The WONDROUS WORLD Of DOCTOR STRANGE SPINS MAD...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

So where were we...?  Ah, yes, the Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth, sometime in 1981, which is where I associate two books in particular.  Namely, the Simon & Schuster (Fireside) volumes The Amazing Spider-Man (which we saw in a previous post) and Doctor Strange Master Of The Mystic Arts (above), both originally published in 1979.  I think I was already aware of these books, having seen them in a shop in Glasgow (possibly Second Foundation in Candleriggs or/and the Virgin Megastore in Union Street), but my association is stronger with Portsmouth as I actually leafed through them when I spotted them on, I think, a spinner-rack in a shop in (or alongside) The Tricorn.  I likely saw them again later back home, but I only recently decided to take the plunge and buy them, though there's a story behind the Doctor Strange softcover, with which I may regale you at a future date.

Like its Spider-Man, Captain America, and Fantastic Four companion volumes (the latter two already in my possession when I saw Spidey and the Doc publications), this is a relatively slim book, though it has some nice stories contained within.  My favourite one is probably 'The Wondrous World(s) Of Doctor Strange', which I saw for the first time in the 1968 (Smash! Pow!) Fantastic Summer Special given to me by a classmate around 1969.  The Special presented the tale in a resized b&w format more appropriate to its larger dimensions, so the book was the first time I'd seen the story in colour.  It had been newly coloured and didn't reproduce the original pallette (apart from the main two protagonists' costumes, obviously) and it looked very atmospheric.  Unfortunately, I can't open the book wide enough to scan without risk of damage, so you'll have to settle for the original King Size Annual pages.

The Annual cover wasn't included in the S&S book - I threw it in as a bonus

I later mildly regretted not buying the books in 1981, but the Spider-Man and Doctor Strange team-up reappeared in an issue of Marvel Tales around the mid-'80s, so I obtained the story that way.  Then there were Marvel Masterworks and Omnibus editions, etc., which also reprinted it over the years, so I've got it several times over now.  The other story that's worth having is the Barry Smith illustrated 'While The World Spins Mad!', though it never particularly impressed me at the time.  Like the other one, I now have various reprints of that tale too, one at least in an individual issue (Marvel Milestones) and also in various collected editions.  At that time (1972) it was the last Doctor Strange story ever scripted by Stan Lee (plot was by Smith) and what follows after the pics is what he had to say about it in his introduction.

The above cover wasn't in the book either.  This pair of images come from the Stan Lee Meets mag, below

'It marks the very last Dr. Strange story that I ever wrote.  As a matter of fact, I had already stopped writing the awesome adventures of our peerless prestidigitator a few years earlier, but for some reason, I very much wanted to script this particular yarn.'  In 2006, Stan returned to Doctor Strange for an issue of a limited series called Stan Lee Meets, wherein he met several Marvel superheroes, each new tale scripted by Stan himself, with a reprint of an earlier tale by Stan as a back-up.  The Smith-plotted and illustrated tale was the back-up in the Strange issue, so if you want the last two Doctor Strange stories scripted by Stan (in one issue too), that's the one you need to seek out on eBay if you don't already own it.  The new Stan Lee Meets stories were reprinted in a collected edition, though not the back-up tales.

Anyway, Crivs, I rabbited on longer than I intended so I'll shut up now.  As ever, don't forget where the comments section is if you have something interesting to say - and even if you don't.  (Hey, when have I ever let it stop me?!)

SPECTRUM IS STILL GREEN...

Just had to show all you mad, mental Crivvies another of my recent acquisitions - a life-size Captain Scarlet pistol that looks great.  It's only a display model and doesn't fire any bullets (a bit like myself these days), but I love it.  In fact, I'm going to hug it and love it and call it George, and might even have its babies.  Anyway, remember - Captain Scarlet is indestructible - you are not!  So whaddya think, Crivs - would you like one of these guns?  Then straight to the comments section with you and tell us all why.

Update 9-9-'25: There's one currently on eBay so get over there right away by typing 'Captain Scarlet Spectrum Pistol - Gun' into eBay's search box - bidding ends on Wednesday at 18:38. 

DOCTOR STRANGE & CONAN - An Unlikely Mix - (To Say Nothing Of The AVENGERS & SHANG-CHI, MASTER Of KUNG FU)...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS and relevant parties

Decided to buy a handful of Avengers weekly comics from eBay recently, just so's I could show you the covers, Crivs.  (After all, can't publish any posts if I've nothing to illustrate them with.)  The second last one (#95) is the first combined ish of The Avengers and The Savage Sword Of Conan weekly, which was merged into the older mag after 18 issues in its own series.  Obviously, UK kids weren't much into sword and sorcery at the time, but I suppose the subsequent success of the monthly mag of the same name suggests they developed a taste for it before too long.  If you recall any of these issues, feel free to share your memories of them in our comments section.

Conan's legs are seriously dodgy on this cover, particularly his right one

HERE COMES TONI, RINGING HIS BELL...

Long-time regular readers may remember my post about my Tonibell Miniball, which I inadvertently left in the loft when I moved house back in 1972.  19 years later, I gained access to the loft of my old home and recovered my Miniball, thereby settling a mystery in my mind once and for all.  Y'see, I didn't know for certain whether the ball was actually there, it was just a suspicion, but one that turned out to be well-founded.  I've now had it back in my possession for 34 years, far longer than I originally owned it, or the time I was without it.  (If you're interested, you can read that post here.)

Anyway, for some reason I've developed an interest in Tonibell memorabilia, and recently acquired three model ice cream vans sporting the Tonibell name and logo.  I'd never heard the name before I bought my first and only Miniball around 1967 or '68, though I believe the company still operates today.  Which is my cue to show you my three vans, plus an original badge from many years ago.  There are other vans in the series (made by Oxford Diecast), which I may decide to collect in the future.  The ones on show here are all different scales, from tiny to medium to large, but they're great collectables.

Do any of you recall Tonibell ice cream, Crivvies, and are there any vans that still come round your neighbourhood today?  Or have you seen their ice cream sold in shops recently?  Do tell in our lonely little comments section.

Update: And, below, is the above badge alongside its new pal, just acquired.

The COMPLETE 1st ISSUE Of BUSTER...

Copyright REBELLION

If you're of a certain age, it's hard to think of Buster comic without strips like Charlie Peace, Galaxus, Fishboy, Leopard From Lime Street, etc., but none of them appeared in the first issue, consisting of a mere 16 pages for 4d.  However, it was around the size of a tabloid newspaper and slightly larger than TV Century 21, and managed to survive for just short of 40 years, changing size, page count, and frequency of publication over the decades.  The final issue came out at the end of 1999, but as the comic was a fortnightly by then, it was dated into 2000 - and had it lasted until May, it would've celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

Anyway, I recently acquired the very first collectors' item issue and thought it only right and proper to share its comic strip contents with you adoring and adorable Crivvies (don't worry, CJ, you're included too), so without any further ado ('cos all my ado is done), here are all 16 pages for your palpitating perusal and pleasure.  Don't ever say I'm not good to you all 'cos it would be a danged lie, though there's no need to feel guilty as you can thank me for my ginormous generosity in the comments section.  Before that, however, enjoy the pulsating pages laid before you.  And remember to click on them to enlarge, then click again for optimum size.

And below, for completists, is the first issue's free gift.

MIND YOU DON'T MISS THE (BAT)BOAT...

Characters copyright DC COMICS

Arrived yesterday at Castel Crivens, the reissue of Corgi Toys (singular on the box for some reason) first version of the Batboat And Trailer.  I never had this as a kid, so it's good to add it to the collection almost 60 years later.  It was supplied with an adaptor for the Batmobile exhaust as the 1966 BM didn't have a tow-hook, though one was added for later editions after the release of the Batboat.

Anyway, for those Crivvies who are into such things, here's a few photos to rekindle your memories if you had this toy back in the day.  Feel free to share any reminiscences in the comments section.

Below, in response to LH's request in the comments section, is an original Corgi Bat-copter.

BABE Of The DAY - FLEUR EAST...

Fleur East - a gal I'd never heard of 'til

recently.  However, she's certainly a babe

who's worthy of appearing on Crivens, I'm

sure you'll agree.  You do, don't you?

BRING ON THE BAD GUYS - TOO LATE, THEY'RE HERE! (ALONG WITH SOME GOOD ONES)...

Images copyright relevant and respective owners

Above is a comic mag I got a wee while back, mainly because the cover is based on that of the 1976 Fireside book Bring On The Bad Guys by Stan Lee (with a little help from a whole kaboodle of collaborators).  Below is the original cover, though I have to say I like Dr. Doom's right hand on the new cover more than on the old one.  That aside, it would probably be hard to distinguish between the two pieces of artwork from just a quick glance at them side-by-side if not for the mastheads.  I haven't read the mag yet, so I'm undecided on whether I'll buy subsequent issues, though probably not.  (I've had the book since I first bought it way back in the dim and distant days of the '70s.)

Next is a Golden Age-sized facsimile of Superman #1, though as the interior images are the same size as the standard reprints of this classic issue, I'm not sure why DC bothered.  When they did Detective Comics #27 in this format, they scanned the interiors from a 1939 original, and apart from the price on the cover and the barcode on the back, the interiors looked pretty much as they did when the issue was initially published back in the '30s.  The GA Action Comics #1 and Superman #1 contain brand-spanking new images with a huge margin around them.  Whatever happened to consistency?  Still worth having though.

Below is the second monthly ish of Panini's new Fantastic Four mag.  I read #1 and #2 over the last few days and quite enjoyed them, though as yet remain undecided whether I'll continue with the title past the third issue.  Time will surely tell.

Below is one I've been looking to acquire for quite a number of years now - Valiant & TV21 Summer Special for 1973.  Can't remember whether I actually owned this one back in the day, but I might have done and that's good enough for yours truly.*  Nabbed it at last, though I think I might already have it on a data disc somewhere, but if so, that was just a stopgap.  Nothing beats the real thing.  (*I know I had [and have] the Valiant & TV21 Summer Special for 1972 and I don't like having one without the other, so I now own both of them.)

Been extremely tired recently, Crivs, and suffering intense spasms of pain throughout my body, hence the dearth of posts on Crivens, but I'll try and do better in the weeks ahead.  (Though if posts remain sparse, you'll know why.)  Can't get a doctor's appointment 'cos whenever I 'phone, the line is engaged for half-an-hour, and if I get through, a message says all the appointments are allocated for the day, so try again tomorrow.  I've actually visited the surgery in person to try and see a doctor or arrange an appointment, but been told I'll have to 'phone for one.  Absolutely disgraceful state of affairs, I'm sure you'd agree, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Apart from die from an undiagnosed illness, that is, but I'm hoping that isn't an option.  Anyway, enjoy the covers.  Got a favourite?  Then say so you know where. 

"IN THE TOWN WHERE I WAS BORN..."

Copyright relevant owner

Back in what must've been the very early '70s, I acquired a Corgi Toys Beatles Yellow Submarine from a jumble sale held in the church across the road from my house.  Because of this, when Corgi reissued the sub in, I think, 1997, I bought two of them - one to tuck away, the other for display.  Originally, there were two versions, one with white and yellow hatches (and a red stripe separating the lower half from the conning tower), and one with red hatches (and no red stripe).  The push-'button levers' for springing open the hatches were unpainted metal (which tarnished over the years), though were painted black for the '90s reissues.

Here's where it gets confusing.  Corgi say that the two versions were released in the same year (1969), but they're not sure which came first or whether both were available at the same time.  Some other sources claim that the red hatched edition didn't go on sale until 1971, but the original '69 box had a picture of the sub on the back with white and yellow hatches, respectively, if that's any indication of sequence.  I once thought my jumble sale acquisition had red hatches, but this may have been due to the fact that when I bought my '90s models, they had red hatches and this may have 'coloured' my memory.  (Good one, Gordie.)

When I recently bought the white and yellow hatched version from the Corgi Shop, it seemed familiar, so it's always possible the one I had in the '60s/'70s was the same.  Either way, I've got both versions now - the Corgi Model Club red hatched version and the Corgi Shop white and yellow hatched incarnation, as well as my two '90s reissues.  There was a slight problem with the '90s model, in that when you released the hatches, they sprang back and the stem/hinge hit the metal behind it, which chipped the paint on the hatches over repeated use.  I took one apart and affixed something to the insides to prevent this happening, but I'm glad to report that Corgi has now remedied the flaw in the current versions, though they may've done this a few years back.

Contrary to the box's claim, the periscopes rotate, not bob up and down

The '60s original said Corgi Toys on the base (and Made In Gt. Britain), the modern reissues since the '90s have no raised country of origin on them (they're made in China) and sport the Corgi dog symbol along with the name Corgi (and The Beatles Yellow Submarine logo).  That'll be because they're not regarded as toys for kids these days, but models for the 'adult collector' and nobody under the age of 14.  (When did 14 year-olds become adults?)  The Corgi Shop version has the 'levers' painted black, the CMC ones are unpainted as per the originals.

Did you have a Yellow Submarine when you were a kid, Crivs, and were/are you a Beatles fan?  Which one of these two versions do you prefer?  And, while you're here, why not reveal what your top three favourite Beatles songs are?  Don't be shy now, tell all your fellow readers what you think in our comments section (before I die would be nice).