Michael's 'Take' On: 8-9-3 The Graphic Novel!     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to the 8-9-3 Graphic Novel (GN). - At the Top Left: Jack Hsu Shows the 8-9-3 GN to Michael D Hamersky from his table in Artists Alley at the 2010 LBCC.  - At the Bottom Left: The Flyer To The 2010 Long Beach Comic Con.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3294:

Early last month my wife, Tina LoSasso, immediately guest blogged her review on 8-9-3 the Graphic Novel (GN) after finding it at the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con, as seen in this link!

That's because she found it to read "like a John Woo film, plenty of action, deceit, choreographed violence, beautiful women, and a surprising twist at the end. This entertaining tale has everything but the booming sound track!"

Which is why I'm adding my thoughts here today!

I finally read it over the Thankgiving / Black Friday holiday weekend.

I must say that Tina didn't overstate the quality of the production value of this GN!

Instead of my usual 'breakdowns' of what the GN consists of, I'll just say this... This GN is definitely worthy of being converted into either a live action film or an animated one!  And Tina has already left her copy with a film producer!

Also... I'll match Tina's rating of the GN plus add it a few points higher in my own rating.

Rating: a NEAR MINT (NM) 9.4 out of a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

I'm also going to recommend this as  'Holiday Gift' for those of you looking for a 'mature' graphic novel, that is NOT 'over the top' in presentation!

For those of you that would like to get your friends reading graphic novels, this could be a good choice, taking into account the violence and some sexual content.  It's NOT for kids, just like John Woo movies aren't!

Here is the link to where you can find more on this graphic novel.  Plus this is where you can purchase it online, at WayOutComics.com.

--------------

Note from Michael:  My thanks to Jack Hsu for bringing this graphic novel to Tina's attention at the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con!  This was the one that she wanted to read first and possibly review blog.

Also, my thanks to Tina for reminding me this past week that I had not yet read this GN she so highly praised!  Since she had already blogged about it, I thought I should read other publications that we also received first, but darn she was right, (again!). LOL!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,290 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,040 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"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   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)!   You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'. Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page!.     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, I would have liked to have sent you a Friend Request.  However,  I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages 'limit' already, so I have now added on a personal Facebook Fan Page of my own! Just click this link to be taken to 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics' where you can click the 'Like' button there! And Thanks!         ------------------- 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, sorry about that! The screen display x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Fear Of Comic Books In The History of America's Moral Panics?! Revisited In An Excerpt From An Article by George Will Above: Photo of George Will Top Right Photo:  Comic Books Burning in Binghamton, New York 1948 Middle Right Photo: Dr. Frederic Wertham with Those 'Shocking' Comic Books Bottom Right Photo:   Comic Books in A Pickup Truck enroute to a Comic Book Burning in 1955   - - -

Today's Feature: Blog #3293

First of all, I want to state here that I do not normally re-print articles that are political in nature. 

However, the below excerpt from an article published in our local newspaper, as well as countless others in this past Sunday's editions elsewhere in the nation, is one that warrants being mentioned here.  I'll post a link to the full article, which actully is an op-ed from the Washington Post, at the end of the excerpts.

The article starts on the topic about the current furor on the video game 'Postal 2', that the California Legislature has passed a law on.

Although I'm not familiar with that video game, the idea that laws can be passed regarding censorship reminds me of the 1950's comic book burnings I've read about that occured during the time period I was born in.

Which is what George Will also brings up in his op-ed.  That and other points.

Thus my sharing an excerpt and the link to this article here today...

Our Puritanical Progressives
   
George F. Will
Sunday, November 28, 2010


"During the oral argument about whether the law restricting children's access to violent video games violates First Amendment guarantees of free expression, the lawyer representing game manufacturers urged the court to remember America's history of moral panics, which he said included one in the early 1950s about comic books. Really? Yes, and the episode remains instructive."

This is where I suggest that you read the article in full, as it brings up a lot of comic book history as well as what came next that was even bigger in the minds of those that wanted additional censorship.  It was of interest to me, as I was a Big Fan of the person written about that took the minds of citizens off of comics and onto the mind rotting rock n' roll music. Here's the link to the full article.

Again, I'm not posting this to do any political persuading; just that it seems that censorship runs in cycles, just like bringing back intellectual properties every twenty years for both a 'new' age group, and for those that grew up in and are wistfully looking back at their childhood. (i.e. Transformers, Indiana Jones, G.I. Joe, etc., etc.) and wanting to regain it.

My only wish is that those self publishers and bigger publishers would 'label' their product with some sort of 'guide' or 'warning' as to what age group / target market their product is suitable for.  Yes, that is a form of censorship, but publishers or indie creators self publishing risk another public backlash if they 'run amuck' such as those earlier publishers did during the 1950's.  And you know where that took the comics industry for a few decades!  Could this fragile and fragmented industry survive another backlash?! 

--------------

Again, My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,290 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,045 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"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   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC), which you can find by clicking this link! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page!      Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, I would have liked to have sent you a Friend Request.  However,  I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I have now added on a personal Facebook Fan Page of my own! Just click this link to be taken to 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics' where you can click the 'Like' button there!  As of this blog post, the 'Black Friday Comics Sponsored by Michael D Hamersky' event is still upcoming! To participate there, and become eligible to win 1 of 10 FREE PRIZES to be given away on Friday November 26th, just click this link and follow the two step instructions to become 'eligible' to win. No purchase necessary!         ------------------- 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, sorry about that! The screen display x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

In Memoriam... John P. “Jon” D’Agostino Sr. Comics Creator   - -   - Above Photo:  John D'Agostino received Lettering Credit as 'Johnny Dee' for the 14 page story inside the Amazing Spider-Man #1 from 1963. - At the top Left: John received a warm welcome at the 2009 New York Comic Con (NYCC).  Unbelievable that it was his 1st comic con that he attended in person...  - At the 2nd from the top Left: There were several covers that John worked on, but just a few covers that had John with signed credits. He worked a long time at Archie Comics. This Cheryl Blossom #15 Cover was from September 1998. - At the bottom Left: Besides working at Marvel Comics, and Archie Comics as see in the previous pics, John also worked at Gold Key Comics.  This issue of Mystery Comics Digest / Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery from October of 1975 had his lettering credits in the 13 page main story. - At the bottom right of this blog post are a couple of comics that John also worked on. He spent several years at Charlton Comics as well, plus helped Marvel Comics launch their 'Star Comics' line.

Today's Feature: Blog #3292

I heard earlier yesterday from Joe Pepitone (a.k.a. JoepeP), that a long time friend of his from their Archie Comics era together had passed away. 

He had such good things to say about this man, that I asked him if he could put them down on paper so that I could include them in this 'Memoriam' blog post for John.  Thanks, JoepeP, for taking the time to do so and forwarding them to me for inclusion in this memorial blog post.

"Jon D'Agostino… A Friend, A Co-Worker, A Master in his Art. 

I meet Jon when I first started working as art director at Archie Comics in 1989. He always greeted you with a hello and a smile, and had a wonderful sense of humor. 

And with the humor was stories of comic book past that you could never read about in any book or graphic novel.

What I enjoyed the most was he was always proud of his work, I always felt his inking was so sharp and crisp you could cut your fingers on it, a true artist.

I learned so much from him he was “DaBEST”!"

----------

In addition to the above, here is the link to the obit in the Valley Independent Sentinel paper from yesterday evening. Again, courtesy of JoepeP.

I am just going to copy a few lines here from the obit that are comic book history related on John: 

John P. “Jon” D’Agostino Sr. - posted: Nov 29, 2010 5:38 pm
John P. “Jon” D’Agostino Sr., 81, of Ansonia, entered into rest on November 29, 2010, in the comfort of his home. He is the husband of Elvira “Vivi” Testa D’Agostino.
Mr. D’Agostino was born in Cervinara, Italy on June 13, 1929, son of the late Pasquale and Annunziata Pitanello D’Agostino. He was an American comic book artist best known for his Archie Comics work. He attended the Industrial School of Art in New York City. His first job was as the Head Colorist for NYC’s “Timely Comic’s”, the 1940’s forerunner of “Marvel Comics”. His mentor early on was the well-known Stan Lee. For the next 62 years, he did work for many different comic book publishers. His credits include, “My Little Margie”, “The Amazing Spider Man”, “The Incredible Hulk”, “G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, “Sabrina The Teenage Witch”, and “Sonic The Hedgehog”.

Additionally, as this is be blogged tonight, and may reach those that knew John, here are the details for the service that is being held this upcoming Thursday:

Friends and relatives are invited to attend his funeral on Thursday Dec. 2, 2010 at 8:15am from the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am at the Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Shelton. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 pm. To send an online condolence, please visit http://www.spinellifuneralhome.com.

My condolences to John's family and friends.  To often those who have labored long in the comics industry have been unsung in what the decades of reading pleasure they have provided for this medium. I only wanted to bring this man's passing to those that were interested in his many years of fruitful work in the industry.

Which leads me to provide these links to the known credits of John D'Agostino in comics under these names:  'John D'Agostino', 'Johnny Dee', 'Jon D'Agostino'.  I'm sure there are more that are not listed, but you can see the decades of work that this man has left us...

I'm including a couple more covers at the bottom right of this post, as I for one enjoyed the 'Star Comics' line of comics for younger readers, that were published by Marvel Comics. I gave those to my kids when they were first starting to read. John had a hand in quite a few of them, including Ewoks!

Plus his works at Charlton Comics shouldn't be overlooked.  The cover to Li'l Genius shown below is just one sample of his pencils and inks.

--------------

Again, my personal thanks to Joe Pepitone for writing just a little of his knowledge of John.  It is appreciated.

PLUS My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,290 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,045 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"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   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC), which you can find by clicking this link! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page!      Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, I would have liked to have sent you a Friend Request.  However,  I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I have now added on a personal Facebook Fan Page of my own! Just click this link to be taken to 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics' where you can click the 'Like' button there!  As of this blog post, the 'Black Friday Comics Sponsored by Michael D Hamersky' event is still upcoming! To participate there, and become eligible to win 1 of 10 FREE PRIZES to be given away on Friday November 26th, just click this link and follow the two step instructions to become 'eligible' to win. No purchase necessary!         ------------------- 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, sorry about that! The screen display x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Vinnie's 'Take' On:  "Nice Meeting You, Goodbye"   --- Above Photo: The High Tech High GNP members and instructor as shown at their booth during the 1st Annual SoCal Comic Con! --- At the Top Left: The Front Cover to the comic book 'Nice Meeting You, Goodbye'. --- At the Bottom Left: Michael D Hamersky at the Front Door of the 1st Annual SoCal Comic Con held at the Boys & Girls Club in Oceanside, California in November of 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3291:

I am at the end of our 4 Day Special Event that was titled: 'Black Friday Comics Sponsored By Michael D Hamersky On Comics'.  Which was actually my 2nd Annual Black Friday Event held on Facebook. 

The ending date is at the end of today, which is called 'Cyber Monday'.  Since my own LCBS is an online shop only, the ending day is good timing!

I also had several creators and publishers join in with the actual Black Friday Prizes Giveaway where I gave away 10 Free Prizes, PLUS a GRAND Prize to the lucky winners!  Thanks again to those that supported my Event and for those that 'virtually attended'!

So with all of the above going on this past weekend and ending later tonight... Thankfully my youngest son has given me the latest installment of his 'Vinnie's Take On: series', that I can add the photos and format this morning for all of us to read here.  Thanks, again, Vinnie!

------------------------

This is "My Take" on the comic book "Nice Meeting You, Goodbye" by High Tech High's Graphic Novel Project.

They are a group of High Schoolers learning the craft of making comics. My dad and I met them at the SoCal Comic Con, where we talked about this program set up at their High School.

They gave us this comic for review, and when I learned of what it's about, this comic being about High School Drop outs, I had to read it. By reading this, I learned so much, unfortunately, it was all saddening. This will definitely change the minds of those that have this comic pass through their hands.

Now, for the review itself...

The Front Cover depicts a saddened boy, with words describing sadness, despair, hurt, and much more. This is how that saddened boy is feeling. It also has the High Tech High's Graphic Novel Project logo, but not much else besides that.

The Inside Front Cover is used as a Foreward. It was written by one of the students in the Graphic Novel Project. I felt it had good placement there, for it basically tells you what this is about, and also brings a mood or tone to the comic, that this was meant to be serious, not funny.

The Interior Pages had the story and art - both of which was magnificent for them not being "professionals" and this being one of their first efforts. Although this was (I believe) made to be serious, it was slightly funny what they threw in as posters on the social workers walls. I felt it lightened the tense and serious feeling that would come from this. The art was great, and you can tell it was in webcomic form before the comic book. It was also mostly digital art, with some hand drawn illustrations thrown in. The story was great as it flowed, and appeared to have perfect spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It was also always relevant, and it kept to the storyline well. I just wished that where they had annotations, they would just put it at the bottom of the page to keep people from the trouble of flipping pages multiple times.

The Inside Back Cover has a picture of some guy... although I'm not quite sure why. I'm thinking it has some connection to what happened at the end of the story, now that I think of it when typing this out.

The Back Cover tells more about the Graphic Novel Project, and how you can donate so they can be able to produce more comics and travel to get themselves known.

Overall, I would give this comic, "Nice Meeting You, Goodbye" a comic book grade of Very Fine (VF) 8.0 on the professional level, but due to them being High Schoolers, and not "proessionals" quite yet, they get a grade of Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM) 9.0 on the amateur level, out of a 10.0 grading scale.

You can see this comic and their other works in progress at their web site: gnp.hightechhigh.org 

They also have a Facebook Fan Page, as seen in this link. If you are on Facebook, check it out.

~Vinnie!

----------------------

Thanks Vinnie, for guest blogging here today, and giving us your thoughts on this publication from a tween's POV!

Besides Thanking Vinnie for his blog contribution today... My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at the 3,290 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"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     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!  Plus Vinnie (pictured at the 2010 SDCC), likes attending the Comic-Con with us too now!  Keeping this tradition going in the family.  I used to take his older sister and brothers to it when they were younger!   Talking bout Comic Cons... My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  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 also join my Facebook Network, I would have sent you a Friend Request, or accepted yours.  However,  I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages 'limit' already, so I have now added on a personal Facebook Fan Page of my own! Just click this link to be taken to 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics' where you can click the 'Like' button there!         ------------------- 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 by either Vinnie / Tina / or myself! 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, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Vinnie's 'Take' On:  The Possum #1 From Possum Press!    --- Above Photo: The Front Cover to The Possum #1 from Possum Press! --- At the Top Left: Blair Kitchen at His Possum Press Booth at the 2010 SDCC --- At the Bottom Left: The Logo for Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC)

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3290:

During this week I've been busy getting prepared for whom I was going to blog about in my 'Whom I'm Thankful For' annual blog, Thanksgiving, and then the 2nd Annual Black Friday Comics Event on Facebook, where I gave away 10 Free Prizes, PLUS a GRAND Prize to the lucky winners!

Whew! Just thinking of all of that makes me just a little bit tired this morning... Yet I was up at 4:30 AM as I couldn't sleep as usual with so much more to do!

So thankfully my youngest son has given me the latest installment of his 'Vinnie's Take On: series', that I can add the photos and format this morning for all of us to read here.  Thanks, Vinnie!

------------------------

This review is "My Take" on the Possum Press' "The Possum" comic book. This is issue 1, and to quote, it is a"72 Page Action Packed 1st Issue."

The author and illustrator of this book is Blair Kitchen, an "up-and-comer" artist and writer!

My dad and I got this when we visited the San Diego Comic Con's Small Press Pavillion, and as explained above, my dad read it, but never got the chance to blog about it.

So, when he asked me to pick out a comic from his 'To Read & Possibly Review Stack' to blog, as I normally do everytime I come to his house... This book looked like one of the most appealing of the bunch, per my taste.

I pulled it out, read it, and my original thoughts were proved true - it was fantastic! Also, in the picture seen above, Blair is holding issue #2, but I wanted a better understanding of the character so I read issue #1 first. Now, enough of all the information and onto the actual review...

The Front Cover, by Blair Kitchen, depicts the evil villains in this issue. It also has a teaser you wouldn't normally see on a 1st issue of anything- "The Possum, DEAD?!".

The Inside Front Cover has an interesting story of how the charater and story of the Possum came to be, as well as Blair's life - the good and the bad.

The Interior Pages, of course contain the 72 page story of the Possum. There were great illustrations, and I was happy to find that they were cartoony, and not the realistic stuff I see all too often. This cartoon look brought goofyness, which I enjoyed as well as the great, strong story. He made sure to slowly tell the tales, and characters personalities. It would be horrid to get everything out in the first couple pages and just retell it over and over, in different ways for the rest of the 70 pages.

The Inside Back Cover has a place where he'll put fan mail in later issues, as well as advertisements. He is advertising the Possum T-Shirts, as seen worn by Blair in above picture, as well as his brother, Mike Kitchen's comics, "Spy Guy" and "Spud & Harry".

The Back Cover has an advertisment comic of the Possum and Possum T-Shirts. I found it funny, and wished all advertisements could be like this. In fact, it almost makes me want to buy one right now!

Overall, I really loved the comic "The Possum" by Blair Kitchen. I would give this comic a comic book grade of Near Mint (NM), a 9.4 out of a 10.0 grading scale.

You can purchase this issue #1 or The Possum's other issues, now up to #4, at his web site: PossumPress.com.  And now you can become 'interactive' at The Possum Facebook Fan Club!

~Vinnie!

----------------------

Thanks Vinnie for guest blogging here today, and giving us your thoughts on this publication from a tween's POV!

Besides Thanking Vinnie for his blog contribution today... My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at the 3,290 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"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     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!  Plus Vinnie (pictured at the 2010 SDCC), likes attending the Comic-Con with us too now!  Keeping this tradition going in the family.  I used to take his older sister and brothers to it when they were younger!   Talking bout Comic Cons... My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  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 also join my Facebook Network, I would have sent you a Friend Request, or accepted yours.  However,  I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages 'limit' already, so I have now added on a personal Facebook Fan Page of my own! Just click this link to be taken to 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics' where you can click the 'Like' button there!         ------------------- 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 by either Vinnie / Tina / or myself! 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, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.