Redartz: One thing every collector (of comics, ballcards, antiques, or whatever) loves to do is talk about the finds they have made, the purchases they have indulged in while on the hunt. We here have certainly done so, on several occasions. Well today, we'll talk about things we saw but chose to pass on. Anyone familiar with us here at BitBA knows I love a good flea market excursion. Like an Indiana Jones treasure expedition, but without the snakes and gunfire. You truly never know what you'll see at these events. Many things you'd love to take home, others you wouldn't be caught dead with. Here are a few things that caught my attention recently:
Love this Archies LP; but condition of the vinyl was a factor in passing it up. Nonetheless, I was tempted to buy it just for the cover. Had to photograph it, at the very least...
Not really sure what this is, or why Santa is standing still for it. But after being somewhat creeped out by it, I had to get a shot of it. Although I wouldn't put this pink...whatever...in my living room, the Blackhawk poster behind it might be a different matter.
Speaking of movie posters, this one is great. Very odd; perhaps if I'd had some of that Fabulous Treasure I would have been able to take this one home....
Werewolf delivery man? I don't know, but this 6 foot tall nightmare totally dominated this corner of the room he dwelt in. I'll be seeing him in my nightmares from now until doomsday.
Another stop by a vinyl lp booth, rifling through the covers revealed this toothsome group. Hootenany, anyone?
Fear not; the flea market trip wasn't a washout at all. I took home several nice CD's, and a small stack of comics, including a cool 1961 Strange Tales (rough shape, but a fun pre-Marvel monster cover). But sometimes there's fun in what you skip. Have you any tales of oddities found 'on the hunt'? bbb
Redartz: Greetings! As another occasional departure from our usual "Follow the Leader" tradition, we have a topic today prompted by some discussions I've recently read on Facebook.Also inspired by a current project at our house: going through boxes of photos and negatives, scanning and sorting all those images. Seeing some of those photos for the first time in 40+years helped trigger this flashback. Specifically, it's one of those "a favorite book and how I got it" stories.
The book is Amazing Spider-Man 146, and the story takes us back to April 1975. It was a school day, but it was to be a short day: we were starting Spring break at our middle school, and they were letting us out after lunch. Actually, after a lunchtime presentation in the auditorium, wherein a local magician was performing to the accompaniment of then-current pop music. Additionally, it was also the day that our local comics shop got the new books in. So it was a red-letter day all around!
Anyway, after the program ended, my comic collecting buddy and I left the school: with Earth, Wind and Fire still ringing in our ears. We were determined to walk downtown to the the comic shop and see what was in. Walk, because the school buses didn't run to that location; besides it was a fine, warm Spring day. So walk we did, about a mile and a half, past the graveyard, past the park, over the river, and downtown to our destination.
Our rather small town was blessed with the existence of a comic book store; an uncommon thing back then. My pal and I were there each week, religiously. And this week held a bonus: my favorite title was in, Amazing Spider-Man. Grabbing a copy, I opened it up to find another surprise: this issue had inks by John Romita Sr.! I liked Ross Andru's version fine, but Romita was always my favorite. So it was great to see him inking Andru this issue, giving the book that classic Romita polish.
Then there was the story. Continuing the Scorpion story from issue 145 , and the Gwen Stacy return; plus an appearance by the Jackal! Top all this off with a dramatic Romita cover (what kind of creep is Scorpion anyway, threatening a helpless old lady in a hospital bed?), and you have a real winner. So waiting to read it was impossible. My buddy lived a short distance from there, so while walking to his house, I eagerly read the comic (and somehow managed to avoid walking off a curb or into a tree). Ah, to be 14, out of school for a week, in the sunshine, and carrying a beloved comic- doesn't get much better than that. And there you have it, many thanks to you all for patiently allowing a bit of reminisce today. Feel free to comment about this issue, or about any such special comic /day you might recall!
Redartz: Hello Bronze Agers (and everyone else; we're inclusive here)! This year is rapidly winding down, but we have one more chance to Follow the Leader in 2019. While replacing your calendar, pouring some celebratory beverage and making resolutions, perhaps you can take a moment to toss out a topic. Or a greeting, or a memory, or even just an impression, However you spend your day and evening, may you have a healthy and happy New Year. Oh, and you might start practicing your Charleston; the Roaring 20's are about to start...
Redartz: 'Tis Christmas Eve. Whoever you are , wherever you are, may all the blessings of the season be yours. Thanks for being a part of our little Bronze Age 'family'!
Young redartz, from the year 1969, wishing you all "peace". May the spirit of Christmas bring out a bit of the innocence, the kindness, and the idealism we had as children; and may that spirit carry us into the new year and beyond.
Redartz: Season's greetings, one and all! For a bit of a holiday indulgence, today we've pulled the ol' Retro Metro out of the garage for a trip back to the middle of December, 1976. Just to get a taste of the festive excitement and cultural diversion we all enjoyed waaaay back then...
First off, here's a look at the popular music that might have been playing while we eagerly scoured the Sears Wishbook for Christmas treasures . But to be honest, at that time I wasn't actually wishbooking, I was going out on my very first date (yes, with an actual girl; took her to see "2001: A Space Odyssey" at the local cinema; might explain why I never got a second date with her).
Popular on the US Billboard charts: "Tonight's the Night" by Rod Stewart "The Rubberband Man" by The Spinners "Muskrat Love" by The Captain and Tennille "More Than a Feeling" by Boston "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John
Apparently the impact of the holiday season on the US pop charts in 76 was minimal. Although, the Captain and Tennille hosted a televised Christmas variety special , joined on the schedule by Bing Crosby's White Christmas Special and Perry Como's Christmas in Austria. Meanwhile, across the big pond... High on the UK Music charts: "Under the Moon of Love" by Showaddywaddy "When a Child is Born" by Johnny Mathis "Somebody to Love" by Queen "Portsmouth" by Mike Oldfield "Bionic Santa" by Chris Hill
At least in the UK there was some holiday spirit represented on the audio airwaves. Johnny Mathis for the traditional types. And "Bionic Santa" for the more contemporary. I'd never heard of this, and had to investigate. So here it is...
Quite amusing; much like the 'break in' comedy records of Dickie Goodman that chuckled up the pop charts in the early to mid 70's.
Of course the Christmas season was well in evidence on the television airwaves by mid-December. 1976 saw the debut "Rudolph''s Shiny New Year", a sort of sequel to the classic 1964 Rankin/Bass "Rudolph".
If you were scanning the channels during those wintry weeks, you also might have caught Frosty the Snowman, and the Grinch.
You just gotta love Jimmy Durante belting one out in the snow!
And everyone knows that you don't get to watch all that tv wonderment without paying the price in commercial advertising. So here are several such ads that would have been running back then. How could anyone ever forget the Norelco Santa riding his shaver?
Ronald McDonald gets into the holiday act, along with a few friends...
Next up, a familiar tune from the folks at Coca Cola...
And finally, for all those who invited 'Andre for the holidays'...
Meanwhile, down the street at the local magazine vendor, the spinner racks were full of four color holiday fun. Archie and the 'kid' books were more winter themed, but Marvel certainly had some spirit. Always loved that Spider-Man cover. Incidentally, DC was kind of sparse with the Christmas covers this season...
And there you have it, folks: Hope this evoked a few fond memories for those of us who were around at the time. I also hope you share some of those memories, thoughts, impressions, good feelings and bad jokes. From your friends at BitBA to all of you, the very best of wishes for the holidays and the year to come!
Redartz; Hello again, gang! Still busily working on a special post for next Tuesday (and trying to get a visiting grandchild down to bedtime), so my introductory comments today will be brief . Laurels, fame and fortune await the first commenter to provide us a topic for the week (okay, maybe just a hearty "thank you"). The stage is yours; and be sure to stop by next Tuesday...
Redartz: Okay, gang, your humble host is hard at work on a special upcoming post, so you know what that means. Yes, the Leader is awaiting your topic suggestions; as are we all! Fire away, and stay tuned....
