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!

Follow the Leader Episode 141: Kids, Comics and the Code; and Reprints!

Redartz:  Greetings, folks! Here we go again; a team-up twofer with your questions and mine. As always, your question comes from the fortunate first commenter with a topic suggestion. Mine comes from the past week's doings. 

Specifically, reprints. As noted previously on this blog, I've been gradually reducing the size of my comic collection. Generally I sell a book after I have it in another form from which to read it; for example an Omnibus or a tpb collection. Well, this week DC came out with another of their "facsimile" editions, specifically Batman 181 (first appearance of Poison Ivy). These facsimile editions are rather cool: truly identical to the original comic, even including all the original ads; and printed on something close to newsprint. Only difference is the price (4.99 as opposed to 12 cents), and the appearance of a UPC on the front cover. So, I picked up a copy to have the story, with the intention of selling my original. Incidentally, I compared the original with the reprint page by page; and they got it right. 

Hence, my question: what are your favorite reprint formats? Nowadays the options are plentiful. So what formats most appeal to you? Ponder upon this, as you devise your topic for our weekly chat...

Follow the Leader Episode 140: Artistic Prequels and Monty Pythons!

Redartz:  Hello everyone; ready for another round of "Follow the Leader"? I'm already looking forward to the fine conversation which your impending topic suggestions will create. But in the meantime, here's a little something to mentally chew over: 

This past weekend I picked up (at one of those wonderful flea markets, of course) a copy of Marvel Super Heroes 14: the one that featured a special Spider-man story with art by Ross Andru and inks by Bill Everett. This was early 1968, quite a few years before Andru became a regular Spidey illustrator. Indeed, at that time Andru was still drawing Superman over at DC! Looking over the story, it definitely showed touches of the style that would become so familiar in the mid 70's. So it got me thinking, what other examples are there of artists who got an early taste of a character and only later became closely identified with them? Perhaps you can chime in on this too...

Follow the Leader Episode 139: Quotable Quotations...

Redartz:  Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday's here; let's all give a rousing cheer! For all our friends from far and near, now set a topic without peer!

Pardon the hyperbolic prose, if you will. Life , the universe, and everything else (apologies to Douglass Adams) sometimes frazzle the mind. You know how it goes, don't you? Aaaaaaanyway, as I type this evening, the dog wants to play ball, and she's mighty persistent. She dearly loves her "small ball", a humble rubber ball about 1 1/2 " in diameter. More specifically, she loves to catch it on the fly. Which means, of course, that someone must throw it. That being me; and she doesn't seem concerned that I'm trying to set the stage for some bountiful banter. Therefore, I (and "Dynah") thank you for stepping up and offering a topic for the week. Oh, and if you're a dog parent too, give your 'fur baby' a pat for me...

Follow the Leader Episode 138: "Everything Archie", and Definitive Artists!

Redartz: Greetings to one and all!  Today I'm using my role as host to hijack the "Follow the Leader" (not to worry, it's a friendly hijacking). For some reason, this week I've been on an Archie kick, and so it seemed natural to throw a bone to all the other fans of the residents of Riverdale. But in the spirit of "Follow the Leader", let's keep it open- anything Archie-related is fair game. So, the tv cartoons, the comics, old or new; toys, music, whatever. And to set the tone, here's an array of some Archie Comics covers from all eras. Hope you enjoy...

Follow the Leader Episode 137: Summer: The Best and Worst of It!

Redartz:  Greetings, gang! Another Tuesday means it's time to grab a spot at the BitBA roundtable and fire up some fine discussion. The subject is open; and the stage is yours!

On my end, it's been a pretty typical week. Working, sometimes not working, and continuing the gradual selloff of comics. It's a slow process, especially as I continue to pick up the occasional book or stack here and there. Nonetheless, the general trend is towards a reduction in the total (with, admittedly, a corresponding increase in tpb's), I'll probably never part with all those old newsprint treasures, but plan to get it down to a modest, manageable number. 

Sooo, that's about my story for now. What's up with you, and what's up for discussion?

Follow the Leader Episode 136: The Black Widow ( and Other Spies as Well)

Redartz: Ah, the first "Leader" of August. The year just keeps rolling along, doesn't it? 

Well, hope you don't mind if I lead off with a comment or two about what's been up on this end. Since I was down recuperating, my wife and I have been binging on espionage-themed entertainment. From streaming "Jack Ryan" to watching an old "Cool McCool" cartoon on YouTube, we've been indulging in the spies. And, we're still working our way through all the James Bond films, in order (currently up to "The Man With the Golden Gun".  That said, you can probably guess what's coming. 

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: in addition to thinking up a topic for the week, you all can ponder upon your favorite spies in tv, film and comics. This blog, hopefully, will Not self-destruct in five seconds...