Checking In

You've probably heard about both Bat-Manga by Chip Kidd and Jiro Kuwata and Supermen! by Greg Sadowski. I'm currently reading Bat-Manga and, while I'm not a huge manga fan (I dislike reading right to left), it's strange and fun (and beautifully designed). Supermen! is a must-get. For me, Greg Sadowski is the gold standard for vintage comic book reproduction and his taste in material is excellent.

A quick plug for myself: If you don't mind reading something that isn't about old comics, I've got the first few pages of my revamped web comic, Java Town, up at the SLG Publishing site. It's a work in progress and new pages will be posted as I get the chance.

The Angry Red Planet

I watched the B-movie-sci-fi-cult-classic-psychotronic-film The Angry Red Planet last night. As is usually the case with these types of movies bad acting, giant plot holes, and primitive special effects can have a certain charm (well, for me anyway) and in that regard The Angry Red Planet is very charming. But CBH isn't a blog about such things so I'll share some comic book-related details from the film. Joe Kubert cohort Norman Maurer (a personal favorite underated artist) is one of the Executive Producers of the film. Alex Toth is credited as the storyboard artist (and I would guess the designer of the weird rat-bat critter seen above in my favorite sequence from the movie -- it certainly looks like something out of a Jonny Quest episode). And the lead actor, Gerald Mohr, voiced Mr. Fantastic for the late sixties Fantastic Four cartoon program while doing the same for the Green Lantern on The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure. It's just a comic book world.

You can read a funny review of The Angry Red Planet here.

You can watch the entire movie online or just watch the trailer here (I have no idea how long this link will be good).

Fanzine Round-Up!

It warms my heart that even in this digital age you can still get print zines.

Ditkomania #71 (!) - Steve Ditko was one of the first artists I ever took a shine to. I know everyone loves his Spider-Man and Dr. Strange work but for me it's those early Marvel mystery and suspense stories that I adore. Rob's been sending me this handsome and heartfelt ongoing tribute to Ditko for several issues now and I certainly appreciate it. Send $2.50 (includes postage) to Rob Imes, 13510 Cambridge #307, Southgate, MI 48195.

Comic Effect #47 - Another long-running zine. This issue is devoted to Julius Schwartz and the comics he edited. Another very handsome, upbeat, nostalgia-driven fanzine. Send $3.50 (includes postage I think) to Jim Kingman, Comic Effect, PO Box 2188, Pasadena, CA 91102-2188.

It's A Fanzine #50 - And yet another long-running zine! I don't actually have this issue but I do have several earlier issues sitting around here someplace. It's also a fine, handsome fanzine. You can email Gene Kehoe for more info at iaf1952(at symbol)yahoo.com or just go ahead and send him $5.00 (includes postage) at 2265 Byron Ave., Waterloo, IA 50702.

One Reason the Fail Blog is a Daily Win

SEE: Wolverine image placement Fail.

Michael Jackson IS Batman!

Offered for sale by Michael Jackson (via Julien's Auctions) is a life-size Batman costume worn by a life-size Michael Jackson statue. Words fail. Currently, four of the five auction catalogs are online but I can't link to the exact page of the catalog where I found the above image but you can start here, enter the page number (73), and see the whole image for yourself along with all the other fanboy/manboy toys and such. The auction estimate is in the $200-$300 range (how affordable!).

Comic Book Heaven:LIVE! Canceled

I really, really hate to say this, but I won't be able to give my CBH:LIVE! presentation at tomorrow's WonderCon. Complications from my recent surgery have left me still a bit wobbly. I apologize to anyone who was looking forward the panel -- I was looking forward to doing it (probably my only opportunity to do so this year as I don't expect to be at Comic-Con this summer) -- but I just can't make it this time.