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Okay, peeps, time to squeeze my brain and see what I can come up with that you might just find a teensy-weensy bit interesting. What do you fancy? How about some of my recent comicbook additions to my immense accumulation of goodies? You'd like that? Good, 'cos I've already scanned the ones I'd earlier decided to show you, thereby revealing that my apparent offering of choice was anything but. However, I don't want any complaints or moaning, 'cos you didn't have to pay to get in here so I expect you all to take what you get and be grateful for it. (Oh, I impressed myself by how masterful I was there.)
First up, above, are two Sub-Mariner comics - #s 59 & 61 - which I don't think I've ever seen before, which is why I decided to buy 'em. The first one is perhaps a little misleading as ol' Goldilocks only appears in 7 out of 20 pages, but for some reason this issue is regarded as a bit of a collectors' item. Don't believe me? Then check out some of the crazy prices several sellers are asking for high-quality condition copies on eBay. Sam Kweskin, an artist whose name I've never previously heard of (that I remember) did the layouts and John Tartaglione did the finished art and the result is perfectly acceptable.
Haven't read The Incredible Hulk #227 yet (or ever), but the cover grabbed me due to the '60s Avengers adorning it so I simply had to buy it. It reminded me of just how much I liked the line-up of The Avengers at this time in their history, when I first read about them in the pages of the late, lamented UK weekly periodical entitled Terrific - and it was! There's a Cover Gallery Omnibus of all 43 issues on the blog, which you can see by clicking the following considerately-provided link. Wait'll you finish this post first though.
I was taking a chance with the above two Thor comics (#s 252 & 253) as I couldn't recollect whether I already had them or not, but I wanted to add to my collection of '70s Marvel Jack Kirby covers and they weren't in any way expensive. Kirby was well-past his best by this point in his career and 253 is positively awful, but they still have a certain charm about them which makes them appealing to have. Out of the two covers I think that 252 is better, though I'd say it would've been better yet had Vince Colletta inked it. Feel free to disagree - I don't tell people to f*ck off for doing so, unlike some other overly-sensitive bloggers.
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Lastly, above, is a comicbook adaptation of Hanna-Barbera's very first big screen animated feature - Hey There, It's Yogi Bear. I own the film on DVD, so it'll be interesting to compare the mag against the movie to see how faithful the comic is, but no doubt some liberties will have been taken. And winging its way to me as I type is The Man Called Flintstone comicbook adaptation, so it'll be good to have both of H-B's films in comic strip form. I'll show you that mag when it arrives, but in the meantime, do you have a favourite cover among this lot? Then feel free to say so in our eager-to-hear-from-you comments section. (Or not, as seems to be the case.)
37 comments:
That Cindy Bear is shameless - she's gadding about topless and she isn't even on the beach. (Close your eyes, Boo Boo.)
None of these comics ring a bell with me although I may have read the Hulk tale if it was printed in MWOM . Like yourself that Avengers team was one of my favourites. I think John Buscema was drawing Thor at this time so although these are not Kirbys best covers , you will have big Johns art too enjoy . The Yogi Bear comic is my favourite ( the covèr at least) I had stopped buying Marvel and DC comics long before "Contest of Champions" so I have no knowledge of that one at all.
I doubt the Hulk tale was in MWOM, McS, because it's a 1978 ish and MWOM was 'winding down' at this time, about to become Marvel Comic around a year later. (Could be wrong though, maybe it did appear.) John Buscema and Tony DeZuniga were the artists on Thor in 1976, which probably means Buscema did breakdowns and DeZuniga did finished art. I've still to read Yogi's comic and I'm wishing my life away until the Flintstones one arrives. It's probably unfair of me to ask Crivs what their favourite cover is 'cos I can't decide for myself. Like I said before, I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.
I just re-read the comments section at the provided link, wherein I say in response to someone that I read the Contest Of Champions issues that morning. Just shows how underwhelming they must've been for me to have no memory of having done so.
The Hulk story did indeed appear in MWOM around October 1978 because I recognised the cover instantly. Unfortunately the MWOM cover was utterly ruined by a massive banner saying "Britain's No.1 TV Show" which ran diagonally across the front of the cover. This banner appeared on about four consecutive MWOM covers and it probably wasn't true anyway as Corrie was most likely Britain's No.1 TV show at that time. Personally I found the Hulk TV series disappointing as it was nothing like the comic.
Read the comic a few hours ago, but I don't recall having done so before (or seeing the cover on MWOM) so either I missed that issue or my famed powers of recollection are getting worse, as I'm sure I was still reading the weekly at the time. As the Hulk ish is dated September (which means it went on sale in the US in June), for it to appear in the UK in October shows Marvel were cutting things fine with their reprints. As for Britain's No. 1 TV show, surely that was my show on BBC 1, 'Kid's Klassic Kitchen-Sink Dramas'? (No, hold on - that was on an alternate Earth.)
Have you decided what to do about your Xmas decorations yet, Kid, as Advent is only a week away (this year Advent actually begins on December 1st which isn't usually the case).
Also, did you buy any GU cheesecakes or watch the POTA TV series opening titles on YouTube?
Not yet, CJ, though I aspire to getting my tree out of the loft at least. However, don't know whether I'll be physically able to as my legs might not be up to the task of climbing the loft ladder. Haven't watched the POTA TV show opening titles yet, and I've forgotten what GU cheesecakes are. Remind me.
GU cheesecakes are mini cheesecakes (two per pack) in little glass ramekins with a foil cover.
Ah, yes - I remember now you mentioning them before, CJ. Takes a while, but my brain warms up throughout the day.
Hope you are all well.Fond memories of Sub-mariner #59.Bought it in my local sweetshop off a comic display /turntable which had at least 150-200 Marvel and DC comics from that month!Because you asked I also bought Hulk #161 with the Beast guest starring and the 3rd issue I purchased, all at 5p each was Thor #209 with Marvels version of "Merry olde England" with the Druid and Stonehenge with Houses of Parliament,Big Ben and various other landmarks all grouped togetther to explain to US readers that this issue is set in London...circa 1930 -with obligatory and super friendly policemen.Cockney accents everywhere!Not a criticism because I still LOVE all 3 issues but my brain automatically conjures up the other 2 comics when I read the other one!Weird!Brain fog prevents me from remembering which other issues I left behind that day but could easily check.Avengers #77,FF#100,Spiderman#86 etc.I think but was always a sucker for 2 superheroes in the one comic hence my love for Thor vs Subby and Hulk against the Beast and the Mimic thrown in.There just seemed to be so much happening...brilliant time!
The Thor #209 I have now is one I've had for decades, Triple F, though it's not my original, but I liked Vince Colletta's inking of John Buscema's pencils. I do the same thing as you with certain comics; I remember one, but with two or three others along with it 'cos I bought them the same day. For example, I got MWOM #2, Superman #251, Terrific #1, and Marvel Super-Heroes #1 on the same day, Saturday 7th October 1972. (The latter two I got 2nd-hand in a jumble sale that day, 'cos as you know, they're from the '60s.) Keep well.
Kid - Interesting Submariner # 59's worth a bob or two, as I've got it in my garage! Less fortunately, my copy isn't in good condition. Ostensibly, Thor vs Namor's one of Marvel's greatest battles. A major missed opportunity here, this comic not following through on that promise. Reminds me of Captain America vs the Black Panther, on the cover of Marvel Double Feature # 21. Promising so much...yet didn't deliver. FFF - that Hulk & Beast story had me believing the Beast was powerful. After all - fighting the Hulk, one on one - and the Beast looked a big, powerful creature, like the Hulk! I was disappointed to later discover the Beast wasn't that tough! I've probably revealed here that, as a kid, I loved stories involving fights between superheroes!
Phillip
Back then, P, who didn't love fights between superheroes, eh?! I certainly did. There's a few pages on eBay which list Sub-Mariner #59, starting from around £12.50 for a battered copy, right up to (and past) £1,500, with a few at several stages in between, depending on condition. My copy certainly isn't falling to bits so I'm happy with it. As for the Beast, he's definitely not in Hulkie's league, though I think in his furry state he's stronger than he was before. (Maybe not though.)
Kid - Was the Hulk weakened, by the Mimic, slightly raising the Beast's minimal chances? I forget !
Phillip
I don't remember ever reading the issue, P, so couldn't say. However, I have a vague notion that those who the Mimic 'mimicked' did tend to feel weaker when he was around. I could be wrong though.
I had the two Thor issues with Kirby covers. Probably bought them because Kirby did the covers, but I did love the Buscema artwork inside for sure. I was a late arrival to Kirby, to be honest, via his DC art. Looking back with the full picture in front of me, these covers weren't his best work for sure. I wasn't a big Thor fan at the time....I would pick it up and put it down sporadically. I think this was the last time I picked it up.
I had all of the Contest of Champions series, but I remember absolutely nothing about it at all, other than the JRJR artwork. Must not have been particularly memorable as you said.
Contest of Champions - superhero fights theme, once again!
Daredevil vs Iron Fist - Iron Fist declares DD fights like a professional boxer (or something! )
Wolverine vs Black Panther, who declares: "Does W really intend to kill me?"
Captain Britain appears.
Iron Man zaps She-Hulk unconscious.
Pretty good!
Phillip
I suppose it was good to see Kirby get to do the covers for various titles on his return to Marvel, G, but not all of them were particularly good and sometimes looked as though he was just churning them out. Apparently, Kirby's art was mocked by Marvel staffers when it arrived in the offices so I think that demonstrates that Jack was no longer regarded as an asset there, and his return was more because Stan wanted to repay him for his role as a Marvel co-creator.
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Was that the original 3-issue series, P, or the 2015 series?
The original, Kid - I don't follow modern stuff.
Phillip
That mostly goes for me too, P.
Cindy bear in a compromising position and a caption stating Yogi's first full length, how times were innocent. Comics did have great art back then, even the bear porn.
Oh, let's not take things too far now - Yogi assures me it was all perfectly innocent. Can you choose a name for yourself, even if it isn't your real one? I don't usually publish anonymous comments as it gets confusing trying to distinguish between various anons.
That Yogi, he's a little tinker... Fair request i'll go with Retro, I live in the past anyway...I was just passing through the interweb and had to stop by, I enjoyed your topics and banter...refreshing reading.
It's all retro on this blog - always looking back. As the theme of Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads says "It's the only thing to look forward to, the past."
Kid, a few years ago there was a news report about a woman who was killed after breaking her neck when her ladder toppled over while she was retrieving her children's Christmas presents stored in the loft so be careful climbing your own ladder! Couldn't you store your tree(s) somewhere easier to reach?
I might buy some GU cheesecakes as a festive treat in the coming weeks.
A few years back, the ladder collapsed under me when I was going into the loft (wasn't at Christmas though) and I was taken to hospital in an ambulance to check I was okay. I was sore for a while, but it did make me nervous about trips to the loft. Now that my sense of balance is impaired it's even more of a worry, so thanks for your concern. If I cleared out the cupboard under the stairs I could maybe get my Christmas decorations in there, but where would I put the stuff that's already there? The loft maybe? I can't win. New post just published that gives you a mention, CJ.
You own too much stuff, Kid!!
Well, not until I can't move around the house for it, CJ.
Not directly related to loft ladder mis-apps, but I did know a chap who fell out of his open loft hatch, folding his leg the wrong way and rupturing his liver and head on the ladder and banister rail during free fall. All that suffering due to his wife's obsession of starting Christmas mid November. Boils my fluids with these new seasonal breaches of tradition, needless to say Santa visited ward 2B intensive care for the oppressed husbands that year.
And hopefully wifey was sent up the ladder to the loft the next year, R. Just like a woman to expect a man to do all the 'heavy lifting', eh?
Very true, Santa gets a raw deal trailing around the globe in all weathers, whilst mrs Santa chills with her sauvignon blanc, stroking her furry Krampus. No wonder we die younger on average, stress and strain. I say read comics and collect retro stuff, it releases endorphins that keep you young.
Dunno if it keeps you young, R, but at least it helps create the illusion that you're keeping young.
Just the other week I was talking with a correspondent about that Sub-Mariner/Thor story, which totally gave Namor short shrift. It was the first time the two contended one on one, but Subby barely gave a good account of himself. Why? "The old losing-his-strength-when-outta-water" trick, of course. I surmise that sort of convenient weakness was one of the things that caused Sub-Mariner to lose his title due to low sales. Instead of a weakness, why not just give him more powerful foes, as Marvel did with The Hulk?
I suppose readers preferred to see Namor fight fellow superheroes, GP, or at least that's what Marvel assumed. However, if his 'foes' were more powerful as a result of him being weakened out-of-water, doesn't that amount to the same thing?
Well, the result of an unweakened Subby fighting powerful foes would have been the same as the stories of the Hulk: most times, he would win, other times fight to a draw. But that particular story, matching Namor against Thor, annoyed me at the time because I remember thinking, "Hey, a lotta times Namor's been out of the water for several minutes fighting the Hulk-- and if Thor and the Hulk regularly engage as equals, why can't Sub-Mariner make a better showing against Thor?" The main reason is just my guess: the writer and/or artist just didn't want to do a gigantic battle issue and so they used Namor's weak point to fudge the results. "So he was robbed, I tell ya, robbed!"
I guess it was the easiest way to call it a 'draw', GP, and avoid Namor getting a doing from Thor or The Hulk (or whoever he was fighting). Namor fans wouldn't have been happy if he lost and Marvel may have been reluctant to let him win as he was a bit of an anti-hero and not always an outright good guy.
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