WELL, WHADDYA KNOW - GUY FAWKES POPS IN FOR HALLOWE'EN...

Copyright REBELLION

The third issue of WHIZZER & CHIPS is an odd periodical in that, date-wise, it kind of covers both Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes celebrations.  You see, it's cover-dated November 1st, but probably came out on or around October 25th, so you'd think IPC would've had some strips themed on one event, and some on the other.  After all, what's the free gift if not a Hallowe'en mask?  (Which, admittedly, could also be used on Bonfire Guys.)  Having said that, some of the strips don't reflect either event at all.

However, I've always considered it more of a Hallowe'en issue on account of it going on sale nearer to 'Guising night' than 'Guy's night' back in 1969, so if you Criv-ites will indulge me, that's what I'll offer it as here.  And also a Guy Fawkes issue, of course, as it more than aptly fits that description as well.  So here's the first instalment, 8 pages from the Whizzer section for you to hopefully enjoy and put you in touch with your inner spirit of youth.

You'll have to forgive the odd blemish here and there, as my current copy is quite age-ravaged and displaying 'bleed-through' and some discolouration, but I trust it won't spoil your enjoyment too much.  (I've tidied up the pages as much as I can without spending hours on them.)  More to come soon, so be sure not to miss anything. 

DC'S BATMAN #251 FACSIMILE EDITION...

Copyright DC COMICS

I know I had this comic back in the '70s because I remember the story, and in particular a full-page shot of BATMAN running across a beach in pursuit of The JOKER (out-of-frame).  Curiously, however, in memory I didn't automatically associate the contents with the cover, so for many years, whenever I saw it pictured anywhere, I was never quite sure whether I'd read the issue or not.  Until I saw it reprinted somewhere back in, I think, the '80s (or perhaps later).

And now it's been reprinted again - this time as a FACSIMILE EDITION, complete with original ads and all.  You surely don't need the hard-sell on this one?  It's Batman, it's NEAL ADAMS, and it's a reminder of your youth at the same time. What's not to like?!  Funnily enough, I saw a huge framed reproduction of this cover in a charity shop a few days ago, going for a tenner.  I was tempted, but I simply don't have anywhere to hang it, so I passed.

However, don't you pass on this ish.  Get straight round to your local comics shop now and buy it before it sells out, or get it on eBay - I'm not fussy 'cos I get my percentage either way.  (That's 0% in case you were wondering.)

A WHOLE LOTTA HULKS GOING ON...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

First up, above, is MARVEL's The INCREDIBLE HULK #1 Facsimile Edition.  Again, without the COMICS CODE stamp, the absence of which (in my view) compromises its integrity as a true facsimile - I do wish they'd just leave it where it's meant to be.  This ish contains the same ad as in the AMAZING FANTASY Facsimile Edition, wherein an image was omitted, presumably for 'politically correct' reasons.  Also, the proofs used for this issue are the same ones as in MASTERWORKS, OMNIBUS, and EPIC reprints, and show signs of 'word de-smudging', as well as a page (17) that has been horizontally separated in two at some stage and rejoined, resulting in an ever-so-slightly larger than normal gap between a couple of rows of lettering.  That apart though, as most of these things are only noticeable to pedants like me, it's still a mag worth having.  Next up... 

The OTHER HULKS contains a couple of tales of two characters christened 'The Hulk', before BRUCE BANNER's alter-ego inherited the name.  STAN LEE was certainly into recycling long before it became fashionable, wasn't he?  For some curious reason there's a wobble on the top of the speech balloon on the JACK KIRBY/STEVE DITKO cover, which isn't on the reproduction of the original cover within.  The furry and metal creature above was eventually reintroduced into the Marvel Universe in the '70s, but referred to as XEMNU The TITAN (instead of Xemnu The Hulk) to avoid confusion.  And the next contestant is...    

The above TRUE BELIEVERS mag features the return of the grey Hulk, from around the mid-'80s.  I remember buying the original ish (which I still have) as though it were only last week, which scares the bejabbers out of me.  I mean, where did my life go?!  The cover has been cropped to allow for the True Believers banner at the top, but thankfully, the original cover is reproduced inside.  (Surely Marvel could reduce the image slightly, so that the TB crop isn't so severe?)

Anyway, three great mags for you to add to your collection, so - if you haven't already got this trio of titanic treats, go and buy them now!

TRUE BELIEVERS - X-MEN...? (NAH, CAPTAIN BRITAIN #S 8, 9, & 10!)

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

I love this cover - it's so evocative and has a strong association for me with a particular time and place in my youth, way back in the mid-'70s.  Anyway, it's one of the most recent mags in MARVEL's TRUE BELIEVERS series, reprinting a trio of CAPTAIN BRITAIN tales from his own UK weekly comic, and they've slapped the X-MEN logo on it to make it more attractive to potential buyers.  (It'll always be Captain Britain to me though.)  The contents are scanned from the actual published comics, but they reproduce well enough, so don't be deterred from adding this little beauty to your collection.  (Note that the lettering within CB's thought balloon has been slightly reduced.)

In case you're interested, you can see the original cover (also included at the back of the above mag) below, along with the post I originally wrote to accompany it in 2011, entitled...

WHAT DO CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND WD-40 HAVE IN COMMON?

Behold!  The ever-lovin' tenth issue of CAPTAIN BRITAIN from 1976.  Although it's dated December 15th, it actually went on sale the week before (8th), as is the way of British weekly comics.  (No, they don't all go on sale on Dec 8th - I mean they usually hit the shops a week before the date on the cover.  There are exceptions of course.)

In my mind, I've always associated this issue with Christmas 1976, although the actual Christmas number didn't appear 'til a couple of weeks later.  The reason I remember this one though, is because the day I bought it there was snow on the ground - just like on the cover.  Also, I was signwriting a pickup truck in a garage forecourt that day, and, because of the cold, I couldn't work quite as fast as I would've liked.  Plus, it was also a month to the very day since I had packed in my job at BOOTS The CHEMISTS.

Another thing I remember is a visiting rep expounding the advantages of a 'new' product to the garage owner (Mr. McTIER), while demonstrating its properties on a large nut and bolt.  The product?  WD-40.  I say new, but actually WD-40 was developed in 1953 and first became commercially available in San Diego in 1958. I can only assume it was still pretty much a 'secret' in Britain in 1976 though, for the rep to be pushing it as the 'next big thing'.

Funny the things that stick in one's mind, eh?  That's why CB #10 will always remind me of Christmas 1976 (and WD-40) more than just about anything else.  I was young, the world lay at my feet - and the future was mine for the taking.  

DC DOLLAR COMICS - SWAMP THING #1...

Copyright DC COMICS

DC COMICS seem to be following MARVEL's lead these days, first with their own brand of Facsimile Editions and now with the equivalent of their rival's TRUE BELIEVERS series - DC DOLLAR COMICS.  I'll probably buy a few of them, but my first is the above reprinting of SWAMP THING #1 by LEN WEIN and BERNIE WRIGHTSON.

So what's good about it and what isn't?  I'm glad I asked on your behalf.  Well, first of all, it's Swamp Thing, so that's a plus right from the start.  Also, I like the fact that the bar code box isn't as prominent as on Marvel's mags and doesn't obscure too much of the cover art.  The interior reproduction is good, but unfortunately, the corner page numbers have been omitted - I'd have preferred them to have been left in place.  The indicia has been positioned on the last (non story) page instead of the splash, which is consequently left with too much of a blank space under the art.  And, in case it matters to you, it has glossy pages instead of the matt ones used in the facsimiles.

Overall, however, it's a great little package and good value at whatever the UK equivalent of a dollar is these days.  It's even worth the more expensive price it costs on eBay as it comes bagged and boarded, so I don't mind the extra cost.  Definitely one to have - even if you've already got the original.

DC'S SGT. ROCK SPECIAL - SIX ISH COVER GALLERY...

Copyright DC COMICS

Turns out that I didn't have as many issues of SGT. ROCK SPECIAL as I thought, but with the recent arrival of #s 4 & 6, I now have the first half-dozen.  Apparently the series ran for 21 issues, but I think I'll just regard the ones I have as a 6-issue mini-series and leave it at that.  I never read the four issues I bought back in the '80s, not particularly being a fan of war stories (just bought 'em 'cos it was a new reprint mag), but I read the two 'new' arrivals and fairly enjoyed them so plan on reading my original four, 30 years after first purchasing them.  Like I said before somewhere - I eventually get around to finishing what I started (or should've started) - even if it takes me a few decades.

It has to be said that some of the art and lettering reproduction is a little murky in places, leaving me unsure as to where the pages have been sourced from, and some panels have huge gutters between them.  Perhaps that's how they were originally published, but I rather got the impression that some tiers of panels had been shrunk to reduce the page height, which would necessitate them being repositioned with wider than normal spaces between them.  Normally when this happens, the panels have the art 'extended' by other hands, but maybe the budget wouldn't allow for that, or perhaps it was considered unnecessary.  Anyone know? 

Issue 6 has a tale illustrated by MORT DRUCKER, and if you only know of him through his MAD movie parodies, you'll perhaps be surprised to learn (if you didn't already know) that he's a pretty good (now that's what I call understatement) action-adventure artist as well.  I probably wouldn't have recognised it as his work if not for him being named in the credits.  Well-worth seeking out.  Right, enjoy the covers - I'm off to read the contents.

BABE Of The DAY - SYBIL DANNING...

                 

                        None can quibble that fair Sybil is a shapely red-hot gal.
                        Sexy Sybil makes men dribble, how they wish to be her pal.
                        Kneel before her, don't ignore her, she's a woman of intrigue.

                        Men adore her, though most bore her, they're not even in her league.

                        Simply stunning, far outrunning all pretenders to her crown.
                        She's not shunning, just out funning, with a grin and not a frown.
                        Syb excites us and ignites us, her charms earn the highest score.
                        She delights us and unites us, as we grovel on the floor.

                        Sybil, Mistress, we're resistless, please accept our lovestruck hearts.
                        Be not listless, please assist us, we've succumbed to Cupid's darts.
                        We adore you and implore you, let us gather round your throne;
                        Bow before you (not deplore you), with a love you've never known.

Just dashed the above ditty off the top of my head.  May tweak it a bit later if anything occurs to me.  Feel free to write your own ditties devoted to Sybil, but remember - keep 'em clean or I won't publish them.

GLIDING ALONG ON THE CREST OF A CLOUD (IF SUCH A THING IS POSSIBLE)...

I was looking through a 1974 issue of VALIANT & LION earlier and saw the above ad for balsawood gliders, which took my mind back to around 1963 when I had the STRATO one pictured on the lower left-hand side of the picture.  Actually, it had started life as my brother's, but he bought a new one when his first one 'came a cropper' so I inherited it and got him to repair it for me.  In fact, we probably had a few of them between the two of us over a certain period, and seeing this ad immediately transported me right back to a specific point outside my house in the neighbourhood we lived in at the time.

It prompted me to look on eBay, and I saw one and immediately bought it.  That's the seller's photos above and below.  It's been opened, but is in brand-new condition so I can't wait 'til I get my hands on it.  Another part of my childhood re-acquired.  I was surprised to see that the gliders were still around in 1974, because I have no recollection of ever seeing them again after the mid-'60s, though at some stage I also had the SLEEK STREEK model pictured on the lower right of the ad, next to the Strato.  In fact, I've added a photo of one from eBay at the foot of the post.

Did any of you Criv-ites ever have one or more of these nifty balsawood gliders when you were a kid?  Then why not share your happy memories of them with the rest of us in the comments section?  When my glider arrives, I'll assemble it and add a photo of it to this post, so check back in a couple of weeks as it's coming from America.

JUST STALKING IN THE RAIN...*

Copyright DC COMICS

My four issue set of DC COMICS 1975 title, STALKER, have just arrived, and the covers and splash pages have now been added to my previous post.  Click here to revisit it if you so desire.

*(Yeah, I know it's a rubbish title, but I'm too tired to think of a better one.)

THE JIMMY BROWN SONG - AKA THE THREE BELLS...

Way back around the early to mid-'70s, NANA MOUSKOURI had a TV show on the BBC, in which The KING'S SINGERS regularly guested.  I remember hearing them (together) performing The THREE BELLS, also known as The JIMMY BROWN Song, and I've wanted to hear that particular version again ever since then.  I've got The King's Singers own version, and Nana Mouskouri's solo version, but not their collaboration, so no luck so far.  (I've also got JIM ED BROWN's version, which is probably the best-known one.)

Anyway, here's The King's Singers rendition, I'll post Nana's version at a later date. 

BOMBASTIC BABE Of The DAY - SYBIL DANNING...

Regular reader TC has just informed

me that sensational SYBIL DANNING's

official site has posted a link to this humble

blog.  So jump over and pay super Sybil a visit

at: http://sybildanning.net/news.html.

And Sybil - if you ever get to read this - we

are not worthy.  You're a goddess!

The STALKER FILE - FINALLY CLOSED AFTER 44 YEARS... (Updated)

Copyright DC COMICS

So there I was, sitting on my grandparents' itchy red bed-settee (of which long-time readers will perhaps already be aware) one Sunday late afternoon back in the mid-'70s, perusing #1 of DC COMICS new monthly title, STALKER.  I remember buying it in R.S. McCOLL's, either that day or the day before, and I'd taken it with me to pass the time away.  I probably had other comics along with me as well, but though I likely associate them with that red settee on an individual basis, I don't connect them either to one another or even that particular Sunday.

As far as I know, there were only four issues, and I remember only having the first one, but all that's about to change - more on that in a moment.  At some stage (could've been months, could've been two or three years) I gave the ish to a pal, only to have it returned to me over 30 years later, in pretty much the same condition that I'd given it to him.  (At some stage before giving it away, I'd added 'invisible' tape to the spine to reinforce it.)  Stalker was created by PAUL LEVITZ and STEVE DITKO, the first also being the writer, the second also being the penciller, and WALLY WOOD made three, being the inker on the mag.

I recently saw numbers 1-4 on eBay and purchased them, so when they arrive, I'll add the covers for your personal perusal, but to kick-start the post, I've included a cover scan of the original comic I bought way back in 1975.  A lot of water's run under the bridge since then, but I can still recall reading it on that itchy red bed-settee all those years ago as if it were only a week or two back.  Like I say, there were only four issues, so when I get my grubby mitts on them, I'll read them in one sitting and thereby complete a task begun a whopping 44 years ago.

It's always satisfying to eventually finish something that's been waiting to be completed for any length of time, and this occasion will be no exception.  What about the rest of you?  Are there any comics series that you started as a teenager but never got to finish, though you'd like to now as an adult?  Tell all in the comments section.

******

Okay, the issues have now arrived and been added, along with splash pages, to this post.  I've also read all four of them (though despite my aspiration, not in one sitting as I kept falling asleep), and if you're interested in my verdict, I'll be more than happy to tell you.  The first ish sets up an interesting premise, but #s 2-4 fail to deliver, being quite tedious and repetitive, with the story being told mainly through captions rather than dialogue.  One gets the impression that writer Paul Levitz hasn't mapped it all out in advance and is simply making up each individual episode as he goes along.  Surprisingly, I found myself underwhelmed by the Ditko/Wood art, which is merely okay and not the 'knock you out of your socks' masterpiece that you'd expect from two titans of the comicbook medium.

Would it have improved if it had reached issue 5 and beyond?  On the strength of the first four, I don't think I'd have continued buying it back in the day so I'd never have found out!  If you bought, read, and enjoyed the title when it was first published and disagree with my assessment, feel free to tell me in the comments section.

Let's finish how we started.  Here's the cover to the duplicate copy of #1 which I've just received, and look - no 'invisible' tape down the spine.

STRANGE TALES - QUITE LITERALLY... (Updated)

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Compulsion is a strange thing, don't you think?  It's a 'force' that comics collectors (or collectors of anything, come to that) suffer from, driving them to acquire items they already have in slightly different form, and which they don't really need.  Case in point, the above MARVEL MILESTONE EDITION of DOCTOR STRANGE from 1995, which arrived this morning.  I already have a similar issue included with a Doctor Strange articulated figure, the main differences being a '60s pin-up serving as the cover and the interior pages being printed on more traditional, non-glossy comics paper.  However, the story pages are the exact same (aside from the image size being slightly smaller), printed from the same source as the one above.

I've also got got around another eight different printings of the above tales in different formats, so I needed the Milestone Edition like a hole in the head, but I couldn't resist the siren call to purchase this version when I saw it on eBay recently, and add it to my other issues in this particular series.  Although I'm usually a great believer in reprints being exactly as they were first presented, I must say that the re-colouring by ANDY YANCHUS (done originally for the first edition of the MASTERWORKS volume) on these four tales is probably far more 'atmospheric' than the original colouring, though there's some overly-thick panel border 'restoration' in places by unskilled hands, which is slightly annoying.

Anyway, there it is - another comic that I don't really need, but am no less glad to have.  No, I can't quite explain it either - just put it down to that strange thing known as compulsion, which we probably all have in some form or other.  I never saw this issue 24 years ago when it first came out otherwise I'd have bought it then, so perhaps I'm only putting right something that didn't happen - but should have - nearly a quarter of a century back.  One for the philosophers to ponder perhaps?

******

Below is the 2004 issue of the same strips, included with a '1st Appearance' articulated figure of Dr. Strange.  The cover would've looked better had they removed the 'pin-up' banner and enlarged the good Doctor's name, but obviously that would've required a little work.  Guess it was done on the cheap, eh?

BABE Of The DAY - SYBIL DANNING...

It's sensational SYBIL DANNING

doing her impersonation of 007 turning to

face the iconic gun-barrel (or is it gunsight?)

opening at the beginning of the BOND films.

That's the good thing about Sybil, she doesn't

mind doing a turn now and again.  (What?

 Don't blame me for your innuendo.)

EVEN ROCKS ERODE OVER TIME, BUT NOT SO YOU'D NOTICE...

Copyright DC COMICS

I've got several issues of the above SGT. ROCK Special series, but for some unknown reason, issues 4 & 6 eluded me at the time.  I'm not sure exactly how many issues of this series there were, but, without digging through a filing cabinet to check, I think the last one I bought was either #8 or 9.  (Update:  Just checked and I only had 1-3 & 5, four issues.  Strange, I was sure I had more.)  After 30 years, I've finally acquired 4 & 6 on eBay, and it's hard to believe that it's been my intention to track them down for three decades now.  It seems like only yesterday since they were first published, but it was - gasp - half my life away.  Can someone explain to me just how that's possible?  I'm sitting typing this at the same table in the same room where the issues I do own have been since I first bought them, and I have absolutely no sense of the immense gulf between then and now - it just seems so recent.

Another example of the complexity and perplexity of time, which never ceases to amaze me.  Now all I have to do is find out how many more issues I need to complete the set.  Anyone know?

MIGHTY MARVEL COLLECTED EDITIONS CHECKLIST - ON SALE NOW!!!

DEADPOOL UNLEASHED #6

Copyright MARVEL COMICS.  Published by PANINI

76 pages of Marvel's hottest hero!

New story!  Deadpool takes on the world's greatest secret agent!  His name is Burns... Jace Burns!  By Christopher Hastings & Salva Espin!

Deadpool goes universe-hopping and meets General America... and Lady Deadpool!  By Victor Gischler & Rob Liefield!

Featuring material first printed in Secret Agent Deadpool #1-2 and Prelude to Deadpool Corps #1.

On sale NOW!

£4.99.

******

ESSENTIAL X-MEN #20

76 pages of mutant mayhem!

Magneto wants Emma Frost dead - and the only thing in his way is the X-Men's Blue Team!  By Cullen Bunn & Jorge Molina!

At last!  The wedding of Kitty Pryde and Peter Rasputin!  By Marc Guggenheim & Gerald Borges!

Featuring material first printed in X-Men: Gold #30 and X-Men: Blue #30-32.

On sale NOW!

£4.99.

******

MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL #21

76 pages of Marvel Universe Adventure!

'The Infinity Wars' saga continues!  Gamora rewrites the entire Marvel Universe, with shocking results for Loki!  By Gerry Duggan & Mike Deodato Jr.!

Featuring material first printed in Infinity Wars 1-2.

On sale NOW!

£4.99.

DOCTOR, I'M A LITTLE WEEKLY - DOCTOR WHO COMIC 40TH* ANNIVERSARY...

Dr. WHO copyright BBC TV.  DALEKS copyright
BBC TV and the Estate of TERRY NATION

DOCTOR WHO has appeared in comic-strip format from practically his earliest days.  First in Polystyle Publication's TV COMIC, then in COUNTDOWN, followed by TV ACTION (when the former changed its name), and then back to TV COMIC.  However, in 1979, under the helm of editor DEZ SKINN, the time-travelling titan was awarded his very own British MARVEL magazine in the shape of (unsurprisingly) Doctor Who Weekly.

The first issue was cover-dated October 17th (meaning it would've come out the week before) and lasted in its weekly format until issue #44, when it then became a monthly.  Essentially a children's adventure comic originally, with the change to monthly publication it gradually became more of a geeky, anorak-type title aimed primarily at diehard fanatics.  (Does anyone really need to know that the un-credited 'extra', third from the left in the background of a scene in UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS was also on view for all of two seconds in a 1976 episode of Doctor Who?  Some people can't survive without such information, apparently.)

As well as original strips, the comic also featured reprints of various U.S. Marvel stories (from their mystery, suspense and Marvel Classics titles) with a TALES From The TARDIS logo and illustration of TOM BAKER pasted onto the splash page of each tale.  So, here's a select few pages from that premiere issue from all those years ago.  Apparently, the magazine is now listed in the GUINNESS BOOK Of RECORDS for being the longest-running TV tie-in publication in the history of everything.  What can I say?  Timeless.  

One more thing: Back then I had no way of knowing that, nearly 25 years later, I would be a freelance contributor to several issues of the mag - at least one of which reprinted a back-page DALEKS strip from TV CENTURY 21.  It gave me a strange sense of connection with my childhood days to see a page I'd read as a kid presented alongside contemporary work that bore my name.  A very TWILIGHT ZONE-ish moment indeed. 

Click on image to enlarge, click again for optimum size.

******

*Oops!  I typed 50th Anniversary in the post's title instead of 40th.  Blame Whizzer & Chips for being 50 and confusing me!  Now sorted.  (Actually, I published this post from ten years in the future when me and the Doctor - the real one, a man - were visiting Gront-el III, so it really was 50.  However, obviously you'd never believe that, which is why I never said.  Oops - just did.)