tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82202852306361018232024-03-18T18:51:42.354-04:00Rip Jagger's DojoRip Jagger's DojoRip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.comBlogger6165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-24559249207843669922024-03-18T12:00:00.012-04:002024-03-18T12:30:42.357-04:00The Adventures Of The Other Deadman! <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCOSDVfpKQVj1xA9kDyboGaMoH111XLK2qtvXuNcgnG8hmHa6kgToWGc3DQ5Y7zqIHeLkfzMOD9H75FsSZ7Ncep6h1f88J0Eroryj3AIegHYgifCjB7UWvYmyvnIE_nn1WRNiDkzPIsUOhZ9Zi5dWGYMo7rb__QWHHCdZoHluatzVqaSVJLxROm_BvXU/s1288/2055dc839f48ff56073613df385fee45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="940" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCOSDVfpKQVj1xA9kDyboGaMoH111XLK2qtvXuNcgnG8hmHa6kgToWGc3DQ5Y7zqIHeLkfzMOD9H75FsSZ7Ncep6h1f88J0Eroryj3AIegHYgifCjB7UWvYmyvnIE_nn1WRNiDkzPIsUOhZ9Zi5dWGYMo7rb__QWHHCdZoHluatzVqaSVJLxROm_BvXU/w468-h640/2055dc839f48ff56073613df385fee45.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we get too deeply entrenched in Deadman lore, I want to take a moment and mention the other Deadman drawn by Neal Adams, this time in partnership with Dick Giordano. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO05il7IenS8oE8jsH0-DxZ7cI7fd-etK7BDzIOMU9l4amloOlghWnTOL7-9mymD2vmfgI6S0HfIh17k-nKD83zj8ibYSz7cjPBo82O2blatqyguu0W5pNX9ApDDIE2iPoLigSLaM4VCkvjxnkOGVzEkxsWjyem1LEEC61eWcc1etFpHnFuQGEye2EHjk/s720/130724230234-national-lampoon-january-1973.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="530" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO05il7IenS8oE8jsH0-DxZ7cI7fd-etK7BDzIOMU9l4amloOlghWnTOL7-9mymD2vmfgI6S0HfIh17k-nKD83zj8ibYSz7cjPBo82O2blatqyguu0W5pNX9ApDDIE2iPoLigSLaM4VCkvjxnkOGVzEkxsWjyem1LEEC61eWcc1etFpHnFuQGEye2EHjk/w295-h400/130724230234-national-lampoon-january-1973.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The duo produced this oddball gem for <i>National Lampoon </i>working from a script by Henry Beard. To read this singular "Deadman" adventure check out <a href="https://thegreatcomicbookheroes.blogspot.com/2012/12/adventures-of-deadman-in-national.html">this link. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-24031908393856820642024-03-18T06:00:00.012-04:002024-03-18T06:00:00.330-04:00The Day Of The Deadman! <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx24ui88eNFalqdA7foxfASkHuTEuJOYRu6hvxNKl5cItwe87Alzw5dGYCEIgtg0YjiqzYvMTM-UTA3AWKiqoosZf3qAC3puizyts3qyB-ffu7R45NNB7_x5yu5NXdpZN3RTWgHFu7z2BJI-1XW1DhLOcoK7xuVeZzEeI7IfC17gGiItpUty_rif0dtY/s601/DMR%201%20May%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx24ui88eNFalqdA7foxfASkHuTEuJOYRu6hvxNKl5cItwe87Alzw5dGYCEIgtg0YjiqzYvMTM-UTA3AWKiqoosZf3qAC3puizyts3qyB-ffu7R45NNB7_x5yu5NXdpZN3RTWgHFu7z2BJI-1XW1DhLOcoK7xuVeZzEeI7IfC17gGiItpUty_rif0dtY/s16000/DMR%201%20May%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBfziWeuTJ9EPFEzyqsJ_YytsOIW3A3gnli0f8t_jq7is_kgS6yfzA8_IpgE-ysUoEwAV5WGfiYvuwQ_WNDGf1tAAW2RC71urrs_DGJi6SHCnjkISGBSRADdzrGbibI9xRU_s9cQ5PIGowIwf8riqMU73gS5N0uh3aRXwakUv4tPlNiFkatQ-nqhAf-s/s609/DMR%202%20Jun%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBfziWeuTJ9EPFEzyqsJ_YytsOIW3A3gnli0f8t_jq7is_kgS6yfzA8_IpgE-ysUoEwAV5WGfiYvuwQ_WNDGf1tAAW2RC71urrs_DGJi6SHCnjkISGBSRADdzrGbibI9xRU_s9cQ5PIGowIwf8riqMU73gS5N0uh3aRXwakUv4tPlNiFkatQ-nqhAf-s/s16000/DMR%202%20Jun%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BBOb1iBW1bFAPKlOUD33vahYpoJ7-hG4O0ylZN0OkR5KWwuyEZPuJW0h2SunTEyF1-6L2kk5aqlh6lFqrE2DRFXO4_LwQdjQ8CgXzfU6pApYTe2jkJYjfuU-pWZ6sonMGQR3zJfFAPhfuiLKQJjDJDKHZqLx1_pLvSC6ArcE0nXS-K0BgWtBdLb4cYA/s619/DMR%203%20Jiul%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BBOb1iBW1bFAPKlOUD33vahYpoJ7-hG4O0ylZN0OkR5KWwuyEZPuJW0h2SunTEyF1-6L2kk5aqlh6lFqrE2DRFXO4_LwQdjQ8CgXzfU6pApYTe2jkJYjfuU-pWZ6sonMGQR3zJfFAPhfuiLKQJjDJDKHZqLx1_pLvSC6ArcE0nXS-K0BgWtBdLb4cYA/s16000/DMR%203%20Jiul%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqVGgdI2awAj2w8k7sDPc0JVtAQL-XWK2S0Jfhvu59fAX5o6LAx8YG_DC0BnBBba4_5vdi-d0ifwEr289_Dpm7PfK3-LCorpI8MTp55CWoxK3Br0-jUb3OsWryF-4KqQieePZd77i6ffJQqEpBbv0DTywqibddOkYJZ3d5Wr-PbfhkGo_J1MNNAFpoOk/s615/DMR%204%20Aug%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqVGgdI2awAj2w8k7sDPc0JVtAQL-XWK2S0Jfhvu59fAX5o6LAx8YG_DC0BnBBba4_5vdi-d0ifwEr289_Dpm7PfK3-LCorpI8MTp55CWoxK3Br0-jUb3OsWryF-4KqQieePZd77i6ffJQqEpBbv0DTywqibddOkYJZ3d5Wr-PbfhkGo_J1MNNAFpoOk/s16000/DMR%204%20Aug%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc75T19u6Rqnfi0RqrJ1bEu_dech1dx2Mt9drgcFj158l8Nnpt_UGYGGb2xaVNW1NUWzrrJ65WXIHRicSQ3hAfTfNMOgVHkfy0ESD8Xcnw1HRtvIjH-8rhM-i24fkZ76B136JGaSCNstpz2LYxrhUedRHPRoxQ3re2pipdADdgkV-unfcQ8KVjYyTLIIc/s619/DMR%205%20Sep%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc75T19u6Rqnfi0RqrJ1bEu_dech1dx2Mt9drgcFj158l8Nnpt_UGYGGb2xaVNW1NUWzrrJ65WXIHRicSQ3hAfTfNMOgVHkfy0ESD8Xcnw1HRtvIjH-8rhM-i24fkZ76B136JGaSCNstpz2LYxrhUedRHPRoxQ3re2pipdADdgkV-unfcQ8KVjYyTLIIc/s16000/DMR%205%20Sep%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF8IzVZvQ34Kg2uWz-WG60jiMmQoqvNfilSH6kwMQWeHwIyWlY2RJI2Zj5vf58Gk2yr0qGXaEGG_hb96is0wTBDX4xqTOENaKUSGRlLnAiVCcKiXR0BSOUYUCxoIy9jgFaKUTIGReWxcJRZRJYZeqK6G8dmwrFqjsZprFckF1QK9DNhnllK4UEjFeQEI/s606/DMR%206%20Oct%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF8IzVZvQ34Kg2uWz-WG60jiMmQoqvNfilSH6kwMQWeHwIyWlY2RJI2Zj5vf58Gk2yr0qGXaEGG_hb96is0wTBDX4xqTOENaKUSGRlLnAiVCcKiXR0BSOUYUCxoIy9jgFaKUTIGReWxcJRZRJYZeqK6G8dmwrFqjsZprFckF1QK9DNhnllK4UEjFeQEI/s16000/DMR%206%20Oct%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9MwWdo8Q1TcvN1PJayp-pdxcjlk-HyE6d1UYXloVA-QZq4_cKCaPoNwCPSv_IbqmxkOuug8oZJp6ZHxNlwMcduX_m0BAONnmPkqOZnFr-pBBfPLimkUDgaEOM0GT9GsWUyRoZvN9kD-cL6njEGXnbfZNjI2QJZ50UBMaN4b8Ifgz-xqFDvGecEQ68vs/s799/DMR%207%20Nov%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="799" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9MwWdo8Q1TcvN1PJayp-pdxcjlk-HyE6d1UYXloVA-QZq4_cKCaPoNwCPSv_IbqmxkOuug8oZJp6ZHxNlwMcduX_m0BAONnmPkqOZnFr-pBBfPLimkUDgaEOM0GT9GsWUyRoZvN9kD-cL6njEGXnbfZNjI2QJZ50UBMaN4b8Ifgz-xqFDvGecEQ68vs/w400-h304/DMR%207%20Nov%2085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Just wanted to showcase these delightful reprints of the Deadman saga from the 1980's in those halcyon days before trade collections were a commonplace. These pricey (at the time anyway) volumes featured the art of Neal Adams on bright white paper for the first time. The Independent market was blooming and both DC and Marvel flooded the field with upgraded reprints in efforts to soak up newsstand space. That's the bad news. The good news is that fans got quality stories in quality condition for the first time. <div><br /></div><div>More Deadman (of a sort) later today. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rip Off<br /> <p></p></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-38930802151245472462024-03-18T00:00:00.075-04:002024-03-18T02:20:43.943-04:00The Spectre Of Death!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO2_RKrEEaFRqJyucsWtUTB781grqx5Eu9NBYeaL3dk2qPMuAT0wdD8p-Tc2t5RvQub9NiDcSy3-2qAWHQbmj50lBm30FtCSHflvik31rL65WUnTfHdfMq0zAEcEtLBoiwyzxSyaBjmBwIuHtF-V72f4e7QXoJT-ZxkdI5lalFchL388QxrfA5A5L24k/s1024/Heroes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="655" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO2_RKrEEaFRqJyucsWtUTB781grqx5Eu9NBYeaL3dk2qPMuAT0wdD8p-Tc2t5RvQub9NiDcSy3-2qAWHQbmj50lBm30FtCSHflvik31rL65WUnTfHdfMq0zAEcEtLBoiwyzxSyaBjmBwIuHtF-V72f4e7QXoJT-ZxkdI5lalFchL388QxrfA5A5L24k/w410-h640/Heroes.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before Deadman, DC Comics gave the world The Spectre. The Spectre was created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Bailey for <i>More Fun Comics</i> way back in the Golden Age of Comics. The Spectre was an original if oddball member of the Justice Society of America. When DC started to revive those characters with the creation of Earth-2, the Spectre was given a try-out and apparently warranted a series of his own. After the try-outs and the debut issue were drawn by the great Murphy Anderson, DC handed the art chores over to Neal Adams, who at that same time was taking over Deadman from Carmine Infantino in the pages of <i>Strange Adventures. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5jZQ_2JxFzhUwAFJNbxcLUm2cH_jIY81VDy4fAk5RO2eExOTz9nN4oIQhQPZN7J1GBADzHkS6GAbsoGPwEWAh3GbYrZobSs3WBGtrWJm_fhr7o9vKAxmMAM-2cwqwl0tUaQXYGUaLCPI5aebMYzJ6CNbYrswdMzS_BYGm4UgFf20e3yoIRyYH8uszAA/s597/BB%2075%20Jan%2068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5jZQ_2JxFzhUwAFJNbxcLUm2cH_jIY81VDy4fAk5RO2eExOTz9nN4oIQhQPZN7J1GBADzHkS6GAbsoGPwEWAh3GbYrZobSs3WBGtrWJm_fhr7o9vKAxmMAM-2cwqwl0tUaQXYGUaLCPI5aebMYzJ6CNbYrswdMzS_BYGm4UgFf20e3yoIRyYH8uszAA/s16000/BB%2075%20Jan%2068.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The actual first-published image of the Spectre rendered by Neal Adams was the cover of <i>The Brave and the Bold </i>#75. He didn't do the interiors, yet his ghastly presentation is pretty memorable. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG5K9jyQVVh1aDEA-QArQlGKEH1pnUyKR6K4PD4eah0R-zdbEvsZBS3_WQnHageZBP0YnTpGmbbYvQhh1aQb8BXJPtV4Hp2WkFh0Y1VohbYwn1Q4KGs7y7_3xp3LEzlWtKEmxoiA8_3HyDDI9dZykDIrolpsntUHq1c6KZ4jZ8YLakkl1K_ZUubxhyphenhyphenwI/s596/S%202%20Feb%2068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG5K9jyQVVh1aDEA-QArQlGKEH1pnUyKR6K4PD4eah0R-zdbEvsZBS3_WQnHageZBP0YnTpGmbbYvQhh1aQb8BXJPtV4Hp2WkFh0Y1VohbYwn1Q4KGs7y7_3xp3LEzlWtKEmxoiA8_3HyDDI9dZykDIrolpsntUHq1c6KZ4jZ8YLakkl1K_ZUubxhyphenhyphenwI/s16000/S%202%20Feb%2068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the second issue of The Spectre, Adams illustrates a story by Gardner Fox about a hood who gets so scared his magical self is separated from him and uses its magical powers to commit crimes while his real self performs magic in public. It takes both the strength and ingenuity of Jim Corrigan and the Spectre to defeat this double menace. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg8e4quG0Mpvh-vPNHsBtMUr35JtOp0AZRBEUatcpaKu-C5QXw2VLXcbpErxIIwtxzwczIwNH0O1ySCdDdC9cfM9x75Vuifz50NGskgI26C5tqxIk-GTjvnApC_NGjcODoXnAmjhrxo3QbgO6p1sVnuQbkwBEhxSX-YoCLwXLhuflqJt5lu__zA7SFPQ/s599/S%203%20Apr%2068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg8e4quG0Mpvh-vPNHsBtMUr35JtOp0AZRBEUatcpaKu-C5QXw2VLXcbpErxIIwtxzwczIwNH0O1ySCdDdC9cfM9x75Vuifz50NGskgI26C5tqxIk-GTjvnApC_NGjcODoXnAmjhrxo3QbgO6p1sVnuQbkwBEhxSX-YoCLwXLhuflqJt5lu__zA7SFPQ/s16000/S%203%20Apr%2068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a story which is as much about Wildcat and his alter-ego Ted Grant as the Spectre, the duo find themselves fighting against a small-time hood who is suddenly gifted with great powers thanks to some stray magic which escaped from a battle between to other-dimensional magicians. Mike Friedrich wrote this one. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn3nJEsXS0e6K6cuNQd1Q3ZXdjVKOA-hnV274LdDrc75-7vrJwV39Bl6vo_GnuCN-v7_NKagbDd4Ne_iqSIB7E60inYcD-H6990o4qH-ptQUDeTV5zrs2TQQ7lp-wVrMhNvWecNR9paJjkw6TUTCG3-aGCxm2_3iW8g3NT9alfi7M1tp_83gKQgI7viw/s603/S%204%20Jun%2068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn3nJEsXS0e6K6cuNQd1Q3ZXdjVKOA-hnV274LdDrc75-7vrJwV39Bl6vo_GnuCN-v7_NKagbDd4Ne_iqSIB7E60inYcD-H6990o4qH-ptQUDeTV5zrs2TQQ7lp-wVrMhNvWecNR9paJjkw6TUTCG3-aGCxm2_3iW8g3NT9alfi7M1tp_83gKQgI7viw/s16000/S%204%20Jun%2068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Neal Adams writes and draws the next issue. Once again, a mere human gets great powers, powers which challenge that of the mighty Spectre. This time it's an evil force which travels from world to world, inflicting anger and destruction in its wake. It inhabits a young boy and after fighting to stop the menace, the Spectre is given a dilemma of killing the host or saving the world. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DfVcGiyGWYNdXxNlCWpQSxhw3yjdMmwmSLpW1BD-9q6hsUL1l8OJ-t3fT3zGskJiLGGz91ZPUwD05OmijVetrl3hBI6VlOn6-fa0cJVadBzAIbIgrPp7J7i0k8EyY6fPmw66dKF16iz2QN5zS8LuG3-oTUS6m7ZfhENtiU33Dd-iJ5W_BbmJgGdqqVw/s601/S%205%20Aug%2068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DfVcGiyGWYNdXxNlCWpQSxhw3yjdMmwmSLpW1BD-9q6hsUL1l8OJ-t3fT3zGskJiLGGz91ZPUwD05OmijVetrl3hBI6VlOn6-fa0cJVadBzAIbIgrPp7J7i0k8EyY6fPmw66dKF16iz2QN5zS8LuG3-oTUS6m7ZfhENtiU33Dd-iJ5W_BbmJgGdqqVw/s16000/S%205%20Aug%2068.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Neal Adams wraps up his Spectre run with issue five. This one is a particular fave of mine since I got hold of it when I was a tyro. The art in this issue blew me away and firmly rooted my utter appreciation for Adams. The story starts with a mysterious stranger who kills to get a mystical device he uses to created a rampaging giant. The Spectre responds but finds the crowds are more terrified of him than the actual menace. Ultimately the Spectre uncovers the identity of his foe and the giant as well. Both are dandy revelations I won't spoil here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ1LB542lwbH04O04ceyYRfmZjP8W0565Du7wRso_kRTpb98m8rHK3WL8tdCX7DcUrgOISUEYSAT0Ff0DrSHg2Cd2eI7dwd97_ElIvnsM-7pcPHglR0nIse8QFUL6Ve7l4Ks26Z1uhW0myRxZ8I4hi9ErcHjfHY5rA_FCMRAKkOpaHhwblb98rhOyZC8/s750/R.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="750" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ1LB542lwbH04O04ceyYRfmZjP8W0565Du7wRso_kRTpb98m8rHK3WL8tdCX7DcUrgOISUEYSAT0Ff0DrSHg2Cd2eI7dwd97_ElIvnsM-7pcPHglR0nIse8QFUL6Ve7l4Ks26Z1uhW0myRxZ8I4hi9ErcHjfHY5rA_FCMRAKkOpaHhwblb98rhOyZC8/w400-h285/R.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But there is a fantastic double-page spread which still lingers in my memory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Spectre's book was taken over by Jerry Grandenetti, a fine artist in his own way. Neal Adams apparently was shifted over to <i>The Brave and the Bold</i> where he took on Batman full-time for the first time. I'll have more on that next month. Later today, I shift gears slightly to look at the other ghostly hero drawn by Adams for DC -- Deadman.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-15621487492107352222024-03-17T06:00:00.028-04:002024-03-17T06:55:38.369-04:00The Ghost Who Is Green?<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aoQlQ7eQY_qrMJRiuP7XgmK0mAxK_sY8-WCguLZ9lfkfW0z97_ehsKfzJcy822YQhhZ-ZUjnjGAT0GdAOMAMvCegLHJO8uo4lsfPoHap71GFX4tx6N3jDYHVlXEcp0LIdXkJoH7F2HLVsCviwsmdTJbsSQFkU04rI6Phd7woKdyZEL8FO5QOwQhnYqY/s608/Green%20Phantom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aoQlQ7eQY_qrMJRiuP7XgmK0mAxK_sY8-WCguLZ9lfkfW0z97_ehsKfzJcy822YQhhZ-ZUjnjGAT0GdAOMAMvCegLHJO8uo4lsfPoHap71GFX4tx6N3jDYHVlXEcp0LIdXkJoH7F2HLVsCviwsmdTJbsSQFkU04rI6Phd7woKdyZEL8FO5QOwQhnYqY/s16000/Green%20Phantom.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg3o2BzbH7rjai-IiR7fJYBX2tiZO3fCJiXO49qaU1I_5YRLjmSqnhNjIpJe94YYSFNAlAPQJRfZ-hzot6cRRcCNTz0QaahCSFNUCC60zpVoqvX2Uud3g8IQ_CyTmPU_EMWwexvtLoUYZ-X4c7-g7XHrfdZNUZFOIaeNXv4uZZrpAIYTWrpSkRurDjq0/s600/Green%20Phantom%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg3o2BzbH7rjai-IiR7fJYBX2tiZO3fCJiXO49qaU1I_5YRLjmSqnhNjIpJe94YYSFNAlAPQJRfZ-hzot6cRRcCNTz0QaahCSFNUCC60zpVoqvX2Uud3g8IQ_CyTmPU_EMWwexvtLoUYZ-X4c7-g7XHrfdZNUZFOIaeNXv4uZZrpAIYTWrpSkRurDjq0/s16000/Green%20Phantom%202.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy St. Patrick's Day! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Phantom was created by Lee Falk specifically for the black and white pages of daily newspapers. Falk said that the color of his distinctive outfit was to be grey, but that information was not apparently widely disseminated because when the character's popularity grew worldwide, and eventual color presentations were needed there is a wide array of hues used. In some places the Phantom is red, in some he is blue. I grew up with a purple Phantom. But once upon a time when the strips were reprinted form the pages of <i>The Australian Woman's Mirror,</i> the figure on the cover was a bright green on the first and third issues. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUojxoXmriFaS6sTcVIy15CtJCFJNdr3M0-40P5t3gGCaTciSebxyheCiDvmF4_Je2e6VI9qzc_0v8XLB5qxd8Zf7mIiWH20wMnZKUipy8ADRvyEPoNnali7K0O2-QD8ea8tDW0DZxFn4MSai6SWP1kgd3CodN-vOJQ95ygvejXgbAaJjzTD8y7wMD3m0/s513/WM%2039%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUojxoXmriFaS6sTcVIy15CtJCFJNdr3M0-40P5t3gGCaTciSebxyheCiDvmF4_Je2e6VI9qzc_0v8XLB5qxd8Zf7mIiWH20wMnZKUipy8ADRvyEPoNnali7K0O2-QD8ea8tDW0DZxFn4MSai6SWP1kgd3CodN-vOJQ95ygvejXgbAaJjzTD8y7wMD3m0/s16000/WM%2039%202.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But that wasn't a conscious decision so much it seems merely convenience because the Phantom is red on the second issue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCdFQWkoxW2T8jdWZ67TV4KbG-4sggTd3jGqRJYgs3dg8oOKH6lU-HLXs3BQNYuwEluR-XfkBhMYhLr76LqhJrzAHjT5K3RueABfd4Cy3sNqhkeAlje1YcD8HPxX2GctJ_d5nak4JoS3a7qI5_VBM89ZUw9k5ye-4kkA7wIzX9AQWmW7ujSBK-fr7_i8/s526/WM%2039%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCdFQWkoxW2T8jdWZ67TV4KbG-4sggTd3jGqRJYgs3dg8oOKH6lU-HLXs3BQNYuwEluR-XfkBhMYhLr76LqhJrzAHjT5K3RueABfd4Cy3sNqhkeAlje1YcD8HPxX2GctJ_d5nak4JoS3a7qI5_VBM89ZUw9k5ye-4kkA7wIzX9AQWmW7ujSBK-fr7_i8/s16000/WM%2039%204.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WpMidLPhA6wN66557oTcs1NYZVfdtJ2fmKHGGjt5w3LmEGW4ITx49mM0pDt9sTLVYKwBpEljO5CWydeeUt7EwTksEg87b3QfCMoAFm02vxd7Uuto2459lvmLjkJ3IaEyTH_lH7LtqugKVNNfjUMW-tk-Z43oiEAN-QFFDlX6sHAGEXsSrUhkhTqKb10/s523/WM%2039%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WpMidLPhA6wN66557oTcs1NYZVfdtJ2fmKHGGjt5w3LmEGW4ITx49mM0pDt9sTLVYKwBpEljO5CWydeeUt7EwTksEg87b3QfCMoAFm02vxd7Uuto2459lvmLjkJ3IaEyTH_lH7LtqugKVNNfjUMW-tk-Z43oiEAN-QFFDlX6sHAGEXsSrUhkhTqKb10/s16000/WM%2039%205.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And not much of any color at all on the other two covers in the run of the 1939 reprint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-63461419874602203862024-03-17T00:00:00.084-04:002024-03-17T00:00:00.135-04:00The Phantom - The Mysterious Ambassador! <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGfOeIokvc3BbQFU5gWRVc1TI2WuNcLVI7yk8fSEUZNCxl2fVQqEDlX0JNvmJ5o7-IvFd9CXvZJiJnz4W1moKty7XkjihSR_8UYw5lAmtZFnLKppV5TLNufAtW0PAxSete_UI48yjaxnKIPkdlneNYyw-iANc6RsKNoLzskOFoIetPqYXTwbojOZqvMU/s1500/Avon%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="970" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGfOeIokvc3BbQFU5gWRVc1TI2WuNcLVI7yk8fSEUZNCxl2fVQqEDlX0JNvmJ5o7-IvFd9CXvZJiJnz4W1moKty7XkjihSR_8UYw5lAmtZFnLKppV5TLNufAtW0PAxSete_UI48yjaxnKIPkdlneNYyw-iANc6RsKNoLzskOFoIetPqYXTwbojOZqvMU/w414-h640/Avon%206.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><i>The Mysterious Ambassador </i>is actually written by the Phantom's creator Lee Falk. This is one of a few of the Avon novels I actually got hold of and read way back in the day when they were landing on newsstands. But it's been a long time and reading it this time was like reading fresh. George Wilson's covers for these books are uniformly fine, but this one is a particular standout. This Hermes Press reprint is a very handsome little tome.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz2sKwY-6FUdpQLRyFglXOF8_hH1DSOvrHCsPmb0N4w44OJu1ky0kvMz12wvPSVqr8lMsow8s16kB_8tw10hM7v9Sw9mTrqBHx1tE69Anc9eCUy6R_2uVdAJVo6rHJLi2CiHDTVzAp8pnlbsXRKOU3D9-Ut53c1bMvpKiUQ-bCWKNcp6uSPTKfrZ2dDI/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz2sKwY-6FUdpQLRyFglXOF8_hH1DSOvrHCsPmb0N4w44OJu1ky0kvMz12wvPSVqr8lMsow8s16kB_8tw10hM7v9Sw9mTrqBHx1tE69Anc9eCUy6R_2uVdAJVo6rHJLi2CiHDTVzAp8pnlbsXRKOU3D9-Ut53c1bMvpKiUQ-bCWKNcp6uSPTKfrZ2dDI/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><br /></div><div>This novel was first published in 1973 and it's difficult not to imagine that the brutal dictator in the story was not inspired by the outrageous and sadistic Idi Amin who ascended to power in Uganda in 1971. In Falk's story a military leader named General Bababu seizes power in the country of Bangalla after losing a fair election. The real winner was a Dr. Luaga who at the time of the election was busy helping in a remote village with a plague. He was assisted by a full United Nations team, which happened to include the lovely Diana Palmer, the girlfriend of a certain Ghost Who Walks. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_a4Ahzvb08oFLCU6DGcHXaHWsVt3gdVCPy1C0aJpr75YOmUHwJ8SIU3LxgYV8R5sKRzpa-XUs-3AYZz7D9TBoGAf64YBTPQGMHTrUUxiBq4xDxOkISFX9dOxdGHlCTPJMJkusoux4aujSl3JHC3TbTkhipiJKtenX5tIEj0J6mzuuoyyDaIjhl_Jfos/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_a4Ahzvb08oFLCU6DGcHXaHWsVt3gdVCPy1C0aJpr75YOmUHwJ8SIU3LxgYV8R5sKRzpa-XUs-3AYZz7D9TBoGAf64YBTPQGMHTrUUxiBq4xDxOkISFX9dOxdGHlCTPJMJkusoux4aujSl3JHC3TbTkhipiJKtenX5tIEj0J6mzuuoyyDaIjhl_Jfos/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Bababu who is described in the book as "half gorilla, half rhino, and all monster" seeks nothing less than the head of Luaga to prove that his opponent is well and truly dead. His forces shoot down a U.N. helicopter sent to rescue the team, but at this point the Phantom intercedes. He sends Bandar warriors to lead the displaced team to relative safety in the Deep Woods. We are treated to a small tour of the area and see some of the odd features already introduced by Falk in his comic strip. It was neat indeed to see the passion with which the Phantom greeted Diana when the party at last arrives safe and sound. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgMB4gCISWYIKnCEqRrl5pIIljnknsFeQ5i4L5_wkmCe1VhNmoNuUJTCTXqUQA099fU3dUIcD8f91HazNZQh4pLFY2mfRLTJ7z04UQKoe1Z2yjby1GfbqGtdweAydLLYhO38ZQcEi8OScJRJBZ4MZRdV41D37-0NYw9o9l_WZNuwzS3Bsb6MtrgQALvw/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgMB4gCISWYIKnCEqRrl5pIIljnknsFeQ5i4L5_wkmCe1VhNmoNuUJTCTXqUQA099fU3dUIcD8f91HazNZQh4pLFY2mfRLTJ7z04UQKoe1Z2yjby1GfbqGtdweAydLLYhO38ZQcEi8OScJRJBZ4MZRdV41D37-0NYw9o9l_WZNuwzS3Bsb6MtrgQALvw/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This book is filled with some outstanding Phantom action. Falk emphasizes the power of the Phantom's punch and many a soldier loyal to the despot is laid out with a single blow. The struggle to get the medical team to safety is a harrowing one and not without mishap. But eventually they safe and then the Phantom's mission is transformed. He becomes "the mysterious ambassador" of the title, but the Ghost Who Walks practices his diplomacy with a distinctive hands-on approach likely not practiced by those formally trained in the profession. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeopf1T5rO_LTSnesClsDyco5o_cfNmnuwd0DaLnHOeIViRG3NqYRo0o4pi55TT-ET_YzVvASL98oq2bdAccivQ8wGeV-Gw-xb4RCO1VU0O9EmN0awGH_mmMuo0Et-YXJbW1Paw7iXcydfj1ixMzNU0X3gH3IKxtpDS_TZdJyRVbbVqiIZVbujGjPJlA4/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeopf1T5rO_LTSnesClsDyco5o_cfNmnuwd0DaLnHOeIViRG3NqYRo0o4pi55TT-ET_YzVvASL98oq2bdAccivQ8wGeV-Gw-xb4RCO1VU0O9EmN0awGH_mmMuo0Et-YXJbW1Paw7iXcydfj1ixMzNU0X3gH3IKxtpDS_TZdJyRVbbVqiIZVbujGjPJlA4/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I found this to be an exciting installment, with a feeling of some greater gravity. There is death and sordid mayhem in the background of the story. People die, but many are saved due to the heroism of the Phantom, and that's the whole point. This one is highly recommended. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6LAB5sLpbK7ePulJY6uNI8tzSDKW-L53yHfOX9ICm8VU9Mob0CGEg_izJGMxMpFKa3FuDHYghd2_9Y9WwOgwm0RDRQzv3XHkz_QVSIJQ5bkh6hd1TeS_9ta5984Fo_WB8h6MBp675MdjzukLPWHfLdsn0ZWd_QBliWBUZ8l8KfFbYu8xnheTqVSQh2s/s1500/Avon%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="884" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6LAB5sLpbK7ePulJY6uNI8tzSDKW-L53yHfOX9ICm8VU9Mob0CGEg_izJGMxMpFKa3FuDHYghd2_9Y9WwOgwm0RDRQzv3XHkz_QVSIJQ5bkh6hd1TeS_9ta5984Fo_WB8h6MBp675MdjzukLPWHfLdsn0ZWd_QBliWBUZ8l8KfFbYu8xnheTqVSQh2s/w236-h400/Avon%207.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Next up is <i>The Mystery of the Sea Horse. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Rip Off<div><br /></div></div></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-418728176824961862024-03-16T00:00:00.204-04:002024-03-16T00:00:00.125-04:00The Phantom - The Charlton Years Volume Three!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE8f23s18Bdx62jwThMIsHs2-ksjK4rktsqlGk-ysDKeG9_ee5-4tHVbVJLJ6jjXFdEslXppIlG0SLklXE_OH6zkNt3NS9oLo3eTOYQyxa9LZMSYfVQ2YS-0Vqwz1F-foffDQQJeeJPFgqVGK6-nMKSUSvQENkbWlHjV6SaZut01k1MFFuLrEVhTCKIM/s528/Phantom%20Charlton%203%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE8f23s18Bdx62jwThMIsHs2-ksjK4rktsqlGk-ysDKeG9_ee5-4tHVbVJLJ6jjXFdEslXppIlG0SLklXE_OH6zkNt3NS9oLo3eTOYQyxa9LZMSYfVQ2YS-0Vqwz1F-foffDQQJeeJPFgqVGK6-nMKSUSvQENkbWlHjV6SaZut01k1MFFuLrEVhTCKIM/s16000/Phantom%20Charlton%203%2014.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Phantom - The Charlton Years Volume Three </i>offers up more vintage Pat Boyette artwork. For all the glory that other artists get (from me and others) for their work on the Charlton Phantom run, it was <br />Boyette who was the workhorse, cranking out a total of twenty-one issues for two and a half years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRto5rB4iNekHhUYCtcVgvWiZ-2LPzny0wm0BU_uLH4XnUMRWy1Cy2jGkxoNr7LVdM3KLvkUVdF5OftToxS5XslSRLMhxQhWK2UN7iS_fiANAm0bq2DC3rHG9IKbPC4Kd5E_jbInOPyAFgUjPyii1GCe28sTLlToyYureH15JTBDZ8A2Dit_gU55m6MJk/s587/P%2048%20Feb%2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRto5rB4iNekHhUYCtcVgvWiZ-2LPzny0wm0BU_uLH4XnUMRWy1Cy2jGkxoNr7LVdM3KLvkUVdF5OftToxS5XslSRLMhxQhWK2UN7iS_fiANAm0bq2DC3rHG9IKbPC4Kd5E_jbInOPyAFgUjPyii1GCe28sTLlToyYureH15JTBDZ8A2Dit_gU55m6MJk/s16000/P%2048%20Feb%2072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The majority of the Boyette issues contained multiple stories, but issue forty-eight's "The Man of Destiny" likely written by Joe Gill was a yarn that took up the whole issue. We meet a young man named Hokana who leaves the jungle to get an education in the outside world and there he comes into contact with people who want to use him to undermine the traditional culture of his people with talk of politics and such. There's a suggestion they are Commies, but it's kind of vague. But Hokana is resistant and with the help of the Phantom is able to fend off this foreign threat to his people. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXtvYwHh_NYEpIJIWd1ZYHR0NVaxDkXVM_1IyCxooEgSBYigij6BVlQ3H9On7oy_VpDMSURo049bxD3joIGsBVAG9BV0-5tA9RHPU-JZDiQ3rd4GNIYozfcsQh80fq9G1ndiAcaQgEQHIUWJjMTd2qLDIryBlxMIKlUGIsGjrfSHyHsT8C9RaZwA4ruw/s602/P%2049%20Apr%2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXtvYwHh_NYEpIJIWd1ZYHR0NVaxDkXVM_1IyCxooEgSBYigij6BVlQ3H9On7oy_VpDMSURo049bxD3joIGsBVAG9BV0-5tA9RHPU-JZDiQ3rd4GNIYozfcsQh80fq9G1ndiAcaQgEQHIUWJjMTd2qLDIryBlxMIKlUGIsGjrfSHyHsT8C9RaZwA4ruw/s16000/P%2049%20Apr%2072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Hostage" kicks off the next issue as the book returns to its regular three-stories an issue format. The hostage is of course Diana Palmer, drawn again a bit off model who is taken by dimwits who don't realize what they've brought down on themselves. "A Better Way" showcases a young lad named Jelrami who is saved by the Phantom but injured. He's sent to the outside world where he falls victim to evil influences and returning to Deep Woods seeks to undermine the Phantom's authority. "The Intruders" is the tale of an earlier Phantom who found himself battling strange creatures from another world. They are overly confident when it comes to Earthlings and the Ghost Who Walks takes advantage. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFZqSNtd1gBp447h4GRFvxzKppWkrem55Lr-EdA6-0H5JCBiZvumGlbbfxPxi4OcjEcgQcdzvO2uXzip1NNHbxUzTy7xfRKFCm3_RxpUgL5EXPwpp2_kf2WWS3eRAGeVHE8NZh1VI0ZbnYTDH4EGRdwlntOlzKbzTgLq02ithL6BlnW1lHidL6hHX9nI/s593/P%2050%20Jun%2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFZqSNtd1gBp447h4GRFvxzKppWkrem55Lr-EdA6-0H5JCBiZvumGlbbfxPxi4OcjEcgQcdzvO2uXzip1NNHbxUzTy7xfRKFCm3_RxpUgL5EXPwpp2_kf2WWS3eRAGeVHE8NZh1VI0ZbnYTDH4EGRdwlntOlzKbzTgLq02ithL6BlnW1lHidL6hHX9nI/s16000/P%2050%20Jun%2072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Fire Gods" kicks off the fiftieth issue of The Phantom and features astronauts returning from a Moon mission who accidently land in the middle of the jungle and a hostile tribe. The Phantom though has the right stuff and is able to save the day. "No Gratitude" has the Phantom pursuing a small-time thief into the deadly jungle and it's a real test of a true nature of the man when the Phantom require help in a mortal situation. "The Lost Legion" is a story right out of the pages of an Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel, as the Phantom finds a forgotten valley and a forgotten society straight out of Roman times. For the record, this is the last issue of <i>The Phantom</i> produced under the auspices of Sal Gentile. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigObmky4URlT5Bb9FPGt9JwxKz6WaypFSsjzv8JsUKN0RmTQU4xvujTvcqpZsCQ2aijm_1FPzutu9BCzHg9H_i3P_EFQaxc2eeE_lAIwppI1c6ER2DmU3tzIMXulGpKtcY1bwug0AOlVcCAwVlTzWuFkmDV7ijzIz7lMMytJq058sVdBEC1GpPm9NnvEc/s595/P%2051%20Aug%2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigObmky4URlT5Bb9FPGt9JwxKz6WaypFSsjzv8JsUKN0RmTQU4xvujTvcqpZsCQ2aijm_1FPzutu9BCzHg9H_i3P_EFQaxc2eeE_lAIwppI1c6ER2DmU3tzIMXulGpKtcY1bwug0AOlVcCAwVlTzWuFkmDV7ijzIz7lMMytJq058sVdBEC1GpPm9NnvEc/s16000/P%2051%20Aug%2072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next issue of <i>The Phantom</i> introduces us to Rex, the Phantom's nephew and his friend Tomm. In the story "A Broken Vow" the two young boys are kidnapped by a resentful native whom the Phantom has already run out of the area once. The Phantom has to battle a crocodile to save them. The boys attempt to help an elephant named King in the story "Captive King". The beast is trapped by the Wambesi who seek not only capture the elephant but the Rex and Tomm as well. "The Treasure Room" guest stars Diana Palmer who searches for the lost city of Lak and finds it. But she also finds villains who have located the remote place to plunder it. George Wildman takes over as editor of the Charlton line. And it seems to me that we get more robust credits with this change over. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hiClcXFkYh6wH1rCjFV-5Vqxe7LDiUi1aJJDMl7IPtDol0elXgxo3-xOCOlrkGXtHqxYQ8P4Sma2z-7gpDSpuANfu7Yt6iWhIRCJ6uFyX6rN_ZuPaCI73UPVwrQeBL_x80ewTPFp3fSFjbf0fgeO15alMAF3NQSx-sMlYenVvO5H2IspE4Z1Qf0y_2M/s594/P%2052%20Oct%2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hiClcXFkYh6wH1rCjFV-5Vqxe7LDiUi1aJJDMl7IPtDol0elXgxo3-xOCOlrkGXtHqxYQ8P4Sma2z-7gpDSpuANfu7Yt6iWhIRCJ6uFyX6rN_ZuPaCI73UPVwrQeBL_x80ewTPFp3fSFjbf0fgeO15alMAF3NQSx-sMlYenVvO5H2IspE4Z1Qf0y_2M/s16000/P%2052%20Oct%2072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Lost in the Land of the Lost" is credited to Joe Gill as is one other story in this issue. It's assumed that Gill wrote most if not all of these Phantom tales, though the credits are vague. Rex and Diana find a lost temple and once again encounter plunderers who kidnap them. But they are able to help themselves as the Ghost Who Walks arrives to assist. "A World Away" has the treasure of the Bandar stolen yet again, this time with the seeming assistance of Diana. The Phantom has to travel to civilization to find the crooks and his love to why she betrayed him. "Revenge of the Singh Pirates" brings back the Phantom's original enemies, This time they want to steal ivory from a village, but the Phantom is one step ahead as usual. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGj0hA0WKspcCG9qoph4AVitIkep4a-nesrOxVb9BPATMqXtdC_p57Rwu_3QZrZNUaeuLF03OANUh2YmQ6Z68xfKOD8EHK_yBf6hyjV1vYV6OlrHL2P0c_kLgqhIIisf1BINZeCvM3Tp22ItLqJVI1w6baN2dknTel8ZGVhdNz2gorDt23l1HXjFfbqQ/s594/P%2053%20Nov%2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGj0hA0WKspcCG9qoph4AVitIkep4a-nesrOxVb9BPATMqXtdC_p57Rwu_3QZrZNUaeuLF03OANUh2YmQ6Z68xfKOD8EHK_yBf6hyjV1vYV6OlrHL2P0c_kLgqhIIisf1BINZeCvM3Tp22ItLqJVI1w6baN2dknTel8ZGVhdNz2gorDt23l1HXjFfbqQ/s16000/P%2053%20Nov%2072.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Looters" has the treasure of the Bandar stolen still another time. (This is getting a bit repetitive.) Once again, the Phantom travels to civilization, this time to France to find the looters, a man named Marcel and his girlfriend Jeanne. "The Do-Gooders" echoes an earlier story as well, as a social worker arrives to help the Shivi tribe and gives them modern appliances like washing machines and weapons as well. The Phantom is resistant and there is more than a whiff of a demeaning attitude for traditional ways on all sides. "The Outlaw's Herd" sees an elephant called Kaswili on the rampage. The Phantom has to get to the bottom of this and to do so has to consult the chronicles which document an earlier event in which the Phantom helped the creature. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIilxPaaIs9y4oYJZ3sd1CvjKIYCTd0R0tiS7JVN7oLZBUYYbsEUc3sAY4r393f_vt8lonUKz52szaOqXbLJj1ybCnNO5bVE96OSnjHURfmzqcsJoBq71dLURfrZQ1n7aVnn3hw42327AYCMli5FeMlpSPNDwMHL9v70LFEUJNbXecWL8wLCzx_mOmLac/s601/P%2054%20Feb%2073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIilxPaaIs9y4oYJZ3sd1CvjKIYCTd0R0tiS7JVN7oLZBUYYbsEUc3sAY4r393f_vt8lonUKz52szaOqXbLJj1ybCnNO5bVE96OSnjHURfmzqcsJoBq71dLURfrZQ1n7aVnn3hw42327AYCMli5FeMlpSPNDwMHL9v70LFEUJNbXecWL8wLCzx_mOmLac/s16000/P%2054%20Feb%2073.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Killers in the Mist" takes the Phantom to London to confront thieves who once again have plundered the Bandar treasure. (This is turning into the easiest treasure to steal I've come across.) The Phantom confronts pea-soup fog and a Brit named Lord Percy. There's also a dangerous Dragon Lady of sorts on hand. "The Angry Gods" is about a temple which is desecrated by a movie crew despite multiple warnings from the Phantom. He also gets distracted by a lovely actress named Regina Shaw. "Master of Evil" has the Phantom battling an evil native named Wazuli who is able to marshal the very animals of the jungle to his corrupt cause. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HvuoqTwLD1O1mD2QLn41sn6KYM4gl4R77xbNLja_lB8NJX87gLDcdjA7Oy7Qfx-M_ViLNoN1Qo6KjT0PVJw_yBgkhqRTwfGG3M8Znkl-bN5Uuz9ABaVSgmYUuOlG7bq81oV62p_5sx2qEd6s1n0hwAekmO5jySpPqGVj6115gQvDHwsjcc9VOC6MIIQ/s603/P%2055%20Apr%2073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HvuoqTwLD1O1mD2QLn41sn6KYM4gl4R77xbNLja_lB8NJX87gLDcdjA7Oy7Qfx-M_ViLNoN1Qo6KjT0PVJw_yBgkhqRTwfGG3M8Znkl-bN5Uuz9ABaVSgmYUuOlG7bq81oV62p_5sx2qEd6s1n0hwAekmO5jySpPqGVj6115gQvDHwsjcc9VOC6MIIQ/s16000/P%2055%20Apr%2073.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Black Blight" has the Phantom on the desert where he is battling a vile oil tycoon named Tokulis, who is building oil wells with no regard to the water underground. The Phantom frees the tribal leaders who are being held captive and turns the tables on this rogue. "A Far-Off Drum" gets mystical when the Phantom gives Diana a small drum to signal him from great distances. When she is waylaid by villains seeking archeological treasure, she is able to send a message via the drum to bring the Phantom to her side. "A Thief in the Night" is about the Bandar treasure once again being stolen. This time the Bandar have taken charge of it, since I guess they got tired of it getting stolen from the Skull Cave time and time again. The thief though has pure motivations. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgCVUxXgKe6rDnAKQlY0JyCmdBd_gFWQ427pqBcSE0mOOMuWExwyPTIiNlm7vK_t0CpuH2gHC9G53wMF0H0pHM3GBAJAOYTH2IQc79K1skSOQSOjCTxLLReL5pk-nqJfnZiTWj6vGhal6FE1791BRlqqBWzv__dk_HoTTGlsyOUhVgNazUPC5lOZrfXc/s601/P%2056%20Jun%2073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgCVUxXgKe6rDnAKQlY0JyCmdBd_gFWQ427pqBcSE0mOOMuWExwyPTIiNlm7vK_t0CpuH2gHC9G53wMF0H0pHM3GBAJAOYTH2IQc79K1skSOQSOjCTxLLReL5pk-nqJfnZiTWj6vGhal6FE1791BRlqqBWzv__dk_HoTTGlsyOUhVgNazUPC5lOZrfXc/s16000/P%2056%20Jun%2073.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final issue in this collection, number fifty-six begins with "Jungle Madness" which has the animals of the jungle getting ferocious. The Phantom is attacked by an elephant, an ape, a hawk, and even Hero gets nasty. Turns out it's a chemical in the water put there by a scientist and a villain named Boonton. His plan, such as it is, is to run off all the animals and plunder the villages. "The Nazi Phantom" turns the clock back to World War II and another Phantom who pretends to sympathetic to the Nazi cause when a U-Boat turns up in the waters of Bengali. It's back to the present when in "The Chief Who Went Astray!" the Phantom has to rush home to contend with a villain who has seemingly corrupted an older chief is using heavy machinery slave labor to mine for Uranium. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hxSvx7NQbYNCO9D9naThIlACJ9_rnaykXNsrr1O9maeHDEg_875Q22647PDjP9Rv6boF8jLw-xm9wTpQ3p7iTL_NHtkYY8mFuy7D344PJvgYB6TZgUxb63FySVccQcz9dxpHmM4QgUMpY2o2nCYI0QtAV-Xm9lGxIQe9Oui4UosxLXA-OLW4-w8vkrc/s4096/Boyette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3208" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hxSvx7NQbYNCO9D9naThIlACJ9_rnaykXNsrr1O9maeHDEg_875Q22647PDjP9Rv6boF8jLw-xm9wTpQ3p7iTL_NHtkYY8mFuy7D344PJvgYB6TZgUxb63FySVccQcz9dxpHmM4QgUMpY2o2nCYI0QtAV-Xm9lGxIQe9Oui4UosxLXA-OLW4-w8vkrc/w314-h400/Boyette.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Pat Boyette)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a sameness to the stories that is emphasized when you read them in quick succession as I've been doing. That the books were not intended to be consumed in that manner allows for some leniency on this, but nonetheless the crew at Charlton did seem to be cranking these out. Joe Gill famously writes quickly and Pat Boyette's artwork while remaining distinctive does show signs of wear from time to time. As has been noted before, the Phantom was one of Charlton's best-selling books, so I suppose this is why King Features was content, at least for a while, to leave things in the hands of the editors. That would change. More on that next time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-92206581118233207832024-03-15T00:00:00.107-04:002024-03-15T02:23:52.735-04:00Abominable Snowmen - Legend Come To Life! <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdSytgAkPSCv9NHbw-58CZIvCtGJFvR7_Sau09_RGvDBee5U02YLwAc6m-fLig0MHHCb9YaB-sKsMNZc6CTTNfOoPhwb_zLtzrO3cPUsRLoyBuRIhxT4x9DP-vKPb5PNImhiPlIL8MVTHQeh4xMRLBjwjboBXIfspeflB_VRiMMhiSSCT0Nsqb2I5oDE/s1548/ABSM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdSytgAkPSCv9NHbw-58CZIvCtGJFvR7_Sau09_RGvDBee5U02YLwAc6m-fLig0MHHCb9YaB-sKsMNZc6CTTNfOoPhwb_zLtzrO3cPUsRLoyBuRIhxT4x9DP-vKPb5PNImhiPlIL8MVTHQeh4xMRLBjwjboBXIfspeflB_VRiMMhiSSCT0Nsqb2I5oDE/w413-h640/ABSM.jpg" width="413" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today most folks call him "Bigfoot". But back in the day, the elusive hairy giants which roamed the planet were called "The Abominable Snowmen" or "ABSM" for short. Ivan T. Sanderson's book <i>Abominable Snowmen: Legend Come to Life</i> hails from that time, specifically 1961 when the book was first published. I've always rather preferred "Abominable Snowman" to other names such as the aforementioned "Bigfoot" or the somewhat more esoteric "Sasquatch" or "Yeti", just because it has such drama in it. The name comes from a corruption of the Sherpa name for the creature that supposedly lives in the exotic climes of the Himalayas. But Sanderson uses the term "ABSM" as a category for any and all of the legendary and elusive shaggy giants across the globe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg6X2kB9japg3f6p-cnSPXX8uPEou16FuBjCDwphu5qYV7Rlhum3tuAShwmJ-CyfwvIlqw22ZBvlZ9WEJkBsFUVTPuEEahp4eI9eofQKtQhbYBg5lGIprCTqOsBwOUplAX6OiKxFRgwA6GlFs7V6K8luX1KWqvYbTlVXWisGx7dUizvszHsOKRDXj948/s630/ABSM%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg6X2kB9japg3f6p-cnSPXX8uPEou16FuBjCDwphu5qYV7Rlhum3tuAShwmJ-CyfwvIlqw22ZBvlZ9WEJkBsFUVTPuEEahp4eI9eofQKtQhbYBg5lGIprCTqOsBwOUplAX6OiKxFRgwA6GlFs7V6K8luX1KWqvYbTlVXWisGx7dUizvszHsOKRDXj948/s16000/ABSM%201.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it is across the very globe itself that Sanderson guides us. He begins the book with some basics and then sets up some parameters regarding geography and natural habitats which might best be gleaned for evidence of such mythical beasts. Then he takes the reader carefully and resolutely around the world from Canada to the United States to Mexico to South America and then on to Africa and across Asia ending the tour in the Himalayas. Specific tribal legends are examined, and specific reports of encounters are both referenced and quoted with many substantial passages from original sources. He sets this book up as a seemingly serious study of a truly mysterious animal or quasi-human or whatever. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3DVsVIUdGkPThoGQfB027woQXBgcLZC3Ly22rbAewzAzjccYXJ8yvLGq-dOdbI35k8OAmzXZeg-xolBuonkNZBICgzNWiIi1xKHpYDUPa5gNMl2j0vBRxbJtEBqd33zOVOAhIPbz4-7elZcSSliB6LCqAkOqDR6QyQs53dfjF1CyIBMKLAx7OCMp94/s500/ABSM%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3DVsVIUdGkPThoGQfB027woQXBgcLZC3Ly22rbAewzAzjccYXJ8yvLGq-dOdbI35k8OAmzXZeg-xolBuonkNZBICgzNWiIi1xKHpYDUPa5gNMl2j0vBRxbJtEBqd33zOVOAhIPbz4-7elZcSSliB6LCqAkOqDR6QyQs53dfjF1CyIBMKLAx7OCMp94/w426-h640/ABSM%202.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sanderson was in some instances anyway a legit scientist. He carried out expeditions in the decades before WWII into some remote areas investigating and capturing animals of all kinds. For a time, he was even in the "animal business" until a natural disaster destroyed his stock and his business. He was a "Fortean", a devotee of Charles Fort, a fellow who was at once a scientist and fascinated by weird things. Sanderson seems to have been much the same. His novel divides the myriad ASBMs across the globe into four categories, each ranging in size from giant to small with an array of habits. Sanderson is considered a "grandfather" of sorts for the pseudo-science of "Cryptozoology" which looks not only for ABSMs but also for other legendary beasts across the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1H9SXcybrnG0b7sfDdpcMICtEq5eveRlznaSrUyZ2_dB9VNFJF1WXaocXrmV0-UVe5oqyY-KUkPb0A1J8k4zEii7NwlU_DGILqasg118dR-J4Y39ukylo2ETUEps0r7F4g0fmGLqjSrRmuPWBKYm_VT5K810eg6Lq7rTOHa_3lQLMJKncW00UBEL9Tg/s733/550x733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1H9SXcybrnG0b7sfDdpcMICtEq5eveRlznaSrUyZ2_dB9VNFJF1WXaocXrmV0-UVe5oqyY-KUkPb0A1J8k4zEii7NwlU_DGILqasg118dR-J4Y39ukylo2ETUEps0r7F4g0fmGLqjSrRmuPWBKYm_VT5K810eg6Lq7rTOHa_3lQLMJKncW00UBEL9Tg/w480-h640/550x733.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was surprised to find that Sanderson was theistic and evoked the absolute truth of a Christian God more than a few times during his lengthy discussion. (This is not a criticism, just a surprise coming from a devout "Fortean".) And that's the main deficiency of his book, it's too long. Sanderson has a measured logical tone and plows through details and stories with a relentless energy. But when we get to the end of four hundred and fifty pages, he offers up this bon mot "I have not by any means said all that I could say." Actually, he's said it more than a few times and we still have at least four appendices to go when this line crops up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN3eo6pViDqLVNU9DFpcbUyFwunQnB_xlnyxONy64WlMuQtCCjqxBmZmz0uZW-n5dLPkDJ9odot0hN1pzNCXe0-dqxdYo2hoUDTLImErYDh-dGuC_55fBAEVf8mBxFqKeKHKebGs0H13rB-b5X6tHtA74ZahfhW_DECH4jy60QOuaxKvuGSC5A-Xpd1s/s1920/Sanderson-Ivan-T.-September-1977.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1130" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN3eo6pViDqLVNU9DFpcbUyFwunQnB_xlnyxONy64WlMuQtCCjqxBmZmz0uZW-n5dLPkDJ9odot0hN1pzNCXe0-dqxdYo2hoUDTLImErYDh-dGuC_55fBAEVf8mBxFqKeKHKebGs0H13rB-b5X6tHtA74ZahfhW_DECH4jy60QOuaxKvuGSC5A-Xpd1s/w377-h640/Sanderson-Ivan-T.-September-1977.jpeg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My position on the Abominable Snowman is that the alure of its actual existence adds quite a bit of zest to a world which often lacks mystery. When someone says the "believe in Bigfoot" it's a statement about how they choose to encounter the world around them, with hopefully an open mind and heart. I'm less and less convinced of the evidence of the ABSM myself, but at this writing I still choose to believe. It's more fun that way. And reading Sanderson's tome was a way to engage that fun in a harmless and erudite way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-36823202028121850522024-03-14T00:00:00.037-04:002024-03-14T00:00:00.130-04:00The Abominable Snowman Of The Himalayas! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPC-OtvdxU3_HXBJyXd9EgT1L2H-ZB5sO5PevY5iZdJV55r8ntV5L8fuRj5kjkBfq71mJhYkJ1SjW5tMqnrhA1XpaQng8f8YOtbIGeSnZ4lFRi7ebkGOrqTN7uHN50WtwRM2RYxRCbPp28WrHtexWqm2HLrlJIKOVSic0RZlLoIIv_ph6eNBMENaSVEw/s2922/nIpVi2BKmP9UkiOtgeMVoLGRyvO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2922" data-original-width="1923" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPC-OtvdxU3_HXBJyXd9EgT1L2H-ZB5sO5PevY5iZdJV55r8ntV5L8fuRj5kjkBfq71mJhYkJ1SjW5tMqnrhA1XpaQng8f8YOtbIGeSnZ4lFRi7ebkGOrqTN7uHN50WtwRM2RYxRCbPp28WrHtexWqm2HLrlJIKOVSic0RZlLoIIv_ph6eNBMENaSVEw/w421-h640/nIpVi2BKmP9UkiOtgeMVoLGRyvO.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I don't remember when it was exactly during my boyhood, but some Halloween or other during one of those luscious all-night film fests they used to have I stayed up, clinging to wakefulness and watched this Hammer movie through. It scared the bejeezus out of me then, and still unsettles me a little today. It plays neatly against expectations, setting up a somewhat chatty and somber story about the usual gaggle of Western types (a hunter, a huckster, a scientist, a sensitive) and throws them up on a mountain to find the elusive myth. Whether they will find anything at all is kept at bay for a good long time, and then only in masterfully controlled bits and pieces.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVB0f_3TPVDhRe4FLHKBYUJcUPa5LXgVwjBdeRK_pGQ8S3PQzZMYxR_auvwQbGn-H8jcG_DuqMOHKBPb9OTvNJbITD0CspErXs7vREODY9rj_fHFsM2agXFBByKvBnlBoJFevh7pjmNvBpYHpHJf6A2wPmmmRaqUCf4LqGwmvQSMzHaQb16BzBy7pnqAo/s667/1e58478cda3e9641bb74a0749c97da9c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="667" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVB0f_3TPVDhRe4FLHKBYUJcUPa5LXgVwjBdeRK_pGQ8S3PQzZMYxR_auvwQbGn-H8jcG_DuqMOHKBPb9OTvNJbITD0CspErXs7vREODY9rj_fHFsM2agXFBByKvBnlBoJFevh7pjmNvBpYHpHJf6A2wPmmmRaqUCf4LqGwmvQSMzHaQb16BzBy7pnqAo/w400-h300/1e58478cda3e9641bb74a0749c97da9c.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>It turns out the Abominable Snowman is real, but he isn't all that "abominable" after all. These are wisemen of the mountains, incredibly long-lived giants with thoughtful eyes and gentle ways who don't harm people directly, but sadly do act as catalysts that cause men to bring harm to themselves. It's that Val Guest chose consciously to hide the creatures, giving only glimpses that makes them such powerful images in my mind. I've seen scuds of bigfoot and yeti movies, but none are so moving or memorable as this one which shows us almost nothing. Guest knew quite well that my mind could conjure a creature far more awesome than anything possible by special effects of the time. He was right.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoWzgOrEgg_0z7KrDvESdF3kZTOyTl_BkLfk_5UkQdSOvHmzTadmav6K13kNKLk541zzNSK3v4MTLMkujpQPZV3fhvAwwffBoeSsqIOoIed9Z6RtR860qxOwtwc7k0v2qNt8ndQz8nwo4wJ10rMsVDEf5V0WPd3trpUHUP-VfqzqSbScgPH7LJmoj8gI/s812/Abominable%20Snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoWzgOrEgg_0z7KrDvESdF3kZTOyTl_BkLfk_5UkQdSOvHmzTadmav6K13kNKLk541zzNSK3v4MTLMkujpQPZV3fhvAwwffBoeSsqIOoIed9Z6RtR860qxOwtwc7k0v2qNt8ndQz8nwo4wJ10rMsVDEf5V0WPd3trpUHUP-VfqzqSbScgPH7LJmoj8gI/w489-h640/Abominable%20Snowman.jpg" width="489" /></a></div></div><br />There is a curious commentary on the DVD, offering up both the comments of both Val Guest the director and Nigel Kneale the writer. It seems that these two have squabbled a bit about this movie in the past, or at least done interviews expressing contrary views. The two are interviewed separately but the interviews are run concurrently. This creates some duplication in information, but does offer up some interesting counterpoints as well. Both men seem to respect one another's talent, or express that anyway, but clearly they differed on how this movie should've worked. Guest defends his decision to keep the creatures off camera and Kneale clearly thinks though it was a brave decision it undermines the final effect. Kneale seems in particular to want to say nicer things about the movie than he has perhaps in the past, and is in the unique position to contrast the film version with the BBC TV version first done. He ultimately says that changes in the film version help the story.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy__Jf-ldGmDSBMbKYzyyXkaawqZu9jUiSzpKd9S3EOrWHbjkuHLswHYtexStqE5A3fAOe6ZwUaeC8-vLTX46e8ETUJeuoR8KhG0lFQjolgObQFFrOXcsvpIp6Q8anhMBsBKIVOsxhiIT14kcG02itidNt2bsq4TxMiBEZFkHbGjExIsLZirRn65PFKYw/s1600/Abominable%20Snowman%20DVD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy__Jf-ldGmDSBMbKYzyyXkaawqZu9jUiSzpKd9S3EOrWHbjkuHLswHYtexStqE5A3fAOe6ZwUaeC8-vLTX46e8ETUJeuoR8KhG0lFQjolgObQFFrOXcsvpIp6Q8anhMBsBKIVOsxhiIT14kcG02itidNt2bsq4TxMiBEZFkHbGjExIsLZirRn65PFKYw/w450-h640/Abominable%20Snowman%20DVD.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /></div>One thing I did learn is that the Himalayas shown in the movie are actually the Pyrenees and finally getting to see the movie in widescreen, it's possible to really enjoy the setting completely. Peter Cushing and Forrest Tucker star in this B&W Hammer movie, and they form a neat contrast. Cushing offers a quiet if nimble screen presence while Tucker is bombast personified. The other actors, typical of Hammer films, are solid pros and the movie though a bit stagey in places nonetheless delivers a pointed morality tale of man looking for the unknown, and as most often is the case, finding only the truth about himself.<br /><br />Rip Off</div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-73999061379017604352024-03-13T00:00:00.095-04:002024-03-13T00:00:00.131-04:00Half Human But All Monster!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_QAu2vijP0fP5zLFFSqvCdIm4SCTXUWVHWLt8f3bmDBfTeF0exZwEtAAhiLLl_QIirFHNMTFWzO7O1comDACiNFJiylumZH6K7rvH0FPnbEYSVrQPA-p30b2XI4hOk0ArREWydiSWd0v7yBAS_Iz6mgq8ZZwmKIWGww9TMZ5txjoeQxvIPmjliTPo4k/s744/Half%20Human%20USA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_QAu2vijP0fP5zLFFSqvCdIm4SCTXUWVHWLt8f3bmDBfTeF0exZwEtAAhiLLl_QIirFHNMTFWzO7O1comDACiNFJiylumZH6K7rvH0FPnbEYSVrQPA-p30b2XI4hOk0ArREWydiSWd0v7yBAS_Iz6mgq8ZZwmKIWGww9TMZ5txjoeQxvIPmjliTPo4k/s16000/Half%20Human%20USA.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've long wanted to see one of Toho's oldest monster movies, a black and white flicker from 1955 called <i>Half Human</i>. This is the first fantasy movie Ishiro Honda made after the success of <i>Godzilla,</i> and I've always wondered what it must be like. The movie was adapted to Western screens in 1957 with John Carradine and Morris Ankrum among a few others supplying a talky frame for the action shot by Honda. Toho's original clocks in at over ninety minutes and the adaptation trims at least thirty minutes off that. It's not ineffective as monster movies go, but it's not the movie that Honda and others made for Japanese audiences. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ncaGU2kFwc4rDtvg4WtTN2ocKWM9ZeP2X5YsqVq2-dgVWcWpArfuSc8OI80D3TtPTRH7Wg1bKHkTkUBt3pE6MgmGUcABS_w9dAyXibL-LFTRCW02HMKQod9xksTl-NDXbzMV_EGX72Hqc4OyItujnNNGHyTbbYmQtxMfkvuB8Eg1c3zzwbjnbQxxP4o/s1600/R%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="543" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ncaGU2kFwc4rDtvg4WtTN2ocKWM9ZeP2X5YsqVq2-dgVWcWpArfuSc8OI80D3TtPTRH7Wg1bKHkTkUBt3pE6MgmGUcABS_w9dAyXibL-LFTRCW02HMKQod9xksTl-NDXbzMV_EGX72Hqc4OyItujnNNGHyTbbYmQtxMfkvuB8Eg1c3zzwbjnbQxxP4o/w217-h640/R%20(1).jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the original we follow the travails of an assembly of students. Some of their number go missing on a ski outing and turn up dead while a third remains missing. Giant footprints in the snow and strange hair on a nail are the only clues. This mystery takes up the first thirty minutes or so of the movie and it's what mostly got cut out for U.S. audiences. When spring comes, an expedition goes to look for the missing man and also perhaps the creature who might be responsible. A carnival operator gets wind of this and mounts his own trip following the students now led by a respected scientist. There is an encounter where the Snowman comes into the camp and is chased out by our hero. He runs into the carnival camp and is beat up and left for dead. He's found by a beautiful girl and taken to her village which is made up of isolated people of low caste. There is lots of turmoil but eventually we see the creature's gentle nature before the carnival crew find him and all hell breaks loose. When a young creature is killed the "snowman" gets well and truly "abominable".</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLAOsf_Ipb0-GtbNzGtnm8znTBu7tx93Q6I209USSDCt4PeybEvAnW7kXeqNhj-L4J7G1nPcgwQaoyp6aQjv7OJ-V1moDbUWHcAHOXt8agPrjTV72I2DP6Hdata2G-FyvVorPTbEk2tC03TPXCpmJ5akMTfF7vcZLz4dsbuwvJfK6Y-XtnIqtIsR5ruo/s519/R.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="519" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLAOsf_Ipb0-GtbNzGtnm8znTBu7tx93Q6I209USSDCt4PeybEvAnW7kXeqNhj-L4J7G1nPcgwQaoyp6aQjv7OJ-V1moDbUWHcAHOXt8agPrjTV72I2DP6Hdata2G-FyvVorPTbEk2tC03TPXCpmJ5akMTfF7vcZLz4dsbuwvJfK6Y-XtnIqtIsR5ruo/w400-h309/R.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now the English-language version takes this story, strips out most of the beginning mystery and jumps right into the antics following the creature's first appearance on screen invading the student camp. John Carradine waxes on with actually a pretty decently done narration which takes the place of all of the dialogue from the original. There is one scene shift in the Carradine portions of the movie and that is to head down to the morgue where Morris Ankrum is doing an autopsy on the body of the child creature. So Carradine's listeners have absolute proof of the "Abominable Snowman's " existence right there on the table. (I think Toho actually sent the suit of the small creature to America for these shots.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ux9k7gz2XYujlKzMRP52FenMYxmGC1F7fANjqrlhkxFPQEDNfw4MVAkH-6SQtpn1MDMwnVMqt6F0RkpgldolKy6xIpsCjMzT53f_oTpgqpsFFmaQiQs38-SJmYFHG0KGs0sUB_RH8Sb1cbKp_aSUnlWc0z9i-WZWcDeLdDX2uyXXQ0vDBAQjX_ktmPk/s755/Song%20of%20the%20South.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ux9k7gz2XYujlKzMRP52FenMYxmGC1F7fANjqrlhkxFPQEDNfw4MVAkH-6SQtpn1MDMwnVMqt6F0RkpgldolKy6xIpsCjMzT53f_oTpgqpsFFmaQiQs38-SJmYFHG0KGs0sUB_RH8Sb1cbKp_aSUnlWc0z9i-WZWcDeLdDX2uyXXQ0vDBAQjX_ktmPk/w437-h640/Song%20of%20the%20South.jpg" width="437" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for the controversy. The reason I cannot buy a copy of the original Japanese version of Half Human is the presence of the "Burakamin". This is what remains of a low caste society in Japan made up of people who did jobs deemed unworthy for filthy somehow. These folks were looked down upon and it's the notion that this bigoted notion informs the film in regard to the villagers that keeps Toho from making it available for home viewing. It's not at all unlike what Disney has decided to do in regard to Song of the South, a movie adapting Uncle Remus stories to the screen., Having now finally seen the movie, I think releasing the movie with provisos would be fine. The critique seems a bit overblown. Whatever poor decisions were made in 1955, they can be well left in the past. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd love to have a copy of Half Human, but I'll settle now for just getting to see it. If you'd like to see the movie, then go to <a href="https://archive.org/details/HalfHuman_20170325/Half+Human.mkv">this link </a>for the original Japanese version and <a href="https://archive.org/details/hhsc_20231018/Half+Human+Sinister+Cinema+DVD+Rip.mkv">this link </a>for the Westernized Carradine version. Thanks to the <a href="https://archive.org/">Internet Archive</a> for making these rarities available. </div><br /> Rip Off<p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-20760834503095139142024-03-12T00:00:00.020-04:002024-03-12T00:00:00.138-04:00Snow Creature! Half Man! Half Monster! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_Vjva2LeUY/WtRKfpdSpdI/AAAAAAABVNE/ykGzRQiX1SUx3M9BDN2U1fnPQsS8u4cbQCLcBGAs/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_Vjva2LeUY/WtRKfpdSpdI/AAAAAAABVNE/ykGzRQiX1SUx3M9BDN2U1fnPQsS8u4cbQCLcBGAs/s640/maxresdefault.jpg" width="421" /></a></div>
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Found 1954's <i>The Snow Creature</i> in a cheap collection buried in a bin at a local discount store. It was one of those packages in which it's hard to see what's really in it, but since it was a mere three bucks, I though the damage was pretty insignificant. Even if I hated everything, there were monster movies I hadn't seen. The real draw was this one though. <br />
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It's the same plot pretty much as <i>King Kong, Gorgo</i>, and several other monster flicks. An expedition runs across a dangerous monster/creature and struggles to capture it in order to bring it to civilization where it promptly escapes and causes some measure of damage. In the case of this "Monster", the damage is pretty minimal. The creature, a ragtag costume which is mostly hidden in the shadows of the night, caves and later the sewers is stunningly bad. We see the same scene over and over as the actor portraying the beast moves forward and back. <br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOMirPewqak/WtRKrIUw3LI/AAAAAAABVNM/9XKjYc8qq6c3nYQTirnnatFa273Ku6W7gCLcBGAs/s1600/the-snow-creature-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="829" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOMirPewqak/WtRKrIUw3LI/AAAAAAABVNM/9XKjYc8qq6c3nYQTirnnatFa273Ku6W7gCLcBGAs/s400/the-snow-creature-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
That said, there are some redeeming factors in this earliest Yeti movie. The Sherpas are somewhat more fully realized characters with motivations beyond being servants to all-knowing white explorers. Also, there is a brief discussion of what the creature might be, and how human it could be considered. But all that goes out the window when it breaks loose and wanders around inflicting a lot of panic and some mayhem and murder. The scenes in the sewers reminded me of the finale of <i>Them!</i> sort of. <br />
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I cannot really recommend this seventy-year-old artifact, it's pretty weak, but for any fan of vintage monster movies, this one is a nifty primordial example of what would develop in the 50's. But if you're game, the movie is easily accessible on YouTube! <br />
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Rip OffRip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-48419743645480113162024-03-11T00:00:00.006-04:002024-03-11T13:38:29.207-04:00Favorite Covers - The Abominable Snowman!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jbHZQ9_6fs/UsvmzCDaaoI/AAAAAAAAqOE/xDSOO85lgJM/s1600/185889.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jbHZQ9_6fs/UsvmzCDaaoI/AAAAAAAAqOE/xDSOO85lgJM/s1600/185889.jpg" /></a></div>
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A cold winter day is a the perfect time to reflect on one of the grand mysteries of the Earth, the Abominable Snowman or Yeti. One of a number of mysteriously mythic creatures said to roam the planet, the Yeti snags the imagination in all manner of ways. Here are some Abominable Snowman comic covers which demonstrate that point.<br />
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Above is an exquisite Ken Kelly painting for Creepy magazine. The Yeti pictured there conforms to most of the classic tales about the elusive mountain monster.<br />
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Nick Cardy shows an "Abominable Snowman" of a slightly different sort, but one no less dangerous for the Man of Steel.<br />
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Jim Aparo creates a typically dramatic confrontation here between the Snowman and the Batman.<br />
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Bob Oksner's hilarious Snowman seems quite antic and does for Jerry Lewis what many have imagined themselves doing over the decades.<br />
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Daffy seems typically unaware of his surroundings as he misinterprets a cautionary sign.<br />
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Scooby and Shaggy find monsters everywhere, so stumbling up against the Yeti was unavoidable.<br />
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Bigfoot is the North American cousin of the classic Yeti, and here Ernie Colon shows a clash between that beast and Super Richie.<br />
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The Black Panther under the hand of Jack Kirby had some pretty wild adventures for a short time, and the Yeti was just one more of those.<br />
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The clash between the Snowman and the the Incredible Hulk is an inevitable outcome. This abominable creature looks like it can hold its own against Jadejaws. <br />
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Steve Austin mixed it up with the Yeti, sort of, but as usual with him it turned to be at least a six-million dollar hoax.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXBz6SS41YY/UsvniIVcS7I/AAAAAAAAqPU/fP58-DsgBnU/s1600/842523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXBz6SS41YY/UsvniIVcS7I/AAAAAAAAqPU/fP58-DsgBnU/s1600/842523.jpg" /></a></div>
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Even the Big Boy himself finds the Snowman a nemesis, though I suspect all is well in the end.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kjUdRhvBBI/Usvnk8jPkCI/AAAAAAAAqPc/Svd7j3Nf2b0/s1600/52258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kjUdRhvBBI/Usvnk8jPkCI/AAAAAAAAqPc/Svd7j3Nf2b0/s1600/52258.jpg" /></a></div>
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Leave it to Scrooge McDuck to find a different kind of Yeti, one with more than a dash more style.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf2DmlqlXSdBBATQZerHrJJKnfHMKwmL6zL_mWp4hujRfyHdpWHKybk_-TXRCHC4aMcDYa6uhqBYOKCEmr8zyhX_JBGZINYC85nUd3t_-EIvBlE51kFWSYFCBHSqoEmaVkaFwb-z_xWsu-R6UtDeogbwZWw0lzPsWh1fPJunZNImwmMFgZ1HmN5C9Klw/s602/189190.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf2DmlqlXSdBBATQZerHrJJKnfHMKwmL6zL_mWp4hujRfyHdpWHKybk_-TXRCHC4aMcDYa6uhqBYOKCEmr8zyhX_JBGZINYC85nUd3t_-EIvBlE51kFWSYFCBHSqoEmaVkaFwb-z_xWsu-R6UtDeogbwZWw0lzPsWh1fPJunZNImwmMFgZ1HmN5C9Klw/s16000/189190.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And here's an ABSM suggested by a follower of the blog. Thanks Gene. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wXlYT7vSQUv25wlY3VHiTPbTCUraHZxI4hGbrSFxpYsoUiIeu9deZPPxeSr2b7jiNZUEPiYbLMvYTPhuaBVJ_9vwCNGhDN1S97jtWkBbLmRddRlILhBvIb15MDhd5NACJbocwT_mTEafhN9knmy_pfYImX7WBwxTtcCNUaW33BPG7HDQ252hVjifHDA/s604/14472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wXlYT7vSQUv25wlY3VHiTPbTCUraHZxI4hGbrSFxpYsoUiIeu9deZPPxeSr2b7jiNZUEPiYbLMvYTPhuaBVJ_9vwCNGhDN1S97jtWkBbLmRddRlILhBvIb15MDhd5NACJbocwT_mTEafhN9knmy_pfYImX7WBwxTtcCNUaW33BPG7HDQ252hVjifHDA/s16000/14472.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Another ABSM addition thanks to regular McScotty. Thanks for the addition. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_hN5Rqrhi4/UsvnpMqqAAI/AAAAAAAAqPk/hkOEVbMLHTE/s1600/29490.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_hN5Rqrhi4/UsvnpMqqAAI/AAAAAAAAqPk/hkOEVbMLHTE/s1600/29490.jpg" /></a></div>
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This classic Atlas monster by Jack Kirby cover shows off a giant "Abominable Snowman", who has an incredibly bizarre secret. To know more, see <a href="http://atocom.blogspot.com/2014/01/reading-room-tales-to-astonish-i-found.html">this</a> and then <a href="http://atocom.blogspot.com/2014/01/reading-room-tales-to-astonish-i-found_5.html">this</a> at Atomic Kommie Comics.<br />
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Rip Off</div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-84477152538257100632024-03-10T00:00:00.089-05:002024-03-10T00:00:00.137-05:00The Road To OZ!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrnKYJWOn-PzR927osZ0RI61IR0onLswe2Oyj9m4-0cB3x03IkOfauCEARjZ1f9syg3Nl01ZdNPIiXmbwLbp_4HTs6HVGacK5lhtc1UvUBfe99zIsZMNizK4drnEoydbKuc5DSMJrG1DaauG_ZyAdOsJSRONiARPOav07iGyUfi4B4CphvAHbs-U45Sg/s1500/05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrnKYJWOn-PzR927osZ0RI61IR0onLswe2Oyj9m4-0cB3x03IkOfauCEARjZ1f9syg3Nl01ZdNPIiXmbwLbp_4HTs6HVGacK5lhtc1UvUBfe99zIsZMNizK4drnEoydbKuc5DSMJrG1DaauG_ZyAdOsJSRONiARPOav07iGyUfi4B4CphvAHbs-U45Sg/w427-h640/05.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><i>The Road to OZ</i> by L. Frank Baum was published in 1909 and is the darkest of the OZ books to date. With great artwork b John R. Neil this is the fourth trip Dorothy makes to the fairy land of OZ and for her at least it's getting to be rather normal. She's so accustomed to odd happenings that she doesn't think twice about travelling alongside a stranger known only to her and us as "The Shaggy Man". Kudos to the charitable minded Miss Gale, but this is the epitome of "Stranger Danger". But perhaps things were that much different over a century ago when it came to children wandering the byways of the United States. It doesn't help that this "Shaggy Man" purports to have a "Love Magnet" which makes people like him. There are spoilers galore below. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZZbepebSYFZjQi_Bt07D560o6Uqqzpvr_aAD0HCDTrWz5EJGVuONkAutcicNsQzdjfOCnwkIWcgRopLEbFs816eyi0wHAHjf4p5Xc46_B0t2voEPP3l1AHzNt958paFDKPG7WbPJAMQVZsSF6EUBAR177Hw9PcZ4Lwei6pSxTPiznuEniXzdV1GYFjQ/s864/R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZZbepebSYFZjQi_Bt07D560o6Uqqzpvr_aAD0HCDTrWz5EJGVuONkAutcicNsQzdjfOCnwkIWcgRopLEbFs816eyi0wHAHjf4p5Xc46_B0t2voEPP3l1AHzNt958paFDKPG7WbPJAMQVZsSF6EUBAR177Hw9PcZ4Lwei6pSxTPiznuEniXzdV1GYFjQ/w472-h640/R.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><p></p><div>Accompanied by Toto, who it should be pointed out was cautious about this new character, Dorothy heads down the road and before you know it the party is of course lost, finding themselves in a strange territory where they must choose one of seven routes. That choice leads them to Button Bright, a naive young boy and later to Polychrome, the daughter of the Rainbow. This gang of five enters a hamlet run by foxes where Button Bright gets a new head, that of a fox. Later the Shaggy Man gets the head of a donkey when the group enters a town filled with those critters. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then they chance upon a chap called a "Musicker" who is a fellow who makes music all the time with his bodily functions. Sounds nastier than it is. After that they encounter a gang of weird cannibals who want to make soup of them and try to capture them by throwing their own heads at them. Our heroes escape narrowly. They come to a vast desert which separates OZ from the rest of the lands and soon enough have a ship to sail across it thanks to a magic chap named Johnny DooIt who builds at a furious pace. Across the desert they come to the Truth Pond and these magic waters return both Button Bright and the Shaggy Man to their original forms. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf9fLGocDGLjFNOUIDMO5IxSiGKYTXjtSOYHG0vv6nFwEH9e3WmdfZ9dyDVd7m8lyoYpnF0FjpdcadpcDXNFJGwM9wAhKwyFfX8TR1Q8U6tmp1p0AEZE-lcd_H3kQz25zLeiz4cvYE0hn6QdbDsRhI6oeb2lzSZcULjRmVS7kAjrwMpKrircxfIFN5CQ/s664/R%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf9fLGocDGLjFNOUIDMO5IxSiGKYTXjtSOYHG0vv6nFwEH9e3WmdfZ9dyDVd7m8lyoYpnF0FjpdcadpcDXNFJGwM9wAhKwyFfX8TR1Q8U6tmp1p0AEZE-lcd_H3kQz25zLeiz4cvYE0hn6QdbDsRhI6oeb2lzSZcULjRmVS7kAjrwMpKrircxfIFN5CQ/w463-h640/R%20(1).jpg" width="463" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Soon enough they find themselves firmly in OZ and begin to meet old friends and allies such as Tik-Tok, Billina, Nick Chopper, the Scarecrow and others. The gang go to the Emerald City where Ozma informs Dorothy she's been following their adventures and she like them to stay to celebrate her birthday. What follows is a long celebration with an array of characters from past OZ books as well as other books Baum had written such as <i>The Adventures of Santa Claus </i>and <i>John Dough and the Cherub.</i> It's assumed that Baum might've included these characters from less popular books of his to cross promote with the wildly popular OZ books. Eventually the Wizard comes up with durable bubbles which whisk everyone home save for Dorothy who goes once again via Ozma's magic belt. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m29Ae7BtkwC3PNgOraFlpjTRjOTGg7y0RIULMMWa95tca6m23U7TDPyglfRskGgq0RvKLZphr0JIM1FKf4QF3H8ttXiCopIUFk7ZISlMVqTeqVzJt6EqB75s3ck5BGLFcUVRufGXve1Wr1R-g-cvV2rgMUdXlZwZp410nkr71rdN3FR4LkAykW9l_P0/s1021/1cf2e89b8f8f48fe15ef494361451e3d--the-road-bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m29Ae7BtkwC3PNgOraFlpjTRjOTGg7y0RIULMMWa95tca6m23U7TDPyglfRskGgq0RvKLZphr0JIM1FKf4QF3H8ttXiCopIUFk7ZISlMVqTeqVzJt6EqB75s3ck5BGLFcUVRufGXve1Wr1R-g-cvV2rgMUdXlZwZp410nkr71rdN3FR4LkAykW9l_P0/w461-h640/1cf2e89b8f8f48fe15ef494361451e3d--the-road-bubbles.jpg" width="461" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This was a strange book. It began with an edge but soon enough tumbled into the same pattern as the previous OZ book, becoming a mere travelogue. Baum introduces characters at a very rapid pace and tight situations get resolved in most cases before anything resembling tension can develop. There's not much plot save that Dorothy gets lost, finds a bunch of new creatures as friends and meets old friends then goes home. Hopefully Baum changes it up some as the series continues. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rip Off</div><div><br /></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-65568136351482879572024-03-09T00:00:00.220-05:002024-03-09T00:00:00.135-05:00Astro City MetroBook Four! <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbEiqFzs020nG8f23fkAd3lNLZMn_6MCfBYTEpiha2_gBLZsdW7Pvp6CIbh44J36jKQV2RTvrG05vqZXlN7XAT6Itg32xLscoZg9JGZzdA9BcSaiWk3QopoDNSffYjqpUu-oxiNTHAyHk0KDWhvI_uUCpaoVknr0GXhTcDJYOhMOKav06U1Bxq84V_8o/s1500/Astro%20City%20Metrobook%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbEiqFzs020nG8f23fkAd3lNLZMn_6MCfBYTEpiha2_gBLZsdW7Pvp6CIbh44J36jKQV2RTvrG05vqZXlN7XAT6Itg32xLscoZg9JGZzdA9BcSaiWk3QopoDNSffYjqpUu-oxiNTHAyHk0KDWhvI_uUCpaoVknr0GXhTcDJYOhMOKav06U1Bxq84V_8o/w416-h640/Astro%20City%20Metrobook%204.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Astro City MetroBook 4 </i>begins with a few specials as the series was transitioning once again from one publisher to another. We see the last few Wildstorm branded issues before beginning the long run of Vertigo issue. By this point Astro City has become one of the most well-crafted and sensitive comic series in the history of the medium. These issues don't let the reader down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUQDeY3bAaDXx6J-qeG7A837A-2U6zSMmmvb3g74XUmkHiv0mdAyszSko2Lt3l7IgftOhh0xxsOYmTOUmcoVe68RrbhV8h2U7K8MuFJoDLY3pvWpr1o2_YottbdgN1AUfS9Jyzwx0abZ-a5zFT7K69FF56QwA2iFFkpbUvQnQn519srpzOG67eclyUFQ/s620/ACSS%201%20Sep%2006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUQDeY3bAaDXx6J-qeG7A837A-2U6zSMmmvb3g74XUmkHiv0mdAyszSko2Lt3l7IgftOhh0xxsOYmTOUmcoVe68RrbhV8h2U7K8MuFJoDLY3pvWpr1o2_YottbdgN1AUfS9Jyzwx0abZ-a5zFT7K69FF56QwA2iFFkpbUvQnQn519srpzOG67eclyUFQ/s16000/ACSS%201%20Sep%2006.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a story of Astro City's mightiest hero Samaritan, but seen through the jaundiced eyes of his arch-enemy the Infidel. The Infidel is an immortal and began life as a young boy sold into slavery who turned the tables on his captors because the underrated his intelligence. He has gone on to be a major villain with little regard for the human society that treated him so harshly centuries ago. Now we see that he's a relentless foe pitted against a hero of incredible power. The contest has refreshed him, and he knows that in time, which he has a boundless amount of, he will be the victor. He imagines he's the Eagle who chips away at the mountain, but is he wrong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGc9vDrdycaWycVi2pTopikf11KEDt5x653IGFbbc7h_4QKJDMdzx24KvrGiXcAW5EsMOE1uBP5fMr4mbddoKjTphHUewAWFir-Kap6Gygtw4iMNahd7ndTPU4TTE5Xg-PKjq5FQOBKHvq2dWMgcr3vX5MpVPGCKsD1X8su6dzXxUumf7vYf5ZzJLDU8/s624/ASB%201%20Apr%2008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGc9vDrdycaWycVi2pTopikf11KEDt5x653IGFbbc7h_4QKJDMdzx24KvrGiXcAW5EsMOE1uBP5fMr4mbddoKjTphHUewAWFir-Kap6Gygtw4iMNahd7ndTPU4TTE5Xg-PKjq5FQOBKHvq2dWMgcr3vX5MpVPGCKsD1X8su6dzXxUumf7vYf5ZzJLDU8/s16000/ASB%201%20Apr%2008.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Beautie is a fascinating heroine, and yes, she does look like a Barbie doll. Seen in action over the years we finally get a story which explores her enigmatic history. The thing is while we get to see her earliest days and how she came to be a reliable member of Honor Guard, we don't immediately discover her origins because she doesn't know them herself. This quest for identity drives this strange woman, who fights and protects as world in which she doesn't fit. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFLAIpMBzJmRdQZDsO0TflJHXYeniHurL3XVpas5ndwu2lcYviPpkLIri3_dsc97Inp0vfeclPlQWiSmPDkGEaWubCljc6yS_esyU8P9kgVZV4U0mAlrDmUFkUZlmZr2ifjDxJ7wtfyG-EqFfRNgg4Rv4CgHJGd6PRTuaKuo9Q9GODuLujQAJN6vYbxk/s621/ACAS%201%20Nov%2009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFLAIpMBzJmRdQZDsO0TflJHXYeniHurL3XVpas5ndwu2lcYviPpkLIri3_dsc97Inp0vfeclPlQWiSmPDkGEaWubCljc6yS_esyU8P9kgVZV4U0mAlrDmUFkUZlmZr2ifjDxJ7wtfyG-EqFfRNgg4Rv4CgHJGd6PRTuaKuo9Q9GODuLujQAJN6vYbxk/s16000/ACAS%201%20Nov%2009.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1eLhhM66ppagyFYYeF0dP2A5usnWoo0-9qVu4U8-UErrwuQ6Db2uMxCbrZLGpo_KYqk5lFmF1PovubZIljsvedBve69ef65k_Y9lwUNhdOXA7drA5j9Y3Nnay0Ec08TogaP7dtcUyWkeO0bBgXikb5uPFYleG0lx0vt2CyRp4lY9d513xxjmN12a9iw/s628/ACAS%202%20Dec%2009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1eLhhM66ppagyFYYeF0dP2A5usnWoo0-9qVu4U8-UErrwuQ6Db2uMxCbrZLGpo_KYqk5lFmF1PovubZIljsvedBve69ef65k_Y9lwUNhdOXA7drA5j9Y3Nnay0Ec08TogaP7dtcUyWkeO0bBgXikb5uPFYleG0lx0vt2CyRp4lY9d513xxjmN12a9iw/s16000/ACAS%202%20Dec%2009.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These two special editions tell the story of Astra, the lovely and powerful girl who is a member of the Furst Family, the <i>Astro City </i>version of Marvel's Fab 4. In this issue, she's graduated, but being a celebrity of the highest order her every move is surveilled by a version of the paparazzi. We learn all sorts of secrets about adventures the FF have been in as one strange creature after another arrives to wish Astra the best after school. Like all young folks she is trying to decide what to do with her future and we discover that and so much more. I really liked how Ross imitated the style of magazines of the day. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV9jwS45so1eIWaOp8m7mQnOipNv_ltb3N7kXL1-N_2nop2wH9YEGQGE1HfMOO9EwrDB09Y6L4cG3dsa_fJeCy7bmQOc23sR7qdRUzWlZq3MYZH_63OH_ryrLFRX0CEDgR4vs9-YWtDvTUc1BktVdZ29yW7RQjwBURpryg30cKihrPjwTX5WAsG2If20/s617/AC%201%20Aug%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV9jwS45so1eIWaOp8m7mQnOipNv_ltb3N7kXL1-N_2nop2wH9YEGQGE1HfMOO9EwrDB09Y6L4cG3dsa_fJeCy7bmQOc23sR7qdRUzWlZq3MYZH_63OH_ryrLFRX0CEDgR4vs9-YWtDvTUc1BktVdZ29yW7RQjwBURpryg30cKihrPjwTX5WAsG2If20/s16000/AC%201%20Aug%2013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Astro City regular series begins again under a new brand with brand new numbering.<i> Astro City </i>began under the Image banner, then shifted slightly to wear the Wildstorm badge. When that was sold to DC it was a smooth enough shift, but now <i>Astro City </i>becomes part of the Vertigo offerings. At this point the series has been around for seventeen years, a good healthy run for any comic let alone an indy. And what's amazing is the quality has not dropped in the least. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first issue opens with a bang (almost literally) when a bizarre portal appears over Astro City and a giant shiny armored giant appears proclaiming to be a representative of a distant and powerful clan. He seeks someone to function as an intermediary and introduce him to the world he's visiting. Busiek reaches back to one of Astro City's earliest stories about a single father who brought his two daughters to Astro City and liked it. Now they have grown and he's looking for his next chapter. We also meet the strange purple fellow who calls himself "The Broken Man" who operates as a narrator for the story who has a secret of his own. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweoD4ykamKEae_mpjKPt6eNDwwx86uOQkGYwjP9WzsauFRauFWdMjPqEZUDMRC0Q2g2BHUwg4MbzkBUy9Cx2rBSwzGzo8qK6ZLhD558W4KdrCPmXOIuhwg8TDHG4tCkosGnKYNiu_Fg3Fzj4lQ2FvvauXCSGKnI4yNANYfbK9UerKNVcWG-LjWBmMvwc/s617/AC%202%20Sep%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweoD4ykamKEae_mpjKPt6eNDwwx86uOQkGYwjP9WzsauFRauFWdMjPqEZUDMRC0Q2g2BHUwg4MbzkBUy9Cx2rBSwzGzo8qK6ZLhD558W4KdrCPmXOIuhwg8TDHG4tCkosGnKYNiu_Fg3Fzj4lQ2FvvauXCSGKnI4yNANYfbK9UerKNVcWG-LjWBmMvwc/s16000/AC%202%20Sep%2013.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yNxnQPj1m0F-xZx5ldkh-AZjBskOks0ssr9b4z86voD86KbSXOF2ya7Fowy_kZBopGI_eXF9KtkD0GRQpmyD_foNLl1JGYEy2kYwpz78bGKXEzv7E4avPAoeJd6WaebbvSZth7-J_OTDkfGqqIkOe3_Ek3G1lUsLlP4HGwkv6YiOcfxae2XO1tKVfzE/s611/AC%203%20Oct%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yNxnQPj1m0F-xZx5ldkh-AZjBskOks0ssr9b4z86voD86KbSXOF2ya7Fowy_kZBopGI_eXF9KtkD0GRQpmyD_foNLl1JGYEy2kYwpz78bGKXEzv7E4avPAoeJd6WaebbvSZth7-J_OTDkfGqqIkOe3_Ek3G1lUsLlP4HGwkv6YiOcfxae2XO1tKVfzE/s16000/AC%203%20Oct%2013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next two issues answer the question of how a group like Honor Guard can stay on top of the many problems a world like ours can present. We are introduced through the eyes of one young female recruit the operation which fields the emergency calls from around the globe and decides which threats meet the standard Honor Guard can respond to. When this young woman makes a very slight error in judgment it results in catastrophic mayhem, and she feels that she must do something personally to make up for her mistake. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyar4mJV7ke-IG3bFP2c4ME8SPH9OnbIHET0OUqfkkiXLbBCEbfsNcmMMXsD-SWht8oQk7A31GPkMxap1cGJ-ZfLb2IbzQaGE0K1ZhvxqVYgPFWUkZL13aB2SlEPuUsX_n_C3JRpgvaqJd80v5hyuaMHVc0yo2GktcVO9bReJOIBVsOU8VTCqPXocFdjY/s620/AC%204%20Nov%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyar4mJV7ke-IG3bFP2c4ME8SPH9OnbIHET0OUqfkkiXLbBCEbfsNcmMMXsD-SWht8oQk7A31GPkMxap1cGJ-ZfLb2IbzQaGE0K1ZhvxqVYgPFWUkZL13aB2SlEPuUsX_n_C3JRpgvaqJd80v5hyuaMHVc0yo2GktcVO9bReJOIBVsOU8VTCqPXocFdjY/s16000/AC%204%20Nov%2013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Issue four introduces "The Sideliners", an association of people with powers and abilities but without the ambition to becomes superheroes. But while they only seek to use their abilities to make their lives and the lives of folks around them better, some of a more villainous nature seek to use these people for their own nefarious ends. But as it turns out when a baddie dubbed "Majordomo" tries to bend these folks to his will it turns out badly. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUB-oPAQZn3fndEpj1wCgeE1C2YWpazagRmKcVqqHGmKSWuGTVmbaRhV7jw8XaY0fibmQlsl9iQ_ILOQOMTW3JeTNnE0uvPYeqHLK-iZhJzo6LtrlBAFbzWQgBWzbxRux7OqPJ2bYglc-H_R_knqv6KGrYFNYzb_5XZJhWnfNq5yHouXhRROpt_dv4pw/s617/AC%205%20Dec%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUB-oPAQZn3fndEpj1wCgeE1C2YWpazagRmKcVqqHGmKSWuGTVmbaRhV7jw8XaY0fibmQlsl9iQ_ILOQOMTW3JeTNnE0uvPYeqHLK-iZhJzo6LtrlBAFbzWQgBWzbxRux7OqPJ2bYglc-H_R_knqv6KGrYFNYzb_5XZJhWnfNq5yHouXhRROpt_dv4pw/s16000/AC%205%20Dec%2013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a strange one which takes us back to the 1930's when Astro City was still called Romeyn Falls. We meet a group of "Untouchables" types named the "Blasphemy Boys" who battle bizarre threats with great danger to themselves, then we slip into a meeting of the cult of Lord Saampa and his slavish followers, but then abruptly we encounter a heroine dubbed Dame Progress who is contending with a rogue called Mister Cakewalk and who is not at all what he seems. Our purple-skinned narrator returns but this time seems greatly concerned that we are learning more than we should. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmawdFIyQOK_UxXHFki-1clUYAe-098rs3uCX6jPpbkH5Wx7uVHzrCR8Ty_QFUaOSDh6sVST-PQqQWq_tcrwS4cH8x5CcTldnH3VNFmpuuSGHREOqcJFCJKPGRptHu9qYY_ZsNBxjXmLko8QzgG9XTWKwO8WPxkubbOmr4r5icUwbB5Cq8vPXmaBbhD9c/s627/AC%206%20Jan%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmawdFIyQOK_UxXHFki-1clUYAe-098rs3uCX6jPpbkH5Wx7uVHzrCR8Ty_QFUaOSDh6sVST-PQqQWq_tcrwS4cH8x5CcTldnH3VNFmpuuSGHREOqcJFCJKPGRptHu9qYY_ZsNBxjXmLko8QzgG9XTWKwO8WPxkubbOmr4r5icUwbB5Cq8vPXmaBbhD9c/s16000/AC%206%20Jan%2014.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a follow-up to the first story in this new series we ae updated on the doings of ambassador from the depths of space when we follow along with a man who represents the longshoreman of Astro City visits and strikes a bargain. This chap has some criminal ties and hopes to use this access to his best effect and gets his wish when a case with several strange containers is smuggled into the city. One of those containers is breached and creates a powerful supervillain. The question of how much power any one man should have, is broached, and also what constitutes happiness. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRhBkCeEFhQuhh7_CRTudWYzQmCwqX24d3H7MeSfRJytEzYqeb6hGZOzgxfuOwhgRtfo1rKi3CoVRHm3GXwgtYp5U0VN5VJJ_Icxu0wWFY22Qj4jMnRN4bMiBkfj0HuSmRYo-_MjQ82f-LdOZ47U_du_33lX6NjacMA3R9Zzv0A7xdFMHgyncT4yB0cE/s625/AC%207%20Feb%2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRhBkCeEFhQuhh7_CRTudWYzQmCwqX24d3H7MeSfRJytEzYqeb6hGZOzgxfuOwhgRtfo1rKi3CoVRHm3GXwgtYp5U0VN5VJJ_Icxu0wWFY22Qj4jMnRN4bMiBkfj0HuSmRYo-_MjQ82f-LdOZ47U_du_33lX6NjacMA3R9Zzv0A7xdFMHgyncT4yB0cE/s16000/AC%207%20Feb%2024.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhqpwV1mb3jEUjF1_GtvPa9XyA-GrtfO1lP4nUq3GjBCo-FLZEBf_upt1sZ_Vj4XeVEpiZkkJb8gnuuAGwHG5ll3H0Uidcc9vp84dSODp_SGSosaiLWTt74J36F2uziVVMAKgPk_-_alRrsGS4t3cx15TmBJJP99MjELvxTaZTIve38DlgODYmu11lSI/s629/AC%208%20Mar%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhqpwV1mb3jEUjF1_GtvPa9XyA-GrtfO1lP4nUq3GjBCo-FLZEBf_upt1sZ_Vj4XeVEpiZkkJb8gnuuAGwHG5ll3H0Uidcc9vp84dSODp_SGSosaiLWTt74J36F2uziVVMAKgPk_-_alRrsGS4t3cx15TmBJJP99MjELvxTaZTIve38DlgODYmu11lSI/s16000/AC%208%20Mar%2014.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuR8d6heZK5E4IU8hAdM00Oaw7mLFZ4_N0XOQ0Np13-yKoSztNGoAMM3miB7HJFwMQowALPR6WMrsQFlkrwv52bu9YjvHsi2lya9q8OuuwvPm3gVCn-8EWSg97enZB5anJKQSMWjkxv2A7_piyNm0_TTS2NnDitiPQNuvRRcWRy6iq3PphzYLwE_q4Ss/s621/AC%209%20Apr%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuR8d6heZK5E4IU8hAdM00Oaw7mLFZ4_N0XOQ0Np13-yKoSztNGoAMM3miB7HJFwMQowALPR6WMrsQFlkrwv52bu9YjvHsi2lya9q8OuuwvPm3gVCn-8EWSg97enZB5anJKQSMWjkxv2A7_piyNm0_TTS2NnDitiPQNuvRRcWRy6iq3PphzYLwE_q4Ss/s16000/AC%209%20Apr%2014.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO1t0m4hB3UIPqRbTEoEPXeiY2pvF4MN6MSlGWLjihpVVLHdqQ3kXo53Hgl0zvuIr-4rcHzsXwW3xxjVuCpP_IbT9kcDhCI_jx8vHfU8AofbKJu-5fP_zCAuwS7-YfO_I5fXv7TgOcv0u6kaL943grWpOXh7IOCnR9CJm7ljC92b2jDGZXT2LUtJpriQ/s615/AC%2010%20May%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO1t0m4hB3UIPqRbTEoEPXeiY2pvF4MN6MSlGWLjihpVVLHdqQ3kXo53Hgl0zvuIr-4rcHzsXwW3xxjVuCpP_IbT9kcDhCI_jx8vHfU8AofbKJu-5fP_zCAuwS7-YfO_I5fXv7TgOcv0u6kaL943grWpOXh7IOCnR9CJm7ljC92b2jDGZXT2LUtJpriQ/s16000/AC%2010%20May%2014.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we are treated to a quartet of issues focusing on Winged Victory and a scheme to undermine the public trust in her mission to help women around the world. She is assisted in fighting back by her boyfriend Samaritan and the new Confessor. It's Astro City's version of DC's "Trinity". Winged Victory has been a part of the Astro City story from the beginning, but this story really makes her and those who assist her front and center. Busiek and Anderson really knock it out of the park with a story which puts each of the three forward, with narration from all three during the mini saga. Alex Ross is in top form as well with some of his best covers for the series. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWsG8gvpl0BU1mNvMeHUcvfWGqg2buccMiBeCmYQfk0JiKPPuDIKR_w5DHPLRauJWEyGicJSfxffVVmO5WsZw0fONwAS9Tnz_6Fyqk4cBlKAAGlI68VQtDv4Lxye7vF2JBgkAHEgFtckU8SBf-WQVoCGNboJyd1JjzJeZJcutfh2pu5vuYfMiQ5uGRkY/s614/AC%2017%20Jan%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWsG8gvpl0BU1mNvMeHUcvfWGqg2buccMiBeCmYQfk0JiKPPuDIKR_w5DHPLRauJWEyGicJSfxffVVmO5WsZw0fONwAS9Tnz_6Fyqk4cBlKAAGlI68VQtDv4Lxye7vF2JBgkAHEgFtckU8SBf-WQVoCGNboJyd1JjzJeZJcutfh2pu5vuYfMiQ5uGRkY/s16000/AC%2017%20Jan%2015.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We jump ahead to issue seventeen and welcome a guest artist in Jesus Merino. The Honor Guard learn the secret of the special treat that arrives every year in their headquarters. They also learn the secret of Krigari Ironheart, a relentless and murderous conqueror from a universe hidden in the very molecules around us. The Honor Guard had bettle Krigari many times, but now they learn how that came to be and who was to blame. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlayDNEiMc-tAGLEXSf-RsnteiDp6u26W7WWSPhODBnptNiz9xVz3mIvzxiUQHkA_YOx5pmt0GCHmQ8OLlcWbFzkJ2TCPNlnLJKmZLtzpZjxQoStzcOSCr0Ktz7tJjyxcgkIHnBUSsww-ymZtoxOQSTCNErp3YixuulsF4srxx2pDyhrUOTTQVFFPGoAo/s617/AC%2022%20Jun%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlayDNEiMc-tAGLEXSf-RsnteiDp6u26W7WWSPhODBnptNiz9xVz3mIvzxiUQHkA_YOx5pmt0GCHmQ8OLlcWbFzkJ2TCPNlnLJKmZLtzpZjxQoStzcOSCr0Ktz7tJjyxcgkIHnBUSsww-ymZtoxOQSTCNErp3YixuulsF4srxx2pDyhrUOTTQVFFPGoAo/s16000/AC%2022%20Jun%2015.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Merino returns on art duty in issue twenty-two as we follow a hero once known as Starfighter. We learn his secrets, meet his family, and learn a few of his regrets. He's a man who is now a novelist but was once a very successfull superhero who has fought for justice for many years and finds that as he ages the call might not be as frequent. But getting used to that has its issues as well. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVIvSpU9C1bQdAZRySI8kDJWwaWwPiYtWgWTPIUc4fTRen3704UMb4CtyWUtSA_xLeu9wE6lWjtX6iyJQbVAOWRWJ42tmjTLAes53VlitKgSD5GYAZl5cGe8kRBIFO0cK6O6NDu5iH4pE5kky6Eho5JocFgk-txYd-xFng0rPC50O3z-KHzthOHRD9z0/s618/AC%2023%20Jul%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVIvSpU9C1bQdAZRySI8kDJWwaWwPiYtWgWTPIUc4fTRen3704UMb4CtyWUtSA_xLeu9wE6lWjtX6iyJQbVAOWRWJ42tmjTLAes53VlitKgSD5GYAZl5cGe8kRBIFO0cK6O6NDu5iH4pE5kky6Eho5JocFgk-txYd-xFng0rPC50O3z-KHzthOHRD9z0/s16000/AC%2023%20Jul%2015.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-de_SWBh28NgxQKCnxLz6ikkDWcY2p_aMl4Ln_iiLd2bFBHGQtiU-r5LqQC_wtcASoHmZu7kuMzfv2VWfLSa2wYjB7rlJLJCQq1LcKFj2xcSumQhzvgf0RspBL-w2B5wi9K3NufvwKo4QLloqEI0_h5384SmqPqneBntaOhUjmPPUSpYa436EtHevv2E/s618/AC%2024%20Aug%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-de_SWBh28NgxQKCnxLz6ikkDWcY2p_aMl4Ln_iiLd2bFBHGQtiU-r5LqQC_wtcASoHmZu7kuMzfv2VWfLSa2wYjB7rlJLJCQq1LcKFj2xcSumQhzvgf0RspBL-w2B5wi9K3NufvwKo4QLloqEI0_h5384SmqPqneBntaOhUjmPPUSpYa436EtHevv2E/s16000/AC%2024%20Aug%2015.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brent Anderson returns in issues twenty-three and twenty-four as we mee the rambunctious Sticks, a talking gorilla who is equally adept saving lives, fighting crime, and playing the drums. It's the latter he really wants to do, but finding a way to do it and still keep his human friends safe is a challenge indeed. And wait until you meet Tuxedo Gorilla! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_6iI0dPA0_atHgpCR742oAZwPrNN_A4EZmRgeag33N0oj93hsKn7Zfnxis7yeuYCszMyYWiHANqGKCAXCr0QvQIfRY1puD1PzCvetxdTU0JI2enBSEju0kGN4ncUiP44S-XxHcXXztV_qNQ4PJLClNa_4-1px-SHi9T0IBWpqH6idbQK3PGS_tAcKM8/s1500/Astro%20City%20Metrobook%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="975" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_6iI0dPA0_atHgpCR742oAZwPrNN_A4EZmRgeag33N0oj93hsKn7Zfnxis7yeuYCszMyYWiHANqGKCAXCr0QvQIfRY1puD1PzCvetxdTU0JI2enBSEju0kGN4ncUiP44S-XxHcXXztV_qNQ4PJLClNa_4-1px-SHi9T0IBWpqH6idbQK3PGS_tAcKM8/w260-h400/Astro%20City%20Metrobook%205.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fifth MetroBook is upcoming, but since I have to wait for them to actually publish it, I'll get to it when I can. It's been a blast and Astro City is a place all should visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJajMzip31bPjYJ9tuFqWUl1RI9CvWDj0ckW1WaITrz-YyW7dcSTS2dF8vrm3jIRaJWhrEwaJiuy3pjh7gnYaPB8_IZ7tlTmYCDsbOm5tk33G8yJjmPtJQJeBvYXzv_1LqdGWtz_75cYowvXsoSeNgN6G45PYMZnqCUkQsInnex5Bl_6p1siAZUkUDtQ/s127/IMG_1313.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="107" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJajMzip31bPjYJ9tuFqWUl1RI9CvWDj0ckW1WaITrz-YyW7dcSTS2dF8vrm3jIRaJWhrEwaJiuy3pjh7gnYaPB8_IZ7tlTmYCDsbOm5tk33G8yJjmPtJQJeBvYXzv_1LqdGWtz_75cYowvXsoSeNgN6G45PYMZnqCUkQsInnex5Bl_6p1siAZUkUDtQ/s1600/IMG_1313.png" width="107" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Rip Off<p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-46431168880871811282024-03-08T00:00:00.000-05:002024-03-08T00:00:00.129-05:00Ms. Tree - Heroine Withdrawal!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt4gTC9tXcT1t4Hlu6MjsTUJNzVwUM69uiWaR7AgPIuqQaJIVdyKWpCmiAyyoNeSNE_dF3dJ_-KFjveacGnhvtmDWgBmEucZhUb3KaLnmxTcsqW8EE3BboNAV_p_iEVHqNCXwsnybAw0wMuBjzsCCZS74xizQ4MzIOxyESZ_MKpM9UQ7bEP7idJhKiDM/s1500/Heroine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt4gTC9tXcT1t4Hlu6MjsTUJNzVwUM69uiWaR7AgPIuqQaJIVdyKWpCmiAyyoNeSNE_dF3dJ_-KFjveacGnhvtmDWgBmEucZhUb3KaLnmxTcsqW8EE3BboNAV_p_iEVHqNCXwsnybAw0wMuBjzsCCZS74xizQ4MzIOxyESZ_MKpM9UQ7bEP7idJhKiDM/w426-h640/Heroine.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Titan's Hard Case Crime brand strikes again with the fifth <i>Ms.Tree </i>collection gathering together stories from the series by Max Allan Collins and Terry Beatty. The first story in this collection titled <i>Heroine Withdrawal</i> picks up right after the violent events of the final page of the last volume. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCBjIPxxgKAQUJz_CmCD1kIc_vUxt2J5SphTPIdWUSi-UIg_IE7_V8z2dSg1v-Ou1V_4p-Md1itjEr_ZI1spxyhrsQLRYKkZEyJczlszz4YoJofeaU6XEssV3a2arzlvsR68HCXc7sAhGbo_9CRzeRUVXDMHGQWRbzX9nej3lBfZQMusLkO4_G7mkNRM/s604/MT%2018%20May%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCBjIPxxgKAQUJz_CmCD1kIc_vUxt2J5SphTPIdWUSi-UIg_IE7_V8z2dSg1v-Ou1V_4p-Md1itjEr_ZI1spxyhrsQLRYKkZEyJczlszz4YoJofeaU6XEssV3a2arzlvsR68HCXc7sAhGbo_9CRzeRUVXDMHGQWRbzX9nej3lBfZQMusLkO4_G7mkNRM/s16000/MT%2018%20May%2085.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKPo4yW0gnG8fVwQtIrJi8rRW0jPOFGaIGdoJIrdKObeTK5sksNMyJrm109kSEDpsH0mOLJGmmoCRTpwMOcNsG51tCP-J6AYMwGZcRsxIeAuH9YTWgekwUq__XHNiYgr-bv6y4AoaTG6Wi968akhPmWJp6qRIfdt0bS_RY9_AcOA7yDYYYX-5km8zNlQ/s600/MT%2019%20Jun%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKPo4yW0gnG8fVwQtIrJi8rRW0jPOFGaIGdoJIrdKObeTK5sksNMyJrm109kSEDpsH0mOLJGmmoCRTpwMOcNsG51tCP-J6AYMwGZcRsxIeAuH9YTWgekwUq__XHNiYgr-bv6y4AoaTG6Wi968akhPmWJp6qRIfdt0bS_RY9_AcOA7yDYYYX-5km8zNlQ/s16000/MT%2019%20Jun%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RcGy42fYQNPtsXcsL_Umy6y2ZSadQ1A2kiHgTV3zU32Pd4sNDBXp9j2hzqTrmT8xq-vdFqV1u-RglsrAxKt0UqBRUhiAWoR2nURbxEUtgkQzJflxHQoKCEYBGcAxMm_SAgbsw693l3oIvnUxnkvlj2eRszUBK058aTbPsfu86Je2yL2xk8V1BcAm4pk/s585/MT%2020%20Jul%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RcGy42fYQNPtsXcsL_Umy6y2ZSadQ1A2kiHgTV3zU32Pd4sNDBXp9j2hzqTrmT8xq-vdFqV1u-RglsrAxKt0UqBRUhiAWoR2nURbxEUtgkQzJflxHQoKCEYBGcAxMm_SAgbsw693l3oIvnUxnkvlj2eRszUBK058aTbPsfu86Je2yL2xk8V1BcAm4pk/s16000/MT%2020%20Jul%2085.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the three issue saga titled "Mureta Means Death" gets underway, Ms.Tree has killed the pedophile and serial murderer who had kidnapped her son. The police are again put out that she's taken the law into her own hands. An old ally named Dan Green returns to the fold, having recovered as best he can from injuries suffered from a bombing by the Muerta crime family. Sporting a glass eye and a hook, Green seeks his own vengeance on the patriarch of the Muerta clan and for a time is locked up for his murder. Later secrets are revealed and needless to say this installment ends with an unexpected death. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pz8zedhA9l183rTXAfqT6nAJ3qDxVxus4dOdO2GPYmcE1n3d8v4YC3ChXnObP56bICGmXXmwUzA4a9Qzq2g0BnomXnZifOJrfDH1bCEFEYGAO_XDbqUeWhkkZfs6tNgiXLF7OesLXMq3EdZEgsSnanq_WE5gjOXhjTu9el4rKnSsntYJvqYaz2KTZ5E/s595/MT%2021%20Sep%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pz8zedhA9l183rTXAfqT6nAJ3qDxVxus4dOdO2GPYmcE1n3d8v4YC3ChXnObP56bICGmXXmwUzA4a9Qzq2g0BnomXnZifOJrfDH1bCEFEYGAO_XDbqUeWhkkZfs6tNgiXLF7OesLXMq3EdZEgsSnanq_WE5gjOXhjTu9el4rKnSsntYJvqYaz2KTZ5E/s16000/MT%2021%20Sep%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr2vvXhgaikZE52KLheZmEdNBKLp9j8t-l17lZMbyTSGTsBe73nWycGu4pmOl3cDqEMTqzv2n6RdWIoSNNBzvwcUO5-pkibt2X64bxNQtrutNf-yM-s-IzK4OI0ydD1X7wfUy8EnryddXxbEhpTgH_Nu1aUmWxYXTp80AkknC2sLCNKlhVIii1is1cT4/s578/MT%2023%20Nov%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr2vvXhgaikZE52KLheZmEdNBKLp9j8t-l17lZMbyTSGTsBe73nWycGu4pmOl3cDqEMTqzv2n6RdWIoSNNBzvwcUO5-pkibt2X64bxNQtrutNf-yM-s-IzK4OI0ydD1X7wfUy8EnryddXxbEhpTgH_Nu1aUmWxYXTp80AkknC2sLCNKlhVIii1is1cT4/s16000/MT%2023%20Nov%2085.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the events of the last bloody finale, we get a two-issue story titled "Right to Die" in which Ms.Tree is drawn into the always ferocious abortion debate. She is ordered by the court to leave her detective work to her employees and give up her gun. An old ally of her husband shows up and wants to blow up a clinic. When the clinic is blown up, there is still a mystery to be solved. No matter how you feel about this topic this is a pretty good mystery story. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdJ95IRUFcWKMQ8-cHho-RMhT5EROw6FfkFJpZ5Nm_ksVstkGvnaMiRsaZegra16lAIpuWmC7R5XVXIN21dQxZWeSmoLwmtWI4Litjr8QNReiN9JKtg0pA87fst7Winunc9hKGEy0HYKz1qRc39O9QgLEB678GAaDXaYnj1GSA1kS1Um6YsxTyQ9pRDE/s597/MT%2024%20Dec%2085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdJ95IRUFcWKMQ8-cHho-RMhT5EROw6FfkFJpZ5Nm_ksVstkGvnaMiRsaZegra16lAIpuWmC7R5XVXIN21dQxZWeSmoLwmtWI4Litjr8QNReiN9JKtg0pA87fst7Winunc9hKGEy0HYKz1qRc39O9QgLEB678GAaDXaYnj1GSA1kS1Um6YsxTyQ9pRDE/s16000/MT%2024%20Dec%2085.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTzCUc-oOXPLBngBY13Qy8tmGJapdOjHxkhXqpRv6FejyJIWNGtJ3x9sOcujcwxcY2EU14ay4mn3tSL1OJkOcTQ0bfrXE6-Gac6pv1Xq8cGkZ2uSQDYeY34WppF_LJ0PDl8PXIBoAOwUtG0xUiKfTdv3veP0b5g42sMxZibM_WbJNRiddat8UHkObmrc/s600/MT%2025%20Jan%2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTzCUc-oOXPLBngBY13Qy8tmGJapdOjHxkhXqpRv6FejyJIWNGtJ3x9sOcujcwxcY2EU14ay4mn3tSL1OJkOcTQ0bfrXE6-Gac6pv1Xq8cGkZ2uSQDYeY34WppF_LJ0PDl8PXIBoAOwUtG0xUiKfTdv3veP0b5g42sMxZibM_WbJNRiddat8UHkObmrc/s16000/MT%2025%20Jan%2086.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because she was swept up in the violence of the abortion clinic, she violated the court's order and is sent to jail. The two-issue story titled "Prisoner Cell Block Hell" has our heroine forced to deal with all sorts of threats coming at her from both inside and outside the jail. As usual she finds a bit if corruption which kicks off the usual mayhem. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOvry0fWpsr3MTCrlgLE3ztyyzTjIoKwBg5PpW9CoyWff5aTvVplcBencqOXcUrFnaf9fyNmPLH_qd1Czb25FURrPITGoRBktM2Xv2sIwNHfuID6O8MXmtjiLyPkfZgiVsVEnxR5R2249Ymdn2RNnQZQctiwUtp3jwu3azRo7HJwMTV_wn9lKvpefI6g/s596/MT%2026%20Feb%2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOvry0fWpsr3MTCrlgLE3ztyyzTjIoKwBg5PpW9CoyWff5aTvVplcBencqOXcUrFnaf9fyNmPLH_qd1Czb25FURrPITGoRBktM2Xv2sIwNHfuID6O8MXmtjiLyPkfZgiVsVEnxR5R2249Ymdn2RNnQZQctiwUtp3jwu3azRo7HJwMTV_wn9lKvpefI6g/s16000/MT%2026%20Feb%2086.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR9rCX6tKEjHst_TguMD_r_NNB8UAwLFhYxaBqhhhb11J38A2Llqn0GOe9Cvj1VjW3xcc-jKgRC1P8sSI1MvRVNC7ZtQvmNSFlmd2s72fp1ExsjKCdQzaNmfY6E2fOCTFOmaICH5a3-w4iB0i_UtjBVArZv1pzty4TI1fDPirdd5tVQmw9_wMf44IPHU/s604/MT%2027%20Mar%2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR9rCX6tKEjHst_TguMD_r_NNB8UAwLFhYxaBqhhhb11J38A2Llqn0GOe9Cvj1VjW3xcc-jKgRC1P8sSI1MvRVNC7ZtQvmNSFlmd2s72fp1ExsjKCdQzaNmfY6E2fOCTFOmaICH5a3-w4iB0i_UtjBVArZv1pzty4TI1fDPirdd5tVQmw9_wMf44IPHU/s16000/MT%2027%20Mar%2086.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her lawyer arranges for her to not got to trial but she must submit to psychiatric observation and so she is admitted to a clinic for extended treatment. The story titled "Heroine Withdrawal" lends its name to the collection itself and proves pivotal. While under treatment she discovers that perhaps she must change. At the same time a political murder comes to her attention, and she puts her staff on that project. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMiJBOBHtn1fsUj4UXcwOa-kXUln-BEpxRyKveuLhGhth0A7qvxDTVzij9brXOm5EKp1jrFf1QdhdZzIbqT0SsCNgIvNnsIiwb6PLniB0HELuQIcKy9gNzLMO21OE8WZEr54GVpIedC9p4K0_sW7YoSB9MYQnNh6mytQLcDWM0a0Wb1aPE7hnkBobI-g/s599/MT%2029%20May%2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMiJBOBHtn1fsUj4UXcwOa-kXUln-BEpxRyKveuLhGhth0A7qvxDTVzij9brXOm5EKp1jrFf1QdhdZzIbqT0SsCNgIvNnsIiwb6PLniB0HELuQIcKy9gNzLMO21OE8WZEr54GVpIedC9p4K0_sW7YoSB9MYQnNh6mytQLcDWM0a0Wb1aPE7hnkBobI-g/s16000/MT%2029%20May%2086.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6_dbckFtsePP1Opi-KqrCFI0hI7IBLo4GFBAI3xQNBMpteYXM8_j9oMbkCJbpXhU07uA7gSOInKJN_9306qSxUWPpis0AdmDTvlxse5i20JboSbKeqYM9mez7HdEna417WOYkEe6Y5eryl30RrR56wauezfT2uzWnoKGuXr8mmNglOMx3syZAB1q2Ng/s598/MT%2030%20Jun%2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6_dbckFtsePP1Opi-KqrCFI0hI7IBLo4GFBAI3xQNBMpteYXM8_j9oMbkCJbpXhU07uA7gSOInKJN_9306qSxUWPpis0AdmDTvlxse5i20JboSbKeqYM9mez7HdEna417WOYkEe6Y5eryl30RrR56wauezfT2uzWnoKGuXr8mmNglOMx3syZAB1q2Ng/s16000/MT%2030%20Jun%2086.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt9jc35dAImHRY7x4NAi7xMqBhALEsR_v_wIuzG7eE8zVfbXDYrnqXxP9YGBq-iPzWbGdMLumOococAUDhoHJpKEOXWpNdbNmB_za2KlxuO3WOp2rdoEg8k69Mb7_q-8SzbDEbt9rQD2npL37CtGz4nC0PJi6nDYQKtW2PxBEfRc43niiiC4RQP5a5TU/s607/MT%2031%20Jul%2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt9jc35dAImHRY7x4NAi7xMqBhALEsR_v_wIuzG7eE8zVfbXDYrnqXxP9YGBq-iPzWbGdMLumOococAUDhoHJpKEOXWpNdbNmB_za2KlxuO3WOp2rdoEg8k69Mb7_q-8SzbDEbt9rQD2npL37CtGz4nC0PJi6nDYQKtW2PxBEfRc43niiiC4RQP5a5TU/s16000/MT%2031%20Jul%2086.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The collection closes with the three-issue story titled "The Other Cheek" in which a reformed and medicated Ms.Tree seeks to change her approach to life despite the dangers that lurk around every corner. Collins chooses to tell this story from several points of view, giving insights into the other characters in this saga. Not least of which is her son, who ends up staying with his grandmother again with tragic consequences. As is obvious from the last cover, she gets over her pacifism. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVBFqnsZQzYSWJwYaorlvfyDSsFCh4Q6eo88AyC0nkbvDGND1cfMKHp1u7O7V2KygxjYwW6tKBpheDnq8bmn6AnqIZt7WAOVujgoxJExyVIzoaGIvroAQFrlyRYbsf1ZxvFBytmMP5jg6TBqpRC4tC-O15KWxYFVgWsntDw0-FmOa8JKBzmKSXG3B4Ec/s596/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVBFqnsZQzYSWJwYaorlvfyDSsFCh4Q6eo88AyC0nkbvDGND1cfMKHp1u7O7V2KygxjYwW6tKBpheDnq8bmn6AnqIZt7WAOVujgoxJExyVIzoaGIvroAQFrlyRYbsf1ZxvFBytmMP5jg6TBqpRC4tC-O15KWxYFVgWsntDw0-FmOa8JKBzmKSXG3B4Ec/w318-h400/OIP.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The volume closes with a Mike Mist prose story about a suicide that wasn't. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The death count in these stories is stunning. Perhaps it's because I'm reading them all together and not monthly, but I frankly don't think it's possible to get a true count of bodies in these stories. It feels different given the relative realism that Collins tries to bring to the series, unlike a book like say the Punisher which is more hyperbolic. Another issue is the price of this collection, which has gone up considerably since the beginning of the series. There's one more volume I think, so I'll stick it out for now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-81438952315204310242024-03-07T00:00:00.000-05:002024-03-07T00:00:00.153-05:00Road To Perdition 2 - On The Road!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD39GXTO7_JN9UFPEC7rO8_wuoslWFI0jhY0fFtu9_3ViRk0Tw3SdM5aaVgKGw_M9YslDAAbpCDDHibTIxvPkec2mt6KJg9jSBiyaY8rvfaFxyBRyibRaFAs7jjn8KFjLywtX-FNXjJ8qsGIzWlv25YJH5_1HyVpVCx1kueQFITs-aDNXx6VeNP_kxXE/s585/Road%202%2005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD39GXTO7_JN9UFPEC7rO8_wuoslWFI0jhY0fFtu9_3ViRk0Tw3SdM5aaVgKGw_M9YslDAAbpCDDHibTIxvPkec2mt6KJg9jSBiyaY8rvfaFxyBRyibRaFAs7jjn8KFjLywtX-FNXjJ8qsGIzWlv25YJH5_1HyVpVCx1kueQFITs-aDNXx6VeNP_kxXE/s16000/Road%202%2005.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Road to Perdition</i> began as the last of the Pardox Mystery line but it's wild success both on the newsstand and in theaters meant a sequel was almost essential. Not really a sequel really, but a continuity implant. The story of the "Angel of Death", a mob enforcer who loses his family to mob violence leaving only himself and his son on a desperate journey seeking safety was a long and winding one and Max Allan Collins wrote the story with room to expand from the inside. In <i>Road to Perdition 2 - On the Road </i>we are treated to some of the harrowing adventures the father and son team encountered. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAnb6oYqAQgCRa9gUHIkM3KwAkuW8RjkVVKAZWLXDrh7-oFwuhV0CyvpRm6a66cYrGRXRcgECUB-eXpFjXOp21di_kK-dG69P4SyCdjT4RCGO0muR1-CdU9cdA6CDtvcLBsCrD1SVNkpk1gOC8CuwV0hmqOPbSpOjbg9UsSA_mr_uYLzByyC5cMabwQc/s581/Road%201%20Oasis%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAnb6oYqAQgCRa9gUHIkM3KwAkuW8RjkVVKAZWLXDrh7-oFwuhV0CyvpRm6a66cYrGRXRcgECUB-eXpFjXOp21di_kK-dG69P4SyCdjT4RCGO0muR1-CdU9cdA6CDtvcLBsCrD1SVNkpk1gOC8CuwV0hmqOPbSpOjbg9UsSA_mr_uYLzByyC5cMabwQc/s16000/Road%201%20Oasis%2003.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Oasis" us drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez with inks by Joe Rubinstein. The art lacks a bit of the edge of the original, but no one can argue that Garcia-Lopez can't tell a rousing story. The Sullivans find refuge of sorts on a remote farm when the boy comes down with Scarlet Fever. They find haven because the wife of the farmer was a friend of Sullivan's wife and a former romantic interest of his. Two bounty hunters called "The Two Jacks" get on the trail and things come to a head as one might expect. The plight of farms during the depression is highlighted to some extent by this yarn. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBCwSg6f0IKmqoy-5LccChxwSjrBOoTbXPXtx8O10-jFswUlFC-IQhjNeLhk9lPHb24NyTfLKRb1NEYeEgE3s5mYX4qBktGp5GOYy6UyoasDeYHWGCbWXCZvsaY-Y_m4dhkTMU703eRuMJ4ntsq5-MSOl6XT_Nx35heO1cNQ1Qy8bbtfwgQYAbGWU9vo/s576/Road%202%20Sanctuary%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBCwSg6f0IKmqoy-5LccChxwSjrBOoTbXPXtx8O10-jFswUlFC-IQhjNeLhk9lPHb24NyTfLKRb1NEYeEgE3s5mYX4qBktGp5GOYy6UyoasDeYHWGCbWXCZvsaY-Y_m4dhkTMU703eRuMJ4ntsq5-MSOl6XT_Nx35heO1cNQ1Qy8bbtfwgQYAbGWU9vo/s16000/Road%202%20Sanctuary%2004.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Sanctuary" sees Steve Lieber take on the art chores. We learn that Mike Sullivan has a history with one of the two bounty hunters still seeking him which complicates things when a brutal killer escapes from a chain gang looking for vengeance against the Two Jacks for killing his brothers. We meet Queenie, a singular woman who gambles and once owned her own gambling house in NYC. She is an associate of the Two Jacks. This story has a little bit of a flashback, and we meet an exceedingly famous criminal from the Old West who gives a young Mike Sullivan a hand when he needed it most. (Hint: Paul Newman who played the role of Mike's boss Looney in the movie version of <i>Road to Perdition</i> also played this western outlaw as well.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IKpamPrHBhcCq6VN9rcUkXiBUNBucTXFb6llKqhQY3Gp80dbxvHY-r9aMHSrhSISTMHkZQhdVg0AJnCz7TIW8ICd80iMgAqotK6PBXFZ-tgSvRSGfI-YdqX1-DISyhkQOiOqYOmxtYIEPztAKwH_45w2vRjNzyCNUPuH40OtOX9m50J6tXnNLaf0fqs/s581/Road%203%20Detour%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IKpamPrHBhcCq6VN9rcUkXiBUNBucTXFb6llKqhQY3Gp80dbxvHY-r9aMHSrhSISTMHkZQhdVg0AJnCz7TIW8ICd80iMgAqotK6PBXFZ-tgSvRSGfI-YdqX1-DISyhkQOiOqYOmxtYIEPztAKwH_45w2vRjNzyCNUPuH40OtOX9m50J6tXnNLaf0fqs/s16000/Road%203%20Detour%2004.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In "Detour" Garcia-Lopez returns with inks by Lieber. Our stories come together when the object of Mike Sullivan's quest for vengeance escapes his keepers from the Capone outfit and seeks his own revenge on the woman who he knows helped the Sullivans in the first installment. The Two Jacks and Queen return as well in a story set largely in Kansas City, itself a notoriously wide-open mob town in the Depression Era. The Angel of Death must make some different choices in this finale of the story about saving a life and not taking one, an event which brings the father and son even closer together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17rYhydEaKDN_BHktGoFNAnuOSXtUaODnpZ6mBrXhKDdaCQq-_87bepyzhHt8CBKiUvmTQY0SqlmC8ZViYyFDKEhcboj-P3BDeLn6ea2tD1eNzkmkLeYgDoq4HqgvC-gxnb2VQuML8sNj4rvk4q-U8Sl70UcBE0XgDgjVnZanxrM6sbdFCWHmS1wpBFA/s864/Garcia%20Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17rYhydEaKDN_BHktGoFNAnuOSXtUaODnpZ6mBrXhKDdaCQq-_87bepyzhHt8CBKiUvmTQY0SqlmC8ZViYyFDKEhcboj-P3BDeLn6ea2tD1eNzkmkLeYgDoq4HqgvC-gxnb2VQuML8sNj4rvk4q-U8Sl70UcBE0XgDgjVnZanxrM6sbdFCWHmS1wpBFA/w418-h640/Garcia%20Page.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Jose Garcia-Lopez Pencils)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">These stories are not as compelling as the original. I'm an unabashed Jose Garcia-Lopez fan but his work is too idealistic for a story of such gritty criminal events. It's handsome and he does a fantastic job, but the atmosphere is not there. Lieber gets closer but his storytelling is not quite a sharp. It's always difficult to make stories which are continuity implants have much impact since we know that our players will survive to fight another day. It might add context, but it cannot have the emotional involvement of the original saga. That said, I recommend this one for anyone who wants to savor these classic Collins stories of a crime in an era which has become part of the American mythology. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5XA5hXtmqQY3XI8LfBQkgUjUNuiEYcinF_991qGzYL-ptV_mq17Erx-wpyYP34HYhbqfZHJCyuC-4tCQjKq3ASCAySdCcJYwGmbxo3JCqStVJOrlf7gf726vtVQrU59rPC8E4yPkx56QCYXxtVA15cq0qAkNz3qQFzBUkEsfQPfVgx6EWRlXV2sXXmY/s581/Return%20Perdition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5XA5hXtmqQY3XI8LfBQkgUjUNuiEYcinF_991qGzYL-ptV_mq17Erx-wpyYP34HYhbqfZHJCyuC-4tCQjKq3ASCAySdCcJYwGmbxo3JCqStVJOrlf7gf726vtVQrU59rPC8E4yPkx56QCYXxtVA15cq0qAkNz3qQFzBUkEsfQPfVgx6EWRlXV2sXXmY/s16000/Return%20Perdition.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a third volume of the series titled <i>Return to Perdition</i>, which I only became aware of when I prepared these reviews. It was done in 2012 for Vertigo Comics and Terry Beatty joins Collins for this sequel which moves the story ahead a generation into the early 1970's. Maybe I'll get around to getting a copy and reading it someday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-53710465394417650322024-03-06T00:00:00.000-05:002024-03-06T00:00:00.150-05:00 Road To Perdition!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO2G4DxFhn6dDu56O_ixUlm0WF10jDs89FImScS7unZ7F9MRCHcMkF0tJYGkX-mN5k6VgKViV2aAppi0uznlMaDKCMfDbHw_uslpHFiB0t0vpVpQNC4beJQNTXGG78HA5LG6xFmVu5uQnA79yctRVT5fB38M0SeSWncKmqbrzR3gACqtU0BO0urQrf4I/s580/Road%201%2098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO2G4DxFhn6dDu56O_ixUlm0WF10jDs89FImScS7unZ7F9MRCHcMkF0tJYGkX-mN5k6VgKViV2aAppi0uznlMaDKCMfDbHw_uslpHFiB0t0vpVpQNC4beJQNTXGG78HA5LG6xFmVu5uQnA79yctRVT5fB38M0SeSWncKmqbrzR3gACqtU0BO0urQrf4I/s16000/Road%201%2098.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Road to Perdition</i> is a fantastic read. This period crime drama is famous because they made a movie out of it. (More on that in a few moments.) But the original story was produced as part of DC's experimental Paradox Mystery imprint which was used to tell grittier stories in a format more akin to Japanese Manga in size. Typically, a story would be presented in three installments and then collected together. The editor of this effort was Andy Helfer. Road to Perdition was contracted to follow that pattern but then the line was nearly cancelled and so it was released all together in a single volume in 1998.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN093rxRDx6ZBCcQbN42ToEjB5MWskf3Qtoxnotp8dTKP8EESCciQt6MfnjX0Iob2x20pHThyACYwvMKzqnS5hGqv_nTCN2HX_CYO9APv3P1f11cb0lQ23_7VMnVmQtbbTrYnKHwWczpCLnfOtjtVpr8hzbbexqgcPJGUuits6sZnp7Z9norpZAb9oRn8/s566/Lone%20Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN093rxRDx6ZBCcQbN42ToEjB5MWskf3Qtoxnotp8dTKP8EESCciQt6MfnjX0Iob2x20pHThyACYwvMKzqnS5hGqv_nTCN2HX_CYO9APv3P1f11cb0lQ23_7VMnVmQtbbTrYnKHwWczpCLnfOtjtVpr8hzbbexqgcPJGUuits6sZnp7Z9norpZAb9oRn8/s16000/Lone%20Wolf.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Max Allan Collins began the project in the mid 1990's and worked patiently with artist Richard Piers Rayner for four years to complete the assignment. Collins had been inspired by a number of things, but foremost among these was the Manga classic <i>Lone Wolf and Cub</i> about a displaced Samurai and a small child having adventures together. (I confess I've never read the stories, nor have I watched the movies, but I plan to rectify the latter at least.) Collins also say this story was a parallel of sorts to an independent movie he directed called<i> Mommy </i>in which a young girl slowly learns the dreadful news that her mom might be a serial killer. He of course wrote a novel about this as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnAo6Wz7BKuKwWcTj4yUKpDtZHbjSD5eR8eOsyViA19QSyvKsas3M1N5JYIP-Y8nXr6SEtJZuXTnI1wbHhrWApnymAwhQnabLbl9I_F4vMUkiA6c1XRsZLHNwDaTS7GavX16lwS7T4gOg3de2WysZq5bwQwoWgNcjEDxJJ4OqD5FfC7qT2xMaJ5-jNKA/s630/R%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnAo6Wz7BKuKwWcTj4yUKpDtZHbjSD5eR8eOsyViA19QSyvKsas3M1N5JYIP-Y8nXr6SEtJZuXTnI1wbHhrWApnymAwhQnabLbl9I_F4vMUkiA6c1XRsZLHNwDaTS7GavX16lwS7T4gOg3de2WysZq5bwQwoWgNcjEDxJJ4OqD5FfC7qT2xMaJ5-jNKA/s16000/R%20(7).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In <i>Road to Perdition, </i>we meet Michael Sullivan a loyal soldier and assassin in the Looney crime family. Circumstances change and this quiet and deadly man loses his family, all save his son who is our narrator. We follow father and son as they roam the Midwest of America in the 1930's slowly and resolutely seeking revenge on the Looney clan and at the same time trying to steer clear of trouble from big time crime bosses like Frank Nitti and Al Capone. It's a harrowing tale, told with economy and surprising elegance over the course of three hundred pages or thereabouts. And if you've seen only the movie you don't know the ending. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAvMvadCFWn2GREk_qCg3q3qA6Pb81gnJ1ejX3OZrKkrRxemJarAv1UimbHgW-k2AJOTjKtL1D1ucLPhCRGV88tX24yQSVJbKFEj700vR2mUQCaNX1-2tdbXYLifi2fVY6rIFQtsH6GxWxVFxNMXnyZi7kWcXTMsqUsZUMCefrAaSJ7c202w74dzX_XM/s3000/RtP.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAvMvadCFWn2GREk_qCg3q3qA6Pb81gnJ1ejX3OZrKkrRxemJarAv1UimbHgW-k2AJOTjKtL1D1ucLPhCRGV88tX24yQSVJbKFEj700vR2mUQCaNX1-2tdbXYLifi2fVY6rIFQtsH6GxWxVFxNMXnyZi7kWcXTMsqUsZUMCefrAaSJ7c202w74dzX_XM/w434-h640/RtP.webp" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The movie was quickly tapped by Hollywood and powerhouse actors like Paul Newman and Tom Hanks gave it a cache that resulted in a hit. The movie successfully captures the atmosphere of the graphic novel, though as I've said the denoument is decidedly different. I like both endings well enough, but I have to give the nod to the original novel because it's more in keeping with the overall tone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLpV5qKrEQYhQguZXKhLO8677tLrpI_TMeQ26kxcaidOYB-2za0_dFHhZh-2eMu0PLLp_cWmYc7qn-OmI3KrYfcfkVP_iYUZF7LqlfhWdVOZklub-Aykp5I_HctVf2gy48TaNvGFAEyId_VxdtLAQMZvT5IKgR3ByeZ-VAfYOZQ-qew4LczAANlo-rc4/s585/Road%202%2005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLpV5qKrEQYhQguZXKhLO8677tLrpI_TMeQ26kxcaidOYB-2za0_dFHhZh-2eMu0PLLp_cWmYc7qn-OmI3KrYfcfkVP_iYUZF7LqlfhWdVOZklub-Aykp5I_HctVf2gy48TaNvGFAEyId_VxdtLAQMZvT5IKgR3ByeZ-VAfYOZQ-qew4LczAANlo-rc4/w274-h400/Road%202%2005.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DC recognized they had a hit and brought out a sequel of sorts title <i>Road to Perdition 2 -On the Road.</i> This is not so much a sequel but a trio of individual tales which occur within the frame of the original story. This was not hard as Collins says he was originally intending for the saga to ramble on a bit more before circumstances required a firm and fast resolution. More on these misadventures next time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-54292837178597715112024-03-05T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-05T00:00:00.166-05:00Favorite Covers - His Name Is Savage!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MZ7gAKthIZ7QcDTIcAxgb09g5zYQnnuIYeWVQ4lYAhQBdYVES8KlwppBBpD2sBcvhtlXnJ9p0haCkYIxx047hg3lFWl50qKKpGsEbObrx2M1m-i8wNYS9Vfjz4IyWkyJStXrNBJXPPcY_aCNipkG3P0D9BgXSKEs-JiAXSyN0R5FRH8YLz_PX1YpSXg/s529/Gil%20Kanes%20Savage%20%231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MZ7gAKthIZ7QcDTIcAxgb09g5zYQnnuIYeWVQ4lYAhQBdYVES8KlwppBBpD2sBcvhtlXnJ9p0haCkYIxx047hg3lFWl50qKKpGsEbObrx2M1m-i8wNYS9Vfjz4IyWkyJStXrNBJXPPcY_aCNipkG3P0D9BgXSKEs-JiAXSyN0R5FRH8YLz_PX1YpSXg/s16000/Gil%20Kanes%20Savage%20%231.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0WGbbAaNY6w/SkCPOJoAymI/AAAAAAAAAUw/KzKbyUdBr7A/s1600-h/Gil+Kanes+Savage+%231.jpg"></a>Here's a kickass comic book cover by the late great Gil Kane. This is a cover for the 80's Fantagraphics reprint of Kane's pioneering independent magazine <i>His Name Is Savage</i>. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf7dq-mkWD51LXg1coKXXqrS0CqEd4yMydcJizuT3WaPsBFBGFpHHaikO7uA73Rs4RkF2vKQTMYXef_nRqk2uIwrX_KCXvl0oQV3azRFiQksvESgD8zGi6n2kznXevRuIyQtmnAyfBiUGLcO46Wlx-Bl2RIVr832RPaBdOLDix1EHv7o9rU8ayEn4Q3c/s531/His%20Name%20Is%20Savage%20%231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf7dq-mkWD51LXg1coKXXqrS0CqEd4yMydcJizuT3WaPsBFBGFpHHaikO7uA73Rs4RkF2vKQTMYXef_nRqk2uIwrX_KCXvl0oQV3azRFiQksvESgD8zGi6n2kznXevRuIyQtmnAyfBiUGLcO46Wlx-Bl2RIVr832RPaBdOLDix1EHv7o9rU8ayEn4Q3c/s16000/His%20Name%20Is%20Savage%20%231.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The Lee Marvin version by painter <a href="https://todaysinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/02/bob-foster-he-dramatically-opened-doors.html">Bob Foster</a> above is certainly of its time, but this Kane illustration at the top of this post really captures the unbridled violence of the character. Sadly, this was the one and only issue of this attempt to bring a more adult comic tale to the newsstands of the day. Kane had also experimented with paperback formats with his Blackmark. Known and loved in among the fanboys for his definitive work on DC projects such as Green Lantern, The Atom, and Johnny Thunder, Kane was one of those talents who saw what comic might become, not unlike Jack Kirby. <br /><br /></div><i>
His Name Is...Savage</i> was a magazine, not a comic. In the style of Warren Publications, this was an attempt to tap into a more adult audience, one not drawn to the spinner rack, but the newsstand proper. To that end the single issue has a very odd appearance with a painted rendering of the title character looking exactly like actor Lee Marvin.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJoawzpgp1I/WfMCkmlwf6I/AAAAAAABRi8/SD6rLIM-dEsLE-ROueegvAo513OwtkJrgCLcBGAs/s1600/Point%2BBlank%2Bred%2Bface.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1059" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJoawzpgp1I/WfMCkmlwf6I/AAAAAAABRi8/SD6rLIM-dEsLE-ROueegvAo513OwtkJrgCLcBGAs/s640/Point%2BBlank%2Bred%2Bface.jpg" width="443" /></a></div>
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That's largely because the pitch for <i>His Name Is...Savage</i> involved Lee Marvin to no small degree. According to what I've read Gil Kane was much impressed by Marvin's movie <i>Point Blank</i>, a rugged and rather bizarre adaptation of the hard-nosed crime novel <i>The Hunter</i> by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake). This movie tells of a rugged robber named Walker who is betrayed and left for dead by his wife and partner and spends pretty much the rest of the movie trying to get back what he's lost, which as we all already know is not possible. Walker as presented by Marvin is dangerous and cruel. It's no-holds-barred violence that Kane wanted to portray on the page. To read fuller review and a look at the later remakes of this classic go <a href="http://ripjaggerdojo.blogspot.com/2015/11/point-blank.html">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCPqySGfgWU/WfMCBWt-8GI/AAAAAAABRiw/6qjmRFX5fZ0UdWoLfEii9WCxj74FsfWYwCLcBGAs/s1600/gil_kane_1968_his_name_is_savage_homage_spirit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCPqySGfgWU/WfMCBWt-8GI/AAAAAAABRiw/6qjmRFX5fZ0UdWoLfEii9WCxj74FsfWYwCLcBGAs/s640/gil_kane_1968_his_name_is_savage_homage_spirit.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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In a story entitled "Return of the Half-Man" Kane tells the story of an agent who is activated to foil the plot of a deranged former general named Mace, who is the half-man of the story's title. Mace was in an explosion and much of him is now machinery. It's against this quasi-science fiction background that the noir-inspired Savage operates. He has a history with Mace and the government feels only he can penetrate the organization and forestall its plan to assassinate the President of the United States. We see Savage kick in teeth and kill with brutal intensity as he follows the menace to its dangerous core. Archie Goodwin was tapped by Kane to write the script to accompany his art and the words as well as the pictures move in concert to a fatal finale which is worthy of the set-up. To read this classic go <a href="http://stendec8.blogspot.com/2012/01/his-name-is-savage-1-1968-by-gil-kane.html">here</a>.<br />
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But <i>His Name Is...Savage</i> was by reports a sales failure and no further installments were forthcoming. Fantagraphics reprinted the magazine with a more polished type in 1982. In 1986 in an issue of <i>Anything Goes </i>from Fantagraphics Kane returns to give us a silent vignette featuring Savage. It's a mere glimmer of an adventure and while well crafted is only a coda to the one and only Savage story published for the first time so many years before.<br />
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Gil Kane was an artist, with a style and panache unlike any other, but he aspired to be more. It's a shame for the industry that he could not achieve his goal in any lasting way.<br />
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Rip OffRip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-55261295723500177912024-03-04T00:00:00.004-05:002024-03-04T00:00:00.344-05:00Atlas- Seaboard Comics - March 1975!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwufKGLokw-gTM_zzKys5xPcqSTF4aGsNDeQc-EqKE3ATVkoSu7Lpm8wOoABta2x6FlMczLGz2ixer-MoWRP3llsw8jTYcB-SLrJbuqOBFdPTG8Iz4ei4JfyVHjA_oE6sD2-7QUVADD3yGCeBNo6rmCBaba6tOlZYqwrvHdlsMBY0QhcbZgFBazXCw8I/s623/Ironjaw%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwufKGLokw-gTM_zzKys5xPcqSTF4aGsNDeQc-EqKE3ATVkoSu7Lpm8wOoABta2x6FlMczLGz2ixer-MoWRP3llsw8jTYcB-SLrJbuqOBFdPTG8Iz4ei4JfyVHjA_oE6sD2-7QUVADD3yGCeBNo6rmCBaba6tOlZYqwrvHdlsMBY0QhcbZgFBazXCw8I/s16000/Ironjaw%202.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>March was a lean month for Atlas-Seaboard (don't worry they make up for it next month). There are only four books wearing a March date, and only one of those is a #1 issue debut. I'll go over the the #2 books then take a look at <i>Targitt.</i><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0WGbbAaNY6w/TB3J1yvUm1I/AAAAAAAAFYk/_FB0yk-RxAE/s1600/Ironjaw+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><b>IRONJAW #2</b> gives us a new artist, a grand Neal Adams cover image, and the second half of his "origin" story. Pablo Marcos takes over the book on both pencils and inks and his work is typically lush. He is a perfect choice for a barbarian book, and he shows his skills here to great effect. Ironjaw it turns out is a lost prince named Roland, who was taken away to die in the wild when his Kingly father was slain by his Queenly mother's lover, who soon becomes king himself. Seen as a threat to the throne the baby is exposed, but his sister remains, and she figures out who he is by a distinctive birthmark. Ironjaw takes the requisite steps to guarantee his revenge, and briefly becomes King Ironjaw. But his barbarian passions are ill-suited to being a civilized leader and he "escapes" from his role and rides off in the final panel astride his unicorn to seek new barbarian adventures. Fleisher seems to want to turn the usual "fairy tale" elements on their heads a bit, and he does so neatly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge75bY-63QmA-SZWccUlCoYKkIL5cZ2nK1F2_6gNJZRDrIyT4FYf_cFDUyDVVv1STUVUDc7tTAcVCBm2O_NbUElTqwHmEboyPifhjDMj-SNC4qaugtNNSUBQXrimSI7wg95Uc0L-uEiKYC2JPwsuObvhRvnTxrDxQq7PA42z6f6yBp9s2y7T7_KyK3G5g/s630/Phoenix%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge75bY-63QmA-SZWccUlCoYKkIL5cZ2nK1F2_6gNJZRDrIyT4FYf_cFDUyDVVv1STUVUDc7tTAcVCBm2O_NbUElTqwHmEboyPifhjDMj-SNC4qaugtNNSUBQXrimSI7wg95Uc0L-uEiKYC2JPwsuObvhRvnTxrDxQq7PA42z6f6yBp9s2y7T7_KyK3G5g/s16000/Phoenix%202.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>PHOENIX #2</b> continues the saga of Ed Tyler, astronaut and budding "messiah". Empowered with alien technology he mourns the hundreds killed in Rekjavek by the Deiei, and he soon finds out he has been blamed for the destruction. He's even been given a new name..."Phoenix", as he rose out of the ashes of the city. After a personal encounter with an Icelandic family that ends tragically and the death of his alien mentor, Tyler heads to NYC which is under attack by the aliens. A battle rages during which Phoenix is forced to divide the waters between the city and the Statue of Liberty allowing people to escape. The aliens are not so lucky. By the end of the story, the astronaut Ed Tyler has been buried but his mourning wife has a visit from the Phoenix and she takes courage as he flies off to fulfill his new role to bring "salvation" to mankind. Gabriel Levy takes on the scripting while Sal Amendola continues on the artwork. Phoenix remains the book I'd most like to have seen continued somewhere after the fall of Atlas-Seaboard.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4w5RaKysjKYw0ffAbebM5P550cNiMH8i_0DrQlJceCx4FvR_zgTTb7UsrX7DHlenytVusi7XiVyB2VRz_ZPR_nZ-Z3JHzLqq8Twmc3sQJ9kkPErbB1C7qJg4V5cylYjIlYj7sWQQJJtzvixEWTR4cum5NZCqYDDI_4vcnq9Yx5yTCC6QwFudKpyw_tw/s613/Grim%20Ghost%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4w5RaKysjKYw0ffAbebM5P550cNiMH8i_0DrQlJceCx4FvR_zgTTb7UsrX7DHlenytVusi7XiVyB2VRz_ZPR_nZ-Z3JHzLqq8Twmc3sQJ9kkPErbB1C7qJg4V5cylYjIlYj7sWQQJJtzvixEWTR4cum5NZCqYDDI_4vcnq9Yx5yTCC6QwFudKpyw_tw/s16000/Grim%20Ghost%202.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>GRIM GHOST #2 </b>offers more spiritual mayhem courtesy of Ernie Colon and Mike Fleisher from the ghostly servant of Satan. The story begins aboard a cruise ship where a large-scale robbery of an apparently wildly expensive Buddha is foiled by Grim Ghost. He quickly heads home where he hosts a party as Matthew Dunsinane in his home, the same home he owned when a rogue in the 18th century as it turns out. The party is a big success and introduces the local police chief and more importantly his daughter Jackie who seems to be something of a potential love interest. The story turns as Grim Ghost has to save some folks on a building and his magical vengeance is seen by the Chief much to his dismay. The backstory of the Ghost is well developed by this time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEJCM-LXzOV5kV4qeA8DSvATMlyXEHDQCVoW2FAIASaN6e0GhDR8beb4avEofl4ZaLv9-FmUZLRG8OYn5FR8skGvsOyYYjlyARhdbDpb6CJdFUElVXA0svQqEQWxTkgfjL-8pRPkdxa6Sov9ZDMfoNnLaZjGKhV-1ZtTFVMblaen5rWUGFiptkUG8TA0/s611/Targitt%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEJCM-LXzOV5kV4qeA8DSvATMlyXEHDQCVoW2FAIASaN6e0GhDR8beb4avEofl4ZaLv9-FmUZLRG8OYn5FR8skGvsOyYYjlyARhdbDpb6CJdFUElVXA0svQqEQWxTkgfjL-8pRPkdxa6Sov9ZDMfoNnLaZjGKhV-1ZtTFVMblaen5rWUGFiptkUG8TA0/s16000/Targitt%201.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>TARGITT #1 </b>is the sole debut of the month, and it's something of a mixed bag really. The book is advertised in the text page as having Dan Adkins artwork, and I wish it had had it. Howard Nostrand gets the nod over a Ric Meyers script and despite Nostrand's clear skills (from the Eisner school for sure), his light tone seems out of order for this grim saga of mayhem and revenge. John Targitt is an FBI agent who witnessess the murders of his wife and child when their airplane is blown up. The bombing was a mob hit and Targitt then begins to tackle the mob to gain vengeance. Of course, his superiors in the FBI are reluctant and he goes somewhat rogue to accomplish his goals. By the story's end he's gained a measure of revenge, but clearly there is a lot more to do before he can ever be even. There is no costume evident in this crime-saga debut, but the next issue will change that.<br /><br />April is next...and it's a big month for Atlas-Seaboard. <br /><br /><b>Much more to come.</b><br /><br />Rip Off</div></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-3525034217654350712024-03-03T00:00:00.065-05:002024-03-16T00:48:21.861-04:00The Phantom - The Golden Circle!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVnhIgOnPK0hNUFGHCCTR_JmYgjCGabJYQYoSri8HvA9lhpUaz0BnG4A4SX2vXhGVs8_ZOoJRXNcd7g2I3UCQ5wg9HLbEO30M-SuGGGrAMwhRjE4cfCVSm1cI5j_nB3jCip-hDLyI_zbM5TysEkvmqR6K69LLwDbX05HpycWIbCVbjG3SkzYdfORuNoA/s1500/Avon%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVnhIgOnPK0hNUFGHCCTR_JmYgjCGabJYQYoSri8HvA9lhpUaz0BnG4A4SX2vXhGVs8_ZOoJRXNcd7g2I3UCQ5wg9HLbEO30M-SuGGGrAMwhRjE4cfCVSm1cI5j_nB3jCip-hDLyI_zbM5TysEkvmqR6K69LLwDbX05HpycWIbCVbjG3SkzYdfORuNoA/w424-h640/Avon%205.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><i>The Golden Circle</i> the fifth novel in the Avon series featuring Lee Falk's famous jungle hero, is a snappy tale in which the Phantom must confront a gang of jewel thieves who just happen to be all women. The tale is by Ron Goulart writing under his "Frank Shawn" pseudonym and is adapted from the eleventh story in the original Phantom daily run. This yarn has the Phantom operating in civilization this time, beginning as it does on a train in which the Ghost Who Walks is himself accused of a crime. The wilds of New York City are the territory that he prowls along with his loyal sidekick the wolf Devil. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqav5DNKHE74950eLTESe60Hgzck4dzd2uk3Yx9YUp7azslrWVG79b9fgC5olW6bJZmwocaFvtn_QIyx2QDQWugpCv6KH4URTEKm1Weah5mKcXbbzIuosqwe3b3gpTma1llUI85DSEdPGKEhYNesDaOlzVMR8VCv5EoQnqlY8tnI6h-mc3QDNIyVAMNY/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqav5DNKHE74950eLTESe60Hgzck4dzd2uk3Yx9YUp7azslrWVG79b9fgC5olW6bJZmwocaFvtn_QIyx2QDQWugpCv6KH4URTEKm1Weah5mKcXbbzIuosqwe3b3gpTma1llUI85DSEdPGKEhYNesDaOlzVMR8VCv5EoQnqlY8tnI6h-mc3QDNIyVAMNY/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Phantom goes undercover in an effort to infiltrate the gang and he's rather more successful than I'd have expected. The outfit, located on Long Island seems rather easy penetrate, or maybe it's just the Phantom's mystique which makes it's easy for him to impress these chicks. He helps them with a theft to ingratiate himself, but of course his ruse doesn't last forever. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HFboE-idXPVT5g9Zx5ScHc-fB49zjSAZjO9aSqAlcPgg1gCqwm1gc109pk5XxmQhEQvWqUrn1REfqlgz7-LoYKNDkiV9y5ZDS_g9-qVmvDbhx4ixYQc3Id5kEt-bE5jVYdHp-qW5pGRQ4_23cXWAG_wkoDvngFQ1RuN52FN_srJnt9lCwgpDIwmybL4/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HFboE-idXPVT5g9Zx5ScHc-fB49zjSAZjO9aSqAlcPgg1gCqwm1gc109pk5XxmQhEQvWqUrn1REfqlgz7-LoYKNDkiV9y5ZDS_g9-qVmvDbhx4ixYQc3Id5kEt-bE5jVYdHp-qW5pGRQ4_23cXWAG_wkoDvngFQ1RuN52FN_srJnt9lCwgpDIwmybL4/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The structure of the story reminded me of vintage Edgar Rice Burroughs with alternating chapters dealing with first the Phantom and then one Lt. Colma of the NYC police department who was pursuing both the gang and the Phantom, a man he knew only as "Walker". This one would have made a fair to middling serial as well with several nifty places that might've served as cliffhangers. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_svaXklhgTcC_gkJMPBR4CZQrsGWGnMsR-DHJOpRNML4c3Dk6G5vuyQJFboRtXQVS2VDcCEjDxIu9YUXOkhARY_x0VhPHO8jQPlBC0ELJaMmEMn1ADLdCpaVpQP-ChqxfZ2nUFmL9FkWZShMDeinbTLEW06FTYYfT6bt85VP9vu2ks8rPMp8T3jiOJDg/s129/Ring%20Small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="100" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_svaXklhgTcC_gkJMPBR4CZQrsGWGnMsR-DHJOpRNML4c3Dk6G5vuyQJFboRtXQVS2VDcCEjDxIu9YUXOkhARY_x0VhPHO8jQPlBC0ELJaMmEMn1ADLdCpaVpQP-ChqxfZ2nUFmL9FkWZShMDeinbTLEW06FTYYfT6bt85VP9vu2ks8rPMp8T3jiOJDg/s1600/Ring%20Small.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We get to see the difference between the Phantom's methods and those of a policeman when as an agent of justice and not necessarily the law, he feels the freedom to pick and choose a bit when it comes to rounding up the scoundrels. As he puts it, there was a murder committed and the perpetrators needed catching, and that was that. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG0fR4Sv7wLqFU1iFZF4c_LK5158hE5r9S9bHk_k5HFMKZpxxxxBmmMxm2iJt75iNk4VcgipRy8hSd4sUOHIc9qviHTFzAtBdfeuzdy5nKIFIQU23IBD2sHIzgfSr1-hokgm87ey8mfS5eZMnbGoYhIGqimQv1pvqOIzMcRTIrIoQqlB6Itgsd5u431E/s1500/Avon%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="970" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG0fR4Sv7wLqFU1iFZF4c_LK5158hE5r9S9bHk_k5HFMKZpxxxxBmmMxm2iJt75iNk4VcgipRy8hSd4sUOHIc9qviHTFzAtBdfeuzdy5nKIFIQU23IBD2sHIzgfSr1-hokgm87ey8mfS5eZMnbGoYhIGqimQv1pvqOIzMcRTIrIoQqlB6Itgsd5u431E/w259-h400/Avon%206.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Next time it's <i>The Mysterious Ambassador</i>, the sixth novel in the series and one written by Lee Falk himself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rip Off</div></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-27058255552661274142024-03-02T00:00:00.253-05:002024-03-02T04:29:36.206-05:00The Phantom - The Charlton Years Volume Two!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x4NEhdl_C6jAhwcYpyqY3hcju_aMO910NM9SWywIgdkmS0VF1AlMhMib9NpTgvmepzxl-e1gQLdDDlWgxbH41EWtpucvy9x7WmiyMl6Cb7Us0jjweaE6WHrbXi8WzI5qvSRJpL2B4eqmpGroBzMh3vNLVd5SLGcUTH5AViMOOCIShYOGjV6oFsDbeWs/s526/Phantom%20Charlton%202%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x4NEhdl_C6jAhwcYpyqY3hcju_aMO910NM9SWywIgdkmS0VF1AlMhMib9NpTgvmepzxl-e1gQLdDDlWgxbH41EWtpucvy9x7WmiyMl6Cb7Us0jjweaE6WHrbXi8WzI5qvSRJpL2B4eqmpGroBzMh3vNLVd5SLGcUTH5AViMOOCIShYOGjV6oFsDbeWs/s16000/Phantom%20Charlton%202%2013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Phantom - The Charlton Years Volume Two </i>introduces us to the artist who actually drew more stories for Charlton's Phantom run than anyone else, Pat Boyette. Boyette had already done one story during Aparo's run, but now he takes over the reins and steadily produces three short tales for each issue of the series. The introduction by Don Mangus takes time to fill readers in Boyette's elaborate career not only as a comic artist, but as a movie maker, radio personality and more. This tome has special meaning to me and the Dojo in that it contains a quote from yours truly concerning the sales of the Phantom in these years and how it was Charlton's top performing comic. <i>"I found some numbers for Phantom, and it said it was far and away the best-selling book for Charlton in 1969 with over 190,000 in sales. The next closest books were the war books, and they were in the 150.000 range, so Phantom had to be seen as a bonafide bonanza when it hit." </i>It was quite a thrill to be reading this when it arrived and suddenly see my own name in print. I remember startling my beloved wife when I gasped seeing the quote. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj3BMEfwZOaCHLjKY7gygfgQrqNRTRwaTEO-6QqAakxsl_K6fyoDy8Npw7xhPQWDieZyc-hRKNHM__CKxB7QryX01l2WRgVLx8D3XXGuieHnwgYH1Kd7shrXAdem68Y0GlwF6yMm2UtDM3OGU6KBwhxquwFyMgH3eLws0X-cXUU93oMz_3CVdLK0N_Ho/s600/P%2039%20Aug%2070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj3BMEfwZOaCHLjKY7gygfgQrqNRTRwaTEO-6QqAakxsl_K6fyoDy8Npw7xhPQWDieZyc-hRKNHM__CKxB7QryX01l2WRgVLx8D3XXGuieHnwgYH1Kd7shrXAdem68Y0GlwF6yMm2UtDM3OGU6KBwhxquwFyMgH3eLws0X-cXUU93oMz_3CVdLK0N_Ho/s16000/P%2039%20Aug%2070.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"A Small War" sees the Phantom ambushed and then hypnotized by a villain named Pruitt who then uses his skills to gain a measure of control over a local tribe and turn them into his private army. "Canyon of Death" has the Phantom help two chaps who rush to assist downed pilots of a plane shot down in a remote canyon in Bangalla. Their quest is made all the more deadly by the men who shot down the plane to get its treasure of gold. "The Silent Thieves" are a deadly gang of pirates who use a submarine to slip away after their lethal land raids. The Phantom is able to find out their secret base and stop them. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmKe-Uvt_yNiP4pZAVE1rIK2D3Eqctl9fs_VgniGfs01oxVQwweG183BcN-hq2FGakZGnYwaUtdbQ0_X4nZnPhtjPjueBiqRrGdwmiYeUu0JD05WOY1I-BldgR-BZKviDn87jCxEdHeVFP01Ogp1ySIzXzmcSHigLHYN313b7fJRtSREFja4tcdibIG8/s600/P%2040%20Oct%2070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmKe-Uvt_yNiP4pZAVE1rIK2D3Eqctl9fs_VgniGfs01oxVQwweG183BcN-hq2FGakZGnYwaUtdbQ0_X4nZnPhtjPjueBiqRrGdwmiYeUu0JD05WOY1I-BldgR-BZKviDn87jCxEdHeVFP01Ogp1ySIzXzmcSHigLHYN313b7fJRtSREFja4tcdibIG8/s16000/P%2040%20Oct%2070.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Ritual" brings back memories of Robin Hood and Little John as the Phantom must confront the large representative of the Mobika tribe battling to earn the right to cross a log bridge. "The False Mark" pits the Bandar against the Phantom when it looks like the Ghost Who Walks is killing members of the tribe. His distinctive mark is on all the victims. But the secret is even stranger as the Phantom barely escapes death. "The Second Phantom" is the ghost of a young woman's father who disappeared into the jungle when she was very young and now an adult, she travels to the Deep Woods to try to find him with the Phantom's help. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TRTmYz4hYKAkQnBYCBVxuwJQJn7y16OVpHDNylz83D_loDMiw5LR8lYw5s85JqhZcZibk59GsgVkCKvEPW2RvxFm6Qe3Rm8xiK4o7LmXzsjg1-NoJBdQGpJn2meUDMQT17w0atB_2AVDz4NSx7wxnW9j3jOEMnueXUaOMVCtsflKoJNbrPDxzFHzwM4/s599/P%2041%20Dec%2070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TRTmYz4hYKAkQnBYCBVxuwJQJn7y16OVpHDNylz83D_loDMiw5LR8lYw5s85JqhZcZibk59GsgVkCKvEPW2RvxFm6Qe3Rm8xiK4o7LmXzsjg1-NoJBdQGpJn2meUDMQT17w0atB_2AVDz4NSx7wxnW9j3jOEMnueXUaOMVCtsflKoJNbrPDxzFHzwM4/s16000/P%2041%20Dec%2070.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Slave of Beauty" is a strange one as an ancient queen rises from her tomb and compels the Phantom to help her gather workers to help uncover more tombs and temples so that she can once again rule the lands. There is a lot of story packed into a few pages. In "The Idol" the Phantom heads to London to retrieve a stolen icon, an idol which might have taken its own revenge on the man who stole it. "Deadly Foe" has the Phantom confront a plague which seems to be the result of the experiments of a man named Niffo. We are reminded of another Phantom who years before died saving folks from a deadly plague. This is a strange one with a plot twist I'm not sure I understand. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSrYxyC3-gChNAdRpGYAue1oU62H71uZ8ZDoqUCW5YbBE3-wuvDG4qb-ioC49zcO_TdihGtThnU9N-61cgg4pIHQ80foiEjeaXaNGSxGmunQ6cQUXgGKXZG6w0PXdu5uzDn9rX0O9Bk-4zWW7hhGhFRaSOD0BgUqOW0__LNnWaUwb6hg4kADdWnmLsRU/s599/P%2042%20Feb%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSrYxyC3-gChNAdRpGYAue1oU62H71uZ8ZDoqUCW5YbBE3-wuvDG4qb-ioC49zcO_TdihGtThnU9N-61cgg4pIHQ80foiEjeaXaNGSxGmunQ6cQUXgGKXZG6w0PXdu5uzDn9rX0O9Bk-4zWW7hhGhFRaSOD0BgUqOW0__LNnWaUwb6hg4kADdWnmLsRU/s16000/P%2042%20Feb%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Keeper of the Herd" has the Phantom doing his best to protect a herd of magnificent elephants from the clutches of Ramajahn who tries to use the herd to crush the Phantom at one point. "...Who Needs Enemies?" tells our the fabulously rich E.R.Randall is saved from certain death after a snake bite and wishes to use his wealth to express his appreciation. But his gifts interrupt the normal lifestyles of the natives much to the chagrin of the Phantom. "Prey of the Hunter" gives us a version of "The Most Dangerous Game" when the Phantom finds himself being hunted by Hugo Lusk and his henchmen. The Phantom is dropped into a strange bowl of a canyon with no outlet for the chase. Strangely, the Phantom's horse is named "Flash" in these stories. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh3FqvD9jLeAY3MxvZbxahC8-fvrxwIHUykrZR6Dhor_WeQgPB2HZ9nxbkyS7dzC5yWEwE_y7zj4r4lwaQUgUahA7PSsCBIn8Pi2oWjdrGdL_4CPLaCVj686SeLkeohcjbGcU9mEn3vrtz6-TBN3UrYtLg4d4OjJyt37IqbRSe04fkiFE5GotOuxoO98/s589/P%2043%20Apr%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh3FqvD9jLeAY3MxvZbxahC8-fvrxwIHUykrZR6Dhor_WeQgPB2HZ9nxbkyS7dzC5yWEwE_y7zj4r4lwaQUgUahA7PSsCBIn8Pi2oWjdrGdL_4CPLaCVj686SeLkeohcjbGcU9mEn3vrtz6-TBN3UrYtLg4d4OjJyt37IqbRSe04fkiFE5GotOuxoO98/s16000/P%2043%20Apr%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Test of an Idol" has the Phantom confronted with a new menace, the romantic advances of the actress Iris Benton when a film crew comes to the jungle to make a movie. The Phantom seems a bit out of character in this one as he responds to her, or at least seems to want to. No mention is made of Diana Palmer. "Paid in Full" has the Phantom confronted with an Englishman named Edward Cowper Smythe who claims the Phantom owes him one million pounds. It relates to events concerning both men's ancestors. The Phantom takes Smythe on a tour of the deadly jungle and all is forgiven when he's helped by a hospital apparently paid for by the money. "The Rain Stopper" is a medicine man named Medguli who brings a drought to the Bengali jungle and who works in cahoots with a man named Professor Harrch to gain control of the weather. The Phantom's horse gets his name back in at least one of these stories which are presumed to have been written by Joe Gill, but it's uncertain. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TEC7kWW-rFgTvJfzneH3pP7ggQJCGNAJjro7AUfjhEwqYAl0MeR4U1BLYq2oXJAPApQEPwy-i2YvgwBBUMJT4BoYMpP9gvvBiYjUTIYHvI4aniQYRWUfziwiHs36PvLc7Isyw-kbyCyN_JRAmSo4epntNUjkoN0e1IIaMu71oVlTETnezuzh5AyD5hE/s600/P%2044%20Jun%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TEC7kWW-rFgTvJfzneH3pP7ggQJCGNAJjro7AUfjhEwqYAl0MeR4U1BLYq2oXJAPApQEPwy-i2YvgwBBUMJT4BoYMpP9gvvBiYjUTIYHvI4aniQYRWUfziwiHs36PvLc7Isyw-kbyCyN_JRAmSo4epntNUjkoN0e1IIaMu71oVlTETnezuzh5AyD5hE/s16000/P%2044%20Jun%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"To Right a Wrong" sees the Phantom pursue a daring thief and would-be murderer Acmid Raz after the latter steals some jewels from a temple. This one has a good build-up, but the finale is compressed because of a lack of pages. "Danger in Bengali" features Diana Palmer who is kidnapped by a man impersonating the Phantom. It's full-tilt derring-do as our purple hero rides an airplane to get the woman he loves. "Death from Far Away!" pits the Phantom against a witch doctor named Zulanga who gets his revenge by poisoning the Skull Cave and seemingly killing the Phantom. But they don't call him the Ghost Who Walks for nothing. These are pretty good, but a number of stories in this issue and before really demystify the Deep Woods and the Skull Cave. It seems all sorts of people are finding it with relative ease. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPi0gGpyIHxddJvTsG_HH2oFIn0X57-MAJHmgyNdwAHJl0uGpPnvZK9BOsQYeDZEG2a2UVgG5SOSXNKW-K7CWR74fURezzOTINWLCr7Q0SgLmtmUTp0l3kryFtO9EITkVVO36YiL-zQPbRqCJ-8g8U_aBp1-Xnt8Ux8VRNcIpC5WqKzWB3s52f0b6bfo/s599/P%2045%20Aug%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPi0gGpyIHxddJvTsG_HH2oFIn0X57-MAJHmgyNdwAHJl0uGpPnvZK9BOsQYeDZEG2a2UVgG5SOSXNKW-K7CWR74fURezzOTINWLCr7Q0SgLmtmUTp0l3kryFtO9EITkVVO36YiL-zQPbRqCJ-8g8U_aBp1-Xnt8Ux8VRNcIpC5WqKzWB3s52f0b6bfo/s16000/P%2045%20Aug%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Return of the Ruby" has the Phantom attempting to retrieve yet another stolen gem, this one taken a century before from his ancestor. The only rub is the woman who now owns it, assumes she has a legal claim to the stone. "The Phantom and John Paul Jones" delivers what you'd expect. The Phantom from the 18th Century is fighting pirates in Tripoli when he's taken as a slave aboard a ship which is then attacked by the famous Captain John Paul Jones. "The Cave of Kings" is a deadly misadventure as a tribe attempts to get hold of another tribe's treasures hidden among their esteemed dead. When a friend of the Phantom and king dies, it's an opportunity to find the hidden location and steal. This one is a little confusing to be honest. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl4jcrNxr2bcMtbAo56F_qkhyphenhyphenstLyNg4-dHipNuhS7lnFtoZjVylLfia6lizia9ebOZqiFTDOeje5pZiiCC2K9KwOhHUZ0WMfgyPnQvSPEvEKPZQzgXHe3cHDym9g2d_VNCjhd-BkZHQLqGD3erHsNNvTzLdoYwZEIflV_sk5dd5MKgeF0bQOjQjdICY/s596/P%2046%20Oct%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl4jcrNxr2bcMtbAo56F_qkhyphenhyphenstLyNg4-dHipNuhS7lnFtoZjVylLfia6lizia9ebOZqiFTDOeje5pZiiCC2K9KwOhHUZ0WMfgyPnQvSPEvEKPZQzgXHe3cHDym9g2d_VNCjhd-BkZHQLqGD3erHsNNvTzLdoYwZEIflV_sk5dd5MKgeF0bQOjQjdICY/s16000/P%2046%20Oct%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The forty-sixth issue of The Phantom has a cover that's a bit different in that its image represents two different adventures in the issue. The first is titled "The Last of the Cat" and has the Phantom battle a man named Felix Cattmann who is aided by the strangely-garbed Leopardmen. Cattmann imitates the Phantom to get hold of Diana, but his scheme is not without flaws when his volcanic hideout proves unstable. "The Vanishing Thieves!" is the second and pits the Phantom against a creature called Piranna, who enters the Skull Cave through an unknown watery passage. The Phantom gives chase through the aquatic pathway to the Piranna's lair. "Nest of the Man-Eaters!" sees the Phantom working hard to save the young girl who has been taken hostage by raiders and taken to a high mountain lair. The Phantom employs an airplane to reach the area. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7o2sQIaJqz3afRkzWPuknu1s-Wi5q8XhCMI4rpdBqk_ajGnIib0qQ8d4CY7yl10XBRUH5AsSN_iet27SUDnr6C02LqAG_-0nsD7b084_wm0uPPOLEDg78dgOTxR0kEa6urX1bo4_rPVYReCwUkKcvr1f39acvI1OO72Y-9qxChQCqmoionFfyy5WJeM/s577/P%2047%20Dec%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7o2sQIaJqz3afRkzWPuknu1s-Wi5q8XhCMI4rpdBqk_ajGnIib0qQ8d4CY7yl10XBRUH5AsSN_iet27SUDnr6C02LqAG_-0nsD7b084_wm0uPPOLEDg78dgOTxR0kEa6urX1bo4_rPVYReCwUkKcvr1f39acvI1OO72Y-9qxChQCqmoionFfyy5WJeM/s16000/P%2047%20Dec%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>"The False Skull Cave" kicks off the last issue in this collection. A treacherous man named Busas using air surveillance and a small tank to get access to the Skull Cave and the treasures he imagines to be there, but the Phantom is unconcerned since he suggests that Busas cannot find his way out of the Deep Woods. "Soundless Voices!" has yet another guy attempt to imitate the Phantom, this time after seemingly killing him off by dumping him in a lake. The Phantom of course rises and weirdly uses whale songs to stop his enemy. "The Vapors of Vulcan" wraps up this issue and in yet another volcano (there are lots of volcanos in Benaglla it seems) strange men kidnap the Phantom and take him to their queen named Brilla. The odd green creatures are not explained and are soon killed by Brilla. She wants the Phantom to stay with her and rule by her side, but he chooses to escape before a diamond door closes off the kingdom for another century. This one has echoes of She by H. Ridger Haggard as well as The Mole People. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKvUYXQ-6Jl15CswQ3eGeFDsRUg2Xoi3otgLbYRO2Qx9eTOYzrHUCryip5vnzCOp31DtJ_cyBySivCAhUgZXUF7X1nZsSzhs1pF2ve-7kvvDv7_v9eHHNp-FdzbGVohY6wzbYIpOZ4ECWspkJB89zuvEiIMqoAh-JZ7RzHiINLOogCN4nHpXwwR__L3I/s1105/p1%20%20%20300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKvUYXQ-6Jl15CswQ3eGeFDsRUg2Xoi3otgLbYRO2Qx9eTOYzrHUCryip5vnzCOp31DtJ_cyBySivCAhUgZXUF7X1nZsSzhs1pF2ve-7kvvDv7_v9eHHNp-FdzbGVohY6wzbYIpOZ4ECWspkJB89zuvEiIMqoAh-JZ7RzHiINLOogCN4nHpXwwR__L3I/w426-h640/p1%20%20%20300.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>There are some dandy and highly imaginative stories in these comics. Some are ideal at the average seven-page length, but more than few scream out for more pages to develop stories that end abruptly. Clearly the three-story-an-issue thing was an editorial mandate, but I don't know if it was because of Charlton's editor, or a condition laid down by King Features. Whatever the case, it does seem to make all the stories feel a little like back-ups. Nevertheless, the artwork by Boyette appeals to me, even when he gets some things off model by a good margin. His Diana Palmer is suspect and changes. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z1uOOCXgvRGMw5aL3MpbUstsjwO2LDcGQm58iFNLWfYaSPtbPZKVk0IHa1qoWQtymnihx_11618z2kB3QA46k-EqdzIuixRpdxAsSBGfqHjO_c64VNON4OEL2hp7nnqu1b8ZwTWsHn8htyTztvd3_0vXADFizk_t9QREA3eVx-PBmXYTWJr2vNhVBp4/s528/Phantom%20Charlton%203%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z1uOOCXgvRGMw5aL3MpbUstsjwO2LDcGQm58iFNLWfYaSPtbPZKVk0IHa1qoWQtymnihx_11618z2kB3QA46k-EqdzIuixRpdxAsSBGfqHjO_c64VNON4OEL2hp7nnqu1b8ZwTWsHn8htyTztvd3_0vXADFizk_t9QREA3eVx-PBmXYTWJr2vNhVBp4/w303-h400/Phantom%20Charlton%203%2014.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>But she improves with future issues. More Boyette next time as the Charlton run continues. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rip Off<p></p></div></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-22340689170714808512024-03-01T00:00:00.201-05:002024-03-03T23:55:01.949-05:00Martii!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiCB_1gtX3sfgit3LJAzgv3ZGrpX_VzLgS8k5GFeIzQFCDQ9rRgjPFC3cZdkkpcMrxq5LhWNAOrOwM3HHntSy_okALuEVoEXVAuWSRv5Or4aPpmy90mtdXXcsHXzw6XkxYfAPk80Pqf101-5th-IJH1UtfxPvOBJn35V0-ntfYR77prpnH3etF4zNVPo/s1084/ceb48ba2b285caf4b32cc96e5ae8ea0c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiCB_1gtX3sfgit3LJAzgv3ZGrpX_VzLgS8k5GFeIzQFCDQ9rRgjPFC3cZdkkpcMrxq5LhWNAOrOwM3HHntSy_okALuEVoEXVAuWSRv5Or4aPpmy90mtdXXcsHXzw6XkxYfAPk80Pqf101-5th-IJH1UtfxPvOBJn35V0-ntfYR77prpnH3etF4zNVPo/w435-h640/ceb48ba2b285caf4b32cc96e5ae8ea0c.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is going to be a full and varied month at the Dojo. As you can tell the Silver Surfer will be making his presence known, but you'll have to wait until the end of the month for my full review of Norrin Radd's earliest misadventures. I haven't read a new Surfer story in ages, but back in the heyday he was one of Marvel's richest characters. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcN911L67W5bsPj4CdFYdTh62dn6dCd6TQonVrdsGMhGxgc2iLrTJWtm7G3yGCuqjIPU5GBPcQUWe7beQo2t-Z5LdNh0Q6oMLCybyKFiqPQBAXj3aQz_MShb6yYI0UGdPdM-4I75lOrME12N3uCJyR2oMgqNa7T9L0LZoIbLnKTln_rWiE9RQO6NGlH0/s682/f129d09e92db453fa8d1efd9037876eb--the-phantom-pulp-fiction.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcN911L67W5bsPj4CdFYdTh62dn6dCd6TQonVrdsGMhGxgc2iLrTJWtm7G3yGCuqjIPU5GBPcQUWe7beQo2t-Z5LdNh0Q6oMLCybyKFiqPQBAXj3aQz_MShb6yYI0UGdPdM-4I75lOrME12N3uCJyR2oMgqNa7T9L0LZoIbLnKTln_rWiE9RQO6NGlH0/s16000/f129d09e92db453fa8d1efd9037876eb--the-phantom-pulp-fiction.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ongoing look at the adventures of the Ghost Who Walks will also continue. I am reviewing his Charlton comics appearances as well as the Avon novel series. Both were reprinted by Hermes Press some years ago and have been languishing waiting for me to get to them. I am enjoying it mightily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tw-3hbxPLKPD3DwrPsIkVqRV4y6pP8n4mEz9FnslbEMIwa_lvtsh5tjoZNCRbMipFSFNNXYtgcK0V0deBHM5PAyazUdLXa1J60oWDyNawBzFeDuMCRLQsyH2AloQc-1WywDJTwGnComV18MAtmaY-Fqbu-1gFPmeYddL0HioQk7yW-zTeKCKeU6ooR0/s1462/WS-0023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tw-3hbxPLKPD3DwrPsIkVqRV4y6pP8n4mEz9FnslbEMIwa_lvtsh5tjoZNCRbMipFSFNNXYtgcK0V0deBHM5PAyazUdLXa1J60oWDyNawBzFeDuMCRLQsyH2AloQc-1WywDJTwGnComV18MAtmaY-Fqbu-1gFPmeYddL0HioQk7yW-zTeKCKeU6ooR0/w448-h640/WS-0023.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Likewise, my ongoing reading of the OZ novels by Frank L. Baum. I will assert here and now that the books are not what I was expecting. I've read raves about these American classics all my life and I'm beginning to get a sense of what everyone is on about. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEvy5v_dqQsUp7iE_2x4-PEJmUfUmnZyQWoi1RemnCWtC2UMPbR1mPQQ7Fucx2vFkVdS9iHBdixgZOw2LJx7uDsfXgPU-Z1kIJB89dIFS0At8jjMkrgNyVuTE8i5DxkM71p4fZeT4uZCa51wsdksl_fBOLPQjjYhz6Sgn0LdnOLr_3Jl6ZZ1wTmo9Fm8/s800/7etpkoUB_1404160124211gpadd.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="539" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEvy5v_dqQsUp7iE_2x4-PEJmUfUmnZyQWoi1RemnCWtC2UMPbR1mPQQ7Fucx2vFkVdS9iHBdixgZOw2LJx7uDsfXgPU-Z1kIJB89dIFS0At8jjMkrgNyVuTE8i5DxkM71p4fZeT4uZCa51wsdksl_fBOLPQjjYhz6Sgn0LdnOLr_3Jl6ZZ1wTmo9Fm8/w431-h640/7etpkoUB_1404160124211gpadd.jpeg" width="431" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm going to squeeze in at least one trip to Astro City this month as well. These books have been fantastic to read again, making so much more sense than reading them periodically. There is a richness in the world imagined by Busiek and Anderson and Ross which is greater than the sum of its many well-crafted parts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4E6iNCLhSsH9fn8byrpAtOSxbWcX0jLJmfmMvLMpb0aQ56QV22cmoCHWWYLjdTPEyzBpWX3izFqolFGMl1qNJc_IFpqMfcBpO-BvojIJ3sHONATWvg1rNZjyB984TEupmxQAEttelyJ4WjrXBwUPw1FL6xoBX28Clcg2h949Ug1Zy1qciNjuHC5oyKU/s780/Perdition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="531" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4E6iNCLhSsH9fn8byrpAtOSxbWcX0jLJmfmMvLMpb0aQ56QV22cmoCHWWYLjdTPEyzBpWX3izFqolFGMl1qNJc_IFpqMfcBpO-BvojIJ3sHONATWvg1rNZjyB984TEupmxQAEttelyJ4WjrXBwUPw1FL6xoBX28Clcg2h949Ug1Zy1qciNjuHC5oyKU/w436-h640/Perdition.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Crime will rear its ugly head as well here as we take a spin down the Road to Perdition, the amazing graphic novel by Max Allan Collins. There are more than a few twists and turns in that odyssey for the characters and the readers as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsKltMRo5FRMnEsxrT_zvREimmEwE55PuZqT8CFIhY5eXciEsrOV8QShjqcuimJP7TwnbemAkYaAaxJNaLMKWoPAaZrA4cuz22ijQy_Aa-qTq9pWRvDnU4xMTMJpuoTEx_C48alYWoC8FHVkPMi_IQnT9R2jPHTZ7z8Coqsvhj9MJdkUSPg0WbGwDknk/s1920/Dead%20Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsKltMRo5FRMnEsxrT_zvREimmEwE55PuZqT8CFIhY5eXciEsrOV8QShjqcuimJP7TwnbemAkYaAaxJNaLMKWoPAaZrA4cuz22ijQy_Aa-qTq9pWRvDnU4xMTMJpuoTEx_C48alYWoC8FHVkPMi_IQnT9R2jPHTZ7z8Coqsvhj9MJdkUSPg0WbGwDknk/w417-h640/Dead%20Two.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Neal Adams was arguably the most influential artist of his generation or for that matter a few generations since his influence as a mentor and the studio Continuity Associates was a breeding ground for many younger pros. He created some of the most iconic comics in my reading experience and I'd like to take a look at some of those over the course of this year. This month the focus is on Deadman. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOQbOpNRiyVV1NpNKGzlblD6sb8Ma8jpjcMENC58wYsSLaYnwqr7B_UrHEXSXaDWtfxq01OsRigihjPfT82yRrkQtGrXVo-r2XqfOypCPwLC5tOK3vRyqEOe4r-lxAOumD7nnYf9OGBGoM3begVU_zO5TCL1gqJCC1Qe9Bz71SDHo_kq0gYc8ubpUBvQ/s775/Kelly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOQbOpNRiyVV1NpNKGzlblD6sb8Ma8jpjcMENC58wYsSLaYnwqr7B_UrHEXSXaDWtfxq01OsRigihjPfT82yRrkQtGrXVo-r2XqfOypCPwLC5tOK3vRyqEOe4r-lxAOumD7nnYf9OGBGoM3begVU_zO5TCL1gqJCC1Qe9Bz71SDHo_kq0gYc8ubpUBvQ/w446-h640/Kelly.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I want to spend a little time with the Abominable Snowman. Admittedly I want to do that from the comfort and relative safety of my easy chair in my warm and comfy home, but nonetheless the legend of the ABSM as he's designated is as alluring as any in the modern world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsfoJbnh2HhWqMlqOwN8lKI6OU79MlYofZxrqx8sXBu0OWwQ0mY07YCDbF1a_Ym_btlqBgkIvrv4fU5y3ZcrNN3z8ULqt2pfiqB2NlHYYDGwvI__Xzp3XKdDuTG7oZcWDPS_SbLtF-iRODjSa3HgnENWZNfCKv6Hf_wFh7jZbM-Tp7n1hEjLwK0o_YWE/s1600/Savage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1114" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsfoJbnh2HhWqMlqOwN8lKI6OU79MlYofZxrqx8sXBu0OWwQ0mY07YCDbF1a_Ym_btlqBgkIvrv4fU5y3ZcrNN3z8ULqt2pfiqB2NlHYYDGwvI__Xzp3XKdDuTG7oZcWDPS_SbLtF-iRODjSa3HgnENWZNfCKv6Hf_wFh7jZbM-Tp7n1hEjLwK0o_YWE/w446-h640/Savage.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-AP3MtuOlarsO8v11fCP9vJJ2veWj4kPQg7UN9dxPqVAv3yENVouiRI9XyQNxHwW5so5aMk0DlUPHVa6Ke6wLp82HI3m_qZ0aSr3Q6dlDjR2R4A9vSSz7gQ98jX1372t-U8ivn38uCTwFOJjxgK5VuNCtLhzhkQhfP6EYJ6IYV5VKMKKOchEPtAzq54/s1055/mstreebeatty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-AP3MtuOlarsO8v11fCP9vJJ2veWj4kPQg7UN9dxPqVAv3yENVouiRI9XyQNxHwW5so5aMk0DlUPHVa6Ke6wLp82HI3m_qZ0aSr3Q6dlDjR2R4A9vSSz7gQ98jX1372t-U8ivn38uCTwFOJjxgK5VuNCtLhzhkQhfP6EYJ6IYV5VKMKKOchEPtAzq54/w442-h640/mstreebeatty.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0357Kopu4TiCOC7aouDIQw58GjtPhg1W5OW2CI_G5bo1MLR2EejxY-lCf3DV7kZiC3QtcT9OJzjZVrD8LJ_nTiWeM8cyVnvLA3rF6FtSDSpLz-ZZWoCxLGfeZq_eiTO4iO6VxGwuuG_MJrBNZWYWdG1LnQMESf-UnCG-JpdESdWK2AQmmXELL4lK7yc/s844/Kirby%20Scioli.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0357Kopu4TiCOC7aouDIQw58GjtPhg1W5OW2CI_G5bo1MLR2EejxY-lCf3DV7kZiC3QtcT9OJzjZVrD8LJ_nTiWeM8cyVnvLA3rF6FtSDSpLz-ZZWoCxLGfeZq_eiTO4iO6VxGwuuG_MJrBNZWYWdG1LnQMESf-UnCG-JpdESdWK2AQmmXELL4lK7yc/w446-h640/Kirby%20Scioli.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All this and perhaps even more this month at the Dojo. Take a moment or two and drop by amigos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-1851449195170121052024-02-29T00:00:00.161-05:002024-02-29T00:00:00.148-05:00Amazing World Of Superman!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc3bzTFBcdpC72QqxcSp3e19hS9pOCE7aWeAAJXH9gUiXOSqDPBuf-qeaa_87Aa1Vkv9FneHkKEdGJFkxpgbowVRvSreC-VRsoNr-DWcahw4b0gl106ig51mtuIzcmEHR7VGzQ3FRlzn6i6rkHRUNNsg0V63niMVZG-cgD6uSoA-Fp98lHZ9KHJaD_6Y/s535/AmazingWorld%2073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc3bzTFBcdpC72QqxcSp3e19hS9pOCE7aWeAAJXH9gUiXOSqDPBuf-qeaa_87Aa1Vkv9FneHkKEdGJFkxpgbowVRvSreC-VRsoNr-DWcahw4b0gl106ig51mtuIzcmEHR7VGzQ3FRlzn6i6rkHRUNNsg0V63niMVZG-cgD6uSoA-Fp98lHZ9KHJaD_6Y/s16000/AmazingWorld%2073.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's Superman's birthday. And the Dojo wraps up a week-long celebration of the Man of Steel with a look a real bit of offbeat memorabilia, a tome titled <i>Amazing World of Superman</i>. Originally published in 1973 to celebrate Superman Day in the little city of Metropolis, Illinois, this oversized tabloid-size tome is a wonderful collection of all sorts of Superman stories, images, and whatnots. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrY5Ys3SwH2Sruc8dv4S4Ivk9EOllA6Whz_FnyDmS3TYe0HHiOrM0mLsTlcMnGGFApc6Y10n4ZqcPQl7nSjfKhbCPqIq91CGet2H_qa9kIcx4egA70w5aGPXYn2tctfOl8aDNsCMy9EY970j519ZskgAwsKkrabTMjmG_iQkmncLJ5SC_yia7NI7auHI/s542/amazwh-amazing-world-of-superman-tabloid-ed-book_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrY5Ys3SwH2Sruc8dv4S4Ivk9EOllA6Whz_FnyDmS3TYe0HHiOrM0mLsTlcMnGGFApc6Y10n4ZqcPQl7nSjfKhbCPqIq91CGet2H_qa9kIcx4egA70w5aGPXYn2tctfOl8aDNsCMy9EY970j519ZskgAwsKkrabTMjmG_iQkmncLJ5SC_yia7NI7auHI/s16000/amazwh-amazing-world-of-superman-tabloid-ed-book_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg2k_yAhIfzw1ZRPHqBGENKvJEbyShymkGb78mKSxec2pB6xaIi_dvh42dGehTaK20Hghzr9GAUH4r6v9PyA3lNqKnKnPTuaqqbHAfr7KwXxKJAS2-I0N2NfrSVsMu-HOerKUYktaxlgkSYhQiBpmFJzsGpQoJOKT8q1E0NV-YBZeJdeV-CKNCMOTDMA/s583/AC%20210%20Nov%2055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg2k_yAhIfzw1ZRPHqBGENKvJEbyShymkGb78mKSxec2pB6xaIi_dvh42dGehTaK20Hghzr9GAUH4r6v9PyA3lNqKnKnPTuaqqbHAfr7KwXxKJAS2-I0N2NfrSVsMu-HOerKUYktaxlgkSYhQiBpmFJzsGpQoJOKT8q1E0NV-YBZeJdeV-CKNCMOTDMA/w275-h400/AC%20210%20Nov%2055.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The volume opens with "Superman in Superman Land", a story by writer Bill Finger and artists Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye. Originally appearing in Action Comics #210 from 1955 this yarn imagines a theme park dedicated to the "Man of the Tomorrow". We get lots of offbeat glimpses of this imaginary park before we are introduced to a mysterious character who turns out to be Lex Luthor (no surprise). He's concocted a scheme to incapacitate the "Man of Steel" with the ubiquitous Kryptonite and trap him inside a mock-up of Krypton, one meant to be exploded. It will surprise no one that the scheme fails. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This if followed by a "How to Draw Superman" page by Curt Swan as well as page introducing us to the extended Superman family. Then there is a wonderful ten-page article detailing how comic books are conceived and manufactured. It's a nifty item because it's loaded with photos of the staff of DC at the time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8Jj0A2HNyYO23B4qDkKdeuJ2RzX7_HtilfIWXFeg9bA65oAkDhAZtYKvOAjVrLQOsAN4BgS7ENz_XCxme6dH1H0_RuKo9jlIvPebPza5_6vQqWZUI2vbfsRVWTAZu18x_QPcEnzvohc6g3RpaHVwA03d5r2FPt5CgCjX8D7JyLiEHyLeXpSY0LWEdMI/s915/73-03_AmazWorldSupMetEd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8Jj0A2HNyYO23B4qDkKdeuJ2RzX7_HtilfIWXFeg9bA65oAkDhAZtYKvOAjVrLQOsAN4BgS7ENz_XCxme6dH1H0_RuKo9jlIvPebPza5_6vQqWZUI2vbfsRVWTAZu18x_QPcEnzvohc6g3RpaHVwA03d5r2FPt5CgCjX8D7JyLiEHyLeXpSY0LWEdMI/w437-h640/73-03_AmazWorldSupMetEd.jpg" width="437" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we are treated to a brand new (then) "The Origin of Superman" written by E. Nelson Bridwell, and drawn by Carmine Infantino, Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson. This is a delightful fifteen-page black and white presentation which hits all the highlights right through Clark leaving his foster parents in Smallville and taking up his career in Metropolis. There is a particularly touching scene with Clark and his dying foster father. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5bMlcAmdG4sw5mEA4Kg_vWZeN_GzgVQGqvEvwkp9CVz2yl-RoQcpnv9NzWfyf_xwWgMniGN5IlA_YGa3Vq2-sP1FdEJu5psio-wsQj4bYJbotCeNrmHic5zu4NJzx344bmvG5RtzJ9r4Zl1pFUyGa33WQgHkyWckTFIG1grMileXbYq-iJLQUFFSgAs/s1280/Map%20Krypton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1280" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5bMlcAmdG4sw5mEA4Kg_vWZeN_GzgVQGqvEvwkp9CVz2yl-RoQcpnv9NzWfyf_xwWgMniGN5IlA_YGa3Vq2-sP1FdEJu5psio-wsQj4bYJbotCeNrmHic5zu4NJzx344bmvG5RtzJ9r4Zl1pFUyGa33WQgHkyWckTFIG1grMileXbYq-iJLQUFFSgAs/w400-h303/Map%20Krypton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then a special detached fold-out poster showcases a "Map of Krypton" in amazing colorful detail. This map was rendered by E. Nelson Bridwell and artist Sal Amendola. Then we get a page showing how Superman made it big in syndicated comic strips. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKm2RdQOmkauvn277z2DpgV1TgHuS0wrvrpuYLCvPPJgYDkpO6uxfG6urJG2MPKFDmK5wPTN0hwN-NpCjublAV7eXzsltm61dNsas_i6BO_lqQOBgSjOHcUZmgAXK90AuqszkHdXsM2wTWqgpzG4PQ6xsnYQTkxlNPxP1BaOU9hVvwFVx53XmnRpsfQ/s425/ama38.5a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKm2RdQOmkauvn277z2DpgV1TgHuS0wrvrpuYLCvPPJgYDkpO6uxfG6urJG2MPKFDmK5wPTN0hwN-NpCjublAV7eXzsltm61dNsas_i6BO_lqQOBgSjOHcUZmgAXK90AuqszkHdXsM2wTWqgpzG4PQ6xsnYQTkxlNPxP1BaOU9hVvwFVx53XmnRpsfQ/s16000/ama38.5a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Metropolis, Illinois - Story of an American City" presents copious features and images from the celebration for the inaugural "Superman Day". We get a lot of backstory about how this event came to be with photos of a guy named Charles Chandler dressed as Superman making appearances in sundry places like the TV show <i>To Tell the Truth. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85nBbDnaOjOmafG-JVVUqmMZfeKDKTLftcPKwB6OG4HOrCw7Q5clcI1SINQh8NWeBafZPL1TrloDV7GljWZLaf3pzypAxS85CADX-8FPDflsou5MP0APDaiYxhk6fhW5sqz1B14NeIPVwg1FVho4knTKJc-0tfl0PwDp2WF610UYsnMMjx85DrroGA-s/s655/3229074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="655" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85nBbDnaOjOmafG-JVVUqmMZfeKDKTLftcPKwB6OG4HOrCw7Q5clcI1SINQh8NWeBafZPL1TrloDV7GljWZLaf3pzypAxS85CADX-8FPDflsou5MP0APDaiYxhk6fhW5sqz1B14NeIPVwg1FVho4knTKJc-0tfl0PwDp2WF610UYsnMMjx85DrroGA-s/w400-h139/3229074.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Superman Legend - Rogues' Gallery" has more art by Murphy Anderson and writing by Bridwell as we meet some of the best villains such as the aforementioned Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Parasite, Toyman, and others such as the Phantom Zone villains. "The Secrets of Superman's Fortress" takes us inside the Fortress of Solitude as drawn by "Swanderson". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcvmbO93FYqmd8jXba5JSNuVKAr_8bgZezd7IRShDojnGrk0uj7BtMJgohI2GPyvcDLdJnIOv0edMp1asLyvBSTbC_W6CUQKeALonRYOp8HQJy6tQGLc96RDvowCjte0wdhLsYiG8qEceiV96VQ0jiuQG18zG6aoCKT_srq723PThw2rfFHWfYoOpoec/s774/R%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcvmbO93FYqmd8jXba5JSNuVKAr_8bgZezd7IRShDojnGrk0uj7BtMJgohI2GPyvcDLdJnIOv0edMp1asLyvBSTbC_W6CUQKeALonRYOp8HQJy6tQGLc96RDvowCjte0wdhLsYiG8qEceiV96VQ0jiuQG18zG6aoCKT_srq723PThw2rfFHWfYoOpoec/s16000/R%20(3).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Al Hirschfield)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman" is all about the Broadway show which debuted in 1966. We get some nifty photos from that singular show. "Superman Salutes Nasa" is about Superman's connection to the OAO -2 (Orbital Astronomical Observatory). "Important Dates in Superman's Life" is a one-page item which hits the highlights from Superman's publishing history in comics, novels and appearances in other media. Sadly, and frankly strangely, I found no references to either the utterly wonderful Fleischer cartoons of the 40's nor to the pretty darn good Filmation cartoons of the 60's here or any other place it the book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rsnDwlYN7Nag1MEWc7L-Tf0P5UYjHcDIzUHQpQ2s3kSSRiFPII54cgT2ADy7TpnnjP-uYirme2hvW9ISBZ1U6g5TRk5RrWg2URXWHHtmu1y2bbdGdvGwUgzS6RrtXjPcBrRYdmKteR-6l8F9l8DS6kUe8quJNbx5vwc2MVyB7KuokP5UyPPNN2rv4Go/s943/R%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="634" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rsnDwlYN7Nag1MEWc7L-Tf0P5UYjHcDIzUHQpQ2s3kSSRiFPII54cgT2ADy7TpnnjP-uYirme2hvW9ISBZ1U6g5TRk5RrWg2URXWHHtmu1y2bbdGdvGwUgzS6RrtXjPcBrRYdmKteR-6l8F9l8DS6kUe8quJNbx5vwc2MVyB7KuokP5UyPPNN2rv4Go/w430-h640/R%20(1).jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We get two pages from "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy" which was marred when it first appeared by the tragic assassination of the thirty-fifth president of the United States. The story was published at the request of both President Johnson and the Kennedy clan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKZqj1WFojDTn3LM7QXAL96YjQvOtdsqfg9voWWBgSkvIXr3oM_0FqzlQOJ67Te5ooP-CrBGReKLGWgCS7RKue8zCjKPqcCGimbvh3P5pDCmmZdT9WEsKGTRLf1Wg3J-NdQHVfmacTd5xI6GRmWGoX_HXDa4ALLzOKqu7exj-3Fvmqxvdge2Mh11oQyA/s1600/Superboy%20v1%20153%20-%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKZqj1WFojDTn3LM7QXAL96YjQvOtdsqfg9voWWBgSkvIXr3oM_0FqzlQOJ67Te5ooP-CrBGReKLGWgCS7RKue8zCjKPqcCGimbvh3P5pDCmmZdT9WEsKGTRLf1Wg3J-NdQHVfmacTd5xI6GRmWGoX_HXDa4ALLzOKqu7exj-3Fvmqxvdge2Mh11oQyA/w436-h640/Superboy%20v1%20153%20-%2022.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"The Superman Legend" returns with a look at Superboy's hideout beneath the Kent home and info on his costume written by Bridwell with art by Bob Brown, Wally Wood and Mike Exposito. (This was presented in black and white.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9db-ymqUftsO7YqAJj6rmBDaDwkaB6NF9dezUh3qc1SeNA83A-TPdr_cWPTOK6hn671DwEyt1jJ3Cavogkr-bHH-ePkWOWdYwYHNthAj-feVTX1iaabiRIU5EUmDZopRh-ff-bC2eunxESGOPNGVjgj-kV_5pTFiB5n68gWC4Ur3OoTr3AzFpYaJrMWI/s499/amazwh-amazing-world-of-superman-tabloid-ed-book_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9db-ymqUftsO7YqAJj6rmBDaDwkaB6NF9dezUh3qc1SeNA83A-TPdr_cWPTOK6hn671DwEyt1jJ3Cavogkr-bHH-ePkWOWdYwYHNthAj-feVTX1iaabiRIU5EUmDZopRh-ff-bC2eunxESGOPNGVjgj-kV_5pTFiB5n68gWC4Ur3OoTr3AzFpYaJrMWI/s16000/amazwh-amazing-world-of-superman-tabloid-ed-book_5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book closes with a photo album of sorts which features George Reeves, Kirk Allyn, and others from Superman's film and TV adventures. The final image is a full-page poster shot of Superman by Curt Swan and George Klein (in black and white).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuoKd2cPFTRg5CBapIpOudA34ejrqwIRauBQgu6Wim2XwJUCv1396AxW7ve8aOfPghCbDREFGPinaDCoybfbIEk4CCSDPnG_8M01hhB2DUzsJk3V3Cs448u4pUQynqWD2NZ85OSCxizLfXt6JGLW8FtLQavQduZoJ6BgxZRbAmokamMWxv2ZyBO3Lnv0/s659/Superman%20poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuoKd2cPFTRg5CBapIpOudA34ejrqwIRauBQgu6Wim2XwJUCv1396AxW7ve8aOfPghCbDREFGPinaDCoybfbIEk4CCSDPnG_8M01hhB2DUzsJk3V3Cs448u4pUQynqWD2NZ85OSCxizLfXt6JGLW8FtLQavQduZoJ6BgxZRbAmokamMWxv2ZyBO3Lnv0/w460-h640/Superman%20poster.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This wonderful time capsule was reprinted by DC in a hand hardcover format in 2021. At a mere twenty bucks it was a bargain then and now. Happy Birthday to the Man of Steel. Now it's time to enjoy some of that vintage George Reeves taking on those little creepy Mole Men on my TV. <div><br /></div><div>Rip Off<br /><p></p></div>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-53990040482413556072024-02-28T00:00:00.000-05:002024-02-28T00:00:00.129-05:00Superman - The 1942 Novel!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtieDUGvHdu9I68FSdGpQ7kuM1oLPo7ZN64smXbkPuDDSgt907s5AzlHIziEdpTbWb7uXufp9INdU7eNUAjwL_aKV9tox9iJBYmyqHI2qEYit9pOXbYsAf_bx2t7Y-EhlCYN1qKAvVBzjVW5_PMT80HiRaDAQnuJt1Ay5DTp5_GOdXObE07tQNfsU2D6s/s643/833611305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtieDUGvHdu9I68FSdGpQ7kuM1oLPo7ZN64smXbkPuDDSgt907s5AzlHIziEdpTbWb7uXufp9INdU7eNUAjwL_aKV9tox9iJBYmyqHI2qEYit9pOXbYsAf_bx2t7Y-EhlCYN1qKAvVBzjVW5_PMT80HiRaDAQnuJt1Ay5DTp5_GOdXObE07tQNfsU2D6s/s16000/833611305.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Superman was a success right from the start, at least it was when creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster could get someone to publish the adventures. The character created a whole new genre, one pioneered by costumed heroes like Lee Falk's The Phantom among others. But Superman was something else again, at once familiar and esoteric, an alien from the heartland of America. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGacfH12QVGAmEE6uC55Xh2C0QhS-cqDA5uXYzp6rcpnrKVdhrUUJ_ZCoDU3RB_IKbSlhSpJtje7XLdKJ8-u2p7cgxrDzpWRBL3D4HD7SEG22_QbTUQsygW4uE5rxCDefETzp3rn3W4pUK1ntABHjI2AKr4XGra2u5iYcFXDCQHiJeoZboAeutkSqhdI/s874/Superman_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGacfH12QVGAmEE6uC55Xh2C0QhS-cqDA5uXYzp6rcpnrKVdhrUUJ_ZCoDU3RB_IKbSlhSpJtje7XLdKJ8-u2p7cgxrDzpWRBL3D4HD7SEG22_QbTUQsygW4uE5rxCDefETzp3rn3W4pUK1ntABHjI2AKr4XGra2u5iYcFXDCQHiJeoZboAeutkSqhdI/w454-h640/Superman_1.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Superman soon dominated the comic book world, getting his own title and appearing in other places like World's Finest alongside Batman. But he was not done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMc8kFlSPeeo0Z26bVbxG0DI__0qGD_TpK92O-TTjeKTZiz6hCpXgF-0VeGkztYsHYKczPMQrCQCRy-9iH5yM5Kg6zn4spYoXQX3d1ufxrdAXtmCotOdKK5MGDgmdX4D7-icHtabqi5gBkOAxZqjgdI1_qtgg2KLVRjIkJeEKmODq2Qi6c2k-0b3TVy4/s1573/RCO019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMc8kFlSPeeo0Z26bVbxG0DI__0qGD_TpK92O-TTjeKTZiz6hCpXgF-0VeGkztYsHYKczPMQrCQCRy-9iH5yM5Kg6zn4spYoXQX3d1ufxrdAXtmCotOdKK5MGDgmdX4D7-icHtabqi5gBkOAxZqjgdI1_qtgg2KLVRjIkJeEKmODq2Qi6c2k-0b3TVy4/w448-h640/RCO019.JPG" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was not long until Superman's fame spread to other besides comics. Radio took an interest and began a daily fifteen-minute program with the Man of Steel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72B8w4nCuRh_ZMprQga4mFnmoSJ8O1Ylv5mz7OxDRA6t_NyDSymuSCCyQoxyyiOEIKDQmPiNq-zuPQyyxYjgj1AX166h604F0OnJC_sAmcNzufk8MhvB3UoJk1qI35an8VpfujAfcSXGCrWJyTk8sh9c-MAtnOLtv_zh5wT9qbdhKIVxeCMzw8LEKoLs/s1181/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1181" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72B8w4nCuRh_ZMprQga4mFnmoSJ8O1Ylv5mz7OxDRA6t_NyDSymuSCCyQoxyyiOEIKDQmPiNq-zuPQyyxYjgj1AX166h604F0OnJC_sAmcNzufk8MhvB3UoJk1qI35an8VpfujAfcSXGCrWJyTk8sh9c-MAtnOLtv_zh5wT9qbdhKIVxeCMzw8LEKoLs/w400-h281/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beyond the wild pages of his own comic book, he found safe haven in the more esteemed panels of the comic strip where his adventures dropped onto the stoops of Americans all over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YUIDBmBU91pkExpeFaXNu2v5aPmReWLokNoSqTiftSblO3WWm0y3qaYnHTL0cb9m3u69g7ozbSp9QtZL4PYRC75nAimY3uOrdNBrt8W_bN9n41ATynsrMWaBp2qbWDz3kfjkDWH2YswNBg1aTPrquSXHd19O9o_mkJtu0-VmRc-9zf0qS4jD5oVWLhk/s2914/lf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2914" data-original-width="1925" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YUIDBmBU91pkExpeFaXNu2v5aPmReWLokNoSqTiftSblO3WWm0y3qaYnHTL0cb9m3u69g7ozbSp9QtZL4PYRC75nAimY3uOrdNBrt8W_bN9n41ATynsrMWaBp2qbWDz3kfjkDWH2YswNBg1aTPrquSXHd19O9o_mkJtu0-VmRc-9zf0qS4jD5oVWLhk/w422-h640/lf.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And he went to the big screen when the Fleischer Studios (the folks responsible for the immensely popular Popeye features) lavished on the hero from Krypton possibly the best superhero cartoons ever made. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSP_RZ2qF9qpX4HWy5Hz6LjC-xHclwY36LthyphenhyphenLNCGG_yebR40qZ4wcOBte0s28APagH3zMYRH5j_inrLFHvYQWQjsQZ20Qt1fkRz8hd6Oz5yDjbxPH4W5tA34eL-kvsNuRK3Qkg1YoMuJmaTNihgHMw0doYCrHzkA9gjQNGH7yVUu5TZpeH006JDKvZY/s1000/2a34d8_b948fb8ab740436b914a3b25c9de7ea0~mv2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSP_RZ2qF9qpX4HWy5Hz6LjC-xHclwY36LthyphenhyphenLNCGG_yebR40qZ4wcOBte0s28APagH3zMYRH5j_inrLFHvYQWQjsQZ20Qt1fkRz8hd6Oz5yDjbxPH4W5tA34eL-kvsNuRK3Qkg1YoMuJmaTNihgHMw0doYCrHzkA9gjQNGH7yVUu5TZpeH006JDKvZY/w400-h275/2a34d8_b948fb8ab740436b914a3b25c9de7ea0~mv2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I guess it was just a matter of time before Superman got a prose novel dedicated to him. And that's just what happened when George Lowther wrote The Adventures of Superman a novel destined for the libraries of the nation. Superman now occupied space among other classic heroes of literature such as Natty Bumppo, Sydney Carton, and Sam Spade. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ESUrGCKYi-cDAT-jeFE_ijm8cmUco3tdwjNX2h_hOQ7yA1KdgvJBQeA902z03R7JGp3fANzzjF7XeGu5JiBg_BbeU8GjBtN0fyn6V8QkS7x-hURX3a_nJBGlzpQ_srhyphenhyphen3NtJebg12za6kXdTLmPMaHKuFHymR6i0R2DE6xRM7p8F_DQjnp4xScKrNp0/s960/20b8ed62fb27da2c3ed0aadfdb124057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="657" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ESUrGCKYi-cDAT-jeFE_ijm8cmUco3tdwjNX2h_hOQ7yA1KdgvJBQeA902z03R7JGp3fANzzjF7XeGu5JiBg_BbeU8GjBtN0fyn6V8QkS7x-hURX3a_nJBGlzpQ_srhyphenhyphen3NtJebg12za6kXdTLmPMaHKuFHymR6i0R2DE6xRM7p8F_DQjnp4xScKrNp0/w438-h640/20b8ed62fb27da2c3ed0aadfdb124057.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The novel is a quick-paced affair divided into two distinct parts. The first deals with Superman's origin and tells yet again how the planet Krypton explodes but not before a prescient scientist sends his son in a rocket to the planet Earth where he is found by a kindly farming couple who raise him as his own. There is special emphasis on relationship between Clark and his adopted father Eben in this retelling, and I was much reminded of how the story is told in the first Christopher Reeve movie. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcVfQ2csKgsS0phh4Pn1WWze89E9HzkIj4JFTrj_1UQuos6nse7mJyc3N2R6yKNC1m7VYpciGrXTEEnPjbWDtu-KjpU6eVQAOkPQb6Bzu53v-TulhyX1JDcmg6dVWFnWwenUXzZuZz7ECj4wa3pejOmWy2sYHbSOuq2MdNyLicvM8toXnUWoZ6P2lILk/s960/80ace671bd34349e09d9627cfd62e67d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="619" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcVfQ2csKgsS0phh4Pn1WWze89E9HzkIj4JFTrj_1UQuos6nse7mJyc3N2R6yKNC1m7VYpciGrXTEEnPjbWDtu-KjpU6eVQAOkPQb6Bzu53v-TulhyX1JDcmg6dVWFnWwenUXzZuZz7ECj4wa3pejOmWy2sYHbSOuq2MdNyLicvM8toXnUWoZ6P2lILk/w413-h640/80ace671bd34349e09d9627cfd62e67d.jpg" width="413" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then the scene shifts as Clark Kent tries to make a name for himself and earn a job on The Daily Planet. This version of the story has him head out West and investigate a strange ghost ship which is haunting the harbors of an important defense contractor. It's up to both Clark Kent and the mighty Superman to get to the bottom of these ghostly doings as well as uncover the threat to the nation's security. This story does an excellent job of building the menace and of offering the reader a number of suspects. Before it's done, Superman has been taxed and takes the fight to enemies of American and world security. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ukxm6OQuzTsX6YX68NVnps0XLJpiIhvyNVIs0ZnYtL7nQzKUwP2pEDiBPTrk7qURaITUBulQBbLO0OjKvN3oBAjied2LWoBjFCXEKZ_KHGnpKmBpU1XbGwKXt1mGC5eRIKq1q_KKoxeaDk9M7YeQWO-AlGMxn1av_8J2FrAAGH50h_2bZVUlEvEyl1Q/s1600/11760223_1148911088458353_4523187831972619_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1114" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ukxm6OQuzTsX6YX68NVnps0XLJpiIhvyNVIs0ZnYtL7nQzKUwP2pEDiBPTrk7qURaITUBulQBbLO0OjKvN3oBAjied2LWoBjFCXEKZ_KHGnpKmBpU1XbGwKXt1mGC5eRIKq1q_KKoxeaDk9M7YeQWO-AlGMxn1av_8J2FrAAGH50h_2bZVUlEvEyl1Q/w446-h640/11760223_1148911088458353_4523187831972619_n.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lois Lane is in this one but there's not much room to give her that much attention. Superman is front and center in this rather thrilling yarn that takes more than one twist along the way. The prose is decorated with wonderful sketches by Joe Shuster as well as some handsome black and white plates. There are several painted images too to add color to the finished product. To see the artwork check out <a href="https://www.printmag.com/design-books/joe-shusters-artwork-for-the-1942-novel-superman/">this link</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOIgIInRr7FMX7BU8uKHNVfTvUszP78S64lFMVDrNkY1gR_MveabpEBG46ZMbY5CaTzi0nLcZxNIPbKNcBsPynttNw9hfwf0yc7shV-_G2CYiFXbi3CMAgiLVFu2DzDaRO55SJ7QmsJn6Et4qrI6YxXGN4dmEjio80vch0CILAvEJBQEBP8G9JOMmza0/s630/R%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOIgIInRr7FMX7BU8uKHNVfTvUszP78S64lFMVDrNkY1gR_MveabpEBG46ZMbY5CaTzi0nLcZxNIPbKNcBsPynttNw9hfwf0yc7shV-_G2CYiFXbi3CMAgiLVFu2DzDaRO55SJ7QmsJn6Et4qrI6YxXGN4dmEjio80vch0CILAvEJBQEBP8G9JOMmza0/s16000/R%20(6).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I enjoyed the 1977 Kassel reprint of the 1942 novel. It is highly recommended if you can dig up a copy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-43735798594164717952024-02-27T00:00:00.115-05:002024-02-27T00:00:00.236-05:00Kryptonite Nevermore!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqBvXO3YSBzdeZbibzvNHuEd03ICU-stAf-zsF8bhXzjrAzZB3clBw9Ndph4Rp9nr041_pV1VsAbHraPZxrfsxhhOWlGy7hCw7ieg6sYEEW0ie_kyDS0hQyn8vwlSLxSOH73OL15Kg-y55e7hgTK4Iw28RSGJdFr4IPnDAkMSxE2tJ4GiLgSxUDXErjw/s601/DC%20Classics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqBvXO3YSBzdeZbibzvNHuEd03ICU-stAf-zsF8bhXzjrAzZB3clBw9Ndph4Rp9nr041_pV1VsAbHraPZxrfsxhhOWlGy7hCw7ieg6sYEEW0ie_kyDS0hQyn8vwlSLxSOH73OL15Kg-y55e7hgTK4Iw28RSGJdFr4IPnDAkMSxE2tJ4GiLgSxUDXErjw/s16000/DC%20Classics.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's little doubt that Superman is the iconic superhero. Created in the Golden Age of comics, he led the way as comic books became a staple of society both in America and abroad. DC defended their star with lawsuits that chased away imitators and crippled competitors. Superman as first conceived by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster was an alien with a very liberal attitude toward society and the need for the powers that be to tend to the needs of the population. He quickly became a boy scout and a symbol for the status quo. When comics faltered Superman was strong enough to survive, even get his own TV show, and later in the Silver Age he thrived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvh7ar5pJF2s-D8axfRWbH0_uTimv-9SfsGEbyQqXUpRlPiDSDLaI9NdDfHL-u1VHWDYqyemA9Ulkfe58MlGhkcu5fMZZYwQr0LTKLp4tZn7Rty77SuPUnh0W6HlAsVAKx5UG6mPQi8j7g8quClCRr1neBKoP9kJgdIEOGiTixKLrTERg0YG-MZFkgz8/s736/Superman%20Family.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="736" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvh7ar5pJF2s-D8axfRWbH0_uTimv-9SfsGEbyQqXUpRlPiDSDLaI9NdDfHL-u1VHWDYqyemA9Ulkfe58MlGhkcu5fMZZYwQr0LTKLp4tZn7Rty77SuPUnh0W6HlAsVAKx5UG6mPQi8j7g8quClCRr1neBKoP9kJgdIEOGiTixKLrTERg0YG-MZFkgz8/w400-h274/Superman%20Family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The editor of the Superman books was Mort Weisinger, a pioneer science fiction fan and longtime employee of DC. Under his leadership the Superman "family" had grown with Supergirl, Superboy, Krypto the Super Dog, Streaky the Super Cat, Comet the Super Horse, and, well you get the point. Far from being the sole survivor of Krypton, Superman discovered his kin in the Phantom Zone and in the bottle city of Kandor. To give their most powerful hero something to fear, "Kryptonite" was invented, first on the radio, then in copious amounts and varieties in the comics. The stories were entertaining and competently produced, but a new era of comics was coming into being and when Weisinger retired things began to really change. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ircTlTTddU-JdyQ7Rcbgg9HcHZ5mGI4YeMxlc8E2nQ3k9gOjiR4LXsY6nFKfvkDUYM6K5bw_srnbXkOUzFKxWcUwEs2hvfce-XwQWxWNKx5sewlzEr4_8ZHtsm0xnvFvSj5wkqwpMTr4pwFKh0RDbkNHAbNvpxdfeZ-al3TOph78jzTBCSxE0kYw3Iw/s598/S%20233%20Jan%2071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ircTlTTddU-JdyQ7Rcbgg9HcHZ5mGI4YeMxlc8E2nQ3k9gOjiR4LXsY6nFKfvkDUYM6K5bw_srnbXkOUzFKxWcUwEs2hvfce-XwQWxWNKx5sewlzEr4_8ZHtsm0xnvFvSj5wkqwpMTr4pwFKh0RDbkNHAbNvpxdfeZ-al3TOph78jzTBCSxE0kYw3Iw/s16000/S%20233%20Jan%2071.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Julie (<b>B</b>e <b>O</b>riginal) Schwartz took the helm from his longtime friend Weisinger. And in keeping with the way he'd updated Batman some years before, he likewise brought a somewhat less childish approach to Superman. The first step was to rid the world of Kryptonite, a move which empowered Superman all the more. But the transformation came with a cost. The radiation which turned Kryptonite to an inert harmless material also created a weird doppleganger of Superman out of sand. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8qgf6F86tLjuNnRSaUDhTg-AL9bbBBdBP2xoO3W3m8Ry23ehlq7woctNjHxfKdb8gJFudz5XoMlWI-VNmW7duyBRUtpvtxRpsjIBPdY09CUEJDGzJ2JrIwnV1ebDOFf2-C5UnDZWAkrBO4KFxXS66Q5o2eQTh8n36ZQVCu3ioQUGSoi9P6f0FZsThsA/s603/S%20234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8qgf6F86tLjuNnRSaUDhTg-AL9bbBBdBP2xoO3W3m8Ry23ehlq7woctNjHxfKdb8gJFudz5XoMlWI-VNmW7duyBRUtpvtxRpsjIBPdY09CUEJDGzJ2JrIwnV1ebDOFf2-C5UnDZWAkrBO4KFxXS66Q5o2eQTh8n36ZQVCu3ioQUGSoi9P6f0FZsThsA/s16000/S%20234.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Superman adjusts he discovers he loses his powers from time to time and there seems to be a connection to his duplicate which seems always to be near. Superman's life is made even more complicated when Morgan Edge, the new owner of The Daily Planet and GBS News transfers Clark Kent from the paper to become a TV reporter. (Edge was the creation of Jack Kirby from the pages of Jimmy Olsen and as it turns out he was an agent of Darkseid.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWKUc6xFSyyGNISbq5BVqrYcNX2Ffbw6MRd42k9RFXOHdY8h75Kom0dSTcInixOQlH7kCd4VSUbM1ws0n3wjTR6KSZ45nyGLZIsS6d4ES9xTCAhRf-va6JhGS7fjm4PBNCpUOHaX_0wvaqUvH9l_Ydf3eoydbvXz0kLi_s3bCKEyzzcTB_KidSqp2YJs/s601/S%20235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWKUc6xFSyyGNISbq5BVqrYcNX2Ffbw6MRd42k9RFXOHdY8h75Kom0dSTcInixOQlH7kCd4VSUbM1ws0n3wjTR6KSZ45nyGLZIsS6d4ES9xTCAhRf-va6JhGS7fjm4PBNCpUOHaX_0wvaqUvH9l_Ydf3eoydbvXz0kLi_s3bCKEyzzcTB_KidSqp2YJs/s16000/S%20235.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Superman's powers are further depleted by "The Devil's Harp", a device used by a down and out musician who transforms himself into a version of the god Pan. Denny O'Neil had been tagged by Schwartz to script the comic, bringing some of that famous relevant glamour he'd successfully elicited on Green Lantern. His partner on that book was knocking out some outstanding covers for the Superman series during this period, not the least of which was the amazing image of Superman bursting the Kryptonite chains.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0oYbxeqcAfRHb3ilcWntNhMSiRQcWS3DazWP_SmCDr15X-rbyg-BSY_gtQf1JaWpyb8-aQxjXAugAwDjVmGMj44yO4y5GyythAXBgOfT4iTwHU4uWyt3_Wu_VqoJdTVeCmvD1i4hytdjAP4yQvfHLt6j1LDlDKH9sEaW-fG9mIqCo5HbDJsvudoXuEc/s605/S%20236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0oYbxeqcAfRHb3ilcWntNhMSiRQcWS3DazWP_SmCDr15X-rbyg-BSY_gtQf1JaWpyb8-aQxjXAugAwDjVmGMj44yO4y5GyythAXBgOfT4iTwHU4uWyt3_Wu_VqoJdTVeCmvD1i4hytdjAP4yQvfHLt6j1LDlDKH9sEaW-fG9mIqCo5HbDJsvudoXuEc/s16000/S%20236.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had read Superman comics before and while this issue was not the first I consider the beginning of my true interest in DC Comics as I bought several DC comics in the month this appeared. The cover is a knockout, a compelling image that demands to be read. The story switches up aliens for real demons and so falls a bit flat given my expectations. Still, it's another handsome story by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45gza1Sh4O6GyDh5bqAca91-Yqm3yBvRYhZSNOzO6_Yf-pop1RemQRSzNGKdqSQIdcyk136t235CBVl95c4QNRlA1uCapZ6-FACqUHekaSU5NCQSRnagDB-XhrADf22rtcDhWc15m4vvP54iyv8rQBL-xqCDgIqvf9PlTRr15kH0wMedCK-UpE8SOoB4/s596/S%20237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45gza1Sh4O6GyDh5bqAca91-Yqm3yBvRYhZSNOzO6_Yf-pop1RemQRSzNGKdqSQIdcyk136t235CBVl95c4QNRlA1uCapZ6-FACqUHekaSU5NCQSRnagDB-XhrADf22rtcDhWc15m4vvP54iyv8rQBL-xqCDgIqvf9PlTRr15kH0wMedCK-UpE8SOoB4/s16000/S%20237.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Superman is still struggling with is diminished powers when all of sudden he thinks he might be infecting humans with a strange aliment from the stars. He tries to do his duty and save Lois from roving bandits and deadly ants (not kidding), but from a safe distance and that proves largely impossible. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRMoaNNQWKeci0vinB_q6pMnLunA-kKWSE-qN6d90J4h6nzd1LzmglUkuNEwTE8IN1cxxnzYoDfTbZazNxJ5Bl3wxMCKDUR2VE8lFR6Jjqo5bo3uokZJyMsmOHFncfVWYAbli8lHsiiQ3S4JohIVKTcd32WoCdH_FVrfI3vZmmeQRJjE3S0OOY5MsYjs/s596/S%20238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRMoaNNQWKeci0vinB_q6pMnLunA-kKWSE-qN6d90J4h6nzd1LzmglUkuNEwTE8IN1cxxnzYoDfTbZazNxJ5Bl3wxMCKDUR2VE8lFR6Jjqo5bo3uokZJyMsmOHFncfVWYAbli8lHsiiQ3S4JohIVKTcd32WoCdH_FVrfI3vZmmeQRJjE3S0OOY5MsYjs/s16000/S%20238.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The conflict between Superman and his sand doppleganger comes to a head when Superman seeks the assistance of his strange counterpart and is rebuffed. Once again, he's battling terrorists and Lois gets herself involved and even creates dangers which the weakened Superman has to contend with. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3MBxCXdM4GmF6wpafv2bIOpWkUtx_l00MQDiqjphHZ__oRG2DTZwjHzLeiSyxk-ZRfK_o-lEL0mUeUHA9g1xgObOpuQAM7aTJZmsf0vvJgqfCC6V87BAjdgvRcse1lKlyP4jhDx0L9Ofkg6ZFjHftOySorN847MSWcgBfc7zWrtiJKI_ipR-Ugh4RSQ/s606/S%20240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3MBxCXdM4GmF6wpafv2bIOpWkUtx_l00MQDiqjphHZ__oRG2DTZwjHzLeiSyxk-ZRfK_o-lEL0mUeUHA9g1xgObOpuQAM7aTJZmsf0vvJgqfCC6V87BAjdgvRcse1lKlyP4jhDx0L9Ofkg6ZFjHftOySorN847MSWcgBfc7zWrtiJKI_ipR-Ugh4RSQ/s16000/S%20240.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The beginning of the end of the storyline starts when Superman fails to stop a building from collapsing, though there was no loss of life. He's labeled a loser by some, but mostly feels that way himself. This story features inks by Dick Giordano and guest stars I Ching the mentor for Diana Prince who had given up her own powers over in the pages of Wonder Woman. Ching is able to fathom the problem, and enhances the "man" part of Superman. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xKW0l5huAFRtwmIjP4MxWr-M6hDx-LljrNUF-72gdjedAPMKccsjz8Mfts5NR4gnOK0LyLHjJivKzFuT-kJbK33JG4m-3XK5gaEkmukAca0dIxGzDnL-2VHswQfty55MFdGggcGjzbb4zbsHK4l3tj8X-U-tuLU1CXwFyCbqpSgIRklTNuwXKl5NAJ8/s606/S%20241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xKW0l5huAFRtwmIjP4MxWr-M6hDx-LljrNUF-72gdjedAPMKccsjz8Mfts5NR4gnOK0LyLHjJivKzFuT-kJbK33JG4m-3XK5gaEkmukAca0dIxGzDnL-2VHswQfty55MFdGggcGjzbb4zbsHK4l3tj8X-U-tuLU1CXwFyCbqpSgIRklTNuwXKl5NAJ8/s16000/S%20241.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Things get worse when the identity of the sand "Superman" is revealed to be an alien from the dimension of Quarm. The creature is only trying to stay alive in our dimension but at a great cost to Superman. A complication arises when another Quarmian arrives in our dimension and inhabits the shape of a Chinese demon. Diana Prince guest stars in this tale. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_tTPHYVwrRQi4FPH4lY7cuq1FvDLqerjpurfmsy9OYB0zppauZ2ZIAIt-pCmR0UxyLvyTYcNyVOZYJsiifLlTsBeg_KEDHDGrWVRGCFAzi8IWlOmA1G960pN3rMrj_099cY4hEo14EcwdncaDdFERJgn4GN8PPtcQk53FZ62lO2uL4u4dA0o_NHuOOk/s590/S%20242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_tTPHYVwrRQi4FPH4lY7cuq1FvDLqerjpurfmsy9OYB0zppauZ2ZIAIt-pCmR0UxyLvyTYcNyVOZYJsiifLlTsBeg_KEDHDGrWVRGCFAzi8IWlOmA1G960pN3rMrj_099cY4hEo14EcwdncaDdFERJgn4GN8PPtcQk53FZ62lO2uL4u4dA0o_NHuOOk/s16000/S%20242.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a three-way battle as Superman must get the help of his sinister double to help defeat the vicious Quarmian. They succeed and then a battle begins between the two "Supermen" which seems to bring bout the very of life on Earth. Suffice it say we get better, and the solution (with the help of I Ching) involves Superman, at least as written by Denny O'Neil making do with fewer powers, which was the point of the storyline to begin with. In an afterward O'Neil says that the changes didn't last long as he left after a year and soon enough Superman was pushing around planets all over again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69JfBsaucPTRwPtBqYeZWBjLae5DTzUklsotLxNZOhiM_JAa1wMTTRKLI_S23Aj4WEry_uQj1FHGkbJUU06cH9O-ntCPQQzDkflMfZPhNM6HoX445AvTwnu4fjQtdi00uWeaCy4wD-H0FWyxGCrdyaBE-b9yzxwKZvV9VnHHkIkM0KbPVKt0UN-UHKvw/s1600/CurtSwan_Superman_1971_01_100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1081" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69JfBsaucPTRwPtBqYeZWBjLae5DTzUklsotLxNZOhiM_JAa1wMTTRKLI_S23Aj4WEry_uQj1FHGkbJUU06cH9O-ntCPQQzDkflMfZPhNM6HoX445AvTwnu4fjQtdi00uWeaCy4wD-H0FWyxGCrdyaBE-b9yzxwKZvV9VnHHkIkM0KbPVKt0UN-UHKvw/w432-h640/CurtSwan_Superman_1971_01_100.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Superman is larger than any one story told about him. He's well into his eighties and many is the yarn spun about the man from Krypton. But this tale from 1971 resonates with this particular fan because I was there when some of it originally went down. And it seems to be an above average attempt to make Superman less "Super" and more "Man" and that ain't wrong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220285230636101823.post-9349268395272531992024-02-26T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-26T00:00:00.437-05:00Superman And The Quest For Flight!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB1gancqVTEz7LOuVWYbedeAocmLIUM_XUmDkBltg9L12ylhMpcq0ITRTg4PoLWdDP6XhC-Flb_OHDYzDTaAK3VmnEgrVlGNRl7QhRWky1g031l_wPcqwwhUVYDCe3-06SCEkkRVAUqYb6yrWH1EXm5j-jJWCO7JafAsD04LsokKROnezr7AEUZ4cHrU/s616/OIP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB1gancqVTEz7LOuVWYbedeAocmLIUM_XUmDkBltg9L12ylhMpcq0ITRTg4PoLWdDP6XhC-Flb_OHDYzDTaAK3VmnEgrVlGNRl7QhRWky1g031l_wPcqwwhUVYDCe3-06SCEkkRVAUqYb6yrWH1EXm5j-jJWCO7JafAsD04LsokKROnezr7AEUZ4cHrU/s16000/OIP.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christopher Reeve is the Superman for my generation. I'm a bit too young for George Reeves, so the big production movie from 1978 defines the cinematic hero in my estimation. It didn't hurt that Reeve was a man of substance and a man who far from disgracing the role, elevated our understanding of it when he was struck down by tragedy and died all too soon. But that's Reeve, what of the movies? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUuFCBDFQvCYzk1wQutiYE3Yq-LZqgK_lqUx8H6GV2FI0p7Y7NZpzHeUDYJYZI0_D6v7mDV7-jRRhD568C9oloWvF71h-PYh1ukIkIoXiIcwIx5ZidRein6c-BWjTfw6J7OFToOJsZAtJYwOvBaXbMXmLylnYTJffvGM13Mv65V6O8y9STfdGj9XpBBs/s1111/Superman%20Movie%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUuFCBDFQvCYzk1wQutiYE3Yq-LZqgK_lqUx8H6GV2FI0p7Y7NZpzHeUDYJYZI0_D6v7mDV7-jRRhD568C9oloWvF71h-PYh1ukIkIoXiIcwIx5ZidRein6c-BWjTfw6J7OFToOJsZAtJYwOvBaXbMXmLylnYTJffvGM13Mv65V6O8y9STfdGj9XpBBs/w410-h640/Superman%20Movie%201.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Superman</i> was a big deal when it dropped in 1978, long anticipated it was a big-screen full-color adventure which seemed to have the scope and more importantly the budget to maybe make Superman come alive for fans and others across the globe. Well, they almost did it. I have to put myself back into that time, a time devoid of the modern digital wonders which deny us no visual we desire, and a time when to making a man super required a great deal of physical effects in addition to manipulation of actual film stock. The flying they got right. It's not as dynamic as it is now of course, but it might well be more elegant. When Reeve gentle lifts off it's totally convincing, or it was. Clark Kent is a boob, but then he was that in the comics more or less, and his relationship with Lois Lane is the emotional centerpiece of the first film. I've never been a great fan of Margot Kidder's Lois, but in retrospect it's a frothy presentation and I love the running gag that she can't spell. I still squirm when we enter her thoughts while they share their dancing flight. It's always felt overwrought to me. The villains are fun and hold up quite well, but the ending of the movie has always seemed ragged. But as we have known for some time there's a reason for that. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLSpFJbm00K7uYG52s-8_MBRa-wJw2CkQrdkJOx2oQM6Ww8OcWQbkC3VUni0sjVZLcRZZ9kn2XLIjqCUEZplUnZI7rJFKrhugJAqJupzGLMu13GwxP6UN4AYOYBzt2KarV1rcaFz25_JXrLX9BkAR2XqU5jH7fhoqdOMHjrnRpLRNV6dBOOSH-z51Hcw/s1500/Superman%20Movie%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLSpFJbm00K7uYG52s-8_MBRa-wJw2CkQrdkJOx2oQM6Ww8OcWQbkC3VUni0sjVZLcRZZ9kn2XLIjqCUEZplUnZI7rJFKrhugJAqJupzGLMu13GwxP6UN4AYOYBzt2KarV1rcaFz25_JXrLX9BkAR2XqU5jH7fhoqdOMHjrnRpLRNV6dBOOSH-z51Hcw/w418-h640/Superman%20Movie%203.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Superman II</i> from 1980 was a movie doomed before we got to see it. Filmed simultaneously with the first film, it gives us the payoff hinted at in the prologue with Marlon Brando and the Kryptonian villains. And that's where this movie works best, the trio of Kryptonian thugs are delightfully evil, each in his or her own way. Terrence Stamp is fantastic and steals the movie as far as I'm concerned. But the other two are close behind. The Superman-Lois story gets a lot of attention but loses its potency by the middle of the movie. There are a lot of scenes in this movie that have not aged well, the 70's will do that to a movie. The movie is damaged beyond repair by the dreadful decision to change directors and to keep Brando out of it. I know a movie needs to make money, but Hollywood also has to realize that their art is not well served by such short-sightedness. This time I watched the Donner Cut of the movie which does its best to bring to the screen Richard Donner's original version of the movie. And it's clear his version is better. Richard Lester's scenes, especially those where the villains are challenging the military in the backwoods town hurt the movie overall and undermine the sense of scale which this opus was attempting. But that doesn't mean Lester's a bad director, but not the man for this kind of story. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLnd467J_exP9NEGf2yHpx1UMhQaQT0MTScKhl0LlcK2t6gRKGT_4gnIfvlzrqOHs0i-hJaV0u08hi6avrhDSRYCE0zsA4UvLozTlB6q9U_vmwjghbct_UEYMl-7sqZ6Bo5C6DGLFjd6ien5ALbku59G8XCoua80SeT7csQ45uXp-DvsE_qJRwuHAZMc/s1500/Superman%20Movie%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="990" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLnd467J_exP9NEGf2yHpx1UMhQaQT0MTScKhl0LlcK2t6gRKGT_4gnIfvlzrqOHs0i-hJaV0u08hi6avrhDSRYCE0zsA4UvLozTlB6q9U_vmwjghbct_UEYMl-7sqZ6Bo5C6DGLFjd6ien5ALbku59G8XCoua80SeT7csQ45uXp-DvsE_qJRwuHAZMc/w422-h640/Superman%20Movie%204.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's proven by his direction of 1984's <i>Superman III</i> which is basically a comedy with some adventure elements added. Despite the overuse of Richard Pryor this movie still holds up thanks to some really entertaining performances all around. The light tone results in some really good gags and the tone suits the modest production. The focus on computers makes the movie funny in ways not even intended at the time since our understanding of that technology has zoomed into a new era. Clark's return to Smallville was fun though Lana Lang was a tad annoying, and I wish the combine harvester had hit her kid, he was so irritating. I love Loralei, the so-called dumb blonde who reveals some hefty brainpower she keeps hidden for the dubious benefit of her boyfriend. The credits for this movie are outstanding and an entertaining set piece in their own right. The credits for the first two movies were so slow and boring that I remember actively dreading them and was joyfully surprised. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrICo2dlRb0rU43Oos3ahXgvuVhFvVBS-IfzC9CkiSw-iWJYQAGPvnmX6GPtAsUdXS86Uw_FpIcnJfxSx90l8pR1uqZzDBCyas3f07XZu_rRQkqLIk1v9Kg3n8aJS_r9oCrSa5rIY8S6Zx5HlY0Tpk4obJmnYZOoJeURBE7Aia5tQNGe92lMDk5E0GHA/s1500/Superman%20Movie%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="998" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrICo2dlRb0rU43Oos3ahXgvuVhFvVBS-IfzC9CkiSw-iWJYQAGPvnmX6GPtAsUdXS86Uw_FpIcnJfxSx90l8pR1uqZzDBCyas3f07XZu_rRQkqLIk1v9Kg3n8aJS_r9oCrSa5rIY8S6Zx5HlY0Tpk4obJmnYZOoJeURBE7Aia5tQNGe92lMDk5E0GHA/w426-h640/Superman%20Movie%205.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Superman IV The Quest for Peace</i> from 1987 is the one most folks single out for persecution. But despite his "B Film" quality it has a reasonably solid plot and a proper super villain. I've always argued that this movie was the most like a Superman comic. I can see Nuclear Man showing up in DC's Metropolis quite easily. The special effects of this one are limited but not so much that it impairs the movie in any way that I can tell. Turning the tables and giving Clark a love interest aside from Lois was fun but how they handle it is dubious at best. This is the only movie of the period which uses the logo and for that I will forgive many sins. Most superhero movies often tried to escape their roots, but this movie embraces them. None of the Superman movies make all that much sense if you push the details, but they do a great job with the modern myth which the man from Krypton has become. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9JKLrqsGJSbFGYnQc2tT-rCRB4LuJWm-ytgpNo-5ncYI1orMVnjNPNHSDQnwC2VYNP30sniyjrRjutfLbxpqMGRwIbpafdc1GEq0xVDsJ7Y8-YLxPE9SRsm3SFTaTQ8AOIUtsqKZy-yTAS76SiQG7C4gfVGN0dmQU5Xg3CDMPE2ntdC1MkXWANGxg-Q/s1395/Chris%20Reeve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9JKLrqsGJSbFGYnQc2tT-rCRB4LuJWm-ytgpNo-5ncYI1orMVnjNPNHSDQnwC2VYNP30sniyjrRjutfLbxpqMGRwIbpafdc1GEq0xVDsJ7Y8-YLxPE9SRsm3SFTaTQ8AOIUtsqKZy-yTAS76SiQG7C4gfVGN0dmQU5Xg3CDMPE2ntdC1MkXWANGxg-Q/w424-h640/Chris%20Reeve.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, some good entertainment. Christopher was a smiling shining example of what a hero can be even in the worst of times and the late 70's and 80's were rough indeed. But at least they got the flying right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip Off</div><p></p>Rip Jaggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.com6