Pop Pic: Audrey


 

New comics collected editions out Dec. 1: Warlock - Jim Starlin Gallery Edition; John Severin; classic Conan, and more!

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

At Marvel in the 1970s, no one mastered the startling scope of cosmic adventure like Jim Starlin! In this star-spanning spectacle, Starlin evolved Adam Warlock to the next level, imbuing the character with the inner demons of a man-god on the brink of insanity. 
    Forced to confront an evil version of himself and the nihilistic menace Thanos, Warlock’s conflicts weren’t just knuckle-grinding throw-downs — they were existential struggles for his very soul. Featuring the first-ever assembling of the Infinity Gems, the debuts of Gamora and Pip the Troll, and an all-out struggle to save the universe — joined by the Avengers, Captain Marvel and Spider-Man! And now, the full epic grandeur of Starlin’s saga is unleashed on the oversized pages of a Gallery Edition!
    COLLECTING: Strange Tales (1951) 178-181, Warlock (1972) 9-15, Avengers Annual (1967) 7, Marvel Two-In-One Annual (1976) 2

In these pages Conan meets the Queen of the Black Coast in one of the most captivating pairings in comics! But first, he teams up with Red Sonja in one of Roy Thomas and John Buscema’s finest tales!     Then, Conan’s travels through the western wastelands bring readers the tear-jerking “Last Ballad of Laza-Lanti,” the fearsome threat of Shokkoth and a flashback tale of from the Cimmerian’s youth! Next, the saga of Lupalina the Wolf-Woman takes Conan to the castle keep of the death-dealing Unos! Along the way, Conan picks up sidekicks Yusef and Tara and comes face-to-face with his biggest challenge: himself! We conclude with debut and origin of BĂȘlit, the pirate queen that would become Conan’s partner in love and war.
    COLLECTING: Conan the Barbarian (1970) 43-59, Giant-Size Conan (1974) 5 (cover only), material from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 1

The stories that built the Marvel Universe, from the brilliant minds of legendary creators — now available in an accessible new format the whole family can enjoy! Peter Parker has not been Spider-Man for very long, but the threats this newly minted hero must face are mounting quickly! 
    Experience the debuts of Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, the Scorpion — and most dastardly of all, the Green Goblin! And as if that weren’t enough, the eight-armed Doctor Octopus has returned, determined to unmask Spidey! Plus, witness the wallcrawler’s first meetings with Daredevil and the Hulk, and the continuing development of his love/hate friendship with the Human Torch! But when Doc Ock recruits five villainous allies to join him in the Sinister Six, Spider-Man will face the battle of his life!
    COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 11-19, Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964) 1

The definitive biography of one of the most prolific creators in the history of American comics! From a start in 1947 at the Simon & Kirby shop, he co-created the legendary Western strip American Eagle with Will Elder, and became an EC Comics mainstay, working with Harvey Kurtzman on Mad and Two-Fisted Tales. 
    In addition to a 40+ year association with Cracked magazine, his pivotal Marvel Comics work included an extended run inking Herb Trimpe on The Hulk, and teaming with sister Marie Severin to create the classic comics version of King Kull. Throughout his storied career, he freelanced for every major publisher, and remained a workhorse up till his final Dark Horse mini-series at age 90.
    Included in this volume is a special "American Eagle" section, an eye-popping art gallery, and extensive personal photos and artifacts (including WWII "Victory Mail" cartoons and handmade greeting cards for his family). 
    Also featured is commentary from over 25 peers gathered just for this book, including Neal Adams, Richard Corben, John Byrne, Russ Heath, Walter Simonson, and many others. Written by Greg Biga and multiple Eisner Award-winner Jon B. Cooke, with an introduction by Howard Chaykin, Foreword by Mort Todd, and Afterword by Chuck Dixon, this profusely illustrated book celebrates the centennial of the two-fisted artist's birth!

It all starts when Batman discovers his original purple gloves are missing—Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo will have to go back in time to solve the case!
    And when a ghost starts haunting the Batcave, there's no one like Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. to help Batman get to the bottom of it! Even if the ghost turns out to be fake....how did someone get into the Batcave to create a phony phantom? 
    Catch these adventures and more in The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mystery Vol. 1, collecting The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1-12!

Pop Culture Roundup: Shazam, Spidey and The Facts of Life

ITEM! Jennifer Aniston will star in one-off live broadcast of 80s sitcom "The Facts of Life." 

ITEM! Helen Mirren appears as one of three goddesses (the others are Lucy Liu and Rachel Zegler) in the new "Shazam!" film out this June.

ITEM! "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is seeing the biggest pre-sales via Fandango since "Avengers: End Game."

ITEM! Nicholas Cage will play Dracula in Universal's upcoming flick, "Renfield."

ITEM! HBO's "Batgirl" series has started production.

Paperback Parade: Vintage sci-fi and fantasy book covers

Hot Trax '71:Don McLean, Donny Osmond, the Hillside Singers and more!

New singles on the charts 50 years ago this week.

Listen to the Hot Trax '71 playlist on Spotify.

Don McLean - American Pie

Donny Osmond - Hey Girl

Betty Wright - Clean Up Woman

Rare Earth - Hey Big Brother

Tommy James - Nothing to Hide

Joe Simon - Drowning in the Sea of Love

Jerry Lee Lewis - Me and Bobby McGee

The Hillside Singers - I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)

The Grateful Dead - Truckin'

The Guess Who - Sour Suite

Buffy Sainte-Marie - I'm Gonna Be a Country Girl Again

The Doors - Tightrope Ride