YOUR TIME MACHINE TO THE PAST!

SWAP TALK ARCHIVES

HERITAGE MOVIE POSTER AUCTION CLOSES SUNDAY AT 10PM CT

The Astounding She Monster (American International, 1958). Half Sheet (22" X 28"). Science Fiction.
Starring Shirley Kilpatrick, Robert Clarke, Kenne Duncan, Marilyn Harvey, Jeanne Tatum, Ewing Miles Brown, Scott Douglas, and Al Avalon. Directed by Ronald V. Ashcroft. A restored poster that displays signs of use. May include light edge or fold wear, slight fold separations, very minor paper loss, pinholes, or unobtrusive stains. Grades on all restored items are pre-restoration grades; Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Excellent Albert Kallis artwork. Fine/Very Fine on Linen.

This Island Earth (Universal International, R-1964). Lobby Card Set of 8 (11" X 14"). Science Fiction.
Starring Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue, Rex Reason, Lance Fuller, Russell Johnson, Douglas Spencer, Robert Nichols and Karl L. Lindt. Directed by Joseph M. Newman and Jack Arnold. An unrestored lobby card set with bright colors and clean overall appearances. They may have general signs of use, such as light edge wear and pinholes. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. From the collection of Wade Williams. Very Fine+.

2001: A Space Odyssey (MGM, 1968). One Sheet (27" X 41") Style B. Science Fiction.
Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, and Douglas Rain. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. An unrestored poster with bright color and a clean overall appearance. It may have general signs of use, such as slight fold separation and fold wear, corner bumps, or very minor tears. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Robert 'Bob" McCall artwork. Folded, Very Fine.

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HERITAGE COMIC BOOK AUCTION CLOSES SUNDAY AT 10PM CT

3-D Sheena, Jungle Queen #1 (Fiction House, 1953) Condition: FN. Maurice Whitman cover. Glasses still attached. Overstreet 2010 FN 6.0 value = $204.

Enric Badia Romero Tiger Girl Illustration Original Art (2003). Savage and sensual graphite illustration by Spanish artist, Enric Romero (Modesty Blaise and AXA). Framed and matted with an image area of 11" x 16". In Excellent condition.

Journey Into Mystery #4 (Marvel, 1952) Condition: VG. Bill Everett cover. Russ Heath art. Overstreet 2010 VG 4.0 value = $164.

Sal Buscema The Incredible Hulk #253 page 17 Original Art (Marvel, 1980). Doc Samson throws Pantherus down a well, as the Hulk tangles with Elephantine in this page from Part Two of "The Changelings." The art has an image area of 10" x 15" and it is in Excellent condition. Signed by Sal Buscema in the final panel.

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FAN, GEM Welcome Baltimore Comic-Con

Saturday night, August 28, 2010, after the Baltimore Comic-Con closes for the day, FAN Members can get extra savings and extra time by printing a copy of this email and bringing it with them just across the street at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum.

FAN members will receive a free gift just for visiting. To get it, though, you’ll have to be signed up to get the Fandom Advisory Network email that goes out Monday, August 23, 2010.

GEM will be open extra hours that night exclusively for FAN members, GEM members and Comic Con attendees only; con attendees just need to show their badges and GEM members need only their membership cards. FAN members just need a copy of this email.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=99125

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Adam Hughes is Mid-Ohio Guest of Honor

Adam Hughes has joined the roster for Mid-Ohio-Con 2010, which will be held on November 6-7, 2010 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. He will be the show’s guest of honor.

“Adam is one of the most influential and successful creators in comics today with a body of work that spans from comics and graphic novels to cards and gaming and has inspired work in countless other mediums. We’re thrilled to welcome him as a guest of honor for our 30th anniversary show,” said James Henry, Managing Director of Mid-Ohio-Con.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=99153

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Willingham, Edwards Take on Warriors Three

Warriors Three, a new Marvel Comics limited series from Fables writer Bill Willingham and artist Neil Edwards, is scheduled to debut in November 2010 featuring Thor’s allies of long standing, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=99133

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Denis Kitchen's Chipboard Sketchbook

Following the publication of The Oddly Compelling Art Of Denis Kitchen this summer by Dark Horse Books, BOOM! Studios will release Denis Kitchen's Chipboard Sketchbook.

The new volumne is comprised of peculiar kinds of drawings on “chipboard” that Kitchen has created below the radar for many years. Chipboard is the heavy, grainy card stock at the base of writing tablets. The artist started the habit of drawing on this unlikely substance during long, often boring production meetings at Kitchen Sink Press, his former company.

Originally seen only by close friends and colleagues, Denis has condensed several hundred of these oddly unique and compelling drawings into a single best-of collection.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=99071

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ComicLink’s August Event Closes 8/24 - 8/26

Next week wraps up ComicLink’s August Featured Auction, started Friday, August 13, 2010 and closes Tuesday, August 24 through Thursday, August 26, from 8:00 PM EDT and midnight each day. The event features a great selection of vintage comic books and original comic art.

Examples of the Golden Age material in this auction include Action Comics early and high-grade issues, including wraps from #1, #15 CGC 4.0, #16 CGC 6.0, #17 CGC 5.0, #18 CGC 6.5, #23 CGC 4.0 and others, All-American #16 CGC 5.5 (Restored), All-American #18 CGC 7.0 (highest graded, one of three), #21 CGC 9.2 (highest graded), All-Negro Comics #1 CGC 6.0, Archie Comics #5 CGC 6.5 (second highest), #12 ( Highest), Batman #1 CGC 3.0, number CGC Registry Set for Batman #1-#100 (issues from this set will be in this auction and the ComicLink November Featured Auction; this is a Batman heavy auction in general with nearly one hundred different examples to bid on), Black Terror #4 CGC 9.4 (highest graded), Captain America Comics #52 CGC 9.6 and a strong selection of other Timely issues, Captain Marvel Adventures #1 CGC 7.5 (white pages, restored) and other Captain Marvel issues from the number Registry Set, Detective Comics #27 (incomplete), #32 CGC 5.5, #33 CGC 5.0 (origin issue), and #38 CGC 4.0 (first Robin).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=99158

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Affordable Action Comics #1? Could Be!

With bidding set to begin August 27, 2010 at noon, the ComicConnect.com September Event Auction headlines an Action Comics #1 CGC 5.0 which is expected to sell for a healthy six-figure sum.

While, understandably, this comic is out of the reach of most collectors, the team at ComicConnect.com has a solution to all of those who want to own major Golden Age keys and never imagined they could.

Check out Action Comics #1, Superman #1, Detective Comics #1

“These coverless comics are an exciting opportunity for collectors everywhere,” said Rob Reynolds, Director of Consignments. “Not many people get the chance to own a piece of comic book history as prices on Golden Age key have soared. This is the shot they’ve been waiting for.”

Along with the coverless Superman #1, ComicConnect.com is also offering three others: Superman #1 CGC 0.5, Superman #1 CGC 1.8, and Superman #1 CGC 7.0 M(P).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=99109

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Pedigree Adds More Silver, Bronze to Auction

Pedigree Comics’ Doug Schmell has reported that more high grade consignments are coming in for his company’s upcoming Grand Auction. Now only one week away, the auction is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM EDT the night of Sunday, August 29, 2010 and last for 10 days, with the first half of books ending the afternoon of Wednesday, September 8 and the final half of books closing on Thursday, September 9.

He said the auction will feature well over five hundred CGC-certified comics and magazines, many being the highest CGC-certified according to the census.

“It is shaping up to be one of the best online auctions for high-end, investment grade comic books ever. Almost all of the books in the Grand Auction will be listed with no reserve and the minimum bid on every item is only $100. Plus, there is no Buyer’s Premium on any item in the auction,” he said.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=99106

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Tropic Comics Offers Long Archie Run, More

Tropic Comics said they’ll be offering something for everyone in their upcoming summertime eBay offerings. Included will be both CGC-certified and non-certified comics with highlights such as Giant-Size X-Men #1, Amazing Spider-Man #300, Jonah Hex #1, and more.

Also included will be a newly acquired run of Archie Comics. The Archie run, Archie Comics #7-383, is new to the market from an estate. It will be offered on eBay starting on Sunday night August 29, 2010, without reserve.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=99104

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Boris Vallejo Pieces in Russ Cochran Auction

The next edition of Russ Cochran’s Comic Art Auction is set to close on September 2, 2010 and as we mentioned last week the name of the game for that event might be “rarities.” In addition to offering great works by Frazetta, McCay, and McManus, among others, Cochran has two very different pieces by master illustrator Boris Vallejo.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=99157

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Babe Ruth Rarities at Schulte Auctions

We recently noted that Schulte Auctions had landed some very rare Babe Ruth-signed items for their auction, which closes August 31, 2010. Now other folks are definitely noticing as well. The Beckett Blog and Beckett website both have pieces on the sale, which spotlights a collection of five original photos and an inner book cover was signed, dated and personalized by The Sultan of Swat his sister, Mamie Margaret Ruth-Moberly. The items have been consigned by the family and have never before been publicly available. Each of the photos have been certified by either James Spence Authentication or PSA/DNA.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=99112

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Bronze Age Fantastic First: Wulf The Barbarian #1

Seaboard Periodicals (Atlas-Seaboard); February 1975
Cover by Larry Hama [and probably Klaus Janson]

Title: “Wulf the Barbarian”
Synopsis: Coming of age in distant Azerebajia, an orphaned Prince Wulf trains to fulfill his blood oath against Mordek Mal Moriak.

Writer: Larry Hama
Penciler: Larry Hama
Inker: Klaus Janson

Review: Like much of the Atlas-Seaboard line, Wulf the Barbarian brings little new to the table. But this series gets off to a strong start, thanks to the fine work of writer-artist Larry Hama. This is clearly a labor of love for Hama, and his passion for the material infuses new life into otherwise worn genre tropes. He also has a nice knack for both characterization and world uilding; in limited space, he creates a complex world and hints at future stories. Hama’s art is

also quite nice, aided by the more-detailed-than-usual inking of Klaus Janson. Overall, a fine debut.

Grade: A-

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=98989

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KISS

In 1971, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley gave birth to a modern rock legend by playing their first show as Wicked Lester. In August of 1973, after a name change and the addition of new personnel, Kiss took the stage at the Grand Ballroom of the Diplomat Hotel in New York, shortly resulting in a record deal.

Gene Simmons (bass player), Paul Stanley (guitarist), Ace Frehley (guitarist), and Peter Criss (drummer) had transformed themselves into The Demon, Starchild, Space Ace, and The Cat, respectively, through makeup.

By mixing a hard rock edge with glam rock theatrics, Kiss took the world by storm as evidenced by their legion of followers, known as The Kiss Army. The group spawned best selling albums, action figures, a made-for-TV movie (Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, 1978), a comic book from Marvel followed over the years by a series from a number of other publishers, and scores of other merchandise.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=98983

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The Lone Ranger

The legend of the Lone Ranger was born on Detroit radio station WXYZ in January 1933, the product of station owner George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker. The program was a success from the start, and within a year was also being heard on WGN in Chicago and WOR in New York--in effect forming the nucleus of the new Mutual network.

By 1937, “Hi-Yo Silver!” was echoing nationwide. Initially sustained by the station, the program was sponsored by Silver Cup bread starting in November 1933. Bond bread took over as sponsor in 1939 except in the Southeast states, where Merita bread retained its franchise.

General Mills became the sponsor in 1941, tying the masked rider to such cereals as Kix and Wheaties until the radio series went off the air in 1955. Cheerios sponsored rebroadcasts until 1956, ending some 23 years and over 3,000 episodes of Western radio thrills and adventure.

Jack Deeds was the first actor to play the Lone Ranger, but only for the first six broadcasts. George Stenius, later a movie producer under the name George Seaton, assumed the role for the next three months. When Stenius quit, WXYZ station manager Brace Beemer took over the role for a few months, but then he left to open an advertising agency.

Finally, in May 1933, Earl Graser became the Lone Ranger voice and he continued the role until his death in 1941. At this point, Brace Beemer was recruited to return to the role. He played the part from 1941 to 1955 and became the voice most closely associated with the character.

On television, the Lone Ranger rode for more than 30 years on the networks and in syndication. The series, sponsored by General Mills (and Merita bread), premiered on ABC in 1949 and aired in prime time until 1957. Reruns were shown on all three networks: CBS (1953-1960 and 1966-1969), ABC (1957-1961 and 1965), and NBC (1960-1961). Syndication began in 1961. Clayton Moore (1914-1999) played the lead for most of the series (John Hart covered the years 1952-1954) and Jay Silverheels (1919-1980), a Mohawk Indian, was Tonto, his faithful companion.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=98984

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Lost in Space

“Never fear, Smith is here!”

The cult sci-fi TV series Lost in Space, created by Irwin Allen for 20th Century Fox Television, aired on CBS from 1965through1968. Although it ran up against the original Star Trek, it was Lost in Space that was the first-run success.

Following the exploits of the intrepid Robinson family (Professor John Robinson, wife Maureen, daughters Judy and Penny, son Will, their pilot Major Don West, their Robot...called “Robot”) and a stock villain stowaway known as Dr. Smith originally sent to sabotage the ship, the series was a campy hit that mixed cheap special effects, excessive over-acting, and a wild sense of fun to produce a show enjoyed by both children and adults. The cast included Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Marta Kristen, Angela Cartwright, Bill Mumy, Mark Goddard and Jonathan Harris.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=98986

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Howdy Doody in Comics

Howdy Doody has long been America's favorite puppet, but did you know that he was also one of America's favorite comic characters? In addition, he was the first TV character to ever receive his own book. His long run on TV was matched by his success in the four color page. Collectors of Howdy Doody memorabilia have long treasured these issues.

The first five issue of this Dell publication sported photo-covers. However, many fans seem to really treasure the classic painted covers that graced the remaining 33 issues. As clean as Howdy was, he still warranted a mention in Seduction of the Innocent. Issue 36 is referenced on pg. 309 of that strange tome.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=98696

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Looking Back at RGK: Roy G. Krenkel

Among the many creators interviewed over the years by comics historian, enthusiast and publisher Russ Cochran was the artist Roy G. Krenkel, an illustrator sadly overlooked by many modern fans. In addition to other work, Krenkel, a Hugo Award-winning artist, created the covers for more than 20 Edgar Rice Burroughs and other genre paperbacks.

Cochran interviewed him at his home in 1978 for the third volume of the now long out of print Edgar Rice Burroughs Library of Illustration. With the recent passing of Frank Frazetta, Cochran found himself looking back at the work of Krenkel, who was a good friend of Frazetta’s, and he gave us permission to share this historic interview with our readers.

Roy Gerald Krenkel was born in the Bronx in 1918, and lived in the New York area his entire life except for a short stay in the Philippines during World War II. He grew up reading the stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Talbut Mundy and Robert E. Howard.

He attended Hogarth’s School of Visual Arts, New York Artists’ League and Cooper Union, and he drew and doodled incessantly. Krenkel never had a regular job. He lived with his parents in their home in Queens; he evidently had enough income from them to meet his Spartan needs, and he continued doodling and working around the fringes of the professional art world until Al Williamson asked him for assistance in backgrounds for some of the EC science fiction stories that Al was illustrating.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=99156

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Actor Doug Jones at Edge Comic-Con

Award-winning actor Doug Jones, who portrayed the Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer and Abe Sapien in Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army, will be the featured guest at the second annual Edge Comic-Con on September 4, 2010 in Edgerton, WI.

Jones, an accomplished actor who also played dual roles in the Academy Award-winning film Pan’s Labyrinth, will host a panel discussion for fans at 1:00 PM.

Edge Comic-Con is a family-friendly event that will feature comic books, toys, anime, artists and drawings. The event takes place Saturday, September 4, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center, 200 Elm High Drive in Edgerton, WI.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=261&ai=99001

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR AUGUST 21, 2010

Battle: Los Angeles Mixes UFO Lore, Fallujah Feel

SAN DIEGO — Graft urban combat’s raw intensity and a back story based on real events onto an explosive alien invasion and you’ve got Battle: Los Angeles, an upcoming sci-fi movie that attempts to convey what an alien invasion might actually look like.

The now-familiar videos of U.S. troops engaged in Iraq firefights informed the look and feel of the movie, said cast members and filmmakers Thursday during a Comic-Con International panel offering a first glimpse at the film.

“We made a war movie with aliens in it,” said Aaron Eckhart, who plays a Marine in the movie.

The footage shown in Hall H looked like a combination of Black Hawk Down and District 9, with U.S. troops taking withering fire from aliens in a decimated Los Angeles. The goal was to inject realism and a first-person feel into a classic sci-fi scenario.

“I found a lot of the embedded footage you find of the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan incredibly powerful,” said director Jonathan Liebesman, “and I thought that would just be a great way to tell an alien-invasion story.”

MORE: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/07/battle-los-angeles/

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WHO IS THIS GIRL?

One of our site visitors has a major crush on this Cosplay Baroness. When he saw the picture we ran of her at the San Diego Comic-con (bottom pic) he contacted us to find out what we knew about her which is absolutely nothing. He said there are numerous pix of her on the web but no name. The top pic here is one he found and sent us. He'd like as many pix as he can get and any info on her you guys out there might have. If you send us any pix (and info) we'll publish them here.

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PALADIN RING

Dear Folks,

It's not often that one can come out with a new product that

encompasses the Western Frontier and Hollywood's portrayal of same. We have humbly made an effort and would like to share it with you. One the greatest 1950's TV shows, Paladin and our ring commemorating the series. Also see our Clayton Moore/Masked Man tribute:

ebay item #:360282657956

www.stores.ebay.com/gewelometry

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HERITAGE AUCTION

Crime Reporter #2 and 3 Group (St. John, 1948). Includes #2 (used in SOTI, GD/VG) and 3 (VG+). Matt Baker covers. George Tuska art. Approximate Overstreet value for group = $200.

Crime Does Not Pay #33 (Lev Gleason, 1944) Condition: FR/GD. Overstreet notes, "Classic Charles Biro hanging and hatchet cover." Rudy Palais and Dick Briefer art. Large tear from bottom of spine to the staple and 3" across the book; cover loosely attached. Overstreet 2010 GD 2.0 value = $77.

Nestor Redondo Swamp Thing #13 page 12 Original Art (DC, 1974). This character-rich page from "The Leviathan Conspiracy" has an image area of 10" x 15" and it is in Very Good condition.

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COOL! BUT IS IT WORTH $18OO?

Pocher made the finest automobile models ever created. The detail and working parts on these long out-of-production kits is amazing. This kit has 2378 parts of plastic / brass / steel / leather / iron / rubber / copper and many more. Working features include operating steering - working suspension - lights that operate from the dashboard - leather seats with springs - doors that open and close with operating door latches and handles - windows that raise and lower with the working cranks - the starting handle operates the crankshaft / connecting rods / pistons / V-belts / Fan / dynamo / etc in the engine - convertible top operates - and many more. This kit has never been started and all parts are sealed in the factory bags. Includes decals and instructions. Recommended for experienced models only. NOTE: This is the version with most realistic but complex wheel construction. Each wheel is built with well over 100 parts via individual spoke placement.

MORE: http://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=5653

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NASA UNIFORMS FOR SALE

The Space Store has an astronaut costume or astronaut flight suit for astronauts of all sizes -- from newborns and kids to extra-large adults. These high-quality flight suits and astronaut costumes are replicas of those worn by the astronauts and NASA flight crews.

Astronaut Costumes and NASA Flight Suits

Our variety of adult astronaut costumes and flight suits includes a Space Shuttle Launch and Entry Suit in authentic bold orange, a white astronaut costume that can be outfitted for a spacewalk, and three different blue flight suits like the jumpsuits astronauts wear when flying jets and sometimes in orbit.

Astronaut Flight Jackets

We also have two versatile flight jackets that can be paired with authentic space shuttle astronaut flight pants for an excellent astronaut costume.

Our astronaut costumes come with a variety of zippered pockets, velcro closures, bindings and patches to give them an authentic look far above the usual Halloween costumes other stores sell. They're made of tough, durable material that will last for years, with hardware that's made to last.

Call to order an astronaut costume: Please call 877-698-0704 if you need help placing your order.

MORE: http://www.thespacestore.com/flightsuits2.html

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Heritage: CGC 7.5 Detective Comics #27: $657,250

A GCC-certified 7.5 copy of Detective Comics #27, the first appearance of Batman, sold for $657,250 at Heritage Auction Galleries in their August 5-6, 2010 Signature Comics and Comic Art Auction. Known as the “Aloha” copy (the seller resides in Hawaii), it represents the second highest amount ever paid for this issue, and the highest paid in this grade. Heritage sold a CGC-certified 8.0 copy on February 25, 2010 for $1,075,500, which was at the time the most ever paid for a comic and today still ranks second all-time. Both prices include Heritage’s 19.5% Buyer’s Premium.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98785

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Free Graphic Novel Day at New Dimension

On September 4, 2010, Western Pennsylvania’s New Dimension Comics will host a new event offering free graphic novels or collected editions to visitors to any of their five locations including Butler, Cranberry Township, Ellwood City, McMurray, and West Mifflin Century III Mall.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98845

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Four Color Flashback

One of the longest-running and most influential comics in the history of the medium rarely had the same characters from issue to issue. Dell's Four Color Comics, home to Disney characters, Westerns, movie tie-ins and so many other properties, is not only highly collectible, it's a very distinct piece of comic book history.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98839

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Pilot Season: 7 Days from Hell #1

Top Cow Lines Up Pilot Season 2010

Since 2007, Top Cow has given fans power via the vote. The company has encouraged reader participation through their Pilot Season initiative, which allowed fans to choose the next two Top Cow series from among a series of one-shot “pilot” or try-out issues followed by online voting. The inaugural Pilot Season initiative garnered more than four million votes from fans across the globe.

For Pilot Season 2010, our friends at the Cow will debut six new concepts from six different creative teams next month over a six-week schedule. A 32-page preview comic, Pilot Season 2010: Declassified, was first released at Comic-Con International: San Diego and will reach stores later this month.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98841

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Actor Doug Jones at Edge Comic-Con

Jones, an accomplished actor who also played dual roles in the Academy Award-winning film Pan’s Labyrinth, will host a panel discussion for fans at 1:00 PM.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98837

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Michael Golden Added to Mid-Ohio-Con

Michael Golden, known for his detailed and vibrant work on such titles as The ‘Nam, Micronauts, and Buck O’Hare, has joined the guest roster for Mid-Ohio-Con 2010, which will be held November 6-7, 2020 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

“Golden’s work has dazzled generations of fans and established him as one of the most influential creators in comics with a body of work that inspired countless artists over the years. We’re thrilled to welcome him as a special guest for our 30th anniversary show,” said James Henry, Managing Director of Mid-Ohio-Con.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=98828

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Matt Wagner Covers Green Hornet: Year One

The Green Hornet: Year One has been one of our favorite series this past year as Eisner Award-winning writer Matt Wagner, artist Aaron Campbell and colorist Francisco Francovilla have explored the earliest days of the team of the Green Hornet and Kato.

Now Wagner, who has supplied some cover images thus far, is taking over as the regular cover artist beginning with The Green Hornet: Year One #6.

“It’s no secret that I’m big fan of the Green Hornet and these sort of pulp-laden adventure stories in general,” says new cover artist and writer Matt Wagner.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=98823

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Meet Skultar, The Under-Funded Barbarian

Creators M.J. Butler and Mark Wheatley have decided it’s time to unleash Skultar, their parody of Robert E. Howard's Conan and all things barbaric, and they’re looking for a little help to make it happen. In exchange that that help, they’re offering some pretty cool stuff.

They are part of growing group of creators across many different fields who have turned to Kickstarter.com. According to the site, Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors. They believe that a good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide, and that a large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement.

It’s model is a “unique all-or-nothing funding method” where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands; every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money changes hands.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=98852

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CGC 9.4 ToS #39 and More at Pedigree

Pedigree Comics’ President and CEO, Doug Schmell, reports that his company has just received on consignment a fabulous group of CGC graded Silver Age Marvels and DCs for the upcoming Grand Auction. Now only two weeks away, the auction is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM EDT the night of Sunday, August 29, 2010 and last for 10 days, with the first half of books ending the afternoon of Wednesday, September 8 and the final half of books closing on Thursday, September 9.

“The auction will feature over five hundred high grade CGC-certified comics and magazines, many being the highest CGC-certified according to the census, and it is shaping up to be one of the best online auctions for high-end, investment grade comic books ever,” Schmell said. “Almost all of the books in the Grand Auction will be listed with no reserve and the minimum bid on every item is only $100.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98792

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Rare Farm Antiques Collection 8/14 at Morphy's

In 1960, Frank Zeager, a Mennonite minister from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, attended his first auction and impulsively purchased a pair of old door hinges. His father-in-law, who was with him at the auction, asked Frank where he planned to use the hinges. Frank replied, “I just want to look at them.”

Little did Frank suspect his first auction purchase would lead to a 50-year pursuit of country antiques and farm-related Americana. Together with his beloved late wife, Rhoda (who passed away in May), Frank wended his way through thousands of flea markets, antique shops and auctions over the decades, as the two of them amassed a collection of objects they would proudly display and enjoy in their home, a 100-year-old homestead.

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William Penn Motor Oil porcelain two-sided sign in excellent condition (est. $3,000).

Sebastian, Bitterman Collections at Showtime

Two major lifetime collections comprising about 1,800 lots in a dizzying array of categories will be sold the weekend of October 1-3, 2010 by Showtime Auction Services at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich. “Our auctions just keep getting better and better,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services. “It's quite remarkable.”

Headlining the event will be the collections of Charles and Marianne Sebastian, who amassed hundreds of items over the course of a lifetime before Mr. Sebastian’s passing in 2007. Also offered will be candy and gum collectibles from the estate of Alan Bitterman, whose father founded the Bitterman Candy Company distribution firm in Kansas City, Kansas, in the 1920s.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98812

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Bronze Age Fantastic First: John Carter #1

Marvel Comics; June 1977
Cover by Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum

Title: “The Air-Pirates of Mars - Chapter 1”
Synopsis: John Carter races to rescue the beautiful Dejah Thoris and his friend Tars Tarkas from Warhoon kidnappers.

Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: Gil Kane
Inker: Dave Cockrum

Review: Following its surprise success with Conan the Barbarian, Marvel spent a good bit of time during the Bronze Age mining other pulp properties. While some of those efforts were hit-and-miss affairs, it’s hard to fault the effort on John Carter Warlord of Mars #1. At the helm is writer-editor Marv Wolfman, a big-time Edgar Rice Burroughs fan who does a fine job here. But the real treat is the art team of Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum, whose styles compliment one another beautifully.

Grade: A-

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F.A.C.T.S Comicon Adds Spawn's Greg Capullo

After the previous announcements of artists Frank Cho, Dave Gibbons, Brandon Peterson and fantasy-artist Anne Stokes , the 20th anniversary edition of the F.A.C.T.S Comicon in Gent, Belgium, has announced that Spawn and Haunt artist Greg Capullo has joined its roster of guests for the October 23-24, 2010 show at the Gent Flanders Expo Convention Center.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=261&ai=98770

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Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics

November 9, 2010 will see the direct-to-DVD release of Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics, the new documentary written and directed by Mac Carter and narrated by upcoming Green Lantern star Ryan Reynolds that explores 75 years of DC Comics history.

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Lee Majors Lands at Wizard's Big Apple Con

Lee Majors, who for many will always be Colonel Steve Austin (better known as The Six Million Dollar Man), will make his first appearance at a convention in more than 30 years at the Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con, October 1-3, at Penn Plaza Pavilion in New York.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=261&ai=98791

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 8-14-10

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HERITAGE AUCTION CLOSES SUNDAY AUG. 8

Revenge of the Creature (Universal International, 1955). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Horror.
Starring John Agar, Lori Nelson, John Bromfield, Nestor Paiva, Grandon Rhodes, Clint Eastwood and Diane DeLaire. Directed by Jack Arnold. A restored poster that has an overall presentable appearance. May show some signs of age, including brittleness, staining, slight fading, pinholes, edge or fold wear, fold separations, or some paper loss. Grades on all restored items are pre-restoration grades; Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Artwork by Reynold Brown. Very Good/Fine on Linen.

The Man With Nine Lives (Columbia, 1940). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Horror.
Starring Boris Karloff, Roger Pryor, Jo Ann Sayers, Stanley Brown and John Dilson. Directed by Nick Grinde. A restored poster that displays signs of use. May include light edge or fold wear, slight fold separations, very minor paper loss, pinholes, or unobtrusive stains. Grades on all restored items are pre-restoration grades; Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Fine/Very Fine on Linen.

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HERITAGE COMIC BOOK AUCTION

This collection, featuring the top-ranked CGC registry set of all five of the main DC war titles, begins its run in Sunday Internet Auctions this week. We thought you'd enjoy these covers!

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NYCC Adds Joe, Andy, Adam Kubert to Guest List

Comic book legend Joe Kubert and sons Adam and Andy Kubert will be guests of the New York Comic Con, which is set for the weekend of October 8-10, 2010 at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan.

“These three fellas make for an incredibly comic family! Patriarch, Joe, has worked in comics since the industry began! He's produced stories for countless characters, notably DC's Hawkman and Sgt. Rock and his own Tor and Abraham Stone. He also made an unmatchable incredible contribution to comics - The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art,” said NYCC’s Lance Fensterman.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98452

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The Rocketeer Returns in 2011 from IDW

Dave Steven’s The Rocketeer, which has seen quite a revival at IDW Publishing, will get a new four-issue mini-series in 2011. It will feature the work of such creators as Mike Allred, Kurt Busiek, John Cassaday, Darwyn Cooke, Michael Golden, Gene Ha, Michael Kaluta, Garry Leach, Bruce Timm, Bill Willingham, and others. Alex Ross, as required by some sort of law we didn’t know about, will supply covers on each issue.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=98494

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Matt Wagner Added to Mid-Ohio Con

Matt Wagner, creator of Grendel and Mage, and writer of DC’s Madame Xanadu and Dynamite’s Green Hornet: Year One, has joined the guest roster for Mid-Ohio Con 2010, will be held on November 6-7, 2010 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

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Heritage Illustration Art Auction is August 17

Selections from the estate of passionate art collector, book dealer and comic book aficionado John McLaughlin, whose holdings in pulp and fantasy art are legendary, make up the centerpiece of Heritage Auctions’ August 17, 2010 Signature Illustration Art Auction, with some of the rarest and absolute finest examples of their kind in existence making their way to auction.

“One look at the covers from this collection by H.J. Ward (The Evil Flame, Spicy Mystery Stories pulp cover, August 1936, estimate $30,000+), Margaret Brundage (A Rival from the Grave, Weird Tales cover, January 1936 , estimate: $50,000+) and Frank R. Paul (The Robot Aliens, Wonder Stories pulp cover, February 1935, estimate: $20,000+) in this auction, to cite only three examples, will tell you all you need to know about the A+ quality of art from the Estate of John McLaughlin,” said Ed Jaster, Senior Vice President of Heritage. “Savvy pulp art collectors have been waiting for highlights from his estate to appear on the market. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

It is the consensus among the Illustration Art specialists at Heritage that the August auction represents the strongest offering yet of both pulp magazine and hard-boiled paperback cover art, in a Heritage Illustration Art event, the company said. Among the masterworks offered here are two covers by James Avati, Louisville Saturday, paperback cover, 1958 and A Place Called Estherville, paperback book cover, 1957, both of which are expected to bring $4,000+.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98490

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“Killer” New Marvels & DCs at Pedigree Comics

Pedigree Comics has just received what company President and CEO Doug Schmell calls “a fantastic group of CGC-certified Silver Age and Bronze Age Marvel and DC issues” for their upcoming Grand Auction.

Now only three weeks away, the auction is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM EDT the night of Sunday, August 29, 2010 and last for 10 days, with the first half of books ending the afternoon of Wednesday, September 8 and the final half of books closing on Thursday, September 9. The auction will feature several hundred high-grade CGC-certified comics and magazines, many being the highest CGC certified according to the census.

“It is shaping up to be one of the best online auctions for high-end, investment grade comic books ever, “ Schmell said. “Most of the books in the Grand Auction will be listed with no reserve and the minimum bid on every item is only $100.”

“The brand new group consists of a batch of just graded high grade 1960s and ‘70s Marvels and DCs (30 books) plus a new consignment of ultra high grade (CGC-certified 9.4 and higher) Silver Age Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Strange Tales, Tales of Suspense and Tales to Astonish (40 books). All of the books in this group will be listed in the Auction Preview within the next few days. There are already over 180 books to view in the Auction Preview,” he said.

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999 Folded One-Sheets at eMoviePoster.com

The new Tuesday-closing items are up for auction at eMoviePoster.com and they include 999 folded one-sheets covering all years and genres. Additionally, you can check out the Summer 2010 Mini/Major Auction (which has Thursday and Sunday sections for Parts II III, respectively).

The company’s Bruce Hershenson told Scoop that Part I totaled over $97,000, which exceeded their expectations.

Some of the best new Tuesday-closing items include Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator (1972 reissue), Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much (Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day), John Carpenter’s Escape From New York (Kurt Russell), William Friedkin’s The French Connection (Gene Hackman), Roberto Rossellini's Fear (Ingrid Bergman), Roger Corman’s Piranha, and Andy Warhol's Dracula, along with Help (John, Paul, George & Ringo), Raiders Of The Lost Ark (original and 1982 reissue featuring Harrison Ford by Richard Amsel), Scarface (Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer), In This Our Life (Bette Davis, Olivia De Havilland and George Brent), The Girl Can't Help It (Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell), The King & I (Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner), Truck Turner-Foxy Brown (double-bill, Pam Grier and Isaac Hayes), and Saturday Night Fever teaser (John Travolta and Karen Lynn Gorney).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98487

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Frazetta, McManus, McCay at Russ Cochran

The next edition of Russ Cochran’s Comic Art Auction is set to close on September 2, 2010 and the name of the game for that event might be “rarities.” Among the offerings are three original Frank Frazetta Thun'da pages, a complete seven-page Frazetta White Indian, and the July 9, 1944 Bringing Up Father Sunday page by George McManus.

Cochran said what may be the crown jewel of the auction in terms of rarity, though, is a very special piece by Winsor McCay featuring Dino the Dinosaur in the Holland Tunnel. It was a big subject in the newspapers of the day when the Holland Tunnel linking Manhattan and New Jersey was completed.

McCay, of course, was an illustration pioneer and creator of Little Nemo In Slumberland.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98479

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American National Packard pedal car, circa 1925, fully appointed, nickel grille, 52 inches long, $10,000-$12,000.

Carl Rossignol (French) Paris to New York bi-wing airplane, lithographed tin, 13½-inch wingspan, $2,000-$2,500.

Circa-1927 Toledo Buick pressed-steel car with special shock-absorbing front bumper, 30½ inches long, $15,000-$20,000.

Bertoia's Final Call: Donald Kaufman Collection

If there were a World Cup for antique toys, the name engraved on the trophy quite likely would be that of K-B Toys co-founder and toy collector extraordinaire Donald Kaufman. The late Mr. Kaufman’s incomparable array of antique and vintage toys – a blue-ribbon panoply of pre- and postwar production – has fascinated and seduced hobbyists the world over since Bertoia Auctions’ 2008 announcement that the collection was to be sold.

With three Kaufman auctions from the ongoing series now completed and the $9.3 million subtotal confirmed as the highest amount ever achieved at auction by a single-owner antique toy collection, it’s time for collectors to assume a “now or never” mindset, said Bertoia Auctions’ owner Jeanne Bertoia.

“It’s hard to believe that so much of the collection has been sold, but we’re now in the midst of planning part four of the collection, which will be auctioned on September 24 and 25,” Jeanne said. “The two-day, no-reserve session will represent the last of the European autos from Don’s collection – this is it – but I think everyone is going to be very pleased to find that the quality of the European autos in part four is just as strong as in the previous sessions. We planned it that way.” Jeanne noted that in spring of 2011 there will be a final, one-day sale to conclude the auction of the Kaufman toys, however that particular session will not include European toy vehicles.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98481

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Daniel Pabst 1880 symphonion, one of only two known, signed, excellent (est. $50,000).

Very rare Mills Novelty Company Electric Shock Treatment, coin-operated (est. $20,000).

Rare 'Black Mammy' mechanical bank with baby, in excellent condition (est. $7,500).

New Century Detroit Caille upright slot machine in excellent working order (est. $20,000).

Sebastian, Bitterman Collections at Showtime

The collections will feature music boxes, player pianos, juke boxes, country store, advertising, fire fighting, tobacciana, coin-op, saloon, barber shop, soda fountain, petroliana, vintage toys, breweriana, Western, brothel, automobilia, gambling, arcade, Coca-Cola items, showcases, store fixtures, Wave Crest and more.

Two lots are expected to fetch $50,000 or more. One is a circa 1880s Daniel Pabst symphonion music machine, one of only two known, in excellent condition. The piece is signed in three places by Pabst. The other is a gold badge, watch fob, watch and chain in the original box for the president of the Cheyenne Club in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his photo (circa 1900).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98484

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First generation Colt single-action Army .45 caliber revolver with a 5 ½ inch barrel ($3,723).

Post-World War I crown N commercial proof German Luger, 7.655mm caliber ($832).

SoldUSA July 17 Firearms Auction Results

A beautifully restored first generation Colt single-action .45 caliber Army revolver with a 5 ½ inch barrel, made in 1899 (serial #188013), hit the mark for $3,723 in an online sale of rare and vintage firearms, militaria, ammunition and advertising collectibles that ended July 17, 2010 by SoldUSA.com, the premier Internet collectibles auction site.

The Colt revolver was the top achiever of around 1,200 items that crossed the block in an auction that went online in mid-June and concluded a month later. “This auction was very strong, with active bidder response and high prices realized for quality collectibles,” said David Reichle of SoldUSA.com. “We registered over 500 new bidders and added many new consignors, too.”

The Colt had been magnificently engraved and fully restored to mint condition. All the numbers matched, the action was crisp and tight, and the bore was clean and shiny. It was totally original, except for the replacement grips. Even there, the gun had the original grips; they were used to make copies for the replacements. In all, it was an example of a remarkable restoration.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=98483

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Bronze Age Fantastic First: Weird Worlds #1

DC Comics; September 1972
Cover by Joe Kubert

Title: “The Arena of Sudden Death!”
Synopsis: In a savage world at the Earth’s core, David Innes beats back a hyaenodon before being captured by gorilla-men.

Writer: Len Wein
Penciler: Alan Weiss
Inker: Alan Weiss

Review: When reading Edgar Rice Burroughs’ comics like this one, it becomes apparent just how derivative Mike Grell’s Warlord really was. But Warlord also had a spark that was largely missing from DC’s ERB adaptations. Alan Weiss’ art is above average, but this story lacks the imagination required of entertaining fantasy.

Title: “Trail of Fear”
Synopsis: Earthman John Carter’s prowess in battle earns him both clout and enemies as he defends the beautiful Dejah Thoris.

Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciler: Murphy Anderson
Inker: Murphy Anderson

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=98407

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Dr. Kildare

Created by author Frederick Faust (1892-1944) under the pen name Max Brand, the popular movie and TV series was loosely based on Faust’s friend Dr. George Fish. The first film Interns Can’t Take Money in 1937 starred Joel McRea as James Kildare and co-starred Barbara Stanwyck as Janet Haley. Lew Ayres took over the title role in 1938.

Co-starring Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Gillespie, Young Dr. Kildare was released October 14, 1938 with Paramount releasing nine more titles up to 1942 with the popular acting team.

MGM ran a radio series starring Ayres and Barrymore The Story Of Dr. Kildare in 1949-1950 followed by syndication.

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Red Ryder

Did you know that Red Ryder didn't begin his newspaper comic strip run as "Red Ryder?" Creator Fred Harman launched a strip starring a ten-gallon-hat-wearing, rifle-totin' bandit-bungler named Bronc Peeler just three years before offering a nearly identical strip starring Red in 1938. Historians believe the characters are one and the same, though it's rather unclear why Bronc's run was embarrassingly short-lived, while Red enjoyed a 30-year run.

Promoted Stephen Slesinger got involved at the onset of the Red Ryder series, a benefit Bronc Peeler didn't receive. The partnership between Slesinger and Harman resulted in a multimedia bonanza with remnants echoing even today. In 1940, a 12-part Red Ryder serial hit the silver screen. In 1942, there was an exciting radio series. Red relished success in Big Little Books and comic books for several years. And then, there were the rifles and BB guns.

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Modern Mythmaking: The Paul Levitz Interview

This year, 2010, is the year of Paul Levitz’s “homecoming” with a very well-received return as a writer to the Legion of Super-Heroes, as well as June 2010’s Superman/Batman Annual #4 and Adventure Comics. In adding “historian” to his repertoire, Paul Levitz is writing November’s massive 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking, published by art-world giant TASCHEN and filled with over 600 pages of rare and never-before-seen photography and artwork.

If the present is any indication, Paul Levitz may have stepped away from DC’s top chair, but he certainly hasn’t turned in his keys to the executive lounge. Writer, editor, and publisher, Paul Levitz has been active through two ages of the comic book industry, and over 35 years of working within DC Comics. He’s become one of those special figures in an industry: a living legend.

This month, writer Jamal Powell of PreviewsWorld got some unique perspective about the business from Levitz and get his thoughts on the history of DC Comics, his personal history with the company, the experience of returning to familiar territory, and the evolution of the industry.

When we read the piece, we immediate asked if we could bring it to our readers, too. So, here it is!

Jamal Powell (JP): Let me thank you for the opportunity to interview you, and congratulations on your well-received return to writing with Legion of Super-Heroes #1, as well as the Superman/Batman Annual #4 and Adventure Comics #12; Comic Nexus gave Legion of Super-Heroes#1 a 9 out of 10 review, a rating they rarely give...
Paul Levitz (PL): I’ve been very happy with a lot of the reviews and a lot of the ratings it’s gotten. It’s been a very warm welcome back. You’re always nervous in a situation like that where you’re being sent off to play in the “old timer’s game,” and they’ve welcomed me back onto the field.

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 8-7-10

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THE SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON IN PICTURES:

Wonder Woman and Supergirl

Scott Bakula (who must someday play Dracula) was at the show to discuss his old series Quantum Leap, which may actually become a movie

Catwoman and Batman

Black Canary

Batwoman and Wonder Woman

Well, that's one way to undo the damage the Green Hornet trailer has done...

Adam Hughes

Catwoman and Hit Girl

Frank Cho

Not only the good guys showed up...

Hawkman

Following the hit film, we've noticed a definite upsurge in Star Trek costumes again...

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501 – The Biggest Little Number In Jeans

I can’t take credit for inventing denim blue jeans, although I did make one brand a household name – or rather, a household number. Five. Oh. One. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s begin with a few of the fun facts I had to learn before I jumped in the denim game.

First, blue jeans aren’t naturally blue. Denim is manufactured in vast mills by the tens of millions of square yards. The original cotton yarn is a dun-colored shade of pale until indigo-blue dye is added. Or black dye, if black jeans happen to be in fashion. Or any other color – remember those lavender numbers they sold in the ‘80s?

Second, these days, real cowboys do not wear Levi’s and they certainly do not wear lavender. They wear Wranglers, pre-shrunk, with a high waist so you don’t sit on your wallet, as well as make a wide space between the front belt loops to make way for that manhole cover sized belt buckle. Wranglers are woven of a soft-type denim so they fit tight, and have a hidden inseam stitch that won’t chafe the inside of a buckaroos legs straddling a saddle all day.

Third, the first pair of jeans ever to appear on the market, Levi’s patented XX model, were invented in 1873 and retailed for less than a dollar. Today you can easily pay $500 for a pair of vintage reproduction Levi’s with simulated grime and wrinkles already baked in at the factory.

It’s probably a safe bet that if you were pulling on a pair of XXs in the 1800s you were a working stiff and, back then, you distressed your own denim. Laborers went for the tough material that would last while workin’ on the railroad all the livelong day. And it was certain you’d never live long enough to imagine the word “designer” associated with the word “jeans.”

MORE: http://www.onehellofaneye.com/

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HERITAGE AUCTION SUNDAY THE 25TH OF JULY

Goldfinger (United Artists, R-1970s). French Petite (17" X 24").
Starring Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Frobe, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet, Harold Sakata, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell. Directed by Guy Hamilton. An unrestored poster with bright color and a clean overall appearance. It may have general signs of use, such as slight fold separation and fold wear, or very minor tears. Artwork by famed French master Jean Mascii. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Folded, Very Fine-.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (20th Century Fox, 1969). One Sheet (27" X 41") Style B. Western.
Starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Henry Jones, Jeff Corey, George Furth, and Cloris Leachman. Directed by George Roy Hill. An unrestored poster that displays signs of use. May include light edge or fold wear, slight fold separations, very minor paper loss, pinholes, or unobtrusive stains. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Folded, Fine/Very Fine.

MORE: http://movieposters.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=510074&type=impa510074-tem072410

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Comic-Con: DC Comics

DC Comics' booth was a hive of fan activity from the minute the show opened to the public (and actually even before that, if you count the set-up that started Tuesday and finished Wednesday).

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The DC Comics booth was generally crowded.

Ghost Busters' Ecto-1 Various models of Iron Man displayed by Stan Winston

Wonder Woman, based on Linda Carter, by DC Direct Harley Quinn

Comic-Con in Pictures: Part One

With attendance more or less frozen where it was and events farmed out to the hotels alongside the San Diego Convention Center, about 130,000 people descended on Comic-Con International. Actors and other Hollywood types professed their love for the four color world with varying degrees of sincerity as fans (both costume-clad and normally attired) filled the main floor, the panel rooms, the large halls, and the sidewalks outside with enthusiasm.

For the record, as predicted previously in Scoop, at some point during the convention fully one third of them have stopped suddenly and for no apparently reason right in front of us and have then been surprised and irritated when that we almost ran into them. .

Since the run-up to the con and our time at the show has been spent dealing with the release of big 40th anniversary edition of The Overstreet Comic Price Guide, this week’s Scoop will be a little light on details. We’ll have a lot more details next week, but here's the latest from regular Scoop photographer and Ear.FM DJ Michael Solof.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=97892

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Bronze Age Fantastic First: Judge Dredd #1

Eagle Comics; November 1983
Cover by Brian Bolland

Title: “The Coming of Judge Death”
Synopsis: Judge Death, a warped analogue of Mega-City judges like Dredd, comes from another dimension to sentence the living.

Writer: John Wagner
Penciler: Brian Bolland
Inker: Brian Bolland

Review: At 13, your Comics Bronze Age editor was mesmerized by this cover. Despite having only a vague awareness of Judge Dredd, this comic was a must buy. Inside was a gateway to another world: a smart, satirical take on a post-apocalyptic, neo-fascist America — all drawn beautifully by Brian Bolland.

Title: “The Forever Crimes”
Synopsis: Judge Dredd uncovers a plot involving a cryogenics specialist who is using the near dead in a blackmail scheme.

Writer: John Wagner
Penciler: Brian Bolland
Inker: Brian Bolland

Review: While not on par with the terrific Judge Death story, this short tale shows Dredd is tough on crime, too.

Title: “Punks Rule!”
Synopsis: Dredd takes down a gang of lawless punks all by himself — just to prove a point!

Writer: John Wagner
Penciler: Brian Bolland
Inker: Brian Bolland

Review: The weakest of the three stories, but still very good. It helps establish both the Mega-City environment and Dredd’s arsenal.

Grade (for the whole issue): A+

Cool factor: Great cover! Great story! Great art!

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=97483

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Four Color Comics

There were slightly over 1,350 issues of Dell’s Four Color Comics published. However, the title featured an unlimited number of characters between the covers.

One issue would feature Flash Gordon and the next one would feature Walt Disney’s Bambi. This is because Dell contracted out the editorial content of their comics to a company named Western Publishing. Essentially, Dell supplied the money and approved the comics to be published, but it was Western who made the arrangements with anyone who had characters they wanted to appear in comics.

Western would also be responsible for the editorial content of each issue, including the creation of much of the comics content. Since many of the properties that Western was licensing, such as Oswald the Rabbit, Little Orphan Annie, or Wash Tubbs, couldn’t support a monthly title on their own, the Four Color title became an anthology title that contained characters from many different companies.

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Get Smart

Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry and produced by Paramount, Get Smart was a spoof of James Bond and spy films ran on CBS and NBC-TV between September 18, 1965 and May 15, 1970 with 138 episodes spanning the five seasons.

The premise has the secret agents of CONTROL battling the forces of KAOS, who want to rule the world. The main cast included Don Adams as Maxwell Smart, (Agent 86), Barbara Feldon as Agent 99 and Edward Platt as The Chief. Bernie Kopell frequently played Siegfried, the head of KAOS. Don Adams won an Emmy award three years in a row between 1967 and 1969.

Universal released a feature film The Nude Bomb (sometimes referred to as The Return Of Maxwell Smart) in 1980 starring Adams and Sylvia Kristel, ignoring the 99 character altogether. It offered only mixed results, but at least it had a Deskmobile.

In 1989, ABC-TV aired Get Smart Again!, a superior TV movie written and produced by Leonard Stern, this time starring both Don Adams and Barbara Feldon. Bernie Kopell reprised his role as Siegfried.

Fox TV aired a short-lived series of seven shows in 1995 with Adams and Feldon reprising their characters and “comedian” Andy Dick played their bumbling son. Kopell appeared in one episode as Smart’s son met Siegfried’s daughter (she thought her father was a doctor on a cruise ship, a play on Kopell’s long Love Boat stint).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=97490

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 7-24-10

Roy Rogers' stuffed horse sold to Neb. TV station

By EVA DOU (AP) – 1 day ago

NEW YORK — A Nebraska cable TV network ponied up $266,500 for Roy Rogers' stuffed and mounted horse, Trigger, at an auction in New York City on Wednesday.

The movie cowboy's faithful companion was bought by the cable company RFD-TV in Omaha, Neb., at a Christie's auction of items from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Mo.

Trigger's sale price outpaced the estimated $100,000 to $200,000 it was expected to fetch, with many other items also selling far above estimate.

RFD-TV's chief financial officer Steve Campione says Rogers reflects the company's values. The network airs mainly agricultural, equine and country living programming.

The company's owner, Patrick Gottsch, wanted to buy the whole Rogers collection but didn't have time to work out the deal, Campione said.

"It came to our attention a little too late," Campione said. "By the time we lined up the right financing and kind of got our arms around the value of the collection, it was literally 24 hours ago."

Auctioneer Cathy Elkies said it was the "most colorful, emotional and sentimental" sale she had experienced in her 20 years at Christie's. Many of the bidders in the packed hall came in Western attire and cowboy boots, and there were more than a few tears.

Rogers' son Roy Jr. cried at the beginning of the sale as he spoke of the family's decision to auction Roy's belongings.

MORE: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gHY_ZMgiYUmixJIDxSgh1zgBgTCgD9GV6H080

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MOVIE POSTER AUCTION AT HERITAGE SUNDAY THE 18TH

The Alamo (United Artists, 1960). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Western.
Starring John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Laurence Harvey, Frankie Avalon, Richard Boone, Patrick Wayne, Linda Cristal, Chill Wills, Ken Curtis, and Joseph Calleia. Directed by John Wayne. An unrestored poster with bright color and a clean overall appearance. It may have general signs of use, such as slight fold separation and fold wear, pinholes, or very minor tears. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Artwork by Reynold Brown. Folded, Very Fine-.

Hondo (Warner Brothers, 1953). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Western.
Starring John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate, James Arness, Rodolfo Acosta, Leo Gordon, Paul Fix, Tom Irish, Lee Aaker, and Rayford Barnes. Directed by John Farrow. An unrestored poster that may be slightly brittle due to age, show some paper loss or staining, very minor tape stains, writing in an unobtrusive place, and/or some very slight fading to colors. It is most likely in need of some degree of work or restoration. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Folded, Very Good+.

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PARODY CEREAL BOXES

Attendees of the collecting panels at Celebration V will have a chance to recieve one of 16 free collectible 4" mini cereal boxes which will be handed out randomly during each panel. The boxes are based on Star Wars character 'cereal brands', highlighting each of the sixteen panel topics; and only 400 of each will be made available. The box illustrations are by artists Bill Cable, Jeff Carlisle, Jeff Correll, Grant Gould, Mattias Rendahl, Chris Reiff, Scott D.M. Simmons, and Chris Trevas.

Star Wars Collecting Panels
Room W303 ABC
Thursday through Saturday, August 12-14
1:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Sunday, August 15
11:30 AM - 5:00 PM

MORE: http://www.jediinsider.com/index.php?catid=260&itemid=12950

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GULF OF MEXICO?

Here's an old comic that seems relevant today -- Swapsale

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China's yuehui Tang

Here's some really cool fantasy art. All we know about this guy is that he's from China -- Swapsale

MORE: http://sztyh.cgsociety.org/gallery/

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Comic-Con: ComicConnect.com

ComicConnect.com will provide free scanning for all CGC- and PGX-certified comics shipped to them for inclusion in their August 2010 Event Auction at a $1 starting price with no reserve.

“If you want to be involved in this auction, I need a phone call right now,” said Rob Reynolds, Director of Consignments. “Auction slots are limited and our best consignors are already shipping their comics to me daily.”

You may call Reynolds at (212) 895-3999 (international 001.212.895.3999) or e-mail him at support@comicconnect.com. ComicConnect.com also offers cash advances up to $1 million dollars for top-notch consignments. They take a 10% seller’s commission and do not charge a Buyer’s Premium.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97634

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Comic-Con: Vanguard Frazetta Classics

Frank Frazetta’s Dan Brand/White Indian material will see print again as part of the new Vanguard Frazetta Classics line, the publisher has announced. It will follow a revised edition of the 2008’s The Definitive Frazetta Reference, which will be released at Comic-Con International: San Diego.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=261&ai=97652

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Peterson, Cannon Added to Mid-Ohio Con

Mid-Ohio Con announced that Mouse Guard creator David Petersen and Kevin Cannon, creator of Top Shelf’s hit graphic novel Far Arden, have joined the guest roster for Mid-Ohio Con 2010, November 6-7 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

“David’s work on Mouse Guard has been consistently sensational and we’re thrilled to see his talent recognized with this year’s Harvey Award nomination in the Best Artist category. We’re very pleased to welcome David back as a special guest for our 30th anniversary show,” said James Henry, Managing Director of Mid-Ohio-Con.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=97622

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F.A.C.T.S Con Adds Artist Adrien Floch

After the previous announcements of artists Frank Cho, Dave Gibbons, cartoonist Lectrr, Brandon Peterson, fantasy-artist Anne Stokes and actress Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3) to their 20th anniversary show, the October 23-24, 2010 F.A.C.T.S Comicon in Gent, Belgium has added European artist Adrien Floch to its guest list.

Adrien Floch reached the international market when French publisher Soleil teamed up with Marvel Comics, to translate and distribute French titles like the beloved YTHAQ-series, in which a cruise-ship crashes and three heroes are battling the unusual inhabitants of this unchartered planet. Floch is renowned for his detailed work on the planet itself, since Ythaq (plants and animals) is as much a main persona in these stories as are Granite and Callista

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=97624

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Harvey Nominations Announced, Ballots Online

The 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced. The diverse slate of projects and creators can be found on the Harvey Awards website. They will be presented August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=97504

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999 Folded One-Sheets at eMoviePoster.com

Just because Comic-Con is about to start up in San Diego once again, that doesn’t mean the clockwork-like auctions at eMoviePoster.com are taking a break. In fact, new auctions are underway featuring 999 folded one-sheets covering all years and genres.

Additionally, their Summer 2010 Mini/Major Auction begins on the Tuesday after the convention, July 27. Preview images of 23 of the items are already online.

From this week’s event, some of the best Tuesday items include the one-sheets from Frank Capra’s Arsenic & Old Lace (Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane and Josephine Hull), William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), John Carpenter’s Escape From New York advance, Peter Yates’ Bullitt (Steve McQueen), Walter Hill’s Streets Of Fire, Roger Corman’s Piranha, and Walt Disney’s Jungle Book.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97638

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ComicLink Auction Spotlights Registry Sets

Among the highlights of the upcoming July ComicLink Focused Auction are the number three CGC Registry Set of the Thor run of Journey Into Mystery and the number four Registry Set of Tales To Astonish #27-#101.

Of the 44 issues in the Journey Into Mystery run of Thor, (JIM #83-125, JIM Annual #1), all but one are included. The average grade of the set tops 9.2 for the issues from #85 up. Twenty-four of the 43 issues grade at 9.4 and higher and 35 are 9.2+. Twenty-seven of the 43 have White or Off-White to White Pages and the balance are all Off-White. Six pedigree collections are represented in this set, including five examples from the Pacific Coast collection, four from the Massachusetts, and three Northlands.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97632

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An NBC photo of Jim and Marian Jordan, better known as Fibber McGee and Molly.

Fibber McGee and Molly

Jim and Marian Jordan were veterans of small-time vaudeville before they ventured into radio comedy in Chicago, first as The O’Henry Twins in 1924, then as The Smith Family in 1925, as The Air Scouts in 1927 and in Smackout from 1931 to 1935.

Finally along with writer Don Quinn, they created Fibber McGee and Molly for Johnson’s Wax. The show premiered on the NBC Blue network in April 1935 and developed into one of the most popular radio comedies of all time.

From their home at 79 Wistful Vista, McGee, the blundering windbag, and Molly, his long-suffering, forgiving wife, presided over one domestic disaster after another. Listeners waited each week for Fibber to open his closet door, whereupon the stacked contents would crash to the floor.

The show featured a number of regular supporting characters: their neighbor Gildersleeve, Beulah the maid, henpecked Wallace Wimple, the Old Timer, Mayor La Trivia and Myrt, the telephone operator whose voice was never heard.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=97486

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I Dream of Jeannie

Created by Sidney Sheldon, NBC aired 139 episodes of I Dream of Jeannie between September 18, 1965 and September 1, 1970. The first 30 episodes were originally filmed in black and white.

The basic plot had an astronaut finding a beautiful genie in a bottle after his space capsule landed on a desert island. The show was set in Cocoa Beach, Florida and the cast included Barbara Eden as Jeannie, Larry Hagman as U.S. Air Force Major Anthony “Tony” Nelson and Bill Daily as Major Roger Healey.

The show’s writers included Sidney Sheldon, Arnold Howitt and Bill Daily, and directors included Gene Nelson. Hugo Montenegro wrote the popular theme. Censors allowed Jeannie and Tony to live in the same house with Barbara Eden wearing a sexy harem costume but took exception to her exposed navel.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=97487

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 7-17-10

COOL GIL ELVGREN WEBSITE

If You'e a fan of pin-up art then you should check out this website:

http://elvgrenpinup.com

You'll find lots of cool art by Elvgren and others.

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WILSON MCCOY PHANTOM AT HERITAGE

Wilson McCoy The Phantom Sunday Comic Strip Original Art dated 3-20-55 (King Features Syndicate, 1955). The Phantom tackles a couple of extortionists in this Wilson McCoy Sunday. The two tiers have been trimmed horizontally, with a combined image area of 26" x 17.5". Along with some light paper tanning, there are several folds in the margins between each of the panels, and the logo stat has slightly browned from age; otherwise, the art is in Very Good condition.

McCoy, Wilson: Wilson McCoy (American, 1902-1961); took over the art reigns as the second artist on The Phantom when co-creator Ray Moore left the feature to serve as a pilot during World War II. McCoy is noted for his meticulous attention to detail, and he used photographic reference for nearly every drawing in the strip. His family and friends often posed for him and acted out the action for the stories. McCoy was also an adventurous world traveler who visited far-off jungles with several native tribes, including the Ituri tribe, pygmies who were said to be much like the Bandar tribe in the Phantom strip. McCoy attended art classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the American Academy, and Washington University's School of Fine Arts, where he later served as a member of the faculty. As an accomplished commercial artist prior to his lengthy stint on the Phantom, McCoy painted numerouus Liberty Magazine covers, as well as calendars, prints, pin-ups, and advertisements for major advertising clients. An artist herself, Wilson McCoy's wife, Dorothy Rainwater McCoy, did the lettering on the Phantom. McCoy's daughter Carol modeled for Diana Palmer, and his son Robert posed as the Phantom.

CHECK IT OUT

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EASTWOOD, ELVIS AT HERITAGE

The Outlaw Josey Wales (Warner Brothers, 1976). Insert (14" X 36"). Western.
Starring Clint Eastwood, Chief Dan George, Sondra Locke, Bill McKinney, John Vernon, Paula Trueman, Sam Bottoms, Geraldine Kearns, and Woodrow Parfrey. Directed by Clint Eastwood. An unrestored poster with good color and an overall very presentable appearance. It may have tears, slight paper loss, minor stains, and/or some edge wear. There is light staining in the borders of the poster. Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Rolled, Fine.

Love Me Tender (20th Century Fox, 1956). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Elvis Presley.
Starring Richard Egan, Debra Paget, Elvis Presley, Robert Middleton, William Campbell, Neville Brand, Mildred Dunnock, Bruce Bennett, James Drury, and Russ Conway. Directed by Robert D. Webb. A restored poster with bright color and a clean overall appearance. It may have general signs of use, such as slight fold separation and fold wear, pinholes, or very minor tears. A poster graded Very Fine+ may still be on Linen, but this is the highest grade allowed for a poster in this state. Grades on all restored items are pre-restoration grades; Please see full-color, enlargeable image below for more details. Very Fine- on Linen.

CHECK IT OUT

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Thun'da, King of the Congo Archives HC

Writer: Frank Frazetta, Gardner Fox
Artist: Frank Frazetta, Bob Powell
Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Action/Adventure

Features: Preview

Frank Frazetta is widely renowned as one of the greatest fantasy illustrators of all time. But he didn't hone his skills in study at the fabled galleries of Paris or Milan; his legendary talents flourished as he worked for hire during the Golden Age of comics!

In the early 1950s, Frazetta set up shop at bustling comics publisher Magazine Enterprises, contributing beautiful cover illustrations and comics pages. There, he also created his first mighty adventurer: the lost-world-jungle hero Thun'da! Though Frazetta left Magazine Enterprises shortly after the first issue of Thun'da was released, and the series was ultimately short lived despite the talented care of collaborators Gardner Fox and Bob Powell, to this day the Thun'da, King of the Congo comics series is held in high regard both as an exciting adventure title and as the only comics series ever to include a cover-to-cover, all-Frazetta issue!

* Collecting all six issues of Thun'da, King of the Congo, as well as the Thun'da backup stories that appeared in Cave Girl and Africa: Thrilling Land of Mystery.

Featuring art by golden age greats Frank Frazetta, Gardner Fox, and Bob Powell!

Pub. Date: July 2010
Format: Full color, 224 pages, Hard cover, 6 5/8" x 10 3/16"
Age range: 12+
MSRP: $49.99

TO PRE ORDER THIS BOOK CONTACT US AT: Swapsale@aol.com

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CGC 9.4 Human Torch #1 at ComicLink in August

A CGC-certified 9.4 copy of Human Torch #1 will be auctioned with no reserve in ComicLink's upcoming August Featured Auction. The issue is one of only three certified 9.4 and of the group this is the only specimen with Off-White to White or better page quality.

“As Timely collectors know, early Timely issues are infamous for having pages with some evidence of tanning, and it is actually expected even on extremely desirable, high-grade examples,” said ComicLink’s Josh Nathanson. “That is why it is additionally impressive that the page quality on this first Human Torch example, published in 1940, is just one CGC designation off from White Pages.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97281

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Admiral Kirk's Wrath of Khan Uniform at Heritage

William Shatner’s Starfleet officer’s jacket and undershirt worn in his portrayal of Admiral James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan will be sold at Heritage Auction Galleries Beverly Hills (9478 West Olympic Boulevard) as part of a trove of Star Trek-related material in the company’s July 17, 2010 Signature Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction. It is estimated at $20,000+.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97231

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New Silver Age, Bronze Age in Pedigree Auction

A group of high grade Silver Age Marvel issues and a few select Bronze Age issues has just been received on consignment by Pedigree Comics, the company’s President and CEO, Doug Schmell, told Scoop.

This new group of CGC-certified comics will be available in the company’s upcoming live Grand Auction, which begins 8:00 PM EDT the night of Sunday, August 29, 2010 and lasts for 10 days. The first half of issues end the afternoon of Wednesday, September 8, and the final half of issues close on Thursday, September 9. The auction will feature a few hundred high grade CGC-certified comics and magazines, most CGC-certified 9.4 and higher.

Schmell said the new Marvel group is highlighted by a Fantastic Four #2 in 9.0, Fantastic Four #30 9.4, Fantastic Four #31 9.4 (Massachusetts), Fantastic Four #33 9.4, Fantastic Four #41 9.8, Ghost Rider #1 9.8, Tales to Astonish #87 9.8, Tales to Astonish #100 9.8, Thor #142 9.8, Thor #193 9.8, X-Men #4 9.4 (White Mountain) and an X-Men #10 in 9.6.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97288

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For Sale: Kubert's Brave and the Bold #34 Cover

After residing in a private collection for 40 years, artist Joe Kubert’s original cover art for The Brave and the Bold #34 has come on the market. The piece, originally published in 1961, features the first appearance of the Silver Age Hawkman.

“In my opinion, this cover is one of the top 10 significantly important covers of the Silver Age. Most of the other important covers have either not turned up, or don’t exist any longer,” said art dealer Mitch Itkowitz, who received the consignment for the collector.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97291

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Dick Tracy, Frazetta Thun'da in Cochran Auction

The latest installment of Russ Cochran's Comic Art Auction closes on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 7 PM EDT. This auction includes a wide variety of Dick Tracy daily originals from the 1930s through the 1950s, as well as three original Thun'da pages by the immortal Frank Frazetta.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97298

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Extremely rare 1910 Colt cowgirl poster, the small lettering variation (est. $2,000-$8,000).

Original Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show poster showing Russian Cossacks (est. $1,000-$6,000).

Firearms, Militaria & Advertising at SoldUSA.com

Around 1,200 lots of rare and vintage firearms, militaria, ammunition and advertising collectibles are being offered in an Internet auction already underway by SoldUSA.com. The sale went online in mid-June and will conclude July 17, 2010. SoldUSA.com is a premier collectibles auction site, with over 42,000 registered users.

Many items in the sale are expected to fetch thousands of dollars. The expected top earner is an extremely fine smooth bore officer’s fusil (light flintlock musket) with both iron and brass decorative hardware (est. $3,100-$10,000). The gun, made by Jeremiah Cooper (N.Y., N.Y., circa 1815-1831) and has a scrolled presentation plate on the right side of the stock.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97227

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Elmer Fudd

Loosely based on Looney Tunes And Merrie Melodies Warner Bros. cartoon director Tex Avery’s Egghead character circa 1937, Elmer’s name appeared on a vehicle in Avery’s A Feud There Was in 1938. He appeared in Dangerous Dan McFoo in 1939, voiced by Arthur Bryan who would be the voice of Elmer until 1959. Elmer’s first major appearance came while hunting “wabbits” in Elmer’s Candid Camera. Directed by Chuck Jones, the 1940 cartoon had a wise-cracking rabbit who would evolve into Bugs Bunny; a match made in cartoon heaven.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=97224

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Have Gun, Will Travel

Created by Sam Rolfe and Herb Meadow, CBS aired 226 episodes of Have Gun, Will Travel between September 14, 1957 and September 21, 1963. Richard Boone (1917-1981) starred as Paladin, a white suited intellectual resident of San Francisco’s Hotel Carlton whose alter ego was a grim black suited gunfighter for hire. Co-stars included Kam Tong as Kim “Hey Boy” Chan and Hal Needham as the bartender. Paladin’s business card with its stylized horsehead reads simply “Have Gun – Will Travel – Wire Paladin San Francisco.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=97225

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When the Bat flew Alone: The Bat-Man Before Robin

Longtime Overstreet Advisor Rob Hughes of ArchAngels.com supplied this heavily detailed feature article in The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #39. Given the record-breaking performance of Detective Comics #27 and Batman #1 in the marketplace this year and since The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40 also features Batman (on the hardcover and soft cover editions by artist Mark Chiarello), we thought this would be a great time to share Mr. Hughes’ intriguing observations with our online audience.

Before Robin. Before the Bat-Mobile, the Bat-Cave and Gotham City. Even before the debut of such arch-foes as The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Two-Face and an innumerable legion of other Bat-Baddies that would plague the shadow-warrior for seven decades…There was Police Commissioner Gordon and there was… The “Bat-Man!”

“The ‘Bat-Man,’ a mysterious and adventurous figure, fighting for righteousness and apprehending the wrong doer, in his lone battle against the evil forces of society…His identity remains unknown.” Thus was the very first description ever printed of the Dark Avenger which appeared in the splash panel of the first page of Detective Comics #27: May, 1939. He appeared suddenly and magnificently by swooping down from the heavens and across rooftops (his rope and grappling hook much have been anchored to a nearby cloud) to bring swift justice to a gangster in a green pinstripe suit. Let criminals everywhere mourn, The Bat-Man had been born!

The early, pre-Robin (Detective #27- #37 and one story in Batman #1) adventures of The Bat-Man were dark, grim and quite violent. He waged an all out war against crime, and was not interested in taking prisoners, rehabilitation or giving these law-breakers a second chance. He was judge, jury and executioner all in one, meting out frightful retribution to all wrong-doers that were unfortunate enough to cross his path. Whatever the method was…sending a few thugs off rooftops to tumble to their doom via a barrage of berserk punches and kicks, breaking their neck with a fatally powerful kick, or just simply firing a few rounds into them with his .45 automatic…it made no difference (yes, in early issues of Detective, The Bat-Man used a gun and shot criminals dead). As long as it eliminated the filth in a reliable and effective manner. He became the true Nocturnal Nightmare to the Underworld. In his History of Comics; Volume #1, Jim Steranko described The Bat-Man as, “a dark, shadowy loner working outside the law, outside the public eye ruthlessly stalking his prey through rain-slick alleyways.”

The whole mystique of The Bat-Man was that of the mysterious avenger of the night that struck unspeakable terror into the hearts of the Underworld and the Police Force alike. In fact, Commissioner Gordon and his department tried repeatedly to bring this urban hunter in, but to no avail. Time and time again he would stalk and capture the top criminal masterminds that had baffled the police, only to melt back into the shadows that seem to have spawned him. His name was mentioned only in whispers and in the strictest confidence. No one on either side of the law knew what to make of him, and that’s the way he liked it. The Bat-Man became the enigmatic shadow which mantled and protected the city by night by preying on the vermin and criminal vampires that had sucked his city dry of goodness and decency.

The element that added the final extraordinary ingredient to the whole persona of The Bat-Man was his striking appearance…well, we will get to that shortly.

What is to follow is an exciting, in-depth and detailed journey into each of The Bat Man’s pre-Robin adventures. How this lone warrior progressed and developed through the first year of his creation by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane.

And now, let’s embark upon our quest. Onto the dimly moon-lit rooftops. Through the cold, dark and fog-laden alleyways. To the very roots and hear of his inception. To the very beginning…

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=97212

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTING FOR 7-10-10

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CLASSIC WONDER WOMAN Mini-Statue

Based on original statue: Designed by Brian Bolland; Sculpted by Tim Bruckner

A classic pose for a classic heroine! In this beautiful mini-statue based on the sculpture by Tim Bruckner (BATMAN: HUSH ACTION FIGURES) and on the designs of acclaimed artist Brian Bolland (BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE), Wonder Woman, the Amazon Warrior, stands triumphant over a battlefield as she looks beyond the horizon. This hand-painted cold-cast porcelain mini-statue measures approximately 6" tall x 5.05" wide x 4.25" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box.

$ 39.99 US

ORDER: http://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?dcd=3736

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MOVIE POSTER AUCTION AT HERITAGE

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Jack Kirby and Mike Royer Black Panther #11 page 10 Original Art (Marvel, 1978)....AT HERITAGE

Jack Kirby and Mike Royer Black Panther #11 page 10 Original Art (Marvel, 1978). This "King" Kirby masterwork from "Kiber the Cruel" has an image area of 10" x 15", and aside from clipped corners (outside the image area), this Bronze Age blockbuster is in Excellent condition. Signed by both Kirby and Royer.

Kirby, Jack: Jack Kirby (American, 1917-1994) : Jack Kirby has received world-wide recognition for his long comic book career and accomplishments. He is regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic-book medium, thus earning the nick-name "King." Among Kirby's many co-creations are Captain America, the Newsboy Legion, the Challengers of the Unknown, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Thor, the Avengers, the X-Men, Silver Surfer, the New Gods, and countless other memorable heroes and villains.

PLACE BID

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Marvel Comics Black Widow Bishoujo Statue

A Kotobukiya Japanese import! Continuing the series of Marvel Comics superheroines presented in the Japanese Bishoujo (pretty girl) style is Black Widow, the beautiful Russian super-spy and member of the Mighty Avengers. This original design has been specially created by the incomparable illustrator Shunya Yama5hita! Fans should be familiar with Yama5hita-sensei’s style as Japan’s leading Bishoujo artist, from his art books, video game work, as well as multiple figural collaborations with Kotobukiya.

Deadly and dangerous, Black Widow wears a skin-tight bodysuit that leaves little to the imagination. The shiny black outfit accentuates every curve and the long lines of her legs, which end with stiletto heeled boots. Hugging Natasha Romanoff’s waist is a stylish belt adorned with her red hourglass symbol, and on her arms are golden wristbands. As the sexy spy whips around to look behind her with a pistol at the ready, her intricately carved hair floats in the air behind her. Black Widow stands provocatively atop a specially designed base.

Black Widow stands 7 3/5 inches tall (1/8 scale), and features a solid construction of pvc and abs plastics. Sculpted by Yu Ishii, the super-spy comes packaged in an attention-grabbing window box.

MORE: http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?p=2528323

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RADIO TALK SHOW HOST ALEX BENNETT IN 1975

One of the biggest personalities in the New York area in the 1970s was radio talk show host Alex Bennett. Credited by many with starting the format later made famous by Howard Stern, Bennett, working at WPLJ, was arguably the first of the so called shock jocks, often interviewing such controversial personalities as Abby Hoffmann, Al Goldstein (publisher of a sex tabloid named Screw), the founding editors of the National Lampoon and a whole bunch of rock stars. At the same time, Bennett was also one of the creators of a cable TV show called Midnight Blue which specialized in covering the local sex scene.

When the first strip club to feature men performing for women opened in New Jersey in the mid seventies, Bennett didn't hesitate to bring his TV crew out there to report on the phenomenon. Then, a week later he went back to actually perform on stage, as seen here. He did this for a total of five weekends, finally hanging up his dancing shoes when Jersey police busted him on obscenity charges. (The charges were ultimately dropped.)

Bennett, who went on to carve out an even bigger fan base for himself in San Francisco in the eighties and nineties, can currently be heard on Sirius Satellite radio, channel 146.

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Plainclothescomics.com Spotlights Dick Tracy

Almost 80 years ago, a young cartoonist sent his latest idea to Captain Joseph Patterson, who selected all the comic strips for the Chicago Tribune and NY Daily News. Chester Gould had been submitting for some time, both realistic and funny animal comic strips. Then he received a

telegram from Patterson: “Believe Plainclothes Tracy Has Possibilities.”

Did it ever.

Chester Gould masterminded the adventures of a police detective named Dick Tracy for over 40 years, before turning over the reins to mystery writer Max Allen Collins and various artists. In the meantime, his "Plainclothes" cop became the hero of film, radio and television.

On Monday June 21, 2010 various friends and fans of Chester Gould's "ultimate lawman" launched a limited time tribute site to Dick Tracy, featuring facts and fiction about the nation's number one Crimestopper.

Among the many features is an unpublished comic book story done for Disney Adventures. Written by Tracy scribe Collins, and drawn by Joe Staton, “Fireworks” tells the story of Dick Tracy and his adventures against a criminal gang led by one of his oldest foes.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=96921

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All Star Lands Jerry Robinson Collection

All Star Auctions has announced that they have acquired The Jerry Robinson Pedigree Collection of Golden Age Comics.

“Jerry Robinson was the primary artist for the majority of the early appearances of Batman and the creator of such iconic villains as the Joker! The collection includes multiple copies of Batman 1-12, early Detective, Superman and other key DC titles and Golden Age titles. We will be offering the books at the San Diego convention,” said Joe and Nadia Mannarino.

“In addition to the Jerry Robinson Pedigree, we will be offering for sale key our usual array of Silver Age and Golden Age comic art by dozens of luminaries including Kirby, Ditko, Infantino, Steranko, Swan, and others, as well as examples of strip art by McCay, Gould, Herriman, Foster, Raymond, Segar, DeBeck, etc. We will also offer Golden Age and Silver Age comic books, bound volumes and toys,” they said.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=97001

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Bride of Frankenstein Insert Might Top $95,000

A very rare insert poster from the 1935 Universal all-time classic horror movie, The Bride of Frankenstein, will anchor the exceptional collection offered by Heritage Auctions in its July 16-17, 2010 Signature Vintage Movie Poster Auction, taking place at the company’s headquarters at 3500 Maple Avenue, and online at HA.com.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96998

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Registry Sets are Big in July ComicLink Auction

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96971

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ComicConnect Readies August Event Auction

“Since we began accepting listings for the August Event Auction a week ago, we’ve had a passel of great consignments come in,” said Rob Reynolds, Director of Consignments for ComicConnect.com.

Comics added this week include Adventure Comics #40 CGC 6.5, Amazing Spider-Man #4 CGC 8.5, Captain America Comics #4 CGC 8.0, Daredevil #1 CGC 9.0, Fantastic Four #12 CGC 8.0, Flash Comics #1 CGC 5.0, Incredible Hulk #1 CGC 7.5, Mister Mystery #12 CGC 5.0, Sensation Comics #1 CGC 5.0, Wonder Woman #1 CGC 7.5, and X-Men #56 CGC 9.8.

“The original art section in the August Event Auction is off to a great start with the inclusion of the cover to Ghost Rider #32,” Reynolds said. “We also got in some really cool Superman pieces that were used to created promo stickers for Sunbeam Bread back in the ‘70s.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96969

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Masters of the Universe

In 1981, the Mattel toy company launched a new toy line titled The Masters of The Universe. It featured a muscular sword wielding character named He-Man who along with his friends protected their home of Eternia from the evil Skeletor and his legion of villains. He-Man also had a secret identity, Prince Adam, whose father King Randor ruled Eternia. The characters were an instant success and Mattel decided to capitalize on their popularity by hiring the animation studio, Filmation, to produce a cartoon based on the toy line. The show made its debut in 1983 also sparking controversy as the cartoon was viewed by some as a half hour advertisement for the toy line. However, the show also featured positive public service messages during the program. This portion of the program included a social or moral lesson for the show’s viewers and was hosted by a small magician named Orko who supplied comic relief to the program.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96935

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The Marx Brothers

Born to Minnie and Sam Marrix (which was anglicized to Marx), The Marx Brothers included Chico (Leonard) 1887-1961, Harpo (Adolph Arthur) 1888-1964, Groucho (Julius) 1890-1977, Gummo (Milton) 1892-1977 and Zeppo (Herbert) 1901-1979.

Groucho debuted as a singer in vaudeville in 1905, joined by Gummo in 1907 and Harpo in 1908. By 1912, they had become a comedy act with Harpo as a mute harp player. Gummo left to serve in World War One and Chico and Zeppo joined the act.

Under Groucho’s creative direction, with Chico as business manager, they began playing Broadway. They became stars during the 1924-1925 run of I’ll Say She Is, written by Will B. Johnstone and Tom Johnstone.

Noted playwright George S. Kaufman (1989-1961) collaborated with composer Irving Berlin (1888-1989) and the brothers on The Cocoanuts in 1925-1926 and with Morrie Ryskind and Harry Ruby on Animal Crackers in 1928-1929. Both were huge hits on Broadway, leading to a film contract with Paramount.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96934

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Dell's Four Color #892, the famous "Pantsless Maverick" cover. Obviously, James Garner is not really appearing sans trousers. It just looks that way from a distance of 10 feet or so. Guaranteed double take every time.

Maverick

Created by Roy Huggins (who also created The Fugitive, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Rockford Files), Maverick was a Warner Brothers television western series ran on ABC-TV from August 22, 1957 until July 8, 1962. James Garner starred as Bret Maverick, joined early in the series by Jack Kelly as his brother, Bart Maverick.

They played anti-hero gambling poker players who used their wits and humor, resorting to fighting and gunplay as a last resort. Sometimes episodes would focus on both, but frequently they would spotlight one brother or the other.

Garner left the series in 1960, and he was replaced by Roger Moore, who joined the cast as cousin Beau for the 1960-61 season. Robert Colbert played brother Brent in two episodes in 1961-62, and Kelly continued for the run of the original series.

Garner and Kelly reprised their roles as Bret and Bart for the 1978 TV movie The New Maverick which led to James Garner starring in Bret Maverick, a short-lived NBC-TV series in 1981-82.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=9693

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Meet The Zeroids

In their day, the Ideal Toy Company came up with some concepts that stuck around, if sometimes only the memories of grown-up kids who remembered when. Captain Action was one of their toys. All those Evel Knievel vehicles were, too.

And so were The Zeroids, a line of robots introduced in 1967.

By way of a backstory, Zerak (blue), Zintar (silver) and Zobor (bronze) were supposed to be from the planet Zero.

“Moving across the landscape, overrunning all obstacles as inexorably as the Future itself, these amazing, efficient and powerful automatons have but one purpose - to serve their masters at work and play!” or so went the sales pitch.

They were later joined by Zogg, a green robot, who replaced Zerak as the commander of the Zeroids.

Various iterations and repackaging kept the figures around. Sometimes there was more of a story, sometimes less. They neither made it huge nor entirely faded away, but they almost did.

Then the guys at Captain Action Enterprises got involved. Having already revived one property, they aim to do it again, and again they’re starting with a comic book.

Writer Aaron Shaps has signed on to write the title, which will be published by Moonstone Books, which also is the home of Captain Action. Scoop talked with him about the project.

Scoop: For some folks, the Zeroids are fondly remembered toys from the 1960s. For others, they’ve never heard of them. Where did you fall with your awareness of the property before getting involved with the new comic?
Aaron Shaps (AS): Well, I will be honest: I had never even really heard of the Zeroids until Joe [Gentile] from Moonstone approached me and asked me to come up with a pitch for a new take on the property. But once I started doing a bit of research, I realized I had seen original Zeroids toys for sale at some of the cons, and once I started working on the series, I began to notice them everywhere. I can spot a Zeroids toy from across the floor of a big show now, like radar.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=97036

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 7-3-10

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999 Folded One-Sheets at eMoviePoster.com

The new selections are up at eMoviePoster.com and they’re ready for bidding. The offerings include 999 folded one-sheets from all years and genres.

Some of the top picks include Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep (Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall), John Ford’s The Quiet Man (1957 reissue, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara), George Lucas’ American Graffiti, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (Harrison Ford illustrated by John Alvin), Robert Zemeckis’ Back To The Future (Michael J. Fox and the Delorean illustrated by Drew Struzan), and Steven Spielberg’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark (both the 1981 and 1982 rerelease posters with of Harrison Ford by Richard Amsel).

The science fiction and horror genre selection includes George Lucas’ Star Wars style D, The Empire Strikes Back style B, George Romero’s Creepshow (Stephen King), Wes Craven’s A Nightmare On Elm Street (Freddy Krueger by Matthew Peak), Ray Harryhausen’s Clash Of The Titans advance, George Miller’s Mad Max and The Road Warrior (Mel Gibson), Roger Vadim’s Barbarella (Jane Fonda’s best role as illustrated by Robert McGinnis), and Friday The 13th.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96769

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Boxed Golden Sonic remote-control space vehicle, complete with antenna. Images courtesy of Old Town Auctions.

Boxed, battery-operated Space Vehicle with astronaut driver and satellite ball that “floats” above its rear port.

One of several “easel-back” tin wind-up robots with appealing primitive decoration and simple, forward-walking action.

Star Wars Yoda figure, surrounded by space toys.

Hasbro GI Joe Space Capsule with pilot figure and soundtrack recording of the first American orbital space flight.

Robots and Star Wars Toys at Old Town July 17

On Saturday, July 17, 2010, Old Town Auctions will boldly go where they’ve never gone before – selling robots, space toys, Star Wars, action figures and other quality sci-fi and fantasy collectibles. The event will be held at Alexander’s Inn Auction House in Buckeystown, a suburb of Frederick, Maryland, and convenient to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Auctioneer Rick Opfer will preside over approximately 600 cataloged lots, to be preceded by 200 uncataloged lots. Toys from both groups will be offered without reserve, and each will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of price. All traditional methods of bidding will be accepted, as well as online absentee bidding, but there will be no live Internet bidding during the sale, said Old Town’s owner, Matt Protos.

The toys to be auctioned will take bidders back to the future, from vintage wind-up and battery-operated space toys to contemporary figural robot artworks by acclaimed Pennsylvania folk artist Kent Greenbaum.

Space toys include rockets, robots, flying saucers, space stations, space tanks and missile launchers, ray guns and a whole host of extraterrestrial aliens creatures and monsters – many in their original, colorfully pictorial factory boxes.

The interplanetary theme continues with an array of sci-fi toys from postwar-era films and TV shows, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, Battlestar Galactica, Aliens, Dune, Mars Attacks, Close Encounters and many more.

"Unlike previous sales where there may be a small number of exceptional items, this auction offers a large selection of desirable merchandise for the average or avid collector. There were two major consignments – one from a space toy collector and the other from a Star Wars collector – but there are good solid items in literally every category of this sale,” Protos said.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96798

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ComicConnect Seeks Consignments for Event

“As comic fans, you’ve seen the results and heard about the record-breaking prices achieved in ComicConnect.com's Event Auctions. We have just announced that our next Event Auction will begin on Friday, August 27, 2010, and we are already accepting consignments to promote for the big auction,” said Rob Reynolds, Director of Consignments for ComicConnect.com.

“We were the first company to sell a comic, Action Comics #1 CGC 8.0, for $1,000,000 and we hold the world record for the sale of any comic book with Action Comics #1 CGC 8.5 for $1.5 million dollars,” he said. “Our extensive customer base going back nearly three decades allows us to achieve incredible, record-breaking results for our consignors. What can we do for you?”

He said now is the time to consign your comics. Simply upload your comics on ComicConnect.com, and their staff will start promoting your listings and telling prospective buyers to bid on your items.

Some consignments recently uploaded for the auction inclue: Detective Comics #28 CGC 7.5, Batman #5 CGC 8.5, an original owner Captain America Comics #1 G-, Laugh Comics #45 CGC 8.5 (D Copy), Choice Comics #3 CGC 9.0 (Church Copy), and Little Lulu Four Color #146 CGC 9.4.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96774

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RPM Motor Oil “A Real Knockout For Winter” single-sided tin sign with Donald Duck graphic.

Washington Chief Gasoline double-sided porcelain sign with full headdress Indian profile.

Hood Tire Man single-sided tin die-cut sign, 36 inches tall by 13 inches wide, rated 8.9/10.

Over 500 Lots of Petroliana at Matthews Auctions

More than 500 lots of petroliana items – mostly gas and oil signs but to include globes, cans and a great collection of rest room signs – will be sold by Matthews Auctions, LLC, on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 9 AM (CDT). The auction will be conducted at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines, on the final day of the 2010 Iowa Gas Show, held at the same venue.

“The Iowa Gas Show is a hugely popular annual event, and it’s our good fortune to be able to cap the festivities with an auction of this high caliber,” said Dan Matthews of Matthews Auctions, LLC. “We’ve got a lot of rare items in this sale, a wide variety of fresh to the market petroliana collectibles. There will be something for just about everybody. Plan to spend the day.”

Headlining the sale will be three major collections, consigned by Ray and Mary Sue Seider of California, the late Ace Feeks of Oregon and Ron Ueberhein of Lincoln, Neb. Other consignments will also be featured. Online bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Proxibid. “We’ll need two Internet platforms to keep up with the action,” Matthews said.

Several Mobil signs will be offered, to include a Mobil Marine double-sided porcelain sign with Pegasus graphic, 30 inches, with original base, rated 9+ out of 10 for condition; a Mobil Pegasus cookie-cutter single-sided porcelain sign, dated 1954, the 4-piece version (8.75); and a Mobil Pegasus single-sided porcelain die-cut sign with great color and gloss (9.75).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96794

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Fred Allen

Fred Allen (1894-1956) was a vaudeville juggler and standup comic who became one of the legendary radio comedians of the 1930s and 1940s.

From his first show on CBS in 1932 to his last on NBC in 1949, hardly a week went by without a Fred Allen program of one sort or another. Allen wrote his own material and his “feud” with Jack Benny was a successful running gag from 1936 to 1949. They appeared in two films together, Love Thy Neighbor in 1940 and It’s In The Bag in 1945.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96675

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Johnny Tremain

Disney’s 1957 live-action film Johnny Tremain was based on the book by Esther Forbes, and for many children a viewing of it marked the first time they could personally relate to the American Revolution.

Set in Boston between 1773 and 1775, the story centers on a young apprentice silversmith who injures his hand. With his potential career ruined, Tremain gets in greater trouble when he finds himself accused of a crime he did not commit. With the help of Paul Revere and Josiah Quincy, the youth defends himself. Johnny eventually finds himself drawn into the Revolutionary War, as well as an exploration of human rights.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96672

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The cover to Argosy for May 1944. Note the Marston blurb in the lower left.

Marston's original Argosy article

William Moulton Marston, Super-Hero Psychologist

Most long time comic book fans are aware that Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Moulton Marston to serve as a role model for young girls. Marston felt the male comic book heroes admired by the boys were exclusionary to the girls, whom he felt also needed heroes they could identify with and look up to. So Marston created a strong female character that could hold her own in a male-dominated genre, and go toe-to-toe with her male counterparts. Now, nearly 70 years later, Wonder Woman is equal partner in DC Comics’ long-time central “trinity” of archetypal characters, along with Superman and Batman.

While that much is common knowledge, much less is known about Marston’s career outside of comics. Other than his identification as a psychologist, what do we really know of William Moulton Marston and his work? A recent discovery in the vast archives of Diamond International Galleries helps provide some insight.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=96795

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Plainclothescomics.com Spotlights Dick Tracy

telegram from Patterson: “Believe Plainclothes Tracy Has Possibilities.”

Did it ever.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=268&ai=96809

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 6-26-10

SCI-FI AUCTION

Cool sci-fi toy auction this Saturday, July 17th. Over 800 toys available, many of which are litho tin from the 1930s to the 1980s. Check it out at:

http://www.oldtownauctions.com/1/Home.html

Sale will be held at Alexander 19s Inn Auction House

3607 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown, Maryland 21717

Preview 2 hours before sale

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RED DWARF

British Fantastic Comedy (1988-1993; 1997-1999; 2009-present) about an enormous interstellar mining ship (the titular "Red Dwarf"), the crew of which has been almost completely wiped out by a radiation leak.

Almost.

One man remains alive: a chicken-soup-machine repairman named David Lister from Liverpool (born 2155 A.D, although this is debatable as at least 3 other birth dates appear in the TV series, plus several other references that make it impossible for Lister to be born in 2155). Lister was sentenced to be put in suspended animation for six months as punishment for bringing a female cat on board illegally (and, in the novels at least, did so deliberately, having only signed onto the Jupiter Mining Corporation vessel initially to get back to Earth after being stranded on one of Saturn's moons after a drunken bender).

During Lister's time in the stasis booth, incompetent Second Technician Arnold J. Rimmer (B.S.C., S.S.C^*

), Lister's bunkmate/superior officer (and all around smeghead), failed to replace a faulty drive-plate in the ship's engine system, which floods the ship's entire crew decks with lethal Cadmium-2 radiation, killing everyone on board except for Lister (and the cat which survived in the cargo hold). The ship's AI, Holly, sends the ship immediately out of the solar system, until the radiation reaches safe levels. Unfortunately, that takes three million years.

To keep Lister sane, Holly creates a hologram of the despised (and now deceased) Rimmer. After a few days, the pair discover the Cat, the last(ish) known member of his race Felis sapiens (which evolved from the pregnant cat that got Lister put in suspended animation in the first place).

Lister decides that he wants to return to Earth, despite the fact that no-one aboard knows if the human race still exists, and despite the problem that the journey back will take another three million years at sub-light speed (even turning the ship around at near lightspeed will take 400 years according to Holly).

MORE: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RedDwarf

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Ridley Scott Heads Back to Alien with Prequel

Ridley Scott made the movie Alien, which became an instant science fiction-horror classic.

He wasn’t involved in the first sequel, Aliens, which was great, or the ones made after that, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, Aliens vs. Predator, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, Alien Vacation, Aliens Up in Smoke, or Aliens in Breaking Training.

The Los Angeles Times’ Geoff Boucher has reported that now Scott will make a prequel (and possibly two prequels) to his 1979 hit. The director told a film festival audience that the screenplay is done and that he’s now prepping the film for production.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=96518

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Vampirella Gets the Archive Treatment

Dynamite Entertainment is scheduled to release the Vampirella Archive Vol. 1 Premiere Hard Cover Edition in September 2010. The volume will feature material from the first seven issues of the magazine originally published by Warren in September 1969.

The creators whose work is represented include Archie Goodwin, Jose Gonzalez, Doug Moench, Bernie Wrightson, Barry Windsor Smith, Esteban Maroto, Frank Brunner, Mike Ploog, Rudy Nebres, Richard Corben, Pablo Marcos, Wally Wood, and many more! Featuring work by Forest J. Ackerman, Don Glut, Tom Sutton, Neal Adams, Ernie Colon, Billy Graham, Alan Weiss, and Jeff Jones, along with cover artist Frank Frazetta.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=96558

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Silver Age DC Consignment Lands at Pedigree

A major consignment of early 1960s DC issues has been landed by Pedigree Comics and is now slated for the company’s upcoming Grand Auction, which is slated to begin the night of Sunday, August 29, 2010 and run for 10 days until the evening of Wednesday, September 8. Pedigree’s CEO and President, Doug Schmell, said that following on the heels of the announcement of the Three Rivers Collection making its debut, this auction was turning into a major event for Silver Age collectors.

“This consignment of over 30 CGC certified comics includes many highest graded issues from Action Comics, Adventure Comics, Atom, Flash, Green Lantern, Justice League of America and Wonder Woman. All of the books are 9.0 and higher, most in 9.4 and 9.6, and include a bunch of copies from the Pacific Coast and Western Penn pedigreed collections. In addition, most of the books have superior page quality, off-white to white or white, with exceptional cover gloss,” Schmell said.

“Half of the books are issues of Flash, and the group is easily the best early Silver Age run of this immensely popular title in the world. Almost every Flash comic is the highest CGC-certified and finest known copy. If this run was included in the CGC Registry listing for Flash #105-350, it would likely become the #1 set! Not since Pedigree Comics sold the almost complete Flash run of noted collector Steve Rubin in 2007 (then the #1 Registry set) has this many high grade early 1960s Flash issues been made available for public sale,” he said.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96531

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eMoviePoster Offers Window Cards, More

The new auctions underway at eMoviePoster.com and this time the action surrounds 620 window cards and French and Italian one- and two-panels.

Top pieces in the line-up of window cards include Ocean's 11 (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Angie Dickinson), Zulu (Stanley Baker and Michael Caine), William Wellman’s Wings style A (1929, Clara Bow), Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief (Grace Kelly and Cary Grant), Ramona (1928 stone litho of Dolores Del Rio and Warner Baxter), Destry Rides Again (Tom Mix in his first talking picture), The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart and Claire Trevor), The Lost Squadron (1932, Richard Dix), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (Vincent Price in his 100th motion picture), Devil Dogs Of The Air (1935, James Cagney and Pat O'Brien), McLintock (John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara), That Touch Of Mink (Cary Grant and Doris Day), Cobra Woman (Jon Hall, Maria Montez, Sabu, and Lon Chaney), San Francisco (Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald), The Mummy (Christopher Lee), and a double bill of I Was A Teenage Werewolf and Invasion Of The Saucer-Men.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96523

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Gabby Hayes

George “Gabby” Hayes (1885-1969) acted in a traveling repertory company and played burlesque and vaudeville before he went to Hollywood for a film career that spanned more than 30 years.

Known as Windy, then Gabby, the whiskered, ornery, toothless geezer played sidekick to Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Bill Elliott, Randolph Scott and John Wayne in well over 100 Westerns.

Hayes was a regular on radio’s Roy Rogers Show in the 1940s and had his own program on the Mutual network in 1951-1952, sponsored by Quaker cereals. Adventure and “Gabby Hayes Western” comic books appeared between 1948 and 1957.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96564

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Gumby

Art Clokey began experimenting with stop motion clay animation in the early 1950s, producing the film Gumbasia at USC film school in 1955. Sam Engel of 20th Century Fox enjoyed the film and formed a partnership with Clokey, leading to the creation of Gumby. The character made his first appearance as a test in a 1956 Howdy Doody show and proved popular enough that NBC gave him his own show.

Hosted by Pinky Lee, the series began in 1957. Twenty-two twelve minute shows were produced, then these were recycled into 44 six minute episodes in the 1960s. The cast included Gumby, Pokey the Horse, Nopey the Dog and their enemies the Blockheads.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96563

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Al Williamson: It All Started with Flash Gordon

The great illustrator Al Williamson passed away this week. We revist his work with this piece originally published in The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #30, which was published in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the "New Trend" EC Comics titles that Williamson was so associated with.

It started with Flash Gordon, the action-filled, meticulously illustrated adventure comic strip of the 1940s by Alex Raymond. The Spirit, Will Eisner's smoky creation, Hal Foster's exquisitely rendered Prince Valiant and other strips followed close behind.

In Spanish, of course.

Fans and historians know Al Williamson for his highly evocative art over the last fifty years. Many, though, don't know the full scope or variety of his efforts.

He has worked on everything from penciling and inking stories in EC's Weird Science-Fantasy in the '50s to inking John Romita, Jr. on Daredevil for Marvel in the '90s, stopping along the way for a highly respected run on the daily and Sunday Star Wars strip with the late writer Archie Goodwin.

During his career, he has worked with the proverbial Who's Who of comic book talent. The list of names includes John Prentice (the artist who took over Rip Kirby in 1956 following the death of its creator, Alex Raymond), Roy G. Krenkel, Angelo Torres, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando and the rest of the EC gang.

When publisher Bill Gaines and writer/editor Al Feldstein brought that group together, they must have known in some sense the amazing level of talent they had assembled. There is equally no way they could have known what a permanent impression they would make on the industry or the art form.

Williamson, along with artists such as Wally Wood, Harvey Kurtzman, and others carved out a distinctive ñ and as it turns out, lasting ñ niche in American comics with the quality of their work on the EC line.

Although it has been 50 years since the "New Trend" began and almost 45 since it ended, today's top creators routinely cite the horror, crime and science fiction comics that comprised the "New Trend" as being among the most influential comics in the history of the medium.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=96462

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Blue Beetle’s Screen Test

On DC’s The Source blog, writer and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns had a lot to say about the possibility of fans getting a live action incarnation of Blue Beetle, among other interesting items. With the recent changes at DC Entertainment, Jim Lee and Dan DiDio head up the publishing and editorial operation, while Diane Nelson and Johns work on everything outside of the comics in film, television and other media.

“When you’re moving behind the scenes on stuff like film and television there are always a lot of projects, scripts and cool things that are created. I always wanted to hear about and see the development of these projects, even if it was early or they weren’t a sure thing, and now that I have access to the top secret room we keep them in – I call it THE VAULT – I thought I’d share some glimpses at what Warner Bros. and DCE have in there with my fellow DC fanatics,” Johns wrote.

That includes a live action screen test of Blue Beetle transforming, a scene created with the aim of bringing Jaime Reyes (the current version of Blue Beetle) to the small screen.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=261&ai=96515

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 6-19-10

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COOL FANTASY ART WEBSITE

Hello Fantasy Art lover's, this site is meant for the real Art lover's.
It contains a very extensive gallery of the most popular Fantasy & Erotic Art Artists.
A FREE login account is required for viewing the images.
For wireless PDA(PocketPC)-exchange click here.
ALL Questions AND Problems, are ONLY handled in the Forum, any mail send with problems will be deleted unread.

MORE: http://nomo.homeip.net/?linkid=6787

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BP COFFEE SPILL

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Knight Over Gotham Strikes Back

Serious Batman collectors (and by “serious” we mean “SERIOUS”) will want to check out the new edition of the “Knight Over Gotham” by Alex Ross. The original version on 30” x 40” canvas was commissioned for the Warner Bros. Studio Stores in an edition of only 25 pieces.

Since then, “Knight Over Gotham” has become one of the most desirable Batman pieces on the secondary market. DC Comics has authorized Clampett Studio Collections to publish an oversized 36 ½” x 54” version of this image which is through Choice Collectibles.

While the original edition has been sold for as much as $10,000, this edition is being offered (featuring custom framing) for $2,595.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=96308

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Frazetta Cover Smashes Records for Comic Art

Frank Frazetta’s original 1955 artwork for Weird Science-Fantasy #29, considered by many comic art fans to be the finest comic book cover of all time, has been sold in a private treaty sale for $380,000 – almost certainly the most ever paid for a single piece of original American comic book art – to Heritage Co-Chairman and Co-Founder Jim Halperin, a collector known to own one of the finest comic book and original comic art collections in the world. It was an outright purchase for immediate payment, with no trade-ins involved.

“Knowing I’m a huge Frazetta fan, and a rabid EC collector, Stephen Ferzoco and Rob Pistella, the agents for the family, approached me as soon as they asked them to sell this piece,” said Halperin. “I was thrilled to pay their asking price, which, although it set a new record by a wide margin, actually seemed quite fair for the ultimate EC cover.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96283

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Silver Age Marvel Rarities at Pedigree

A new consignment of CGC-certified Marvel Comics from the late 1960s will be featured in the upcoming Pedigree Comics Grand Auction, the company has reported. The event, which is scheduled to run for 10 days beginning on Sunday night, August 29, 2010 and ending on the evening of Wednesday, September 8, will showcase a consignment consisting of over 30 high grade (CGC-certified 9.4 and higher) esoteric Marvel titles such as Chili, Groovy, Mad About Millie, Marvel Collectors’ Item Classic, Mighty Marvel Western and Not Brand Echh. Also included in the consignment is a group of early Silver Surfer issues.

The Not Brand Echh run is almost complete, containing every issue from the elusive #2 to the final #13, with half a dozen in 9.6 and 9.8. The Chili group has four issues, all from the Oakland Collection, with three of them in 9.6, while the Mad About Millie issues are also from the Oakland pedigree. Both issues of Groovy (#2 and 3) are in 9.6 and are from the same pedigree collection. The Silver Surfer group features #1 in 9.6, issue #2 in 9.8 and the remaining squarebound issues (#3-7) in 9.6, except Silver Surfer #4, which graded 9.4.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96269

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1927 Ford Model T 2-door coupe, 23,827 miles, tricked out with Ford Cobra engine, 1966 Jaguar XKE front and rear suspension, 1976 Mustang II rack and pinion power steering, Jaguar disc brakes and other custom features. Estimate $20,000-$30,000.

Curved porcelain Campbell’s Tomato Soup sign, 22 1/2 by 12 1/4 inches, near mint plus, estimate $3,000-$5,000.

Cardboard 1908 Dr. Pepper sign featuring a turn of the 20th century beauty. Extremely rare, 15 by 10 inches. Estimate $8,000-$12,000.

Tin Space Fuel Station battery-operated toy, Japanese, includes original rocket, antenna and box. Estimate $2,000-$4,000.

Robert Smith Ale Brewing Company oval tin sign, 23 inches long with stunning image of forward-leaping tiger, estimate $5,000-$7,000.

Unknown California Toy Collection at Morphy's

At the heart of Dan Morphy Auctions’ 1,300-lot July 16-17, 2010 Premier Auction is a collection of mostly mint/boxed toys that has flown under the radar for nearly three decades. Running the gamut from European, early American and Japanese toys to pressed steel, pedal cars and even two actual hot rods, the collection was amassed by retired California architect and Victorian home restorer Michael O’Hearn. It will be offered at auction “unpicked and in its entirety,” said auction company CEO Dan Morphy.

“Very few people have even heard of this truly exceptional collection,” said Morphy. “Mr. O’Hearn never sold a toy; he only bought, and in each of the 46 categories of his collection, he kept the emphasis on condition. All of the O’Hearn toys are a strong 9 out of 10 or better.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96289

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Cigar Store Indian Brings $203,150 at Heritage

A superbly colorful and remarkably well-preserved American hand-carved Cigar Store Indian, which had sat in a Washington, D.C.-area basement for at least 20 years, brought a world record public auction price of $203,150 on May 22m 2010 as the top lot in Heritage Auction Galleries’ Grand Format Political & Americana Auction. The auction realized more than $1.25 million in total. All prices include 19.5% Buyer’s Premium.

The remarkable carving was consigned by 78 year-old Nancy Wischnowski, of Washington, DC, whose husband was an Americana collector until he passed away in 1989.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96291

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Frito Bandito

The Frito Bandito debuted in the late 1960s as the mascot for Frito Lay's popular corn chip snack, Fritos. The sombrero-wearing, twirled moustached character--drawn by Tex Avery--seemed to delight fans, as he cropped up in commercials with his own theme song (sung to the tune of a traditional Spanish folk song, "Cielito Lindo") and a trademark accent voiced by veteran actor Mel Blanc (famed for voicing various Warner Bros. characters, including Bugs Bunny).

All seemed to be going well for a while, but Foote, Cone & Belding Agency, the ad company responsible for the Bandito couldn't have predicted the maelstrom of protest their mascot would receive.

See, The Frito Bandito (or the Frito bandit, as it were) caught the collective eye of the Mexican Anti-Defamation Committee, who found the character's broken English and thieving nature offensive to the culture he represented.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96086

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Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle

Dell Comics may be best known for its conversion of popular characters to comic book form, but the publisher had a few original adventure tales up its sleeve, too. Fortunately for them, one of those adventure tales--Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle, made good on its potential. In 1962, when the series debuted, most of Dell's popular TV-based comics were switching publishers, leaving Dell to compete against Gold Key and other licensers in a market it formerly dominated.

Though Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle debuted in Dell's Four-Color Comics #1256, the title character wouldn't emerge until a later issue. Instead, the arc intially focused on a distinguished scientist, Dr. Henry Dodd, his daughter and her two children. After their army-sanctioned blimp to the outback detours, they find themselves lost in prehistoria. Enter Kona, a strapping, handsome neanderthal, who first meets the crew when he saves them from an attacking dinosaur.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96089

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Lone Wolf Tribe

Lone Wolf Tribe only aired on CBS radio for one season, but it made a huge merchandising impact. Sponsored by Wrigley's gum, this children's series offered dramatized perspective on American Indian life. The narrator was the head of the tribe, Chief Wolf Paw, who prided himself on communicating to the listeners with "the voice that flies."

As games like cowboys and Indians and duos like The Lone Ranger and Tonto suggest, American Indian culture has long been a societal fascination in the U.S. Throughout history, sports team names like the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves have served as wince-worthy reminders that our nation has endorsed the mascot-making and mimicry of American Indian culture.

When Lone Wolf Tribe first aired in 1932, the show became part of that tradition. Its spokesman, a fearless warrior in a radiant feathered headdress, sent letters to the Tribe's club members, addressing them as "braves and princesses." Among the club's premiums were the "Lone Wolf Tribe Tom-Tom with a beater stick" and arrowhead badges.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96085

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The Little King

What could make a diminutive dictator larger than life? Infamy? Matrimony? Revolution, you wonder?

Actually, all it took for The Little King was nearly 45 years in comics.

In 1931, cartoonist Otto Soglow created a playful mini-monarch, whose greatest joys were sliding down palace banisters, eat lunch from a regular workman's pail and indulging in a daily constitutional to the palace mailbox.

Rotund and ruddy, The Little King became a popular feature in The New Yorker. Curiously, his greatest appeal wasn't an air of sophistication, a haughty sense of authority or a booming speaking voice.

In fact, The Little King said very little... next to nothing at all. Soglow's minimalist illustration and even sparser dialogue were part of the King's appeal. The pantomime pranks only made for huger chucklers among readers.

Newspaper impresario William Randolph Hearst was among the widespread guffawers and sought to woo Soglow away from The New Yorker and make The Little King part of the King Features Syndicate stable.

Still under contract with The New Yorker, Soglow declined. But he did agree to make Hearst a knock-off character, The Ambassador.

The clone lasted three years, until in 1934, Soglow's New Yorker contract expired and The Little King debuted as a King Feature on September 7.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=96088

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Frank Frazetta (seated, right) with Russ Cochran at the opening of Geppi's Entertainment Musuem in Septmeber 2006.

Frank Frazetta: An Observation by Russ Cochran

After the recent passing of master artist Frank Frazetta (whose work this week again set records when his cover for EC’s Weird Science-Fantasy #29 sold for $380,000), we asked our friend and former colleague, Russ Cochran, if he would mind sharing his thoughts about Frazetta with our readers. He recently sent out an email to his regular mailing list that we thought offered some insight into the great artist and his work.

From the late 1960s all through the 1970s and 1980s, I was a frequent visitor to the Frazetta home. I was (and still am) the world's biggest fan of Frank's awe-inspiring artwork, the drawings as much as the paintings.

I was Frank and Ellie's "agent" at the time. I attended all the comic book conventions, criss-crossing the country from New York to San Diego, through Oklahoma and Texas, in Chicago and Detroit, and when I went to one of these conventions I usually had stopped to see Frank and Ellie to pick up some original art to sell. Frank would do some sketches for me to sell.

I started selling these little pen sketches for $25 and up. Prices went up very quickly as demand always was greater than the supply. Several collectors would wait for me to check into the hotel and try to catch me first, so they would have first choice of the sketches.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=96312

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 6-12-10

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PERSEUS Ltd. Edition 1:6 Figure

The Son of Zeus shall not have peace for his blasphemy. All that he cherishes in his world shall be ripped from him. His kingdom...his comfort...his queen. He shall feel my rage as he suffers the Wrath of the Titans.

Perseus fought against monsters, men, and the gods themselves to save his city and his love, in the breath-taking vision of ancient Greece! Now Perseus must again pick up his sword to fight monsters and myth to save his world!

Take up your swords and venture into uncharted pages of Bluewater Comics with Ray Harryhausen presents WRATH OF THE TITANS!

The all new myths begin with:

- Bubo - w/ 2 sets of Wings
- Sword
- Sheath w/ Strap
- Wrist Guards
- Red Cloak
- Pegasus Medallion Cloak Pin
- Shield
- Tunic
- Boots
- ATOM body
- Officially Licensed

Retail $110

TO ORDER THIS ITEM AT A 10% DISCOUNT CONTACT: SWAPSALE@AOL.COM

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THE TIME TRAVELER

This guy claims to have traveled through time. And he offers proof!

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A REMINDER OF SORTS

When I was a kid I bought the paperback shown on the second jpeg. I've never seen an image that better captured the awe of the space travel I imagined would be part of my future. Well, we've blown all our money on useless wars, the biosphere is failing, and there seems no real future other than extinction. Still, I can't get rid of the vision. So I took a little Tennyson and added his words to a Photoshopped redo of the paperback wrap-- no idea who the original artist was; his name is illegible, and he painted in a style I don't ever remember seeing on another book.

I have a very high resolution version of the redone image, but it would never make it through the web.

Tennyson wrote the quote I put on the jpeg in 1842 (from "Locksley Hall"). I guess even Alfred Lord Tennyson eventually glimpsed the failure of his sense of wonder, and expressed it as follows: "We cannot be kind to each other here for even an hour. We whisper, and hint, and chuckle and grin at our brother's shame; however you take it we men are a little breed."

Elliott Swanson

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ROLLER BALLS

This is some kind of new technology. Wouldn't cut it in AZ without AC though. You'd cook in that little solar heatbox. See the video:

http://www.wimp.com/ecomobiletests/

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FIENDSXXX

Edit by Brothersoft: FIENDSXXX is a 3d pc game full of gore and sexy images

Engage in an epic single player campaign and save the world from evil fiends. You must be ready for action to defend the good people from the Invasion of the black magic monsters. This is a large, fully-detailed world, full of horrors and ememies. Using the teleport gate in your tower, you can jump into the the lair of your enemies. Use your magic Rod to blast them, or be killed.

Description: first person 3D Shooter game.

You need: a pc with pentium 1000 or more; directx 9b or more (you can download it from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/ IMPORTANT:To know if the full-version game is compatible with your pc, download of the demo-version is required.
The game uses a modular engine: more modules can be downloaded to enjoy more and more adventures. So visit www.fiendsxxx.com addon download area each and every month, because we releases new addons for the full game.

MORE: http://www.brothersoft.com/games/fiendsxxx.html

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1970s FILM MAKER AL ADAMSON

HERE'S SOMETHING WE FOUND ONLINE ABOUT FILM MAKER AL ADAMSON, FEATURED HERE LAST WEEK:

JOHN HORN
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Al Adamson, a prolific director of low-budget horror films including "Satan's Sadists" and

"Blood of Dracula's Castle," was murdered and buried underneath his own house.

The 66-year-old Adamson's body was discovered Wednesday in Indio, about 150 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Indio police said Monday.

Investigators were searching for a contractor who was living and working at Adamson's home, said police Lt. Bruce Bower. Police have not yet established a motive.

A brother of the B-movie maker contacted police after Adamson was missing for five weeks, Bower said. After interviewing witnesses and examining recent construction work at his home, police and forensic specialists took up the flooring in an unspecified room and unearthed the buried body.

The cause of death was not determined pending a Wednesday autopsy.

Police have a homicide arrest warrant for independent contractor Fred Fulford, 46. Bower said Fulford was living in Adamson's Avenue 49 house while remodeling it. Fulford traveled to Florida about a week before Adamson was reported missing, Bower said, and is considered a fugitive.

The son of a filmmaker, Adamson made his reputation making drive-in movies in the 1960s and 1970s. Most of his titles featured horror or science-fiction themes, and he became a modern-day Ed Wood, the fabled schlock director of the 1950s.

MORE: http://www.sfgate.com/examiner/bondage/BOND-23888.html

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Frank Miller Unveils Xerxes

Writer-artist-director Frank Miller will turn his attention to the Persian king Xerxes in his prequel to his award-winning and best-selling 300, Dark Horse Comics has announced. The new project is slated for release in 2011.

This July, however, Miller’s fans will find the Xerxes Fine Art Lithograph in the July 2010 issue of Previews from Diamond Comic Distributors. The 24" x 36" print will be available in two versions, the standard release for $25 and a limited, signed edition for $100 (limited to 100 copies). Both versions will be available in October.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=95861

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Fourth Issue of The Frontiersman Now Available

The Frontiersman #4, the latest issue of the new PDF comics magazine, is available for download free on BrokenFrontier.com.

In addition to reviews and news and other features, this issue of The Frontiersman includes a great article on Kurt Busiek's long-running creator-owned series Astro City (with great looks at the work of Brent Anderson and Alex Ross), as well as a preview of Moonstone's new mini-series Vampire, PA (which is written by our own J.C. Vaughn).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=96011

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Torchwood's Captain Jack Comes to Comics

Torchwood's Captain Jack is coming to comics. Based on the hit BBC America show, Titan has announced the launch of a new comic book series that pairs artist Tommy Lee Edwards (Turf) with writer-actor John Barrowman (Torchwood's Captain Jack) and his sister and frequent co-worker Carole E. Barrowman to produce “Captain Jack and the Selkie.”

The story is one of two original Torchwood tales in issue #1, and in it Jack faces a deadly threat (is there any other kind?) on a remote Scottish island, where people are disappearing one by one.

"Tommy and Trevor had drawn a brilliant poster of my face super-imposed over the Face of Boe, which I think is the best piece of Captain Jack art I’ve seen,” said Barrowman of his first meeting with Edwards at Comic-Con International: San Diego in 2008. “The four of us hit it off immediately and I asked if they’d ever be interested in working with us on a Captain Jack project. They thought about it for, oh, about 30 seconds, and so ‘Captain Jack and the Selkie’ was born!”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=96012

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Frank Miller's Daredevil #188 Cover Hits $101,575, Sets New Record

Frank Miller’s original cover for Daredevil #188 sold for $101,575 as part of an event that tallied more than $3.2 million at Heritage Auction Galleries on Friday, May 21, 2010. The price, which includes the 19.5% Buyer’s Premium, is a record, the company said.

“This is a world record public auction price for a piece of 1980s comic art,” said Todd Hignite, Consignment Director for Original Comic and Illustration Art at Heritage Auctions, “and it’s one of the handful of highest prices that Heritage has ever seen paid for a piece of comic art, period. It’s in very rarefied company.”

In the aftermath of Miller’s two runs on Daredevil (#158-191, and #226-233) and with the lofty heights his career has reached with Ronin, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300, it might seem hard to believe that when he came on board for Daredevil #158 the title had been demoted to bi-monthly status and was in danger of cancelation.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95999

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Hake's Auction #200 Closes Strong

Continuing what Ted Hake started in 1967, Hake’s Americana & Collectibles finished our 200th auction on Thursday, May 27, 2010 with strong and sometimes even surprising results. As detailed in Scoop last week, Tuesday, May 25-closing items saw spectacular performance from sports-related offerings. This week, we’ll go into a bit more detail on the Thursday-closing items.

First, though, a tip of the cap to the pioneer who started all this, Ted Hake. While still a college student in 1965, Hake issued carbon-copy sales lists consisting of political pin-back buttons. The customer response to these lists proved beyond his expectations.

Inspired by George Rinsland's Americana Mail Auctions in the early 1960s, Hake resolved to conduct his sales in an auction format. Upon receipt of their catalogs, customers could submit their bids by mail and later raise those bids by telephone on the auction closing day. This practice proved both fair and successful, and while it has evolved it continues today, over four decades later.

“Personally, I’ve long anticipated Hake’s milestone 200th auction.” said Ted Hake, “And it was worth the wait. Our bidders’ positive response to fascinating artifacts in hundreds of categories justifies our efforts to put the collector first. Somehow, even after 200 auctions, we manage to find great things in great condition that are new both to us and most of our bidders. We are well on the way to repeating the process for Auction #201 to close in late September.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96001

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999 Folded One-Sheets at eMoviePoster.com

Following a great week with an incredible selection of lobby cards, the new auctions at eMoviePoster.com started Tuesday night and this time the items up for bid are 999 folded one-sheets covering all years and genres.

Some of the high profile offerings include A Hard Day's Night (The Beatles), 2001: A Space Odyssey 70mm style A (art of space wheel by Bob McCall), Gone With The Wind 1947 reissue (Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh), George Pal’s The Time Machine (H.G. Wells’ story with Reynold Brown artwork), Howard Hawks’ Ceiling Zero (James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and June Travis), Planet Of The Apes (Charlton Heston), Go Ape (1974 five-bill Planet of the Apes marathon), Raiders Of The Lost Ark (Harrison Ford by Richard Amsel), From Russia With Love style B (Sean Connery as James Bond 007), My Fair Lady (Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison by Bob Peak), A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court style A (Bing Crosby and Rhonda Fleming), Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster, Ridley Scott’s Alien teaser, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid style B (Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Katharine Ross), and The Empire Strikes Back style B (Tom Jung artwork).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95998

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"Three Rivers Collection" Debuts at Pedigree

A high-grade original owner collection from Michigan dubbed the “Three Rivers Collection” will be featured in Pedigree Comics’ August 2010 Grand Auction, according to Doug Schmell, the company’s President and CEO.

“This consignment of almost 1,000 comics features mostly Silver Age Marvels, DCs and Charltons, plus an amazing group of Dells and Gold Keys, all in high grade,” Schmell said. There are many high grade Bronze Age Marvels and DCs as well, plus a few magazines from the ‘70s.

“This collection is amazing,” he said. “It is easily the nicest original owner group of books we have ever received at Pedigree Comics. The collection was amassed by two brothers who loved comics and bought each issue new off of the newsstand where they lived in Three Rivers, Michigan. Each book was carefully picked out, purchased, and then put away. None of the books were ever read. The books were stored and stacked in boxes (horizontally) over the past 47 plus years and then just recently consigned to us. The collection is now in the process of being graded by CGC and the initial 200 or so Silver Age books will be available to bid on and purchase in the auction. All the books have supple, white pages and are structurally near-mint. We estimate that the average grade of the books is 9.2 or 9.4 with many 9.6 and 9.8 examples.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=96003

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Donald Duck Soda

We're pretty sure most of you know about Citrus World's Donald Duck fruit juice line. The company's best known and oldest orange juice brand, Donald Duck Orange Juice has been marketed by Citrus World for over 60 years.

But those outside the Disneyana collectibles world may be a little less aware of Donald's other foray into the drink market. The Chattanooga, TN-based General Beverages Inc. used our gregarious quacker's visage for its first-ever line of fruit-flavored sodas during the early 1950s, and Donald Duck Soda also became one of the pioneering General Beveragessodas to be canned.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95896

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Time Bomb: Will Hitler's Revenge Spell Doom?

Beneath the streets of modern day Berlin, archeologists accidently activate a left-over weapon from the last days of World War II. Known as the Omega Bomb, it was Adolf Hitler’s ultimate doomsday weapon, a device designed to wipe out the human race. A group of specialists equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment must travel one day back through time to stop the bomb from ever going off. However, they accidentally are thrown into the midst of a war-torn Germany. Against that backdrop, the team must race to save humanity and themselves.

Time Bomb, the new, three-part graphic novel from Radical Publishing, teams up writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (Jonah Hex, Power Girl) with artist Paul Gulacy (Master of Kung-Fu, Six From Sirius). Time Bomb #1 is is listed in the May 2010 edition of Previews from Diamond Comic Distributors, and it’s set to go on sale in July 2010. The 56-page comic will retail for $4.99.

Scoop talked with Jimmy Palmiotti about the project.

Scoop: How did you come up with this story?
Jimmy Palmiotti (JP): When I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, my parents would rent a bungalow for the summer in Rockland County, what we considered the “country.” We were there for two months at a time. Every Saturday night would be movie night and they would have a 16mm projector that would show movies for the kids and adults against a big white wall that was the back of the pool area. They only owned a dozen films and one of my all time favorites was Where Eagles Dare, a movie based on an Alistair MacLean story made in 1969 starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Ingrid Pitt and Mary Ure. Allied agents stage a daring raid on a castle where Nazi’s are holding an America general hostage.

This movie was the bomb for me and I just loved the general idea of the film and when I was older, worked a concept around a different type of story and had that in my head for years. When Justin and I started working together, I told him all about this idea and we sat on it for years, till the right publisher, Radical Comics, came around, loved it and gave us everything we wanted to put it together into this three-volume, 50 page [per issue] graphic novel format.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=96005

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THIS ENDS OUT POSTINGS FOR 6-5-10

SEXY 1960s CAMAY SOAP AD

-------------------------------

THE ART OF JAMES WOLF STREHLE

Check out my new art blog! and keep up to date with my latest pieces, including step by step progress shots! See you there! http://jameswolfart.blogspot.com/

Also if you would like to purchase a print you can do so through my profile on http://www.inprnt.com/profile/1808/ Thanks

MORE: http://www.jamiestrehle.com/Gallery.php

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THE HORROR CLASSICS OF AL ADAMSON

Horror of the Blood Monsters aka Space Mission To The Lost Planet is a bizarre horror/sci-fi combo from the late, great schlockmeister Al Adamson. Released in 1970, the movie features footage from a black & white 1965 Filipino caveman movie combined with colour US footage shot in 1966. A huge load of nutty fun, the black & white Filipino monster segments are tinted in various colours - the explanation being the planet's atmosphere has varying levels of radiation(!). Starring John Carradine, Robert Dix and Vicky Volante, amongst others. Al Adamson himself appears as a vampire.

MORE: http://cosmobells.blogspot.com/2008/01/horror-of-blood-monsters.html

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CGC 9.0 Batman #1 Hits $315,000 on ComicLink

ComicLink sold at CGC-certified 9.0 copy of Batman #1 for $315,000 on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, Josh Nathanson, the company’s President, announced.

“This is one of the best books that a collector will ever have a chance to own,” said Nathanson, “and it is probably a great investment.”

The Batman #1 sale was one of numerous new price records set in the ComicLink auction this week. Further details will be available in next week’s Scoop.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95736

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Sports Surge in Part One of Hake's Auction #200

The historic 200th auction from Hake’s Americana & Collectibles has ended. The first part closed Tuesday, May 25, 2010, and the second part wrapped up on Thursday, May 27. And while out friends at Hake’s are dealing with their usual post-auction frenzy, we were able to take a look at the results from Part One (and we’ll have a more detailed look at Part Two next week).

In any given Hake’s Americana event, results for the first section of the auction are usually scattered among various categories, such a political, advertising, sports, war and other collectible categories. This was not the case in auction #200, which saw sports collectibles take a commanding lead. Nine of the top ten items from the first section of the auction were sports-related collectibles, and each of them came from the Richard Merkin Collection, the vast and focused collection recently consigned to Hake’s.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95735

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EC Original Covers at ComicConnect

Two men in a small Italian joint on the cusp of Little Italy fed themselves on spaghetti and manicotti while they plotted comic book stories. The comics that Bill Gaines created and then developed with Al Feldstein during those red sauce-soaked meetings stirred and shook the sensibilities of the entire comic book industry.

Scenes of decapitations and beautiful dames in pools of blood forced Mr. Gaines out from behind his comfortable chair at Patrissy’s and in to the hot seat in front of a United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency. Forced to defend his work and means, Mr. Gaines championed free speech while teaming with other publishers to self-regulate under the Comics Code Authority.

ComicConnect.com is offering a dozen covers penciled and inked by the masters of the pre-code era at EC Comics, including Crime Illustrated #1 by Joe Orlando, Crime Patrol #13 by Johnny Craig, Frontline Combat #4 by MAD legend Harvey Kurtzman, Gunfighter #6 by Craig, Haunt of Fear #13 by Graham Ingels, Modern Love #6 by Al Feldstein, Saddle Justice #4 by Johnny Craig, Vault of Horror #33, by Craig, War Against Crime #5 by Craig, Weird Fantasy #16 by Feldstein, Weird Science #18 by Wally Wood, and Weird Science #13 by Feldstein.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95737

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Starkey coin-operated 10-gallon gas pump with good cylinder but no bonnet ($14,300).

Wayne model #491 “Roman column” 10-gallon visible gas pump, repainted ($9,900).

Frontier Gas “Rarin' to Go” double-sided porcelain sign, one of only two known ($26,400).

Results of Matthews Auctions May 15-16 Event

A brilliant, round Frontier Gas “Rarin’ to Go” double-sided porcelain sign, one of only two known, soared to $26,400 – nearly triple its pre-sale estimate – at a weekend auction held May 15-16, 2010 by Matthews Auctions, LLC, based in Nokomis, Ill. It was the second major auction held in May by the firm, which conducted a sale in Wisconsin May 1.

The Frontier Gas sign – 60 inches in diameter and boasting a colorful yellow rider and great gloss – was easily the top lot of either sale. “We expected that sign to bring $10,000, so it was a nice surprise when several determined bidders drove the price up,” said Dan Matthews of Matthews Auctions, LLC. “But it was Clyde’s favorite sign of all, so we expected it to do well.”

Clyde would be Clyde Hodge, whose single-owner lifetime collection of gas signs, globes and collectibles was auctioned without reserve (everything sold, regardless of price). The sale took place at The Ranch, a popular and scenic venue in Loveland, at the base of the Rocky Mountains. About 200 people attended the event, at which nearly 750 lots crossed the block. “The sale went way beyond our expectations,” Mr. Matthews remarked, adding, “In addition to the on-site crowd, we had 240 people registered to bid online (through Proxibid.com), with a 38 percent sell-through. Absentee and phone bidding was also active. The overall gross was 25 percent more than I had predicted. That made travel and other expenses easier to take.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95770

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Ad Space in Sunday Comics

From the 1900s through the early 1930s, some Sunday newspapers carried a 32-page, full-color section with most of the comic strips occupying a full page. But did you know that in the early days, there were never any advertisements in those comic sections?

Eventually, however, the newspapers started considering the Sunday color comic section to be a favorite feature of the readers - like the sports section or the financial pages or the crossword puzzle. And readership surveys began proving that more people read the Sunday comics than just about any other section. So, after about 30 years, it finally dawned on some astute advertising executive to place an ad for his product there. Something along the lines of a Lionel train, or an erector set, or a BB gun, or a Charles Atlas course to beef up spindly teenagers.

Throughout the 1930s, the volume of advertising space increased as advertisers learned that the comic pages were a good place to put their ads. But they didn't increase the size of their comic sections, so something had to give...and that something was the size of the printed strip. So strips that had once been full pagers, like Alley Oop, Dick Tracy, Tarzan, Prince Valiant, Flash Gordon, and Popeye (Thimble Theatre), started to be published in a half page format or sometimes even in the dreaded third page format.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95639

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Buck Rogers' Adventures

Over the years, we've covered Buck Rogers, one of our favorite characters, many times, But did you know that Buck Rogers was the very first American comic strip to explore the wild and weird world of science fiction? And, despite all the success Buck found and the legacy he spawned, there is one Buck Rogers premium that's rarer than the rest.

The 1933 Cocomalt “Buck Rogers Cut-Out Book,” featuring a stage, scenes, characters and a slew of spectacular 25th century inventions, allowed kids to act along with the adventures being broadcast. But they had to drink a lot of Cocomalt to get it.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95641

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 5-29-10

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JOSEPH McCARTHY

Joseph Raymond McCarthy (November 14, 1908 – May 2, 1957) was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period in which Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread Communist subversion.^[1] He was noted for making claims that there were large numbers of Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the United States federal government and elsewhere. Ultimately, McCarthy's tactics and his inability to substantiate his claims led him to be censured by the United States Senate.

The term McCarthyism, coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist activities. Today the term is used more generally to describe demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.^[2]

^{MORE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy}

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Best Writer winner Alex Simmons with some of his Archie and Friends work.

Glyph Awards Winners for 2010 Announced

The organizers of the fourth annual Glyph Awards, designed to honor black comics and creators and recognize and promote diversity in comics and graphic novels, have announced the winners for 2010 at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) which took place on May 15 in Philadelphia, PA.

This year’s winners include
Story of the Year: Unknown Soldier #13-14 (DC Comics)
Best Writer: Alex Simmons for Archie and Friends (Archie Comics)
Best Artist: Ray Potts for World of Hurt (Self-Published)
Best Male Character: Isaiah Pastor from World of Hurt
Best Female Character: Aya from Aya: The Secrets Come Out (Drawn & Quarterly)
Rising Star Award for Best Self-Publisher: Ray Potts for World of Hurt
Best Reprint Publication: Aya: The Secrets Come Out
Best Comic Strip: The K Chronicles (collected by Dark Horse Comics)
Fan Award for Best Comic: Luke Cage Noir (Marvel Comics)

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=95364

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Steve Rogers: Super Soldier

Was there any real thought that Steve Rogers, better known as the original Captain America, was gone forever after his much-reported “death” as part of a plan by the nefarious Red Skull? In fact, we always thought it was a great testament to the skills of writer Ed Brubaker and is collaborators on the regular Captain America title that they kept the what’s-going-to-happen-next tension going for so long, almost making us forget the real question: When is Steve Rogers coming back?

Of course now he’s back and he’s decided to have Bucky Barnes continue as Captain America while he searches out his own place in the Marvel universe. One of the stories in which he does that will be Steve Rogers: Super Soldier, a four-issue-miniseries, the first issue of which is set to go on sale July 8, 2010.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=95533

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ComicLink Auction Begins Closing Tuesday

With the ComicLink May Featured Auction ending this coming Tuesday through Thursday, May 25-27, 2010, it is time to think seriously about what you will be bidding on, and to start placing those bids.

“We encourage you to review items and bid early in order to make sure that you do not miss out on any of the great opportunities in this auction,” said ComicLink’s Josh Nathanson.

The auction showcases over 1,000 select CGC-certified comic books and there is also a significant selection of original comic book art as well.

“We strongly suggest that bidders review and consider all lots within the auction -- this auction was carefully screened for quality and everything in this auction is good (to great)!” he said.

Among the many highlights in the May 2010 ComicLink Featured Auction, the selection of key, high-grade, early Batman issues is a major attraction, including a CGC-certified 9.0 copy of Batman #1, the highest grade issued to date CGC for this historic issue. This example of this 1940 premiere issue is joined by the highest-graded Batman #2 and the highest-graded Batman #3 (CGC-certified 9.2 and 9.4, respectively), giving this sale its own sort of historic event.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95548

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Rare Ashcan Treasures on ComicConnect.com

In the Golden Age of comic book publishing, competition was extremely fierce with dozens of publishers churning out title after title. Ashcans were produced primarily for establishing a copyright that a publisher could stake his claim to a title without actually having to produce a full comic.

Ashcans were often published with little, if any, finished art, no word balloons, and were sometimes filled with whatever scrap paper was sitting around. They were designed to be printed and junked. Very few survived as their sole reason to exist was to be dumped in the “ashcan.”

ComicConnect.com is pleased to offer nine covers to Ashcan comics that survived the landfill to become rare, attainable glimpses of comic book history. The company’s sister site, MetropolisComics.com, just this week sold one of the three surviving Ashcans for Action Comics #1 for $50,000.

The covers in this rare collection include Animal Antics, with the cover art to Star Spangled Comics #49, Movie Cartoons, Movie Fables, Movie Gems, Screen Cartoons, Screen Comics, Screen Fables, Screen Funnies, and Screen Gems that all share the cover to Boy Commandos #1 from National Periodical Publications.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95546

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Peter Gunn

Sure, it's one of the greatest theme songs ever, but did you know that ultra-cool private investigator Peter Gunn was once a comic book as well as a TV show?

The pulsating Henry Mancini score is famous for showing up in everything from The Blues Brothers movie to an episode of The Sopranos to an Art of Noise album, but first and foremost it was the introduction to Blake Edwards' 1958-1961 television series Peter Gunn.

Starring Craig Stevens as the title character, Gunn was a suave, sophisticated gumshoe who eschewed the run-down office trappings of stereotypical TV and movie private eyes in favor of hanging out at Mother's, a swanky jazz club. Lola Albright co-starred as Edie and Herschel Bernardi portrayed the obligatory cop friend, Lieutenant Jacoby.

Peter Gunn was created by Blake Edwards, who went on to fashion such films as Breakfast at Tiffany's, 10, and the Pink Panther movie series, and who also created the Richard Diamond series. There were a total 114 30-minute episodes made, followed by a theatrical film in 1967 which also starred Craig Stevens. A 1989 made-for-TV film cast Peter Strauss in the title role.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95345

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The Littles

It seems that at least once every generation, fascination with tiny characters and their tiny worlds reaches a fever pitch. From The Brownies to Kewpies to The Borrowers, children have always been filled with wonder at the idea of barely visible beings living within our full-sized environment.

In the 1980s, the cartoon that did much to reinforce this imaginative tangent was The Littles. If you're in your twenties now, chances are you've seen at least one episode of this small gem. The series centered on a family of long-tailed, elfin-eared adventurers who made their home within the walls of a reg-sized family's house--The Biggs. Only Henry Biggs knew of The Littles' existence, and as a result, Henry became a defender of their secrets and a protector of their lives.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95349

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Abbie and Slats

By 1937, Al Capp was already among the most prominent names of the Golden Age. Even so, he didn't stop looking for new and inventive ways to capitalize on his success with the Li'l Abner series. One of his efforts included approaching another noted cartoonist of the time, The Saturday Evening Post staple artist Raeburn van Buren, about collaborating on a new strip.

Reluctant at first, van Buren eventually assented and Abbie and Slats was born. The strip, distributed by United Feature Syndicate, centered on a wily young orphan from New York who travels a great distance to meet his only relative in the small town of Crabtree Corners. His severe older cousin, Abigail Scrapple, re-names him Slats (his birth name was Aubrey Eustace Scrapple) and thus began their barb-trading adventures.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95346

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The Return of the Originals - Part One

“The characters that inspired all of the heroes you know today are back! Before horn-head, before the crusader with a cape, before the guy who wears a skull on his chest, before the crawler of walls, there [were[…The Originals!”

A lot of publishers can put out hype like that, but it’s usually fun seeing how they back it up. For Moonstone Books, they make it particularly interesting because the company has a sterling reputation for bringing back older and sometimes even forgotten characters and giving them new life.

Now the publisher is taking a big plunge with The Battle for L.A., an graphic novel that kicks off their Return of the Originals initiative. Written by C.J. Henderson with art by Captain Action’s Mark Sparacio, it brings together The Phantom Detective, The Black Bat, Domino Lady, G-8, and Secret Agent X against a new threat.

As mentioned, though, Moonstone’s been in the business of reviving characters for a long time, How did this “event” happen at this point?

“It was kind of a snowball thing,” Moonstone’s Editor-in-Chief and Co-Publisher, Joe Gentile, said of the origins of Return of the Originals. “I have always been a huge fan of the pulps, and Moonstone was already doping some pulp stuff: The Avenger, The Doc Savage book, The Spider, Domino Lady.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=95572

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 5-22-10

http://www.stuartliss.com/loahp/

LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE CANCELLED

On May 13, 2010, Tribune Media Services announced that the strip's final installment would appear on June 13.^[1] At the time of the cancellation announcement, Little Orphan Annie was running in fewer than twenty newspapers; some of those papers, such as the New York Daily News, had carried the strip for its entire life.^[2]

^{MORE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Orphan_Annie}

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CHEWBACCA COPS A FEEL?

Sent to us by Lance Wolf.

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The Adventures of Phoebe Zeit-Geist

By Michael O’Donoghue & Frank Springer (Ken Pierce Books)
ISBN: 0-912277-34-3

The 1960s satire boom left many unforgettable classics in film and television, but precious little in the form of comic-strips. One notable exception is this cerebral and innocently smutty masterpiece from Michael O’Donoghue – a brilliant writer and performer who was a co-founder of National Lampoon, as well as an involved citizen in the right place at the right time. His later jobs included working with Woody Allen and being the first head writer on the groundbreaking Saturday Night Live.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Phoebe_Zeit-Geist

In a period of immense upheaval he was in a position to say something about Everything and chose methods that people couldn’t ignore – biting commentary, bizarre sexual practices and naked ladies.

His perfect partner in this endeavour was veteran comics stripper, cartoonist and animation artist Frank Springer, who began his career by assisting George Wunder on Terry and the Pirates before branching out into comic books for practically every company in America.

In 1965 they produced for the Evergreen Review a tongue-in-cheek, subversive assault on old America in the form of a parody of silent movie serials such as the Perils of Pauline. And like contemporary cartoon commentaries Little Annie Fanny and The Adventures of Pussycat they used tactics America couldn’t ignore – politics, sexual themes and the aforementioned naked ladies.

MORE: http://www.comicsreview.co.uk/nowreadthis/?p=2388

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Man Buys Unitard, Declares Himself a Superhero

This is either really, really noble -- or really, really stupid. Or both.

Some gangly dude in a spandex outfit who calls himself the "Shadow Hare" is roaming the streets of Cincinnati -- dedicated to ridding the city of evil-doers. Seriously.

Here's the catch -- he's 21-years-old, he's built like a math tutor, and he has no known super powers.

But Shadow Hare -- who refuses to reveal his true identity -- still bravely/stupidly patrols the streets, carrying legal items like handcuffs, tasers and pepper spray.

The guy even busted his shoulder trying to stop a guy from beating up a woman. And he hands out food to the homeless.

MORE: http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/28/man-buys-unitard-declares-himself-a-superhero/

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http://11after11jc.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/frank-frazetta-is-the-goat/

A TRIBUTE TO FRANK FRAZETTA, RIP

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Pedigree Comics' Auction Tops $1 Million

Pedigree Comics’ recent April Grand Auction, which ended Thursday, April 29, 201, was a huge success, Doug Schmell, the company’s President and CEO, told Scoop.

“The total sales from the auction exceeded $1 million ($1,017, 588), and with the post auction sales the total figure was just under $1,100,000,” he said.

“The strongest sales were from the Silver Age, as many early 1960s Marvels and DCs sold at record prices. There were many strong Bronze Age sales as well. Well over 500 comics sold as most of the books in the auction were listed with no reserve,” he said.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95276

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Elvgren, Bolles, Bonestell Lead for Heritage

Gil Elvgren’s landmark pin-up, Bear Facts (A Modest Look; Bearback Rider), 1962, brought $191,200 in Heritage Auction Galleries Beverly Hills’ record-setting May 6 Illustration Art Auction. The auction realized more than $3.4 million total, and continued the stellar rise of the Illustration Art market, dominated by the blockbuster Estate of Charles Martignette, which continues to produce examples and record prices. All prices include 19.5 Buyer’s Premium.

“Bear Facts is a particularly important example from Martignette,” said Ed Jaster, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “Not only was it his favorite piece out of the more than 4,000 that he owned, it represents Elvgren at the peak of his powers and is viewed, by many, as the pinnacle of American pin-up art.”

More than 1100 bidders competed – in-person in Beverly Hills, via Internet, mail, phone bidding and Heritage LIVE – on the 670 lots offered. The auction saw more than 90% of prices realized by value and more than 95% by lot total.

The good name of Elvgren produced several of the Top 10 lots in the auction, including his evocative 1961 masterpiece Jackpot, from another consignor, which soared to a $131,450 finish against its base pre-auction estimate of $30,000. The painting was not only the subject of intense bidding during the auction, it was also one of the most actively watched paintings in the entire auction, garnering more than 9,500 pre-auction page views on HA.com.

A world record price of $80,663 was realized for Enoch Bolles’ surreal October 1935 Sure to Make a Hit, Film Fun magazine cover, another of Martignette’s most important pieces. Determined bidders vied for several minutes over the suggestive painting, driving it far above its’ pre-auction estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

“Bolles’ profile has been steadily rising over the last several auctions,” said Todd Hignite, Consignment Director of Illustration Art at Heritage, “so it’s not surprising that a painting like this – one of his best examples – would be subject to intense competition. This price shows that Bolles has stepped up a rung in hierarchy of great illustration artists.”

MORE http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95273

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The Richard Merkin Collection at Hake's

In the milestone 200th auction from Hake’s Americana & Collectibles auction, high-grade, rare, vintage items from The Richard Merkin Collection are again in the mix of offerings of the event, which closes May 25 – 27, 2010.

But who was Richard Merkin?

Upon his passing in September, 2009, his obituary in the New York Times described him with the words "Painter, Illustrator, and Fashion Plate." In addition to this, he was an avid collector and personal friend of Hake’s founder Ted Hake.

With an immense appreciation of the aesthetic values of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s, Merkin strove to keep parts of those decades alive. Be it in his style of dress (ever the dapper gentleman) or his collecting interests, Richard Merkin embodied the spirit of the decade in which he was born.

Recounting his first visit in 1969 to Richard’s spacious apartment on West End Avenue, Ted Hake recalls it as a delight. Sophisticated French posters from the turn of the century adorned the walls, bound volumes of 1930s pulp magazines and comic books from the 1940s lined the shelves and Mickey Mouse, Popeye, Betty Boop and Krazy Kat collectibles smiled out from nooks and crannies. Shortly after Ted’s visit, Merkin shifted his collecting focus towards baseball - being particular focused on the Negro Leagues and Cuban teams.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95278

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Fantastic Fantasia Centaurette Display at Hake’s

Debuting in 1940, Disney’s Fantasia wasn’t immediately a success. Thankfully, in the seven decades since its release it has gained legions of fans, and it has certainly left its mark, introducing the images of Mickey Mouse as a bumbling Sorcerer’s Apprentice, dancing hippopotamus and ostrich ballerinas, and the beautiful Centaurettes from The Pastoral Symphony segment of the film.

Hake’s Americana & Collectibles is proud to offer and truly spectacular piece for Fantasia memorabilia in our landmark 200th auction, a large figural hosiery display of a Centaurette. This display was used to introduce the first women’s nylon hosiery produced in different colors. These figures were painted in different color combinations representing the different colors of stockings being introduced. The example being offered by Hake’s advertised Humming Bird stockings in a blonde shade, which matched the Centaurette’s hair. The displays were crafted by W.L. Stensgaard & Associates Inc. and saw use in department stores at the time of the film’s release.

The Centaurette is depicted with her arms raised above her head, flowers in one hand, the hair on back of her head in a large bun configured like a bunch of grapes and she wears a leaf bra. The high relief design on the display’s base depicts additional flowers and leaves. The front edge of base has an affixed metal plaque that reads “Designed For Walt Disney Productions Properties Produced By W.L. Stensgaard & Associates Inc.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95279

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Firemen's Hunnemann hand-drawn handtub with pumper, built in 1860, fully restored ($99,000).

1860 Firemen’s Hand-Drawn Handtub: $99,000

A firemen’s Hunnemann hand-drawn handtub with pumper, built in 1860 and beautifully restored after a barn fire, sold for $99,000 at a multi-estate sale held Apr. 9-11 by Showtime Auction Services, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor. Nearly 2,000 lots from several major collections in an array of categories came up for bid.

The Hunnemann handtub was by far the top lot of the auction and one of three handtubs offered, along with over 200 other items from the Granite Handtub Museum in Newmarket, N.H. The Hunnemann example was purchased in 1860 by New Ipswich, N.H., along with two other Hunnemann machines (a Southern Hero and Tiger, both of which are still displayed in Ipswitch).

In 1972, in Massachusetts, the Hunnemann that brought $99,000, plus 14 other handtubs and hose reels, were involved in a barn fire. The ensuing restoration on the Hunnemann was based on photos from the 1920s and ‘30s (and from photos of its sister machine, the Southern Hero). The gold leaf on the pump box was copied from the picture that came with the machine.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95260

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Home Run: Our National Pastime at Hake’s

Baseball season is well and truly underway, and so is Hake’s Americana & Collectibles’ 200th auction, which went online just last week. If you’re wondering what the two have to do with each other, we’ll spell it out: Hake’s has plenty of great baseball items to offer collectors.

We are offering dozens of great vintage baseball collectibles, everything from tape measures and pocket knives to 30 of 32 buttons from a 1922-1923 set issued by Kolb’sMother’s Bread that featured Reading Baseball Club, a stadium button featuring a young Ted Williams, a Babe Ruth stadium button that was issued as a memorial in 1948 after his death, a Moxie advertising standee featuring a young ballplayer, a large framed photo of the 1906 black baseball team the Harrisburg Giants, several photos depicting teams and games played by the Negro Leagues, several real photo postcards, two baseball uniforms, a hand-written letter from Connie Mack, a Mickey Mantle-signed magazine as well as the classic Baltimore Orioles bobbing hea d and a magazine featuring the first cover appearance of Cal Ripken, Jr.

The auction is now online and closes May 25-27, 2010.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95283

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Schulte Auctions New Event Closes May 31

Schulte Auctions has announced the online launch of its “Reliving the Memories” event, a special themed auction designed to celebrate some of the greatest legends in professional sports. The debut offerings include such high profile vintage memorabilia including a Mike Curtis game-used Super Bowl jersey, a pristine 1958 Baltimore Colts World Championship team-signed football, and current Orioles All-Star Brian Roberts’ game-used, signed equipment. Collectors and prospective bidders can visit www.SchulteAuctions.com to bid on the items that will be auctioned in Schulte’s “Relive the Memories” May auction.

The online auction closes Monday, May 31, 2010 at 9:15 PM EDT.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95266

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Boop-Oop-A-Doop

The classic cartoon character Betty Boop first shimmied onto the scene almost 80 years ago in a 1930 cartoon from the Fleischer Studios entitled "Dizzy Dishes," a film that actually starred Betty's pal Bimbo (who would ultimately become better known for his supporting roles.)

A steady supply of Betty Boop memorabilia has been released in the last 70 years, and her popularity seems to have little to do with having new cartoons out. And although she's especially prominent today, the fact is, from the moment she was penned by animator Grim Natwick she has been attracting the attentions of fans all over the world. It's interesting that a character who was so racy for her time is now regarded as an icon of American innocence - whose image can turn a run-of-the-mill item into a instant collectible.

Betty's part was tiny - in fact, she hadn't even been named yet - and featured her as a canine cabaret singer with a Helen Kane voice and a Mae West body. And it started a phenomenon. Over time, Betty lost her dog ears and morphed into the familiarly vampy, trampy gal with hoop earrings - and by 1932, she was a powerhouse of drama, music and comedy. The public went bananas over her and couldn't get enough of her wild - yet seemingly innocent - adventures.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95137

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When Kurtzman Teamed Up With Overstreet

The late writer-artist-editor Harvey Kurtzman is widely (and rightly) considered to have been one of the foremost practitioners of the comic arts. From founding MAD in its comic book incarnation to his standard-setting war comics work on Two-Fisted Tales, and from launching Help! to influencing untold multitudes of creators who came later, it’s difficult to grasp the full scope of his impact.

One time, though, Kurtzman teamed up with Bob Overstreet and produced a piece that might be among his forgotten gems.

His piece, the “1998 Outer Galactic Comic-Con,” was created to be a cover for The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. In the end, it wasn’t used to that, but instead for a cover of Overstreet’s Advanced Collector#1 (which became Overstreet’s Golden Age and Silver Age Quarterly).

Now Hake’s Americana & Collectibles is offering this piece in their 200th auction, which closes May 27, 2010.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95136

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What Evil Lurks in the Hearts Of Men?

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!

And since 1930, the mysterious vigilante has been thrilling us with adventure after adventure, battling away at evil and entertaining us all the way. The Shadow, as a character, was created due to demand. Originally, The Shadow was the radio announcer for Street & Smith's Detective Stories radio show. Audiences loved the idea and began asking for The Shadow magazine, a publication which at the time, did not yet exist.

In response, Street & Smith brought on Walter B. Gibson, who, working under the pen name of Maxwell Grant, wrote over 280 of the 325 Shadow books over a span of twenty years. The popularity of the character grew, spawning hard and soft cover novels, Big Little Books, comic books, a newspaper strip and countless premiums.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=264&ai=95135

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTINGS FOR 5-15-10

"A Day in the Life" Lyrics to be Auctioned

“They are the pop memorabilia equivalent of a preliminary sketch for the Mona Lisa or the first draft of Hamlet. John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to ‘A Day in the Life,’ one of the Beatles’ most celebrated songs, are to be sold at Sotheby’s in New York on June 18,” The Times of London reported.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=94791

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Heritage: Action Comics #1-24 Bound Volumes

Two bound volumes of Action Comics #1-24, the first two full years of the Superman saga that would change the world of pop culture forever, will anchor the lineup in the May 20-21, 2010 Signature Comics and Comic Art Auction at Heritage Auctions. The auction will be open to bidding in-person and live online at HA.com. The volumes are estimated at more than $200,000.

“This has the potential to be one of the highest-dollar lots we’ve ever sold,” said Ed Jaster, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “They’re surely the most desirable bound comic volumes in existence. Even more, these stand out not only because of which comics are inside, but because of their amazing condition. This is the comics equivalent of the Gutenberg Bible.”
To the seasoned collector the condition of these comics will come as a major surprise: the earliest and most valuable issues (#1-12) have consistent page quality right to the edges, along with superbly preserved covers that match or exceed the best individual copies of the same issues that Heritage’s experts have seen to date, the company said.

“Consider the challenge of trying to assemble this run by pursuing individual copies with comparable eye appeal,” said Barry Sandoval, Director of Comic Auctions Operations at Heritage. “Even if the expense were no factor, issues such as 2, 5, 8, 10, and 13 are almost never offered for sale, and holding out for bright copies, with excellent eye appeal, is simply unrealistic.”
Another very significant copy of Superman’s first comic, the Action Comics #1 Court Copy, follows close behind the top lot, and brings an absorbing history with it. It is estimated at more than $150,000.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95001

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Romance in the Air at Metropolis?

The smell of flowers, the spring breezes, the warm air, and love; the perfect recipe for lounging around reading old romance comics! Anyone who collects or enjoys the romantic comic genre can tell you that these are some of the rarest and most satisfying of all vintage comics to find.

Many of these feature art from some of the undisputed greats of the field, Matt Baker, Jack Kirby, Alex Toth, and even L.B. Cole. Metropolis Collectibles has purchased several collections with some really tough-to-find titles. The covers alone are worth a visit. Enjoy and Happy Spring!

Just a sample of the over 100 rare and hard-to-find love comics available include First Romance Magazine #2 NM (File copy), Haunted Love #1 NM (Boston), Our Love Story #5 CGC 8.5, Romance Trail #1 CGC 6.5 (Alex Toth), Romantic Adventures #46 VG (3-D effect cover), School-Day Romances #4 VF (Ronald Reagan photo-c, L.B. Cole), Teen-Age Temptations #8 VG/F

MetropolisComics.com has an inventory of over 150,000 Golden Age, Silver Age and Bronze Age comics in stock. Call them Toll Free at 1-800-229-METRO or international 001-212-260-4147. They can be emailed at orders@metropoliscomics.com.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=94998

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ComicLink May Auction Showcases Top Comics

The ComicLink May Featured Auction showcases over 1,000 CGC-certified comic books as well as a diverse selection of original comic book ar t, including major highlights such as Batman #1 CGC 9.0, Batman #2 CGC 9.2, Batman #3 CGC 9.4, X-Men #1 CGC 9.4 (first appearance of the X-Men), All-American Comics #16 CGC 6.0 (first appearance of Green Lantern), Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 8.0 (first appearance of Spider-Man), Superman #1 CGC 4.0, Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 9.2 (first appearance of Iron Man), Human Torch #1 CGC 9.0, and Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 9.0.

Other major Golden Age highlights include All-American Comics #16 CGC 4.5 (R) and 1.0, Archie #1 CGC 3.0, Batman #1 CGC 3.0 (R), Captain America Comics #1 CGC 9.0 (R), Catman Comics #1 CGC 9.4, More Fun #52 CGC 5.5 (R), Planet Comics #1 CGC 9.4, and Whiz Comics #1 CGC 9.2 (R).

Other major Silver Age highlights include Action Comics #252 CGC 9.0, Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 6.0, Amazing Spider-Man #5 CGC 9.6, Avengers #1 CGC 8.0, Avengers #4 CGC 9.4, Daredevil #1 CGC 9.2 (White pages), Fantastic Four #2 CGC 9.4, Hero For Hire #1 CGC 9.8, Incredible Hulk #1 CGC 8.0, Incredible Hulk #2 CGC 9.6, and Journey Into Mystery #83 CGC 9.0.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95010

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999 Folded One-Sheets at eMoviePoster.com

Part I of last week’s Spring 2010 Mini/Major Auction at eMoviePoster.com brought in more than $111,000, showing no end in interest by consumers in the company’s diverse selection of key and rare posters. With results pending from Part II (we’ll bring you those next week), Bruce Hershenson and company have launched into their new regular weekly events, starting off with 999 folded one-sheets spanning all years and genres.

Some of the best items in this set of offerings include Goldfinger (Sean Connery as James Bond 007), The Italian Job (Michael Caine), Taxi Driver (Robert De Niro), Cool Hand Luke (Paul Newman), Chinatown (Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway), Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1982 reissue, Harrison Ford illustrated by Richard Amsel), Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (Sean Connery and Tippi Hedren), Steven Spielberg's Jaws, and Magnum Force (Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry).

The selections also include Our Man In Havana (Alec Guinness), Never Let Me Go (Clark Gable and Gene Tierney), Buck Benny Rides Again style A (Jack Benny, Ellen Drew, Andy Devine and Rochester), George Washington Slept Here (Ann Sheridan and Jack Benny), Sensations Of 1945 (Eleanor Powell, Woody Herman, W.C. Fields and Cab Calloway), The Raven (Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Peter Lorre illustrated by Reynold Brown), My Gal Sal style A (Rita Hayworth and Victor Mature), Hangover Square (Linda Darnell and George Sanders), Larceny, Inc. (Edward G. Robinson), The Pearl Of Death (Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and Evelyn Ankers), and Fritz Lang’s Cloak & Dagger (Gary Cooper and Lilli Palmer).

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95008

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Cochran Offers Very Rare Teenie Weenies Page

Our friend Russ Cochran dropped us a line about the next edition of Russ Cochran’s Comic Art Auction, which will close on Thursday, May 13, beginning at 7 PM EDT.

Cochran has made a career out of tracking down hard-to-find original comic strip and comic book art, so he’s set a pretty high standard over the years. This time, he’s delving into the rarest of the rare, with one of only three known examples of William Donahey’s The Teenie Weenies.

“This hand colored Sunday page, circa 1935-1940. One of only three known examples, this one has 14 Teenie Weenies (not counting the cut-out figure at the bottom), the most teenie weenies in any of the three!” Cochran said.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95002

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Mosby & Co.’s May Absentee Auction

“This is going to be a sale full of surprises,” said Keith Spurgeon, owner of Mosby & Co. Auctions, in describing the big absentee, phone and Internet auction slated to run from May 5 to May 20, 2010. “We’ve brought in not only a couple of very choice collections, but also architectural contents from a fine Frederick, Maryland estate. This is definitely our most diverse sale to date.”

The highlight of the toy section is part II of the Dave Stoermer prewar Japanese celluloid collection. “Dave had held back some of the toys in his collection when we sold part I,” Spurgeon said, “but he later decided he would sell the remainder, including the rare and outstanding Three Pigs toy that was featured on a past issue of Antique Toy World.” The category is rounded out nicely with European, American and comic character toys, plus a selection of outstanding 19th-century games, from additional private consignors.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=95006

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Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer: Artist’s Edition

Dave Steven’s The Rocketeer is getting yet another new edition following the success of both the hardcover, standard version (Complete Collection) and the limited, slipcased version (Deluxe Edition). Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer: Artist’s Edition is a 12” x 17” hardcover printed in black and white.

“Every page of Stevens’ Rocketeer art has been carefully scanned and printed on uncoated paper at the same size as the originals,” ICv2.com reported, “this volume is the closest most us will ever come to holding the actual Dave Stevens art.”

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=261&ai=94967

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THIS ENDS OUR POSTING FOR 5-8-10

PROJECT VADER

Walking through The Vader Project exhibit at Celebration IV is like taking a stroll through a Darth Vader tribute done by the coolest lowbrow and urban artists on the planet. Frank Kozik, Paul Frank Sunich, Marc Ecko and Urban Medium (among numerous others) gave Darth Vader’s helmet a hipster makeover. As fans walk through the exhibit they can see the artist’s own unique style featured on each helmet. Whether it’s a Tiki-inspired design from Shag or a girlie 1940′s style pinup from Marc Ecko — it’s apparent each artist took time to pay special tribute to the headwear of the Sith.

MORE: http://starwarsblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/taking-a-tour-of-the-vader-project/

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PAPER DOLLS

Offering paper dolls of all kinds including reproductions of vintage paper dolls, movie star paper dolls, cutout dolls, fashion paper dolls, paperdolls of families, children, historic figures, celebrities and so much more.

MORE: http://www.paperdollreview.com/catalog/

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Zeroids in Comic Book Stores This August

What to you get when you combine dangerous aliens, flesh-eating zombies and sorority babes? Well, apparently the answer is toy robots from the 1960s (and it came as surprise to us, too, if you’re interested).

When they say “They just don’t make ‘em like they used to,” sometimes it’s true. In this case, we don’t think they ever made them like this, but they appear to be doing so right now.

The original “they” in this equation was Ideal Toys, and the updated, modern “they” is Moonstone Books, who are bringing back the Zeroids.

MORE: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=259&ai=94712

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Who Were the Zeroids?

They came from outer space. Or at least from Ideal Toys.

In 1967, a pretty good time for toys, the Zeroids arrived. Their initial release featured three robots released separately, including Zerak, Zobor and Zintar. They could be purchased on their own or together with a “Solar Cycle” or in an action set.

The fourth of the original Zeroid, Zogg, was the commander, and he (it) could at first only be purchased in the action set.<