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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Thursday, April 7, 2005
"She--she's just like me in every detail!"
"Yes, Peggy! I've created an exact duplicate of you--and she will obey my orders!"
Talk about a control freak! This Jack Kirby cover for HOUSE OF MYSTERY #76 [July, 1958] is a departure from the creatures and monsters he'd been doing for DC's mystery comics of the late 1950s. There also seems to be a - purely unintentional, I'm sure - sexual subtext to the cover, which isn't something I'd have noticed had I come across the comic as a mere lad of seven.
The coloring - at least in the scan of the cover found at the wondrous GRAND COMICS DATABASE [www.comics.org] - looks odd to me. Was it brighter in the original or was it as murky as it appears to be here? That's a question best answered by someone who either saw the book when it was originally published or is lucky enough to own a copy of it now.
"The Artificial Twin" was pencilled and inked by Kirby. HOUSE OF MYSTERY #76 also featured:
"Prisoners of the Tiny Universe" (drawn by Nick Cardy);
"The Mirage Beneath the Sea" (drawn by Bill Ely); and,
"Invaders of the Dark" (drawn by Lou Cameron).
If you haven't been a regular TOT reader and you're wondering why I've been running all these Kirby covers, it's because I hope to encourage readers to write DC Comics requesting a collection of the King's non-Challengers of the Unknown and Green Arrow stories from the 1950s. Counting the one story he pencilled for ALL-STAR WESTERN #99, we're talking 200 pages and a dozen covers. Just the right size for a trade paperback. Go for it!
If you're looking for more Kirby wonderment online, be sure to check out KIRBY COMICS at:
jackkirbycomics.blogspot.com
You'll find terrific examples of Jack's work there, as well as informative commentary on same. It's a great place!
Two more Kirby covers to go. Look for them tomorrow and the day after...with the return of full-length TOTs on Sunday.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back soon with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 04/06/2005 | 04/07/2005 | 04/08/2005 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
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.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
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840 Damon Drive
Medina, OH 44256
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