I'M GOING TO COMIC-CON!

Comic-Con has launched its new and incredibly cool website and, among the initial offerings on the updated site is information on 2013's special guests.  I'm one of them.

I am incredibly excited and honored to be a guest of the convention.  I haven't started making my plans yet, but I'm hopeful my family will be joining me at the convention.  I also expect I'll be on some panels, but that information is also a ways off. 

For now, my sincere thanks to the good folks at Comic-Con.  See you in San Diego!

DUCK SEASON

It's duck season! Okay, it's "getting my ducks in a row" season.  I'm taking a couple days off from blogging and writing to get ready for the holidays and handle VAOS orders. 

VAST ACCUMULATION OF STUFF SALE 12/10

This will be my last Vast Accumulation of Stuff sale of 2012, the
better to enjoy the holidays with my family and friends.  As usual,
there are new sale items and reduced prices on most of the previous
sale items. 

Here’s how my VAOS sales work...

First come, first serve. In other words, the quicker you e-mail me,
the better your chance of getting the item or items.  Only e-mail
orders will be accepted.  All the items are in very good or better
condition unless otherwise noted.

Let me stress that “e-mail only” rule.  Most of the few mistakes I
have made in assembling/shipping orders have happened with orders
I accepted via phone or Facebook message.  So...I’m not gonna break
my own rule anymore.

Items will be shipped via United States Postal Service.  There is
a $5 shipping/handling charge for up to four items via media mail.
Add $1 for every two additional items.  The charge helps defray my
expenses.

Payments are by check, money order or PayPal.  My PayPal address is
the same as my email address.  Purchases will be shipped within a
week of checks clearing,  money orders received or PayPal payments
received.

Because this is a one-man operation done between family, household
and work responsibilities, these items are only available to buyers
within the United States and to APO buyers.

When you receive your order, please check it and let me know of any
omissions as soon as possible.  I’ll be double-checking the orders
on my end, but, if there’s a problem, I want to make it right in a
timely fashion.

Usually, each week’s sales end on Friday at 6 pm EST.  However, I
will accept orders on this sale’s items until the end of the year.
The first sale of 2013 will post on Monday, January 7.

Here are this week’s new items...

1000 COMIC BOOKS YOU MUST READ by Tony Isabella. The best book on comics ever written by Tony Isabella. Hardcover. Signed on request. Price includes shipping. $29.95 

AMAZING FANTASY #15: SPIDER-MAN! by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko [Marvel; August 2008]. Reprints Spider-Man stories from Amazing Fantasy #15 and Amazing Spider-Man #1. Re-colored comic book. $2

AMERICAN FREAK SHOW: THE TERRIBLE TALE OF SLOTH BOY by Steve Niles and Chee [IDW; 2008]. $8

AYA OF YOP CITY by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie [Drawn & Qyarterly; 2008]. Hardcover graphic novel. $10

BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan [DC; 2010]. Reprints issues #1-6. Hardcover. $10

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE CHOSEN by David Morrell and Mitch Breitweiser [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-6. Softcover. $10

DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER AND KLAUS JANSON VOL. 2 [Marvel; 2008].Reprints issues #173-184. Softcover. $15

EL DIABLO: THE HAUNTED HORSEMAN [DC; 2009] by Jai Nitz, Phil Hester and Ande Parks.  Reprints issues 1-6. Softcover. $7

FABLES: THE GREAT FABLES CROSSOVER by Bill Willingham and others [Vertigo/DC; 2010]. Reprints Fables #83-85, Jack of Fables #33-35 and The Literals #1-3. Softcover. $8

FILTHY RICH by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos [Vertigo Crime; 2009]. Softcover graphic novel. $6

GENEXT by Chris Claremont and Patrick Scherberger [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-5. Softcover. #7

GODLAND VOLUME FOUR: AMPLIFIED NOW BY Joe Casey and Tom Scioli [Image; 2008]. Reprints issue #19-24. Softcover. $7

HERETIC by Joe Phillips and Dexter Vines [IDW; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-4. Softcover. $8

INFINITY CRUSADE by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim and others [Marvel; 2008].Reprints Infinity Crusade #1-3, Warlock Chronicles #1-3 and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #18-19. Softcover. $15

INVINCIBLE VOLUME TEN: WHO’S THE BOSS? by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Otley [Image; 2009]. Reprints issues #48-53. Softcover. $6

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA: THE NEXT AGE by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham [DC; 2007]. Reprints Justice Society of America #1-4. Softcover. $7

LOCKE & KEY: WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez [IDW; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-6. Hardcover. $12

MADAME XANADU: EXODUS NOIR by Matt Wagner and Michael Wm. Kaluta [Vertigo/DC; 2010]. Reprints issues #11-15. Softcover. $6

MIGHTY AVENGERS: VENOM BOMB by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #11-15. $7

MILLIE THE MODEL #190 by Stan Lee and Stan Goldberg [Marvel; June 1971]. $3

MOON KNIGHT: GOD & COUNTRY by Mike Benson, Charlie Huston, Javier Saltares and Mark Texeira [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #14-20. Softcover. $10

PARADISE X by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, Mitch Breitweiser and Bill Reinhold [Marvel; 2007]. Reprints issues #6-12. Softcover. $15

PUNISHER: BARBARIAN WITH A GUN by Chuck Dixon and John Buscema [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints Punisher War Zone #26-30. Softcover. $7

PUNISHER YEAR ONE by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Dale Eaglesham [Marvel; 2009]. Reprints issues #1-4. Softcover. $6

SCI-FI ART NOW by John Freeman [Collins Design; 2010]. Contemporary showcase of the work of visionary science fiction artists from around the world. Hardcover. $10

SCREAMLAND BY Harold Sipe and Hector Casanova [Image; 2008]. Some classic movie monsters unite in satirical comics series.  Reprints issues #1-5. Softcover. $8

SUPERNATURAL: BEGINNING’S END by Andrew Dabb, Daniel Loflin & Diego Olmos [WildStorm; 2010]. Reprints issues #1-6. Softcover. $7

TERRY MOORE’S ECHO: ATOMIC DREAMS [Abstract; 2009]. Reprints issues #6-10. Softcover. $7

TERRY MOORE’S ECHO: MOON LAKE [Abstract; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-
5. Softcover. $7

THUNDERBOLTS: CAGED ANGELS by Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato, Jr. [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #116-121. Softcover. $7

TORCHWOOD: RIFT WAR: THE COMPLETE COLLECTED COMIC STRIP {Titan; 2009]. Reprints material from Torchwood the Official Magazine #3-13.  Softcover. $7

TRANSMETROPOLITAN #1-3 by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson [Helix; September-November, 1997]. $4

WOLVERINE CLASSIC VOLUME 3 by Peter David and John Buscema [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #11-16. Softcover. $7

Here are previously offered items...

1001 COMICS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMIC BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS AND MANGA.  Foreword by Terry Gilliam.General editor Paul Gravett. Hardcover. $5

AIR: FLYING MACHINE by G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker [DC; 2009]. Reprints issues #6-10. Softcover. $4

ALTER EGO #110 (June 2012). Shazam! Leonard Starr. $1

BATMAN 3D by John Byrne [DC; 1990]. Softcover. $2

BATMAN: BLIND JUSTICE by Sam Hamm and Denys Cowan [DC; 1992]. From Detective Comics #598-600. First printing softcover. $5

BATMAN: DIGITAL JUSTICE by Pepe Moreno. [DC; 1990]. Hardcover. $5

BATMAN IN DETECTIVE COMICS VOLUMES 1 & 2 [Abbeville Press; 1993].Features the complete covers of the first 50 years of the title in full-color 4" X 4-1/2" softcovers with introductions by Joe Desris. Originally priced at $10.95 each. For the set: $5.

BLACK LIGHTNING TOTAL JUSTICE ACTION FIGURE [Kenner; 1997]. Great looking figure featuring the costume designed by Eddy Newell.  It’s my favorite BL costume and Eddy is my favorite BL artist.  I have two unopened action figures available at this time.  I’ll sign them on request.  Price includes shipping. $10

BOOK OF SCHUITEN. Oversized, unopened hardcover. $5

CAPTAIN BRITAIN by Alan Davis and Jamie Delano [Marvel; 1988] with introduction by Chris Claremont. Softcover. $2

CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE by Chris Roberson and Shawn McManus [DC].  Reprints six-issue mini-series. Softcover. $5

COLONY by Bob Layton and Dick Giordano [IDW; 2012]. Graphic novel. Softcover. $10

COMICBOOK CANDY SECRET ORIGINS [DC/Leaf; circa 1980].  Complete set of eight mini-comics presenting origins of Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, the Justice League of America, Superman and Wonder Woman. No candy or wrappers, just the eight mini-comics. $20

COMIC BOOKS MYSTERY BOX #33. Includes approximately 100 comic books plus another 5-10 items from my garage sales.  Price includes the shipping and handling. $25

DEATH’S HEAD: THE BODY IN QUESTION by Simon Furman and Geoff Senior [Marvel graphic novel; 1990]. Softcover. $1

DISTANT NEIGHBORHOOD VOL. 1 by Jiro Taniguchi. Softcover. $1

FABLES #100 by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha and others [DC; 2011]. Over 100 pages. $3

FABLES: THE DELUXE EDITION BOOK TWO by Bill Willingham and others [DC]. Reprints issues #11-18, graphic novel Fables: The Last Castle Willingham’s illustrated short story “A Wolf in the Fold,” a new introduction by Willingham and special sketchbook section with art by Craig Hamilton, P. Craig Russell and Mark Buckingham.  Unopened hardcover. $12

FANTASTIC ART: THE BOOK OF LUIS ROYO. Oversized hardcover. $5

FLINTSTONES AT THE NEW WORK’S WORLD FAIR [1964]. First printing. No date on cover. $5

FRANK FRAZETTA’S DEATH DEALER SHADOWS OF MIRAHAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION DELUXE HARDCOVER. Unopened. $8.

GIRLS’ LOVE STORIES #127 [DC; May 1967]. $2

GIRLS’ ROMANCES #91 [DC; March 1963]. John Romita cover. Interior art by Romita and Mike Sekowsky. $4

GOLDEN AGE OF BATMAN: THE GREATEST COVERS OF DETECTIVE COMICS FROM THE ‘30S TO THE ‘50S. [Artabras; 1994]. Oversized hardcover. $10

GOLDEN AGE OF SUPERMAN: THE GREATEST COVERS OF ACTION COMICS FROM THE ‘30S TO THE ‘50S. [Artabras; 1993]. Oversized hardcover. $10

GREEN ARROW: THE LONGBOW HUNTERS by Mike Grell [DC; 1989]. Reprints mini-series. Softcover. $2

HARD TIME: 50 TO LIFE by Steve Gerber and Brian Hurtt [DC; 2004]. Reprints issues #1-6. Softcover. $3

HERITAGE MAGAZINE FOR THE INTELLIGENT COLLECTOR [Winter 2012/2013]. Auction house magazine with great photos of items and articles on Babe Ruth, baseball memorabilia, Joe Simon and more. $2

JACK MAGIC: LIFE AND ART OF JACK KIRBY VOLUME ONE by Greg Theakston [Pure Imagination; 2011]. Softcover. $10

JACK OF FABLES: THE FULMINATE BLADE by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges [DC; 2011]. Softcover. Reprints issues #41-45. $5

JACK OF FABLES: THE END by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges [DC; 2011]. Softcover. Reprints issues #46-50. $7

LIFE AND TIMES OF DEATH’S HEAD by Simon Furman, Bryan Hitch, etc. [Marvel; 1990]. Softcover. 146 pages. $2

MADAME XANADU: DISENCHANTED by Matt Wagner and Amy Reeder Hadley [DC; 2009]. Softcover. Reprints issues #1-10. $5

MADAME XANADU: EXTRA-SENSORY by Matt Wagner [DC; 2011]. Softcover. Reprints issues #24=29. $7

MANY LIVES OF THE BATMAN: CRITICAL APPROACHES TO A SUPERHERO AND HIS MEDIA [Routledge/BFI; 1991]. Softcover. $5

PRISONER: SHATTERED VISAGE by Dean Motter and Mark Askwith. [DC; 1989]. Based on the TV series. Softcover. $5

SCHULZ AND PEANUTS: A BIOGRAPHY by David Michaelis. Hardcover. $4

SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane David. Hardcover. $4

SUPERMAN TIN PRETZEL SNACK CAN [DC; 1987]. 50th Birthday with large figure of Superman and comic-book covers. 9" high, 5-1/2" wide with original label on bottom and a few small dents. $8

TENSE SUSPENSE #1 [December 1958]. All stories drawn by Dick Ayers.$8

VIKING GLORY: THE VIKING PRINCE by Lee Marrs and Bo Hampton [DC; 1991]. Introduction by Will Eisner. Hardcover graphic novel. $5

WANDERING SON VOLUME ONE by Shimura Takako [Fantagraphics; 2011]. Hardcover. $5

Thanks for your patronage.

Tony Isabella

ACTION FIGURE

Richard Marcej sent me a copy of Action Figure: From the Journals
of Richard Marzelak #1 [Baboon Books; $3.50].  The 36-page, mostly
black-and-white with some duo-toned pages comic book was published
in September 2006 and never had a second issue.  I’ll let Richard
himself tell you about it:

“A little more than six years ago, I started a series loosely based
on my days working first with Hasbro Toys and then with Hallmark
Cards.  I was a designer/artist at Hasbro during the 1980s when
they exploded as a major company.  I then went to Hallmark where I
worked as a designer and illustrator dealing with many of their
licensors.  I dealt with Marvel, Warner Brothers and Disney.  It
was my belief many readers who enjoy comics would also find behind
the scenes stories involving this subject matter enjoyable...and
yes, I have a tone of material that I’ve recorded in personal
journals from those days.  Unfortunately, Diamond Distributors and
comic shops across the country didn’t feel the same way.”

I think Richard’s instincts were in the ballpark.  Action figures
and related merchandise are a big part of the comics marketplace.
His cover is a darn clever one and the interior stories and art are
good.  If Action Figure had come from a more established publisher
and if Marcej had worked with an editor who could have helped him
focus and refine the material, the comic might well have been able
to reach a larger audience.

Richard still believes the concept could work and is contemplating
returning to it in a graphic novel format.  In the meantime, he has
lots of copies of this issue available for sale on his Baboon Books
website.  It’s worth checking out.

With Action Figure, Richard also sent me a small sample booklet of
“My World and Welcome to It.”  It’s a drawn blog and I bet if you
ask nice when you order Action Figure #1, he’d throw in a copy of
this clever webcomic.

******************************

I have this great friend who loans me his comic books after reading
them and doesn’t seem to care how long they take up space in my
house rather than his.  As a result, I have literally thousands of
his comic books.  One of my resolutions for 2013 is to go through
them by this time next year.  I suspect by March I’ll be incredibly
selective about which comics are worth even a quick flip-through.
From time to time, you can expect brief remarks on various titles.
The All New Batman The Brave and the Bold #1-13 [January 2011 thru
January 2012; $2.99] are worth complete reading.  Written by Sholly
Fisch and usually drawn by the wonderful team of Rick Burchett and
Dan Davis, these issues have all the charm and fun of the animated
series that, in a fairer universe, would still be airing original
episodes every week.  Sigh.

Suitable for all ages, Fisch’s stories are loaded with Easter eggs
for older readers.  I literally cackled out loud when, as a throw-
away panel, we learned of the successful conclusion of the quirky
Jason’s Quest series (written and drawn by Mike Sekowsky) than ran
in three 1970 issues of Showcase.  Spoiler: with help from Batman,
Jason is reunited with his kid sister. 

My favorite versions of Batman are those in which he is driven but
not insane and in which he accomplishes missions without collateral
damage to innocents.  “My” Batmen don’t always have to be as much
goofy fun as the hero of these comic books, but they do have to be
both competent and human.

Alas, The All New Batman The Brave and the Bold ended its run after
16 issues.  With DC publishing about a dozen sullen, teeth-gritting
Bat-titles, couldn't the company make room on its schedule for a title
like this one? 

******************************

I read all 26 issues of Gotham City Sirens [August 2009 to October
2011; $2.99], a series starring Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison
Ivy in a shaky-but-believable alliance.  The issues written by Paul
Dini are wonderful.  After he departs, the title slides into crap
quickly.  With the “New 52" offering the opportunity to finish the
series on a happy note, the concluding issues instead took Harley
and Ivy back to their darkest personas.  It was as unsatisfying an
ending as I could have imagined and foreshadowed the grim sameness
of the “New 52" titles.

******************************  

I also read Madame Xanadu #1-29 [Vertigo/DC; $2.99] by Matt Wagner
and a variety of spectacular artists.  The first ten issues of the
title were tedious, a combination of not particularly interesting
back story and Xanadu PMS-ing over the Phantom Stranger for a few
centuries.  Whenever Wagner returned to the back story or brought
in Morgaine Le Fay, evil sister of the title heroine, I would lose
interest.  However...

When Wagner wrote arcs involving Madame Xanadu interacting with the
more or less modern world and such DC heroes as the Sandman or the
Martian Manhunter, I really enjoyed the series.  When he did more
or less done-in-one stories of Madame Xanadu helping people, I also
enjoyed those.  To me, heroes are more heroic and interesting when
they are helping people than they are when they are fighting their
personal foes for their personal reasons. 

Madame Xanadu concluded its run on a satisfying note.  The heroine
has since been reclaimed from Vertigo for Demon Knights, one of the
“New 52" titles launched last year. 

*************************

Zatanna is one of my favorite comics characters when she’s written
well, which is usually the case when she is written by Paul Dini.
Zatanna, her most recent solo series, ran 16 issues from July 2010
to October 2011.  In the “New 52" universe, she ended up in Justice
League Dark and lacking most of her characteristic charm.  Though I
find JLD moderately entertaining, the joyless Zatanna that appears
there isn’t to my liking.

I read Zatanna #5-16 last week and thought they were pretty spiffy
comic books.  Well-written, well-drawn and, though Zee faced some
truly nasty foes, she herself didn’t succumb to the darkness that
overwhelms almost all DC heroes these days.  I’d recommend the run.
It was collected in two trade paperbacks, but I’m not sure either
is currently in print.

I’ll be back tomorrow with more stuff.

© 2012 Tony Isabella

BASED ON REAL OHIO HISTORY

Former elementary school teacher Lee Smith sent me four issues of
Ohio Chronicles [Prosperity Graphics; $3.50 each]. These booklets
combine Ohio history with comics in a fun way and can be enjoyed by
both young readers - their intended audience - and adults.  I got
a kick out of them.

Issue #1 covers the Millfield Mine Disaster of 1930, so maybe “fun”
isn’t as evident as in later volumes.  Smith opens with an inside
front cover that sets up the situation and asks the reader what he
or she would do.  Then, in 16 pages, he tells the history of this
event in comics style.  An article about the event from the Dayton
Daily News runs on the inside back cover and back cover. 

In the other issues I received, Smith wrote about fugitive slave
Addison White (#5); Ohio Governor Nancy Hollister, who assumed the
office when George Voinovich decided to leave early to assume his
new position as a U.S. Senator (#7), and Richard Fenton Outcault,
the Ohio cartoonist who created the Yellow Kid (#8}.  The Outcault
issue also features examples of other early comic strips.  I like
the way Smith delves into lesser-known Ohio events.  In the history
of a state, nation or world, it’s the smaller strokes that inform
the larger ones.

In his letter to me, Smith wrote, “My comics are unlike anything on
the market because they deal specifically with Ohio history.  Each
issue features a story that introduces elementary age students to
Ohio’s rich and colorful history. I am a former elementary school
teacher with little comic book experience, but have had a love of
comics and have thought they would be useful in the classroom.  My
approach was to think what comics might be helpful to teachers,
rather than what comic book people would like to make.  This is my
second year working with these comics and I have managed to keep a
bimonthly schedule.  I have even created Teachers Guides so they
can be used in schools.”

All eight issues of Ohio Chronicles are available for purchase at
the Ohio Comics website.  There are also teachers guides, a blog,
and other documents to be had and seen.  Though not typical comic
books and not as refined as say, the Classics Illustrated comics of
my youth, I think Smith’s comics are worth checking out.

I’ll be back tomorrow with another “October Surprise” review and a
few other items of interest as well.
 
© 2012 Tony Isabella

HEADED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION

This is one of the items that will be in my next Vast Accumulation of Stuff sale.  It's Millie the Model #190 [June, 1971] with cover and interior art by Stan Goldberg.

CARTOONING CLASS REUNION

Greg Hatcher writes for the “Comics Should Be Good” department of
Comic Book Resources. Involved in cartooning programs at Madison
and Aki Kurose Middle Schools, Greg sent two publications from the
YMCA of Greater Seattle..  If he sent a cover letter with these two
magazines, it disappeared into the office of a blogger who has the
organizational skills of a howler monkey.

Hatcher is the editor of Doodle Inc. The Cartooning Class Reunion
Special [March 2011; $5].  This 68-page, black-and-white magazine
features the work of several young cartoonists and the quality of
their work is remarkable.  All stories and art are copyrighted to
their respective creators.

“Sailor Spiderman & Tuxedo Batman” by Brianna Edwards is subtitled
“Comics and Me, a Love Story.” It’s the most accomplished of four
stories about cartooning, not surprising given that Edwards is now
an art teacher.  But there’s a wonderful enthusiasm to the pieces
by Aja Reb, Amanda Stephens and Katrina Varney, the mag’s assistant
editor.  I found myself smiling at Varney’s charming drawings and
her struggles with deadlines.

Rounding out the magazine are “Chef” by David Lloyd, an interesting
tale of chefs involved in international diplomacy and intrigue, and
a selection of pin-ups by cartooning class alumni who didn’t have
time to produce full strips.  

From the back cover...

Thank you!!! The proceeds from the sales of this book support not
just our own Cartooning programs at Madison and Aki Kurose Middle
Schools, but many other YMCA art and activity programs running in
partnership with the Seattle School District, including Drama,
Dance and Young Authors.

Drawn In [Spring 2012; no cover price listed], the second magazine,
was edited by Varney and features three long stories by Stephens,
Edwards and Alisha Dacus. 

In “One Wish” by Stephens, a lonely young man wishes upon a star.
He wishes for a friend and, the next morning, a friend he’s never
seen before shows up to walk to school with him.  While the art in
the story could use some refinement, the story’s heart carries it.

“Maneki Neko” is an exuberant cat story by Dacus, whose work didn’t
appear in the previous volume. It was fun stuff.

Edwards offers a long snippet of her webcomic “Faleria,” a fantasy
serial involving a dream world that becomes very real to the young
woman dreaming about it.  I’m not a big fantasy fan, but, as noted
earlier, Edwards is an accomplished artist.  I’d like to see a bit
more certainty of storytelling and visualizations of the creatures
feared but not seen.

Neither of these two magazines offers a clue as to how one might be
able to order them.  I’m hoping Greg chimes in with a comment that
provides that information.

More “October Surprise” reviews tomorrow.

© 2012 Tony Isabella