Excellent write up on Kamen Rider Black, but just one thing. It’s not a “Sentai series”. Sentai is for groups, most notably the Super Sentai in its various forms. The word itself means squadron, task force, and so on. So you wouldn’t apply it to Black. Henshin Hero is sometimes used for those solo characters who “henshin”, transform. Or even just “tokusatsu”, special effects, which is the overall genre for shows like Black, Super Sentai and co.

KAMEN RIDER BLACK

In the mid-1980s I was introduced to Japanese live action tokusatsu super hero series by my friend Frank Strom, who was already an avid follower of the genre. I tended to gravitate more to the single hero programs such as Space Sheriff Shaider or Metaldar than the team shows. And the best such show of … Continue reading KAMEN RIDER BLACK →

Great Covers – FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3

A precursor to the super-packed covers of George Perez, this Jack Kirby FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL cover promises an unending stream of colorful heroes and villains within the issue, practically every character that had been devised for the relatively-new Marvel line to date. The blurb at the center works like the target of a bullseye–you can’t … Continue reading Great Covers – FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3 →

Great Covers – DOOM PATROL #49

This Tom Taggart DOOM PATROL cover acutely sums up the dilemma of Cliff Steele, Robotman, in dramatic and novel fashion. Great design all through this piece, down to the relatively tiny logo popping beautifully against the white slice in the background, and the credits all being justified so that they fit in the same space.

Great Covers – BATMAN #29

Can you imagine seeing a cover like this Dick Sprang BATMAN piece on a comic book today? Rather than focusing on a perplexing crime, or a mission of vengeance, or an inescapable doom-trap, this cover instead concerns itself with Batman and Robin having fun by taking a ride on some 19th century-style bicycles. It’s a … Continue reading Great Covers – BATMAN #29 →

Great Covers – POLICE COMICS #27

Here’s a pretty novel POLICE COMICS cover by Jack Cole featuring Plastic Man and the Spirit. It’s novel in that it conceals the lead character completely in shadow, and lets his subterfuge of being a lamppost provide both the drama and the humor of the situation.

Great Covers – STRANGE ADVENTURES #79

How can you not want to read this issue of STRANGE ADVENTURES, thanks to it’s Gil Kane cover? It’s got aliens disguising themselves as anthropomorphic snowmen, complete with battered top hats and carrot noses, in order to conquer the world!

Great Covers – ACTION COMICS #361 Original Art

travisellisor: the cover to Action Comics #361 by Neal Adams

Your Electric Company story reminded me that my very first comic was Spidey Super Stories #2, Spidey vs Mr. Measles, which was based on one of the sketches on that show. Thanks for the great memories!

Great Covers – INCREDIBLE HULK VS SUPERMAN

A vibrant Steve Rude painted cover to the crossover INCREDIBLE HULK VS SUPERMAN. It’s designed just about perfectly, with the yellow burst of the background both silhouetting the characters and marking the point of impact where Superman has shattered the Hulk’s massive boulder. The only thing I don’t like on this one is the font … Continue reading Great Covers – INCREDIBLE HULK VS SUPERMAN →