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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 23, 2018 13:09:58 GMT -5
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - ABC Comics 1999-2003  I was probably in late junior high when I discovered P. J. Farmer and Wold-Newton through this bios of Tarzan and Doc Savage. I was enthralled. Fast forward 20 years and Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill give us another world that explores the interplay of our literary loves. It's thought-provoking, iconoclastic, funny and shows exactly why the public domain is so damn important. The first two minis are the Gold Standard. Black Dossier disappointed me more than a bit. I rather liked both American Century and Nemo, but they weren't a patch on the original two books. For those who want more of this sort of thing, I highly recommend Kim Newman's Anno Dracula books, vampire-centered Wold-Newton, and his Diogenes Club stories.
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Post by Phil Maurice on Dec 23, 2018 13:44:29 GMT -5
Of all the times for illness to strike. Here's to a speedy recovery.  2. Menace 7 - Your Name is Frankenstein (Atlas, 1953) It's impossible to overstate how much I love the art of Joe Maneely. Atlas' shining star through much of the fifties, Maneely brought life to an array of horror, western, war and adventure comics with his powerful, million-little-lines approach. In "Your Name is Frankenstein" from Menace #7, Maneely and scripter Stan Lee deliver a tale of the Frankenstein monster's resurrection set many years after Mary Shelley's original novel. The monster seeks companionship and understanding, but his hideous appearance and mute, lumbering demeanor inspire nothing so much as hatred and fear. Only when he is hounded to his death do a few of the villagers begin to understand that, as a hateful mob with their torches and guns, they themselves are the real monsters. It's a theme that recurs throughout the paranoid decade of the fifties, and even informs a couple of Twilight Zone episodes in the 60s. Here, Maneely's art captures the mournful, anguished face of the monster, as well as the red-hot fury of the mob. This story also reminds me that no other medium uses the second person point of view more effectively than comics, and Stan Lee is one of its most gifted proponents. The technique allows the reader to immediately identify with the Frankenstein monster and remain sympathetic throughout. It's a neat little accomplishment in just five pages.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2018 13:49:02 GMT -5
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, Santa said to me, by Crom you’ll enjoy this… Conan by Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord, Tom Yeates, Greg Ruth, Tim Truman, Fabian Nicieza, John Severin, Bruce Timm, Eric Powell, Len Wein and Kelley Jones (including Conan #0, 1-28, 32, 45, 46; and Conan: Book of Thoth 1-4); Dark Horse, 2004-2007);  adapted from the works of Robert E. Howard  Busiek’s run on Conan sought to adapt and fill in the gaps on Conan’s story from his youth in Cimmeria through his adventures in the Hyborian Age, but was ultimately cut short when Kurt’s health issues led him to taking an exclusive contract with one of the big 2 to get health insurance, forcing him to leave Conan behind, but what he did produce was an adaptation of Conan’s younger years of adventure that is faithful to and evocative of Howard’s tales, and Nord was producing art that evokes the feel of the classic Frazetta paintings of the Cimmerian. The six part Born on the Battlefield illustrated by Greg Ruth, gives us a version of Conan’s youth from birth to the battle at Venarium that feels Howardian, while the main series uses a framing sequence based on the Nemedian Chronicles to adapt and expand upon the Howard tales the Frost Giant’s Daughter, God in the Bowl, The Tower of the Elephant, and a lead in to The Hall of the Dead, plus adding new tales to fill in the gaps between stories and adding a handful of new characters to the world of Conan, and providing an origin for Thoth-Amon in the Book of Thoth mini and establishing the ongoing conflict between Conan and the Stygian sorcerer in one of the gap-filling stories in the main title. It is a masterful adaptation and expansion of Conan and his world, true to the spirit of Howard. -M |
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Post by Paste Pot Paul on Dec 23, 2018 15:57:42 GMT -5
Conan
Marvel Comics
Thomas and Buscema
A Witch Shall Be Born
SSOC 5
 As I wrote yesterday Doug Moench helped spark an obsession with our barbarian friend. I may have been reading his monthly book for a couple of months at that stage, but the discovery of Frazetta, and then the Conan paperbacks, and then Savage Sword...well I was gone. I devoured everything I could on Conan, Howard, and Howard's other creations. So much so that I burned out in about 5 years. However what a ride, and the most thrilling ride was A Witch Shall be Born which I first read reprinted in Marvel Treasury Edition 23. Its purely the crucifixion scene that makes this so great, everything I love about Conan is distilled into this one scene, everything I admired and secretly aspired to. He survives being crucified??? Holy Crap Batman that is amazeballs. 
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Dec 23, 2018 20:47:20 GMT -5
Busiek’s run on Conan sought to adapt and fill in the gaps on Conan’s story from his youth in Cimmeria through his adventures in the Hyborian Age, but was ultimately cut short when Kurt’s health issues led him to taking an exclusive contract with one of the big 2 to get health insurance, forcing him to leave Conan behind, but what he did produce was an adaptation of Conan’s younger years of adventure that is faithful to and evocative of Howard’s tales, and Nord was producing art that evokes the feel of the classic Frazetta paintings of the Cimmerian. -M The Busiek/Nord issues of that run are a thing of beauty, truly evoking the spirit of Howard. “The Crown of Tiamat” contains one of my favourite non-Howard Conan scenes: the one where the Cimmerian, while disparaging the philosophers’ discussion as nonsense, still decides to stay and listen to them a little longer. That, to me, was the proof that Busiek understood exactly what the character was about. I really miss Busiek’s Conan. I thought that nobody but Thomas could get the character exactly right, but Kurt proved me wrong. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Dec 23, 2018 22:31:18 GMT -5
Marvel's original Star Wars various creators As much as I like the more recent EU, and even the current stuff, the original Marvel Star Wars did something that no one else has the guts to do.. they went FORWARD from the movies, and tried to bring us a glimpse of the universe to come. It wasn't always perfect (or even close) but it was always entertaining.. and full marks for not taking the easy road by just 'filling gaps' 
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Post by foxley on Dec 24, 2018 2:46:44 GMT -5
2. Zorro #0 -11 (Topps, 1993-4) I know Cei-U says that we are supposed to explain our choices, but I'm not sure I can in this case. I don't know why this adaptation of Zorro has got under my skin more than any other, but it has. This series spun out of Topps' Dracula vs. Zorro miniseries. It embraced the concept of Zorro as proto-superhero and ran with it. (A scion of a wealthy family who dons a mask and cape to battle injustice, based out of a subterranean lair beneath his family's mansion, assisted by a loyal family retainer, and maintaining a secret identity as feckless socialite. Why does that sound familiar?) Zorro's presence inspires others to adopt costumed identities of their own. I think this element bothered many traditional Zorro fan, but I found it fascinating. Which is not to say the series was superhero silliness. The series dealt with many serious themes, such as domestic violence, the plight of native Americans, and women's rights, but not in a preachy manner. Unfortunately, the series died before many of the plotlines could pay off. I know I probably shouldn't enjoy this series as much as I do, but I can't help it.
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Crimebuster
CCF Podcast Guru
Making comics!
Posts: 3,958 
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Post by Crimebuster on Dec 24, 2018 3:02:26 GMT -5
I'm on the road, so this is going to be brief, especially since plenty has already been said about this pick:
2. Atari Force
I loved it as a kid just getting into comics, and for me, it still holds up. There are a couple little hiccups, but the great art and cool characters more than make up for it. Why there was never a Dart spinoff series is beyond me.
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Post by hondobrode on Dec 24, 2018 7:33:24 GMT -5
Tarzan ( DC 1972 - 1977 )  Never really thought of myself as a big Edgar Burroughs fan, but the primal essence of Tarzan, a human, a helpless an infant, surviving a plane crash and being raised in the wild by apes no less is incredibly alluring, partially so because you could almost believe it being real. Tarzan himself, through the death of his parents, is forced to hone himself in the ultimate human with no super powers. Tarzan is raw yet noble and fair; survival of the fittest and lord of all around him, man's triumph over his environment with nothing more than his own body and mind. Kubert's was the first Tarzan I ever saw. Befitting his unique style, Kubert's pencils have kind of a raw energetic quality not unlike Jack Kirby's art except less cubic and perfectly fitting the vibe of a hidden land that is still much like it was thousands of years ago. Tarzan has had an embarrassing amount of great artists over the years including Hal Foster, Burne Hogarth, Neal Adams, Mike Grell, John Buscema, Clinton Pettee, J. Allen St. John, John Coleman Burroughs ( Edgar's own son ), Roy Krenkel, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Joe Jusko, Tom Yeates and more. Kubert certainly deserves his spot amongst these greats. Much like older fans instantly think of Curt Swan's Superman as their template, Kubert is mine for Tarzan, not only for the action moments, but also for the smaller, quieter, contemplative or when Tarzan is communicating or helping someone without all the savage bombastic fury.  |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Dec 24, 2018 20:52:42 GMT -5
Busiek’s run on Conan sought to adapt and fill in the gaps on Conan’s story from his youth in Cimmeria through his adventures in the Hyborian Age, but was ultimately cut short when Kurt’s health issues led him to taking an exclusive contract with one of the big 2 to get health insurance, forcing him to leave Conan behind, but what he did produce was an adaptation of Conan’s younger years of adventure that is faithful to and evocative of Howard’s tales, and Nord was producing art that evokes the feel of the classic Frazetta paintings of the Cimmerian. -M The Busiek/Nord issues of that run are a thing of beauty, truly evoking the spirit of Howard. “The Crown of Tiamat” contains one of my favourite non-Howard Conan scenes: the one where the Cimmerian, while disparaging the philosophers’ discussion as nonsense, still decides to stay and listen to them a little longer. That, to me, was the proof that Busiek understood exactly what the character was about. I really miss Busiek’s Conan. I thought that nobody but Thomas could get the character exactly right, but Kurt proved me wrong. One of my deepest wishes is that with Conan at Marvel we'll see more from Busiek. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2018 21:16:10 GMT -5
The Busiek/Nord issues of that run are a thing of beauty, truly evoking the spirit of Howard. “The Crown of Tiamat” contains one of my favourite non-Howard Conan scenes: the one where the Cimmerian, while disparaging the philosophers’ discussion as nonsense, still decides to stay and listen to them a little longer. That, to me, was the proof that Busiek understood exactly what the character was about. I really miss Busiek’s Conan. I thought that nobody but Thomas could get the character exactly right, but Kurt proved me wrong. One of my deepest wishes is that with Conan at Marvel we'll see more from Busiek. Unfortunately Kurt has expressed Zero Interest in doing anything work for hire moving forward. Creature of the Night at DC was something he had written years ago and that had gotten buried and is now being published (with a very slow artist causing lots of delays), but at this point in his career he only wants to put is efforts into things he actually owns. Not to say he won't change his mind at some point, but nothing he has said in the last 5+ years shows any inclination to return to work-for-hire on anything resembling a regular basis. The other thing is that he has always said he has absolutely no desire to return to properties he has already written even when he does work for hire. His standard answer when asked about returning for a second stint on any work-for-hire property he has done before is I said my piece already and that ship has sailed. So I won't say never, but I would be highly surprised to see Kurt do anything Conan-related no matter who the publisher is. -M |
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Post by brutalis on Dec 26, 2018 8:31:51 GMT -5
2. Savage Sword of Conan the Barbarian #26. Beyond the Black River. Marvel 1977 by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, Tony Dezuniga.So as a youth I had a couple of the Barry Smith color Conan comics. Specifically 1971's #5 Zukala's Daughter and 1972's #16 The Frost Giant's Daughter. These were great comics but just did not feel like the Conan I had read from REH. Conan was one of those hard to find comics at the time of spinner racks in the earliest days of it's publication. When I discovered the black and white magazine (of all places in a drug store in Payson up in the mountains while visiting my grandparents during Thanksgiving) I grabbed this for something to read. The Starlin painted cover really got my attention and once I began reading I couldn't put the magazine away. The Buscema/Dezuniga art was amazing, capturing the dark forest and Picts of the wild's and turning what is essentially a cowboys versus indians story into something adult and spectacular, so many thank you's to REH and Roy Thomas for this one magazine. Suddenly here was the Conan I had read and "knew" about. I was hooked now. From here I went on to begin searching for any new Savage Sword that came out (yeah, talk about epic fail: only ever could find 6 more in Phoenix!) and renewing an interest for the color comic (now with art by Buscema and Chan) in my searches (more succesfull, getting all of the annuals from #3 on and series from #80 on) for Cimmerian adventures.
Conan became a vital read for me now, with more depth, emotion and thrills than any super hero comic was delivering. The barbarian's adventures were growing in popularity everywhere else as well. Soon I had a fine collection and many friends who borrowed and read of the Crom spouting sword wielder's wild and incredible world. Sword fights aplenty began through the neighborhood and blood was spilled aplenty across the yards and river-bottom near my home. So the world of Conan holds a deep special place in my heart and memories of youth... |
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Post by Farrar on Dec 26, 2018 15:13:26 GMT -5
#11 Classics Illustrated #32 - Lorna Doone Gilberton, December 1946 issue I was very surprised when someone else had this on his list so early on. Suffice it to say Phil Maurice extolled this comic's appeal very well, so go and read his write-up if you already haven't; it's in the Third Day thread. I'll just add that as a lover of both Matt Baker and English novels, I knew as soon as the topic was announced that this issue was going to be high on my list. 
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Post by Jeddak on Dec 26, 2018 17:23:49 GMT -5
Day 11 Army Surplus Komikz featuring Cutey Bunny #2 J Q Enterprises, 1983  So I came late to the Road pictures that Bob Hope and Bing Crosby did, but they're some of my favorite film comedies. Hope and Crosby played different characters in each movie, technically. But really they were the same characters - down-on-their-luck vaudevillians who traveled to exotic climes, wooed beautiful women, had wacky adventures, sang, broke the fourth wall. Fun stuff. Which brings us to the second issue of Cutey Bunny, one of my all-time favorite comics of all-time. (When we did favorite single issues a few years back, I almost included this book; I really should have.) Our heroine, Kelly O'Hare, is tasked by the president with checking out the goings-on on some little island. Her nemesis Vicky is assigned to help her. After a quick trip to pick up some lollipops for Kelly's unnamed friend (including some hard-to-get cinnamon) the two are off on the Road to Peoria. (Well, technically, Kelly would be going home after the mission, right?) Once they reach the island, they run into these two down-on-their-luck vaudevillians who look awfully familiar. Hijinks ensue. There is much drooling over Kelly, there's a mad scientist and his evil plan, some natives, a volcano; the usual. And all in the spirit of the Road pictures. Tho there is a little content that wouldn't have made the silver screen. At one point, Kelly suggests she and both of the boys have some slightly more adult fun. And of course, there's the lollipop joke. Apparently Joshua Quagmire (writer/artist) had told some friends the lollipop joke and they insisted that he had to put it in the comic. I'm sorely tempted to reprint the page featuring the lollipop joke. But it's one of those things that's better encountered on your own, I think. I hesitated on this one. Strictly speaking, it's not a straight adaptation. But it does feature the Hope/Crosby characters, mostly, and it is in the spirit of the originals. And I love this book. So it's in. We're off on the road to Peoria
We certainly do get around
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Post by MWGallaher on Dec 28, 2018 19:32:34 GMT -5
2. Planet of the Apes #1-29, Marvel Comics, 1974-1977 Based on the film series, written by Doug Moench with art by Ploog, Trimpe, Rival, Sutton, Alcala, Tuska and more  In the 70's, I was a POTA fanatic, and I can't recall any comic I was more eager to see than Marvel's Apes series. The promos by John Romita, the magnificent logo, it all had me watering at the mouth to find out how Marvel would continue the saga! I still remember the store where I finally spotted it on the shelves, and I took that book home and devoured it. While I preferred the setting of the original film to the post-"Battle" era Moench had chosen, I was taken with his story, and especially with Ploog's art. Over its too-short course, I enjoyed the articles, the exploration of the post-ape-ocolyptic USA, and most of the adaptations. Yes, the Battle adaptation was painful, with subpar Filipino artists who couldn't stay on-model with the films' ape designs, but the bridging story between Conquest and Battle was a terrific bonus. Tom Sutton's side-series Future History Chronicles featuring flying ship-cities felt a bit far astream, but the art was magnificent, and I loved Rico Rival's side-series, which was more in line with my initial expectations, following more from the first movies than from the later ones. There weren't many comics I read to pieces as much as I read these. An easy choice for one of my top slots in this year's event. |
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