Follow the Leader Episode 135: "Car Tunes"...

Redartz:  Hi gang! Hope you've had a good week, and are ready for another go at "Follow the Leader". I've been a bit 'under the weather' this week, so I'll be brief today. Big, bronze age Thanks to whoever (whomever?) our first commenter with a topic turns out to be. Carry on!

Follow the Leader Episode 134: Musical Memories and Clever Cover Versions...

Redartz:  Ah, hello again! We have  made it once again to Tuesday, which means we reset the discuss-o-meter and start the chat anew. The BitBA crowd assembled awaits the brave soul who steps forward and reveals the subject! Will you be the one?

And what has your humble host been up to?  It's been a fairly ordinary week, actually. Just a couple minor thoughts:

Sunday my wife and I were out running some errands, and had Sirius XM on the radio. Specifically, the "70's at 7" channel. They were running a broadcast of Casey Kasem's "American Top 40", for the week of July 20 1974. I was reminded why that particular year has always been a favorite for me (in comics, as well as musically). Gordon Lightfoot, Elton John, Anne Murray, Blue Magic, Golden Earring, and so many more- that week was an avalanche of classic pop music. No wonder young Redartz was glued to the radio during those weekly countdowns...

Then yesterday, I scanned another comic onto the tablet (ahead of a planned ebay sale). Detective Comics 388, with a rather odd Joker / moon cover. But the highlight was the Batgirl backup story with some nice art by Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson. Anderson's inks were quite flattering to Gil's pencilwork. A nice little visual treat.

Well, now you have the weekly update. So what's on your minds?

Follow the Leader Episode 133: Covering Covers...

Redartz: Greetings, gang! Here we are, halfway through another month. And, being Tuesday, it's time for a Follow the Leader. As always, the first commenter popping in gets the prize of naming the subject! And once again, I've got an extra topic to add to the mix.

Granted, it's a topic we've covered before, but it's always a fun one. Over the weekend I've been scanning some more favorite comic covers onto my tablet. You know, sometimes you don't feel like reading a whole book- you just want to feast your eyes upon some fine comics design. So, I am assembling a 'hall of fame' gallery of favorites to look over anytime, anywhere. And so, as you probably guessed, the topic added to the discussion this week is Favorite Covers! From any time, any company, any genre. Just covers you can admire time and time again. As a Tuesday treat, here's some of the favorites I added in last night. May they inspire you to think of your choices; and don't forget to name a topic for all the Leader's Followers. After all, I don't want to hog the discussion!

Extra bonus: Three gorgeous gems from the past. True works of art, each  one...

Follow the Leader Episode 132: Star Trekking...

Redartz:  Happy Tuesday everyone! It's been a very busy Fourth of July weekend, so I haven't had a chance to devise a 'head start' topic today. So I'm counting on you all; give us all a subject upon which to opine!

Follow the Leader Episode 131: "Independents Day Revisited, and..."

Redartz:  Hello fellow Bronze Age Beneficiaries!  The hour and the day have again arrived, the time is ripe for another Topic of Discussion! I just know you've been cogitating all week in order to submit the perfect post, so I'll only delay things a moment.

In several past years, the occasion of the Fourth of July (Independence Day in the USA) has prompted us here at BitBA to give a nod to the alternative publishers (not Marvel, DC, Archie or Charlton). So this week, I'd like to hear your thoughts about Pacific, Dark Horse, First, Comico, Aardvark Vanaheim, and all the rest. In addition, of course, to your ever-exciting named topic! 
I'll start off with a little tidbit: some months back I was thrilled to discover a collected volume of Arn Saba's "Neil the Horse" now available. This was one of my favorite indies back in the 80's, and unfortunately was fairly short-lived. Saba, now Katherine Collins, presented the strip in several formats in the late 70's and early 80's before finally putting Neil out in his own title. In her intro /closing comments in the book, Collins offers the potential for some new Neil comics in the near future. I hope she finds a venue; I await breathlessly...

 

Follow the Leader Episode 130: Those Summer Annuals (and John Byrne)

Redartz:  Hi gang! Tuesday's here, so you know what that means. Yes, it's time for you to step up and offer a subject for all us Bronzers to banter about. Aaaaand, it also means I've got another extra quickie topic for you. 

This week I've been reading the first 20 or so issues of John Byrne's "Alpha Flight". First time I have perused these since they were published over thirty years ago (30 years? Unbelievable). These were among the last comics I would have bought before my several-year departure from comics. So they are mostly new to me, although some vaguely familiar bits stand out. Anyway, the series is great- excellent stories, and some of Byrne's best artwork. So my question is simply: discuss John Byrne. Love his stuff? Hate it? Ever met him? Would you want to? Share your thoughts about Byrne while you work up a Topic For The Week. Salud!

Follow the Leader Episode 129: Sandwiches and Second Impressions...

Redartz:  Hello folks! Another week is underway, one which began here in the US with Father's Day, so I hope all you Bronze age dads out there had a fine one. Mine included a visit with my youngest grandson, so it was a good day indeed.

And now, we turn to our topic of the week. Or more precisely, we turn to you for the topic. So, stretch that imagination, pique that curiosity, and plumb the depths of your mind for the seed of a topic which can grow into a tree of discussion! And let's hear it for mixing those metaphors...