RECOMMENDED READING: GRAPHIC INK - THE DC COMICS ART OF DARWYN COOKE...

Images copyright DC COMICS

It's ironic that this book, intended as a 'salute' to DARWYN COOKE's DC art, has now become, with his untimely demise, a memorial to him.   It's a shame to think there'll be no new comic strip work from the talented writer, artist, and animator, so if you're a fan of the man and his art, this is the just sort of volume that belongs on your bookshelf.  There are all sorts of goodies in this hardcover tome, but I'm not going to spoil the thrill of discovery for you by revealing everything in it - so instead, here are a few select images.

  

RECOMMENDED READING: TALES OF THE BATMAN - CARMINE INFANTINO...

Images copyright DC COMICS

Okay, hands up if you're a BATMAN fan?  Then this is the volume for you - particularly if you're a '60s Batman fan who thrilled to the Caped Crusader's adventures as drawn by CARMINE INFANTINO, the artist responsible for bringing the Silver Age FLASH to life and kick-starting the superhero revival in comicbooks back in the '50s.

So read the spiel on the back cover - then rush out and buy yourself a copy of this full-colour, hardback edition.  In fact, buy one for each of your friends too.  They'll love you forever - and, after all, it's only money.

GLASGOW COMIC CON 2016 - EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS... (Updated)

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (in Glasgow of all places - where else?) hosted the 2016 GLASGOW COMIC CON over the weekend (2nd & 3rd), so this big, bad, bold blogger decided to drop in and snap a few photos for all you crazy Criv-ites, and do I have some great pictures for you!  (No, seriously - do I have some great pictures for you???  Let's take a look at the photos and you can decide for yourselves.)

KEV from a local comics store.  As you see, he's far too busy for his close-up, Mr. DeMille

Next up is BEANO legend NIGEL PARKINSON, who kindly posed
for a pic and happily chatted away about various comic-related topics.
Top bloke, but does he know that DENNIS is about to pelt him in the
ear with a tomato?  Someone tell him - quick!

Ace colourist NIKA NARTOVA was nearby to colour Nigel's
drawings.  Here, she and DENNIS give Glasgow a 'thumbs up'

Some BEANO staff pose for their 15 seconds of fame on this
blog.  Only 15 seconds?  Well, that's cutbacks for you

Another legend - artist IAN KENNEDY was
kind enough to pose for a pic.  What a gent

Glasgow's own GARY ERSKINE, with JOANNE POWER.
I bet no one messes with her with a name like that

AQUAMAN's wife MERA gives me a salute.
And I wasn't even wearing a uniform

This is KIM (or is it Kym?) and EEVEE.  Look at that
glossy fur.  (Nope, I'm not taking that one any further!)

ALAN GRANT looks busy while JOHN WAGNER smiles for my camera.  I recall John
chasing ROBIN SMITH around the 2000 A.D. office back around 1986 - 30 years ago 

And here's PSYLOCKE.   At first I thought she was a
mannequin because she stood so still when posing for
photographers - until she changed her pose

Some nice DARWYN COOKE art

Some more promotional art

And here's the mighty KINGPIN, WILSON
FISK, just before he gave SPIDEY a kicking

DAVE GIBBONS and 'FRANK QUITELY' sign
for a long queue of fans - which I've excised

This one's for THB - ADAM SMITH of BRAW BOOKS says "hello"

'COSPLAY KILLERS' creator CRAIG
LONGWORTH displays his comics

'PLAGUED' artist TANYA ROBERTS gets plagued by me for
a photo.  "Where's security when you need them?" she wonders

Presentation for Cosplay winners.  First prize was a signed
photo of me, but for some odd reason nobody wanted it

And some more.  Slightly blurred because the stage was shaking under the weight (he lied)

MARVIN VAN CLEEF poses proudly
with his powerful pistol

The view of Buchanan Street from the stairs of
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

CURSE Of FRANKENSTEIN...

Copyright relevant owner

More great RUSS JONES and JOE ORLANDO art for you, cavortin' Criv-ites, in the shape of CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN.  Published in MONSTER WORLD #3 back in 1965, my only complaint is that it isn't an adaptation of the 1931 BORIS KARLOFF movie.  Oh well, can't have everything, I suppose.

And let's not forget the cover, below.

BABE Of The DAY - ROMOLA GARAI...

It's ROMOLA GARAI doing

absolutely the worst "I'm a little

teapot" impression I've ever seen

in my life.  Lift that right arm!

'ALIAS WOOD & JONES' DEPT: THE MUMMY...

Copyright relevant owner

You're right!  The title of this post makes absolutely no sense at all.  It's a forced wordplay on 'ALIAS SMITH & JONES', the '70s TV show.  Not to worry though, as I'm about to redeem myself with this superbly-drawn comic strip adaptation of the 1931 UNIVERSAL movie - 'The MUMMY'.  Drawn by RUSS JONES (not RUSS HEATH, as I absentmindedly typed in a previous post) and WALLY WOOD, it's a feast for the eyes.  Curiously, only WW gets a mention in the credits, but later sources cite Jones as well, though I'm not sure in what capacity.  Did he pencil and Woody ink, or was it a bit of both?  If anyone knows for sure, let me know, willya?

I've got a coloured version of this strip, which I'd originally intended to post, but I'll save that for another time.  Here's the black and white first printing of the tale from MONSTER WORLD #1, and I've included the cover at the end so that you'll know what you're looking for when you scurry over to eBay to look for a copy.  Enjoy.

KLASSIC KIRBY KOMIC KOVERS: FOREVER PEOPLE #8...

Image copyright DC COMICS

The FOREVER PEOPLE provided some interesting stories in its 11-issue, almost two-year run - as well as some intriguing covers.  The above one in particular jumped out at me from the spinner-rack in a far neighbourhood newsagent's one evening back  in 1972, mainly because of the comely charms of BEAUTIFUL DREAMER.  JACK KIRBY drew some good-looking women in the course of his cosmic comics career, and as a youth, I think I fancied most of them.  (Hey, who wouldn't?)  Have you got a favourite Kirby Kracker?  Tell all in our confessional comments section.

SHRIIIEEEEEK!!! The MUMMY'S HAND...

Copyright relevant owner

Here's a nicely drawn adaptation of The MUMMY'S HAND, which appeared in MONSTER WORLD #2, 1965.  Illustrated by RUSS JONES & JOE ORLANDO, it's a follow-up to the previous issue's Jones & WALLY WOOD version of The MUMMY.  I'll get around to posting that strip one day.

******

(Oops!  Typed 'Heath' when I meant 'Jones'.  Now fixed.)

And below is the cover for all you completists out there.