Yesterday's Comic Haul (8/17/19)

Magic Lantern was created by Grant Morrison, but belongs to DC Comics. Dig it?

Yesterday's Comic Book Haul (1/16/18)

Mr. Nobody was created by Grant Morrison and Richard Case. Mr. Nobody is owned by DC Comics.

My Comic Book Collection: Weird Mystery Tales (1996)

I recently stumbled upon this small promotional comic book for DC Comics’ Weirdoverse line of books from 1996. I believe the Weirdoverse titles were DC’s attempt to reinsert some horror back into the DC Universe after Swamp Thing and his ilk fled to the Vertigo imprint. Characters from Night Force and Scare Tactics were featured in this ashcan.  As a fan of the original Night Force comic in the ‘80s, I happily sampled an issue or two of the rebooted effort, but I remember being underwhelmed by the book. I think I grabbed an issue of Scare Tactics from a dollar bin once. I wasn’t too impressed by that one either. I guess there’s a reason the Weirdoverse didn’t last that long.

Weird Mystery Tales belongs to DC Comics.

Another Recent Comic Haul (4/30/17)

Doom Patrol #6
Kamandi Challenge #4
Preacher #28
Scooby Doo Team-Up #25
Superman #20
Purchased at Bob's Comic Castle. Total amount: $16.01
Notes- I found Preacher in a dollar bin. It's in good condition and I was surprised to find it. You never know what you'll stumble across in a dollar bin...I wish I enjoyed Doom Patrol more than I do...I just added the upcoming Groo miniseries and Bug! to my pull list so my comic book budget is getting pretty tight. Kamandi may be on the chopping block...Picked up Superman on a whim and I found it rather delightful so it wins this particular haul.
Negative Man was created by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. DC Comics owns him.

My Comic Book Collection: Roger's Super Skittle Bowl

From a comic ad in DC Comics' Wonder Woman #201 (July-August 1972).

Saturday's Comic Haul (6/20/15)

All Star Section Eight #1
Astro City #24
Black Canary #1
Groo: Friends and Foes #6
House of Hem
Prez #1
Rick and Morty #2
SpongeBob Comics #45
The Walking Dead #142
Usagi Yojimbo #146
Purchased at Bob's Comic Castle. Total amount: $41 and change
Notes- Now this was a great haul! Of course, it was a pricey haul as well, but most of it was birthday money (Thanks, Todd!) so what the hay? We have two or three DC You titles, a fine collection of Fred Hembeck's work for Marvel, a couple comics by master cartoonists, and familiar favorites!...Black Canary has been one of my favorite superheroines since I was a kid, but I had no interest in following her New 52 version. However, I did read some good reviews of the first issue of her new book so I took a chance and bought it. I enjoyed the art and writing and the rock band concept, but I don't know if I'll be adding it to my pull pile or not. A case of too many books and not enough money!...The art for Prez was my ticket in the door. Plus a relaunch of a Joe Simon concept? Yeah, I'm in! (Remember I did buy the Green Team relaunch a couple years ago. At least, the first three or four issues!) The first issue of Prez made me laugh out loud a couple times so I think I'm along for the ride! At least, for now!...I never knew I needed a book featuring Section Eight until I heard it was getting solicited a few months back. However, the surprise return of Garth Ennis to DC Comics grabbed my attention for some reason. I collected Hitman back in the day. I don't think I stayed with the book until the bitter end, but I look back on its run rather fondly. Glad I decided to grab the first issue! Ennis and his old partner in crime, John McCrea, still enjoy kneecapping the superhero concept and smearing it with some gross out humor and general lewdness. I'm glad I don't live in Sixpack's world, but I don't mind being a spectator. In other words, All Star Section Eight is the winner of this haul!
Sixpack was created by Garth Ennis and John McCrea. He belongs to DC Comics.

Reep Daggle and My Weekend

As I type this. the weekend is drawing to a close and June is mere minutes away. It was a fun weekend for me. Saw some bad professional theater with some friends Saturday night and Sunday I celebrated my niece's upcoming high school graduation with my family at her open house. Bought a batch of good comic books, some art supplies for comic strips and cards, and a bag of salt for the water softener. Didn't get much accomplished writing wise. Did draw a graduation card for Keeley. I guess we'll see what the new week and new month with bring!
Chameleon Boy was created by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney. DC Comics

My Comic Book Collection: Bliss Alert

  Imagine my surprise as I was reading Astro City #14 when I stumbled upon a possible Pam Bliss sighting! And is that Mr. Sharkipede (a.k.a. Nick Bliss) standing by her side?   From Astro City #14 (October 2014). Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Brent Eric Anderson, lettering and design by John G. Roshell and Jimmy Betancourt, colors by Alex Sinclair and Wendy Broome, and edited by Kristy Quinn. DC Comics

My Recent Comic Haul (6/1/14)

  Dead Boy Detectives #6   Larfleeze #11   She-Hulk #3   Purchased at Bob's Comic Castle. Total amount: $9.60   Notes- I'm really liking She-Hulk at the moment. Javier Pulido's art is fantastic and Charles Soule's writing is fun and fitting for the character. Plus one of my favorite Marvel characters, Patsy Walker a.k.a. Hellcat, has a good supporting role as Jen Walters's private investigator. After FF wrapped up, I never thought I would have another Marvel comic on my pull list and now I have two (For the curious, Silver Surfer is the other one)!...Larfleeze is one issue away from being cancelled and I have to admit I won't really miss it much. It's a silly, little romp for the most part with an one-note character, but I enjoy the writing combo of Giffen and DeMatteis and Scott Kolins is one of the few current DC artists who knows how to draw. It's a lightweight book and I can see why it doesn't pull in the readers. But I will give them bonus points for reintroducing G'nort to the New 52 and basically keeping him the same as always (And, yes, that is a good thing!)...It's a small haul, but She-Hulk wins it!   Edwin Paine was created by Neil Gaiman, Matt Wagner, and Malcolm Jones III.

Today's Comic Haul (1/4/14)

  Dead Boy Detectives #1   Larfleeze #6   Purchased at Bob's Comic Castle. Total amount: $6.40   Notes- First haul of the year!...Sadden to hear recently that Sergio Aragones Funnies will be ending with #12. Guess it was designed to be a maxi-series instead of an ongoing. Boo on that!...As a fan of the characters, I was happy when Vertigo announced that the Dead Boy Detectives were getting their own series and the first issue didn't disappoint. In fact, it is the winner of today's haul!   Pulsar Stargrave belongs to DC Comics.

Yesterday's Comic Haul (11/10/13)

  Dial H #15   FF #13   The Fox #1   The Sandman: Overture #1   The Unwritten #55   Purchased at Bob's Comic Castle. Total amount: $20.26   Notes- Sorry to hear FF is drawing to a close. I guess it's understandable with Matt Fraction leaving and Mike Allred doing the new upcoming Silver Surfer title. FF has been a fun book that I look forward to and I'm going to miss Darla Deering and the Future Foundation kids...Still undecided if I'm going to follow the next volume of The Unwritten. It's been an iffy book for me the last year or so. I still enjoy the characters, but I keep leaving each new issue sitting in my pull pile for a bit before I purchase it. I guess the enthusiasm I had for the series has waned. It happens!...Was looking forward to The Fox. I like Dean Haspiel's art, but I wasn't blown away by the book. Still I'll give the next issue a shot...The winner for this week's haul? Sandman.   Merv Pumpkinhead was created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Malcolm Jones III. DC Comics

Yesterday's Comic Haul (7/13/13)

  Astro City #2   Dial H #14   The Walking Dead #112   12 Polypropylene Comic Book Bags   Purchased at Bob's Comic Castle. Total amount: $12 and change   Notes- Dial H is winding down. I believe the next issue is the last. I jumped onto the title a little too late, but I have enjoyed everything I read so far. I'll definitely keep an eye out for more of China Mieville's work in the future...This haul's winner? The Walking Dead beats out Astro City by a zombie nose.   ElepHaunt was created by China Mieville and Alberto Ponticello.

My Comic Book Collection: Where's My Swagger Stick?

  From a comic book ad in DC Comics' Weird Mystery Tales #10 (Feb-Mar 1974)

Yesterday's Comic Haul (3/9/13)

  Adventure Time #13   Dial H #10   Hellboy in Hell #4   The Unwritten #46   Bought at Bob's Comic Castle. Total cost: $13 and change   Note: Finally sampled the off-beat Dial H and I enjoyed it. Awesome cover from Brian Bolland.

My Comic Book Collection: Sugar and Spike #68

  I really should throw this away. The cover has tears, wrinkles, and a scribble from a blue ballpoint. It's missing some pages. Someone actually cut out half a page (Perhaps for the pint-size, do-it yourself X-Mas cards?) and three pieces of tape appear to be holding the book together. It looks like somebody stepped on it and gave it to a small dog as a chew toy. However, it's the only issue of Sugar and Spike I own and I'm keeping it.

My Comic Book Collection: Batman Family #9 (1977)

Catfight! Catfight! Well, actually it's more of a batfight or, to be fair, a bat-and-woman-in-Joker-drag fight (Joker drag fu?). No matter what you call it, Batgirl and The Joker's Daughter are locked in battle on this simple, but dynamic cover from Ernie Chua. Of course, I thought Barbara Gordon got her brown belt in judo, not hairpulling. Dirty pool, Babs!

I'm currently trying to write my first superhero comic in a long while and decided to dip into my comic book collection for some inspiration. I stumbled upon some of Bob Rozakis's Batman Family run and became reunited with his lighthearted, but fun storytelling. The type of comics I'm aiming for in my next project. Is it sad I miss the days when Batgirl wore high heeled boots to fight crime and Two-Face was old enough to have a teenaged daughter? Perhaps, but it would be cool if Bob Rozakis was still writing enjoyable comic books today. I know I would buy them!