TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: TEEN TITANS (AMAZING HEROES #2)

 

Collectible Time: Mr. Lobo Mini Figures by Rob Fleck & Phoenix Comics & Toys

Mr. Lobo takes on a new form, a mini one, that is, with a limited series of nifty, 2.5" salutes, designed and pigmented by artist Rob Fleck, courtesy of Phoenix Comics & Toys. 

The cool thing about this edition line is that one doesn't know which version one may get. That's because one out of ten comes with Mr. Lobo holding his trusty sidekick, Miss Mittens (the coveted, "chase" version), and nine out of ten comes with Mr. Lobo holding one of his "misunderstood" DVDs (culled straight from the oldies.com library), with twenty different possibilities for the latter. One thing's for certain: One comes away a winner with any version. (BTW: I got two DVD versions, with Mr. Lobo holding Carnival of Souls and in the other instance, Horrors of Spider Island.)  

These minis are colorfully cute and as one can see from the photos, packaged with striking graphics. They also make great companion pieces for Fleck's Mr. Lobo Noddy Nogginz Bobble Head (see March '20 post).

Order your mini Mr. Lobo surprise figure(s) at 

https://www.etsy.com/PhoenixComicsToys/listing/1081853475/misunderstood-mystery-mr-lobo-mini?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=social_organic&utm_source=MSMT&utm_term=so.smt&share_time=1631195485000&fbclid=IwAR3BS23BZpFVjL9r0gjXUCh7bbJbOXi1u8j-5o3bJgJcXrCyw-rXMbaL2do

PIN-UP TIME: LINDA HARRISON (COSMO'S BEAUTY OF THE APES)

 

NEW ECLECTIC GOODS FROM *PPFSZT!

Main Enterprises' *PPFSZT! #48 (Fall '21) delivers new, eclectic goods, with astonishing contents that cover a variety of cool subjects, ushered by Jay Mooers' explosive (and gaseous--ha, ha) cover. 

Inside one will find the hard-hitting "Before the Rain, Part 2", by Tony Lorenz and Jim Main; the Old West extravaganza, "Hitchens: Too Easy Money" by Verl Holt Bond and Main; the gumshoe-ish "Cat & Wolf, Detectives" by Larry Johnson and Main; the  instructional "How to Deal with a Microsoft Scammer" by Simon Mackie; the inspirational "Muse" by Mark Lerer and Jennifer Clark; and the startling but euphoric "Sur-Prise, Indeed" by Steve Keeter and Tony Lorenz. 

In addition, there's superb, supplemental contributions by Tom Doyle, Rick McCollum and Brad Foster (along with Main's welcoming editorial and the always trusty "U.F.O. Checklist"), making this *PPFSZT! another all-around, fantastic feast for the senses.

Interested? Send a check or money order of $6.75 (for within-the-U.S. mailing only) to Jim Main; 130 Wellsville Ave; Back of House; New Milford, CT 06776. 

You'll be super-glad you made the investment. 

Doom Patrol Season 3: Super-Eccentrics Return

I respect and admire Doom Patrol for its pushing-the-envelope wisecracks and bold, Baum-ish insinuations. It's DC's tune-laden answer to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, as siphoned through the Uncanny X-Men, but with a darker, demented heart and placed, no less, in an alternate (and therefore superior) 2021. 

As should come as no surprise, all of our endearing, mad misfits return for Season 3: Timothy Dalton as Niles Caulder (in good, spectral shape); Brendan Fraser and Riley Shanahan as Robotman; Joivan Wade as Cyborg, Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane; Matt Bomer and Dwain Murphy as Negative Man; Mark Sheppard as Willoughby Kipling; and of course, there's my personal favorite, April Bowlby's enchanting and flexible-to-a-fault Elasti-Woman. (Gosh, if only there were veritable, Rita Farr movies I could watch, I'd be in friggin Heaven!) The decor-shifting anomaly named Danny also returns, but will Devan Long's Flex Mentallo? (I sure hope so.) 

The dependable scene stealer, however, is Abi Monterey's Dorothy Spinner, Caulder's meta-daughter. For fun, she's a great manipulator of tangible, imaginary friends. The series has come to represent her plight of self discovery, and if she were to depart (for a long, episodic haul, that is), all would no doubt fall apart. 

Joining spry Spinner's journey is Michelle Gomez's Madame Rouge, a steampunked, face-stealing vixen of the Brotherhood of Evil, and Stephen Murphy's Garguax, a vigilant, green extraterrestrial of a not-so-nice kind. 

I have no idea how these newbies will impact Dorothy and the Patrol, for Doom Patrol is the epitome of sardonic experimentation and sublime, (in)human possibilities. In other words, the less revealed, the better. 

Check out Season 3's first batch of episodes on HBO Max, and if you haven't caught any of the prior, please do delve in. All episodes have been queued for your convenient viewing pleasure. 

SO LONG, PETER PALMER...

You performed in Brigadoon and Lorelei, as well as becoming a regular on The Kallikaks and Custer.

There were also those swell guest-starring spots on Emergency!, Charlie's Angels, M*A*S*H, Dallas and Three's Company.

But the role that catapulted you to immortality was none other than Li'l Abner, in the stage and film commemorations of Al Capp's adored, homespun hillbilly. 

Few can claim to hold such iconic status, but through your comic-strip portrayal, you gained just that. May you now rest in peace, Mr. Palmer, comforted in the knowledge that you and the cinematic li'l one will carry on to make us smile and warm our hearts for decades to come. 

AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (SEPT '21): READY FOR LIFTOFF

September ends with a new Airship 27 Podcast, straight from the Windy City Pulp and Paper Show. Alas, Ron and Rob had to soar past Aug, but this new installment more than compensates for the wait. 

This time out the fellows discuss Peggy Chambers' Flatiron Death Grip, in which a beautiful, NY beautician dons a mask to combat the supernatural during her off hours!

Along with this exciting release (and those brewing in the pipeline), the guys recap the Windy City convention interludes, which includes live-action visuals, as well as granting insights to their book-building processes. 

There's lots of fun for the ears and eyes, so dial in at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ebS7pBvA0

WISE WORDS:

FAREWELL, TIM DONNELLY...

You were a familiar face among Jack Webb's productions, guest starring on Dragnet, Adam 12 and Project U.F.O., in addition to performing as character-regular, Chet Kelly on Emergency!.

Folks spotted you as well on such series as Hawaii Five-O; Vegas$; B.J. and the Bear; the A-Team and The Virginian, through which you delivered your friendly and often quirky charm.

Horror fans, though, have taken supreme delight in your fine performances in Parts: the Clonus Horror and the original Toolbox Murders: chilling cult classics that continue to grow in popularity. 

You retired from the scene a while back, but your fans never forgot you, nor will they ever. Your body of work holds enduring significance, Mr. Donnelly, as do you. 

GOODBYE, MICK MCGINTY...

Your Streetfighter visions are the stuff of legend, transcending their gaming foundation to stand as solid, autonomous works of art.

You also gave much to Streets of Rage, Kid Chameleon, Shining Force, Zoo Tycoon and Leisure Suit Larry, with schemes brash, bright and shameless. 

Your movie-based renderings are also amazing, covering such significant ground as Rambo, the Pink Panther, National Lampoon's Vacation, Jaws and Universal's takes on King Kong and Frankenstein.   

Wildness thrived in whatever you fashioned, Mr. McGinty, and for those of sincere mettle, they became, like you, emblems of eternal greatness.