(Please Note: As of Comic Fan #6, (this issue), several of my review blog posts are being re-printed in the 'Spinner Rack' review section of this magazine.  Thus I am considered a 'contributor' to this publication. Please be aware of this.)

First,  I have not yet seen this magazine in print form before, although it is now up to issue #6.  I am thus reviewing this in a format that some prefer, although I am more 'tactile' in my reading habits. I don't believe this will affect my thoughts of this magazine as I read and review it.

Second, here are my thoughts as I read through the magazine:

Front Cover: This is an interesting and compelling front cover for this issue, especially if you are interested in what appears to be the major feature of this magazine's issue.  That being the JLA, (Justice League of America).  Of course, there is a major following of both the individual characters portrayed on the cover, as well as their joint involvement in the JLA.  So the cover should attract the attention of quite a few.

The "In This Issue" blurb states that the JLA article is on 'Evolutions'.  Plus the other articles featured on the front cover are: Capt. George Henderson, and Mike Sekowsky, and the 'Spinner Rack' review section that I mentioned above. So there appears to be enough material presented on the front  cover for a browser at a LCBS to want to immediately pick up the magazine and thumb through it.

What they would find would be the following:

Inside Front cover - by John Lambert is in a style that I have seen before, (see my review of 'Chase'), and I enjoyed this pencilled and inked illustration, which could be considered a tribute page to Jack Kirby.  I had not seen John illustrating 'mainstream' characters before and enjoyed this cover!

The Splash Page - was laid out well, and showed me there was a lot more content on the inside, as the front cover had promised. 

The next page was titled: "Comic Fan Comments" which was basically a 'Letter from the Editor' page.   I generally like these features, and this one gave me the insight to the next issue's features that I want to come back for... Atlas / Seaboard article and an article on Charlton Comics.  So I've made a note on that!

The next item was a one page 'Eulogy for Rusty Haller' - a very informative piece by Robert J Sodaro.

'The Low Down' - which is the 'letters section' for Comic Fan! was next.  I'll let you read that on your own...

"Justice League Evolution" by Glenn Walker was next. With this being the main feature shown on the front cover, I wanted to pay special attention to this article.

I'm not going to bore you with complete details, but I did want to say this.  Even though I was a 'Marvel Zombie' in the truest sense of the term, I did see several other comics in my formative years.  Especially since the Fantastic Four was supposedly inspired by Martin Goodman learning of DC / National Comics good fortune on bringing back a super hero team.  So I had to see those early JLA issues in the 1960's for comparison.  Plus as I grew older, and started dealing in comics, of course I would read individual issues to see what I was also selling!

So I enjoyed this article, what with the early history of the JLA, and then the author delving into the periods when additional artists had their turns illustrating DC's premiere team of superheroes!

This feature article was well written, and illustrated profusely.  Good job!

"(Super) Boys And Their Toys!" by Jeffery Vavra was the next article.  It was an examination of the devices used by the super folks.

I gotta admit it... As a kid, I was fascinated by the special pin-up style pages on Batman's utility belt, Daredevil's billy club, and other special features that were printed in either Annuals or an extra page in the monthly comic book.  Well, those two above mentioned examples are covered in this article, as well as paragraphs on the Two-Gun Kid, Ghost Rider, Iron Man, and more!

This was another article that I enjoyed reading!  Thanks, Jeffery Vavra for sharing that in those pages!

But wait... There's more!  LOL, kinda sounds like a commercial, but it's true!

"Comic Fandom Profiles: Carl Taylor" was written by Lance "Doc" Boucher.  If YOU don't know who he is... well, that's a good reason to at least pick up the .pdf copy of this magazine!

"The New Mike Sekowsky: Appreciating His Radical Years" by Jason Sacks -  And yes, I do admit to reading Wonder Woman comics that Mike illustrated during her "New Wonder Woman" period!  Several comics covers are shown along with info on this period.  Plus the article delves into 'Metal Men',  'Supergirl In Adventure Comics', (which I also picked up as a dealer and read),  plus 'Jason's Quest' and 'Manhunter 2070', which I have not yet read.  So this article covered an interesting period of Mike Sekowsky's life.   If you don't already know, Mike passed away in 1989 at the age of 66 after complications from alcoholism...

"Blast From The Past" Featured "An Interview with John Byrne" - Conducted and Transcribed by Rick Limacher.  Rick first printed this in his own fanzine "Visual Show Case" in 1976.   Rick was 16 years old, and a high school student at the time.  The interview was conducted after John Byrne had left Charlton Comics, and was working for Marvel Comics.  He had already started drawing 'Power Man / Iron Fist', 'The Defenders', and was starting his run on 'Marvel Team-Up'.    I had not seen this interview before, and was pleased to see it reprinted here.

Whew, I am going to be running out of room for this review of Comic Fan #6 and am only through page 47 in this review!

So, with what I've covered so far in this review... I gotta admit... there is a LOT to read for your money here!

So, definitely I would suggest to at LEAST purchase the .pdf version of this magazine for the low price of $2.00 that YOU can read now, or go ahead and order the print copy which would be mailed to you shortly.  The print version was added yesterday after Jim came back from last weekend's S.P.A.C.E. where the print version debuted as it had just come in from the printer!

The price on that format and how to obtain it can be found in this link:

Click here to view and order the Print Copy to be mailed to YOU!

Click here to view and order the PDF version to be e-mailed!

My thanks to to Publisher, Jim Main, for sending me this preview copy for review.  Plus my thanks for including my reviews starting with this issue!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: We also have comics, graphic novels, and fanzines for sale at our own online store:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already 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 possible review, send to:     Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL! Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!    Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Which she appeared on during the first season of the series. A while back I became Facebook Friends with her, and had the opportunity to meet her at the Comic Con International: San Diego and blogged about that meeting, as well as other posts since then. (See this link for those previous posts.)

Recently, Tina and I saw her appearance on one of our favorite TV Shows, 'House'.  Yeah, we actually watch non-comics based TV Shows, LOL.

Then last week Tonya had an appearance on the Madonna Tribute episode of 'Glee', as seen at the top right of this blog post.

Well, enough dilly-dallying around...It's time for a "SPOTLIGHT ON...Tonya Kay" blog post!

So, first here's a little bio that has been produced for her web site, that I am going to post here, as you will be able to click on the links to see her actual works / videos:

"This Magickal Child from the Michigan farmlands has been performing since age 4 and playing Cosmic Muse even longer. A raw-food-athlete dancing 3 years in the Off-Broadway phenomenon STOMP, Tonya Kay is living proof of what a child raised in love grows up to be.

Tonya Kay has quickly become a household name and pop culture icon with her appearance as the reoccurring lesbian burlesque dancer who beats up boys, CASSIDY, on Comedy Central's "Secret Girlfriend", performing her bullwhip burlesque solo on Showtime's "Live Nude Comedy" and co-starring on ABC's "Criminal Minds" as TARA, the lovely teen vampire.  Tonya Kay has appeared on American Idol with Rhianna, the History Channel's "More Extreme Marksmen" and the "Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien". Look for Tonya Kay this year co-starring on House M.D., TBS's Uncle Nigel (starring Gary Cole), and the Hallmark movie of the week Wish List.  Also look for Tonya Kay on comic book stands as the star of Jim Balent's Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose issue #59- this is a huge year for the most dangerous woman in Hollywood!  

You will also recognize Tonya Kay as Stan Lee's fruit-eating superhero, CREATURE, on the original season of SciFi's "Who Wants To Be A Superhero", co-starring on CBS's"NUMB3RS" as the street racing netcaster, NITROGURL, starring in Trace Adkins (Video of the Year, CMT 08) and Death Angel music videos or playing sold out shows at Madison Square Garden on tour with pop-hit band, Panic! At The Disco.  Every audience and every medium is Tonya Kay's following.

In only a short period of time, Tonya Kay has broken into the indie film scene palying the lead comedic role, I ROCK, in feature film "Bold Native" (released summer 2010) the lead FLOWER in scifi/horror film "OffWorlds" and unforgettable supporting roles such as gun-toting drug lord, SLOAN, in "3 Days Gone", international traveler, SAMARA, in "The Things We Carry" (Best Feature Wild Rose Film Festival) and the biki-clad feature in"Fully Loaded", directed by Shira Piven.

Tonya Kay's nontraditional modeling work will appear with fellow vegan, Russell Brand, in major motion picture, Get Him To The Greek (follow up to Forgetting Sarah Marshall).  Also look for Tonya Kay modeling in National Geograhic, Modern Drummer Magazine, Movie Maker Magazine, Veg News Magazine, Panic At The Disco poster, True Nature album cover, Equinox Gym billboards (Jan 2 and NIKE stores.

What sets Tonya Kay apart from other actresses is her proficiency in danger arts.  A trained aerial stuntwoman with De La Guarda (Off-Broadway/Las Vegas), Tonya Kay also cracks whips and throws knives with Jack Dagger, flag dances with NYC's Axis Danz, and stilt dances with Trey Knight's Stilt World.  She has performed her danger arts on stage next to Rhianna, Ellen Degeneres, Margaret Cho, William Shatner and Harry Anderson and was seen by 11 million viewers spinning fire poi in the semi-finals of Simon Cowell's America's Got Talent. 

In her dance career, Tonya Kay has danced professionally with the Mark Goodman Tap Co (LA), Peggy Spina Tap Co (NYC), and Deca Dance hip-hop theatre (NYC). She has toured the United Kingdom and United States too many times to count with names such as Kenny Rogers and the Rugrats!, and is the creator of the all-rhytm urban drum circle XTREME RHYTHM THEATRE.

Currently, Tonya Kay is shooting the role of KIELLE, the bisexual hardcore artist in "Silver Lake" webisodic, is playing VIBRATA in Reprise Theatre's production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Forum and will be cracking whips live at Disney's El Capitan Theatre in early summer.

When not on stage, Tonya Kay is a compulsive gypsy, roadtripping this continent in her waste vegetable oil fueled Jetta, traveling to wild lands to work with the endangered Asian elephant, seeking out organic farmer's markets, luxurious bath tubs, and the extra-ordinary experience. It is the Creature's life passion to push evolution, shape reality, exist in love and go all the way.

AND...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,100 posts in number!

In addition, Jamie and Kristin have brought in several of the 2010 Special Edition FCBD Comics for FREE distribution on this upcoming Special Saturday!

Plus, there will be several back issues of regular titles that will also be distributed Free, in conjunction with the FCBD Comics!

Lastly, there Could be even a SECOND Copy of Action Comics #1 on display for viewing that day!

When I was there this past Saturday to check out where I would be located in the store for FCBD, Jamie told me there was a possibility of a second copy being there on the same day!

For those of you who don't realize it, Action Comics #1 is a 'Holy Grail' for many comic collectors, and the ever increasing prices on that comic keep it out of the hands of most of them!

Indeed, the most recent news in the Comics World has been the fantastic prices realized at auction for two other graded copies of this comic book! Just 'google' that and you'll see what I mean!

The Fun starts at 10AM Saturday, May 1st, and is expected to end by 5PM when the store normally closes.

There will be possible photo ops, as well as FCBD Comics and other comics distributed as well.

For location and store hours, see below:

8280 Clairemont Mesa Bl. #124
San Diego, CA. 92111
(858) 715-8669

Saturday is FCBD: 
Hours 10 AM - 5 PM

SoCal Comics web site: http://www.SoCalComics.com

PERSONAL NOTE From Michael:  Last year Tina and I drove over almost all of Metro San Diego for the FCBD 2009. See these links, 2009 FCBD Part 1 & 2009 FCBD Part 2 for my reviews on what all the participating stores were doing last year.

This year, I will be blogging and Facebooking from this one location only.  I invite you to stop by, and say hello after seeing 'Where The Action Is'!  Matter of fact, I'll be set up very close to the Action Comics #1 display!

My thanks in advance to Jamie Newbold for extending the invitation to me to set up a little table at his store to blog about 'Where The Action Is' in San Diego!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: I'll be blogging and Facebooking while at this location, plus I am expecting to be distributing some neat promos that should arrive before FCBD. More on that later in the week after they arrive....  BTW, Our own online comic book store can be found at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already 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 possible review, send to:     Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL! Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!    Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

That's because we also receive in the mail, (and email), copies of comic books and graphic novels that are sent in for possible mention / review in our blog. So not wanting to get too backed up on reviewing comics here...I'm posting my review on the newest creation published by Firetower Studios:  Princeless #1.

My thanks to Jeremy Whitley, who gave me a heads up that the issue was on its' way to me!

Here are my thoughts on this first issue of a new series:

First of all, I noticed that although the Publisher is Firetower Studios, the actual comic book was published by Ka-Blam, a quality printer, of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting the company rep at a recent comic con.   So I knew the printing was going to be a quality piece.

The front cover would be what would either grab my interest OR not when standing at my LCBS, so I place big emphasis on the front cover, even though it was mailed to me for review...

The cover was not overpowering yet not understated, and the comic book title of 'Princeless' had a striking presence about it.  Caught my eyes!  Good idea on that font and size and diference in colors used for the 'Prince' and 'less' part of the title!

However the fact that it was issue #1 almost passed me by, as it was in the company logo at the top left.  Not knowing whether or not that was on purpose, I'll let that ride for now...

That's because #1 issues are usually either going to be sought after, or because it is the first of an unknown quality, it may be passed over...

The artwork on the front cover by Luis Franco showed me what to expect when I turned the front cover.

What I saw though on the splash page was a diferent style than the front cover! No worries, it turned out that the splash page was a page in a story that the mother of the Princess was reading to the Princess.  Okay, I'll go with that...

I continued reading, skipping the inside cover welcome page for the moment...

So what was the story about?!

Here's what was said in the press release:

Written by Jeremy Whitley and Illustrated by Luis Franco, Princeless is a story of and for princesses who do not need to be rescued. The first issue is an introduction to young Princess Adrienne, who despises the tales of fairytale princesses, only to end up in one herself.

Well, being an older guy who reads a LOT of different comics and graphic novel genres, I found the first story arc in this series to be one that I would give to those that enjoyed sequential artwork stories, fairytales, and reading matter to help young girls to formulate their ideas about the world.

Why?  Because in 'Princeless', the story is a like a new 'fairy tale' but with a twist!  Princess Adrienne is first shown as a young girl who rejects the premise of a fairytale that her mother was reading to her.  The fairytale princess in the story was locked away in a tower, guarded by a dragon, waiting to be rescued by her prince.

However, Princess Adrienne is shown a few years later... and is in the same predicament that the fairytale princess was in.

How she resolves this is what the first issue is about... No Spoilers here! You gotta read it! LOL!

The writer of this comic book issue, Jeremy Whitley, updates this fairy tale like story by not using the typical damsel in distress storyline.  Indeed the princess is dark skinned and possibly quite capable of rescuing herself... but does she?

I mentioned earlier the style that artist Luis Franco uses in this issue.  Yes, it could be described as a 'simple style' due to the 'cartoonish look' that he uses. However that style is one that could / should appeal to the younger readership of this comic book and still keep the older readers satisfied.

I'm OK with this intro to the series.  One of the reasons I say OK is because I don't know how long of a series or a mini-series this is meant to be as a casual reader.  Yes, I could have asked the writer of the issue what is intended since he sent it to me for review.  But I am reviewing this issue as a buyer / reader of the comic book and finished not knowing what I was getting into for additional stories.  Being a 'continued' story I knew there would be at least a second issue...

Yes, I'm sure that sales will affect how many issues will be published in this storyline.  But anymore, a lot of readers of a new publication want to know if it is a mini-series, limited series, or a full blown unscheduled ending monthly or bi-monthly series. So I think that is fair to ask.

However that didn't stop me from liking the first issue as a reviewer of the comic book.  I found it to be a good read in its' genre. It is a good stand alone start for the series.

For more on Princeless and Firetower Studios visit:

http://www.firetowerstudios.com

I have not blogged about this company's publications before, so here is some info on them:

Company Overview: Firetower Studios is an independent venture begun by Writer Jeremy Whitley and Illustrators Jason Strutz and Charlie Harper. Firetower Studios was created on a Thursday in 2009 at the Southpoint Mall Food Court in Durham, NC.

Mission: Firetower is committed to producing intelligent, thought provoking, and quality comics as well as books, art, and other fine products.

Products: Currently Firetower is producing two ongoing series: Jeremy and Jason’s “The Order of Dagonet” and Jeremy and Charlie’s “The Dreamers’ Daughter”.

You can also interact with the writer and artists of this company. If YOU are a Facebook Member feel free to 'Like' / 'Fan' them at their Facebook Fan Page by clicking here!

My thanks to Jeremy for submitting the 1st issue of this comic book title!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store was still 'open' for business last weekend while we were at Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, as the con was only a three day con. We caught up with shipping orders as of Tuesday the 20th. So if you purchased something and paid for it during that time...Your order is already on its' way to you! If YOU haven't bought from us yet, comics and graphic novels similar to ones that we review here can be found in our online store at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already 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 possible review, send to:     Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013

Check Out More Of Our Own Endeavors:   Yeah, that's me in the photo shown to the left, taken at the 1973 San Diego Comic Con! I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 SDCC at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL! Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!    Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. NOTE; All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.