CRIVENS! COMICS & STUFF!
A cascading cornucopia of cool comics, crazy cartoons, & classic collectables - plus other completely captivating & occasionally controversial contents. With nostalgic notions, sentimental sighings, wistful wonderings, remorseful ruminations, melancholy musings, rueful reflections, poignant ponderings, & yearnings for yesteryear. (And a few profound perplexities, puzzling paradoxes, & a bevy of big, beautiful, bedazzling, buxom Babes to round it all off.)
Sunday, 13 July 2025
PANINI/MARVEL NEW FF MONTHLY MAG...
Friday, 11 July 2025
POOR LITTLE FOXY - R.I.P.
My back garden is huge - to such an extent that another house could probably be built on it and still have a bit of garden left over. Because of its size, foxes like to play in it and lounge about on hot days, having the occasional snooze. I usually feed the foxes and some of them will actually take food from my hand, though others do a runner on sight of me. I haven't fed many lately because I haven't seen much of them, and if I put food out when they're not around, the gulls, crows, and magpies scoff it in pretty short order. I therefore started waiting until I spotted some foxes in my garden and then went out and put food in their dishes. I always make sure their water bowls are filled so that they don't go thirsty, but maybe someone else is supplying them with a better quality of food than I do, so they've gone elsewhere.
A few years ago there was one fox in particular who'd take food from my hand and then lie down a couple of feet from me and take a kip when I was resting from filling the bird feeders. I imagine that fox has gone to meet his maker, but the thought that he enjoyed my garden and saw it as a pleasant place to frequent gave me a quiet pride. Last week when I went out to feed the birds (tuppence a bag), a dead fox was lying on the lawn, looking for all the world like he was sleeping. He looked as though he may have been attacked, but it was hard to tell because it was raining and his fur was all matted and wet. I hope he wasn't poisoned because that means other animals are also at risk if he was, but whatever caused his demise, I was touched by the fact that he seemingly sought out the sanctuary of my garden in which to breathe his last.
I considered burying him out there, but then thought better of it in case he was diseased, so I called the Environmental Health Department, who came and took him away to be disposed of. It was sad to see his corpse, and I wondered if he may have been the baby fox (yes, I know they're called cubs) that I photographed in my garden last year. I sincerely hope not, and that he (or she) is enjoying life to the full somewhere with other foxes. As for the dead fox, I hope he enjoyed whatever span he had and that he didn't suffer before his end came.
FANTASTIC FOUR #7 FACSIMILE EDITION...
Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
BABE Of The DAY - BECKY RULE...
Friday, 4 July 2025
The GALACTUS TRILOGY FACSIMILE EDITIONS...
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Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Thursday, 3 July 2025
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS COVER?
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Copyright DC COMICS |
The above cover is from an issue Baggsey from Super Stuff In The Bronze Age listed in my Desert Island Comics post - in fact he considered it the best Batman tale ever written. Well, I had to see what it was all about, so I promptly bought a copy via eBay and it arrived today. Before I show you its interior splash pages, study the cover and see if you can spot what I consider to be a glaring error. I'll fill you in on what it is after the following impressive images.
First, however, it's interesting to note that the words 'nigger' and 'spade' are used in the main tale, something that most likely wouldn't be allowed nowadays. The first word is used by a black man, the second by a white, but they're used in the context of demonstrating (not condoning) the racism that existed at the time. It probably wasn't really necessary to introduce the subject, but writer and artist Frank Robbins doubtless wanted to make a point and it isn't too laboured.
Anyway, ready for the pretty piccies? Then let's go! (And don't forget to spot the cover mistake.)
UNCANNY X-MEN FACSIMILE EDITIONS MINI-COVER GALLERY...
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Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Just to alert you to a couple of recent Facsimile Editions from Marvel, Crivvies, which you might be interested in adding to your collection - namely The Uncanny X-Men #s 135 & 136. However, I'm going to start by showing some of the previous X-Men facsimiles which eventually lead up to Jean Gray's death in #137. I don't think I ever had any of the original issues in this run, though I believe I read some black and white reprints in Marvel Superheroes, a UK monthly from back in the late '70s/early '80s. The 137 facsimile is one I bought in 2019, but it's being reissued later this month, and yes, I have actually pre-ordered it.
Anyway, enough waffle from me, enjoy the pretty piccies presented for your palpitating pleasure. And if you'd like to leave a comment, well - I won't try to stop you. (Incidentally, I scanned these mags while still in their poly bags, so there might be a spot of dust visible in one or two places. And I may've shown some of them before, but I can't recall which ones.)
Any memories of the original printings way back when, Crivs? Then recount your recollections to your fellow readers, esteemed ones, and prompt some pleasant nostalgic notions.
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
R.I.P. - JIM SHOOTER...
Monday, 30 June 2025
ACTION COMICS #419 - The HUMAN TARGET TAKES A BOW...
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Art NEAL ADAMS. Copyright DC COMICS |
Sunday, 29 June 2025
BELLAMY Versus NOBLE And EMBLETON...
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Art FRANK BELLAMY. Characters copyright relevant owners |
Every serious comics aficionado of a certain age knows the name Frank Bellamy. I learned only relatively recently that apparently, Alan Fennell, editor of TV Century 21, originally wanted him to illustrate the Stingray strip for the new weekly, but he was still involved with Eagle at the time and had no room in his schedule so the job went to Ron Embleton instead. All I can say is - phew, thank goodness for that.
Now there's no question that Frank was a skilled artist, but I was never too impressed by his Thunderbirds pages when he eventually joined TV21 in early 1966. Sure, he painted pretty skies, but his Thunderbird craft didn't always match their TV counterparts, and his reference material for TB2 seemed as though it might've later included the Dinky toy, which wasn't a totally accurate representation of the vehicle.
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Art MIKE NOBLE |
Then there was the 'style' he used, similar to John Burns' artwork later published in Countdown. You know what I mean - figure details filled on only one side, with the other rendered in coloured 'shadow'. Maybe Bellamy had too much work at the time and had to rush his TB pages to meet deadlines, but I think they were less impressive than Mike Noble's art on Fireball XL5 and Ron Embleton's on Stingray.
Every panel by Noble pulled the reader into the action, and Embleton's pages were objects of beauty that were a delight to gaze upon. (He was no slouch in the action stakes either, though Noble had the edge.) Bellamy's pages came a poor third to those of his artistic stablemates and were less involving. With Noble and Embleton, you had front row seats, with Bellamy it all seemed to be happening at a distance.
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Art RON EMBLETON |
Of course, that doesn't quite cover things as it's likely more complicated than that, but I find it difficult to articulate precisely what I mean, though it's the best I can do given my ongoing brain-fog. What do you think, readers - am I being too harsh on Bellamy or do you agree with my assessment? Feel entirely free to record your thoughts, theories, and fancies in our (hopefully) controversial comments section.
Thursday, 26 June 2025
BABE Of The DAY - CHRISTEL BODENSTEIN...
Monday, 23 June 2025
GOODBYE GERRY - REST IN PEACE...
Saturday, 21 June 2025
RECENT CASTEL CRIVENS ACQUISITIONS...
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Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Recent deliveries to Castel Crivens include this trio of mags, Crivvies. The Adventure Comics #210 Facsimile Edition consists of a lot of scans, though of better quality than usual, but the Superboy tale is from sharp new proofs, coloured after the original printing. And FFF #2 is worth buying for the cover alone - just look at sensational Suzie - wowza! As for FF#49 FE, well, it speaks for itself and doesn't require any hard-sell from me! Buy 'em now!
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Copyright DC COMICS |
Friday, 20 June 2025
BOB Of The DAY - BOB HOPE...
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
SUPERMAN Vs. SHAZAM! FACSIMILE EDITION...
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Copyright DC COMICS |
I returned to the '70s earlier today for a short spell with the arrival of DC's Limited Collectors' Edition C58 - Superman Vs Shazam! Never had it at the time, but I would've seen it advertised in 1978 so that's when I think of now that I own this Facsimile Edition. It won't be an exact facsimile as the internal colours will likely be different and a modern copyright notice has been added to the splash page which it wouldn't have had originally. (You know the one... Blah, blah... By Special Arrangement With The Jerry Siegel Family.)
The story is reprinted in a softcover book I own, though I've never bothered to read it before. I have now, and I'm glad I waited 'til I had a facsimile in more-or-less the original dimensions. I've lost count of how many of these Collectors' Edition facsimiles I own, but they're quite impressive and I'm glad to have them. Anyway, if you had this 'comic' back in the day and want to return to the '70s for a visit, you should be able to track one down in your local comics shop or obtain it via eBay like I did. So what's keeping you, culture lovers? Grab one while you can!
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
DESERT ISLAND ALBUMS & MOVIES...
The previous post is still open for business, Crivs, but striking while the iron is hot, which 10 albums would you choose to take to a desert island? Is that an easier or a harder task? In fact, let's add DVD movies - which ones would you choose? And don't worry, you'll have the required solar powered equipment you need in order to play them.
Monday, 16 June 2025
DESERT ISLAND DISCS, COMICS, AND BOOKS...
Occasionally, I find myself listening to Radio Four's Desert Island Discs, and I always wonder whether the guests feel frustrated at being permitted to choose only 8 records. I don't think I'd be able to limit myself to a mere 8, so what I'm about to ask of you is perhaps a bit cheeky. However, let's make it 10, and let's also include comics and books as well as single records. That's 10 of each by the way, so 30 items in all. (I'll maybe do LP albums another time, but for the moment it's singles.)
So, Crivvies, were you to be told you were going to be exiled on a desert island (no, I don't mean Millport), what 10 records would you choose to take with you, and the same goes for which 10 comics and which 10 books you'd pick for your time on the island? Don't worry, there's a solar powered record player waiting there for you. Oh, wait, there's another aspect, isn't there. If you could only have one item from each 10, which one would it be? (That's even tougher to decide, eh?) Give it a think and then let loose in the comments section.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
HAPPY 53rd ANNIVERSARY...
Today marks 53 years since I first moved into my current home in June of 1972 so I felt a few words were in order. ("Make it just a few then, eh, Kid?" I hear some of you say.) Earlier today, as I sat in an armchair on the lefthand side of the fireplace, it didn't seem so very long since I, as a 13/14 year-old youth, was in the habit of doing the very same thing, especially on a Saturday when I usually bought whatever comics I was getting at the time.
I've used this 'analogy' before (not one I originated), but it really does feel like I went to bed last night as a teenager and woke up this morning as the decrepit pensioner I now am, though in my mind I still think of myself as a teenager. 53 years gone in a blink, it's hard to come to terms with. Back in the '70s the future seemed a long way off and I erroneously believed it was so far away that it would take 'forever' to get there. Boy, was I mistaken about that.
Honestly, it doesn't seem too much of an exaggeration to say my first day in this house was only yesterday or last week at the most, so quickly has the time passed. Part of the reason may be because I'm in the same house now as I was then and nothing much at all has changed in my day-to-day life; no wife, no kids or grandkids, everything seemingly the same-old-same-old, with nothing of note to mark the passing of the years.
I often wonder if it's different for those who've lived in various houses and neighbourhoods over the decades. As they've experienced nigh-countless events and met many more people, and lived in several other places, do their lives seem fuller and more enriching due to having packed so much more into them than me? I've lived quite a tame life in that I've never been abroad or stayed elsewhere for any length of time, so there aren't so many 'landmarks' in my life as in theirs.
Or does it really make a difference? Even to those who've lived exciting, cram-packed lives in numerous towns or cities, perhaps their lives don't seem any longer at the end of the day, despite all the rich and varied experiences they've tasted over the years. Whether you run through life, partaking of every opportunity there is to be had, or casually amble through it without doing much at all, maybe one lifetime seems just as long or as short in one's twilight years as the other.
What do you think, readers?
NEW MARVEL & DC FACSIMILE EDITIONS...
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Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
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Copyright DC COMICS |