This is a relatively effective cover for an issue of DETECTIVE COMICS in this period, even given that the series tended to look a bit antiquated when placed on the comic racks next to the other contemporary DC titles. That use of the close-up of the Robot Brain with Batman and Robin trapped inside it … Continue reading WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #324
Another post from my old Marvel blog in which I answer questions put to me by the readers. Reader Questions 10 September 28, 2009 | 1:00 AM | By Tom_Brevoort | In General Time to wrap up the last of our Reader Questions, and move on to something else in the days to come. >Any … Continue reading Blah Blah Blog – Reader Questions 10
Whoever was responsible for selecting which old Charlton comics would be reissued in the 3-Bags put out under the Modern Comics imprint made some baffling selections. Take JUDOMASTER for example. Modern reissues four issues of the series: #93, #94, #96 and #98. Why not consecutive issues? Who knows? It may have been that these were … Continue reading BHOC: JUDOMASTER #96
A few more excerpts from THE ART OF JOHN BYRNE, Volume One as published by Sal Quartuccio under his SQ Productions imprint. Byrne wouldn't begin working on Superman for six more years, and was thought of as a real true blue Marvel artist at the time, so this piece from the inside front cover was … Continue reading THE ART OF JOHN BYRNE, Part Two
A post from my ancient Marvel blog talking about the mistaken impression some readers occasionally have as to what contributes to the cover price for their comics. When More is Less October 1, 2009 | 1:00 AM | By Tom_Brevoort | In General There's an interesting quirk in the way people think where sometimes, more … Continue reading Blah Blah Blog – When More Is Less
This issue of JUDOMASTER was another of the books from the Charlton back catalog that Modern Comics reissued in the 1970s and sold three-to-a-bag through a network of discount department stores, supermarkets and the like. And it was another title that came into my possession during this time. I wasn't quite as crazy about Judomaster … Continue reading BHOC: JUDOMASTER #94
This particular issue of BATMAN was the only one I got in my Windfall Comics purchase of 1988 that featured editor Julie Schwartz's "New Look" revamp version of Batman and Robin. After years under former editor Jack Schiff and with sales dwindling, irwin Donenfeld shifted the Caped Crusader over to Schwartz's editorial control. Even at … Continue reading WC: BATMAN #167
A post from my old Marvel blog concerning the frequent fan impulse to label certain stories as "filler". I keep seeing the term "filler" applied to more and more individual comic books and stories in the chatter around the internet, and I have to say that I neither like it nor agree with the sentiments … Continue reading Blah Blah Blog – Filler
There were other comic books that I got in those Modern Comics 3-Bags as well as the aforementioned super hero titles. The company also reprinted a smattering of suspense, martial arts and heroic fiction books. And as you probably know by now if you've been reading this feature consistently, those were of only limited interest … Continue reading BHOC: HERCULES #11
By 1980, John Byrne had been working in the industry for over half a decade, and the popularity of his work had begun to soar. In particular, his penciling on X-MEN helped make that comic book a huge seller within the growing Direct Sales marketplace of hardcore fans. As the 1980s went on, Byrne became … Continue reading THE ART OF JOHN BYRNE
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