HOW DO YOU 'RESTORE' A DUST-JACKET? I'LL LET YOU INTO THE PICTURE...

Y'know, Crivs, forgive my uncommon immodesty, but sometimes I amaze myself with my brilliance.  Before I present the evidence to convince you that my claim is no idle boast, I first have to relate an incident that took place around 38 years ago.  I believe it was 1982 and I was attending a summer fayre organised by the church at the top of the street where I used to live between 1965 and '72.  (Or maybe it was a winter fayre at the end of 1981.)  The fayre (snobby word for jumble sale) was actually in my old primary school at the bottom of the street because it was larger and could better accommodate the stalls and events on offer.

On the stage of the school hall were several tables, and on one near the front I spied 'The Little Picture Hymn Book', illustrated by Cicely Mary Barker, a celebrated artist of fairies and flowers.  It had some of my favourite hymns from childhood and the colour plates were enchanting, so I immediately purchased it.  Unfortunately, it didn't have a dust-jacket, but it cost only pennies so I couldn't complain.  Often, at night, just before bed, sustained by a glass of milk and a wedge of cheese, I'd look through the book and read a few hymns, just to remind myself of when I was a kid.  (All Things Bright And Beautiful, Once In Royal David's City, and Away In A Manger, in case you were wondering.)

Must confess I haven't done that in a while, but I used to when I first got the book, and continued the habit in my new bedroom of the house we moved to in 1983, and again in my old bedroom when we returned to our previous house in 1987.  (Don't ask, it's a long story and not particularly interesting.)  Anyway, recently on eBay, I saw several copies of the book on sale and bought three of them for a song, two of which have the dust-jackets, but in far from perfect condition.  (Two books were one purchase, the second of which has no cover and a torn page.)

Anyway, yesterday (Monday) the single book turned up, and I scanned the dust-jacket and spent many hours (between naps) trying to digitally restore it to a presentable state, which I finally completed not too long ago.  It's not exactly perfect, as I'm somewhat limited in what I can do on my computer, but I've finally got a presentable cover to protect and adorn my book obtained back in 1982.  When the other two books arrive, I'll restore the torn page (one of the plates) and supply it with a copy of the dust-jacket to enhance its overall appearance.  It means I'll have four copies, so I might perhaps put a couple of them back on eBay, mentioning that they have 'facsimile' dustjackets.  (I'll keep the book from 1982, it'll be two of the three 'new' ones I'll maybe sell.)

Anyway, the opening photo is the seller's pic of the book I received today, and the ones below are of my original book with its replica cover.  And just because I'm a generous guy, following that are all 12 colour plates contained within this quaint little collectors' item.  If you've got this book sans dust-jacket, let me know (if you're a regular) and I'll send you a copy at my own expense.  It's as close to the real cover as I can get, making allowances for having to up the contrast in order to brighten the white background, and also disguise scuffs and marks accrued over the years on the worn original.

Now tell me - am I brilliant or what?  (H'mm, gone kinda quiet out there.)

A DAY In The LIFE Of...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

In a previous post (here) I told you all about my trip into Hamilton back in October of 1972, and also of my abandoned attempt to walk there on my lonesome several weeks later.  Sometime in 1973 (maybe around July) I made another attempt, this time successfully, accompanied by a (now former) pal by the name of Adam Cowie.  (That isn't his real name, but it's close enough for those who knew him to recognise who I'm referring to.  Regular Crivs will know him better by the name of Billy Liar.)

Once I could confidently have told you every detail of that trip; what day it was, the exact month, etc., but time has unfortunately eroded my memory of events to a bare minimum.  The full details probably yet lie dormant in my cranium, but lack of regular exercise of that particular reminiscence has resulted in it atrophying to some degree.  Perhaps one day a sudden prompt will resuscitate it to full bloom, but for the moment the bare necessities will have to suffice.

I think it must've been a Saturday, mainly because our journey was a leisurely one, and had it been after school, we most likely wouldn't have bothered.  (Unless it was at the beginning of the school holidays.)  We didn't stick to the main road, but took a detour through a wooded area, where we saw a 'courting couple' doing a bit of winching.  My pal asked me a question (I'll spare you his precise phraseology), implying that he'd seen something suggesting the pair's activities were at an advanced stage, but he was only exaggerating to the point of fantasy, as was his wont.

We eventually made our way back onto the main route, and while passing a newsagent's (in Blantyre if I recall accurately), I spotted the MARVEL Annual for 1974 in the window.  Entering the shop, I asked the lady behind the counter if I could have a look at it and she duly obliged.  I didn't have enough money to buy it, but I got it a few weeks later from a shop back home, located in the far regions of the Old Village quarter of my town.  Frankly, I'd been rather surprised to see it in that shop window because it seemed earlier than when Annuals usually went on sale.

We eventually arrived in Hamilton and embarked on a tour of the main shopping centre.  My impulsive companion entertained the naughty notion of purloining an AIRFIX model kit from WOOLWORTH'S, but (thankfully) then decided against it.  Funnily enough, I don't remember anything of our trip back home, so I'm wondering if we spent our meagre finances on bus fares, in order not to be late getting back for teatime.  In fact, that's the most likely scenario, as I just this moment recall 'Billy' expressing concern about his parents' reaction should he not be there at the appointed hour.

That night, I remember watching an episode of SAM (with MARK McMANUS) on the telly, after which I affixed a coat-hook to my bedroom door.  I'd found it, complete with screws, on the floor of one of the cloakroom areas of my school a day or two before, having been ripped from its moorings by some vandal.  I'd put it in my schoolbag with the intention of handing it to the teacher of my next class, but then forgot.  Once home and discovering my oversight, I decided I might as well use it myself, so that's what I did.  Besides, I'd probably have been suspected of being the culprit had I handed it in, so perhaps it was wiser not to.

Around ten years later, when my family flitted to another house, I carefully removed the screws, labelling them in sequence (left-to-right, one to four), and affixed the coat-hook to my new bedroom door, with each screw placed back in the same hook-hole it had come from.  I repeated the process when we returned to our former home just over four years afterwards.  What's more, although the holes in my old bedroom door had been filled in, their location was still visible so the coat-hook was returned to the exact same spot on the door, where it remains to this day.

So what's the point of this post you may be wondering?  From your perspective, none I suppose.  I simply wanted to indulge in a bit of personal reminiscing (is there any other kind?) and thereby relive an event from my past, which seems like only yesterday and a hundred years ago at the same time.  Funny that, eh?  At least it gives me the excuse (feeble though it may be) to again show you the cover of the 1974 Marvel Annual, drawn by GEOFF CAMPION, so hopefully it's not been a complete waste of your time.      

DC DOLLAR COMICS - DETECTIVE COMICS #554...

Copyright DC COMICS

Here's another welcome new arrival at Castel Crivens - a DC DOLLAR COMICS edition of DETECTIVE COMICS #554, featuring the all-new BLACK CANARY.  Must confess that I don't know anything about this one, but you'd have thunk (love that word) with a name like that, she'd have been black, eh?  No doubt if this were a comic for today (and not a reprint from 1985), she would be.  (In fact, having just spotted an ad in the back, I think she now is!)

DC FACSIMILE EDITION - THE FLASH #123...

Copyright DC COMICS

I've already got this tale a couple of times over (at least) in different reprints, but I'm a sucker for facsimile editions which capture the mood of the original mags and the time in which they were first published, so this one I just had to have.  If you're a fan of The FLASH, I reckon you'll want to have this one too.  Your local comicbook shop beckons, so what's stopping you?  This is the ish that set up the whole DC EARTH 1 - EARTH 2 concept, so it's a certified collectors' item.

Incidentally, nothing to do with the above, but Happy Birthday to anyone born on the 29th of February.  It only comes every four years, so make the most of it!

GERRY'S GOING TO HAIRMYERS...

Three years ago, in one of my 'TEENAGE TALES' posts (to see, click here), commenter GERRY expressed an interest in seeing more of the photos I'd taken of the now demolished original HAIRMYERS HOSPITAL, which was replaced nearby with a brand new building.  (It doesn't have the charm of the original hospital, looking more like a factory warehouse.)  So here, for Gerry, is the first batch of photos I took sometime back in the late '90s or so.  This post probably won't be of much (if any) interest to the rest of you Crivs, but don't worry - I'll hopefully have something nice for you in the next post.

Gerry, if you see this post, leave a comment to let me know, and I'll start scanning the next batch of photos for part two.  This current lot are more the surrounding area and out-buildings than the hospital itself, but the next lot cover the main buildings. (The last photo in this post was taken in 1988, a few years before the others.  The first two in the next batch were taken at the same time.) 

'DEVIL' DOG WITH GLOWING EYES...

First of all let me reassure you that the lass in the photo has a full complement of lower appendages and is only sitting with her legs tucked up under her (or to the side), she isn't disabled.  Now that I've assuaged your concern, take a look at my dog ZARA, caught on camera using her x-ray vision to see what colour of knickers the female photographer is wearing.  I'd bet they were red - and won.  The prize was getting to wear them on my head.  (Don't panic, I have a permit for talking p*sh.)

I recall this evening as though it happened fairly recently, but it was a staggering 33 years ago.  Of course, I look exactly the same today - and if you believe that, I've got a big tower in Paris that I'll let you have dirt cheap.  (Or how about a bridge in San Francisco?)  But look at Zara - isn't she a great looking dog?  And there wasn't anything devilish about her, she had a very placid nature and even used to lick a neighbour's cat in friendly affection.  (Could've got into trouble there if I'd used another word - and no, I don't mean 'feline'.)

ARE YOU A FORMER BLOGGER?

"ROBIN, it's my turn to blog now!"

Looking at the list of blogs in my sidebar, I'm struck by how many of them last published a post several years back.  With the exception of those who announced they were calling it a day, I find myself wondering why these bloggers gave up the ghost, so to speak.  Did they just lose interest, weren't getting enough hits, or have some of them died?  (In one instance that's exactly what happened.)  If you're in my blog-list and haven't published a post in some time, what's the reason for it?  Too busy, or just can't think of anything to write about?  At least take the time to assure everyone that you're still alive. 

MIGHTY MARVEL COLLECTORS' EDITIONS CHECKLIST - ON SALE NOW!

ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN #48

Copyright MARVEL COMICS.  Published by PANINI

52 action-packed pages of arachnid adventure!  J Jonah Jameson is now Spider-Man’s biggest fan!  But is the world (or Spidey) ready?!  Plus: Supervillains galore, as the Enforcers and the Scorpion strike!  By Nicks Spencer & Ryan Ottley!

Reprinting material from Amazing Spider-Man #11 &12.

On sale Now!

£4.50.

******

MARVEL LEGENDS #22

52 action-packed pages in the Mighty Marvel Manner!  While the War of the Realms tears the 10 realms apart, can Odin and Thor heal the rift between them?! By Jason Aaron & Mike Del Mundo!

Plus: Captain America is a prisoner in the Myrmidon – a brutal prison run by his old enemy Baron Strucker!  By Ta-Nehisi Coates & Adam Kubert!

Reprinting material from Thor #10 & Captain America #8.

On sale Now!

£4.50.

CAMERA CAPTURES CANINE CHUM...

Here's a photograph I took of my dog, ZARA, in the late '80s or early '90s, and which I'm quite proud of.  I got it enlarged, mounted and framed, and it's hung in my living room for many a year, but the above scan comes from the original photo, dug out of an old shoe box a half-hour or so ago.  Zara went to the great Kennel Club in the sky just over 21 years ago, but I still regularly have dreams in which she's still alive, and when I awaken, I look around for her before remembering that she's no longer here.

Has anyone else had a beloved pet, now gone, which they sometimes forget isn't part of their everyday life anymore, apart from in dreams, memories and photographs?  Take a moment to remember your pet-friend in the comments section if you'd like to.  It's good to share.

(Below is maybe how I'd frame the picture now - which version do you prefer?)

Or, given reader CJ's observation (see comments section), how about this one...?

NICOLA CUTI PASSES AWAY...

Copyright relevant owner

Saddened to learn that comicbook writer and co-creator of E-MAN and MICHAEL MAUSER (to name but two), has died from cancer at the age of 75.  He had many more strings to his bow (he was also an artist, inker, and editor), but it's via E-Man that I first became aware of him.  A sad loss.  Condolences to family, friends and fans.

MIGHTY MARVEL COLLECTORS' EDITIONS CHECKLIST - ON SALE NOW!

WOLVERINE & DEADPOOL #10

Copyright MARVEL COMICS.  Published by PANINI

48 pulsating pages!  Every issue comes with a free WOLVERINE POSTER!  A new adventure begins!  Wolverine travels to the Savage Land, and goes sword-to-claw with the legendary Conan the Barbarian!  But that's not all; Elektra is back, and she's heading for the Savage Land too!  The awesome action is supplied by Gerry Duggan & Mike Deodato!

Also: There's more than one Deadpool out there, and the zombies want to eat ALL of them!  A new saga begins: ‘Return of the Living Deadpool’!  Brought to you by Cullen Bunn & Nik Virella!

Featuring material first published in Free Comic Book Day 2019 #1, Savage Avengers #1 and Return of the Living Deadpool #1.

On sale Now!

£4.50.

******

AVENGERS UNIVERSE #10

48 pulse-pounding pages!  She-Hulk takes on Ulik, the deadliest Troll alive! Also: The Black Panther investigates the mysterious resurrection of SHIELD agent Phil Coulson!  Creatively crafted by Jason Aaron, Jason Masters & Ed McGuinness!

Featuring material first published in Avengers #20-21 and Marvel Comics #1000.

On sale Now!

£4.50.

WERE YOU STRUCK By The LIGHTNING TREE? (Updated)

Copyright relevant owner

I don't recall ever seeing a full episode of FOLLYFOOT when I was a boy, probably 'cos I assumed it was a show for girls.  After all, a girl was the lead, and there were horses in it, so it must've been for girls, mustn't it?  "What about cowboy films, Kid?  There are horses in them, and cowboy films aren't (just) for girls."  Yeah, but horses in cowboy films look well-tough, and aren't soppy sad-eyed wimpy ones like in Follyfoot.  I'm kidding of course, but for whatever reason, though I was familiar with the theme tune and opening credits, and caught snatches now and again when changing between channels, I don't think I ever saw a complete episode.

Then I chanced upon the above box set in a charity shop for a mere £2.  What's more, examining the discs, they don't look as if they've ever been played, as there's absolutely not even the minutest hint of wear on any of them.  I've watched a few now, and none of the stories are familiar to me, tending to confirm my belief that it wasn't a show I watched all the way through.  However, I've quite enjoyed the ones I've seen so far, and will continue at intervals to watch the rest of them, though it'll be slow process as I can't watch anything nowadays for more than around 10 or 15 minutes before falling asleep.  £2, eh?  What a bargain!

One of the things I like about the show is that it gave British stalwarts ARTHUR ENGLISH and DESMOND LLEWELYN regular work in a TV series.  Apparently there were plans to make a movie while the show was still in production, but for reasons unspecified, they never came to fruition.  Maybe the viewing figures during the third series had started to take a dip, making the expense of a movie a bit too risky.  The type of stories featured in Follyfoot were ideally suited to half hour segments anyway, and a 90 minute film may have been stretching things a bit too far.  

Anyway, here's a couple of questions for all you Crivs out there.  Did you ever watch Follyfoot when you were a kid (or teenager), and if so, did you enjoy it?  Well, okay, there were two parts to that question, but it counts as only one.  The second is this: What's the absolute best bargain you've ever had in a charity shop?  Comment lines are now open, so don't delay - tell everybody about that superb whatever-it-was item that you got for a mere song.  I'm waiting, so don't let me or your fellow Crivs down. 

BATH-TUB BABE Of The DAY - JANE RUSSELL...

When I said "Have her washed and brought to

my room", I didn't realise jaunty JANE RUSSELL

would be so eager for the treat as to leap straight into

the bathtub and do it herself.  I guess my manly-man

charm is irresistible.  Room for one more, Jane?

KRYPTONITE COMES A CROPPER...

Copyright DC COMICS

The KRYPTONITE NEVERMORE series which ran for 9 issues way back in 1970/'71 in DC's The AMAZING NEW ADVENTURES Of SUPERMAN comic mag (starting in #233) is now rightly considered a classic.  And the fact that the story has been retold at least twice (that I know of) since then shows that I'm not just whistling through my @rse.  ("Language, Timothy!")  Nearly 22* years after the original saga, the 1992 SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1 tackled the tale again, followed around 9 years later in 2001 by SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #s 54 & 55.  It just goes to show that those who came after could recognise a good story when they saw one.

(*Based on Superman #233 going on sale around October/November '70, and the Special being published in September '92.)

Anyway, here's an image and cover gallery of the stories (or should that be story?) about Superman's sand-based nemesis, created when Kryptonite the world over was turned into harmless iron/lead/'pumice' (depending on just which version of the tale you prefer).  In fact, which version do you prefer, or are they simply different facets of the same shining diamond?  Let loose in the comments section, fellow Crivs.

And lest we forget - cast your pulsating peepers over the covers below while you're here.  (Can't have you thinking I've short-changed you, now can I?)

I might as well throw in the follow-up issue to Superman Adventures #54, as it was a two-part tale.  Ooh, scary, eh?  Incidentally, there's an intriguing revelation regarding Kryptonite's 'alleged' transformation into an inert substance, which is a nice little twist to the original version.