Best Comic Book Artists Sites on the Web

Will Eisner.com
Information about the master cartoonist and creator of the Spirit. Also see Wildwood Cemetery: The Spirit Database.

Ditko Looked Up
Biographical information, collectors info, gallery, index of work on the artist/philosopher/eccentric who co-crated Spider-Man and Dr. Strange.

The Jack Kirby Collector
Web site for excellent publication dedicated to the comics artist/pioneer who drew the adventures of the Fantastic Four, Captain America, Hulk, Avengers, etc. includes extensive art galleries, news and previews of the Collector magazine.

The Monsters of Jack Kirby
An alphabetical listing with pictures of the many monsters Kirby drew for Marvel Comics.

Joe Simon
Kirby's partner and co-creator of Captain America. The site includes biographical info and information about Simon's books, including his acclaimed history, "The Comic Book Makers."

Neal Adams
Official site for one of the all-time greatest Batman artists. Take a peek at past art and present projects.

James Steranko
Guide to the groundbreaking Marvel Comics artist and comics historian. Includes art, interviews and bibliographies.

Love ForEverett
Dedicated to Golden Age greats Bill Everett, Alex Schomburg and Syd Shores with scans, history and checklists.

The Gene Colan Art Gallery
Dedicated to the great Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Dracula, Batman, etc., etc., artist, with scans, bio, mailing list and more.

The Basil Wolverton Web Site
Dedicated to the pioneering sci-fi and humor artist whose work appeared in Mad and elsewhere. Small gallery and info on books reprinting Wolverton's work.

The Frank Frazetta Gallery
Focusing on the famed comics and fantasy illustrator, with biographical information, online gallery and store.

Barry Windsor-Smith
The official site of the artist whose elegant pencilwork illustrated the old Marvel Conan, Avengers and X-Men, along with a variety of independent projects.

The Official Nick Cardy Web Site
Lots of info on and art by this Silver Age vet who did excellent work on DC's Aquaman, Teen Titans and other characters.

The Art and Life of Mort Menkin
A tribute to the Golden Age great renowned for his dramatic blacks and whites and excellent work on Johnny Quick, the Vigilante and other characters. The site includes samples of original pencils, along with some of Meskin's excellent fine art paintings.

The Krigstein Archives
The topic of a recent well-received biography published by Fantagraphics, Bernard Krigstein did groundbreaking work for the likes of EC Comics back in the 1950s. He also was an art educator and accomplished fine artist. Pay a visit here to learn why he was so great.

Matt Baker
Showcasing work by the Golden Age "good girl" artist best known for his work on the sultry Phantom Lady.

Al Feldstein
Official site of the EC Comics artist/writer/editor, now spending his time doing western landscapes and wildlife art.

The Art of M.W. Kaluta
The official site of the draftsman who did excellent work on DC's excellent Shadow adaptation, along with lots of independent work.

The Gulacy Universe
Here's the official site of excellent Master of Kung-Fu and Batman artist, Paul Gulacy.

The Official Mike Grell Website
News, art samples and info on commissions by the famed Legion of Super-heroes and Warlord artist. Oh yeah, he's into jousting (!) too and there's pictures and info about that.

The Art of Don Newton
Tribute, with lots of art, to the severely underrated Batman and Captain Marvel artist of the 70s and 80s. Man he was good.

The John Byrne Gallery
Part of the famed "X-Men," "Fantastic Four," "Superman," etc., artist's discussion board, this is a large collection of original art for his various comic book work and more.

Alan Davis
Official site of the one of the most talented super-hero artists working today. Includes news and a small (so far) gallery.

The Bruce Timm Gallery
Large selection of images by the cartoonist best-known for his work on the WB/Cartoon Network's original Batman, Superman and Justice League cartoon series.

Books on comic book artists


The Comics Journal Library



Collected Jack Kirby Collector, Vol. 1
Collected Jack Kirby Collector, Vol. 2
Collected Jack Kirby Collector, Vol. 3
Collected Jack Kirby Collector, Vol. 4
Collected Jack Kirby Collector, Vol. 5


Comic Book Artist Collection, Volume Two


Comic Book Artist Collection, Vol. 3


Modern Masters Art Adams


Modern Masters George Perez


Modern Masters John Byrne


Modern Master Jose Garcia Lopez


Modern Masters Alan Davis


Modern Masters Bruce Timm


The Art of George Tuska


Secrets in Shadows: Art of Gene Colan


The John Romita Sketchbook


Hero Gets Girl!: The Life & Art Of Kurt Schaffenberger


The Silver Age of Comic Book Art


Curt Swan: A Life in Comics


The Art of Nick Cardy


The John Buscema Sketchbook


Will Eisner: A Spirited Life


Al Williamson: Hidden Lands


Classic Comics Illustrators


The Classic Pin-Up Art of Jack Cole


The Glamour Girls of Bill Ward


Comics & Sequential Art


Marvel Visionaries John Buscema


Marvel Visionaries John Romita Sr.


Marvel Visionaries Jack Kirby Vol. 1

Marvel Visionaries Jack Kirby Vol. 2


Marvel Visionaries Gil Kane


Mythology: The Superhero Art of Alex Ross


Masters of American Comics


Foul Play! : The Art and Artists of the Notorious 1950s E.C. Comics!

Best Batman Sites on the Web

Bill Jourdain's Golden Age Batman Site
Dedicated to Batman of the 1940s, 50s and early 60s. Includes a history of the Golden Age Batman, all his appearances, a list of reprints, rogue's gallery, cover art gallery and comics value calculator. There's also a mailing list.

The Gotham Gazette
Batman fan site featuring updates on new comics featuring the Caped Crusader. Information on Batman movies ande TV shows, memorabilia collecting, along with a fan art gallery. Also a newsletter.

The Original 1966 Batmobile
Dedicated to information and photos depicting the Caped Crusader's wheels from the 1960s TV series--along with models and toys of the famous auto. There's another Batmobile site here.

Batfriend
A super-impressive site dedicated to the Adam West TV series. Lots of pictures, info and links. Plus, a flash intro that shouldn't be skipped.

The 1966 Batman TV Tribute Site
A remembrance--with pics, episode guide and trivia--of the Adam West series.

Classic Plastick: 60s Batman Costumes
Get yourself all duded up in an authentic Adam West-style Batsuit!

How to Build a Batphone
Want a hotline to the Batcave just like Commissioner Gordon? Well, here's a fun weekend craft project for you.

The Animated Batman: An Unofficial Guide
Episode guides, background info and news focusing on the Warner Bros. animated Batman programs.

The Batman: Official Site
Official site for the Warner Bros. series that launched in 2004.

The World's Finest
A nice site dedicated to the Warner Bros. cartoon versions of Batman, Superman and the Justice Leage, featuring news, program schedules and episode guides for "Batman: The Animated Series," "Superman: The Animated Series," "Batman Beyond" and "Justice League." Part of Toon Zone.

Group: alt . animation . batman
Usenet discussion group for fans of the Warner Bros. animated Batman series.

Toy Otter
Offering a wealth of information about DC Comics action figure lines from various manufacturers. Lots of pictures.

The History of the Batmobile
Details (with pictures) of the Caped Crusader's wheels through the decades.

Batmansite: Pictures
Loads of screen shots from the Adam West series.

Who Drew Batman?
Bob Kane gets all the credit, but many (if not most) of those 40s, 50s and 60s comics credited to him were drawn by other--often, more talented--hands. Among them, greats such as Dick Sprang, Jerry Robinson, Jack Burnley, Sheldon Moldoff and others. Here's a guide to those great artists and info on how to spot their work.

Gotham Public Works: Cosplay
Dressing up like the Caped Crusader can go way beyond a mask and blue towel, as the elaborate fan costumes on display here demonstrate.

Recommended Batman Books


Batman: The Complete History
Les Daniels' history of Batman in comics, TV and film from the beginning to the present day. Lot's of nice illustrations and photos.


Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes: Batman - Volume 1
The ultimate reference to Batman from his Golden Age beginning up through the mid 60s. This is a new edition of a book first published in the 1970s. While it lacks any information after the Silver Age, it makes a wonderful companion to those DC Archives and Showcase volumes. Lots of detailed information on the series' characters and plotlines with great black-and-white art right out of the comic books.


Batman Collected
Graphic designer Chip Kidd's gorgeous visual history of Batman in pop culture--lots of Batman collectibles from throughout the years, exquisitely photographed and presented. It's a feast for the eyes.

Official Batman Batbook
A history of the 1960s Batman TV series with thorough episode guide and lots of pictures.


The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told
Highlights from the Caped Crusader's first 50 years of comic book adventures.


Batman Animated
An in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the Paul Dini/Bruce Timm Batman animated series.


Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 1
Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 2
Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 3
The collected Batworks by the artist who, with writer Denny O'Neill, brought the Caped Crusader back to his Dark Knight roots. The best, most appropriate, incarnation of Batman--he's dark, real, gritty, but still human and heroic, not the bleak fellow he became in the late 1980s. Unfortunately, Adams recolored some of these tales and the result of modern, computer colors on the Bronze Age original doesn't really mesh. Better to have left them alone. Still, these books are a much cheaper way to find these stories than buying the original comics.


Batman Strange Apparitions
The great Steve Englehart/Marshall Rodgers run on the character.

Best Action Figure Sites on the Web

News sites

Action Figure Times
The latest news on newly available figures, and a look what's coming out soon. Also check Raving Toy Maniac Action Figure.com and Action Figure Insider.

rec.toys.action-figures.marketplace
Forum for those buying, selling and trading action figures of all sorts.

Toy Adz
Presenting scans of vintage advertisements for G.I. Joe, Aurora models, Hot Wheels, Corgi and much more. The ads are for sale in framed form, but the site is entertaining for browsing, not buying, too.

G.I. Joe

G.I. Joe Adventure Team
An in-depth look at 1970s era G.I. Joes--the big ones. The Adventure Team was introduced in 1970 when anti-Vietnam War sentiment drained the sales for Hasbro's war hero. Instead of dog tags, the new Joes were outiftted with peace symbol-like Adventure Team tags, had their choice of an array of adventurous, but non-violent vehciles. They even had "life-like" hair. The later version even had "Kung Fu Grip"! The full story is here.

G.I. Joe: Offical Site
Hasbro's official Joe site, with infomation on new and old figures, spotlights on new releases, information on the Joe collectors club and more. The Old Joe Infirmary
Is your Joe looking a tad battle scarred? Come here for resournces on how to fix him up.

Know Joe!
Informative FAQ sheet on Joe and Joe collecting.

Joe World
Information on all eras--and all sizes--of Joe: 1960s to the present.

Action Man

Action Stan: Vintage Action Man
The British answer to G.I. Joe: Information, memories and collector tips.

G.I. Joe: The Adventure Continues
Featuring fan "photo adventures" depicted 70s-era Joe toys and more.

Johnny West/Marx Toys and more

Ran's Realm presents: Johnny West--Best of the West
History and lots and lots of pictures of America's favorite plastic cowboy and his friends.

Marx Toys: Official Site
The official/commercial site of the toy company, which now specializes in reproductions of its classic action figures and play sets.

Mego

The Mego Museum
History, pictures and a marketplace dedicated to the company famed for its figures based on DC and Marvel comic book heroes, Star Trek characters, the Planet of the0 Apes and more.

Mego Central
More Mego mania, including a history of the company along with lots of info and pictures of Mego action figures.

Mego Man's World of Mego
Lots and lots of Mego action figure pics, particularly good on the superhero lines.

Major Matt Mason

The Space Station: Maj. Matt Mason H.Q.
Buzz off, Lightyear! Here's the real deal in all his rubbery glory. Lots and lots of information, including a history of the Matt Mason product line, pictures of figures, vehicles, etc., catalog ads and more. Very nicely done.

Superheroes

Toy Otter
Offering a wealth of information about DC Comics action figure lines from various manufacturers. Lots of pictures. Also see: The Complete Guide to Batman-related Toys.

DC Direct
Direct link to the manufacturer of DC related goodies, including toys, posters and more.

Big Jim

Big Jim Store
Sure, G.I. Joe had kung-fu grip, but Big Jim did a karate chop when you pressed his back. And he had rubbery biceps that got bigger when you bent his arms. This Italian site has lots of pictures of the Big Jim line.

Custom Action Figures

Tony's Toybox
Huge selection of pics of custom superhero action figures.

Star Wars Toys / Action Figures

Hasbro Official Star Wars Toys Site

The Star Wars Collectors Archive

Best Books About Action Figures

Star Trek movie photos

Here are some press release images for the upcoming J.J. Abrams-directed "Star Trek" flick.

Pop links

Cool! Hermes Press plans to reprint those old Gold Key Comics based on Irwin Allen-produced TV shows such as "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "The Time Tunnel" and "Land of the Giants" (No plans for "Lost in Space," though. That show was actually inspired by a Gold Key series, "The Space Family Robinson.")

The 208-page Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: The Complete Series Volume 1 ($49.99) is a deluxe 8.5”x11” hardcover (with dust jacket) that reprints the first eight issues of the Gold Key comic book series featuring Admiral Nelson, Captain Crane and the Seaview. The volume also includes documentary material about the TV show including production designs and information on the special effects (especially that rocking stage effect that shook the Seaview and crew during almost every episode). The comics themselves have been digitally remastered to show off the artwork to great effect—and the books featured some excellent Silver Age talents such as cover artist George Wilson and pencillers Mike Sekowsky, Don Heck, George Tuska, and Alberto Giolitti.



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Jon's Random Acts of Geekery features pics of some nice Captain Marvel collectables. If you like that, pay a visit to our own spin-off site, the DC Comics Fortress of Memorabilia for more (Captain) Marvelmania. And if you wanna see Marvel Comics memorabilia, visit our Mighty Marvelmania Museum. End of self-centered plugs.

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Deal alert:



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Golden Age Comic Book Stories has a display of those nice ink wash covers DC Comics used to publish back in the 1970s.



And don't miss the great selection of rare Frank Frazetta-illustrated comics up at the same site.

Halloween pop! Addams Family paperback

Halloween pop! Addams Family paperback

Pop links

Today's Inspiration celebrates the way cool album cover art of David Stone Martin.


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Classic TV Showbiz remembers Bat-composer Neil Hefti.

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A beginner's guide to grading vinyl LPs.

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What sort of work goes into compiling the DC Comics Encyclopedia? Comic Book Resources as the answers.

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Entertainment Weekly provides an extensive peek at the upcoming Star Trek film.





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Ringo Starr explains his "no more fan mail" blowup. Still, Ringo, this is why you hire PR people. You don't just flip on your camcorder and freak out.

Motown collects number one hits in box

The Motown label has found yet another way to package it's lucrative back catalog: Put all it's number one hits in a box. A big box.

According to Billboard, Motown: The Complete No. 1's, due out Dec. 10 (Hey! Isn't that right around Christimas?), will fill out 10 CDs containing 191 tunes--including, in my opinion, probably around 80 really good ones. Things get wildly uneven around disk 6, if you ask me.

Here's the track list:

Disc 1:

"Shop Around," The Miracles
"Please Mr. Postman," The Marvelettes
"Do You Love Me," The Contours
"Two Lovers," Mary Wells
"You've Really Got A Hold On Me," The Miracles
"Fingertips-Part 2," Little Stevie Wonder
"Heat Wave," Martha & the Vandellas
"The Way You Do the Things You Do," The Temptations
"My Guy," Mary Wells
"Where Did Our Love Go," The Supremes
"Baby Love," The Supremes
"Come See about Me," The Supremes
"My Girl," The Temptations
"Shotgun," Jr. Walker & the All-Stars
"Stop! In The Name of Love," The Supremes
"I'll Be Doggone," Marvin Gaye
"Back In My Arms Again," The Supremes
"I Can't Help Myself," Four Tops
"I Hear a Symphony," The Supremes
"Ain't That Peculiar," Marvin Gaye
"Uptight (Everything's Alright," Stevie Wonder
"Get Ready," The Temptations

Bonus Tracks:
"Dancing In the Street," Martha & the Vandellas
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," Marvin Gaye
"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)," Isley Brothers
"Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)," Marvin Gaye

Disc 2:

"Ain't Too Proud To Beg," The Temptations
"Blowin' In the Wind," Stevie Wonder
"You Can't Hurry Love," The Supremes
"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep," The Temptations
"Reach Out, I'll Be There," Four Tops
"You Keep Me Hangin' On," The Supremes
"(I Know) I'm Losing You," The Temptations
"The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game," The Marvelettes
"Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," The Supremes
"Jimmy Mack," Martha & the Vandellas
"The Happening," The Supremes
"I Was Made To Love Her," Stevie Wonder
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine," Gladys Knight & the Pips
"I Second That Emotion," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"I Wish It Would Rain," The Temptations
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day," Stevie Wonder
"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)," The Temptations
"You're All I Need To Get By," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"Love Child," Diana Ross & The Supremes
"For Once In My Life," Stevie Wonder
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine," Marvin Gaye
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations

Bonus Tracks:
"What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted," Jimmy Ruffin
"You've Made Me So Very Happy," Brenda Holloway

Disc 3:

"Runaway Child, Running Wild," The Temptations
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," Marvin Gaye
"What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)," Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
"I Can't Get Next To You," The Temptations
"Baby I'm For Real," The Originals
"Someday We'll Be Together," Diana Ross & the Supremes
"I Want You Back," The Jackson 5
"Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday," Stevie Wonder
"ABC," The Jackson 5
"Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)," Diana Ross
"It's All In The Game," Four Tops
"The Love You Save," The Jackson 5
"Get Ready," Rare Earth
"Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)," The Temptations
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," Stevie Wonder
"War," Edwin Starr
"The Tears of A Clown," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Diana Ross
"I'll Be There," The Jackson 5
"Heaven Help Us All," Stevie Wonder
"The Tears of A Clown," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"Stoned Love," The Supremes
"If I Were Your Woman," Gladys Knight & the Pips

Disc 4:

"Mama's Pearl," The Jackson 5
"Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)," The Temptations
"What's Going On," Marvin Gaye
"Never Can Say Goodbye," The Jackson 5
"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology,") Marvin Gaye
"I'm Still Waiting," Diana Ross
"Smiling Faces Sometimes," The Undisputed Truth
"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," Marvin Gaye
"Got To Be There," Michael Jackson
"Rockin' Robin," Michael Jackson
"I Wanna Be Where You Are," Michael Jackson
"Ben," Michael Jackson
"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," The Temptations
"Superstition," Stevie Wonder
"Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)," Gladys Knight & the Pips
"Masterpiece," The Temptations
"You Are The Sunshine of My Life," Stevie Wonder
"Touch Me In The Morning," Diana Ross
"Let's Get It On," Marvin Gaye

Disc 5:

"Higher Ground," Stevie Wonder
"Keep On Truckin'(Part 1)," Eddie Kendricks
"Living For The City," Stevie Wonder
"Let Your Hair Down," Temptations
"Boogie Down," Eddie Kendricks
"Last Time I Saw Him," Diana Ross
"Dancing Machine," The Jackson 5
"Do It Baby," The Miracles
"You Haven't Done Nothin'," Stevie Wonder
"Boogie On Reggae Woman," Stevie Wonder
"Happy People," The Temptations
"Shoeshine Boy," Eddie Kendricks
"Shakey Ground," The Temptations
"Baby That's Backatcha," Smokey Robinson
"Slippery When Wet," The Commodores
"Forever Came Today," The Jackson 5
"Walk Away From Love," David Ruffin
"Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)," Diana Ross
"Devil In The Bottle," T.G. Sheppard
"Tryin' To Beat The Morning Home," T.G. Sheppard

Disc 6:

"Love Machine (Part 1)," The Miracles
"Love Hangover," Diana Ross
"I Want You," Marvin Gaye
"Just To Be Close To You," The Commodores
"Down To Love Town," The Originals
"Don't Leave Me This Way," Thelma Houston
"I Wish," Stevie Wonder
"Got To Give It Up," Marvin Gaye
"Sir Duke," Stevie Wonder
"Easy," The Commodores
"You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On)," High Inergy
"Too Hot Ta Trot," The Commodores
"You And I," Rick James
"Three Times A Lady," The Commodores
"The Boss," Diana Ross
"Sail On," The Commodores
"Still," The Commodores
"Send One Your Love," Stevie Wonder

Bonus Track:
"Pastime Paradise," Stevie Wonder

Disc 7:
"Cruisin'," Smokey Robinson
"Let's Get Serious," Jermaine Jackson
"I'm Coming Out," Diana Ross
"Upside Down," Diana Ross
"Master Blaster (Jammin')," Stevie Wonder
"Being With You," Smokey Robinson
"Give It To Me Baby," Rick James
"Super Freak," Rick James
"One Day In Your Life," Michael Jackson
"Endless Love," Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)," The Commodores
"That Girl," Stevie Wonder
"Let It Whip," Dazz Band
"I've Never Been To Me," Charlene
"Do I Do," Stevie Wonder

Bonus Track:
"Lately," Stevie Wonder

Disc 8:

"Truly," Lionel Richie
"You Are," Lionel Richie
"My Love," Lionel Richie
"All This Love," DeBarge
"Cold Blooded," Rick James
"All Night Long (All Night)," Lionel Richie
"Time Will Reveal," DeBarge
"Somebody's Watching Me," Rockwell
"Hello," Lionel Richie
"Stuck On You," Lionel Richie
"I Just Called To Say I Love You," Stevie Wonder
"Penny Lover," Lionel Richie
"Nightshift," The Commodores
"In My House," Mary Jane Girls
"Rhythm of The Night," DeBarge
"Glow," Rick James
"You Wear It Well," El DeBarge with DeBarge

Bonus Track:
"Don't Look Any Further," Dennis Edwards featuring Seidah Garrett

Disc 9:
"Part-Time Lover," Stevie Wonder
"Say You, Say Me," Lionel Richie
"Go Home," Stevie Wonder
"If You Should Ever Be Lonely," Val Young
"Overjoyed," Stevie Wonder
"Who's Johnny," El DeBarge
"Dancing On The Ceiling," Lionel Richie
"Love Will Conquer All," Lionel Richie
"Ballerina Girl," Lionel Richie
"Just To See Her," Smokey Robinson
"Tina Cherry," Georgio
"Skeletons," Stevie Wonder
"You Will Know," Stevie Wonder
"Dial My Heart," The Boys
"Lucky Charm," The Boys
"Girl I Got My Eyes On You," Today
"Where Do We Go From Here," Stacey Lattisaw with special guest Johnny Gill

Bonus Track:
"Dreamin'," The Guinn Family

Disc 10:

"Rub You The Right Way," Johnny Gill
"My My My," Johnny Gill
"Crazy," The Boys
"Wrap My Body Tight," Johnny Gill
"It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday," Boyz II Men
"I Love Your Smile," Shanice
"Uhh Ahh," Boyz II Men
"Do It To Me," Lionel Richie
"End of The Road," Boyz II Men
"I'll Make Love To You," Boyz II Men
"On Bended Knee," Boyz II Men
"Take Me Higher," Diana Ross
"4 Seasons Of Loneliness," Boyz II Men
"A Song For Mama," Boyz II Men
"Stay," The Temptations
"Liar," Profyle
"Bag Lady," Erykah Badu

Lost novel by Doc Savage creator set for publication

Hard Case Books, which publishes new and old hard-boiled crime novels is set to publish a lost manuscript by Lester Dent, a.k.a. Kenneth Robeson, the creator of pulp hero Doc Savage.

According to Robert Greenberger at Comic Mix:

[Hard Case publisher] Charles Ardai just announced that he will publish, for the first time ever, a Lester Dent novel, "Honey in his Mouth." The creator of Doc Savage had written the story intended for the Gold Medal line of books that are a direct ancestor to Hard Case.

Remembering Neil Hefti, composer of the Batman theme

Composer/arranger Neil Hefti, who passed away at age 85 Oct. 11, will be forever remembered for his catchy theme tune to the 1960s "Batman" TV show, but he did a lot more.

Coming up in the big band era, Hefti had a long and successful collaboration with Count Basie, writing many hit charts for the bandleader's orchestra. He also provided arrangements for Frank Sinatra and many others.

And, along with "Batman," he penned the memorable theme to "The Odd Couple."

Here he is talking about the "Batman" theme:

"Sure, you may say I could have written the theme itself in two minutes -- but it took weeks to work out the arrangement, which is inseparable from the melody," he told the Los Angeles Times in 1966. "It often takes time to write something that sounds like you just turned on a faucet and it flowed out."

Mr. Hefti also inserted a single lyric -- a repeated exclamatory "Batman!" -- which prompted him to joke that his composer's credit should read, "Word and Music by Neal Hefti."

And here's that show's opening credits:

Halloween pop! Creepy and Eerie magazine patches

New comics shipping Oct. 15, 2008

Click links to order discounted items from Amazon (and help out this Web site!)

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MAR080071 ALIENS NO EXIT NOVEL $6.99
AUG080033 CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #4 $2.99
APR080065 PREDATOR NOVEL VOL 04 SOUTH CHINA SEA $6.99
AUG080082 STAR WARS CLONE WARS #2 (OF 6) $2.99
JUL080073 UMBRELLA ACADEMY UMBRELLA $29.99
JUN080112 VAMPIRE HUNTER D NOVEL VOL 11 PALE FALLEN ANGELS PARTS 1 & 2 $14.95

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AUG080141 BATGIRL #4 (OF 6) $2.99
AUG080144 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #12 RIP $2.99
JUL080153 BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 06 $14.99
MAR080275 BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN COLLECTOR SET $34.99
AUG080159 BOOSTER GOLD #13 $2.99
AUG080160 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #18 $2.99
AUG080206 CASEY BLUE BEYOND TOMORROW #6 (OF 6) $2.99
AUG080128 DC SPECIAL CYBORG #6 (OF 6) $2.99
AUG080112 DC UNIVERSE DECISIONS #3 (OF 4) $2.99
JUL080110 FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #2 (OF 5) $3.99
JUL080109 FINAL CRISIS ROGUES REVENGE #3 (OF 3) $3.99
AUG080163 FLASH #245 $2.99
JAN080279 JLA BUILD A SCENE STATUE PART 1 $150.00
JUL080160 JLA THAT WAS THEN THIS IS NOW TP $14.99
JUL080161 JONAH HEX LUCK RUNS OUT TP $12.99
JUL080148 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #19 $2.99
AUG080146 ROBIN #179 $2.99
AUG080200 SCOOBY DOO #137 $2.25
AUG080173 SPIRIT #22 $2.99
AUG080205 STORMWATCH PHD #15 $2.99
AUG080195 SUPER FRIENDS #8 $2.25
AUG080120 SUPERMAN BATMAN VS VAMPIRES WEREWOLVES #1 (Of 6) $2.99
AUG080150 SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #1 $4.99
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JUL082193 CHARLATAN BALL #4 $2.50
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MAGAZINES

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Seven Doctors unite for Doctor Who charity special

All seven living "Doctor Who" actors will appear in a new Children In Need charity special to be televised in Britain Nov. 14, the Daily Telegraph reports.

An insider at the BBC said: "It's a pretty ambitious idea and it's still being finalised. Everything is being kept under wraps but Doctor Who fans are in for a big treat."

...The seven survivors include Tom Baker, now best known as the voice of the comedy series Little Britain, who played the role for seven years from 1974.

He was followed by Peter Davidson from 1981 to 1984, whose daughter Georgia Moffett has also featured in the programme and who is now dating the current doctor, David Tennant.

The others are Colin Baker, from 1984 to 1986, Sylvester McCoy who had two stints from 1987 to 1989 and re-appeared in the role in 1996, Paul McGann, who took over the role in 1996 and Christopher Eccleston who reprised the series in 2005.