CASTEL CRIVENS ACQUISITIONS...

All images copyright their respective owners

I likely first saw Metamorpho The Element Man in ads in various DC mags back in the '60s, and maybe even read one or two of his adventures in an odd issue of Double Double Comics, but as far as the latter goes, I couldn't say for certain.  I mainly associate him with the early '70s when I read his regular back-up strip in Action Comics, so I thought it a good idea to acquire this new Facsimile Edition of The Brave And The Bold #57, wherein Metamorpho made his four-colour debut in 1965.

Again, DC seem to be improving with the reproduction of ads in their facsimiles, and there's only one in this issue which isn't quite as sharp or as clear as it could be, though I suspect it's because of the newsprint-type paper the interiors are printed on.  I've included the back cover (below) as it's an ad for the Aurora Superman kit, of which I have several versions.

Also arrived at Castel Crivens recently is the Facsimile Edition of More Fun Comics #73, The Amazing Spider Man #1 (LGY #965), and a four issue series of Frankenstein from 2024, based on the 1931 Universal Pictures movie, with additional elements woven through the series.  All well-worth reading so get your skates on and buy 'em now!

THERE ARE MARTIANS AMONG US...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

So here's the scoop, Crivs!  Martians crash-land on Earth, but remain undiscovered, leaving the populace nervous and frightened about what their purpose might be.  A month passes, and we see two human-looking individuals, male and female (apparently husband and wife), in a house, with wifey fretting over hubby having to go out somewhere.  After he's gone, wifey discovers she's out of coffee and goes out to buy some.  Then the scene switches to hubby arriving home and discovering wifey absent, whereupon he rushes to the 'phone, presumably to call the police.  Then it's revealed that hubby and wifey are the Martians, but that creates a little problem, story-wise.

What's the problem, you ask.  Simple!  Who exactly is hubby calling?  It can't be the police, as he's effectively revealing he and his wife are Martians (who like Earth coffee), and surely he wouldn't blow the gaff that he and his missus are the ones the police are searching for.  Wait, I know!  His 'phone is really a disguised Martian communicator and he's calling the Martian mothership for assistance.  Yeah, hardly likely - and notice that hubby has four arms, whereas there's no indication from what she was wearing earlier (trust me) that wifey was similarly equipped.

It doesn't really make much sense - Stan must've had far too much to do that month to think things out properly before he began scripting the yarn.  (And who made the four-armed clothes?)  Any of you Crivvies got an explanation for the lack of logic in the plot, or am I just expecting too much from a 5-page back-up tale in Amazing Fantasy #15?  Do tell.    

The MEETING Of The MUCKY MINDS CLUB...

Copyright DC COMICS

Do I have a mucky mind or what?!  When I first saw the above image, my eyes couldn't help but focus on Power Girl's impressive cleavage.  As I drank in the sight of those magnificent orbs, I became dimly aware of something that seemed to be dangling from Superman's nether regions.  For a second it looked like his 'member' had slipped out of his trunks, but then I realised it was Power Girl's right arm.  Unless, of course, Supes' willy is shaped and coloured like a gloved fist - and that's hardly likely, is it?  (Though Diana Prince could have something to say on the matter if the rumours are true.)  Can you see it too, or am I the only perv to have spotted it?  Comments?

BABE Of The DAY - BATGIRL...

She may be called Batgirl, but

this total darling is most definitely all

woman!  (Well, a painting of a woman,

but you Crivs know what I mean.)

The SUBSTITUTE SUPERMAN...

Copyright DC COMICS

Recently, as I familiarised myself with my replacement issue of Action Comics #367 (shown in an earlier post), I realised the Supergirl back-up strip wasn't a two-part tale, but rather a three-part one, so I promptly bought the preceding issue, #366.  I already had #368, having owned it for around 45 years, so that's one I don't have to worry about acquiring.  Funny thing is, I no longer remember whether I bought 367 and 368 (which were back issues at the time) in sequence or not, and it's even entirely possible I acquired both of them on the same day from the same place (but maybe not).

It wasn't always clear with DC how many issues a story was comprised of, so that if you started with part two, you might never know there'd been a part one.  In fact, with some three-part tales, it was possible to read the third part without realising there were two instalments before it.  Action Comics #s 351-353 serve as a good example (see here).  It was decades before I learned 353 wasn't a single adventure, thinking it started in the middle for dramatic effect (to hook the reader), then used 'flashbacks' to reveal what had happened up to that point.  I didn't realise the flashbacks were referencing preceding issues, not hitherto unrevealed aspects of the plot.

Anyway, perhaps all that proves is what a thicko I am, though I'll strenuously deny it in court.  While you're making up your own minds on the matter (if you haven't already), enjoy the images on display and feel free to comment if you so wish.

BABE Of The DAY - VAMPIRELLA...

Copyright relevant owner

Vampi is pointing off-frame at

the latest girlie magazine in which

she appears with nothing more than

her boots on.  I'd show it to you, but

I don't want any of my esteemed

readers having a heart attack.

WEE FRANKIE - HE'S A MODEL MONSTER...

Copyright relevant owner.  (Seller's pictures 'cos I'm too lazy)

Standing at around four-and-a-quarter inches high, this great eight-piece model of Boris Karloff's Frankenstein Monster arrived at Castel Crivens at the beginning of March.  I've lightly glued the parts together so that I can easily separate them for painting if I can ever get around to it, which is unlikely at the moment due to nigh-constant fatigue.  However, I kind of like its grey finish as it reminds me of my Aurora Frankenstein model acquired back around 1971, which was also grey at that time.  Lovely little model, don't you think?!

BABE Of The DAY - BUNTY WINDERMERE...

Bodacious Bunty Windermere dropped in

for a modelling session today so I could brush-up

on my life drawing skills.  She sure breathes life

into this tired, weary old relic, I can tell you.

THE MAN WHO CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

The Comics Code seal of approval no longer appears on the covers of US comics, having finally disappeared in the early 21st century.  It was instituted in 1954 and was an entirely voluntary, self-regulating 'authority' with no law requiring its use.  Designed mainly to assure parents, advertisers, and retailers that comics with the Code seal were wholesome reading material and unlikely to corrupt impressionable young readers, it served the purpose for which it was created in the wake of Fredric Wertham's controversial book 'Seduction Of  The Innocent'.

For an example of how the code affected the content of some comics, consider one of the back-up stories included in the iconic Journey Into Mystery #83 (none other than Thor The Mighty's debut issue) - 'The Perfect Crime!'  In the page shown at the top of this post, some speech balloons have obviously been re-lettered in places so that the criminal's 'off-panel' death doesn't happen.  However, it's clear from the caption which says 'And in those last nightmarish seconds of Mike Morgan's life...' that the fate intended for him was his demise.

Whether the Code specifically intervened in this instance or it was a last-moment editorial amendment to avoid their potential objections is a moot point, as it wouldn't have been changed if not for their existence.  The speech balloons in the last two panels appear to have been partially (at least) rewritten to indicate Mr. Bad-guy's survival as a reformed character, but consider the floating Mercurian's 'I guess I might as well glide down and save him...'  Why?  He's surely been splattered all over the terrain below by this point, so it's too late for a rescue.

Interestingly, that last panel looks like it's been redrawn to complement the amended dialogue - it would be interesting to see what it was like originally.  So, Crivs - any thoughts, theories, or observations?  Then fire away in our scintillating comments section.

ACTION COMICS #367 - HERE AT LAST...

Copyright DC COMICS

I no longer recall exactly when I purchased my original Action Comics #367 - it could've been anytime between 1979 and 1981, maybe 1980.  It was a pretty beat-up copy so at some stage I bought a replacement, but I inadvertently damaged it in some way and dispensed with it.  I don't think it was too long after acquiring my original (which I yet own), which was fairly old when I got it, but I made a mental note to obtain a second replacement at the earliest opportunity.

Curiously, Superman looks less like Superman than Clark does

40-plus years later, I finally got around to it and a much-better condition issue arrived at Castel Crivens earlier today.  Aah, it feels good to have ticked another 'still-to-do' task off the list and I'm happy as a pig in sh-erbert.  I'll hang on to my first copy though, seeing as how I've had it so long, but it's now been relegated to that of 'spare', while the newer issue assumes the position of main copy in the scheme of things.

Dang!  That Supergirl certainly is hot stuff!

Anyway, seeing as you're here, I might as well show you a couple of interior images to whet your curiosity, should you actually be curious - so feast your eyes.  Before that, however, look at the cover.  I know it's only meant to be symbolic, but given the close proximity of Superman to Supergirl, they wouldn't have time to exchange that dialogue before Supes crashes through the glass dome.  (I just can't help noticing these things.)  Enjoy! 

The MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL PIN-UP BOOK...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Back in April of 2019 in my Treasury Editions 'Pot Luck' Cover Gallery, I mentioned I had the above Pin-Up Book and would add it to my main Marvel Treasury Editions post when I remembered where I'd put it.  Anyway, here it finally is, but rather than just show you the front and back covers, I thought I'd also share the actual contents with you.  So whaddya think, Crivvies, was this post worth waiting for and what pics do you like best?  Let me know in the ever-lovin' comments section.  (Oh, go on, go on, go on, go on!)  And remember, frantic ones, you can enlarge any image by clicking on it, then clicking again for optimum size.

Spidey's left leg just doesn't look right to my eyes

Iron Man's mask has been altered from how it was
originally drawn in this illustration 

For some reason, the original Kirby-drawn face on Thor has been changed 

BABE Of The DAY - GAIL McKENNA...

Gorgeous Gail McKenna lounges out in my

back garden and dares me to limbo dance under

her to prove how fit I am.  (Fit to drop, more like.)

Still, it's my own fault for being so irresistible.

MARVEL TREASURY EDITIONS UPDATE...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Back in 2019, I published a Marvel Treasury Editions Cover Gallery (here), but recently I purchased three new ones and have now added them to the post.  Click the above link if you're interested in copping a gander.  I think I had #13 at the time, 14 & 15 I'm not so sure about, even though the covers seem familiar to me.  However, that could be because I saw them advertised on the back of some Marvel UK weeklies.  Pop over and remind yourselves of which ones you owned.