From the Dust Bin: Green Arrow (Golden Age version)

Green Arrow (and Speedy) first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941. His secret identity was Oliver "Ollie" Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City. The original character was created by editor Mort Weisinger and artist George Papp. Dressed like Robin Hood, Green Arrow was an archer, who invented trick arrows with various special functions, such as a glue arrow, a net arrow, explosive arrow, time bomb arrow, grappling arrow, fire extinguishing arrow, flash arrow, tear gas arrow, cryonic arrow, a boxing-glove arrow, and even a kryptonite arrow.

Aside from the obvious allusions to Robin Hood, Mort Weisinger was inspired by a movie serial, The Green Archer (based on the novel by Edgar Wallace). Weisinger retooled the concept into a superhero archer with obvious Batman influences. These included his kid sidekick Speedy, his use of an Arrowcar and Arrowplane, his use of an Arrowcave as headquarters, his alter ego as an billionaire playboy, the use of an Arrow-signal to summon him, and even a clown-like arch foe named Bull's Eye (similar to Batman's arch-foe, the Joker).

Another Weisinger-created character called Aquaman also appeared for the first time in that issue, and the two back-up features continued to run concurrently in More Fun Comics until the mid-1940s, and later in Adventure Comics from 1946 until 1960. Green Arrow and Speedy also appeared in various issues of World's Finest Comics until issue #140 (1964). The Green Arrow and Speedy feature proved popular enough to be promoted in one of the earliest team-up books, Leading Comics. They were founding members of The Seven Soldiers of Victory (famously rescued in a 1970's Justice League of America/Justice Society of America crossover).

Green Arrow was one of a handful of DC characters to continue after the golden age of comic books. The longevity of the character was due to the influence of creator Mort Weisinger, who kept Green Arrow and Aquaman as back-up features to the headlining Superboy feature, first in More Fun Comics and then Adventure Comics. Aside from sharing Adventure Comics with him, #258 featured an encounter between a younger Oliver Queen and Superboy. The Green Arrow and Speedy feature during this period included a short run in 1958 by artist/writer Jack Kirby (whose artwork is included with this post).

Rayboy's Review: War of Kings #3 (Marvel Comics)

Before I comment on the contents of Marvel Comics War of Kings #3 (of 6), I want to mention one of the issues full page house ads. Near the back half of this issue, Marvel has a page promoting their Guardians of the Galaxy series, a book that I was happily buying, as "One of the best titles around!" (quoted from ign.com).

I used to agree with that sentiment, but despite Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning remaining with that series as writers throughout their providing the very same duties for the current War of Kings mini-series, something is definitely missing from Guardians of late.

This issue demonstrates what is actually lacking in Guardians (at least for me) since the rest of the creative team from Guardians, artists Paul Pelletier & Rick Magyar and colorist Wil Quintana followed the writers over to this mini-series.

The penciled, inked and colored artwork by these guys is fun, epic, cool and everything else that Guardians was when they were on that title. For me, War of Kings is pretty much six missing issues of Guardians of the Galaxy, and after sticking around for a couple of the post-Pelletier/Magyar issues, I had to drop the book.

Now, let’s talk about War of Kings #3. "The Head That Wears The Crown" begins with Shi’Ar Emperor Vulcan on the verge of slaying the captured Majestrix Lilandra, before Admiral Ka’Ardum and Gladiator manage to convince him not make her a martyr. Vulcan, who is the wayward brother of X-Men Cyclops and Havok, is a bit off of his nut. He is mad! Insane. I understand that the bad guy is supposed to be villainous, but frankly, I don’t see what the appeal of this guy is to the Shi’Ar, or why Gladiator blindly follows this whacked out faux-Emperor. We’ll come back to this point shortly.

After a brief update on how the war is unfolding for the Kree, and the efforts of the ruling Inhumans to jumpstart the evolutionary dead end that the Kree have been mired in, Crystal overhears a comment by Maximus that indicates that she may not be fully in the loop when it comes to the Royal Family’s complete agenda.

Suddenly, the action leaps back to the captured Lilandra enroute to a very public trial, before Vulcan can get away with executing her for crimes against the empire, and the combined Starjammers and Guardians of the Galaxy arrive to rescue their friend. Havok, Polaris and Korvus unleash their might on Gladiator, but it’s Rocket Raccoon of all people (?) who pulls the best gimmick on the Praetor of the Imperial Guard. Rocket blasts Gladiator with a Xarthian Quantum Cannon, causing the nigh-invincible being tremendous pain and taking him effectively out of the battle. This feint allows Drax, Groot and Major Victory to get their licks in before, oops, Gladiator realizes that he’s simply under a telepathic assault by Marvel Girl and he can’t be affected by the Xarthian weapon; apparently they have no such weapon. It is actually a weakness of Gladiators that if he loses his confidence in his own might, he can be affected by such attacks. Anyway, he quickly mops the floor with the entire gang and takes off to prevent Lilandra’s escape, but wait a minute; she is able to convince him that he may be loyal to an Emperor who is unworthy and, too bad for replacement Imperial Guardsman, Smasher. Gladiator declares his service to Lilandra, after blasting of the top of Smasher’s head to close out this issue.

War of Kings is proving to be a lot of fun, and as we are now past the halfway point, we should see more of the actual kings in question rising to the front of this war. Give this book a try! It is one of the best things that Marvel has out there at the moment.

Behind the Mask (or not)?

X-Men Origins: Wolverine hit the top spot at the US Box Office over the weekend, grossing $87 million to make it this year's biggest movie debut so far. So let's tally this whole movie thing up a bit: X-Men in 2000, X2: X-Men United in 2003, X-Men: The Last Stand in 2006 and now, X-Men Origins: Wolverine = millions upon millions of dollars and we have yet to see Logan (aka Wolverine) wearing his classic mask.

What is up with that?

Can you imagine for one minute, seeing any Batman film without Bruce Wayne having to put the cowl on....at least once? Um, hell no!

Once. Not even once, has Hugh Jackman checked his ego (or even more likely, "Hollywood-leading-man" attitude) at the door and put the mask on. Yeah, I can just see all of you poozers already gearing up to trash me for pointing this little fact out, but come on, don't any of you want to see the Jackman in the blue & yellow costume, with the mask...at least once.

Speak up people, send those emails and let's see Wolverine looking like the superhero mutant really ought to look onscreen next time. (I mean they've adequately gotten the non-masked look down pat already, but now it's just getting boring).

In Memorium: Ric Estrada

Comic book artist Ric Estrada was born in Havana, Cuba. Although they never met, he was a schoolmate of Fidel Castro's at the University of Havana. Estrada later met author Ernest Hemingway, who facilitated Estrada's move to New York City in 1948 to further his artistic studies and start a career.

In the 1950s Estrada penciled and inked Bunker, the first comic book ever to feature an African-American hero and Rough Riders. Both stories were for the classic EC Comics series Two-Fisted Tales, however much of Estrada's comic-book career was spent working for DC Comics. Though superheroes were not his preference, Estrada worked on Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, All-Star Comics (where he helped revive the Justice Society of America), Richard Dragon Kung Fu Fighter, and he co-created Power Girl with Joe Orlando. Estrada also drew detective, romance, war and a few horror stories for DC. His preference was for the war stories. Among the war titles he worked on for DC Comics were GI Combat and two series, Blitzkrieg and Gallery of War, both written by Bob Kanigher.

While working on GI Combat #169 for DC Comics, Ric filled a page shortage with an account from the Book of Ether, a short book of scripture contained in the Book of Mormon. That story came to the attention of Hugh W. Pinnock who was in charge of creating a comic-style adaptation of the New Testament for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and in 1980 Estrada (a long-time LDS church member) drew all the pictures for that book, which remained in print for twenty-five years, and is now freely available on the web.

Ric Estrada was the subject of an upcoming feature-length documentary film, and he was working on an illustrated version of his personal memoirs when he passed away at the age of 81, on May 1, 2009 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.

Condolences go out to his family, friends, and many fans.

What I grabbed during FCBD 2009!

I would like to take the time to thank all of the publishers, distributors and comic shop owners who participated in "Free Comic Book Day 2009". Out of the forty odd items that were potentially available today, I chose DC Comics Blackest Night #0 preview, Bongo Comics The Simpson's Free-for-All, Drawn & Quarterly's very nice Nancy & Melvin Monster flip book by the great John Stanley, Archie Comics The Mighty Archie Art Players Special, Image Comics Savage Dragon #148 (guest starring the golden age Daredevil & the Little Wise Guys) and Fantagraphics Love and Rockets issue.

Great, fun stuff all around.

It was nice to see several families coming in with their smaller kids, and both of the local shops closest to me had nice crowds. Whether the stores made an event out of this annual tradition by hosting professional artists or fan groups decked out as Star Wars Stormtroopers, it's always just a little bit fun to throw yourself into the spirit of comics....even for a single day.

"Gal" Friday! Lea Viglione

Lea Viglione is a hot new model who hails from the great state of New Jersey. She was named Miss Co-Ed for March 2009 by Co-Ed Magazine. I can see why, and she can certainly give me an education in whatever subject she chooses. I am easy to please....so, PLEASE, Lea. You're my only hope.

(Sorry, I was drooling when I said that.)

There are lots of super fine photos of her on the web, but the one on the extreme right just kills me. I will schedule a full slate of cold showers over the coming weekend, just to survive the memory of that shot.

Free Comic Book Day is less than 2 days away! (YAY!)

Before I forget to remind everyone, this Saturday is "Free Comic Book Day". Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores.

This popular event allows the participating sponsors to introduce their characters to a greater audience, and hopefully to encourage a new generation of fans to join the rest of us geeks in the four color world.

It is particularly gratifying to see that so many of the titles offered on FCBD, fall within the all-ages arena, not that there isn't something for everybody - there is - but the younger you can grab 'em, the longer they'll hang on. At least that's the idea!

Bring your family, bring your friends, bring a stranger to the local comic store this weekend and grab some cool swag. Many shops build an entire event around this annual day, with guest artists, special sales and other goodies.

I'll see you there!

Seduction of the Innocent and the Comics code Authority (Part IV)

Bill Gaines' testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency in 1954 achieved notoriety for his unapologetic, matter-of-fact tone, and Gaines became a boogeyman for those wishing to censor comic books. After Gaines was negatively depicted by the national media as America's foremost amoral publisher, by 1955, EC Comics was effectively driven out of business by the backlash, and by the Comics Magazine Association of America, the very group that Gaines himself had suggested to insulate themselves from outside censorship, but he lost control of the organization to John Goldwater, publisher of the innocuous Archie Comics. The Comics Code that was approved and adopted by most of the country's prominent publishers contained restrictions specifically targeted at Gaines' line of horror and crime comic books. Although he had already ceased publishing his line of horror comics, Gaines refused to subscribe to the code, considering it in many details to be hypocritical, and not applicable to the new, clean line of realistic comics he was at the time promoting. This refusal, together with his already tarnished reputation, put EC on the verge of bankruptcy. Although Gaines soon relented and accepted the code, distributors refused to pass his titles along to newsstands. The damage was done, and Gaines abandoned comic books completely. He chose to concentrate his business on EC's only profitable title, Mad, which had recently changed format. After distributor Leader News went bankrupt in 1956, EC was left with over $100,000 in unrecoverable debt. Gaines invested a considerable portion of his own personal fortune to keep the company alive until a deal could be made with a new distributor.

The last surviving title from the critically acclaimed EC Comics line, Mad magazine offered satire on all aspects of American life and pop culture, politics, entertainment, and public figures. Its format was divided into a number of recurring segments such as TV and movie parodies, as well as freeform articles. Mad's mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, is usually the focal point of the magazine's cover, with his face often replacing a celebrity or character that is lampooned within the issue.

Gaines converted Mad to a magazine format in 1956 in order to retain the services of its talented, but eclectic editor Harvey Kurtzman, who'd been receiving offers from elsewhere. Although the change enabled Mad to escape the strictures of the Comics Code, Kurtzman would leave Gaines' employ a year later anyway, but Gaines went on to a long and profitable career as a publisher of satire and enemy of bombast. Mad became a cultural phenomenon!

Although Mad was sold for tax reasons in the early 1960s, Gaines remained as publisher until the day he died and served as a buffer between the magazine and its corporate interests. In turn, he largely stayed out of the magazine's production, often viewing content just before the issue was scheduled to be shipped to the printer. "My staff and contributors create the magazine," declared Gaines. "What I create is the atmosphere." He was well regarded by his staff members for his grand sense of humor, loyalty and generosity.

Heroes, 3rd Season finale; "An Invisible Thread" (04/27/2009)

Everybody knows what the TV term "jumping the shark" means....right? This is the point in a TV show or movie series' history where the plot veers off into absurd story lines or out-of-the-ordinary characterizations. This usually corresponds to the point where a show with falling ratings apparently becomes more desperate to draw viewers in. In the process of undergoing these changes, the TV or movie series loses its original appeal. Shows that have "jumped the shark" are typically deemed to have passed their peak.

During the 1970's, the TV series, Happy Days had prominent character, Arthur Fonzarelli (aka the "Fonz") ACTUALLY jumping over a penned up shark, while the shows characters were vacationing in California. Of course, the Fonz was doing such a ridiculous thing in response to a dare, but alas, a catchphrase was coined, despite the lameness of the original episode that spawned it.

This season has seen more reversals, misbegotten scenarios, and extraneous characters than the previous two seasons combined. They might as well have named this series, The Many Deaths of Nathan Petrelli. And what pray tell, does Claire actually contribute to this storyline anyway? She is cute mind you, but the cheerleader whose salvation was supposed to have saved the world, really hasn't amounted to much of anything. I know the shows writers have long since forgotten this, but Claire's invincible blood would have revived her biological father just fine last night. Don't believe me? Just ask H.R.G.! He took a bullet right through his horned rim glasses, through his eyeball and into his brain last year, and a handy bit of invincible blood had him quickly hopping off the slab in the company morgue pronto. If you want to have Claire continue to hang around just for purposes of eye candy, and nothing else, then have her wear string bikinis and cutesy-pie lingerie. At least then I would understand.

I won't miss Nathan much, since his earlier actions had in effect turned him into more of a villain, than a hero. Too bad they didn't dispense with that idiotic Dr. Suresh at the same time and for the same reasons.

There was one really, really good moment during the finale and that occurred when Sylar had the tables turned on him by Peter Petrelli in the Presidential limo. It's moments like that that give me some entertainment as a viewer, but as the overall competency of this wayward series has continued to degrade, even stuff like this hasn't led me to expect much going into the summer break.

The NBC network executives are in all likelyhood, partially to blame for how badly this show has skewed. Creator Tim Kring obviously didn't have much of a road map to start with, and we have too many aborted plot lines, and too many randomly introduced and rapidly forgotten quest star characters to believe anything else anyway. The originally stated intention of having an evolving cast as the series moved on, was what went wrong here, boys. Sylar just ain't all that! The conceit of hanging onto Zachary Quinto, reminds me of the time when NBC held actor Pierce Brosnan to another year of the faltering series, Remington Steele, just because Brosnan had the inside track to become the next James Bond. Timothy Dalton got the gig instead, but Brosnan eventually got his turn anyway. And there's nothing like having the "new" Mr. Spock in the house, is there? Even when his character has overstayed his welcome.

Before season 4 begins filming, I would encourage somebody at the top of the executive food chain to demote Kring to a tertiary position, and let Bryan Fuller either assume full show runner status or simply let the man who helmed Pushing Daisies, hire his own all-new writing staff or have final say on scripts for next year.

Kudos for bring back Ali Larter, guys never waste a fine looker like her again. A bonus with her Tracy Strauss character is that she is more interesting than the earlier identify of Nikki-Jessica. Um, don't hesitate to put her in bikinis and lingerie, too.

I hope season 4 measures up upon its return - sooner rather than later - because unless it does, I don't think even a cool moment or two is gonna hold my interest further. While we're at it, the Sarah Connor Chronicles is getting axed over on Fox, so Summer Glau is probably going to be available and she has serious genre chops to offer, plus all blonds, all the time, is not the way to go. Trust me!

Rayboy's Review: Batman Confidential #26-28 (DC Comics)

I was unfamiliar with the names of Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir before I read their excellent three part “Riddle of the Sphinx” story in the DC Comics series, Batman Confidential (issue #’s 26-28) and I must say; I was impressed.

With all of the “Battle for the Cowl” shit going on in most of the other Batman titles, this excellent introduction to a fine pair of comic book writers was just what the doctor ordered for yours truly. I had noticed another blogger commenting favorably on this story arc and just had to see for myself, and while admittedly, I was drawn to the promised artwork of longtime DC veteran Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez on the Dark Knight again, I didn’t realize going in that the esteemed Kevin Nowlan was providing the inks on these issues. The combination of Garcia-Lopez and Nowlan makes this Batman story a true thing of beauty. It’s like the Caped Crusader stepped right out of a lost 1970’s Detective Comics issue, because at least for this creative pairing of talented writers and artists, the focus was simply on a cracking good adventure tale, which prominently features established Batman foe, The Riddler, and at the same time, introduces us to an entirely new villain of note (based on a campy bad guy from the old 1960’s Batman television series), King Tut.

People, this, THIS, is what DC Comics should be doing with Batman….every month. Not the “Battle of the Cowl” pabulum. The last of the three issues by DeFilippis, Weir, Garcia-Lopez & Nowlan is on the stands, and I encourage everyone that likes Batman to rush out and buy these issues…immediately. Distance yourselves from “Battle of the Cowl” with equal haste!

There is a bit of hope at the end of the three-part story, an implied cliffhanger which suggests that a return of Tut might be in the offing. If so, and “if”, DC can bring this creative team back for another round, I would be glad to add Batman Confidential to my pull list.

Seduction of the Innocent and the Comics Code Authority (Part III)

Some of the selected provisions of the Code are as follows:

· Crimes shall never be presented in such a way as to create sympathy for the criminal, to promote distrust of the forces of law and justice, or to inspire others with a desire to imitate criminals.
· If crime is depicted it shall be as a sordid and unpleasant activity.
· Criminals shall not be presented so as to be rendered glamorous or to occupy a position which creates a desire for emulation.
· In every instance good shall triumph over evil and the criminal punished for his misdeeds.
· Scenes of excessive violence shall be prohibited. Scenes of brutal torture, excessive and unnecessary knife and gunplay, physical agony, gory and gruesome crime shall be eliminated.
· No comic magazine shall use the word horror or terror in its title.
· All scenes of horror, excessive bloodshed, gory or gruesome crimes, depravity, lust, sadism, masochism shall not be permitted.
· All lurid, unsavory, gruesome illustrations shall be eliminated.
· Inclusion of stories dealing with evil shall be used or shall be published only where the intent is to illustrate a moral issue and in no case shall evil be presented alluringly, nor so as to injure the sensibilities of the reader.
· Scenes dealing with, or instruments associated with walking dead, torture, vampires and vampirism, ghouls, cannibalism, and werewolfism are prohibited.

· Profanity, obscenity, smut, vulgarity, or words or symbols which have acquired undesirable meanings are forbidden.
· Nudity in any form is prohibited, as is indecent or undue exposure.
· Suggestive and salacious illustration or suggestive posture is unacceptable.
· Females shall be drawn realistically without exaggeration of any physical qualities.
· Illicit sex relations are neither to be hinted at nor portrayed. Violent love scenes as well as sexual abnormalities are unacceptable.
· Seduction and rape shall never be shown or suggested.
· Sex perversion or any inference to same is strictly forbidden. Nudity with meretricious purpose and salacious postures shall not be permitted in the advertising of any product; clothed figures shall never be presented in such a way as to be offensive or contrary to good taste or morals.

Many of the early comic book publishers had already folded by the mid-1950's or had moved on to such lighter fare as westerns, romance and funny animals. Superheroes were still around, primarily Superman, Batman and a handful of others, but tastes had largely shifted away from the long underwear crowd. However, EC Comics was getting lots of attention with their sci-fi, horror and mature fantasy titles, but as you can gather by looking at some of the Code's strictures above, the noose was beginning to tighten .

The conclusion of my look back at this period will be posted soon!

"Gal" Friday! Jaime Koeppe

Jaime Koeppe is a 30 year old Canadian professional fitness expert, and the first winner of the WWE Diva Search in the summer of 2003. Koeppe was the Miss Bartercard Molson Indy Canada 2002, as well as a former member of the BC Felions dance team and a face of Femsport.

The WWE Diva Search competition was a live Internet contest, but there was no contract involved. However, she did receive a photo shoot in the November 2003 edition of WWE Raw Magazine as well as extra publicity, which helped jump start her modeling career.

She has supposedly retired to focus on her personal life. I doubt that she factored me into that equation, but I heartily volunteer for the assignment. Her measurements are listed as 35-24-40 and she is 5 ft 5 inches tall , with brown hair and eyes. Now that is how you spell heaven!