I met Jacque Nodell at her booth during the recent 2009 San Diego Comic Con International (SDCCI)...  

Where she shared with me the above pictured booklet that she used to teach her program 'Forgotten Romance - Artists of A Bygone Genre'.  She was presenting this program at the Comic Arts Conference (CAC), that was run in conjunction with the SDCCI.

First, if Jacque's last name sounds familar, well it should!  Jacque is the grandaughter of Martin (Marty) Nodell of Golden and Silver Age Comics fame!  Martin was an American cartoonist and commercial artist, best known as the creator of the Golden Age superhero Green Lantern!

However, it isn't superheroes that Jacque's program was about during the CAC.  Even though the artists that she names in her booklet also are known for their superheroes art, it is their work in the romance genre that is near and dear to Jacque.

And actually, to myself also!  I really enjoyed Don Heck's artwork in the romance field for DC and Atlas Comics.  Also Gene Colan's, John Romita Sr., Winslow Mortimer, and others that she names for those and other comic book companies.  Those guys really knew how to draw realistic good-looking women for comic books! 

Believe it or not, there are actually other comics genres than just superheroes, even though sometimes it is hard to tell that at your LCBS!

The reason I don't delve into Romance Comics genre much in this Blog, is that because for the most part, aside from an occasional TPB or other type of reprint, the Romance Genre has been 'dead' since the late 1970's...

Yes, I've seen some 'floppies', (single standard sized comics), on the stands, like the Marvel Redux series, but for the most part the mainstream publishers aren't publishing 'romance' comics.

Jacque picks out just a few of the artists of the 1960's - 70's for her booklet.  Some good photos of artwork from Heck, Colan, Mortimer, Alex Toth, and Jim Steranko are shown in the booklet. Yes, That Steranko!  His one and only romance story published in 'Our Love Story' #5 from June 1970 is a hard to find issue nowadays!

For You to get an idea why the "Forgotten Romance" is a genre you should at least read about, please check out Jacque's source booklet that she used at the program that most of you probably could not attend!    

If you are interested in obtaining a .pdf copy of this booklet You are in luck!  You can download it for FREE at:

http://justinbleep.com/dropbox/sequential_crush/FR_teaser_150.pdf

My thanks to Jacque Nodell for making this great source book available for reading!

For additional reading about this 'Forgotten Romance' art form, check out Jacque's blog at:

http://www.sequentialcrush.blogspot.com/

BTW, unless we are on site all day and night during a three day or longer comic con... we normally blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews,  comic book conventions, and pop culture news and events!  

Plus for purchases of items that our blog posts are based on;  please check out our listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our own online store! 

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

I was asked if I would stop at the Famous Monsters of Filmland (FMOF) booth at the recent 2009 San Diego Comic Con International...  

...By a good Facebook Friend, Debbie Poccia, to see if I could pick up one of only 200 prints of the new FMOF logo poster. 

Well, I made it there just in time, as I was able to pick up one of the remaining three of that limited edition for her!

At the same time I got involved in conversations with Robert Aragon - Editor In Chief / Art Director, Dominie Lee - Managing Editor, and then Philip Kim - Publisher.  Those three have a Lot going on now for the relatively 'new' venture.

When I say relatively new, it's because I thought that FMOF had ended with Uncle Forry's death earlier this year.  However, as FMOF says on their Facebook Fan Page, they are:  "Keeping the legacy and vision of Uncle Forry alive and well as we take FM and expand it beyond the page".

One of the items at the booth above was shown to be by Rob himself.  I took a photo of him holding it, so I could share it with my Blog readers, that are into FMOF or other works by Forrest Ackerman.

What Rob is holding is the:  "First in a series of classic horror icons by FM's own, Robert Aragon, this 18 x 24 BELA LUGOSI as DRACULA fine art print is limited to 500 pieces printed on 100 lb stock in 4 color with the plates being destroyed. Signed on request".  The print is a Famous Monsters Exclusive item, and can only be found on their web site!

I'll be sure to keep an eye on this company, and bring you more info in the months to come as they bring out new products to market.

In the meantime, I want to thank Rob, Dominie and Philip for their hospitality at their booth at the SDCCI!

If you are interested in obtaining one of these Fine Art limited Prints, priced @ $25.00 + $5.00 for shipping to USA buyers, please see the publisher's web site at:

http://www.famousmonstersoffilmland.com/products-page/?category=8

The Publishers also have a Facebook Group Page which You can join at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Famous-Monsters-of-Filmland/116475154987?ref=ts  

BTW, I would be remiss if I didn't run an artist's bio on Rob, so here it is:

Robert Aragon is a self-taught artist. He is currently one of the leading fine art portrait artists in the world. His award winning art has exhibited internationally and is represented and protected by the very prestigious Bridgeman Art Library.

One of his admirers was the late Vincent Price, whose friendship and guidance was both a personal and artistic inspiration to him. Aside from portraiture, his passion for classic horror and science fiction has lead him to a career spanning projects such as cover artwork for the Monstrous Movie Music label, children's books, graphic novels and everything in between.

He has created works for Karloff Enterprises, Universal Studios, Lugosi Enterprises, Ray Harryhausen, Warner Bros Studios, The Steve Mcqueen Estate, and others. He is currently the Art Director/Editor in Chief(print) of Famous Monsters of Filmland.

When he steps away from the canvas the San Diego native enjoys surfing, playing piano, collecting art and film memorabilia.

Looks like I have more of Rob's work to hunt down now!

Oh, Additionally...unless we are on site all day and night during a three day or longer comic con... we normally blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews,  comic book conventions, and pop culture news and events!   Plus for purchases of items that our blog posts are based on; please check out our listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our own online store! 

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

I visited the Titan Magazines booth at the recent 2009 San Diego Comic Con International...  

Where I met Ricky Clayton, Marketing Manager for Titan.  We discussed the fact that I have a Blog that covers comic books and pop culture topics.

I also mentioned that my wife was a frequent reader of their LOST: The Official Magazine, because of her fondness for that TV Show.

Wondering why we didn't pick up more of their line of magazines, Ricky proceeded to give me a couple of sample magazines to read and possibly review here.

After reading those samples, I'll start with their Smallville Magazine, which is now up to Issue #32 already!

(BTW, the CW channel has also announced that there will be a Season 9 for this popular show!)

This issue of Smallville Magazine is a king sized 100-page issue, packed with interviews and features.  Here are just a few features that jumped out at me, being a long time reader of the Superman and related titles at DC Comics where this TV Show is based from:

The LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES - It appears thats one of season eight’s biggest developments was the arrival in SMALLVILLE of Clark Kent’s new friends from the future – the LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES!  The characters Rokk Kinn, Imra Ardeen, and Garth Ranzz – aka COSMIC BOY, SATURN GIRL, and LIGHTNING LAD – made their Smallville debut in the episode Legion.  This was the episode where the combined forces sent the villain Persuader back from whence he came.  In this issue there was an interview of the actors Ryan Kennedy, Alexz Johnson, and Calum Worthy about bringing their characters to life. This was a great read IMHO, and makes me want to rent the DVD to see that episode!

Mack Attack!  This feature was an interview with Smallville star-turned-director Allison Mack.  As we don't watch this TV Show series on an ongoing regular basis, it was a good article bringing me up to date what Allison has been doing as Chloe Sullivan, who started in the first season of the show.

Figures of Eight - Was an overview of Season 8.  This was a good wrap up of what happened during the season.

Groom With A View - Jimmy Olsen... Who is one of my long time favorite characters, and who so often has been overlooked or sidelined in the comics.  Good article on what has been happening with Jimmy (played by Aaron Ashmore), on the show.

From Strip To Screen - Black Canary - Now this is a feature that You should read, if you are a fan of her in the comic books... with great comic book graphics!

And yes... there are more articles in this 100 page King-Size issue, but I only have so much room here to blog, LOL!  This issue is a good one to pick up, especially if You are a fan of the show!     

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this magazine, cover priced @ $9.99, please see either your usual sources of obtaining magazines or books, such as eBay stores or brick n' mortar stores, or try the publisher's web site at:

http://www.TitanMagazines.com

The Publishers also have a Facebook Group Page which I just joined at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Titan-Comics-and-Magazines/19867179048?ref=mf

 BTW, unless we are on site all day and night during a three day or longer comic con... we normally blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews,  comic book conventions, and pop culture news and events!   Plus for purchases of items that our blog posts are based on; please check out our listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our own online eBay Featured Store! 

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