Panel Discussion: Spotlight on Steve Gerber!

 

Redartz:  Usually when we open these 'panel discussions', we are talking about art and artists. Today we're going to look instead at one of the Bronze Age's most unique writers: Steve Gerber. Most readers know him from his extensive work for Marvel, but he also did work for DC and some Indies as well. He even had a second career life in tv animation, including the creation of "Thundarr, the Barbarian". 

 Gerber's writing style was often esoteric, quirky, and deeply personal. This was one of the things which attracted me to his work; beginning with his classic writing on Marvel's "Man-Thing". About the same time (this was actually the time at which I first started collecting comics and was eagerly sampling anything in four color print) I discovered his "Defenders" and "Daredevil", and he became one of my top favorite writers. 

When Gerber wrote a comic, it was jam-packed. It was sure to be a good half hour read, at any rate. Frequently he included text pages in his stories, which probably was a break for the artists. 

And the characters he revived or created: Howard the Duck, the Foolkiller, the Headmen, Omega the Unknown, Starhawk, and a certain infamous Elf With a Gun. The same young teen who loved
Dr. Demento on the radio was enthralled by such oddities. I mentioned above Gerber's penchant for introspection; it was this tendency that made "Omega" so appealing to me. And the same was true for another of Gerber's psychological studies, "The Kid's Night  Out" in Giant Size Man-Thing 4. Gerber seemed at the time to be writing specifically to me (yes, I was a hopeless nerd, but a harmless one). 

 

 

 

 

And aside from weirdness and navel-contemplation, Gerber could write some darned fine stories. His "Night of the Living Dead" was excellent. His "Phantom Zone" miniseries for DC was quite interesting. And we haven't even touched on "Howard the Duck" or "Guardians of the Galaxy".

 

 

 

 

 

So here's a few more images from 'Gerber's Greatest Hits'.  While you pore over them, you can consider your own thoughts about the man and his work. Were you a fan? Gerber's work didn't appeal to everyone, granted. If you were, what were your favorites? What titles would  you have liked to see him tackle? Which artists seemed to mesh best with his unique vision? Comment away...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adventures in Comics: A Virtual Flea Market Excursion!

Redartz:  Hello all; glad you could make it. Today we're doing something a little bit different. Many times, in the course of our dialogues, I've noted a fondness for visiting flea markets. That hasn't changed with the pandemic; since some have opened up (with social distancing and masks required), my wife and I have toured several. Now probably most of you have experienced a flea market or two. But for the benefit of those who may not have been 'flea-ing', and for those who have but miss the fun do to pandemic restrictions, we present a 'virtual flea market'. More accurately, you get a play-by-play with scenes from today's market visit. Everyone masked up? Okay, let's see what we can find. 

As we enter the place, we take a brief look around to get the lay of the place. For indoor markets, we usually go down each aisle checking out both sides at once. This is a fairly good-sized building, and features a cafe in the back ( unfortunately we already ate). 

Incidentally,  as we go through we will skip over many booths; those offering 'new' items, discount tables, clothing and the like. Also it's advisable not to buy groceries at flea markets (at least, we never do). We are looking for collectibles, music, antiques, pop culture items; and , well, anything unusual. The first thing that grabs our notice is a booth with some superhero figures and other miscellaneous toys. The Iron Man is pretty cool, but I'm not really looking for figures today, so it's a pass. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We go on a little way and find a dealer with a bunch of books. Among them is a shelf of vintage Dr. Suess hardbacks; just like the ones I (and probably many of you ) learned to read with. In particular, that "Dr. Suess' ABC's" was one of my childhood favorites. A sentimental temptation, but not today. We move on...

 

 

 

A few booths later, we encounter a table with numerous Star Wars memorabilia. Figures older and newer, some books, posters, and miscellany. Probably would catch the eye of some among us!

 

 

 

 

A bit further, as we round the end of the aisle and start back in the other direction, we come to a booth with a wide variety of glassware. The Coke glasses get my notice, especially the nice holiday-themed ones on the right. On another shelf is a line of Mason jars; a very common antique in the US Midwest (countless families used them for home canning and preserves).

 

 

 

About halfway down the aisle is a big booth with loads of vinyl lp's! We always go through such stacks, as we have a couple family members who are big vinyl collectors. Also, I've been known to pick up the occasional album to convert on my computer, if the price is right. Most flea markets have LOADS of vinyl available, albeit much of it pretty worn. Today however, I find one to take home. Yes, the first purchase: a nice copy of John Barry's soundtrack to "From Russia With Love". And yes, the price is indeed right.

 

We find another interesting LP, this one of the inauguration of President Richard Nixon. Not sure why someone would want

a recording of an inauguration anyway, but it's a notable bit of history. A good example of  "you never know what you might find'..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We move on. On the next aisle one single booth has a couple things that draw us in. One is an attractive old bicycle; a bit beat up but still pretty nice. Sharp color, too. And right behind it is a basket full to overflowing with dolls. One of which, from it's appearance , is none to happy about being there...

 

 

 

Turning another corner and starting down the right side, we see one of those "never seen one of these before" things. Our family closely followed all the Apollo space missions, and had plenty of moon memorabilia. Yet we never had a Command Module Cookie Jar! Any of you ever see one of these?

 

 

 

After a few more unremarkable dealers and craft tables, we arrive at a booth selling cds, dvds and vcr tapes. As with vinyl, I'm always on the lookout for cd's of interest. Both of these were considered: Julee Cruise singing for Angelo Badalamente (from Twin Peaks), and Meco (of 'disco Star Wars' fame) doing an instrumental collage album. The Julie Cruise disc becomes the second item in our purchase cart.

 

 

A brief observation at this point: it's a bit disappointing that we've so far seen no comic books whatsoever. However, we do find some toilet tissue...

 

 

 

 

 

Well, we're nearing the end of the flea market. One more aisle to go, and here's a promising booth with lots of paper memorabila. First we notice this; anyone else remember S&H Green Stamps?

And did you folks in the UK ever have anything of the sort: trading stamps; given away at grocery stores 'back in the old days'. You'd save the stamps in a booklet until you accumulated enough to trade them in for a toaster or some such prize. My Mom had a drawer full of these things.

And as we turn around, we finally find a few stacks of comic books! My patient wife goes on ahead to look while I rifle through the boxes. Most of them very recent stock, and little of interest to this collector.

 

 

However, one book is worth a look (a look, not a purchase). "Zody the Mod Rob"? Man, you just had to love the 60's!

And with that booth, we come to the conclusion of our flea market. Up to the counter we go, coughing up the funds for the pair of musical items we chose. Then it's back out to the car, and finally off with the mask. Hope you found this 'visit' a bit amusing. Even on those occasions when we don't actually buy anything, we find these flea markets fun to walk through. Sort of like a mini-museum. Any thoughts on anything we've seen today? Any comments on markets you've been to, and oddities you've found? Share on...

Off the Bookshelf: Don't Panic, It's the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!

 

 

Redartz: One of the greatest Christmas gifts I received in the 80's was a copy of a book called "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". I'd heard of it, but knew nothing about it. I was working as a delivery driver at the time, and had numerous free stretches of time available during my workday, so I took it along to read. I'd read some funny books, even some quite humorous ones. But this tome, within just the first few pages, was the first book EVER to literally make me laugh out loud while reading. People walking nearby probably figured I was off my gourd. They may have been correct, Douglas Adams put me right into space with his brilliant hilarity.

 It didn't take long to tear through the first book, and it was impossible to resist acquiring the follow up volumes. I must say, this is one of the lengthiest trilogies ever (as Adams himself was to observe). My workday companions , for several months, were Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox and the whole crazed cast of characters. Each succeeding book was great fun, although admittedly my favorite remains the first one. Years later I introduced my wife to the "Guide", coincidentally reading to her while again residing within a motor vehicle ( at that time, we commuted to work together, so while one of  us drove, the other read from the book). Maybe there's something about the Guide that lends itself to travel. And no, we didn't bring out towels (if you haven't read any of these books, you probably won't get the reference; suffice it to say that if you ever travel in space, bring a towel: there's plenty of good reasons why). 

The "Hitchhiker's Guide" was adapted originally from a radio series, and was later adapted for television as well as a stage play. Oddly I've never seen any of these alternatives, nor heard the audio books (although the one narrated by Douglas Adams himself would be sorely tempting to try). I did, however, have the great pleasure of meeting Adams in person at a lecture/book signing (in the company of none other than Ray Bradbury, what a night that was). Experiencing his wit in person was a treat. Sadly it wasn't long after that before he passed tragically away. Yet his writing remains, and others have carried on the "Guide" series in his wake. As yet I've not read any of these, but will be doing so in the near future thanks to the collected volume my wondrous wife gave me. Will they effectively continue Adams' imagination? Perhaps some of you can help. Have you read any of the books, or seen the shows (or read the comic, another version which surprisingly I neglected)? What were your impressions? Favorite characters (mine was Marvin, the perennially depressed robot)?  This week it's Anything Goes regarding the Hitchhiker's Guide, it's creator, cast, and legacy. 

Oh, and if by chance a gigantic spaceship should appear with the purpose of constructing an interplanetary bypass, be sure to grab that towel...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.V. Guided: Animated Advertising Animals (and Other Commercial Creatures)

Redartz: Hey gang, we get a double category topic today. Anyone who watched Saturday morning or after school tv (or really, any tv) in the 60's, 70's or 80's will likely recognize some of these characters. Advertisers of the era seemed to rely heavily on the appeal of animated characters to sell products to all us impressionable kids. It must have worked, because the practice was ubiquitous. Paricularly in cereal and candy advertising, animated characters filled the commercial breaks in those great Saturday morning shows. It makes sense, you should have Count Chocula on screen prompting you to get up and pour another bowl to get through the next show!

How many of these do you remember?









Poppin' Fresh, the Pillsbury Dough Boy:  He always seemed to 'pop up' on those Peanuts holiday specials, and was on nightly in prime time. He was so 'pop'ular that they made a series of rubber dolls of him and his family.




















Tony the Tiger:  The great Thurl Ravencroft gave voice to him for many years, way back to when they were advertised as "Sugar Frosted Flakes".



























Lucky, the Lucky Charms Leprechaun: He still can be seen frolicking across the television landscape trying vainly to protect his stash of Hearts, Moons, Stars and Clovers.










Milton the Toaster:  Spokes- appliance for Kellogg's Pop Tarts. Do they still even make the 'plain' ones without frosting?

Sonny the Cuckoo Bird:  Seen for decades in a strangely obsessive pursuit of Cocoa Puffs, which apparently put him into one heck of a sugar high.

















Wallace the Waffle Whiffer:  Sort of kin to the Cuckoo Bird, Wallace had a thing for Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles. Or at least their smell...

















Quisp:  This small propeller-headded alien, along with his rival Quake, starred in countless commercials from the brilliant Jay Ward studios (who gave us Rocky and Bullwinkle, and George of the Jungle). Quisp lasted quite a lot longer than Quake did. I can still hear his voice...

The Quik Bunny:  Whether chocolate or strawberry, if you drank Nestle's Quik you knew the Bunny. And apparently the Bunny knew Superman...





















The Michelin Man:  Friendly fellow made, it seemed, from pneumatics. If you ever watched tv sports in the 70's you surely saw him. He certainly appealed to me, but I was not really in the  market for tires at age 12.













The Hydrox "Drox":  HB, this one's for you. Everyone knows Oreos, but Sunshine Hydrox was available also; if much less familiar. Maybe that's why they came up with this smiling glob of cream filling, to invite hungry kids to indulge in Drox devouring...

The Hamm's Beer Bear:  Another case of odd advertising. Not too many kids were imbibing Hamm's, but many were attracted to the mischievous bear in his scenic mountainous commercials.





















Bud Man:   Another character pushing the suds. He seemed to show up all over the place on Saturday Sports shows, and on gas station walls.

















 Kool-Aid Man:  Refreshing thirsty kids everywhere, while wrecking the walls of countless homes and buildings. Oh yeahhhh....

 Loveable Truly, the Alpha Bits Postman:  The younger among you may not recall him, but he delivered the message to eat up those bowls of Post Cereal through the 60's into the early 70's. He actually appeared in a full-length Saturday morning cartoon series:  "Linus the Lionhearted", along with a cast comprised of all the Post cereal characters. Wasn't long after that the FCC put a stop to such things.

 






Hope you recall these ; and also hope you remember some others that aren't presented here. If so, by all means, share your thoughts with the BitBA assembled.