TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I have been sent several messages during the past year asking about where comic books could be found to purchase or to read, as the parties asking were not close to Local Comic Book Shops (LCBS), and their local libraries had next to nothing to read....

Of course I would mention that we have an online store where we sell comics, at ComicBooksCircus.com ;) , but since it usually has no more than 7,500 listings in it, I realize we don't have everything to fit everyones' tastes!

I have even printed the Local Comic Book Shop Locator icon here in my Blog, where blog readers could keypunch in their zip codes and see what LCBS are near them. I have mentioned that NOT all LCBS are shown in the directory, as the closest one to our house is not listed...

We are lucky here in the City of Carlsbad, California, to have a pretty darn good collection of graphic novels and TPBs in our 'Dove' Library. (As a side note, the other public library in Carlsbad has the best genealogical section in all of San Diego County IMHO, as it takes up half of the second floor!)

However, not all public libraries carry graphic novels nor TPB compilations.  Ours only does because of one librarian who has a passion for comic books! And I have thanked him for that!  So I decided to look on the web for other possible references and found that the Library of Congress is getting even more publicity than when I first looked at it online years ago.  

For those of You that don't know... "The largest collection of comics books in the United States is housed in the Serial and Government Publications Division. The collection includes U.S. and foreign comic books—over 5,000 titles in all, totaling more than 100,000 issues. Primarily composed of the original print books, the collection includes color microfiche of a handful of the early comic books (such as Wonder Woman, Superman, and Action Comics) and special reprints. Although the collection is most comprehensive from 1950, scattered issues from numerous titles date back to the 1930s. A small number of comic books make up the Underground Comic Book collection of titles 'recommended for mature readers'."

So how does the Library of Congress obtain all of these comics?

"The Library acquires comic books published and distributed in the United States almost exclusively through copyright deposit. Titles are added to the collection on the basis of quality of text and graphic depiction; significance of the artist, writer, or publisher; originality of story or main character; the title's popularity as reflected in circulation statistics or media attention; representation of new ideas or social trends; or availability through copyright."

So how long has the LOC been doing this, and are they just interested in superhero comics?

"For more than sixty years, the Library of Congress has acquired comic books through copyright deposit. The current collection of 6,000 titles, probably the largest in the United States, contains approximately one hundred thousand pieces and is growing by about two hundred issues each month. Represented in the collection is the entire range of comic-book subject matter: western, science fiction, detective, adventure, war, romance, horror, and humor. Although scattered issues date from the late 1930s, the holdings are most comprehensive from 1950 to the present. Action Comics, Archie, Detective Comics, Tarzan, and Wonder Woman are among those with fairly complete runs. A card catalog of holdings, by title, is maintained in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room. Also, comic book records are being added to the online catalog. Because of the rapid deterioration of the paper and the value of older issues, full access to the comic book collection is restricted to readers engaged in serious research."

Okay, so here's the important part, as a visitor to the Library of Congress doesn't want to run into the problem as seen at the photo to the left, (stairways with the infamous 'No Admittance' signs!  How does one access this collection?

"Comic books are circulated for use in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Room for those doing research of a specific nature, leading toward a publicly available work such as a publication, thesis, or dissertation; a radio, film, or television production; or a public performance. Self-service photocopying of comic books is prohibited. In some cases photocopies may be obtained through the Photoduplication Service of the Library of Congress. When researching comic books, collectors are usually interested in price and condition, whereas women's studies scholars may look on them as an art form, a popular culture medium, or a historical artifact. Unfortunately, many periodicals that focus on comic books are not indexed in abstracting and indexing services."

So how does a Library of Congress patron get around this restriction, and what other ways does one have in accessing the collection? 

"The Comic Book Collection contains over 6,000 titles dating from the 1930s to the present. Due to the extreme brittleness and high collectible value of many of the comic books, the Serial and Government Publications Division has restricted the use of the Collection only to patrons who show a sincere and scholarly research interest in the history and influence of the format. A microfiche collection exists for the early numbers of five of the most famous comic book series: Action Comics, Adventure Comics, All Star Comics, Batman, and Superman."

Okay... that pretty much covers that topic I believe.  If You are in the Washington DC area, or visiting there, you should check out how to access the collection PRIOR to entering the LOC. For more info please see this web site link:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/coll/049.html as there is a lot of information and other links there on how to obtain access!

As an additional note to this 'Main Feature' today. The above Spider-Man comic book pages pictured at the top of this blog post joined the premier collection of original cartoons in the Library’s Prints & Photographs Division back in 2008. The actual collection at the LOC includes more than 125,000 caricatures, comic strips, and political and social commentaries from the 1600s to the present, as well as your ever lovin Amazing Spidey!

BTW, a few of the persons that contacted me were looking for comics or animation magazines because of their interest in possibly getting into the comics field, or because they wanted to help their children grow artistically.  So if YOU are a comics or graphic novel creator either with a project started or completed, and would like to possibly see Your work mentioned or reviewed here in my Blog, please check this following link, where I tell you: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!"

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Monday evening I came across another Facebook Friend commenting on the new Archie postal stamp....

Postal stamp?  USPS?  I hadn't really heard of it. 

So I read with interest Beth Owens Laughlin's post on her Facebook Wall, and followed the link that led me to the most of the info below. My thanks to Beth for bringing this to my attention, so I could blog about it here today!

The following is from the USPS.com web site:

The Sunday Funnies stamp pane honors Archie, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes. The stamps will go on sale in July.

Offering an idealized portrait of American adolescence, Archie existed only in comic-book form before debuting in newspapers in 1946. A typical small-town teenager with a knack for goofing things up, 17-year-old Archie Andrews is often torn between haughty brunette Veronica Lodge and sweet, blonde Betty Cooper.

Note from Michael:  Another Facebook Friend, Joe Pepitone a.k.a. JoepeP who is the Art Director at Archie Comics, tells me that he: "set everything up for print so the post office could do their thing. The design of the Archie Characters and placement of logo was done years ago, long before I started at Archie. The main credit should go to Dan DeCarlo who Illustrated the work back in the 1980s". Thanks JoepeP for the additional insight on the stamp shown to the left!

A military strip with universal appeal, Beetle Bailey first appeared in September 1950. Possibly the laziest man in the army, Private Beetle Bailey is an expert at sleeping and avoiding work. His chronic indolence antagonizes Sergeant Orville P. Snorkel, who is tough on his men but calls them “my boys.”

Dennis the Menace follows the antics of Dennis Mitchell, a good-hearted but mischievous little boy who is perpetually “5-ana-half” years old. His curiosity tests the patience of his loving parents and neighbors, guaranteeing that their lives are anything but dull. The comic debuted in March 1951 as a single-panel gag.

Garfield first waddled onto the comics page in June 1978. Self-centered and cynical, the crabby tabby hates Mondays and loves lasagna. He lives with Jon Arbuckle, a bumbling bachelor with a fatally flawed fashion sense, and Odie, a dopey but devoted dog.

Calvin and Hobbes explores the fantasy life of 6-year-old Calvin and his tiger pal, Hobbes. The inseparable friends ponder the mysteries of the world and test the fortitude of Calvin’s parents, who never know where their son’s imagination will take him. The strip ran from November 1985 to December 1995.

Okay... as many of you know, I have the Marvel Super-Heroes sheet of stamps on my office wall, so now I'll have to get another frame for this mini-collection!

Yeah, I do have my favorites of this bunch being sold in July, especially Beetle Bailey! It's one of the few strips that I still read in the Sunday Funnies nowadays.  I would read more strips, but our two local newspapers have cut back on the strips that they carry... booooo!

Thanks again to my Facebook Friends, Beth and JoepeP! 

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I recently became Facebook Friends with Ashley A Woods, and then received a 'review materials' package from Onli Studios in the mail....

So upon opening said package, I came across several items of interest.

First was the 'Future Funk' 2009 Special Preview Issue, which is still available from ComiXExpress.com.

This was the preview issue, even though there was a previous incarnation of the magazine many years ago.  There has been at least one more issue in 2009 since this preview issue. The issue itself seemed to be mostly promos of other creations, with some backstory of the creators. Not bad for a preview issue.

Secondly was an issue of a comic book published in conjunction with the Chicago Center For Green Technology, titled "Let's Go Green In Da City".  A good promotional comic book for this cause.

Thirdly was the promo booklet on 'Black Age XII' Indie Comic Con promoting that show.  There was enough going on for that show, that if I was in the Chicago area, I would have attended.

The following is a blurb about what that show was about: 

"BLACK AGE XII" was Oct. 9th, & 10th, 2009 this Annual Convention is a group exhibition, a lecture, vending situations, signings, and workshops. The world's first Black Age of Comics Convention was given in Chicago IL Feb. 1993. The term, "The Black Age of Comics", meaning creators & products derived from the Urbane, indie, or cosmic experience and independent creativity. It welcomes all positive creative professionals, innovators, students and fans."  

Which leads me to the postcard also enclosed promoting 'Black Age XIII', set for Columbus Day Weekend 2010 in Chicago.

The Con is produced by Onli Studios.  The illustration on the post card, (shown at the top right of this blog post), is by Ashley A Woods.

I have not seen a complete issue of Ashley's Millenia War series, but have seen samples of her work, on her Facebook photos tab.  She has not started a Facebook Fan Page that I am aware of.

For more of Ashley A Woods' works, please see:

http://www.millenniawar.com

http://www.ashleyawoods.blogspot.com

For more on what happened at Black Age XII and what will be happening for Black Age XII, please see the con's blog at:

http://dablackage.blogspot.com/

If and when Turtel Onli or others involved with Onli Studios care to send in follow up promos, I'll be sure to take a close look for possible mention here in my Blog. I liked what I saw in this preview material package! 

I want to thank Onli Studios for sending me the review material package, and wish them continued success in 2010 with their publishing ventures, as well as a well attended comic con! 

BTW, If YOU are a comics or graphic novel creator, or a small press publisher, and would like to possibly see Your work reviewed or mentioned here in my Blog, please check this following link, where I tell you: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!"

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Last year, (yeah, just a few days ago!), I reviewed a few issues of 'Silver Comics', the series....

As seen here for issue #1, issue #2, issue #3!

I didn't want to stop at that point in the series, (there are actually 8 regular issues and an annual in the series), but I had many more other comic books and graphic novels come in that I wanted to blog about also!

So, to finish up with that series from 'Silver Comics', I wanted to mention that 'The Annual #1' had something xtra that the other eight issues didn't.

And that was COLOR interior pages! 

Yes, the stories were reprinted from the earlier issues, but it was neat to see those stories in color! I enjoyed re-reading the stories, and actually pulled out the earlier issues to compare the difference! 

And here is where it gets neat for YOU, if you haven't already purchased any issues from this series!

Click here, and you will be directed to the page where you can buy all 9 issues of the series for $21.95 plus shipping, and get the Annual #1 for FREE!  Straight from the Publisher!

I'm not going to repeat myself from the earlier three blogs, as I provided the links to those already above.

This series reminds me so much of the 'Silver Age of Comics' that Marvel Comics was doing back then, it was like re-living my childhood! Make Mine... er.... 'Silver Comics'! ;)

So yeah, I would recommend this series to any of those that enjoyed that Era, or who were unlucky enough to be born later and want a fun read!

You can also find out about 'Silver Comics' latest updates plus what else you can purchase from the Silver Comics folks by going to their Facebook Fan Page by clicking here! Being interactive with the creators is almost always fun to do!

If you aren't a member of Facebook, then you can go directly to their web site at: http://www.silvercomics.org/ 

Thanks again to Johnny and Vince for taking the time to introduce me to this series when I met them at the recent 2009 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)!  

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

First of all, please click the above link under Joan Severance's photo, where I blogged about that film when Joan Severance portrayed 'The Black Scorpion', to see what Tina and I thought about the film...

Okay, are you back? Great!

That archived blog post was from January 25th of 2008, which was an updated re-post from July 8th of 2007.

Although my wife Tina and I weren't overly enthused about the film, when this comic book came in from Bluewater Comics for a possible review, I stopped to take a look at the 'Cover B' issue that was sent. I thumbed the inside pages and liked what I saw enough to set aside my earlier thoughts on this film series to read this first issue of the comic book series, and give it a chance.

So what is this comic book series about?  Here is the first issue's promo release:

Roger Corman Presents Black Scorpion #1 is Roger Corman's femme fatale superhero gets reborn, as Black Scorpion once again prowls the streets of Angel City. In this dark redux of the popular film and television series, Detective Darcy Walker, consumed with revenge by the murder of her father, dons a mask to strike at the criminals that deem themselves above the law.

By:           Paul Salamoff, Daniel Cuchacovich 
Type:         Comics 
Genres:       Action-Adventure, Superhero
Publisher:    Bluewater Productions 
Pub. Date:    November 25, 2009
UPC:          837654404881  Cover priced: $3.99 
For ages:     16+
Details:      Features 3 covers which will be shipped randomly. 

Okay, so what did I think of this first issue?

First, I am not a big fan of multiple covers for an issue.  I went through the early 1990's boom and bust of publishers printing multiple covers, special effects covers, etc.

However, the cover I received was a 'smashing' cover, and made a big 'hit' with me! (It's the top cover pictured in the top right inset.)  That cover 'B' was illustrated by Azim Akberali.

Would I have been as interested in checking out the interior pages if I had received either of the other two covers?

Well, the cover at the bottom left of the inset is familar to me as a possible 'Catwoman' type of cover, so probably yes on that one, if I had seen it at my LCBS. 

The cover at the bottom right of the inset, well... probably not so much.

When potential readers / buyers of a comic book at their LCBS are viewing the LCBS's new comics racks, a cover has to stand out enough to be picked up.  Especially if it is a first issue.  So two of the three could have done it for me.

Enough of the covers... what about the interior pages?

For the first part of an origin story, well... I was impressed.  Especially after not really liking the film that Tina and I viewed years ago...

So that says something right there!

The storyline was well paced, the dialogue was written well, so kudos to writer Paul J Salamoff.

The interior pages were penciled by Daniel Cuchacovich. I liked his artwork for this genre of story. It fit well with the total presentation.

The colors by Zac Atkinson meshed well with the artwork and the tone of the story.

Wilson Ramos Jr.'s lettering was the usual fine work!

So in this case, the comic book series held my interest enough that I would want to continue reading the second of the four issue mini-series.  Even though the film itself was not one of our 'have to see next one in the series' type of films...

You can see more yourselves on this mini-series by checking out their web site at: http://www.bluewaterprod.com/!

Also, if You are a Facebook member - (and why aren't you if you aren't already!), you can become a 'Friend' with Bluewater Comics by checking this link out:  Bluewater Comics on Facebook! They are currently using their Facebook 'Member Page' for contact instead of a 'Fan Page' at this time.