Italy 2014

I just realized that I neglected to post something important, at least to me.  Of course, part of the reason for that is that that something and preparations for it have occupied most of my attention for the past several weeks so that I haven’t really given this blog much thought.  In any case, from 20-29 October my wife and I participated in a pilgrimage to Italy sponsored by our church, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.  If you’re interested in following along, seeing what we did, albeit a little behind the times, an account can be found at my “Yeah, It’s Another” blog (more formally called The Absent-Minded Professor’s Travels) listed at right, or accessible via the link below my banner above, or directly here [LINK].

“Albeit a little behind the times” … well, so is my posting the account.  My intention was to “live-blog” the trip for the benefit of my students back home – this is, after all, the middle of a semester – but as you’ll see that did not work out.  So I’m furiously “back-filling” the travelogue, trying to get it completed this weekend.  My goal yesterday morning was to finish it off yesterday so that at least all the postings would be dated in October, but that didn’t work out either.  I’m still feeling the effects of jet-lag, and by early evening last night I conked out.  I’m hoping to finish it off today, though.

In any case, we had a wonderful time, and as a historian you can bet I incorporate some historical commentary into my narrative.  I invite you to join us – without suffering the inconvenience of jet-lag!

Ciao!

Spinner-Rack Memories!: Action Comics #388 (May 1970)

Not a dream! Not a hoax! And not an “Imaginary Story”! For April Fool's Day, I have posted to my other blog a story that I remember fondly from my childhood, one that is chock-full of zany Silver-Age wackiness. Including yet another marriage between Superman and Lois Lane.

For a few minutes of levity, head on over to Spinner-Rack Memories to see the day Sgt. Rock tried – repeatedly – to kill his rival-in-love Superman by such fool-proof methods as dousing him in chocolate syrup and pelting him with five-day-old garbage (or did he miss a day? – could that be why it didn't work?)...

Cheers!

Perry Rhodan #19, Mutants vs. Mutants (1972)

By Clark Darlton

When Supermen Clash

The Mutant Master Monterny has been defeated - for the time being.  But as long as he lives there is the potential for sudden danger.

If the New Power is to survive and Chaos is not to grip civilization instead, the secret center of the mad genius must be discovered and destroyed.  To this in Perry Rhodan's Mutant Corps accepts its greatest challenge and the Duel of the Mutants begins, a duel that introduces -

The beautiful telepath, Tatjana.  Involves Pucky the mischievous mouse-beaver.  And soars with the reader into space.

It all takes place in - MUTANTS VS. MUTANTS.

- from the back cover.

For my thoughts on the English paperback edition of this episode from the long-running German science fiction pulp magazine series, go here.

Cheers!

Spinner-Rack Memories!: Superboy #171 (Jan 1971)

As I've said before and will again – and often, no doubt – Aquaman was my first favorite super-hero. As corny as his concept may have seemed to some nay-sayers even then, I was swept up in the adventures of the King of the Seven Seas at least from the first time I saw him on the Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure. So when Aquaboy made his first – and to my knowledge only significant – appearance, in the pages of Superboy – the adventures of Superman when he was a boy – I was tickled pink. I don't remember if I knew it was coming from some DC Comics house ad, or if I was suddenly made aware of it by seeing it on the stands, but I do remember reading and rereading this comic. I most associate it with the back sun-room of my paternal grandmother's house, which faced across a big field toward my childhood home. When I conceived the idea for this blog devoted to significant comics I remember from my childhood, this issue was among the first to spring into mind. Like the vast majority of my childhood comics, it was lost or sold off – or possibly just fell apart from wear – long ago, so I had to buy it back from my on-line back-issue vendor. In my memory, however, I did not dream that it was significant for more than just the appearance of Aquaboy.

If you want to know why, check out my "other other blog" here.

Cheers!

Perry Rhodan #18, Menace of the Mutant Master (1972)

By Kurt Mahr.

From the back cover:

“The Venus Adventure, fraught with prehistoric dangers on a Dawn World still trembling to the tread of the dinosaur – the Venus Adventure has been successfully concluded.

“Once again, on Terra, the Peacelord of the Universe can turn his attention to the problems of the New Power.

“But now, on Earth, a new crisis arises: from out of nowhere materializes an evil mastermind.

“Monterny!

“To Perry Rhodan as Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes, as Duquesne to Richard Seaton. A villainous figure, intent on undermining the progress of the New Power! A super-hypnotist who enslaves the minds and bodies of his own band of mutants and sets them against Perry and his futuremen in a war of wills that produces new thrills and chills for Rhodan and his readers in –

“Menace of the Mutant Master.”

For my comments and reactions to this book, and other features in this 1972 paperback version of a sci-fi pulp magazine, including an unauthorized presentation of the foreword by Ray Bradbury in toto, see here.

Spinner-Rack Memories!

My Secret Origin!  The beginnings of my life-long obsession with "funnybooks" are revealed at last!

Spinner-Rack Memories!

Superman#215 and Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #91 (Apr 1969).  

Superman marries Lois Lane ... twice in one month!  With very different consequences each time....

Stop on over and check out my newest blog, devoted to comic book memories from my childhood.

Cheers!

Insightful post regarding John Carter and Disney

I don't often just post links to other blogs, but the John Carter Files post here gives a lot of what I think is very insightful analysis of the whole debacle.  Hidden therein is a point I tried to make as well in my comments, the opinion that this movie will age well and ultimately be recognized as undeserving of the shameful treatment it was given.

It's by no means a perfect movie.  But a lot of worse movies have been commercial -- even cultural -- phenomena.  (Yeah, I'm looking at you, Avatar.  Hey, just my opinion.)

Scroll down the John Carter Files post for a couple of examples of what I think would have been far superior marketing strategies.

Kaor!

Perry Rhodan #12, The Rebels of Tuglan (1972)

By Clark Darlton.

See my full write-up on my other blog, linked at right.