A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND BLOWS IN WITH SAD NEWS - LEO BAXENDALE 1930-2017... (Updated)

Images copyright their respective owners

Well, what can you say and how do you say it?

As most of you will know by now, LEO BAXENDALE passed away recently.  Leo was an influential creator in the world of UK comics, but due to leaving mainstream comics in the mid-1970s, is known mainly to diehard fans who read his stuff in the '50s, '60s, and '70s.  News of his sad demise will bring him a wider recognition among the great British public, but it's a poor trade-off at the end of the day.  Some people you think will live forever, some people deserve to live forever, and Leo probably deserved it more than most.  True, he has attained a kind of immortality through his comics creations, but even that seems a lesser reward than it should be.

Anyway, there's little point in me repeating facts and figures about his career; that's already been done on other blogs, in far more detail than my tendency to the superficial can match.  Suffice to say that, when it comes to comics, Leo was a lion. There have been other lions of course, and there'll be others again, but he was among the first.  Sadly, I never met him, but he very kindly replied to several of my fan letters over the years, and, at my bold request in the position of assistant editor of The ILLUSTRATED COMIC JOURNAL back in the '90s, supplied an article for publication within its pages.  True, it had appeared elsewhere first, but Leo didn't think the readership of both 'venues' would overlap, and we were glad to have it. 

With each passing day, another little piece of our childhood is eroded away, and with Leo's passing, quite a large chunk has been chipped off in one fell swoop.  For what it's worth, if anything, I'm sure readers of this humble blog extend their condolences to Leo's family and friends at this sad time.  We're frowning at the moment, but we'll all laugh again after an appropriate interval, especially when we read again some of Leo's comic creations that we enjoyed as kids, teenagers, and adults.

Rest in peace Leo Baxendale.  He may be gone, but he'll never be forgotten as long as unruly kids indulge in mischief and mayhem in any school playground.

And below is the cover of Leo's autobiography, which every fan of British comics should read.

And now, a gallery of various images.  Click to enlarge, then click again for optimum size.

BABE Of The DAY - BRIGITTE NIELSEN...

The SHE-HULK that never was -

BRIGITTE NIELSEN.  That might've

been an interesting movie, but then again,

perhaps not.  She'll likely turn green with

envy when another statuesque actress

lands the role in the future, eh?

MY HEART IS STILL A FIREBALL...

Image copyright relevant owners

When I was a kid living in the first house I remember, in the woods at the top of the street there was a fallen tree that I imagined was FIREBALL XL5.  I'd sit on the front part of it, pretending it was Fireball Junior and that I was pilot STEVE ZODIAC.  When I was around five and a half, we flitted to a bigger house a few minutes away in another street, but I often returned to those woods to play on my tree.

One day my big brother came in and told me that some workmen had turned the tree around while doing something in the woods (no, they weren't bears, so it wasn't that), so at the first opportunity I ran up to see for myself.  I was disappointed, not being a fan of change of any kind, but there wasn't anything I could do but accept the cold hard fact of the situation.

When we moved again, I visited 'Fireball' often, even taking some of the loose roots from the upturned base of the tree as mementos of my childhood.  At some stage in the '70s (mid-to-late, I think - can't quite remember) old 'XL5' was removed and I never saw it again.  (Wouldn't it be weird if there were a wooden ornament in my house made from that tree and I didn't know?  I mean, I'd know there was an ornament, but not that it was made from the tree.)

Anyway, fade out the 'TWILIGHT ZONE' theme.  I don't have a photo of the tree to show you (took some, but never had them developed), so I thought I'd show you a piccie of Fireball XL5 itself.  Don't know who the artist is, but it's a pretty neat illustration.  Always loved those jet-mobiles - anyone know where I can buy a real one?

******

(Yeah, some of my posts are pretty weird, ain't they?  Thing is, I just wanted an excuse to show you this image of Fireball XL5, hence the personal reminiscence.)

ANOTHER BABE Of The DAY - NICOLA BRYANT...

NICOLA BRYANT is so happy,

she's jumping for joy, assisted by actor

COLIN BAKER, who can't believe his

luck.  Nor can the photographer in fact,

as he's got a much nicer view than Col

 has, poor old soul that he is.

BRITISH ADS FOR MAJOR MATT MASON...

Characters copyright MATTEL Inc.

Those of a certain age will recall MAJOR MATT MASON, MATTEL'S MAN IN SPACE, and the ads that appeared in U.S. comics at the time.  However, it appears that the U.K. had their own series of ads, which I've never seen reproduced anywhere else before.  Which doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been, just that I've not seen them.  So, without claiming that the following ads are comprehensive (there may have been more), here are the ones which appeared in SMASH! in 1969.  No doubt they appeared in other U.K. comics as well.

Did you have any Major Matt Mason toys, readers?  Why not reminisce about them to your heart's content in our scintillating comments section?  And if you want to see just a few Matt Mason items from my own collection, you can make yourself jealous by clicking here.

And below are two ads which appeared in U.S. comics...

IT TOOK 33 YEARS - DID I SMASH A RECORD?

Copyright REBELLION

A staggering 33 years ago, in a shop in Edinburgh, I laid a claim on 73 issues of the relaunched version of SMASH!, 13 years after it had ceased being published as an individual weekly periodical.  (It was merged into VALIANT, as all readers of a certain age know.)  I took #1 home with me that night, and the rest were either posted to me, or I picked them up when the seller later came through to a Glasgow comics mart (or a bit of both).

There were 22 issues missing from the set I purchased, and it took me over 30 years to finally track them all down.  To be fair to myself, though, it wasn't really until the latter few years of that period that I actually attempted to find them in any determined way, but eventually I did.  I found the last one I needed only a year or two ago, completing the set.

Anyway, last year, I decided to finally read them, and worked through the first 12 issues before tucking them away again.  A couple of weeks back, I dug them all out once more and continued from where I'd left off. I'm now up to #30, but I'll be giving them another rest for a while soon, as I don't want reading them to become a dreary chore rather than a pleasure.

But that's mere incidental detail I suppose.  The thing that astounds me is that it took me so long to finally get around to reading them.  Having said that, it sometimes feels like that day in Edinburgh was only a little while ago, as opposed to the 33 years it actually is.  Time really has flown, and it seems as if I did a 'RIP VAN WINKLE' and fell into a deep sleep that lasted even longer than his 20 years.

So readers, that prompts a question.  Do any of you ever look at some item in your possession that you remember buying with such clarity that it seems not too long ago, only to be amazed when it suddenly hits you that it was 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years ago?  How does that realisation affect you, if at all?  Go on, share all with your fellow Criv-ites.

(BOND) BABE Of The DAY - JULIE EGE...

The temperature's still a bit uneven and there's a

bit of a 'nip' in the air today (in more ways than one).

When it's chilly, JULIE tends to forget her name, so

I put it on the back of her chair to remind her.

PART FIFTY Of FAVOURITE COMICS Of The PAST - SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE #105...

Images copyright DC COMICS

I well remember the day I purchased the above mag (along with various others) from a local newsagent's, and sitting on a bench in the Old Village quarter of my town to read it.  If it wasn't on a Saturday I bought it, it would've been on a week-day during the school summer holidays, and I find myself annoyed at now no longer being able to recall with my customary precision.  Once, I could also have told you what other comics I got along with it, but, alas, no longer.  I have a notion that an issue of MISTER MIRACLE might have been among the pile, but I could be mixing two different days together, as I often sat in the same spot to peruse my comics when I got them.

It goes without saying, of course (but I'll say it anyway), that I immediately fell in love with The THORN.  It might have been her skimpy leather outfit, but she fully captured my adolescent adoration and was instantly added to the lengthening list of my favourite fantasy 'comicbook cuties'.  The newsagent's shop where I bought this four-colour treasure exists only in memory these days (like so many hallowed haunts of my youth), but in my mind, I'm still able to revisit its cool interiors and relive happy moments from the past.  If there's an afterlife, perhaps all our cherished places will be there waiting for us, like old friends we haven't seen in an age.

Does this mag hold any memories for you, dear reader, and does it take you back to a moment in time you'd love to live again?  If so, share your pleasant reminiscences with all your Crivvie chums in our eagerly-awaiting comments section.  A memory shared is a memory spared from oblivion, so get your typing fingers tapping now.  We look forward to your input.

I'LL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING...

Like poems?  Maybe you'll like this one.

Hankies at the ready, three, two, one - go.

            I'll See You In The Morning.

            And so to bed my little lad, I'll see you in the morning,

            there's new adventures to be had with each new day aborning.

            Though not for me alas, my son; my days on Earth are fading,

            the doctor says I'm nearly done and Death comes 'serenading'.

        

            I'll not be here to watch you grow in each new bright tomorrow,

            I must confess I'm feeling low and in the grip of sorrow.

            I won't be here to hold your hand each time you trip and stumble,

            though not exactly what I planned it does no good to grumble.

            I stand and watch you as you sleep and nearly cry a river,

            you've given me a joy so deep, but now I feel a shiver.

            My time is short, but I'll give thanks as long as I am able,

            though soon enough I'll join the ranks of 'one short at the table'.

            So many things I want to say before I have to leave you,

            it's not my fault I cannot stay, but you'll have mum to cleave to.

            Be strong for her my little man, she'll need you in her sadness,

            give mummy all the help you can and be a source of gladness.

            Perhaps in time she'll wed again; if so my little laddie,

            should that occasion happen, then please don't forget your daddy.

            I'll keep an eye out from above, I'll see your joys and sorrows,

            you'll always have your daddy's love throughout all your tomorrows.

            Goodnight to you my little lad, I'll see you when you waken,

            and I will always be your dad - you will not be forsaken.

            I've stood and watched you for a week since I learned I was dying,

            each night I've stooped and stroked your cheek and couldn't keep from

            crying.

            Tomorrow I will play a game - pretend that I'm immortal;

            that things will always be the same and I won't pass Death's portal.

            So rest your head my little lad, I'll see you in the morning,

            a bit more time to know your dad - another day's aborning.

BABE Of The DAY - JERI RYAN...

JERI RYAN reminds us what a

stunning woman looks like - and not a

moment too soon in my case.  I'd better

call Fred and tell him that our date's off.

His long hair confused me for a mo and I

thought 'Fred' was short for 'Frederica'.

A lucky escape - for both of us!  (He's

not gay, but his boyfriend is.)

REGRETS? I'VE HAD A FEW - HOW ABOUT YOU...?

DALEKS copyright BBC TV and the Estate of TERRY NATION

In a recent post, I showed you the cover of The FANTASTIC FOUR #126 (though they'd dropped the 'article' by then), and mentioned that I purchased it at the same time as a 2nd copy of The MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL #1.  This was on Friday, October 6th 1972.  However, I have a regret about that day, which is this.

In the window of a little toy shop, which, if memory serves, resembled The TINKERER's repair shop seen in The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #2, was a DALEK Money Box by toymaker COWAN de GROOT.  It was clearly based on the MARX Dalek, but was even less accurate.  In fact, in profile, it resembled the redesign on the DOCTOR WHO TV show a few years back.

Therefore, not being terribly impressed by it, I didn't buy it, even though I could have.  Now I wish I had, and whenever I see a photograph of it, I regret not purchasing it when I had the chance.  It commands a small fortune nowadays, but that's not what fuels my regret - it's simply the 'time travel' aspect of the item - apropos considering where the Daleks made their TV debut.

So, readers, do you have any regrets like that, where you recall having the opportunity of acquiring something, but chose not to?  However, don't let me hold you back in any way; feel free to air any regrets you may care to share.  Honestly, you'll feel far better for it.  Hey, trust me, I'm a doctor.  (Of all things related to nostalgia.)

******

And yes, there's a plate with a picture of a Dalek on it, clearly based on this one.

WISH I'D THOUGHT OF THAT NAME FIRST...

Wing Commander GUY F. RODNEY, DFC, AFC

Believe it or not, there's another blog called Crivens!  Or, to be more precise, its name is 'Crivens Jings And Help Ma Blog'.  I saw this old photo on it recently, and couldn't resist the temptation to try and tidy it up a tad.  Below is the result, with another version without the inscription.

Not too shabby, eh?  I enjoy doing this sort of thing, as it restores photographs from yesteryear to as near as possible their original pristine condition.  Visit the other Crivens by clicking on its blog name in the above paragraph.  Go on, check it out today.

CRIVENS' CLASSIC COMIC COVERS: HAUNTED #1...

Copyright relevant owner

Sometimes I forget that there's more to comics than just MARVEL and DC.  So, here's a CHARLTON comic cover, HAUNTED #1, drawn by STEVE DITKO.  Natty design, don'tcha think?  There's a great post about Ditko's Charlton work over at Nifty NICK CAPUTO's blog, which you can access by clicking here.  Don't forget to return to this one though.  You know how I hate talking to myself.

CRIVENS' CLASSIC COMIC COVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR #126...

Image copyright MARVEL COMICS

I bought my first copy of this comic on October 6th 1972.  It was a Friday, I was off school, and I purchased my second copy of The MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL #1 at the very same moment.  Oh, how I wish I could go back in time and relive that momentous day, all of nearly 45 years ago.  Well, in a way I can - whenever I gaze upon this sensational cover of FANTASTIC FOUR #126 by Big JOHN BUSCEMA.  I wish they still produced comics like this today, don't you?  Then leave a comment saying so.

BABE Of The DAY - JENNIFER BEALS...

Did you know that JEN's uncle was a coal miner in Britain?  That's when we had a coal industry that is, which we don't anymore.  "But," you cry, "coal was for heating and electricity, etc., and we've still got them, so we must still have a coal industry!"

No, we still have an energy, or power industry, which does essentially the same thing without actually using British coal, so we don't have a home-grown coal industry any longer.  H'mm, seems I've read a similar 'discussion' fairly recently.  Now if only I could recall where.  Any ideas anybody?

Cheer up, Jen - we'll get around to ogling you in a moment.  Honest.

******

(And no, I don't have the faintest clue what Jennifer's uncle did for a living.)

TROTTERS' INDEPENDENT TRADING 'INDUSTRY'...

To my great amusement, I'm advised that, over on some blog, a self-confessed 'wannabe writer' is still trying to talk up a British comics industry that no longer exists (by misrepresenting the views of those who are of a different opinion), and making specious comparisons to the music, movie and TV industries that yet retain a significant presence in this country.

As I've previously gone to great pains to explain, when I say 'comics industry', I'm referring to published paper periodicals (of either weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or even yearly frequency) containing mainly comic strips, as the word was defined and accepted for decades in the minds of the general public, and as yet defined on Wikipedia and in most dictionaries.  If he could only grasp the difference between the carton and the content, he'd be a less angst-ridden little malcontent.

Books, DVDs, digital platforms, etc., containing comic strip content, are not 'comics' in the traditional sense of the word, but a different (though admittedly related) animal.  When something 'evolves' into something different, it ceases to be that which it was before.  And, when it 'evolves' into something less than it was before, then it's no improvement.  If a giant evolves into a dwarf, he's not a giant anymore, is he?

Anyway, there's no point covering every aspect of this discussion again, as it's practically been done to death.  Here's one important aspect to consider though.  See these self-published and/or digital products that some people tout as proof of today's 'evolved' comics 'industry' ?  Were there really an industry (as I understand the concept), they wouldn't exist, because there'd be little need to go down that particular route.  The existence of such things only serves to prove just what dire straits the so-called industry is really in.

The main difference is, I suppose, that these people view any and all comic strip material as being 'comics' in themselves, and they're entitled to that view.  I, however, see comic strip material as something within a comic (a published paper periodical), and though the word has been and is sometimes used interchangeably, I prefer to draw (npi) a distinction between the carton and the content.  (Like we used to do.)

Anyway, who can blame that other blogger for leaping on the bouncing bandwagon in a new attempt to stir up controversy, thereby attracting attention to his site?  If only he'd avoid being so embarrassingly ingratiating to those whom he thinks might be able to help 'grease the wheels' of his hoped-for comics career in the process, we'd be spared having to witness the sad spectacle of a sickening bit of 'brown-nosing'.  

The INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Here's a great book I acquired only recently.  It's a great book that really should have been even greater, but I'll get to that presently.  If you're a genuine comics fan, you'll know of GENE COLAN.  Gene was a master of light and shade, and one of the finest contributors ever to freelance for Mighty MARVEL.  IRON MAN, SUB-MARINER, DAREDEVIL, HOWARD The DUCK, and DRACULA are just a few of the titles he drew for 'The House Of Ideas' in the '60s & '70s.

There are some great images in this 132 pager, but, alas, also some not-so-great ones.  It's always somewhat disappointing to read what a sublime artist someone is, and then see art which doesn't quite bear that out.  Case in point is the example below.  Nice pencil work, superb texturing, but that apart, it's a dreadful drawing.  The figure is too squat, the head's too big, the body's too small, and the legs aren't right in any way.  And the fact that ol' DOOM's left arm appears to be sprouting from the middle of his torso all result in a less than perfect illustration.  (And the right arm is seriously dodgy as well.  Where exactly does the elbow bend?)

For all the excellent examples of Gene's artistic ability, there's a few I wish they'd just left out, because they don't do his reputation any favours at all.  It's not the first time I've found myself wishing that compilers of books like this had been just a little more discerning in their choices, and, unfortunately, this is another such occasion.  It also suffers from several areas of over-printing, where one caption has been printed on top of another, resulting in something that's practically unreadable.  Don't they have proofreaders any more?

However, it would be remiss of me not to put things in context by mentioning that Gene suffered from glaucoma for many years (being almost blind in one eye and having tunnel vision in the other), and had to draw with his face practically pressed up against the page.  This no doubt explains the instances when his art wasn't at its best, and makes it all the more amazing when it was.  So despite its few shortcomings, this tome should be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any devoted fan of 'The Dean'.  Published in 2010, it may yet be available.  Try your local comicbook store right away.