Here's what looks interesting to me this week. Click on links to order discounted books from Amazon.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 This is the one with the Obama cover.
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #2 I'm waiting for the trade on this adaptation by Eric Shanower and Scottie Young, but I've snuck a peek and the individual issues and they looks fabulous.
BONE VOL 09 CROWN OF HORNS The color reprints of Jeff Smith's great series continue.
STEVE DITKO EDGE OF GENIUS Black-and-white reprints of early Ditko comics work. Published by Greg Theakston's Pure Imagination.
See other recent comics new releases.
43 years and STILL not on DVD: The Batman TV series
It's come to my attention (via Fred Hembeck) that this week marks the 43rd anniversary of the Adam West "Batman" TV series. Fred wasn't crazy about the show. Me? I was CRAAAAAAZZZZZZY about it. The cool Batparaphernalia, the wacky sound effects, the insane cliffhangers and all those crazy, bright colors.
I'm 43 myself, and watched the show obsessively when it was in reruns when I was 5 or 6. Goofy as it was, it turned me into a lifelong Batfan and, along with the Beatles and other obsessions, is likely why I'm doing this silly blog at all.
And I continue to think it's ridiculous Warner Bros. and Universal can't get it together, strike a deal and get it out on legit DVDs. But maybe they just want the bootleggers to continue making money off it.
Any way, it's been a while since I've run any photos from the show, so here's a fresh batch:
More Batman TV Series posts and pics
I'm 43 myself, and watched the show obsessively when it was in reruns when I was 5 or 6. Goofy as it was, it turned me into a lifelong Batfan and, along with the Beatles and other obsessions, is likely why I'm doing this silly blog at all.
And I continue to think it's ridiculous Warner Bros. and Universal can't get it together, strike a deal and get it out on legit DVDs. But maybe they just want the bootleggers to continue making money off it.
Any way, it's been a while since I've run any photos from the show, so here's a fresh batch:
More Batman TV Series posts and pics
DVD, CD new releases Jan. 13, 2009:
Here are DVDs and CD new releases of interest this week. Click links to order disounted items from Amazon (proceeds help support this site).
DVDs
Patti Smith Dream Of Life
John Lennon - In Performance
Paul McCartney - In Performance
Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business Of America
CDs
Doctor Who: Series 4
Love Live: Whisky a Go-Go 1978 Love
Arthur Lee Arthur Lee
Other recent New Releases
DVDs
Patti Smith Dream Of Life
John Lennon - In Performance
Paul McCartney - In Performance
Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business Of America
CDs
Doctor Who: Series 4
Love Live: Whisky a Go-Go 1978 Love
Arthur Lee Arthur Lee
Other recent New Releases
Pop links: Marianne Faithfull 60s videos, comic sales up
Upcoming book: Marvel Comics in the 1960s
Here's additional info an cover art for a great-sounding new book due in August from Twomorrows Publishing:
Marvel Comics In The 1960s: An Issue-By-Issue Field Guide To A Pop Culture Phenomenon
By Pierre Comtois
After being relegated to the realm of children's literature for the first 25 years of its history, the comic book industry experienced an unexpected flowering in the early 1960s. A celebration of that emergence, Marvel Comics in the 1960s: An Issue-by-Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon presents a step-by-step look at how a company that had the reputation of being one of the least creative in a generally moribund industry, emerged as one of the most dynamic, slightly irreverent, and downright original contributions to an era when pop-culture, from Tom Wolfe to Andy Warhol, emerged as the dominant force in the artistic life of America. In scores of handy, easy-to-reference entries, Marvel Comics in the 1960s takes the reader from the legendary company's first fumbling beginnings as helmed by savvy editor/writer Stan Lee (aided by such artists as Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko), to the full maturity of its wild, colorful, offbeat grandiosity. With the history of Marvel Comics in the 1960s divided into four distinct phases, author Pierre Comtois explains just how Lee, Kirby, Ditko, et. al. created a line of comic books that, while grounded in the traditional elements of panel-to-panel storytelling, broke through the juvenile mindset of a low brow industry and provided a tapestry of full-blown, pop-culture icons.
Marvel Comics In The 1960s: An Issue-By-Issue Field Guide To A Pop Culture Phenomenon
By Pierre Comtois
After being relegated to the realm of children's literature for the first 25 years of its history, the comic book industry experienced an unexpected flowering in the early 1960s. A celebration of that emergence, Marvel Comics in the 1960s: An Issue-by-Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon presents a step-by-step look at how a company that had the reputation of being one of the least creative in a generally moribund industry, emerged as one of the most dynamic, slightly irreverent, and downright original contributions to an era when pop-culture, from Tom Wolfe to Andy Warhol, emerged as the dominant force in the artistic life of America. In scores of handy, easy-to-reference entries, Marvel Comics in the 1960s takes the reader from the legendary company's first fumbling beginnings as helmed by savvy editor/writer Stan Lee (aided by such artists as Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko), to the full maturity of its wild, colorful, offbeat grandiosity. With the history of Marvel Comics in the 1960s divided into four distinct phases, author Pierre Comtois explains just how Lee, Kirby, Ditko, et. al. created a line of comic books that, while grounded in the traditional elements of panel-to-panel storytelling, broke through the juvenile mindset of a low brow industry and provided a tapestry of full-blown, pop-culture icons.
Pop links: 60s Britpop star Dave Dee passes, Ringo still angry, no Zep, Terry and the Pirates comic,
British pop star Dave Dee has passed away the Guardian reports. He was lead singer of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, which scored eight UK Top 10 hits back in the 1960s.
Formed 1961 by Dee, a former Wiltshire policeman, between 1965 and 1969 the band spent more time in the UK charts than the Beatles.
Here they are in 1965 on British children's TV show "Blue Peter."
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Getting weirder all the time: Ringo Starr is reportedly boycotting his own Website.
The 68-year-old former Beatles star faced a public backlash after controversially announcing on his website he was stopping signing his name for fans last October.
Since the incident - which Ringo insists was misinterpreted - he has canceled his regular video messages and updates in an internet blackout.
A source close to the drummer said: "Ringo used to enjoy telling fans about his plans, but he was pretty shocked by the hostility he faced over the autograph thing."
"As a result he's reluctant to appear on the website again."
-----
Led Zeppelin is not reuniting with or without Robert Plant, evidently.
Peter Mensch (Jimmy Page's manager) has told MusicRadar.com that: "Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn't see them in 2007 [when they played a one-off reunion at London's O2 Arena], you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."
He added: "They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out," said Mensch. "That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it."
-----
Pappy shares a "Terry and the Pirates" give-away comic from 1947.
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Celebrating the label's 50th anniversary, the BBC presents the "A-Z of Motown."
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Golden Age Comic Book Stories presents the 1937 Walt Disney Annual from Whitman Books. Lovely art.
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On My Mind presents a Youtube-filled Elvis Presley birthday tribute.
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The Horrors of it All shares a nice Rudy Palais-illustrated tale: "Death Kiss"!
Formed 1961 by Dee, a former Wiltshire policeman, between 1965 and 1969 the band spent more time in the UK charts than the Beatles.
Here they are in 1965 on British children's TV show "Blue Peter."
-----
Getting weirder all the time: Ringo Starr is reportedly boycotting his own Website.
The 68-year-old former Beatles star faced a public backlash after controversially announcing on his website he was stopping signing his name for fans last October.
Since the incident - which Ringo insists was misinterpreted - he has canceled his regular video messages and updates in an internet blackout.
A source close to the drummer said: "Ringo used to enjoy telling fans about his plans, but he was pretty shocked by the hostility he faced over the autograph thing."
"As a result he's reluctant to appear on the website again."
-----
Led Zeppelin is not reuniting with or without Robert Plant, evidently.
Peter Mensch (Jimmy Page's manager) has told MusicRadar.com that: "Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn't see them in 2007 [when they played a one-off reunion at London's O2 Arena], you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."
He added: "They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out," said Mensch. "That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it."
-----
Pappy shares a "Terry and the Pirates" give-away comic from 1947.
-----
Celebrating the label's 50th anniversary, the BBC presents the "A-Z of Motown."
-----
Golden Age Comic Book Stories presents the 1937 Walt Disney Annual from Whitman Books. Lovely art.
-----
On My Mind presents a Youtube-filled Elvis Presley birthday tribute.
-----
The Horrors of it All shares a nice Rudy Palais-illustrated tale: "Death Kiss"!
Bill Everett bio coming from Fantagraphics
Blake Bell, author of the nicely done "Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko" has turned his sites on another great comic book artist: Sub-Mariner creator Bill Everett.
"Fire and Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics," a 216-page hardcover, will be out in July from Fantagraphics Books.
Details:
In 1939, brand-new Marvel's first ever comic book featured an anti-hero named the Sub-Mariner, created by legendary artist Bill Everett. (The angry half-man, half sea-creature Sub-Mariner property has recently been film-optioned.) From the superhero and horror genre, to romance, crime, and suspense, Bill Everett was a master of the medium. Blake Bell's follow-up to Strange & Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko, Fire and Water: The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics, is definitive biography of the man and his career. The main focus, however, will be the stunning display of artwork that few artists can match in breadth and quality- all on display in this coffee table art book that is destined to ensure Everett's place at the table of premier comic book virtuosos.
"Fire and Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics," a 216-page hardcover, will be out in July from Fantagraphics Books.
Details:
In 1939, brand-new Marvel's first ever comic book featured an anti-hero named the Sub-Mariner, created by legendary artist Bill Everett. (The angry half-man, half sea-creature Sub-Mariner property has recently been film-optioned.) From the superhero and horror genre, to romance, crime, and suspense, Bill Everett was a master of the medium. Blake Bell's follow-up to Strange & Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko, Fire and Water: The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics, is definitive biography of the man and his career. The main focus, however, will be the stunning display of artwork that few artists can match in breadth and quality- all on display in this coffee table art book that is destined to ensure Everett's place at the table of premier comic book virtuosos.
Spidey meets Obama
Here's info from Marvel Comics on Amazing Spider-Man #583, in which Spidey meets the new Spider-Fan in Chief.
"This all new story written by Zeb Wells and art by Todd Nauck and Frank D’Armata takes place in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day and finds one of Spider-Man’s oldest foes attempting to thwart the swearing in ceremony of the 44th President of the United States. The story will be featured as a bonus story in Marvel Comic’s Amazing Spider-Man #583, available in comic book shops nation-wide on January 14th, 2009. A special variant cover by artist Phil Jimenez featuring the President-Elect and Spider-Man will be available for this issue."
“When we heard that President-Elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics’ Marvel Universe,” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada said in the release. “Historic moments such as this one can be reflected in our comics because the Marvel Universe is set in the real world. A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man.”
Note: I'm getting lots of search hits from people seeking to buy or pre-order the Spidey comic.
If you want a copy, your best bet is to visit your local comic book store on Jan. 14 and buy it. Normally, issues of new comics run $2.99. To find a shop near you click here.
People also are starting to offer up the issue on Web auction sites, too, of course. At ridiculous prices (i.e. around $20 at the moment). I'd imagine prices will be lower once the issue actually hits the stands. But you can check this ad below to see:
Again, though, a comic shop is the place to go.
"This all new story written by Zeb Wells and art by Todd Nauck and Frank D’Armata takes place in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day and finds one of Spider-Man’s oldest foes attempting to thwart the swearing in ceremony of the 44th President of the United States. The story will be featured as a bonus story in Marvel Comic’s Amazing Spider-Man #583, available in comic book shops nation-wide on January 14th, 2009. A special variant cover by artist Phil Jimenez featuring the President-Elect and Spider-Man will be available for this issue."
“When we heard that President-Elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics’ Marvel Universe,” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada said in the release. “Historic moments such as this one can be reflected in our comics because the Marvel Universe is set in the real world. A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man.”
Note: I'm getting lots of search hits from people seeking to buy or pre-order the Spidey comic.
If you want a copy, your best bet is to visit your local comic book store on Jan. 14 and buy it. Normally, issues of new comics run $2.99. To find a shop near you click here.
People also are starting to offer up the issue on Web auction sites, too, of course. At ridiculous prices (i.e. around $20 at the moment). I'd imagine prices will be lower once the issue actually hits the stands. But you can check this ad below to see:
Again, though, a comic shop is the place to go.
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