Super-Blog Team-Up: Foundations: A Digest Story.

Posted: August 21, 2024 in Comic Blogs, Comics
Tags: #Superblogteamup, 1980s, 1980something, Comic Books, Comics, DC Comics, entertainment, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Retro comics, SBTU, Super-Blog Team Up, SuperHero Satellite

Welcome Back Satellite Subscribers! Super-Blog Team-Up is BACK! Today along with a selection of my blogging pal we are deep diving foundational moments in our comic collecting hobby. Be sure to join the gang after this post as you will find more of this exclusive SBTU content in the links below. Today I think we are diving into a topic that resonates deeply with many of us who grew up in the golden age of pop culture.

Many of us have had our individual “Foundational” moments in comic collecting journey and mine is very specific. As you will find out Thursday nights hold a special place in my heart as it was that one night a week growing up that I got extra comics. We will touch on that a bit later. Spoiler.. one of the triggers or foundations as a fan of why I jumped in with two feet into collecting was the comics digest! If you are not familiar you will find out what I mean very shortly. A Digest in publishing at the time was often a compact sized, publication featuring multiple points of content in one volume. These compact treasures played a pivotal role in shaping my love for comics and pop culture in general honestly. Without further adieu heroes Strap in tight the satellite is headed back to a grocery store in the early 1980s for the foundation of my comics collecting habit!

Personal Experience with Comic Book Digests

I stood at Sobeys grocery store in Clarenville Newfoundland in 1982 at the check out with my Dad as we did our regular Thursday night grocery shop. Every Thursday had been that evening where my Dad would get off from his job and always take me to the store and it alway added up

To me coming away like a bandit with a handful of comics or a toy! At the tender age of 8 that’s all the fun fuel I needed! I had gotten my first few comics in 81 when my Mother started work at a convenience store in the lower road in the town of Clarenville. This job allowed her to bring home plenty of comics that were sold in the store. That spinner rack introduced me to Batman, The Teen Titans, Spider-Man, and The Legion Of Superheroes. Keep the Legion in your mind, they will become important.

Back to the checkout lane. On the lane at this time were of course Archie digests which I had a couple at home already after unconsciously buying some. This time however I found one from DC comics my absolute favorite publisher in my one years worth of exposure to comics. They always seemed to have the BIG GUNS. Superman, Batman, Teen Titans, Wonder Woman.. these were MY heroes! I my hand I held Adventure Comics Digest 491 and I’ll never forget it. The cover trumpeted the “Triumphant Return Of Adventure Comics”!!! I had no idea it existed previously, so this was big! On the cover there were two features. One with a Superman like character I had never seen before in a Yellow and Red suit surrounded by like heroes, I would find this would be Shazam and the Marvel family! The hook for me was the other featured story with Superman/Boy and behind them a very different looking Legion of Superheroes.

For those blog readers and pod listeners know that one of two of the first comics I EVER purchased was a Legion of Superheroes issues 279 with the great Reflecto Saga reveal!! Long story short, I loved the Legion and this digest was going to feature their first two stories!!?? That was it. There was no choseing. I HAD to have it! My first of many many digests that would be purchased! It started HERE!

As a young comics reader, my first encounter with comic book digests was magical. These pocket-sized collections of older stories I didn’t read that sometimes continued into other issues or simply were short one and done stories that introduced me to a new hero. It was a gateway to the vast DC universe of superheroes, villains, and key adventures. I remember eagerly flipping through the pages, captivated by the colorful artwork and gripping stories. These digests were more than just reading material; they were a portal to a world where anything was possible. These books became my travel companion on road trips, vacation buddies and everyday home reading material. They were bathroom readers, essential reading for parents visits to other adults homes to keep me occupied. These books were portable babysitters and I loved them.

Origins of Comic Book Digests

I love the digest format itself. Comic book digests emerged in the 1970s as a way to create content and to cheaply repurpose and repackage existing comic book content. Publishers like Archie Comics (Yes we will talk later about the godfather of the digest world) and DC Comics saw an opportunity to reach a broader audience by offering affordable, portable collections of their most popular stories. These digests often featured a mix of reprints and new material, making them a must-have for both new readers (that’s me!) and seasoned readers looking to catch a reprint of some classic works.

Creative Teams Behind the Digests

Imagine packing the best comics has to offer in one single issue!!?? That’s the case for Archie and DCs Blue Ribbion digests!!The success of comic book digests can be attributed to the talented creative teams behind them. Legends like Bob Montana, Dan DeCarlo, and John Goldwater were instrumental in shaping the Archie Comics digests, while DC Comics’ digests featured the work of iconic creators such as Neal Adams, Curt Swan, and Carmine Infantino. These artists and writers brought their unique styles and storytelling prowess to the digests, ensuring they were of the highest quality with a “Best of” vibe and it worked! I have found memories of powering through DC Blue Ribbons “Best Of DCs Years Best Stories” issue 11 featuring the likes of a Cover pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Dick Giordano. Classic stories like “The Miraculous Return of Jonathan Kent” scripted by Cary Bates, pencils by iconic Superman artist Curt Swan, One of my favorite Batman stories “Dreadful Birthday Dear Joker …!”written by Len Wein, and pencils by the legendary Walt Simonson and inks by Dick Giordano. “The Man Who Was the World!” starring Superman & Deadman, another by Len Wein, art by DC style guide master Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez!!! Other stories featuring Sgt. Rock and the Legion Of Super-Heroes just examples of the quality of these publications!! This edition features a rock solid 132 pgs. at the unbelievable price of $0.95!! Do the inflation math on that one!!

And then…there is Archie…

Cultural Relevance and Time Frame

Comic book digests were a cultural phenomenon from the 1970s through the 1980s. Archie digest seemingly have been around forever when in fact Archie Digest #1 did not debut until 1973! One year before yours truly was born. They provided an accessible entry point for young readers to comics something that companies in 2024 desperately still try to solve the riddle of. Accessibility is key and digests helped to sustain interest in comic books during a time when the industry faced numerous challenges. You could count on them always being around in the 80s! Comic digests were often sold in supermarkets, drugstores, and newsstands, making them readily available to a wide audience. They were just THERE! Their sheer affordability and convenience made them a staple of childhood for us Gen Xers out there!!

The Birth of Archie Comics Digests

Trivia fun fact! The first Archie Digest was released in what year? If you guessed 1973 you would be right! I always thought that they were around since the 60s at the bare minimum but alas it was one year before my birthdate! This innovative digest format repackaged existing Archie comic book content into a smaller, more portable size, making it accessible and affordable for a wider audience. The Archie digests quickly became a hit, offering a mix of reprints and new stories that appealed to both new readers and long-time fans. The began to appear on the check out lanes in grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, magazine stands and more. They were everywhere. This would be a tectonic shift for the comics industry. Never before had there been such reach for a comics property.

Creative Minds Behind the Digests

The success of Archie Comics digests can be attributed to the talented creators who brought these stories to life. The artwork Inside Archie comics always maintained a consistent and familiar look. The early days with Bob Montana’s vintage Archie gang to Dan DeCarlo basically creating the style guide for the classic vintage Archie visual that maintains to this day, all the way to Dan Parents modern yet very similar version of the Archie gang. With these Archie legends they created a brand and you could count on their art to be consistently great and similar. It’s that method of maintaining their own house style that allowed the Archie digest to sustain. There were not many wide variations of the characters as there was a friendly home team style that was unique and often widely copied visual. I am talking to you Binky!

When many of the visuals maintain no matter what stories from whatever era you want to republish inside your digest it all fit together and looked seemless. Hats off to Archie for creative consistency. Yes there are many out there who are excited to contradict this statement..but hear me out…

Yes I know there are those who will point out the new more realistic style from the Mark Waid and Fiona Staples era Archie comics which did a fresh reboot of the stories to capture the Riverdale audiences that were wanting to see more mature stories similar to what they had been seeing onscreen. Francesco Francavilla also gave us a twisted and horrific look at our gang in Afterlife with Archie. The past decade has seen Archie and his pals updated yet kept the classic era firmly at the forefront and superserving their audiences both new and old buy NOT breaking or sacrificing their audiences but rather maintaining what works and making new attractive content separate and independent of the original format. Lessons can be taught and books should be written on Archie’s methods of staying relevant and taking care of it’s paying customers.

Cultural Impact and Disposability

Archie Comics digests were more than just a collection of stories; they were a cultural phenomenon. Archie’s popularity cannot be discounted. When people think “comics” Archie is usually low in the conversation of collectors and has a “disposable entertainment” component about them.They are the very foundation of the digest format. In many cases still to this very day Archie comics are often now the ONLY comic books found in the old haunts of supermarkets, drugstores, and newsstands and to this day the only monthly mainstream digests were easily accessible to a broad audience. Archie and the gang are quite possibly found in more homes than any other comic character in North America.

Enduring Popularity

So the question remains WHY? How has Archie remain relevant when other companies have struggled to stay relevant and sales worthy? Archie has an advantage and that is it’s penetration into old school avenues of retail as described above. While Marvel and DC have mostly given up on non direct retailers to sell their comics, Archie has weathered every storm and stayed in its permanent place on the prestigious registers of America’s top and smaller retailers. The digest format is still alive BECAUSE Archie and the gang keeps it alive. One of the reasons Archie Comics has remained relevant is its ability to adapt to changing times while staying true to its core characters and themes. With one look even a non comic fan knows who Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie are. have been fixtures in our lives that we take for granted. We know the age old story of Archie and his girls Betty and Veronica. We know he has his fumbling fun loving pal Jughead and arch nemesis Reggie and the antics that ensue. This timeless appeal has allowed Archie to remain a beloved part of pop culture.

Innovations and Expansions

Over the years, Archie Comics has expanded its universe and experimented with different genres. Believe it or not some of the best horror comics produced in modern times came from Archie. Do yourself a favor and check out “Afterlife with Archie”. This book shocked me with their approach to these classic characters. Imagine opening a book and seeing classic Archie characters savagely killed…for real. From Zombies to vampires to witches to his book was a hardcore horror book and our characters never felt so real!

Archie always maintained its own Superhero lines since it’s inception. The MLJ characters the Web, The Shield, The Fox, Comet and others have been published in different manners and even companies over the years. In house Archie super characters like Pure heart The Powerful and Captain Hero and the like.

All of this of course made for amazing digest content inside various Archie digest titles as back up features and extra content. It wasn’t only Archie being chased by Betty and Veronica, and Jughead eating burgers Archie was now telling stories much bigger than a 5 page mini story in the digest. Variety was another reason why Archie and his digest format maintains its position at your local grocery store or pharmacy!

The Horror-themed “Afterlife with Archie , to the Red Circle Heroes, to multiple toy franchise comics like Mantech to the Ultra Successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the company showed it was willing to incorporate, adapt and innovate where other companies mired in the same old same old! This flexibility has helped keep the brand fresh and engaging for new generations of readers. Archie adapts to the times.They are not afraid to showcase modern characters reflective of the times and that has made it timeless and relevant.

The Archie Legacy

Public perception of Archie Comics has generally been positive. The characters’ wholesome, all-American charm has resonated with readers for decades. Despite the occasional controversy and debates over modernizing characters or stories Archie’s appreciation for their audience has kept their legacy strong. Archie’s enduring relevance can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the characters are timeless and relatable, making them appealing to readers of all ages. Secondly, the company has successfully navigated the changing landscape of the comic book industry by embracing new formats and genres. Whether it’s a fun classic Archie’s grab bag of funny stories to the deadly series horrific vibe of Afterlife with Archie or the modern Riverdale inspired stories Archie just gets it’s audience both new and old and doesn’t sell one group of customers out for the other which it’s it’s signature win. The Archie digest still sits proudly alone at your local grocery stores while all other companies bigger and smaller have come and gone. The reason and answer why Archie remains alive in 2024 is simple…TRUST. Every fan new and old can TRUST them to deliver the product they want.

Foundational Conclusion

Archie Comics digests have played a foundational role in the comic book industry, keeping the spirit of comics alive for generations. Their enduring legacy is a testament to the timeless appeal of the Riverdale gang and the creative minds behind their stories. As we celebrate the history and impact of Archie Comics, we can look forward to many more years of adventures with our favorite characters.

Digests: The Final Word

Public perception of comic book digests was generally positive especially for my generation. Fans appreciated the convenience and affordability of the digests, as well as the opportunity to revisit classic stories. However, many purists preferred the original comic book format and viewed the digests as inferior. The trick for us digest enthusiasts is that the format itself has never been given its full credit which has created an industry in to itself as classic digests are often difficult to acquire in high grade. The disposable nature of the comics digest continued long after single issue comics fans discovered value in their comics in the early 80s with the collectors boom that exploded into the 90s. Digests didn’t fit into this market. They were still basic readers books, mostly unpreserved and undervalued. They were copies you will still find it around the house and in stores unprotected and “just there”. Collectors will be in for sticker shock or will discover how hard it is to actually track down some of these classic digests!

“Despite their popularity, comic book digests were not without their controversies. Some critics argued that the digests diluted the quality of the original comics by condensing them into smaller formats. Additionally, there were occasional disputes over copyright and royalties between publishers and creators. However, these issues did little to diminish the overall appeal and success of the digests.”

The legacy of comic book digests is undeniable. They introduced countless readers to the world of comics and helped to sustain the industry during challenging times. The digests also paved the way for other formats, such as trade paperbacks and graphic novels, which continue to thrive today. They often get overlooked as the trade is now the primary popular format however the digest format has never gone away with the likes of Archie keeping them alive but also we cannot discount the Young Adult audience which has made a form of the digest absolutely soar. Young Adult graphic novels are typically more compact digest sized volumes that have exploded in popularity and have technically sustained comics as a lifeline in times of decline.

Let’s discuss Manga! Manga is the digest format in modern times. The explosion of Manga and YA came at a very critical time in comics as the traditional single issue format began to lose its sales grip in the hobby. If not for the slabbing cottage industry that came to prominence during the pandemic era single issue sales may have been extinguished in popularity due to the customers taste shifting to the trade, Manga, YA formats almost exclusively. The classic digest itself however still felt, as they remain a cherished part of many collectors’ libraries.

A Modern Revival

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in retro pop culture, and comic book digests are no exception. Comic shelves are littered with re-released OG content! A whole other market has opened in comics with facsimile editions and nostalgia is alive and well. While classic digest format themselves have resurfaced in thick mass market trade editions there has never been a better. Publishers have begun to reissue classic digests style formats like Epic collections from Marvel containing classic works for a finally great price. It’s a great story of what worked then, can work now. Get out to your local comic book store and grab some of these amazing editions for sale today!

The Wrap Up

In closing Comic book digests were a foundational element of comic collecting for many Gen Xers. They were cheap, easy and action packed way to get a mega dose of content and be introduced to new and amazing characters all at once. For me it was my entry drug and the very foundation to my continued love of the comics medium! As we celebrate their legacy, we can appreciate the lasting impact they have had on pop culture and look forward to their potential revival.

Thank you for joining me on this compact “digestable” nostalgic journey, BUT there is more to come from the SBTU as Foundations continues! Be sure to visit the links below and check out more foundational moments in other collectable journeys! In the meantime Satellite Subscribers. Don’t forget to follow me on X by searching @Charlton_Hero and using #SuperHeroSatellite. End Transmission.

Super-Blog Team-Up Foundations continue right here!!

Between the Pages Blog – Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Star Trek https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2024/08/everything-i-need-to-know-i-learned-from-star-trek.html

TEAL Productions/NewsPrint Commando – Witzend A Foundational Comic (Link TBA)

Superhero Satellite: The Comics Digest. A foundational entryway to comics from Archie to DC Blue Ribbon and Beyond. (You are already here!!!)

Dave’s Comic Heroes Blog – Justice League Of America 200. https://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2024/08/justice-league-of-america-200.html

*51 – My First Next Issue, Incredible Hulk #333

http://asterisk51.blogspot.com

The Source Material Comics Podcast – “Traumatic Resonance – What I Learned from Deb Whitman” – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/super-blog-team-up-traumatic-resonance-what-i-learned-from-deb-whitman–61072981

DC Multiverae – What is a Penny Worth? Enough to Fund the Wayne Foundation https://earth-one-earth-two.blogspot.com/2024/08/what-is-penny-worth-enough-to-fund.html

That Captain Carrot Issue! Memories Unlocked!

Posted: March 31, 2024 in Comics
Tags: 1980s, 1980something, 80s Cartoons, Cartoons, Charlton Hero, Comic Books, Comics, DC Comics, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Retro, Retro comics, SBTU, Super-Blog Team Up, Super-Hero Satellite, SuperHero Satellite, SuperMan, Toys

Welcome back subscribers. It’s Easter Sunday 2024 and what better time to share a flash memory of my comics collecting heyday.. hope you enjoy!

Happy Easter Satellite subscribers. I had no intention of writing this morning however while read my Twitter Pal Dave’s blog this morning I ran into a comic I have always had a particular fondness and memories of! As it is Easter Sunday as of this writing I’ll quickly share this story if for nothing else than to preserve my memory.

Part of growing up for me were weekly trips to the grocery store with my Dad! Thursday which must have been payday we’re guaranteed trips to the local Co-op or the new Sobeys store in Clarenville and always scored me an action figure or a comic, or two.. sometimes three!! I was lucky! Not only picking out great food like C3POs cereal (Spoiler.. it sucked) but I always got a “treat”.

I am in this pic! I could not find a picture of the Handy Andy store but I did find the Handy Andy dory used in the Clarenville Day festivities!!

I recall a weekend, it was particularly sunny so it was definitely summer. It seemed to be early in the day and my father needed to go to the local Hardware store called Handy Andy in my hometown of Clarenville, NL Canada. Andy’s was overlooking the water and on the corner of a turn at the beginning of Clarenvilles “Lower Road”. It was originally called Handy Andy Associate store and was located on Marine Drive in Clarenville Newfoundland my hometown! It sold camping and fishing gear, bikes, and automotive parts. I can still smell the bike tires!! It was filled with bikes, camping stuff, and seemingly endless Bike tires.. I cannot downplay that smell! It was here I got three of my favorite comics and my official introduction to Captain Carrot!

I LOVED this book!! Fun memories triggered here! I bought this at the afore mentioned Hardware store on a trip with my Dad at the age of 7! I had ONLY seen Captain Carrot in ads in comics and that DC insert up to that point, so I remember it was a huge deal!!
They had a small wooden book shelf about mid store that housed a few car magazines, some decently sexist magazines of hot women, and in the middle of all that issues of Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! They clearly didn’t rotate their magazine because there were three consecutive issues there that day and I begged my Dad to get them and of course he did!

This one sat around my house for eternity. My copy is respectfully battered and sitting in a box in my parents basement. I just felt the urge to preserve this memory!

Here are the other two that ended up leaving Handy Andy with me that day! Thanks Dad!

Well with that out of the way, go read my pal Dave’s blog post which triggered this memory in my mind! Enjoy! Tell him Hero sent ya!

https://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2023/04/happy-easter-captain-carrot.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR1eHh_K5foXiU-0cguuJBz0W8l-x9xDGZTNMwe4_Zufv5Jy_gMXFteCGT4_aem_AS8Mx8t3oZy8VWJxus3XRGKL7HYVRI_vqJXpWiuH_y-377B6PW752aywrh_IIowXnkY

Super-Blog Team-Up: Bring On The Replacements: Reign Of The Supermen.

Posted: March 27, 2024 in Comic Blogs, Comics, DC Comics, Uncategorized
Tags: #Superblogteamup, Bring On The Replacements, Charlton Hero, Comics, Comics Blogs, Cyborg Superman, DC Comics, Death Of Superman, Doomsday, Eradicator, Marvel Comics, ReignOf The Supermen, Replacement Heroes, SBTU, Steel, Super-Blog Team Up, Super-Hero Satellite, Superboy, SuperMan

Welcome Back, Satellite Subscribers! Where were you when Superman died? I was at a sports card kiosk haggling with a nearly criminal vendor to get Superman number 75 for an outrageous price as the world who had previously ignored comics as an art form were suddenly trying to grab a piece of the action. While the Man Of Steel would be killed in an elaborate storyline the story didn’t not end there, instead it became the catalyst for the introduction to Superman’s replacement!! This story isn’t just about a group of replacement heroes, in fact one of the four names we will come to meet just may be the Man of Steel himself!!! Confused? We were too back in the day…but for those living in a Space Satellite lets enlighten you!

BEGINNINGS..

Our voyage begins with the cosmic collision of two monumental DC Comics events: the Death of Superman storyline and its two punch aftermath—the Reign of the Supermen saga. These seismic events rocked the comic book universe, leaving fans both devastated and exhilarated. But why did Superman meet his untimely demise? What drove this hasty narrative choice? And how did it reshape the landscape of superhero storytelling?

Death of Superman: A World in Mourning

I sat reading The Death Of Superman series and could not get over the intense amount of sadness I felt as I read the pages in front of me. I had collected Superman off and on since 1980. Superman was a fixture on TV, the big screen, on T-shirts, lunch boxes he was everywhere. Superman simply represented growing up…and DC killed him off in the Death Of Superman storyline as a sure-fire way to stay competitive in a comics industry that was riding high on a bubble of sales and outside competition. DC had fallen behind Marvel and the new comer Image, and they needed to make the big shot, and that shot was killing the Man Of Steel! The success of the event was unprecedented. The Death of Superman became a cultural phenomenon. Fans flocked to comic shops, money in hand to witness the Man of Steel’s final battle. The event’s sales figures skyrocketed, revitalizing not only DC Comics but also another massive injection to an already flourishing industry. But the impact extended beyond Superman. Other heroes faced their own trials, and DC rebranded its titles under the “Triangle Numbers” banner, experimenting with storytelling formats, and it worked! It didn’t just sit with comic fans. However, the world took notice.

You could not escape it. It adorned newspapers, newscasts, magazine covers…the Death of Superman was mainstream news! The risk was worth the payoff!! For a minute, it seemed DC was BACK!! The problem was the DC big gun was dead…and now we had to figure out how to move on?

The Rise of Marvel and Image Comics

Marvel Comics and Image Comics were on the ascent. Marvel’s X-Men and Spider-Man titles dominated the market, while Image, founded by superstar artists like Todd McFarlane and Jim Lee, introduced creator-owned properties that resonated with readers. Spawn, WildC.A.T.S., and Youngblood were among the most successful books, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and art. The industry had not seen such sales heights. Artists were mainstream celebrities, and the names of Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld were known outside of the 24-page periodicals they created monthly. The Death of Superman was intended to break the cycle, and it worked…almost. Behind the scenes the team assigned to Superman’s death namely Jerry Ordway, Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, and Mike Carlin had just killed off Superman and now began the herculean task of assembling the historic follow up. No pressure, right? It would be a bigger undertaking than anyone ever dreamed.

The Genesis of Doomsday

The story doesn’t begin without the creation and demise of Superman’s Achille’s heel himself…Enter Doomsday, a monstrous force with no formal backstory or any semblance of a moral compass. This chiseled rock style monstrosity named Doomsday emerged from an underground chamber, a green-clothed fist smashing through the Earth’s crust. He would go on a mindless destructive rampage, crushing everything in his path, including birds and snapping deer necks. No one could stop him…..Enter our hero, Superman. The two would engage on a massive battle that stretched over multiple issues with both characters literally killing each other to end the devastation. You see, Superman would save us all from our own Doomsday. Symbolic, right!!? With this big event out of the way now, our creative teams had to tell the story of life without a Superman.. and it was epic! With Superman’s demise, DC explored alternate ideas. Unused stories and characters floated in the creative ether. The industry buzzed with speculation. Would Superman return? Could someone else take up the mantle? The industry held its breath, awaiting the next chapter. That answer would come in 4 separate answers. The decision-makers at DC faced a monumental choice: how to replace Superman. The result?

Four new replacement characters emerged—Steel, Cyborg Superman, Superboy, and The Eradicator. Each claimed to be the true Man of Steel, sparking debates and intrigue. The advertising campaign teased that maybe these were not new heroes but somehow could be the Man Of Steel himself!! For the next year, fans would be told the story from 4 different perspectives as DC maintained strong sales on the backs of 4 untested commodities. Who were these 4 new Supermen?

Let’s introduce them, shall we!

THE MAN OF STEEL RETURNS…TECHNICALLY.

As the story goes, John Henry Irons Created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove First Appeared in Adventures of Superman #500. Steel was on the surface a modest steelworker named John Henry Irons. He bore witness to Superman’s death and committed himself to carry on his legacy of heroism. Steel was one of the most striking new heroes. Creators placed him a shiny silver high-tech suit of armor. He became Steel, wielding a mighty sledgehammer and a flashy red cape and Superman symbol on his chest. John Henry Irons was previously employed by a corrupt tech company called AmerTek, which developed destructive weapons that were being placed in the wrong hands. Seeing that he was in danger, John Henry Irons faked his own death and went into hiding as a common blue-collar Iron worker who, in secrecy, was a top-level weapons engineer. Upon seeing an opportunity to help out, John became STEEL, forging his very own classic steel super suit complete with a super hammer. Hammers are no longer the sole property of Marvels Thor! Thankfully, complete with cool look and super fun hammer, Steel was very popular, and sales of his own book were strong out of the gate. John Henry Irons’ blue-collar vibe resonated with readers, and as if he were born in 2024, Steel equaled true representation for people of color and symbolized resilience and determination. It was kind of perfect! I loved his design, hammer. It just worked!! His quest for justice gave the character an unlikely bond with Superman’s former girlfriend Lois Lane, which aided in his wars with gangs, his former company, and a host of Supe’s rogues gallery.

SUPERBOY RETURNS…SORT OF!

The Superboy introduced in Superman #500 (June 1993)is Kon-El, a modern update of the original Superboy. This new version was a creation of writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett, Here is the hook…this was not the old Superboy back in action, no this was…get ready for it. A teenage clone of both Superman and Lex Luthor!! Anyone who read comics back in the day knew one of the big buzz words was “Clone” Ask any Spiderman fan! Or…you know what? Please do not do that! Trauma is a nasty thing. This new Superboy’s debut marked a significant departure from the classic counterpart, who was essentially just a young Clark Kent operating as a superhero in Smallville while growing into his eventual role as the Man Of Steel. His arrival, however, was one of the major high points of The Reign Of Superman storyline, and he became a fast fan favorite! Kon-El, like the aforementioned Cyborg, emerged as one of the contenders vying for the mantle of Superman. His design is what made this character! He was clad in a distinctive costume. He sported Black boots trimmed in yellow! His legs were covered in red spandex and a classic blue bodice with a vintage Superman symbol! Stealing a page out of the Avengers 80s run, he wore a slick black leather jacket , red gloves, and cool shades! Kon-El was the 90s wrapped up in a bow, and he was cool!

The hero was aware of his clone roots, and that fact always kept him questioning his own identity! His relationship with Superman’s love Lois Lane, who saw the potential in this punky young teen contracted by his relationship with Lex Luthor, who obviously saw him as a super weapon! His own self reckoning between his birth as a clone or a hero was a fun ride and spin on the character despite me just wanting young Clark back. I enjoyed this character to its most as he sought to carry on Superman’s legacy but to stand on his own as no ones replacement! In our circle, we loved the new Superboy! How could we not! He WAS the 90s in a smaller package! He was a youthful, fresh, brash version of the Man Of Steel and just the fresh air that the Superman books sorely needed! Superman had become unrelatable in the 90s, and Kon-El was just the ticket! Superboy (Kon-El): A teenage clone with attitude, sporting a leather jacket and sunglasses. His rebellious spirit captured the zeitgeist of the ’90s.

DC GETS ITS OWN TERMINATOR…

If you lived in the 90s, you would have been a fan of the Terminator movie franchise! At the top of the Box Office, T2 would take theaters by storm, and Arnold Schwartzenegger was the biggest star in Hollywood. With this into consideration, it was no surprise that one of our Supermen would be a Cyborg..or a thinly veiled Terminator with less than honorable intentions! Intro the maniacal Cyborg Superman! Hank Henshaw, the man who would become Cyborg Superman, made his debut in Adventures of Superman #466(May 1990). Henshaw was an astronaut at NASA, Henshaw faced a solar flare disaster during a space shuttle experiment. The radiation exposure caused his body to mutate, leading to the tragic demise of his entire crew. Henshaw directly placed the blame on Superman for the accident, as you must understand despite the fact Henshaw’s consciousness did survive! He was transferred into Superman’s birthing matrix. It would be here that the sinister creation was born as he crafted a cybernetic body identical to Superman’s, becoming the DC equivalent to the Terminator, the Cyborg Superman. Cyborg Superman was created by the legendary Superman visionary Dan Jurgens, Cyborg Superman’s unique origin is a wonderful blend of tragedy, science fiction, and cosmic intrigue which was exactly what 90s fans of Superman desperately needed. Cyborg Superman would debut alongside two other of his compatriots in Adventures of Superman #466 (May 1990).

He conveniently appeared following the Death of Superman, claiming to be Superman himself! Crafting a wonderful lie of being brought back to life through the magic of Kryptonian science Henshaw was a wolf in sheep’s clothing as his intentions were not to save Metropolis and fill in the legacy of the Man of Steel but rather to destroy the legacy of the man who caused his near demise!! The mystery surrounding Cyborg was part of his charm. On the surface, this character was a good guy filling in the void left by Superman’s demise! Beneath the surface there were holes in Henshaw’s plan that led Supes’ wife Lois and Steel uncover Henshaw’s secret and then its war in Metropolis after that with Cyborg Superman becoming one of the most vicious villains during this period! He would find another adversary in the form of Green Lantern as well and even eventually served as a member of the Sinestro Corps!! Cyborg Superman would inevitably be the catalyst of the end of the Supermen storyline as he back the central bad guy. His descent into madness and his battle with Mongul in the overall narrative was a key win for the series of titles! For the Superman franchise overall, The Cyborg Superman sold books! He was one of the headline characters on many of the key books in the title moving forward up to and including the return of the man of steel!!

Total ERADICATION

Then came the Eradicator, a complex character from the Superman mythos. This particular character is actually considered an artifact rather than a human like being! The Eradicator made its debut in Action Comics Annual #2 (1989). Initially, it was an ancient Kryptonian artifact created by a dying alien racing to preserve their culture and ideals. Like any great idea, there are always those who use objects or weapons of great power for the purposes of evil, as was the story on Krypton. When a militaristic faction on Krypton corrupted the device, it became the “Eradicator.” This sentient, humanoid being took on the form of a super human figure in the vein of Superman himself and also possessed many of Superman’s powers, including strength, speed, invulnerability, heat vision, and flight. Its mission? To force Kryptonian culture upon Superman and Earth. Yup, the Eradicator was the political radicalized character of the 4 new characters introduced! However, over time, its interactions with Superman would turn it into a reluctant hero.

As it would be when The Eradicator appeared in the Reign of the Supermen storyline, many mistook him for the real article…just “OFF” in a manner of speaking! So following Superman’s apparent death at the hands of Doomsday, the Eradicator stepped in to fill the void. It became one of the four contenders vying for the mantle of Superman. Clad in a black bodysuit with a middle section of blue in the middle adorning the classic Superman iconic sigil the Eradicator looked like he meant business. Stylistically they separated him for the genuine article Superman by giving him a pair of wide view sunglasses and the classic flowing red Superman cape was now directly attached to the right and left top flanks of the Superman symbol. In summary, he looked completely 90’s badass!! The Eradicator was wielding immense power and began a campaign in Metropolis sought to maintain order in a ham-fisted manner devoid of bedside manner. Its struggle to balance its Kryptonian heritage with its newfound humanity added depth to the character. Originally, within my friend circle, we had big hopes for this character, and at least initially, his brutal mode of justice was just what the doctor ordered for the book. However…if you ask meThe Eradicator was a mixed bag. Some appreciated its complexity and hard-boiled edge the new man of steel had, but honestly, his backstory was a real challenge to follow. Over time, it evolved, taking on different forms and purposes. In the 2005–2006 aborted Superman film script, “Superman Lives,” the Eradicator played a significant role. Despite occasional ups and downs, this character remains an integral part of Superman’s legacy, embodying themes of identity, sacrifice, and redemption. The creative team behind the Eradicator includes writer Roger Stern, who brought this enigmatic figure. Stern’s vision allowed the Eradicator to grow from the Kryptonian artifact to a powerful, interesting being with conflicting motivations. Artists Jackson Guice and Brett Breeding brought this new Superman to life with their take on his contribution to its visual design. It was apparent that his look managed to showcase both its Kryptonian heritage and the superhero of the day.

The Resurrection: Superman Returns

But fear not dear subscribers! Superman’s return was inevitable. The cosmic energies of the Kryptonian Matrix resurrected him, and the world rejoiced. The creative teams behind this resurrection—names like Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, and Jerry Ordway—wove a tapestry of hope, legacy, and heroism. Their contributions echo through time, reminding us that even in the darkest hours, heroes endure.

Following a convoluted and overwrought story of Superman seeking escape from the afterlife DC went the long road around in concocting a storyline in which Supergirl who would actually be an Aline known as The Matrix transformed into Superman allowing him to be found alive amidst the wreckage mysteriously. The storyline following would be a slow burn as Superman reconciles his return and a return to his own life. DC did not hit the mark here, and the Return Of Superman storyline was not the sales success that The Death Of Superman and the launch of The Reign Of The Supermen was. DC pushed hard for LCS’s to buy up hard on his big return. However, event fatigue and multiple other market options had cooled the super books off.

If you live in 2024, the comic scene lives and dies on first appearances and new versions of classic characters. Modern Events like DC New 52, and Marvel’s too many to mention relaunches have lived and died on replacement character stories with recent versions of Spider-Man, The Punisher, Superman and many many others still cycling replacement characters in the mix in the name of driving the valuable sales and ticking off their respective fan bases. The theme has also become a very contentious and volatile issue that has effectively isolated factions of the fanbase, creating sales declines and divisions. However, at this moment in time, the Reign Of The Supermen was a financial success and still one of the most iconic storylines in Superman history. These 4 replacement heroes were one of the few examples of replacements being a good theme at the right place and the right time. What were your thoughts on these characters? Did you have a favorite? Who did you dislike the most? Let’s talk!!

End Transmission

Thank you, loyal Satellite Subscribers, for joining this cosmic expedition. Until next time, keep your antennas tuned, your capes fluttering, and your hearts soaring. Follow me on Twitter: @Charlton_Hero. Together, we’ll continue celebrating the Super-Blog Team-Up with more Replacement Hero Fun below!!

Super-Hero Satellite: The Reign Of The Supermen: You are here already!! https://charltonhero.wordpress.com/?p=6968

Asterisk 51: Not-So-Giant-Size X-Men

https://asterisk51.blogspot.com/2024/03/not-so-giant-size-x-men.html

The Telltale Mind: Replacement Heroes – When Marcus Johnson Finally Became Nick Fury

https://thetelltalemind.com/2024/03/27/replacement-heroes-when-marcus-johnson-finally-became-nick-fury

Dave’s Comics Heroes Blog: Blue Beetle (Secret Origins of Ted Kord)

https://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2024/03/secret-origins-of-blue-beetle.html

Between The Pages Blog:

I Am Groot! – The growth of Groot from a seed of an idea to the world’s most beloved tree.

https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2024/03/i-am-groot.html

In My Not So Humble Opinion: TBD

Source Material Comics Podcast: WE KILLED JASON TODD! – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sm-jason-todd-final–59155782

Super-Blog Team-Up: X-Men/Avengers 60 Wolverine Style.

Posted: July 26, 2023 in Uncategorized

SUPER-BLOG TEAM-UP is back!! This time out, our mighty band of brothers and sisters tackle two of Marvel’s comics’ ultimate properties…X-Men and The Avengers. Join me as I dive in fashionably late with a fun ride discussing the highs and lows of Canadian Wolverine style! When you are done, check out more work by the remaining members of our team by clicking links at the bottom of this post for much more fun!!

Welcome, Satellite Subscribers, to another exciting transmission from The Superhero Satellite! Today, we delve into the ever-evolving fashion worn by Marvel’s iconic team of mutants, the X-Men, more specifically…Wolverine through the ages.

From his early appearances in comic books to their on-screen adaptations, the X-Men have showcased a wide array of stylish costumes that have captivated fans for decades but Logan has been there the entire time making the most drastic changes of them all. So, strap in and get ready to explore the fashionable journey of the X-Men through the ages!

Begin Transmission: July 26, 2023

I was born in 1974 along with one of comics’ most popular characters, Marvels Wolverine. Busting out of the last panel of Hulk issue 180, this Canadian hot tempered claw weilding anti hero would become at one point Marvels most bankable character. When people say the line “You’ve come a long way baby,” it applies to Logan and his fashion choices. Let us dive into the ever evolving looks of Wolverine.

1974 The Original Blue and Yellow debut costume. Wolverine appeared smaller and more compact in his debut incarnation. More feral in design this classic look came from the brainchild of John Romita Sr. The curious addition of the whiskers and claw embedded gloves was a starting point for future iterations of the character. It all started here, folks. The shoulder fins were much less defined then they would come to be later, and the headdress featured a lower profile eye Finn than what we know of Wolverine in his most popular incarnation. This was a good start, though. The barebones of what was to come were here. 7/10

1975 Classic Wolverine. This is it. Minor tweaks equals huge gains. This suit still maintains the basic color and design elements of his 74 debut costume. This is considered his classic look. Changes included enlarged shoulder blades. The higher profile gives the costume that additional aesthetic that really works. The bright yellow mixed with blue matches what the X-Men as a group would all end up looking like. The biggest change would be the mask and the elongated eye fins that really give Wolverine his vintage look. This design is revisited many times later with different additions and subtractions.An apparent Gil Kane illustration error on Wolverines Giant Size X-Men#1 team debut would lead to permanent design changes by popular X artist Dave Cockrum who ran with Kanes interpretation and we could not have been happier with a screw up than this one. Near perfection achieved. The pointed headpiece would reach it perfect final form many years later, but this was it genesis. 9/10

1977. The often maligned “Fang” Wolverine costume was considered the middle finger to the new creative team that would replace Dave Cockrum on The Uncanny X-Men, which had been showing promising sales under the Cockrum era. Dave Cockrum preparing his departure on the book and possibly filled with sour grapes took the popular Yellow and Blue suit to a modified tribal animal style suit with a muted yellow suit framed down the middle with a black/Grey look complete with teeth necklace, arm bands, belt, and boot trim. Gone was the classic cowl/helmet, and an unmasked Logan showed his face and stylized hair. Not considered a fan favorite, the Fang teeth costume remains unpopular with fans and was one of the first thing new X artist John Byrne would annihilate upon his entrance to the book. Gaudy, strange and ugly. Total misfire…maybe intentionally so. 4/10

1980. The Byrne costume. Despite 6 back the classic 75 suit, Byrne hated the color of the suit and changed up the color scheme to a muted mustard yellow and….brown!!? Yes brown..with a red belt!!?. Guess what? It works. The Byrne 1980 edition introduced an element of the character that would live on to this day..body hair. His arms were depicted with a healthy or unhealthy one, depending on your grooming preferences and abundance of arm hair. A very popular and enduring costume, this costume ranks number two in the best designs old Logan would ever wear. I am deducting a point and a half for color scheme, though. The evolution of the mask continued here. 8.5/10

1988. Patch. For context, Wolverine was at an all-time popularity high. People ate up his X-Men Appearances. Wolverine was crossing over in all the titles you could imagine. Our favorite Canadian was at the top of all top 10 lists. It was safe to assume that his solo series was gonna be great….until we met patch. Without his classic costumes or look, stripped of his core supporting cast and X buddies, Logan was sent to Madripor for adventures. Straight talk..it sucked. Dressed in a plain black sleeveless costume, pointy hair and face makeup, you could not have disappointed a fan base craving the Wolverine that they made into a million dollar property. Illustrated by legendary John Buscema Logan could not have been less intriguing. Major fail. 2/10.

1991. The Jim Lee. Worry not..good times were here again!! Despite not wearing his head gear, hot X artist Jim Lee relaunched X-Men in a major way, breaking records in his path. It was the 90s and everything was burning hot including Wolverine who even in his own solo book had ditched his sad Patch look but Lee put him back in a familiar Blue and Yellow costume…along with the entire team. Yes, Blue and Yellow were once again the classic official color for the X Men!! The suit was ablazomed with a stylish red “X” belt, and the design harkened back to the original yellow and dark blue/black OG X costumes from the long ago. It was a choice adopted responding positively by the fan base and myself. Despite no headpiece returning, this looked as “Wolverine-ish” as possible. Much ballyhoo and merch was created with this design. I am still a massive fan of this costume. 9.5/10

1992-1994. With some Art Adams headpiece inspiration, Wolverines costume reaches perfection in 1992. The bold yellow and blue..the red belt..the shoulder fins with the high boots. Perfection was achieved pulling for all popular incarnations. This was known as the Classic look 2. The team of Byrne and Lee wrote this “Real Costume” back into existence. This was a merchandise and advertising bonanza. Fans applauded the final form Wolverine and the fan based rejoiced….until 1994 when Magneto pulls Wolverines adamantium out of his body. Then it is replaced with Bone claws…yes..bone claws. Sounds cool, right? Nope..it sucked and fans hated it. The costume was still there, but the clincher were the claws, and now they were jagged and not pleasing to the naked eye.

1992 10/10 Perfection Achieved.

1994 8.0/10 Bone claws costed this perfect costume points.

1996. The Noseless era. We make choices in life. Some good.. some bad. This creative team made such a mess of the character’s visual depiction. Fan response to Bone claw Wolverine was muted. Fans begged for the adamantium to come back, and sure enough, here it was.. but creative wouldn’t allow it to happen smoothly. No, sir. You see, his body would partially reject the metal, and as a result, he would basically lose..his nose!!?? Yes. Wolverines looked resembled that of a cave man like appearance facially. His nose flattened out and simply looked..well..stupid. Creative eventually tried to cover it up with a blue mask/ do-rag combo. It didn’t matter. This would be the second time in the character’s history where fans outright rejected his visual. Fortunately, a well-timed X-Men movie would make sure the universe re-connect this disaster away and sent it back from hell from whence it came. 3/10. Three points for basic classic costume elements.

2000. Hugh Jackman Wolverine. The 2000 X-Men live action film spawned a whole new era of our claw poppin Canadian. From his Civilian look sporting tight jeans and cool leather jacket to the black leather X ladder X-Men uniform, how about 2009s White tank top and tight jeans to basically ripped and shirtless in 2013 The Jackman era Cinematic Wolverine became the inspiration for many of his modern looks. His face structure, hair, and even clothing elements from the films found their way into the comics. Hugh Jackman …like Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury…was Wolverine!! 6.5/10

2000/2002 Evolution Wolverine. The updated X-Men movies also say our X-Friends head back to the animated screen. Taking major inspiration for the Byrne era Brown uniform, this Orange and Black look really worked.

Two seasons later the show was running on fumes and took a decidedly different turn taking movie elements in their stories swapped the orange and black for a spin on the Cinematic Hugh Jackman style black costume with some subtle yellow add ons for color differentiation on screen. The 2002 era Evolution 2 suit would be seen again in the comics .. but not right away.

2000 Orange and Black 8/10

2002 Black w/ Yellow accents 6/10

2001/2003 Ultimate Wolverine. With Jackmans live action, Wolvie tearing up the screen and the animated Evolution Wolverine, making the kids happy at home.. Marvel brought change to the comic with an all new revamped simplified origin Wolverine deemed to be more accessible. The 2001 Ultimate Wolverine suit looked quite simply.. hideous. Black pants, fore arm guards, and yellow bodice. This Wolverine looked like a Cirque Du Soleil performer.

Fortunately 2 years later they corrected their ways and directly aligned his costume with the animated series mirroring his Evolution season 3 uniform with some modified yellow accents including a bright belt for contrast compared to the animated series suit that inspired it. A big improvement. The Ultimate suits were a gesture to align costumes with the Wolverine from other media, and they figured it out.

2001 Ultimate Costume 4/10

2003 Ultimate Costume 6.5/10

2004 Astonishing. The Astonishing X-Men was another massive volley for Marvel to bring back the glory days of the 80s Byrne/Claremont era or The Lee/Byrne 90s era. It was moderately successfully but its biggest win was the costuming. This suit is a take on the very first Wolverine costume, and it cleans up its mistakes. Gone are the Cornball whiskers..the mask ears are smaller in scale, giving the mask a whole new vibe yet feeling very retro. This was a massive hit for X fans who applauded Whedon, and Cassadays attempts to reimagine our favorite mutants with visually stunning looks. Wolverine was the standout out of all the various retooled x-costumes.

Astonishing. 8/10

Finally…our last version..

X-Force Stealth Costume. A classic Art Adams/ John Byrne suit in two-tone grey and black. This suit was in use for 58 months and really made an impression as Wolverine finally made his signature break out mark on an entire new team. It was met with a very positive response and garnered a longer run than expected..

X-Force stealth. 7.5/1

Well, folks, that’s a wrap for another edition of Super-Blog Team-Up! But don’t stop here. Our fun continues with the rest of our blogging brigade!! Be sure to check the links below and keep the X and A love going! Tell em Hero sent ya!

Between The Pages Blog

Avengers & X-Men 60th Birthday Party

https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2023/07/avengers-x-men-60th-birthday-party.html

*51: You Can Do That in a Superhero Comic?!? (Uncanny X-Men #297)
https://asterisk51.blogspot.com/2023/07/uncanny-x-men-297-you-can-do-that-in.html

SNAP Material (podcast): Marvel SNAP On-Air Battle – “West Coast Avengers (Evan) vs. X-Force (Jesse)”

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/56204747

Source Material Comics Podcast: “Ultron vs. Nimrod: An AI Perspective”

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/56192307

Dave’s Comics Heroes Blog:

X-Men And Avengers Beginnings

https://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2023/07/x-men-and-avengers-beginnings.html

Super-Blog Team-Up: X-Men/Avengers 60. Wolverine Style.

A deep dive into the ever evolving Canadian Claw Poppers Fashion. His most popular looks ranked for your pleasure!!

You are already here!!! Thanks for coming follow us on Twitter or “X” as it is now called appropriately and use the hashtags #SuperBlogTeamUp or #SBTU to follow all the posts!

Fandom Strikes Again? The Case Against Frank Millers Wolverine.

Posted: May 17, 2023 in Comics
Tags: #80sCOMICS, #DCComics, #ExpandedUniverse, #MarvelComics, #TheDarkKnightReturns #Daredevil #FrankMiller.#FrankMillerWolverine #XMen #Wolverine #FrankMillerDaredevil, 1980something, 80s #SinCity, 80s Comics, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Tv

Begin Transmission:

May 17th, 2023

Hello Satellite Subscribers! It’s your friendly Captain of the Blogospheres Retro Satellite Charlton Hero here. We are gonna dig deep into a discussion on what makes comic book art good or bad. This stems from a controversy currently brewing with comic book legend Frank Miller, he of Daredevil and Batman fame. Recently, Miller released a series of artwork for Marvel comics featuring stylistic versions of some of their most popular characters such as Moon Knight, Blade, The Thing… and Wolverine pictured above that sent Comic book.Twitter ablaze. Suddenly, Frank Miller was trending, and camps came out to support and tear down the man who gave us The Dark Knight Returns. Why the change? What’s the controversy about? This is the Case Against Frank Miller. Where do you fall?

CBR presented this article concerning fandoms attack on Frank Miller for his recent depiction of several Marvel characters most famously his take on Wolverine which drew fire from segementsnof comics fandom with the spin of “Fan Inflexibility” being the reason this work was not being universally accepted..

Whooooah, slow the boat down here. This article is trying to pass off Miller’s current product as the fans’ problem and a proposed non willingness to accept anything outside of what they term a Neal Adam’s “House Style.” This can’t be further from the truth.

The article points out examples like Bill Sienkiewicz, and David Mazzucchelli as folks who intentionally use and are often criticized for their unique and divisive styles. Neither man boasted a solid signature style nor where they particularly striking in their work prior to their interpretation periods.

Bill on New Mutants and David on Batman, both of whom drew their own harsh critics at the time for their work ..but it’s not the same with Miller. Here is why.

Miller was a completely 100% different artist on books like Daredevil and Spiderman. We saw flashes of his own style when he would Ink himself but many times Miller was complimented by a Klause Janson or a Lynn Varley who mainstreamed some of his work.

Then, in 1986, the Dark Knight Returns hit shelves, and suddenly, we had a new Miller. Simpler, rugged , moody, but alarm bells went off with some who knew his previous work. The details were missing. The faces and backgrounds were mere unfinished lines. This was not your Daddys Frank Miller.. but we loved it! In fact, DKR changed the way we accepted art in comics. The masters of the day, like George Perez, John Byrne, and Neal Adam’s, all boasted realistic, highly detailed characters with the focus on look and depth. This was NOT what Miller gave us and would continue to evolve the style in Dark Knight.

Notably Miller’s signature work Sin City would highlight his transition into a highly stylized , angular, black and white work that set the industry abuzz.This was truly Miller standing on his own in his own world he created and we loved it.

Up to this point we have seen three eras of Miller. The commercial Daredevil style , the loose rugged Dark Knight Returns mega work and the hyper stylized Sin City works. Nothing looked like Frank Miller. He stood on his own world…and then The Dark Knight Strikes Again hits shelves. The sequel to the biggest Batman Story was set to hit shelves by the man who singlehandedly changed Batmans , look, vibe, and mission forever…and the 4th chapter and modern day incarnation is born.

Using the vibes of Dark Knight Returns , Strikes Again saw a very loose, heavily stylized, and harsh, almost angry version of the DCU. Fans reacted very negatively calling the work “Ugly” and “Hateful” Miller was sort of going back to his Dark Knight Returns style but this time it felt like a man filling pages for the sake of filling pages. Let’s keep in mind, however, there are some good pages in DK Strikes Again, but those are washed away by what I would call a shocking body of work world’s apart from his commercial beginnings. Miller had changed but had gone too far down the road where his work was now not heralded but not the bearer of high critic and outright fan angst.

It was intense the backlash that carries over to this day, and Miller did not double down on the reversing course. Rather, he leaned in to his latest style, heavy despite the fan base.. almost inspite of it. This is where we finally land on the modern take on Wolverine that had the internet fighting amongst themselves. Two camps have distinctly formed of lovers and haters, but the latest Wolverine depiction represents a bold, artistic, interesting art to one camp of critics and a lazy, angry , decidedly ugly version of Logan to the opposing side. My opinion doesn’t matter what does is what exactly about this image that makes this work so utterly decisive?

The faces for one. The harsh angular non human look appears commercially bankrupt. This is a long walk away from the beauty lines of Spider-Mans Romita Sr. The closest modern equivalent is the equally spotlighted John Romita Jr. Whose own artstyle transformed it into a modern Miller-esque style.

The poses. The non human crouches, fists, and action makes the character on the page look physically uncomfortable. It’s like bending into the most uncomfortable pose and staying there for two hours it’s painful and on paper it looks that way too. Wolverines legs on that post are bent so harshly it looks harmful to the body and almost anatomically impossible, not that matters in comics where artists have made a living bending heroes into positions they can’t possibly achieve.. the only difference we are not swinging through a city with our legs in the air we are crouching low with pained expressions and the characters and vibe is discomfort ..for the readers as well.

Miller in interviews hastily fired back on fans and his current style, noting he just wants to relax and have fun. Of course, that is what we all want in life, but segments of the fan base look at this as simply not caring anymore and delivering intentionally “poor” work. Do I believe that Miller is a terrible artist? Absolutely not. Do I think there are times work gets green lit that other artists would have been handed back to “fix”?.100%. It’s what I call the Miller pass given to selected artists who have an established cache with fans and built-in forgiveness is given.

So what ever camp you stay in Miller’s modern style is here to stay as he is now in his 60s and this 300 era style is here to stay to our joy or chagrin.

Pick up his work and follow his evolution it stands as one of comics biggest artistic transformations and while we argue whether or not that Wolverine image is brilliant or it sucks …remind yourself that Frank Miller is selling out his Wolverine variant cover. That’s all you need to know.

Till next time, Satellite fans!!

Transmission Ended.

Big Trak: The most underrated Toy Vehicle of the 1970s

Posted: April 30, 2023 in Retro Toye
Tags: #SaturdayMorningCartoons, 1980something, 70s TV Shows, 80s toys, 80s Tv, Rare Toys, Retail, Retro, Retro Toys, RetroGaming, Revell, Sears catalogue, Sears Wish Book Christmas Catalog, Toy Tie ins, Toys, Tv

Welcome back, Satellite Subscribers. Today, the satellite archives are open to discuss a lost piece of legendary playtime machinery that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. Computer..retrieve information on the most underrated toy of the 1970s..one I have always wanted to own and one day will…The infamous Big Trak!

Transmission begins March 29 2023

Milton Bradley’s Big Trak was, without a doubt, one of the coolest toys of its time. Released in the same year that brought us classics like Alien and Mad Max, Big Trak fit perfectly into the futuristic toy trends of the late ’70s and early ’80s. The toy consisted of a remote-controlled tank-style vehicle that could be programmed to move in any direction and fire a plastic missile from its launcher.

The Big Trak vehicle also included a programmable deck that could be used to program the toy’s movements. It was the design that really made this thing stand out, of course. The tank’s design was sleek and futuristic, with a distinctively sci-fi look that was sure to impress.

But what makes Big Trak so enduringly popular among collectors and retro toy enthusiasts is not just its stylish design or innovative programming features, but also the fun and engaging gameplay it provided. Big Trak resembled a futuristic utility vehicle that could have been used by Moon astronauts or aliens. It has six wheels (two drive wheels), a “photon beam” headlamp, and a keypad on top.

Owners could program up to 16 unique commands, using several presses of the directional directives combining into single commands, such as “move forward 10” or “turn right 90 degrees”. This thing felt real, and there was a real sense of accomplishment when you got this thing moving the way you want. Kids got very creative with this thing, especially with its trailer attachment, which took it from a toy to a working servant that could deliver items to anywhere in the house.

Unlike many contemporary toys, Big Trak had a sense of autonomy and unpredictability that made it feel more like a real robot companion than just a toy. Kids could set up obstacles and challenges for their Big Trak to overcome, and the toy’s ability to fire missiles made for exciting and dramatic action sequences.

Milton Bradley was no stranger to making popular toys in the ’70s and ’80s, but Big Trax remains one of their most beloved and sought-after creations. The company was founded in the mid-19th century by Milton Bradley, who began making board games in Springfield, Massachusetts. Over the years, the company expanded to include toys, puzzles, and even video games. But it was Big Trax that truly captured the imagination of a generation of kids.

Today, Big Trak is among the most popular vintage toys, with a loyal fan base of collectors and enthusiasts. Its enduring legacy can be attributed to its innovative design, engaging gameplay, and distinctive style. While here have been plenty of other remote-controlled toys since then, none have captured the magic of Big Trak quite like the original. So if you’re a retro toy buff looking to relive the glory days of the late ’70s, Big Trax is definitely worth adding to your collection!

Transmission End…

Thanks for joining the satellite crew today for this briefing ..now get out there and track this down for your collection! Happy Hunting!

Stan Lee 100

Posted: December 29, 2022 in Comics, Film
Tags: #80sCOMICS, #SaturdayMorningCartoons, #StanLee #StanLee100, #Transformers, 1980s, 1980something, 70s cartoons, 70s TV Shows, 80s Cartoons, 80s Comics, Cartoons, Marvel, Marvel Comics, SBTU, Venom

Stan Lee was my hero…

Begin Transmission..

When someone says the term Marvel Comics, my mind instantly goes to one name. Stan Lee. He was the ultimate pitchman. He made you believe that anyone could be a hero. When he spoke, people paid attention. His bombastic verbiage and his ability to speak were unmatched. His delivery was as masterful as any salesman, television.evangelist, or carnival barker. Anyone can sell a car, but when Stan Lee sold you something, you walked away believing that you had the best, most exciting car you ever drove. There is a section of comics culture that tries to dimisnish Stan’s contributions. Who created what? Was it all Jack Kirby? Was it Ditko? Fact is, no matter what the reality is, the single figure you associated with Marvel and their hero’s was Stan. He was the Walt Disney to the Disney company! The Steve Jobs to Apple. Stan made his characters much more than comic book fare.. he made them feel real.. he made them OUR heroes. Marvel with Stan at the helm was the peoples comics company, and our minds went to worlds we could not even imagine. This was the wonder of Stan Lee. His impact is as much alive today as ever before. His life’s work is on every TV, movies screen, toy shelf , video game, and merchandise stand you can see. Stan Lee created a cultural phenomenon, and his legacy is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stan sowed the seeds of the biggest cinematic film series ever created, and it started as a result of Stan Lees’ masterful salesmanship. If you ever wondered how it began, pull up a seat as I tell you a tale of the beginnings of how we got here.

Stan Lee was an aspiring writer who ended up working in the comics industry. Lee made his way from office flunky to editor in short order as his predasessors were either fired or quit leaving Stan the last man standing in the office, and he took his new position of authority dead serious. Stan found himself in a position where he was now dictating many creators who were many years his senior. The content produced was not creatively satisfying for Stan. As a writer himself, he knew the quality of output he was making was schlock, and his work doing romance or funny animal stories was leaving him creatively bankrupt. Stan was tired of working for Martin Goodmans comic book company and was planning his exit. As fate would have it Stan discussed his dismay with his wife Joan. She urged him to write one more story the way HE would have wanted to write it!

Lee was open his entire career about wanting to be considered a serious author one who would write the next big American novel and comics were considered disposable entertainment, “kids stuff” that wasn’t considered high calibre professional works. When Joan suggested that he write a book “his” way …and…he did.

Stan’s way…would become the Marvel Way, but no one knew it at the time. What even was the Marvel Way? It didn’t exist, but Stan was about to make it up. Stan did something other companies at the time didn’t do. He grounded his heroes and stories with a sense of everyman reality. He just didn’t write a story of a man from another planet with unlimited powers and an indestructible perfect human. Stan saw fault in this. Superman, for example, was perfect. Many kids could never be Superman. Of course, with perfection comes story limitation. If you are writing about an invincible hero who is the strongest, fastest, and most good-looking guy out there, the story gets cold quickly. Where were the interesting flaws? Where were the real storytelling aspects real people could relate to?

Stan took the concept of the Everyman hero with real issues and problems and thrust them on paper as a dysfunctional four member super team where nothing was perfect, but the stories were boundless. The team had relationship drama and infighting, and some characters battled with the idea of even being a hero in the first place. That creation was The Fantasic Four, and it was considered the day one creation point for modern Marvel writing and the launch pad for the Marvel Universe. His “last” comic book, written in collaboration with the brilliant co-creator Jack Kirby, was The Fantastic Four, which launched the Marvel Age of comics and sparked a steady stream of new concepts and characters, Thor, Black Panther, and The X-Men. Stan had a keen eye for the culture at the time and realized early on that they might translate easily to other media. Boy, would he be right! Stans vision for his heroes would be the starting point for how comic books’ transitioned from print to film and television, merchandise and beyond the scope of his wildest dreams but for our purposes we will focus on the very beginning of the tradition from the comics page to the small screen.

In 66, Lee contributed to Grantray-Lawrences The Marvel Super Heroes animated series while still working at Marvel in a multitude of roles such as editor, art director, and writer! Lees work on the shows was invaluable as he helped shape stories written ironically by him and authors and co creators like Jack Kirby, Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko, and more. even though Goodman negotiated the deal with Grantray-Lawrence Lee would be the one moving the various parts to get the projects green lighted and Marvels Superhero’s would no longer be relegated to the comic book page but now for the first time would be seen in living color and action on our TV screens! The seeds of the MCU were planted here..

Heroes included Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, and Namor as the main characters of the series. Each character had their own miniseries or show that repurposed stories from recent Marvel comics.Some would say the “animation” was crude.I always loved the show. The fact that the cartoon looked just like a comic book gave it the charm that I loved! The producers literally took comics panel directly from the comics and literally particularly animated portions of the picture to show motion or action. The closest thing I can compare it to would be a modern motion comic.In order to give the impression of animation and some lip-syncing, the animation typically consisted of photocopied images taken directly from recent issues of the comics featuring the different characters, or even from early issues of The Avengers. While not technically groundbreaking from an animation standpoint, the fact remained that Marvel now became part of homes all across the nation. The competition was paying attention and producing cartoon fare of their own, but something was different. The mood was changing. Marvel not surprisingly won over devoted followers with the television series and its iconic catchy theme songs for Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man had all of us singing along.

1967 gave us the FANTASTIC FOUR animated series from Hanna Barbera Which heavily adapted Lee and Kirby’s Fantastic Four work.

Characters like The Mole Man and Galactus debuted! If you haven’t seen the show It featured an amazing episode detailing Dr. Doom’s origin story. Hanna Barbera with master artist Alex Toth reimagined concepts like the Skrulls and the Silver Surfer but the fact remained despite Lee not being directly involved many of the stories were based on the early Lee and Kirby Fantastic Four issues.

Stan knew he had something here. This is when Marvels ultimate pitch man went to work and chased further applications for his characters and pushed forward for more..

Although not directly involved, Lee’s influence on the 1967 Hanna-Barbera Fantastic Four animated series could still be felt because of the material the creators adapted. Key antagonists from the episodes included The Mole Man and Galactus and Dr. Doom’s origin story received an entire episode. While they were reimagined by Hanna-Barbera and comics legend Alex Toth, the Skrulls and the Silver Surfer also made appearances. Many of the stories were based on the early Lee and Kirby Fantastic Four issues.

Of course, then there was the grand daddy of them all the legendary Spider-Man series from 1967. Produced by Gantray Lawrence and later Kratnz films Spider-Man is considered Marvels most iconic early animation achievement. This show was in constant rotation at my house. It aired practically every day. It was a fixture on Saturday mornings in key time slots on Canadian television. It was a staple of Canadian early weekday mornings before school!

Spider-Man’s adventures were comfort food for me, and any episodes featuring members of the Sinister Six were always my favorites. From the simply irresistible theme song of the series to the outlandish tone and scope of the 6 showed fans what made Marvel different from its distinguished competition. Peter Parker Spider-Man real life identity battled taking care of his aging Aunt May while trying to hold down a job as a photographer for the Daily Bugle, the pressures of school, women and everything a real life teen of the era would go through. It lasted three very distinct seasons, each one particularly the third season wildly different in tone and budget. Spider-Man became the beloved signature hero of Marvel comics at that point and forever linked to Stan Lees’ career from that moment forward. With minor success in the animation department, Lee had visions that Hollywood would be their next stop.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK, SPIDER-MAN, AND DR. STRANGE APPEAR ON TV IN THE 1970S.

Stan’s ambitions took him outside of the office on a tour circuit. Whether it was speaking engagements at university’s, publicity events Stan was in full steam pitchman mode. Lee’s personality was the reason why Marvel landed in areas where you would never see comic book related fare. Stan was THE living and breathing symbol of Marvel comics, and he loved and soaked up that attention in pursuit of making this company more than a magazine with cool colors and pictures. Marvel invaded toy shelves. Marvel Blacklight posters adorned many kids’ walls, and the Mighty Marvel Marching Society was even spinning on vinyl on record players of the time.

When Lee took over as publisher of Marvel Comics in 1972, he largely delegated writing and creative work to a new group of authors, illustrators, and editors. Lee found himself guiding the Marvel heroes through Hollywood as the characters started to emerge in the uncharted territory of live action, even though he continued to be involved in some creative aspects of the business, such as the daily Spider-Man comic strip.

All roads led to the first live action show for Marvel comics. The genesis for the MCU was here. The beginning of a multi-billion dollar media franchise began unsuspecting one winter evening, and the world was ready. The Incredible Hulk made its television debut in November of 1977 with a two hour pilot airing on CBS. The show featured Lou Ferigno as Hulk and the incredible Bill Bixby as his alter ego Bruce Banner. The show was a ratings success and aired from November 4, 1977 –May 12, 1982.

“In the TV series, Dr. David Banner, a widowed physician and scientist who is presumed dead, travels across America under assumed names and finds himself in positions where he helps others in need despite his terrible secret: Following an accident that altered his cells, in times of extreme anger or stress, he transforms into a huge, savage, incredibly strong green-skinned humanoid, who has been named “the Hulk”. In his travels, Banner earns money by working temporary jobs while searching for a way to either control or cure his condition. All the while, he is obsessively pursued by a tabloid newspaper reporter, Jack McGee, who is convinced that the Hulk is a deadly menace whose exposure would enhance his career.”

Stan Lee was elated about the Hulks’ success! Lee himself had become larger than life. He was now being recognized in places outside of the comics bubble and was comics’ first version of a rock star and became a traveling media liason! Lee was great at one thing, selling an audience on whatever he was selling. Bombastic, sweet, energetic. He always presented a fun, uplifting persona and was a person you wanted to be around.

He also stood for something. He believed in inclusion and peoples rights. He championed the voices of the common man, and that appeal made him larger than life.

His voice for me is what always sets the tone. The cadence, the inflection, and the delivery. Hearing Stan’s voice open, many of my childhood cartoon shows or VHS tapes were always like comfort food. He treated his Mighty Marvel Marching Society like a club you HAD to be in with him. It was the cool place to be! Marvel was cool because of Stan. He spoke literally to kids and teens of all ages and put their stories on the page.

You related to Stan and his characters because they were based in reality. Peter Parker had girlfriend issues…didn’t we all at one point! The Hulks Bruce Banner had an inner monster he had to control….like many of us. The Fantastic Four were a family that fought, broke up, lived lost, and loved together. Stan made us believe, and for those few minutes reading those comic pages, we were along for the ride and part of something special.

Does it matter who created what? Who’s name is ahead of another for creating part of a character? Sure it does for some reasons but no one can contest that the reason that Marvels characters live forever on screens, phones, merchandise and in the modern lexicon is because Stan Lee invited us into that house and we grew up there and never wanted to move out!

Thank you Stan Lee, for allowing me to be a kid no matter what my age. Thank you Stan Lee, for giving me a playbook on how to deliver motivating and powerful speeches. Funny enough, when I tell stories to my kids, there is a part of me that steals Stan’s delivery everytime!!

Thank You Stan for creating a world where my family and I can spend together and create memories because that’s what it’s all about.

Raise a glass to Stan Lee on his birthday. You will always be “The Man”..

Here’s to Stan..

Excelsior!!

Hey… I usually wrap up a “Till next time Satellite Subscriber’s”… which, of course, is ripped off of Stan’s method of assigning his readership a tagline, but I had to share some personal Stan related fare!!

My wife took this picture for me on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a recent trip. Stan was one of one of the very short lists that I requested a picture of his star!!

During that very same trip, my wife also snapped this wonderful plaque from Disney Land California, and the words say it all.

For Christmas, I also got a few Stan Lee related items!! I finally got a fresh copy of How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way!!

Okay… now you can go!! Till next time, True Believers!!

For more Stan Lee related content, check out a few pieces written and created by a few friends of mine!

Between The Pages Blog: https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2022/12/face-it-tiger-you-just-hit-the-jackpot.html

Dave’s Comic Heroes Blog: http://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2022/12/stan-lee-100.html?m=1

W2M Network Podcasts: https://w2mnet.com/remembering-stan-lee-1922-2018/

https://w2mnet.com/trio-of-stan-lee-tales/

End Transmission…

SuperHero Satellite Podcast: Super-Blog Team-Up Goes To Hell Edition. Spider-Ham and the Rise and Fall Of Star Comics

Posted: November 1, 2022 in Comics, Film
Tags: #80sCOMICS, #AirRaiders, #DinoRiders, #ExpandedUniverse, #MarvelComics, #SaturdayMorningCartoons, #StarWars, #Superblogteamup, 1980s, 1980something, 80s Comics, Cartoons, Marvel, SBTU, Tv

Hey Satellite Subscribers!! Here is some very special content for audiophiles out there! The Post Halloween edition of The Superhero Satellite Podcast is here!! While this is not officially the 4th episode this special episode is an information packed episode covering Marvel’s Ill fated STAR Comics Imprint! Plus we cover an issue of its single claim to fame..Peter Porker The Spectacular Spider-Ham!! All this and more right here on SHS!! Enjoy!

Listen to “Superhero Satellite Goes To Hell” on Spreaker.

While you are here…check out the rest of the Super-Blog Team-Up Goes To Hell event by checking out a blog or a podcast that may be new to you or maybe and d favorite!! Tell em Hero sent ya!

Between The Pages Blog – Hostess Comic Book Ads Were Hot Stuff

https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2022/10/hostess-comic-book-ads-were-hot-stuff.html

Magazines and Monsters Presents- Super Blog Team Up Special! The Son of Satan (Marvel Spotlight 12 and 13, 1973) with Charlton Hero!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magazines-and-monsters-presents-super-blog-team-up/id1459643898?i=1000583919620

The Telltale Mind – Patsy Walker – To Hell and Back (and Back and Back…)

Patsy Walker – To Hell and Back (and Back and Back…)

Source Material Comics Podcast – Batman/Punisher “Lake of Fire” – Evan Bevins and Jesse Starcher –

https://www.spreaker.com/user/5870686/sm-batman-punisher-lake-of-fire

Mark Radulich : Alternative Commentary on Hell Comes to Frogtown

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/51571432

News Print Commando – Rex Zombie Killer

Rex Zombie Killer

Dave’s Comics Blog: Superman: The Blaze/ Satanus War

https://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2022/10/superman-goes-to-hell-blaze-satanus-war.html

In My Not So Humble Opinion – Savage Dragon Goes To Hell

Super-Blog Team-Up: Savage Dragon Goes To Hell

Asterisk 51 Blog – Sunday school with… Hellboy?!?!?

https://asterisk51.blogspot.com/2022/10/sunday-school-with-hellboy.html

Comics Comics Comics Blog – The Son of Satan and the preacher’s kids – Will looks at Son of Satan and the Defenders.

Superhero Satellite: Spider-Ham in the world of Licensing Hell! https://charltonhero.wordpress.com/2022/10/26/super-blog-team-up-goes-to-hell-spider-ham-in-the-world-of-licensing-hell/

Relatively Geeky Presents #43: Afterlife with Archie Issues 1 – 6.

https://relativelygeekypodcast.blogspot.com/2022/10/rgp-043-super-blog-team-up-2022.html?m=1

Super-Blog Team-Up Goes To Hell! Spider-Ham In The World Of Licensing Hell!!

Posted: October 26, 2022 in Uncategorized

If you are a fan of this blog then it comes as no surprise that I love Marvel 1980 Star Comics imprint!! Well there is no better time than Super-Blog Team-Up month to talk all things STAR with a very special Halloween issue of Peter Porker The Spectacular Spider-Ham!!

Before we begin..for folks who are not readers..enjoy this episode via audio Podcast in the link below!!

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/51747949

For those who enjoy the written word..enjoy the blog!

The existence of STAR comics came out of almost nowhere due to a failed rights acquisition from Marvel comics! More on that later! First let discuss it’s origins!! The imprint began in 1984-and lasted until 1988 and was blatantly aimed at younger audience demographic. Star comics would only see the light of day due to a failed purchase of Harvey Comics famous for such characters as Richie Rich, Hotstuff The Little Devil, Wendy The Witch, and of course Casper The Ghost. Marvel wanted in on the Childrens market which at this point was almost solely owned by Archie and Harvey (Gold Key and Charlton both had years of liscenced history too but we’re long gone at this point publishing wise) at the time almost exclusively.

They had dipped their toes in the liscenced market a few times with projects like Smurfs and the A-Team with mixed success. Acquiring Harvey would fill that demographic hole in their print line up! It was not meant to be after months of what felt like a done deal between the two companies fell through when one of the Harvey brother pulled out and killed the Harvey sale to Marvel. Harvey as a company went on to fold as a publisher shortly after this but they did so while still maintaining their property rights!

Despite the loss Marvel decided to continue to create a new imprint in its place even going so far as to use now out of work former Harvey staffers and created a Harvey Adjacent line of original characters like Planet Terry, Wally The Wizard, Top Dog, Royal Roy. I loved the look and feel of these characters and if capturing the Harvey vibe was their goal than mission accomplished. These looked and felt like Harvey publications both in art style and reading!! all You didn’t have to look to deep under the surface to see these were Harvey clones.. too close actually because Harvey comics would sue Marvel over Royal Roy being too close to Richie Rich… and he was. Old Roy was a red haired version of everyone’s poor little rich kid and Harvey just knew that there wasn’t a court in the world that would not see that!! In 1985 the lawsuit was brought forward forcing Marvel to the plug on Royal Roy after 6 issues. The problems were already creeping in and we were not off of the ground floor yet.

Keep in mind the next big phase for STAR was literally to create a “STAR” studded line up of liscenced properties that were popular at the time boasting Masters Of The Universe, STAR WAR’S, The Muppetts, Thundercats and many many more!! You may ask yourself.. how could this fail!! Well it found a way!!

STAR hung its hat on a multitude of pop culture liscenses from Toy and Cartoon related franchises!

Trivia question!! What title did STAR COMICS launch with? The answer would be the first book to arrive with official STAR Comics branding would be … drum roll please… The Muppets Take Manhattan movie adaptation!!

But there were many many many more! Here is a non comprehensive list of most of the STAR Comics imprint!!

Let start with their Original titles

Misty (six-issue limited series (1985–1986) this was a bizzare one! After acquiring the majority of the most popular franchises for children missing from the list curiously was Barbie (Which Marvel would get in the early 90s!!). Misty was the niece of Stan Lees favorite Marvel fashion plate Millie The Model and she was essentially… Barbie.. straight up. Can’t get the original… let’s make a clone.. or an echo as Rob Liefeld once coined! Misty was a strange comic filled with all things fashion and fame and even cut out doll clothes to lower the value of this 6 issue limited series which was already worthless so I assume they OWE me money maybe?

Anyways…back to our list..

Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham (1985–1987)

Planet Terry (1985–1986)

Royal Roy 1–6 (1985–1985)

Top Dog (1985–1987)

Wally the Wizard (1985–1986)

Licensed titles: just take a look at this list!!!

Air Raiders (1987–1988; #1–2 under Star imprint, continued under Marvel imprint)

Animax (1986–1987)

ALF

Bullwinkle and Rocky (1987–1989; #1–2 under Star imprint)

Care Bears (1985–1989); #1–14 under Star imprint)

Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos #1–4 (1987)

Count Duckula (1988)

Defenders of the Earth (1987)

Ewoks (1985–1987)

The Flintstone Kids (1987–1989) #1–4 under Star imprint)

Foofur (1987–1988; #1–4 under Star imprint)

Fraggle Rock (volume 1: 1985–1986 under Star imprint; volume 2:1988 under Marvel)

The Get-Along Gang (1985–1986)

Heathcliff (1984–1991)#1–22 under Star imprint)

Heathcliff’s Funhouse (1987–1988) #1–5 under Star imprint)

Hugga Bunch (1986–1987)

Inhumanoids (1987)

Madballs (1986–1988; #1–8 under Star imprint)

Masters of the Universe (1986–1988)

Masters of the Universe: The Motion Picture (1987)

Muppet Babies (1985–1989) #1–17 under Star imprint)

The Muppets Take Manhattan 1–3 limited series (1984)

Popples (1986–1987)

Silverhawks (1987–1988; #1–5 under Star imprint, 6 & 7 under Marvel)

Star Comics Digest a.k.a. Star Comics Magazine (1986–1988)

Star Wars: Droids 1–8 (1986–1987) bi-monthly with four issues and issue 5’s cover of the series were drawn by John Romita, Sr.

Strawberry Shortcake (1985–1986)

ThunderCats (1985–1988; #1–24 under Star imprint)

Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (1987; #1–6)

How did this fail?? How!!?? Marvel is a company that saved itself from Bankruptcy with Star Wars…a liscenced property that not only saved the company but gave new life to the industry. So using that logic.. if you own ALL the famous and popular IP’s then you will be set for life.. right? Well actually the answer would be no. Each liscence costs Marvel money in either straight up payouts to hold the license or an impact to bottom line profit. Keep in mind some of the rights holding companies who leased the property to Marvel gets a portion of the profit action.. and at times a significant portion of profits. To add to the debacle the rights holders also sometimes serious amounts of creative control. It’s possible to actually make zero dollars! In some instances that was indeed the case! For all the profits and losses the STAR comics line, though doomed from the get go legally, had such a vast array of titles it kept me coming back to the spinner rack for one or two new titles every month some I kept and others I abandoned quickly but I sure did enjoy the perks of seeing all the cool toys and cartoons in a comic book form!

But onto our story at hand… Spider-Ham the Halloween issue!!

Spiderman Vol. 1 13 January 1987

Old McDonalds House of Horrors

Written : Mike Carlin (Somewhere Rob Liefeld is swearing and I was as well a little later.

Pencils: Joe Abelo (Spider-Ham 10-19, What If, 34 What If The Watcher was a Stand Up Comedian?) stumped? I was as well so I did my research and found that while not doing Spider Ham did indeed draw in What If number 34… for one… single… page!! Yes… and here it is!

38. “WHAT IF TONY STARK HAD OWNED AN AUTO PLANT INSTEAD OF A WEAPONS FACTORY?”

39. “WHAT IF SUE STORM HAD BECOME THE THING?”

40. “WHAT IF MOON KNIGHT GOT ALL HIS IDENTITIES MIXED UP?”

Anyways back to our book!!

Editor Larry Hama GI Joe!

Executive Editor Tom Defalco

EIC Jim Shooter

Now.. the character himself. For folks who didn’t read a single STAR comic or see the film Into The Spiderverse there is a chance you have never met Spider-Ham! Let’s catch you up!

Spider-Ham is the super hero alias of one Peter Porker a fictional superhero Marvel Comics. The character is .. get ready for this… an anthropomorphic pig and a cartoon animal parody version of the classic Marvel Spider-Man.Spider-Ham was created by Larry Hama, Tom DeFalco and Mark Armstrong respectively. Curiously he appeared in a comic BEFORE the launch of his own book.. he would debut in a special one shot called Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham from November 1983! Hunt this one down kids for us who love the first appearances!! Even get this slabbed!! Lol… don’t do that. Please. Read the book. That’s all I will say..

This one shot was then followed by an ongoing bi-monthly series, Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, in May 1985 under Marvel’s Star Comics imprint!! For continuity lovers Porker and his supporting cast exists on Earth-8311, a full universe populated by anthropomorphic funny animal parody versions of then modern Marvel superheroes and villains.

Now that you are armed with knowledge let’s dive into the book!

Peter Porker The Spectacular Spider-Ham Vol. 1 issue 13, dated January 1987 in a story titles

“Old McDonalds House of Horrors”

Yes… Old MacDonald .. because.. you know.. he has a farm! You remember the nursery rhyme right? I mean … let’s stop here. Yes, THIS is the type of low hanging fruit to expect from this Carlin led team. Lower your expectations kids.. after all these titles are aimed at children not 45 year old man babies.. like me.

On to the story..

An innocent duck is putting up a billboard late at night when Quakula Scares him away.. we see that the billboard was all about a Mega Mall opening soon in 1986.. hmmmm. The 80s… a property in danger.. a large corporation going to shut down an old town favorite location to build its fancy new what ever!! It’s the plot lol heisted from every 80s kids film from the Goonies onwards.. again.. it’s a kids book. Bottom line.. someone doesn’t want to pave paradise and put up a parking lot!!

Later we see Peter Porker in his apartment watching an old Horror film and he is scared. He laments that despite being a Super powered hero he is still scared of a silly horror film. Outside his window he hears gun fire. He leaps into action changing into Spider -Ham to check it out! It’s the Pinhead of crime and the police are shooting at him. Pinhead is a Kingpin echo but is the size of a building and is a large white rat/mouse in a pin stripe Blue Suit and has a body shape like a bowling pin!! He is wreaking havok in the city but it’s because he wants something.. or someone!

He is calling out Spider-Ham and by for Porker in full spider regalia answers the call. After a quick tussle Spidey hits Pinhead with a rolling web bowling ball knocking the giant on his ass as the police swarm him! An easy win for our porktacular hero!

With his heroing complete Peter makes it back in time to watch the last half of the horror film he was watching!! We see that Peter has an irrational fear of vampires and werewolves but then he sees a very scary Egyptian Cow Mummy and literally hits the roof when the phone rings!!

It’s J Jonah Jackel from the Daily Beagel with a late night assignment for Peter! After having his job threatened Peter is there.. Instantly before Jonah even hangs up the phone! Is this a statement on workplace culture? Does Peter not have a right to refuse work? Does he need a mental

Health break? Nope this pig goes to work!

Jonah is sending Peter to the Catskilled Mountains where there have been reports of hysterical construction workers claiming to have seen monsters! Porker is scared.. of course he is. It’s the only plot thread that is consistent in this story!! He hates monsters if you dont remember and he tries to back outta this mission citing he has to alphabetize his Alvin and The Chipmunks record collection and offers up his office supporting cast for the job! Does anyone else find it fascinating that STAR Comics never featured Alvin and The Chipmunks yet we had two.. count them two Heathcliff comics! What’s up with that?

Bunson, Upton and Jeremiah are some seriously stereotypical characters.. we have time let’s review. Bunson is the super intelligent plaid shirt wearing nerd character who will come in handy building gadgets and explaining science at opportune times. This was a time prior to Big Bang Theory need acceptance. Next is Upton.. a jive talking black cat… I’ll leave that where it is. Last is Jeremiah the pink wearing roller skater who wears thigh high socks ..is a certainly a thinly veiled homosexual personality. So there you have it.. the 80s everyone!! Back to our story..

As a boss that would not be conducive to 2022 workplace sensibilities J Jonah Jackal ain’t buying it and demands Porker go alone! Peter has a bad feeling about this!

Porker drives to the Catskilled Mountains to a farm area hopefully he gets mileage but something tells me it’s on his own dime. He gets on the move investigating the place hoping these reports of folks seeing Monsters are all a hoax. He sees something that scares him ..and he rushes into a barn!! That’s what I always do when I am scared.. I find a deserted barn and run inside for safety! Once inside he encounters a scary figure with a pitch fork!! Suddenly from his travel bag leaps his co workers Bunsen, Upton and Jeremiah!! They begin snapping pictures trying to beat each other to the scoop.

It’s nothing more than the farmer that owns the farm named conveniently Old MacDonald! He ain’t one for snoopers in his farm and his pitch fork Bessie likes em even less!! Peter pulls out his Press credentials and explains to Old MacDonald that he is there to investigate the reports of Monster sightings! Old MacDonald suddenly becomes interested that they are going to report on these monster sightings and to stay away from the farm as a result of this scary news! Hmmmmm…

The farmer is suddenly pleased that these kids will keep folks away from his farm and tells them they can stay as his personal guests and stay in the barn! Almost too easy…thinks Peter! He is right!

That night it rains.. like it does in every horror story and Peter is trying to get some sleep but his colleagues are not interested. They decide to investigate the barn that they discover has secrets of its own!! The gang discovers a secret laboratory with its own mad scientist!

The time has come for Doctor Chickensteins greatest experiment!! The weather is perfect and all that remains is the doctor to pull the giant level! There is a body covered in a sheet on a operating room style table… the room is filled with computers and electrical gizmos..the level is pushed electricity goes everywhere!! The mad scientist marvels that the experiment is working … the doctor is about to unveil after years of experimenting …

Doctor Chickensteins monster!! It’s a huge fruit and vegetable based monster with a lettuce for a head, banana for a nose, watermelon torso, corn arms and zucchini legs, you get the idea. The monster rises from the table menacingly with its arms held high in triumph as the doctor rejoices as Peter’s colleagues snap up photos like crazy as Peter slumbers!!

The mad doctor hears the reporters camera clicks and sends the monster after Peters friends! Hearing the commotion in the next room Peter awakens and quickly suits up into Spider Ham to protect his friend and leaps into action!

The farm house becomes overtaken by monsters. Spidey faces off against the Mooomy…a cow like beast wrapped in bandages who looks VERY familiar.. almost like a farmer we know!

Overcoming his fear Ham drops the Cow Mummy with webbing around the legs and swings into the next room suddenly feeling heroic!!

Still trembling Spiderman faces off against Chickensteins monster and uses the old web bowling balll trick again and what do you know it works!! Ham is surrounded! The Moomy, Quakula , Chickenstein and the monster all converge on him and his friends but as Spiderham uses the bowling ball on the Monster his part fly everywhere revealing The Moomy as old MacDonald the farmer! The jig is up!!

Old MacDonald explains that he was upset that he was going to lose his farm as a result of the Mega Mall being built. He and his farm hands Dick and Rick concocted the whole monster story deal to scare off contractors in hope they would leave his farm alone! Spider Ham sympathizes with the old cow and has a solution!

Months later we see that Old MacDonalds Monster Fruit Stand is now inside the new mall selling the worlds biggest veggies and fruit fruit fruit!! The gang laments that Old MacDonald will be selling parts of his fruit monster for years to come! Another happy ending.. compliments of The Amazing Spider-Ham!!

It gets worse..

Back Up Story

Nick Furry Agents of Sheep! The low hanging fruit like these funny animal titles keep the laughs going.. right?

We see Nick Furry and DoDo Duggan inside SHEEP HQ and we see that Deathsquak (Deathlok) is on the loose. Furry sends out an all points bulletin that the chicken cyborg must be taken down!

Despite great weaponry Deathsquak is a trouble soul desperately lamenting the meaning of his existence!! Deathsquak roams the countryside upset that he hasn’t discovered his reason to live while Furry and DoDo try to bring him down and he stops them at every turn all the while lamenting his flight! Maybe it was his childhood that made him this way? Maybe it was his teacher.. his parents… maybe kindergarten!!??

Furry has the last straw.. he pounces on Deathsquak and presents him with what he has always wanted.. his blueprints! Deathsquak finally has his answers.. his reason for being!! He pulls a plug in his side and … cooks himself. Yes.. he becomes a whole rotisserie cooked chicken..his insides were a microwave oven and he cooked himself! That’s the joke! Dodo falls over from

The revelation.. and so do we.. The Mericful end.

There is a letters page!

In summary…Folks are demanding that Peter Porker get his black suit!!

We also have someone ask when this comic will end to which they say there are no plans to cancel the book despite it ending several issues later!!

One would like to see Peter Porker on TV like many other star comics! We may have to wait a few years but it will be worth it Christian D!! He also wants a Secret Furs cross over.. editorial suggests Secret Warts!! And we wonder why this thing didn’t last!! C,Mon!

Fan Ian Frater buries the book! He refused to buy issues 3 and 4 because it didn’t feature Mellors work!!? Called the art cheaply done and bland!! Seriously? This is what you print!? Marvel editorial always did these things to send messages and would openly allow criticism on certain creators to show their discontent with something happening inter office and these letters pages and info pages were often passive aggressive inter office memorandums

Overall Thoughts

Art.. Perfect for its subject matter! I mean for funny animal fare it’s more than passable! In fact the Spider-Ham portion may simply be perfect for what it’s aiming for.

Story : We have seen this plot line in movies a hundred times. Capitalizing on Halloween is cool but what about using the Marvel horror characters in anamorphic form to appear like Manthing? Morbius, Werewolf By Night! So much missed opportunity here.

The story may be too juvenile and happily spent time simply enjoying the name puns on all the characters .

Cover is great! I would still have bought and did buy this upon release!

That’s it.. and if you had any question how this post relates to the Super-Blog Team-Up Goes To Hell theme now you know!!

The Satellite will return again soon before Christmas!! Until then..

Transmission Ended..

The fun keeps on rolling as The Mighty SBTU has many more entries for you to enjoy!! Thanks for joining us yet again and here are the links for the rest of the internets best blogging and podcasting contributors!

Between The Pages Blog – Hostess Comic Book Ads Were Hot Stuff https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2022/10/hostess-comic-book-ads-were-hot-stuff.html

Magazines and Monsters: Bonus Episode! – Marvel Spotlight 12 & 13 (Damon Hellstrom)- with Charlton Hero! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magazines-and-monsters/id1459643898?i=1000583919620

The Telltale Mind – The Ballad of Patsy Walker To Hell And Back And Back And Back https://thetelltalemind.com/2022/10/26/patsy-walker-to-hell-and-back-and-back-and-back

Source Material Comics Podcast – Batman/Punisher “Lake of Fire” – Evan Bevins and Jesse Starcher https://www.spreaker.com/user/5870686/sm-batman-punisher-lake-of-fire

Mark Radulich : Alternative Commentary on Hell Comes to Frogtown https://www.spreaker.com/episode/51571432

Ed Moore: News Print Commando Rex Zombie Killler from Bad Dog Ink/Panda Dog Press 2013 https://www.comicbooknoise.com/tnc/2022/10/26/rex-zombie-killer/

Dave’s Comics Blog: Superman: The Blaze/ Satanus War https://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2022/10/superman-goes-to-hell-blaze-satanus-war.html

In my Not So Humble Opinion: Savage Dragon Goes To Hell https://benjaminherman.wordpress.com/2022/10/26/super-blog-team-up-savage-dragon-goes-to-hell/

Asterisk 51 Blog – Sunday school with… Hellboy?!?!? https://asterisk51.blogspot.com/2022/10/sunday-school-with-hellboy.html

Comics Comics Comics Blog – The Son of Satan and the preacher’s kids – Will looks at Son of Satan and the Defenders https://comicscomicscomics.blog/

The Superhero Satellite: Spider-Ham in the world of Licensing Hell! https://charltonhero.wordpress.com/?p=6853

Relatively Geeky Presents #43: Afterlife with Archie Issues 1 – 6. https://relativelygeekypodcast.blogspot.com/2022/10/rgp-043-super-blog-team-up-2022.html?m=1

Super-Blog Team-Up: Image Comics: The Road To Revolution (SHS Episode 3)

Posted: May 18, 2022 in Uncategorized
Tags: Image Comics, Super-Blog Team Up, SuperHero Satellite

Transmission Date: May 18th 2022

Hey Satellite Subscribers,

The long awaited Superhero Satellite Podcast Episode 3 has arrived! I feel this needs explaining. I promised 4 episodes of The Superhero Satellite would be produced and had a very specific set of guests lined up to participate. All of them relevant to my likes growing up. Industry people who really knew their area of expertise! Episode one I was honored to have one of my personal podcast mentors and blogging friend Peter Rios, he of Comic Geek Speak and The Daily Rios Podcast fame to join me for a discussion on Podcasting, comics and everything under the sun. Episode two was dedicated to my love of toys growing up. I was joined by supreme toy collector and Executive Producer Of Mark Hamill’s Pop Culture Quest Mr. Scott Kinney to go deep on the top 10 toys of our childhood and general industry talk!

Suddenly as I planned Episode 3 I had planned to discuss a childhood favorite Television series of mine and even lined up guests from that very show. If you follow me on Twitter you may take a guess on exactly what that show may be but for now we will leave it for another episode! The planning was fine, the scripts were done, intros and outros recorded and then we ran into our first delay. One individual had taken issue with the script and wanted a rewrite to which I happily agreed but this was the first delay of about three weeks. Finally the script came back with their proposed rewrites…it was a considerable difference but I was okay with it. I sent off a potential schedule times and was ghosted…again two more weeks of delays. I enquired and landed on tentative dates but again..more drama. At this point my point of contact went missing and was being shaky on a time frame so I aborted the show. It maybe something I will look at down the line but when something no longer becomes fun we step away. I promised myself I would NOT put out another single show unless it was special, had importance to myself based on one of my passions and was FUN! Well I found it! My Blogging squad the Super-Blog Team-Up are a group of like minded rock solid comic fans who love to produce content on the subject so we choose something that meant a great deal to yours truly growing up…The debut of Image Comics! We all know the deal. 7 of Marvels top artists leave in one mass exodus from the number one comics publisher to embark of the biggest single creator owner revolution the comics industry had ever seen taking a massive gamble by betting on themselves and creating Image Comics! The story of Image is an incredible one with amazing highs and deveastating lows that shook its foundations to the core! Alliances made, friendships broken, million dollar checks, and a brand new landscape of comics is born and we talk about it all!

Episode 3 is a super powered discussion on comics and more specifically the debut of Image comics! I am joined by the host of The Source Material Comics Podcast Jesse Starcher to discuss our thoughts on the launch of Image comics and when we discovered this hot new brand. We also break down the Image 7 founding fathers and give our score card on their history and the contribution to Images launch!! Its a fun discussion that you wont want to miss!! As a special bonus we will air a clip of a huge interview done by myself and Adam Pope for the Wizards Files show for The Wizards Podcast Guide To Comics by former Co-Founder and Publisher of Malibu Comics and an individual instrumental in the creation of the 90s super imprint the Ultraverse Mr. Dave Olbrich. The clip showcases the genesis of the meeting between himself and the Image team to start the revolution of the Image group!

Be sure to check out Mr.Olbrich’s amazing YouTube channel Geekview Tavern where our friend Dave talks comics shop with his guests and so much more! His shows are certainly a favorite of this author and he would enjoy having you visit the tavern and join the conversation! Click the link below to visit GeekView Tavern! Tell em Hero sent ya!

https://youtube.com/channel/UCs0Eu4M8eUMq-T1Sj38qh-Q

All this and more..its Superhero Satellite Episode 3 and it starts right now!!

Click The Link Below!

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49837599

End Transmission.

Thank You for joining us for the show now check out the rest of our amazing team of super bloggers/podcasters!! Super-Blog Team-Up continues below with tons more Image Comics related content. Check out the rest of our amazing contributors by clicking the links below!! Check us out our back catalogue and past events on Twitter by using hashtag’s #SuperBlogTeamUp or #SBTU

Between The Pages Blog: Killer Walking Dead Cakes

https://www.betweenthepagesblog.com/2022/05/killer-walking-dead-cakes.html

Asterisk 51: Better Late Than Never: Spawn #1

https://asterisk51.blogspot.com/2022/05/better-late-than-never-spawn-1.html

Dave’s Comics Blog: Images Big Bang!!

http://davescomicheroes.blogspot.com/2022/05/images-big-bang-comics.html

Comics, Comics, Blog: Image Comics: Remembering my early days

https://comicscomicscomics.blog/?p=1845

Superhero Satellite : Image Comics: The Road To Revolution SHS Ep. 3 https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49837599

Comic Stripped: Term life https://w2mnet.com/comic-stripped-term-life-comic-and-movie-comparison/

In My Not So Humble Opinion: Astro City: That Was Then…

https://benjaminherman.wordpress.com/2022/05/18/astro-city-returns-to-image-comics/

The Source Material Comics Podcast- Darker Image!!! –

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49802624

Cable Eats a Bagel: the de-imagification of Nathan Dayspring Askani’Son Summers

https://www.chrisisoninfiniteearths.com/?p=37220

The SuperHero Satellite

Latest Posts

Categories

Super-Blog Team-Up: Foundations: A Digest Story.

Personal Experience with Comic Book Digests

Origins of Comic Book Digests

Creative Teams Behind the Digests

Cultural Relevance and Time Frame

The Birth of Archie Comics Digests

Creative Minds Behind the Digests

Cultural Impact and Disposability

Enduring Popularity

Innovations and Expansions

The Archie Legacy

Foundational Conclusion

Digests: The Final Word

A Modern Revival

The Wrap Up

That Captain Carrot Issue! Memories Unlocked!

Super-Blog Team-Up: Bring On The Replacements: Reign Of The Supermen.

BEGINNINGS..

Death of Superman: A World in Mourning

The Rise of Marvel and Image Comics

The Genesis of Doomsday

End Transmission

Super-Blog Team-Up: X-Men/Avengers 60 Wolverine Style.

Fandom Strikes Again? The Case Against Frank Millers Wolverine.

Big Trak: The most underrated Toy Vehicle of the 1970s

Stan Lee 100

SuperHero Satellite Podcast: Super-Blog Team-Up Goes To Hell Edition. Spider-Ham and the Rise and Fall Of Star Comics

Magazines and Monsters Presents- Super Blog Team Up Special! The Son of Satan (Marvel Spotlight 12 and 13, 1973) with Charlton Hero!

Super-Blog Team-Up Goes To Hell! Spider-Ham In The World Of Licensing Hell!!

Super-Blog Team-Up: Image Comics: The Road To Revolution (SHS Episode 3)

Latest Posts

Categories

Personal Experience with Comic Book Digests

Origins of Comic Book Digests

Creative Teams Behind the Digests

Cultural Relevance and Time Frame

The Birth of Archie Comics Digests

Creative Minds Behind the Digests

Cultural Impact and Disposability

Enduring Popularity

Innovations and Expansions

The Archie Legacy

Foundational Conclusion

Digests: The Final Word

A Modern Revival

The Wrap Up

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BEGINNINGS..

Death of Superman: A World in Mourning

The Rise of Marvel and Image Comics

The Genesis of Doomsday

End Transmission

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Magazines and Monsters Presents- Super Blog Team Up Special! The Son of Satan (Marvel Spotlight 12 and 13, 1973) with Charlton Hero!

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