Discussing the minutiae of comic book collecting.
Discussing the minutiae of comic book collecting.
I spent Free Comic Book Day 2014 helping out Big B Comics in Barrie. The night before FCBD we were set up at the theatre in Barrie for Amazing Spider-Man 2. We had a table set up displaying all the comics that were available for pick-up the next day. Plus I was able to talk to the audience at each of the screens showing ASM2, to talk to them about FCBD. What it's about, and where they can join in on the action.
One of the highlights at any convention or expo are panels featuring the celebrity guests. At the 80’s Toy Expo on May 4th/2014, there was a Q&A panel featuring voice acting Icon, Alan Oppenheimer. Q&A panels can be tricky. Since…
Being the old guy that I am, I'm tempted to state that digital lettering is not as good as hand lettering, which is the typical response to change. The tools are definitely different, however, I believe the sensibility has actually greatly improved. Comic book lettering is a big part of comics but it is also highly under appreciated, with all the glory split between story and art. Anyone who has tried to design their own typeface can appreciate the incredible effort that it takes to create a set of letters that is visually appealing, legible and chiseled so that each form is optically balanced.
A gathering of wonderful art spotted by yours truly from ComicLink’s May Featured Auction.
The summer of superhero sequels rages on with Amazing Spider-Man 2. Personally, I would have pushed for the title Spectacular Spider-Man but, surprisingly, I was not involved in the making of this film for asked for my opinion at any juncture. Perhaps for the inevitable 3 entry into the series. Oh, and if you haven't seen it yet: spoiler alert and read no further.
This week Comic Culture hosts Chris Owen and Walter Durajlija chit chat about comic book type stuff. As always they are joined by producer Shekky Feldstein! The Shekkster also spins some not so groovy tunes. So please sit back, relax…
Sometimes people doing the kind of thing I am doing for this column get called “comic book historians.” I don’t like the term. The word “historian” has academic connotations and presuppositions and the sense of being an authority that I don’t wish to take on as a mantle. People who do “history” bring to bear a number of disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, ethnology, economic theory, religion, etc., on a particular event or series of events to offer their “take” on them. They then propose an explanation for how these events came to be and/or what resulted from these events. This is definitely not what I am doing. Besides how can comic books even have a “history” yet? They are not even a hundred years old.
I reread a masterpiece this week. Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Batman Year One. Batman # 404 -407 was as refreshing and exciting this time as it was the first time in 1986.
Brave and the Bold #200, DC Comics, July 1983. This is a great little comic that has no business being so little.
Here we have the 1st appearance of the Batman and the Outsiders, it’s an anniversary issue, it’s the last issue of the title, it’s a double sized 64 pager and it’s ridiculously cheap at $12 in 9.2 grade.
The latest edition of the 80's Toy Expo was May 4th/2014 at the Delta Meadowvale in Mississauga. The show featured new and vintage toys that represent everything that was "rad" and "tubular" about the 80's.
We’ve all heard the term “information age” and no where is this more true than the collector market. Armed with smart phones, buyers are able to access online resources and historical prices in order to gauge value. And when it comes to collectible back issues, the name of the game is to pick up books below market… or is it?
Both of this year’s Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) offerings from Marvel Comics showcased The Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel’s FCBD editions were Rocket Raccoon and The Guardians of the Galaxy, both were designed to get fans all primed and excited for…
Recently I attended 1 of the 3 major annual Comic Cons in London. At the event I met Chris Ryall, the Chief Creative Officer/Editor-In-Chief at IDW.
I showed him my portfolio and he liked it very much. He then gave me his card and asked me to email him! He wanted to give me a ‘test assignment’ to see what kind of pencils I could produce.
A gathering of wonderful art spotted by yours truly from ComicLink’s May Featured Auction.
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!
This upcoming May 4th/2014 (which is also Star Wars day) is the 80's Toy Expo at the Delta Meadowvale in Mississauga. And can you think of a better way to celebrate Star Wars day than buying Star Wars toys at a toy show?
Arcs & Runs #5 Part Two: Captain America #114-119 – Cap’s Artist Alley Captain America #114 June 1969 The Man behind the Mask We continue with Caps Artist Alley and another new creative team and a new arc. This…
Oh look, a beloved comic book character is being killed off, surprise surprise…
This week Comic Culture hosts Chris Owen and Walter Durajlija really talk up a storm about all things comic books and try to guild you into attending Free Comic Book Day at your local comic book shop. As always they…
Last week I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days at the Library and National Archives of Canada in Ottawa. It’s just a couple of blocks west of the Parliament buildings on Wellington and backs onto the Ottawa…
Barry Smith is a rarity in comic book artists. His first work was X-Men # 53 and was very much like many artists who came into comics at that time, a student of Jack Kirby. This issue in and of itself is really remembered because it was Barry Smith's first work , not because of the Blastaar story it contained. He did a few short stories in Marvels' horror comics, Tower of Shadows, Chamber of Darkness, a three issue stint on Daredevil(#50 -52) and then came Kazar and ...Conan.