WHEN TIME GOES WEST...

Copyright DC COMICS

I was browsing idly through some old blog posts earlier today and noticed one published on Christmas Day back in 2013, which featured a Mattel 6 inch Batman figure.  Were you to visit Castel Crivens today in the flesh and see it, then ask me when I got it, I'd have casually replied "Oh, three or four years back" - so to see it was nearly 12 years ago is quite a shock to the system.  That's a longer duration than my entire time at school and most houses I've ever lived in, with one exception - my current one.  Just doesn't feel like it.

In the aforesaid post, I mentioned my intention to get the Batmobile for the figure, as well as Robin, but I never imagined it would take as long as it actually did (Dec '24), though it doesn't feel very long at all.  I've likely asked this question of you before, but do you ever cast your eyes around your room and see certain items you think of as fairly recent acquisitions, only to be flabbergasted when you remember that you obtained them many years, even decades ago, and just how many changes have occurred in your life since then?

Feel entirely free to join in the fun.  (Er, it is fun, isn't it?)

BABE Of The DAY - MAJEL BARRETT...

Sure, Uhura was a honey, as was Yeoman

Rand, though there was another stunning babe

in Star Trek who made my heart skip a beat or

three: Nurse Christine Chapel.  Wow!  (She

also played Number One in the pilot.)

MYTEK The MIGHTY Volumes 1 & 2...

Mytek copyright REBELLION

Newly arrived at Castel Crivens (yesterday) are these super new books, the first pair in a four volume collection of Mytek The Mighty.  Published by Steve Holland's Bear Alley Books (under license from Rebellion), they contain interesting and detailed essays on the creators, Tom Tully and Eric Bradbury.  You're all aware by now of how lazy I am, so if you don't know who Mytek is then I ain't doing the work for you - Google him.  Those decrepit old farts (like me, in the main) who already know the comics history of the giant ape will surely wish to add these handsome volumes to their bookshelves.  You can do so by clicking on this link.  And Steve H doesn't do things by half, as the four volumes will reprint every classic Mytek tale ever published.

SCORE SOME MORE FANTASTIC FOUR...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Four for the price of two this time round, Crivvies.  First up (above) is the new #1 of Fantastic Four, and second down (below) is The Fantastic 4 First Steps, which features the new movie FF early in their career and doesn't concern itself with the film's plot.  Why two of each?  Well, I had to have those nice piccies of Susan, and both old and new costumes on the First Steps' covers.  See?  There's always a reason.  Not got 'em yet?  Buy 'em now while you can!  (First up and second down - the boy's a genius!)

PANINI/MARVEL NEW FF MONTHLY MAG...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS, published by PANINI

I mentioned the above new Fantastic Four comic in a previous post but neglected to show it, so here it is so that you know what to look for when you're browsing in WHS.  Below is a double-page pin-up in the centre pages, though I doubt many people will mutilate the mag by removing it to hang on their wall.  I'll probably get the next two issues (#2 goes on sale on the 31st of this month) so that I have the first three, but I don't think I'll continue with it beyond that.  Don't like to be negative, but I suspect it won't be a long-runner.  Let's hope I'm wrong.

POOR LITTLE FOXY - R.I.P.

My back garden is so huge, another house could be built on it and still have a bit of garden left over.  Because of its size, foxes like to play and lounge about on hot days, having the occasional snooze.  I usually feed them and some actually take food from my hand, though others do a runner on sight of me.  I haven't fed many lately because I haven't seen much of them, and if I put food out when they're not around, gulls, crows, and magpies scoff it in pretty short order.  I therefore started waiting until I spotted a fox or two and then went out and put food in their dishes.  I always make sure their water bowls are filled so they don't go thirsty, but maybe someone else is supplying them with better quality food than I do, so they've gone elsewhere.

Some years ago there was one particular fox who'd take food from my hand, then lie down a couple of feet away and take a kip when I was resting after filling the bird feeders.  I imagine he's gone to meet his maker, but the fact he enjoyed my garden as a pleasant place to frequent gave me a quiet pride.  Last week when I went out to feed the birds (tuppence a bag), a dead fox was lying on the lawn, looking for all the world like he was sleeping.  He may have been attacked, but it was hard to tell because it was raining and his fur was all matted and wet.  I hope he wasn't poisoned, because other animals are at risk if he was, but whatever caused his demise, I was touched by the fact he sought out the sanctuary of my garden in which to breathe his last.

I considered burying him out there, but then thought better of it in case he was diseased, so I called the Environmental Health Department, who came and took him away to be disposed of.  It was sad to see his corpse, and I wondered if he may have been the baby fox (yes, I know they're called cubs) I photographed in my garden last year.  I sincerely hope not, and he (or she) is enjoying life to the full somewhere with other foxes.  As for the dead fox, I hope he enjoyed whatever span he had and didn't suffer before his end came.

FANTASTIC FOUR #7 FACSIMILE EDITION...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

This is one of my all-time favourites, though I readily confess that nostalgic association likely plays a large part in its exalted status in my estimation.  I first read the tale in 1967 in a UK weekly comic called Wham! and not too long after (around 1968 or '69) in a US issue of Marvel Collectors' Item Classics.  Then it popped up again in The Mighty World Of Marvel in 1973 and The Complete Fantastic Four in 1977, as well as various reprintings of the tale in collected editions down through the years.  Oh, and lest I forget, it also appeared in Panini's monthly Fantastic Four Adventures in 2006. 

The latest is this excellent Facsimile Edition, which includes the mistake in the final panel, where Reed Richards refers to 'reducing gas' when he should've said 'enlarging gas'.  It was corrected in subsequent presentations until Marvel decided to go with a more archival approach and leave the mistakes in instead of correcting them.  In fact, in several instances, they had to restore some errors due to them having been 'fixed' and there being no uncorrected proofs available for printing from.  That meant 'whiting out' the correction and having someone re-letter the original goof, though not always in an unobtrusive way.

The memories this tale conjures up in my mind span all my early encounters of this classic adventure.  I even associate it with the street I used to live in three years before I ever laid eyes on Stan & Jack's space-spanning story, due to having the issue of Wham! with me on a family visit one night to former neighbours in the area in which we'd previously resided.  However, I'll rein in my reminiscences as I'm sure you'll all have your own recollections concerning The Fabulous FF's journey into action and excitement on Planet X, and their confrontation with Kurrgo, its self-appointed Master.  So let's read 'em!

(Incidentally, Panini have just launched a 'new' FF monthly mag, no doubt hoping to capitalise on the new movie featuring the Cosmic Quartet.  It should be available now from all good newsagents and comics shops.  If not, don't blame me.)

Oh, one last thing.  The three UK weekly mags mentioned in the first paragraph reprinted the tale (and others) in two parts over two issues.  It was the first part I had with me when visiting our old neighbours back in '67.  It pays to be precise.

******

One thing that's long-bothered me about the tale is that if Planet X is light years away from Earth, would Kurrgo be able to view the FF in real time on his monitor?  Surely the images would take centuries (or ever such a long time) to reach him?  Same goes for the spaceship he sends to our solar system to collect the four and deposit them on X - wouldn't the asteroid have destroyed the planet in the time it takes to make such a journey?  Obviously some space and time warps would be required, but there's no mention of them.  Or am I overthinking things again?  

BABE Of The DAY - BECKY RULE...

Apparently, the lovely Becky Rule

'plays for the other team'.  I'm not quite

sure if that counts as a disappointment

or not.  What do you say, Crivs?

The GALACTUS TRILOGY FACSIMILE EDITIONS...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Not long arrived at Castel Crivens, the Facsimile Edition of Fantastic Four #50, the third and final part of what's collectively referred to as The Galactus Trilogy.  I've actually got the original '60s issue of this number, but these facsimiles are hard to resist.  In reverse order, I've also thrown in #s 48 & 49, even though I've shown them previously.  It just seemed a shame to separate them, which is why I've include them all together in this post.  Did you read these issues back in the day, Crivs, and if so, just what did you think of them?  Reminiscences welcome.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS COVER?

Copyright DC COMICS

The above cover is from an issue Baggsey from Super Stuff In The Bronze Age listed in my Desert Island Comics post - in fact he considered it the best Batman tale ever written.  Well, I had to see what it was all about, so I promptly bought a copy via eBay and it arrived today.  Before I show you its interior splash pages, study the cover and see if you can spot what I consider to be a glaring error.  I'll fill you in on what it is after the following impressive images.

First, however, it's interesting to note that the words 'nigger' and 'spade' are used in the main tale, something that most likely wouldn't be allowed nowadays.  The first word is used by a black man, the second by a white, but they're used in the context of demonstrating (not condoning) the racism that existed at the time.  It probably wasn't really necessary to introduce the subject, but writer and artist Frank Robbins doubtless wanted to make a point and it isn't too laboured.

Anyway, ready for the pretty piccies?  Then let's go!  (And don't forget to spot the cover mistake.)

Did you spot the cover gaff?  The large scissors are completely unnecessary.  If they wanted to drop Batman to the ground below, all they need do is let go off him, not cut his cape!  Simple, eh?

UNCANNY X-MEN FACSIMILE EDITIONS MINI-COVER GALLERY...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Just to alert you to a couple of recent Facsimile Editions from Marvel, Crivvies, which you might be interested in adding to your collection - namely The Uncanny X-Men #s 135 & 136.  However, I'm going to start by showing some of the previous X-Men facsimiles which eventually lead up to Jean Gray's death in #137.  I don't think I ever had any of the original issues in this run, though I believe I read some black and white reprints in Marvel Superheroes, a UK monthly from back in the late '70s/early '80s.  The 137 facsimile is one I bought in 2019, but it's being reissued later this month, and yes, I have actually pre-ordered it.

Anyway, enough waffle from me, enjoy the pretty piccies presented for your palpitating pleasure.  And if you'd like to leave a comment, well - I won't try to stop you.  (Incidentally, I scanned these mags while still in their poly bags, so there might be a spot of dust visible in one or two places.  And I may've shown some of them before, but I can't recall which ones.)

Any memories of the original printings way back when, Crivs?  Then recount your recollections to your fellow readers, esteemed ones, and prompt some pleasant nostalgic notions.

R.I.P. - JIM SHOOTER...

Jim Shooter was a prominent if controversial figure in the world of comics, and now that he's sadly died from cancer at the age of 73, you'll be able to read about his life and career on loads of blogs - who'll tell you all about him far better than I ever could.  However, he did a lot for comics and their creators and that should never be forgotten, whatever else might be said about him.

ACTION COMICS #419 - The HUMAN TARGET TAKES A BOW...

Art NEAL ADAMS.  Copyright DC COMICS

You're correct, Crivvies, I've shown the above cover before, but it was 'borrowed' from eBay.  This time it's my own copy, newly arrived this evening (19:19 pm to be precise) from the US.  I suspect I had it back in the day, though for some obscure reason never kept it.  The regular back-up story in Action Comics had been Metamorpho since #413, but with this issue The Human Target made his debut, with Morphy moving over to World's Finest Comics.

In the '60s, artist Curt Swan drew Superman with quite a high forehead, making him look older, but come the '70s, Swan gave Supes and Clark a lower hairline, bestowing on him a younger appearance.  This, I imagine, was an editorial decision, as Superman's official age at the time was 29, but he previously looked as though he was at least in his mid-30s.  Anyway, I'm glad to have this one back in the fold, and I'm going to love it and hug it and call it 'George'.

Any memories of this issue, readers?  Feel free to wax lyrical in the comments section.  

BELLAMY Versus NOBLE And EMBLETON...

Art FRANK BELLAMY.  Characters copyright relevant owners

Every serious comics aficionado of a certain age knows the name Frank Bellamy.  I learned only relatively recently that apparently, Alan Fennell, editor of TV Century 21, originally wanted him to illustrate the Stingray strip for the new weekly, but he was still involved with Eagle at the time and had no room in his schedule so the job went to Ron Embleton instead.  All I can say is - phew, thank goodness for that.

Now there's no question that Frank was a skilled artist, but I was never too impressed by his Thunderbirds pages when he eventually joined TV21 in early 1966.  Sure, he painted pretty skies, but his Thunderbird craft didn't always match their TV counterparts, and his reference material for TB2 seemed as though it might've later included the Dinky toy, which wasn't a totally accurate representation of the vehicle.

Art MIKE NOBLE

Then there was the 'style' he used, similar to John Burns' artwork later published in Countdown.  You know what I mean - figure details filled on only one side, with the other rendered in coloured 'shadow'.  Maybe Bellamy had too much work at the time and had to rush his TB pages to meet deadlines, but I think they were less impressive than Mike Noble's art on Fireball XL5 and Ron Embleton's on Stingray.

Every panel by Noble pulled the reader into the action, and Embleton's pages were objects of beauty that were a delight to gaze upon.  (He was no slouch in the action stakes either, though Noble had the edge.)  Bellamy's pages came a poor third to those of his artistic stablemates and were less involving.  With Noble and Embleton, you had front row seats, with Bellamy it all seemed to be happening at a distance.

Art RON EMBLETON

Of course, that doesn't quite cover things as it's likely more complicated than that, but I find it difficult to articulate precisely what I mean, though it's the best I can do given my ongoing brain-fog.  What do you think, readers - am I being too harsh on Bellamy or do you agree with my assessment?  Feel entirely free to record your thoughts, theories, and fancies in our (hopefully) controversial comments section.

BABE Of The DAY - CHRISTEL BODENSTEIN...

Ah, Christel Bodenstein - a good

old British name if ever there was one!

Anyone remember her from The Singing

Ringing Tree ?  I first saw this classic 60

years ago, which makes me feel very old,

even though I look only around 40.  (In

my fevered imagination anyway.)

GOODBYE GERRY - REST IN PEACE...

                                           Oh remember when we thought we had forever,

                                           didn't it make you feel secure?

                                           We used to think that we had forever,

                                           now I'm not so sure.

So begins the theme song at the end of the 1976 Likely Lads movie, based on the hit BBC TV comedy series.  There's a time in our lives when we feel, without ever really thinking about it, that we're immortal.  Time, alas, eventually disabuses us of the notion, and I was reminded of that today when I learned one of my friends, Gerry Whyte, died on the 11th of this month.  After 5 years of illness and pain, he learned he had stage 4 cancer throughout his body, and he was earmarked for treatment to see if his tumours could be shrunk by chemotherapy once the NHS could pencil him in for it.  Unfortunately, time was not on his side.

For 5 years his doctors had dismissed his illness as being caused by 'really bad piles' - which just goes to show how deficient doctors can sometimes be.  Gerry's situation resembles that of my late pal Moonmando - Matt Caldwell - who died back in 2023 of inoperable liver and bowel cancer, initially missed by doctors when he first approached them to see why he was ravaged by pain.  They gave him several weeks off work then sent him back when they found no reason for his condition, and when he went back to them not too long after, nothing could be done for him.  I'd known Matt for around 50 years, and knew Gerry getting on for 35 years or so.

Gerry, fearing he might not have long, came to visit me around 3 weeks ago and we spent an hour or two chatting about this and that, and nothing in particular.  He'd hoped he would see me again, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.  We sat in my living-room and then out in my back garden for a while, and when he left he embraced me and kissed me on the cheek, just in case that was the last we saw of each other.  I'm not a very tactile person, but I hugged him back, wished him well, and hoped against hope he might come through his ordeal.  At least he got to attend his daughter's wedding a month or two before, which I know was important to him.

Anyway, I couldn't let his passing go without mentioning it, even though you Crivvies didn't know him.  So here's to Gerry, long may he live on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends.  Rest In Peace, old friend - I'll see you again, and I know you'll know what I mean when I say I hope it isn't for a good long while.  (It'll pass quick enough, however long it may be.)  Oh, and Happy Birthday - you'd have been 62 today (Monday), so I'll buy a wee pineapple tart tomorrow and pretend it's a piece of your birthday cake as I scoff it.

RECENT CASTEL CRIVENS ACQUISITIONS...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Recent deliveries to Castel Crivens include this trio of mags, Crivvies.  The Adventure Comics #210 Facsimile Edition consists of a lot of scans, though of better quality than usual, but the Superboy tale is from sharp new proofs, coloured after the original printing.  And FFF #2 is worth buying for the cover alone - just look at sensational Suzie - wowza!  As for FF#49 FE, well, it speaks for itself and doesn't require any hard-sell from me!  Buy 'em now!

Copyright DC COMICS

BOB Of The DAY - BOB HOPE...

My favourite comedian, Bob Hope.

I met him in person twice, ten years apart,

and he graciously autographed several items on

both occasions - and also sent hand-signed photos

from the US.  He actually owned a piece of my art

(a colour caricature of himself) which I'd sent him

as a thank you circa 1984/'85.  So thanks for the

memories, Bob.  Now can anyone identify

the pretty blonde burd for me?

SUPERMAN Vs. SHAZAM! FACSIMILE EDITION...

Copyright DC COMICS

I returned to the '70s earlier today for a short spell with the arrival of DC's Limited Collectors' Edition C58 - Superman Vs Shazam!  Never had it at the time, but I would've seen it advertised in 1978 so that's when I think of now that I own this Facsimile Edition.  It won't be an exact facsimile as the internal colours will likely be different and a modern copyright notice has been added to the splash page which it wouldn't have had originally.  (You know the one... Blah, blah... By Special Arrangement With The Jerry Siegel Family.)

The story is reprinted in a softcover book I own, though I've never bothered to read it before.  I have now, and I'm glad I waited 'til I had a facsimile in more-or-less the original dimensions.  I've lost count of how many of these Collectors' Edition facsimiles I own, but they're quite impressive and I'm glad to have them.  Anyway, if you had this 'comic' back in the day and want to return to the '70s for a visit, you should be able to track one down in your local comics shop or obtain it via eBay like I did.  So what's keeping you, culture lovers?  Grab one while you can!