RAWHIDE WEDNESDAY 29

Previously in Tony Isabella’s Bloggy Thing...

The Rawhide Kid - the one created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, then
continued by Larry Lieber - is my favorite western character.  So,
inspired by Essential Rawhide Kid Volume 1, which reprinted all the
Lee/Kirby issues and then some, I’ve been writing about the Rawhide
Kid most every Wednesday.  When I ran out of the issues reprinted
in the book, I tracked down some owlhoots, brought them in and used
the reward money to buy more issues of the title.  Because that’s what
 the Kid would have done.

The “Marvel Universe” was becoming more unified in the mid-1960s.
Its heroes and titles were connecting with one another, forming the
links that would forever transform the nature of super-hero comics.
The unification included Marvel’s war and western titles.  Over in
Sgt. Fury, the Howling Commandoes had crossed path with the future
Mister Fantastic of the Fantastic Four and faced a Nazi villain who
would return to battle the Avengers.

The Rawhide Kid had already teamed with the Two-Gun Kid in Rawhide
Kid #40 [June 1964].  A year later, Rawhide would cross paths with
Marvel’s longest-running western hero.

Kid Colt Outlaw #121 [March 1965] boasted an action-packed cover by
Jack Kirby and inker Chic Stone.  Colt and the Rawhide Kid, each of
them wanted by the law for the mistakes made in their youths, draw
down on one another.  In the background, ten bystanders scurry for
cover from the impending gunplay.  But not all the action is in the
drawing as editor Stan Lee’s cover copy practically explodes from
every available corner of the cover.

An extended blurb proclaims that “deadly guns roar” and points to
a title burst: “The Two Kids Meet!”  Another extended blurb points
to and introduces the Rawhide Kid.  At the bottom of the cover, the
villainous Iron Mask gets his own jagged wood fanfare.  He’s back
and more dangerous than ever! Comic book covers didn’t get more
exciting than this one.

The 17-page “Iron Mask Strikes Again!” was written by Lee and drawn
by Jack Keller, an underrated artist whose clean lines and panel-
by-panel storytelling revealed him to be a master at the craft of
comics.  Super-hero artists like Kirby and Steve Ditko were better
at grabbing my youthful attention, but I enjoyed Keller’s somewhat
more realistic approach as well.

There are actually three heroes in this story, the third being “Sam
Hawk the Manhunter.” The relentless Marshal Hawk had been hunting
Kid Colt since 1958, making several appearance prior to this tale.
Hawk wasn’t sure Kid Colt was as bad as people said he was, but he
didn’t feel his job description included being judge and jury over
the outlaws he hunted.  His aim was to capture them so they could
be brought to trial.

Marshal Hawk is having a good day for the first five pages of this
adventure. Leading “the biggest posse in history” and pulling off
some clever tricks, Hawk captures Colt and takes him into custody.
Then the Rawhide Kid comes riding into to town to warn Hawk that
Iron Mask and “a whole passel of hard-ridin’ gunnies” have taken
over a nearby town.  When one of Hawk’s men recognizes Rawhide, the
Kid is also arrested and thrown in a jail cell. 

Hawk thinks there may be something to Rawhide’s warning and rides
to check out the situation.  Fearing a trap and wanting to protect
his men, the marshal rides alone.

The two kids meet behind bars (in separate cells) and take a quick
dislike to one another.  When Kid Colt’s horse Steel helps bust his
master out of jail, Colt leaves Rawhide behind:

“I don’t help other owlhoots bust of jail.”

Despite years on the run, Kid Colt doesn’t consider Rawhide might
have received bad press similar to his own.  Colt really needs to
stop watching Fox News.

Rawhide isn’t about to let Hawk face Iron Mask and his gang alone.
He also busts out of jail and soon catches up with the escaping Kid
Colt.  The kids mix it up a little and, from where I sit, Rawhide
wins this round. A mildly humbled Colt listens to the Rawhide Kid
and is convinced that Iron Mask really is back.  The two young men
ride off to save Sam Hawk, the man who tossed both of them in jail.

Hawk is ridiculously outgunned, though he gives a good accounting
of himself in battle with Iron Mask’s thugs.  However, Iron Mask’s
armor protects him from the marshal’s gunfire.  Hawk soon becomes
a prisoner himself.

When Hawk refuses tell Iron Mask how many men are in his posse, the
armored asshat gets ready to put a bullet in the marshal’s brain.
This would sure be a good time for Kid Colt and the Rawhide Kid to
come riding to the rescue.  Which, of course, they do.

It’s three heroes against Iron Mask and his owlhoots and it’s the
second-last page of this story.  Time for some quick thinking from
the Rawhide Kid and the guys writing and drawing this tale.  While
Kid Colt and Sam Hawk hold off the others, the Rawhide Kid manages
to lead Iron Mask into a dead-end courtyard.  Thinking Rawhide is
trapped, Iron Mask doesn’t pay attention to boards scattered across
his path.  When the villain steps on them, he plunges through them
and into a water-filled hole.  Rather than drown, he surrenders his
gun so he and his heavy armor can be pulled from this mystery trap
that just happened to be in that most convenient spot.

Marshal Hawk’s posse has come looking for him, but he and the kids
have everything wrapped up neatly.  If Hawk is concerned about Kid
Colt and the Rawhide Kid escaping, he doesn’t show it.  Instead, he
reflects on the irony of these events:

“Funny, isn’t it? The two owlhoots who the governor wanted to catch
turn out to be the two rannies who save my life and bring Iron Mask
to justice!” 

As near as I can figure, this story is Sam Hawk’s last appearance
in Kid Colt Outlaw or any of the other Marvel westerns.  I like to
think he retired rather than continue hunting the good men who had
saved his life.

Kid Colt and the Rawhide Kid ride alone, but they part as friends.
As always, Stan gets the last word:

Thus fate had briefly joined two of the west’s most famous fighting
crusaders! But are they destined ever to meet again? This much, we
can tell you...if ever they do, you’ll read it here in the glorious
pages of a Marvel western adventure!  

A full-page ad for Two-Gun Kid #74 [March 1965] follows this story.
The great Jack Kirby cover shows a wounded Kid at the mercy of one
Dakota Thompson - “the roughest, toughest gunman of all” - and the
badman’s son while another cover blurb promises “another wonderful
western epic from mighty Marvel.”

“Hogan’s Hiding Place” (5 pages) is the issue’s non-series story.
It’s written and drawn by Larry Lieber, though the opening caption
sure sounds like something brother Stan Lee would write.  In part,
it reads:

Observe this peaceful nocturnal scene! Pretty dull way to start a
story, eh? Well, don’t let appearance fool you! We know full well
our readers did hair-raising excitement the most and we always aim
to please!

This tale builds to another of those “brushes with history” shock
endings that Stan Lee seemed to love.  Wearing a mask, lowlife Bart
Hogan robs a store of its cash box.  His escape is interrupted by
one of the townsmen.  In the ensuing scuffle, Hogan is unmasked and
ends up shooting the man.  Before long, the “ruthless robber” is on
the run with a posse close behind him. 

Hogan eludes the posse long enough to bury the cash box and make a
map of its location.  Then, to hide in plain sight, he heads over
to the territorial army post and enlists.  He figures on deserting
once the coast in clear. 

When word hits the base of Sioux warriors violating a treaty - and
we all know how dear white men held those treaties - Hogan and his
fellow soldiers are sent to chase the “redskins” back to their own
territory.  When the soldier don’t return, the entire garrison goes
out to look for them.

The search takes the garrison to the river called “the Little Big
Horn” and a shocking sight. Hogan’s unit had ridden into an ambush
and been wiped out to a man.

“Not a soldier survived! But they died valiantly in a heroic battle
against overwhelming odds! And none fought more bravely than the
General himself! I’m sure that long after we’re gone, history will
remember this fateful battle as...Custer’s Last Stand!”

The closing panel shows Hogan’s still hand clutching the map he’d
drawn of his stolen treasure’s hiding place.  He had paid for his
crime “and at the same moment ironically become a part of American
history!” You can almost hear Rod Serling’s voice there.

A full-page ad for “The Merry Marvel Marching Society” comes next,
followed by the “Kid Colt’s Roundup” letters page.  There are four
letters, one each from readers in Iowa and Illinois and two from
readers in Texas.  Iowa’s Mark Walter tells of the week’s Marvels
selling out in three minutes.  Illinois’ Bill Loudin expresses his
strong preference for Keller inking his own pencils while Margaret
Suesse of Texas especially likes how Keller draws horses.  Finally,
Bruce Westbrook of Waco, Texas wants the MMMS to devote
some of its energies to Marvel’s western titles.

Tucked inside the letters page is “The Mighty Marvel Checklist” and
its plugs for Fantastic Four #36 (The Frightful Four), Spider-Man
#22 (the deadly Clown and his Masters of Menace), Daredevil #6 (the
Fellowship of Fear) and the latest issues of Avengers, Strange
Tales, Tales of Suspense, Tales to Astonish and Sgt. Fury.  At the
end of the letters page is a “Special Announcements Section” which
promotes the western titles before wishing the readers a heartfelt
“Happy trails!”

Cover to cover excitement and the personable editorial style that
always made readers feel like they were part of Marvel.  It’s what
made me a Marvel fan!

I’ll be back tomorrow with more stuff.

© 2013 Tony Isabella

SAYING GOODBYE TO COMICS BUYER’S GUIDE

Comics Buyer’s Guide, the world’s longest running magazine about
comics, had an impressive run of 1699 issues in 42 years.  It was,
for a long time, the comics industry’s newspaper of record and, one
way or another, it was part of my life for most of its existence.

The news of CBG’s demise hit me harder than I could have imagined.
I had been expecting this news for years - always wondered if the
next “Tony’s Tips” column would be my last - but I never expected
CBG and yours truly wouldn’t get that last chance to say goodbye to
our readers and the publication.  That the plug was pulled just one
issue short of issue #1700 astonished me.  It would have been nice
to have had a grand send-off.

F&W’s cold and clinical press release was also a factor in how hard
I took the news.  I’ve been told this sort of thing is standard in
“the business world” and I don’t doubt it.  But “standard” doesn’t
mean right and it surely wasn’t right that F&W didn’t acknowledge
CBG’s history and importance to the comics industry.

I was also concerned for CBG editors Brent Frankenhoff and Maggie
Thompson, though, as Maggie was supposed to be retired, more so for
Brent.  However, Brent tells me the company treated him well after
his two decades of service there...and Maggie tells me the people
at Krause Publications have always been the most wonderful folks to
work with.  It seems a little nuts for me to be angry on behalf of
friends who aren’t themselves angry, but whoever said I was a model
of sanity?

My depression last week was not solely CBG-based.  There was some
sad news on my side of the family and a developing situation with
the health of one of my in-laws. The news that DC was victorious in
its battle to deny Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel’s heirs their
rightful due also hit me hard in a way that can only be understood
by someone who’s also been screwed over by the company. 

Top all of the above with the realization that, for the first time
in my four decades in comics that I can remember, I have no paying
gig on my desk.  If nothing else, I always had my next column for
CBG to write.  If only by a matter of degrees, this is sort of new
territory for me.  Yeah, I had a bad week.

That said, enough with the sadness already.  Let’s look at all the
good things CBG accomplished and how satisfying my association with
the publication has been for me.

CBG boosted the careers of so many talented comics creators in its
42-year run.  It informed comics fans and professionals alike in a
knowledgeable and friendly manner.  Week in and week out...and then
month in and month out...comics readers learned of new comics and
graphic novels and more.  CBG celebrated the past and the present
of the comics art form and industry, both in its pages and with the
information it often provided to comics professionals, comics-shop
owners, journalists, educators, publishers in and outside the field
and many others.  It was not only the industry’s paper of record,
it was also its outreach to the world outside comicdom.  Everyone
who participated in CBG and that outreach can be proud of what CBG
accomplished in its 1699 issues.

There was a long gap between my initial contributions to the then-
titled The Buyer’s Guide for Comics Fandom and the renamed Comics
Buyer’s Guide.  The first thing I wrote for editors Don and Maggie
Thompson was a spoof called “The Scarlotti Comics Group,” wherein
I invented a Cleveland-based short-lived publisher of the 1950s and
included a price guide to his handful of titles.  It made Don laugh
and that was all it took to make the sale.  I always wanted to do
a series of one-shot “reprints” of those Scarlotti comics, but I’m
pretty sure they would be a hard sell in the current marketplace.
If/when I come across the original manuscript for this parody, I’ll
run it in the bloggy thing and maybe, just maybe, I can sweet-talk
some artists into drawing some covers for it.

At one point, I was writing multiple features for CBG.  Every few
weeks, I would write “I Cover the Newsstand” in which I would take
note of comics stuff in non-comics magazines.  This is back when I
owned and operated a comics shop and newsstand, so I had access to
dozens of magazines every week. 

The intros to “I Cover the Newsstand” were written in hard-boiled
detective style and, though I haven’t reread any of these columns
in decades, I remember enjoying writing them.  They seemed popular
with CBG’s readers and that once paid off for me in an unexpected
way.  Here’s the story...

It was early morning, around 5 am, and I was driving from our home
in Fairlawn to my Cosmic Comics store in downtown Cleveland.  I was
speeding - my bad - and got pulled over by a police officer.  She
asked for my driver’s license.  I handed it to her.  She looked at
it, smiled and asked “Do you cover the newsstand?”

She was a CBG subscriber.  She let me off with a warning.  Writing
for the newspaper did have its perks every now and then.

Under the name “Brad Silver,” I also wrote “Book Talk.”  This was
a filler giving information on upcoming paperbacks and hardcovers
that might be of interest to our readers.  I could write a month’s
worth of “Book Talk” in a couple of hours.  As short as they were,
they beefed up my monthly check nicely.  

Charmed by an ancient comic strip called The Outbursts of Everett
True by A.D. Condo and J.W. Raper (1905-1927) and which featured a
quick-to-anger grouch, I wrote a comic book-centric version of the
two-panel strip and talked Cleveland artist Gary Dumm, best known
for his work with Harvey Pekar, to draw it.  I figured it would be
a one-shot, but Don and Maggie talked me into writing more of these
“New Outbursts of Everett True.” I ended up doing hundreds of them
for CBG and Movie Collectors World, also edited by the Thompsons.

When I closed Cosmic Comics and went back to writing full-time, I
dropped out of CBG for a time.  But I couldn’t stay away from two
of the best editors in comics for long. 

I started writing “Tony’s Tips,” which originally reviewed comics-
related stuff.  Reviewing actual comic books was Don’s territory,
but, eventually, I started reviewing them as well.  I learned a lot
from Don’s reviews, but never tried to duplicate his style.  He was
the king of the CBG reviews.  I was an enthusiastic cheerleader and
sometimes raucous court jester.

I wrote almost 800 “Tony’s Tips” columns for CBG.  Sometimes I went
far afield of comic books per se and wrote about real-world stuff
that was important to me.  When the local branch of the Christian
Coalition, who I called the “Vicious Coalition,” tried to mess with
our award-winning library, I joined the battle.  I wrote somewhere
between six and a dozen columns detailing the fight for freedom in
my hometown. 

CBG readers loved them.  Librarians all around the country started
sending me fan mail.  The VC threatened to sue me and, anonymously,
made threats of a more physical nature. 

The Medina Library would win an American Library Association award
as the best library of its size.  A levy for the library, which was
bitterly opposed by the VC, passed by a landslide.  Ultimately, the
defeat broke the back of the local Christian Coalition.  They have
never been a force in the community since.

I cherish many things about my “Tony’s Tips” columns, but I’m going
to limit myself to the big six...

I was able to entertain and inform tens of thousands of readers in
those columns.  It would be impossible to tabulate how many readers
have told me how a recommendation from me led them to comics and
books that are now among their all-time favorites.  Just as when I
owned a comic-book shop, I love bringing together comics fans and
great comics.

I was able to draw attention to some incredibly talented creators
early in their careers.  When I got into comics, many of those who
came before me were generous with their knowledge and time.  That
meant a lot to me and it meant - and still means - a lot to be able
to pay it forward.

I was able to promote quality works that might otherwise have been
overlooked in the comics marketplace.  I was far from the only CBG
contributor doing this, but I cherish the notes of thanks I often
got from creators, editors and publishers.

CBG gave me a “comics home” for decades.  Writing for the magazine
kept me visible and working through times when it was virtually my
only connection to the industry.  This didn’t please everyone, but,
fortunately, most of our readers and industry peers were happy to
invite me into their “homes” every week/month.

Without my CBG connection, it’s unlikely I would have written 1000
Comic Books You Must Read.  I’m very proud of that fun little romp
through the history of the American comic book and grateful for the
over-and-above guidance and support I got from Maggie Thompson and
Brent Frankenhoff in bringing it to press.

Finally, and this is the biggest of the big six, I am so lucky to
have made so many great friends through my writing for CBG.  Some
have grown up and grown old with me...and I cherish each and every
one of them.

So...what next?

“Tony Isabella’s Bloggy Thing” will continue to appear on its nigh-
daily basis.  I did consider changing the name to “Tony’s Tips” for
about half an hour, but decided against it.  The bloggy thing has
its own identity and, despite the frequent nostalgic looks at the
past, I’m looking forward, ever forward.

I do plan to write more reviews for this bloggy thing of mine...and
give priority to review items sent to me by creators, editors and
publishers.  As always, those creators, editors and publishers are
more than welcome to use my reviews of their comics and other items
to promote them.

Review items can be sent to me at: Tony Isabella, 840 Damon Drive,
Medina OH 44256.  If you need to get in touch with me for whatever
reason, you can e-mail me and I’ll respond to your message as soon
as possible. 

I’m going to miss CBG.  It was a blessing to comicdom and to me as
well...and it will always be a part of me.

I’ll be back tomorrow with another “Rawhide Kid Wednesday.”

© 2013 Tony Isabella

VAST ACCUMULATION OF STUFF SALE 1/14

It’s Monday and that means a new Vast Accumulation of Stuff sale,
filled with items from said accumulation.  Though I realize money
gets tight as those holiday bills arrive, I hope you’ll take a few
minutes to check out this week’s sale.

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 and you should not send payment until you
get a confirmation e-mail from me.  All listed items are in 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.

You should always include your mailing address with your orders.
That speeds up the packaging and the shipping.

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.

This week’s sale ends when the new sale goes up on Monday, January
21. While supplies last, all orders will receive a free and signed
copy of an Isabella-written Hawkman comic book.

Here are this week’s sale items...

DC COMICS PRESENTS THE FLASH #1 [DC; 2011]. “100-page Spectacular” reprinting Flash stories from Showcase #4, Showcase #14 and Flash #125, 130, 139, all pencilled by Carmine Infantino. $4

ESSENTIAL AVENGERS VOLUME 7 [Marvel; 2010]. Reprints issues #141-163, Avengers Annual #6 and Super-Villain Team-Up #9, including two issues written by me.  Signed on request.  Softcover. $20

ESSENTIAL DAREDEVIL VOLUME 5 [Marvel; 2010]. Reprints issues #102-125 and Marvel Two-In-One #3, including five issues written by me. Softcover. $20

ESSENTIAL MOON KNIGHT VOLUME 3 [Marvel; 2010]. Reprints issues #31-38, Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu #1-6 plus Moon Knight stories from Marvel Fanfare #39 & 38-39, Solo Avengers #3 and Marvel Super-Heroes #1, including two issues written by me. Signed on request. Softcover. $20

EUREKA #1-4 and EUREKA: DORMANT GENE #1-4 [Boom!; 2008-2209]. New stories based on popular TV series. $8

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA: THY KINGDOM COME PART ONE by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham. [DC; 2008]. Reprints issues #7-12. Softcover. $7

LINES OF CONTENTION: POLITICAL CARTOONS OF THE CIVIL WAR by J.G. Lewin and P.J. Huff [Collins; 2007]. Softcover. $6

MARVEL 70TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION [Marvel, 2009]. Collection of 19 stories from 1939-2007. Softcover. $12 

OUTLAW TERRITORY VOL 1 [Image; 2009]. Anthology of western comics stories by Christian Beranek, Ivan Brandon, Joshua Hale Fialkov and others. Softcover. $10

SPIDER-MAN J: JAPANESE DAZE by Yamanaka Akira [Marvel; 2009]. All-ages digest-size softcover reprinting stories of Japanese Spider-Man from Spider-Man Family #7-12. $5

SPIDER-MAN NOIR by David Hine and Carmine DiGiandomenico [Marvel; 2009]. Softcover. $7

Here are last week’s sale items, which I am offering again.  Some
prices have been lowered, so it’s worth giving these items another
look. 

ALTER EGO #114 [TwoMorrows; December 2012]. Don Rico, Allen Bellman and Martin Goodman. $2

ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS: ARGOSY SMITH AND THE CODEX BECKONING by Steve Conley. [IDW; 2008]. Softcover. $5

BACK ISSUE #8 [TwoMorrows; February 2005]. Black Super-Hero issue. Featuring a guest editorial by me. Signed on request. $6

BATMAN: ARKHAM REBORN by David Hine and Jeremy Haun [DC; 2010]. Reprints Batman Battle for the Cowl: Arkham Asylum #1, Arkham Asylum #1-3 and Detective Comics #864-865. Softcover. $3

BATMAN: CACOPHONY by Kevin Smith and Walt Flanagan [DC; 2009]. Reprints Batman: Cacophony #1-3. Softcover. $4

DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN CONSPIRACY #1 [April, 2011]. A 100-page spectacular reprinting stories by Paul Dini, Doug Moench and J.H.Williams III. $2

EMPOWERED VOLUME 7 by Adam Warren [Dark Horse; 2012]. This graphic album has a parental advisory for its explicit content. Softcover. $8

FLIGHT VOLUME 4 [Villard; 2007]. Softcover anthology with comics by Scott Campbell, Michael Gagne, Dave Roman, Raina Telgemier and others.  Softcover. $8 

FLIGHT VOLUME 6 [Villard; 2009]. Softcover anthology with comics by Michael Gagne, Steve Hamaker, Richard Pace and others.  Softcover. $8 

G.I. JOE VS. COBRA: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE 1982-2008 by Pablo Hidalgo [Del Rey; 2009]. Softcover. $8

LALO Y LOLA/HI AND LOIS [King; 1974]. This is a flip comic book. On one side are Hi and Lois comics in English and, on the other side, the same comics in Spanish. $3

LUCHA LIBRA VOLUME 1 by Bill, Gobi, Fabien M. and Jerry Frissen [Image; 2008]. 2008 Nominee for Best Humor Publication. Reprints issues #1-5. Softcover. $5

MAGUS #1-5 by Jon Price and Rebekah Isaacs [12-Gauge; 2010-2011]. “Where were you when the magic came back?” $5

MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK VOL. 4: TALES TO ASTONISH by Peter David and Juan Santacruz [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints all ages Marvel Adventures Hulk #13-16 in digest format. Softcover. $3

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN: ARMORED AVENGER by Fred Van Lante and others [Marvel; 2007]. Reprints various all ages Marvel Adventures and Free Comic Book Day stories in digest format. Softcover. $3

MARVEL ZOMBIES DESTROY #1-5 by Frank Marraffino, Peter David, Mirco Pierfederici and others [Marvel; 2012]. $5

MICROGRAPHICA by Renee French [Top Shelf; 2007]. Spiral-bound 5" by 4-1/2" anthology of stories. $2

MODERN MASTERS VOLUME 19: MIKE PLOOG by Roger Ash and Eric Nolen-Washington [TwoMorrows; 2008]. Softcover. $5

OFFICIAL OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE #39 [Gemstone; 2009]. Cover features Captain America, Human Torch and Sub-Mariner] and is by Murphy Anderson after Alex Schomburg. Softcover. $8

RESET #1-4 by Peter Bagge [Dark Horse; 2012]. $4

RICHIE RICH. Four comic books featuring new and re-mastered tales Richie Rich: Rich Rescue #5, Richie Rich Gems #44, Richie Rich Gems Valentine Special and Richie Rich Gems Winter Special. $4

SPEED RACER THE NEXT GENERATION ANIMATED VOLUME 2 by various [IDW; 2008]. Digest-size adaptation of cartoon series. $2

STAR TREK ARCHIVES VOL 2: BEST OF THE BORG by Michael Jan Friedman, Peter Krause, Paul Jenkins and Steve Erwin [IDW; 2008]. Reprints DC Star Trek The Next Generation #47-50. Softcover. $5

SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC by Geoff Johns, Gary Frank and Jon Sibal [DC; 2009]. Reprints material from Action Comics #866-870 and Superman: New Krypton Special #1. Hardcover. $5

SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON VOLUME ONE by Geoff Johns and James Robinson [DC; 2009]. Reprints from Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #1, Adventure Comics Special featuring the Guardian #1, Superman” New Krypton Special #1, Superman #681 & Action Comics #871. Hardcover.$6

SUPERMAN: THE COMING OF ATLAS by James Robinson and Renato Guedes [DC; 2009]. Reprints First Issue Special #1 and Superman #677-680. Hardcover. $5

SWAMP THING VS. THE ZOMBIE PETS by John Sazaklis and Art Baltazar [Picture Window Books; 2012]. DC Super-Pets illustrated prose tale suitable for young readers. Softcover. $2

TED MCKEEVER LIBRARY BOOK 1: TRANSIT THE COMPLETE SERIES [Image]. Contains all five issues of the original series and never-before-published final chapter.  Unwrapped hardcover. $8

TRANSFORMERS MOVIE SEQUEL: THE RETURN OF STARSCREAM BY Chris Mowry and Alex Milne [IDW; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-5. Softcover. $5

ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK THREE: EXTINCTION by Warren Ellis & Brandon Peterson [Marvel; 2006]. Reprints Ultimate Extinction #1-5. Softcover. $5

UNWRITTEN: INSIDE MAN by Mike Carey & Peter Gross [Vertigo; 2010]. Reprints issues #6-12. Softcover. $4

X-CLUB #1-5 BY Simon Spurrier and Paul Davidson [Marvel; 2012]. $5

X-MEN FIRST CLASS: BAND OF BROTHERS by Jeff Parker and Roger Cruz [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #6-10. Softcover. $5

X-MEN LEGACY: DIVIDED HE STANDS by Mike Carey, Scot Eaton, John Romita Jr and others. Reprints issues #208-212. Softcover. $5

X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX by Ed Brubaker, Peter David and others [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints stories from several titles. 352 pages. Softcover. $10

YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS BY Ed Brubaker and others. [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-6. Softcover. $5

YOUNGBLOOD VOLUME 1: FOCUS TESTED by Joe Casey and Derec Donovan [Image; 2008]. Reprints issue #1-4 of revived series. Softcover. $3

YOUNG X-MEN: FINAL GENESIS by Marc Guggenheim and Yanick Paquette [Marvel; 2008]. Reprints issues #1-5. $5

Thanks for your patronage.

Tony Isabella

TONY’S TIPS!

Originally written for Comics Buyer's Guide #1700: 

“Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams

CBG reaches an impressive milestone this month with the publication
of its 1700th issue.  My own association with this sturdy journal
goes back almost as far.  Someone with a better memory that mine
would be able to tell you exactly how far back, but I have to work
with whatever brain cells I have left.

I do recall I was excited when Alan Light sent me the first issue
of what was then called The Buyer’s Guide for Comics Fandom. Since
becoming Clark Kent was my fall-back plan if I couldn’t work in the
comics industry, I was thrilled by TBG’s newspaper-like format and
its frequently publication.  I immediately volunteered my services
as a columnist.

I was writing for a lot of zines in those days.  A copy assistant
at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, I was only wrote the occasional bit
for the paper and only put my name on one of those.  It was a full-
page article on the Green Lantern/Green Arrow “drug issues” and it
worked out pretty good.  However, when I submitted a like article
on the groundbreaking debut of Luke Cage, Hero for Hire, my editors
couldn’t understand why they should run a second comic-book piece
so soon - about a year - after the first one. 

But I digress.

For TBG, I wrote three installments of something called “The Odd
Collectors.” The title came from The Odd Couple, my favorite Neil
Simon play and movie.  The column was a mix of news, views, reviews
and assorted silliness, not unlike the “Tony’s Tips” columns I’ve
been writing here for more years than I can remember.  No, really,
I can’t remember how many years. I hope this issue of CBG has some
sort of timeline because I’d like to know.

My current editors sometimes credit me as “CBG’s First Columnist”
and I believe them because they never lie to me.  It’s one of the
many reasons I love them dearly.  But, as I don’t have any copies
of those early TBGs, including the ones with my work in them, I’m
unable to confirm it for myself.  If anyone out there as the issues
and would be willing to photocopy those three early columns, I’d be
most appreciative.  We’re talking an autographed copy of my 1000
Comic Books You Must Read at the minimum.

But I digress.  Again.

My friend and fellow fan Dwight Decker wrote some stuff for the
first column.  I can’t recall if we were planning to collaborate on
a regular basis or if the concept was that I would collaborate with
a different fandom friend every issue.  I can’t remember if there
were any collaborators on the other two installments of that short-
lived feature. Once those brain cells go...

I do remember why I had to stop writing the column.  I landed a job
at Marvel Comics, assisting Stan Lee and Sol Brodsky with the new
weeklies the company was producing for the British market.  I quite
correctly realized that a new job in a new city wouldn’t leave me
much time for fanzine writing.

I also recall recommending replacements to Alan.  I suggested that
he contact Don and Maggie Thompson, who were among the founders of
modern-day comics fandom.  I wonder how that worked out.

CBG is the world’s longest running magazine about comics.  I have
many good memories from my association with the publication.  The
best and frequently recurring one is whenever someone thanks me for
recommending something in this column and the subsequent enjoyment
they derive from that something.  You’re welcome.

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

Deservedly showing up on “best of the year” lists is Ellen Forney’s
Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, & Me [Gotham Books; $20].
Her “graphic memoir” tells of her struggle with bipolar disorder.
Forney is a sympathetic character in this work - and aren’t we all
the heroes of our own stories - but doesn’t shy away from her dark
sides.  What sticks with me is her humor on her situation and her
thoughtful approach to her treatment.  As someone who has suffered
from depression, I’m a big fan of taking control of one’s own
treatment.  Not everything works for everyone.  Prescription drugs
were an epic fail for me, but Forney had greater success with them.

Marbles is a page-turner, though the pages turned a little slower
when the occasionally detail-obsessed Forney covers some aspects of
her treatment or her study of artists and writers who suffered like
disorders.  The mildly schizophrenic feel of those segments works
well with the over-all chronicle.  This is a tale told with great
and laudable honesty.  It delivers a satisfying and even uplifting
experience.  Yeah, it definitely deserves to be on any list of the
best books of the year. 

ISBN 978-1-592-40732-3

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

Thom Zahler, creator/writer/artist/everything of Love and Capes, is
one of my best friends.  That full disclosure is necessary because
of what I’m about to say next, something I would still say even if
I hated Pretty Boy Zahler’s guts.

Love and Capes is the best super-hero comic being published today.
Not just the best humorous super-hero comic being published today,
though it is dependably hilarious, but the best super-hero comic.
Period. No quibbles. The best.

My reading habits are sometimes stupid. Which is why I hadn’t read
all of Love and Capes: Ever After [IDW; five issues, 2011] or any
of Love and Capes: What to Expect [IDW; six issues, 2012].  I put
the two runs together while sorting comic books and stopped sorting
comic books until I read them all. OK, technically, I still have an
issue of the later series to go but that’s only because I have not
received my copy of same.  I think the odds of Zahler blowing it in
that issue are greater than my odds of my unseating LeBron James as
basketball’s most valuable player. 

Bookstore owner Abby and accountant Mark, who is secretly Earth’s
greatest super-hero, got married and Ever After shows up their life
post-honeymoon.  Though the super-hero stuff usually takes a back
seat to the real life stuff, Zahler uses that to examine areas of
super-hero lives that DC and Marvel super-hero comic books rarely
make time for.  So, besides learning of the special requirements a
super-hero has when he goes apartment hunting, we also see a fellow
hero sometimes awkwardly pursue a romantic relationship with Mark’s
ex-girlfriend, also a super-hero, and we see what happens when the
in-laws are brought in on Mark’s secret.  This is rich material and
I’m almost glad DC and Marvel don’t explore it.  They would likely
do it badly and then kill somebody.

Not that death is absent from Love and Capes.  The fifth issue of
Ever After has the aftermath of the death of one of Mark’s friends
and allies.  Dipping a foot into darker-than-normal humor, Zahler
tells of the special steps the heroes must take to make sure their
friend is actually dead.  But the humor works, much like that you
find at a really good wake.  The result was one of the best super-
hero stories of recent times and a story that was inspirational and
uplifting in spite of the tragedy.

Ever After ends with Abby telling Mark she’s pregnant.  Which sets
up What to Expect.  The joy and terror of impending parenthood is
wonderfully portrayed, but never overwhelms the series because our
man Thom is smart enough to also give plenty of stage time to the
other members of his cast. 

Both of these series are or will be available in trade paperback,
as are the earlier Love and Capes series.  If you haven’t read them
yet and if you’ve ever in your life enjoyed something I’ve reviewed
in these pages, drop this issue of CBG - right now - and order the
entire Love and Capes collection. You will love them and you will
want to share them with your friends. 

Love and Capes Vol. 1:

ISBN 978-1600102752

Love and Capes Volume 2:

ISBN 978-1600106804

Love and Capes Volume 3: Wake Up Where You Are:

ISBN 978-1613770498

Love and Capes Volume 4: What To Expect:

ISBN 978-1613775868

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

Of all the wonderful volumes published by TwoMorrows, I don’t think
I’ve ever looked forward to one as much as I looked forward to Matt
Baker: The Art of Glamour [$39.95], edited by Jim Amash and Eric
Nolen-Weathington.  Baker was one of the earliest African-American
comics artist and the details of his history and work have been too
slow in coming. This book makes up for that.

Amash and Nolen-Weathington include several complete Baker stories
in this volume, bookending thoughtful essays about the artist and
revealing interviews with his family, friends and fellow creators.
There’s also a complete checklist of his work, though I suspect the
future will include new Baker discoveries.

Baker died too young.  He died of a heart attack - his weak heart
was a lifelong concern - in August 1959 at the age of 38.  As with
the legendary Joe Maneely, one must wonder if Baker would have made
the transition to the super-hero-dominated comics marketplace that
would soon follow.  I’d like to think he would have held his own.
If he drew super-heroes as well as he drew everything else, I would
have wanted him to draw my 1970s Black Lightning comics. 

There has been an explosion of comics history books over the past
decade.  It’s a competitive field, but I think Matt Baker: The Art
of Glamour falls into the must-have category.  Kudos to the editors
and all who contributed to this book.

ISBN 978-1-60549-032-8

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

Francisco Marciuliano is the writer of the Sally Forth comic strip,
which runs in 700 newspapers, and the webcomic Medium Large, which
often pokes fun at comics.  He is also responsible for I Could Pee
on This and Other Poems by Cats [Chronicle; $12.95].  The literally
pocket-size hardcover was my favorite stocking stuffer to give to
people, which besides the title poem includes such insightful works
as “I Lick Your Nose,” ‘This Is My Chair,” “Kubla Kat” and “Nudge”:

Nudge
Nudge nudge nudge
Nudge nudge nudge nudge nudge nudge
Nudge
Your glass just shattered on the floor

I love this book with its cute cat photos and its sometimes scary
insights into our feline friends. When my family and friends least
expect it, I perform readings from the book.  This may well be the
greatest collection of poetry of the new millennium...according to
my own cat master Simba.  She says buy this book and, while you’re
out, pick up some of those catnip fish she likes.

ISBN 978-1-4521-1058-5

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

Speaking of cats...

Risa Motoyama’s Start with a Happy Ending [Digital Manga; $12.95]
is a heart-warming collection of done-in-one stories about recently
deceased humans who are given seven additional days of life to take
care of their unfinished business.  Because they had been kind to
cats in their lives, a benign cat-god has granted them this gift.
The one catch is that they will live those seven days in the body
of a cat. 

The concept is far less limiting than I imagined.  Each of the 15
stories in this volume is significantly different from the others.
Each of the humans is an individual with joys and sorrows of their
own.  The main commonality is that they do learn something in these
precious seven days and that every story has a satisfying and even
uplifting ending.  For stories that necessarily start with tragedy,
that’s pretty amazing.

I’d recommend reading a story a day.  That way you can stretch out
your enjoyment of this clever manga and savor each of these tales.

ISBN 978-1569702871

I’ll be back tomorrow with a few closing thoughts on Comics Buyer’s
Guide and the end of an era its departure represents.

© 2013 Tony Isabella

COMIC BOOKS MYSTERY BOXES

COMIC BOOKS MYSTERY BOXES. Approximately 100 comic books from my garage sales plus 6-9 other assorted items which can include fiction/non-fiction (mass market paperbacks, softcover trade paperbacks, hardcovers), magazines, VHS tapes and other surprises. While supplies last, each box will include a comic book written and signed by me. The price (including shipping) is $25 per box.

To order one or more mystery boxes, e-mail me.

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

1000 COMIC BOOKS YOU MUST READ

Here's your chance to get a signed copy of 1000 COMIC BOOKS YOU MUST READ by Tony Isabella, which would be me.  It's a fun romp through the history of American comic books from someone who has been a comics reader since the age of 4 and a comics industry professional for over four decades.  This hardcover book, now in its second printing, has delighted thousands of readers.  Thanks to a special buy from the publisher, I'm selling signed-on-request copies at $20 each plus $5 shipping/handling.

To order a copy, e-mail me and I'll send you payment information.

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

Tony

TONY’S BACK PAGES: G-8 AND HIS BATTLE ACES

Originally written for Comics Buyer’s Guide #1700:

Doc Savage was my first and favorite pulp hero.  I was introduced
to him via a well-read Bantam paperback loaned to me by high school
friend Gary Lunder.  By the time Gold Key published Doc Savage #1
[November 1966], I had my own well-read collection of paperbacks,
purchased on nigh-weekly visits to Cleveland’s famed Kay’s Books.
That solitary Gold Key issue featured writer Leo Dorfman and artist
Jack Sparling’s less-than-spectacular adaptation of The Thousand-
Headed Man. 

A month earlier, Gold Key had published G-8 and His Battle Aces #1
[October 1966].  Though it barely registered on my comics radar at
the time, I got a copy a year later in a trade with another pal.
It was thrown in to sweeten whatever deal we were making.

G-8 was a “brother” to Doc Savage, though I didn’t learn that until
later.  Created by Robert J. Hogan, who wrote all 110 of his pulp-
magazine adventures, G-8 was a World War I secret agent and aviator
whose battles against the Kaiser sometimes included science fiction
and supernatural elements.  In the 1970s, Berkley Books reprinted
eight of the Hogan novels.  Comics legend Jim Steranko painted the
first three covers and that’s when I learned of G-8's pulp origins.

G-8 and His Battle Aces #1 featured “G-8 and the Secret Weapon” by
Dorfman with art by George Evans (pencils) and Mike Peppe (inks).
By Gold Key standards, it was a decidedly grim and gritty thriller.
Master of disguise G-8 goes behind enemy lines and amasses a modest
body count while learning the secret of the terrible mystery weapon
the Germans have unleashed on the allied forces.  Though G-8's true
identity is not revealed in this comic book or the pulp magazines,
his wing-men Nippy and Bull are both Americans.

The secret weapon is a zeppelin shaped like an enormous eagle that
drops siren-equipped bombs on our trench-bound soldiers.  Dorfman’s
script is good, though the finale, in which G-8 turns the zeppelin
against the enemy, is surprisingly rushed given the 32-page length
of the story.  Evans isn’t at his best here, but he does manage
several effective shots of the grim G-8, the battlefields and the
zeppelin.  Though my original copy is long gone, I was delighted to
buy a replacement on eBay for a reasonable seven bucks.  This one’s
a keeper.

******************************
“Tony’s Back Pages” - though my CBG editors shorted it to “Tony’s
Back Page” - was many things during its long run in CBG.  Sometimes
I shared tales of my life as a comics fan and comics professional.
Sometimes I wrote about other things, always limited by the 300-400
word count of the feature.

In the run-up to the publication of 1000 Comic Books You Must Read,
it presented previews of entries in that book.  Once the book was
published, it switched over to extended versions of entries in the
book.  After a couple years of that, it settled into what you just
read: quick looks at old comic books I found interesting enough to
write about. 

With CBG’s sad demise, “Tony’s Back Pages” also ends.  Or does it?
If my bloggy thing readers have enjoyed the feature, I’ll continue
writing it here or elsewhere. Maybe as its own blog. Maybe at some
other website.  I’m open to offers and suggestions on both counts.
Let me know your thoughts.

Tomorrow’s bloggy thing will feature the “Tony’s Tips” column I did
for what would have been Comics Buyer’s Guide #700.  It’ll serve as
my not-quite-complete eulogy for the publication with which I have
been associated for so long.  I’m going to run it as written, then
return on Tuesday for my more-or-less final comments.

Stay well, my friends.

© 2013 Tony Isabella