Friday, February 27, 2015

Spock is Gone

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  It was reported today that Leonard Nimoy, best known as Mr. Spock in the Star Trek franchise has passed away at the age of 83.  Chronic Pulmonary disorder was given as the cause.


     His connection to comics are plentiful but mainly through the DC and Marvel versions of the well-known television series that both companies took turns controlling over the decades.


     I had a chance to converse with him over a conference call 20 years ago when the President of the Sci-Fi (as it was known as then) channel and Mr. Nimoy and myself discussed some articles to be written about the Nimoy created comic book, "Primortals" as the television station was thinking of getting into comics.  I was then hoping to get a chance to write for the comic, but the opportunity did not arise.  Still, I found Mr. Nimoy to be pleasant, considerate and cordial to this journalistic stranger back in my News-Herald columnist days. 


    Also, back before their were so many original books on the subject, Only Star Trek had a continuing series of paperbacks produced from the series, but only adapting the stories from the television series.  But the first original novel was Star Trek #8, "Spock Must Die!"  This was written by James Blish, which started the whole original book series of all those old sci-fi shows.  See what Leonard Nimoy started.  Long live the memory of Leonard, he indeed did, "Live Long and Prosper."


     Take care and adopt a (Star Trek) comic today!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Bat Gone Too Far?

     Hello everyone, I hope all is going well.  Today I read the newest issue of Batman, a book I like a lot.  But in this issue, Joker, who has already had his face removed a few years back (and liked it), chopped off Alfred's right hand with a meat cleaver.


     So when did mystery, suspense and good storytelling get replaced by horror, extreme violence and gore?  Don't know how much more of this I can take.


Take care and adopt a (good) comic book today.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

My Convention Stalled

     Hello everyone, hope all is well.  Yesterday I was tied up at my radio show and couldn't get to the Cleveland Wizard World Convention.  Today I'm stuck in my driveway.  Yaaaaaaaa...Don't get me started on how much this bothers me.  Hopefully I'll be there tomorrow.


     Take care and adopt a comic book today!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Auctions and Wizars World

     Hello everyone, hope all is well.  As I write this I'm on the bad end of a losing bid in my quest to procure another piece of original comic book art.  Luckily, I have three more chances this year alone.  But to help me cheer up after my loss at the Heritage Auction tables, I get to look forward to a comic convention right here in Cleveland, Ohio.


     Wizard World, the comic convention giant out of Chicago, has come to our area and with their event, guests like William Shatner, Tom Defalco (ex-Editor-in-chief of Marvel) and many more.  Literally dozens of comic book panels will be presented over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I can't decide which day I'm going to go, but I'll have more convention tips for you over the next few days.


     Take care and adopt a comic (the kind you purchase at a convention) book today!


    

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Comics and the Cold

     Hello everyone, hope all is well.  Lately it has been so cold I've been stuck in the house and of course you know what I've been doing...that's right, reading comics.  But this time I've actually been sorting through my trade paperbacks rather than my comic books proper.  Although I will say one thing, With the insulation that comics offer while in their comic boxes (yes, comics do have an RH factor) those brightly covered bits of entertainment  serve more than one purpose.


     Take care and adopt a comic (a whole lot to surround yourself with and stay warm0 book today!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Super Hero Thermal Underwear

     Hello everyone, hope all is well.  I've talked a lot about the cold-related type villains in the past, but today I'm talking about how heroes keep warm during all of the frost fighting.


     Well to begin with, Flash and Green Lantern don't need to fight the cold, they both have protective auras and Superman and Wonder Woman are basically Gods so how can they get cold and Aquaman swims in the deepest, coldest oceans so that's out.


     Which leaves Batman who I've actually seen wearing a snow parka during his first meeting with Rahs al Ghul in Batman #232 from the early 70s.  And I think the Caped Crusader also wore Bat Thermals during that dreadful t.v. show.  More on cold and comics soon.


     Take care and adopt a (hot) comic book today!