The Unexpected #220 (March, 1982)

Today's Christmas Cover is this nifty Joe Kubert & Dave Manak piece from Unexpected #220, March 1982.

Art By Joe Kubert (From An Idea By Dave Manak)

Title: The Unexpected #220

Cover Art By: Dave Manak (Design), Joe Kubert

Editor: Dave Manak

Genre: Horror Anthology, Suspense

Printing: First

Publishing Date: March, 1982

Publisher: DC Comics

Book Type: Standard

Price: 0.60 (U.S.)

Pages: 36 (Stories Vary)

Notes:

• As noted in the "Unexpected Mail" letters page, this was the 26th Annual issue of The Unexpected.
• Vic Catan, artist on the story, "The Bride Was Aglow" signed his work, "Vicatanjr".
• Ernesto Magalpo, artist on the story, "The Strange Guide", signed his work, "Magalpo".

Ads:

• MPC Model Cars (Model Kits)
• Bubble Yum Sweepstakes (Mail Away Contest)
• Batman In "The K-9 Caper!" (Hostess Twinkies Cakes)
• Grit Publishing Co. (Mail Away)/Heroes World (Toys And Comic Mail Order) (Split Page)
• Various Mail Orders
• Superman/Action Comics (Bottom banner DC House Ad on Letters Page)
• Captain Carrot And His Amazing Zoo Crew! #1 (DC House Ad) 
• Moondance Comics (Back Issue Comic Mail Order)
• Monogram Model Big Rig Trucks (Model Kits)

There are several stories in this issue, the following is a listing of the Table Of Contents.

Title: Santa Claus Is A Killer!
Writer: Robin Snyder, Sarah Gregory

Penciller: Ernie Colon
Inker: Ernie Colon
Letterer: Ernie Colon
Colorist: Ernie Colon
Editor: Dave Manak

Title: The Bride Was All Aglow!

Writer: Arnold Drake

Penciller: Vic Catan (As Vicatanjr)
Inker: Vic Catan
Letterer: N/A
Colorist: N/A
Editor: Dave Manak

Title: The Strange Guide

Writer: Bill Kelley

Penciller: Ernesto Magalpo (As Magalpo)
Inker: Ernesto Magalpo
Letterer: N/A
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Editor: Dave Manak

Title: Trollbridge

Writer: Gary Cohn

Penciller: Paris Cullins
Inker: Gary Martin
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Editor: Dave Manak

PROTOTykes Holiday Special (Dec. 1994)

This Holiday themed cover of John Byrne's PROTOTykes was a free 20 page comic included with Hero Illustrated #19, Jan. 1995.
The PROTOTykes, (sort of a Power Pack Meets Metal Men mash-up) first appeared as as back up story in Babe #3 and were planned by Byrne to be a property he could turn into an animated series, but nothing came of it and the PROTOTykes faded into obscurity. Before Byrne gave up on them, they did manage to appear in this cute story in which the 'Tykes set out on a search for Santa Claus to cheer up their guardian, Casey, whom they believe has been down in the dumps because she is without her father at Christmas.

Title: PROTOTykes Holiday Special/Hero Illustrated Holiday Special #2, December 1994
Cover Art By: John Byrne

Editor: Barbara Kesel

Genre: Superhero

Printing: First
Publishing Date: Dec. 1994

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics (Legend Imprint)

Book Type: Standard Comic

Price: Free

Pages: 20 (Story has 12)

Story Title: Claus And Effect

Main Characters: PROTOTykes [Byte, Bit, Pixel, Digit]

Writer: John Byrne

Penciller: John Byrne

Inker: John Byrne

Letterer: John Byrne

Colorist: Perry McNamee

Editor: Barbara Kesel

Notes:

• The indicia reads, "PROTOTykes Holiday Special/Hero Illustrated Holiday Special #2, December 1994.
• This is the second Hero Holiday Special, the first featured Bone.

Hero Illustrated #19 (Jan. 1995)

Today's Christmas Cover features The Simpsons, from Hero Illustrated #19, January 1995.
Art By Matt Groening and Bill Morrison.

Hero Illustrated #19, January 1995
Art By Matt Groening & Bill Morrison

Archie Giant Series Magazine #203 (Dec. 1972)

Today's Christmas themed cover is Archie Giant Series Magazine #203 (Dec. 1972). Although this issue's cover artist is uncredited, the cover looks to be the style of Dan DeCarlo, but then again it could be Stan Goldberg, who just started working for Archie around this time. Goldberg's house style was pretty close to DeCarlo in the early years at Archie. Later his art became looser (And Sloppier) and easier to identify.

Archie Giant Series Magazine #203, Dec. 1972 (Archie's Christmas Stocking)
Cover art by Dan DeCarlo (?)

Like most all the Archie issues of this time period, there are no credits for any of the stories, but a few of the artists styles are unmistakable such as the first story "Do It Yourself" and the last story, "The Greatest Gift" both look like the art is by Harry Lucey. The second story "Fair Exchange" is clearly by Samm Schwartz, probably the easiest Archie Artist to identify. The Li'l Jinx gags are also easy to identify as they are by Joe Edwards.

Sgt. Rock #414 (Feb. 1987)

Todays' Christmas themed cover is by Joe Kubert for SGT. Rock #414, Feb. 1987.

SGT. Rock #414, Feb. 1987 (Cover By Joe Kubert)
"The Shining Star" Written By Robert Kanigher, Art/Lettering By Andy Kubert, Edited by Murray Boltinoff

Comic Shop News (2012 Christmas Special)

Today's Christmas Cover comes from the genius Fred Hembeck, an original piece he drew for the 2012 Comic Shop News Christmas Special. Superman's gift from Spidey is classic.
This "Special Edition" of Comic Shop News featured gift ideas for the comic book fan in one's life, along with a one page wish list featuring all the comics mentioned in the special and more.

Art By Fred Hembeck

DCU Holiday Special II (1998)

Since Christmas is fast approaching, I thought I'd post the some Christmas themed covers for the next few days up until Christmas.
Today's Christmas Cover  comes the DCU Holiday Bash II from 1998, art by Scott McDaniel & Kevin Nowlan.
DC put three of these Holiday Bash Specials out from 1997 to 1999, each featuring several Christmas themed stories using top characters and quite a few lesser knowns as well.

Cover art by Scott McDaniel & Kevin Nowlan & Dre (??)

Title: DCU Holiday Bash II
Cover Art By: Scott McDaniel (Pencils) & Kevin Nowlan (Inks), Dre (?) (Colors) (?)

Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Genre: Superhero

Printing: First
Printing Date: 1998

Publisher: DC Comics

Book Type: Standard Comic (Double Sized)

Price: 3.95 U.S. * 5.50 Can.
Pages: 68

Notes:

• The Superman & Sgt. Rock stories are silent.
• The Black Lightning story is in black and white.
• Ty Templeton's hilarious Darkseid story was a one man show as he wrote, pencilled, inked, colored and lettered it.
• One of the cover credits is given to "Dre", checked everywhere for info on that individual and could not find anything.
• The stories, "The Present",  "Present Tense", and "The Gift" have been reprinted in the 2000 trade, "A DC Universe Christmas".

Ads:

• Beavis And Butt-Head Do America (VHS)
• Sonic R (Sega Saturn Video Game) (Two Pages)
• Jurassic Park:The Lost World (VHS)
• Mass Destruction (Video Game/Sony Playstation/Sega Saturn/Windows 95)
• Last Bronx (Video Game/Sega Saturn/PC CD-ROM) (Two Pages)
• Tomorrow Never Dies (Movie)
• Star Wars: Masters Of Teras Kasi  (Sony Playstation Video Game)
• Superman: Distant Fires (64 Page Elseworlds Special) (DC House Ad)
• Twix (Candy Bar)
• Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (Video Game/Sony Playstation/Nintendo 64)

There are several stories in this issue, the following is a listing of the Table Of Contents.

Title: The Present
Main Characters: Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), Green Arrow (Connor Hawke)

Writer: Devin K. Grayson

Penciller: William Rosado
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: The House Of Peace
Main Character: Batman (Bruce Wayne)

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Penciller: Dave Taylor
Inker: Wayne Faucher
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Noelle Giddings
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: Present Tense
Main Character: Darkseid

Writer: Ty Templeton

Penciller: Ty Templeton
Inker: Ty Templeton
Letterer: Ty Templeton
Colorist: Ty Templeton
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: 'Twas The Night Before Kwanzaa
Main Character: Black Lightning

Writer: Tony Isabella

Penciller: Eddy Newell
Inker: Eddy Newell
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: N/A
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: The Gift
Main Character: Superman (Clark Kent)

Writer: Dan Jurgens

Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Brett Breeding
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jason Wright
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: I Left My Heart At The Justice Society Canteen
Main Characters: Justice Society Of America

Writer: Howard Chaykin

Penciller: Rick Burchett
Inker: Rick Burchett
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Rick Taylor
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: A Christmas Carol
Main Character: Sgt. Rock

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Penciller: Russ Heath
Inker: Russ Heath
Letterer: Russ Heath (?)
Colorist: Russ Heath
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: The Old Lane
Main Character: Nightwing (Dick Grayson) & Oracle (Barbara Gordon)

Writer: Devin Grayson (Dialogue/Co-Plotter) & Brian Stelfreeze (Co-Plotter)

Penciller: Brian Stelfreeze
Inker: Karl Story
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Title: Ornaments Page
Main Characters: Superman (Wearing the Blue Lightning Costume), Robin (Tim Drake), Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), Batman (Bruce Wayne), Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)

Writer: Rick Burchett

Penciller: Rick Burchett
Inker: Rick Burchett
Letterer: Rick Burchett
Colorist: Rick Burchett (?)
Editor: Darren Vincenzo

Great Comic Artists: Dan Parent (Part 1)

I met Dan Parent, one of the great modern Archie artists at New York Comic Con 2013. I managed to get this great Little Archie coloured sketch from him. Parent is known for writing and doing the art on Betty & Veronica (Or B & V, as they have been known to be called recently) since the 90's and I was going to get a Betty or Veronica sketch, but I love Little Archie, my all time favourite Archie Character (Yes, I consider him a different character than the teen Archie), and Parent (as far as I know) hasn't done many Little Archie stories so I thought this would be a unique character to get.

Dan Parent actually graduated from the Joe Kubert School and went a different route to Archie
characters than his fellow graduates.
In 2010, Dan Parent created Kevin Keller, Archie's first gay character and the first Archie comic to sell out in it's entire history.

Wizard Of ID (1/25/71)

Another classic Wizard Of ID gag scanned from the 1975 Fawcett Gold Medal Book, "We've Got To Stop Meeting Like This". Originally published in newspapers on Jan. 25, 1971.

The Untold Legend Of The Batman (1982) (Tor Books)

Front cover (Artwork by Josè Luis Garcia-Lopez & Dick Giordano.

Back cover.

Title: The Untold Legend Of The Batman
Cover Art By: Josè Luis Garcia-Lopez (Pencils) & Dick Giordano (Inks)

Writer: Len Wein

Penciller: Jim Aparo, John Byrne
Inker: Jim Aparo
Letterer: Jim Aparo, John Costanza
Editor: Andrew Helfer, Paul Levitz (Original series)

Genre: Superhero

Printing: First
Printing Date: August, 1982

ISBN: 0-812-50353-8   Can ISBN:0-812-50352-X

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates (Tor Books)

Book Type: Mass Market Paperback.

Price: 2.95 U.S. * 3.95 Can.
Pages: 160

Interior design and production By Bob Rozakis, Jodi Saviuk & Alex Saviuk.

There are printings of this book from July, 1989 and July, 1992.

This is a reformatted to fit paperback size, black & white reprint of the 1980, three Issue mini-series from DC comics, "The Untold Legend Of The Batman".

There is an ad on the last page for a Tor Books New Teen Titans paperback.

The cover for this book is also the cover for The Untold Legend Of The Batman #3, Sept. 1980.

This story was also reprinted in June 1989 in standard comic size with audio cassettes by MPI, in a special audio edition.

This story was also reprinted in 1989 in standard comic size in a special Batman cereal edition.

Batman By Mike Kaluta

Combining his mastery of horror with the Dark Knight, the great Mike Kaluta declares "Batman Has Gone To Hell" in this sweet Batman pinup from Batman #400, Oct. 1986.

Scanned from Batman No. 400, October 1986.
Art By Mike Kaluta.
The Great Art Adams counts Mike Kaluta as one of his main influences.

Wizard Of ID (1/19/71)

Another classic Wizard Of ID gag scanned from the 1975 Fawcett Gold Medal Book, "We've Got To Stop Meeting Like This". Originally published in newspapers on Jan. 19, 1971.

Wizard Of ID (1/30/71)

Here's a classic newly colored and reformatted Wizard Of ID gag I scanned from the 1975 Fawcett Gold Medal Book, "We've Got To Stop Meeting Like This". The dry humour is clearly on display here.

Scanned from "We've Got To Stop Meeting Like This", Fawcett Gold Medal Books. (1975)
Originally published in newspapers on January 30, 1971.

Wizard Of ID (Fawcett Books)

On November 9, 1964, The Wizard Of ID began appearing in newspaper strips. Created by B.C. creator Johnny Hart & Brant Parker, The Wizard Of ID was set during medieval times in the Kingdom Of ID, following many characters such as the dwarf sized, King ID, The title character The Wizard, Rodney, the King's main Knight, & the alcoholic court jester, Bung, among several others. Most of the strips are one a day gags but on several occasions  they have tended to story arc the gags for weeks at a time.While the humor is usually broad, dark and dry and not everyone's cup of tea, the strip has managed to last 49 years and is still being published as of this writing.
In 1969 until 1986, Fawcett Gold Medal books began publishing 24 paperback collections of the strip featuring around 130 pages or so in each. A few of these are scanned below:

The King Is A Fink! (Book 1)
Fawcett Gold Medal Books.
Published 1969, Featuring strips from 1964 & 1965.

The King Is A Fink! (Back Cover)

There's A Fly In My Swill! (Book 5)
Fawcett Gold Medal Books.
Published 1973, Featuring strips from 1967 & 1968.

There's A Fly In My Swill! (Back Cover)

Yield (Book 7)
Fawcett Gold Medal Books.
Published 1974, Featuring strips from 1968 & 1969.

Yield (Back Cover)

Long Live The King! (Book 9)
Fawcett Gold Medal Books.
Published 1975, Featuring strips from 1970.

Long Live The King! (Back Cover)

Thor: Marvel Fanfare Pinups

I know these have been seen before on other blogs, but with Thor: The Dark World released today in North American theatres, I thought I'd post a couple of the Thunder God's portfolio pages I personally scanned from the much beloved 1982-1991 anthology title Marvel Fanfare. One from "the not for everyone" style of Bill Sienkiewicz and the other, a comedic piece from Terry Austin, known primarily as an inker but has dabbled in a few pencilling duties such as covers and backup pinups from time to time.

Scanned from Marvel Fanfare Vol. 1, No. 8, May 1983.
Art by Bill Sienkiewicz.
Sienkiewicz's Neal Adams influence is clearly on display in this extremely happy rendition of Thor.
This is before BS began doing the unique abstract painted pieces which he has become famous for.

Scanned from Marvel Fanfare Vol. 1, No. 18, January 1985.
Art by Terry Austin.
This is a cute piece from Austin, who resurrected the 1940's Timely funny animal characters, Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal.
Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal were created by Al Jaffe, the legendary cartoonist responsible for the Mad Fold-In.
Terry Austin would once again draw Ziggy Pig in the April 1984 Marvel Fumetti book in a story written by Mike Carlin.

R.I.P. Nick Cardy (1920-2013)

Sadly, legendary comic book artist Nick Cardy passed away on Nov. 3, 2013, he had just turned 93 on Oct. 20.I'm a huge fan of the 1970's DC Horror line, many of which Cardy drew interior stories and covers for. I always loved how he drew children and women, kind of had a Jack Kamen, Johnny Craig style about them. His work is timeless and will never be forgotten. Here's a few covers of his that I scanned from my collection...

                                                       Unexpected #127 (September 1971)

                                                       Witching Hour #27 (January 1973)

Witching Hour #40 (March 1974)

 Witching Hour #43 (June 1974)

          Showcase Presents: The Witching Hour Volume One (2011)

     Cover artwork reprinted from Witching Hour #4 (Aug-Sept. 1969)

                      Showcase Presents: Secrets Of Sinister House (2010)

         Cover artwork reprinted from Secrets Of Sinister House #5 (June-July 1972)

            Wanted, The World's Most Dangerous Villains #5 (January, 1973)

Justice League Of America #113 (Sept.-Oct. 1974)

Met Andrew McCarthy at New York Comic Con

Went to New York Comic Con 2013 and met 80's star, Andrew McCarthy, a favorite of mine from "Mannequin" (he signed my VHS copy!) and "Weekend At Bernies". The dude was cool and looked great for being in his 50's and did not rush anything (unlike most of the photo ops). He asked where I was from and said he's been to my small Canadian Hometown. After doing some research on what he's been up to the past few years, I did know he was in "Kingdom Hospital" and directed a few episodes of the great, "Orange Is The New Black" for Netflix, but had no clue he was also an award winning travel writer for The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler, among many others. The guy was travel journalist of the year in 2010. Wow. I don't get to meet many celebrities so this was pretty cool. Now to track down Kim Cattrall.

Captain America #245 (May, 1980)

Ads:

• Fun Factory Dept. (Various mail away gags).
• Various mail aways.
• Bubble Yum Wild Cherry Bubble Gum (Bubble gum).
• Various mail aways.
• Whoopers malted milk candy (Camp cook kit camping gear mail away).
• Heroes World (Star Trek: The Motion Picture action figures and vehicle order form) (Art by students of the Joe Kubert School Of Art).
• Marvel Super Heroes Prestomagix Dry Transfer Games (Marvel/General Mills)
• 100 Pc. Toy Soldier Set

Starman #1 (Oct. 1988)

Title: Starman #1
Cover Art By: Tom Lyle

Editor: Robert Greenberger

Genre: Superhero

Printing: First
Publishing Date: Oct. 1988

Publisher: DC Comics

Book Type: Standard Comic

Price: 1.00 (US)/1.35 (CAN)

Pages: 36 (Story has 26)

Story Title: Grassroots Hero

Main Characters: Starman [Will Peyton] (First Appearance)

Writer: Roger Stern

Penciller: Tom Lyle

Inker: Bob Smith

Letterer: Bob Pinaha

Colorist: Julianna Ferriter

Editor: Robert Greenberger

Notes: 

• This is the first appearance of the Will Peyton "Starman".
• The Starman logo was designed by Steve Vance, who also did the awesome 80's Hawk And Dove Logo.
• There is a two page Robert Greenberger write up on the History Of Starman.
• It's interesting to read Bob Greenberger's two page write up on the history of the DC "Starmen", and refer to the Ist Issue Special Mikaal Tomas "Starman" to be a mere footnote. Of course this was about six or seven years before James Robinson would revitalize that character in the 90's with the Jack Knight Starman series which even lead to Mikaal Tomas joining the Justice League in the 2000's.
• There are a few preliminary costume sketches by Tom Lyle of the Will Peyton costume on the bottom of the first greenberger write up page.

Ads:

• Gauntlet/R.B.I. Baseball (Tengen) (Nintendo Video Game Ad) (Split Page)
• Candilicious (Chewy Candies) (Candy Ad)
• Various Mail Orders
• Mile High Comics (Comic book mail aways) (Two pages)
• Olympic Prizes For Cash (Mail Order)
• Forgotten Realms (Game Expansion) (TSR)

Comic Book Movies: Swamp Thing (1982) (1986 Embassy VHS Reissue)

Title: Swamp Thing

Box Tagline: Science Made Him Into Monster. Loved Changed Him Even More!

Starring: Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise, Dick Durock

Directed By: Wes Craven

Genre: Horror

Release Year: 1982

VHS Release Year: 1986

Distributor: Embassy Home Entertainment

Box Type: Slipcase

Catalog #: 1605

Previews/Trailers: N/A

1986 cardboard slipcase reissued by Embassy Home Entertainment.

The "Gold" Embassy Home Entertainment Ident precedes the feature. The FBI warning appears after the end credits.

Like all North American VHS releases, this is the U.S. theatrical version without the extra footage of Adrienne Barbeau's nude bathing scene.

Contains no previews/trailers.

Other versions of Swamp thing on VHS are the original 1982 Embassy clamshell (With the white Embassy ident preceding the feature), and the 2000 MGM Movietime reissue from MGM Home Entertainment. I do not own the 2000 MGM Movietime release but I'm assuming MGM used the extended International cut that they used for the DVD release that features the longer Adrienne Barbeau nude bathing scene.

One of my all time favorite movie posters.