What is the rarest Superman comic book in existence? That's a question that would invite a great deal of debate. But there's some compelling evidence to indicate that it may be this one. This Superman custom comic book had a print run of only around 200 copies total, and was distributed to an incredibly select … Continue reading Superman: This Island Bradman
Tag: John Byrne
BHOC: AVENGERS #165
A new crop of 3-Bags started turning up at the department stores and toy stores in my area, though they were beginning to become harder to find as more and more outlets used the space for something else that was presumably easier to keep in order and also brought in more revenue for the square … Continue reading BHOC: AVENGERS #165
BHOC: X-MEN #112
Dealer and comics historian Bob Beerbohm was recently talking about how the sales of X-MEN skyrocketed in his shop when artist John Byrne came on board the title with issue #108. He indicates that his guess is that the series might have been cancelled otherwise, though I find this difficult to believe. Based on what … Continue reading BHOC: X-MEN #112
The Unused Fantastic Four Sample Story by John Byrne
These days, the name John Byrne is synonymous with that of the Fantastic Four. His run both writing and penciling the series in the 1980s is held up as a high water mark for the title, and typically regarded as being second only to that of FF creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Byne had … Continue reading The Unused Fantastic Four Sample Story by John Byrne
Blah Blah Blog – Answer a Challenge with a Challenge
An entry from my Marvel blog of more than a decade ago, this one responding to some unkind statements that John Byrne had made publicly during that time. In the years since, John has produced something like 30 issues of his X-Men fan fiction comic but hasn't really ever done any further substantial amount of … Continue reading Blah Blah Blog – Answer a Challenge with a Challenge
BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #62
This issue of MARVEL TEAM-UP was another book that came out of a 3-Bag, those plastic sealed wonders that were sold in department stores and toy stores. And in fact, this issue was likely the reason I bought that particular bag in the first place. You see, ever since first becoming aware of him in … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #62
SECRET ORIGINS #46 and the lost origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes clubhouse
The 46th issue of DC's SECRET ORIGINS series was dedicated not to the origin of a particular character, but rather, in a bit of a special theme, to the beginnings of the various headquarters used by the most notable super hero teams of the time; The New Titans, the Justice League of America, and the … Continue reading SECRET ORIGINS #46 and the lost origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes clubhouse
Brand Echh: E-Man #6
E-MAN was a short-lived but well-remembered (and often revived) Charlton title of the early 1970s, representing a last gasp on the part of that firm to establish a presence in the super hero marketplace. E-Man was a bit of a throwback character, crafted in the mold of Plastic Man or Captain Marvel. A super hero … Continue reading Brand Echh: E-Man #6
BHOC: AVENGERS #164
This issue of AVENGERS was another book that I got in coverless condition from my local drug store and their new Bundles of Coverless Older Comics. Which means that I never got to see this George Perez cover in my youth--and it still looks slightly strange to me, for all that this was an issue … Continue reading BHOC: AVENGERS #164
Forgotten Masterpiece: THE SPIRIT #30, Part Three
This is the third and final part of our look at the "Spirit Jam" story published by Kitchen Sink Press in THE SPIRIT Magazine #30 and overseen by publisher Denis Kitchen and associate editor Cat Yronwode. This was the first new full-length Spirit story produced since the reprint editions of the 1960s, and the first … Continue reading Forgotten Masterpiece: THE SPIRIT #30, Part Three