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Post by Batflunkie on Dec 1, 2020 19:34:16 GMT -5
Back when I was a teenager at the Chicago comic con in 1988, they had a room setup showing some Japanese anime/comics and showed some of the original Captain Harlock and they had the trailer for Akira among other things presented.
It was some pretty hip stuff for the times.
Yeah, there's a couple of english dubbed episodes of Harlock that Harmony Gold did floating around youtube. Shame that the series hasn't gotten much attention outside Japan except for the piss poor CGI movie that came out a few years ago
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 3, 2020 11:53:00 GMT -5
Did a re-read of Greg Rucka and Steve Leiber's Whiteout and Whiteout: Melt over the last couple of days. Overall great crime/spy fiction in an unusual setting with a great protagonist. Hard to believe these books are over twenty years old now.
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Post by tonebone on Dec 3, 2020 12:55:51 GMT -5
I saw it in the movie theater. The original Battlestar Galactica briefly was also in theaters here before being pulled and airing as episodes on tv. I think it was some sort of legality to try to pacify Lucas, I remember the Canadian radio news reporting on it's withdrawal, and something about the Vipers being alleged copies of X-Wings. I had one tv Buck Rogers comic (#11), and one other item; a Twiki robot (with Theo around his neck)... kids loved making the Mel Blanc voice for him. It's hard to believe it was beating Doctor Who in the rating in England for awhile but I know I used to watch it every week. I know Lucas wasn't too happy about Battlestar Galactica. I think the special effects guy that worked on Star Wars also did Battlestar, and I don't think he amicably left Lucas. I do remember having the Ceylon Raider and Colonial Viper...not to mention the Space:1999 Eagle space ship. I also remember having the Twiki action figure. That's all I really remember having as far as Buck Rogers collectibles. A large chunk of the ILM crew worked on the pilot /stock vfx footage for Battlestar, on a freelance basis between Star Wars and Empire - With Lucas' approval. He somehow needed the "band" to stay together and in town until they finished pre-production, and this kept the guys employed through the hiatus. They sneakily convinced them to include a crash landing on a snow planet, so they could be paid to do research and development on the Hoth scenes they knew were coming up for Empire. Once Battlestar aired, Lucas sued due to it being so close to Star Wars, visually and tonally...especially in the marketing and merchandising. I have not heard that the Vipers were a specific problem, but they were rumored to be rejected concepts for the Xwing fighter. Ralph McQuarrie actually did concepts for the show, also.
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Post by tonebone on Dec 3, 2020 12:58:53 GMT -5
I read this adaptation of the 1979 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century movie. I fondly remember watching the TV show as a kid, but I guess I'd forgotten (or never known) that it was a movie first. This was pretty good. I liked the story well enough (though Wilma doesn't come across as too smart) and the art was decent, but nothing spectacular. Buck, like Battlestar, was filmed as a really expensive two-part episode/ 2 hour pilot that could be shown in theaters to boost it's revenue at the beginning. They were filmed as a TV show, and then packaged as movies. This was a winning formula for packaging tv shows as movies and showing them overseas. The Spider-Man TV series was packaged into two movies that did really well overseas. The Hulk, also.
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Post by tonebone on Dec 3, 2020 13:03:45 GMT -5
Wow. That is so wrong... Doesn't Archie Andrews have the same kind of hair, but just on the sides of his head... and of course with no widow's peak?
Wait, Gwen had sex with Archie too ?! That baby's hair is going to be all kinds of F'd up.
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Post by EdoBosnar on Dec 4, 2020 3:52:52 GMT -5
Okay. So I recently read Wonder Woman #1-7, and the Wonder Woman stories from Sensation Comics #1-24 and Comic Cavalcade #1-5, as collected in the first two Wonder Woman: The Golden Age tpbs: I'd been curious about these earliest Wonder Woman stories for years, as I've heard much about them - mainly in the context of William Moulton Marston's unconventional and kind-of/sort-of progressive views on women and gender politics. So I was really pleased to find pretty inexpensive copies of these two books in recent years. My general impression is that they are certainly interesting, and often quite entertaining and - perhaps unintentionally - funny. And yes, you do get some insight into Marston's ideas about society and gender. But also, as with a lot of Golden Age material I've read, the stories can get a bit repetitive. And again, like many other Golden Age comics, racial stereotypes and the shockingly frequent use of racist slurs against Japanese people crop up. As to the art, I've often seen various reviewers heap praise on H.G. Peter and his children's story-book style. I didn't mind it, but I have to admit, I preferred the art in a few stories from Sensation Comics in 1943 that was apparently done by Frank Godwin. Here's an example: That's a panel from Sensation Comics #16 by the way (those are some of the girls from Holliday College - Etta Candy's pals - who often appear in WW stories as collective sidekicks; here they were imprisoned by the bad guys and Wonder Woman told them to sing a song to distract the guards). Godwin had a style that was closer to magazine illustrations of the time, which I found quite pleasing. That also leads me to my main criticism of whoever at DC packaged and edited these boosk: he's not credited in the book itself (vol 2 - he and another artist are only credited for doing a few covers), even though it's obvious that there was a different artist in several issues of Sensation. I had to go to the GCD, which correctly credits Godwin. All in all, though, I'm glad I read these books - I have some more thoughts swirling in my head, which I may write up for the Atomic Junk Shop.
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Post by spoon on Dec 7, 2020 23:33:51 GMT -5
I finished X-Men Epic Collection vol. 4, reprinting the X-Men's guest appearances from the early 1970s when their series was just reprints. As I noted in my last post in this thread, the Beast stories were just about the only thing I hadn't read before. But reading them together now, I'm surprised by how well various stories fit together. I'm not sure if that was originally the plan, by Englehart did a good job bringing various threads together in the Secret Empire arc in Captain America (especially since he wrote most of the Beast stories). He does botch Juggernaut a bit though. Juggs claims he loses his powers without his helmet, when it really just makes him vulnerable to mental attacks.
My impression is that the Beast solo feature ended prematurely, but Englehart did a good job wrapping those plot threads up in Beast's guest appearance and in the Secret Empire arc. But how the heck did Vera Cantor end up dating Calvin Rankin? Also, Hank is reunited with his teammates in Cap #175, so it's sort of odd that he remains out of the X-Men. One would think they'd try to help him with his furry predicament.
One pet peeve I have is that in his guest appearance in Captain America, Banshee's face is drawn almost as if to mimic a 19th century racist caricature of an Irishman. What were you doing, Sal Buscema? Also, the transformation Claremont put Magneto through is such a huge departure from his appearances in this era. Here, Magneto is really a cackling irredeemable madman. At some point, I'm going to have go back and read the stuff about how Magneto was restored to adult after Alpha made him an infant. I remember there was an explanation for how Magneto was restored, but strangely I don't recall that include the other infant members of the Brotherhood.
Re-reading Wolverine's intro, it's notable how differently he was scripted. He says this like "gents." He uses the word "donnybrook" where Claremont would probably have him say "scrap."
In Marvel Team-Up #23, which mainly focus on Iceman, the other X-Men note that they're about to depart on a secret mission. I wonder what ever became of that story; it seems like a hint of a future guest appearance. It doesn't really work as the Krakoa mission, because there's too big of a gap and Professor X appears elsewhere, seemingly untroubled.
Another mystery is why Madrox wasn't used as a member of the all-new, all-different X-Men. He shows up in the last pre-GSX #1 guest appearance by an X-Man (Prof. X in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4). Professor X decides to take Madrox in and train him in the use of his powers. The issue is co-written by Len Wein and Chris Claremont. Except for the fact that he doesn't fit in with the international theme of the new X-Men, he seems like a natural fit. And yet over the next 15 years, he's barely used. Off the top of my head, I think he shows up in the Proteus arc, Fallen Angels, and then the Muir Island Saga, right before he joins X-Factor. I might be wrong, but I don't think he even appeared in the first visit to Muir Island (when Magneto first fought the new team).
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Post by beccabear67 on Dec 8, 2020 13:03:59 GMT -5
The Comet #4 by Waid and Lyle. The Black Hood of these Impact comics is one of those stereotypical 'extreme' characters and I like that Comet treats him like the lunatic he would be. Seems to be all about his weapons so not too clear what the hood imbues him with in terms of powers, maybe just mental illness?
Spider-Girl #29-31. Tom DeFalco is keeping me interested in the M2 world circa 2001 (a Bugle newspaper is dated 2017)! The is a New Avengers appearance plus The Buzz, one of the few all original M2 creations.
Shooter was still editor-in-chief when I stopped buying Marvel comics in the mid '80s (I kept buying Epics longer), the deaths and crossover events were out of control to me. I'm wondering about DeFalco's time as editor-in-chief? I've been writing off late '80s and most of the '90s Marvel but Captain America #401-408 is making me wonder... I've heard the Fantastic Four had an interesting run around then as well. I can put up with too many Wolverine appearances and cameos I guess (Cable and The Punisher not so much, not interested in those guys whatsoever). The art in the soon to be 'Capwolf' has some weaknesses (going by #401) but it's decent enough, not the 'extreme' overdone posing thing, so I think I'll really enjoy getting through #402-408. I tried The Invaders, Black Cat and Black Knight mini series from around this time before Captain America and they were just okay (two had the hyper muscles and posing women with broken spines thing somewhat sadly). I would be willing to check out something else from the 'DeFalco era'...
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Post by beccabear67 on Dec 8, 2020 13:09:32 GMT -5
Another mystery is why Madrox wasn't used as a member of the all-new, all-different X-Men. My guess is just that Cockrum didn't feel inspired to cook up a new costume (and the green and yellow one they gave him was not much to look at). You're probably right though that there was a mandate to have and international multi-racial line-up. Jamie Madrox... the Yeoman Rand of X-Men comics!
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Post by spoon on Dec 8, 2020 18:34:42 GMT -5
I read Alien: The Illustrated Story, which is the official adaptation of the movie Alien by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson. It was originally published in 1979, but I have a 2012 reprint. A good solid job, but not as good as the movie, of course. I wish Kane looked more like John Hurt; his likeness is the farthest from his character. It's interesting to see how different media tackle the same story. There are definitely things the movie could do that the comic couldn't, but I think Goodwin & Simonson did a good job in adapting.
I've never actually read any other Alien comics (like everything Dark Horse did), but I'm a big fan of the first film. Since I live in New Jersey, I actually went to see the high school theater production in North Bergen, NJ that got a lot of attention on the internet last year.
I've been into read runs/TPBs or big binge reads recently. I've gotten decide what to binge next, but I figure I'd slip this short read in there.
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Post by Cei-U! on Dec 8, 2020 21:52:08 GMT -5
One pet peeve I have is that in his guest appearance in Captain America, Banshee's face is drawn almost as if to mimic a 19th century racist caricature of an Irishman. What were you doing, Sal Buscema? Also, the transformation Claremont put Magneto through is such a huge departure from his appearances in this era. Here, Magneto is really a cackling irredeemable madman. At some point, I'm going to have go back and read the stuff about how Magneto was restored to adult after Alpha made him an infant. I remember there was an explanation for how Magneto was restored, but strangely I don't recall that include the other infant members of the Brotherhood. In Marvel Team-Up #23, which mainly focus on Iceman, the other X-Men note that they're about to depart on a secret mission. I wonder what ever became of that story; it seems like a hint of a future guest appearance. It doesn't really work as the Krakoa mission, because there's too big of a gap and Professor X appears elsewhere, seemingly untroubled. Another mystery is why Madrox wasn't used as a member of the all-new, all-different X-Men. He shows up in the last pre-GSX #1 guest appearance by an X-Man (Prof. X in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4). Professor X decides to take Madrox in and train him in the use of his powers. The issue is co-written by Len Wein and Chris Claremont. Except for the fact that he doesn't fit in with the international theme of the new X-Men, he seems like a natural fit. And yet over the next 15 years, he's barely used. Off the top of my head, I think he shows up in the Proteus arc, Fallen Angels, and then the Muir Island Saga, right before he joins X-Factor. I might be wrong, but I don't think he even appeared in the first visit to Muir Island (when Magneto first fought the new team). 1. Don't blame Sal B. It was Werner Roth who designed Banshee, who did indeed resemble those terrible19th century caricatures. Dave Cockrum gets the credit for softening Banshee's look.
2. It was Erik the Red a.k.a. Shi'ar agent Davan Shakari who restored Magneto to adulthood in X-Men #104. It was later revealed in Champions #17 that he unintentionally restored the other Brotherhood members, who escaped during the confusion around Maggie's escape.
3. The mission the X-Men were heading off on in Team-Up #23 was the search for the Angel, missing since Avengers #111. It was following his trail that led to their capture by the Secret Empire in Captain America #173.
4. Jamie Madrox's first appearance after Giant-Size FF #4 was X-Men #104. At some point (possibly uring the Proteus arc, though I won't swear to it), Jamie would mention that he was in fact offered a spot in the X-Men but turned it down to work with Moira on Muir Island.
Cei-U! I summon my handy dandy X-Men index!
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Post by spoon on Dec 8, 2020 22:47:30 GMT -5
One pet peeve I have is that in his guest appearance in Captain America, Banshee's face is drawn almost as if to mimic a 19th century racist caricature of an Irishman. What were you doing, Sal Buscema? Also, the transformation Claremont put Magneto through is such a huge departure from his appearances in this era. Here, Magneto is really a cackling irredeemable madman. At some point, I'm going to have go back and read the stuff about how Magneto was restored to adult after Alpha made him an infant. I remember there was an explanation for how Magneto was restored, but strangely I don't recall that include the other infant members of the Brotherhood. In Marvel Team-Up #23, which mainly focus on Iceman, the other X-Men note that they're about to depart on a secret mission. I wonder what ever became of that story; it seems like a hint of a future guest appearance. It doesn't really work as the Krakoa mission, because there's too big of a gap and Professor X appears elsewhere, seemingly untroubled. Another mystery is why Madrox wasn't used as a member of the all-new, all-different X-Men. He shows up in the last pre-GSX #1 guest appearance by an X-Man (Prof. X in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4). Professor X decides to take Madrox in and train him in the use of his powers. The issue is co-written by Len Wein and Chris Claremont. Except for the fact that he doesn't fit in with the international theme of the new X-Men, he seems like a natural fit. And yet over the next 15 years, he's barely used. Off the top of my head, I think he shows up in the Proteus arc, Fallen Angels, and then the Muir Island Saga, right before he joins X-Factor. I might be wrong, but I don't think he even appeared in the first visit to Muir Island (when Magneto first fought the new team). 1. Don't blame Sal B. It was Werner Roth who designed Banshee, who did indeed resemble those terrible19th century caricatures. Dave Cockrum gets the credit for softening Banshee's look.
2. It was Erik the Red a.k.a. Shi'ar agent Davan Shakari who restored Magneto to adulthood in X-Men #104. It was later revealed in Champions #17 that he unintentionally restored the other Brotherhood members, who escaped during the confusion around Maggie's escape.
3. The mission the X-Men were heading off on in Team-Up #23 was the search for the Angel, missing since Avengers #111. It was following his trail that led to their capture by the Secret Empire in Captain America #173.
4. Jamie Madrox's first appearance after Giant-Size FF #4 was X-Men #104. At some point (possibly uring the Proteus arc, though I won't swear to it), Jamie would mention that he was in fact offered a spot in the X-Men but turned it down to work with Moira on Muir Island.
Cei-U! I summon my handy dandy X-Men index!
1. I remember Banshee looking weird when he first showed up, too, but it's been a while since I've read those issues. It's just shocking to see it still around in the mid-70s. 2. Now, I've gotta read some Champions. 3. That can't be. It has the same cover date as Cap #175 and comes after it in the TPB. But most importantly, Angel is one of the X-Men who comes to tell Iceman about the secret mission in MTU #23! 4. Yeah, I remember that bit of dialogue. I think it might've been as the X-Men are saying their goodbyes at the end of the Proteus arc. Personally, I'm more curious about the behind the scenes reason than the in-story reason. Like maybe the reader reaction to GSFF #4 was really negative.
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Post by Ricky Jackson on Dec 9, 2020 0:17:17 GMT -5
The Comet #4 by Waid and Lyle. The Black Hood of these Impact comics is one of those stereotypical 'extreme' characters and I like that Comet treats him like the lunatic he would be. Seems to be all about his weapons so not too clear what the hood imbues him with in terms of powers, maybe just mental illness? Spider-Girl #29-31. Tom DeFalco is keeping me interested in the M2 world circa 2001 (a Bugle newspaper is dated 2017)! The is a New Avengers appearance plus The Buzz, one of the few all original M2 creations. Shooter was still editor-in-chief when I stopped buying Marvel comics in the mid '80s (I kept buying Epics longer), the deaths and crossover events were out of control to me. I'm wondering about DeFalco's time as editor-in-chief? I've been writing off late '80s and most of the '90s Marvel but Captain America #401-408 is making me wonder... I've heard the Fantastic Four had an interesting run around then as well. I can put up with too many Wolverine appearances and cameos I guess (Cable and The Punisher not so much, not interested in those guys whatsoever). The art in the soon to be 'Capwolf' has some weaknesses (going by #401) but it's decent enough, not the 'extreme' overdone posing thing, so I think I'll really enjoy getting through #402-408. I tried The Invaders, Black Cat and Black Knight mini series from around this time before Captain America and they were just okay (two had the hyper muscles and posing women with broken spines thing somewhat sadly). I would be willing to check out something else from the 'DeFalco era'... The DeFalco and Ron Frenz run on Thor (1987-1993, issues 383-459) is probably my favorite Marvel comic from that mostly style over substance era. It was kinda the last holdout of the old Silver/Bronze age Marvel style, if not an outright homage to Lee/Kirby. I would definitely check it out if you haven't before
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Post by MDG on Dec 9, 2020 8:42:58 GMT -5
I read Alien: The Illustrated Story, which is the official adaptation of the movie Alien by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson. It was originally published in 1979, but I have a 2012 reprint. A good solid job, but not as good as the movie, of course.... This is what bothers me about my own attitude toward movie adaptations in comics--they always seem like a step backward, but I don't want to say that film is an inherently superior art form.
The vast majority of adaptations have pretty much been rote retellings, whether by Dell, Gold Key, Marvel... The Heavy Metal editions of Alien, 1941, and Outland try do some interesting things, but always take their cues from the design and pacing of the movie. Some 70s-80s novelizations of movies were able to go past what was on the screen and provide additional backstory or character depth.
It would be interesting for someone to adapt a movie into comics like comics are adapted into movies: cherry-pick what you want to cover and change the story and how it is told to fit the medium.
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Post by EdoBosnar on Dec 9, 2020 12:00:25 GMT -5
(...) 4. Jamie Madrox's first appearance after Giant-Size FF #4 was X-Men #104. At some point (possibly uring the Proteus arc, though I won't swear to it), Jamie would mention that he was in fact offered a spot in the X-Men but turned it down to work with Moira on Muir Island. (...) (...) 4. Yeah, I remember that bit of dialogue. I think it might've been as the X-Men are saying their goodbyes at the end of the Proteus arc. Personally, I'm more curious about the behind the scenes reason than the in-story reason. Like maybe the reader reaction to GSFF #4 was really negative. Yep, it's at the beginning of X-men #129: Cyclops asks him to join the team, and Jamie responds by saying something like he's a "Kansas farm boy" at heart and prefers to stay and help Moira and Sean run the lab.
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