Tuesday, 22 March 2016

THE "NOT GOOD ENOUGH - DO IT AGAIN!" DEPARTMENT - PART ONE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

You're looking at the cover of FANTASTIC FOUR Annual #1 - or are you?  Yes, you are - sort of.  The above cover is the one that JACK KIRBY initially drew for the Cosmic Quartet's first yearly outing, but it was rejected by STAN LEE, who then had Jack whip up the version that graced the published issue, which you can see below.  So which one do you prefer - and why?

RESTORATION BLUES...



At the risk of being accused of narcissism, I just had to post this old photograph of myself I found the other day.  It's from around 1977 or '78 and was extremely faded (having been reprinted years ago from a deteriorated negative), but I applied some computer magic and, hey presto - restored it to something resembling its former glory.  Now if only I could do the same thing for myself, I'd be a very happy man.

The memories this photo conjures up are a welcome reminder of past times, when summer skies seemed bluer, drifting clouds were whiter, and age and infirmity were beyond my imagining.  A glimpse of a moment frozen in time forever, but one that I can now only experience as a spectator from a far distance, and no longer as a participant in the moment it happened.  However, I'll grab it with gratitude as it's as near to it as I'm likely to get.  Thank goodness for photos, eh?

Y'know, I really miss being young.  How about the rest of you?  (Assuming you're not, obviously.)

BABE Of The DAY - CAMILLA LONG...



Journalist CAMILLA LONG is
today's Babe, Crivs.  Saw her recently
on BBC's HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR
YOU and was instantly smitten.  By the
way, this is post number 3000, so feel
free to celebrate with a cup of tea and
 a nice chocolate digestive.