Review: "Aquaman: The Search for Mera"
Plots that continued over multiple issues were a rare thing in DC Comics of the 1960s. But as the publisher took on younger creators and began competing with Marvel more an older, more sophisticated readership, serial storytelling became more and more prominent.
This book, which collects a story told over nine issues of Aquaman published in 1968 and 1969, is an early example.
The plot is pretty straightforward - Aquaman's wife, Mera, is mysteriously abducted - and character development, as was typical of DC at the time, is minimal. But it's still entertaining thanks to the excellent pacing and storytelling of writer Steve Skeates and then-new Aquaman artist Jim Aparo.
Skeates keeps the suspense going and develops new challenges, include a scuffle with Black Manta and a forced battle between Aquaman and his sidekick, Aqualad, during each chapter of the Sea King's quest. There's also some palace intrigue involving the aide Aquaman leaves in charge of his kingdom while he's away.
Aparo's art, as would be expected, is excellent. His line is somewhat softer and his characters' features less angular than his later art of the 1970s and early 1980s, but still distinctively his own. The underwater landscapes are imaginative and beautifully rendered, and the action scenes intense and dynamic. Aparo uses his trademark diagonal panels to speed up the pacing of the story when warranted. Even early on during his tenure at DC, his mastery of the form is evident.
For fans of Aparo and the Bronze-Age Aquaman, this collection is a must and, amazingly, it's never been collected before. Younger readers may enjoy it, too, as there's nothing too scary going on here. They should be warned, though, that this isn't the bare-chested,underwater barbarian of the recent Aquaman movie, but the blond-haired, orange-suited guy who rides a seahorse. The Real Aquaman, as I like to call him.
The hardcover is worth springing for, in my opinion, for Aparo's nicely reproduced art, alone. All of Nick Cardy's excellent cover art is also included and the color reconstruction throughout is beautiful.
New Music Friday: The Specials
Our picks, er, pick, this week. Click the link to order discounted items from Amazon.
Pop Culture Roundup: Kiss mini-golf; Joe Kubert; DC Comics; Marvel Comics
ITEM! Kiss mini-golf in Las Vegas! What's not to love? (via Atlas Obscura.)
ITEM! Check out Joe Kubert's little-known 1940 superhero, the Zebra (via Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine.)
ITEM! A fantastic DC Comics promo poster by the fantastic Jose Garcia Lopez (via Rip Jagger's Dojo.)
Plus one for Marvel, by the great John Romita!
ITEM! Check out Joe Kubert's little-known 1940 superhero, the Zebra (via Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine.)
ITEM! A fantastic DC Comics promo poster by the fantastic Jose Garcia Lopez (via Rip Jagger's Dojo.)
Coming Up: The Seeds - Pushin' Too Hard Soundtrack
Our March 8. Order from Amazon now.
Details from Ace Records:
Big Beat's series of reissues dedicated to the Seeds reaches its apex with the compilation 'Pushin' Too Hard: The Seeds', the accompanying soundtrack to an acclaimed rockumentary tracing the rise and fall of these 60s garage icons. Directed by GNP Crescendo's Neil Norman and written/produced by Ace's own Alec Palao, 'Pushin' Too Hard: The Seeds' is an extensive trip through the career of the exemplary quartet, and its eccentric front man, Sky Saxon. Aficionados will be glad to note that several of the group's own selections are presented here as alternate takes or different versions, providing more evidence of the driving, hypnotic brand of rock'n'roll the Seeds pioneered.
Coming Up: This Is Lowrider Soul 1962-1970
Out Feb. 8. Order from Amazon now.
Details from Kent Records:
The Mexican and central and South American immigrants and their descendants who originally settled mainly around East Los Angeles have had an affinity for sweet soul love ballads for many years. In recent times the collecting scene has intensified and spread to soul fans around the world who, already sympathetic to the music, were intrigued by the titles that were finding such favour among this very hip scene. Scene classics are provided by the Whispers, Barbara Mason, the Ambassadors, Brenton Wood and Lee Williams & the Cymbals, most of which are quite well known in Europe, too. More esoteric picks are provided by the Endeavors, Aesop's Fables, Jimmy Conwell, the Vows and the Interpreters. Being Kent, we suggested some previously unreleased masters to the selectors and they were knocked out to include the Lovers Bay Area-recorded 'When You're Poor' and the Billy Terrell, Ray Dahrouge and Tony Camillo-written-and-produced gem 'I'm Just Passing Time'; their inclusion has caused a buzz around the scene.
Tracks:
1. Take a Step - Aesop's Fables
2. Why'd You Put Me on - Bobbi Row & the Englishmen
3. I Wanna Chance - the Vows
4. Where Were You - Brenton Wood
5. Second Hand Happiness - Jimmy Conwell
6. 'Til You Come Back to Me - Lee Williams & the Cymbals
7. Oh How It Hurts - Barbara Mason
8. I Really Love You - the Ambassadors
9. As I Sit Here - the Whispers
10. One More Chance - the Four Tees
11. No Doubt About It - the Esquires
12. It's Not That Easy - Reuben Bell with the Casanovas
13. It's So Hard to Break a Habit - the Webs
14. Pretending Dear - the Lovelles
15. Find Me - the Attractions
16. Shattered Dreams - the Endeavors
17. Be Kind to Love - the Interpreters
18. When You're Poor - the Celestials
19. Never Gonna Let Him Know - Debbie Taylor & the 4 Hesitations
20. As Long As I've Got You - the Charmels
21. Don't Forget About Me Baby - Jeff Dale
22. I'm a Lonely Man - Bobby Burn Aka Bobby Wilburn
23. Crying All By Myself - William Bell
24. I'm Just Passing Time - Melvin Hicks & the Versatiles
Time Capsule: The Beatles' final live performance, Jan. 30, 1969
The Fabs climbed to the roof of their Apple Corps HQ in London on this day 50 years ago to perform a set of tunes captured by cameras for inclusion in the "Let it Be" film. It would be the last time the band played live in public.
New Comics Day: Wonder Woman; Steve Canyon
Our picks:
Diana is on a journey back to Paradise Island in search of rest and relief with her mother, Hippolyta, and the other Amazons. When fellow Amazon Leda attempts to take herself and Diana back to the dimension in which Paradise Island now exists, their journey goes awry and they end up on the world of Chalandor, battling black-hued beings called Shadowmen.
Just when they think they're safe, a Chalandorian craft lands and its crew intends to bring both Amazons back to their arena to fight as gladiatrixes. There they meet a fellow captive, a barbarian called Ranagor. Diana and Ranagor end up in the arena facing the gnarth, a vicious beast, but will they make it out alive? Find out in Wonder Woman by Walt Simonson & Jerry Ordway, collecting stories from these two legendary creators. Collects Wonder Woman #189-194.
Just when they think they're safe, a Chalandorian craft lands and its crew intends to bring both Amazons back to their arena to fight as gladiatrixes. There they meet a fellow captive, a barbarian called Ranagor. Diana and Ranagor end up in the arena facing the gnarth, a vicious beast, but will they make it out alive? Find out in Wonder Woman by Walt Simonson & Jerry Ordway, collecting stories from these two legendary creators. Collects Wonder Woman #189-194.
Six white horses laid a President to rest as a nation wept, but Milton Caniff knew that a man-and a nation-must carry on. In these stories from 1963-64, the globetrotting Steve Canyon foils diabolical enemy plots in half a dozen countries. Steve goes undercover in Turkey, tries not to get clawed by his old "friend" Cheetah during an encounter in western Mexico, and tackles a communist plot in Africa. After being embroiled in a royal family feud in the fictional kingdom of Mahnay, Canyon has his first brush with military action in a small Indochinese country-Vietnam! Things are no quieter on the home front, as Copper Calhoon and Summer Olsen have it out, while cousin Poteet helps uncover a foreign agent planted at the 1964 World's Fair. It's action, humor, and mystery in the distinctive Caniff style in these never-before-reprinted daily and full-color Sunday comics.
Coming Up: Reggie Young - Session Guitar Star
Out Feb. 8. Order from Amazon now.
Details from Ace Records:
During his six-decade career as a session man, predominantly in Memphis and Nashville, Reggie Young's unique guitar work has embellished 45s and albums by just about every major artist who cut tracks in those two hotbeds of recording activity. There were plenty of lower profile names, too, who made great records without necessarily over-working the chart compilers. To Reggie it didn't matter; he always did his best to provide what he felt was right for the song, very often just some personalised licks and fills here and there, but he would cut loose on a scorching solo if he thought it added to the overall performance. This CD contains a healthy mixture of both, and much in between.
Tracks:
1. Slip, Slip, Slippin' in - Eddie Bond & His Stompers
2. Carol - Bill Black's Combo
3. A Touch of the Blues - Bobby Bland
4. Dream Baby - Jerry & Reggie
5. I'm Movin' on - the Box Tops
6. The Champion Pt. 1 - Willie Mitchell
7. Meet Me in Church - Solomon Burke
8. Chicken Crazy - Joe Tex
9. In the Pocket - King Curtis & the King Pins
10. More Love - James Carr
11. Don't Forget About Me - Dusty Springfield
12. Stranger in My Own Home Town - Elvis Presley
13. I Wanna Roo You - Jackie de Shannon
14. Drift Away - Dobie Gray
15. Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life) - Sonny Curtis
16. Victim of Life's Circumstances - Delbert McClinton
17. Lover Please - Billy Swan
18. Morning Glory - James & Bobby Purify
19. Cocaine - J.J. Cale
20. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink - Merle Haggard
21. The Highwayman - the Highwaymen Aka Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson
22. Griselda - Natalie Merchant
23. Whenever You Come Around - Little Milton
24. Where Do We Go from Here - Waylon Jennings
Out Now: The Pop Genius Of Mickie Most
Order from Amazon now.
Details from Ace Records:
Making hits seemed all too easy for legendary producer Mickie Most who attributed his success to his extraordinary ability to spot a hit tune, combined with unbridled common sense. American record companies sat up and took notice and, with his career in the ascendancy, Most extended his run of hits on both sides of the Atlantic with artists such as Donovan, Brenda Lee, Lulu and Jeff Beck. He turned down the chance to produce the Monkees, Elvis and Barbra Streisand because it clashed with his scheduling. Here then is a hand-picked representation of the man's best or most significant work. Incidentally, both 'I Love Rock'n'Roll' and 'Living Next Door To Alice' are the original flop versions of songs that went onto become huge hits for Joan Jett and Smokey, respectively. The CD comes in a deluxe package with rigid slipcase and a separate memorabilia-laden 72-page booklet with in-depth notes by Rob Finnis.
Tracks:
1. Motorbikin' - Chris Spedding
2. Tobacco Road - Nashville Teens
3. The House of the Rising Sun - the Animals
4. Hi-Ho Silver Lining - Jeff Beck
5. Journey - Duncan Browne
6. Brother Louie - Hot Chocolate
7. Is It True - Brenda Lee
8. Sunshine Superman (Single Version) - Donovan
9. Dance with the Devil - Cozy Powell
10. No Milk Today - Herman's Hermits
11. Walking - C.C.S
12. Little Games - the Yardbirds
13. Gin House - Paul Williams & the Big Roll Band
14. The Boat That I Row - Lulu
15. Jailhouse Rock - Jeff Beck Group (Feat. Rod Stewart)
16. 48 Crash - Suzi Quatro
17. Living Next Door to Alice - New World
18. I Love Rock 'N' Roll - Arrows
19. Mellow Yellow - Donovan
20. Days of My Life - the Seekers Feat. Judith Durham
21. Bread and Butter - Barry St. John
22. Flight 2 - Angelo and Eighteen
23. To Sir with Love - Lulu
24. Some Girls - Racey
Coming Up: The Byrds 1973 reunion album, remastered
Out March 1. Order from Amazon now.
Details:
Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered edition of the legendary 1973 reunion album by THE BYRDS; “Byrds”.
Released on the Asylum label in March 1973, “Byrds” saw the classic line-up of GENE CLARK, CHRIS HILLMAN, DAVID CROSBY, ROGER McGUINN and MICHAEL CLARKE fully reunited for the first time since 1966 (when Clark departed the group due to his fear of flying) and following the departure of Clarke and Crosby in 1967 – Clarke to the Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby to Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young).
Recorded at the Wally Heider studios in Los Angeles during October and November 1972, the album featured compositions by Gene Clark (‘Full Circle’ and ‘Changing Heart’), Roger McGuinn (‘Sweet Mary’ and ‘Born to Rock n’ Roll’) and Chris Hillman (‘Things Will Be Better’ and ‘Borrowing Time’) along with David Crosby’s ‘Long Live the King’ and a new version of ‘Laughing’ (originally recorded by Crosby on his 1971 solo album “If Only I Could Remember My Name”).
The album also featured a cover version of Joni Mitchell’s ‘For Free’ and two Neil Young compositions; ‘Cowgirl in the Sand’ and ‘(See the Sky) About to Rain’, the latter not released by Young himself until 1974 when his version appeared on the album “On the Beach”.
This re-mastered edition of “Byrds” restores the original album artwork and features an illustrated booklet with essay.
1. FULL CIRCLE
2. SWEET MARY
3. CHANGING HEART
4. FOR FREE
5. BORN TO ROCK N’ ROLL
6. THINGS WILL BE BETTER
7. COWGIRL IN THE SAND
8. LONG LIVE THE KING
9. BORROWING TIME
10.LAUGHING
11. (SEE THE SKY) ABOUT TO RAIN
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