The above cover - WEIRD MYSTERIES #4 [April, 1953] - holds no special significance for today's column beyond my seeing it on THE GRAND COMICS DATABASE [www.comics.org] and noting the resemblance between the human-headed insect on this Bernard Bailey cover and "The Zanti Misfits" from the 1963 episode of THE OUTER LIMITS named for said misfits. Did the comic book inspire the look of the alien Zanti? It's certainly within the realm of possibility.
My ignorance is manifest when it comes to WEIRD MYSTERIES. I know the book ran a dozen issues from October, 1952, to July, 1954, and was published by Gilmore. Looking through the issues indexed at the GCD, I recognized the names of artists Bailey, Jon Smalle, Sal Trapani, Basil Wolverton, Mike Esposito, and Tony Mortellaro. I worked with Mike and Tony during my time at Marvel Comics in the 1970s, but neither even spoke of Gilmore that I can recall. If any readers of this column can dispel my ignorance, they are welcome to do so via e-mail [].
The 34th edition of THE OFFICIAL OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE opines a near-mint condition copy of this comic book would command a price of $1,275. THE STANDARD CATALOG OF COMIC BOOKS pegs it at $600. When I checked eBay, I found no recent completed or current sales of the issue. However, I did find ongoing auctions for other issues of the title and, in some cases, multiple ongoing auctions for some issues. My limited attention span thus satisfied for now, let's see what else I have for you today.
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ATOMIC KITCHEN
Collectors Press [www.collectorspress.com] publishes scores of fun art books examining popular culture from the imagined reaches of outer space to the family kitchen. ATOMIC KITCHEN: GADGETS AND INVENTIONS FOR YESTERDAY'S COOK by Brian S. Alexander [Collectors Press, $19.95] is an apt example of the goodies to be found in the Collectors Press catalog. It's a beautifully-made book filled with advertisements, illustrations, and photos from a time when we believed the peaceful use of atomic power would transform every aspect of our daily lives into a science-fiction wonderland.
In his introduction, Alexander zeroes in on the optimism that housewives held for the future, an optimism manufacturers seized on by touting every new gadget or redesign as the gadget or kitchen of tomorrow. Certainly their claims were exaggerated, but, in truth, many of these devices actually did make household chores easier and faster to complete and made it possible for previously nest-bound women to contribute outside their homes and grow in ways that their own mothers rarely could. When Alexander laughs at the subjects of his book, he does so with an obvious love for them and a regard for their benefits.
My Sainted Wife Barb is planning an addition/expansion of our kitchen and, as I enjoyed ATOMIC KITCHEN, I saw styles of freezers, refrigerators, and other appliances which I wish we could adapt to that effort. I thought they were, pardon the expression, very cool designs. I especially dug the various wall refrigerator-freezers shown throughout the book. Fun stuff.
My solitary complaint about ATOMIC KITCHEN is that Alexander often presented intriguing illustrations sans copy explaining their why and wherefor. I felt like I wasn't getting the complete story on these doodads and gewgaws. Overall, though, I still recommend ATOMIC KITCHEN as a fun gift for anyone who lived through the era, or is curious about the era, or has the courage to look to the past to create the kitchens of tomorrow.
Hint, hint, o sainted one!
ATOMIC KITCHEN picks up a perfectly respectable three out of five Tonys. If you're new to this column, the explanation of what that means is elsewhere on this page.
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BATMAN: HUSH
I'm reading a lot of Batman comics these days and, as I wrote in a previous column [December 30], I can't explain why I'm reading them. Sorting through review copies, I found BATMAN: HUSH VOLUME ONE [DC; $12.95] and BATMAN: HUSH VOLUME TWO [$12.95] in relatively close proximity and decided to read them. Overall, I think I liked them better than did other readers of my approximate generation and temperament. Here's my good, bad, and ugly comments on this two-volume reprinting of stories which originally appeared in BATMAN #608-619.
The good: Nice design work on these volumes. Kudos to senior editor (collected editions) Bob Greenberger and senior art director Robbin Brosterman.
The bad: Two volumes?
Sidebar: I'm assuming the demand for the first few issues was so great DC reprinted them in hardcover and trade paperback just as quickly as possible, but it still seems like they were kind of sort of getting a little greedy with this. I'll withdraw the bad if and when these volumes are replaced with reasonably priced one-volume editions...and I say this knowing DC will then get complaints from readers who bought the two volumes. You can't please everybody and I think it's only logical DC should focus its efforts on pleasing, well, me. I am smiling as I type this.
The good: That Jeph Loeb sure can write. I'm impressed by how smoothly he worked so many important characters into this year-long storyline and how many of them I recognized. There were glitches along the way, but I think I did a terrific job of mixing the fresh with the traditional.
The good: The Huntress was well-used in this storyline. Maybe the first time I've been interested in the characters in more years than I can remember.
The good with caveats: I liked the addition of Thomas Elliot to the cast, even knowing he would inevitably turn out to be Hush. I kept hoping for some surprise that would change that predestined revelation and retain Elliot for use in future stories. The Batman has a friend in Superman; Bruce Wayne needs one, too.
The good: Batman and Catwoman. I hope they get back together soon. After years of Batman as loveless sociopath, I would think writers and editors would appreciate the challenge of writing the character with this new twist and retaining the grim elements that are part and parcel of being the Batman.
The good: Batman and Superman. No one is writing them better than Loeb, at least not lately.
The incredibly bad: There's not a judge in the world who would release the Joker on bail pending charges being dropped on the one murder he didn't commit.
The ugly: DC Comics needs to put some serious thought into the Joker's future and soon. He may be a great villain, but he defies even DCU logic every time he appears. If Toho can retire Godzilla for a decade, why can't DC do the same with the Joker until someone comes up with something worth brining him back for?
The good: The return of Harvey Dent. Let Two-Face be gone for good because the new Harvey is way more intriguing.
The bad: Clayface plays a key role in these proceedings and we never see him as himself. That's just bad plotting.
The maybe good but probably not: The Riddler. I see a lot of potential in him, though DC will likely piss away that potential by doing their usual master villain stuff. They always think bigger - - more brutal/evil/powerful/whatever - when they should instead be thinking better/different/unexpected.
The bad: The indeterminate fate of Hush at the end of the 12-issue story. If you make readers buy twelve issues of a comic book to get the entire tale, you owe them some certainty and not set-ups for future stories. They deserved to see Hush unmasked and to get more than the trite "couldn't find the body" ending. I think Loeb is a better writer than this.
The good: Neat bonus features, which I hope will remain if DC does collect HUSH into a single volume.
The big finish: I really wanted to give BATMAN: HUSH a better score than three Tonys, but I just can't excuse the story's ending. I really do feel bad about that.
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COMICS SMACKDOWN
My pal Hannibal Tabu has posted a special edition of his THE BUY PILE featuring his 2004 SMACKDOWN AWARDS. I don't necessarily agree with all of the "awards" Hannibal gives out here, but I had a blast reading his comments.
Archie Comics has announced another title change and relaunch in its digest line, following just a few weeks after the publisher reported that the long-running LAUGH DIGEST MAGAZINE would end its run and begin life anew as TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST. Here's the latest press release:
Due to the popular demand of Archie Comics fans everywhere, Jughead's wacky world is about to get even wackier. Starting in April, 2005, JUGHEAD WITH ARCHIE DIGEST becomes JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST!
JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST will continue all the zany fun you've come to expect from the crowned prince of comedy. Archie will still be on hand...plus you'll enjoy hilarious misadventures co-starring some of Jug's favorite friends and foes: prankster Reggie, genius Dilton, musclebound Moose, tricky Trula Twyst, that Wilkin' Boy and more! All of these great stars and more await you in the pages of JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST.
JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST gets off to an uproarious start with an all-new story called "Casanova Jones." When the Riverdale track team makes the state finals, the team members enlist Jughead to escort their girls to the dances. Will the crowned one really turn Casanova, or is he merely clock-watching until he can collect the burgers, malts and pizzas he's been promised? Do the guys have to worry their girls will fall for "safe, harmless" Jughead? Brought to you by Archie fan-favorite writer and artist Dan Parent, this hysterical tale is full of romantically challenged antics!
In addition to this delightful epic, JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #1, like all Archie digests, is chock-full of classic stories that are sure to entertain. Don't miss the silly fun...order JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #1 today!
My question of the day: did Jughead or any of the Archie gang ever actually *meet* that Wilkin Boy? I have a very vague memory that they did - maybe in some sort of "battle of the bands" story - put I can't recall for sure. As ever, I await further information from the comics historians among you.
In the meantime, yes, you can expect Archie reviews from me in this new year. I enjoy these comics and I think they represent an important part of the marketplace. Those strike me as good reasons for their continued presence in this column.
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SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS
I want to clarify how TOT works. My target schedule, which I almost never make, is to write these columns a week before they're posted. I'm always working toward that goal, but family and other work obligations often disrupt my best-laid plans.
Save for correcting spelling errors and such, I don't change the columns after they have been sent to our web-wizard Justin and posted. Though events may change between the time I write of them and the time you read what I've written, I consider these columns a record, a snapshot, if you will, of where my head was at the time I completed them.
A particularly tragic example of the gap between reality when I write something and reality as it exists when you read what I've written is the mounting lose of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis which struck East Africa and Southern Asia a mere handful of days ago. The current United Nations estimates put the terrible toll at over 150,000 dead. Whenever I write about this, the number has already risen from the previous report. It's a tough story to follow and I can barely imagine how horrible living through it must be for the survivors and those awaiting word on whether their own loved ones are among those survivors.
In yesterday's TOT, I commented that the Bush administration was committing less money to the relief effort than would be spent on his inauguration to his second term. I'm delighted to say that is no longer the case.
The President is now committing $350 million to relief efforts in the stricken area and his representatives have stated that may not be the final figure. They are traveling to the area to assess the situation and see what needs to be done. These are both good things and should be applauded.
Don't fear. I haven't gone "red" on you. I realize that Bush is not always - or often - as good as his word, that he has, in the past, shortchanged programs he has supported. My sincere hope is that, this time, he will do the right thing. If he does, I'll be applauding him as loudly as his supporters.
I still don't think Bush is fit for the office he holds, and I think my country would do well to drive him from office as soon as possible, but it's within his power to change my admittedly low opinion of him. Mister President?
Whenever I am made aware of errors in these columns, I try to correct them in future columns. Don't be shy about letting me know when I've messed up...but I would also ask that you recognize the difference between fact and opinion, yours or mine.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
I review The Amazing Adventures of Nate Banks #1: Secret Identity Crisis, Secret Identity Crisis: Comic Books and the Unmasking of Cold War America and The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us.
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
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