Sunday, October 11, 2009

1 YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY!
-or-
The BEST OF vol 1: 2008-2009

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

It’s the ONE YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY for the SANCTUM SANCTORUM COMIX BLOG!
One BIG and BUSY year with MANY awesome posts!
(This is on top of the prior decade or so of my merely being an omni-present commenter/ know-it-all loudmouth on others blogs, message boards and random street corners!)

Since I began my blogging, due to the off-hand advice of a friend, on October 11th of last year, any semblance of a calendar-year can be tossed right out the window. So, we will focus on what I blogged from OCTOBER 11, 2008 to OCTOBER 11, 2009.

Feel free to use this opportunity to peruse some of these old posts - whether you have read them already or not, there is actually some really good stuff in here.



Let's see...

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- How about I begin at the beginning, with my very FIRST POST (it might not be a “best of” in the strictest sense, but this blog would not exist without it. – [HERE]

And, for that matter, the official, unofficial seal-of-approval of long-time Doc-blogger; NEILALIEN – [HERE]

In regards to this being, primarily (ostensibly), a comics blog, it seems fitting to recall that I gave an inside look into my own psychosis and origins of my long-term love of comics.
THE METHOD TO MY MADNESS – [HERE]

And for anyone who looks at the top of my left sidebar and sees that this blog is dedicated to the unlikely trio of DR. STRANGE, MAN-THING and ROM: SPACEKNIGHT, allow me to explain…
DORKWIN – ORIGIN OF SPECIES: 6-DIMENSIONS of DOCTOR STRANGE
(Sorcerers, Space-Men and Swamp Beasts, Oh my!) – [HERE]

Yet, even earlier than that, my love for comics manifested from the daily newspaper strips of Spider-Man and Star Wars.
Dorkwin redux – SON-OF-ORIGINS – [HERE]

Or perhaps, you’re more interested in taking a look behind the curtain...

‘THE MEME”: A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES at my personal secrets – [HERE]

Journey into my own, very disturbing, DIMENSION OF DREAMS – [HERE]

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Interested in comic-themed swag? SURE! Who isn’t? Well, seeing as how showcasing my insane collection of Strange stuff was the primary reason for even starting this blog, please allow me to show you a few items that I shone a spotlight on this past year.


DOCTOR STRANGE “TOON TUMBLERS”:
Part 1) – [HERE]
Part 2) – [HERE]

MARVEL PARTY TABLE CLOTH – [HERE]

DOCTOR STRANGE CREDIT CARD SIGN – [HERE]


Now, y’see… there’s Swag, and there’s SUPER Swag, but above all those others there’s UBER-SWAG!
I was pleased to present some of my “grail” items; high-end rarities, exclusive and/or one-of-a-kind pieces of collectible goodness.

BEHOLD… the TOWER OF POWER – [HERE]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Marvel: The MARVEL WORLD Playset – [HERE]

ORIGINAL ARTWORK worthy of le Louvre’:

Original art page from Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts # 29 - [HERE]

Original, hand-painted, character sheet (animation production cel) of Doctor Strange from SPIDER-MAN and his AMAZING FRIENDS episode: “Seven-Little Super-Heroes” – [HERE]

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I also featured part of my collection of high-end, “one-of-a-kind” DOCTOR STRANGE bling:

The “DOCTOR STRANGE” (film replica) Ring – [HERE]

The DOCTOR STRANGE WINDOW Medallion – [HERE]

The DOCTOR STRANGE: FLIGHT OF BONES Insignia Ring – [HERE]

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Of course, there can be posts about collectibles that are more common (and popular), like ACTION FIGURES. Here are some posts in a continuing series entitled, “IDOL PURSUITS”, dedicated to looking at the history of DOCTOR STRANGE ACTION FIGURES:

Part 1) - 1979 Ben Cooper “dangler” figure – [HERE]

Part 1a) - ADDENDUM:  The pre-“Action Figure” figures – [HERE]

Part 2) – The DOCTOR STRANGE MEGO figure that almost was – [HERE]

Part 3-A) – Gaming figures: TSR Standees – [HERE]

Part 3-B) – Gaming Figures: TSR Metal Figurines – [HERE]

Part 4) – The PVC Figurines: DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]

Part 4a) The PVC Figurines - addendum 1: “MAN-THING” – [HERE]

Part 4b) – The PVC Figurines  - addendum 2: “DEFENDERS” – [HERE]

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Or even posts about the “not-so Action-y” variety of figures: STATUES & MODEL KITS.

Idol Pursuits (ROM SPACEKNIGHT "action figure" toy) – [HERE]

Idol Pursuits (ROM SPACEKNIGHT model kits: full size and bust) - [HERE]

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And next, a few posts that combine the delight of SWAG with the HOLIDAYS best associated with them:

TIME WARP : MARVEL CALENDARS (New Year’s)
# 1 – The “Classic” years (1975 – 1981) – [HERE]
# 2 – The “Modern” era (1980’s – present) – [HERE]
# 3 – A special 12-month pictorial essay on the DOCTOR STRANGE 1980 Calendar – [HERE]

DOCTOR STRANGE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES (Halloween) – [HERE]

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Of course, SOME comic-blog readers actually like to read about... oh, I dunno... comics!

So, here are some insanely in-depth reviews:



Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes # 5 (featuring DOCTOR STRANGE) – [HERE]

Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes # 9 (featuring DOCTOR STRANGE) – [HERE]

HULK # 10 (featuring the DEFENDERS vs the OFFENDERS) – [HERE]

X-MEN FIRST CLASS: FINALS # 3 (a sweet MAN-THING story) – [HERE]

ULTIMATE END: A look at events in ULTIMATE "ULTIMATUM":
PART 1) - The Death of “Ultimate” Doctor Strange – [HERE]
PART 2) - The further examination – and exhumation – of “Ultimate” Doctor Strange – [HERE]

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- But what kind of blog would this be if I didn’t rant and rave er…compose well-thought-out and coherent analysis of comics and/or events/character developments once in awhile... 

Whether you’re a fan of quick, one-shot posts, or extended, multi-part epics, I had you covered this past year.

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ONE-SHOT POSTS
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KNOWLEDGE is POWER: a look into the nature of the “powers” of Doctor Strange – [HERE]

The questionable death of RINTRAH; Apprentice of the Mystic Arts – [HERE]

STRANGE LOVES – a continuing and ever-expanding history of EVERY romantic liaison made known in the life of Stephen Strange – [HERE]

WITHIN YOU / WITHOUT YOU – A deep look at a scene that – to ME – defines DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]


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LONG RUNNING MULTI-PART ESSAYS:
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CLEA LOVES SEX: A look at that indisputable evidence that…Clea Loves Sex!
# 1) – [HERE]
# 2) "2nd Entry" – [HERE]
# 3)  "All about the Benjamin" – [HERE]


HOUSING CRISIS: An intensive examination of the History of the many RISES and FALLS of the SANCTUM SANCTORUM of DOCTOR STRANGE:
# 1) "The Intro" – [HERE]
# 2) "Strange (Tales) Days" – [HERE]
# 3) "Shadows on the Wall" – [HERE]
# 4) "Sanctum on Parade" – [HERE]
# 5) "Wolves at the Door, Ghosts in the Attic"– [HERE]
# 6) "Draw the Curtains and Turn Out the Lights"– [HERE]
# ∞) "A Look in the Mirror Before Heading Out"– [HERE]

Or for your approval, here’s an as-of-yet unfinished series detailing the SEARCH FOR, NATURE & HISTORY OF THE SORCERER SUPREME –

Prelude – [HERE]
New Avengers v1 # 51 : A REVIEW – [HERE]
WHO SHOULD BE THE SORCERER SUPREME (April Fool’s Edition) – [HERE]

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- Like to watch TV and films? Like reviews of same? Then these “Magic of Video” posts, which are bits of TV-related commentary, may be of interest (sadly,I didn’t blog about many this year):


Spider-Man & his Amazing Friends – 7 Little Superheroes (with Doctor Strange) - [HERE]

Spider-Man & his Amazing Friends – Black Knight - [HERE]

Spider-Woman (with Dormammu & Mindless Ones) - [HERE]

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But sometimes, the stars align and one subject can cross over into the realms of all others; swag, reviews, film and more! Such is the case of the 1978 DOCTOR STRANGE made-for-TV movie!

VIDEO TEASER – [HERE]
Magic of Video – 1) THE TV MOVIE – [HERE]
1A) – PROMOS, DESIGN ART, SWAG - [HERE]
1B) – MEGO FIGURE - [HERE]
1C) –  The FILM REVIEW (possibly the most in-depth, detailed review for a cheesy film; EVER) – [HERE]


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Of course, at year’s end (well… by the beginning of a new year, while referencing the previous one) there is, of course, opportunity to write about EVERY aspect of our reader/collector habits!I’ve begun, here at the Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog, my own "Awards Show", the "SANCTUM AWARDS".

I present "Sancty's" to deserving "Best of" and Worst of" categories in all aspects of the prior year’s Marvel Comic’s “Doctor Strange”-related releases; comics, film, TV, toys, collectibles, etc.

Sometimes this is the only place where I may discuss certain titles, storylines or products.

Other times, I am revisiting older posts with my votes.

Either way, a thorough overview of the year's official product output is reviewed.


The 2008 1st ANNUAL  SANCTUM AWARDS - can be found – [HERE]

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I would be remiss if I didn't thank the many friends, fans, readers, followers, fellow-bloggers and wonderful souls out there who have helped, inspired, cajoled, cudgeled and commented.
A list of but a scant few (in no particular order) are:


-Howard Hallis-
-Mike Sterling and his "Progressive Ruin"-
-Plok from "A Trout in the Milk"-
-Holly-
-Arachne Solara-
-Sean Aaron-
-John Sisson-
-googum from "Random Happenstance"
-Erick from "Wonderful Wonderblog"-
-waaaay too many awesome blogs and forums-
-numerous "anonymous" commenters-
- soooo many more blogs and people who have been there along the way -
 Thank You all!

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And creators without whom this blog would be about my collection of rare molds, spores and fungus':

- Steve Ditko -
- Jack Kirby -
- Stan Lee -
- J.M. DeMatteis -

- Steve Gerber -
- Dan Green -
- Steve Englehart -

- Gene Colan -
- Marshall Rogers -
- Michael Golden -
- Paul Smith -
- Mike Ploog -
- Dan Adkins -

- Steve Rude -

- Bill Everett -
 
- John Byrne -
- Peter Gillis -

-Roger Stern -
- Frank Brunner -
- Kevin Nowlan -

- Chris Warner -

- P. Craig Russell -
- Gerry Conway - 

- Sandy Plunkett -

- Alan Davis –
- Jeff Parker -

- Mike Allred -

- Mark Buckingham -

- Howard Chaykin -
- Kurt Busiek -

- Mike Weiringo -

- Al Milgrom -

- Rudy Nebres -

- Tom Sutton -

- Steve Mellor -
- Ian Akin and Brian Garvey -
- Sal Buscema -
- Bill Mantlo -
and many, many, MANY more!

And that should do it.

Sure, there are a lot more entries - but not all of them are merit-worthy, or while they may be good, are just silly hit-and-run style posts.

Some are to showcase new products or comics that were to be released, and others are tongue-in-cheek bits of whimsy, or tips of the hat to various holidays. 
I have a lot like that - some quick Photoshop, an Action figure or comic scan and what passes for "wit" = a quick blog post.


But if you like that sort of thing, open up the blog-history drop down lists and just jump around.



And... thanks for reading!
Come back again for YEAR TWO!

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