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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, September 15, 2005
COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1611 [December; $5.99] arrived at Casa Isabella a couple days ago, so it should be hitting the comic-book shops, bookstores, and newsstands sometime next week. This issue's "Tony's Tips" column has reflections on the good folks we have lost this year, thoughts on the friends we make through comicdom, and my reviews of Marvel Comics Presents: Wolverine, Astonishing X-Men, New Avengers, New Thunderbolts, Black Panther, Ultimates 2, and Daredevil: Redemption.
I wrote two additional pieces for the issue: "Tony Isabella's 10 Favorite Comic-Book Covers" and "Tony's Back Page." The former actually features the first 10 beloved covers I thought of and that I bought for myself when they were first published. The latter is a mini-tribute to my favorite "comic-book store" of my youth, back when I lived on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio.
I haven't read the issue yet - and I don't review comics and magazines on which I've worked until they've aged for a few years - but there are articles on Spider-Man in the comics and the movies, an interview with J. Michael Straczynski, coverage of Archie's six decades as "America's favorite teenager," and the usual columns and features. It's 244 pages of fun for six bucks.
By the way, just because *I'm* not reviewing the issue doesn't mean you can't discuss it at my message board...
www.comicscommunity.com/boards/tony
...or at CBG's own forums:
www.cbgxtra.com
Oh, yeah, one more thing. Every Monday, I post an exclusive-to-CBGXTRA edition of "Tony's Other Online Tips." This week's TOOT has reviews of NORTH COUNTRY by Shane White, CRY WOLF by Doug Crill and Daniel J. Frey, and ARCHIE DIGEST MAGAZINE #219.
******
I SPY
Forty years ago tonight, BILL COSBY became the first African-American lead in a dramatic TV series. It was on this date in 1965 NBC premiered I SPY, a often lighthearted adventure show in which Cosby and Robert Culp - trainer and tennis player - traveled the globe as undercover spies for the USA.
The show ran for three seasons and produced 82 episodes. In 1994, a TV reunion movie featured the children of Kelly Robinson (Culp) and Alexander Scott (Cosby) carrying on in the profession of their fathers...with some assistance from their dads. Though some I SPY episodes are available on DVD, there are no complete season sets available at this time. Sigh.
Gold Key produced six issues of an I SPY comic book with the first issue dated August, 1966, and the last dated September, 1968. All had photo covers and all were probably written by the legendary Paul S. Newman. The GRAND COMICS DATABASE [www.comics.org] isn't certain about the first issue.
Alden McWilliams pencilled and inked all but the final issue of I SPY. That one was drawn by Mike Roy.
The OFFICIAL OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE opines that a near-mint condition copy of I SPY #1 will sell for $340...with the other issues going for $200 each. A quick visit to eBay will show multiple copies in varying conditions up for auction and going for considerably less than the above.
Cosby's reputation has taken a hit or two in recent years, but I cherish his comedy albums, his work on I SPY, and all the other positive things he has done. He is a man who has truly given back to the community and TOT is pleased to salute him today.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 09/14/2005 | 09/15/2005 | 09/16/2005 >>
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:
Tony's Online Tips
840 Damon Drive
Medina, OH 44256
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