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Little Garwood
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#46 Post by Little Garwood »

ConchRepublican wrote:
Little Garwood wrote:At my hacienda, Hemingway occupies three different shelves in two different rooms; big "Papa" fan here.
Have you seen the movie Papa:Hemingway in Cuba? I caught on the flight, pretty good. Especially in comparison to the unwatchable Suicide Squad and barely viewable X-Men: Apocolypse.
Yes. Saw Papa Hemingway in Cuba at the theater and enjoyed it despite its flaws.

Comicswise, I've been on a World's Finest kick for the (late) Rich Buckler artwork. Buckler has a distinctive way of laying out his panels, though I'm sure it's Neal Adams influenced. In fact, Buckler's art, when inked by the great Dick Giordano has an Adamsesque look about it.

I've also grown to appreciate the many (many) covers illustrated by the Ross Andru-Dick Giordano team. I've lost track of the number of superb Superman and Action Comics covers they did.

There's also writer-artist Ed Hannigan, who along with That Man Giordano, also produced many outstanding covers.

And if anyone can recommend a free photo hosting service, I'll put some of those covers up. :)
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#47 Post by ConchRepublican »

Splitting my recuperation time (ruptured Achilles 9/23, surgery 9/29, still in a boot :-/ ) between The Fantastic Four John Byrne Omnibus Vol 1 and Jim Starlin's The Warlock Complete Collection trade.

As well as Maclean's A River Runs Through It book of short stories and Vonnegut's Welcome to the Monkey House and other stories.

Speaking of artists, I'm friends with Jerry Bingham on FB, he who pencilled some Iron Man issues during the great Layton run as well as a bit of Batman for DC, and it's amazing to see what he's up to now. We (or at least I) usually see these guys through the lens of their comic work and not their other artistic outlets. He does some great work.

https://www.jerrybingham.com/
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#48 Post by Little Garwood »

ConchRepublican wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2015 2:46 pmI went to my first and only comic book convention around 1982, before it had the cool "Comic-Con" name. It was in the lobby of the Hilton I think in Grand Central Station in New York. I was about 15 (a young 15 at that), and had a chance to talk to Bob Layton for a minute. I was disappointed he left his run on Iron Man, one of my fave titles at the time. The art really dropped off when he left, and I wanted to get an idea why decided to go. I didn't get the whole business side of things at the time, but he came across as an arrogant jerk with a laughed off response. Something like "What, I was supposed to do it forever?" or something like that.
Received vols. 13 and 14 of the Iron Man Marvel Masterworks this past Christmas. There’s one more volume to go before the entirety of the first Michelinie-Layton (and sometimes JRJR and Jerry Bingham) run is given the “Masterworks” treatment.

Against my better judgement, I watched an interview with our old pal Layton and yes imo he does come across as, if not arrogant, but a “bro” type. I read something on John Byrne’s forum in which Byrne—himself no stranger to arrogant behavior—wrote some less-than-flattering things about Layton’s inks wiping out JRJR’s pencils.

With that out of the way, now I’m off to see how sausage is made…it can’t possibly be any more unpleasant than the stories of these comic dudes. :wink:
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#49 Post by ConchRepublican »

By recommendation on the interwebs I picked up the trade of The Twelve, originally released in 2007, by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Chris Weston which tells the story of "other" Golden Age Marvel heroes (contemporaries of the Invaders) brought into modern times. It's kind of a mash-up of DC's All-Star Squadron and The Watchmen. Really good read, I recommend it ... but I'm a sucker for the Golden Age heroes.

https://www.marvel.com/comics/character ... the_twelve

https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Complete- ... 0785154302
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#50 Post by Little Garwood »

Volume 15 of Iron Man: Marvel Masterworks is due out in November of this year, which would complete the hallowed Michelinie-Layton-Romita, Jr. run. Once I get my copy, I need never buy* another comic collection.

*Probably :wink:
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#51 Post by ConchRepublican »

Little Garwood wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:36 pm Volume 15 of Iron Man: Marvel Masterworks is due out in November of this year, which would complete the hallowed Michelinie-Layton-Romita, Jr. run. Once I get my copy, I need never buy* another comic collection.

*Probably :wink:
Thank you for the heads up!! I received Captain Britain: Siege of Camelot recently and just ordered Thor and the Eternals: Celestials Saga.
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#52 Post by Little Garwood »

I neglected to mention that back in December I bought Tales of the Batman: Marv Wolfman, which I have yet to release from its cellophane. :lol: I vaguely remember these 1980-era Batman comics of Wolfman’s brief run, but even then I didn’t think much of them. However, The Power of Nostalgia decided I needed to own this hardcover….

Marv Wolfman is a comics writer I put in the same category as Roger Stern: well-regarded writers whose overrall body of work hasn’t resonated with me at the same high level as it has with other comic fans. Both have done work via limited comic runs I enjoy a great deal, though (Marv’s 1979 Fantastic Four run and Stern’s 1983 Avengers work).
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#53 Post by ConchRepublican »

Little Garwood wrote: Mon May 23, 2022 5:22 pm I neglected to mention that back in December I bought Tales of the Batman: Marv Wolfman, which I have yet to release from its cellophane. :lol: I vaguely remember these 1980-era Batman comics of Wolfman’s brief run, but even then I didn’t think much of them. However, The Power of Nostalgia decided I needed to own this hardcover….

Marv Wolfman is a comics writer I put in the same category as Roger Stern: well-regarded writers whose overral body of work hasn’t resonated with me at the same high level as it has with other comic fans. Both have done work via limited comic runs I enjoy a great deal, though (Marv’s 1979 Fantastic Four run and Stern’s 1983 Avengers work).
That sounds interesting! Wolfman was great on The New Teen Titans with George Perez and I've heard Tomb of Dracula was fantastic. I keep looking around for that because online costs are outrageous.
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#54 Post by ConchRepublican »

I'm remiss in not addressing the passing of the great George Perez sooner. The man is arguably the greatest artist in the history of the medium and complete class as a person. Yesterday, 5/22, they streamed his memorial service on FB. I'd guess it's still available for those interested.

In his honor I have been rereading the JLA/Avengers team-up and ordered a trade of Wonder Woman, which I didn't read at the time.

His loss is tremendous, but his gifts will last forever.

Rest in Peace George Perez.
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#55 Post by Little Garwood »

Given George Perez’s penchant for illustrating large groups of characters, someone nailed it when they referred to Perez as “the Cecil B. Demille of comic book artists.”

We also lost the legendary and infinitely influential Neal Adams this past momth.
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#56 Post by Little Garwood »

Marvel Legends' Iron Man Stealth Armor Suit action figure.

Image

Now where the heck was this cool action figure in August 1981 when then-10-year-old Garwood would have wanted it? Iron Man #152 had just hit the stands. It was the issue in which Ol' Shell Head's cool-as-perdition stealth armor was introduced.
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#57 Post by Little Garwood »

The Vision Marvel Legends action figure. I repeat my statement from the Iron Man Stealth Armor post. These figures are apparently "meant" for those of us in our 50s who endured the 1977-83 Star Wars craze, as these toys evoke the nostalgia we who had the 3.75" action figures manufactured by Kenner in our toy boxes so long ago.

Image

These figures look well designed; too bad they're 40+ years too late.

Image
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#58 Post by ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan) »

Little Garwood wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2022 5:37 pm These figures are apparently "meant" for those of us in our 50s who endured the 1977-83 Star Wars craze
When you say "endured" does that mean you weren't crazy about STAR WARS? If so then you're not alone. Actually if you ask me it's the most overrated and overblown nonsense ever conceived. Same with STAR TREK. Though I know that there are those who claim the latter was more philosophical or deeper or whatever. Whatever. That's what I say. Absolute rubbish that made folks lose their minds for whatever reason. Actually the thing that always boggled my mind was how come there seems to be such a small James Bond fanbase, especially here in the states. There was a time when I thought James Bond was the coolest thing on 2 legs (especially Sean Connery and Roger Moore!) and the Bond series the greatest entertainment ever conceived. It was somewhat fantastical (just a touch of fantasy) but also largely grounded in reality. That was a mix that really appealed to me. Something that STAR WARS never could with its "in a galaxy far away", silly robots making cute noises, furry muppets, Jedi masters, mind tricks, using the force :roll: , etc. Yet that's all anyone wanted to talk about. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, superhero movies - folks seem to know these backwards and forwards. Yet when you try to talk about Bond you get these blank stares. Either they haven't seen enough of them or simply don't care for them. I would have thought people who are into STAR WARS and INDY and other "big" films and who enjoy grand escapist entertainment (which the Bond films certainly are) would be eating up these films. But maybe Bond just isn't grand enough or escapist enough. Go figure. :roll: I do like my escapist entertainment to have a touch of reality to it. Makes things easier to watch for me. In addition to the spy angle (which is probably my favorite genre) I really loved the globe-trotting aspect of it. Bond's tastes for the finer things in life. The way Bond could upstage the villain and his seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of almost anything (Roger Moore was especially great at this!). Well spoken, well dressed. All that good stuff. And let's not forget those unique and memorable villains and their henchmen. The music of John Barry, the pre-credits sequences, the title theme, etc. Just a great entertainment package!

But yeah, I'll never understand the appeal of STAR WARS or any of these superhero movies that are still being churned out today. I see the word "Marvel" and my eyes immediately glaze over. In fact I can't even stand watching a 20-second clip or ad for these things. I just look for the "Skip" button.

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Re: The Comic Book thread

#59 Post by Little Garwood »

I have rarely read my old comics over the past five years. I buy the occasional hardcover edition more out of a lifelong habit than anything else and even that is drying up.

I wasted plenty of my GenX childhood on Star Wars-related nonsense as well as Indiana Jones. I'm still fond of the first films in each of those franchises, but I don't need to watch them again. I tend not to revisit previous interests if they don't offer anything new as far as deeper meanings; the things one notices as an adult that one wouldn't have as a child.

Star Trek had some ham-fisted allegories and the Kirk-Spock-McCoy dynamic was superb. Films and TV programs can (mostly) comment directly on issues without depending on allegory, though as one-sided as Hollywood has become, perhaps those allegories need to return. The bottom line and the international market hurt dialogue-driven films.

I still enjoy the Connery and Moore Bond films. Thunderball will always be my all-time favorite. I absolutely adore that film. I prefer Roger as Lord Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders! but his 007 movies are a ton of fun. My interest in Bond drops off precipitously after the Moore era ended. I never took to Dalton or Brosnan at all; Dalton because of his visible discomfort at playing the role, Brosnan was good, but I disliked most everything around him in his films. Craig I liked in the first two films he did, but have not seen any after that.

In the early '70s, I wondered why the Bond series stayed so lightweight and comedic instead of following the trend of dark, "edgy" stories we've talked about over in the Obscure Movies topic that New Hollywood cranked out in the early 1970s; it was probably for the best.
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Re: The Comic Book thread

#60 Post by ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan) »

Little Garwood wrote: Mon Jul 25, 2022 4:12 pm I have rarely read my old comics over the past five years. I buy the occasional hardcover edition more out of a lifelong habit than anything else and even that is drying up.

I wasted plenty of my GenX childhood on Star Wars-related nonsense as well as Indiana Jones. I'm still fond of the first films in each of those franchises, but I don't need to watch them again. I tend not to revisit previous interests if they don't offer anything new as far as deeper meanings; the things one notices as an adult that one wouldn't have as a child.

Star Trek had some ham-fisted allegories and the Kirk-Spock-McCoy dynamic was superb. Films and TV programs can (mostly) comment directly on issues without depending on allegory, though as one-sided as Hollywood has become, perhaps those allegories need to return. The bottom line and the international market hurt dialogue-driven films.

I still enjoy the Connery and Moore Bond films. Thunderball will always be my all-time favorite. I absolutely adore that film. I prefer Roger as Lord Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders! but his 007 movies are a ton of fun. My interest in Bond drops off precipitously after the Moore era ended. I never took to Dalton or Brosnan at all; Dalton because of his visible discomfort at playing the role, Brosnan was good, but I disliked most everything around him in his films. Craig I liked in the first two films he did, but have not seen any after that.

In the early '70s, I wondered why the Bond series stayed so lightweight and comedic instead of following the trend of dark, "edgy" stories we've talked about over in the Obscure Movies topic that New Hollywood cranked out in the early 1970s; it was probably for the best.
Yep I miss the more lightweight Bond films of the 70s. Nobody did that better than Sir Roger Moore! I found this most recent Daniel Craig era most depressing. That's not the Bond I grew up with. Give me the lush beauty of a 1960s Jamaica or Bahamas, or the 70s with its globetrotting all around the Far East or Sardinia or Egypt or Venice or Rio, etc. Throw in some double-entendres and a knowing wink at the audience and it's perfect. :) I love the 80s films too, even the Dalton outings. Well, not so much LICENCE TO KILL as they went too dark with the revenge story but I love THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. Great Cold War globe-trotting entertainment! The Brosnan era is a mixed bag because while he filled out that tux superbly and looked really good in the part his films were a mixed bag. GOLDENEYE was great but each following film got worse and worse. Basically the Cubby Broccoli era (1962-1989) is where the REAL Bond films are for me. Everything after that, when his daughter Barbara and son-in-law Michael G. Wilson took over, just hasn't been the same. Or maybe I'm just getting old. :lol:

Not gonna tell anyone to "GET OFF MY LAWN!!" but they sure don't make 'em like they used to. :(

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