I’m up at the archives again, flipping original Bell Features art pages and have just had time to put together a patchwork column this week. First of all, I’d like to share with you some dates and geography. My amateur research into the backgrounds of the creators behind the Canadian...

I often find myself arguing between Dennis the Collector and Dennis the businessman. The good part of this argument is Dennis always wins, one way or the other. But seriously, it is difficult sometimes to pick and choose what to buy on a limited budget. Take this week for instance. I came...

Orb #2, Punk Publications, July 1974 I tried to post this on Canada Day July 1st but alas the best made plans are often messed up by sorties into Quebec. Anyway rather than wait until next year I thought I’d post my Canada Day Spotlight one week late. Happy Canada Day! Orb #2 is a very...

Last week I wrote about Neil Gaiman’s character Angela now showing up in the pages of Marvel Comics.  In the comments of that column Josh commented that Marvel Comics purchased the character from Neil Gaiman.  I searched the internet quickly to see if a price point was reported anywhere...

A gathering of wonderful art spotted by yours truly from ComicLink’s July Focused Auction.

The main character Velvet is a wonderful subversion of the expected spy genre. Brubaker and Epting ask the question “what if Miss Moneypenny were a spy?” and the result is a robust, complex story.

Because it’s Canada Day week I want to do a bit of a more involved special column about the figurehead of the Canadian Whites this time–Nelvana. This mini-skirted, semi-mortal, maid of the Arctic skies has firmly become the totem (the chosen emblem) of the Canadian war-time comics.

There has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of Canadian Comics. The Golden Age heroes of the “Canadian Whites” era are enjoying a well deserved rediscovery evident in the successful Nelvana reprint project. The just announced Johnny Canuck, Thunderfist and Penguin reprint projects...

I’ve read a few discussions and articles lately that are talking about doing away with “floppys” and going totally digital. You have read some articles and comments on this site. Here is another example. I hate the name floppys. They’re not floppys . They are comic...

I have talked to several artists and writers since I started doing this for CBD, and usually our conversation will evolve into talking about their dream projects.  Most times the comic creator will say their dream job is to work on a character they create themselves.  There is a desire to...

A gathering of wonderful art spotted by yours truly from the collection of James Halperin, founder of Heritage.

In March 1970 the axe fell on the original X-Men, and after 66 issues suspended publication. They returned in December of 1970 in reprint form with issue #67 and published bi monthly until issue #94 when the all New X-Men took over the title in August 1975. I’ll have to save that...

This week Comic Culture hosts Chris Owen and Walter Durajlija talk the comic talk with show Shekky Feldstein. So just relax and enjoy this week’s Comic Culture. Oh, and please, please make sure you go out and support your local comic book shop. Comic Culture is written by Walter Durajlija...

The WECA period had its share of capes, masks, and tights, but the most common heroic habit for the super-styled Canadian crime-fighter of the period was far more reserved fashion statement. This was the simple combination of jodhpurs and riding boots with a variety of top halfs.

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by geography and exotic locations throughout the world. This interest translated into the comic book world as I was fixated by the ways that Marvel and DC depicted the locations for their superheroes. I always liked the fact that Marvel’s characters did...

Dear Doc Curmudgeon, I just wanted to check in with you. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON is really coming along nicely. I wish you would re-consider your decision to not let me cast you in the movie. ROBERT, MARK, JEREMY, and the two CHRIS’s are decent enough actors but when you and SCARLETT are on...

Magnetic Press releases two JD Morvan and Bengal works in English for the first time.

There was a lot of buzz this week about Fan Expo.  There were some rumours flying around that Fan Expo was going to limit the use of all costume “props and weapons”.  You could bring them to the show, but they had to be attached to your body at all times, and you couldn’t...

A gathering of wonderful art spotted by yours truly from the collection of James Halperin, founder of Heritage.

It’s time for another update from BIFF SOCKO, TWO-FISTED NEWSHOUND. Biff Socko covers Comic Book News like zits on the A-V Club. Faster than Perry White! Stronger than J. Jonah Jameson! Hotter than Cat Grant. He is…BIFF SOCKO!

A sumptuous collection of amazing British 1960s strips by Tom Tully and Frank Bellamy, Heros The Spartan is a must for comic art fans.

I’ve visited a lot of comic shops, I’ve attended or worked a lot of book conventions, and I’ve talked with a lot of fans. I guess for the ease of discussion we can place them into two groups: collectors and readers.

This week Comic Culture hosts Chris Owen and Walter Durajlija chit chat about comic type stuff and are joined by producer Shekky Feldstein. So just sit back, relax and enjoy this week’s Comic Culture. Oh, and please, please make sure you go out and support your local comic book shop. Comic...