tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30949805960848964982024-02-18T19:55:57.866-08:00AIEEEE!A fans musing on the characters and titles from British boy's comics 1968-1978Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-84464231594534114162016-02-28T22:03:00.000-08:002016-02-28T22:03:52.566-08:00Black Max & Adam Eterno triumphsGreat episodes of Max and Eterno in this issue.<br />
Not much in the way of the cursed Wilson in "Black Max", most of the story given over to the brainwashing of a captured British airman by Max. Its terrific stuff, my favourite being the fantastic perspective shot, done almost in widescreen, giving it an almost cinematic feel to it.<br />
And over with "Adam Eterno", the fella is tied to a sacred monument and is about to be pierced by a bunch of gold-tipped, American indian spears. What does he do? Pull the whole thing down on top of himself to have it act as a shield. Brilliant! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WJ3R4V0c8ywgE6YM8o0kSS9uL0sLqgII1pTiF0h-9r1iC2d_e0r1fgVfee2iadeVwKgZafc9xeQKoqtv5FDhOl8bKDJh3GbCug4obt_5PXHwBP5qUw700gDIZKCiCM8-TKVDpLuFtVo/s1600/SDC12076+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WJ3R4V0c8ywgE6YM8o0kSS9uL0sLqgII1pTiF0h-9r1iC2d_e0r1fgVfee2iadeVwKgZafc9xeQKoqtv5FDhOl8bKDJh3GbCug4obt_5PXHwBP5qUw700gDIZKCiCM8-TKVDpLuFtVo/s320/SDC12076+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBPSxm3vV3y_H9_pV10GGlcpC_gnGQmWW9Q91BIt5PTRNzh5XpOnft9PNBLzkRBJmBOneptMnO9jdjRSQRlMUoX2A7pVgdn42-Ri_9Rfx64kcpELkexV8W5si2jc0EgcdE-q39YthiF8/s1600/SDC12077+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBPSxm3vV3y_H9_pV10GGlcpC_gnGQmWW9Q91BIt5PTRNzh5XpOnft9PNBLzkRBJmBOneptMnO9jdjRSQRlMUoX2A7pVgdn42-Ri_9Rfx64kcpELkexV8W5si2jc0EgcdE-q39YthiF8/s320/SDC12077+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOMTVbhnSpFBt5CdP6ixUsxISiSosnzNj1NA1-9DS5bgIfZJ_xz5i0zcUecMUvrI-nJkgIF8OKXMZjCPcV-3MY10ivr-A7Ilq7diYbsExuB9AyYNHYlL9SUz1vNDsAp_mIEKvfuRHxTg/s1600/SDC12079+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOMTVbhnSpFBt5CdP6ixUsxISiSosnzNj1NA1-9DS5bgIfZJ_xz5i0zcUecMUvrI-nJkgIF8OKXMZjCPcV-3MY10ivr-A7Ilq7diYbsExuB9AyYNHYlL9SUz1vNDsAp_mIEKvfuRHxTg/s320/SDC12079+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xWehSK8msN62F2jjBduPfdzdTp9oXMc0_CqlwtcikdgZwUOGwekoZP29piXrnWCJq6uw5XuY-ILZ4qVsZbm0MGXDgYbK5xVHKM59FClZRBt4fUoqoVX6zNuBSIKV7tSMFgAd3Np0M9s/s1600/SDC12080+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xWehSK8msN62F2jjBduPfdzdTp9oXMc0_CqlwtcikdgZwUOGwekoZP29piXrnWCJq6uw5XuY-ILZ4qVsZbm0MGXDgYbK5xVHKM59FClZRBt4fUoqoVX6zNuBSIKV7tSMFgAd3Np0M9s/s320/SDC12080+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4RtCw9V0h3Q8YDbwFSbJ4b9HPXm3dcMItc9ZK__aDMLlgLIc0apgdiVXkrPrHk3y9vwXWUPbQYsjPUP7P_moWXoy3yHqx6z7YHPtEmLkl51lpBlODWp_UtEMLpKaBfn9kPeIn69gvi0/s1600/SDC12081+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4RtCw9V0h3Q8YDbwFSbJ4b9HPXm3dcMItc9ZK__aDMLlgLIc0apgdiVXkrPrHk3y9vwXWUPbQYsjPUP7P_moWXoy3yHqx6z7YHPtEmLkl51lpBlODWp_UtEMLpKaBfn9kPeIn69gvi0/s320/SDC12081+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY9iuqcM1iYPz9JEnD_YKh03qz2ZA0uDNZC7WLpcGvEz-AQPgH0v0KHrZS8Ahnko64G1OpcSeR03J3xjSotqg0drNBNrzERDDs7insk5YkjOK1frNZM_TJvMFzXgezgBUHFffz8M-2g4/s1600/SDC12082+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY9iuqcM1iYPz9JEnD_YKh03qz2ZA0uDNZC7WLpcGvEz-AQPgH0v0KHrZS8Ahnko64G1OpcSeR03J3xjSotqg0drNBNrzERDDs7insk5YkjOK1frNZM_TJvMFzXgezgBUHFffz8M-2g4/s320/SDC12082+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhQW0By0tjCHbUzizFR0e62-aW7WUEuHo9DGyMXWsFjpiphXEi26yiofYmByifz7x8gQET8rqhV6HUFHLcqy3zqKl3Rf3c3ABn_rtOfGwLXjlIkJ_TdaHaZOHeAKOna2_JOMOoKDLy-g/s1600/SDC12083+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhQW0By0tjCHbUzizFR0e62-aW7WUEuHo9DGyMXWsFjpiphXEi26yiofYmByifz7x8gQET8rqhV6HUFHLcqy3zqKl3Rf3c3ABn_rtOfGwLXjlIkJ_TdaHaZOHeAKOna2_JOMOoKDLy-g/s320/SDC12083+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-22610657763663741482016-02-08T22:19:00.000-08:002016-02-08T22:19:23.322-08:00POW! annual 1971 - #1 - AquavengerSo, after a long long countdown, here he is, the 9 year-old me's top character in this most classic of annuals, Aquavenger!<br />
Before even re-reading the tale, i can see why from the rogues gallery at the front of the book - he looks great, the most superhero-y of them all, and that's a neat shade of green.<br />
Reading the tale, i think the younger me would have been enthralled but, now, its all a bit silly:<br />
Bob Shane in the past had rescued some old bloke drifting in a storm, clinging to a bit of palm hut,<br />
turns out the old codger is Neuptunius. Hmmmmm...<br />
"a recluse possessed of ageless powers". Double hmmmm...<br />
who, as thanks, gives Bob "unlimited power in the crusade against the powers of darkness!"<br />
Then promptly buggers off without explaining why someone so powerful was near drowning like that, who he was, where he was going or anything. Thrice times hmmmm...<br />
Anyway, so there's Bob now a superhero. All he's got to do is shout "Aquavenger!" and he transforms into the titular hero.<br />
Does he position himself in society best suited to battle the "powers of darkness"? Nope, he becomes skipper of a rusty old tub. Eh?<br />
But still gets an adventure in just in time for this annual, as niftly clad frogmen attack his ship and warn Bob and and his mate to stay away from the area.<br />
Turns out "Admiral Nemesis" has a dastardly plan to rob New York by immobilising everyone with his nerve gas, a plan he's quite happy to tell our hero about as he then chucks him into the tank that houses his per giant squid.<br />
Of course Aquavenger defeats them all and we have a happy ending, and i'm left thinking it was all good fun, but it ain't 'arf derivitive.<br />
I was too young back then to know as i hadn't read them, but there's clear parallels with both Aquaman and Shazam in this strip, and i think i rated it tops not only because of the excellent art, but also that the character is similar to the very early Anime, Marine Boy which i certainly knew by then.<br />
Anyway, that's my top hero, one i read endlessly, pouring over the artwork, with one panel i was particualy fascinated by - the almost last one showing the come-uppance of Nemesis, who's so furious, his eyes bulge and he seems to be scratching his hair so much his hats falling off.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hMNLGD0mqhAxV3i32hwKWbDH2LtnjChJoL-CdHF13Qy-GJsywb6NXpEb_c_EcvGGTiD1VzhnCcLpjlnqp9BipI5sCrXFvv23TuD6Hx5cDhs8mZRrgW4v5uFwLRzBDhrHZsf3qTRZ8xw/s1600/HPIM3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hMNLGD0mqhAxV3i32hwKWbDH2LtnjChJoL-CdHF13Qy-GJsywb6NXpEb_c_EcvGGTiD1VzhnCcLpjlnqp9BipI5sCrXFvv23TuD6Hx5cDhs8mZRrgW4v5uFwLRzBDhrHZsf3qTRZ8xw/s320/HPIM3385.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCuYCx441xSGT691LcU5MIV6ZZztF4GhyfyrTWEkCJE3JsPl3d4ON8mNOldKWDCEs2_fB5nrHzxZ_vALot4PRdlkV5eykv2F5wX9xqhBxiLK7-UTNGHHA8FJ7Uz-O4wvpn6uvqOJuUVo/s1600/SAM_1229+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCuYCx441xSGT691LcU5MIV6ZZztF4GhyfyrTWEkCJE3JsPl3d4ON8mNOldKWDCEs2_fB5nrHzxZ_vALot4PRdlkV5eykv2F5wX9xqhBxiLK7-UTNGHHA8FJ7Uz-O4wvpn6uvqOJuUVo/s320/SAM_1229+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoyD9i8y_NmaSp_mKsiTvGlbfaDFgvGGYwD80yY-O_SnacZ5NecGZdLBcqFwVAnCAZqqOVdED0oVppaFc2rS_vQGBKAqvIDKPP10pdhfRN4Ajc_kAjxIo25EfvjoZaEUWMr7ErhyDS8w/s1600/SAM_1230+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoyD9i8y_NmaSp_mKsiTvGlbfaDFgvGGYwD80yY-O_SnacZ5NecGZdLBcqFwVAnCAZqqOVdED0oVppaFc2rS_vQGBKAqvIDKPP10pdhfRN4Ajc_kAjxIo25EfvjoZaEUWMr7ErhyDS8w/s320/SAM_1230+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNv_6A4Ds8IYbLMj39GsgO1kXYK0_z2iS2qQTJlL7WcumkD5vi4lGBd2DbUJ_GKgDub_8JoriQFqHHKvDf7oJGM2cCyNgXO2JMc2Vgam1D8wg23_RZwFWrpkPcqd1csfZUm5WJf1zOHY/s1600/SAM_1231+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNv_6A4Ds8IYbLMj39GsgO1kXYK0_z2iS2qQTJlL7WcumkD5vi4lGBd2DbUJ_GKgDub_8JoriQFqHHKvDf7oJGM2cCyNgXO2JMc2Vgam1D8wg23_RZwFWrpkPcqd1csfZUm5WJf1zOHY/s320/SAM_1231+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-xSqP6EIbPDIwS6PJsahGtIq29_n8-HwciuYoCWJnXR4isSc5ybM0G8PYBEzM-dyyP_9SWMGHjzGc1YKBtOJ7IHWiV7RmV5bVtFVQUtQoKLAYJRoOHtSNdM774AK_hg0zQaRxL3D6jM/s1600/SAM_1232+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-xSqP6EIbPDIwS6PJsahGtIq29_n8-HwciuYoCWJnXR4isSc5ybM0G8PYBEzM-dyyP_9SWMGHjzGc1YKBtOJ7IHWiV7RmV5bVtFVQUtQoKLAYJRoOHtSNdM774AK_hg0zQaRxL3D6jM/s320/SAM_1232+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-42638914806020010542016-02-05T04:23:00.000-08:002016-02-05T04:23:21.003-08:00POW! annual 1971 - #2 - MagnoAt Number 2 we have the story of Magno, and what an odd story it is.<br />
Sandy Laker is going home to London after graduating at a northern university (totally unnecessary info, but what the hey) and finds a couple of masked guys breaking into his Dad's shop when he gets there.<br />
He has a fight with them, sees them off, gets into a car chase with them,<br />
then:<br />
with no explanation given then nor later in the story, a UFO appears, which shines a light on the two cars,<br />
the cars crash, Sandy is picked up by a beam from the craft before his car explodes.<br />
And finds he's become a human magnet.<br />
And just accepts it - no ruesing on how he got the powers, where the ship came from, why it did what it did, nothing.<br />
Instead he vows vengeance on the men who did his Dad wrong, who are apparently lead by "The Mask".<br />
So he makes himself a natty suit, decides he's now MAGNO, and goes after the Mask.<br />
The Mask indeed does wear a mask, but, again, no explanation is given to the why's of why he's like that.<br />
And there follows a humdrum chase sequence once he's found the villains, topped in the Mask being captured...<br />
but not unmasked.<br />
And the story ends there.<br />
If its true that these tales in the annual where try-outs for a set of on-going strips, it'd be nice to know that the origin of the UFO and the identity of the Mask would have been resolved.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRu3BthcCZRknqbvTMvdWw6pSR_gGeB0NjqIgunHS-wZgaxconFudJVtGPNW0hj14TPMNdXcmuGMtdBOMx8Z-q0kLarQyS_UhDGb4HhuABLJFhKvJOBo_L34QXkMTUJuRIu95w83xJWY/s1600/SAM_1222+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRu3BthcCZRknqbvTMvdWw6pSR_gGeB0NjqIgunHS-wZgaxconFudJVtGPNW0hj14TPMNdXcmuGMtdBOMx8Z-q0kLarQyS_UhDGb4HhuABLJFhKvJOBo_L34QXkMTUJuRIu95w83xJWY/s320/SAM_1222+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qn45w8LfOiMb1blGYwmJU15-kQ7p7kFyMMpTnUTS2-dC8uRceF6wCZSyGUkHOccVUsuP5OlkxxRf29lkh64XOFN9vHKsgBVi1sCv4Moz5V0CfMUFp0JYcz_feetLnjga1HrthpgXjv0/s1600/SAM_1224+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qn45w8LfOiMb1blGYwmJU15-kQ7p7kFyMMpTnUTS2-dC8uRceF6wCZSyGUkHOccVUsuP5OlkxxRf29lkh64XOFN9vHKsgBVi1sCv4Moz5V0CfMUFp0JYcz_feetLnjga1HrthpgXjv0/s320/SAM_1224+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopPFdTQ4P23g1S79X6H0qpyJ7EunklJmkxgcoG-p68_D08Up-_hYLBrBGDPuzx3fHGKDy3koA5y1CX2MuQkR_2Fut9-mksNP2lFQHxZJTV70wUh-Ry2Y1XQcl_pPFixall224loveTgs/s1600/SAM_1225+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopPFdTQ4P23g1S79X6H0qpyJ7EunklJmkxgcoG-p68_D08Up-_hYLBrBGDPuzx3fHGKDy3koA5y1CX2MuQkR_2Fut9-mksNP2lFQHxZJTV70wUh-Ry2Y1XQcl_pPFixall224loveTgs/s320/SAM_1225+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjVZMfIgHihXTjuYd9vEklvHXGJzW_HTtw_kCg4RpJOwsgQoSaHoTcazkWCqp7QIKQWUpSKLXkUUF6aUZt3HMayDCHAXN6fa2TATssY86vCkIp7BuCuaTUr5qBgkXRIDL0pqJyX0pC0I/s1600/SAM_1226+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjVZMfIgHihXTjuYd9vEklvHXGJzW_HTtw_kCg4RpJOwsgQoSaHoTcazkWCqp7QIKQWUpSKLXkUUF6aUZt3HMayDCHAXN6fa2TATssY86vCkIp7BuCuaTUr5qBgkXRIDL0pqJyX0pC0I/s320/SAM_1226+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJS7XQfi7toAYYOgcZfqx-VrkUngFZYs9wZF5Yiaz5nwp_jQ62QjfjQR9TcHH9TLioMzHoq4XQqoWQdT-KCmo3ZIapPd6tLJr1ksBTB6Fs28dtPph7eH8CTg6x8mlmR7jznvlHmASCO8/s1600/SAM_1228+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJS7XQfi7toAYYOgcZfqx-VrkUngFZYs9wZF5Yiaz5nwp_jQ62QjfjQR9TcHH9TLioMzHoq4XQqoWQdT-KCmo3ZIapPd6tLJr1ksBTB6Fs28dtPph7eH8CTg6x8mlmR7jznvlHmASCO8/s320/SAM_1228+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-32105345102142111672015-12-31T08:16:00.000-08:002015-12-31T08:16:18.344-08:00The 2000AD 2015 Christmas specialI haven't collected 2000AD for a good few years now - i just don't find a lot of the strips engaging, and Judge Dredd is always so serious and grim and not really what i'm after for a bit of comicy escapism. <br />
The nearest i get to it is to by the occasional graphic novel, have a peep though the latest Prog when in WH Smiths and to but the end of year special, just to see what things are like.<br />
Very pleased this year to nab me one, as its proper Old School Thrill Power:<br />
Ian Kennedy back for the wraparound cover!<br />
neatly designed snowmen villains in Dredd - just snowmen, as silly as that with no deep meaning of hidden plot behind it,<br />
great 80's style art on Bad Company,<br />
Clint Langley nodding to the past nicely, with Hammerstien in the accurate brown colours, the return of Dr Feelyggod, and even the robot Overseers are spot-on accurate,<br />
Jesus Redondo back! And drawing Tharg!<br />
and Johnny Alpha's mates back together.<br />
Eee by gum, its like its 1980 all over again!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItMKEjmxZco_T90ZD0Yiw2wuRetEpab28aMoRVsjjypYyREMAXr7rZtOUAJzT3b85cxggeB7SPAYK0LOBegF3oaKp5qhJhNKEekc0jRs1PEqjlZ7Sv-A9fJpy1Tro4Oi7lzN2ezO09FI/s1600/SDC11910+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItMKEjmxZco_T90ZD0Yiw2wuRetEpab28aMoRVsjjypYyREMAXr7rZtOUAJzT3b85cxggeB7SPAYK0LOBegF3oaKp5qhJhNKEekc0jRs1PEqjlZ7Sv-A9fJpy1Tro4Oi7lzN2ezO09FI/s320/SDC11910+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKba9VWJdLflsZM1YlHotYvofOR7PAFrOvXu-c8GyS0AzQ9U81zav6C785v3_MzlcoTVxW-iTuLJFdQ6Fyqy6TGoCSutBZE1xFUHPySkzyU1AcA2OKSRqiJGTZ9i3FazBROcoTxlGF07U/s1600/SDC11912+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKba9VWJdLflsZM1YlHotYvofOR7PAFrOvXu-c8GyS0AzQ9U81zav6C785v3_MzlcoTVxW-iTuLJFdQ6Fyqy6TGoCSutBZE1xFUHPySkzyU1AcA2OKSRqiJGTZ9i3FazBROcoTxlGF07U/s320/SDC11912+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPS0p3EfxuuKUk7rTHPVWv-dfIIz8Gjz6B4K6Nm5_enHvFFFK4EFTWnWKY_WlbTdCI1NcYkxgrrWZ5erL3xm5Tu6lBrpx1Qg53Lg7Csn6nZsORWc4mSWqlD9lrsrvTUSg8TR8Jjnw_f0/s1600/SDC11913+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPS0p3EfxuuKUk7rTHPVWv-dfIIz8Gjz6B4K6Nm5_enHvFFFK4EFTWnWKY_WlbTdCI1NcYkxgrrWZ5erL3xm5Tu6lBrpx1Qg53Lg7Csn6nZsORWc4mSWqlD9lrsrvTUSg8TR8Jjnw_f0/s320/SDC11913+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChyphenhyphenD9IS860udWiHRxFVNjXC1-1T11lk_NX6WTkiw2emlNinxdSfHOVOo462P-K451ccHEjNiYWanDYaM7UgPmgU2JdVHeT3RrzN1A-oeZ-Fnl1XDT3-C1QJuZcEIARTJsYk1VbtPhluc/s1600/SDC11916+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChyphenhyphenD9IS860udWiHRxFVNjXC1-1T11lk_NX6WTkiw2emlNinxdSfHOVOo462P-K451ccHEjNiYWanDYaM7UgPmgU2JdVHeT3RrzN1A-oeZ-Fnl1XDT3-C1QJuZcEIARTJsYk1VbtPhluc/s320/SDC11916+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcng8MfVCyQVJlMvGD1YczQoqWfAMa_mXs9ddNs4tBeHnhbCKvAhrY_FzHmgl0DvlwliOD5VM01bXwLPiT-beOZXbdzcttRhtQrOWa7QKiUoiptUJu37VvfBYjGrhOSxoTvQN4TWma4Y/s1600/SDC11917+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcng8MfVCyQVJlMvGD1YczQoqWfAMa_mXs9ddNs4tBeHnhbCKvAhrY_FzHmgl0DvlwliOD5VM01bXwLPiT-beOZXbdzcttRhtQrOWa7QKiUoiptUJu37VvfBYjGrhOSxoTvQN4TWma4Y/s320/SDC11917+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBRy5i5hPst8G3t-RySIB-Th11JA0iFpfY-5TQlvqKMlCc0I6Xb8Ca9hJEV4CH7LY2YqzWbBvEo1mwVuQDvyAzPABYzOcyL8ICXj7qCeJyukJG9lXCjSCbV36N8KxmmytfKTENyfADMs/s1600/SDC11918+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBRy5i5hPst8G3t-RySIB-Th11JA0iFpfY-5TQlvqKMlCc0I6Xb8Ca9hJEV4CH7LY2YqzWbBvEo1mwVuQDvyAzPABYzOcyL8ICXj7qCeJyukJG9lXCjSCbV36N8KxmmytfKTENyfADMs/s320/SDC11918+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwowqXl2Nn6WN3jQ3Kz52sLaqEbjGWQwxTwl4SjlWH_T7YGbtF3KyJHugv3cQ5AJo2IuG41apGXMhz37aeO1LVVT8z1WV73kf_wza7UeK4DmsKPz1Dpox4IeiDbOFzc0fhx6F_ObVuKDU/s1600/SDC11919+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwowqXl2Nn6WN3jQ3Kz52sLaqEbjGWQwxTwl4SjlWH_T7YGbtF3KyJHugv3cQ5AJo2IuG41apGXMhz37aeO1LVVT8z1WV73kf_wza7UeK4DmsKPz1Dpox4IeiDbOFzc0fhx6F_ObVuKDU/s320/SDC11919+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
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Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-79193992808996486882015-12-15T22:04:00.001-08:002015-12-15T22:04:56.974-08:00Future Shock DVDWatched this yesterday and i heartily recommend it to any Squaxx, no matter what point you jumped on board.<br />
Be warned though, the tales of the abuse of original art may reduce you to tears *sob* *sniffle*<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tuM8zEjNQhqRVxfHeW8oJI7Q5rsbLV-eUZg9BO-6SBdFc7H76ASdD4Mvia9UUAzCCfRnBtUjT6hneznZUh17Ds4UOw6q1HGvHmeuTFyldab65wuJF3FKCd1cgdLoZj-fNGeIufSYP7E/s1600/914YVyb4z5L._SY445_.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tuM8zEjNQhqRVxfHeW8oJI7Q5rsbLV-eUZg9BO-6SBdFc7H76ASdD4Mvia9UUAzCCfRnBtUjT6hneznZUh17Ds4UOw6q1HGvHmeuTFyldab65wuJF3FKCd1cgdLoZj-fNGeIufSYP7E/s320/914YVyb4z5L._SY445_.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-14129667633304265722015-11-10T21:58:00.002-08:002015-11-10T21:58:54.897-08:00Getting all Misty-eyedGreat news chums!<br />
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http://downthetubes.net/?p=26953Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-69915329067947229192015-11-04T03:16:00.003-08:002015-11-04T03:16:35.286-08:00Dan Dare has landed...... and Bertie is one happy Biog to see himself in print.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEba6_cwy7kPWeFdpP8Tnn2fmu-vb4oBCqp8IczUi4PKdun4wQinq3M7WnGpQLKmVZ_Y9FHWzYfPmcDfZdoGjVe6WRFtlM0Vi_hspKH39mCmLd0LO_sZ5bK3O4wog2XsQ2euUKK-2Fxs/s1600/SDC11786+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEba6_cwy7kPWeFdpP8Tnn2fmu-vb4oBCqp8IczUi4PKdun4wQinq3M7WnGpQLKmVZ_Y9FHWzYfPmcDfZdoGjVe6WRFtlM0Vi_hspKH39mCmLd0LO_sZ5bK3O4wog2XsQ2euUKK-2Fxs/s320/SDC11786+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-20110558430081430852015-11-02T21:55:00.000-08:002015-11-02T21:55:49.199-08:00Hurrah!This is what i like to hear - just got this message from Amazon re the upcoming Dan Dare collection:<br />
<br />
"We are pleased to report that the following item will dispatch sooner than expected:<br />
<br />
Pat Mills "Dan Dare: The 2000 AD Years Vol. 01"<br />
Previous estimated arrival date: November 11 2015<br />
New estimated arrival date: November 05 2015"<br />
<br />
Hurrah! Two days to go!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZuknxNuaJNDIRn2nc30_LVpdLymWaXnbZvLltkj-bQhWb1RnnLJ8V1u5RNibe0bl55y3V3jawDGkJ8p_DKsVt1RU1fuN45hzsAjC3K0u3V_l95aF_ng4owaLVO-y7WfvAczPWTV3MqU/s1600/dan-dare-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZuknxNuaJNDIRn2nc30_LVpdLymWaXnbZvLltkj-bQhWb1RnnLJ8V1u5RNibe0bl55y3V3jawDGkJ8p_DKsVt1RU1fuN45hzsAjC3K0u3V_l95aF_ng4owaLVO-y7WfvAczPWTV3MqU/s320/dan-dare-cover.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-1011633864678308662015-10-29T12:28:00.000-07:002015-10-29T12:28:02.877-07:00Terrific news!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ezSRE8zOfTeMS2e37IY2_fdaMADxfn-6nwOXlgP8xx4PKPEcDLdzz21inOtoopZ904J8o3Elc-3kQnaDjSE-k3okppd9qxrQrOvXST6WcH7N84fu3oQUzrZyPN0Lk_WTK5mIFt_mVUk/s1600/12196033_10153102702390614_6549021623828864836_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ezSRE8zOfTeMS2e37IY2_fdaMADxfn-6nwOXlgP8xx4PKPEcDLdzz21inOtoopZ904J8o3Elc-3kQnaDjSE-k3okppd9qxrQrOvXST6WcH7N84fu3oQUzrZyPN0Lk_WTK5mIFt_mVUk/s320/12196033_10153102702390614_6549021623828864836_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The Judge Dredd tale, "The Cursed Earth" is to get yet another reprint - this time with the banned episodes put back in.<br />
Time to put those issues up on the 'Bay methinks.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-74464784483190999052015-10-18T08:50:00.000-07:002015-10-18T08:50:42.014-07:00POW! Annual 1971 - #3 - The Marksman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJApwoBh558o-YsO4jkU7xiIP8ncQIjkApgxgjRVMUa4FVQ-mzxdEScvv_oRezj0HJE3JsYVp-qiuxY_CaRokKKv-tHfpzwv5LTGtU_ympFnjO4Ac-cxSK5VHS22vC0fZ7PSDNAacidyY/s1600/P5260328.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJApwoBh558o-YsO4jkU7xiIP8ncQIjkApgxgjRVMUa4FVQ-mzxdEScvv_oRezj0HJE3JsYVp-qiuxY_CaRokKKv-tHfpzwv5LTGtU_ympFnjO4Ac-cxSK5VHS22vC0fZ7PSDNAacidyY/s320/P5260328.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
At Number Three of my nine year-olds countdown of the characters from this annual is the Marksman.<br />
Gawd knows why.<br />
He looks like the Punisher with a crew cut, is the "Dynamic Young Security Chief" at the Excel Advanced Rocket Research Establishment (though its never revealed if his natty clobber is an official uniform), and a more boreish, big headed good guy you'd be pushed to find.<br />
He's deathly dull, in a deathly dull story.<br />
In the space of an incredible seven pages, is a tale that in other strips would run to three tops.<br />
We get:<br />
Pages 1 and 2 set up how great he is - writing his initials in the target from a thousand yards away with a machine gun, shooting dead centre holes in a bunch of coins thrown in the air - and the sabotage of the companys new rocket that would guard against any enemy in the galaxy (!).<br />
The whole of Page Three is given over to discovering the plans to the rocket have been pinched,<br />
Page Four has him ride off on a nifty motorbike, fall off, then get tied up in a canoe and sent off to the Rocky Falls,<br />
Page Five has him escape,<br />
Page Six has him leap upon the baddies plane,<br />
Page Seven has him jump out the plane with the bad guy.<br />
That's it, - very dull and no reason why i'd have rated him so highly. He doesn't do much in the way of Markmanship except for his showing off at the start.<br />
Thinking the only reason i'd have liked the strip would've been for the various James Bond-like devices he keeps concealed in his out fit, should just such situations arrive.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mvOi4i_V7SCndZjzc4NtXsMIBT24KhyPCyXwfcvpEsXLwr7G2kiZVr8syAJzLzIlXnORfnQOuawc3ar7avaY8K2cUGLUwA7bvj3NRfm1OTbu0gXXhsuwb29hojw_9wk0sCuo9-Wxw68/s1600/SDC11728+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mvOi4i_V7SCndZjzc4NtXsMIBT24KhyPCyXwfcvpEsXLwr7G2kiZVr8syAJzLzIlXnORfnQOuawc3ar7avaY8K2cUGLUwA7bvj3NRfm1OTbu0gXXhsuwb29hojw_9wk0sCuo9-Wxw68/s320/SDC11728+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO3IW9p5BSufQfL0loWdOfu1J7SQAgi8ldICtBq1XcRYIW6_rr-IkfR5audj0dZGHcHJqAAp10F8XN46-vSoAsXBARSbCTmUa4yGQxKZJagFWkv-HCtklrMxgusCRlvfEvMGoSrQwDME/s1600/SDC11729+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO3IW9p5BSufQfL0loWdOfu1J7SQAgi8ldICtBq1XcRYIW6_rr-IkfR5audj0dZGHcHJqAAp10F8XN46-vSoAsXBARSbCTmUa4yGQxKZJagFWkv-HCtklrMxgusCRlvfEvMGoSrQwDME/s320/SDC11729+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOhB6FK_ozZEtz8-qFNRhoSPl5oRudfSsHXSEzfIIKb8Vqijv8XX0Gk0-DxHvPVgNR9G4YmxU10IWhmqRt1a-VNcx-NwTfMJ4e-isnKEHbr_4vUltJEY7bV-LVcfW-MAkp6WZ_IH9B3c/s1600/SDC11730+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOhB6FK_ozZEtz8-qFNRhoSPl5oRudfSsHXSEzfIIKb8Vqijv8XX0Gk0-DxHvPVgNR9G4YmxU10IWhmqRt1a-VNcx-NwTfMJ4e-isnKEHbr_4vUltJEY7bV-LVcfW-MAkp6WZ_IH9B3c/s320/SDC11730+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjwcyZRovFaXcw5jVzMdhBybyjP4mlCMa7b7hyt-fZA36L6O6nWNwCJcZkrOU1c-tlcb1lFYaJFfLEhlHug48O0t6fOW9rVXoqSP9YmerPARC-DCSrzrA2yMCh0o5DWwFYVE4rTzwMrI/s1600/SDC11731+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjwcyZRovFaXcw5jVzMdhBybyjP4mlCMa7b7hyt-fZA36L6O6nWNwCJcZkrOU1c-tlcb1lFYaJFfLEhlHug48O0t6fOW9rVXoqSP9YmerPARC-DCSrzrA2yMCh0o5DWwFYVE4rTzwMrI/s320/SDC11731+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-K4W5-OC0Y1MI7sAZ3of1RQx2v129bbs_h7TpCoyOm-97yD6chhJxe5ASC3xxnrUQ3It9UaV9IPFWjn989OIBIZ-8B1OGNKmkIW7_P0AJAgA22raYHUZA9KlGI1xLqW9qqTcHcU_mt8/s1600/SDC11732+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-K4W5-OC0Y1MI7sAZ3of1RQx2v129bbs_h7TpCoyOm-97yD6chhJxe5ASC3xxnrUQ3It9UaV9IPFWjn989OIBIZ-8B1OGNKmkIW7_P0AJAgA22raYHUZA9KlGI1xLqW9qqTcHcU_mt8/s320/SDC11732+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-7091526919922559462015-09-15T23:54:00.003-07:002015-09-15T23:54:55.745-07:00I'm back<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8alD7HHGNQFv27225knQYFKXN8JGlEuvu_4M_xS7aUXZS7gy5Hg5fhKyo3qTMi1fDA59EWF3WahALb9vGMpEp4EuRExA9T_0Fk9-53Na2th9qc5CoX_crUF7lMiaGwvdAvZsF-qu81c/s1600/dan-dare-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8alD7HHGNQFv27225knQYFKXN8JGlEuvu_4M_xS7aUXZS7gy5Hg5fhKyo3qTMi1fDA59EWF3WahALb9vGMpEp4EuRExA9T_0Fk9-53Na2th9qc5CoX_crUF7lMiaGwvdAvZsF-qu81c/s320/dan-dare-cover.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
LONG time posting here - life and other hobbies have kept me away from the comics just lately.<br />
But, figure i've got to get back into them, so i'm all ready for THE graphic novel i've been waiting and waiting and hoping for, in just two months now.<br />
<br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-48327331336166055772015-05-23T12:23:00.001-07:002015-05-23T12:23:33.118-07:00Can you spare a kidney?Blimey, has one of these ever appeared for sale before?<br />
The almost mythical last pre-ban Action goes up for sale, one of only 30 printed:<br />
<br />
<br />
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Action-comic-23rd-Oct-1976-ULTRA-RARE-ISSUE-30-copies-printed-FN-phil-comics-/271876254428Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-2867836631716622152015-05-08T07:03:00.000-07:002015-05-08T07:03:09.207-07:00Bullet - 2nd October 1976Right, lets take a look at one of my Welsh bargains shall we?<br />
And lets start with a title i knew i bought to begin with (but didn't we all until the free gifts ran out?) but i'm thinking i dropped pretty quickly after Action started.<br />
So it'll be interesting to see what Bullet was doing to compete with the young upstart.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LfgKqQJi4bRcOSkDckzKoGGWv3c0wdoPa2Jz5BNmaqo5ShHgi6FCAytOLCrHQPVpfh0n9EFGLA1c399tAL9rhUjC-bdfYlTAuT8Wty0DKf2T2bzGq6B8mdWsAdpymGlByiQ_aRVR1D0/s1600/SDC10916+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LfgKqQJi4bRcOSkDckzKoGGWv3c0wdoPa2Jz5BNmaqo5ShHgi6FCAytOLCrHQPVpfh0n9EFGLA1c399tAL9rhUjC-bdfYlTAuT8Wty0DKf2T2bzGq6B8mdWsAdpymGlByiQ_aRVR1D0/s320/SDC10916+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Lovely cover with Fireball bursting out of the newspaper there, while proudly sporting his Fireball badge. As soon as i saw it, i remembered the thing but at this point didn't realise just how blatently it'd be promoted this issue.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUxtxsPN-NW0gNb1OFcyxfVYgxAzYquWu7_iqb9Prj0-A4uFvcumNzbc16OMgupyOYlGA02H2d5OlYM3E57NZP3cHMCLE0Moxey40pUdHmPkgH3nnvogLMyoqnXEV7bySIQz-PDyW5xs/s1600/SDC10917+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUxtxsPN-NW0gNb1OFcyxfVYgxAzYquWu7_iqb9Prj0-A4uFvcumNzbc16OMgupyOYlGA02H2d5OlYM3E57NZP3cHMCLE0Moxey40pUdHmPkgH3nnvogLMyoqnXEV7bySIQz-PDyW5xs/s320/SDC10917+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Turn the page and we have "Frontline UK", a strip i'd totallt forgotten about until Bear Alley Books announced a while back that they were going to reprint it. As soon as i saw Ian Kennedy's stunning art on their site, it all came flooding back though (especially how i had my Airfix Scorpion Tank in all sorts of recreations in my bedroom) and i really must get that collection sometime.<br />
In the meanwhile, i'll make do with what's here.<br />
Boy, its "Invasion" from 2000AD isn't it? But a year earlier - instead of Volgs we have the Yellow Moon invade Britain, instead of a tough guy hero with a surname starting in "S" in Savage we have Strong.<br />
All great fun, with fantastic art from Mr Kennedy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-37Dojz_Pc6kXbILkV2A_jzDf4Wd_AORKdCimW13_5I8xlqxOOoVUBPoS6lhB9G6vE_n8wqBs08MrEFKzu5QWjRrD7HdEmOUqPT64RYiT1U371ns1zWmtwDqWmgraLCrkdWBcrKWRBA/s1600/SDC10918+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-37Dojz_Pc6kXbILkV2A_jzDf4Wd_AORKdCimW13_5I8xlqxOOoVUBPoS6lhB9G6vE_n8wqBs08MrEFKzu5QWjRrD7HdEmOUqPT64RYiT1U371ns1zWmtwDqWmgraLCrkdWBcrKWRBA/s320/SDC10918+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh38d8wfrwQHAu-9Ev2mEBmwY2RfQXRTo1Q_8VBu6h-Z6yozu-zcf2e4eWBGu8DT3BzTQYIQ5ptAh9yJ0BgUWl_bVaZOBYGOiC-RluoDhzv8iEhbnTixcwnjrtD_MuNkPrJqu3_lshoE/s1600/SDC10919+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh38d8wfrwQHAu-9Ev2mEBmwY2RfQXRTo1Q_8VBu6h-Z6yozu-zcf2e4eWBGu8DT3BzTQYIQ5ptAh9yJ0BgUWl_bVaZOBYGOiC-RluoDhzv8iEhbnTixcwnjrtD_MuNkPrJqu3_lshoE/s320/SDC10919+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Next, we have "The Killer Kangaroos" - an appalling piece of rubbish, with terrible art and cliched, stereotype characters (they're Australian and they're called Bruce and Blue), the only thing that can be said of it, and its a very slim thing, is that it kinda, sorta, prempts "Shako" in the 2000AD to come. Or its a "Hookjaw" knock-off.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdigYQvH4VcO4QeHLoLpRxw_dYdd5h2bPAKq0TUh8PfcG3wbDb_EuBllvSQ1Iq7fnpzM3V9ctxwmj6vfomjJnVZ46zhFwAP9BFt0qxNRwPRIRUokT4bF_CfnvOCOD1jr3xt_BOBubFQ/s1600/SDC10920+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdigYQvH4VcO4QeHLoLpRxw_dYdd5h2bPAKq0TUh8PfcG3wbDb_EuBllvSQ1Iq7fnpzM3V9ctxwmj6vfomjJnVZ46zhFwAP9BFt0qxNRwPRIRUokT4bF_CfnvOCOD1jr3xt_BOBubFQ/s320/SDC10920+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTIRImHbirtfjVC3RBsgQS9cax1J_RnN40BpjvTku1R8pjEbJfouyYEyXWUuSqyg9km1izMD_KriRlIzqdTmbagiyjJggEuqmIwCzcfvrjhbepaBjq9iv78FJbZuqhAf-kjsh0JeEKk8/s1600/SDC10921+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTIRImHbirtfjVC3RBsgQS9cax1J_RnN40BpjvTku1R8pjEbJfouyYEyXWUuSqyg9km1izMD_KriRlIzqdTmbagiyjJggEuqmIwCzcfvrjhbepaBjq9iv78FJbZuqhAf-kjsh0JeEKk8/s320/SDC10921+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm going to skip over "Ginger", the tale of a boy and his dog, and "3 Men In A Jeep", three men in a jeep, as they're so bog-standard i forgot each panel the instant i finished reading it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJTT36LM3K7uapDWGovBv6Dcvf-RWKIeJ18i-aOfk3BEV4LLq5oYXDZDpVdleWpYd3f0Cqzm2iGWLmI-5mBGz_cOa1EL0_HU1IneLV5lrIwogfU_CqQ45fZyXTsFCkADL2TWBleUJ6Mo/s1600/SDC10922+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJTT36LM3K7uapDWGovBv6Dcvf-RWKIeJ18i-aOfk3BEV4LLq5oYXDZDpVdleWpYd3f0Cqzm2iGWLmI-5mBGz_cOa1EL0_HU1IneLV5lrIwogfU_CqQ45fZyXTsFCkADL2TWBleUJ6Mo/s320/SDC10922+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GlvObLdNaOc0sLvI9L4xv2rZRevPUi7VIl6aHM3-Aab3sRgOlhwBkTLIJuuhKpr-GAVFRBdJao_8ACryheGR5gViKNH94xbQUE5IEeHQ3n8zgpLP-3DNPnbBdUyL-VnUe6vzGL_44Iw/s1600/SDC10923+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GlvObLdNaOc0sLvI9L4xv2rZRevPUi7VIl6aHM3-Aab3sRgOlhwBkTLIJuuhKpr-GAVFRBdJao_8ACryheGR5gViKNH94xbQUE5IEeHQ3n8zgpLP-3DNPnbBdUyL-VnUe6vzGL_44Iw/s320/SDC10923+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8BmmoS1-v2rgIlvMfQdwyoGCp6UGCA6qPWXroqWh9RBJK2mYYgovJtKk2A71Mj326gSOQ2oVmzGLzspJLOlr6v9cdZ9fcBKC8TAO0QFTiToQeEo4k-tPK1NujZrUCLJhfOFRwX7BIyA/s1600/SDC10924+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8BmmoS1-v2rgIlvMfQdwyoGCp6UGCA6qPWXroqWh9RBJK2mYYgovJtKk2A71Mj326gSOQ2oVmzGLzspJLOlr6v9cdZ9fcBKC8TAO0QFTiToQeEo4k-tPK1NujZrUCLJhfOFRwX7BIyA/s320/SDC10924+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscjkvuASO5vyLOHT_M1F1K1-z4ohh41Ysb4szD-5QtkG3buU1y-COpMrjzZiT3PicCaCZJzdr499EyYjeWKfLo4BSxr-3KzYUWcdOmSFSrUIxi3S6-yHHFFusIsykv22swwvzfzzbhgM/s1600/SDC10925+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscjkvuASO5vyLOHT_M1F1K1-z4ohh41Ysb4szD-5QtkG3buU1y-COpMrjzZiT3PicCaCZJzdr499EyYjeWKfLo4BSxr-3KzYUWcdOmSFSrUIxi3S6-yHHFFusIsykv22swwvzfzzbhgM/s320/SDC10925+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And then we're on to "Fireball", the main strip - you can tell because he's in the centre and has a bit of colour. Coming across as a mix between Our Man Flint and Jason Wyngarde but looking more like Jimmy Hill, its a yawn of a tale, made interesting by just how blatent his medallion was. Whats the deal here? Its in every blummin' shot, whether it wants to be or not. I don't know if s there to remind readers who had one too that we're all part of the gang, or there was a way to buy them and this was product placement, but, boy, its jarring.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSlGujWqIE9nYucrFTlccw1dH4S2RN3HxwYPdqezV-IpF8i9qB-blQix-5gQE4XrU4u8xc-x7XjzpJ2AXjNS-aFle569FbURBCJxXOz7431EVNd39sBQlBpOLo2eKGI5l86W1X2kuBjw/s1600/SDC10926+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSlGujWqIE9nYucrFTlccw1dH4S2RN3HxwYPdqezV-IpF8i9qB-blQix-5gQE4XrU4u8xc-x7XjzpJ2AXjNS-aFle569FbURBCJxXOz7431EVNd39sBQlBpOLo2eKGI5l86W1X2kuBjw/s320/SDC10926+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-6PYyEY7kNJvEQSZH725Ft7OKsnoGIhja_2SJ36OyNYSOW6CEZLt6AgDpuLBsLYHZd_atvavwnmyxoBoNTmDAfqmrnGMEbseX1qXR8sKL8kJdMZmok-kIOJNEFmF5rSqEio53TxX6y8/s1600/SDC10927+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-6PYyEY7kNJvEQSZH725Ft7OKsnoGIhja_2SJ36OyNYSOW6CEZLt6AgDpuLBsLYHZd_atvavwnmyxoBoNTmDAfqmrnGMEbseX1qXR8sKL8kJdMZmok-kIOJNEFmF5rSqEio53TxX6y8/s320/SDC10927+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhlqVIzMiGxHwuuFt6J7GHwcFb7AHSM5w9IgnbmbbB26ncMFLZx6Ouko4EsYZFxg1YVB3XPtSTnb5RsO3HiDIkPA2S9RVQUorsf4UQaORgxmbmCJ28jDDe2gSjbZS-0ww-FSH9v4mrrU/s1600/SDC10928+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhlqVIzMiGxHwuuFt6J7GHwcFb7AHSM5w9IgnbmbbB26ncMFLZx6Ouko4EsYZFxg1YVB3XPtSTnb5RsO3HiDIkPA2S9RVQUorsf4UQaORgxmbmCJ28jDDe2gSjbZS-0ww-FSH9v4mrrU/s320/SDC10928+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Final two strips are as duff as the two i skipped above. I think i'd have been drawn to "Smasher" as its a tale of a giant robot, but one read would've put me off.<br />
<br />
"AIEEEE!" WATCH:<br />
A 100% perfect one from a soldier being overturned in an armoured car in "Frontline UK"<br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-32680624457719671282015-04-19T13:02:00.000-07:002015-04-19T13:02:31.485-07:00Bargains galore in WalesJust back from a lovely holiday in North Wales, driving 'round visiting tons of neat places.<br />
Llangollen was neat and then made even neater when we stopped into a combined cafe/second-hand book shop and found, laying in piles and piles on the floor stacked high, tons and tons of 70's and 80's British comics.<br />
2000AD, Bullett, Warlord, Cor!, Beano, Battle - pretty much every title out back then, loads of them, and pricing from 25p to £1.50 a pop.<br />
This is what we got - some for me, some for the Sprogs - alas, not too many for me, as i don't need too many Actions etc now.<br />
Highly recommended should you be in the area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahEbzlVxtr7myKS_b0f13ImtJOuvk8VIYKTyJq43Z2pcZWy4ZmLgXOfn7yE3nGhm9K5P6brtgiiJ0QG7rIWejd1uiIJvekBS25aj7OIPXmikT-u0EtD9nJqUds_zu3_hCCEgrBFWIicM/s1600/SAM_0699+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahEbzlVxtr7myKS_b0f13ImtJOuvk8VIYKTyJq43Z2pcZWy4ZmLgXOfn7yE3nGhm9K5P6brtgiiJ0QG7rIWejd1uiIJvekBS25aj7OIPXmikT-u0EtD9nJqUds_zu3_hCCEgrBFWIicM/s320/SAM_0699+(2).jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-63335512109318233182015-04-01T03:09:00.000-07:002015-04-01T03:09:40.163-07:00"AAAAHH! SHARKS ON LEGS!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8pNRvqTaCJ89aPruRYABwrUH-DsG8qU9FoVmTefIRrdY3KGSrN7GNHEfE148d0euFfg7i7hzNHeMiRYCrq23d1DBBMAS6VrmiOLRbw8D4ZIRPm6yfiHaXmtviv7f-05LRajdHFl6qLQ/s1600/SAM_0612+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8pNRvqTaCJ89aPruRYABwrUH-DsG8qU9FoVmTefIRrdY3KGSrN7GNHEfE148d0euFfg7i7hzNHeMiRYCrq23d1DBBMAS6VrmiOLRbw8D4ZIRPm6yfiHaXmtviv7f-05LRajdHFl6qLQ/s320/SAM_0612+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Slightly out of the remit for this here Blog but please indulge me.<br />
It was a case of love at first sight when this appeared in 2000AD - big first panel kicking off some joyous imagination and bampot notions taking me right back to the early days of the Prog, Action, and a whole slew of early 70's titles when an ordinary, real life thing or situation is given a fantasy/SF angle.<br />
And that's classic Dredd to just dispatch the threat so cooly.<br />
And that caption is right up there with the classic "please let me drown before the Giant Scorpions get me".<br />
So, love at first sight.<br />
I got in touch with Carl, just on the off-chance that he might still have it, expecting the answer "no".<br />
Stunned then when he said that, yes, he did.<br />
And it became mine within a few days :)<br />
Lovely piece of work - A3 with very fine linework. The backgrounds are missing out of a couple of the lower panels as Carl added them in Photoshop.<br />
That don't matter not a jot - i've got sharks on legs and i'm a happy bunny ;) <br />
<br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-36506227386672393272015-03-13T08:22:00.000-07:002015-03-13T08:22:18.504-07:00Starlord issue 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAVrp_HCxoxsBztN_9QFvIsXwjZg8JSTPnFHJPgsBS0fD6KKuL1wUSMefIiAaSescD11-J05egxEr-06UoT72fwMGI-ZT24CkTaBOqsqSTQhUHTpmYqKBMF_t-V3hLZ2v55L5zUhJkOE/s1600/SDC10671+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAVrp_HCxoxsBztN_9QFvIsXwjZg8JSTPnFHJPgsBS0fD6KKuL1wUSMefIiAaSescD11-J05egxEr-06UoT72fwMGI-ZT24CkTaBOqsqSTQhUHTpmYqKBMF_t-V3hLZ2v55L5zUhJkOE/s320/SDC10671+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
For my next dip i'm going almost to the end of the school years remit for this site, only two months before i left school.<br />
So, issue 2 of Starlord and we've an odd cover - the Timequake figures at the bottom are certainly by Brian Bolland, but the Droon up top? Sure not his style at all.<br />
Anyway, turn the page and we've got the first episode of "Mind Wars". I've gone on record as not being a fan of this strip, but the stunning art of Redondo makes it a must-read. Its a bit of an odd introduction to a hero twins - she's bathing ina very Forbidden Planet-style rock pool affair and her brother gallantly turns away as his sister emerges. This is very unusual for a strip of the time, to have actual nudity. I wonder if that was in the strip, or something Redondo came up with?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2tW43HL-JEUXUDUNLmYpsiBtQB4_mGAJjM4Hh7C9IyKR2I05SlChBG1-_Tml897AQDrEIZxiB4kBOwPQBs7uHALjQFufKW4igYvBwb-L7O0xqAiiKWM9H5dmPGXBKTJZKd2AoCW6RYU/s1600/SDC10672+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2tW43HL-JEUXUDUNLmYpsiBtQB4_mGAJjM4Hh7C9IyKR2I05SlChBG1-_Tml897AQDrEIZxiB4kBOwPQBs7uHALjQFufKW4igYvBwb-L7O0xqAiiKWM9H5dmPGXBKTJZKd2AoCW6RYU/s320/SDC10672+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
After that, we get a break-neck 4 pages of action depicting their parents murder, their abducution, their ship crashing, and their powers manifesting. Phew! Exhausting stuff, with superlative art:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbeiH84u091MwNG2hI-l0Yft22QNf88Fm7l2zls-LhmV3WUr7MExOxvRi5ZBiihYR8Hai7M4K6ATqve4HcucFN9TTE_C4Nf-pWMHbrramqVMNtndRfiq4WWzvAstj_7r6HCIMAQ2tp7c/s1600/SDC10673+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbeiH84u091MwNG2hI-l0Yft22QNf88Fm7l2zls-LhmV3WUr7MExOxvRi5ZBiihYR8Hai7M4K6ATqve4HcucFN9TTE_C4Nf-pWMHbrramqVMNtndRfiq4WWzvAstj_7r6HCIMAQ2tp7c/s320/SDC10673+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55EhryDuNz_lY9FqxZfW8F3jb1jwIZglPir0JrVBznF-njp8H-_CBriiCqx7fq3O8OVDHi-AIB5Urtt5twFDEqIL3XadNzTYFBtvA5SphvkTwOktZZmG5R0ZTVTavwtqtx2mu9MNp5Lw/s1600/SDC10674+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55EhryDuNz_lY9FqxZfW8F3jb1jwIZglPir0JrVBznF-njp8H-_CBriiCqx7fq3O8OVDHi-AIB5Urtt5twFDEqIL3XadNzTYFBtvA5SphvkTwOktZZmG5R0ZTVTavwtqtx2mu9MNp5Lw/s320/SDC10674+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
We've next got "Timequake" with, bless him, the recently departed John Cooper on art duties. Quite a neat premise but hampered by having such a dunderhead as Blocker for the hero - him twigging they've started the Great Fire Of London is a classic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1LaJtn6N9A_5kZ5bFzblBGZ5dvvRc_eA4UAu1zF49fvpLKr6coboIOEVsuMs0x8aM_7gDPcknp3-ni3CH3gMWWcHciZUxBm4GVrvSenCO3ZwLQ1MbZVQRV4_SIcrD6tPnM31kKWWrNo/s1600/SDC10675+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1LaJtn6N9A_5kZ5bFzblBGZ5dvvRc_eA4UAu1zF49fvpLKr6coboIOEVsuMs0x8aM_7gDPcknp3-ni3CH3gMWWcHciZUxBm4GVrvSenCO3ZwLQ1MbZVQRV4_SIcrD6tPnM31kKWWrNo/s320/SDC10675+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuXI17XyiHTctws7q0A4x2FrzbCDiaRzp9PO5bzvVHFhhm2voWjl2NL7SeADRE5ifpZi_6dk6FgDjakrkQoTSox2OH_q77WjldQg4LICFwpvXUQLbZ7xT7JL72RXz5fpYbmzydEH893k/s1600/SDC10676+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuXI17XyiHTctws7q0A4x2FrzbCDiaRzp9PO5bzvVHFhhm2voWjl2NL7SeADRE5ifpZi_6dk6FgDjakrkQoTSox2OH_q77WjldQg4LICFwpvXUQLbZ7xT7JL72RXz5fpYbmzydEH893k/s320/SDC10676+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
"Strontium Dog" next and nothing more to say on that other than it was a bona-fide classic from the get-go, with a firing on all cylinders Carlos Ezquerra, complete with lovely garish 70's colouring:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXRICLGKrZRKgamPONivoyBH9RGXYR8XF2MxsxhxUmY-f-75jaG7uKirlab0SxVb1muR74Xblq_V2E-tb51GTn8dASppXBWcKeU238JUJudrB8zhnTUk1Ikh0wivxQ9Wn1av9R2HOVUM/s1600/SDC10677+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXRICLGKrZRKgamPONivoyBH9RGXYR8XF2MxsxhxUmY-f-75jaG7uKirlab0SxVb1muR74Xblq_V2E-tb51GTn8dASppXBWcKeU238JUJudrB8zhnTUk1Ikh0wivxQ9Wn1av9R2HOVUM/s320/SDC10677+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And then we're on to "Planet Of The Damned," I LOVED this strip and i really don't understand why its not mentioned more. Fantastic art from Pena, with a real nasty edge to it - this could've been in Action two years before.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0B8HsknP5KhInMZv-CaVHaQSuYes0s7YJnwvel_w8pJvqVIx6hAuIl0aB-zJcQ2D1XQ5r9RPuTHDKUSOonRmGAM-x25bdNrBYzmUd6PklOBulsKQTnbBQN5O21gwQcH6_fZ_-uivm28/s1600/SDC10678+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0B8HsknP5KhInMZv-CaVHaQSuYes0s7YJnwvel_w8pJvqVIx6hAuIl0aB-zJcQ2D1XQ5r9RPuTHDKUSOonRmGAM-x25bdNrBYzmUd6PklOBulsKQTnbBQN5O21gwQcH6_fZ_-uivm28/s320/SDC10678+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Finishing off, the superb "Ro-Busters" and this issue is noticble for me for two things - this shot of the Preying Mantis being attended to by Maintenance Droids, and the very first glimpse at Hammerstiens first head, pretty different to what we're used to it looking like:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oQsLUu4X_p1XQ2sgbhztx40ofCzYe2ahtDOFRHmlgEHGmFpPpAN4nkwboWw1KBV8pFG_vnYETP-SGUk9Dvv7dY9Be03vzxFuZpiESxoEUUdgO5IA0gjJ3BIdIHQu3ioxvVpMupkxyzs/s1600/SDC10679+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oQsLUu4X_p1XQ2sgbhztx40ofCzYe2ahtDOFRHmlgEHGmFpPpAN4nkwboWw1KBV8pFG_vnYETP-SGUk9Dvv7dY9Be03vzxFuZpiESxoEUUdgO5IA0gjJ3BIdIHQu3ioxvVpMupkxyzs/s320/SDC10679+(2).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWc9RrTAjpEzsAVIUDMBOuUD5qkCYvQzHHW72PzsUrHpjYVopN2-bcjHjR4E9U1ymywMdCFnHYeWWiRNWL_7duPHoV3ERhzhms_SQchl54GqSzfs82W2csDUfXqUsQrd-ikLfAao1Onk/s1600/SDC10680+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWc9RrTAjpEzsAVIUDMBOuUD5qkCYvQzHHW72PzsUrHpjYVopN2-bcjHjR4E9U1ymywMdCFnHYeWWiRNWL_7duPHoV3ERhzhms_SQchl54GqSzfs82W2csDUfXqUsQrd-ikLfAao1Onk/s320/SDC10680+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
"AIEEEE!" WATCH:<br />
Despite quite a few deaths this issue, none.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-81474231108553505922015-02-24T12:25:00.001-08:002015-02-24T12:25:35.605-08:00RIP John CooperAnd another childhood hero leaves us.<br />
So long John, thanks for your body of work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEt0XNRD4VLw1Gi2xz7rgSL_xN4HmPocOXQrDZM8exrMooZY7UXw7QZhqQA0mMYaHtAPk4s7AcJnDVzYnqoOefDL9s8KNTSVjhLRZkvO-pR5jWiov7XZU90fgJAopHI9B2SxRzzE4xzo/s1600/174.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEt0XNRD4VLw1Gi2xz7rgSL_xN4HmPocOXQrDZM8exrMooZY7UXw7QZhqQA0mMYaHtAPk4s7AcJnDVzYnqoOefDL9s8KNTSVjhLRZkvO-pR5jWiov7XZU90fgJAopHI9B2SxRzzE4xzo/s320/174.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-78283907037820886072015-02-18T01:53:00.001-08:002015-02-18T01:53:30.545-08:00Ro-Busters re-created.Clint Langley was at a Con i went to on Sunday and he had a bunch of ABC Warriors pages for sale.<br />
So loads to choose from, but how could i resist this, a brilliant re-creation of the very first panel of the very first episode of Ro-Busters?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QQfJgMoKG2zQEhps_hcWlkE0FeIqqWfJZZpGUIwsQGHGNoeINGoKUOUy3_SeVbmlZsCjw-0YlTuxB3wMPk-ovBdGYWhxwlvbJzODV1ON5QvKuPnU__J8wd8rSGS5Zp4nQFB1n6GErro/s1600/SAM_0565+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QQfJgMoKG2zQEhps_hcWlkE0FeIqqWfJZZpGUIwsQGHGNoeINGoKUOUy3_SeVbmlZsCjw-0YlTuxB3wMPk-ovBdGYWhxwlvbJzODV1ON5QvKuPnU__J8wd8rSGS5Zp4nQFB1n6GErro/s320/SAM_0565+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6peHay-PLdeKzYpOHRr0mTUOkLPCuDNjeXBvsPPwV9oApvj0JrfSf1KediAko8QDsitD30Q2-_cWV1Ji0GABDF1B11osymp5-CJLaelj91yGFITr-fgxTNiP8EZ4aHj_id0uaP8kG3a0/s1600/SDC10569+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6peHay-PLdeKzYpOHRr0mTUOkLPCuDNjeXBvsPPwV9oApvj0JrfSf1KediAko8QDsitD30Q2-_cWV1Ji0GABDF1B11osymp5-CJLaelj91yGFITr-fgxTNiP8EZ4aHj_id0uaP8kG3a0/s320/SDC10569+(2).jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-28229678632612424142015-02-08T22:02:00.000-08:002015-02-08T22:02:03.594-08:00HURRY UP NOVEMBER!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9H33gyZTd8AnrxVUVWG2IKsPjmWGq9QIXWVJuBAxNske58EGRYIL8JJAtH2HRx6L87I_FTyzmjznxLvr6ztuxI0eXG-K0twMpId7gMqY-7p5BFgDCNMgqt4x6Ar-s3488IA6ZT8t5nA/s1600/10155644_10152605408021366_6162554677724191956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9H33gyZTd8AnrxVUVWG2IKsPjmWGq9QIXWVJuBAxNske58EGRYIL8JJAtH2HRx6L87I_FTyzmjznxLvr6ztuxI0eXG-K0twMpId7gMqY-7p5BFgDCNMgqt4x6Ar-s3488IA6ZT8t5nA/s320/10155644_10152605408021366_6162554677724191956_n.jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-61326899779709605182015-01-24T00:36:00.000-08:002015-01-24T00:36:22.662-08:00Action 7th August 1976 - vicious<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL47fvdfMCSt-3B_72xUaWPW9XL8PvjlEk4D26ChVVT6WdhcgwwbAVexDq1vIQuiLA2M1Len732rm4Zxt_nZIdpwztNrGx1isTw3nPMwlRBx4UvpOsEuifTQ-Hthu4edCQb2O7fDvRrQE/s1600/SDC10386+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL47fvdfMCSt-3B_72xUaWPW9XL8PvjlEk4D26ChVVT6WdhcgwwbAVexDq1vIQuiLA2M1Len732rm4Zxt_nZIdpwztNrGx1isTw3nPMwlRBx4UvpOsEuifTQ-Hthu4edCQb2O7fDvRrQE/s320/SDC10386+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
We all know Action, yes? We all know about the thrills and the violence and the, er, action and how great and groundbreaking and different it was.<br />
Well, i've just gotten this issue to fill in my collection and re-read it for the first time in nigh-on 39 years and was quite taken aback at just how nasty and vicious some of the strips were.<br />
Now, i'm no prude, you'll know if you've been here for a while what a fan i am of the comic and how it pushed all the right buttons for me back then, and to this day. But here, it just doesn't have the excellence of past issues and seems to be focussing on the outrageous over originality.<br />
Lets look at some cases in point.<br />
After the glorious cover we go straight into "Dredger" and here he is being briefed by his M-style boss, who's hidden in the shadows in a very Blofield way. I don't remember him, nor him being hidden like that and i don't know if anything ever came of it but, really, that fact and the novelty of the speech balloons with their straight lined tops and bottoms really are the best things about the strip:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn-vZOM1MihmKRlFg3fOtucGbvQL2EBoy1vPk_PFyxGmLF0dzXHxYuXJ8vwlosTycS1oWJAK3u_qJvx4cB8t1eTfjfyUG-Nfb66EWwj9sGeIJk4lb1RDYkNOzFS36O8vtf7iJtdgkjZQ/s1600/SDC10387+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn-vZOM1MihmKRlFg3fOtucGbvQL2EBoy1vPk_PFyxGmLF0dzXHxYuXJ8vwlosTycS1oWJAK3u_qJvx4cB8t1eTfjfyUG-Nfb66EWwj9sGeIJk4lb1RDYkNOzFS36O8vtf7iJtdgkjZQ/s320/SDC10387+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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Its some piffle about a US politician setting up another politician for a fall, which Dredger susses out really quickly and could've arrested the crokk pretty easily. Instead we get a couple of innocent CIA men killed for just doing their jobs and the baddie is dispensed with thus at a function:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZzKVxp5lDjc7RvhSoXtG7QeZEmq35k58nGgClcSK6GouyXIZdWZziFV3gGufwDVl7P_F6D_XROBCRoLqs1cLfwsEuDFmOhHxwiIakFP1JVBpqMy8eTjWDByysHtRwhXdfQTHjPJcSHw/s1600/SDC10388+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZzKVxp5lDjc7RvhSoXtG7QeZEmq35k58nGgClcSK6GouyXIZdWZziFV3gGufwDVl7P_F6D_XROBCRoLqs1cLfwsEuDFmOhHxwiIakFP1JVBpqMy8eTjWDByysHtRwhXdfQTHjPJcSHw/s320/SDC10388+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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Next up is "Greene's Grudge War" and its the usual thing for boys comics of the time, the hook of the story being played out exactly the same each week slightly differently. So we get, yet again, Greene seething over Bold, trying to do something to set him up for a fall and failing. But the artwork by Belardinelli is his usual top-notch work:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-oNkkFN0OkRLlwHED6dHJ5AMPsy0khchLSQALuNINFAcEnDj9H74WJIZjDGgEpF9cuaqKYIV6TVPOtxxUgdymzt5UfYqudPilwfh3TTpzfvHFx9nyV4sBgX7Psw3nTDoo126a1hLEAA/s1600/SDC10390+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-oNkkFN0OkRLlwHED6dHJ5AMPsy0khchLSQALuNINFAcEnDj9H74WJIZjDGgEpF9cuaqKYIV6TVPOtxxUgdymzt5UfYqudPilwfh3TTpzfvHFx9nyV4sBgX7Psw3nTDoo126a1hLEAA/s320/SDC10390+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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"Hell's Highway" was the usual plod, with standard action scenes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rPG0dI4J9dI_sA5H8dlYIE0p2mzBeXzWyex1ZnQAc86smkFvDBu2C0eEQntpFbZs-TWtvP-pHv_Ammu_lXzhoTgvCyYdBWmtQaezYnGJr4OPh1A72L4ULgfi2vvGulxP9s7cfSqXhYE/s1600/SDC10391+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rPG0dI4J9dI_sA5H8dlYIE0p2mzBeXzWyex1ZnQAc86smkFvDBu2C0eEQntpFbZs-TWtvP-pHv_Ammu_lXzhoTgvCyYdBWmtQaezYnGJr4OPh1A72L4ULgfi2vvGulxP9s7cfSqXhYE/s320/SDC10391+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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And then we get to the centre colour pages and "Hookjaw" and unfortunately we're in the middle of the island resort story. Which not only means rubbish story, but truly rubbish art. Still, we do have a bonkers moment, with a lovely panel being my highlight of the issue - the bloke who's made a remote control, full size, great white shark (as you do) swims out to try and stop Hookjaw eating it (why would he?) and lovingly gives the dorsal fin a cuddle:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_MgLxFQqE7tFQao1E4dqqKhB5tAOLnucbk0h1awcaw3xBsjhpXDcjsyvSqtBBZMVyQxOkBFKlGbKFhFPt1aIM2zkX21E3saVppV9QcUrMr_G7ZTk_mnKlNeOywnCIfYvsHBEMcKNXzI/s1600/SDC10392+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_MgLxFQqE7tFQao1E4dqqKhB5tAOLnucbk0h1awcaw3xBsjhpXDcjsyvSqtBBZMVyQxOkBFKlGbKFhFPt1aIM2zkX21E3saVppV9QcUrMr_G7ZTk_mnKlNeOywnCIfYvsHBEMcKNXzI/s320/SDC10392+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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Next we have "Hellman". This used to be my second favourite strip, but that was when we had fantastic art by the like of Mike Dorey on it. But such talent has long gone and, boy, does it show.<br />
Anyway, we have another staple of boys comics here, a plot device crudely dropped in at the start which you just know (even as a nipper) will be important later on. In this case, the Nazi's lovingly looking after their flag:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEp9GPVCzKnabJxv8ByIzhNOKa2cR6F4tiK06nSYuIacb_VCp13mtCEZwOJ0Nq1DHOb0xt28Qg9dsYezCQ_lnst-m8ojXNchdZ1i8N2ZcxsMm6muSKN-N6ujoqv97Q-RqeEIHcojLHFA/s1600/SDC10393+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEp9GPVCzKnabJxv8ByIzhNOKa2cR6F4tiK06nSYuIacb_VCp13mtCEZwOJ0Nq1DHOb0xt28Qg9dsYezCQ_lnst-m8ojXNchdZ1i8N2ZcxsMm6muSKN-N6ujoqv97Q-RqeEIHcojLHFA/s320/SDC10393+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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As i say, decent art had long gone by now. The splash page made a big deal about which of the three types of tank will be victorious in the battle, but just look at what we get for tanks - all three types just look like shoeboxes with guns stuck on. Go back and compare with the Belardinelli page for a contrast:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjrQwDQlzhdtPS1YXk-wwixArILSWMUYAIEyGm2P_ctaMeXwyGAffXRFYT4TVmQUdtvUMxeibS9yU2VMuK3XbordJF9ji__7bXumXbZZBugAWqOgkbGlc00K4z_vec9kOz8UJzFVUerU/s1600/SDC10394+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjrQwDQlzhdtPS1YXk-wwixArILSWMUYAIEyGm2P_ctaMeXwyGAffXRFYT4TVmQUdtvUMxeibS9yU2VMuK3XbordJF9ji__7bXumXbZZBugAWqOgkbGlc00K4z_vec9kOz8UJzFVUerU/s320/SDC10394+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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When we get further into the story, the unpleasentness is back - tank crews being burnt alive:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAqNYeJchwXK4sSRkWnqUpWJvzu0njdKaStNjTKUnf3xlgKqsXl7byx_3X-gKmIzYBglfUE5MXNAhl89FIIPQ3BTXyrFwNGPyR49wfyjALiVOhpCG7gQPMz_68f4bEtAhRkuEXdQuv6I/s1600/SDC10395+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAqNYeJchwXK4sSRkWnqUpWJvzu0njdKaStNjTKUnf3xlgKqsXl7byx_3X-gKmIzYBglfUE5MXNAhl89FIIPQ3BTXyrFwNGPyR49wfyjALiVOhpCG7gQPMz_68f4bEtAhRkuEXdQuv6I/s320/SDC10395+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzD7E-tlqTumj_dOJLcScW0c81_RTdovLndlw6G0-Yj5m2FQJ5t5nZXKJ7D-b1MKfBVxnRmDtzOMoWZfQAsep5ZfTcH6FP52q0Q3b9w7BPZ_uRlC0tz_H8BhP8M2hsZCPMtpf__PppoE/s1600/SDC10396+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzD7E-tlqTumj_dOJLcScW0c81_RTdovLndlw6G0-Yj5m2FQJ5t5nZXKJ7D-b1MKfBVxnRmDtzOMoWZfQAsep5ZfTcH6FP52q0Q3b9w7BPZ_uRlC0tz_H8BhP8M2hsZCPMtpf__PppoE/s320/SDC10396+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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And, wouldn't you know it, the petrol-sodden SS flag being useful by being thrown on the flamethrower unit to burn them alive too:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggyCZXclBmbTNj-qQ-VXqtNyJjOgsa26yBrkFHgVw4ErFAxn1kIPxKJFtS1vPElaqrvmgM7ZBmlVRCY4CY8_vkjtpGfg6cKa5C0la2FHz1jzSkXdCdU4eYyNDVfpkWfp3MIG3P5jgdlY/s1600/SDC10397+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggyCZXclBmbTNj-qQ-VXqtNyJjOgsa26yBrkFHgVw4ErFAxn1kIPxKJFtS1vPElaqrvmgM7ZBmlVRCY4CY8_vkjtpGfg6cKa5C0la2FHz1jzSkXdCdU4eYyNDVfpkWfp3MIG3P5jgdlY/s320/SDC10397+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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The violence is even in "Look Out For Lefty", where the football is being used like a guided missle:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGSNelXX02HMJO9BGNBbeSqSqC7bALmHCkyARtwDpyjKzR4DzzeOybgwhatRy3KTIlMoxU9auUXI6nprfHXBF3NlPNp0Qza1SwtUMAvAuvRo9mnYcFr1tuc8AsS5uM63anB6iBE0yusk/s1600/SDC10398+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGSNelXX02HMJO9BGNBbeSqSqC7bALmHCkyARtwDpyjKzR4DzzeOybgwhatRy3KTIlMoxU9auUXI6nprfHXBF3NlPNp0Qza1SwtUMAvAuvRo9mnYcFr1tuc8AsS5uM63anB6iBE0yusk/s320/SDC10398+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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But the issue ends on a quirky note - if you've ever wondered what a badly damaged cyborg sounds like as he limps away, now you know, courtesy of "Death Game 1999":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G6ekK7qgL61WjbNQ1BmSGTKP8rLOSY0vKjcIa-kUbdk44QyXfBDovmN_x5jTskp9yTC8BkbtO0eoALdSkVLlLAcjdI26d8Na-0oAMiZMVJ6nroqs6vsSxDAFQw5SmmNSjcGlx0hp8Nc/s1600/SDC10399+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G6ekK7qgL61WjbNQ1BmSGTKP8rLOSY0vKjcIa-kUbdk44QyXfBDovmN_x5jTskp9yTC8BkbtO0eoALdSkVLlLAcjdI26d8Na-0oAMiZMVJ6nroqs6vsSxDAFQw5SmmNSjcGlx0hp8Nc/s320/SDC10399+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
So, a strange old issue then, would've been a pretty duff one if it wasn't for Massimo's art and the guy hugging a fin.<br />
<br />
"AIEEEE!" WATCH:<br />
An elongated "AIEEEEEE!" from the Nazi tank and again from under the burning flag in "Hellman".<br />
The almost there "AWWWWEEEEEE!" from Rico the Cyborg in "Death Game 1999".<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-90882806250430712692015-01-12T05:25:00.000-08:002015-01-12T12:02:20.939-08:00Lion and Thunder 24th July 1971 - educational<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAW2UJ_EiMhAqnflGbZ1NpZQMN6GFHenpzOO6TgrDixsqt8yPXpvpC6ALIaMqeFaYAu1qoRTt6Mfy3NE3yF-DI6RdnEW3pPR_v0ySxzvVIfEBDiWbYvX0aa_eOkSb81Ambqu5evbOZc-s/s1600/SDC10304+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAW2UJ_EiMhAqnflGbZ1NpZQMN6GFHenpzOO6TgrDixsqt8yPXpvpC6ALIaMqeFaYAu1qoRTt6Mfy3NE3yF-DI6RdnEW3pPR_v0ySxzvVIfEBDiWbYvX0aa_eOkSb81Ambqu5evbOZc-s/s320/SDC10304+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Lion and Thunders cover feature of "The Mighty Ones" featuring all manner of massive, gigantic, impressive and, er, mighty things now turns to the shrew.<br />
Yep, the humble shrew. Words like massive, mighty and impressive don't exactly spring to mind when considering the lil' fella but, according to this cover, if one was tiger sized it would be the most feared and ferocious animal on the planet.<br />
Really?<br />
Well, yes - apparently not only does it have a "shark jaw", it can eat an animal ten times its size and eats more than its own body weight every day.<br />
Turning the cover stunned from that revelation, nothing else really matches.<br />
Black Max is a bit of a so-so episode, but we do get one of those classic pages with a massive amount going on in each panel of the page, along with a terrific portrait of Max, clearly showing his Boris Karloff insperation:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zNMMu3UDG0TopGI1Wol-mOS8YDzQldYIPkAoKTm0x1agBqkIdVCpb1_wvfuwJBd2PHYGTu0B3LykdubQeowrRVPoN27OyQ-mQ4XOlXe3_0ZKZ3-b5bVrBnf4jXTHUnt1L6XJFLhJwbQ/s1600/SDC10305+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zNMMu3UDG0TopGI1Wol-mOS8YDzQldYIPkAoKTm0x1agBqkIdVCpb1_wvfuwJBd2PHYGTu0B3LykdubQeowrRVPoN27OyQ-mQ4XOlXe3_0ZKZ3-b5bVrBnf4jXTHUnt1L6XJFLhJwbQ/s320/SDC10305+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAuyfOz8aj5J2ea3qgTunZbpFTfnxsvmJo90ZS0Y_NB2cmK8KQEH6Jd3-alLk7-Q_q_Bj8y_7m7_DPcwf65fSeHy7B3RaMv0aRtPIXj_WSxtEosFqoG4rfr561XCImL1MmOf9j_Qd85w/s1600/SDC10306+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAuyfOz8aj5J2ea3qgTunZbpFTfnxsvmJo90ZS0Y_NB2cmK8KQEH6Jd3-alLk7-Q_q_Bj8y_7m7_DPcwf65fSeHy7B3RaMv0aRtPIXj_WSxtEosFqoG4rfr561XCImL1MmOf9j_Qd85w/s320/SDC10306+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Adam Eterno starts off with the Big Guy landing in the time of the Caveman, finding it out by being flattened by a mammoth:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjdG_2vRuFsbv7BLJn_JS1tZUAtlUCye7YHv16y60AIRRctpe7L0SKJ3-Y0ohDtG_V0BuPwtLZWpxfYpJQS8CFwQiPQDgvpCB1t3i2woYtm6JVMfqyQ6ElSX_u1k5UYmSNrqiFJtpUeY/s1600/SDC10307+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjdG_2vRuFsbv7BLJn_JS1tZUAtlUCye7YHv16y60AIRRctpe7L0SKJ3-Y0ohDtG_V0BuPwtLZWpxfYpJQS8CFwQiPQDgvpCB1t3i2woYtm6JVMfqyQ6ElSX_u1k5UYmSNrqiFJtpUeY/s320/SDC10307+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And for three pages we get the standard routine of Adam taking sides in two warring factions, but now with more bear skins, and looks like it will play out in the usual manner we've become accustomed to.<br />
Except at the end of page three, the bad clan pull laser guns and start mowing folk down. Adam might be a bit dim but recognises a "ray gun" when he sees one and, turning the page, we find out why - aliens are behind it all. For me, this is the first time a SF concept has featured in Adam Eterno other than the time travelling angle, and it'll be interesting to see where this story goes and if its a one-off.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd60FD22MigenP-bGKUDf_nfXpyY8cwdtSXFDK3GKA2EE3eVGTO0sLny5qxCx0tYuLqq_aJnJE8tcERtFTsvT8wYLWGsah5F-XyUOv-XVQZYSIJNOcjh-WtaEdTTjh8XjuhEl6-2nz-U/s1600/SDC10309+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd60FD22MigenP-bGKUDf_nfXpyY8cwdtSXFDK3GKA2EE3eVGTO0sLny5qxCx0tYuLqq_aJnJE8tcERtFTsvT8wYLWGsah5F-XyUOv-XVQZYSIJNOcjh-WtaEdTTjh8XjuhEl6-2nz-U/s320/SDC10309+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
"AIEEEE!" WATCH: Finally! A not-quite-there "AAIEE!" from a right drama queen of a caveman, who expells it at the sight of the mammoth landing on our hero.<br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-62724720110874551132014-12-05T06:03:00.001-08:002014-12-05T06:03:37.963-08:00Black Max loses, Adam Eterno wins.<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103662_zpsec34c997.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103662_zpsec34c997.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Lion & Thunder, 22nd May 1971.<br />
Again, a pretty duff episode of Black Max - lots of taking off, landing and taking off again, with not much else. Apart from the fantastic notion yet again, done with seemingly no sense of irony whatsoever, of Max storing his massive Giant Bat in the very slim, narrow rear fuselage:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103672_zps5623ce2f.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103672_zps5623ce2f.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The rest of the issue has the customary for the period titles: "Carson's Cubs", "Spellbinder", "Fury's Family" etc, and sometimes there's something in them to make me take note, but not here.<br />
Not the case with "Adam "Eterno" - a terrific mid tale episode that finds the fella in 11th century Europe, falling off a cliff after being shot in the leg by a golden arrow. Being helped by a boy living out in the woods, he learns that the area is being stricken by more and more savage wolves, with tales of a man leading them.<br />
We then get this fantastic two panel study of Adam, possibly the best i've ever come across, where the penny starts to drop for the guy - can you guess where this story might be leading?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103682_zpsa0536ff5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103682_zpsa0536ff5.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Next up, we get some just stunning black and white, dead moody artwork along the way to the patently obvious who is the bad guy cliff-hanger, which has the very rare sight of Adam being threatened by a non-gold menace:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103702_zps12d21add.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/Mangamax/SDC103702_zps12d21add.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
"AIEEEE!" WATCH = Still nothing<br />
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Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-7582355684867640812014-12-03T04:58:00.002-08:002014-12-03T04:58:21.538-08:00Thunder - 12th December 1970 - Black Max revisited<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboLL1Ko_1rxCJFOSdK2WIRJjOpiEPqk8ChBjgN3sIFoUk9hLL98I9u0Yz38Jl1tisqz5YHghBflPuhyphenhyphenhoQ24SXdQ3j8tYne8QcEqUORn2Gr682B7ZYo_eVe-On4WxQi3ERn_9u5MSyNY/s1600/SDC10354+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboLL1Ko_1rxCJFOSdK2WIRJjOpiEPqk8ChBjgN3sIFoUk9hLL98I9u0Yz38Jl1tisqz5YHghBflPuhyphenhyphenhoQ24SXdQ3j8tYne8QcEqUORn2Gr682B7ZYo_eVe-On4WxQi3ERn_9u5MSyNY/s320/SDC10354+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Okay, here we go again back with the Bad Boy, and really the only thing that looks like reading in this issue.<br />
And even then, Black Max isn't exactly up to scratch - four pages given over to Max pining that his Bat is wounded and in no fit state to go after the cursed Wilson, Wilson pining that he can't find Max, while a crashed German airmen discovers the Bat, gets shot by Max for discovering it, is witnessed by Wilson, who goes back to his base and nicks a bomber to return and kill them both.<br />
The above reads more exciting than it actually is.<br />
Biggest thing of note, is this strange depiction of the Bat's face - its gone from that long, almost cat/bat-like appearance, to something more real bat-like.<br />
AIEEEE!-WATCH = Zero.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesGOmwvQET5TqF3Y6E0X7aWIFCVSfuabCGBIMGeG3EvZbm67JgqlxjeqaJuOGsicLedb7P6RZJjsaiPAAlS75w8iD_bUyRKmfzOMrKrFDQ9lZE1nZcZ6brEgLQBsvoIBRQVeuRJbzrZ0/s1600/SDC10355+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesGOmwvQET5TqF3Y6E0X7aWIFCVSfuabCGBIMGeG3EvZbm67JgqlxjeqaJuOGsicLedb7P6RZJjsaiPAAlS75w8iD_bUyRKmfzOMrKrFDQ9lZE1nZcZ6brEgLQBsvoIBRQVeuRJbzrZ0/s320/SDC10355+(2).jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-39740138799644148252014-11-26T05:46:00.000-08:002014-11-26T05:46:11.012-08:00A Thundering returnPaid a visit to always rather lovely 30th Century Comics in Putney on Saturday, while on a weekend in London.<br />
Went there with an express aim to fill in some more gaps in my ongoing quest to have the whole saga of "Black Max".<br />
So, came back with this Thunder from 1970 and three Lion & Thunders from '72, and looking forward to returning to the fella, checking out "Adam Eterno" and seeing what else these issues have to offer.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxrZ3J2ve7mPWD7APPX-tFBaEaxkLfvYMpoIwMAXffzc_ef5Zmsi9GmF1QzqSJ2y7azROFOe28lJezBkp3QgxGSP2Iifn4TSY1RVHHeef0nWN8964Upr6m1_sLMNM3PdCE5JyrA9jEBE/s1600/SDC10322+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxrZ3J2ve7mPWD7APPX-tFBaEaxkLfvYMpoIwMAXffzc_ef5Zmsi9GmF1QzqSJ2y7azROFOe28lJezBkp3QgxGSP2Iifn4TSY1RVHHeef0nWN8964Upr6m1_sLMNM3PdCE5JyrA9jEBE/s320/SDC10322+(2).jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094980596084896498.post-48522487967800189422014-03-05T13:17:00.005-08:002014-03-05T13:17:49.331-08:00Pow! Annual 1968<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pv2D_y5VOI9C9y3NPlDx-TqGvFRyfvRxgi3iF25RmvJvc5vDUwESRKBAwuwGCA8V2o3Ve-YWXLIYLwzg4c0NgkQmtpX1oF6JyGbELCPJPlM1s2_phdxr7FXGI22Q7WXzksFlClmMG0k/s1600/SDC14008+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pv2D_y5VOI9C9y3NPlDx-TqGvFRyfvRxgi3iF25RmvJvc5vDUwESRKBAwuwGCA8V2o3Ve-YWXLIYLwzg4c0NgkQmtpX1oF6JyGbELCPJPlM1s2_phdxr7FXGI22Q7WXzksFlClmMG0k/s320/SDC14008+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Thought i'd take a punt on an annual that i don't remember to see if there were any hidden gems to surprise and delight me.<br />
Wish i'd not bothered with this one.<br />
The original, UK sourced strips were pretty darn forgettable, with characters that aren't mentioned really these days - and you can see why.<br />
Of real interest though are the US reprints, including this Spider-man strip, in very basic colours, that i remember from my Mighty World Of Marvel days:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIW_7XxHuhyphenhyphen_cRY3uPk3Uzen3Aw2ahgZzh52WkvPRxmczQcmyyuD3rq18eQkksdUOkBd3l88q_NJFGGepw9rxCcQw65jt9gxnN4qPemsIkbvdBguM1Bnu89qZcwnjjhHWhhTg7iaPm6s/s1600/SDC14009+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIW_7XxHuhyphenhyphen_cRY3uPk3Uzen3Aw2ahgZzh52WkvPRxmczQcmyyuD3rq18eQkksdUOkBd3l88q_NJFGGepw9rxCcQw65jt9gxnN4qPemsIkbvdBguM1Bnu89qZcwnjjhHWhhTg7iaPm6s/s320/SDC14009+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And this Nick Fury, with appallingly garish colours:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKwrwRGOjqC0jLsRxXO8xRCoAJXNEWs6YiqwZc4E5kEX5krz6SvqDbgHW-p2A9Ue1-Pu7V7xOKPdvINSCPhYN1fM9OcI_ehARVqCy6rjqr68TLyMG92tIxT9x04PqtVthN4sBOQkaAjA/s1600/SDC14010+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKwrwRGOjqC0jLsRxXO8xRCoAJXNEWs6YiqwZc4E5kEX5krz6SvqDbgHW-p2A9Ue1-Pu7V7xOKPdvINSCPhYN1fM9OcI_ehARVqCy6rjqr68TLyMG92tIxT9x04PqtVthN4sBOQkaAjA/s320/SDC14010+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And this Fantastic Four episode, which again i remember from my MWOM days, but for some reason the colourist has decided to do the Thing in white. Odd. Its not like he didn't have orange - its there on the wall in the next panel:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhoFPaZ93FYxMvc9OxZpH7UwBtAnu1PkwjvK4KPkxYgyl8ElGROPJtBqXse_YWDOGUPW2apw8T8hjSWl70JcRW8BGGV8sHA_gi16Hd6wo7G7Ljo-rsLOq3haO61LyuKwc5m8ycF50YD4/s1600/SDC14011+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhoFPaZ93FYxMvc9OxZpH7UwBtAnu1PkwjvK4KPkxYgyl8ElGROPJtBqXse_YWDOGUPW2apw8T8hjSWl70JcRW8BGGV8sHA_gi16Hd6wo7G7Ljo-rsLOq3haO61LyuKwc5m8ycF50YD4/s320/SDC14011+(2).jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0