MINI MIGHTY MARVEL MASTERWORKS - The MIGHTY THOR...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Saw the above book on eBay recently and bought it (arrived today), mainly because I love the cover of Journey Into Mystery #83.   The book is around an inch smaller than the usual Marvel Masterworks volumes, but the internal pages are still readable without straining my eyesight and, as I say, it's primarily the cover I wanted it for just so I could enjoy looking at it.

Having said that, it's not quite right, is it?  Thor's left arm appears to be growing out the side of his torso, and his hands aren't the best ones Kirby's ever drawn.  Add to that the fact that the handle of Thor's hammer is curved and that it doesn't look physically possible to swing it around himself in the way it's depicted (a continuous arc), I'd say it's hardly Kirby at his best.

But, boy - it sure has visual impact, doesn't it?!

The THREE AMIGOS...?

Copyright DC COMICS

Well, Robin, the Boy Wonder (I wonder if he's a real boy) sure looks happy enough to see Superman fly overhead, but look at the expression on Batman's kipper.  It seems to suggest he's thinking what a show-off Supes is, or he's annoyed because Robin never smiles as warmly at him.  H'm, could Wertham have been right in his speculations about the Dynamic Duo?  Great piece of art, isn't it, but I don't know who the artist is, unfortunately.

BATMAN & ROBIN - LOOKING GOOD...

Copyright DC COMICS

Don't know who the artist is, unfortunately, but isn't this just an absolute belter of a painting?!  West and Ward as Batman and Robin never looked so good as they do here.  If they'd only been so dynamic in real life, then the Caped Crusaders' TV show back in the '60s might have lasted a few more seasons than it did.  I can only wonder what this ace artist's rendition of Catwoman and Batgirl looks like.  Would love to see what he does with them, art-wise.

CORGI's ASTON MARTIN 270 - IN TRIPLICATE...

Sat on top of my bed, hence being a bit squint

Crivs, if you're around my age, take a wee ponder and say what you regard as the best toy ever produced in the 1960s.  Was it Palitoy's Action Man, Corgi's Aston Martin D.B.5, Batmobile, Dinky's Thunderbird 2, FAB 1, or some other toy entirely?  You can even consider ones I haven't yet listed, like, say, Marx's Johnny West, Bump 'n' Go Daleks, Mattel's Major Matt Mason, and whatever else you can think of  (Ideal's Zeroids even).

One that's certainly a main contender (and probably the greatest diecast toy from that period) was the D.B.5 (261), with its extending overriders and front machine guns, ejector seat, and bulletproof shield, first going on sale in 1965, with an updated, retooled version (270) hitting the shops in 1968.  As well as the original working features, it also had front and rear revolving number plates and rear tyre-slashers, though later releases of this model lacked the latter two additions.  (An even larger version appeared 10 years later.)

Incidentally, all three cars are the same size...

There was only one problem with both incarnations of this model and that was the fact the hatch seldom sat flush with the roof (see fourth photo), often projecting beyond where it should naturally have settled.  Most of the ones you'll see on eBay today have the hatch not quite closed, with a gap where it should meet the roof.  There was no real reason for this, apart from two internal pieces not quite meeting where they were meant to, and could easily have been fixed by Corgi had they been of a mind to.

When the hatch was closed, a downward protruding bar was meant to be held in place by a piece of plastic behind the driver's seat pushing against it, but this had not been executed with the required precision.  Corgi must've addressed this oversight at some stage, as one of my three 270 models has a perfectly flush hatch, another being just about flush.  I acquired my first replacement for the one I had in the early '70s around 35 years ago, though I had to drill out the rivets to make some repairs, before using epoxy steel resin to affix the base back in place, disguised by false rivet heads.

The other two I bought only around a week ago and they're probably two of the finest examples you'll ever see, aside from unopened and unplayed with models that have lingered in a drawer or display cabinet for decades.  The Corgi Model Club recently reissued replicas of the 270, but though it looks nice, it's a poor replacement for the original.  The hatch, which is narrower than it should be, sits flush, but in order to achieve this, the ejector seat doesn't extend as high as it should and the passenger therefore sits lower than his '60s counterpart when the hatch is open, and barely clears the hatch when ejected.  Lovely to look at in its packaging I suppose, but not such a great plaything when compared to its iconic predecessor.

...it's the perspective which makes them look different

Anyway, with the application of a little clear epoxy resin to the top of the hatch bar to increase its thickness where needed, none of my three original models sport that irritating unclosed hatch, and I can always pick the resin off should I ever want to restore them to their unaltered state.  All CMC had to do with the reissue was make the hatch bar slightly higher and the plastic part that secures it slightly thicker and there'd have been no problem, but it never seemed to occur to them, which makes me wonder why.  After all, it would have been a simple fix and retained the 'reach' of the '60s model's ejector seat.

Originally, the replicas were made in China, but their recent release of the Heinkel Bubble Car was made in Bangladesh, and the suspension doesn't seem to work as it should, with many buyers referring about it on the CMC review page.  The two I received should never have left the factory, and I've been receiving far too many imperfect models over many months so I've resigned from the club.  It seems they've even given up trying to be helpful in such instances so it's 'Adios Amigo' as far as I'm concerned.  Their quality control department appears to be non-existent.

However, never mind all that, just look at the above three original beauties on display for your appreciation - but remember - they're mine.

Photo borrowed from Internet - note the ill-fitting hatch...

...compared to one of mine.  Superb. eh?

MAN In A DVD CASE...

Back in September 2020, I bought the Man In A Suitcase DVD box set (by Network), and I thoroughly enjoyed working my way through all 30 episodes.  Today, I received (via eBay) one of a limited number of promo cards hand-signed by Richard Bradford when he was conducting interviews for the DVD release in 2004.  Sadly, both the actor and the company Network are no longer around, but Richard's name lives on - and I've got it, now securely ensconed within the DVD case (so these are the seller's pics).  RB was a Terrific actor, I thought.  If you'd care to refresh your memory on what I wrote about the box set nearly six years ago, click here. 

SUPERMAN In The SEVENTIES...

Copyright DC COMICS

I managed to get the above new presentation of Superman In The Seventies from HMV on Saturday, even though I've got an earlier edition given to me by the late Moonmando when his grown-up son (Scott) was having a clear-out.  The book was first published around 2000, so it's odd (though satisfying) to have new 'first printings' of books which are more than a quarter of a century old.  The new editions are slightly slimmer, having thinner (though better) paper, but still containing the full contents of ealier versions.

I've now read both this and the Batman volume, obtained the day before the Superman one, and I have to say that they were enormously good reads.  They were each part of a series (In The '40s, In the '50s, In The '60s, etc.,) though I don't think I'll bother getting the others - though never say never, 'cos that money has to be spent somehow.  Right, you lot - straight down to HMV (or get on to eBay) and buy your own copies if you don't already have them on your bookshelves.  They'll look great alongside your other comics collections.

BATMAN In The SEVENTIES...

Copyright DC COMICS

Above, is a book I bought in HMV yesterday (Friday), and though I already have most of the stories, I thought it would be handy to have them all in the same volume.  This is a new edition of a collection published quite a few years ago, and though I already have the Superman companion book, I think I'll take another look in HMV later today (Saturday) and see if they have a new edition.  Too tired to tell you what this one contains, but think of the thrill of discovery when you see for yourself as you're flicking through the pages the next time you're in your local HMV or comicbook shop.  Happy hunting.

The front cover is a reversed image of a Neal Adams drawing, with a hitherto out-of-sight foot drawn by someone other than Adams by the look of it.  This is one of these times when a reversed image doesn't look quite right, and Batman's right leg (previously his left) seems misshapen.  Take a look at the last image to see what it originally looked like.

BABE Of The DAY - SIGOURNEY WEAVER...

 Here's a 'hot' pic of Alien actress

Sigourney Weaver.  Could that be a

cheese & onion sandwich stuffed down the

front of her panties?  She should wear a hat

for that sort of thing, like Paddington

 Bear does for his marmalade ones.

RIP-OFF CITY STARTS HERE...

Remember a post I wrote a few years ago about an eBay seller who sold me a comic he said had no pen markings, yet when it arrived, the cover had parts coloured in with a red marker?  The same guy is selling the above page for £99, even though there's no way to prove its source as most, if not all, back covers on Marvel mags that month would have carried the same ad.  Do you get the impression the guy's a bit of a chancer?  He's sure got a brass neck!  And in the highly unlikely event that single pages can sell for up to £4,000 (as he claims), it would be a story page, not a back page ad which shows no indication as to which issue it's from.  You can actually buy complete issues of Journey Into Mystery #83 in decent condition for around four grand, and maybe even a page of original art for that price.  To me, this just shows he regards his potential customers with contempt.  What do you say, Crivvies?

MOAN Of The MONTH...

Was just reading a comment on another site by an obvious moron, who used the phrase 'sort-after' when he should have said 'sought-after'.  Just where do these cretins come from?  I could crush a grape!  (So it's handy I have a pack of them in my fridge.)

SPOT The DIFFERENCE...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Above is the cover from the second THOR KING-SIZE SPECIAL from 1966, below is a reprint from 1994 - which still carries the original indicia, but with the words 'second printing' appended to it.  Sharp-eyed readers will notice that ol' Goldilocks' right arm is different on the two versions, the first having been amended before printing, the second presumably featuring the cover as KING KIRBY originally drew it.  (Though there's a hint of JOHN ROMITA about it.)

The reason for this is pretty obvious: Marvel's file copies of artwork were usually photocopied before any alterations were made, hence many reprints down through the years sported pages as they'd originally been drawn, not published.  Thankfully, in recent years, Marvel has addressed this issue and striven to ensure that reprints are as close to archival quality as possible.

Thought you might enjoy seeing Kirby's original version.

But hold!  There's even more to the story!  Take a good look at this third version of the cover, below.

While thumbing through my hardbacked volume of THOR MASTERWORKS Vol 5 recently, I espied this amazing oversight.  Either the patch covering Thor's original arm has fallen off (which would mean that Marvel had access to the original art), or an art restorer re-created the new arm on a file photostat, but then simply forgot to delete the original Kirby limb it was intended to replace.  Who knows the truth behind this Marvel mystery?  Answers in the comments section if it happens to be you.

BABE Of The DAY - GAL GADOT...

No words are needed to accompany

this vision of loveliness, but you all know

what a chatterbox I am so I can't stop myself.

Crivs, I give you (a photograph of) sensational

Israeli actress Gal Gadot - like, wow!  (On

Gal's blog, she has a Hunk of the Month

feature and it's usually always me!)

CRIVENS RECOMMENDED READING...

Copyright DC COMICS

DC Comics goes from strength-to-strength when it comes to their Facsinile Editions, with Justice League Of America #75 being a shining example of just how to produce a near-perfect replica.  Nothing I can fault this one for, and it wouldn't be hard to mistake for the original comic.  Definitely one to buy and keep.

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

I bought this Iron Man mag (#2/Lgy682) because of its cover's retro look, but didn't spot the mock-aging in the thumbnail on the dealer's site.  I think it would've been better had Marvel omitted the 'weathered' effect (often seen in canvas reproductions) and made it appear brand-spanking new, but maybe that's just me.

Buy 'em now if you haven't already. 

TOYBOX TREASURES Of The PAST: The DALEK ORACLE...

Wow!  It's almost 10 years ago since I acquired The Magical Amazing Robot, which was a renamed reissue of The Amazing Magic Robot, but in every other way a doppelganger of the classic toy from childhood - if you're of a certain age that is.  There was a similar toy called The Dalek Oracle, and since I obtained the Robot version, I've quite fancied having the Dalek incarnation also.  (Someone gave me the Dalek figure back in 2019, but without everything else that went with it.)  Taa-daa!  Well, thanks to eBay, I've now bought the full kit and caboodle (also spelt with a k), though the photos you see here are the seller's as it'll be a few days 'til my new (pre-owned) game arrives at its welcoming forever home.

So Criv-Kids, did any of you have this fascinating game when you were a lickle kidlet, and if so, what are your memories of it?  Can you barely remember it, or do you yet pine for this much-loved item from childhood?  Tell your fellow readers now.  

 

BABE Of The DAY - GAL GADOT As WONDER WOMAN (HOT TOYS 2018)...

A recent addition to my vast accumulation of stuff is this great Hot Toys Wonder Woman 12" articulated figure, modelled after sensational siren Gal Gadot.  (Incidentally, the 't' isn't silent.)  This is described as the deluxe version (though surely that would be Gal herself) and is a figure I could look at for hours.  At least this way I can't get arrested for staring at the real Gal when I see her shopping in my local Farmfoods.  (Well, it looks like her.)

By the way, I can't wait 'til midnight, because when I utter a secret mystical incantation, then this 12" figure becomes a life-size, living, breathing goddess whose only purpose is to please me.  (First thing I'll do is get her to make me a cuppa and a bacon buttie - priorities are important.)  Am I in for a great time or what?!  (Even if it is only in my imagination.)  

ACTION COMICS #583 Facsimile Edition...

Copyright DC COMICS

Nah, it can't be, can it?  40 years since this mag first hit the stands and changed the continuity of Superman forever.  Well, that's not quite accurate, as Superman's continuity has shifted a few times since this momentous mag went on sale in 1986 and I haven't bothered to keep myself informed as to all the developments in the Man Of Steel's day-to-day life since the first Crisis.

He's married to Lois Lane now, I think, and they have at least two kids (one of whom 'plays' for both 'teams', I understand, so right away that's not the Superman I remember or recognise and am therefore not interested in reading about.  No, not when I recall ol' Supes/Clark Kent at his best and he's not been at his best for a goodly number of years now, more's the pity.

However, there was once a time when Supes was still the character I grew up reading, and this latest facsimile is a good example of that, even though it marked the end of the particular era of which I speak.  It's the second part of a story begun in Superman #423 (below), written by Alan Moore, and is a perfect example of when he was still capable of turning in a good yarn that pressed all the right buttons.

Still can't believe it's been 40 years - seems like only last week to me and that's no exaggeration.

BABE Of The DAY - SUPERGIRL...

Copyright DC COMICS

Ah, Supergirl, wotta darlin' you are!

You're stunning enough to be eligible as my

next girlfriend and, what's more, the fact you're

only an illustration makes me equally eligible as

a prospective new boyfriend.  (A pic is better

 than nowt I guess, so you'll have to do.)

FINALLY - The 'REAL' SWAMP THING #88...

Copyright DC COMICS

My thanks go to reader McSpotty McScotty for alerting me to this one.  (Update: Oops, my mistake - it was Baggsey!)  A hitherto unpublished Swamp Thing #88, featuring the presence of Jesus Christ, presented as it would've been had it seen the light of day back in 1989, is a very nice read indeed.  I had reservations about it in advance, but Christ is presented in a totally respectful way, with not even a hint of anything to cast doubt on the New Testament's claims about Him.  It's the first of a four-parter and there'll be a collected edition before too long. 

Criven's verdict?  Definitely one to have in your collection.

(Incidentally, sad to learn that McS's Keir Starmer lookalike venture isn't doing very well, but if nobody wants the real Keir, an impersonator is hardly going to pull in the crowds.  Now if only he looked like me, his business would be thriving.)

BARRIE TOMLINSON (Was A Comic Book Hero)...

Copyright relevant owner

Who'da thunk receiving a book would be such a slow process?  I ordered the above book via Amazon on April 24th, a few minutes after ordering the 'Real Roy Of The Rovers Stuff' via eBay - both by Barrie Tomlinson.  The eBay book arrived 3 days later, but there was no sign of this one.  A full week after purchase, I signed in to Amazon to check the book's progress and guess what?  It still hadn't been dispatched!  I promptly cancelled and ordered one from eBay (April 30th), and though it was sent within a couple of days, it only turned up today (May 8th).  So though I mentioned this book around a fortnight ago and had hoped to feature it long before now, circumstances conspired against me.

Anyway, if you were a comics reader in the '70s and '80s (to name but two decades), you'll probably find this book about all the comics Barrie worked on throughout his 50 year career an interesting read, and it may well add an extra dimension to your own childhood and teeanage years, learning about what was happening in the world of Fleetway/IPC at the time.  He discussess a lot of comics, 2000 A.D. included, and there's some fascinating info to be learned about his involvement with them.  Honestly, you could spend your dosh on far less worthy items, so straight on to eBay or Amazon with you!  Both books are now out-of-print, so grab 'em while you can - you might not get another chance.

The SAVAGE SWORD Of CONAN REFORGED #4...

CONAN characters copyright CPI

Still on the theme of Conan, thought I'd show you some images from the latest issue, newly arrived today, Crivvies.  This was a difficult ish to procure for some reason, as the first seller I advance-ordered it from eventually said his source wasn't able to supply him with sufficient numbers to fulfil his orders, so I had to buy it from elsewhere.  Regarding the cover (variant B), I've had a poster of this Neal Adams illo on one of my walls since around 1975*, which came free in #1 of the UK weekly SSOC (not to be confused with the later UK monthly edition).  I may well call it quits with this issue, given the difficulty in obtaining it, though it's a real treat to see these formerly b&w tales sensitively coloured for a new (and not-so-new) readership.

If you have any thoughts on these images being 'colourised' then feel free to share.  After all, it's always good to get 'mail'.  (McS - did you hear?  I said Neal Adams!)

(*To be more precise, it's a replacement I acquired around '84 or '85, my first one being damaged in '83, though it's still an original UK poster from '75.)

By CROM And MITRA! PART FOUR Of MARVEL'S CONAN SAGA COVER GALLERY...

CONAN characters copyright CPI

Roll up, roll up, Crivvies, for the fourth and final part of Conan Saga Cover Gallery, consisting of 16 astounding pieces of painted artwork for your attention and appreciation.  There were 97 issues of this particular series, though I have only the first 64 of them, meaning you're going to have to wait until I buy the remaining 33 - if I ever do (which is doubtful) - or look them up on eBay to see what you're missing.

There are some exquisitely rendered pieces of artwork here and I have no hesitation in saying that the majority of them wouldn't look out-of-place in some prestigious gallery or museum.  (Hey, I've seen far worse in my time.)

Anyway, got a favourite or three?  Then be sure to let your fellow Criv-Kids know which and why.  It's no fun if you don't join in so give your typing fingers a workout now!