Follow the Leader Episode 147: Cinematic Creepouts!

Redartz: Hello all; the Leader's back again this week and he's looking for a topic! We certainly don't want to disappoint him, so I'll throw open the doors and await the first brave soul to start the discussion. Cheers (oh, and Happy Halloween)!

Pulled From the Pack: Classic Toys Cards!

Redartz:  Hello folks; surprise! We interrupt our usual "Follow the Leader" with a look at some titanic trading cards and the toys they depict. A good friend of mine chanced upon these cards recently and brought them to my attention. After ogling all the fabulous vintage toys featured on them, it was  apparent that  I'd need to share them with you. 

The set is called "Classic Toys Trading Cards", and they were printed in 1993. Beyond that I have no information about them; perhaps someone among you will know more.  The cards' backs contain a brief description of the item, along with a then-current value for the toy. This makes me think that they were affiliated with a price guide magazine of some sort. The toys depicted represent a nice assortment from the 50's to the 70's. I had a few of them (View Masters, Matchbox cars, Spirograph, and that Beany and Cecil Jack-in-the-box) and would have liked quite a few more. 

Have any of you encountered these cards before? Do they bring back any memories of forgotten toys? Which did you have, and which would you have wanted? And what toys do you think should have been included in this set which, apparently, were not? Let's talk toys this week...

Follow the Leader Episode 146: Memory Triggering Comics, and Lots More Questions!

Redartz:  Good day, Bronze agers everywhere! Are you ready for another team-up topic situation? I've got one, and you get to name one too. It's a winner all around...

Here's mine: this past weekend, we (my ever-faithful wife and I) hit another flea market. At this particular market, I was fortunate enough to find a book that's eluded me for some timeL Not Brand Ecch 13, the final issue. You may ask, what's so noteworthy about that book? Well, it's one that I specifically remember having in my childhood; and more, have a particular memory attached to reading it. My father was a doctor, and would sometimes take us kids along to wait while he did his 'rounds' in the hospital. On one such occasion I sat in the back seat of the family car reading that issue of "Brecch".It helped that this issue was a 25 cent Giant; it took longer to read it and kept this restless 8 year old occupied for the whole time...

Long story made short: while I'm generally selling off my collection, I'm concurrently acquiring such particular books that reside in my fond youth. So, the question: is there a comic or comics that hold a special memory trigger for you; not necessarily your first or most important comic, but one that is linked in your mind vividly?  I know we've touched on this topic before, but it's always a fun trail to follow. 

There it is. It's back to you again. Bet you can come up with a more original topic than I did !

Follow the Leader Episode 145: Rereading Rethinkings, and Autumnal Offerings!

Redartz:  Ah, October. My favorite month of the year. From Halloween to cooler weather to the spectacular display of nature's colors in the trees, Fall has a lot to offer. Add in the new television season, baseball playoffs and the Simpson's "Treehouse of Horror", and you can see why October ignites my enthusiasm. 

Bet you know where this is going. What features of fall do you enjoy most? Perhaps there was a particularly memorable fall tv season for you (Fall 1970 was a good one for youthful Redartz). Maybe its the ubiquitous candy corn. Whatever it may be, share your Autumn attractions. 

And, by all means, if you have a topic to throw out today, bring it on! Everybody loves a two-for-one deal...

Follow the Leader Episode 144: Impulse Buys and Disney- Animated vs. Print!

Redartz:   Hello all; Tuesday is back, and so is the Leader. And you know what that means: he (and we) are awaiting a topic upon which to expound. So open up your minds and memories, and send us a subject!

While you're cogitating about that, here's another little 'BitBA Bonus Topic' for you. While on vacation last week, my wife and I indulged our fondness for flea market safaris. We hit five antique malls and flea markets over the course of our trip, and saw many intriguing things; but not many that convinced us to open our wallets. Until,that is, our last stop. This particular flea market had a small booth with several dozen old comics; by old I mean Golden Age to early Silver age. All the books were marked with pretty much the same price, about 25 US Dollars each. What struck me about them was that they were mostly in pretty nice condition; better than one usually encounters at a flea market booth. Given the age and condition of the comics, I was tempted to grab several; but my finances wouldn't cooperate. I did pick out one book, a sharp copy of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories from 1948 (featuring a Carl Barks Donald Duck story, and a cover by the great Walt Kelly).

It instantly became the oldest book in my collection! Anyway, to my question. I don't usually make such impulsive purchases, but this one pulled me in. So, I ask you: Are you prone to make an occasional impulsive comics buy? What kind of book would make you pull out your money and fork it over, despite a twinge of guilt? And what is the most you would (or have) paid for a comic? Okay, so there's actually three bonus questions today. Hey, we're pretty open minded around here...

Follow the Leader Episode 143: The Imbibing of Hot Liquids...

Redartz:  Good day, folks! This edition of "Follow the Leader" finds your humble host traveling, so the onus (and honor) is yours to bring into existence a subject for the week! The BitBA assembled awaits the first noble commenter to put forward a titanic topic. Soooooo, take it away. Fear not, I'll be checking in...

Follow the Leader Episode 142: Musical Views and Tattoos...

Redartz:  Happy Tuesday, everyone! The week is (fairly) new, the lines are open, and the options available to you are limitless! Okay, perhaps a few limits, but you get the idea. What element of Bronze age life are you eager to discuss? There was quite a bit going on during the 70's and 80's, so those limits we spoke of are pretty loose...

And, for the sake of pump priming, I'll toss out another "Follow the Leader" extra bonus topic. The back story:

This past week, I decided to treat myself to a tablet upgrade (selling all these comics should have a reward or two, after all). In the course of transferring my files,  images and music, a glitch occurred: all my playlists vanished into the ether. Therefore, every couple of days I reassemble another playlist from the voluminous mass of tunes on my computer. It's fun work, but still work; and leaves me a bit bleary eyed from scrolling. So, to the question: how do you enjoy organizing your music? What kinds of playlists do you put together? Do you simply stream, or do you take a more active hand? Do you go with genres (rock, classical, jazz, or whatever)? Or do you get more specific (say, all songs from a given year)? And what thoughts do you have regarding the ready availability of all that classic vintage music? 

Okay, the table is set: one pre-set question and another impending topic. Let the discussion begin!