www.ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Welcome from
Michael D
Hamersky!

« June 2009 »
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
You are not logged in. Log in

Signed Comics
For Sale!

Entries by Topic
All topics  «
Comic Book Artists
Comic Book History
Comic Book Movies
Comic Book Writers
Comic Books - New
Comic Cons
eBay Info
Other Cons
Other Movie Genres
Other Non Comics Works
TV Shows

Want Powerful
Promotion & PR?
Ask MarketingTina!

Blog Tools
Edit your Blog
Build a Blog
RSS Feed
View Profile

Join Michael's
Facebook Network!

Want A Good
Book Or Graphic Novel?
Read Our Reviews!

Check Out Our
Our eBay Store!

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Extract From 'Getting Superman Right' !
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Book History

 

Click here to see our ending soonest SUPERMAN Fanzines, Pro-Zines and other magazines on comics!

   

Extract From

 'Getting Superman Right' 

Click Here To See Our Current Listings of DC SUPERHERO Comics, Graphic Novels, Promo Comics and other Pop Culture items listed for sale!

By Dr. Paul Shackley

I recently became Facebook Friends with Dr. Paul Shackley...   When I went to his profile and info pages I noticed that he had authored several articles that he placed online.  

One that really jumped out at me was his article on "Getting Superman Right".  It was too long in its entirety to reprint here.  I asked him if he could condense it to fit a blog post, which he graciously did.  The results are posted below to share this work of his.  My thanks to Dr. Shackley for permission to post this in my Blog. 

Extract From 'Getting Superman Right'

By Dr. Paul Shackley

Why do Kryptonians exactly resemble white North Americans? One answer would be that superheroes, like gods, are myths, therefore resemble their creators. They are made in our image. This answer is basically sound. Anyone writing a new Superman story must accept the absurd premise of humanoid extraterrestrials as part of the established myth. However, thoughtful versions of the story rationalise its absurd elements. Superman is sf-based, not fantasy-based. His origin is extraterrestrial, not supernatural. The very first episode explained his superhuman feats scientifically, not magically. I offer below two alternative answers to the above question: Kryptonians are either descendants of terrestrials or a fiction within the fiction.

The Last Son of Krypton

The Kryptonian god, Rao, a powerful superior being associated with an old red giant star, presided over a large planet with a dense atmosphere. Rock-hard plants grew on the surface and a few almost un-killable animals lived on a plateau where the atmosphere was breathable by terrestrials although other conditions, like gravity, climate and visibility, were hostile. Rao rescued shipwrecked terrestrials, placed them on the plateau and oversaw their evolution so that they increased their strength, endurance and visual range while retaining their human form.

In order to survive, the Kryptonians, as they now were, developed the physical sciences but not evolutionary theory because they were clearly not related to Kryptonian animals which had different facial features, number of limbs, body chemistry etc. Therefore, the Kryptonians believed that they had been created on Krypton by Rao whom they simply identified with their red giant sun. This explains why the Science Council and the Raoist priesthood were the dual authorities in the later cities of Kryptonopolis, Kandor and Argo.

Rao’s aim was to generate a hero who would escape to Earth when Krypton exploded. Indoctrinated by recordings in his spaceship, Kal-El is conscious of his heroic mission but adopts a human guise while on Earth. This Superman joins other cosmically powerful beings in the Justice League. He flies through space in the Solar System, survives unprotected trips through hyperspace and the time stream and will live through an indefinite future, roaming the galaxy after completing his terrestrial superhero career.

In Superman: Last Son of Krypton, a novel by Elliot S. Maggin, human beings have spread to various planets, we are not told from where. On Krypton, “…two stranded space wanderers found each other…” and began to populate the planet. (1)

Because of the “monstrous” gravity, drastically changeable weather and poor visibility:

“The race’s physiology was subtly altered while outward appearances changed very little…” (2)

With denser muscles, sharper reflexes, broader perceptions and wider optical capacity but unchanged appearance, Maggin rationalises Superman’s human appearance and superhuman powers. (3) However, I think that outward appearances would change under such conditions unless Rao controlled the adaptations.

My “Last Son of Krypton” scenario is an adaptation of Maggin’s.

The Smallville Angel

In the Smallville TV series, green meteors, accompanying Kal-El’s spaceship to Earth, harm him but give terrestrials strange powers. In my second alternative version, there was no spaceship. The meteors gave more powers to Clark Kent because his pregnant mother, Martha, was at Ground Zero but not directly hit by any of the meteors. Clark, either acting from a distance or moving too quickly to be seen, averts disasters and rescues accident victims, thus giving rise to the story of the “Smallville Angel”. Since he is occasionally glimpsed running impossibly fast, there is also a legend of “the Superboy” but no one produces any photographs and the sightings are never verified.

Working at the Metropolis Daily Planet, the adult Clark, now able to fly, still uses his powers secretly but prepares for the day when he will be seen in action. By changing his voice, stooping slightly, pushing his hair back, dressing conservatively and wearing large distracting glasses, Clark conceals any resemblance to the figure he presents when, in casual dress, he flies or uses super strength.

He notices in the Planet a comic strip about Superman. This fictitious costumed character is strong and fast but does not fly and has neither visual powers nor a secret identity. He came as a child from the fictitious planet Krypton and was brought up by an unnamed couple who taught him to use his powers for good, as Jonathan and Martha Kent had done for Clark. Clark seeks out the reclusive author/artist of the strip who turns out to be his friend from Smallville, Peter Ross. Pete not only saw the Superboy but recognized him as Clark and based Superman on him.

The Planet has a promotion in which an actor wears a Superman costume. Seeing with X-ray and telescopic vision that, on the second or third day of the promotion, the actor has been delayed and will arrive late, Clark removes his glasses, pulls his hair forward, dons the costume and poses in the Planet foyer. Some colleagues walk past and may even look directly at him but do not initially recognize Clark’s face without glasses above the colourful costume. He experiments with a deeper voice and colleagues in earshot do not turn towards him.

Before anyone does recognize him, his visual powers and super-hearing tell him that an airliner is about to crash on Metropolis and he flies to the rescue. He moves at super-speed, does not wait for thanks or applause and also vibrates his face at super-speed in order to blur any films or photographs. Thus, he is not recognized and continues to operate in a superhero identity. The Planet staff finds that its fictitious character has come to life but is as puzzled as everyone else. Superman is only ever glimpsed moving very fast at a distance with a blurred face. No one suspects that he has a secret identity as the Gotham City vigilante must.

When Ross leaves the strip, other writers and artists base it on the real Superman so there are different versions of the character. One version is even more powerful than the real superhero and his Kryptonian background, involving the god Rao, is developed. Later, Superman rescues Lois Lane. She interviews him but does not immediately suspect any connection with her colleague, Kent.

This Superman can fly to the Moon and back if he fills his lungs with oxygen but cannot remain conscious indefinitely in a vacuum. To travel to other stars or times he needs a spaceship or a time machine like anyone else. He spends a lot of time in his Kent identity and as an investigative reporter in places like Iraq. He believes very strongly that he must use his powers to help but not to change society. (Maybe the powers fail if he tries?)

He opposes injustice but also accepts legal constraints on his actions and therefore is conservative on questions like the justice of the current war. He does not join the war on either side but awaits the decision of an international court and then expects the authorities to act appropriately. He investigates Luthor but this takes a long time. He dies in action and is commemorated by a large statue with out-flung cloak and an eagle on the shoulder in Centennial Park. We see life continue without him.

(Several aspects of this scenario are based on John Byrne’s revision of the character.)

Crossovers between the Two Versions?

Never. Maybe one Superman reads about the other as a fictitious character. There was an old Superman story about a villain who could animate newspaper comic strip characters long enough for them to help him commit robberies but that seems a bit far-fetched.

Please Note:  The Above Extract is copyrighted by Dr. Paul Shackley.  He is interested in anyone's comments. For the full article and Dr. Paul Shackley's other articles, including "Getting The Justice League Right", please see those and his email contact info at his web site:  http://www.zen118085.zen.co.uk/general/index.htm 

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check out our daily blog posts, new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale including Steve Ditko Comics in our online Store

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!  

~ Michael 

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see our Reviews on Comics, TPBs, Graphic Novels, & DVDs! 

Note: If you work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   

Digg! 

     

 

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This Blog Post May Not Be Viewed Properly On YOUR Screen Due To the Changes eBay is Making on the Blog Format At this time OR in the Future!
Additionally, this blog post is written for IE Browsers. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Michael is shown below in a photo from the 1973 San Diego Comic Con held at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego, California.

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 6:19 AM PDT
Updated: Thursday, June 25, 2009 6:28 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Iconic - The Graphic Novel Anthology
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

 

Click here to see all of our ENDING SOONEST graphic novels, magazines and comics!

   

ICONIC

A Graphic Novel Anthology From

 Comicbook Artists Guild!

(a.k.a. CAG)

This graphic novel...  was just released in time for MoCCA Fest earlier this month in New York City.  Even if you didn't pick up a copy there, you can still purchase it online.

Before I blog my review, I'll post what the promotional piece said about this publication:

"The beauty of comic book creation is that it is a celebration of two worlds: the literary and the artistic. For the better part of a year, the writer and artist members of the Comicbook Artists Guild have been working steadfastly to bring these two worlds together for the purpose of supporting children’s literacy. Iconic, the Guild’s first graphic novel project, is a collection of short stories based on old tales that are taught in schools all over the world, but each one has a twist to it.

Included in Iconic are stories based on mythological characters such as Prometheus, Talos and Cuchulainn. Legendary literary characters such as Ebeneezer Scrooge and Sherlock Holmes appear in slightly varied narrations from their original. The creators of the Guild explore the trials and triumphs of folklore heroes Robin Hood and John Henry. Lastly, the creators share stories based on historical figures Mark Twain, St. George and Gustave Whitehead. All of the stories are tied together by a fictional grandfather as he shares the stories with his grandchildren."

Okay, the above shows that the creators at CAG have their goals set pretty high for this graphic novel!   Here's what I thought: 

Introduction by Gary Cohn - Good background intro to this book by Gary, who has worked on several different comic books at DC Comics and Crusade Comics.  His sharing his love of comics and what led him to work in the field was very insightful.

'Grandpa Pages' - Good intro by setting the stage that this is an older man telling his grandkids the following stories in the book.  Text and artwork are family friendly.

'First In Flight: The Gustave Whitehead Story' - I had seen a few of these pages in a preview earlier, and wanted to see more.  The complete story was worth waiting for from Robert J Sodaro & Rick Lundeen!

'George and the Monster' - This was a good story, even though the audience is meant for younger children, I enjoyed this tale by Scott Ludwig & Keith J Murphey.

'Prometheus And The Fire Of Tomorrow' -  By David Guiterrez, Adam Von Arx, Albert Luciano, and Alex Rivera was another story that jumped out at me that I liked.

'Outlaws Of Industry' - kept my interest. But then again I like well written westerns! By Ryan Markle, Paul London, & Alex Rivera.

There were other stories, for a total of eleven, but as with all anthologies that are written and illustrated by different persons, there will be some that you will enjoy over and over again, others that you will read once and enjoy, and a couple that won't be your favorites.  That doesn't mean I didn't like them, just that anthologies have varied writing styles and art formats.  Which is good if your own personal reading and art tastes are different from mine.

The book itself is a very good buy for this format.  And it is a good first effort for this group.  I would like to see more in this format from CAG!

The following are the details for the graphic novel:

Name:  Iconic
Genre: Anthology
Format: 112 pages 
Cover Price: $ 9.99  Black & White  $2.50 shipping

For more info on the graphic novel and how to purchase it, please see the web site  at: http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4339457

For more info on the Comicbook Artists Guild, please see: http://www.comicartguild.com/

(Note: A complimentary item for this mention / review  was provided by the publisher.)  

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check out our daily blog posts, new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale including Isis Comics in our online Store

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!

~ Michael 

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see our Reviews on Comics, TPBs, Graphic Novels, & DVDs! 

Note: If you work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

 

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This Blog Post May Not Be Viewed Properly On YOUR Screen Due To the Changes eBay is Making on the Blog Format At this time OR in the Future!
Additionally, this blog post is written for IE Browsers. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Michael is shown below in a photo from the 1973 San Diego Comic Con held at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego, California.

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

.

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 1:20 PM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
It's Been 40 Years!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Comic Cons

 

Click here to see our ending soonest COMIC CON promotional items!

   

It's Been 40 Years!

So I'm Wishing A Happy Anniversary To The Comic Con International San Diego!

Click Here To See Our Current Listings of  SDCC Comics, Graphic Novels, Promo Comics and other Pop Culture items listed for sale!

Michael Selling @ 1973 SDCC

About this time of year I start getting excited about attending my favorite comic con...   Yeah, it's the one we older fans still call the San Diego Comic Con, (SDCC) although the name has been changed to 'Comic Con International', (CCI).

I've blogged about the early history of this comic con in the past, but I'll repeat a little history of it that ties in with my earliest years at this con...

There was an initial mini-con that was a one day affair held March 1970 to raise funds for the then upcoming 3-day con.  I did not know of this mini-con and thus did not attend.

The 1st 'true' SDCC, then called the Golden State Comic-Con was held August 1st-3rd 1970 at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego.

I heard about this very late from a co-worker at the San Diego Zoo who knew I was into comics, and was able to attend on the last day, late in the day, after leaving work early. My memories of this event are not totally clear as it was my first realization that there were actually comics fans like me in the San Diego area!  That was a shock! Total approximate account of attendees was 300, yes only 300!

The 2nd SDCC, still called the Golden State Comic-Con, was held in 1971 at Muir College, UCSD Campus in San Diego. I was still working at the San Diego Zoo, had completed my first year at college, and either did not hear about the Con, or was too busy working.  Additionally the 'North' San Diego area where UCSD was not in my normal area of traveling to.  I had a more 'provincial' attitude in those days.  Heck, North San Diego was considered a long way off from the South Bay where I lived, even though gas was like 25 cents a gallon???  Attendance at the 2nd Con was approximately 800 persons.

Long time blog readers will then know that I first set up at this comic back in 1972 when I bought out another dealer at the Con when it was held at the El Cortez Hotel.  This Con was the 3rd San Diego's West Coast Comic-Con, (renamed), and was held August 18-20th, 1972.  

The following year I paid for a table early and exhibited when the Con was held at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego.  It was this 4th con when it was renamed to the 'San Diego Comic Con'.

Well, the reason I am blogging down memory lane this morning is because the Comic Con International has decided to also write about its' history!  With a 40 Year History to draw from, the Con has released info on the book it has available for pick-up at this Year's Con.

Here is a little bit on what the book is about: 

"The massive 208-page, 9x12 full-color book features over 620 images from the 40-year history of Comic-Con. Most of the art has not been seen since its initial publication in Comic-Con's program and souvenir books, and the majority of the photos have never been seen outside of the Comic-Con archives. And sprinkled throughout the book are quotes and observations from leading professionals in comics, movies, and television, commenting on their own experiences at the show.

The whole package is capped off with an amazing new full-color wraparound cover by one of Comic-Con's favorite special guests: Sergio Aragonés. Masterfully colored by Tom Luth!

Advance sale books are $31.99 and includes CA Sales tax, but are only available to those attending Comic-Con 2009 and must be picked up on site during the convention. Unfortunately at this time Comic-Con cannot ship the book. All orders for pick up must be received by Monday, July 13, 2009.

Books will also be for sale at Comic-Con (provided books are still available) for the cover price of $40.00 + CA Sales tax."

Trust me on this one folks... This is will be a book You will treasure for year if You have ever been part of this Con's 40 Years of history! What a keepsake this will be!

For more info on the Comic Con International, including how to pre-order and pick up the book at the con, please see the web site at:  http://www.comic-con.org

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check out our daily blog posts, new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale including Steve Ditko Comics in our online Store

 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!  

~ Michael 

 

Now Celebrating the 10th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see our Reviews on Comics, TPBs, Graphic Novels, & DVDs! 

Note: If you work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   

Digg! 

     

 

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This Blog Post May Not Be Viewed Properly On YOUR Screen Due To the Changes eBay is Making on the Blog Format At this time OR in the Future!
Additionally, this blog post is written for IE Browsers. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Michael and Tina are shown below at their second SDCC / CCI together in 2002 in San Diego, California.

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 7:03 AM PDT
Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:13 AM PDT
Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink
Monday, June 22, 2009
Power Of The Valkyrie!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

 

Click here to see all of our ENDING SOONEST graphic novels, magazines and comics!

 

   

Power Of The

Valkyrie!

From

 Bluewater Comics!

 

 

Continuing my blogs on comics that I have recently read and that I want to blog about...  is another one from Bluewater Comics.  This company seems to be having several new series coming out, expanding its' line instead of pulling back during these tougher economic times!

This title was originally published through Arcana Comics. Here in this Bluewater Comics series, it is written by Chris Studabaker, drawn by Mannix Francisco and colored by Jorge Farés Maese Ramírez. Publisher Darren G Davis is credited as being the creator of the series.

So what is this series about?  Well, Bluewater Comics describes the new philosphic and adventure “Power of the Valkyrie” series as follows:

"Suzanne Bancroft is going to die, and the end of the world will be her fault. A relentless demi-god has declared he will murder Suzanne and her death will begin a chain of events culminating in Ragnarok. Worse yet – her murderer can see her fate. While still trying to understand her new role as the Valkyrie, Suzanne must seek the true nature of fate and ask herself a hard question: how do you fight a battle you’re destined to lose?"

The storyline itself is one of interweaving ancient stories with modern narrative.  Which is aided by the artwork.  How? Well the first three pages are in an artstyle that feels like a telling of the Norse Gods mythology.  Then the fourth page brings the reader into the modern day with a completely different artstyle. The last two pages in the storyline go back to the earlier artstyle closing this part of the storyline. 

The artwork in the interior pages is more than suitable for this genre and brought me into the storyline easily. The coloring for both styles was right on in presentation for both style formats. 

The storyline itself, although it is a continuation of the Valkyrie's story, didn't make me feel like I missed a lot by not reading the Arcana Comics series.  There wasn't much baggage / continuity that I felt I had to catch up on.  Which in starting a new series without reading the prior series is good!

The only semi-negative I could see in this comic was the Cover 'A' that was the issue I received.  The style as you can see at the top left of this blog post is a little 'cartoony', and didn't fit with the interior pages, IMHO. 

However I did notice it was Cover 'A', so I looked for a picture of the other variant cover 'B'.    Cover 'B' was more in keeping with the Norse Gods interior pages, so I won't fault this comic with the cover 'A' variant.  After all there's gotta be a reason for a potential reader to pick this comic book off the shelf from hundreds of other comics to thumb through before purchasing.  And a good looking gal is just one of those hooks to pull a potential reader in! 

As for the storyline, so far this series is one of the more 'darker' of the Bluewater Comics series I have read. It appears that the publisher / editor of this series wanted to give it a more adult feel...  This series, although a little 'darker' than others I have read, is one that I would pick up the next issue to continue reading the storyline....

This issue's cover price was $3.99 with a bonus of two pin-ups at the end of the storyline.

For more info on the series and upcoming issues, please see the Bluewater Comics web site at:  http://www.Bluewaterprod.com

BTW, Bluewater Comics is also the publisher of the 'Female Force' comic book series featuring special issues on Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Caroline Kennedy, Princess Diana and more to follow!    

(Note: A complimentary item for this mention / review  was provided by the publisher.)  

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check out our daily blog posts, new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale including Isis Comics in our online Store

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!

~ Michael 

 

Now Celebrating the 10th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see our Reviews on Comics, TPBs, Graphic Novels, & DVDs! 

Note: If you work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This Blog Post May Not Be Viewed Properly On YOUR Screen Due To the Changes eBay is Making on the Blog Format At this time OR in the Future!
Additionally, this blog post is written for IE Browsers. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Michael is shown below in a photo from the 1973 San Diego Comic Con held at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego, California.

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

.

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 2:14 PM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Are YOU Ready For DitkoMania?!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

 

Click here to see our ending soonest Fanzines, Pro-Zines and other magazines on comics!

   

Are YOU Ready For 

DitkoMania?!

Click Here To See Our Current Listings of STEVE DITKO Comics, Graphic Novels, Promo Comics and other Pop Culture items listed for sale!

Steve Ditko

Earlier this past week I noticed a few of my Facebook Friends posting comments about the DitkoMania fanzine issue that was just published.   Well, I quickly sent a 'Friends Request' to who I thought was the publisher of that fanzine, asking if he was indeed that Rob Imes who was now publishing Ditkomania. 

That he was, and in short order, I plunked down my PayPal payment and purchased a copy online.  Just received it in Saturday's mail, and was so thrilled to see it arrive, I just had to read it last night!

After reading this fanzine, cover to cover, I just have to tell you it was the Best $2.50 I've spent on comics related material in a long time!  Granted there isn't much you can purchase about comics, or even comics for that matter now for $2.50, as many comic books have gone up to $3.99 each just recently!

Yet, receiving this fanzine, 32 pages with cardstock covers, and stapled in the middle, reminded so much of the fun I used to have when fanzines or catalogs came in the mail to me!

Yeah, I'm still a holdover fan from the 'old days' before I started getting a lot of my info online.  There's something about receiving a zine in the mail that I can hold that is exciting!  Similar to the 'rush' I got from receiving the first Overstreet Price Guide in the mail, or the catalogs from Robert Bell, Howard 'M' or 'D' Rogofsky in the early days.

I was going to run a photo of the publisher with this blog post, but Rob Imes would prefer to let the work speak for itself, and any reviews be done on the issue, not on himself...

Before I blog my thoughts on this issue, I want to post a little about the history of this  DitkoMania fanzine... 

First of all the fanzine DITKOMANIA is devoted to the work of comics artist Steve Ditko.  In case you aren't aware of what Steve has done so far in his lifetime, I suggest you view the documentary promoted by Blake Bell at the 2008 SDCC, 'In Search Of Steve Ditko', which I have blogged about earlier.

DITKOMANIA (DM) was founded by Bill Hall, who published the fanzine from 1983 to 1999.  However it was in 2001 that Bill announced that he would no longer be publishing DM.  Fortunately for Steve Ditko fans it wouldn't stay defunct for long.

Just recently, in 2008, DM was revived by the new editor/publisher Rob Imes with Bill's permission.  This 'new' DM picked up where the first series' numbering ended, with its' first issue, (#64), being released on March 1st, 2008.  Since then there have been nine issues released.  (DM issues #65-73.)

As stated above, the issue I just received was #73.  At the top left of this blog you can view the front cover which was drawn by Fred Hembeck, who I've blogged about a few time before, (click here).  This new issue  just 'hot off the presses', has a Doctor Strange theme, with articles about the Marvel Comics character from Nick Caputo, Winston Blakely and Christoph Melchert.  Additionally there is artwork by Larry Johnson and Winston Blakely, among others. 

What I found right off the bat when opening the fanzine, was that I was holding edition #182 of 200 copies printed by Rob Imes.  What I found out afterwards is that Rob has "decided that all new issues of DM will now be hand-numbered. My intention is to print 200 copies of DM #64, leaving a space in the indicia for the individual copy’s number, which I will then write by hand in pen. Those 200 copies would be DM #64’s “First Printing” and noted as such. When/if those 200 copies are gone, I’ll go back and do a “Second Printing,” and so on, the same way."

I found that this issue had struck my interest from the get-go. Of course being a fan of Fred Hembeck's works, I initially ordered it because of the cover.  Well, the interior pages, (all black and white), were just as much fun to look at and read! 

The 'EDITKORIAL' laid out what was happening with the fanzine, and a quick mention about the next issue 'Ditko at DC'. This was written in a manner that was not 'dry' yet being informative as to what was going on.

A short article along with an illustration by Winston Blakely started off the fanzine.  That was enjoyable.

A six page article by Nick Caputo about 'An Examination Into The Beginnings of Dr. Strange', was informative and not a re-hash of the history that goes back to the 1962/63 period.  A one page 'sidebar' was also included by Nick regarding 'The Genesis Of Dr. Strange's Hand Gestures'.

Following that was a feature by Christoph Melchert on 'What Doctor Strange and Spider-Man Have In Common'.  This was a treatise style article that reminded me of the early fan days.  Good Job on this article!

Then came the section titled 'Ditkotomy'.  Which was a review of 'Ditko Once More'.   Interesting point of view by the reviewer Michael Aushenker.

A little blurb at the end of 'Ditkotomy' followed, called 'Ditko In Your Future'.  Nice to see Steve Ditko's upcoming publication being mentioned in advance so the reader could make a note of it for possible purchase.

The Letters section followed.  This was the only section of the fanzine that my attention strayed away a little....  There had been an earlier issue printed that had included a Steve Ditko / Alan Moore 'comparison', which since I had not seen that issue, I didn't really get 'into'.  This wasn't the fanzine's fault, just that I hadn't seen the article several of the letters were referring to, so I felt a little 'left out'.

This reminded me back in the early days of Marvel Comics when they first started coming out with 'continued stories'.  With newstand distribution a little spotty where I lived in Kodiak, Alaska, and San Diego, California, I had to really search for a missing issue by going to several newstands, or just plain missed buying that issue.  Which ended up with me buying a subscription to each comic I enjoyed reading.  Which is probably what I'm going to have to do here with this fanzine!

Talking about subscriptions... Here's what you can do!  You can try a sample issue like I did, by going to the below mentioned web site and using PayPal to purchase one for $2.50 postpaid.  Heck of a bargain!  Or since DM is meant to be a quarterly zine, a one-year subscription would be 4 issues for $10.00 postpaid. 

Like I said near the beginning of this blog, the $2.50 I pulled out of my PayPal account for this issue is the Best $2.50 I've spent in a long while! No Kidding!

For more info on the DitkoMania fanzine, please see the web site at:  http://www.ditko-fever.com/dmreturns.html

Here at Make It So Marketing's Blog, we post daily on comics and pop culture news and events.  Check out our daily blog posts, new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale including Steve Ditko Comics in our online Store

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!!  
~ Michael 

 

Now Celebrating the 10th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see our Reviews on Comics, TPBs, Graphic Novels, & DVDs! 

Note: If you work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   

Digg! 

     

 

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This Blog Post May Not Be Viewed Properly On YOUR Screen Due To the Changes eBay is Making on the Blog Format At this time OR in the Future!
Additionally, this blog post is written for IE Browsers. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Michael is shown below in a photo from the 1973 San Diego Comic Con held at the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island in San Diego, California.

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 5:16 AM PDT
Updated: Sunday, June 21, 2009 8:06 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink

Newer | Latest | Older