Allen Bellman Did Go Back 'Home' Again!   Visting The Marvel Comics Offices Just Before His 86th Birthday! May 17th of 2010     ---------------- Above: Allen Bellman Returning to (Timely) Marvel Comics On May 17th of 2010!  At The Top Left: Spider-Man is Just One of the 'Newer' Characters at Marvel Comics Since Allen Left the Timely / Marvel Comics company! At the Bottom Left: Allen Bellman Inside the Marvel Offices with (l-r) Lauren Sankovitch - Associate Editor, Allen, Tom Brevoort - Senior Editor. (background) Bill Roseman - Editor.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3153:

Today I want to blog about Allen Bellman, who will be celebrating his 86th Birthday on this upcoming Saturday June 6th!  Besides that celebration, he also recently proved that "You Can Go Back Home Again!", as seen by the photos published above!

Allen was kind enough to send me the photos taken at his recent visit to the Marvel Offices, and I asked if he would consider sending me a little background info on this event.  Below is his story:

Allen in Marvel Land
 
The cab let us off across the street from 417 5th ave, the home of Marvel Comics. Traffic permitting, we made our walk toward the building I once called home, tho' at this time it was at a different location, but it was still Marvel.

If someone told me this would be happening some 45 years ago I would think they were crazy.

Marvel occupies two floors and we were met by John, my contact in the company. First we had to sign in and then we started our tour. Did I expect Glitz and Plush ? yes but that wasn't the case. 

The staff looked as if they were recruited from High School, not a gray hair to be seen, but then again we didn't meet everyone. I referred to them as "the new kids on the block".

Every comic book character had it's own staff and office, in fact, they had a department devoted to the Marvel toy's that could be  purchased in many stores.

The atmosphere was quiet not what I can remember when I worked in the bullpen at Timely/Marvel, then again, there was an absence of artists as all art was freelanced.

The expression on the faces of the staff upon my introduction was worth the price of admission, in other words it was a joy.

My wife and I had to say "goodbye" to Marvel as a Limo was to pick us up, to take us to the airport, for our trip home.

That ended the story that Allen emailed me.  He and I have communicated a few times before this, as I am Facebook Friend of his, and also a 'Member' of the Allen Bellman Group Face that Jeff McLaughlin started on Facebook.

I've also posted a few blogs on Allen's current activities, as seen in this link here:  Allen Bellman noted in ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com.

Unfortunately, no one has started a 'Wikipedia' entry for Allen.  There are several links to references about him, but no individual page.

The Grand Comics Database (GCD) has 50 entries of works credited to Allen Bellman.  There are more to be entered, but works during that period of time were not always credited.  Actually, the works usually were not credited on the pages for the most part. Here is the link to the Grand Comics Database for Allen Bellman's works.

You will notice that Allen worked in several genres of comic book during his time in comic books!

Additionally Allen tells me that there is a more complete listing of his works at his own website at AllenBellman.com.  And yes, I've suggested that he have GCD update their database with those!

I had several more questions to ask of Allen, so he suggested we do it by phone.

Here are my questions, and part of his answers, via the phone call on Monday, May 31st of 2010, on Memorial Day. Please note, these are excerpts only as this blog post is pretty long already:

Michael D Hamersky (MDH): When did you join (Timely) Marvel?

Allen Bellman (AB): I started Columbus Day 1942.  I saw an add in the New York Times.  Backgrounds for Captain America. I was 18 years old. I was interviewed by Don Rico.  At the McGraw Hill Bldg on 30th or 34th Street. Even though I didn't want to, I came in on Monday, the Holiday.

MDH: At what point was this on the Captain America feature?

AB: I would be doing backgrounds on Syd Shores.  Simon & Kirby had already left.  I never met Joe Simon until 4 years ago at a comic book expo in New Jersey.

MDH: When did you leave Marvel?

AB: I really don't remember.  I was among the early ones during the time, (MDH: the Marvel Implosion?).  I immediately went to Lev Gleason and worked for Charles Biro.  Later I went back to Marvel on a freelance basis.

MDH: What was YOUR favorite feature / strip you worked on at Timely / Marvel?

AB: "Let's Play Detective". (MDH: Allen created this feature himself).

MDH: Who was your favorite character you worked on at Timely / Marvel?

AB: (immediately) Captain America!

MDH: What was your favorite genre of comics? I see that you worked in many, and I have posted a few covers in my earlier blogs about you.

AB: I hated to do horses, but did enjoy westerns. I had a fear of doing of horses. I overcame that by doing the westerns.

MDH: What character did Timely / Marvel have in its' history that you didn't work on, but wish that you did?

AB: None during that time, as I worked on so many, but I do wish I had an opportunity to do Spider-Man!  

MDH: (Spider-Man was first published in 1962.)

Note:  Allen and I talked about other subjects, including his wife Roz's Radio Program. Plus a story or two of those that had been interviewed on the program or booked at dances in the area.  My wife, Tina, was in the 'home office' when I was interviewing Allen, and enjoyed the Bruce Springsteen references.  Tina is from New Jersey, and a BIG Fan of Bruce!  However those are stories for another time, another blog...!

Just a couple of more notes: Allen does commissions, which you can ask about at his web site.  Allen also enjoys attending conventions. So you convention promoters out there...Be sure to check his web site for his contact info!

My thanks to Allen Bellman for taking the time to share his recent experience at Marvel Comics and on his past days with Timely / Marvel Comics.  It was Great seeing the photos that he shared!

You can see more of Allen Bellman's works at his own web site at AllenBellman.com, plus be interactive with other Allen Bellman Fans at the Facebook page: Allen Bellman Fan Group started by Jeff McLaughlin.

And...Allen, I'm wishing YOU an early Happy Birthday! 

Plus: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our earlier archived blog posts, now numbering over 3,150 in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics from Marvel Comics 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

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'.  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, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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.

 

Don Marshall Of Land Of The GIANTS TV Series  At Seen At Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con 2010!     -------------- Above Photo: (l-r) Don Marshall and Michael D Hamersky at the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con! -------------- At the Left Top Photo:  Issue #2 of Land of the Giants comic book from Gold Key Comics January 1969 With Don as the Main Feature! -------------- At the Left Middle Photo:  Don Marshall holding a publicity still from the TV Series! -------------- At the Left Bottom:  The Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Logo!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3152:

The past month I've been blogging about who we met at the Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con in Orange County, California...

One of the blogs I posted earlier was about meeting two of the stars of one of my favorite TV Shows from the 1960's:  Land of the Giants! They were Deanna Lund and Don Mattheson!

I am going to repeat myself here as...I know that several of you have only seen this series as re-runs, and maybe some of you haven't seen it all?!  So here is a brief history of the show:

Land of the Giants was an hour-long American science fiction television program lasting two seasons. I first watched it beginning on September 22, 1968 and viewed the final episode on March 22, 1970.

This was another of my favorite shows that was created and produced by Irwin Allen. He had several TV Shows that I enjoyed when I was in junior and senior high school.

I believe that this 'Land of the Giants' was the fourth of those science fiction TV series that he produced.

This show was aired on the ABC Network and was from 20th Century Fox Television. It isn't such a big deal now, but back then this series was filmed entirely in color.  Unfortunately it only ran for 51 episodes, lasting for two seasons.

As stated in my earlier blog post...On Friday I met Don Matheson and Deanna Lund at the Land of the Giants booth.  Don Marshall, who also starred in the show, was also at this con. However I didn't see him until Sunday, which is the reason for this separate post.

Other stars that were on the TV Series included Gary Conway, Kurt Kaznar, Stefan Arngrim, and Heather Young, who were not present at this con.  As stated above, it was a last minute booth addition.

Besides the five issue comic book series from Gold Key Comics, of which issue #2 is shown at the top left, there were also three novels that Murray Leinster wrote in 1968 and 1969 based on this television series.  We sometimes get the comics and paperbacks in, but they don't last too long in our online store. There are several collectors that want these items from this popular TV Series!

As I stated earlier...The Land of the Giants booth at Wizard World Anaheim was a last minute addition, and I wasn't able to blog about the stars attending, prior to the con starting..

Donald James Marshall (born May 2, 1936 in San Diego, California) is an actor best known for his role as "Dan Erickson" in the television show Land of the Giants.

He was one of four children and was schooled at San Diego High School. He was studying engineering between 1956 and 1957, and was encouraged to try acting by a friend, Peter Bren. Marshall was still in the army at this time. He studied acting at the Bob Gist Dramatic Workshop, while studying Theatre Arts at Los Angeles City College.

Don Marshall is also on Facebook with a 'Member Page', but does not have a 'Fan Page' as of yet. There is one of those new Facebook 'Community Pages', but it is not stocked with anything but the standard wiki entry.  When he does have a Fan Page, I'll update this blog post or run another one.

As I also mentioned earlier...At the table, Deanna had brought a couple of promos from http://www.giantslog.com/ which were still there on Sunday for attendees to view.   

For those of You that couldn't attend this convention, I'm still blogging about more media guests and comics creators in the days to come, as there was such a wealth of stars & creaotrs that attended. If You can't wait for my posts, you can check out more of who was there at Wizard World Anaheim by joining their Facebook Fan Page right here for one,  AND / OR You can go direct to their web site to see who else appeared there at: Wizard World Anaheim.  

Special Thanks to Don Marshall who was there when I came by again on the last day of the con, and for taking the time to pose for the photos above.  I also have photos of him with his Star Trek publicity photos, which I will share at a later time.

Talking about 'Star Trek'...An interesting note is that Don in 1964 had played a role opposite Nichelle Nchols in 'Great Gettin' Up Mornin', a TV production about an African-American family preparing their children for their first day at a racially integrated school in America's South!

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,150 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines and graphic novels 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

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'.  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, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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 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.

 

Special Memorial Day Blog:   Memorial Day and Comic Books In Particular for This Memorial Day 2010 Post:  Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos!     ---------------- Above: 'Killed In Action'...A Gripping Tale Of One of Those That Was Lost To Sgt Fury During WW II - Issue #18 from May 1965!  At The Top Left: The First "Real" Heroes Death In Comics During the 'Marvel Age of Comics' - Issue #4 from November 1963! At the Bottom Left: Captain America & Bucky During WWII with Sgt Fury & His Howling Commandos - Before the 'Death' of Bucky Barnes & The Immobilization of Captain America for Two Decades - Issue #13 from December 1964!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3151:

Today I want to blog about Memorial Day...And Comic Books!

In particular I want to blog about a few issues from a comic book series I'm familar with, that of Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos, from Marvel Comics.

First though, I want to post a little history of the Holiday that we celebrate in the United States of America.  That's because 'Memorial Day' itself has changed since I was a small kid. Sometimes growing up we take things for granted, unaware that 'history' keeps getting 'revised', even Holidays that we celebrate...

You see, 'Memorial Day' is now a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. It falls on May 31st this year of 2010.

The Holiday we celebrate today actually was at one time known as 'Decoration Day'. It is now a day to commemorate the U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. That would be all three branches:  The Army, Navy and Air Force.  I'm not leaving out the Marines, as they are part of the Navy.  But they are definitely worth a special mention here. There have been several 'deaths' in the comic books, but I chose this year to honor the Army. More on that below.  And yeah, I'm a 'Navy Brat', but I do honor the Army at least once a year during the Army / Navy Footbal Game. But I digress...

This Holiday, believe it or not, was first enacted to honor just the Union soldiers of the American Civil War.  At first it was celebrated near the day of 'reunification' after the Civil War ended. Yet, somehow it was expanded after World War I, but not during the Spanish / American War?

Anyways, this alternative holiday name of "Memorial Day" was first started being used in 1882. However it was only after World War II (WWII) that it saw more common usage in the USA.

When I was younger, the Holiday Name 'Memorial Day' wasn't as big of a deal.  Actually it wasn't until it was declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 that the 'Memorial Day' Holiday became so nationally known, at least in my personal experience.  I was a teenager then, and my Dad was just finishing his service in the Navy.

Then to make things more confusing, on June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the 'Uniform Holidays Bill'. What was that all about?  Well it moved three widely celebrated holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday.

This is where we today have these 3-Day Holiday Weekends.  That's because the Bill was enacted in order to create a convenient three-day weekend!  Sheesh!

I've been talking only about the 'Memorial Day' Holiday.  What other holidays were affected?  Well, they were George  Washington's Birthday, which we now celebrate as "Presidents' Day", plus 'Veterans Day' which I usually blog something about my own family's military service, and of course Memorial Day.

It used to be that we would celebrate Memorial Day on its' traditional May 30th date.  It was changed to be celebrated on the last Monday in May.  Again with the changes...The law took effect at the federal level in 1971.  So as I stated above, history and / or its celebration of it keeps getting 'revised'.

That's it for this Memorial Day Comic Book Connection! Hopefully I didn't ramble on too long with the history of the holiday, and the connection that this comic book title has with it!

My thanks to those involved with the early issues of this comic book title, in particular those that brought us these three standout issues: Stan Lee - Jack Kirby - Chic Stone - George Roussos - Sol Brodsky - Sam Rosen - Artie Simek - Dick Ayers.   

This title went on for 120 issues, from May of 1963 - July of 1974.  Yeah, I believe the anti-war sentiment of the time of the Vietnam War had something to do with the poor sales leading to reprint issues, and then title cancellation...

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our earlier archived blog posts, now numbering over 3,150 in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different war titles from Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Charlton Comics, and other publishers 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

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'.  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, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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.

 

'My Take' On: Obsession The Graphic Novel   By William Rees & Jeff Clemens From HeavyProton.com!     Above Top: The Front Cover to Obsession the Graphic Novel! Above Bottom: The 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Logo.   -------------- Above Photo: Artist of the Graphic Novel:  Obsession, Jeff Clemens, at the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3150:

Yes, this is yet another publication given to me at the recent 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con in Artists Alley for possible review in this blog!  As you can tell from my earlier posts, I met a lot of comics and graphic novel creators in the Artists Alley.  That is the main reason I go to comic cons now, besides seeing programs / panels!

So what's this graphic novel, (GN), about?  Well, I found this on the back of the graphic novel itself, as the web site for this GN only had graphics, no promos:

"Clarissa's World:  Poor Clarissa Case. Father left home when se was quite young and Mother is confined to a wheelchair. One evening, after climbing out of a bedroom window, Clarissa's world changes forever.  Normal never looked so strange in this tale of secrets, solitude and small town Obsession."

"An original graphic novel written by William Rees with artwork by Jeff Clemens."

Cover art by Sam Hart -  Art & Lettering by Jeff Clemens - Written by William Rees -  Additional Design by Jenny Frison

"For mature audiences:  ISBN-13: 978-0-0787623-2-2 - $11.95 cover price."

 

Front Cover:  The front cover is an attention grabber, showing enough to entice a casual browser into picking it up to thumb through.

Inside Front Cover:  Is blank...Yes, blank. It's a Graphic Novel though, so that's OK.

Splash Page:  Kind of 'sketchy' for a 'splash page', but wait, it's not a 'splash page', which is seen after turning the page.

The Rest of the Pages: The story has separate 'chapters' inside. Since it a GN, there is no 'to be continued' last page. 

Last Page: Is actually a page 'About the Authors' which has good insight to the creators of this GN.

Inside Back Cover:  Blank...(again)! 

Back Cover:  Promo text about the GN, which I've retyped in the above section "What's this graphic novel about?".  

So, after all of the above...what is 'My Take' on all of this?

Well...First of all, this is the last publication for me to blog about that Jeff Clemens gave me for possible review at the Wizard World Anaheim.  Here are the links to my reviews on his other works that I have blogged about previously:  Black Dawn #1 and Vesuvius Johnson: Day One. 

Back to this GN:  I gave this GN a chance to reel me in during several days of reading it.  Especially after liking the two other publications that Jeff illustrated with different authors.

However this publication I found to be somewhat scattered in the storytelling and possibly even slightly lurid.  I found that there was a committment to unfold this story by the two creators, so I hung in there to finish it.  

The story is not one I would normally read, but I wanted to finish it after starting it.  I do have a slight problem about the main character, Clarissa, who I believe is a 16-year-old girl, that wants to escape taking care of her handicapped mother, after meeting what she thinks is a handsome older man, by 'accident'.

Clarissa is so desperate to escape from her life that she does fall immediately for this "George Simmons". But meeting George is not that coincidental as she might think so... 

What made this harder for me to read was the fact that there are 'diary entries' and then 'fantay chapters' or 'inserts' that kind of pulled me away from the main story.  I believe that is where the storyline starting failing me.

The twists that the story takes seem to not be out of place, nor all that far fetched as the story developes, but what I believe to be a much younger girl falling for the stranger is why it is considered to be for 'mature audiences'.  I'll leave it at that.

I mentioned Jeff Clemens artwork in two earlier review blogs above.  This project 'Obsession' was his first after graduating the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey. Jeff's additional works can be found at his web site at: Jeff Clemens.com .

William Rees had one graphic novel before this one, 'Scars and Bars' released in 2006.  I have not read that project.  The web site for both of these graphic novels were placed on hiatus back in September of 2009.

I would grade this graphic novel as a 'Fine' (F) 6.0 out of the 10.0 Grading Scale.

Here's the publisher's site: HeavyProton.com - which like I said above...appears to be on a 'hiatus' at this time.  You can contact them for a possible copy to purchase, or check out Amazon.com as there is an ISBN number provided above.  I just did, and there are four copies listed for sale there at less than cover price.

My thanks to Jeff Clemens, for submitting this graphic novel for possible review!

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,145 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines and graphic novels at:

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

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'.  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, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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 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.

 

'My Take' On: Peace Corps Frebon #0 From Singing Stone Studio!     ------  Above Photo: Creator of Peace Corps Frebon,  Aerron Allen, at the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con!  At The Top Left: The Front Cover to Peace Corps Frebon #0 from Singing Stone Studio! At the Bottom Left: The 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con Logo.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3149:

Yes, this was another publication given to me at the recent 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con in Artists Alley for possible review in this blog!  As You can tell from my earlier posts, I met a lot of comics creators in the Artists Alley!

So what's this comic book about?  Well, I found this on the comic book's web site to copy and paste here; which is similar to what was printed on the inside front cover, which I did not want to retype:

"We are not alone in the universe; however, we are the most advanced, and the United States Peace Corps wants to be the first aid organization to assist the third-world planet of Frebon.

It is the year 2061 and the Peace Corps’ 100th anniversary. Though miles to go before uniting all of mankind in the first world, America’s voracious appetite for commerce, democracy converts, universal power, novelty, and maybe something more sinister, has led these ten newly oathed volunteers to the recently discovered planet. 

American scientists, anthropologists, and missionaries flooded the small planet shortly after deeming it inhabitable. Scientists concluded that the environment is basically the same as Earth’s. Anthropologists quickly defined the Frebonians as a three-gendered society with equal populations of males, females, and singly reproducing hermaphrodites that all live in their respective gender groups. And missionaries clothed the naked aliens with second hand t-shirts while teaching them English in order to spread the word of God. Decades later, the ruling government of this poor society eager for development has welcomed the idea of Peace Corps on their small planet."

The web site had the additional information on the Planet and Frebonians:

"The newly discovered planet Frebon is a human inhabitable planet with an atmosphere similar to that of Earth’s, though the gravitational force is slightly stronger, and the sky is generally a shade of red.

The Frebonians are slightly smaller than humans but much wider due to the gravitational pull, and have redish, scaly skin.  Their forms resemble those of humans but with an added gender: the hermaphrodite or Chono.  Male and female Frebonians do not live together as their mental and temperamental differences tend to lead to violence between the sexes, a situation the Chono are born to avert.  The Chono reproduce by themselves and care for their own young.  Their job on Frebon is to mediate between the sexes, perform mating ritual ceremonies, and lead in musical gatherings.  Once mating is complete, the male and female couple may continue to see each other with supervision but will stay in their respective camps with females raising female children and males raising males."

Front Cover:  The front cover's colors bring out the title of the book "Peace Corps Frebon" to the casual browser.  Other than that, a browser wouldn't get what the cover scene is about.  If this was at LCBS, would it get someone interested in comics to pick it up? I wonder...?

Inside Front Cover:  A lot of text, which since the front cover doesn't tell us much...The extra text here is good to have! Also, this is the first inkling that this #0 comic book is part of something else:  "Story and Original TV Scripts by: Aerron Allen.  Comic book adaptation by: Brad L Johnson.  Pencils / inks /CGI by: William H Johnson.  Okay...Now a casual browser could see that this is a starting point for a non-comics project...!

Splash Page:  A 'splash page' with three panels.  The comic will be in black / white / greytone.

The Rest of the Pages: The story is told with many panels, and CGI looking panels at times.  I initially read this comic book after I was first given it in April.  When re-reading it again for this blog post, I found that it was a good presentation for what it truly appears to be...a promotional comic book for the comic book series and TV series.  .

Inside Back Cover:  The text asks the question: Who is Aerron Allen? The answers are there, plus the promo text:  Watch For Peace Corps Frebon: The TV Show! 

Back Cover:  The 'Sales Pitch' - For the Peace Corps Frebon...Which asks the question:  What if WE were the aliens?! 

So, after all of the above...what is 'My Take' on all of this?

Well...I have to say this.  This is a very good presentation to make a 'pitch' with in front of someone who is looking for a new show to produce / air.  It has all the ingredients, background / characters / history, etc., to 'sell' the project.  It is more than just 'storyboards'. Very good, IMO for a promotional piece.

However, I'm blogging this for a blog that is titled 'Comic Book Collectors Blog.com'.  Is this a really good comic book?

Well...I would have to say 'Yes - Qualified'.  For a Zero Issue (#0), it has everything that is needed to set up a limited sieries or mini-series.  Enough to draw in the casual browser and have them want to see more.

I'm glad it is labeled a 'zero issue', because if it was a #1 issue of a limited series, it would not rate so highly as it is mostly 'set up' with more 'sales pitch' than advancing the actual story.  So in this case, having the comic book be labeled a #0 was the smart thing to do.

I would grade this Issue #0 as a 'Very Fine / Near Mint' (VF/NM) 9.0 out of the 10.0 Grading Scale. The grade is for the 'total package' in this comic book format, not anything found on the web site, as a potential purchaser in a LCBS would not usually ahave access to that.

Here's the publisher's site: PeaceCorpsFrebon.com - where you can see more, PLUS pick up the comic book for the $2.95 cover price plus the shipping charge of $2.50, if you can't find it at your LCBS.  Additionally, the web site will draw YOU in to the storyline...it is a really good web site for the sales pitch for this project!

My thanks to Aerron Allen, for submitting this comic book version of her project for possible review!

AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,145 total posts in number!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Our online comic book store carries many different genres of comics, magazines and graphic novels, including Sci-Fi Comics 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

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'.  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, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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 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.