Sunday

Sunday Review: Blazing Combat HC

September 11, 2011
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Today is 9/11 and we will never forget.

The old saying is, War Is Hell. That is a fact and it can’t be disputed, but war is also necessary part of human life. We often think that war is evil, but it can also lead to good. People fight for their freedom, they fight to protect the innocent, they fight to keep the oppressors at bay. For decades it has become depicted in movies, TV, novels, and nowadays video games, but I feel it’s best portrayed in comics.

Sure we all have the images of the opening of Saving Private Ryan embedded in our brain, but with still pictures or artwork we can come back to it again and again. The anguish and blood staring us right back in our face. The silent bullets on the page suddenly make a horrific noise that only we can create. Comic fanboys have read Sgt. Rock or The Howling Commandos which are realistic in many ways, but there was a time when a comic mag got down right truthful. I’m speaking of Blazing Combat #1-4 (1965-66, Warren) and recently Fantagraphics collected the run in both hardcover and softcover.

Blazing Combat was an anthology comic that showed the very dark and very real side of war. A loose followup to the EC Comics War genre books, it showed US G. I.’s dying in terrible ways, commanders giving orders with little regard for consequences and the militaristic definition of collateral damage. Jim Warren let it all hangout when it came to editing Archie Goodwin’s writing, who worked on every single story except for three. Of course Goodwin is a genius and I’m usually more of a word-man when it comes to comics, but this time it’s the art that captured my attention. It’s a who’s-who of monster talent including Alex Toth, Wally Wood, Gray Morrow, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, Angelo Torres, Gene Colon, George Evens, John Severin, and Russ Heath. It’s the Live-Aid of Pencilers! Need I say more?

You could say that Blazing Combat was ahead of its time or that it came out at the right time. Big Brother Washington did take notice by issue #2 and it was all shut down with #4 and some even labeled it anti-war propaganda. There my be some truth to that because there was so much opposition to Vietnam at the time. Jim Warren and Archie Goodwin hints at this in two separate interviews conducted by Michael Cantron. Also included are all four, full color covers and other selected artwork and photographs.

Today is 9/11 and we should never forget – any war – and with works like this, thankfully, we never will.

Blazing Combat HC
Written by Archie Goodwin and others
Art by Various
Introductions and notes by Michael Cantron
208 pages, $28.99, 2009, Fantagraphic Books
Collects Bazing Combat #1-4 (1965-66, Warren Publishing)
2010 Eisner Award Nominee: Best Archival Collection — Comic Books

Recommended reading:
EC Archives – Frontline Combat Volume 1
EC Archives – Two-Fisted Tales Volumes 1-2
Fight The Enemy #1-3 (1966-67, Tower Comics)

Sunday Review: The Great Comic Book Artists Volumes 1 and 2

August 14, 2011
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Last Christmas I participated in the The Third Annual 11 O’Clock Comics/Marvel Noise Gift Exchange. It’s pretty simple and anyone can do it. The only “rules” are that you supply a gift to someone and someone else gives you a gift. There is no limit and from what I gathered everyone had a good time.

What I received was truly exceptional:

  • Speed Racer complete manga set
  • X-Men Files
  • The Wizard King by Wally Wood
  • some Looney Toon toys for the kids
  • and an original Batman sketch

(this is what I gave away to Travis aka Night Nurse)

Also included, to me, was a nice reference book that I had never heard of: The Great Comic Book Artists Volume 2 by Ron Goulart. I have, just this past week, tracked down Volume 1 on eBay and I can’t tell you what an indispensable pair of books they are.

I readily admit I had no idea who Goulart was but I found out he is a writer of many science fiction and fantasy novels. He was the ghost writer for William Shatner’s Tek War books and he even did some scripting at Marvel in the 1970’s and for you DC Archives collectors, Goulart did the introductions to Superman Volumes 2 and 7, Plastic Man Volume 2, and The Spirit Volume 5.

But here, we get the historian in him. The two volume set (by now there should be a volume 3 or 4!) is quick and concise 2 page spread of the artist and his black and white illustrated work. This includes a short, well written biography and background. I’d go so far to say that it’s a wikipedia before there was wikipedia. Don’t be fooled either, these are not just Goulart’s “favorite” artists – these are the best, from as far back as the 30’s and 40’s with Will Eisner and Mac Rayboy up until the 80’s with Frank Miller, Bill Sienkewicz and Howard Chaykin. Everyone is covered and you’d be hard pressed to list what “great artists” are missing – well, perhaps Gray Morrow.

If you are into history and reference like me, then you want these on you bookshelf. I can’t thank Thermite on the 11 O’Clock Comics Forums enough for giving me this book. I have no intention of ever giving away to anyone other then my children.

The Great Comic Book Heroes Volume 1
by Ron Goulart
Special Thanks to Jerry Bails, Mike Barson, Jerry DeFuccio, Don and Maggie Thompson, Bruce Hamilton (Another Rainbow), Russ Cochran and Steve Saffel (Marvel Comics)
128 pages, $12.95, 1986, St. Martins Press
Also includes a selected informal bibliography of all artists listed in the book

Artist profiles:
Neal Adams, Matt Baker, Carl Barks, Dan Berry, C.C. Beck, Charles Brio, Dick Briefer, John Buscema, John Byrne, George Carlson, Howard Chaykin, Gene Colon, Jack Cole, Reed Crandall, Jack Davis, Steve Ditko, Will Eisner, Lee Elias, George Evans, Bill Everett, Lou Fine, Frank Frazetta, Fred Guardineer, Paul Gustavson, Bob Kane, Gil Kane, Walt Kelly, Jack Kirby, Bernard Krigstein, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Maneely, Jesse Marsh, Sheldon Mayer, Mort Meskin, Frank Miller, Bob Montana, Klaus Nordling, George Perez, Wendy Pini, Bob Powell, Mac Rayboy, Jerry Robinson, John Romita Sr. Alex Schomberg, John Severin, Joe Shuster, Bill Sienkewicz, Walt Simonson, John Stanley, James (Jim) Steranko, Frank Thorne, Alex Toth, George Tuska, Ed Wheelan, Barry Windsor-Smith, Basil Wolverton, Wally Wood, Bernie Wrightson

The Great Comic Book Heroes Volume 2
by Ron Goulart
Introduction by Ron Goulart
112 pages, $12.95, 1989, St. Martins Press

Artist profiles:
Arthur Adams, Murphy Anderson, Segio Aragones, Steve Bissette, Brian Bolland, Wayne Boring, Carl Burgos, Jack Burnley, Nick Cardy, Paul Chadwick, Johnny Craig, R. (Robert) Crumb, Bob Davis, Mort Drucker, Will Elder, Billy Ely, Ken Ernst, Creig Flessel, Gill Fox, Bob Fujitani, Joe Gallagher, Dave Gibbons, Jean Giraud (Moebius), Jerry Grandenetti, Mike Grell, Milt Gross, Chad Grothkopf, Irwin Hanson, Russ Heath, Graham Ingels, Al Jaffee, Mike Kaluta, Fred Kida, Bob Lubbers, Russ Manning, Norman Maurer, David Mazzuccehelli, Tarpe Mills, Ed Morre, Paul Murry, Bob Oksner, Carl Pfeufer, Fred Ray, Pierce G. Rice, Frank Robbins, Boody Rogers, Fred Schwab, Howard Sherman, Dan Spiegle, Dave Stevens, George Storm, Curt Swan, Frank Thomas, Jimmy Thompson, Ogden Whitney, Mary Wilshire

Recommended reading:
Star Hawks The Complete Series By Ron Goulart and Gil Kane (Hermes Press)

Sunday Review: Special Edition Series Volume 2: The Ray & Black Condor

August 7, 2011
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Well my friends after nearly 10 years I finally did it! I found and bought a decent copy of Alan Light’s Special Edition Series Volume 2: The Ray & Black Condor. I did a podcast on this this and the two other companion books, Volume 1: Captain Marvel and Volume 3: Captain Marvel Jr. back on January 17, 2007 for show #104. I first came across these books long before that, but I was unsure as to what they were all about. As my Collected Edition hunting skills has transformed me from a novice to an expert, I have patiently awaited the day to strike on eBay. Listed by the seller as a Very Good condition, it turned out to be Good by my standards. There is a small tear at the bottom of the spine and a few dog ears here and there, but I got it for only $10.00! Other copies have been listed upwards of $100.00. So for a book published in 1974 and one that probably has changed hands a few times, I’ll take it any day.

Now, some of you are wondering what the fuss is all about. Well this book is Special indeed because when it comes to the Golden Age Ray and Black Condor this is the only near-complete reprint available. This book is really a tribute to the creator of both characters, Lou Fine. Fine worked with and under Will Eisner at the Eisner/Iger Studios and actually filled in as inker for The Spirit, with Jack Cole’s (Plastic Man) pencils while Eisner was away serving in World War II. You may not have known that Eisner helped on writing with Fine for Black Condor’s debut, which is another reason why this book is a rare gem. Jim Steranko supplies the introduction, which can be summed up as a love letter to the work of Lou Fine and his all too short comics career.

Black Condor ran in Crack Comics #1-31 and this book collects his first 19 adventures. The Ray ran in Smash Comics #14-40 and here we have the first 16 stories. The quality of the reprints are just ok, (photostats?), and considering when this book was published and the lack of technology, the book is enjoyable and readable. I’m sure Alan Light was planning to do a follow up volume which would have completed both runs, but for whatever reason it never came to fruition. Unfortunate to say the least, but what is even more unfortunate is that DC Comics, which now owns the the rights to these and other Quality Comics characters, has not offered any reprints of these classic and all too often overlooked comic books. The reason DC may be apprehensive is because these are unknown superheroes, but it’s the work of Lou Fine that should be celebrated regardless of the popularity of the fictional protagonist.

Special Edition Series Volume 2: The Ray & Black Condor
by Louis K. Fine with Will Eisner, Reed Crandall and Others
Created by Alan Light
Compiled by Ken Mitchell
Introduction by Jim Steranko
Thanks to Robert Overstreet and Murray Bishoff
316 pages, $14.95, 1974, Special Edition Publishing Company
Collects: Black Condor in Crack Comics #1-19 and The Ray in Smash Comics #14-30
Note: book is in black and white except for the first 8 pages of Smash Comics #19 which is in color.

Recommended reading (if you can find them at a good price):
Special Edition Series Volume 1: Captain Marvel
Collects Whiz Comics #7-28 with Introduction Interview by Bruce Hamilton with C.C. Beck
Special Edition Series Volume 3: Captain Marvel Jr.
Collects Master Comics #27-42

Recommended listening:
CCL Podcast #104 – Alan Light’s Special Edition Series

Sunday Review: Star Wars: The Comics Companion

July 31, 2011
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There are certain universal truths: everyone loves ice cream, cute puppy dogs and Star Wars. Yeah, even if you think the 3 prequels were bad, admit it, the final duel on Mustafar was pretty cool. Chances are that besides the 6 movies and the various animated TV shows, you’ve read a Star Wars paperback or read a comic book. It’s a giant universe and one that’s hard to get a grasp on if you don’t follow it all that closely. Yes, there are many, many websites to help you out, like www.theforce.net or www.wookieepedia.com, but you may be overwhelmed at the size and scope of it all. Thankfully there is such a book to help you in one certain genre: Star Wars: The Comics Companion with text by Ryder Windham and Daniel Wallace.

In June 1991 Timothy Zahn published the first book of what would become the Thrawn Trilogy, Heir To The Empire. It wasn’t the first of the Expanded Universe but it did kick start the gigantic wave that still rolls on to this very day. Just months later in December 1991 came Dark Empire from Dark Horse Comics. Since then they have gone on to publish several series, introduce hundreds of characters, adapt all six movies and several books, including The Thrawn Trilogy and even get the reprint license from Marvel’s original Star Wars run of 110 comics.

In 2005, with the release of the final movie, Revenge Of The Sith, Dark Horse published the Comics Companion as a way of getting the public up to speed. It’s a gorgeous oversized, 12 x 9, softcover and it covers every Dark Horse comic right to ROTS. It’s broken up into the Five Eras, but the Table Of Contents is compressive so you’ll have no trouble flipping to the comics you need info on. Also included are entries for the Star Wars Manga Adaptations (which are wonderful and a must own) and the Marvel Comics, as they were collected in the 6 Trade Paperbacks (and now the soon to be 5 Omnibuses). The only problem I have is that Dark Horse treats the Marvel line as an after thought and doesn’t weave that continuity into their own, even though representatives from Dark Horse has stated to me personally that Lucasfilm oversee all comics, books and etc. to make sure no overlap occurs and everything stays, for lack of a better term, kosher. There is also beautiful full color artwork of all types, some of which I doubt you have ever seen. Windham and Wallace also provide a short introduction and a well deserved dedication to Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson.

And now more then ever, this may become an important book for your Star Wars shelf. Why? Because at Comic Con 2011, Dark Horse announced that Star Wars is going digital. As of this post, there are just over 50 comics available and more coming every week. Yes even the Marvel Comics will be coming to an iPad or Android device near you. So give this book a shot, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Star Wars: The Comics Companion
Text by Ryder Windham and Daniel Wallace
144 pages, $19.99, Dark Horse Comics

Recommended reading:
Star Wars: Luke Skywalker, Last Hope For The Galaxy – From Tatooine To Dark Empire HC

Sunday Review – The Thing: Liberty Legion

July 24, 2011
By

I’m glad that Captain America: The First Avenger spent so much time on the 1940s Cap rather then rehash the 1990 movie. In that bad version, you may recall that, about the first 45 minutes was devoted to the origin and then Steve Rogers was frozen in time only to be thawed out and resume his fight with the Red Skull in the present.

It’s important to remember that Cap was born out of necessity in the worst war of all time and into the greatest generation. Even though we are all familiar of Captain America thanks to The Avengers #4 (March 1964) and Tales of Suspense #58 (Oct. 1964), Marvel Comics is well aware that the importance of the character lies with his earliest adventures in Captain America Comics #1-75 and other Golden Age titles (All Winners Comics #1-19, Marvel Mystery Comics #80-84 and #86-92, USA Comics #6-17, and All Select Comics #1-10). Over the years Marvel has painstakingly republished the stories as part of their Masterworks line and even collected the short lived 1950′s Atlas Era revival. But the love of the Golden Age version has always been a favorite of Roy Thomas.

Thomas was a writer and editor-in-chief at Marvel and was looking for a new angle on classic stories. He came up with The Invaders. This was a 5 member team of Captain America, Bucky, Sub-Mariner, The Human Torch and Toro, all of whom did have adventures with one another in the 1940′s comics, but did not ever consolidate into a formal team. The Invaders #1 (1970) changed all that with the premise being untold tales of this retro fitted superteam. It worked so well that in just a few issues Thomas quickly expanded the lore by reintroducing more obscure golden age characters including Whizzer, Miss America, Blue Diamond, Jack Frost, The Patriot, Red Raven, and The Thin Man in the pages of Marvel Premiere. Under Bucky’s leadership they became known as The Liberty Legion and now the complete storyline has been collected in Marvel Premiere Classic – The Thing: Liberty Legion.

The plot is as simple as they come: Cap, Namor, Torch and Toro have somehow been captured and brainwashed by the Red Skull and it’s up to Bucky to rescue them before they and the Nazi’s destroy New York City and take over the world. Bucky realizes that he is a bit out of his league and must recruit the other heroes and form the Liberty Legion. With each appearance Thomas retells the origins and brings us up to speed. As with most reviews here on the CCL Blog, I avoid spoilers but I can tell you that the fight sequences and the interaction between characters are well done, especially when brainwashed Cap meets up with The Patriot and calls him a poor imitation. The Red Skull is in typical form, even when his master plan goes array he yells out, “Not Now! Not when I’ve come so close to total triumph”!

The 4 part crossover with The Invaders did so well, that the Liberty Legion would see three more comics, this time teaming up (of sorts) with The Thing and the rest of the Fantastic Four for a series of time traveling adventures. It should be stated that a few of the characters, The Patriot, Red Raven and The Whizzer were reintroduced into the Bronze Age before Marvel Premiere #29, but here Thomas sets it all straight in the Golden Age taking into account their individual appearances elsewhere.

As for the extras in this book there are none, but what is nice is the complete Liberty Legion story all in one book. Marvel’s Invaders Classic TPB collects the initial 4-issue cossover, but nothing else. Also reprinted are the end notes from the original issues. In them Thomas describes just who these forgotten characters are and when they first appeared. Without them, the reader (of yesterday or today) would be lost and wondering who these people are. Thanks to books like these and the Captain America movie, Golden Age Marvel is in style and will be for another great generation.

Marvel Premiere Classic – The Thing: Liberty Legion Variant (Volume 69)
Written by Roy Thomas
Art by John Buscema, Sal Buscema, Frank Robbins, Don Heck and others
168 pages, $24.99, Marvel Comics
Collects The Invaders #5-6, Marvel Premiere #29-39, Fantastic Four Annual #11, Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1 and Marvel Two-In-One #20

Recommended reading:
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Daring Mystery Volume 2 – The Blue Diamond (introduced Daring Mystery Comics #7, April 1941)
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age USA Comics Volume 1 – Jack Frost (USA Comics #1, Aug. 1941)
No reprint of first appearance – Miss America (Marvel Mystery Comics #49, Nov. 1943)
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Human Torch Volume 1 – The Patriot (Human Torch Comics #3, Spring 1941)
Golden Age of Marvel Volume 2 TPB – Red Raven (Red Raven Comics #1, Aug. 1940)
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Mystic Comics Volume 1 – The Thin Man (Mystic Comics #4, July 1940)
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age USA Comics Volume 1 – The Whizzer (USA Comics #1, Aug. 1941)