Comics Haul: The Week of 6/12/19

Welcome to this week's edition of my comics haul of those comic books and trade paperbacks (well book format comics...) released to the public on 6/12/19. If you're puzzled because you've never seen a blog post of my comics haul before, don't fret. I haven't blogged my weekly haul since... maybe 2009?

I stopped for a number of reasons. One, listing them felt tedious. I simply didn't possess the technology to snap a photo. Ergo, I needed to list them. Second, my trips to the comics shop become less weekly for a spell. Third, longtime readers can attest I can't really keep up on my purchases. Which led to my fourth and final reason why I ceased blogging my latest haul, listing the comics haul for the sake of listing them.

What's changed since then?

Technology. I have the technology. With my smartphone I can snap a picture and then upload said photo to my blog.

Social media. Social media has encouraged me to show off my latest purchases. Okay, maybe encourage is the wrong word... share... share is the word.

Lack of comics blogging. Comics is the literally the first word after my name on this blog's title. Blog about wrestling more than I do comics. At the very least, my haul from my latest trip to comics shop will remedy that.

More incentive to review comics: More of a longshot, but I may become more motivated to blog about the actual comics and trades that I've shared pictures of on my blog. Sigh... or demonstrate I'm reducing what I buy...

A couple ground rules:

1) I am only showing comics and trades (maybe Big Finish Audio CDs) that I purchase at my FLCGS the week they arrive. If Diamond doesn't list the product on that day, I am not including it. If my I don't buy from my local comics shop, I don't consider it part of my comics haul.

2) This weekly and only the week thereof. If I make a trip to comics shop once during a month, there won't be any Comics Haul blog entries. Not listing all those comics! If I miss a week and go the next, same thing. Once I resume a regular rotation, then the Comics Haul blog category resumes.


So here's my haul for the week of 6/12/2019

A smattering of Disney, Vertigo, and superhero action.

The comic in the middle is Hawkman #13.

Think this is the final issue of Amazing Spider-Man that I am collecting from the current run. Not reading 24 issues is more than enough reason to call it quits. Likewise with Detective Comics. Much more than 24 issues await my To Read pile; however I wanted to finish collecting the story began in Detective Comics #1000/

The Star Trek crew is the animated series crew.

A fairly light week...

Next time

12 Blog Posts of December Day 9 - Stan Lee and the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip

During my 12 Blog Posts of December I gave to thee: Loki as model in D&D 5E, Haste can be a bummer, a Midwinter mood, Star Wars radio dramas, stats for Awgwas, reminiscing about Mickey's Christmas Carol, an Elf class adaptation, and a tribute to Steve Ditko.


Yeah, doesn't flow right without numbers...


Yesterday, I paid tribute to one of Spider-Man's creators who passed away during 2018. Tonight, I am paying tribute to other creator who passed away during 2018.


Really, don't think Stan 'The Man' Lee requires much of an introduction. Stan Lee is pretty much responsible for the Marvel Universe we know today. He not only make comics larger-than-life; but we all became a little more familiar with the Marvel Bullpen each week. His Stan's Soapbox connected Marvel fans to the Marvel community beyond the comics in a day before the Internet.


Today is his birthday.


Many are excited there remains unseen cameos in upcoming Marvel movies. Maybe a small handful?


What many don't realize is Stan Lee still has unpublished work that awaits publication.


One unpublished work I am familiar with is his work on the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip distributed in newspapers via King Features and published online on Comics Kingdom.


That's right. For a limited time, there remains future Spider-Man comic strips written by Stan Lee published seven days a week. Current storyline involves Luke Cage and Purple Man.


How can that be? Well, Stan wrote in the Marvel style where the writer would submit a plot to the artist, who in turn would draw what the artist envisioned, and then Stan would write the script based on the story within the art. Lee was notorious for simple plots such as: Purple Man takes over Luke Cage and then mind controls Spider-Man.


In that fashion, who knows how many strips authored by Stan Lee await? Sure, there's the question of dialogue. However, the dialogue is much, much simpler than what it was back in 1998. (The archives go back to late 98. You do need to be member to access them.) For all, I know Saviuk, his brother Larry Lieber, or an editor could be scripting the comic strip. Either that, or Stan did provide scripts well in advance. They certainly have his corny approach to dialogue!


So want to read some new Stan Lee? Well, the Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strip is place! Psst... Purple Man just told Luke Cage he switched control to the now hapless (and paralyzed) Spidey!


Only question remains is how long will Stan Lee be credited; and if not, will there be an Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strip.


Only three more days to go!


Next time.

12 Blog Posts of December Day 8: My Tribute to Steve Ditko

On the first day of my 12 Blog Posts of December I gave to thee my excitement over being City Watch. On the second day of my 12 Blog Posts of December I gave to thee, the joy of the mending cantrip. On the third day, I gave to thee my satisfaction being able to cast Darkvision! On the fourth day I gave to thee, a non-seasonal X-mas compilation. On the fifth day, I gave to thee a Christmas Eve full of Baum! On the sixth day, I gave to thee a shoutout to Mickey Mouse's 90th Anniversary! On the Seventh Day of my 12 Blog Posts of December, I gave to thee my adaptation of Elf class in D&D 5E!


That little opening is about as seasonal as I'm getting tonight.


When I declared I would do my 12 Blog Posts of December, I announced it wouldn't all Christmas posts. Among them would be end-of-the-year type posts. The type of posts that lose meaning if posted next year.


For instance, 2018 is year both of Spider-Man's creators passed away.


Sorry, Jack Kirby advocates I don't consider the 'King' a full on creator of Spider-Man. What can I say old habits die hard. I will allow the Kirby may very well have created the initial design for Spider-Man, which is very, very close to Ditko's. However, the soul of Spider-Man. What made him a pop cultural phenomenon was designed by Steve Ditko.


Disclaimer: no pictures will be included so sorry no examples of Steve Ditko art,


Yes, both Stan Lee and Steve Ditko passed away during the year 2018. The creators who were the genesis of the pop cultural juggernaut that was Spider-Man departed mortal coils this year. They also created a little known Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange, Perhaps you heard of them.


However, tonight is my tribute to Steve Ditko.


I can blog about Lee in a number of ways.


Really can't with Ditko. A shame really.


I've read the thirty-eight issues of Amazing Spider-Man he co-created. Only read a couple issues of Doctor Strange with Ditko as a creator although I got the impression the Master of the Mystic Arts was more of a product of Ditko than Lee. Read a couple of Speedball stories by him. Did you know Steve Ditko created Speedball?


Steve Ditko also had a hand creating Squirrel Girl, Ted Kord Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, the Creeper, and the Question. Read comics featuring those characters post-Ditko. While I own collection of his Charlton Comics work (Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, and the Question), I have yet to peruse them.


Heck, there's a number of Steve Ditko's creation I only heard about after his passing. How many knew he was creating until his passing? Not this guy.


Only knew Steve Ditko was pushed out of the limelight.


Was it his Objectionist politics? Possibly.


Was it his intense desire for privacy? Possibly.


Was it his desire to let his work speak for itself? Probably.


Was it because his art style was too quirky for its time? A little more than probably.


When I was first exposed to Steve Ditko, I... didn't care for it. The art didn't match the John Romita-influenced art I was accustomed too. Just wasn't glamorous enough. Then I funny thing happened. Over the course of reading 38 issues of Amazing Spider-Man, I realized I had grown to love his art. What really drove the realization home? When I recognized his art in a Speedball story within the pages of an Amazing Spider-Man (we're talking early 90's here) Annual. Then I put two-and-two together and spotted his work on a Solo short within another Spider-Man annual. I didn't go 'hey this art sucks!' Ditko's art had become an art style I embraced.


By the time, I read Amazing Spider-Man 39 within a Marvel Masterwork, I wondered What if Ditko had stayed? A far cry from when I saw his art earlier.


Then there were the stories. Towards the end of his time on Amazing Spider-Man, Steve Ditko was credited as co-plotter. Meaning what you saw visually was created by Steve Ditko. The scene with Spider-Man trapped by debris? Steve Ditko imagined that. One of my favorite scenes in Spider-Man history was created by Steve Ditko.


I could go on; but a better way to appreciate Steve Ditko is by reading his comic book work. After all, he wanted to judged by his work alone.


Hope everyone is having a great season.


Only 4 more days to go!


Next time.

Apparently, Hulu's Marvel Animated Shows Are Leaving Later This Month

When I first returned to Hulu after a several years' hiatus, I added a slew of (vintage) Marvel animated shows to my watch list. The nineties Fox Kids shows Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, and X-men. X-Men Evolution and Iron Man: Armored Avenger too. X-Men Evolution has been available on Hulu for about as long as the streaming service existed.


My intent was to watch those shows much like a stroll down nostalgia lane at my leisure. Other shows took priority. Mostly because many were expiring. There's certain irony here...


A couple days ago I checked the expiring section of my watch list which is my custom. Lo and behold, all the aforementioned Marvel Animated shows are set to expire! I scroll over and discover that as of this moment, all those shows are supposed to leave Hulu on the 10th. Of October.


Okay, okay, I have observed Hulu will push the expiration of show past the initial date by weeks or a couple months. In theory, I could binge watch a show or two.


The problem is other than Spider-Man Unlimited those other shows ran twenty-plus episodes. I ain't got time to binge-watch all of 'em! There's other shows that I don't want to eventually play the same game as the expiring-priority game is a zero-sum game indeed. Furthermore, the new television season has begun. Hulu is like a back up DVR and provided I view an episode in a timely manner an indirect way of influencing ratings. So unfortunately, I won't be making an effort to watch any of the classic (boy I feel old writing this!) Marvel Animated shows on Hulu.


Hopefully, the notice that Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men, X-Men Evolution, and Iron Man: Armored Avenger is expiring on the 10th of October (or later during the month) is meant to boost viewings on the shows can remain on Hulu for a little bit longer. Or return.


Don't believe Disney's proposed streaming service is starting anytime soon...


Next Time

Interesting News: March 2017

Back during January, I did an installment of 'interesting news', which was a collection of links I found of interest. Never did do a part two although my Rebirth entry included some of what I would have included. As March comes to close, I figured I'd do a March installment. While much of it will be from March, I may include links to comics, role-playing, games, and wrestling news stories as far back as January. Or until I get tired as I am blogging stream-of-conscious and all...


Classic D&D modules return! - Tales of the Yawning Portal whetting your appetite for classic Dungeons & Dragons modules? The classic modules not enough but want 5E stats as well? Well, if you checked out the link, Goodman and WotC are collaborating to do exactly that in glorious hardcover editions. Really hope these are available at FLGCS everywhere because I want 'em!


Marvel's Generations - Okay, the concept of Marvel's Generations has me intrigued - 10 rookie heroes partnered (somehow) with the hero that inspired them has the potential to be a groundbreaking work. Would be cool if Alex Ross provided the art but don't think that will happen. Don't think any resurrections (Logan, Bruce, Mar-Vell) will occur or last but I may be wrong. As Secret Empire will be raging, I may wait for the trade instead. Although, my attitude toward the series may change by then...


Shutter lens Spidey-eyes! - There will be limited number of emotive shutter lenses for a Spider-Man mask for any cosplay based on the CA: Civil War movie costume! Pretty cool to see them work. Would be cool if more were made in the future.


On the chances of MCU crossovers - Alas, it took the actor of the Falcon to point out explicitly why we haven't seen crossovers between the Marvel television series and films: they are different divisions. Rather sad that none of the heads of both departments could not be a frank with fans. Maybe we'll get an Agents of SHIELD/Inhumans/Defenders crossover someday?


Deadpool 2 Teaser - Did you see the movie Logan? Remember the Deadpool 2 teaser? Thought that it was just for fun and whet one's appetite? Well, you're correct.


100 episodes of The Walking Dead! - When The Walking Dead premiered, I didn't think the show would reach 100 episodes. As I am a couple seasons behind, I didn't know the series will soon reach such a milestone! Like the article writer suggests I bet the next arc is "All Out War!" Would be cool if the show ran another 100 episodes though.


Disney Afternoon 8-bit games return! - I grew up watching the Disney Afternoon block. The NES game DuckTales is one of those games I always wanted to play but never played enough of. As such I eagerly anticipate having the chance to play the DuckTales, Chip 'N' Dale's Rescue Rangers, and Talespin 8-bit games on my PC!


Christian-Angle-Dory Funk Jr-Jeff Hardy - Here's a nice little picture of wrestling history showing Kurt Angle, Christian, and Jeff Hardy being trained by the legendary Dory Funk Jr.


Frank Oz on ABC Muppets Failure - I stopped watching the latest iteration of The Muppets because it felt... off.  The mockumentary format just didn't click for me. In that, I agree with Frank Oz. As for "purity", I had no problem with the adult tones. The muppets weren't very likeable though.


Warpath or Thunderbird on X-men the show? - Well, it seems either John or James Proudstar (aka Thunderbird and Warpath) may be in the upcoming X-men television show. That would be cool although I am concerned about the use of the name 'Sam'. I suppose I would also prefer James (aka Thunderbird II/Warpath) to be the Proudstar in question as I can more easily see him leading such an underground group. Plus think of the eventual comic book tie-ins...


Jean Grey Deleted Scene - There will apparently be a deleted scene in the Logan blu-ray referencing Jean Grey.


Hugh Jackman and Wolverine Mask - Haha! Here's a humorous picture of Hugh Jackman holding a Wolverine mask.


Christopher Daniels Interview - a nice brief interview with the new Ring of Honor World Champion Christopher Daniels. Forgot about his comics collaboration!


Bully Ray on his RoH appearance - I was pleasantly surprised to find out that wrestler Bully Ray appeared in Ring of Honor. Here's the man's words on what he thinks of the RoH product and what he hopes to bring to it. Think he'll bring much to the RoH product


Logan movie influences? - Here's a list of 15 movies that may very well have served as influences for the movie Logan.


Till next time.

12ish Days of Blogging: 40 Years of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Comic Strip!

On the ninth day of my 12ish Days of Blogging I give to thee: forty years of the Amazing Spider-Man comic strip! What two posts within one day? Technically, I missed a couple days so you could say I'm making up for lost time. Plus, the previous entry was intended to go live on the 2nd. Besides, celebrating 40 years of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Comic Strip holds special significance today.


Why?


On January 3rd, 1977, the very first strip of Amazing Spider-Man, written by Stan Lee and drawn by John Romita (Sr), was published in several newspapers. Which means today, January 3rd 2017, marks 40 years that the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip has been running in newspapers and online.


As a Spider-man fan, that is simply awesome!


As a kid, I eagerly awaited the occasion when I could read the comic strip within the pages of Sunday paper. The Spidey strip may even have appeared within my local paper but if it did it was very brief run. Heck, the Sunday paper, which I had access to didn't run if for long. So reading the adventures of the webslinger within the funnies was a rarity for me. Honestly, there's only two brief periods aside from being a kid that I recall reading it in a newspaper. Absolutely relished reading those strips. Sure the strips were a bit corny but I savored every occasion.


Then I discovered that King Features had an online presence, which published X number of strips online. That presence became DailyINK and is now called Comics Kingdom. Honestly, Comics Kingdom is a rare better name for King Features online distribution of its comic strips in my mind. If you want to take a gander at the latest installment of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip, here it IS.


The January 3rd 2017 is... corny. However, I suppose for the general newspaper audience there's probably limits to what the creators of the strip want to push. After all, parents could be reading it to their four year old. Written by Stan Lee (well, credited to him anyway) and drawn by Larry Lieber and inked by Alex Saviuk (loved his work in Web of Spider-Man) Spider-man is busy fighting Rocket Raccoon. Oops - excuse me, Rocket. That's how all the movie fans know RR as.


Here's a brief summary for those who may check out the provided strip once future strips are posted as only paid members of Comics Kingdom have access to older strips. The January 3rd 2017 strip opens with a gloating Rocket standing over the beleaguered Spider-man continuing the long-established tradition by Stan Lee of two Marvel heroes fighting each other when they first meet. The strip ends when Spider-Man webs Rocket and is pleasantly surprised when Rocket doesn't immediately break the webbing. I admit I haven't read the strip since the last time I blogged about it here. So clearly Spider-Man isn't a world-class hero within his own strip and his webbing isn't the be-all-end-all that it is within the pages of his comic book. Suppose they got to create tension for the next day, huh?


Once every year, for having the chance to regularly read Spidey's newspaper strip along other King stalwarts such as the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, I contemplate becoming a member of DailyINK now Comics Kingdom. Much like a failed New Year's Resolution, I just never do. Perhaps, this year, I will finally become a premium member. If I do, I may write monthly reviews of the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip much like website Spider Fan does. Here are REVIEWS they've done. I will probably view the strips in a more favorable light as the strip is intended for small children who may not even be reading age yet.


As for the older material, Marvel reprinted the first four years of strips into two separate volumes years ago. I do own a copy of each of them. Most recently, IDW via its Library of American Comics imprint has released three volumes of the first six years and plans on continuing releasing its archival books. As such may have to "upgrade" to the IDW editions!


To commemorate the occasion I may read some the strips from Marvel's second volume. Heck, I'll probably do a review of the out-of-print book.


So happy 40 year anniversary Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip! May it continue on like other venerable strips such as the Phantom, Flash Gordon, and Mandrake the Magician!


Haven't decided if I'll do a double post or post on the 6th yet such that I have "12 days" of blogging.


Till my 10th installment of 12ish Days of Blogging and happy reading!