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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, January 3, 2008
Every issue of Comics Buyer's Guide features "The CBG Price Guide," up-to-date values of comic books old and new with a variety of informative sidebars. Judging from the many e-mails I receive on it, my "Tony's Back Page," which closes out the section, is among the most popular of those sidebars. This one hails from CBG #1635:
"When Ghost Rider Met Elfquest"
Wendy and Richard Pini are best known as the creators of Elfquest, one of the most brilliant comics in the history of comics. One of the questions I am most often asked is how, during my two-year run as the writer of Ghost Rider, they became supporting characters in that Marvel Comics series.
The three of us go back a long way. We all had fan letters in the same issue of Silver Surfer. We were all members of CAPA-Alpha, a comics amateur press association. We were friends before Elfquest took the industry by storm. In fact, they sent me an advance look at their creation during my mercifully brief time as a DC editor and I tried to get publisher Jenette Kahn to buy it. In retrospect, my friends did much better publishing it themselves and, ironically, decades later and under much better terms than they could've gotten then, DC did end up as their publisher.
When I added supporting characters to Ghost Rider, as befitting the title's new Hollywood locale, Wendy and Richard came to mind. They weren't meant to be major members of the cast, just familiar faces I could use to move the plot forward or recap events as necessary. That these comics characters were also real people was an "in" joke for my friends in fandom.
When she and Richard were introduced into Ghost Rider, I wrote that Wendy made the most delicious brownies on the West Coast. Many fans have asked me if this was true and what made them so delicious.
Yes, it is true...though it was at a Boston comics convention where I chowed down on those tasty treats. As for what made them so darn delicious, well, I never thought to ask Wendy for her recipe, but I do have my suspicions...
Let's just say Keebler doesn't have a monopoly on elfin goodness.
******
DICK TRACY
Over Christmas break, I read THE COMPLETE CHESTER GOULD'S DICK TRACY, VOLUME THREE [IDW Publishing; $29.99], reprinting over 500 daily and Sunday strips from 1935 and 1936. The thrills begin with the reunion of Junior Tracy and his mother, continuing at a breakneck pace as Tracy and his fellows track the murderous Boris Arson and his sister across the country. From there, Tracy contends with a vicious bookie ring, a slick gangster's attempted takeover of a small city, an "impossible" murder, and his efforts to reform a career criminal. That last sequence is notable for an unforgettable scene in which the reformed criminal holds his former associates at bay while on fire. It is as big as "oh, wow" moment as I've seen in comic strips.
Gould was a master of keeping the suspense in his strip, but he could take things too far. Tracy darn near gets himself killed with one of the dumbest plans in the history of make-believe police work by unnecessarily impersonating a gang member. Tracy already knows where the gang is meeting because he's arrested the member he will be impersonating. A simple raid could capture the whole evil crew. But, instead, Tracy puts himself in harm's way and gets shot by the cops. While he's unconscious, his true identity is revealed to the gang. Talk about a plan going awry.
In addition to all those strips, the volume includes the usual terrific Max Allan Collins commentary and a generously-illustrated article on Dick Tracy Big Little Books. Even as full price, this book is a bargain. With the discounts available from many sellers, it's a must-have addition to your comics library. Like the first two volumes, this one earns the full five out of five Tonys. I'm already jones-ing for the next one.
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FANTAGRAPHICS 2008
There are those who automatically gnash their teeth at merest mention of Fantagraphics Books, The Comics Journal, and Gary Groth...and not without justification. But I am here today, not to engage in that particular never-ending battle, but to openly geek-out over items touted in the Fantagraphics Spring/Summer catalog. The catalog's cover shows the big one: Stranger & Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko by Blake Bell [$39.99]. Bell's 220-page hardcover is described as "the first critical retrospective of the work of the reclusive Spider-Man co-creator." Steve Ditko has oft-stated that his work should speaks for itself, but it also speaks to those who have enjoyed it during his 55-year career. Blake is as fine a Ditko scholar as there is, another reason why this "coffee table" art book is a must-have for Ditko fans.
Several other items from this catalog are also on my "man, I hope they send me review copies of this" list.
April: The Complete Peanuts 1967-1968 by Charles M. Schulz with introduction by John Waters [$28.99].
April: The Education of Hopey Glass by Jaime Hernandez, a graphic novel from the Locas universe [$19.99].
May: Comic Arf a "Who's Who of great cartooning," edited by Craig Yoe [$19.99].
May: Our Gang Vol. 3 by Walt Kelly with a cover by Jeff Smith [$14.99].
June: The Troublemakers, an original graphic novel by Gilbert Hernandez [$19.99].
June: Amor Y Cohetes, the latest volume of the complete Love & Rockets comics by Gilbert, Jaime, and Mario Hernandez [$16.99].
July: Man of Rock: a Biography of Joe Kubert by Bill Schelly [$19.99].
August: Humbug by Harvey Kurtzman with Jack Davis, Will Elder, Al Jaffee, and Arnold Roth [$50]. It's "the never-before-collected complete, original 11-issue run from 1957-1958" in two hardcover volumes in a custom slipcase.
August: B. Krigstein Vol II: A Life in Art From Comics to Canvas (1955-1960) by Greg Sadowski [$49.99].
I don't recommend these books lightly. I realize they add up to a considerable chunk of cash, but I think each and every one is worth the price. Which doesn't mean you can't go shopping for good discounts or, if your discretionary income is lower than dirt, that you can't request the books from your local library. I frequently ask my library to order such books for me and, more often than not, they comply with my request. The publisher gets a sale and I get to read something I couldn't afford. It's not the best win-win for the publisher, but it's something.
As the months of 2008 roll by, keep watching this column for my reviews of the above books.
******
SNAPSHOTS
Consider this an ongoing photo gallery wherein I share images sent to me or that have some special meaning to me. Today, I have two of them for you.
That's the dashing Louis A. Isabella, my father, posing with his new motorcycle shortly after he returned from his World War II military service. He tells me his parents were terrified of his riding the bike. It was a 1938 model - new production was halted during the war - and he paid $500 for it. Allowing for inflation, that would be around $6,000 today. He sold it a year later for $400.
Motorcycle fear must be contagious. When I was a teenager on Cleveland's Peony Avenue, an older boy got a motorcycle and took me on a ride around the block. My mother was pretty angry because I hadn't asked her permission and because she was sure I'd end up in a bloody dead heap somewhere. I didn't.
This autographed photo of Phyllis Coates was sent to me by David Siegel, a fan with a heart of gold. Coates was one of the most dependable actresses of 1930s through the 1950s, appearing in countless serials, low-budget features, westerns, shorts, and, many television programs. She's arguably best known for playing a very feisty Lois Lane in the first 26 episodes of The Adventures of Superman.
As for Siegel, well, he's one of the nicest guys in comicdom. If there's anyone who doesn't like him, assume there's something terribly wrong with that person.
Watch for more Snapshots in upcoming TOTs.
******
TONY POLLS
Here's are the results of the last batch of Tony Polls we asked before TOT went on hiatus.
Which of these Marvel Universe storylines would you most like me to write about in "Tony's Online Tips?"
World War Hulk.....32.50%
Spider-Man: One More Day.....27.50%
Annihilation: Conquest.....12.50%
Spider-Man: Back in Black.....10%
X-Men: Endangered Species.....10%
Civil War: The Initiative.....7.50%
I voted for World War Hulk, which I'll be reading from start to finish in the next week or so. I won't write an issue-by-issue review, but I will write about it.
I reviewed all of the "Spider-Man: Back in Black" comics over at the CBGXtra forums...
www.cbgxtra.com
...but you'll have to search my folder to find them.
Who is your favorite of the trainees in AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE?
M.V.P. (deceased).....21.57%
Cloud 9.....13.73%
Rage.....11.76%
Slapstick.....11.76%
Thor Girl.....9.80%
Komodo.....7.84%
Trauma.....7.84%
Triathlon.....7.84%
Ultragirl.....7.84%
Hardball.....0%
I voted for Rage, a character I've always liked, but I was greatly amused that you voted for the dead guy.
Who is your favorite member of the Mighty Avengers?
Black Widow.....30.65%
Wonder Man.....20.97%
Wasp.....17.74%
Ms. Marvel.....12.90%
Ares.....8.06%
Iron Man.....6.45%
Sentry.....3.23%
I don't have a favorite member of this team. All of them are enemies of freedom...and the Sentry is a really dumb character to boot. But I would wholeheartedly support a pardon for whichever of them finally busts a cap in Tony Stark's ass.
Who is your favorite member of the New Avengers?
Spider-Man.....22.22%
Luke Cage.....19.05%
Doctor Strange.....15.87%
Clint Barton.....14.29%
Spider-Woman.....14.29%
Iron Fist.....11.11%
Echo.....3.17%
Wolverine.....0%
I voted for Luke Cage.
Who is your favorite member of the Illuminati?
Doctor Strange.....35.94%
Namor.....23.44%
Reed Richards.....21.88%
Black Bolt.....10.94%
Charles Xavier.....4.69%
Iron Man.....3.12%
I voted for Namor. I like Doc Strange, but he should have long ago banished Tony Stark to some horrible alien dimension populated by sentient can openers. Reed Richards should spend the rest of his life in jail for his role in Civil War. There are times when I think Charles Xavier should be behind bars, too. Black Bolt? He just doesn't speak to me...and, geez, what a long way to go for that joke.
Who is your favorite member of Omega Flight?
Beta Ray Bill.....35.71%
Sasquatch.....25%
Arachne.....14.29%
USAgent.....14.29%
Talisman.....8.93%
Guardian (Michael Pointer).....1.79%
Agent Brown.....0%
Is it possible to have a favorite member of this "All-Losers Squad?" If I must, I'll pick Sasquatch, though I liked him better when he was a man trapped in the body of a hot chick. Oh, the stories they could have told.
Our current Tony Polls questions concern the effect on global warming of huge comics crossovers. Or something very much like that. You can cast your votes at:
www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/poll
The questions will remain active until sometime after midnight on Monday, January 7.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 01/02/2008 | 01/03/2008 | 01/04/2008 >>
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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