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Post by brutalis on Apr 4, 2018 8:53:30 GMT -5
Being a child of the 70's I grew up at a special time experiencing the frenzy of the world when everybody was Kung Fu fighting! I Remember When it was the biggest craze around in movies and television and of course in the comic books I was beginning to find and collect. Oh those youthful days spent reading the chop-sockey adventures of this new breed of comic book hero.
Comic book companies were creating Kung Fu series introducing the world of martial arts skills and philosophies with the likes of Richard Dragon, Lady Shiva, Bronze Tiger, Karate Kid, Yang, Judo Master, Shang Chi, Iron Fist and the Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu and going so far as to retroactively having Batman training in the martial arts as part of his skill sets to becoming the Dark Knight Detective.
Everywhere you looked the martial arts was there. Advertisements abounded inside the comics proclaiming they would teach you the ancient secrets of the masters. Some comics managed to capture the essence of the Hong Kong foolery and be successful while others were lame cash in attempts on the craze. Yet what fun it was having all of these comics to peruse through. Good or bad at the time, it truly didn’t matter to me as I would grab up any comic book which came along aspiring to include any attempt of Kung Fu in it.
All of the DC attempts ultimately failed with only Karate Kid in the Legion of Super-Heroes returning to his team (ultimately only to die) and rolling all of the Richard Dragon Characters over into the Batman mythos and being able to keep them active into the future through other series as well. Marvel had the most success with the introduction of Shang Chi who had the longest running series if only because it added spies into the pajama party and then Iron Fist who teamed up with yet another 70’s exploitation character Luke Cage: Powerman to form the Hero’s for Hire team supreme. Both Shang and Fist even got to appear in the black and white magazine sized Deadly Hands of Kung Fu that built a cult following of its own which was reprinted last year in Omnibus alongside the complete Master of Kung Fu series.
Iron Fist being the most superhero-ish of all the Kung Fu types has managed in being consistently published as his series gets cancelled and then he gets a new series or joins as part of a team (Hero’s for Hire, Avengers, Defenders) and is currently the only Kung Fu’ster from comic books to make his way into Hollywood via his Netflix series. Over the years Kung Fu has kicked butt and has lost a fight here and there but still remains alive and kicking and beloved to us comic book readers today. Not bad for a 70’s cult craze that came and went and still keeps on fighting the good fight!
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Post by brutalis on Apr 20, 2018 7:51:06 GMT -5
This one is all about when you began to learn the art of the trade with your comic books. Deciding which comics to hold onto and the ones to trade off for other comic books from neighboring kids or with cousins was a quickly developed skill necessary for building up your collection of favorite comic books. Sometimes it was the only way to get missing issues or finding an old/new series that you may have missed out on.
It was a way to connect with others and build a network of ongoing friends and family so you wouldn’t have to spend your hard earned nickels and dimes so quickly. A way to make up having spent on a comic book that after once reading you find out you had made a bad choice. It was how you learned which artists and writers you liked in a comic book and would start looking for. You choose gladly in trading away other comics less liked so you may have more of those being done by your new list of favorite artists and writers.
It wasn’t about the cost of the comic in the trade. It was all about the actual comic book. Who was the writer and artist? Was it cover-less? That meant 2 cover-less comics in trade for one with a cover. Was it Marvel or DC or Archie or Harvey or Charlton or Dell or Gold Key? Marvel and DC were best so you may do a straight across trade but other companies were 2, 3 or 4 for a Marvel/DC. Dell and Gold Key were only worthwhile if they were of television shows you knew and any other kinds were considered trade worthy by volume turning in 4 or 5 of those for getting a desperately desired Marvel/DC comic. Archie and Harvey or any funny type comic all depended upon which characters you liked and were usually sneaked away/stolen from cousins rather than actually admitting you enjoyed them. No guy wanted to be caught in trade for an Archie title unless it was done under the table so hush hush top secret and deniable in a court of law. But a good funny Warner Bros Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck/Road Runner or funny Hanna Barbera comic might be a possibility since they were seldom seen or found around here. When it came down to trading it was usually teams for teams as a even trade deal since and individual heroes were mostly comparable and the trade all depended upon who you traded with and what hero/villain they liked and the same for yourself and if you could turn that to your advantage. The desire to have and wanting made the trades go up if you were smart. 2 comic book series that NEVER traded out in any way was Spider-Man and Batman. These 2 were the best of the best in comics and everybody held onto their issues only trading away their team-up stuff.
This is when comic books changed for you and you stop being a child and turning into a teen. It became something more than the once in a while odd purchase and true collecting begins with the search for series and runs of artist/writer. You choose what you want and how you save and spend for the most desirable comics in creating your personalized comic collection. Do you Remember When that change began to happen for you?
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Post by EdoBosnar on Apr 20, 2018 15:32:19 GMT -5
Yep, I remember; it ties in to the last few comments I made in this thread - that, for me, magical year of 1979, when I was bitten with the bug and began to seriously and devotedly follow a number of series from month to month, instead of my previously less committed approach. It was also when I completely cut out Archies and funny animals. After that, it was strictly super-heroes and other more 'sophisticated' fare.
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Post by sabongero on Apr 20, 2018 16:23:28 GMT -5
I remember the best part was in the early 80's when I first bought my first pack of comic book plastic polyethylene sleeves, and individual thick comic book boards to place inside the plastic sleeve. Then I placed my favorite comic books, or the ones I deemed necessary like an issue that introduced a new character or the primary issue of a new series inside, and then sealed it with a tape. And then placed it inside a comic book box. I remember feeling utter joy just doing that every week after buying some new comic book(s) from the news-stand spinning racks.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 17:29:16 GMT -5
2 comic book series that NEVER traded out in any way was Spider-Man and Batman. These 2 were the best of the best in comics and everybody held onto their issues only trading away their team-up stuff. This is when comic books changed for you and you stop being a child and turning into a teen. It became something more than the once in a while odd purchase and true collecting begins with the search for series and runs of artist/writer. You choose what you want and how you save and spend for the most desirable comics in creating your personalized comic collection. Do you Remember When that change began to happen for you? For me it was 4 characters: Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, Hulk.
When did I start collecting instead of just reading? 1979 when the first LCS opened near me.
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Post by sabongero on Apr 25, 2018 9:55:24 GMT -5
I remember back in the early to mid 80's that I always looked forward to buying Marvel Age preview comic books in the newsstands, and drop by a comic book shop to pick up The Comics Journal. Since there was no internet yet, it was a way of seeing what was to come in previews, writer & illustrator interviews, and reviews of just recently released comic books.
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Post by brutalis on Apr 25, 2018 14:15:56 GMT -5
I remember back in the early to mid 80's that I always looked forward to buying Marvel Age preview comic books in the newsstands, and drop by a comic book shop to pick up The Comics Journal. Since there was no internet yet, it was a way of seeing what was to come in previews, writer & illustrator interviews, and reviews of just recently released comic books. Oh yes those were the days. Nothing was hyped or leaked daily or screaming for your attention. It was the article about a series that drew your interest or the writer being"interviewed" or the artwork. I followed Marvel Age, Amazing Heroes, Comics Interview and the Comics Journal. Have quite a few boxes of them stored away and occasionally drag them out for reading and admiring the artwork provided within. While there are advantages to the Internet for information I think many a series is already doomed to fail before their 1st issue has even delivered. So much is already known or provided months ahead of time that the thrill and fun is gone before you ever open the cover after purchase.
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Post by sabongero on Apr 25, 2018 14:47:36 GMT -5
I remember back in the early to mid 80's that I always looked forward to buying Marvel Age preview comic books in the newsstands, and drop by a comic book shop to pick up The Comics Journal. Since there was no internet yet, it was a way of seeing what was to come in previews, writer & illustrator interviews, and reviews of just recently released comic books. Oh yes those were the days. Nothing was hyped or leaked daily or screaming for your attention. It was the article about a series that drew your interest or the writer being"interviewed" or the artwork. I followed Marvel Age, Amazing Heroes, Comics Interview and the Comics Journal. Have quite a few boxes of them stored away and occasionally drag them out for reading and admiring the artwork provided within. While there are advantages to the Internet for information I think many a series is already doomed to fail before their 1st issue has even delivered. So much is already known or provided months ahead of time that the thrill and fun is gone before you ever open the cover after purchase. As much as the information provided by the internet these days, nothing beats that ANTICIPATION and that feeling of looking forward to reading a particular upcoming issue of what you read in the Comics Journal, Marvel Age, and other similar publications back then. You don't have access to fan boys talking about it in the various social media outlets in the internet and providing revealing spoilers about those said upcoming issues that capture your attention from the pre internet publications back then.
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Post by brutalis on Apr 27, 2018 9:38:01 GMT -5
As much as the information provided by the internet these days, nothing beats that ANTICIPATION and that feeling of looking forward to reading a particular upcoming issue of what you read in the Comics Journal, Marvel Age, and other similar publications back then. You don't have access to fan boys talking about it in the various social media outlets in the internet and providing revealing spoilers about those said upcoming issues that capture your attention from the pre internet publications back then. For my part some of the best anticipation and excitement for a new comic book was the company ads inside Marvel/DC issues giving shout outs to upcoming new series or current series. Just a brief sell job with a bit of artwork or cover in a quarter page or half page was usually enough to grab my attention and make me start watching the racks for them. That was how you sold comics: tease, tempt and create the need in the easiest and simplest ways.
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Post by sabongero on Apr 27, 2018 10:39:45 GMT -5
For my part some of the best anticipation and excitement for a new comic book was the company ads inside Marvel/DC issues giving shout outs to upcoming new series or current series. Just a brief sell job with a bit of artwork or cover in a quarter page or half page was usually enough to grab my attention and make me start watching the racks for them. That was how you sold comics: tease, tempt and create the need in the easiest and simplest ways. I almost forgot about those. And let us not forget towards the end of the comic book issue where they have the comic book checklist for the comic books coming out that month. They have those brief blurbs about some issues, and them a hype box with more details for a couple of issues that's coming out that month.
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Post by badwolf on Apr 27, 2018 10:56:45 GMT -5
I loved the checklists and was annoyed that they got smaller over time (until it was just a column with no descriptions at all!)
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Post by sabongero on Apr 27, 2018 11:02:54 GMT -5
I loved the checklists and was annoyed that they got smaller over time (until it was just a column with no descriptions at all!) Yeah that was a letdown, but I think it got shortened because publications knew that readers are more internet savvy and can obtain information online from various comic book websites and publisher's website regarding the details of the upcoming issue. So they can save printing cost on a page or more regarding ads, and detailing issues of upcoming comic books. Still... I'd rather read those brief blurbs on the comic book issues, as I got used to reading them back then.
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Post by brutalis on Apr 27, 2018 11:24:49 GMT -5
I loved the checklists and was annoyed that they got smaller over time (until it was just a column with no descriptions at all!) It would be great today if they still did checklists if only for tracking all the gosh darn variant covers!
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Post by badwolf on Apr 27, 2018 11:41:12 GMT -5
I loved the checklists and was annoyed that they got smaller over time (until it was just a column with no descriptions at all!) Yeah that was a letdown, but I think it got shortened because publications knew that readers are more internet savvy and can obtain information online from various comic book websites and publisher's website regarding the details of the upcoming issue. So they can save printing cost on a page or more regarding ads, and detailing issues of upcoming comic books. Still... I'd rather read those brief blurbs on the comic book issues, as I got used to reading them back then. Oh, no, this was back in the 80s. They used to be a full page, then they were a smaller box at the bottom of the letters page (still with some info on each issue though), and finally just a column on the right hand side of the letters pages with only a list of issues.
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Post by brutalis on May 4, 2018 7:55:35 GMT -5
Weird Science gone wild is the truth in the case of DC’s Metamorpho comic in the 60’s. Finding a single issue one day in a thrift store out shopping during the summer of 1973 with my grandparents was the beginning of my infatuation with the man of many elements. What is that hooked me on this scientific freak is hard to say. Was it all of the scientific aspects? How about the unique oddity of his design? It could be Java the caveman from the past who is brought to life in the present day? Perhaps the crazy ways Metamorpho changes the shape and form of his body? All of the above most likely because 11 year old me was instantly fascinated and captivated with Rex Mason the colorful silly putty man.
For many years all I owned is that single issue (#3 to be exact) and an issue of Justice League America where he fought alongside the JLA/JSA and 7 Soldiers of Victory. I watched for new issues on the stands, searching every used bookstore or thrift store hoping to find more of this odd comic. Insane that I was obsessed with a series in which I owned only a single issue of and yet Metamorpho was such a unique comic. With no internet I had no way of knowing that I had stumbled upon a 17-issue series which “flopped” and meaning the elemental man could only be found as a guest star in other comics.
Once the LCS came upon the scene I soon found a few copies here and there for sale yet they were all outrageously priced beyond my means. So, for many years I had only those few comics found from my earlier childhood helping me want to see more of Metamorpho the shape changing, element mixing/matching man of action and adventure! My long wait finally paid off in October 2005 when my dreams came true with the Showcase Presents Metamorpho the Element Man was in my hands. I had all of those splendid issues all in one place. Now I knew Rex was being an Indiana Jones type of character before Indy was ever dreamt of. The walking chemistry set was even better and quirkier than any comic or series I had ever scene. It was peculiar and spectacular all at the same wondrous time. How is it that this comic didn’t catch on and only became a cult series for fans? It is full of so much fun and adventure, science and fantasy that it should have run for many more years than it did.
Others may choose to ignore this white and purple and orange and brown hued adventurer but this is how I Remember When my B-List infatuation for those lower tier heroes and villains proved to me in being much more interesting than any of the big name ones.
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