That's right! I'll be at MegaCon this weekend, helping a friend run his booth and hopefully chatting with folks and getting some cosplay photos! Check back Friday, Saturday and Sunday as I'll be aiming to do daily updates!
Anyone else plan on going?
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Teaser Tuesday #28
That's right! I'll be at MegaCon this weekend, helping a friend run his booth and hopefully chatting with folks and getting some cosplay photos! Check back Friday, Saturday and Sunday as I'll be aiming to do daily updates!
Anyone else plan on going?
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Blue Beetle #52 (Charlton)
For some reason Charlton's Silver Age adventures of Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett (archaeologist), have turned out to be the most difficult for me to get my hands on. My searches online haven't turned up digital copies/scans (on the other hand I've scored many of Fox's Golden Age adventures in digital format), I haven't found much on eBay (mostly Ted Kord issues, which I have), and my local comic shop doesn't have any back issues...and they have a fantastic back issue selection. Luckily, while going through some old comic boxes I'd left at my mom's house...some of the very first I collected, I came across this, 1965's Charlton Comics "Blue Beetle" #52. According to the price tag still on the bag I paid $6.00 for this way back when, big money for me at a time when most books I was buying were $0.75-1.00 each!
Before I go into story recap mode, I want to share this item from the letters page.
Former Marvel/DC writer/editor Tony Isabella, was kind enough to confirm that the letter was in fact from him via a series of messages on Twitter. I find it funny that Charlton included this letter though, because Tony mentions them crediting the writer and artist on their books...something they DON'T actually end up doing in this issue! If you're reading this, thanks again for taking the time to reply Tony!
On with the story...Dan Garrett is attending a lecture by a passionate, or crazy, Dr. Louis Forte. Dr. Forte suggests that man didn't descend from apes, but instead was a separate race who lived underground in caves. When Forte opens the floor to questions though Dan steps forward, and after a quick glance at the skull the doctor was using to support his theory, asks "Who was this fellow's dentist?" and points to the fillings in the teeth of the supposed ancient skull. Humiliated, Dr. Forte swears vengeance on Garrett right then and there, and delivers the message with swift punch to the face.
A week later and Dan reads some troubling news. Earthquakes are occurring in unusual places all over the world. Not only that, but there are reports that weirdly costumed figures are raiding locations in the aftermath. One item stolen was "the biggest hydraulic jacks in Western Europe". Who's behind this? A page turn later we meet Magno-Man! Who explains, as villains do, that he plans to lure Dan Garrett into a trap by setting off another quake in Great Britain...AND he knows Dan is the Blue Beetle! Like a fish who sees a worm in the water, Dan is hooked and quickly changes into the Blue Beetle and flies to England.
Once there Dan speaks to a local who seems to think the quake was targeted on a factory, does a quick survey of the damage and then begins tunneling underground to find the source of the quakes. Which lands him face to face with Magno-Man aka Dr. Louis Forte...and a 1,000,000 volt blast from Magno-Man's energy gun. Of course, the scarab enables Dan to absorb and redirect the power, right back at Magno! Stunned, Magno, pleads with Blue Beetle, "There is something I must tell you...you are the second intruder to come here today...enter "French spelunker Renee De Bois". As BB approaches the woman, we find out this is exactly what Magno-Man wanted as he blasts our hero with a strange ultra-violet light.
The light weakens Blue Beetle, but he swings at Magno anyway, and gets another high voltage blast knocking the scarab superhero to the ground.
Before I go into story recap mode, I want to share this item from the letters page.
Former Marvel/DC writer/editor Tony Isabella, was kind enough to confirm that the letter was in fact from him via a series of messages on Twitter. I find it funny that Charlton included this letter though, because Tony mentions them crediting the writer and artist on their books...something they DON'T actually end up doing in this issue! If you're reading this, thanks again for taking the time to reply Tony!
On with the story...Dan Garrett is attending a lecture by a passionate, or crazy, Dr. Louis Forte. Dr. Forte suggests that man didn't descend from apes, but instead was a separate race who lived underground in caves. When Forte opens the floor to questions though Dan steps forward, and after a quick glance at the skull the doctor was using to support his theory, asks "Who was this fellow's dentist?" and points to the fillings in the teeth of the supposed ancient skull. Humiliated, Dr. Forte swears vengeance on Garrett right then and there, and delivers the message with swift punch to the face.
A week later and Dan reads some troubling news. Earthquakes are occurring in unusual places all over the world. Not only that, but there are reports that weirdly costumed figures are raiding locations in the aftermath. One item stolen was "the biggest hydraulic jacks in Western Europe". Who's behind this? A page turn later we meet Magno-Man! Who explains, as villains do, that he plans to lure Dan Garrett into a trap by setting off another quake in Great Britain...AND he knows Dan is the Blue Beetle! Like a fish who sees a worm in the water, Dan is hooked and quickly changes into the Blue Beetle and flies to England.
Once there Dan speaks to a local who seems to think the quake was targeted on a factory, does a quick survey of the damage and then begins tunneling underground to find the source of the quakes. Which lands him face to face with Magno-Man aka Dr. Louis Forte...and a 1,000,000 volt blast from Magno-Man's energy gun. Of course, the scarab enables Dan to absorb and redirect the power, right back at Magno! Stunned, Magno, pleads with Blue Beetle, "There is something I must tell you...you are the second intruder to come here today...enter "French spelunker Renee De Bois". As BB approaches the woman, we find out this is exactly what Magno-Man wanted as he blasts our hero with a strange ultra-violet light.
The light weakens Blue Beetle, but he swings at Magno anyway, and gets another high voltage blast knocking the scarab superhero to the ground.
Dan is stunned, but still alive and wants to make sure Renee is safe. Forte promises to let her ago, if Dan throws himself into a volcanic fire! When Forte adds that if Dan doesn't do as he says, the girl dies too, he reluctantly agrees. Magno blasts the Beetle with more ultra-violet rays before he dives into the flames...but the flames produce their own infra-red rays cancelling out the ultra-violet and saving the hero! He uses the scarab's ability to absorb and redirect once more by collecting the infra-red rays and blasting Magno-Man's ultra-violet generator. Magno-Man manages to get away in a "mole", one of his underground drilling vehicles, threatening to destroy a major city.
Renee assures Blue Beetle she's fine and he can go after Magno. Dan uses the volcano as a quick exit and soon finds Magno setting off small tremors around New York City. Burrowing underground once again he quickly finds Magno's mole and smashes it to pieces before heading off to stabilize the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, and ensuring New York is OK. And Magno? "I looked for him..." says Dan, "and I couldn't even find the wreckage of the mole! He's down there...buried beneath a trillion tons of solid rock!"
Well...that's not very reassuring is it? Some crazy cave obsessed criminal is still underground...based on this issue alone I'd guess that's exactly where Magno/Forte wants to be! This was solidSilver Age fun, though with a slightly rushed feel to the ending. The art was just ok...but there were some really interesting panels and page layouts, again though, most of all it was fun, and isn't that what comics should be?
Renee assures Blue Beetle she's fine and he can go after Magno. Dan uses the volcano as a quick exit and soon finds Magno setting off small tremors around New York City. Burrowing underground once again he quickly finds Magno's mole and smashes it to pieces before heading off to stabilize the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, and ensuring New York is OK. And Magno? "I looked for him..." says Dan, "and I couldn't even find the wreckage of the mole! He's down there...buried beneath a trillion tons of solid rock!"
Well...that's not very reassuring is it? Some crazy cave obsessed criminal is still underground...based on this issue alone I'd guess that's exactly where Magno/Forte wants to be! This was solidSilver Age fun, though with a slightly rushed feel to the ending. The art was just ok...but there were some really interesting panels and page layouts, again though, most of all it was fun, and isn't that what comics should be?
See you next week!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Justice League of Bloggers Fan Art Thursday
Welcome to my first official* crossover piece as part of the Justice League of Bloggers! Shag, over at FirestormFan tipped us off to a pretty cool artist, Steve Garcia
Steve has posted a ton of these cool silhouette pics on his page, and today as a special crossover event the JLB are sharing the pics that focus on their characters!
We Beetlemaniacs get TWO! First up, Jaime Reyes...
Anyway check out these other great JLB sites for more pics!
*I say first "official" because I did belatedly (3yrs later) participate in the Mayfairstivus celebration of the Mayfair Games DCU RPG
Steve has posted a ton of these cool silhouette pics on his page, and today as a special crossover event the JLB are sharing the pics that focus on their characters!
We Beetlemaniacs get TWO! First up, Jaime Reyes...
And next, the Blue & Gold team of Ted Kord and Michael Jon Carter...better known as Blue Beetle & Booster Gold!
I love the pic, but I'm not sure the tag line "We're Not Gay" is necessary (really the "Exceed" on Jaime probably isn't needed either...I think the art really stands on its own). For the record line though is a reference to "I Can’t Believe It’s Not the Justice League!" in which the duo proclaim they're not a couple, after Sue Dibny aka Mrs. Elongated Man insinuates they might be while proclaiming she isn't pregnant...
Anyway check out these other great JLB sites for more pics!
Firestorm Fan (and Killer Frost) - Irredeemable Shag
Aquaman - Rob Kelly
Green Lantern - liquidcross
Ambush Bug, Beast Boy, Metamorpho, Power Girl. Deadman - Doug Zawisza
Supergirl, Lois Lane, Vibe - Anj
Black Canary, Green Arrow, Huntress - Ryan Daly
Riddler (Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Alfred, Batgirl, Batwoman villains) - Alex Giles
Flash - Kelson Vibber
2014 Wonder Girl “We Can Be Heroes: Growth” silhouette by Steve Garcia
2013 Zatanna “We Can Be Heroes: Magic” silhouette by Steve Garcia
2013 Black Lantern Martian Manhunter “We Can Be Heroes: Rise” silhouette by Steve Garcia
2013 The Atom “We Can Be Heroes: Modesty” silhouette by Steve Garcia
2013 Steel “We Can Be Heroes: Sturdy” silhouette by Steve Garcia
“Strange Tales” by Steve Garcia
Cyborg - Doug Zawisza
Red Tornado - Doug Z
Swamp Thing - Arthur Canning
Daredevil, Hulk, & Captain America - J David Weter
Captain Atom - Jay Jones
Plastic Man - Max Romero
Thor - Gene Hendricks
Booster Gold - Walter
Martian Manhunter “We Can Be Heroes: Empathy” silhouette by Steve Garcia - Diabolu Frank
Wonder Woman “We Can Be Heroes: Truth” silhouette by Steve Garcia - Diabolu Frank
Hawkgirl “We Can Be Heroes: Spirit” silhouette by Steve Garcia - Diabolu Frank
Captain Marvel “We Can Be Heroes: Might” silhouette by Steve Garcia - Diabolu Frank
And for even more of Steve Garcia's work, check him out at...
http://stevegarciaart.deviantart.com/
*I say first "official" because I did belatedly (3yrs later) participate in the Mayfairstivus celebration of the Mayfair Games DCU RPG
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Mego-style Golden Age Blue Beetle v.1.0
Ok, after looking back at some of the Charlton Action Hero ads, I decided there really should have been some Mego-style Blue Beetle figures. There weren't though, so what could I do? Well, how about try my hand at my first ever custom Mego?
First, I reached out to Anthony Durso of the awesome Toyroom! Anthony makes custom and repro packaging for Mego figures. I told him what I needed and within a few days he sent the pic below, and within the week I had the boxes themselves!
First, I reached out to Anthony Durso of the awesome Toyroom! Anthony makes custom and repro packaging for Mego figures. I told him what I needed and within a few days he sent the pic below, and within the week I had the boxes themselves!
Since it's usually best to start at the beginning, I picked Golden Age Dan Garret as my first attempt. I figured for the first go round he'd be fairly simple...I mean it would really just come down to assembling parts, right? Dan #1 basically wears a blue hooded tunic, over blue tights, yellow gloves and belt with a domino mask.
I started by collecting some parts from http://www.classictvtoys.com
Now, based on the pics on the website, I thought the body suit and the hoodie would have been a closer color match, but I still think it may work. I started by attaching the head (chosen because it looked enough like the 1930s illustrations of rookie patrolman Dan...until I remembered he was a redhead!) to the torso. Next, I pulled on the body suit and slipped on the domino mask. When it came time to pull on the hoodie though I realized the mask needed to come off, at least briefly.
Originally I'd planned to hide the straps of the mask UNDER the hood, but it kept slipping when I pulled the hood over the head or tried adjusting it as I put it in place. So I went OVER the hood instead.
Once that was done all I had to do was slip on the belt and gloves...and ladies and gentlemen...a Beetle!
Ok, I admit, it's a little rough around the edges. His hair is peeking out from under his "mask", the hoodie/tunic isn't long enough to really nail the look, and the blues definitely don't match.
That said, there's a reason I labeled the post v 1.0. I plan to learn from this and try again. I still like the hoodie/tunic idea, but I think maybe a bald head would work better under there. I think without hair the hood will sit better on the head, and might even give me a little extra length on the tunic. I want to match the blues of the two pieces a little better too, and I need to add a scarab to his belt. So...what's next? Well, maybe a "rookie patrolman Dan Garret" or "archaeologist Dan Garrett"? Maybe I use the blue body suit to make a Silver Age Dan Garret/Blue Beetle? Hopefully I learn a few things along the way. I mean I think I'm going to need all the help I can get to make a Bronze Age Ted Kord, or Modern Age Jaime Reyes...won't that be cool? A whole set of Mego-style Blue Beetles!
Anyone have any experience with these types of custom figures? Tips? Suggestions? Feedback on this is definitely appreciated!
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