ANOTHER REVIEW OF DOCTOR WHO...

Same as last week - I could hardly stay awake through it.  Exterminate!  'Nuff said.

COMIC CONTRIBUTORS WHOSE WORK YOU'D HAVE LIKED TO SEE ON THE COMICS OF YOUR YOUTH...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Here's a quick question for you, Crivvies.  Which comicbook would you've liked to see 'touched' by a particular artist (penciller or inker), who didn't work on that comicbook?  For instance, much as I like Vince Colletta's inking of Jack Kirby's pencils on Thor, I'd have loved to see what John Severin's inking would've done to the strip.  I'd also have loved to see Wally Wood's inks on Kirby's FF.  I'm not just talking about the odd assignment here and there, I mean as regular contributors to those particular mags.  Same goes for pencillers - which comics would you've liked to see drawn by which artists?  Tell all in the comments section.

BATMAN LIMITED COLLECTORS' EDITION...

Copyright DC COMICS

Actually, it's the recent Facsimile Edition and is very nice indeed.  I don't recall whether I ever had the original or not, though I'm familiar with the contents and have them in other reprint collections.  The only thing that lets it down slightly is that the house ads at the back of the book are obviously scanned from an original edition and are therefore slightly faded and murky in places.  I'd have thought DC could've dropped in some new colour to sharpen them up a bit, but maybe they didn't think it was worth it.  However, the actual story pages are as sharp and clear as a bell (mixed-metaphorically speaking).

Anyway, peeps, did you have this giant book (as in comicbook) back in the '70s, and if so, just what did you think of it?  Tell all your fellow Crivvies now and start the comments ball rolling!

The GHOST Who 'TALKS'... (Updated)

Actual drawing size 57mm high

I've just spent the last 20 minutes or so 'conversing' with an old friend.  He died 11 years ago (which I only found out about in September of last year), but between the end of 1977 and 1980, we kept in touch by letter after he joined the Navy.  So did I employ a happy medium?  (Guffaw!)  No, I recently rediscovered his letters in a box and had a read through them, and it was good to 'reconnect' with the friend I'd liked and found amusing, before he became almost another person (at least in regard to me) and I eventually cut all ties with him.  (Regular readers will perhaps remember the events from previous posts.)

As I read his letters and cards, his 'voice' ran through them, and it was as if time had rolled back and his missives were recent communications, not nearly 50 years old.  To read references that only I would know was a poignant reminder of our youth, and I found myself dwelling on events and circumstances that I hadn't thought of in a long time.

For example, he mentions 'cows passing over' (raining) when he was on a training exercise, and my mind returned to the time a passing car drove through a muddy puddle and thoroughly drenched us with its contents.  I remarked that we looked as though a herd of cows had passed over us and 'dropped their load' (though the latter part wasn't the precise phrase used).  Over the years, whenever we recalled the event (which happened when we were primary school kids), we always referred to it as 'The Day The Cows Passed Over'.

He also humorously calls himself 'a bear of very little brain', adding 'Tiddely Pom', which was a direct reference to the time I'd bought a Winnie The Pooh book and brought a poem containing the phrase to his attention.  When we were out that night, we kept repeating the full poem (short as it was) and couldn't help laughing at the sheer silliness of it.  (Ah, the exuberance of youth.)  This had happened only around a couple or so years before he joined the Navy, and with that curious paradox of time, seemed fairly recent and also ages ago at the same moment.

He also scribbles the phrase 'Biffo The Bear Is An Easter Egg With Legs' in the top margin of a letter, which recalls the time we were on our way home after visiting a friend* and saw a father write the phrase (backwards from our point of view) in the condensation on his kid's bedroom window.  I assumed he remembered the circumstances, but was surprised when he asked me on one of his visits back to Scotland just where it came from.  I explained its origin, but he had no memory of the event.  "Then why did you write it in your letter?" I asked.  "Because you did in yours, and I found it funny" was his reply.

Another random thing he wrote on one letter, unconnected to its contents, was 'Rubber Buttons'.  This referred back to a conversation we'd had as young teens, about the so-called 'short trousers' we wore as kids.  Back then, short trousers ended just above (or touching) the knees and were higher-waisted.  Their flies had far too many buttons (seemingly made of a dense rubber) which were difficult and time-consuming to undo, resulting in having to hoist up a trouser leg to have a wee, as it took too long to open the fly.  When you were desperate, trying to undo the buttons was like moving in slow-motion, so long did it take (or appear to).

What's more, short trousers were thicker back then (as well as longer), and when you rolled up a leg, it resulted in something resembling a concertina that was spring-loaded, threatening to unfold over the 'little chap' and getting soaked in pee in the process (both trousers and said 'little chap').  Oh, the hardships, trials and tribulations we had to suffer in the '60s.    

There was so much more; references to people we knew, jobs I'd had, places we'd frequented, etc.  I'm glad I never threw his letters out as they allowed me a brief return into the past, and my demised youth that yet calls to me on occasion, but tauntingly teases me by remaining just beyond my firm and tangible grasp.  The rough pencil sketch at the top of this post is a quick drawing I did of him one night (I think) in the flat of a mutual friend (*same one as alluded to above), which said friend had in his possession for a good while until I reclaimed it from him.  It's been back in my ownership for decades now, from before I eventually realised my childhood pal had 'grown up' into a person I no longer liked or found amusing and let him follow his own path.

It was good to revisit him from a time before this though, even if it was all-too-brief.  As is life, sadly.  It's a shame I never made copies of my own letters before I sent them, just so I could read his correspondence in context, but it simply never occurred to me to do so way back then.

Any similar stories, Crivvies?  If so, let's hear them.

MORE FACSIMILES FROM MARVEL AND DC... (Updated)

Images copyright relevant and respective owners

I don't know about you, but when I buy a facsimile edition of a comicbook, I don't expect (nor do I want) footnotes from publishers prominently posturing in a politically 'correct' way and thereby compromising a mag's historical 'integrity'.  Look at that caption under the splash atop the indicia in the above example - no, Marvel, no!  The 2019 facsimile didn't have it, so why does the 2024 version need it?  Newsflash!  It doesn't, and I just wish Marvel (and anyone else) would cease trying to convert us to whatever the current woke fashion in thinking happens to be.

Hitherto, Marvel have trumped DC in (at least) one important way with their facsimiles, and that's with the reproduction quality of the ads.  In most cases, DC scan their ads from published comics of the past, and they look faded and just a bit rough, whereas Marvel (and don't ask me how they do it) usually manage to reproduce their ads in such a way as to make them look brand-spanking new and as sharp as they first appeared.  In the recent facsimile of The Flash #105, the ads have curved corners in some instances, indicating that they were either scanned from a comic with spine roll, or a bound volume, but DC need to do better in this department.

Having said that, look below at the same ad from a recent DC facsimile compared to a Marvel one; surprisingly, the DC example is of a much higher quality than Marvel's, so at least DC is improving and may yet overtake their rival's replica editions when it comes to the reproduction quality of the adverts.  Anyway, thought you might like to see the covers of some more recent facsimiles from the top two comics publishers so feast your eyes, effendis!  And if you have any thoughts and observations you'd like to share with your fellow Crivs, feel entirely free to do so in the comments section.

Marvel facsimile ad                                                         DC facsimile ad

This is the new 2024 printing - it was also published in 2021 

This is the 2023 printing - it was also published in 2019 (when it was only $4.99)

Update: I've added the cover of All-American Comics #16 to the above ones, and below is the inside front cover.  (It was once the custom to include the indicia on this page - I think it changed in the '50s sometime in DC's case, the '60s in Marvel's, but don't know the exact dates.)  Anyway, as you see, DC have their own version of Marvel's footnote and it's exactly where it should be - not destroying the comic's integrity in a screamingly obvious way - nor doing it with a mini-lecture.

Click to enlarge, then click again for optimum size

REVIEW OF DOCTOR WHO...

Let's not waste words - the two episodes were dreary drivel, turgid tosh, and pointless pish.  I could barely stay awake through either of them.  They'll have to try a helluva lot harder than this if they want to win my vote.  Thoughts, anyone?  (And the figures in my Corgi Toys Yellow Submarine bear more of a likeness to The Beatles than the actors chosen for the roles did.)

THREE DC FACSIMILE EDITIONS...

Copyright DC COMICS

Three DC Facsimile Editions to drool over, Crivvies.  Two new from 2023 and '24, and one old from 1992.  Detective Comics #140 (1948), The Flash #105 (1959), and Action Comics #1 (1938).  Only the Superman segment from AC is included and for some reason the inside covers are blank, but it's a nice little addition to my collection, as are the other two mags shown here.  I got mine from eBay - where you get yours (if you don't already have them) is up to you.

GREG'S THE KING OF THE CASTLE (COMICS)...

A new comics shop opened in East Kilbride in Scotland back in March, with loads of great stuff that's sure to appeal to a wide range of customers.  Alongside toys, collectables, card games, graphic novels, t-shirts, Funko Pops, etc., it also has a wide selection of comics back issues.

Greg Findlay (on the right, below) is the king owner and Mark McAllister (on the left) is one of his serfs knights.  As is Garry McColl on the far right of the third photo.  (Didn't his family own a chain of newsagents?)  Don't ask me what Greg is doing to Garry, 'cos I've led a sheltered life and don't really know about such things.  Nice to see they're all pals though.

So if your a comics fan, or are into any of the other great things that Castle Comics has to offer, get yourself down to their store in EK shopping centre and buy something nice for yourself - or anyone else you know who'd appreciate it. 

STAR TREK - The OLD And The NEW SFX...

Original visual effect.  Copyright relevant owner

More years ago than I can now recall, I purchased all three seasons of the original Star Trek, each of which came in their own plastic box that wouldn't have looked out of place in the show itself (which I think was the idea).  Recently, I bought them again, though this time the three came in one box and featured enhanced visual effects.  They're bloody good from what I can see from a quick fast-forward through the first broadcast episode (which I believe was the sixth to be made), called The Man Trap.  Thought you'd all like to see a few before and after screen grabs, so here they are!  Whaddya think, Crivvies? 

Enhanced visual effect

Original visual effect

Enhanced visual effect

Original visual effect

Enhanced visual effect

RECOMMENDED READING: HOWARD THE DUCK - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOLUME THREE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Back in 2015 and 2016 I recommended the first two volumes of The Complete Howard The Duck, containing every issue of Howard's monthly colour comic mag, plus the first issue of his b&w magazine.  At the time, I didn't bother getting the third volume in the set, but that situation has been rectified and the titanic tome is now added to my collection.  I acquired it in brand-new condition via eBay, so if you're a Howard who doesn't yet own this mighty Marvel masterpiece, I heartily recommend it - along with the first two volumes if you don't have them either.  (A belated recommendation of this third volume to be sure, but better late than never!)

DIANA PRINCE WONDER WOMAN TPB Cover Gallery...

Copyright DC COMICS

If I bought the above book in its year of publication (2008), I've now owned it for 16 years.  However, it's possible I may've got it within the first year or so after it hit bookstores, but whatever the case, I've now had it for a fair amount of time.  I always intended to get around to buying the subsequent three volumes, but only managed to do so fairly recently.  I never bought Wonder Woman at the time the comics reprinted in these volumes first appeared (1969-'72/'73), though I picked some up a number of years later, including the first two or three in Diana Prince's new direction as a 'Cathy Gale/Emma Peel' type adventuress with no Amazonian superpowers whatsoever.

I was always intrigued by this new direction in her career from her few appearances in other mags (Superman, The Brave And The Bold, Lois Lane, World's Finest, etc.) so I'm glad to now be able to read the complete series of all 27 issues from 178 to 204, though 191 was mainly a reprint issue with 5 pages of new material 'bookending' the reprint.  (Issues 197 & 198 were also reprint issues - maybe the artist got behind schedule.)  The first three books present all the covers as full page images, though the fourth one presents most of them as two (reduced) covers per page, with the exception of The Brave & The Bold #105, where Diana guest-stars with Batman.

At a quick count, Denny O'Neil wrote 7 issues of the series, Mike Sekowsky wrote (and drew) 17, with Robert Kanigher and Bob Haney handling whatever Denny and Mike didn't write.  I'm not counting the few other heroes' mags that appear in the collection so as not to spoil the surprise should you ever decide to buy them.  Mike Sekowsky's scripting could do with a bit of polish (or editing) in some places, as the following example from 'The House That Wasn't' shows.  "Stepping into the main room is like stepping back a hundred years in the past as they enter the large main room and see the giant fire place warming the lovely old-fashioned room."

The word 'room' appearing three times in one sentence is too repetitive and would read better with something like... "Entering the large, old-fashioned main room with its giant fireplace radiating a comforting warmth is like stepping a hundred years into the past."  Another aspect of these stories that could stand improvement is the placement of several speech balloons, which seem completely arbitrary.  Some cover faces and parts of figures when there is absolutely no need for it, there being sufficient room elsewhere without obscuring certain parts of the art.

Anyway, I'll spare you further opinions from 'How To Do Comics The Robson Way' and cut straight to the covers of the four volumes.  After all, that's really what you're here for.

Another groovy item (below) I picked up only recently is one from 2011 - Retroactive (1970s) Wonder Woman, written by Denny O'Neil.  Just thought I'd include it as it relates to the tales above and because I liked the cover.  (I wonder why, as I'm as pure as the driven snow, so I am.)

And below is an example of poor placement of speech balloons.  Both of them could've been positioned without obscuring so much of Diana's forehead and face, especially the second one.  That's lazy lettering.  You'd never have caught me doing this sort of thing during my 15-year career in the world of comics (he said, virtuously - if also a little smugly).

The BRUCE HULK & JIM THOR Show...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Another couple of Marvel classic collectables added to the fold, Crivvies.  I've already got Journey Into Mystery #83, but it's the one with the UK price on it and without the month in the number box.  Now I'm spoilt for choice.  I wish Marvel would hurry up and do a JIM Facsimile Edition, as it would be nice to see this issue in a pristine presentation.  (Even though I already have brand-spanking new reprints of Thor's origin story in various publications.)

Talking of being spoilt for choice, what should I do with myself now?  Gaze lovingly at my Scalextric FAB 1, or luxuriate in the glories of some of the other goodies I've acquired recently?  Just how do I decide?  (Eeny, meeny, miny, moe...)