Cracker (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Hardware - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Simon Boswell (1990).
Strontium Dog: Prophet Margin by Simon Spurrier. (Black Flame; Jan 2005) ISBN-10: 1 84416 134 X
First Appearances:
Big-Head Branny, the Strong-Arm Janny in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Billy the Kid in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Cracker in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Curly's Commandos in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Dunder Ed in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Hector the Collector in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Iron Hand in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Joe Soap in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
The Nutters in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Scrapper in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Simple Spyman in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Spookie Cookie in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
John Wheeler (Castaways on Planet Doom) in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Young Foo, the Kung Fu Kid in Cracker #01 (18 Jan 1975).
Births:
Neville Duke (1922); Guglielmo Letteri (1926)
Deaths:
John Cassell (Jack) Morrow (1926); Patrick Williams (2006); Harry Turner (2009); Frank Whitford (2014)
Notable Events:
FAB: The Genius of Gerry Anderson stamps released by the Post Office in 2011.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
On This Day: 10 Jan
Births:
Mike Butterworth (1924); Patrick Blower (1959)
Deaths:
Annette Mills (1955); William Augustus Sillince (Silenus; 1974); John Buscema (2002)
Notable Events:
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody died in 1917.
The pilot episode of Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show broadcast in 1992.
Richard Horne (Harry Horse) and his wife Mandy were found dead in their remote bungalow on Burra, in 2007, in an apparent suicide pact.
Mike Butterworth (1924); Patrick Blower (1959)
Deaths:
Annette Mills (1955); William Augustus Sillince (Silenus; 1974); John Buscema (2002)
Notable Events:
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody died in 1917.
The pilot episode of Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show broadcast in 1992.
Richard Horne (Harry Horse) and his wife Mandy were found dead in their remote bungalow on Burra, in 2007, in an apparent suicide pact.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
On This Day: 09 Jan
Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgement on Gotham (Fleetway Editions) Newsstand Edition (1992).
Look and Learn - The Best of the Classic Children's Magazine (Look and Learn Magazine Ltd.) #01 (2006).
First Appearances:
Frank Hart, The Visible Man in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 47 (14 Jan 1978).
Sugarman in Amstrad Action (Future Publishing) #05 (Feb 1986).
Births:
Gilbert Abbott à Beckett (1811); George Machin (1893); John Barradale Melhuish (Mel; 1893); Tony Harding (1942); Gary James (1978)
Deaths:
Warwick Reynolds, Sr. (1896); Peter Cook (1995); Ed "Stewpot" Stewart (2016)
Notable Events:
Ian Hislop was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 1994.
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred newspaper strip reprints ended in 1999.
Escape Books Limited incorporate in 2009, becoming company #06787433.
Look and Learn - The Best of the Classic Children's Magazine (Look and Learn Magazine Ltd.) #01 (2006).
First Appearances:
Frank Hart, The Visible Man in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 47 (14 Jan 1978).
Sugarman in Amstrad Action (Future Publishing) #05 (Feb 1986).
Births:
Gilbert Abbott à Beckett (1811); George Machin (1893); John Barradale Melhuish (Mel; 1893); Tony Harding (1942); Gary James (1978)
Deaths:
Warwick Reynolds, Sr. (1896); Peter Cook (1995); Ed "Stewpot" Stewart (2016)
Notable Events:
Ian Hislop was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 1994.
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred newspaper strip reprints ended in 1999.
Escape Books Limited incorporate in 2009, becoming company #06787433.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
On This Day: 08 Jan
Look-In (Independent Television Publications Ltd.) vol.1 #01 (09 Jan 1971).
Topper and Buzz (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #?? (1975).
Avengers Unconquered (Panini Publishing) #01 (04 Feb 2009).
First Appearances:
Major Eazy in Battle Picture Weekly (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #[45] (10 Jan 1976).
Harry Angel (Angel) in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 95 (13 Jan 1979).
Births:
Lilli Ursula Barbara Victoria Davidson (Victoria; 1915)
Character Births:
Robert Neal Cassady McDowell (Zenith; 1968) according to press released by his agent.
Notable Events:
Smash Hits (EMAP National Publications Ltd.) Vol.3 #01 (08 Jan 1981 - 21 Jan 1981) brought The Nutty Boys comic to the attention of those who might have missed the title's presence.
ZZZap! The Television Comic began its first series in 1993.
Revolutionary War: Alpha (Marvel) #01 (Jan 2014) released in the US, heralding a (brief) return to print for Marvel UK characters.
Topper and Buzz (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #?? (1975).
Avengers Unconquered (Panini Publishing) #01 (04 Feb 2009).
First Appearances:
Major Eazy in Battle Picture Weekly (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #[45] (10 Jan 1976).
Harry Angel (Angel) in 2000 A.D. (IPC Magazines Ltd.) Prog 95 (13 Jan 1979).
Births:
Lilli Ursula Barbara Victoria Davidson (Victoria; 1915)
Character Births:
Robert Neal Cassady McDowell (Zenith; 1968) according to press released by his agent.
Notable Events:
Smash Hits (EMAP National Publications Ltd.) Vol.3 #01 (08 Jan 1981 - 21 Jan 1981) brought The Nutty Boys comic to the attention of those who might have missed the title's presence.
ZZZap! The Television Comic began its first series in 1993.
Revolutionary War: Alpha (Marvel) #01 (Jan 2014) released in the US, heralding a (brief) return to print for Marvel UK characters.
Monday, January 7, 2019
On This Day: 07 Jan
Doctor Who Monthly (Marvel) #61 (1982). Peter Davison era begins
The Phoenix (David Fickling) #01 (2012).
Births:
Eric Roberts (1910); J.G. Raw (1913); Susan Butcher (1959)
Deaths:
Arthur Thomas Pask (1936); Basil Hone (2003)
Notable Events:
George Cansdale was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 1957.
Stan McMurtry's first cartoon appeared in Today in 1961.
Musical Swan Esther premièred at the Young Vic in 1984. Lyrics by Jack Edward Oliver.
On Eagle's Wings: British Adventure Comics, 1950-1969 exhibition began at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in 2012.
An eight-page preview of The Phoenix was given away with The Times in 2012.
Striker newspaper strip resumed in The Sun in 2013.
Trog, Flook - and Humph too! exhibition began, at the Cartoon Museum, London, in 2013.
The stage adaptation of The Giant Beard That Was Evil began a run at Bristol Old Vic Studio in 2015.
Charlie Brooker was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 2018.
The Phoenix (David Fickling) #01 (2012).
Births:
Eric Roberts (1910); J.G. Raw (1913); Susan Butcher (1959)
Deaths:
Arthur Thomas Pask (1936); Basil Hone (2003)
Notable Events:
George Cansdale was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 1957.
Stan McMurtry's first cartoon appeared in Today in 1961.
Musical Swan Esther premièred at the Young Vic in 1984. Lyrics by Jack Edward Oliver.
On Eagle's Wings: British Adventure Comics, 1950-1969 exhibition began at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in 2012.
An eight-page preview of The Phoenix was given away with The Times in 2012.
Striker newspaper strip resumed in The Sun in 2013.
Trog, Flook - and Humph too! exhibition began, at the Cartoon Museum, London, in 2013.
The stage adaptation of The Giant Beard That Was Evil began a run at Bristol Old Vic Studio in 2015.
Charlie Brooker was a castaway on Desert Island Discs, on BBC Radio 4, in 2018.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
On This Day: 06 Jan
Draw the Marvel Way (Hachette Partworks) #01 (2016)
Births:
Ivy Russell (1909); Gerard Jerome Melling (Ged; 1934)
Deaths:
Arthur Catherall (1980)
Notable Events:
Randolph Turpin was presented with the Eagle Sportsman of the Year trophy by Marcus Morris at the Schoolboys' Own Exhibition in 1952.
Mandy Capp newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1997.
Births:
Ivy Russell (1909); Gerard Jerome Melling (Ged; 1934)
Deaths:
Arthur Catherall (1980)
Notable Events:
Randolph Turpin was presented with the Eagle Sportsman of the Year trophy by Marcus Morris at the Schoolboys' Own Exhibition in 1952.
Mandy Capp newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1997.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
On This Day: 05 Jan
Avengers Assemble (Panini Publications) vol.? #01 (01 Feb 2012).
Births:
John Bernard "J.B." Handelsman (1922); Kev Crossley
Deaths:
Eric W. Pasold (1978); Peter Weston (2017)
Notable Events:
Jimpy newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1946.
The first episode of A Whole Scene Going On, presented by Barry Fantoni, broadcast on the BBC in 1966.
Miracle Comics' American Eagle original stage show began at The Old Red Lion, St. John Street, London in 1988.
The Dan Dare exhibition at Bourne Hall, in Ewell, ended in 2002.
The Ballad of Halo Jones returned to the stage for a brief run of the play, as part of Thought Bubble, in 2012.
Births:
John Bernard "J.B." Handelsman (1922); Kev Crossley
Deaths:
Eric W. Pasold (1978); Peter Weston (2017)
Notable Events:
Jimpy newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1946.
The first episode of A Whole Scene Going On, presented by Barry Fantoni, broadcast on the BBC in 1966.
Miracle Comics' American Eagle original stage show began at The Old Red Lion, St. John Street, London in 1988.
The Dan Dare exhibition at Bourne Hall, in Ewell, ended in 2002.
The Ballad of Halo Jones returned to the stage for a brief run of the play, as part of Thought Bubble, in 2012.
Friday, January 4, 2019
On This Day: 04 Jan
First Appearances:
Sgt. Blane (The Hunted) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #172 (07 Jan 1978).
Charley Bourne (Charley's War) in Battle Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #200 (1979).
Glory Rider in Battle Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #200 (1979).
H.M.S. Nightshade in Battle Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #200 (1979).
Births:
Edward Linley Sambourne (1844); Eduardo Teixeira Coelho (1919); Eric Bradbury (1921); Ramsey Campbell (1946); Chris Bullivant Sr. (1947); David Roach (1965); Chris Weston (1969)
Deaths:
Charles Keene (1891); Grenfell 'Gren' Jones (2007)
Notable Events:
The first David Low cartoon appeared in print in the UK in The Manchester Guardian in 1915, a reprint of a cartoon from The Sydney Bulletin printed the previous year.
A creditor's meeting for Dark They Were & Golden Eyed was held in 1982. Malcolm Edwards, one of the expert valuers, cited £100,000 in unsecured debts.
Dez Skinn's Quality Communications, Limited was registered in 1982.
The final issue of Buster (cover dated 04 Jan 2000) in 2000 marked the end of Fleetway's humor titles.
David Fickling Comics Limited incorporated in 2011, becoming company no. 07481057.
Sgt. Blane (The Hunted) in Warlord (D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd.) #172 (07 Jan 1978).
Charley Bourne (Charley's War) in Battle Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #200 (1979).
Glory Rider in Battle Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #200 (1979).
H.M.S. Nightshade in Battle Action (IPC Magazines Ltd.) #200 (1979).
Births:
Edward Linley Sambourne (1844); Eduardo Teixeira Coelho (1919); Eric Bradbury (1921); Ramsey Campbell (1946); Chris Bullivant Sr. (1947); David Roach (1965); Chris Weston (1969)
Deaths:
Charles Keene (1891); Grenfell 'Gren' Jones (2007)
Notable Events:
The first David Low cartoon appeared in print in the UK in The Manchester Guardian in 1915, a reprint of a cartoon from The Sydney Bulletin printed the previous year.
A creditor's meeting for Dark They Were & Golden Eyed was held in 1982. Malcolm Edwards, one of the expert valuers, cited £100,000 in unsecured debts.
Dez Skinn's Quality Communications, Limited was registered in 1982.
The final issue of Buster (cover dated 04 Jan 2000) in 2000 marked the end of Fleetway's humor titles.
David Fickling Comics Limited incorporated in 2011, becoming company no. 07481057.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
On This Day: 03 Jan
Births:
Carlo Cossio (1907); Bernard Cookson (1937)
Deaths:
Terence Tenison Cuneo (1996)
Notable Events:
The Wilfredian League of Gugnuncs (WLOG) established in 1927.
The first of Sir Osbert Lancaster's pocket cartoons appeared in The Daily Express in 1939.
Neil Gaiman married Amanda Palmer in 2011.
Carlo Cossio (1907); Bernard Cookson (1937)
Deaths:
Terence Tenison Cuneo (1996)
Notable Events:
The Wilfredian League of Gugnuncs (WLOG) established in 1927.
The first of Sir Osbert Lancaster's pocket cartoons appeared in The Daily Express in 1939.
Neil Gaiman married Amanda Palmer in 2011.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
On This Day: 02 Jan
Batman: Arkham (Titan Comics) #01 (2014)
Births:
Salvatore Deidda (1953)
Deaths:
H.O. Batho (1932); Edmund George Valpy Knox (Evoe; 1971); Charles Chilton (2013)
Notable Events:
Patsy... newspaper strip ended in 1953.
Sir Osbert Lancaster married Anne Scott-James in 1967.
Studs newspaper strip ended in 1982.
Bryan and Mary Talbot won the Costa Biography Award for Dotter of Her Father's Eyes in 2013, the first graphic novel to win the award.
Births:
Salvatore Deidda (1953)
Deaths:
H.O. Batho (1932); Edmund George Valpy Knox (Evoe; 1971); Charles Chilton (2013)
Notable Events:
Patsy... newspaper strip ended in 1953.
Sir Osbert Lancaster married Anne Scott-James in 1967.
Studs newspaper strip ended in 1982.
Bryan and Mary Talbot won the Costa Biography Award for Dotter of Her Father's Eyes in 2013, the first graphic novel to win the award.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
On This Day: 01 Jan
Invasion (Rebellion; 2014)
Savage: Taking Liberties (Rebellion; 2014)
Judge Dredd - Solo by Jonathan Clements. (Big Finish Productions; 2005)
Births:
Tony Weare (1912); Walt Howarth (1928); Steve Way (1959); Lionel Hale (1977)
Notable Events:
Osbert Lancaster's 'pocket cartoon' appeared in The Daily Express in 1939 for the first time, accompanying Tom Driberg's "William Hickey" gossip column.
Ron Smith was in a car crash, which involved a highland bull, in Scotland in 1953.
Frank Brown (Eccles) became a full-time cartoonist with The Daily Worker in 1959.
The Fat Slags animated television series began on Channel 4 in 1992.
Savage: Taking Liberties (Rebellion; 2014)
Judge Dredd - Solo by Jonathan Clements. (Big Finish Productions; 2005)
Births:
Tony Weare (1912); Walt Howarth (1928); Steve Way (1959); Lionel Hale (1977)
Notable Events:
Osbert Lancaster's 'pocket cartoon' appeared in The Daily Express in 1939 for the first time, accompanying Tom Driberg's "William Hickey" gossip column.
Ron Smith was in a car crash, which involved a highland bull, in Scotland in 1953.
Frank Brown (Eccles) became a full-time cartoonist with The Daily Worker in 1959.
The Fat Slags animated television series began on Channel 4 in 1992.
Monday, December 31, 2018
On This Day: 31 Dec
Judge Dredd: Crime Chronicles - The Devil's Playground by Jonathan Clements. (Big Finish Productions; 2009)
Births:
Alfred Taylor (1889); Patricia Lamburn (1925); Dave Westaway (1946); Tom Morton (1955)
Deaths:
Maurice Dodd (2005)
Notable Events:
The Schoolboys' Own Exhibition began at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, London, in 1951. Eagle was represented by a Dan Dare Rifle Range, with the best shot of the day qualifying for a specially-made B.S.A. air rifle.
The Schoolboys' Own Exhibition began at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, London, in 1952. Eagle took a 40' stand (the largest in the exhibition) in order to show off all the products based on characters from the comic. For added effect, the stand was in the form of Dan Dare's spaceship. Brian Reece and Wilfred Pickles were there for the grand opening.
The AAARGH! comic exhibition, organised by Michael Kustow, began at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1971. It was the first serious exhibition of comic art in the UK.
Due to family ill-health, Mike Conroy was forced to close Maya Merchandising (an offshoot of The Edge of Forever), which ceased trading on this day in 1982. The Perfect Mailing Company took over existing orders
Happy Birthday Broons! was broadcast on BBC One Scotland in 2006.
Just Dandy, a celebration of The Dandy, was broadcast on BBC One Scotland in 2012.
Births:
Alfred Taylor (1889); Patricia Lamburn (1925); Dave Westaway (1946); Tom Morton (1955)
Deaths:
Maurice Dodd (2005)
Notable Events:
The Schoolboys' Own Exhibition began at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, London, in 1951. Eagle was represented by a Dan Dare Rifle Range, with the best shot of the day qualifying for a specially-made B.S.A. air rifle.
The Schoolboys' Own Exhibition began at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, London, in 1952. Eagle took a 40' stand (the largest in the exhibition) in order to show off all the products based on characters from the comic. For added effect, the stand was in the form of Dan Dare's spaceship. Brian Reece and Wilfred Pickles were there for the grand opening.
The AAARGH! comic exhibition, organised by Michael Kustow, began at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1971. It was the first serious exhibition of comic art in the UK.
Due to family ill-health, Mike Conroy was forced to close Maya Merchandising (an offshoot of The Edge of Forever), which ceased trading on this day in 1982. The Perfect Mailing Company took over existing orders
Happy Birthday Broons! was broadcast on BBC One Scotland in 2006.
Just Dandy, a celebration of The Dandy, was broadcast on BBC One Scotland in 2012.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
On This Day: 30 Dec
Births:
Sidney Conrad Strube (1892); T.C.H. Jacobs (1899); Christopher "Kipper" Williams (1951); Charlie Nicholas (1961)
Deaths:
Claude Allin Shepperson (1921); Matthew Sandford (Matt; 1943); Ronald Searle (2011)
Notable Events:
Roger Mellie: The Man On The Telly animated series began on Channel 4 in 1991.
Ken Bulmer's funeral took place in Tunbridge Wells in 2005; a quiet ceremony attended by family and friends.
Sidney Conrad Strube (1892); T.C.H. Jacobs (1899); Christopher "Kipper" Williams (1951); Charlie Nicholas (1961)
Deaths:
Claude Allin Shepperson (1921); Matthew Sandford (Matt; 1943); Ronald Searle (2011)
Notable Events:
Roger Mellie: The Man On The Telly animated series began on Channel 4 in 1991.
Ken Bulmer's funeral took place in Tunbridge Wells in 2005; a quiet ceremony attended by family and friends.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
On This Day: 29 Dec
Births:
David Nixon (1919); E.W. Hildick (1925); Dave McKean (1963)
Deaths:
Don Lawrence (2003); Robert A. Monkhouse (2003); Tony Greig (2012); Jim Baikie (2017)
Notable Events:
Dan Doofer newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1945.
BBC Radio 4 broadcast a 30-minute program featuring Dan Dare and Judge Dredd in 1991. Garth Ennis, Rian Hughes and John Wagner added their thoughts.
The Bogie Man television movie, based on the comic by Alan Grant, John Wagner & Robin Smith, was broadcast in 1992.
J.H. Batchelor awarded M.B.E. for "services to Illustration" as part of the Queen's New Year Honours list in 2012.
David Nixon (1919); E.W. Hildick (1925); Dave McKean (1963)
Deaths:
Don Lawrence (2003); Robert A. Monkhouse (2003); Tony Greig (2012); Jim Baikie (2017)
Notable Events:
Dan Doofer newspaper strip began in The Daily Mirror in 1945.
BBC Radio 4 broadcast a 30-minute program featuring Dan Dare and Judge Dredd in 1991. Garth Ennis, Rian Hughes and John Wagner added their thoughts.
The Bogie Man television movie, based on the comic by Alan Grant, John Wagner & Robin Smith, was broadcast in 1992.
J.H. Batchelor awarded M.B.E. for "services to Illustration" as part of the Queen's New Year Honours list in 2012.
Friday, December 28, 2018
On This Day: 28 Dec
Births:
Bill Martin (Williams; 1919); P.J. Holden (1969)
Deaths:
Toby Baines (1967)
Notable Events:
The first of Studdy's War Studies theatrical animations was released in 1914.
Camille and Her Boss newspaper strip ended in 1937.
Beelzebub Jones newspaper strip began on this day in The Daily Mirror in 1937, ending on this day in 1945.
Frank Sidebottom's single Oh Blimey it's Christmas entered the charts at #87 in 1985.
Bill Martin (Williams; 1919); P.J. Holden (1969)
Deaths:
Toby Baines (1967)
Notable Events:
The first of Studdy's War Studies theatrical animations was released in 1914.
Camille and Her Boss newspaper strip ended in 1937.
Beelzebub Jones newspaper strip began on this day in The Daily Mirror in 1937, ending on this day in 1945.
Frank Sidebottom's single Oh Blimey it's Christmas entered the charts at #87 in 1985.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Batman Vol.3 #5
Nov 2012. Cover price £2.99.
76 pages. Full colour contents.
Titan Magazines.
Cover by UNKNOWN.
Contents:
Ah - I knew there was a reason I persisted with this title. Damian Wayne being tortured by Nobody is one of the highlights of the series so far, but unfortunately Batman arrives in time to save him from something worse than a few fractures - if we ask nicely, DC might give us a monthly "lets torture Robin" series, so I wait in hope. Actually, this version of Batman isn't quite there for me either, so seeing him tortured issue after issue would be welcome as well.
The first story collected here at least manages a decent line of dialogue to end the issue, and there's enough room for the "character" of Damian to develop some... well, character, mainly. His portrayal throughout the various reprints thus far has lacked a believability which is still undercutting any sense that this is an actual child. Even the most stoic character has to have a moment where the facade cracks slightly, otherwise they are forever held apart from any understanding of their inner life. Damian is extremely difficult to understand as a living, breathing person.
The best story is Ghost in the Machine, with some superb artwork by Becky Cloonan. Harper is the first character (in all five issues) to feel even remotely real, and is thus, by far, the most interesting individual to appear in the title - no mean feat for a single appearance. I'm still unimpressed by the relentlessly grumpy Batman, but with the poster and pin-ups at least there is some value to be had here, though the artwork is far from the heights of the Marshall Rogers run in the seventies.
While I hope the title keeps improving, there's simply too much baggage being dragged along to see things changing dramatically.
76 pages. Full colour contents.
Titan Magazines.
Cover by UNKNOWN.
Contents:
2 Digital Comics Now Available!
3 Contents Page
4 Batman pin-up; p: PAT (Patrick Gleason), i: Mick Gray, colouring by John Kalisz.
r: cover from Batman and Robin (DC Comics) #07 (May 2012).
5 Driven w: Peter J. Tomasi; p: Patrick Gleason, i: Mick Gray, lettering by Patrick Brosseau, colouring by John Kalisz.
r: Batman and Robin (DC Comics) #07 (May 2012).
25 The Fall of the House of Wayne, part 2, w: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV; a: Rafael Albuquerque, lettering by Dezi Sienty, colouring by Dave McCaig.
r: Batman (DC Comics) #10 (Aug 2012).
32 All-New Superhero Sagas! In the DC Universe! in-house advertisement.
33 The Fall of the House of Wayne, part 3, w: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV; a: Rafael Albuquerque, lettering by Dezi Sienty, colouring by Dave McCaig.
r: Batman (DC Comics) #11 (Sep 2012).
37 Missed an Issue? back issues
38 Batman poster; a: Andy Clarke, colouring by Tomeu Morey.
r: variant cover from Batman (DC Comics) #11 (Sep 2012).
40 Subscribe
44 Batman pin-up. p:
r: UNKNOWN.
45 Ghost in the Machine w: Scott Snyder & James Tynon IV (p22-28 only); p: Becky Cloonan (p1-21) & Andy Clarke (p22-28), i: Becky Cloonan (p1-7; p12-18; p21) & Sandu Florea (p8-11; p19; p20) Andy Clarke (p22-28), lettering by Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt, colouring by FCO Plascencia).
r: Batman (DC Comics) #12 (Oct 2012).
73 A Mark Millar Mindgasm in-house advertisement for CLiNT.
74 Batman Letters readers' mail
75 Next Time!
76 Batman: The Dark Knight in-house advertisement.
Ah - I knew there was a reason I persisted with this title. Damian Wayne being tortured by Nobody is one of the highlights of the series so far, but unfortunately Batman arrives in time to save him from something worse than a few fractures - if we ask nicely, DC might give us a monthly "lets torture Robin" series, so I wait in hope. Actually, this version of Batman isn't quite there for me either, so seeing him tortured issue after issue would be welcome as well.
The first story collected here at least manages a decent line of dialogue to end the issue, and there's enough room for the "character" of Damian to develop some... well, character, mainly. His portrayal throughout the various reprints thus far has lacked a believability which is still undercutting any sense that this is an actual child. Even the most stoic character has to have a moment where the facade cracks slightly, otherwise they are forever held apart from any understanding of their inner life. Damian is extremely difficult to understand as a living, breathing person.
The best story is Ghost in the Machine, with some superb artwork by Becky Cloonan. Harper is the first character (in all five issues) to feel even remotely real, and is thus, by far, the most interesting individual to appear in the title - no mean feat for a single appearance. I'm still unimpressed by the relentlessly grumpy Batman, but with the poster and pin-ups at least there is some value to be had here, though the artwork is far from the heights of the Marshall Rogers run in the seventies.
While I hope the title keeps improving, there's simply too much baggage being dragged along to see things changing dramatically.
#04
Batman Vol.3
06
On This Day: 27 Dec
Fiends of the Eastern Front: Operation Vampyr by David Bishop (Black Flame; Dec 2005) ISBN-10: 1 84416 274 5
Deaths:
George Roland Parvin (1997); Geoffrey Bond (2009)
Notable Events:
The London première of Smashing Time, written by George Melly, took place in 1967.
Fungus the Bogeyman live–action mini–series adaptation began on Sky1 in 2015.
Deaths:
George Roland Parvin (1997); Geoffrey Bond (2009)
Notable Events:
The London première of Smashing Time, written by George Melly, took place in 1967.
Fungus the Bogeyman live–action mini–series adaptation began on Sky1 in 2015.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Batman Vol.3 #4
Oct 2012. Cover price £2.99.
76 pages. Full colour contents.
Titan Magazines.
Cover p: Greg Capullo, colouring by FCO Plascencia.
r: cover from Batman (DC Comics) #10 (Aug 2012).
Contents:
Promising much yet, alas, delivering very little, The Real Me could have been a stellar story, though pulls back from anything radically different than we have seen dozens of times before in Batman narratives, falling into a rut when it should have been carving out a fresh path. It is pointless, at this remove from the character's inception, to expect any different, but the sheer level of carelessness in creating what should be a tense thriller is a sign that the era of the bat is well and truly over.
The pin-ups, here, are fine - while not displaying any true sign that there is something more than crass commercialism in mind, they fulfill their role in adding to an otherwise unimpressive collection of stories. Relaunching the Batman line could have been the impetus for a complete overhaul of the tired and redundant elements, bringing a freshness to the character, in line with the cinematic overhaul instigated by Christopher Nolan with The Dark Knight, though instead we are presented with material which is undistinguished.
While this might, superficially, feel like great value for money, it lacks a sense of vibrancy which really should be present in a new title.
76 pages. Full colour contents.
Titan Magazines.
Cover p: Greg Capullo, colouring by FCO Plascencia.
r: cover from Batman (DC Comics) #10 (Aug 2012).
Contents:
2 Justice League in-house advertisement
3 Contents Page
4 Batman pin-up; p: PAT (Patrick Gleason), i: Mick Gray, colouring by John Kalisz.
r: cover from Batman and Robin (DC Comics) #06 (Apr 2012).
5 The Real Me w: Peter J. Tomasi. p: Patrick Gleason, i: Mick Gray, lettering by Patrick Brosseau, colouring by John Kalisz.
r: Batman and Robin (DC Comics) #10 (Aug 2012).
25 Subscribe
26 Batman pin-up; p: Greg Capullo, colouring by FCO Plascencia.
r: cover from Batman (DC Comics) #10 (Aug 2012).
27 Assault on the Court w: Scott Snyder; p: Greg Capullo, i: Jonathan Glapion, lettering by Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt, colouring by FCD Plascencia.
r: Batman (DC Comics) #10 (Aug 2012).
37 Missed an Issue? Back issues.
49 My Brother's Keeper w: Scott Snyder; p: Greg Capullo, i: Jonathan Glapion, lettering by Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt, colouring by FCD Plascencia.
r: Batman (DC Comics) #11 (Sep 2012).
73 Win an Awesome Batman: The Dark Knight Rises Bat Vehicle competition.
74 Batman Letters readers' mail
75 Next Time! in-house advertisement.
76 Batman: The Dark Knight in-house advertisement.
Promising much yet, alas, delivering very little, The Real Me could have been a stellar story, though pulls back from anything radically different than we have seen dozens of times before in Batman narratives, falling into a rut when it should have been carving out a fresh path. It is pointless, at this remove from the character's inception, to expect any different, but the sheer level of carelessness in creating what should be a tense thriller is a sign that the era of the bat is well and truly over.
The pin-ups, here, are fine - while not displaying any true sign that there is something more than crass commercialism in mind, they fulfill their role in adding to an otherwise unimpressive collection of stories. Relaunching the Batman line could have been the impetus for a complete overhaul of the tired and redundant elements, bringing a freshness to the character, in line with the cinematic overhaul instigated by Christopher Nolan with The Dark Knight, though instead we are presented with material which is undistinguished.
While this might, superficially, feel like great value for money, it lacks a sense of vibrancy which really should be present in a new title.
#03
Batman Vol.3
#05
On This Day: 26 Dec
Births:
Roger Hall (1914); Denis Gifford (1927); Roy Raymonde (1929); Xavier Musquera (1942)
Deaths:
Raymond Groves (1958); Robert Stewart Sherriffs (1960); Paul 'Lou' McDermott (1975); Gerry Anderson (2012); Harold Whitaker (2013)
Notable Events:
The Snowman animated short broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982.
Roger Hall (1914); Denis Gifford (1927); Roy Raymonde (1929); Xavier Musquera (1942)
Deaths:
Raymond Groves (1958); Robert Stewart Sherriffs (1960); Paul 'Lou' McDermott (1975); Gerry Anderson (2012); Harold Whitaker (2013)
Notable Events:
The Snowman animated short broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Wildcat #10
25 Feb 1989 - 10 Mar 1989; Cover price 40p.
32 pages. Colour & B&W.
Fleetway Publications.
Edited by Barrie Tomlinson.
Cover by Ian Kennedy (signed).
Contents:
Whatever the missteps in some of the series presented within, Wildcat maintained a high quality when it came to the visual component of the title. While a security droid is hardly the most threatening entity to grace a cover, the manner in which the robot is depicted makes the image stand out - presented in vivid reds, blues and yellows, this is the kind of thing which ought to get a poster treatment.
Finally outside of the planet's communications blanket, Turbo doesn't immediately contact Wildcat to inform them of an imminent threat. What a hero. The manner in which the Burroids are rescued is slightly too easy, giving Turbo a ready-made commando squad behind enemy lines, although the scene is handled well. This is a strip which has maintained a sense of urgency no matter the immediate situation, and manages to keep things from monotony through the kinds of madcap antics as seen in this installment.
The plot holes, when they appear, are gigantic, but I'm hoping that an explanation for this issue's omission is forthcoming.
After attacking the Dargonlites, Joe appears to have slime oozing from beneath his brain-pack, and while his men attempt to clean out the device in one of the pools of water, a stinger electrocutes the team.
This strip is beginning to frustrate me - nothing we have experienced thus far is of consequence, and it appears that this is, yet again, a random encounter with no lasting significance. It isn't a bad outing, despite not building upon the prior stories to really throw Joe into trouble.
Leading Kitten's team onwards to the city, Hobos eventually brings them to Hoboan. An immense settlement, of elaborate construction of glass and plastic, which is protected by steep cliffs on all sides - having arranged transport, Hobos' people arrive to take the women into the city. Greetings from the inhabitants make Kitten aware that they have been travelling with "Mighty Hobos, Magnificent Mornarch of the Hoboan People," who has ruled over the city for five centuries. It is not long before he shows his true colours.
It has been a long time coming, but the group have finally discovered the truth about Hobos - and are immediately thrown from one life-threatening situation to another. It would, for once, be nice to have characters use their words rather than their fists (or blasters) to solve problems, but the revelations present in this installment largely work well without extended dialogue. "Hobos the Murderous" certainly lives up to his name here.
That the city comes as a surprise to Kitten and her team bothers me. Having travelled down to the surface in the shuttle, the team should have had ample opportunity to chart out the land beneath them, noting the position of the landscape's features - which includes habitation. And as we haven't seen Hobos' species anywhere else on the planet's surface, this city must represent the extent of the colony's domain upon the surface of the New Planet.
Loner attracts more of the bugs, increasingly larger in size, and must run before he is swallowed whole by the largest of the bugs. Seeing another shape-changer, Loner decides to persuade it for assistance in returning to his former size, though is swept away by a surge of water which he was attempting to cross, and faces being swallowed alive by the local wildlife.
Beautiful to look at, but a disappointing story - this strip feels extremely slight, mostly thanks to the lack of dialogue. I'm beginning to miss the Fuzzballs.
Kelvin Kroosh, of Wildcat TV News, reports on a series of cases of space madness, a condition which can occur when crew-members dwell too long on the fact that their home-planet has been destroyed. Prof. Jed Gruber appears to have an answer to the problem, a holographic recreation he calls Earth 2. Two men break in, demanding to stay in Earth 2 forever...
A darkly amusing complete story, with a pay-off in the final panel which is as close to black comedy as the title ever ventured.
The ebb and flow of its constituent parts have resulted, in this issue, with a sense of the title treading water. Increasingly feeling as if problems are being created to keep things moving, rather than answering the question which has been driving the Wildcat since the beginning - is this a place where humanity can survive for an extended period of time?
I'm guessing that the answer is no.
32 pages. Colour & B&W.
Fleetway Publications.
Edited by Barrie Tomlinson.
Cover by Ian Kennedy (signed).
Contents:
2 Turbo Jones UNTITLED [Back in Orbit] w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
7 In Space, Some Things Are More Important Than Others... subscription coupon.
8 Joe Alien UNTITLED [Guest of the Dargonlites] w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: Ron Smith (signed).
11 Kitten Magee UNTITLED [At the Hoboan City] w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: Jose Ortiz (uncredited).
16 Joe Alien UNTITLED (cont.)
18 Time-Warp Data Link feature page (uncredited). / Alien readers' art; The Mighty Mr. Kobra by Andrew Halpin, Cyber Wolf by David Alderslade, Toothy by James Heal, The Outer Galactic Piblo Player by Antony Jones, The Bloby Ball by Sam Howell.
20 Loner UNTITLED [The Mouth of Danger] w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: David Pugh (uncredited).
25 The Wildcat Complete Earth 2 w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: Joan Boix.
31 Meet Dobbin next issue information; illustrated by David Pugh (uncredited).
32 Weetabix Free Corgi Cars advertisement; a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).
Whatever the missteps in some of the series presented within, Wildcat maintained a high quality when it came to the visual component of the title. While a security droid is hardly the most threatening entity to grace a cover, the manner in which the robot is depicted makes the image stand out - presented in vivid reds, blues and yellows, this is the kind of thing which ought to get a poster treatment.
Wildcat Update: Turbo Jones has escaped from his Arglon guards... so the Arglons have given the order to destroy the Wildcat spacecraft, which is in orbit above their planet!The Arglon craft takes off, and, unable to prevent the destruction of Wildcat, Turbo Jones flies with Robo on the pterodactyl. Rescuing Burroids from the ceremonial executions which had been prepared, and with this ad-hoc team is able to take command of an Arglon border post which has been in communication with the recently-launched attack craft. Launched in a second vessel, Turbo and Robo attempt to catch up to the first ship - it is only when they approach it that Robo realises that the crew is comprised entirely of robots, and they intend to ram Turbo's craft before launching a suicide run at Wildcat.
Finally outside of the planet's communications blanket, Turbo doesn't immediately contact Wildcat to inform them of an imminent threat. What a hero. The manner in which the Burroids are rescued is slightly too easy, giving Turbo a ready-made commando squad behind enemy lines, although the scene is handled well. This is a strip which has maintained a sense of urgency no matter the immediate situation, and manages to keep things from monotony through the kinds of madcap antics as seen in this installment.
The plot holes, when they appear, are gigantic, but I'm hoping that an explanation for this issue's omission is forthcoming.
Wildcat Update: Joe Alien's exploration team has discovered an area of the new planet where the vegetation is alive, intelligent and hostile! They fall into a hole made by a massive slug-like creature... and end up in a slime-filled pit.Joe's brain-pack is immediately retrieved and restored to its rightful place on the back of Joe's head, and the giant slugs introduce themselves as Dargonlites, the enemy of all plant-life on the continent. Joe questions the Dargonlites about the substance which has covered the team, and is informed that it is harmless, provided to cushion the team's fall. Assured that they will be safe, the team are told they can move freely through the tunnels, though Joe begins acting as if his brain-pack has been removed.
After attacking the Dargonlites, Joe appears to have slime oozing from beneath his brain-pack, and while his men attempt to clean out the device in one of the pools of water, a stinger electrocutes the team.
This strip is beginning to frustrate me - nothing we have experienced thus far is of consequence, and it appears that this is, yet again, a random encounter with no lasting significance. It isn't a bad outing, despite not building upon the prior stories to really throw Joe into trouble.
Leading Kitten's team onwards to the city, Hobos eventually brings them to Hoboan. An immense settlement, of elaborate construction of glass and plastic, which is protected by steep cliffs on all sides - having arranged transport, Hobos' people arrive to take the women into the city. Greetings from the inhabitants make Kitten aware that they have been travelling with "Mighty Hobos, Magnificent Mornarch of the Hoboan People," who has ruled over the city for five centuries. It is not long before he shows his true colours.
It has been a long time coming, but the group have finally discovered the truth about Hobos - and are immediately thrown from one life-threatening situation to another. It would, for once, be nice to have characters use their words rather than their fists (or blasters) to solve problems, but the revelations present in this installment largely work well without extended dialogue. "Hobos the Murderous" certainly lives up to his name here.
That the city comes as a surprise to Kitten and her team bothers me. Having travelled down to the surface in the shuttle, the team should have had ample opportunity to chart out the land beneath them, noting the position of the landscape's features - which includes habitation. And as we haven't seen Hobos' species anywhere else on the planet's surface, this city must represent the extent of the colony's domain upon the surface of the New Planet.
Loner attracts more of the bugs, increasingly larger in size, and must run before he is swallowed whole by the largest of the bugs. Seeing another shape-changer, Loner decides to persuade it for assistance in returning to his former size, though is swept away by a surge of water which he was attempting to cross, and faces being swallowed alive by the local wildlife.
Beautiful to look at, but a disappointing story - this strip feels extremely slight, mostly thanks to the lack of dialogue. I'm beginning to miss the Fuzzballs.
Kelvin Kroosh, of Wildcat TV News, reports on a series of cases of space madness, a condition which can occur when crew-members dwell too long on the fact that their home-planet has been destroyed. Prof. Jed Gruber appears to have an answer to the problem, a holographic recreation he calls Earth 2. Two men break in, demanding to stay in Earth 2 forever...
A darkly amusing complete story, with a pay-off in the final panel which is as close to black comedy as the title ever ventured.
The ebb and flow of its constituent parts have resulted, in this issue, with a sense of the title treading water. Increasingly feeling as if problems are being created to keep things moving, rather than answering the question which has been driving the Wildcat since the beginning - is this a place where humanity can survive for an extended period of time?
I'm guessing that the answer is no.
#08
Wildcat
#10
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