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Post by Batflunkie on Mar 12, 2017 11:07:17 GMT -5
In other words, the ones that Stan didn't script. But Stan still plotted them. What was missing was the co-plotting and driving imagination of Kirby & Ditko in most of those formulaic Marvel Silver Age stuff. In the very loosest sense of the term though, Stan just told them "Oh, I don't know...I guess have Spider-Man fight some kind of bird guy who's able to fly because of science or some other bull-malarkey" Also, been on a little bit of a science-fiction kick lately and I came across what I can only truly compare to the long running British comic "Commando" in terms of long form anthology story telling; Starblazer Issue one was better than I could have initially given it credit for, it focuses on an experimental ship code named "Omega" that's able to create artificial black holes and theoretically travel long distances in the blink of an eye. The test pilot, Lute Fireball (great name by the way), winds up on a totally foreign universe comprised of insectizoid robots that look like something that H.P. Lovecraft dreamed up. Turns out the planet is run by a bunch of robots with emotional programming that overthrew their human masters, they find out about Lute's ship and demand that Lute's helper droid, Archee, give them the plans. Overall, very good first issue. Very basic artwork for a late 70's'/early 80's British comic, but it gets the job done
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2017 14:10:25 GMT -5
I wasn't able to read much this week. I made it in my FF reading via Masterworks through the Reed and Sue wedding. I believe up next is FF 44.
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Post by dbutler69 on Mar 12, 2017 15:51:50 GMT -5
I just read Howard the Duck # 5 and 6. I'm getting into the Steve Gerber social satire. I also read DC Comics Presents #3 (Adam Strange) yesterday which was actually pretty good. Some fine José Luis García-López art, and a better than expected story by one of my faves, Dave Michelinie.
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Post by Batflunkie on Mar 12, 2017 17:06:58 GMT -5
I just read Howard the Duck # 5 and 6. I'm getting into the Steve Gerber social satire. This is probably going to sound stupid as hell, but Howard was one of the first comics to really shape my world view socially as well as politically. I read the original B&W essentials tome constantly during my teen years in the mid 00's, so much so that it might as well have been my own personal bible
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Post by chadwilliam on Mar 12, 2017 21:04:14 GMT -5
Action Comics 414 by Cary Bates and Curt Swan
While George Reeves was busy playing TV's Superman in our world, who was doing the same in Superman's? Answer: Gregory Reed and this issue marks his first in what has to be about a dozen or so appearances until 1986. It's a strange and even unsettling issue to read if you're even remotely familiar with Reed's later appearances throughout the Bronze Age. An amicable fellow who not only embraced his alter ego but seemed to enjoy playing the part, Gregory Reed in the 1980's came across as a George Reeves whose life went on and on happily ever after. Here in his 1972 debut however, he is anything but.
The story begins with the real Man of Steel saving Reed's life when the latter is attacked by an escaped tiger while on set. An ungrateful Reed doesn't bother thanking his savior and his innermost thoughts reveal that he has long resented Superman. Although one gets the initial impression that Reed's resentment is due to his having to depict a man day in and day out whose example, greatness, and abilities he can never live up to - we learn that he wears a facemask to replicate Superman's good looks, that his outfit is padded with fake muscles to replicate his physique, that his boots have been fitted to give him added height - Reed's scars run much deeper than a petty inferiority complex.
Reed had once attempted to duplicate one of Superman's feats for the cameras with devastating results. Though not a fact known by the public at large, he was left horribly burned and disfigured in the attempt. As result, he now wears a fake mask to continue playing Superman and to hide his own appearance. However, Reed's vow to himself at the start of this issue - that "Superman has made a fool of me for the last time" - is not an empty threat. The actor has been studying black magic and learned of a way he can switch bodies with the man he has been pretending to be for years if only he can get close enough to him.
Reed arranges for Superman to visit him at his home by way of a call placed at WGBS through Clark Kent and in a nice little sequence, is found to have been waiting patiently for him when he arrives though his window. It's one of those moments where things are so calm that you know something's up - especially considering the fact that Reed is decked out in his Superman costume. Apologizing for his brusque attitude the day before, he asks Superman to forgive his rudeness. "Forget it, I already have". Superman moves to accept Reed's offered hand and in an instant, finds himself in Reed's body.
In a fairly sadistic scene, Reed lets Superman know that he's at his mercy by revealing the true nature of the body Kal-El now inhabits. He burns off his facemask with his heat vision and rips the padded muscles from his outfit with no concern for the effect that his newfound strength has on the now powerless - or human - Superman. We now see Reed as he is - scarred, toothless, bald - closer to The Crypt Keeper than The Man from Krypton and it's a sight Superman isn't spared when Reed forces him to look at the body he now inhabits in a full length mirror. You really get the sense that whatever fate Reed has planned for his captive, it isn't going to be pleasant.
However, Reed has little control over his new powers and finds himself out of his element when his home begins crumbling around him due to his violent movements. He really has no idea how to save the structure and panics. Recognizing this as an opening, Superman tells him he can talk him through what needs to be done if he'll get him to safety. Reed accepts the offer and without thinking, grabs Superman by the same hand through which their essences were switched. This act reverses the process and Reed returns to his own form, and Superman to his. As the story comes to a close, Superman offers to help restore Reed's appearance by performing the necessary surgery himself guided by a trained surgeon, if Reed will let him. A decrepit Reed looks up at Superman and responds simply. "Superman... help me".
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,069
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Post by Confessor on Mar 13, 2017 3:33:22 GMT -5
I came across what I can only truly compare to the long running British comic "Commando" in terms of long form anthology story telling; Starblazer I sometimes bought issues of Starblazer off of the newsagent's shelves back in the early '80s, if my pocket money stretched that far. I generally preferred Commando, although I didn't buy either religiously -- I preferred U.S. Marvel stuff overall -- but the few issues of Starblazer I did get were always enjoyable. I don't remember the art being substandard like you describe though, so that aspect of the series must've rapidly improved.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,069
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Post by Confessor on Mar 13, 2017 3:41:24 GMT -5
Action Comics 414 by Cary Bates and Curt Swan
Great write up, chad. I'm gonna have to pick this issue up, that's all there is to it. Off to eBay...
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Post by dbutler69 on Mar 13, 2017 9:06:38 GMT -5
I just read Howard the Duck # 5 and 6. I'm getting into the Steve Gerber social satire. This is probably going to sound stupid as hell, but Howard was one of the first comics to really shape my world view socially as well as politically. I read the original B&W essentials tome constantly during my teen years in the mid 00's, so much so that it might as well have been my own personal bible Doesn't sound stupid to me. Howard was certainly one of the most politically and socially active comics out there, and heck, there are worse places to get one's sociopolitical views. Howard for President!
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,069
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Post by Confessor on Mar 13, 2017 10:06:33 GMT -5
This is probably going to sound stupid as hell, but Howard was one of the first comics to really shape my world view socially as well as politically. I read the original B&W essentials tome constantly during my teen years in the mid 00's, so much so that it might as well have been my own personal bible Doesn't sound stupid to me. Howard was certainly one of the most politically and socially active comics out there, and heck, there are worse places to get one's sociopolitical views. Howard for President! Agreed. It doesn't sound silly to me either. The older I get, the more I realise just how much reading MAD Magazine as a teenager has influenced my worldview.
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Post by Hoosier X on Mar 14, 2017 1:37:13 GMT -5
I'm trying to alternate between Bronze Age Green Lantern (#90 to #100) and Silver Age Avengers (#59 to #71). But when it's Green Lantern's turn, I have to force myself to read Green Lantern instead of just going on to the next issue of The Avengers. I don't want to give the impression that Green Lantern was a bad comic in this period. So far, I'm rather enjoying them - when I can force myself away from the Avengers to read GL! Shoot, if I was on a three-hour flight and all I had to read was Green Lantern #90 to #100, I think I would be more than content. Better than competent space opera, and drawn by Mike Grell! Also, Green Arrow! And Sinestro! But The Avengers ... at this point ... or maybe the whole Silver Age ... The Avengers is AWESOME! #59 to #71 features Yellowjacket. And the marriage of Jan and Hank! And the Black Knight! The Black Panther! The Vision! Hawkeye! (I think this is the period where Hawkeye becomes Goliath for a while, but I haven't got that far yet.) #69 to #71 is a Kang adventure! I haven't read most of these issues, but I have read the Kang three-parter. It's been more than 30 years. I hope it holds up. Also, lotsa John Buscema art! Bronze Age GL just can't compete.
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Post by Spike-X on Mar 14, 2017 15:14:07 GMT -5
As the story comes to a close, Superman offers to help restore Reed's appearance by performing the necessary surgery himself guided by a trained surgeon, if Reed will let him. A decrepit Reed looks up at Superman and responds simply. "Superman... help me." So I guess we can add 'Super plastic surgery' to Pre-Crisis Superman's list of powers?
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Post by Hoosier X on Mar 14, 2017 15:39:14 GMT -5
As the story comes to a close, Superman offers to help restore Reed's appearance by performing the necessary surgery himself guided by a trained surgeon, if Reed will let him. A decrepit Reed looks up at Superman and responds simply. "Superman... help me." So I guess we can add 'Super plastic surgery' to Pre-Crisis Superman's list of powers? Well, why the heck not?
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Post by Batflunkie on Mar 15, 2017 7:11:28 GMT -5
I'm trying to alternate between Bronze Age Green Lantern (#90 to #100) and Silver Age Avengers (#59 to #71). But when it's Green Lantern's turn, I have to force myself to read Green Lantern instead of just going on to the next issue of The Avengers. I don't want to give the impression that Green Lantern was a bad comic in this period. So far, I'm rather enjoying them - when I can force myself away from the Avengers to read GL! Shoot, if I was on a three-hour flight and all I had to read was Green Lantern #90 to #100, I think I would be more than content. Better than competent space opera, and drawn by Mike Grell! Also, Green Arrow! And Sinestro! Silver Age GL was a hot mess that seemed to rotate in and out of interesting sci-fi concepts/competent stories or good plots/bland execution that seemed cobbled together just for the sake of serialized storytelling. The stories involving Hal's brothers should have been interesting, but they weren't, dear sweet baby Jesus in heaven they weren't. I mean how do you screw up a story where a girl that Jim is courting is absolutely convinced that he's Green Lantern to the point where Hal has to step in and give him his power-ring just to shut her up once and for all? If you told me that plot on a bus before I had ever read that issue, I'd be tearing over to my nearest comic book store to try and get a hold of it But once Green Lantern/Green Arrow started, things started looking a little brighter (pardon the pun) To be fair though, I think my favorite stories are the ones involving Pieface and Hal, especially the one where Hal accidentally turns Pie into a bird in his sleep
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Post by dbutler69 on Mar 15, 2017 11:55:13 GMT -5
I'm continuing my Gerber run, with Man-Ting #5 & 6 and Howard the Duck #9 & 10. Some weird stuff there.
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Post by Cei-U! on Mar 15, 2017 20:05:01 GMT -5
As the story comes to a close, Superman offers to help restore Reed's appearance by performing the necessary surgery himself guided by a trained surgeon, if Reed will let him. A decrepit Reed looks up at Superman and responds simply. "Superman... help me." So I guess we can add 'Super plastic surgery' to Pre-Crisis Superman's list of powers? Sure, because way back in Lois Lane #12, the Surgeon of Steel earned a doctorate in every known medical specialty. It was the only wy the AMA would let him operate on Lois, who'd been transformed into a mermaid. Cei-U! Y'know, it's not always easy to report this stuff with a straight face!
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