|
|
Post by rom on Sept 12, 2016 9:45:09 GMT -5
I'm indulging in some early '80's nostalgia, and remembered the interesting Marvel fantasy comic from the early '80's, The Saga of Crystar, Crystal Warrior. This only ran for 11 issues, but was very well-done. It involved a fantasy world in which two brothers were at war with each other - in the beginning both were human, but at some point one brother and his followers got turned into living crystal beings, and the other brother and his followers were turned into beings made of lava/magma. Fairly juvenile-sounding, I know, but it was cool at the time. Though I don't have any of these comics anymore, I remember that the first issue had a beautiful painted cover. At least one of the following issues included a cover by Michael Golden, as well. And, these Crystar characters seemed to be part of the Marvel Universe, since they interacted with Marvel characters in later issues (Dr. Strange, Nightcrawler, Alpha Flight). Not sure why the comic only lasted 11 issues - I'm not sure if this was a limited series, or was just cancelled due to poor sales. I also can't remember if this was a direct market-only comic. This series also involved a cool toy tie-in from Remco - the toys actually came out before the comic. This was typical of the time period, i.e. there would be a lot of cross-media tie-ins to promote a toy line. However, what was unusual in this case was that Marvel did own the property - so, they owned the rights to both the toys & the comic: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saga_of_CrystarHere's a cover gallery: marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Saga_of_Crystar,_Crystal_Warrior_Vol_1 To my knowledge, this series has never been reprinted in it's entirety. It would be nice to see a thin Trade reprinting all 11 issues at some point. |
|
|
|
Post by tingramretro on Sept 12, 2016 10:31:34 GMT -5
Coincidentally enough, several of the characters (including Crystar, Moltar and Warbow) resurfaced during Marvel's most recent Secret Wars event, and later in the Weirdworld spin-off series a few months ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nowhere Man on Sept 12, 2016 10:40:26 GMT -5
I never read the comics, but I do remember loving the toys when they originally came out.
|
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 12, 2016 11:13:39 GMT -5
I never read the comics, but I do remember loving the toys when they originally came out.
I had some of the Crystar toys back in the day, and remember enjoying them. Have no idea where these are now, however:
www.action-figures.ca/crystar.htm
I would definitely be onboard if Marvel were to produce a new line of Crystar figures, using the more advanced sculpting techniques these days - I'm sure Crystar figures would look fantastic if re-done. |
|
|
|
Post by Nowhere Man on Sept 12, 2016 11:21:40 GMT -5
I think they would look great given today's production standards. Looking at the list, I believe I only had Crystar and Moltar. I think what appealed to me about Crystar at the time (I would have only been six) was the fact that it was a translucent figure. Those were rare at the time and this was probably my first one in terms of action figures.
|
|
|
|
Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 12, 2016 11:26:32 GMT -5
I bought the first issue not realizing it was a toy tie-in (I was 16 at the time, had no interest in toys and no use for toy tie-ins). I remember it wasn't interesting enough for me to buy another issue.
|
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 12, 2016 11:42:58 GMT -5
Coincidentally enough, several of the characters (including Crystar, Moltar and Warbow) resurfaced during Marvel's most recent Secret Wars event, and later in the Weirdworld spin-off series a few months ago.
Wasn't aware of this - very interesting. This just shows that Marvel hasn't forgotten the characters; and, it further reinforces that Crystar & co. are definitely part of the MU.
|
|
|
|
Post by tingramretro on Sept 12, 2016 11:47:41 GMT -5
Coincidentally enough, several of the characters (including Crystar, Moltar and Warbow) resurfaced during Marvel's most recent Secret Wars event, and later in the Weirdworld spin-off series a few months ago.
Wasn't aware of this - very interesting. This just shows that Marvel hasn't forgotten the characters; and, it further reinforces that Crystar & co. are definitely part of the MU.
Yep, Dr. Strange and Nightcrawler both cropped up in it. |
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 12, 2016 12:47:26 GMT -5
I think they would look great given today's production standards. Looking at the list, I believe I only had Crystar and Moltar. I think what appealed to me about Crystar at the time (I would have only been six) was the fact that it was a translucent figure. Those were rare at the time and this was probably my first one in terms of action figures. The green crystal Warbow (the character with the eye-patch) is probably the best-looking figure in the line, but I don't think I ever had this.
Yes, the concept was great re: an action figure line, but the execution was just O.K. in most cases. Again, I have no doubt that if Crystar were re-done today & if it were done properly, the figures would look superb.
|
|
|
|
Post by tingramretro on Sept 12, 2016 13:06:51 GMT -5
I think they would look great given today's production standards. Looking at the list, I believe I only had Crystar and Moltar. I think what appealed to me about Crystar at the time (I would have only been six) was the fact that it was a translucent figure. Those were rare at the time and this was probably my first one in terms of action figures. The green crystal Warbow (the character with the eye-patch) is probably the best-looking figure in the line, but I don't think I ever had this.
Yes, the concept was great re: an action figure line, but the execution was just O.K. in most cases. Again, I have no doubt that Crystar were re-done today & if it were done properly, the figures would look superb.
I had Crystar, Moltar, Warbow, Lava Man, Ogeode, Feldspar and Zardeth (not sure if there were any others) and Warbow was definitely the best. |
|
|
|
Post by dbutler69 on Sept 12, 2016 13:17:28 GMT -5
This is one of those comics that I've recently been interested in picking up in order to indulge in some 80's nostalgia, even though I never bought the comics (though I was aware of it), and I don't remember ever seeing the toys. It does seem to have an early 80's vibe to it, which is cool.
|
|
Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,211 
|
Post by Confessor on Sept 12, 2016 14:13:52 GMT -5
These comics were reprinted as a back-up strip in the UK's Star Wars comic around 1984 or thereabouts. I thought that they really sucked, I'm afraid, and as a result I got into the habit of skipping them entirely.
|
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 12, 2016 15:45:08 GMT -5
Oh yeah, I completely understand that not everyone was into Crystar. One of the problems may have been the inconsistent art. In fact, issue #1 - while having an amazing painted cover - had somewhat lackluster interior art.
It's been years since I read these issues, but I think the artist(s) varied for the rest of the short-lived series as well.
That being said, later issues had cover art by the incomparable Michael Golden. And, Golden is among my top five favorite comic artists - despite the fact that he's done very little work over the years, and has all-but disappeared from the comics scene since the '80's.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gene on Sept 12, 2016 15:50:46 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by batlaw on Sept 12, 2016 18:24:25 GMT -5
Never read and not even sure I ever saw the comics personal but the art and title look a little familiar. I did happen to have 4 or five if the toy figures though cause I just thought they were rad. I remember my dog chewed off most their hands and feet. Along with most my marvel secret wars figures argh.
|
|
