Friday, April 29, 2022

FAREWELL, NEAL ADAMS...

Your sleek rendering of the Silver Age Batman became (and remains) my favorite of any illustrated Caped Crusader, but all that you touched inspired me: Catwoman, Batgirl, Robin, Ra's al Ghul, Talia Ra's Ghul, Man-Bat, the Joker, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Spectre, Deadman, Tarzan, Vampirella, Steve Austin (The Six Million Dollar Man), Planet of the Apes, Spider-man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Vison, Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, Sub-mariner, Iron Man, X-Men, Defenders...and Avengers. (For what it's worth, your special take on these varied subjects led me to emulate your style as a kid, albeit it crudely, and to this day, whenever I doodle, a dash of your flair still squeaks through, especially when I give Batman a stab.)

Your collaborations with the dynamic Dennis O'Neil are also praise-worthy, in that they steered readers from light-heartedness to brooding introspection, the influence of which is evident in the movies of Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves. 

You were also a champion to other artists, making certain that Jack Kirby, Joe Schuster and Jerry Siegel received the exalted acknowledgement they long deserved. 

On all levels, you were the stuff of legend, Mr. Adams, a luminous icon and heroic, maestro supreme, and for that, your status remains as revered and awe-inspiring as the astounding characters you represented. 

Thursday, April 28, 2022

AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (APRIL '22): READY FOR LIFTOFF

Stupendous, New Pulp submissions fly our way, and Ron Fortier and Rob Davis serve tasty scoops on each in their April '22 Airship 27 Podcast.

Mystery Men (& Women), Vol 8 is high up on their platform, which contains an energetic ensemble of crackerjack, serial-styled adventures by Kevin Findley, Mark Allen Vann, Joel Jenkins and Greg Hatcher. This volume is positioned to set faithful readers again on the edge of their seats in one of Airship 27's most popular titles. 

Also high up is a new Jon Shadows exploit by Teel James Glenn, subtitled Deadly Shadows, where avenging espionage and exotic interaction hits a Bondian peak. (Shadows' right-against-wrong world keeps expanding, solidifying his position as a significant, next-generation crime-stopper, and that Airship 27 continues to perpetuate the investigator's legacy is nothing short of commendable.) 

In addition to the above, Ron and Ron swing back to the esteemed established with The Wu Dang Chronicles, in which all three of Barbara Doran's magical, Gold Rush novels are contained in one volume. This sensational omnibus is an obvious must-have, and to mount its mystical ante, its cover is graced by new, Gary Kato artwork.   

As a fetching bonus, the fellows bestow insight into Rob's Kickstarter campaign for the super, Silverline Comics space opera, Beyond the Stars. This one is spellbinding in both galactic heroism and astral zest: well worth a look and even more so, the investment:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...  

Consume all the gratifying, podcast info at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMfvuIt8lg4

R.I.P. JAMES BAMA...

Your artwork became an important part of our lives, the stuff of nostalgia and forward-looking dreams. 

For sixty-two shots, you brought Doc Savage to life (often using Flash Gordon actor, Steve Holland, as your template); and on the cowboy/Indian front, you honored dusty virility with unapologetic grit, making the Old West live on, even after it left the American scene.  

You also did justice to such influential names as Paul Newman, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Robert Kennedy Sr., with portraits so realistic that they seemed to breath. 

However, for a generation of model makers, you were best known for your outstanding images of classic monsters on Aurora box covers, which were as collectible as the contents they contained. 

You meant a lot to so many, Mr. Bama, and through your decades of work, you'll soar on, inspiring those who relish the artistic past, present and future, all rolled into one. 

SUPERBABES #10: SUPER-SEXY, COED SOLDIERING

AC's Superbabes #10 swoops forth with an all-color, super-sexy, coed soldiering issue, as its mighty, Ms. Victory cover conveys. 

If the truth be known, the combative lines may be blurred for a spell on this one, but all the same, our smokin' heroine is there to fight the Strong Hand, along with other Femforce favorites, Stardust, Nightveil, She-Cat, Tara, Synn, Roberta Strock and Janis Lawson, in action that picks up straight from last issue's rumble in the jungle.

"Days Without Frontiers", as this segment is called, also spotlights Rad, but in this current conundrum, is she good or bad? Her mom, Ms. Victory, would sure like to know and of course, so will the readers, who'll hang on every panel, thanks to Mark Heike's tight script, which is emboldened by his splendid inks, as well as Stephanie Heike's impressive coloring and the profound penciling of Bobby Ragland. 

As a bonus, Superbabes #10 includes "Haeir of the Gorgon", a ghastly Gorgana, origin fable by Mr. Heike, who co-colored with Ms. Heike. The interlude is supported by the ornate penciling of Dario Carrasco. A Prince Valiant vibe characterizes this one, but don't be surprised to find traces of eerie EC throughout. 

Superbabes #10 can be purchased at any number of comic shops and online sources. I bought mine at Steve's Comic Relief on Quakerbridge Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, a fruitful hub for all of one's superheroic/collectible needs. 

And don't forget, Superbabes #11 is right around the bend. Hot diggity! Can't wait!

EIGHTH TOWER PRESENTS YOG-SOTHOTH BY THE GREAT OLD ONES

Raffaele Pezzella, through Eighth Tower Records, presents an ambitious, audio warmup to his upcoming Dark Fiction, Vol 4 curation: Yog-Sothoth, by the Great Old Ones.

The epic tracks are amazing and aptly enough, creepy as ancient Hell: 

1) The Lurker at the Threshold

2) Born from the Nameless Mist

3) Your Servants Call Upon You

4) Beyond Mortal Comprehension

The Great Old Ones' titles alone could invoke the eye-laden, Outer God to manifest, but once the sounds are activated, they cement the deity's advent on all jarring levels, slipping and sliding from out the galactic gate with impregnating jubilation. 

To experience the Great Old Ones' summoning incantations (and procure a CD along the way), visit

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/yog-sothoth?fbclid=IwAR2H73AwCex2kn4hPeBlfu8QJUh4HE-5KqKRNid5_l0gSU7QFAent5_HE94

One is certain to become entangled in Yog-Sothoth's terrifying tentacles with each captivating chord. Ah, enslavement has never been so satisfying!