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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 Tuesday, October 9, 2007
MAD SCIENTIST is one of my favorite fanzines. Though a bit pricey at $4.50 for its 32 digest-sized pages, editor Martin Arlt always fills those pages with terrific material.
Issue #15 [Spring, 2007] leads with a striking cover painting by Pete Von Sholly. The Rhedosaurus from the classic Beast From 20,000 Fathoms has never looked better. Inside the issue, Arlt writes an equally amazing retrospective on the movie. Like all of his writings, the piece is meticulously researched, well-written, and big fun. This article is one of his best.
The issue also has Arlt's look at and discussion of the covers of ten pre-Comics Code horror comics...Allen A. Debus writing about The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs...a "Tales From the Lab" comics story by Arlt...and a selection of genre-based reviews. I was entertained and informed from cover to cover.
Mad Scientist #15 earns an impressive four out of five Tonys. For ordering information, go to:
www.geocities.com/madscie/madscientist.html
******
GET MORE TONY
WHAT IF CLASSIC VOL. 4 will be coming from Marvel late this year. The 240-page, full-color trade paperback [$24.98] will reprint issues #21-26 of the original run of the series, including "What If Gwen Stacy Had Lived?" by me, layout artist Gil Kane, and a host of finishers. This tale is a favorite of mine and, though it's already been reprinted a few times, I'm always delighted to see it back in print. It was very well-received when it was first published and, even all these years later, fans just discovering the story tell me how much they like it.
This makes me happy.
My pal Rob Kelly asked me a couple questions about an Aquaman appearance in my Shadow War of Hawkman mini-series from the 1970s. I answered them and you'll find the results in the October 5, 2007 entry of his Aquaman Shrine:
aquamanshrine.blogspot.com
Rob maintains several comics blogs - which he updates daily - and every one of them is well worth visiting.
Also online:
Angelique Trouvere, the legendary model and costumer from more sci-fi and fantasy conventions than you can shake a phaser at, was recently interviewed by Richard Arndt at:
www.enjolrasworld.com
I knew the amazing Ms. Trouvere in the 1970s when I was living in New York City working for Marvel. We still keep in touch today. It's a keen interview and, even if I wasn't mentioned in it, I'd be recommending it to you.
Finally, some convention appearances:
My first of only two convention appearances this year will be the SYRACUSE HEROES EXPO, taking place Saturday, October 21, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Syracuse, New York. I'll be there from 10 am to 6 pm.
For more details on the show and its guests, go to:
www.syracuseheroesexpo.com
That will be followed by MID-OHIO-CON on November 24 & 25 at Battelle Hall at the Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus' exciting Arena District. The guest list, featuring over 100 guests from comics, movies, TV, and more, is incredible and, as always, it'll be my job as the event's Program Director to get as many of those guests on panels as humanly possible. I'll have much more to say about the show later this month, but, for now, let me direct you to the convention website at:
www.midohiocon.com
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back soon with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 10/08/2007 | 10/09/2007 | 10/10/2007 >>
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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