Jon's Random Acts of Geekery

Cover Redux!

2013-05-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

First up this time is Amazing Spider-Man #142 and the reprint in Marvel Tales #119. This looks like it's been left pretty much as the original was, except for moving the blurb at the bottom to the right. Next, Fantastic Four #49, and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #36. Obviously, a new Gil Kane cover for the reprint... the Kirby cover was better, if you ask me! I believe I've theorized before that this was done so that the new cover art was done to help hide the fact that it's a reprint (I know as a kid I didn't realize they were reprints). Next, Incredible Hulk #150 and the reprint in Marvel Super-Heroes #99.. looks like the original art was enlarged slightly, since the trade dress was different by the reprint. Next, Avengers #69, and the reprint in Marvel Super Action #30! Aside from changing the blurb around, and adding a foot to the Growing Man, looks like this was left alone to me! Finally, Fantastic Four #107 and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics, and it looks pretty much left alone, aside from moving blurbs around!

Comic Reading Library: Adventures in 3-D #1!

2013-05-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

OK, this is kind of an experiment here... those of you who have 3D glasses, see if this works for you. Those who don't... well, I hope you'll enjoy this anyway! Here's a surprise bonus... issue #2!

Character Collectible Spotlight: Wonder Woman!

2013-05-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

DC's Amazing Amazon didn't have a whole lot of merchandise featuring her, at least until the 1970s, when the Lynda Carter TV show was airing! The first item in this spotlight is of the WW Aurora model kit, which I've always been surprised didn't get reissued with other Aurora hero kits as part of the Comic Scenes line! Next, it's Girls' Day Out, with WW and Batgirl driving the Batmobile, courtesy of Gulliver Toys, makers of fine superhero merchandise most of us in the States never get to behold with our own eyes, much less own! Mego bendy! Colorforms set! Comic Action Heroes Invisible Plane playset and figure! Eraser! 1977 drinking glass -- nope, not a Slurpee cup! Shaker Maker set! Licensing art by Mike DeCarlo! Poster! 1970s TV Toy! 1970s ring! Pepsi glass! 1983 stickers! Cheetah bottlecap, I've been told this is from Argentina. Same goes for this hand puppet! Dominoes! WW pen! Greeting cards! There's an iron-on patch you can barely make out on the left here! Super Powers mini-comic! Air freshener! Flashlight! Magnetic Maze Chase Game! Ah, there's a better pic of the iron-on patch! Pencil sharpeners! Coloring book! Stickers! From what I've read, this book was Diana's equivalent to the "From the 30s to the 70s" volumes for Superman, Batman, and Captain Marvel. Paperback books! 1975 folder! Argentina costume from 1978! 1973 board game! 1974 poster! Ah, here's the Aurora kit we started with, built and painted! Children's book! Coloring books! Costumes! Dartboard! Flashlight! Flicker Sticker! Framed art! Frametray puzzle! 1960s board game! Knit hat! Joint action figure! Lightswitch plate! Lunchbox! Mirror! Another mirror, and headband! Music box! Nightlight! Patches! Pez! Plate! Playing cards! Pool toy! Ring! Stamps! Sticker fun book! Puffy stickers! Tiara! Toastee sox! T-shirt from 1975! Underoos display! Puzzle from Uruguay! Watch! Wonder Bread card art by Curt Swan! Belt! Cards! Corgi car! Ideal toys hand puppet! Inflatable Wonder Woman doll! (Oh, this is going to get me some hits from people looking for something very different....) Japanese model! Magic slate! Placemat! Argentina ring! Scissors! String puppet! Towel! Underoos! Yet another WW board game! Ideal WW figure! Mego figures! Records! Super Powers figure! Super Baby! And we'll wrap this up with this Yo-Yo!

Cool Stuff! Buck Rogers Trading Cards

2013-05-14T00:01:00.002-07:00

And as a bonus... Buck Rogers Pop-Up Book!

Show-A-Show Video Feature!

2013-05-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Starting this month, something a wee bit different! The Show a Show Projector was a toy manufactured by the same company who made the "Fortuna" and "Spectrum" (depending on what country you were in) Give-A-Show Projector knock-offs. These projectors could show film strips as well as slide strips. Some time ago, I won a pack of four slide strips (which I'd already featured here a while back) and four film strips for this toy, and I'm presenting them here pretty much as is, with some music and sound effects added. The quality of these strips was pretty bad, so you've been warned!

More after the jump! One of the film strips in the set I bought is nothing but Archie stories, probably taken from the comic books. There's no copyright information on this saying these were officially licensed, so I'm assuming it was bootlegged. On the package, it was just identified as "Betty and Veronica."

These stories kind of start and stop abruptly... especially this first one!

Fandom Library: Star Trek - Passage to Moauv Book and Record Set!

2013-05-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

OK, so maybe this could've gone in Children's Book Theater, but I decided to use it for this feature! It's part of the Power Records line of the 1970s. As you read it, look for how many characters are way off model! This was the inside front cover for these sets... note that the superheroes, monsters and Planet of the Apes are represented... but just Marvel heroes, and no Star Trek! Yes, they've got Sulu shown as African-American! And Uhura's a blonde white woman? Lt. M'Ress definitely doesn't look like her animated series counterpart, does she?

Cliffhanger! Flash Gordon, Chapters 7-9!

2013-05-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9

Puzzle Time!

2013-05-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

More from Marvel Superheroes Puzzles & Games #1! Solutions after the jump!

Kirby Kovers!

2013-05-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a parade of Kirby Kovers... enjoy! Challengers of the Unknown #75 was a reprint issue, with just the inset being Kirby, and the new figure done by George Tuska... Obviously the Sentinels got bigger as time went on!

Monster Stuff!

2013-05-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

First up this time around is a foreign poster for Navy Vs. the Night Monsters... the text looks Spanish to me, but I don't know if this was for release in Spain, Mexico, or somewhere else! Night of the Living Dead French Poster! Odd Squad Puzzle! Dracula Oil Can Puzzle! Phantom of the Opera (Herbert Lom version) Lobby Card and poster! Phantom of the Opera (Nelson Eddy version) poster! Phantom from 10,000 Leagues lobby card! The Phantom Planet lobby card! The Pit and the Pendulum Belgium lobby card! Plague of the Zombies lobby card! Planet of the Dinosaurs Italian poster! Creature From the Black Lagoon puzzle from 1974! Jaymar Frankenstein puzzle (guest-starring the Wolfman)! Jaymar Mummy puzzle! Jaymar Wolfman puzzle (guest-starring the Monster)! The Raven lobby cards! Window card for an earlier version of The Raven! The Reptile lobby card! The Return of Dracula lobby card! Return of the Fly insert and stills, plus a Belgian poster! Return of Giant Majin ad! Revenge of the Creature still! Revenge of Frankenstein foreign poster and lobby card! Robot Monster poster! Rodan stills! Satanic Rites of Dracula still! Scars of Dracula still! The She-Creature lobby card! The She Demons still! The Skull lobby cards! The Snow Creature poster! Son of Dracula pressbook and still! Son of Frankenstein still and Belgian window card! Son of Godzilla still! AHI Creature Squirt Gun! The Monster that Challenged the World still! Super King Kong Turkish Poster! Tales from the Crypt lobby cards! Target Earth still! And we'll wrap up this installment with a bunch of stills from Taste the Blood of Dracula, plus a UK poster!

Cover Redux!

2013-05-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

First up this time is Tales of Suspense #84, followed by the reprinted version used for Marvel Double Feature #8! Now, at first glance, it almost looks like this was redrawn for the reprint, but I think this is a illusion due to the different coloring. Certainly, the image is smaller on the reprint, and I suspect that most of the impact lines around Cap and the Adaptoid are new for the reprint. Also note that the Adaptoid's wings have been redone -- one is actually missing entirely! Next, Amazing Spider-Man #48, and the all-new cover done by Gil Kane for Marvel Tales #34, which leaves no doubt that this was the second (temporary) Vulture! As much as I like Kane's work, I do prefer the original, but I can see how it wouldn't work with that cover dress. Next, it's Fantastic Four #82 and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #64... What first strikes me is that Ben has been entirely redrawn for the reprint... actually, I think the entire cover was redrawn, although Ben is the biggest difference between the two. I don't know why it was redone, since the overall design is the same! Another complete redo is when The Incredible Hulk #123 was reprinted in Marvel Super-Heroes #75... at least it's a new design this time, although I think the original cover was much better myself! Finally, Avengers #72 and the reprint in Marvel Super Action #33. Right off the bat, I see that the art was reduced, with some new art added on the left side, and a bit of change done at the top.

Comic Reading Library: Four Color 928 - Sea Hunt!

2013-05-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

The Herculoids Movie!

2013-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, I wish I was posting to announce this was being done, but alas, it is not to be. A while back, you may recall I did a post about the Herculoids as part of Geek TV... well, based on the response I got from that post, I finally sat and watched the entire series... and as I watched, I thought it would make a great movie, a combination of live action and CGI. And then I started thinking about what the plot of said movie would be... and here's what I came up with. Maybe, somehow, the right person will read this and make it happen! The Herculoids Movie By Jon B. Knutson We open on a grand panorama of space in all its starry glory. The camera pans slowly to the left until we spot a sleek spacecraft traveling through space. We cut to the interior, where we see the crew: Zandor, tall and muscular, clearly the leader; Tara, blonde and athletic, Zandor's wife; and finally, their son, Dorno, blonde like his mother, about 11 or 12 years old. Zandor is using the ship's scanner while Tara and Dorno are setting a table for a meal. Zandor calls Tara's attention to the view screen, which shows a schematic of the star system they're approaching. Zandor points out one of the planets appears to be rich in resources, and Tara remarks that if it is so, they will earn a good bonus for finding it. They explain to Dorno that the company they work for pays them well for finding new worlds that can provide ores and other resources for inhabited worlds, and Dorno's response indicates this is the first time he's accompanied his parents on such an expedition. Zandor pilots the ship towards the most promising world, but as they near, he indicates something is wrong, sensors are going berserk. Suddenly, from the planet surface, a powerful ray reaches out and strikes the ship, disabling it. Zandor fights with the controls, guiding it to a crash landing on the planet surface, just off the shore of a huge lake. The crash leaves their ship beyond any chance for them to repair it, and some sort of disturbance is preventing them from sending out a distress call, if by chance another ship were to come into range of it. Besides, the ship is beginning to sink. The family exits their disabled craft and swim to shore. As they swim, a bizarre sea creature attacks Dorno, and Zandor manages to rescue him. Safely ashore, they look upon the surface of this world they're now stranded on. Dorno says its weird but cool, and Tara thinks its beautiful. Zandor tells them they'll have plenty of time to enjoy this world, as they'll probably be there for the rest of their lives, but for now, they need to come up with a better shelter than their damaged ship, and find sources of food and water. This is the first world they've surveyed that they've actually landed on. The family start to search their immediate area for some kind of shelter. realizing that there may be other creatures that may try to eat them, Zandor plans to build a sort of tree house. He picks a clearing near a jungle for the site which has a suitable tree, and they forage for materials as well as food. Dorno wanders apart from his parents after hearing a strange noise, and comes across two strange creatures, which are amorphous white with two black eyes, one smaller than the other. Dorno tries to get closer to see them, and trips, revealing his presence. The two creatures are startled, and stretch up to a branch, pulling themselves up. Dorno realizes they're frightened of him, and walks toward them, promising he won't hurt them. They seem to understand him, and stretch back to the ground. Meanwhile, Zandor and Tara realize Dorno isn't with them, and start calling is name. Soon, Dorno comes with the two creatures, saying they're friends, and he's decided to name them Gloop and Gleep. Zandor and Tara are amazed to see Gloop and Gleep, and tell Dorno they're not native to this world. They are shape shifting creatures, incredibly durable, able to deflect energy. They are capable into separating themselves, but can reintegrate if they don't remain apart for too long. They are social creatures, and Zandor theorizes that they were stranded here as well. With Gloop and Gleep's help, the treehouse is built quickly, and prove to be valuable to their humans as they search for food. Zandor also learns that there's a form of rock on this world that is basically unstable, and when struck, it explodes. Dorno names these energy rocks, which is unscientific but fitting. Many if these rocks are gathered for defense, and Tara believes she can find a way to use them as fuel for cooking and warmth. One evening, Zandor finds himself unable to sleep. Tara awakens to find him staring out over the jungle. Zandor tells her that he wonders how many worlds like this one (which Dorno insists on calling Quasar) they've spotted, and were more or less destroyed when mined for ore and other resources. He has also seen signs that there are other forms of intelligent life on Quasar, and wonders if any of them have been made extinct as well. Zandor is also concerned about the beam that brought their ship down, and wonders if whoever shot at them will decide to find out if they survived the crash or not. This latter fear is proven valid, as Tara spots moving lights in the sky heading their way. Soon, we find the lights are small scout craft, using search lights. The sound awakens Dorno, as well as Gloop and Gleep. The shape changing creatures stretch themselves out over the treehouse when the scout ships fire energy beams, while Zandor and Tara use homemade slingshots to fire energy rocks at the ships. The ships then begin spraying gas over them, which soon overcomes all of them, although Gleep manages to cover Dorno before he is unconscious. Zandor and Tara awaken in a cell, dressed as we're used to seeing them in the cartoon. A voice says, "At last, you awake, Zandor!" On the other side of the bars is a person Zandor and Tara recognize, Grandon, who is with the same company they had been working for. He tells them that he's been operating out of this world for some time, and that it was too bad that Zandor and his family had to come here. Here happens to be a vast entertainment complex, where the chief attraction is gladiatorial combat, with humanoids battling it out with creatures captured from other worlds -- all from worlds that Zandor had discovered for him! There was more money to be made than just mining worlds for their resources, and Grandon says he's made almost as much from his games as from the mining -- and the costs are lower. Each month, aliens from all over the galaxy come to gamble on the games, and those who don't have the proper transmission before entering orbit are shot down, as Zandor was. The next games will be in tomorrow, and the main attraction will be Zandor and Tara battling against his mightiest creatures, which Grandor calls his Herculoids -- Zok the space dragon, Igoo the rock ape, and Tundro, the rhino-triceratops. These three creatures, as all the other creatures in the games, are controlled by collars worn around their necks. Grandor leaves them, but not before taunting them, saying that he's going to enjoy seeing them fight for their lives. Zandor theorizes that Gloop and Gleep may have once been part of the games, but due to their nature, their collars wouldn't stay on, and so they were able to escape. This would be true, as the scouts who captured them had said not to bother taking them, they'd just escape agin. Meanwhile, back at the treehouse, Gloop and Gleep wake Dorno up. Dorno calls for his parents and realize that they've been taken. He tells the amorphoids (that's what I decided they are) they must go to rescue Zandor and Tara. He gathers up a few bags of energy rocks and the slingshots they'd made, and realizes that Gloop and Gleep know where his parents have been taken. They start on their way. That evening, in their cell, Zandor and Tara talk... They're able to see the cells of the other gladiator combatants as well as the various creatures used, including the Herculoids. Zandor notes that the creatures act more or less peaceful, except when one of the guards approach their cells, when they become agitated, and the guards have to activate the control collars to subdue them. Zandor figures their only chance to survive the games is to somehow disable the collars, then the creatures would have no reason to fight them. Tara says it looks to her as though they are communicating with each other, indicating that they are intelligent creatures. That morning, outside the arena complex, Dorno and the amorphoids approach stealthily. He sees several different spacecraft parked outside, with beings from arund the galaxy entering the complex through s main entrance. Dorno figures their best chance to get inside is to disguise themselves. He tells Gloop and Gleep to form around him, so that they appear to be one large being, using mud to change their color. They manage to blend in with the crowd (these aliens would be cgi versions of aliens seen in the original cartoon, as well as some from Space Ghost), and gain entry. Inside, the games have begun, with some captives from Quasar's other intelligent species battling dangerous creatures from other worlds. Dorno's, Gloop and Gleep maintain their disguise as they explore. They spot a video monitor promising the main event, Zandor and Tara against the Herculoids, and Dorno says they have to find where his parents are being held. He finds the entrance to where the combatants are held, but there are too many guards for them to get past. Dorno figures their best chance to help is to wait until the main event. In the cells, guards come for Zandor and Tara, saying its their turn now, and they are taken to a waiting area. Shortly, doors open to the battle area, and they are pushed out. The guards toss them shields, spears, and swords to make it more sporting. Grandor speaks to the assembled crowd, introducing the combatants, and then a larger door opens, revealing Igoo. He lumbers out, growling and roaring. Zandor and Tara quickly pick up the shields snd weapons, and stand ready. Igoo just stands there, not doing anything, until the control collar is activated, causing him to charge. Tara feels sorry for Igoo, he obviously isn't normally a violent creature, but is forced to fight. Zandor tells Tara to stand back, so he can try to remove the control collar. Igoo has strength, but Zandor has speed and maneuverability. He uses the spear to pole vault over igoo's head, landing on the stone ape's back. He then tries to use the sword to break the collar, but the collar is too strong, and the sword shatters. Grandor calls out, "Did you think I was foolish enough to arm you with something that could damage the control collars, Zandor?" Igoo then grabs Zandor and hurls him away. Zandor is stunned, and Igoo turns to Tara. Suddenly, Dorno calls out, and he, Gloop and Gleep discard their disguise, and enter the arena from the crowd. Gloop and Gleep head to Tara to shield her as Dorno hands his father a pouch of energy rocks and a slingshot. Zandor takes careful aim as Igoo pounds at Gloop and Gleep, and fires an energy rock at the collar. Dorno does the same. Their first shots miss, but Zandor's second scores, and the control collar is shattered. Igoo realizes he's freed, and roars upward to where Grandor is sitting. Grandor orders the other Herculoids released to the arena, and Zok and Tundro enter. Gloop and Gleep undo their shield, seeing that Igoo isn't interested in fighting them any more. Dorno runs to Tara and gives her a slingshot and energy rocks as well before Zok and Tundro attack. Tara asks Igoo if he understands her, and he nods. She says they can free the other Herculoids if he helps them. Igoo growls in agreement, and charges towards Tundro, who is charging at them. Zandor tells Gloop and Gleep to form a protective shield around them, leaving openings for them to fire. As Igoo leaps onto Tundro to wrestle him, Zok flies overhead, firing energy beams from his eyes, which deflect off of Gloop and Gleep. The deflected shots hit various parts of the arena, sending the audience into a panic. Zandor, Tara and Dorno fire energy rocks at Zok, trying to hit the control collar, but the flying dragon is too fast for them. Tundro, meanwhile, struggles against Igoo, throwing him aside and firing his own energy rocks at the stone ape, driving him back. Igoo tears off a section of the arena wall and throws it, but Tundro blows it up with energy rocks. Grandor is calling for his guards, but in the panic, nobody is listening to him. To his terror, the next volley of shots at Zok hit the control collar, shattering it. Zok shakes his head, then looks down at Igoo and Tundro. Zandor and his family turn their attention to Tundro as well, but they are almost out of energy rocks. Igoo roars at Zok, and the space dragon fires his energy bolts at Tundro's collar, destroying it. Grandor panics, and releases all the remaining creatures at once. Zandor realizes that Grandor has the master controls, and calls on the Herculoids to direct their fire where Grandor is. In seconds, the combined attacks destroy Grandor's balcony, but Grandor has already fled. The newly released creatures have all their collars deactivated, and sort of mill around. Zandor says that now that they're not being controlled, there's no reason for them to fight. But of course, Grandor is getting away, and Zandor will not let that happen. The Herculoids pursue Grandor, who is naturally trying to get to the landing field, but with all the panic, he's being knocked about by others trying to get to their own ships. Tara mounts Zok and they fly overhead, spotting Grandor, and Gloop stretches out to grab him out of the chaos. Zandor and Dorno find the main control center of the arena and send out a message to the authorities. Days later, a ship from the space authorities arrives. What Grandor did is illegal - taking dangerous creatures off their home worlds, etc. - so he'll be taken into custody to stand trial. The same ship will transport the surviving gladiators beck to their homeworlde, as well as return the creatures too. Zandor, Tara, Dorno, Gloop, Gleep, Zok, Tundro, and Igoo, however are not leaving. They've decided to make Quasar their home, and to protect it from menaces, whether from outer space or from Quasar itself. Zandor says they can send out a warning.... Quasar is protected by.... The Herculoids!

Cool Stuff!

2013-04-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

This time around, I'm finishing up with the Beatles bubble gum cards!

Comic Book Ads!

2013-04-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

When I wrapped up Comic Book Ads Week, I had an ad posted for Mason Shoes, with its promise that you could sell shoes part-time to make money. I guess that worked well for them after all, because here's an ad from Best of the West #5 where they've expanded their line to leather jackets!
From the same issue... yes, this goes back this far! Did any of you ever respond to one of these kind of ads? I know I nearly did at least a couple of times. Here's a different twist on the standard comic book muscle-building ad... the angle here is that with muscles, you can go to school and work at the same time without getting too tired! But when are you supposed to be doing your workouts??? Here's another ad with that projector toy I've yet to add to my collection... but what really gets my attention is the cowboy ventriloquist dummy, clearly marketed for kids, with a big honking cigarette or cigar sticking out of its mouth! Well, that and the extremely weird baby doll in the fashion pose. Was this ad responsible for those toddler and tiara beauty pageants or something? Haven't had an ad posted for one of these things in a long time, and this one is definitely different, isn't it?

Cover Redux Week, Day 5!

2013-04-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's the last day of Cover Redux Week, and we begin with Amazing Spider-Man #25 and the reprint in Marvel Tales #20! At first, it looks very much the same, but the image has been shifted up, and the part of the Spider-Slayer with JJJ's face has been moved to the right!

Next, it's Sgt. Fury #20 and the reprint in #122... and it looks like, coloring aside, it's pretty much the same, other tan a bit of cropping on the bottom.

When Incredible Hulk #153 was reprinted in Marvel Super Heroes #101, rather than enlarging the art, it looks like it was decided to just add to the art (note Matt Murdock's arm, and the judge's body, arm, and desk). Even the "vs. EVERYBODY!" text from the original was retained, even if it was reduced and rotated.

Next, Fantastic Four #61 and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #44... I don't really see any changes, although I'l note that the original coloring was better than the reprint... also, I'm not sure why that extra blurb was added!

Next, we have Sgt. Fury #33 and the reprint in issue #99! We're looking at a new (John Severin?) cover on the reprint, although I'm pretty sure the original cover was reprinted when the story was run for the third time!

No big changes I can see when Amazing Spider-Man was reprinted in Marvel Tales #31, except for removing some of the speed lines from John Jameson's punch!

The art was definitely reduced when Avengers #56 was reprinted in Marvel Super Action #15... I guess the figure of Bucky was flopped in order to accommodate the UPC box, even though that meant his shadow was in the wrong direction.

Finally, we have Sgt. Fury #45 and the reprint in issue #140... this was a definite cut-and-paste job! Look at Fury's hand around the wrist of the other soldier, and you'll see how that was shifted down. Actually, I think if you look at the two soldiers on the lower left-hand corner, and include the rocks that Dugan and Izzy are behind, you'll see where the cut was made, more or less.

Cover Redux Week, Day 4!

2013-04-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

OK, let's get going here! First, we have Amazing Spider-Man #117, and the reprint in Marvel Tales #96! This cover has a number of changes made to it, the title blurb was altered to accommodate the UPC code, and the word balloon was changed... but there are a few other changes that you might not immediately notice! Look at Spidey's outstretched foot -- that's new! Also, the "Vote for Raleigh" banner above Spidey has no text at all -- and the bunting below Spidey is inexplicably changed from red, white and blue stripes to blue with white stars! Ah, and I noticed that the blast from the Disruptor's gun goes further on the reprint! There's no mention of anything on the Grand Comics Database about these changes, so it's a puzzle...

Next, it's Sub-Mariner #12 and the reprint in Tales to Astonish (2nd series) #12! Obviously, the image was flopped for the reprint, but also note that the alien creature's been reduced ... at least, somewhat reduced, anyway! Actually, looking at it again, it seems the image was overall reduced, it's just more obvious at the top than towards the bottom.

Up next, we have Incredible Hulk #138 and the reprint in Marvel Super-Heroes #88! I believe this was slightly reduced, with extra art added at the bottom (Betty's legs are more visible, as are Ross, Talbot and the Nurse in the window).

Next, Fantastic Four #84 and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #66! Looks to me like the stat was reduced slightly, with extra art added on the left and bottom. I'm kind of surprised they didn't relocate Reed on the cover, as the UPC box covers most of Reed's arm on the left!

More changes were made when Amazing Spider-Man #16 was reprinted in Marvel Tales #11! The art was reduced, and the background altered so that Spidey and Daredevil were shown to be higher in the air, and the Ringmaster was reduced even more and placed on a platform up in the air.

When Tales to Astonish #83 was reprinted in Marvel Super-Heroes #38, the image was reduced, I'm guessing to accommodate the larger logo.

And finally, we have Fantastic Four #58 and the reprint in Marvel Triple Action #3! I'm not sure why I set this up with the reprint on the left, and the original on the right. Anyway, we're obviously dealing with an all-new cover for the reprint... as usual, I like the Gil Kane cover, but I think the Kirby cover was even better! After all, the Doom figure on the original was used over and over after this!

Thank You, Jerry Chamelin!

2013-04-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

One of the things I hate about being a truck driver (among the very many) is that when one has a blog, sometimes one can't get around to responding to blog-related matters in a timely manner. Well, I'm going to correct one of those right now, by thanking Jerry Chamelin for his very generous contribution on April 9 to Krypto's medical bills fund. I honestly don't recall if Jerry's ever commented on blog entries in the past, or if I've linked to his blog (if indeed he has one), so this came as a very pleasant surprise to me.

Jerry, I salute you! You are truly a Friend of Krypto, and I will be sending you a photo of Krypto in further appreciation as soon as I can get a good pic taken of him in his cape and printed!

The Lady and Her Monsters: A Review!

2013-04-24T09:34:00.003-07:00

I promised a more in-depth review of this book, and since I'm home at the moment, now is the time!

As I believe I mentioned as I was reading this book, it's a fascinating look at the life of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, as well as the various events that may have provided inspiration for this book.

I'd never read much about Mary Shelley's life prior to this, and author Roseanne Montillo really brought her to life for me. Honestly, you'll find yourself feeling sorry for her after learning about the tragedies that Shelley could never quite get away from, as well as those that she could never recover fully from.

Reading this book, you'll learn about galvanism as well as the history of body-snatching that accompanied it, as surgeons experimented with electricity on cadavers (human and animal) and how it affected muscles even after death, as well as how they hoped to use electricity to bring the dead back to life.

You'll learn about Shelley's family history, her upbringing, travels, and her love and marriage to poet Percy Shelley.

It was a great read, and a book I'm happy to add to my bookshelf. I highly recommend it to any fan of Frankenstein! You can get a copy for yourself by ordering from the Amazon link below (which I'll get a small cut of eventually), but since I was provided two copies of this book for my review, I am pleased to announce that you can win the second copy of the book from me!

Here's what you have to do: Shoot me an email at waffyjon at comcast dot net with the subject line "Frankenstein Book," and provide your full mailing address. I am also going to be giving additional entries to anyone who contributes to the Krypto Medical Bills Fund (link in the upper left hand corner) any amount of $5 or more.

This contest will end around midnight PST Sunday night, April 26, 2013. I will be drawing one name at random, and notifying the winner via email. Contest is open to all readers of Random Acts of Geekery in the USA only (sorry, it's just a pain to deal with customs forms).

Cover Redux Week, Day 3!

2013-04-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

First up this time around, we have Amazing Spider-Man #22, and the reprint in Marvel Tales #17! Obviously, the art was shifted down for this reprint (with some extra art added to the top). The blurb that was on the bottom of the cover has been cleverly fit into the Spider-Signal on the reprint, but other than that, it's all blurbs!

Next, we've got Silver Surfer #4 and the reprint in Fantasy Masterpieces (2nd series) #4! Looks to me like the art was shifted down, and speed lines added to indicate that Thor was swinging Mjolnir about. Oddly, the colorist apparently didn't realize Thor was supposed to be standing on the Rainbow Bridge!

Next, it's X-Men #17 and the reprint in issue #70... I think the original coloring is much more striking, don't you?

When Fantastic Four #75 was reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics #57, the coloring was again changed from the very striking original! I prefer the original coloring myself.

When Amazing Spider-Man #90 was reprinted in Marvel Tales #71, some of the crowd was eliminated, and some was shifted around (as were the word balloons).

Up next, it's Avengers Annual #2, and the reprints in Marvel Super Action #16 and 17. Now, the cover art used for issue #17 is actually from a splash page in the original annual, but I figured I'd include it for completeness! So far as the original vs. the reprint, it appears to me that the art was statted and reduced slightly, with some extra art added to the sides, and that could well be it!

There were considerably more changes when Incredible Hulk #107 was reprinted in Marvel Super-Heroes #61... the Mandarin was completely redrawn, except maybe possibly the foot you can barely see on the reprint due to the UPC box. Looks like the Hulk was shifted down on the page as well.

And now we come to Fantastic Four #83 and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #65. There was a bit of reworking going on here... I see that the figures of Black Bolt, Medusa, and the Human Torch were moved (the Torch's arm was obviously added on, and not all that well). I can see why the Torch was moved (because of the logo), while the Inhuman figures were moved because of the UPC code. What I don't quite understand is why the title blurb was boxed on the reprint (as well as why the coloring change on Maximus' armor)!

Cover Redux Week, Day 2!

2013-04-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

This time around, we begin with Avengers #12, and the reprint in Marvel Triple Action #6! Obviously, we're looking at a completely new cover here... and it appears to my eye that, once again, the Wasp was left out of the new cover.

Next, we've got Amazing Spider-Man #110 and the reprint in Marvel Tales #89. Obviously, we're looking at the original art being enlarged to fill the greater cover area, with new art added to the top. Also, the bottom cover blurb's been eliminated, with the title being put in a new burst. Also, I just realized that the Spider-Man figure has been enlarged even more and slightly repositioned!

Such was Marvel's commitment at the time to making their reprint books look like the current stuff that instead of using Kirby's classic cover for Fantastic Four #51, they went with an all-new cover!

Here's another example of an all-new cover being done... when Incredible Hulk #115 was reprinted in Marvel Super-Heroes #69, a new Gil Kane cover was commissioned. I'm not sure why this was needed, as if they just wanted the Leader's head not to be covering the logo, they could've reduced the statted art, and added more to his hand on the left (this would've also made room for the UPC box).

Here's an example of how different coloring can make the same cover look almost entirely different! Here's X-Men #33 and the reprint in issue #81, and there are some other changes here, too! Look at the Juggernaut's mouth, for example. Actually, his eyes and mouth were both altered for this reprint! And there' the strange case of the bottom cover blurb... whereas the original focused on the battle with Juggy, the reprint focused on The Outcast!

Hey, it's two issues in a row with Dr. Strange appearances! Here we have Amazing Spider-Man #109 and the reprint in Marvel Tales #88, and note that Dr. Strange's figure has been entirely redrawn! That may have been to help fill in the space on the left side, while the overall art was shifted down, making it necessary to take the blurb and shrink the text to squeeze it in.

Next, Avengers #75, and the reprint in Marvel Super Action #36! The overall art has been reduced, with extra art added on the left side. Not only that, the image has been rotated clockwise a bit! I guess this is why the extra blurb was added in. Also, the blurb on the bottom was reduced to make room for the UPC box.

Finally, here's Fantastic Four #97, and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #78! There was a lot of playing around with this one, it seems! The figures of the FF were all reduced, with new art added on the right to the Thing, while the Torch was shifted up a bit to be more separate from the rest of the group. The water area was reworked, and the Monster shifted to the right side, while the text was moved to the left! And finally, there's a new can of soda added, while the radio was moved to Ben's side! I think that about covers it, eh? Can't imagine how the Torch couldn't notice the Monster that was just beside him on the reworked cover, though...

Cover Redux Week, Day 1!

2013-04-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's a whole week of Cover Redux installments! We begin with Sgt. Fury #12, and the reprint in Special Marvel Edition #10... I believe the original art was statted and reduced slightly, and the blurbs were also reduced.

Next, Fantastic Four #59 and Marvel Triple Action #3 -- they look like they're for two entirely different FF stories, don't they? The original has no mention of Doom or the Surfer, while the reprint has Black Bolt shoehorned in there... don't get me wrong, I like the reprint cover (it is Gil Kane's work, after all), but the original is way better in my book!

Here's a rarity... when Amazing Spider-Man #140 was reprinted in Marvel Tales #117, the coloring actually got more subtle! Oh, it's also slightly reduced, too.

Next, Incredible Hulk #104 and the reprint in Marvel Super-Heroes #58! It's been reduced slightly, and the blurb's been entirely redone, plus a balloon was added for the Rhino.

Here's FF #114 and the reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #94 -- it's been enlarged slightly, plus I believe the Pogo Plane was slightly rotated (requiring Mr. Fantastic's arms to be altered as well).

Next, X-Men #13 and the reprint in #67 -- As we've seen before, the X-Men uniforms tended to be drawn wrong on the reprint new covers... whereas the yellow on the uniform tops is more of a wide stripe going down, on the reprint covers it's drawn as more of a sleeveless T-shirt! As you can see, the Angel was considered to be the breakout character on the original cover!

And that brings us to Amazing Spider-Man #54 and the reprint in Marvel Tales #39... yes, it's another cover that's completely redone... although the new cover doesn't have nearly the impact as the original, even though the original cover had no real action at all!

Cliffhanger! Flash Gordon, Chapters 4-6!

2013-04-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Comic Reading Library: Nightmare #16

2013-04-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Dog of the Geek: Slinky Dog!

2013-04-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Breed: Dachshund

Original Appearances: (Original) James Industries, 1950s. (Character) Toy Story, Disney/Pixar 1995

Other Appearances: Various Toy Story merchandise, plus the Toy Story sequels and shorts.

Biography: Possibly one of the oldest of Andy's toys (so far as how long he'd had him), Slinky Dog likes playing checkers with Woody, being very loyal to him. He's one of the only toys who doesn't make fun of Woody when Buzz Lightyear arrives, and believes Woody when he says he accidentally knocked Buzz out of the window. His loyalty to Woody continues through the first film, and nearly sacrifices himself helping to rescue Woody and Buzz on a moving truck. In Toy Story 2, he joins Buzz, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head and Rex on a mission to rescue Woody from Al McWhiggin of Al's Toy Barn. In Toy Story 3, his role is reduced – at Sunnyside Daycare, he's constantly tangled by the young children, and is the happiest toy to see Woody return. He eventually is donated to Bonnie along with the rest of Andy's toys.

Powers: Stretching, naturally!

Group Affiliation: Andy's Toys

Miscellaneous: Slinky Toy was slightly redesigned by Pixar artists for Toy Story, with James Industries' permission, to make him more appealing as an animated character.