Batcave, Wayne Manor and Daily Planet. More info.


New Comics Day: Ms. Marvel Epic Collection; Anti-War Comics; Dick Tracy; Philip K. Dick bio

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

The year was 1977 and Marvel was set to debut its latest and greatest new super heroine. NASA Security Chief Carol Danvers' life had long been intertwined with the alien Kree's interventions on Earth. But now it was time for this new woman in a new era to take on a new persona all her own-Ms. Marvel! As editor of Woman magazine, Danvers must contend with the Marvel Universe's biggest blowhard, J. Jonah Jameson, while discovering her identity and origins as a super hero. Chris Claremont, continuing the series begun by Gerry Conway, brings to bear all the craft and character development of his renown X-Men run, while Jim Mooney, John Buscema and John Byrne supply some of the most stunning art of the era.
COLLECTING: MS. MARVEL (1977) 1-14, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) 61-62 AND DEFENDERS (1972) 57

An action-oriented medium, comics have long used wars--real and fictional--as narrative fodder, often with a strong message attached. Buried in rare comics published during the Cold War were powerful war, fantasy, and sci-fi stories that strongly condemned war and the bomb, boldly calling for peace.
While a few comics of the time portrayed the horrors of war, the more blatant anti-war stories were largely unappreciated or so cloaked in metaphor that they went unnoticed by contemporary audiences. Today, we can more fully appreciate the efforts of the fine writers and cartoonists who were crying out for peace in their--and our--time. Journey back with us now, and discover the secret, surprising history of anti-war comics with this marvelously curated collection.

Dick Tracy closes out the 1960s by moonlighting-literally! The master sleuth takes a part-time second job as Head of Security and Law Enforcement for Diet Smith's operations based on the moon. Soon Tracy learns that an international crime syndicate, the Apparatus, has infiltrated Smith's organization on the lunar surface.
Two other major characters are also introduced. First is cartoonist Vera Alldid, who comes looking for his step-uncle B.O. Plenty and instead finds himself enamored with B.O. and Gravel Gertie's daughter Sparkle. The second is Groovy Grove, fresh from prison after serving twelve years for a crime he didn't commit. All this and more in these classic Chester Gould comic strips, from April 3, 1969 to December 23, 1970.


One of the greatest writers in science fiction history, Philip K. Dick is mostly remembered for such works as Blade Runner, Minority Report, and Total Recall. His dark, fascinating work centered on alternate universes and shifting realities in worlds often governed by monopolistic corporations and authoritarian governments. His own life story seems a tussle with reality, cycling through five marriages and becoming increasingly disjointed with fits of paranoia and hallucinations fueled by abuse of drugs meant to stabilize him. His dramatic story is presented unvarnished in this biography.

Pop Artifact: Star Wars movie program



Coming Up: Flamin' Groovies "Gonna Rock Tonight: Complete Recordings 1969-1971"


Out March 1 from Grapefruit.

Details:

Irrespective of musical direction, sales figures or personnel changes, The Flamin' Groovies have always had greatness attached to their name. Cyril Jordan's mid-Seventies revamp of the band was certainly a huge influence on entire generations of skinny-tied power poppers, but the Groovies took their first tentative steps on the long and winding road to cult stardom back in the late Sixties, when lead singer, original band leader and rock'n'roll aficionado Roy Loney battled for the upper hand with young pup and Beatles obsessive Jordan. After the tentative, privately-issued 10" mini-album debut Sneakers, the Groovies made the transition from San Francisco also-rans to genuine contenders with a trio of peerless albums - Supersnazz, Flamingo and the particularly magnificent Teenage Head - for major labels (Columbia's Epic imprint and Buddah subsidiary Kama Sutra). Bolstered by sundry outtakes, alternative versions and single mixes, those three albums now appear under one roof for the first time with Gonna Rock Tonite!, a complete anthology of the band's studio work during the pivotal 1969-71 timeframe: halcyon days that ended in late 1971 when Loney abruptly quit the group he'd formed just a few short years earlier. Bursting with creative tension, wilful diversity and absurdist wit, Gonna Rock Tonite! Climaxes with the classic album Teenage Head, a brazen attempt to out-Stone the Stones that saw one critic describe it at the time of it's mid-1971 appearance as "close to being the best hard rock album ever released by an American group". The definitive issue of these definitive recordings, Gonna Rock Tonite! #is a 3-CD set taken from the masters and housed in a striking clamshell box. It includes a 20-page booklet that features a new 7,500 word essay on the band.


Disc: 1

  1. Love Have Mercy
  2. The Girl Can't Help It
  3. Laurie Did It
  4. A Part from That
  5. Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
  6. The First One's Free
  7. Pagan Rachel
  8. Somethin' Else/Pistol Packin' Mama
  9. Brushfire
  10. Bam Balam
  11. Around the Corner
  12. Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu (Single Version)
  13. The First One's Free (Single Version)
  14. Somethin' Else (Single Version)
  15. Laurie Did It (Single Version)

Disc: 2

  1. Gonna Rock Tonite
  2. Comin' After You
  3. Headin' for the Texas Border
  4. Sweet Roll Me on Down
  5. Keep a Knockin'
  6. Second Cousin
  7. Childhood's End
  8. Jailbait
  9. She's Falling Apart
  10. Road House
  11. Shakin' All Over
  12. That'll Be the Day
  13. Louie Louie
  14. My Girl Josephine
  15. Around and Around
  16. Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
  17. Going Out

Disc: 3

  1. High Flyin' Baby
  2. City Lights
  3. Have You Seen My Baby?
  4. Yesterday's Numbers
  5. Teenage Head
  6. 32-20
  7. Evil Hearted Ada
  8. Doctor Boogie
  9. Whisky Woman
  10. Scratch My Back
  11. Carol
  12. Rumble
  13. Somethin' Else
  14. Walking the Dog
  15. Going Out (Version 2)

Pop Pic: Orson Wells


See three new "Captain Marvel" movie posters

Best Comics Covers of the Week