tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40722029197377274962024-03-05T11:56:11.725-06:00Back In the Bronze AgeDiscussion of all things relating to popular culture in the 1970's and 1980's, with a fond emphasis on comics.Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger733125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-86574182439016195052021-11-02T05:00:00.343-05:002021-11-02T05:00:00.196-05:00"And That's the Way it Was..."<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEsQtx2yVxs9g9airORrUiID5eMEX6-pyXnC7uUWRWxyH18HBt7cm8AYbmmLjDYITvRdobgjeLSsyMdCBtnxsu2rpZCMnOuZlFre5viGQn6LqKI5X4HjT6_Iyy69BqMxvp4WXpWi1GupH3Qp9zuSAeQzAGfzRbY-kjQas99sHsuqosPguK0kV8ounPIA=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEsQtx2yVxs9g9airORrUiID5eMEX6-pyXnC7uUWRWxyH18HBt7cm8AYbmmLjDYITvRdobgjeLSsyMdCBtnxsu2rpZCMnOuZlFre5viGQn6LqKI5X4HjT6_Iyy69BqMxvp4WXpWi1GupH3Qp9zuSAeQzAGfzRbY-kjQas99sHsuqosPguK0kV8ounPIA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Time is a strange phenomenon. Five years can be a very short time; it may also be a rather long time. In five years you can start college and graduate. You can, possibly, witness three different US Presidential administrations. You can buy and read 60 issues of a monthly comic book, assuming you don't miss one here or there. You can also have a lot of fun, make a lot of friends, and generate a lot of blog posts. This last item is what brings us to where we stand today. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Five years ago, Martinex 1 and I left the fondly-remembered Bronze Age Babies and opened a new path here at Back in the Bronze Age. We didn't really know where this road would take us, or how far. Most importantly., this road has been a very enjoyable one, traveled in the company of the finest, friendliest group of companions the internet could offer. Together we've examined countless subjects, debated many questions, laughed a million laughs, shared several lifetimes worth of memories. All things considered , that's a pretty rewarding expenditure of any span of time, even more so five years' worth.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Funny thing about time, it's kind of a relative thing. I stated above that 5 years can be short , and long. It's hard to believe how quickly so much time has passed, and yet it also seems that after such a stretch it's time to turn the page; to finish the story. There are other roads to take , other responsibilities to fulfill, other adventures to experience. Every one of us needs a break now and then, when we know the time is right. And so, with this post, "Back in the Bronze Age" is concluding. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Concluding, yes, but with this important caveat: our Twitter feed continues, wherein Martnex1 remains at the reins, bringing you topics, trivia and much more. Additionally, although there will no longer be new posts appearing here, the site will remain up, giving you access to all the archived posts from our five years together. Comments can still be left , should you be so inclined. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Before riding off into the virtual sunset, there are some people to thank.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">First off: many thanks, and much respect, to Doug and Karen- the creative powers behind "Bronze Age Babies". It was there that my blog career began, and without their guidance (and the high bar they set as examples) I'd never even have considered this endeavor. You two are the best. Incidentally, if you haven't, check out Karen at "Planet 8 Podcast". You'll be glad you did. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Next, a huge "Thanks, buddy" to my partner and friend Martinex 1. Marti carried the heavy load of designing this site, handling the Twitter posts, and most of the practical elements of the blog. Not to mention the multitude of entertaining posts he created, many emailed consultations, and most importantly, his friendship. Here's to you, Marti; there wouldn't be a BitBA without you. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Additionally, a big "Thank You" to all of you fellow bloggers: Dr. O, Mike W, Steve DC, Groove, and all of you who fill our screens and heads with pop cultural wonderment. You have all been supportive, helpful, and inspirational; I salute you all. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Finally, here's the deepest, most heartfelt thanks to all of you who have visited, perused, commented (or not commented) and truly formed the community that is BitBA. You've always made the efforts seem worthwhile, you have never failed to entertain and educate with all your observations. Your attitudes have been impeccable; your manners flawless, you are a credit to the Net. And more, you have all been friends; a wonderful group with which to have traveled this nostalgic road. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Therein lies the most bittersweet part of this ; I will greatly miss our ongoing conversations. It has truly been a pleasure. But this isn't 'goodbye'; I'll be seeing many of you over at "Steve Does Comics", and at some of the other various fine blogs that we've always listed on the side. Plus I hope to encounter any of you who may haunt the realms of Facebook and Twitter (and obviously on our Twitter feed). Will this blog ever return? Who can say; let's see where the road takes us from here. And so, until next we speak, take care, and bless you all. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And here's one final Bronze Age byte: the test pattern! We all remember seeing these appear on tv at the end of the broadcast day. Accompanied, generally, by a rather creepy "ooooooooooooooo" tone. Of course I don't wish to creep anyone out, so we'll do with just the image. And so we conclude our Bronze Age day...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBVE4pdsGou26MAm2dGueKhgZIjsCdjef0Cg5C3xqWsD_1ZiK3ULEHh1toRNYE4uAd9DwREQXwUNah5KB_BGco4Gfe0MxULSqdrlbcImXY2-k4rVqmQeJ-sTzbeB5NX3mCpVFG1Ph6X0293P5JQeQExbyufhA0QSEJDwxmd0WHuGGtlFArVB6o5N_Mew=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBVE4pdsGou26MAm2dGueKhgZIjsCdjef0Cg5C3xqWsD_1ZiK3ULEHh1toRNYE4uAd9DwREQXwUNah5KB_BGco4Gfe0MxULSqdrlbcImXY2-k4rVqmQeJ-sTzbeB5NX3mCpVFG1Ph6X0293P5JQeQExbyufhA0QSEJDwxmd0WHuGGtlFArVB6o5N_Mew=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-19494965444693280542021-10-26T05:00:00.347-05:002021-10-26T05:00:00.220-05:00Panel Discussion: Just Sharing a Few Favorites...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp3ZYrdzJSVMFTzvF2z5z31IkPEM9VYLqcx93iLDbMiwBLtZg-1MCOrAQFbdfT58q9VTbtlBjLgRZbUROloMuZMUQ2CarPE3fMHSh0jPYVlHV_l60HCPSqQvCs-99WAzjsNbvh7Yvl_W5/s1183/Panel+Header.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1183" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp3ZYrdzJSVMFTzvF2z5z31IkPEM9VYLqcx93iLDbMiwBLtZg-1MCOrAQFbdfT58q9VTbtlBjLgRZbUROloMuZMUQ2CarPE3fMHSh0jPYVlHV_l60HCPSqQvCs-99WAzjsNbvh7Yvl_W5/w640-h338/Panel+Header.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Over the years, from time to time, I've mentioned several comics that hold a high position in my status list. Today we're going to take a brief look at several of those favorites; consider each one a hearty recommendation! Each one is a potential source of discussion' additionally for this 'round table' everyone is encouraged to describe/ recommend / flaunt a choice book or books that you think everyone else would enjoy. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Each mini review will also feature a page from the tale to give you a little sample, just to tantalize. So here we go, in no particular order:</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Batman / Spirit</b>, by Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV77Aeg-4YqSmNGTe9v_-REuK9tlHKA11SUTEp7CBYA02myHB2uYaC-0yWI8_akH84WUtZzWpWOQwBPyNnFrjDUygR5GUDJas-QKJuGMnYiK5zOEjsBaregWL_bUI8xDbhrz_mPc8PxU-1suwJkZuyCo5Y94Sa84kM6Gb6e22YOLpuLUGZqi5kat-QiQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV77Aeg-4YqSmNGTe9v_-REuK9tlHKA11SUTEp7CBYA02myHB2uYaC-0yWI8_akH84WUtZzWpWOQwBPyNnFrjDUygR5GUDJas-QKJuGMnYiK5zOEjsBaregWL_bUI8xDbhrz_mPc8PxU-1suwJkZuyCo5Y94Sa84kM6Gb6e22YOLpuLUGZqi5kat-QiQ=w260-h400" width="260" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span> <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">. This teamup of two of my favorite characters would be a natural for my 'best 'list. Even more so when rendered by the wonderful Darwyn Cooke. His retro style perfectly captures the classic feel of the classic villains abounding herein. And abound they do; many of both Batman's and the Spirit's most famous foes are involved. Loeb's story is very entertaining, and winds around a fascinating crossover between Jim Gordon, Commissioner Dolan, P'Gell and Pamela Isley. Not going to spoil it for you, but it's a hoot. And, the interplay between the two main protagonists is likewise hilarious. Any fan of either Bruce Wayne or Denny Colt will love this. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4YJLt2_SMhyz8B-z3RV1o5e3eh0dff2JvCw0ovZtbEiR2VWsorTpVSwxhrnHyPjF1oBJev2zCOI2TlaK7VznvcxRSVlcKIaMNzh24maV7dd026XOr46BichptIaXN94MYsYen037Cl_crWCixhKYuwq7q3gxl2S25XCHr9RIyBQpOM095VNxqd8phzQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1347" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4YJLt2_SMhyz8B-z3RV1o5e3eh0dff2JvCw0ovZtbEiR2VWsorTpVSwxhrnHyPjF1oBJev2zCOI2TlaK7VznvcxRSVlcKIaMNzh24maV7dd026XOr46BichptIaXN94MYsYen037Cl_crWCixhKYuwq7q3gxl2S25XCHr9RIyBQpOM095VNxqd8phzQ=w420-h640" width="420" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Spirit Jam</b>, by Will Eisner and just about everybody...</span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYX8aP6Dq91dSEgrOJjG9xTpW0hSppneF9ZnnxXPLGNdDiTtu-6SZG3Qkzr0s_p7cnR4Oic3F9yykcEhm1-UXMjT3fpJSOLwSrmjf1QDqn644FDBD-6ITLszgh7CodG1fir5V_1qDMd3FNjBu8TbQdwD_oDhjHieEMl_IFlQ07KfTkuOL6IhhZDZ64lQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1582" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYX8aP6Dq91dSEgrOJjG9xTpW0hSppneF9ZnnxXPLGNdDiTtu-6SZG3Qkzr0s_p7cnR4Oic3F9yykcEhm1-UXMjT3fpJSOLwSrmjf1QDqn644FDBD-6ITLszgh7CodG1fir5V_1qDMd3FNjBu8TbQdwD_oDhjHieEMl_IFlQ07KfTkuOL6IhhZDZ64lQ=w309-h400" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Will Eisner's most famous creation gets two appearances today, and he certainly deserves it. This phenomenal tale appears in Kitchen Sink Comix' "Will Eisner's The Spirit" issue 30, from 1981. Most of this series presented reprints of Eisner's revered work, both of the Spirit and occasionally of other subjects. But this special issue brought together an unbelievable team of creators; too lengthy to go into ; but you can get an idea from the cover. Suffice it to say that the representative page here was done by Frank Miller and Terry Austin. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">As for the story, it involves an untold Spirit adventure, wrapped in a framing sequence tying in the very creation of the story itself! As in Batman/Spirit, many of the Spririt's rogues gallery are included. The story abounds in adventure, humor, and a bit of the risque as well. It's great fun, and a big kick trying to identify the various artists' work from page to page (if you need to cheat, there's a breakdown on the letters page). </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This book can be had for a comparative pittance, but it's worth it's weight in gold (or perhaps golden age books?).<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnKWCHrA9A_yBAS5XjhMjSxk--SMF6m3D4CYrgEfx31nSmh3nnlKOOO9L0y2gxTJ_rWO8Zxz_Q9y6mZIltDaHfXsRJz1EanXWGSRb0j-HPebk6e8bkzaQHLYvtu6XSuCEm5HiZ4fPMD_dXdKj8ZaOHbXPsNUvpiu7FI2sYxDbSpalwJWrr5OsCQ3SdDg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1515" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnKWCHrA9A_yBAS5XjhMjSxk--SMF6m3D4CYrgEfx31nSmh3nnlKOOO9L0y2gxTJ_rWO8Zxz_Q9y6mZIltDaHfXsRJz1EanXWGSRb0j-HPebk6e8bkzaQHLYvtu6XSuCEm5HiZ4fPMD_dXdKj8ZaOHbXPsNUvpiu7FI2sYxDbSpalwJWrr5OsCQ3SdDg=w474-h640" width="474" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Jonny Quest #2</b>, by William Messner-Loebs, Wendy Pini and Joe Staton.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-OJzbB2LyH-oCeWUdUeoBhjYwmQU7QyKhtMPx2Ycq_WH3NyghV4jJ3o5ehwXrH5V59v-Td3eyL99vbGNvdjFbPQiFt7oK15c5ulWoDVS_Yp9MlcvaYrP-DFjWc93A_XMxNupEN_5F8KICOG7jCnXO1gDgS8M4oHCoQ-4bBAgmYkSethnhwRnMxE86Xw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-OJzbB2LyH-oCeWUdUeoBhjYwmQU7QyKhtMPx2Ycq_WH3NyghV4jJ3o5ehwXrH5V59v-Td3eyL99vbGNvdjFbPQiFt7oK15c5ulWoDVS_Yp9MlcvaYrP-DFjWc93A_XMxNupEN_5F8KICOG7jCnXO1gDgS8M4oHCoQ-4bBAgmYkSethnhwRnMxE86Xw=w263-h400" width="263" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> The first two reviews were pretty light-hearted; this book is one of the most heartrending comics I've ever read. It gives us both the story of how Jonny's mother died, and also how Race Bannon came to join the Quest family. As you would expect, Race keeps the requisite amount of excitement topped off, but the real focus here is the drama. Bill Messner-Loebs truly masters this ; with the most sensitive portrayal of Benton Quest you'll ever see anywhere. The level of characterization in this issue is off the charts, and it's impossible to read without a tear or two. But fear not, Loebs finishes the tale off with an optimistic air, and it's a most satisfying read. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Artwise, it's nice to see Wendy Pini's take on the Quest group, and Joe Staton's inks are perfect for her pencils. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Comico's "Jonny Quest" series was quite good in it's entirety, but this issue is the capper. A masterpiece of comics at their most human.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVJLhPn2AIetmpwx0kFeRkk3G9XtT0G4a6rZChDdpbHYqkRUlw4uWD_PzduMct_mymBqTvRss28gvC5dtONvk_PfdBlL6rAVnshJ-gw97EEglcqAEFrALRNNrnS5uhAYde8q5rczd_BarQhkmD04cYyynchqSdH6Zsj7YMd_DgmShSHWNNYAoqzX16AQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1343" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVJLhPn2AIetmpwx0kFeRkk3G9XtT0G4a6rZChDdpbHYqkRUlw4uWD_PzduMct_mymBqTvRss28gvC5dtONvk_PfdBlL6rAVnshJ-gw97EEglcqAEFrALRNNrnS5uhAYde8q5rczd_BarQhkmD04cYyynchqSdH6Zsj7YMd_DgmShSHWNNYAoqzX16AQ=w420-h640" width="420" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Sensational Spider-Man Annual 1</b>, by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaWIweyDu7SLX3DIEcHwYNK3Fd1-zuGfm6Cx994uigg1gX3CBuFZqCVFivzCHfYktGVWvHXD23vCerAlHNriT5ECRY1tPcFYBiFSJmhCY-FXU_facUg4Mu2om4q40vvnfo7cDhpNhWwnJo9hwo6Y_HAZTdiPp1c8nM9jSx4ptHhg4ltqdoRF3Abk8Maw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1330" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaWIweyDu7SLX3DIEcHwYNK3Fd1-zuGfm6Cx994uigg1gX3CBuFZqCVFivzCHfYktGVWvHXD23vCerAlHNriT5ECRY1tPcFYBiFSJmhCY-FXU_facUg4Mu2om4q40vvnfo7cDhpNhWwnJo9hwo6Y_HAZTdiPp1c8nM9jSx4ptHhg4ltqdoRF3Abk8Maw=w260-h400" width="260" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This book came out in 2007 as part of the ongoing "Back in Black" storyline in Spider-man, following immediately on the heels of the events of "Civil War". I did enjoy "Civil War", not so much the soon-to-follow "One More Day" story. But regardless, this book, while being a part of that controversial arc, is actually a loving tribute to the classic Spider-Man (and Peter Parker) of the Silver and Bronze age. In "To Have and to Hold", Matt Fraction tells the story of an investigator trying to get hold of Peter through his then-wife Mary Jane. But MJ isn't about to betray her Pete, and proceeds to relate story after story of their past relationship. We are treated to some very nice moments with characters we've known and loved for years, and it's a gem. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Artist Salvador Larroca does a phenomenal job with the visuals, giving each flashback sequence a sense of the original artists. The page I've shown here channels John Romita Sr.,; he also does a very nice Ross Andru. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This is one of those Annuals that can stand alone on it's own merits, as a testament to the classic Spider-Man of the past. And it's portrayal of Mary Jane shows why she's still my favorite match for Peter. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirXPsNPeqEexg85XozsDCFbrLMU0pdpmeZ97qvW8RlngkLgcs2oZK7KamqgUDBPGPILEy9x-FCU0fF4mrvCt_WXRD-ROPmRqEpAFERzRmqPc9ey_IYptFU93iyatw8nQ_BWkZop42MINUSEPDn2eF6Las0geP4rOWXJPVqfj2havDkt9iTZvJO1bz8nQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1319" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirXPsNPeqEexg85XozsDCFbrLMU0pdpmeZ97qvW8RlngkLgcs2oZK7KamqgUDBPGPILEy9x-FCU0fF4mrvCt_WXRD-ROPmRqEpAFERzRmqPc9ey_IYptFU93iyatw8nQ_BWkZop42MINUSEPDn2eF6Las0geP4rOWXJPVqfj2havDkt9iTZvJO1bz8nQ=w412-h640" width="412" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sugar and Spike 25</b>, by Sheldon Mayer. </span><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj262L_8mYW0fv2AL6Nm9jezP6praLNomEdsA4AoLFUIoRQCVeq4_BEWXV8UcNUEOvk2vxEawlGx5G5g1CWn2UebzBaIq9Wv1r8at5KprZpiZjYXh81jVtnoJi3zShwH6YZRg4M_EeMq8UldnDt-9yyiUALIWlCVEeBOPSBLjUHthYatqOWksVW08vqYg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1372" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj262L_8mYW0fv2AL6Nm9jezP6praLNomEdsA4AoLFUIoRQCVeq4_BEWXV8UcNUEOvk2vxEawlGx5G5g1CWn2UebzBaIq9Wv1r8at5KprZpiZjYXh81jVtnoJi3zShwH6YZRg4M_EeMq8UldnDt-9yyiUALIWlCVEeBOPSBLjUHthYatqOWksVW08vqYg=w268-h400" width="268" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I could have picked almost any issue of this series, but chose this one with it's charming Halloween cover as appropriate to the upcoming holiday. Anyone who has followed this blog probably knows of my fondness for Sheldon Mayer's two tempestuous tots. These stories are warmhearted, fun, amusing, cute, and an absolute pleasure to read. There were generally a couple multi-page stories in each issue, with a short or two included as well. Then there were the '"Pint-Size Pin-Ups" pages, with reader-submitted outfits for the kids. These pages were often cut out, which means of course that finding intact copies of an issue of "Sugar and Spike" can be challenging. But it's worth the effort. These are comics that children can read, but that adults can enjoy equally (if not more). It may be some testament to the book that while I've been parting with many comics in recent years, reducing the size of my collection, I still search out issues of "S & S" in hopes of someday completing the run. Partly because the only reprinted collection available had the first 10 issues, the next 90 are available only as originals. And the search continues, to which I can only add "Glx Sptzl Glaah"...<br /><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0d4Kr96QW4255kcN756ywpE8sfOaGpCJEhsMCG34-UKGQ6JBEzyTwBDtp2vO4AQMJvbJCm1g3irwGReq9SR7emwMnTvZ6ijBdAn9VCcq_3dw8OHuY3eGsw7e7ntPg3e53GsGk6U3UGoKJzpSrMUmDvmix4-0xA5-QY8DXoHx1MzGDAhw9NBFl68ESCw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1376" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0d4Kr96QW4255kcN756ywpE8sfOaGpCJEhsMCG34-UKGQ6JBEzyTwBDtp2vO4AQMJvbJCm1g3irwGReq9SR7emwMnTvZ6ijBdAn9VCcq_3dw8OHuY3eGsw7e7ntPg3e53GsGk6U3UGoKJzpSrMUmDvmix4-0xA5-QY8DXoHx1MzGDAhw9NBFl68ESCw=w430-h640" width="430" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Okay, there you have five books that keep me a comics reader. Feel free to share your thoughts on them, and to spill the beans about any particular comics that will always have a special spot in your heart!</span> <br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-25724008502198353622021-10-19T05:00:00.021-05:002021-10-20T19:17:25.618-05:00Follow the Leader: Halloween, Guy Fawkes and Other Fall Follies...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGaolxVXDecB2P9WCOH_l9hG6AVHJYR845d8BtFcO8rx3Y9_9Kh6fSaOPgDb3L_aBzRrUhaj2Eqx9RRATBt_EfZmuZNWd0NTHIvFibdDcP3gFR7YXiF6W8jicddhQeWIkbZBL2ebq6Lzt/s1182/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1182" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGaolxVXDecB2P9WCOH_l9hG6AVHJYR845d8BtFcO8rx3Y9_9Kh6fSaOPgDb3L_aBzRrUhaj2Eqx9RRATBt_EfZmuZNWd0NTHIvFibdDcP3gFR7YXiF6W8jicddhQeWIkbZBL2ebq6Lzt/w640-h332/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Greetings! Yes, time again to turn to BitBA Assembled to provide us all with a suitably inspiring topic for discussion. More specifically, the first noble commenter to step out and offer a suggestion sets the agenda! The field is open, the time is nigh, the podium is yours...</span><br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-28518758967348737452021-10-12T05:00:00.187-05:002021-10-12T05:00:00.200-05:00Sound and the Fury: Music with a Message...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8MK7QxKDQLlJYig7uTG-q1PzkDPJeHpPlD-HmPZ_GIOlYZP8tMs4-qeS7guJ4LMT7t2Pw_5z7tSggY9wUgwMgwpaW0nob8Hk1wTe557FcK7Y4xZ04iujII7FV0_mpvuqUx40zF-RKrD0R66HLVP4x4pXoKxcVXRKjSPLmWD4Q4MijEHELWbv0wJwJvg=s455" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="455" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8MK7QxKDQLlJYig7uTG-q1PzkDPJeHpPlD-HmPZ_GIOlYZP8tMs4-qeS7guJ4LMT7t2Pw_5z7tSggY9wUgwMgwpaW0nob8Hk1wTe557FcK7Y4xZ04iujII7FV0_mpvuqUx40zF-RKrD0R66HLVP4x4pXoKxcVXRKjSPLmWD4Q4MijEHELWbv0wJwJvg=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Nobody enjoys a fun, swinging song more than I. Be it Rock, Pop, Dance, or whatever, a bit of fluff music is always a welcome thing. Nevertheless, there are times when one might want more from a song than a good beat. Popular music history is filled with singers, songwriters and bands who have used the stage as a soapbox. From the folk of Woodie Guthrie to the punk of the Clash, many great tunes have filled the airwaves with thought-provoking, cautionary, introspective, or even sometimes angry lyrics. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">In High School, I listened to protest songs from the 60's alongside then-current acts like ABBA and Wings. In college I sat around late nights with other art students (man, those Bohemian days of yore) listening to, and discussing, the musical proclamations from the Police , Heaven 17 and U2. In more recent years I've discovered so much more meaningful musings from the worlds of blues, jazz, and soul. It continues to be a most rewarding exploration.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">You're probably waiting with great anticipation for a few examples. Well, wait no more; here are three songs which have moved, inspired, and engaged me: one from before our Bronze age, one from the Bronze, and one from after the Bronze (just to cover all the bases, you know). </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sam Cooke; "A Change is Gonna Come"</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I'd known Sam Cooke only from his pop songs (which were great). Upon hearing this for the first time, I was mentally staggered. Which is more powerful, the lyrics or Cooke's heart wrenching performance? Impossible to tell, but this song still chills me to the very soul. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wEBlaMOmKV4" width="320" youtube-src-id="wEBlaMOmKV4"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /> </span> <br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Three Dog Night: "Out in the Country"</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This song got to me (and still does) on a very personal level. TDN seemed to be singing for me: "...Out where the rivers like to run, I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'." In my youth, when I was hurting or upset, I sought the refuge of the woods, away from people. Nature remains a source of healing, and this song evokes that well. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YaGzOwDZ0VA" width="320" youtube-src-id="YaGzOwDZ0VA"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Michael Jackson: "Earth Song"</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MJ's greatest song, in my opinion. Rarely has this world's painful afflictions been so effectively skewered. As the video shows, the suffering is borne by, and the hope rests upon, the ordinary people all over. I can never hear this, or watch this video, without being brought to tears. Agonizingly amazing.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAi3VTSdTxU" width="320" youtube-src-id="XAi3VTSdTxU"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">All these songs, and these performances, hit me deeply. But it's a good hit, and it's an impact that is good for the soul. They make me think, make me feel, make me want to try to make the world a little better. It may be naive or corny, but our world sure needs a little prompting to it's better nature. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And now, it's time for your input. What songs, what performers, have truly moved you; pushed you, made you sit and think in the dark? Let's hear about the music that hits close to home for you... </span><br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-12318711289202045902021-10-05T05:00:00.157-05:002021-10-07T21:10:40.594-05:00Two Questions: When We Want to Treat Ourselves a Bit...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xtZO421mfXNmUHkgkBVTAfvCwB00avGTmviS2vNnU9y1zBiNpbzc9odR6jgjVGTHwT-g2CdVjp80zSGJ_k9mTZBVScgHClzKIyxLbMvP38htDx6q5eOOeshOZV7dRRTINS_398r4XsPy/s407/20161226_174227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="407" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xtZO421mfXNmUHkgkBVTAfvCwB00avGTmviS2vNnU9y1zBiNpbzc9odR6jgjVGTHwT-g2CdVjp80zSGJ_k9mTZBVScgHClzKIyxLbMvP38htDx6q5eOOeshOZV7dRRTINS_398r4XsPy/w640-h416/20161226_174227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Greetings; this week we are engaging again in a bit of `get to know each other' . Our two questions are somewhat related, and over the years we have possibly touched upon this area. Nevertheless, this week we take a good look at how we spend our time and money when we can spoil ourselves a little. Everyone needs a little 'me time', and it doesn't hurt to give yourself a treat now and then. In that spirit, here's our questions:</span><br /></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">1. When you have the opportunity to splurge a little on yourself these days, what do you do / buy ?</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">2. Looking back over your life, other than comic books, what hobbies/ pastimes did you/ do you indulge in? </span></b></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">As always, I wouldn't ask you to answer anything that I wouldn't, thus here are my responses:</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">1. Lately I've been busy on Ebay. Splurging generally involves the purchase of a vintage comic, especially a "Sugar and Spike", or a Silver Age horror anthology. . While my collection overall has been shrinking, I still pick up a book here and there. Of course I'm also splurging on music, adding cds to my collection at an unprecedented pace. At this point in time cds seem to be priced dirt cheap, and it's a great opportunity. Just picked up a 5 disc boxed set of "Ken Burns Jazz" for 4 dollars and change. Figure it's just a matter of time before cds become the next hot retro item...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL3dk9t7cnd1CnP8ajYJgalNIK4oBDNmqM0NznrJin3J-I7YIvKvWcf3GwTAM5WAyqwvDygqgAQTgp-63a3elSiUlNjnHgy-f1ixJ1Rum8R_5Q4DtcJ8QLevjP_cEmI--nFZykpYE029l1IJDYHSilMTYQZj4hMd3mX_2M6tf76k0CjTFK0wl6uGAcuw=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL3dk9t7cnd1CnP8ajYJgalNIK4oBDNmqM0NznrJin3J-I7YIvKvWcf3GwTAM5WAyqwvDygqgAQTgp-63a3elSiUlNjnHgy-f1ixJ1Rum8R_5Q4DtcJ8QLevjP_cEmI--nFZykpYE029l1IJDYHSilMTYQZj4hMd3mX_2M6tf76k0CjTFK0wl6uGAcuw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few recent splurges...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">2. My father had many interests, and he passed that trait on to his progeny. At one time or another I've collected coins, stamps, baseball cards, leaves, rocks, fossils, records and Hot Wheels. Most of those phases came and went. But I still enjoy studying fossils, and have a big slab of Ordovician seabed (with crinoids, brachiopods, bryozoans and trilobites) on my desk at work. And then listening to that music mentioned above is another treasured pastime. Add in the watercolor painting, and reading- there's not really time for work, but I fit it in!</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Now then, let's hear about all your interests and indulgences! </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oh, for the benefit of anyone interested in fossils, here is the fossiliferous slab from my work desk. Found in an outcrop near Cincinnati, Ohio on a trip with a group of local rockhounds. A remarkable feeling, pulling such a piece from it's resting place and knowing you're the first creature to lay eyes upon it for some 200 million years plus...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSqZET4jvsLNuEd58wWamYf_CDcZHDPnjySrvUPo2mURzZAjTaa7H3YyvEBKvn8TjYItPUoOIrwc9YQQ9Ag2RI5JQ-QCYu-8c90n90QtGFpUyPRbMTj19V49-HzA3B_6gOgaKDohFqmb80x0CA0jbNsxEpRlCV-dB_jbNkfAR5-Kj5b8EWW97z4wSusw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSqZET4jvsLNuEd58wWamYf_CDcZHDPnjySrvUPo2mURzZAjTaa7H3YyvEBKvn8TjYItPUoOIrwc9YQQ9Ag2RI5JQ-QCYu-8c90n90QtGFpUyPRbMTj19V49-HzA3B_6gOgaKDohFqmb80x0CA0jbNsxEpRlCV-dB_jbNkfAR5-Kj5b8EWW97z4wSusw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-85136163666210591262021-09-28T05:00:00.357-05:002021-09-28T05:00:00.231-05:00Chew the Fat: Giant-Size Marvels!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFVOGMW-ycbQy0a-eppw_X-AK0KR7On4ixd_urg9nLw4gWYrZ3MMaTr3jeIy8oHrJRb4YvBwwB2ab9r2idkj41_6d0bwQs7Ng1ch97BXpJJlZpGtJ05I34V9qAnN5ueK4sdS_9Fx95Pf-/s1226/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1226" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFVOGMW-ycbQy0a-eppw_X-AK0KR7On4ixd_urg9nLw4gWYrZ3MMaTr3jeIy8oHrJRb4YvBwwB2ab9r2idkj41_6d0bwQs7Ng1ch97BXpJJlZpGtJ05I34V9qAnN5ueK4sdS_9Fx95Pf-/w640-h350/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqmzpH8dCR8PNtn4hVtMRCJohdpRL1GCQ9pC8nNrJ6xvH9ysJ7eS4z14o-sDKGqHXV_15Cri88RLOuICOxw5RrENTspASXCZFAhL98_P0hVJX4kevid3imAAJtHUd7FKt0INttzH9YITV/s370/742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqmzpH8dCR8PNtn4hVtMRCJohdpRL1GCQ9pC8nNrJ6xvH9ysJ7eS4z14o-sDKGqHXV_15Cri88RLOuICOxw5RrENTspASXCZFAhL98_P0hVJX4kevid3imAAJtHUd7FKt0INttzH9YITV/s370/742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqmzpH8dCR8PNtn4hVtMRCJohdpRL1GCQ9pC8nNrJ6xvH9ysJ7eS4z14o-sDKGqHXV_15Cri88RLOuICOxw5RrENTspASXCZFAhL98_P0hVJX4kevid3imAAJtHUd7FKt0INttzH9YITV/w275-h400/742.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Back in the Bronze age, specifically two memorable years in the mid 1970's, Marvel Comics engaged in a noble experiment in four color entertainment. 1974 and 1975 saw the publication of the Giant-Size Marvels! Extra-sized editions of many of Marvel's most popular titles, each appearing on a quarterly basis. Granted, Marvel had published bonus-sized Annuals in the past, and DC had been doing giants for some time; but this was still a leap of faith for Marvel. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ_CJhx81YzSKNyZ9Cq6N8_FZM6Ee2AOfn5_rTU2sieD53uKHY2BatIwdBq2CVwWdbM28Hcv5R5-8X5FcejYB00pWef28dQTN0Mb94Bv2P9Vima0viN30L4DWQJx1gxyssCWcBLiN5ipy/s370/giant1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ_CJhx81YzSKNyZ9Cq6N8_FZM6Ee2AOfn5_rTU2sieD53uKHY2BatIwdBq2CVwWdbM28Hcv5R5-8X5FcejYB00pWef28dQTN0Mb94Bv2P9Vima0viN30L4DWQJx1gxyssCWcBLiN5ipy/s320/giant1.jpg" width="215" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Although that 'leap of faith' lasted only about two years, it produced quite a few great stories, and one truly monumental one. Marvel's 'Giant Size' era began with "Giant Size Super Stars", a 35 cent gem featuring the Fantastic Four. This was immediately followed by "Giant Size Super Heroes" with Spider-</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">man; both of these books hold fond memories for me. I'd just started collecting, and these two seemed like a reward for taking that 'leap' of my own! </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Marvel had originally planned to release books at the 35 cent level as well as a series of "Super Giant" titles, but apparently that all got too confusing; starting the next month the Giant Size titles all cost 50 cents for 68 pages. The format was a new 'novel length' lead story, followed by a reprint of a classic Marvel tale appropriate to the particular title. All the 'big guns' had Giant-Size editions: Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Defenders. Additionally, numerous other Marvel books got the Giant treatment: Master of Kung Fu, Dracula, Man-Thing. Even an attempt was made at another horror anthology with new stories: Giant-Size Chillers! </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">As the months went on, Marvel made the Giant format a means to debut new features: Super-Villian Team Up, with Dr. Doom and the Sub-Mariner; and Invaders- telling WWII stories of Marvel's Golden Age Captain America, Sub-Mariner and Human Torch. Then of course, the most monumental of all was the return and reboot of the X-Men by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum; a book that launched one of the most successful franchises in comic book history. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">But as 1975 wore on, it looked like the days of the Giants were numbered. The last round of Giants were all reprints, adding such titles as "Giant Size Thor" and "Giant Size Dr. Strange" in a sort of revival of the old Annuals. Those Annuals, incidentally, would return the next year in 1976, which helped offset the sting of losing those monthly Giants. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZkS4CaZCwFCwzyKiWHZadBLtPn53UZYbLAFw7fgob0NYhwk-nEb7NtxvvnggbO9eh8U7bV1JwKtZb70UXor7uDL-zNRhXiUkyWgFzbkhxLV5LMoqLaROm-6Gc98JYsNDB-XaZnkfW6sC/s2048/morecovers40006.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZkS4CaZCwFCwzyKiWHZadBLtPn53UZYbLAFw7fgob0NYhwk-nEb7NtxvvnggbO9eh8U7bV1JwKtZb70UXor7uDL-zNRhXiUkyWgFzbkhxLV5LMoqLaROm-6Gc98JYsNDB-XaZnkfW6sC/s320/morecovers40006.jpg" width="217" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">My personal favorites? I mentioned the Spidey and FF issues above, another huge favorite was Giant Size Avengers 2: with the "Celestial Madonna" and Kang, it was one of the best Bronze age Avengers </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">tales ever. Then there was Giant Size Defenders 3, with Daredevil guest starring; a cool story with the Grand Master. Yet another that I loved was Giant Size Man-Thing (you knew I'd fit that in somewhere, didn't you?) 4: a particularly intense Manny story by Steve Gerber, and the first solo story for Howard the Duck. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. It was a huge treat to see these big editions supplementing the regular four color fun we got in the 32 pagers. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">In conclusion, here's a selection of covers to prompt your memory and excite your eyeballs. What Giants were your favorites? How did they compare to DC's giants? What other characters should have had Gant sized books? For our UK contingent, did those stories ever see print across the pond? Were you ever fortunate enough to encounter any of the US Giants? This week, we're all Giants...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvbn5RTRuZv6-iOVBszQBRd6-dz_rUN6cEZ-PvxRwl-mJtFFjfo3VRwriEUhHvMyutOIPcv04lM7e8WCCA83xTwOahVvNzqLw8EWfuJ1EGZYJqCAxvkr1tv2FXiWFWvBkI0XoJ7oAw7nT/s370/giant17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="253" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvbn5RTRuZv6-iOVBszQBRd6-dz_rUN6cEZ-PvxRwl-mJtFFjfo3VRwriEUhHvMyutOIPcv04lM7e8WCCA83xTwOahVvNzqLw8EWfuJ1EGZYJqCAxvkr1tv2FXiWFWvBkI0XoJ7oAw7nT/w274-h400/giant17.jpg" width="274" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcRRAtr9pe4EieNfYvAzte7UGcBN25PuabjYAFK7-9rSlzQjRHF3Vqu4UhrKbXkBCgKXfLKD1zh0qZXQ2P3g-6MEBbqCQjpJln1Uiu27WYnQInaSI9z6qIPe23669-DJmHCI5vWfaAps2/s370/giant18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcRRAtr9pe4EieNfYvAzte7UGcBN25PuabjYAFK7-9rSlzQjRHF3Vqu4UhrKbXkBCgKXfLKD1zh0qZXQ2P3g-6MEBbqCQjpJln1Uiu27WYnQInaSI9z6qIPe23669-DJmHCI5vWfaAps2/w260-h400/giant18.jpg" width="260" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bFhvgzKZn3PXYH016I-RwdOQsrVABb6v7jmJP4zhqzTC7_d_5iQkKji9LHvEQoaUIoOVxGcR_NHrTyAqvO_4ikSqNRnA8YO-8FRNepBRhZ1SahD91wbIc5SwEG7IVgjmBC3JVlTfCW8z/s370/giant15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bFhvgzKZn3PXYH016I-RwdOQsrVABb6v7jmJP4zhqzTC7_d_5iQkKji9LHvEQoaUIoOVxGcR_NHrTyAqvO_4ikSqNRnA8YO-8FRNepBRhZ1SahD91wbIc5SwEG7IVgjmBC3JVlTfCW8z/w276-h400/giant15.jpg" width="276" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM3sknawNAjBPR1csaTEE9u-NbsEdtmmwlUwP3XKeVmz67c9DZ4qm4t0LDsJrPdp2r1NVRjeBaN9cgjUuWChnDnXsDh_OF8Hd6VvgNzOFAslUjkK_MUDx56VInMhng_Buu7EpBRO7xmd8/s370/giant16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM3sknawNAjBPR1csaTEE9u-NbsEdtmmwlUwP3XKeVmz67c9DZ4qm4t0LDsJrPdp2r1NVRjeBaN9cgjUuWChnDnXsDh_OF8Hd6VvgNzOFAslUjkK_MUDx56VInMhng_Buu7EpBRO7xmd8/w269-h400/giant16.jpg" width="269" /> </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzSpXDHih2NnQhcsOemfX2zwtAbtvgARg6y7Dw71pF2BLtU6kzfwzPSTfbEX4AHk1cIsfKAuSMUqMbLMbUNVqFmpKEI-V_JWZgzKcvpOpTxanhlvAq7lTmUgsTIMliLeoI0H9tCNzeC8W/s370/giant20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="247" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPbJpOf8Mz-FEKnrgd6A8MDxTn_Z2lc-5ZslrJKcldozvrMxy0Uy89bRisep3MswmnmepROkBO_YLYcZyUe5zCc2nnFVU5AjID2xsuVQuJX7zpBejHg2DgPqWDzOQSikYBcy8NkhG33oV/w268-h400/giant11.jpg" width="268" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshBTqiqao6hZ6wLSp78NUB8ozht7XAYBji0lGHMpQM3BdnbwXK-JscvdYaYzloxiF2LZmf7tbkrKTuJM7xHMQEm4iE2Zv9b60rDgUKOQeWHsJ99_nttM-qenQFBlUrqMA4-ksr2cOn570/s370/giant13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="247" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshBTqiqao6hZ6wLSp78NUB8ozht7XAYBji0lGHMpQM3BdnbwXK-JscvdYaYzloxiF2LZmf7tbkrKTuJM7xHMQEm4iE2Zv9b60rDgUKOQeWHsJ99_nttM-qenQFBlUrqMA4-ksr2cOn570/w268-h400/giant13.jpg" width="268" /> </a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCi1Kfsw-MkXb3rL7fgWohGAxk5sCQghArqTgLsdW618MrNz6EJ62mDFPxzBbJEpTpTBDcs28MWghf_4bpax5AHEcB13qTBDy6U0fYSceWu8u9p-XP1Y-RWO_Td_UgMrb4vdlfLmhxhfp/s370/giant14.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCi1Kfsw-MkXb3rL7fgWohGAxk5sCQghArqTgLsdW618MrNz6EJ62mDFPxzBbJEpTpTBDcs28MWghf_4bpax5AHEcB13qTBDy6U0fYSceWu8u9p-XP1Y-RWO_Td_UgMrb4vdlfLmhxhfp/w276-h400/giant14.jpg" width="276" /></a>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-39362889022584719762021-09-21T05:00:00.045-05:002021-09-23T20:43:50.605-05:00Follow the Leader: Swimming Against the Tide, Musically...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qZiVu1WLiUwhzeB49Q6ypObEgGgXEogHLpRVYN_0Nju2J6F_3poXcKvWTa_QulrIzBYcjS-YPs7eCz-G3fDMbXtHO4k38HK7bWz0r-HUZirnWOf_tU_ioCwmIjYgCfCP0LGxyTM4TolB/s1182/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1182" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qZiVu1WLiUwhzeB49Q6ypObEgGgXEogHLpRVYN_0Nju2J6F_3poXcKvWTa_QulrIzBYcjS-YPs7eCz-G3fDMbXtHO4k38HK7bWz0r-HUZirnWOf_tU_ioCwmIjYgCfCP0LGxyTM4TolB/w640-h332/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: you knew it as soon as you opened the page. He was waiting for you, lurking, plotting. The Leader! Yes, the leader has returned, and he thinks this might be the week when no spectacular subject is broached, when he can take over and have his way with everything and everyone. Prove him wrong; you're wiser, smarter, and much more interesting than he is! So great honor and laurels await the courageous one who names the topic for us! </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oh, and please consider another invitation to join the discussions at our Twitter feed; Martinex keeps the tweets going and the fun flowing! <br /></span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-29831407065257266402021-09-14T05:00:00.219-05:002021-09-14T05:00:00.256-05:00Panel Discussion: Spaaaaaace Comics!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV0A5moXbqGbRPPm1jyjVssFmPnZk1SdAwGc_JvC_9tF5NQtUdBuSsFm46Hd1HaFyVdI8pftoROeJc_JvWx3UJOPJRfUGvGMPuV6mXFjazEkqCGuWy7wRZaUWQkBqYXxWtJSOLjz8ZdaC/s1183/Panel+Header.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1183" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV0A5moXbqGbRPPm1jyjVssFmPnZk1SdAwGc_JvC_9tF5NQtUdBuSsFm46Hd1HaFyVdI8pftoROeJc_JvWx3UJOPJRfUGvGMPuV6mXFjazEkqCGuWy7wRZaUWQkBqYXxWtJSOLjz8ZdaC/w640-h338/Panel+Header.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: I've long had a fascination with Outer Space , originating with watching the Apollo astronauts and their adventures as a child. I tuned in to "Lost in Space". I read books about the stars and planets. I even got a small telescope one Christmas, and eagerly focused it on the moon. Therefore, it's only natural that space-based comic books would be appealing. Chances are that many of you found such comics attractive as well (after all, how can you resist the Vastness of Space and All It's Mysteries?). </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">When it comes to the subject of the cosmos, comics have approached it in several ways; directly and indirectly. There have been fact based, scientific comics (for instance, Dell's "Man in Space"). Then there are comics that deal with the stars via the star drives of Science Fiction (say, "Mystery in Space"). And of course there are the books whose protagonists are themselves spacefarers ("Captain Marvel", and so many others). All these types of comics are on the table for our discussion this week; and if you're so inclined feel free to bring up your favorite comic stories that may only deal with space under specific circumstances (for example, any who love to read about the Fantastic Four traveling to that infamous Fifth Quadrant of the Andromeda Galaxy to deal with the Skrulls). </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">You may ask, "Okay, Red; what ones did you like?" Glad you asked. Although the straightforward, scientific space comics are rather uncommon, I definitely liked the second and third categories. Especially the Science fiction variety; my fondness for anthologies is common knowledge here at BitBA. Two titles in particular always got my dollars: "Mystery in Space", and "Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction". One DC, one Marvel; after all, fair is fair. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4FyasEmiuXrV6nqsopU_udYnd3IeQeGmxPjCeot4Oeh_uNhnqrBg2RJSph4ysR4pB6vHIbY6yMHhRfZazO4s2-7n25bs2CNpwE4e-aueOkt3y9JSLwN2uuZeAUcv-AB8Lliz-kzbic9U/s370/space2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4FyasEmiuXrV6nqsopU_udYnd3IeQeGmxPjCeot4Oeh_uNhnqrBg2RJSph4ysR4pB6vHIbY6yMHhRfZazO4s2-7n25bs2CNpwE4e-aueOkt3y9JSLwN2uuZeAUcv-AB8Lliz-kzbic9U/w254-h400/space2.jpg" width="254" /></a></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGThhyldRgc4fpmrme5HeQ9Kpjt1fNxccbbQ4dUeS4LUvXQGGw7ryhUpwRqa7MJie7uNvrvdY638JLHsGRH3uPj59XLNckoQCwjppSWOJMd9WXo0B3xmna9mUvxuLj4y29iR6KEy6aGrlJ/s370/space1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGThhyldRgc4fpmrme5HeQ9Kpjt1fNxccbbQ4dUeS4LUvXQGGw7ryhUpwRqa7MJie7uNvrvdY638JLHsGRH3uPj59XLNckoQCwjppSWOJMd9WXo0B3xmna9mUvxuLj4y29iR6KEy6aGrlJ/w254-h400/space1.jpg" width="254" /></a></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Mystery in Space" in our Bronze age, was a DC revival title in 1980 that featured a handful of short stories in each issue. With sharp covers by Joe Kubert and interior art by the likes of Marshall Rogers, Steve Ditko, Jim Aparo, Trevor Von Eeden, Mike Golden and many others, MiS was full of fine visuals. The stories ranged from 'meh' to 'Holy Cow'; but they never failed to entertain. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPiK7hVqiTRLH92Xe5OoFu0qAHMHNKIoXt0e2SB4USaWK4kTwwZpMnkaYQwY4HS_hJQV0dsUWhQanTaOraiL1YO2czI1SEjLEy6f5vL2rj5zdupJcxjrcJBI9YNFKakcIls_nONnVPc9p/s370/space4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="261" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPiK7hVqiTRLH92Xe5OoFu0qAHMHNKIoXt0e2SB4USaWK4kTwwZpMnkaYQwY4HS_hJQV0dsUWhQanTaOraiL1YO2czI1SEjLEy6f5vL2rj5zdupJcxjrcJBI9YNFKakcIls_nONnVPc9p/w283-h400/space4.jpg" width="283" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibT9sg7Til15B8J5ZahpR4s6EvtbKteVkAyOycdGcv0xEzqhgwUGNxDPuneNYlKgV52tUJhMwEijCQb9r1R57BCJ6Ff9jx3NXiKMJpvPkDFSWX9cArPQ_jlxIjO_cy9kzDFNXANMLeOnr/s370/space3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="260" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibT9sg7Til15B8J5ZahpR4s6EvtbKteVkAyOycdGcv0xEzqhgwUGNxDPuneNYlKgV52tUJhMwEijCQb9r1R57BCJ6Ff9jx3NXiKMJpvPkDFSWX9cArPQ_jlxIjO_cy9kzDFNXANMLeOnr/w281-h400/space3.jpg" width="281" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> "Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction" was also an anthology, but it was a black and white magazine </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">format publication from Marvel; debuting in 1974. Like </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Mystery in Space" above, "Unknown Worlds" ended up as a rather short-lived title. Nevertheless, during it's limited run it gave us a load of good stories and top notch art. I had just begun my comics collecting career at that time, and was amazed at the quality of the magazine from issue number 1. The first issue artists included Neal Adams, Mike Kaluta, Al Williamson, Frank Brunner and Gene Colan. Pretty impressive debut. And also like "Mystery", in Unknown Worlds the stories themselves varied a bit. but if memory serves the overall entertainment level was pretty high. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">As for the other space-oriented books: obviously there were many that I loved: Jim Starlin's "Warlock" series, and in particular the Avengers Annual 7 / Marvel Two in One Annual 2 masterpiece. In the pursuit of brevity we'll leave it at that for now; let's get ready to hear from you. The Universe is large, and so is the subject. Proceed to launch with all your thoughts about comics and space; and if the fates allow, I'll meet you someday in orbit (I still haven't given up hope yet)...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-78395691514082736692021-09-07T05:00:00.086-05:002021-09-07T05:00:00.263-05:00Sound and the Fury: The Perfect Pop Single...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizv5wawRpIorKTV24VGU7u3T59QOZrApwZ2gk2SBKZNY1QKg1yo6PtBKs7dZBP4RZiUIIvoufXLGVdQ4Qp5_B2JXL-gViJ5kdwvqTiAebpw38qqIS3PEKTwDPyrS5r_JG89OPzELpzgua/s455/soundandfury.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="455" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizv5wawRpIorKTV24VGU7u3T59QOZrApwZ2gk2SBKZNY1QKg1yo6PtBKs7dZBP4RZiUIIvoufXLGVdQ4Qp5_B2JXL-gViJ5kdwvqTiAebpw38qqIS3PEKTwDPyrS5r_JG89OPzELpzgua/w640-h358/soundandfury.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: It's a momentous week for fans of pop music: ABBA has released two new songs ahead of a new album due in November! Those of us who are fans of the Swedish foursome have waited some 40 years (and I was a fan from their start, back when my friends looked at me cockeyed as they played their Aerosmith and Nazereth lps). For most of that time the likelihood of new ABBA tunes seemed remote. Nevertheless, here we are, and here they are; back with their engaging melodies and catchy hooks. Few acts in rock history could execute a pop song as effectively, as satisfyingly, as Anni-frid, Bjorn, Benny and Agnetha. Indeed, no less than Pete Townsend called the single "S.O.S." the greatest pop single ever made. <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And therein lies our topic for the week. What do you consider the perfect pop single? Yes, there are countless candidates that you could name. My pick- I'd have to agree with Mr. Townsend; "S.O.S." remains a stunningly rich performance, and is still greatly enjoyable even after countless listenings.But that's simply my opinion. What's yours? What are the greatest stand out singles of the rock era? What were your favorites, and why? And feel free to share your thoughts about ABBA, as well. I'll be setting aside funds for their "Avatar Concert" (ABBAtars?) next year...<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWYufzZvyByN9IFHHRCfWFu6pUdhZ_LwvdlknG_GHAawtvmP8KYchwMIWAyQL0585G0IQRslDKGn31EOZHAnyG9npCZ0Yt11JVfkaO_HfCeNxCkyhpuNoCbcfVbYpHwk6odUEDk1rA_xD/s450/abba.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWYufzZvyByN9IFHHRCfWFu6pUdhZ_LwvdlknG_GHAawtvmP8KYchwMIWAyQL0585G0IQRslDKGn31EOZHAnyG9npCZ0Yt11JVfkaO_HfCeNxCkyhpuNoCbcfVbYpHwk6odUEDk1rA_xD/s320/abba.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br />Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-3914255676454502692021-08-31T05:00:00.153-05:002021-08-31T05:00:00.249-05:00Chew the Fat: Undergrounds, Indies and Comics that 'Pushed the Envelope'...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgUs1z1nIHATSAh93y5IbbFU78zn_6OPToabf7K58qqv0fuc3ayXm3YbOCj_bsoH7Gf4QDDSKt4oCReHmFaHDs-5BN2IeTMwna8GlX3-_8kmc5y6fovgSEfUOT3LCSVD0Bao6P4gBbJba/s1226/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1226" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgUs1z1nIHATSAh93y5IbbFU78zn_6OPToabf7K58qqv0fuc3ayXm3YbOCj_bsoH7Gf4QDDSKt4oCReHmFaHDs-5BN2IeTMwna8GlX3-_8kmc5y6fovgSEfUOT3LCSVD0Bao6P4gBbJba/w640-h350/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" width="640" />, i</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgUs1z1nIHATSAh93y5IbbFU78zn_6OPToabf7K58qqv0fuc3ayXm3YbOCj_bsoH7Gf4QDDSKt4oCReHmFaHDs-5BN2IeTMwna8GlX3-_8kmc5y6fovgSEfUOT3LCSVD0Bao6P4gBbJba/s1226/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0zGzhLBnN7ZowD_gAkVfG75cmJiPpOgl_QCOL05dm6pMma5mQ4gS9RHR3xOUR_uRL2KhCRYYksTQejgVckrpy62cu4PyAG93MhkAFtYFIsqMuKBgJX8QZ4WE5aYNpfT4Iech5TRvdDoL/s945/underground3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="676" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0zGzhLBnN7ZowD_gAkVfG75cmJiPpOgl_QCOL05dm6pMma5mQ4gS9RHR3xOUR_uRL2KhCRYYksTQejgVckrpy62cu4PyAG93MhkAFtYFIsqMuKBgJX8QZ4WE5aYNpfT4Iech5TRvdDoL/w286-h400/underground3.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: One book that really served to educate me early on about the comics industry and all it's variations was Les Daniels' "Comix: A History of Comic Books in America". Published in 1971, it was fairly current in 1974 when I got into comics seriously. Although the chapters on humor, funny animals, Marvel and DC were familiar territory for the burgeoning reader in me, the chapter on Underground Comix (spelled with an 'x' to differentiate from mainstream comics) was a real eye-opener. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE_-_tUJxZejbZXNME4qclVXEQeQNTuNEwl47uR_N1rTzGfy_LX_xhvp7_IG1JVqCN8Iv96d81I0KcjQd4GPdIsBDlx6nx9sZ3ey3C4856RF7PNaeZRXmd_ldlSxIPcXuZ3HQkERMMiYm/s2048/newcvrs10004.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE_-_tUJxZejbZXNME4qclVXEQeQNTuNEwl47uR_N1rTzGfy_LX_xhvp7_IG1JVqCN8Iv96d81I0KcjQd4GPdIsBDlx6nx9sZ3ey3C4856RF7PNaeZRXmd_ldlSxIPcXuZ3HQkERMMiYm/s320/newcvrs10004.jpg" width="246" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Here were described all the things that my parents were originally afraid that comics would expose me to: politics, sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. Some of the material Daniels reprinted was explicit enough to make my naive self slightly uncomfortable. But some years later, I discovered a lot of great reading in those same Undergrounds. In particular, "Arcade: the Comics Revue" from Art Speigelman and Bill Griffith, showcased work by many of the Underground's top talents: Robert Crumb, Denis Kitchen, <br />Aline Kominsky, Spiegelman and Griffith. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Bill Griffith was the man behind "Zippy the Pinhead", a very odd book that I found irresistable. Another book he produced was "Griffith Observatory", a heavily satiric, critical eye on American society of the late 1970's. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Art Spiegelman, among many other things, gave us the monumental graphic series (and later novel) "Maus". And to this day, "Maus" remains the most powerful, most gut-wrenching, most impactful comic I've ever read. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB08v6vGV0Wj2dbE1ZgV_20-R49ZbAcf3UE-L2DecQn-Wac0-qOQ3pXl9o7w1_IgBhqjngBb4tNQSlpYbPqbAgWvHJ_-R0ZXNixHNH05ePJAklvc_70ROgkuJbgeI2iPmwYR7J8D-qqBjK/s488/ug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="372" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB08v6vGV0Wj2dbE1ZgV_20-R49ZbAcf3UE-L2DecQn-Wac0-qOQ3pXl9o7w1_IgBhqjngBb4tNQSlpYbPqbAgWvHJ_-R0ZXNixHNH05ePJAklvc_70ROgkuJbgeI2iPmwYR7J8D-qqBjK/s320/ug1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Which brings up another point about Undergrounds. Originally Undergrounds, which arose in the 60's and early 70's, were focused mainly on the non-code approved subjects mentioned above. Hence they were primarily available through 'head shops', college bookstores and such. But as they faded from the scene by the late 70's, they evolved into the Independent comics we enjoyed in the 80's and beyond. That may be a bit of an oversimplification, but many of the creators, subject matter and material that made the Undergrounds paved the way for books like "Maus". We got Harvey Pekar's "American Splendor", Los Bros Hernandez' "Love and Rockets", and so on. Then there was Daniel Clowes, known for "Ghost World" and "Eightball", but I'm fond of his "Lloyd Llewelyn".<br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Therefore, this week, let's join the Underground. Whether it was Crumb's "Zap", or Howard Cruse's "Barefootz", what comics (comix) did you get a kick out of? Did you risk your parents' disapproval by indulging in a few Undergrounds? Did you follow any of the 80's indies? Could "The Walking Dead" exist without the ground being broken by Kitchen Sink's "Death Rattle"? It's all on the table, all that edgy, risky, 'hide it from Mom and Dad' stuff...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd7lpxKOgWvmagNRKpMRBOL0yjfeaT9gvv-Y0caI-ECHINz_0uS_GClsEdQliM53XaEwnZxu2gQ5JOE0uAXf7Aj4KvEyvhNREmM7pjQj9MQ_UTJrW3C0woUuYR5-k65gouO9Lry011bYM/s1555/ug3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1089" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd7lpxKOgWvmagNRKpMRBOL0yjfeaT9gvv-Y0caI-ECHINz_0uS_GClsEdQliM53XaEwnZxu2gQ5JOE0uAXf7Aj4KvEyvhNREmM7pjQj9MQ_UTJrW3C0woUuYR5-k65gouO9Lry011bYM/w280-h400/ug3.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYrqW9LlnG9KF4zTq0xx4C1byJCrmWd6BCF2kKMN7wNJ7CX-pl_PoMTMC9dq901Jo4Msg98bMPr_0IDdMOnP6YpcuMzGHI-bLXWHVzZfdUc1IQCGE7VT4x2rLItXZDaMhMRXbzCfdn5AC/s446/ug2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYrqW9LlnG9KF4zTq0xx4C1byJCrmWd6BCF2kKMN7wNJ7CX-pl_PoMTMC9dq901Jo4Msg98bMPr_0IDdMOnP6YpcuMzGHI-bLXWHVzZfdUc1IQCGE7VT4x2rLItXZDaMhMRXbzCfdn5AC/w306-h400/ug2.jpg" width="306" /></a></span><p></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-23308605120743496472021-08-24T05:00:00.228-05:002021-08-24T05:00:00.292-05:00Two Questions: Field of Dreams, Comics Style<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylEW6dq7m8QzdGGzEp-y8S7yH50KjsO8Zal_Ia9zZg1WzGU4EJU9NisqqZFIMvf9pLMCScMfNZ9RJkbjVIKVl-oHkWIZyTyjjZh3z5dxCLeshmrpARH1cYwdjZeFtpB-ihCndo_ajB8Sl/s407/20161226_174227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="407" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylEW6dq7m8QzdGGzEp-y8S7yH50KjsO8Zal_Ia9zZg1WzGU4EJU9NisqqZFIMvf9pLMCScMfNZ9RJkbjVIKVl-oHkWIZyTyjjZh3z5dxCLeshmrpARH1cYwdjZeFtpB-ihCndo_ajB8Sl/w640-h416/20161226_174227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7Z6OCxk0psDIkk7BxyfkGaWpWgcmxrrAjywdZ0HM8x3unlvgK7_q9L-wtXSODoklXNNbVRh_fZwgt34KXGFBq4sF63Lh8hn-sIhrsb3t0CfQ7BqF4tAvjp875DsO70QCHEiAN-3vcTY3/s642/field4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="642" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7Z6OCxk0psDIkk7BxyfkGaWpWgcmxrrAjywdZ0HM8x3unlvgK7_q9L-wtXSODoklXNNbVRh_fZwgt34KXGFBq4sF63Lh8hn-sIhrsb3t0CfQ7BqF4tAvjp875DsO70QCHEiAN-3vcTY3/w400-h223/field4.png" width="400" /></a></p><p></p><p> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: If you're any fan of American Baseball, you've heard about the recent "Field of Dreams" game. If not, you may be familiar with the iconic Kevin Costner movie by that title. Well, in both cases, part of the charm (perhaps the whole point) is the magical blending of past and present. Or to paraphrase James Earl Jones' speech, ...All that was good...and could be again...". </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Anyway, it seemed like it might be fun to apply that approach to comics. Just how, you ask? Well, in a two fold question form, that's how. And for our UK contingent, never fear- you can answer these questions too; they aren't baseball specific. Shall we begin? </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The first part of the question parallels the movie, bringing the past into the present. Therefore, your challenge is to think of a comic book or series from the past (say, before Marvel circa 1961). Then offer your ideal creative team of Bronze age-or-later vintage to bring new life to that title. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">My submission: It's common knowledge that I loved Marvel's "Man-Thing " series, especially under Gerber and Ploog. And the book still gets reboots in our current world. So, let's dig waaaay back to the EC Comics of the 1950s and try Ghastly Graham Ingels on the book! Bet he'd be a perfect fit...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09tz8SmP78FiKOh5LlJn5ow82oY5i5AmoFYtFp-qEONIaPNqhM43gBkLjqKQCVlAyAcNkTUWN9JfAOanTBicYWTByDMpjJ4iIsB9TjzXVkD5DiTedgp6fFBp5wO0mEMNG4rVa4SrI4R-H/s2048/bunchacovers0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09tz8SmP78FiKOh5LlJn5ow82oY5i5AmoFYtFp-qEONIaPNqhM43gBkLjqKQCVlAyAcNkTUWN9JfAOanTBicYWTByDMpjJ4iIsB9TjzXVkD5DiTedgp6fFBp5wO0mEMNG4rVa4SrI4R-H/w268-h400/bunchacovers0015.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man-Thing by Mike Ploog<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDUKhQxdGBa0zX5ZRBIcgovYyXjGuHFy7GTpb6YP78bKEWp9kASu71J-e3s1Mt5JT88SzRq5e2FuBS6kpSxLjVcba7_eQxITg5lTvRW9LDgXQciLtwyMF4ogrAmJpPL-c8RBBWlbXxemh/s512/field1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="380" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDUKhQxdGBa0zX5ZRBIcgovYyXjGuHFy7GTpb6YP78bKEWp9kASu71J-e3s1Mt5JT88SzRq5e2FuBS6kpSxLjVcba7_eQxITg5lTvRW9LDgXQciLtwyMF4ogrAmJpPL-c8RBBWlbXxemh/w298-h400/field1.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Witch by Graham Ingels<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The second part of the question is based upon the recent game, wherein the present was revised as the past. Your challenge here is just the opposite of the first part, i.e. name a recent (Bronze age or later) comic or series, and present a classic creative team from the Halcyon Days of Early Comicdom. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">My submission: Anyone familiar with "Lady Luck"? A cool character created by </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Will Eisner and Chuck Mazoujian,published as part of the famous "Spirit Sections", and by Quality Comics. To my mind, the first choice for a contemporary artist for her would be Bruce Timm. I'd buy that book in a heartbeat!</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7InZB7O71_OujVkBPNJ3plex1dgxpk-GOkfCLuHGQcggpnXXt9Ft8PZwteo7EtxJGPPc0rbFcqO38kft3_IrwOSSxB4KC9ecvnQ68s_NJDu5QgLAAZaC2yd1vVnUwNHjgNC2Ss0Ij9Za/s1343/field2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="948" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7InZB7O71_OujVkBPNJ3plex1dgxpk-GOkfCLuHGQcggpnXXt9Ft8PZwteo7EtxJGPPc0rbFcqO38kft3_IrwOSSxB4KC9ecvnQ68s_NJDu5QgLAAZaC2yd1vVnUwNHjgNC2Ss0Ij9Za/s320/field2.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Luck by Gill Fox<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_gG2mf1cM09x5cHgxJVcVN9RRkzo8wbC9aYnhHXiG8OLbYj85s0KxabfKudTEaNQyaVIfFAH4TWXSn3aRBwPy8OGfFvrmWsLG__UCzXDxGiSZq9dJU1lxY_zNlVHuc5AmNnTRRWd8208/s2000/field3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_gG2mf1cM09x5cHgxJVcVN9RRkzo8wbC9aYnhHXiG8OLbYj85s0KxabfKudTEaNQyaVIfFAH4TWXSn3aRBwPy8OGfFvrmWsLG__UCzXDxGiSZq9dJU1lxY_zNlVHuc5AmNnTRRWd8208/w400-h266/field3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batgirl by Bruce Timm<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oh, and incidentally- for any fellow baseball fans out there, feel free to toss in a comment or two about the movie and/or the game. If you haven't guessed yet, I enjoyed both. And I'm ecstatic that next year's Field of Dreams game will involve the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs. Oh, for a ticket...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMweY6Qf6ixJZDEbtp0fYh7eXIxoBgOnkiK6cgSIyuD2DxkMVYkNgSNB3dBzheayqsb8b-AEfIY_Uuyo7uoaTDq7bUDc-Fm_evzj0tkJD_j3w6QQ81hcYGfTtjB6h6L8eAkYWT1ra5itqt/s1168/field5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1168" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMweY6Qf6ixJZDEbtp0fYh7eXIxoBgOnkiK6cgSIyuD2DxkMVYkNgSNB3dBzheayqsb8b-AEfIY_Uuyo7uoaTDq7bUDc-Fm_evzj0tkJD_j3w6QQ81hcYGfTtjB6h6L8eAkYWT1ra5itqt/w400-h236/field5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><br />Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-39465555511253632342021-08-17T05:00:00.045-05:002021-08-20T21:00:07.336-05:00Follow the Leader: Travelling in Time, But Which Way and How Far?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qYigu0MlRZzLkxDIg4Et-UzSgi91hf_Yp3bwJpYx1C03G_BY0g4IFmLIbk0uL6ogNwF8hhDxlYRt7Luosy8V3PERrvhJCu2OzCkNi9zjtOfnNw8LZg7rBrC45LwwvymZ3rHzFQloh9lq/s1182/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1182" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qYigu0MlRZzLkxDIg4Et-UzSgi91hf_Yp3bwJpYx1C03G_BY0g4IFmLIbk0uL6ogNwF8hhDxlYRt7Luosy8V3PERrvhJCu2OzCkNi9zjtOfnNw8LZg7rBrC45LwwvymZ3rHzFQloh9lq/w640-h332/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">Redartz: Greetings, all! Yes, the Leader has returned this week, and he's awaiting the first stout-hearted commenter to submit a discussion topic. I'm sure our vocal community will step up to the challenge !</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">And speaking of stepping up, may I take this opportunity to promote our BitBA Twitter feed? Our old pal Martinex has been keeping the Twitter world, well, atwitter about all things Bronze. If you haven't checked it out, consider yourself most cordially invited!</span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-30856027674688802822021-08-10T05:00:00.249-05:002021-08-10T21:04:22.697-05:00Animation Congregation: The Flintstones- First Family of Animation!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqW04bWYqgw_HXk4BSCkyzECy4TjmOZPasMxQa6yyt2YW0EWdjK1iK0_RTAyQPvuni_EmcDjdpryA05gkCLDMZB3cU3bTPXx53a4b2K5bL7nSF6ASJzd6dMzStUGhvbIe8xIPZSk1k3lw/s938/8.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="938" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqW04bWYqgw_HXk4BSCkyzECy4TjmOZPasMxQa6yyt2YW0EWdjK1iK0_RTAyQPvuni_EmcDjdpryA05gkCLDMZB3cU3bTPXx53a4b2K5bL7nSF6ASJzd6dMzStUGhvbIe8xIPZSk1k3lw/w640-h408/8.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uq7noaMwLfg" width="320" youtube-src-id="uq7noaMwLfg"></iframe></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Way back in 1960, a show debuted on ABC that would change the rules of tv animation forever. That show was "The Flintstones"; the first prime time animated series on US television. As such, it paved the way for such shows as the Simpsons, many years later. The Flintstones, from the fine folks at Hanna Barbera, ran on ABC for six seasons; after which it became a familiar staple of Saturday mornings for the next several decades. Watching Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty is one of the earliest tv memories I have; as that show was one of the few evening shows that little Redartz was allowed to watch (having debuted the same year the Flintstones did; purely coincidentally). </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Of course, most of my Flintstone viewing was done on weekdays after school: the show was syndicated, and shown for years every afternoon. The Flintstones and Rubbles became as familiar as my own family, and it was always a treat to watch; even when viewing an episode rerun for the sixth time. And of course the show's iconic theme song is burned into the memory of every kid and former kid from the last five decades! Speaking of that theme, we saw it in all it's glory up above. But the closing theme was replaced for awhile by this charming bit with Pebbles and Bamm Bamm; you may remember it...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MVogUqWScYc" width="320" youtube-src-id="MVogUqWScYc"></iframe></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> By the way, Pebbles and Bamm Bamm had a show of their own, originating in our own Bronze age circa 1971. It was just the first in a long line of Flintstones-based shows, movies and specials...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O0M61AhrgEQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="O0M61AhrgEQ"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> One of the many appealing features of "The Flintstones" was the preponderance of guest stars who made appearances on the show. I have particularly fond memories of "Ann Margrock"...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYtGW_xZhFMeNm0tfMvY7d8dQrGZo59xKRi1UsT3d9-kVCniYN6JJwV5vwW2szIUH9ydVMMclMyak-QHUcHiakd3EECaN13ScW6RGR0dPhoDGICB6Qm3cT3sXC8azIZgLthugomFTSSLA/s1200/flint2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYtGW_xZhFMeNm0tfMvY7d8dQrGZo59xKRi1UsT3d9-kVCniYN6JJwV5vwW2szIUH9ydVMMclMyak-QHUcHiakd3EECaN13ScW6RGR0dPhoDGICB6Qm3cT3sXC8azIZgLthugomFTSSLA/w400-h400/flint2.webp" width="400" /> </a></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Then there was Stoney Curtis...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlv1KCnzkoyfF35NsWhHAofSAfRUHR-LxLXT7MCJYKNUgn057aJn2HONLdyfWAWZ-AHwZJfMGnZNLWAzJhyphenhyphenZMu35XcV9cdnk0wEBWEMSG5VDvLm2Cculx8vm73cS-9FBIPn-SBExTFlCP/s1200/flint3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlv1KCnzkoyfF35NsWhHAofSAfRUHR-LxLXT7MCJYKNUgn057aJn2HONLdyfWAWZ-AHwZJfMGnZNLWAzJhyphenhyphenZMu35XcV9cdnk0wEBWEMSG5VDvLm2Cculx8vm73cS-9FBIPn-SBExTFlCP/w400-h209/flint3.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> And even Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York doing their magic from "Bewitched"...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YLCIqws0_R9_XO03GdvthZreNmQO1EIguqPRj3ny2uFFXXOgNzflaLdSUY7Q2NaxtP3JvLDODj4i8jwNf8VJg8ShQnyhFZxyPfWNKQxwWRTZ5gqjA2zwvpXdlv_ush8ANmfCC6ducofo/s320/flint1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YLCIqws0_R9_XO03GdvthZreNmQO1EIguqPRj3ny2uFFXXOgNzflaLdSUY7Q2NaxtP3JvLDODj4i8jwNf8VJg8ShQnyhFZxyPfWNKQxwWRTZ5gqjA2zwvpXdlv_ush8ANmfCC6ducofo/w400-h300/flint1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Those are but a few. No doubt you all can name some other favorite cameos. As with the Batman show a couple years later, the Flintstones' popularity seemed to attract others who 'wanted to get in on the act'.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyLtXV0BeAUwKLFT5gFoVWoF1bdEUSm1rvcf1loaHniNPPMxD4MORtZuFPOV-eECkO6F9awIFaY_Kkg7ZQz7AjQ1_VOQ_zd-7jP8VKy1TyORUNhYUBPzHg6EuavH5ycl5t3ltRjPX1gbT/s640/flint15.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyLtXV0BeAUwKLFT5gFoVWoF1bdEUSm1rvcf1loaHniNPPMxD4MORtZuFPOV-eECkO6F9awIFaY_Kkg7ZQz7AjQ1_VOQ_zd-7jP8VKy1TyORUNhYUBPzHg6EuavH5ycl5t3ltRjPX1gbT/s320/flint15.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Indeed, the Flintstones truly became a pop culture monolith; tie-ins and promotions were popping up everywhere and continue to this day. How many of us had Flintstone lunchboxes, played with Flintstone colorforms, or took Flintstone vitamins? And then there was "Pebbles Cereal". It was a favorite at our house, and you can still pick up a box yet today on the shelf at your local supermarket. Interesting fun fact: some of you may remember Post (the manufacturer of "Pebbles" cereal) years ago had a cereal called "Rice Krinkles". Kind of like Rice Krispies, but sweetened; they vanished from the shelves in the mid to late 60's. Apparently they were re-branded into "Pebbles" at the request of the folks at Post. Oh, and Cocoa Pebbles are my choice, although the Fruity ones are good too. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcV9ejrEoZDzvTkljfN2lfmtJ72o1_-tuCZ8wCmnO0A7gNIfdFHdwc6CDktbnrhiEXDyLqeIpYgiUSfa7PSekYg8fVaxvlZm5EczMHybpOuybEYvm7nVl4n0RC4y05kgjK3CMKxGw5wxq/s500/flint14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="272" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcV9ejrEoZDzvTkljfN2lfmtJ72o1_-tuCZ8wCmnO0A7gNIfdFHdwc6CDktbnrhiEXDyLqeIpYgiUSfa7PSekYg8fVaxvlZm5EczMHybpOuybEYvm7nVl4n0RC4y05kgjK3CMKxGw5wxq/w348-h640/flint14.jpg" width="348" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <br /></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>And how could we fail to mention the Flintstones' countless appearances in print? It's testimony to the show's ongoing popularity and influence that every major comic book publisher in the United States has published the characters at one time or another. Dell, Gold Key, Charlton, Marvel, Archie, Harvey and DC all have had a turn presenting the adventures of the Stone Age icons. I'd draw your attention to DC specifically, having had some fun with "The Flintstones and the Jetsons", and featuring Fred and friends in "Scooby Doo Team-Up". Here's a gallery of Flintstone comics, old and new, including examples from each of those afore-mentioned publishers. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHNRJrENUS46xBzwI8H7E1PcK9_nJVJPCVA4NIF6iQxSZgrp84SRAGeZKqFDDFnEAdM8ffY1pnoyxfrbV9PwpiMJssmiIbzc8wMUH4EqvIoOVq469SDOOU-oEOU0okBz5svfnXj03I0Ds/s370/flint11.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="246" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHNRJrENUS46xBzwI8H7E1PcK9_nJVJPCVA4NIF6iQxSZgrp84SRAGeZKqFDDFnEAdM8ffY1pnoyxfrbV9PwpiMJssmiIbzc8wMUH4EqvIoOVq469SDOOU-oEOU0okBz5svfnXj03I0Ds/w266-h400/flint11.jpg" width="266" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVZ6XWO3fUoHnVP6rNN6auIpbIzEJz0hv1yfzXXwh3wQ9JyU2vnGuNapBpJJBQ9yt1VvaKnp9d3hxPsui_HmOpdqLl6eFWG1i629K65efbaINAtLRZT4pH8TAEOCxCQQ-Wm6BgA-cIM4k/s370/flint10.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVZ6XWO3fUoHnVP6rNN6auIpbIzEJz0hv1yfzXXwh3wQ9JyU2vnGuNapBpJJBQ9yt1VvaKnp9d3hxPsui_HmOpdqLl6eFWG1i629K65efbaINAtLRZT4pH8TAEOCxCQQ-Wm6BgA-cIM4k/w269-h400/flint10.jpg" width="269" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyjjKDS78aavcCYQ15U3DsP9FvS8mG9jHtSAzMbEwEcQ3FNrQrj2KhtycXqKUz3mwEQiXD2Zhx7mgc5OkLBWuCeTa4wqHL5AgR4giQPYNhH6yShjvDOrEKH5LWeHponFGO-gkCk9jEpMf/s370/flint13.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="238" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyjjKDS78aavcCYQ15U3DsP9FvS8mG9jHtSAzMbEwEcQ3FNrQrj2KhtycXqKUz3mwEQiXD2Zhx7mgc5OkLBWuCeTa4wqHL5AgR4giQPYNhH6yShjvDOrEKH5LWeHponFGO-gkCk9jEpMf/w258-h400/flint13.jpg" width="258" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29CNugPpqVicoXoICji4DreVyd5plwiUqy2Xm5IjMtvDXWoZs-5tqY4jZd4nfpr_vDI5bw4fRFDr3zQDs1dhwUvm0GtxTu2ct6MgOYErPBWUarEz6OS0jlZYnuS710nf-G1LJEHi-Ly_i/s370/flint12.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="243" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29CNugPpqVicoXoICji4DreVyd5plwiUqy2Xm5IjMtvDXWoZs-5tqY4jZd4nfpr_vDI5bw4fRFDr3zQDs1dhwUvm0GtxTu2ct6MgOYErPBWUarEz6OS0jlZYnuS710nf-G1LJEHi-Ly_i/w263-h400/flint12.jpg" width="263" /> </a><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oiYrv69aGUonXtydLttxsKl55rskbhbTRcZ5lp1nXwZZP169Af_eDU5C0wDlzuQC-V2rvIJ464ljAxOy8KeEWJKAdp1N2kRcrjcYLLZnJTg33yrxZ5XUS7Bia7vg0hmp540PfSLq9r3E/s370/flint8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="247" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oiYrv69aGUonXtydLttxsKl55rskbhbTRcZ5lp1nXwZZP169Af_eDU5C0wDlzuQC-V2rvIJ464ljAxOy8KeEWJKAdp1N2kRcrjcYLLZnJTg33yrxZ5XUS7Bia7vg0hmp540PfSLq9r3E/w268-h400/flint8.jpg" width="268" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5dZ4ptLvpRYycXdBfZxmcyK7FPwU-9hq-9COBdP7-FO3Vw0BA3rcF4H8Jpd-GYkt0P1qlJpGe0veiVBX73ZXjwZ3z_u4oylUIdJGb2JrYv3jNWrZCGM7vSWY_ly2EsXBOzODcSm7y5zz/s370/flint9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="253" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5dZ4ptLvpRYycXdBfZxmcyK7FPwU-9hq-9COBdP7-FO3Vw0BA3rcF4H8Jpd-GYkt0P1qlJpGe0veiVBX73ZXjwZ3z_u4oylUIdJGb2JrYv3jNWrZCGM7vSWY_ly2EsXBOzODcSm7y5zz/w274-h400/flint9.jpg" width="274" /> </a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOV5zi8FmF7E1tCFbbHko7WtLSC0qXYWZlbHG0M4MudbwwzljVCdfsBCYQ46Hd-8a4jx-KZqX-UgVW7GXrxTZYaHdh05lEeVTsoSd3AcRrUV5E3Hm47IaNWfj-Hccj-n16DJJE8Mhx_7v/s370/flint6.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOV5zi8FmF7E1tCFbbHko7WtLSC0qXYWZlbHG0M4MudbwwzljVCdfsBCYQ46Hd-8a4jx-KZqX-UgVW7GXrxTZYaHdh05lEeVTsoSd3AcRrUV5E3Hm47IaNWfj-Hccj-n16DJJE8Mhx_7v/w288-h400/flint6.jpg" width="288" /> </a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOmcHTzRb_8Wq_reSV0FYuS-3R2bm2Da0bm0njjyxqZxrztwAlGAQdQs5tz9Qns97WBrJVpDm-fCE2Pd7w9KtVs9SMpSEVwdzBIxWnYcvJKIaN5DLOWRDrUB1bv_zT13-ipZip2egUQhi/s370/flint7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="256" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOmcHTzRb_8Wq_reSV0FYuS-3R2bm2Da0bm0njjyxqZxrztwAlGAQdQs5tz9Qns97WBrJVpDm-fCE2Pd7w9KtVs9SMpSEVwdzBIxWnYcvJKIaN5DLOWRDrUB1bv_zT13-ipZip2egUQhi/w276-h400/flint7.jpg" width="276" /></a></span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrogP8ov9mk1kELnSTubeAeh87k8woKLABD14JY9PxHRpaxZGOAmXSJRB5e12bqaRCExWFrLccrVuRBgI1MGpm-67B5cVKlbefV9qA_0lzrahxzozgdnmAqB6r1qSoIy5p7HhoZvt5gCZq/s370/flint5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="243" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrogP8ov9mk1kELnSTubeAeh87k8woKLABD14JY9PxHRpaxZGOAmXSJRB5e12bqaRCExWFrLccrVuRBgI1MGpm-67B5cVKlbefV9qA_0lzrahxzozgdnmAqB6r1qSoIy5p7HhoZvt5gCZq/w420-h640/flint5.jpg" width="420" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH4zHvPsn7W6h2nYVqdUP5sAO6wKr1t7d4Tjbpo7kIDZlRLlSUtbtvRkRzG-NxktjDiihyphenhyphenFD5XM5ZLIHLeRrcyvl6YKYgZIhNVug5HAZLK237BghJiidQMckFcUJeDphD9JAPo-7enI9v/s499/flint4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH4zHvPsn7W6h2nYVqdUP5sAO6wKr1t7d4Tjbpo7kIDZlRLlSUtbtvRkRzG-NxktjDiihyphenhyphenFD5XM5ZLIHLeRrcyvl6YKYgZIhNVug5HAZLK237BghJiidQMckFcUJeDphD9JAPo-7enI9v/w416-h640/flint4.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOmcHTzRb_8Wq_reSV0FYuS-3R2bm2Da0bm0njjyxqZxrztwAlGAQdQs5tz9Qns97WBrJVpDm-fCE2Pd7w9KtVs9SMpSEVwdzBIxWnYcvJKIaN5DLOWRDrUB1bv_zT13-ipZip2egUQhi/s370/flint7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Finally, lest you think that "The Flintstones" is just a part of television's past. there is word of a new series coming on Fox called "Bedrock". Apparently twenty years later than the events from the original series, it will give us Fred approaching retirement age and Pebbles as a young adult. Will it be worth watching? Only time will tell, but it just goes to show you that you can't keep a good caveman down..</span> <br /></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oh, one more bit of vintage- here's the Screen Gems tag that followed the ending credits for the Flintstones. It all comes back to you...</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TD5iQ-viydU" width="320" youtube-src-id="TD5iQ-viydU"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-53870428788239352552021-08-03T05:00:00.193-05:002021-08-03T05:00:00.266-05:00Chew the Fat: Second Chances, Afterthoughts, and Updates...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6qi_lNrokyql9aOIz4jPNgCbHsI-UtNfXK5kKm4byFa6eA-qR_EgTR81TVHRftB3zsQZO-4iKMZ9Od0CgUe_jgErc4dgLfnmWj8xQet7SKkAME7yjD7hZ98yrsqgsfpu073v6QZvjAgD/s1226/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1226" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6qi_lNrokyql9aOIz4jPNgCbHsI-UtNfXK5kKm4byFa6eA-qR_EgTR81TVHRftB3zsQZO-4iKMZ9Od0CgUe_jgErc4dgLfnmWj8xQet7SKkAME7yjD7hZ98yrsqgsfpu073v6QZvjAgD/w640-h350/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: You know how sometimes, in the middle of a conversation, you draw a blank? There's something you want to say, but you just can't quite put it all together; and by the time it comes to you, the conversation has moved on. Well, this week the discussion has you and your belated comment completely in center stage.Or, it may simply be that there has been new information, new experience, new stories to tell since a given topic was addressed. As we generally live week-to-week, it can be challenging to go back and add a thought to something weeks or months past. Whatever the reason, this time around we are opening up the forum for a review of the year's topics to this point; to give you the chance to add that update; insert that late comment, put the exclamation on that previous point. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">An update to a recent post is what prompted this little interlude: a few weeks ago we discussed the Disney Ducks and specifically Uncle Scrooge. I mentioned that I was starting Don Rosa's "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck"; since then I've completed that volume. It was so impressive, it became necessary to give you some updated thoughts. And here they are:</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">First off, it's a beautiful presentation package. Two huge volumes in a nice slipcase. Quality stock pages with fantastic color reproduction. Fantagraphics built this collection to last. The first volume features Don Rosa's original 12 part series of "Life and Times". The second volume is filled with additional stories and background related to but not actually part of the series. It's a bin of comics riches well worth diving into and burrowing through...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoxPNkH_Tj4wUsD5eojwJC-3mPRMS26wvbYpmxJE3c23hZOS-fOUGuYUu5xyx88VnyiRUG4KMeKhGfl2sLheYpohKVHSQnRQ8OydWIzzqi_39mhFKqdaIAWpFhqClXI4erRZ96AbQue_Y/s2048/20210802_092925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoxPNkH_Tj4wUsD5eojwJC-3mPRMS26wvbYpmxJE3c23hZOS-fOUGuYUu5xyx88VnyiRUG4KMeKhGfl2sLheYpohKVHSQnRQ8OydWIzzqi_39mhFKqdaIAWpFhqClXI4erRZ96AbQue_Y/w300-h400/20210802_092925.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Secondly, the stories are phenomenal. I just finished volume 1 and am amazed at the detail Rosa included. I'm no expert on Carl Barks' entire library. But its apparent that Rosa has touched on many elements, major and trivial, that I recall from Barks' original tales. The characterizations are full and engaging, the guest appearances wide ranging. And the artwork? Spectacular, again a wealth of richness. One can easily see why this tale won the Eisner Award. It's one of the most enjoyable comic novels I've ever read. Can't wait to start on Volume 2! Oh, here's a sample page from the first volume...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nQi5DW-mNznEai5b68EStHlfqXVtFBK35TUAC8bKe1vmCEFuAAaiwMOBzZSPejZa6HdsS-lrVnun-o_Hcr1ubcc7niwKTDCh9GlPyRU0gJTs4IYWY_1hYoVt93IBP5RRVxM4SHr7kgYg/s2048/20210802_093149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nQi5DW-mNznEai5b68EStHlfqXVtFBK35TUAC8bKe1vmCEFuAAaiwMOBzZSPejZa6HdsS-lrVnun-o_Hcr1ubcc7niwKTDCh9GlPyRU0gJTs4IYWY_1hYoVt93IBP5RRVxM4SHr7kgYg/w300-h400/20210802_093149.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">For any of you who might be interested, this book gets my highest recommendation!</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Now that you have my update, the opportunity falls to you. And to make it a bit easier for you, here's a lighting list of all the topics we have dealt with this year so far: </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Gil Kane, Fred Hembeck, Popeye, Classic Films, Modelling kits, Eclectic Music, Snow, the Fantastic Four, Close shaves, DC's Adventure Comics, the Best Comics of the Bronze Age, Cars in Pop Culture, B/W Science Fiction, Situation Comedies, Bicycling, Comic Book Oddities, Homecomings, Barry Smith, Live Concert Albums, Unexpected Finds, Yearbooks, Reruns, the Disney Ducks, Summertime, Progressive Rock, Marvel on Video, Fast Food and Joe Kubert. </b>Whew... </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Ok, we've laid out the spread for you. It's a veritable banquet; so now's the time to remedy all those instances of " Wish I'd said that"... </span> <br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-77637857728850113542021-07-27T05:00:00.432-05:002021-07-28T07:58:18.709-05:00Panel Discussion: Joe Kubert, Artistic Ace!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9d6Gu_Yye8V3dQHOD1V-yrhKqQDXcdpwZAB2WsOYHuNYrXowuWS7uGFGm2Dd1SR7YYEipqt5NoymHDOV5z4EQGUUYoUi0kYNT4sJnBDBv3B2QS44l5eZOgwXdQUjmItvBaAWUAtUshwE/s1183/Panel+Header.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1183" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9d6Gu_Yye8V3dQHOD1V-yrhKqQDXcdpwZAB2WsOYHuNYrXowuWS7uGFGm2Dd1SR7YYEipqt5NoymHDOV5z4EQGUUYoUi0kYNT4sJnBDBv3B2QS44l5eZOgwXdQUjmItvBaAWUAtUshwE/w640-h338/Panel+Header.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpi4Gaf043fBsYtjREiTj3trTD_Fsnn4AQPY6TxS5hWowxQoC4J-OhKOvl4UTNwwBYV1orie-VlyU_7oJ3F9FhgR60bSz4fBKAwZFo02pneywP5-cdda3H3Rw538RVRhS0i14BthabsO0/s370/jk16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="248" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpi4Gaf043fBsYtjREiTj3trTD_Fsnn4AQPY6TxS5hWowxQoC4J-OhKOvl4UTNwwBYV1orie-VlyU_7oJ3F9FhgR60bSz4fBKAwZFo02pneywP5-cdda3H3Rw538RVRhS0i14BthabsO0/w268-h400/jk16.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: The subject of our tribute and discussion this week is a man perhaps less familiar to Marvel zuvembies, but certainly revered by DC fans, and the comics world in general. Joe Kubert's career began back in the Golden Age of comics, and spanned every subsequent decade until his passing in 2012. His work was seen at practically every publisher you could name- MLJ/Archie, Quality, Atlas/Marvel, EC, and St. John (where Kubert and Norman Maurer introduced the world to 3-D comics). <br /><br /> But Kubert is probably best known for his brilliant work at DC, where he worked for many years . Here's an example of Joe's earlier work from Eerie #9, 1952 (Avon Publications).</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBTXo8nGBZuC3LszTL7FQ7A0eEIt9wLT1NQvU54uZ1pwyd8O5utmiu3O4hUm0oBJWvBbJ0AgJp_QKkl1UxkqWgGI5Cn57kxs0EMtWOdJgOsOHN-89WxPdXn_fNl6GMc41dLepBPUxZ1Xl/s2048/eerie9b0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1459" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBTXo8nGBZuC3LszTL7FQ7A0eEIt9wLT1NQvU54uZ1pwyd8O5utmiu3O4hUm0oBJWvBbJ0AgJp_QKkl1UxkqWgGI5Cn57kxs0EMtWOdJgOsOHN-89WxPdXn_fNl6GMc41dLepBPUxZ1Xl/w285-h400/eerie9b0002.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Kubert created, or was involved in the creation of many characters, including Viking Prince, Tor, Thorn, Enemy Ace; and was part of the team that started the Silver Age with the Flash in Showcase 4. He handled a huge share of DC's noted war comics, his years on Sgt. Rock positively iconic. On many of those war tales Kubert worked with Robert Kanigher, weaving the adventures of Rock, The Losers, Unknown Soldier, Haunted Tank and Enemy Ace. He also handled the art on DC's "Tarzan", and gave us the classic look for Hawkman. And although he was mostly associated with 'adventurous' titles, Kubert also rendered most of DC's heroic stable: Batman, Superman, Flash, and the Justice League. Indeed, as often as Gil Kane's work could be seen on Marvel covers, Kubert's shined on DC covers.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">On a personal note, my first exposure to Joe's art was on the great covers for "Rima the Jungle Girl". <br />Those books were a visual treat both inside ( gorgeous work by Nestor Redondo) and outside, with Kubert's dramatic covers. Years later I further came to appreciate Kubert's skills when I became intrigued by his "Enemy Ace" strip. His magnificent, gritty, powerful rendering is unmistakable. And those aerial dogfights and vintage planes- Kubert was a master. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Speaking of mastery, his eye for drama was second to none. You'll see this on display below in another BitBA Gallery of Great Covers. But first we must mention another of Kubert's contributions to the industry: the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. Founded in 1976, the Kubert School has produced many new professional talents for the comics world. Just another way in which Joe Kubert's influence continues to this day, and on into the future. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And now, time to look over some covers (something I always enjoy, anyway). Hope you enjoy them too, and that they inspire you to share your thoughts on this giant of the comics industry...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafJWCbK2PH4xZqQeWEVtauyhtVKDXI32H-BtbkIKBC4GkOpW1RXmE9BSGrM_FrBwm8w716X24F19bDcggxniOzDJX8uJIrScR0pz2yUv5eMtS6x9wjD9vl-YpwsEDka1LANWwJgHIwxmJ/s370/jk3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafJWCbK2PH4xZqQeWEVtauyhtVKDXI32H-BtbkIKBC4GkOpW1RXmE9BSGrM_FrBwm8w716X24F19bDcggxniOzDJX8uJIrScR0pz2yUv5eMtS6x9wjD9vl-YpwsEDka1LANWwJgHIwxmJ/w275-h400/jk3.jpg" width="275" /></a></span></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXbh3Vcc4rprtB1b34n1jlqNEx_6qomk9lW8oLois0_YOWVm48A1FI-nXlklBiD8S6Mjpv9nNNSndYnmQ526n7F4dJA3YCAddY-N6HU8RHKs9_XeGVgmPTXdBTeNW8HvhS-fnBppTTiCS/s370/jk2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXbh3Vcc4rprtB1b34n1jlqNEx_6qomk9lW8oLois0_YOWVm48A1FI-nXlklBiD8S6Mjpv9nNNSndYnmQ526n7F4dJA3YCAddY-N6HU8RHKs9_XeGVgmPTXdBTeNW8HvhS-fnBppTTiCS/w276-h400/jk2.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span></p><p><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span></p><p><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghqTcZUAIflhfjTwVpVgw-m7jdTSU-__vJGISOjWw7t_wp7DNY-ssS-DUUjgl2CVdAMakWf712pYCyeaAWagX0bvtGRXnNjtYlLzUevyHs2wPXYbf4zysHLdgiodL4SGFLtCtw3haRr0c/s370/jk4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwKWaz31lgeq-gWWIQn9NMwsI_-Z1DkPj0IM7fMNk1WJ4GlLbHVQyOuybAaKrQOclAi3VaOKweVPD14as7mjXOJLBTjoRsrkcD8aMFmqSjikhfXYReQo1Se-4lEo5reSvtj-oBxnHztRf/s370/jk1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="260" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwKWaz31lgeq-gWWIQn9NMwsI_-Z1DkPj0IM7fMNk1WJ4GlLbHVQyOuybAaKrQOclAi3VaOKweVPD14as7mjXOJLBTjoRsrkcD8aMFmqSjikhfXYReQo1Se-4lEo5reSvtj-oBxnHztRf/w283-h400/jk1.jpg" width="283" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="257" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghqTcZUAIflhfjTwVpVgw-m7jdTSU-__vJGISOjWw7t_wp7DNY-ssS-DUUjgl2CVdAMakWf712pYCyeaAWagX0bvtGRXnNjtYlLzUevyHs2wPXYbf4zysHLdgiodL4SGFLtCtw3haRr0c/w278-h400/jk4.jpg" width="278" /></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-H3gH2DSxYTFy9ajz-zhQtP7HsUIFm2coAMSNh2_uS-P-8l1fAFUxe6mNNTpKT1FpPG_y6EaPeDd4Z7nlbeTvU9QIfWaiOmYx5UBE7P8wjHcBwfeRcWbclT-ODmKy_nr5QLhubd-ZaAl/s370/jk5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-H3gH2DSxYTFy9ajz-zhQtP7HsUIFm2coAMSNh2_uS-P-8l1fAFUxe6mNNTpKT1FpPG_y6EaPeDd4Z7nlbeTvU9QIfWaiOmYx5UBE7P8wjHcBwfeRcWbclT-ODmKy_nr5QLhubd-ZaAl/w276-h400/jk5.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutcmW-1wsH6yjinrHBeMrDM_XIQ25VObSdAgI4cJGfedYqr8OQBoZiJ7anlohqvIS7m9GmUDJVlQRlrmK6UdsOJ81OP5L3WuXosNXBGlRsnZmc0gKxTgE7Ng9u-5LldPoTeDJoHFfevRz/s370/jk7.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div> Love the three-part design of the cover on the left below...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9Phn2uk7ZVYUvpbnkiuT9VVBqbFIrfmy8_U1dVz8l2UPV7BraBNvriQHAl1NCtvek6svUOoFbqI1h2Nc1QBAhSw4ayeXVfLlpfBv_h3bsVu6uAjoRqdnCxlbNbeN70WINr75Oh1Fn08D/s370/jk6.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="252" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9Phn2uk7ZVYUvpbnkiuT9VVBqbFIrfmy8_U1dVz8l2UPV7BraBNvriQHAl1NCtvek6svUOoFbqI1h2Nc1QBAhSw4ayeXVfLlpfBv_h3bsVu6uAjoRqdnCxlbNbeN70WINr75Oh1Fn08D/w272-h400/jk6.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCX6OCZXxJn4YS0FrBKDClSlZmli0XaylmJHTdsb7vOtLkhlc-xiCgT5YZoKRXf2d-k4nnnOH5XseNUY7AbR6aipm_aaDAZvsHs5lT1nefaVcjXoU0LehQFVlP_fc4IsSoW4v83K9L_q1/s370/jk9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCX6OCZXxJn4YS0FrBKDClSlZmli0XaylmJHTdsb7vOtLkhlc-xiCgT5YZoKRXf2d-k4nnnOH5XseNUY7AbR6aipm_aaDAZvsHs5lT1nefaVcjXoU0LehQFVlP_fc4IsSoW4v83K9L_q1/w270-h400/jk9.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPokzHG9XJVV9fyP6yZvLonJJP6JpG_c6H3QrxCxL1Wi5Ouk2QuCWCPaPv0ol1aQ6opiviheDChSk_IV4kZBUFjkHwWeWiI5ZIMnqgmMX3mGwEroGOYH_1w_AthxNOf7-146G6ScNNTpJ/s370/jk10.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPokzHG9XJVV9fyP6yZvLonJJP6JpG_c6H3QrxCxL1Wi5Ouk2QuCWCPaPv0ol1aQ6opiviheDChSk_IV4kZBUFjkHwWeWiI5ZIMnqgmMX3mGwEroGOYH_1w_AthxNOf7-146G6ScNNTpJ/w276-h400/jk10.jpg" width="276" /> </a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuZ0HHKwRKFKn4BXrP7AsfhcJySf_NQuBXuonLsX9GN4_5qfjC-MBa-rQJP7WNYlMmqJZ4lystwHq4p-M3AVqgJav7oy8ItZTp1562fyR033MNnXL72AUAxWQSkicJ5hgKWQ-xq85jGpL/s370/jk8.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuZ0HHKwRKFKn4BXrP7AsfhcJySf_NQuBXuonLsX9GN4_5qfjC-MBa-rQJP7WNYlMmqJZ4lystwHq4p-M3AVqgJav7oy8ItZTp1562fyR033MNnXL72AUAxWQSkicJ5hgKWQ-xq85jGpL/w276-h400/jk8.jpg" width="276" /></a></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLvmaDzchYNAQZ8_UQnIahGsbUb3pEc8nsYgE0-sBzgtL5fBE46v5XLZ-Es9byhSDIuNSz-cM2O0BwocreZ7-tDZZNtDIACmelgcxN9L4ECfk91hjqvSa_90InZSBN6HJ_E5mgDzlP1np/s370/jk12.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLvmaDzchYNAQZ8_UQnIahGsbUb3pEc8nsYgE0-sBzgtL5fBE46v5XLZ-Es9byhSDIuNSz-cM2O0BwocreZ7-tDZZNtDIACmelgcxN9L4ECfk91hjqvSa_90InZSBN6HJ_E5mgDzlP1np/w270-h400/jk12.jpg" width="270" /></a></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5gnz7SASTFJRyjQw16sWmmiQdroFYX3VyISTao93RqQSXhnMdwBklKv0ekw4O-_sXzU4AyRIRDrP3G6VBXBNW5Wfq680CV1BxchrkvvITQtFq6M0LaeL7bvkPCC1gZR2EdSkPg7uy8n3/s370/jk11.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5gnz7SASTFJRyjQw16sWmmiQdroFYX3VyISTao93RqQSXhnMdwBklKv0ekw4O-_sXzU4AyRIRDrP3G6VBXBNW5Wfq680CV1BxchrkvvITQtFq6M0LaeL7bvkPCC1gZR2EdSkPg7uy8n3/w276-h400/jk11.jpg" width="276" /> </a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlorzr18BhqpLaUruJTPv9igM7ZnCoPpOXiYAIjl6s85xbHiITqQkcqVmIzPmyeqJjsB4dXgrb6oHHFuNTvbuVtqkVjmlPezGI-a71jJtfPOlTgHZMHwSuU634sD29iXv4b1uxddnxapf/s370/jk13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This may be my favorite comic cover of all time... <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlorzr18BhqpLaUruJTPv9igM7ZnCoPpOXiYAIjl6s85xbHiITqQkcqVmIzPmyeqJjsB4dXgrb6oHHFuNTvbuVtqkVjmlPezGI-a71jJtfPOlTgHZMHwSuU634sD29iXv4b1uxddnxapf/s370/jk13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlorzr18BhqpLaUruJTPv9igM7ZnCoPpOXiYAIjl6s85xbHiITqQkcqVmIzPmyeqJjsB4dXgrb6oHHFuNTvbuVtqkVjmlPezGI-a71jJtfPOlTgHZMHwSuU634sD29iXv4b1uxddnxapf/w428-h640/jk13.jpg" width="428" /></a></span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPFYuou9Vcs6PnoSKDc-5X7BPF-VMRCireCzGaLniU2Q8fPoYLlnQztbUtF26l-iVYCxTJ-bwK7gw8nJAyqICksE_2fctj2owmh5fXlJ5D2F0s157BtoNMjxn0GRQbeHx4ITItKN1OT2m/s370/jk14.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPFYuou9Vcs6PnoSKDc-5X7BPF-VMRCireCzGaLniU2Q8fPoYLlnQztbUtF26l-iVYCxTJ-bwK7gw8nJAyqICksE_2fctj2owmh5fXlJ5D2F0s157BtoNMjxn0GRQbeHx4ITItKN1OT2m/w270-h400/jk14.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbQCGEGJjxd1Eo2VNtSQtway2CxDP9HiH0hpf_Zy38fUBNnT9b_Sof4dlAhJMkB0DH3o6vLZlLxrAAYI-WqYOd283b1J2qzlGetGjk-HKSv24ut-wneeOuKcynKRfI8jxfIBQ5AMgE8FR/s370/jk15.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="244" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbQCGEGJjxd1Eo2VNtSQtway2CxDP9HiH0hpf_Zy38fUBNnT9b_Sof4dlAhJMkB0DH3o6vLZlLxrAAYI-WqYOd283b1J2qzlGetGjk-HKSv24ut-wneeOuKcynKRfI8jxfIBQ5AMgE8FR/w264-h400/jk15.jpg" width="264" /> </a> </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f7rHTaCNshpNE_GEPkjh6eZDaKjfryFGbYDTpI_kHTaUUnbwpLnAgq3UhWS7t6fSFnJCgE-yRrAXqU9mLqw4y8AIwi1tay5T9BjZYjb_WJC9-RpLEhVGaf859VIunW7MQliTqOUN4_nu/s370/jk21.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f7rHTaCNshpNE_GEPkjh6eZDaKjfryFGbYDTpI_kHTaUUnbwpLnAgq3UhWS7t6fSFnJCgE-yRrAXqU9mLqw4y8AIwi1tay5T9BjZYjb_WJC9-RpLEhVGaf859VIunW7MQliTqOUN4_nu/w275-h400/jk21.jpg" width="275" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXdEcrNYKhV_y3iNnRTharUo8j4MSpjHkBfUFcpT9EC39sphSrm-s4MpBdb341HfJS_vXQoE_qfGAct4rTV0-HYoYRLZLKuhO2A4qvhcdKw690rhinyIgG9WqFVRcS7BMp07SMWEiaroF/s370/jk22.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="276" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXdEcrNYKhV_y3iNnRTharUo8j4MSpjHkBfUFcpT9EC39sphSrm-s4MpBdb341HfJS_vXQoE_qfGAct4rTV0-HYoYRLZLKuhO2A4qvhcdKw690rhinyIgG9WqFVRcS7BMp07SMWEiaroF/w299-h400/jk22.jpg" width="299" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Saw this on the racks in 1974 and couldn't pass it up...</span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQmFqO1m7s3tNm93vfyptwH7vQPdTtnZejLWzMx_aTEsybAcyTUWtf5Bk7xz5siFYrLnHtMaWkP-kQe38W7-kZ1ybolmOsl1qcmCnMsWwlKaZYBOr0_zyUg0NmtGwKMUwgJm5dCAr7sU4/s370/jk23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQmFqO1m7s3tNm93vfyptwH7vQPdTtnZejLWzMx_aTEsybAcyTUWtf5Bk7xz5siFYrLnHtMaWkP-kQe38W7-kZ1ybolmOsl1qcmCnMsWwlKaZYBOr0_zyUg0NmtGwKMUwgJm5dCAr7sU4/w416-h640/jk23.jpg" width="416" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqonf1EBaqItTTMbEpo2PJyq5h4jN4TFvfRM9AjXuoSTI3a9Y9EL8NIAnJPPZsqGNrInRt9zaT8OaqVdMSnF5CUBeL3UvjcGHdTpFg8Wyq4WJ41v64izHAh4modbSdXBoVVFjnQcNuSaQV/s370/jk24.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqonf1EBaqItTTMbEpo2PJyq5h4jN4TFvfRM9AjXuoSTI3a9Y9EL8NIAnJPPZsqGNrInRt9zaT8OaqVdMSnF5CUBeL3UvjcGHdTpFg8Wyq4WJ41v64izHAh4modbSdXBoVVFjnQcNuSaQV/w260-h400/jk24.jpg" width="260" /> </a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLy-I_VTvcXCEIfLoN5VtMUaBK6ujysDqIN-x3iuLbDTI_igjo3QkXFdQlq7j2d-nHFVp4t8MOSKpEH9X_j-m4JV07o4TYSOMEtJVTcpUvd0CUFh7jnQm6vy3Z0Rle2hevRqppdMgIXch/s370/jk25.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLy-I_VTvcXCEIfLoN5VtMUaBK6ujysDqIN-x3iuLbDTI_igjo3QkXFdQlq7j2d-nHFVp4t8MOSKpEH9X_j-m4JV07o4TYSOMEtJVTcpUvd0CUFh7jnQm6vy3Z0Rle2hevRqppdMgIXch/w261-h400/jk25.jpg" width="261" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLy-I_VTvcXCEIfLoN5VtMUaBK6ujysDqIN-x3iuLbDTI_igjo3QkXFdQlq7j2d-nHFVp4t8MOSKpEH9X_j-m4JV07o4TYSOMEtJVTcpUvd0CUFh7jnQm6vy3Z0Rle2hevRqppdMgIXch/s370/jk25.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Kubert really had a knack for rendering piercingly powerful expressions, as on the right below...</span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6sxZbmwcU1AU_1umtN_ttouc_YdQWLKIdNYONCW_11QxLr0mYtAf4Bs_jkPLwjNNEfsVLenl6MZreC1fs_bRRuJGBBTl17AjE6A-NoJn6CtUp2Em4Fy9-qn6_EaiyaWJpTOZYLZQ2kTm/s370/jk26.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6sxZbmwcU1AU_1umtN_ttouc_YdQWLKIdNYONCW_11QxLr0mYtAf4Bs_jkPLwjNNEfsVLenl6MZreC1fs_bRRuJGBBTl17AjE6A-NoJn6CtUp2Em4Fy9-qn6_EaiyaWJpTOZYLZQ2kTm/w260-h400/jk26.jpg" width="260" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI3fZ_iXSqh882bm3SKBCQVCPIF357YoJBtG4dzJbyl6y7i2yb0BFKfFEGgcaH_CnawjJ5fznPjEsEF4X4ztMYNppnJwNPLqrR2neoN5aJyvrdnG40IMckAbSjCzd8_gMdVSG723db9Nx/s370/jk27.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="245" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI3fZ_iXSqh882bm3SKBCQVCPIF357YoJBtG4dzJbyl6y7i2yb0BFKfFEGgcaH_CnawjJ5fznPjEsEF4X4ztMYNppnJwNPLqrR2neoN5aJyvrdnG40IMckAbSjCzd8_gMdVSG723db9Nx/w265-h400/jk27.jpg" width="265" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI3fZ_iXSqh882bm3SKBCQVCPIF357YoJBtG4dzJbyl6y7i2yb0BFKfFEGgcaH_CnawjJ5fznPjEsEF4X4ztMYNppnJwNPLqrR2neoN5aJyvrdnG40IMckAbSjCzd8_gMdVSG723db9Nx/s370/jk27.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoS8NptxDljJVvszpIwkBL8MCssG9NF6aDRt6XCsOlt3ht2ixngrfJ9724_PBt8wnlD6ruR0KPmXgYTNI9yMiMzbDTXLZGQ39FIqVqzXoJtMK5-4VdZZdhXfYiJOtcPxvj5wGMlKokJcJ/s370/jk29.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoS8NptxDljJVvszpIwkBL8MCssG9NF6aDRt6XCsOlt3ht2ixngrfJ9724_PBt8wnlD6ruR0KPmXgYTNI9yMiMzbDTXLZGQ39FIqVqzXoJtMK5-4VdZZdhXfYiJOtcPxvj5wGMlKokJcJ/s370/jk29.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="245" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoS8NptxDljJVvszpIwkBL8MCssG9NF6aDRt6XCsOlt3ht2ixngrfJ9724_PBt8wnlD6ruR0KPmXgYTNI9yMiMzbDTXLZGQ39FIqVqzXoJtMK5-4VdZZdhXfYiJOtcPxvj5wGMlKokJcJ/w265-h400/jk29.jpg" width="265" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImNdadtrawTl3BorNo1VyAEQCMnM4tw_URAEPnSaEbshIrZGIYTZa5iNpUt4jTujE7r1rEVfiJY13e3gp3oY7Y_QAW50E62KpaGwn4KwYpID5EqVmxdaqTwUdKSKEz69XEHYRwfiLRqRc/s370/jk28.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="246" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImNdadtrawTl3BorNo1VyAEQCMnM4tw_URAEPnSaEbshIrZGIYTZa5iNpUt4jTujE7r1rEVfiJY13e3gp3oY7Y_QAW50E62KpaGwn4KwYpID5EqVmxdaqTwUdKSKEz69XEHYRwfiLRqRc/w266-h400/jk28.jpg" width="266" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtUKllXPfXT6r-LSvxaigN_D3mGCrkkLzTSBLez1JD8_11oqq2oMqLVygfJbwjiUC9hJX-jyDkAdgfJxC_TyHj_wRIc5nFjeco8zvFB47M-wIgKZrB0HUi3le3eRN2Q_yT2zQNy4dNcDf/s370/jk30.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="247" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtUKllXPfXT6r-LSvxaigN_D3mGCrkkLzTSBLez1JD8_11oqq2oMqLVygfJbwjiUC9hJX-jyDkAdgfJxC_TyHj_wRIc5nFjeco8zvFB47M-wIgKZrB0HUi3le3eRN2Q_yT2zQNy4dNcDf/w268-h400/jk30.jpg" width="268" /></a> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGdR90bjNVXaXeSeMMedujs0GC637DO90K0Dnz2OA6JrLoHLKSBpTjoHABww06SI9xYvI7IOK_DPQt4cewWkUgEu9Fmn_UH9ZrSMrm9NQxf4qd_zJb3TH0NXMtva04afOU_dRe7LP4EjY/s370/jk31.jpg" style="clear: right; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="239" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe3pE9U3qoU9qKFLhGaIfWJo1BsAch0gca59ab4n7Z8C6mlmfLiheDiF9P6o0zgievkdWGmPwRSIwx58KW8q7QFqsxKOapKLfnDNi6jXTfrWW6IbudtSntgTWV71cobVBCAXFtUUu7cC4/w259-h400/jk32.jpg" width="259" /> </a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruf1QE_swpLZuqyxv57WEhvcEvw4QXUh-YoK3ykbP5V_2ayDssPj7vhqC5rriL7Oe4XcLSDMsSa3kw_-XscZ0cNpqzyEqCKQ3gbBB3kJBDlrhgltpeaG_MYCXSf1ADm4Z2dF3UonRvT63/s370/jk33.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruf1QE_swpLZuqyxv57WEhvcEvw4QXUh-YoK3ykbP5V_2ayDssPj7vhqC5rriL7Oe4XcLSDMsSa3kw_-XscZ0cNpqzyEqCKQ3gbBB3kJBDlrhgltpeaG_MYCXSf1ADm4Z2dF3UonRvT63/w255-h400/jk33.jpg" width="255" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruf1QE_swpLZuqyxv57WEhvcEvw4QXUh-YoK3ykbP5V_2ayDssPj7vhqC5rriL7Oe4XcLSDMsSa3kw_-XscZ0cNpqzyEqCKQ3gbBB3kJBDlrhgltpeaG_MYCXSf1ADm4Z2dF3UonRvT63/s370/jk33.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF90yXUxUnOrevHAnMnhxiN-NtY45bksfLFqENPDjn9wRNiq3f-DiX2MRzMOzuVOyEkY624jCzOVOXbWjx7U8jWot5UhAd_nqHsW3ho8N2buYzf92qTsyUMsw0luI6xMasI6eGi-SPQf-/s370/jk34.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF90yXUxUnOrevHAnMnhxiN-NtY45bksfLFqENPDjn9wRNiq3f-DiX2MRzMOzuVOyEkY624jCzOVOXbWjx7U8jWot5UhAd_nqHsW3ho8N2buYzf92qTsyUMsw0luI6xMasI6eGi-SPQf-/w260-h400/jk34.jpg" width="260" /></a> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMctwGh1XDw3dSumNdl_7t3ZOV60iQS8I2i4FTnLu9z7pEUIq_IaCUbda8-zVm-cxMvSnOFOPqucuobC15v73uIiPYBo_RHV-vwU1Yr-yJFHuZ2tvweeSn-qW6W-BE6s1h52F1eyNYppUB/s370/jk35.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="271" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMctwGh1XDw3dSumNdl_7t3ZOV60iQS8I2i4FTnLu9z7pEUIq_IaCUbda8-zVm-cxMvSnOFOPqucuobC15v73uIiPYBo_RHV-vwU1Yr-yJFHuZ2tvweeSn-qW6W-BE6s1h52F1eyNYppUB/w293-h400/jk35.jpg" width="293" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF90yXUxUnOrevHAnMnhxiN-NtY45bksfLFqENPDjn9wRNiq3f-DiX2MRzMOzuVOyEkY624jCzOVOXbWjx7U8jWot5UhAd_nqHsW3ho8N2buYzf92qTsyUMsw0luI6xMasI6eGi-SPQf-/s370/jk34.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Some dramatic perspective, here...</span> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCLLdjfNXF2GA5Zlnecu30bmWf0iZRi1GM7up-JH4a3s14cPfJLFtxI5IIxUHxR-WfO6HhLLXSGdtiKjKLr_tnxyD2N1d9K2uorF_G2j0KKz1TpF-dnhJXj3p31pnlZ9VzsYfHqkhJyGG/s370/jk36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="243" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCLLdjfNXF2GA5Zlnecu30bmWf0iZRi1GM7up-JH4a3s14cPfJLFtxI5IIxUHxR-WfO6HhLLXSGdtiKjKLr_tnxyD2N1d9K2uorF_G2j0KKz1TpF-dnhJXj3p31pnlZ9VzsYfHqkhJyGG/w263-h400/jk36.jpg" width="263" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">More recently, here's the cover from Joe's Graphic Novel treatment of Viet Nam...<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH5XhhrWSry6ooLSvF2KRJWDN-JQiiCOsDzu1t2nqCpcgWScCJAAufigJOEkmKk1NEoMkfwV7L1aJN2Gq-oAUmSvPZo4ANgvDVsQ6OmNkwOLOpnAB4tCNSS-xlSh-cMYvVygq3gQFxPvm/s370/jk39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="241" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH5XhhrWSry6ooLSvF2KRJWDN-JQiiCOsDzu1t2nqCpcgWScCJAAufigJOEkmKk1NEoMkfwV7L1aJN2Gq-oAUmSvPZo4ANgvDVsQ6OmNkwOLOpnAB4tCNSS-xlSh-cMYvVygq3gQFxPvm/w260-h400/jk39.jpg" width="260" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And how better to conclude this tour of Kubert's work than with his take on the Bible?</span> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxl_wVYNxymQdMK0URWdRJPjEwEo66c4Xq0hQ1f1XMyIA8dh3EUlKnLyhiPF8w62uAcBGqaLGSpPZGFTvhqs7z-b160vFP2wTrbSbGQL0bX_9lCd-9Kjk_lseJlq8JCQ57Ay7sfepxdSp/s370/jk40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="278" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxl_wVYNxymQdMK0URWdRJPjEwEo66c4Xq0hQ1f1XMyIA8dh3EUlKnLyhiPF8w62uAcBGqaLGSpPZGFTvhqs7z-b160vFP2wTrbSbGQL0bX_9lCd-9Kjk_lseJlq8JCQ57Ay7sfepxdSp/w300-h400/jk40.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;">In response to HB's request, here is the cover for Justice Inc. #4. Another impressive Kubert...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-fqeAgWtLWV6b38K61i4AiGFUE35LepNq5g7v-mSNxws-G4jOVL3pDK_5-6Jz9B6ZgCs_k2B3POKqbjvaZo_MA8ciMMJaiytJz1E9h1q0gSPPMFbNPAf3PuQWjpdPF6hLVg5ZCtF3DCi/s370/justice+inc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="244" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-fqeAgWtLWV6b38K61i4AiGFUE35LepNq5g7v-mSNxws-G4jOVL3pDK_5-6Jz9B6ZgCs_k2B3POKqbjvaZo_MA8ciMMJaiytJz1E9h1q0gSPPMFbNPAf3PuQWjpdPF6hLVg5ZCtF3DCi/w264-h400/justice+inc.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-40205659778891580082021-07-20T05:00:00.103-05:002021-07-20T05:00:00.266-05:00Short Cuts: The Fun and Foibles of Fast Food!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVH37iVYLaNs0dM8LmiE-TMlvTBRCNuqpw8CgcjIm8_yejq51rALmEiUJmH1uoVoDb145_vHJ5KxiiVrmHCKP5VLgtI6dm1h-PtRRkCfM66rmS3JEVoG-xBRk7KCzmM_NGD8QpT7h7J3e/s1944/Short+cuts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVH37iVYLaNs0dM8LmiE-TMlvTBRCNuqpw8CgcjIm8_yejq51rALmEiUJmH1uoVoDb145_vHJ5KxiiVrmHCKP5VLgtI6dm1h-PtRRkCfM66rmS3JEVoG-xBRk7KCzmM_NGD8QpT7h7J3e/w640-h480/Short+cuts.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: One facet of Bronze Age life (and life today, as well) that loomed large for kids was the phenomenon of Fast Food. Few of us were immune to the appeal of a cheeseburger and french fries, courtesy of Ronald McDonald, the Burger King, or some other purveyor of prefab cuisine. It may have been a weekly family meal. It may have been a trip to get a cone after a ball game. It may even have been an afterschool job (my first real job was flipping burgers at McDonalds). Whatever the origin, most of us have some experience, and hence some memories, of these restaurants. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dsuGr4W_QJQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="dsuGr4W_QJQ"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Most prominent, and most frequently visited by our family, was McDonald's. I couldn't resist those fries. And to this day I've a fondness for the Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Just keep Ronald at a distance, please; clowns can be...discomforting.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">One standout memory of McDonald's for me actually stems from my brief period of employment therein. One summer's day I went out with a friend to play tennis all afternoon, foolishly forgetting about any sunscreen. That night I was scheduled to work the grill, and all was fine at first. But as the evening wore on, my sunburn became more and more evident, and painful. It got to the point I was almost feverish standing in front of that grill, so I found some relief by ducking back into the freezer repeatedly until my shift ended. Not a pleasant night. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/In4SZgXbYfE" width="320" youtube-src-id="In4SZgXbYfE"></iframe></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Another chain that we patronized fairly often was Burger Chef: pretty similar to McD's overall, but with a more local flavor. "Burger Chef and Jeff" were the animated spokesmen who enticed kids to drag their families in for a "Fun Meal". This combo of a sandwich, fries and drink also included a toy, which MeDonald's soon 'borrowed' in the form of the "Happy Meal". One fond memory of Burger Chef is the sight across the midwest of birdhouses in the shape of a Burger Chef store. They can still be seen on occasion, usually with the old logo long faded away. Burger Chef itself faded away in the 1980's, as it was absorbed by Hardee's. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">That's two stories from two fast food places. How many more stories await from you, and how many other such restaurants attracted your patronage? Did you go for the big national chains, or prefer smaller local outfits? Who made the best burgers? Who had the worst commercials? Who watered down the Cokes ? It's all to go this week...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-76828676494550336042021-07-13T05:00:00.021-05:002021-07-18T10:35:17.361-05:00Follow the Leader: Potential Marvel Video!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_R9ST6nx0_9w-Nl6N5ISIUN9tySXueDc5bQDG62zYM8zwZoyhX8zobCBc0zEj4cyyj7zaXitmMI1Rw710rS0K4nVzM4dd-d9dVfmcPtNjBDovwgvHU9aDUtsaivK4eA8xnBJeWm3EXah/s1182/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1182" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_R9ST6nx0_9w-Nl6N5ISIUN9tySXueDc5bQDG62zYM8zwZoyhX8zobCBc0zEj4cyyj7zaXitmMI1Rw710rS0K4nVzM4dd-d9dVfmcPtNjBDovwgvHU9aDUtsaivK4eA8xnBJeWm3EXah/w640-h332/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Hi gang! Your humble host is rather sidetracked and occupied this week, so it seemed a perfect opportunity to bring out the Leader. You all are quite experienced in this practice, so our weekly discussion is in good hands! As always, the first commenter to chime in gets to set the agenda. Soooo, carry on!<br /></span></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-33501562317694346072021-07-06T05:00:00.121-05:002021-07-06T05:00:00.251-05:00Sound and the Fury: Perfect 'Headphones' Music- Art Rock!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21jwI3c0sD4mMwTyT_ht8rGgjgwEFGZYgF0FdxO4y3XQbZ7ucNDIVD6jO2WV86uVgqwEaMtA4Xm0B10gKTIx3HYYKn2T2cr8SbPcea57YVZqf-MuSBe_tveo-rChnIZONMAuUvZIsvYNf/s455/soundandfury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="455" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21jwI3c0sD4mMwTyT_ht8rGgjgwEFGZYgF0FdxO4y3XQbZ7ucNDIVD6jO2WV86uVgqwEaMtA4Xm0B10gKTIx3HYYKn2T2cr8SbPcea57YVZqf-MuSBe_tveo-rChnIZONMAuUvZIsvYNf/w640-h358/soundandfury.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: If you were like me 'back in the Bronze Age', you spent some time (possibly a great deal of time) sitting in your room, headphones on, eyes closed, just listening to some fantastic lp. And not just listening: absorbing, experiencing, FEELING it. The best music lends itself to such activity, it grabs you on numerous levels. Music offers many styles, many genres, capable of appealing to any taste. But one particular genre, Art Rock, seemed ideally suited. to Serious Listening. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Art Rock (or Progressive Rock, or Symphonic Rock: labels and genres can be rather fluid things) arose in the 60's with the experimental work of such acts as the Beatles, Velvet Underground, and even the Beach Boys. Psychedelia also no doubt lent a hand. Albums became 'concepts', the music itself more complex. Yes, it sometimes edged into pomposity or self-indulgence, but the best experimental music led the way to the genre's popularity peak in the 70's. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">There were many bands active in Art Rock, some exclusively and others just dabbling. This is the crux of our discussion this time; what were your favorite progressive bands? Which left you bleary eyed? What were the best albums, best songs, and conversely, which were the worst? What later acts do you feel owe a debt to Art Rock and it's practitioners?</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">To give you a starting point, here are three examples by three of my favorite Art Rockers. All three of these bands filled my youthful headphones often, and indeed still do. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <b>Emerson, Lake and Palmer: "From the Beginning:</b><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q5IdH7C7oWY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Q5IdH7C7oWY"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Moody Blues: "Tuesday Afternoon" </b><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bPLWBhNW3FM" width="320" youtube-src-id="bPLWBhNW3FM"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Alan Parsons Project: "The Raven" </b><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YAE1XTvKLXA" width="320" youtube-src-id="YAE1XTvKLXA"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Now if you'll excuse me, I'm grabbing my headphones and a comfortable chair...</span> <br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-35660143589803184622021-06-29T05:00:00.195-05:002021-06-29T05:00:00.268-05:00Chew the Fat: A Simple Summer Survey of Style and Sentiment! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvhzkEiksu-SWRvvD28VtQIQX3Q0mGeGf8OGIH0rVi-fJCHRT5V7bPor0nXHMCHJXysOqnGHJuFLc-k8J19BCTdOHwBn1sj182E9Wt35tiQDnwW2Y7kxPgIzCQvLuwAjjlWpoC0nxEA_e/s1226/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1226" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvhzkEiksu-SWRvvD28VtQIQX3Q0mGeGf8OGIH0rVi-fJCHRT5V7bPor0nXHMCHJXysOqnGHJuFLc-k8J19BCTdOHwBn1sj182E9Wt35tiQDnwW2Y7kxPgIzCQvLuwAjjlWpoC0nxEA_e/w640-h350/Chew+Fat+5.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy65voLKhKOEa_MOkahbC4ilCf00uwPj5snw95TpFzaBa2E_OAayETBUHtICaZlYqVFqjkSKNXD6XvysCjCTR-tnpRF_mVgyI8Ws4NjWcV1dtQJnOYDOX-i8RKEvvj9t8FNy-Em1HoHgzE/s310/summer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy65voLKhKOEa_MOkahbC4ilCf00uwPj5snw95TpFzaBa2E_OAayETBUHtICaZlYqVFqjkSKNXD6XvysCjCTR-tnpRF_mVgyI8Ws4NjWcV1dtQJnOYDOX-i8RKEvvj9t8FNy-Em1HoHgzE/w400-h210/summer1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Almost done with June already; seems as if this year just started. And late June means that we are in the heady days of High Summer! This time of year is nice, as generally the scorching heat of later Summer hasn't arrived yet (although where I live, the heat and humidity is already pretty oppressive). At any rate, it seemed a good time to offer a salute to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer (a bonus hat tip to the first to identify that old chestnut's performer). Plus, it's been awhile since we did a quiz, so here we go with a little Summer Survey. Pour yourself an iced tea and let's get started...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>1. Name your favorite "Summer Song"</b>. Yes, a challenge to start off with. There are sooooo many perfect possibilities for this, but my pick will be Bananarama and "Cruel Summer". A great song, and it always evokes that art school Summer of 1984; burgers grilling in the lot between our apartment houses while that song played on somebody's boombox. Oh yeah...<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9ml3nyww80" width="320" youtube-src-id="l9ml3nyww80"></iframe></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZH5xdAnMDgJkzUBMhM4qj6nZMf0qF8f3nxNA2M9lmNFpGpbh4K3D64s3ykiCJ8DeZW9Gmk8svJY9KWfgWYsMcZjlbymrKgcZ8xCeSVpEFO_00fI3E-fOOHw4vQT4XwRcIXHHytBTWW1Re/s1512/summer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="979" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZH5xdAnMDgJkzUBMhM4qj6nZMf0qF8f3nxNA2M9lmNFpGpbh4K3D64s3ykiCJ8DeZW9Gmk8svJY9KWfgWYsMcZjlbymrKgcZ8xCeSVpEFO_00fI3E-fOOHw4vQT4XwRcIXHHytBTWW1Re/s320/summer3.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b> </b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>2. Share a comic that has specific Summer memories for you.</b> For me, this one's easy. Amazing Spider-Man 161 (you remember, the issue with Nightcrawler). That Summer of 1976, I was taking Driver's Education at school. Our High School was located near downtown, a short walk from the store where I got my weekly fix of comics. The day that book came out I had class scheduled, so I stopped and picked it up on the way to DE. I subsequently sat and read it , sitting in the shade of the school building while waiting for class to begin (perhaps not the coolest image amongst the other future drivers, but hey, it was Spider-Man. Nuff Said).</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>3. Name your favorite Summer Blockbuster film</b>. Here's another possibly challenging question, but I'll have to go with "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Perfect fun, perfect adventure, perfect music, perfect cast. And a perfect way for a pack of college students to spend a Summer night in air-conditioned comfort (our apartment building had no A/C, so we loved to get out on those sultry evenings). <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVRGf2SwNNW4EMc8HIEggWnm-tBvVmXG8M6-fukHjFYPjjz1DmS4WZydxRTpa0Pyz099p618esGrgEekTmQTAlIw5FAu28DyFZ-f9keQtye4YaqflbdkJyw741670NH-VBKEYxLE2mZYp/s1536/summer4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1021" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVRGf2SwNNW4EMc8HIEggWnm-tBvVmXG8M6-fukHjFYPjjz1DmS4WZydxRTpa0Pyz099p618esGrgEekTmQTAlIw5FAu28DyFZ-f9keQtye4YaqflbdkJyw741670NH-VBKEYxLE2mZYp/w266-h400/summer4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>4. What's your favorite Summertime edible and / or potable?</b> I'll go with a tasty Hot Dog, red hot, with Cheese and Mustard, preferably with a ballpark around it. And wash it down with an icy cold lemonade, fresh squeezed...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">5. </span></b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Describe a feature of Summer that is uniquely appealing to you personally.</b> This I can answer in one word: fireflies. Or, as they were called in my neck of the woods, "lightning bugs". Fascinating little insects, fun to watch and they don't bite. In fact, they often like to land on you and crawl down your arm. Seeing a bunch of these little illuminated wonders flickering on a late June night turns me into a ten-year-old all over again...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eNiBlHfMOc8cFFL27-GSt5VwKNro7-bRyFZVaqIR5Wt7fEd7GUTj_iUsSxEymf61x2DGHGU70BTqYaCM0IFnQ0f6nMIU4Kg8QASlONBGUflnn5yALtkuS25XufG6l_YkLvwWn_iwhnVm/s2048/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eNiBlHfMOc8cFFL27-GSt5VwKNro7-bRyFZVaqIR5Wt7fEd7GUTj_iUsSxEymf61x2DGHGU70BTqYaCM0IFnQ0f6nMIU4Kg8QASlONBGUflnn5yALtkuS25XufG6l_YkLvwWn_iwhnVm/s320/IMG_1180.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe53OjC0p6utAFix3nEPQKoLycYHxFMPJdz3qfJ1mNMu-WyZRrzJYg9-ROO6dwQ8MMgdodn9qRBbgT-KUV0p7bGZ1GlvgYZJsytFGIRXw93fA4W4tqiLpEZyw4kAHoJTy4vWNWFTfDT9SS/s2048/IMAG0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Okay, my survey is done; yours is just beginning! We all await your Summery summations...<br /></span></p><div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-40232829535148112762021-06-22T05:00:00.340-05:002021-06-22T05:00:00.244-05:00Funny Books: Ducks and Covers! Disney's Donald and Scrooge...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b8Op05Qz2EBeYsJMIrBc54H-50O0FAZr9kM4zU4fdzEiq0z2L5JN_LMAWdrk4XgcxvjJLjh8HRkezGr7SR-Wzf0kpXuvGcqvoA2utedhTQP8y_X-mmRlob_lV52niyI-1htdo3wtPnUC/s934/7A.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="934" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b8Op05Qz2EBeYsJMIrBc54H-50O0FAZr9kM4zU4fdzEiq0z2L5JN_LMAWdrk4XgcxvjJLjh8HRkezGr7SR-Wzf0kpXuvGcqvoA2utedhTQP8y_X-mmRlob_lV52niyI-1htdo3wtPnUC/w640-h276/7A.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Some of the first comics I ever read, and loved, were Walt Disney books featuring the adventures of Donald Duck, his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, and Donald's financially obsessed Uncle Scrooge McDuck. These stories grabbed my youthful imagination, and held me fast even through the teen years and on into adulthood. Indeed, there were times when I stopped buying superhero comics, or dropped Archie comics, yet still maintained interest in these Disney Ducks. And much of the reason for that was the gargantuan influence of Carl Barks. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Carl Barks was the writer /artist for Donald Duck for decades, and was the creator of many beloved Disney characters, particularly Scrooge McDuck himself. Barks' storytelling skills are the stuff of legend; going way beyond the limited 'gag strips' that were found in some "funny animal" books. Barks told humorous tales, cautionary tales, morality tales, and usually with a hefty dose of adventure. How could any kid resist titles like "Ghost of the Grotto", "The Cave of Ali Baba", or "The Lost Crown of Genghis Khan"? </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And the cast of characters Barks weaved into his 'Duck Tales': the Terrible Beagle Boys, Magica DeSpell, Gyro Gearloose, Flintheart Glomgold, just to name a few. Barks gave each character a unique voice and personality, and gave the world of Disney's Ducks a level of characterization rivaling that used later by Marvel. And that characterization certainly applied to the main cast: manipulative Scrooge, bemused Donald, and the nephews (who generally seemed the most rational and capable of the whole family). </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">But there was much more to Carl Barks than just his writing. His artwork is equally legendary; not for nothing was he known as "The Good Artist" (for years there were no credits for Disney creators, but his rendering stood out from the rest earning him that sobriquet). Barks was unparalleled at giving emotive expression to his characters. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga00otXR_vau0wWl9UhvOMH8Cy8hg-jOZswgGrmt7VksxbdAF4wVfAB0pBKlkF0vqTrb7YXFMjd7IKHlctJ1EUlXcLJFuVhBsJ0wLHtFSxLLhQ5_gUiNPBhXkYQujeAv3xaojGfOw1zp9q/s2048/ducks0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga00otXR_vau0wWl9UhvOMH8Cy8hg-jOZswgGrmt7VksxbdAF4wVfAB0pBKlkF0vqTrb7YXFMjd7IKHlctJ1EUlXcLJFuVhBsJ0wLHtFSxLLhQ5_gUiNPBhXkYQujeAv3xaojGfOw1zp9q/w446-h640/ducks0003.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">He also excelled at , well, basically everything. He could beatifully render dramatic scenery, </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uq8I5MZBmgheSgx_qDYCE3heLvoTa4iAfFPLWDu54ly6KIq6uGCAwvXi5GtixKDwbOzDGvUqF8qD9-VAhhRvoUGM0FsKaXajQZ40zkTkQa2HeCSnzo5CrJ1BtAVJ5X0xbviLIp3rzgjS/s2048/ducks0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1443" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uq8I5MZBmgheSgx_qDYCE3heLvoTa4iAfFPLWDu54ly6KIq6uGCAwvXi5GtixKDwbOzDGvUqF8qD9-VAhhRvoUGM0FsKaXajQZ40zkTkQa2HeCSnzo5CrJ1BtAVJ5X0xbviLIp3rzgjS/w450-h640/ducks0007.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">animals, <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9ES4gkX3PjNMYbEKvpGnHVUuC5Bzt6sRdE6UtikJb76nKKgfKSQ1wC7gruJpDZo_7JfwioqRWFmJZj87T3kjEV4Ngn2DDys1SL4tTmo_8cWxAzBPsASWgEIU4OSnCNh98nyWsDEdNn_D/s2048/ducks0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1423" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9ES4gkX3PjNMYbEKvpGnHVUuC5Bzt6sRdE6UtikJb76nKKgfKSQ1wC7gruJpDZo_7JfwioqRWFmJZj87T3kjEV4Ngn2DDys1SL4tTmo_8cWxAzBPsASWgEIU4OSnCNh98nyWsDEdNn_D/w445-h640/ducks0002.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> bizarre monsters, </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPSFErcb9YhqCsLeUuw2d1wCIA247yAy5CfJRAhneCPA9T2zi2TuHOfpw4oyEWvj-723UJxh8pdQ7l5HfSBMw_3HFRLbvdPpKC2tEC8fX80OWVBtef3dCJ1dD4CcMopsZA9ZcBunaTQ-R/s2048/ducks0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1426" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPSFErcb9YhqCsLeUuw2d1wCIA247yAy5CfJRAhneCPA9T2zi2TuHOfpw4oyEWvj-723UJxh8pdQ7l5HfSBMw_3HFRLbvdPpKC2tEC8fX80OWVBtef3dCJ1dD4CcMopsZA9ZcBunaTQ-R/w446-h640/ducks0006.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">and intricate architecture.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0mH4PH-KBc3PmCTp3REkXKUat5xXDjDmEGCmsiBGFVAh_kZFD-fT5o5kIE__ESHsZLgXsf8u7mwC7amo7gp2J8W-Rhd_UFzJP4oUNYqwcW9O85-jwQlejgd6x_xyZ7dEOlRRWerdHyD/s2048/ducks0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0mH4PH-KBc3PmCTp3REkXKUat5xXDjDmEGCmsiBGFVAh_kZFD-fT5o5kIE__ESHsZLgXsf8u7mwC7amo7gp2J8W-Rhd_UFzJP4oUNYqwcW9O85-jwQlejgd6x_xyZ7dEOlRRWerdHyD/w446-h640/ducks0001.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">There weren't many humor books in which you found artwork that you could pore over and admire, regardless of the story. Barks' work, in that regard, puts him among the greats of the comics genre: Eisner, Kirby, Wood. And I'm not overstating things here; Barks' work has stood the test of time. Each generation rediscovers these great stories. In the bronze age, we had Gold Key and Whitman. In the 80's Gladstone Publishing kept them in the comics shops. Still later Disney itself published the books, and today we have Boom! and Dark Horse. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qtmDg0wB2D4e1HygSiy5c4U7ShCxJE9uFkFMmsiLAZ8nbvCMNf3GV6W9rqnyAz90a6oYateX3yhK8q55r_hfy1Zu09EMx2HvM1gme4P2TfltyBugfT1hoZ8W64s-3g40rR56fofG4Rw3/s2048/ducks0012.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qtmDg0wB2D4e1HygSiy5c4U7ShCxJE9uFkFMmsiLAZ8nbvCMNf3GV6W9rqnyAz90a6oYateX3yhK8q55r_hfy1Zu09EMx2HvM1gme4P2TfltyBugfT1hoZ8W64s-3g40rR56fofG4Rw3/s320/ducks0012.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Rosa's first Duck cover<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And what's more, there's more to it than simply representing the genius of Barks' work. Another artist/writer, Don Rosa, took on the Duck reins (where would one put reins on a duck?) in 1987 and brought a whole new tradition of excellence to books like Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge and Walt </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span>Disney's Comics and Stories. Like Barks before him, Rosa worked with intricate storylines and equally intricate artwork. I've come to love Rosa's work too, to the extent that I'm currently awaiting delivery of a copy of Rosa's magnum opus: "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck"; a two-volume biography of the famous curmudgeon extrapolated from the whole history weaved by Barks. "Life and Times" won an Eisner for best story some years ago, and I'm finally going to enjoy it. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Which brings me to one final point: the availability of the Disney Duck stories. One great strength of Gold Key was the variety of formats they used to present these comics. The regular comic series were supplemented by Digests, Giants, and large format collections. This practice has continued to the present day, as we have unprecedented access to finely bound collections of Barks (and Rosa's) works. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_dSQllpnaxkPjveE0fC34knOElHZ1xMT4gx8hJKitBS7xCgembHDWeO4sAQMfhysuBNBFCvf4U84GKcBuwjUPNOjEwi8KPtzObcU2B8TYYs0lCsKLpEndkT3q0KLYlEXmxzsZqfxuvzq/s2048/16242936245824602005884982774959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_dSQllpnaxkPjveE0fC34knOElHZ1xMT4gx8hJKitBS7xCgembHDWeO4sAQMfhysuBNBFCvf4U84GKcBuwjUPNOjEwi8KPtzObcU2B8TYYs0lCsKLpEndkT3q0KLYlEXmxzsZqfxuvzq/s320/16242936245824602005884982774959.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">To sum up: my love for the Disney ducks quite literally continues even today; a common reading thread that took me from childhood to grandparenthood! And chances are many among you are also fans of these books. Which is one way of saying it's time to hear from you; what are your thoughts about Donald, Scrooge, their creators, comics, casts, and all the rest? And while you compose those thoughts, here's some covers from the whole range of Duckdom...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbhh8qC4WVZpYI5AolpDaQBDkBE4Z5Krc0evHxeNJKFlSN20ZiY2QyjLECxKBQOl-HzsStI4flmMlpJECKnAJis_oGZEQgkwHIQ_CWGkZyw9WIQrgSEToya4N71DAgzX9ir51xR0E535Z/s2048/ducks0011.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1347" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbhh8qC4WVZpYI5AolpDaQBDkBE4Z5Krc0evHxeNJKFlSN20ZiY2QyjLECxKBQOl-HzsStI4flmMlpJECKnAJis_oGZEQgkwHIQ_CWGkZyw9WIQrgSEToya4N71DAgzX9ir51xR0E535Z/w262-h400/ducks0011.jpg" width="262" /></a></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJs-6VxYDtkH-KST9Yk41NZtZJ1KVF5Dia7kcASjfS_49_d2RyNVLVQnDBaeFsrL_P6Qa-XTklc0KAO3Ai53hUjZvuyth4yr51L8AYW00aveegyEMsih-j72hOEABl_-ksAlf_6uqwMXc/s2048/ducks0009.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJs-6VxYDtkH-KST9Yk41NZtZJ1KVF5Dia7kcASjfS_49_d2RyNVLVQnDBaeFsrL_P6Qa-XTklc0KAO3Ai53hUjZvuyth4yr51L8AYW00aveegyEMsih-j72hOEABl_-ksAlf_6uqwMXc/w282-h400/ducks0009.jpg" width="282" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXkr9RiPV-Et5MyTt7I1gkvafgvuiQJ3TN5QJoL97vM9oWh6eFRbJovqCPD-dLzWeZITJF5taQBY6ULklf4uuwYphSI1K7VWDV1TFpgay6enihmE2yVEbCC6v9tNeYbjkkOysCJZu9szH/s2048/ducks0008.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXkr9RiPV-Et5MyTt7I1gkvafgvuiQJ3TN5QJoL97vM9oWh6eFRbJovqCPD-dLzWeZITJF5taQBY6ULklf4uuwYphSI1K7VWDV1TFpgay6enihmE2yVEbCC6v9tNeYbjkkOysCJZu9szH/w288-h400/ducks0008.jpg" width="288" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZf9POo3mVVeb2oimSsr0VhauexqODX_Y2V7WIoRj4XwYTIH6yFAw33t7G8IjGiF4hYdtYt4gcjWSCtRZdMIHSTmyWI8FzCHqwz_9DIxaYbheolVnkknqH89H2Abi4bhzGv4UmSrrazSo/s2048/ducks0010.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1340" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZf9POo3mVVeb2oimSsr0VhauexqODX_Y2V7WIoRj4XwYTIH6yFAw33t7G8IjGiF4hYdtYt4gcjWSCtRZdMIHSTmyWI8FzCHqwz_9DIxaYbheolVnkknqH89H2Abi4bhzGv4UmSrrazSo/w262-h400/ducks0010.jpg" width="262" /></a><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNZieo6zUMGby_2DEDNulXC8puTg_Gc7HFWz0C1e2bnM3R3uM0-caeEeOn8ueAtJ52EWOFJIRXon-QLaY5-MdEhnjBEnNM9RyvsoJgH7UF5StKrK9X9_ZXc0-huhzFWis1xLqbsRbbZXH/s2048/ducks0005.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1478" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNZieo6zUMGby_2DEDNulXC8puTg_Gc7HFWz0C1e2bnM3R3uM0-caeEeOn8ueAtJ52EWOFJIRXon-QLaY5-MdEhnjBEnNM9RyvsoJgH7UF5StKrK9X9_ZXc0-huhzFWis1xLqbsRbbZXH/w288-h400/ducks0005.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqzNWLIZS-fVW2uxA01Gj_cDc6PjT-9UtcWfDv47J_Rgni8l-43HO2COWlH4FCT1MBeIIGfm2WLECLeXPHbzwc3EKIJ4P-z5eRRENKBrXIvG_fcx0r2YDKk41gnurk2owiB80b4hIUdU1/s2048/ducks0004.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqzNWLIZS-fVW2uxA01Gj_cDc6PjT-9UtcWfDv47J_Rgni8l-43HO2COWlH4FCT1MBeIIGfm2WLECLeXPHbzwc3EKIJ4P-z5eRRENKBrXIvG_fcx0r2YDKk41gnurk2owiB80b4hIUdU1/w286-h400/ducks0004.jpg" width="286" /> </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvK4mFRm3Lpwhvvhk1ZlDlKSvyW9_6RkSJoZVQC7vXKUpKiNx-4qr8rhfI22WugOaHr3K9g8qwvEkLLKY_mQsSYH1q8vJmL6a87cwmsEwfVUEEa4wmCgFSqOJ9wz9i3kuirxT8yiyc1Ib/s370/ducksh.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvK4mFRm3Lpwhvvhk1ZlDlKSvyW9_6RkSJoZVQC7vXKUpKiNx-4qr8rhfI22WugOaHr3K9g8qwvEkLLKY_mQsSYH1q8vJmL6a87cwmsEwfVUEEa4wmCgFSqOJ9wz9i3kuirxT8yiyc1Ib/w286-h400/ducksh.jpg" width="286" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKkfwqFWXc69Gf2pzAc1SG8IC0xzvB0Jb54OhX9EuGfKfYrAwW4tQGaOOqNV9ZLToBQebiioabhgCa_QzeS3wFTxFU9Wpw22oNXjR8BTp48qkkQbmG-uZao2AEJA2BAY9ldp-Jk9cNggS/s370/ducksi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKkfwqFWXc69Gf2pzAc1SG8IC0xzvB0Jb54OhX9EuGfKfYrAwW4tQGaOOqNV9ZLToBQebiioabhgCa_QzeS3wFTxFU9Wpw22oNXjR8BTp48qkkQbmG-uZao2AEJA2BAY9ldp-Jk9cNggS/w260-h400/ducksi.jpg" width="260" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudkmxBYZcsHV1vgzETl99HlUoL48VZIAVCVVZUd-fUgiXWnYpVGMik3UWAE4xNT3f-seJfxwqLCY5ZmaDkR0BBdAwHYyDOKapCW5nX5kVpaS_XGxlpkmV5Hal3EWRtdwf4Sl1AAie-WTK/s370/ducksg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="261" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudkmxBYZcsHV1vgzETl99HlUoL48VZIAVCVVZUd-fUgiXWnYpVGMik3UWAE4xNT3f-seJfxwqLCY5ZmaDkR0BBdAwHYyDOKapCW5nX5kVpaS_XGxlpkmV5Hal3EWRtdwf4Sl1AAie-WTK/w282-h400/ducksg.jpg" width="282" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5pkBIYvlyTGpK2B1DZnPwEoFpKBCCn_xDUbKPcMIKFp5-l3_ozk2r90kcbN8qixWX6a65aV8QvNAnzdE1vq9xkWLUI0njCyaFYkUl5PSJ0I7mrU16-SGmkaBwJsowLkxw34jLcP3KPlp/s370/ducksf.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="243" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5pkBIYvlyTGpK2B1DZnPwEoFpKBCCn_xDUbKPcMIKFp5-l3_ozk2r90kcbN8qixWX6a65aV8QvNAnzdE1vq9xkWLUI0njCyaFYkUl5PSJ0I7mrU16-SGmkaBwJsowLkxw34jLcP3KPlp/w262-h400/ducksf.jpg" width="262" /> </a></div> </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqYlUgHajeyDLJnh8rjqRz0AU1re1rZ4Hafr8ZHCJ2AMUSGm6ctSs81qDxxSeKklzW9B753q9tTGDDQNmm6YJNL4Jc1SKjTzlYbg2DETYmsiVdtV9_5YyO2j5Su0KOXnjuDrsgB_q2qZl/s370/duckse.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqYlUgHajeyDLJnh8rjqRz0AU1re1rZ4Hafr8ZHCJ2AMUSGm6ctSs81qDxxSeKklzW9B753q9tTGDDQNmm6YJNL4Jc1SKjTzlYbg2DETYmsiVdtV9_5YyO2j5Su0KOXnjuDrsgB_q2qZl/w288-h400/duckse.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyZDlFITUCI3Vw1haKKxhFjI0GVO3WzBzN1qRaexQSbjhnAyuijdEZNyGQhCgTW-CXiZ9aDKkgMhiUdrG-eng6leOMKXXCZTihyVTSjwUwDLxAUx2uOA3QQwIY3eQesInXM3DDvQS0dx2/s370/ducksd.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="262" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyZDlFITUCI3Vw1haKKxhFjI0GVO3WzBzN1qRaexQSbjhnAyuijdEZNyGQhCgTW-CXiZ9aDKkgMhiUdrG-eng6leOMKXXCZTihyVTSjwUwDLxAUx2uOA3QQwIY3eQesInXM3DDvQS0dx2/w284-h400/ducksd.jpg" width="284" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hv1nDd8uTzBzUM01hmR6i9-skDx8_DmszofRwCIYyorWhTFqeF1t0_JPWOdUTnRVdRdO4Xnr4xqtp2Or4Z6gN6SKuY0RMtqma7gDk3p0S-OM-G9iZCEO_3f8wlFkWMPoAKiV1GNCyrOy/s370/ducksb.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="243" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hv1nDd8uTzBzUM01hmR6i9-skDx8_DmszofRwCIYyorWhTFqeF1t0_JPWOdUTnRVdRdO4Xnr4xqtp2Or4Z6gN6SKuY0RMtqma7gDk3p0S-OM-G9iZCEO_3f8wlFkWMPoAKiV1GNCyrOy/w262-h400/ducksb.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikabGdw9UF0KTronBLFIUPnW1SBBuf3qR9cJ0ZrkW_hDAM8f5-a1s-5tQCqqIPwA7l3c0GigeN3dD43eSu7zkAb6JcghLMR1knAuKdRht5iuMbteSjloCSSK7furcJje7osiUkOb-Spl_8/s370/ducksa.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="245" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikabGdw9UF0KTronBLFIUPnW1SBBuf3qR9cJ0ZrkW_hDAM8f5-a1s-5tQCqqIPwA7l3c0GigeN3dD43eSu7zkAb6JcghLMR1knAuKdRht5iuMbteSjloCSSK7furcJje7osiUkOb-Spl_8/w266-h400/ducksa.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-7468986743598753312021-06-15T05:00:00.019-05:002021-06-27T10:20:47.318-05:00Follow the Leader: Hometowns and Reruns...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFLvqdPF_j1nmv3jJK9k-_NGMMVldAcxBLWjRaRA5CFToocNehofojSfbp4dyPL7q65N9ZQwU_lzplD8A8w-j5I1oz85c7ZxwoPSLZqjFOqseRnFrMClpCy479txH3msZy3mfrsgOkVrv/s1182/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1182" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFLvqdPF_j1nmv3jJK9k-_NGMMVldAcxBLWjRaRA5CFToocNehofojSfbp4dyPL7q65N9ZQwU_lzplD8A8w-j5I1oz85c7ZxwoPSLZqjFOqseRnFrMClpCy479txH3msZy3mfrsgOkVrv/w640-h332/Leader+Header+Photo.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Okay gang, it's about time to give you all another shot at picking a topic for discussion. For anyone new or needing a refresher, the first commenter to name a subject question gets the honor of , well, naming the subject question! So if there's anything about comics, books, films, cartoons, tv, music, culture, life on Neptune, or whatever, that you've been itching to talk about, now's your chance. The podium awaits!</span> <br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-87417495575188053882021-06-08T05:00:00.015-05:002021-06-08T05:00:00.256-05:00Short Cuts: School Yearbooks- The Past Preserved, For Better or Worse...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnCvpfTyV2SpvcgHuzPzuBnE3WeLhFLbiL_JjXs8kXphxj8mN1REEaEI8nqrq8P4cpqiDaH3zMn6F9VIIVJrRjpKW32P1Gi3eRzIAnzOw2HR9L29Kg6B2KfkcTVsAHqQGPM9D5hZGkR2a/s1944/Short+cuts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1944" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnCvpfTyV2SpvcgHuzPzuBnE3WeLhFLbiL_JjXs8kXphxj8mN1REEaEI8nqrq8P4cpqiDaH3zMn6F9VIIVJrRjpKW32P1Gi3eRzIAnzOw2HR9L29Kg6B2KfkcTVsAHqQGPM9D5hZGkR2a/w640-h480/Short+cuts.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: As Summer begins, schools are closing; just has they have since we attended those crowded halls of learning. One of the most anticipated parts of the end of the school year was the distribution of yearbooks. Usually accompanied by a vigorous round of mutual book signing, reminiscing and sharing of summer plans. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ38iSyPNCLj7SCZJpnGuvZNS3Cb0wqBTKfH9Jr9QBgqMyrgYiBwy2LoCOkG-QABJrvidTvO6yrTxTXYN_YE1VG4glIiddW_TBVVx-1Dcv4JtmrTsnvxKJqCN4OSMVWDC6tgd4PZFWAFu9/s624/yearbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="624" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ38iSyPNCLj7SCZJpnGuvZNS3Cb0wqBTKfH9Jr9QBgqMyrgYiBwy2LoCOkG-QABJrvidTvO6yrTxTXYN_YE1VG4glIiddW_TBVVx-1Dcv4JtmrTsnvxKJqCN4OSMVWDC6tgd4PZFWAFu9/w400-h266/yearbook.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZuNQmtisj3frhtQQbKaykZEk-DkYJGm2Dn-PSM1-SZNJ-Z8cp3zx044hwvRvV34Q7DuMqDDnFTBcfyGqYhVQw7q_AWEnc0EEC0GNFjA3-tFQOoSqe9t6aMV0hkybXzc1IxZt5Yf5IMZ4/s2048/16229426152674153343743550061181.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZuNQmtisj3frhtQQbKaykZEk-DkYJGm2Dn-PSM1-SZNJ-Z8cp3zx044hwvRvV34Q7DuMqDDnFTBcfyGqYhVQw7q_AWEnc0EEC0GNFjA3-tFQOoSqe9t6aMV0hkybXzc1IxZt5Yf5IMZ4/s320/16229426152674153343743550061181.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Shift to the present: looking at these bound volume time capsules now can be an exercise in both nostalgia and cringing embarrassment. As a youth I used to look through my parents' yearbooks and was amused at the photos, certain that my memories would never be so...quaint. Time got the last laugh, though. My yearbooks now contain ample evidence of the cultural and fashionistic excesses of the Bronze age. Along with quite a few handwritten messages from friends, acquaintances, old girlfriends and teachers, with all the accompanying emotional detritus. For the most part, these volumes sit collecting dust on my shelves, forgotten. But every once in a while, I'll pull one out for a laugh and bit of remembrance. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvlgzRmup7Xwqb0B7WBJyiRyzhyphenhyphenTcAgWaudPuaSMiSGlcEMO6t02DB785LlhN_7l4vlEz4M92Cv9zNct_a2toBWnEynxDrCHofHPCTmj43T7kXMygabdjURn_fc6zbR4kQop_JaOjHBte/s2048/robpics0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1554" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvlgzRmup7Xwqb0B7WBJyiRyzhyphenhyphenTcAgWaudPuaSMiSGlcEMO6t02DB785LlhN_7l4vlEz4M92Cv9zNct_a2toBWnEynxDrCHofHPCTmj43T7kXMygabdjURn_fc6zbR4kQop_JaOjHBte/w152-h200/robpics0012.jpg" width="152" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Thus, for our discussions this week, what are your thoughts about yearbooks, the process of reminiscence, and the end of school in general? Do you have any amusing tales of pranks, parties, or partings? Did you keep your yearbooks ( and in the case of your parents, did they keep all your school pictures- mine presented me with a whole manila envelope some years ago, containing twelve years' worth of uncomfortable portraits)? And just to show you that I'm devoted to journalistic integrity and full disclosure (not to mention possessing no sense of personal dignity), I leave you with one of those school photos of early Bronze age Redartz, I'll probably regret this...<br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><br />Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-3997957072215962642021-06-01T05:00:00.159-05:002021-06-01T05:00:00.234-05:00Adventures in Comics: Surprises, Welcome and Unwelcome...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwqU4KjWUoWulieCa1qiWQvcsKpfN5N0kU27GgzZgcaQIf_1tGZezrsw6jNBw0TR-XibrEmKteOFwW0qi9_u7yDvcTWsTtOtVRxd4fKMyFLghpm71TjJKqD9jgKpRrj8FN85MNfomROJC/s1706/Adventures+in+comics.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1706" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwqU4KjWUoWulieCa1qiWQvcsKpfN5N0kU27GgzZgcaQIf_1tGZezrsw6jNBw0TR-XibrEmKteOFwW0qi9_u7yDvcTWsTtOtVRxd4fKMyFLghpm71TjJKqD9jgKpRrj8FN85MNfomROJC/w640-h466/Adventures+in+comics.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Are you one of those people who enjoy surprises? I am. That is, I enjoy good surprises. Unpleasant surprises I can do without. And of course, life is full of both kinds. So it only goes to follow that the activity of collecting (comics, or whatever) can also throw us an unexpected curve now and then. Therein lies our topic for discussion!</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">In the course of my comics collecting career, I've experienced quite a few surprises of both the welcome and the unwelcome varieties. What might those have been, you may ask? Well, pull up a seat; here's a tale of each to get things going; starting with the unpleasant surprise (it's always good to end on a positive note). </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This past weekend my wife and I had the great pleasure of attending a big flea market; something which has been largely impossible for the last year and a half. It was a pretty good market, with loads of comics for sale (as well as many other items of interest). My purchases for the day included several vintage books, indulging my current trend of hunting Really Old books (the most recently published book I chose was from 1962). One of them was a copy of Pep Comics #109, from 1955. One dealer had a long box full of miscellaneous books, at five dollars each. The book was obviously worn, and had a torn place on the cover where the image was gone. That said, it was 'good enough' in appearance for a book of such age, it looked fun, and was only about as much as a new comic these days anyway. So I grabbed it. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rc0jxqiDKdTHI0H6_ByVLkYOxiu37I5DB3qDI-pbypCFA3i923o6XFPF5LdoKzb8335sP-29ueuCP0u7rlsMp_it6tcO1i8PfD95vhYk2kvQ7K4jxQrogZ1aZlJiT7-JUtvcUu_hyAX3/s2048/16225088926363050140389634278301.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rc0jxqiDKdTHI0H6_ByVLkYOxiu37I5DB3qDI-pbypCFA3i923o6XFPF5LdoKzb8335sP-29ueuCP0u7rlsMp_it6tcO1i8PfD95vhYk2kvQ7K4jxQrogZ1aZlJiT7-JUtvcUu_hyAX3/s320/16225088926363050140389634278301.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fast forward to the return home. Opened up my new acquisitions to leaf through and assess them. It quickly became apparent that this "Pep" comic was a bit thin. Did a page count, and a bit of research; discovered that the multi-page "Katy Keene" story by Bill Woggon wasn't there. At least four totally missing pages, including what would have been a highlight to the issue. "Rats" was my immediate reaction; but also a bit of rueful amusement. I'd forgotten the cardinal rule to buying back issues: look through the book before buying. Ah well, it still had some fun stories in it, and it now becomes potential fodder for a 'cut and paste' project.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYTLdzznRQmytrRUjX20sBQvH_ltZZ6PTwd3UOEP8JCoQdkJH8OWZJ1JjREpl2_aKVhxAWtnXk8y4RkNLoNESSmLcp-F1eMhduKdFNqfyaYrUF_oP7lTpfEEWlMmOLwQSCQPG3ywrLhzg/s2048/16225089989937665001200239621220.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYTLdzznRQmytrRUjX20sBQvH_ltZZ6PTwd3UOEP8JCoQdkJH8OWZJ1JjREpl2_aKVhxAWtnXk8y4RkNLoNESSmLcp-F1eMhduKdFNqfyaYrUF_oP7lTpfEEWlMmOLwQSCQPG3ywrLhzg/s320/16225089989937665001200239621220.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Ah, but what about a more pleasant surprise? This story also starts at a flea market (how would I ever manage a collection without those wonderful things?). Several years ago I was wandering on a Sunday morning, looking over booth after booth of goods. Happened upon a table loaded down with boxes of comics, literally hundreds and hundreds. Not bagged and boarded, just loose books in long boxes at 50 cents a shot. As you would expect, I pored each box, and ended up with about a dozen books selected. Nothing earth-shaking, but some fun items and some good reading. One of the books was a copy of DC's "Secret Origins" #6 from 1986: it had the origins of Halo (who, at the time, I was unfamiliar with) and of the Golden Age Batman. The Batman story was by Roy Thomas, with art by Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin (which is precisely why I chose that book). I paid for the comics and continued on to other tables. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A few days later, I finally got around to opening up that "Secret Origins" issue to read. First up was the Batman story, which was predictably great. But upon turning the page to the beginning of the Halo story, I was met by a signature at the bottom of the page. It seems that the artist, one Dick Giordano, had signed this book! Obviously from the era when creators signed inside the book, rather than on the cover. As a big fan of Mr. Giordano, it was most definitely a Pleasant Surprise! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFgbhhvCqNxeVQ0mUIGjDCMWq-AFVzI-J2IRcD9iUNj5fheem1i8I24ZUlUynaxfSoDqaJiJZUhKCfc70J5-HHPdcbP32iIRH34UR9WXGB3tqwlSfLRAVJtleeclxzzKNvYfZJo4nYIO7/s2048/16225090747913132549474192685935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFgbhhvCqNxeVQ0mUIGjDCMWq-AFVzI-J2IRcD9iUNj5fheem1i8I24ZUlUynaxfSoDqaJiJZUhKCfc70J5-HHPdcbP32iIRH34UR9WXGB3tqwlSfLRAVJtleeclxzzKNvYfZJo4nYIO7/w480-h640/16225090747913132549474192685935.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Soooooooo, you know what's coming next. What 'surprises' have greeted you upon purchasing some collectible, be it comic, lp or whatever? Hopefully yours were more of the good variety than otherwise, but regardless, now you get to share them with BitBA assembled. And always remember to check out those interiors before paying...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span> <br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-21339362985263017272021-05-25T05:00:00.171-05:002021-05-25T05:00:00.254-05:00Sound and the Fury: "Live Albums" and the Concerts that Inspire Them...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJbEpJg-0VVrDg17DLPp3GjVwU6-qYJ-O4r-4SW7eGfXR8ILjS2fTYxsxfZlrFI83xZj9-sIn4QwB1r7PFXO_5f7qkZTBM9MufElh0oKFUTyp4ZlIlgmb_-SezKLd8kKIPEXPxy4bTP_E/s455/soundandfury.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="455" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJbEpJg-0VVrDg17DLPp3GjVwU6-qYJ-O4r-4SW7eGfXR8ILjS2fTYxsxfZlrFI83xZj9-sIn4QwB1r7PFXO_5f7qkZTBM9MufElh0oKFUTyp4ZlIlgmb_-SezKLd8kKIPEXPxy4bTP_E/w640-h358/soundandfury.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Over the course of the rock era, one of the signal features of many musical careers has been the release of a "Live" album. Once you got big enough, had a few hits, you could count on the eventual release of a live performance recording; generally amounting to a 'greatest hits' collection, but often with some nice, uncommon tracks as well. Our discussion this time around will be centered upon such albums, as well as questions on concerts and preferred formats. Allow me a few words to illustrate.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvCHl4UDECAha5ikjVDjakqARReXwc9YRt6ucklGSkPolyMA3XOoGyD6h0FQ-7-8VupVKL8GBlGrWvGn6CZLkODPTRocUK07eZdrVEb6h2nfWlOGE6JlFUrk_EwzWkRHrl1xGOW19Xse4/s300/live1.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvCHl4UDECAha5ikjVDjakqARReXwc9YRt6ucklGSkPolyMA3XOoGyD6h0FQ-7-8VupVKL8GBlGrWvGn6CZLkODPTRocUK07eZdrVEb6h2nfWlOGE6JlFUrk_EwzWkRHrl1xGOW19Xse4/s0/live1.webp" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Back in the Bronze Age (there's that phrase again), my favorite live album was "Wings Over America". Having been a fan of Wings (and that other band Sir Paul had been involved with) for a couple of years, the release of "WOA" in 1976 was most fortuitous. That summer I got my driver's license, and got a </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">car with, yes, an 8 track player in the dash. Ah, but what would be the first 8 track to drive to? No question, that 2-tape set was the choice, and it got worn out in play over the months that followed. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to see the tour, but that album was a fine substitute. All of Wings' highlights, and for the first time since the Breakup, Paul included a few Beatles tunes on a commercial release. A perfect soundtrack for the Summer of '76.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Some years later, another live album (or more correctly, disc) took over the spot as my favorite live album. In 1985 I had the great pleasure to see Depeche Mode in concert in Chicago. I'd seen many shows, but none matched the magnitude and spectacle of this show in my book. They were incredible. Perhaps it was the electronic aspect of their music that made the show so appealing- unlike some live performances, the heavy use of synthesizers made the show sound as polished as a studio recording, while allowing the sheer energy of the live band to shine through. At any rate, the show was the best I'd ever seen.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKgJkZGD9rNbpRXKHMqLNzXI0kl0n28EBAArpF66lPko3Oe72HILFisRnel5XS_eM4mUemjY6f5FHjBUBvqVjg5wgFSGhutobCNyIkS0BjmP55rjf_vrHvV8tWSA6-SVlIoycxgNyqlos/s300/live2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKgJkZGD9rNbpRXKHMqLNzXI0kl0n28EBAArpF66lPko3Oe72HILFisRnel5XS_eM4mUemjY6f5FHjBUBvqVjg5wgFSGhutobCNyIkS0BjmP55rjf_vrHvV8tWSA6-SVlIoycxgNyqlos/s0/live2.png" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fast forward a few more years, to a local music store. While scouring bins for CD's, what do my eyes spy but a Depeche Mode disc with the title "101". As no Depeche Mode discs resided on my shelves at the time, I snatched it up, not realizing at the time that it was a live recording. A happy discovery, I assure you. It brought all the excitement of that 1985 concert right back into my living room. It's still a favorite.</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> I've since added numerous other 'live' recordings to my collection, some great and some little more than semi-audible novelties. It has become a source of interest to seek such recordings out now, in search of those unusual cuts and alternative arrangements you find therein. An example: Duran Duran, on "Seven and the Ragged Tiger", featured the song. "The Seventh Stranger". Subsequently that song was also included on DD's live album "Arena"; upon hearing that version, I greatly preferred it to the original studio recording. Which surprised me a bit at the time, as my experience had been that live performances often failed to match the quality of a fully engineered, polished studio cut. Love the exceptions to the rule...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> To sum up, concerts are fun, and concert recordings can be as well. So, what live albums have you encountered, and which did you like? Were there any you thought fell pretty flat? How did they compare to the familiar studio albums? What rare performances, out-of-the-ordinary songs, and special appearances have you found on such albums? Do some artists sound better live, or should they stick to the studio? All these questions, and more, await your consideration...</span><br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072202919737727496.post-45822229809211967092021-05-18T05:00:00.272-05:002021-05-18T05:00:00.248-05:00Panel Discussion: The Art of Barry Smith!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU6jEl7wTYWPH-htymz3NJSzDmemJxGwNbZtoiu08RChauOfgfb6ejM0OJHrQ-l39fo_tlLCe7-Hsx7XtYasgZgigi02AjVA4z9aN8zaw1hswxcEksAsp1gvSGUju1ZNIGMzwtdbcqjXA/s1183/Panel+Header.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1183" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU6jEl7wTYWPH-htymz3NJSzDmemJxGwNbZtoiu08RChauOfgfb6ejM0OJHrQ-l39fo_tlLCe7-Hsx7XtYasgZgigi02AjVA4z9aN8zaw1hswxcEksAsp1gvSGUju1ZNIGMzwtdbcqjXA/w640-h338/Panel+Header.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Redartz: Quite recently I was taking a leisurely tour through some comics websites and happened to see something that grabbed my attention. It seemed Barry Windsor Smith's decades-awaited book "Monsters" was being released by Fantagraphics. Out of curiosity I looked into the availability of a signed edition, and lo, there it was; a signed vellum page included in this special edition. Essentially forty dollars more than the standard edition. Well, I decided to think about it a bit. Next morning, I logged back in to pull the trigger on it, and discovered it was no longer available. The entire signed edition had sold out overnight.!Ah well, so then I ordered the regular edition . I'm currently about 100 pages into it and am most impressed. Long story made short: Barry's newest work prompted the decision to open a discussion of his career and art in general. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Before we look at his more familiar work, here's a few pages from "Monsters"; just to give you a sample. I don't see the 'art deco' styling we know from his "Conan" work, However, Barry's trademark detail and intricate linework is evidenced everywhere. Literally, everywhere across 365 pages of fully illustrated story. Oh, and sorry for the skew images, this book is impossible to fit into a scanner...</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicVAuNzQKC8VTMirEgEt0zf7OD9YAyrgViOZt8q_p8svvNwYtwD_hnubgcfpDCmKLuvMbdc5JaJEvdYxyvF8wHUdX0b5qdog5TGjFBmGll7j8wyPame21hRaardkY1i7vDgEEwIKhp0hc/s2048/16204774446652726949537548652738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicVAuNzQKC8VTMirEgEt0zf7OD9YAyrgViOZt8q_p8svvNwYtwD_hnubgcfpDCmKLuvMbdc5JaJEvdYxyvF8wHUdX0b5qdog5TGjFBmGll7j8wyPame21hRaardkY1i7vDgEEwIKhp0hc/w300-h400/16204774446652726949537548652738.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABYUuuBPRUopiF-84DenI5XEjIz6H_ghO1Y3qrEy1FldzkoxwkNYOzC4yqSe6_janYf-QiJ60VyqSgOjdppO43OT0LZQTWcK_tyUNoyrJshrsEL91vGUYPjFzm0EYverBJp-I_OmMH9xA/s2048/16210422665176078890889264879753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABYUuuBPRUopiF-84DenI5XEjIz6H_ghO1Y3qrEy1FldzkoxwkNYOzC4yqSe6_janYf-QiJ60VyqSgOjdppO43OT0LZQTWcK_tyUNoyrJshrsEL91vGUYPjFzm0EYverBJp-I_OmMH9xA/w300-h400/16210422665176078890889264879753.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h00QBfxnvNnMIGg3_DuQ_2OGtR_8W0mYcLhB8FXjp8tU2s3KA_KJPqSWjvjdxjWYcjoEdwmAY3M1nFjwpo13nZnuVqOkE0uIF_7Nejvb7Uz8xB14X7ph1-XURIu_na3maOGOwYDbE-my/s2048/20210514_213501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h00QBfxnvNnMIGg3_DuQ_2OGtR_8W0mYcLhB8FXjp8tU2s3KA_KJPqSWjvjdxjWYcjoEdwmAY3M1nFjwpo13nZnuVqOkE0uIF_7Nejvb7Uz8xB14X7ph1-XURIu_na3maOGOwYDbE-my/w300-h400/20210514_213501.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWA-pIYG4CIDUqaYwpY6jRbYy8Ewn3yMF4kl45jopL9ZaJddn5qv5_J3HROqWTnP8yRjnwhkLEkxxkHfgJNMIikoL3hz9D2MGr2pHi8WuiOx0LoQAMNGchYU9FfXpAmCALbVZumgSqjZ8/s2048/16210421722377892304296736242852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWA-pIYG4CIDUqaYwpY6jRbYy8Ewn3yMF4kl45jopL9ZaJddn5qv5_J3HROqWTnP8yRjnwhkLEkxxkHfgJNMIikoL3hz9D2MGr2pHi8WuiOx0LoQAMNGchYU9FfXpAmCALbVZumgSqjZ8/w300-h400/16210421722377892304296736242852.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Now, here's a sampling of Barry's black/white work. Personally, I enjoy his art in this format more than in color, but it's a visual treat either way. Not many can render with the finesse that he can, and still maintain solid storytelling quality. And aside from the pen work, his sense of basic design and dramatic highlighting is superb. I could look at this print all day...</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq5PoX0mE6LbyflHlQPhHQ1oJzIFQf0Y_8BfkLrbp0g_HEJv3Qo0pqXPX3Z0jlM5qTaWYdH04u5xy9gdCY433ii7unJpH3O3BGzwl1MDYOYXiHuZeYtwAYbnKQuEOTfpz7FmJ3OBZZco1/s649/barry5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq5PoX0mE6LbyflHlQPhHQ1oJzIFQf0Y_8BfkLrbp0g_HEJv3Qo0pqXPX3Z0jlM5qTaWYdH04u5xy9gdCY433ii7unJpH3O3BGzwl1MDYOYXiHuZeYtwAYbnKQuEOTfpz7FmJ3OBZZco1/w293-h400/barry5.jpg" width="293" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Here's the classic cover from Conan Annual 1. Better in color or b/w? A tough call, what do you think?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VvNoUjQsrrVtKE7Tp6TxQIHDNdUB0cgNxS9DGumiBGrXS2x48A0NxhakKxacJXQTqXVlvCdLhXuTJPrR1JQi2VOI6KmcJPF18bOuE-g4FUVyNnSdmUc5MD6v1YURI0jbe7f8vP4Pc_i5/s640/barry8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzxDVUaypPaR_FF8rWc6BSnKOcZ8rSCQfpaVew5KMwtvWYVm3DHlp2JTwoP8VOrEH_Svj79ros5AqZEaHVGIzmJ6SIzyhNu8e5aO-6zjijr1Nb759hKsKKM6D0UzOgbdEeaZmU9WvpQky/s745/barry9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzxDVUaypPaR_FF8rWc6BSnKOcZ8rSCQfpaVew5KMwtvWYVm3DHlp2JTwoP8VOrEH_Svj79ros5AqZEaHVGIzmJ6SIzyhNu8e5aO-6zjijr1Nb759hKsKKM6D0UzOgbdEeaZmU9WvpQky/w430-h640/barry9.jpg" width="430" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaOI3yKjfEj622xf5FNeo56Aoq2a_loRMnbSt80CYwUfT021usM4Af9tUhACLcVvHHB0utE0ABjajkZmoWEg7mkZrvyVXVFKLqyDE9c7yTSNPXm5ilbcZf5C62_Oj3KX6TLt4Yx0PrdLp/s864/barry11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And another fine image...</span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfKCfQKdtv1eUevMk5mRkFGFS_X9w3J4WzFRz90eWoJE8yQaQMy29-4V9BT3McJ402BVZjiIq9dpHcPJKv-lzvAG-GQAy_asMj6qZHaJX1yrG8VYuGXMON7xeBTP9Gazv9FjwZZdQZwkG/s512/barry12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="355" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfKCfQKdtv1eUevMk5mRkFGFS_X9w3J4WzFRz90eWoJE8yQaQMy29-4V9BT3McJ402BVZjiIq9dpHcPJKv-lzvAG-GQAy_asMj6qZHaJX1yrG8VYuGXMON7xeBTP9Gazv9FjwZZdQZwkG/w278-h400/barry12.jpg" width="278" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This is a set of bookmarks featuring a familiar scarlet haired warrior woman; a convention pickup back in 1975...</span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uEl_rYJQwSN-1TL0kJ7ifQTFv4nu8Uek3q3LDH7BxlNW6QoI4nLW13SxD0ec2owOCfNMjExG2L4CwG7EEh_MkFpTl-zz2pSl4v2SdttANyDtHVy-F_99aNV5_bQPKrvU4pZaeol336zP/s500/barry13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="500" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uEl_rYJQwSN-1TL0kJ7ifQTFv4nu8Uek3q3LDH7BxlNW6QoI4nLW13SxD0ec2owOCfNMjExG2L4CwG7EEh_MkFpTl-zz2pSl4v2SdttANyDtHVy-F_99aNV5_bQPKrvU4pZaeol336zP/w400-h309/barry13.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Then there's this incredible page from "Worms of the Earth" as presented in Savage Sword of Conan 16-17. Man, wish I'd kept those.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1280" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPjdV5c8nBODljG0ooyQ5NCpoTL34OrMmYJ8AjPW99d2RYd_Hjs8s7o82GWwIo7SEv1pL0hqURh7XXuVQM9IsEdmOZLIb0xdugMcDWUxQXrIH7UR1R1LEShojqouXdDpOGa2KP85cr0Df/w640-h500/barry14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inks by Tim Conrad<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Finally, we present a selection of Barry's color work, in roughly chronological order. Talk about artistic development! There's some real gems here; Conan 16 reprinting "The Frost Giant's Daughter" in color ; with Barry himself handling the brush. And that Marvel Presents with the Thing is both gorgeous and a hoot. Enjoy.</span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-izHdUH-q7ha7yrVJzh4cLH3crSsnvYWgD8b-ZFjYNA4NqXob2Je-hNL1Vgw7US4dSzzLGO8eX1WYepGP_hXhX45uoWYI9i9SK2lIgTc-6D1BnnjmyrjSY-ZIG5OYVk3-EUvRCXDC3ofk/s550/barry2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="377" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-izHdUH-q7ha7yrVJzh4cLH3crSsnvYWgD8b-ZFjYNA4NqXob2Je-hNL1Vgw7US4dSzzLGO8eX1WYepGP_hXhX45uoWYI9i9SK2lIgTc-6D1BnnjmyrjSY-ZIG5OYVk3-EUvRCXDC3ofk/w274-h400/barry2.jpg" width="274" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObsx6l4ntGAFAQOCIPOBR7ji5OWLw5eby6uSAvbtBIoPT5-w-XGQuDpocGWJptaFQ7FYKHo6QYDJUXdoxXrqaRdTCfNSMrXXhHqoCOgQMhTJLpVUStW775Ndom1ad8aOKbvAXAoR7o1or/s1018/barry4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="678" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObsx6l4ntGAFAQOCIPOBR7ji5OWLw5eby6uSAvbtBIoPT5-w-XGQuDpocGWJptaFQ7FYKHo6QYDJUXdoxXrqaRdTCfNSMrXXhHqoCOgQMhTJLpVUStW775Ndom1ad8aOKbvAXAoR7o1or/w266-h400/barry4.jpg" width="266" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="271" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhb9Mj6-7BQG6DQEZ6OlWDa8VnEZ3vVqRJdJzOcsBZOKclFF8S1YSrXiv_sqqbzzTfYGkdYNHDecI_7gIeIaerwhuswz4eQVNHx0oCkjhT2TqpEuznU0nXVOiiJHOvdShYqnRGjDHhyphenhyphenNV/w258-h400/barry6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="258" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inks by Frank Giacoia<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUHB7xb30UB2Sqre7EpxPxtQM8xKeeEkqGNONMoWeCFkeWJE1CK_XuOf0vIKBCsYfGhTQcupzJCk9d9HH6h4ZeoFkx_2NvvDZxzuGhEX9lj0u7-fiuG29bRC64NI0aQjfUcUxSDohyphenhyphenwRg/s2048/newcomiccovers0011.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUHB7xb30UB2Sqre7EpxPxtQM8xKeeEkqGNONMoWeCFkeWJE1CK_XuOf0vIKBCsYfGhTQcupzJCk9d9HH6h4ZeoFkx_2NvvDZxzuGhEX9lj0u7-fiuG29bRC64NI0aQjfUcUxSDohyphenhyphenwRg/w266-h400/newcomiccovers0011.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VvNoUjQsrrVtKE7Tp6TxQIHDNdUB0cgNxS9DGumiBGrXS2x48A0NxhakKxacJXQTqXVlvCdLhXuTJPrR1JQi2VOI6KmcJPF18bOuE-g4FUVyNnSdmUc5MD6v1YURI0jbe7f8vP4Pc_i5/w268-h400/barry8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="268" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inks by Dan Adkins<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVi1tUtxPlye5YKa7sYQTw3zn74C30CXu95uxg49-9J-GLEb3LZKamnhknNntjAnchAEG_rdfpK4Pl0IjKaW5VLk7CmvfcN0eheSEAiQGprvddF-5FklAu9FXy4w-EuJnaJ_4lKO-5Apw/s602/snow3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVi1tUtxPlye5YKa7sYQTw3zn74C30CXu95uxg49-9J-GLEb3LZKamnhknNntjAnchAEG_rdfpK4Pl0IjKaW5VLk7CmvfcN0eheSEAiQGprvddF-5FklAu9FXy4w-EuJnaJ_4lKO-5Apw/w266-h400/snow3.jpg" width="266" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <br /></span></div><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUHB7xb30UB2Sqre7EpxPxtQM8xKeeEkqGNONMoWeCFkeWJE1CK_XuOf0vIKBCsYfGhTQcupzJCk9d9HH6h4ZeoFkx_2NvvDZxzuGhEX9lj0u7-fiuG29bRC64NI0aQjfUcUxSDohyphenhyphenwRg/s2048/newcomiccovers0011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9xIyZ38V7eFd1cHJ6jovd1vXuHPUTMvg8rfPD0akvYFAuyahCR85TfBUAIrnxyF-l3QM2_21isZlOnuS6lrqy6SwnTrWRZ4P1NTEvRmUfO8BmxthKrEeb4JecX2Qga88G6TUKqLc-4f6/s2048/covergroup10005.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9xIyZ38V7eFd1cHJ6jovd1vXuHPUTMvg8rfPD0akvYFAuyahCR85TfBUAIrnxyF-l3QM2_21isZlOnuS6lrqy6SwnTrWRZ4P1NTEvRmUfO8BmxthKrEeb4JecX2Qga88G6TUKqLc-4f6/w270-h400/covergroup10005.jpg" width="270" /> </a> <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTOS2fqd1lTyumsSQatrAtutkTLs1tfztLKDLSbsDxdN9IYD5nXUQ6QMYN8xOvnqIvVwW3JyseJvSsdtHm622EyWcfygEwufFXs1OBbwug1Lw3sXcz22qzlIxn7PoekXHzxKIAIFUokhyphenhyphen/s370/best728.jpg" style="clear: right; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BFa4-BDESY2AHqAbxMx3vENUDarCrO5UCVtS-MFgCNKZW4CIz4JAKTfQxRQDis7VClsg9s_1r2UkbzTpwPcjdSv0TfmadZ17uatB72HLzWJKOhQ3M2v_toitAgXL9NMrmHabhB2Bbt22/w264-h400/barry3.jpg" width="264" /></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlZh41Tvo0Zm88BQzWmyLNYPTIUFzIVhbyWpkAajOUGLUylGhFrameFSLuZ7bGfXSeSwSGFILr0LTJ5XUfveYHEfvfvdH9h59yQoHuCCst9w1WYFHNp4hWDAlkhzIBuLr6l9U9e7P95iG/s611/best8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlZh41Tvo0Zm88BQzWmyLNYPTIUFzIVhbyWpkAajOUGLUylGhFrameFSLuZ7bGfXSeSwSGFILr0LTJ5XUfveYHEfvfvdH9h59yQoHuCCst9w1WYFHNp4hWDAlkhzIBuLr6l9U9e7P95iG/w262-h400/best8.jpg" width="262" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WtPimmqx8B4VOVF9Aujca3sD_WubtSdeFxkl7mi3HmElOTSgtGH-lTQB1HI_18kTOwj6LsQpoX9lD0P_cy_IKaaHlL9Ws5Mn6oVvMlfiqqLOe5M8DG2o1fFz1V4ehxmSgUhPEx-VSEaz/s615/barry15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WtPimmqx8B4VOVF9Aujca3sD_WubtSdeFxkl7mi3HmElOTSgtGH-lTQB1HI_18kTOwj6LsQpoX9lD0P_cy_IKaaHlL9Ws5Mn6oVvMlfiqqLOe5M8DG2o1fFz1V4ehxmSgUhPEx-VSEaz/w419-h640/barry15.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></span></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaOI3yKjfEj622xf5FNeo56Aoq2a_loRMnbSt80CYwUfT021usM4Af9tUhACLcVvHHB0utE0ABjajkZmoWEg7mkZrvyVXVFKLqyDE9c7yTSNPXm5ilbcZf5C62_Oj3KX6TLt4Yx0PrdLp/s864/barry11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="605" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaOI3yKjfEj622xf5FNeo56Aoq2a_loRMnbSt80CYwUfT021usM4Af9tUhACLcVvHHB0utE0ABjajkZmoWEg7mkZrvyVXVFKLqyDE9c7yTSNPXm5ilbcZf5C62_Oj3KX6TLt4Yx0PrdLp/w448-h640/barry11.jpg" width="448" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Now that you've seen the evidence, time for you to make your judgement calls. What do you think of Barry and his work? Which books are your favorites? Granted, his work in comics has been intermittent, but what he's done has been pretty remarkable. Share your thoughts about the imagery and imagination of Barry Windsor Smith...<br /></div></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p> <br /></p>Redartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.com15