MARVEL TALES SPIDEY COVER GALLERY - PART THREE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Have you ever looked at one of your comics and thought to yourself "I remember buying that a few years ago", as if it's only a fairly recent acquisition?  Then noticed the date on the cover or in the indicia and been amazed to recall that you purchased it around 30 years back?  That's usually how I feel when I look at certain favourite comics in a dreamy daze - it often seems that it wasn't so long ago since they came into my possession, and it can be a shock to the system when the realization dawns (as it always must) that over half my life has passed since I first bought them.

This feeling is no doubt compounded by the fact that my comics are in the same condition as when I first obtained them; if they were well-thumbed, dog-eared and with covers hanging off the staples - had an appearance of age in other words - then perhaps I'd view them in their proper context, time-wise.  However, because most of my comics appear to be brand-new, that's a difficult thing to do.  The only comics I have which look their age are ones that were in that condition when I purchased them - usually back issues from long, long ago.

Anyway, that's enough philosophical profundity for today - let's get straight down to the business at hand.  Which is, you'll be glad to hear, appreciating the next six issues of early SPIDER-MAN covers by STEVE DITKO, as re-presented in MARVEL TALES back in the 1980s.  If you're not lucky (or rich) enough to have the original first printings of these stories, then these reprint mags are the next best thing.  So sit back, cup of tea in hand, and simply salivate at these exquisite pictorial presentations of your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man at his very best.

Click here for Part One, and here for Part Two.

WHO IS 'MOONMANDO'?

Regular readers may have noticed the occasional responses to some of my posts by a certain gentleman calling himself Moonmando.  So who is this mysterious and elusive creature of the night, and why does he appear to have nothing better to do than astound us with his keen, insightful and thought-provoking comments on the wit and wisdom so freely bestowed upon Blogger-land on a daily basis by my good self?

Well, now the hitherto closely-guarded secret can be revealed!  Moonmando is none other than a talented guitarist who delights in strumming his fingers down to the bone in his selfless efforts to entertain all lovers of good music.  Whether it be of the folk, country or classical variety, Moonmando gives it laldy on your behalf, and can often be found playing, singing or composing in his own private studio long into the night, in his all-consuming quest to master the intricacies of some musical masterpiece.

But don't take my word for it.  (Not that you ever do.)  Why not click on this link and see and hear for yourself just how accomplished he is in his chosen craft?  Go on, it'll give you a break from reading my blog at the very least.  (Hey, where the heck did everyone suddenly go?  Fair-weather friends.)

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Update: Moony passed away from cancer on February 14th 2023.  Rest in peace, old friend.   

SKETCH Of The DAY...

I found this unfinished pencil sketch in a folder earlier today.  It was started when I was living down in Fratton in Portsmouth in 1985, copied from a photograph in an art book of the author, whose name I've long since forgotten.  (In fact, I can't even remember the name of the book.  If anyone knows, feel free to pass it on.)  I never got to finish it before having to hand the book back in to the library, being too busy pursuing my career as a calligraphic artist (okay then... a letterer) in the world of comics.

At the beginning of the book was a quotation from MICHELANGELO, which I was so impressed by that I made a note of it.  Hopefully, if you harbour any artistic aspirations, it may inspire you to achieve them.

"Let this be plain to all: design, or as it is called by another name, drawing, constitutes the fountain-head and substance of painting and sculpture and architecture and every other kind of painting, and is the root of all sciences.  Let him who has attained the possession of this be assured that he possesses a great treasure;..."

Now - go forth and conquer!