... AND NOTHING CAN STOP HIM!!

HE STRIKES FROM OUTER SPACE...

ROM; SPACEKNIGHT - an AVENGER?

Is ROM ; SPACEKNIGHT on his way back to Marvel Comics?

In keeping with my previous entries detailing the possibilities of the silver Spaceknight's return (as seen HERE and HERE), it seems that the RETURN of ROM is one step closer to coming to pass.

At a Q-and-A session at the Emerald City ComiCon in Seattle, ROM; SPACEKNIGHT was discussed by Brian Michael Bendis & Ed Brubaker.

"...a person came to the microphone and pointed out that Hasbro recently filed eight trademarks for Rom the Spaceknight. He wondered if Hasbro had contacted Marvel, and if anyone on the panel had any interest in the character. Members of the panel seemed a bit surprised by this, although Bendis quickly hopped on the question. “I think [Rom] is the Mount Everest of dork porn. If you’re ever reading an Avengers book and the last page is, ‘Crash! Boom!’ and Rom steps up, you’ll know I did it!” Bendis said. “It’s absolutely on my wish list.”

Brubaker quickly added, “The first time he was talking about Ronin and who Ronin was going to be, it was going to be Rom the Spaceknight. I’m not kidding.”

From CBR article (here)

While this exchange comes across as partially tongue-in-cheek kidding, there is a germ of hope here, in that now the possibility of ROM's ressurrection is being discussed by writers who may be able to act upon it.

Perhaps an appearance in the AVENGERS, like these covers once hinted:

We'll see what transpires.

But, I think we'll be seeing more of Galador's favorite son before too long.

*** UPDATE***

Lee K. Seitz, the proprietor of the solid plandanium-awarded; ROM: Revisited website pointed out that Bendis spoke of reviving ROM (almost word for word the same way he did in this interview) a year ago (as he mentions... both around April 1st).

Check out the podcast on Fan-Off, an Alter Ego Comic Cast: HERE

(Rom comes up at the 45 minute mark).

Now, this doesn't mean that Bendis isn't sincere about his desire to revive ROM.

It might just mean that he is serious about it, but only has one scene planned in his mind (much like many of his stories - which seem to revolve around one "Hey! Wouldn't it be cool?" scene, and are built out from there).

OR... it's all a sham.

I prefer to remain hopeful.

*** END UPDATE***

Uncanny Macabre X-MAN-THING

For any and all fans of touchingly bitter-sweet, heartfelt, emotion-eliciting and all 'round GOOD comics stories - there's something truly wonderful for you out there.

OH. I should mention that it might help if you're a fan of the Macabre MAN-THING as well...
...and, of course, it doesn't hurt of you're also fans of those mutant teenager X-MEN who seem to be popular, either.

Lurking, hidden in the back-up story of X-MEN : FIRST CLASS : FINALS # 3 (of a 4 ... or 5 issue mini-series), is an X-cellent tale of the then-young original X-Men in a story titled; "X-Date".

As the title might allude... it's a date story between Scott (Cyclops) Summers and Jean (Marvel Girl, not-yet-Phoenix) Grey. It also guests the lovable lump; Man-Thing.

Written by Jeff Parker and lovingly rendered by Collen Coover, this is a touching story wherein the two young lovers literally "bump into" the Man-Thing.



The story, by Parker, is similar to previous issues of the X-Men : First Class series (specifically # 8) where he has Man-Thing act as a "House of Mystery / Tower of Shadows" type of guide through the lives (past and future) of those he meets.

Truthfully? I kinda LIKE for the muck montser to have that innate ability.
As long as it comes via his EMPATHIC nature and not through some kind of active thought process.

Sadly, in this tale, Parker does indeed make that sin.
His Man-Thing is far less mindless than any other rendition.

Here, while the mutant duo are trying to figure out their next step, Man-Thing is obviously consciously thinking about the situation and then... when he has found a solution, the "idea" light-bulb "appears" (figuratively) over his head.

"Eureka! By George, I think I've GOT it!"
(If this wasn't in the script, and it's strictly a visual goof, then, in which case, this falls upon Coover's shoulders)

This is strictly a no-no.

I'll allow for the possibility that Jean Grey's mental powers are somehow boosting Man-Thing's cognitive abilities somehow. It isn't stated, but for a story this nice, I'll bend over backwards a little.

I'll almost always grant a certain leeway for Manny to have some semblance of cognitive abilities (especially as how that is how he was portrayed in his early stories), but his thoughts should be as gossamer as the wind. If he does think of something, it should fade into the dark recesses of his mind until the actual thought is lost, but perhaps the general gist of it all might remain.

At best, he should "think" kinda like a stoner. "I've got a GREAT idea! Wait... wait... what was I saying? Oh, yeah... something about doing something. Riiiight. Pass the munchies."

;-)

However, that one misstep is the only stumble in the entire journey.

Colleen Coover is my new all-time favorite Man-Thing artist. Even beating out the legendary Mike Ploog (if such a thing could be thought of as possible)!

I could read stories of her version of Man-Thing all day, every day, for the rest of my life.
And if you could replace ME with her drawing of Jean Grey, and COLLEEN for her illustration of Man-Thing in this image...

That's EXACTLY what I'd do and say.
Kiss her on the cheek and thank her for letting us see this.

I'm not sure who handled the coloring on this story (as it's not specified), but I believe it might have been Coover herself. Whomever is responsible, the palette is vibrant, the tones are lush and the technique is effective in orchestrating the proper mood and setting.

RUN, don't walk (or shamble) to your nearest comics-retailer and pick up this gem, if not for the opening story (featuring the continuing saga of the X-Men vs assorted threats from their past), but for this love note of a story.

Man-Thing says; "You stay beautiful, y'hear?"

This story is definitely going to be in the running for my 2009 "Sanctum Awards", you can be sure of that.
As it is, last year, Man-Thing's appearances in X-Men First Class #'s 8 and 11 were runner's up - and the story that co-starred CLEA, as drawn by Colleen Coover, that appeared in KING SIZE SPIDER-MAN SUMMER SPECIAL # 1 actually WON it's category!

To check out LAST year's SANCTUM AWARDS, go HERE.

Could DR. STRANGE extending Credit Card privileges have led to the "Progressive Ruin" of the economy?

It's a rainy, miserable day today, and I can't quite think straight, so I was going to take the day "off" from the blog.

That was before I saw that Mike Sterling, over at "Progressive Ruin" ran an entry today dealing with THIS item:

Marvel Comics retailer promo "sign" (1992)

As a collector of ALL-THINGS DOCTOR STRANGE, I, of course, have this curiosity.
(I yoinked the image from Mikester. I mean... they're identical, so honestly, why take a pic of mine?)

I obtained mine while working at an antiquarian book store / comic shoppe back then.
My shoppe never used it as it was intended, and the managers (my friends) knew of my propensity towards Dr. Strange. So... like the "Tower of Power" ... it became mine.

It's not quite a "poster", since it's printed on a medium weight card stock and measures only about 9 inches wide by 12 inches high.
It's more of a "sign" than a "poster", and it's function falls squarely within "sign" territory anyway, since it's purpose (aside from being a ghastly eyesore - as I'll describe later) was to inform comic shoppe clientele that said establishment accepted credit cards.

However, (and I'll paraphrase what I wrote in the comments section of Mike's blog entry):
Whenever I look at this sign, it always makes me wonder;
"What the hell is UP with this thing?"

From top to bottom it's a train-wreck.

- First off; as much as I lurve DOC, I can't imagine ANYONE in a comic shoppe thinking that HE would be the BEST, most recognized figure to hawk their credit card policy.
(Unless it's that he's an upright, elder gentleman, as opposed to Marvel's corporate trademark, who is just some punk kid with a full face-mask who may or may not be a "Threat or Menace".)

- Another problem (well... it's all part of this problem really) is the DESIGN... GAH!!!
Is it SUPPOSED to be hard to determine that the "spell" Doc is casting is in the shape of the U.S. Dollar "$" sign? But then, his right hand should be pointing "the horns" downward, in order to more accurately make that work.

It's also impossible to know what the hell that red pointy thing is behind him (unless you KNOW who Doc is and what his costume looks like and that it is the collar of his Cloak of Levitation).
To the average customer, it's just a distraction.

- The art and coloring are ATROCIOUS and actually cause the consumer to look away, recoiling in horror at it's badness (and not "bad" as in "good", either).

RED lettering on a pale BLUE background?
Besides being illegible (with a crappy font) it causes the text to appear as if it's vibrating (because the two opposing colors are vying for your eyes' attention) and will seriously cause epileptic fits.
Speaking of the font itself; a "scary" font? Really? Why would you make a sign that looks all "scary", if for all intents and purposes, it's supposed to soothe you into using your credit card (ostensibly to make larger purchases)?

And shouldn't it state: "Dr. Strange SAYS..."?

This thing is just a train-wreck of signage, at cross-purposes with itself.

However, as a collector of ALL-THINGS DOCTOR STRANGE... I have it.

I loathe myself sometimes.



My apologies to Mr. Sterling.
I have no desire to "steal" his content.
It's just that, y'know... I've got a Dr. Strange centric blog that focuses on the items in my collection.
C'mon!

It's bad enough, that I'm presenting this "out of order" (as readers of this blog may have realized that) since I'm presenting items in their respective category/ subjects in a chronological manner.
When I get around to posters, prints and signs... I'll have to link BACK to this entry when this item comes around in rotation.

Let's see...
Geek? Check.
Became a comic reader/ collector? Check.
Obsessive-compulsive about it? Check.
Getting worse as the years go on? Check.
So much so that I now have a blog about it all? Check.
Obsessive-compulsive about that too? Check.

That darned Mike Sterling is right... it is a "Progressive Ruin".


Read Mike Sterling's PROGRESSIVE RUIN every day.
I do. And YOU should too.
(...and this blog. You should read my blog every day as well.)

SIM-ple pleasures

Taking a slight break from my exhaustive overview of
"The Search for, Nature and History of the Sorcerer Supreme"
to just highlight one of the pieces that I used in yesterday's April Fools EXCLUSIVE SCOOP entry.

I only used a portion (a detail with Howard as Sorcerer Supreme) of an entire gag page to help wrap up yesterday's post - as shown here:

The full image is a wonderful piece by famed (and infamous) creator; Dave Sim, from the Howard the Duck b/w Magazine # 08 (November 01980).

I love this piece because it showcases nearly all of my sacred "6-Dimensions" cows in one page...

*click to embiggen*

How can you NOT feel some emotion for that poor
Man-Thing... er... Duck-Thing.

Howard the Duck, Doctor Strange, Man-Thing.... (Beverly Switzler - yowza!)... all favorites!
Shame that Howard and ROM never met. If Sim could have somehow had Howard impersonating ROM; Spaceknight, well... then this would have been the most perfect piece of comic art ever made.

Enjoy.

The Search for, Nature and History of... the Sorcerer Supreme : EXCLUSIVE! Choice of WHO will be the NEW Sorcerer Supreme - REVEALED!

---

*** SPECIAL NOTICE ***

MAJOR SPOILERS
are revealed in this post
- about the Search for the Next Sorcerer Supreme -
and just WHO has been chosen!

If you do not want to have that mystery spoiled for you...
DO NOT READ THIS POST!

* ------------- *

Continuing the coverage of my exhaustive overview of
"The Search for, Nature and History of the Sorcerer Supreme"
I bring you THIS exciting EXCLUSIVE SCOOP!

By intercepting an erroneously posted (and almost immediately deleted) message board post, by Brian Mickael Bendis, the identity of his selection for the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme has been uncovered.

The brief missive (ostensibly written as a private message to Jo Quesada and artist, Billy Tann) named his choice and gave his reasons for the selection.

For reasons of privacy and potential issues of legality, I will not reprint the entry here - instead just paraphrasing and making known the choice that was made for the new bearer of the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme.

---

Readers of Marvel Comics over the past several years have obviously become aware of writer Brian Michael Bendis' affection for certain 01970's characters, and his desire to raise B-list (or even C or D-list) characters to a level of prominence, will not be shocked by the news revealed in that aforementioned board entry.

Previous characters who have been given the golden touch are:

Luke Cage and Spider-Woman

"Sweet Mama!" is an apt quote for both characters.

The new golden-child is from the same mid-01970's era.

In fact, as to the identity of the "Chosen One"... if close attention was paid, readers of such works as New Avengers and Secret Invasion would have seen the subtle clues that were laid out in previous issues.

Brian Mickael Bendis' choice for Stephen Strange's replacement is present in ALL of the images shown below (as well as many other scenes and panels).

*click images to make "Supreme-sized"*

Would you like to hazard a guess as to the character in question?
DO you believe that you can pick ... "the One"?

Lest I keep you in the dark for too long, allow me to reproduce those above images, but with the selection - REVEALED!

Yes.


YES!


YES!

---

YES!!
The choice for the new Sorcerer Supreme is...

HOWARD the DUCK!
---------

Take a close look at this image:

Notice that both Doctor Strange and Howard the Duck
are looking at the same thing
(and the same direction - metaphorically sharing their view)
and share the exact same expression.

COINCIDENCE?
Not likely.

The fact of the matter is; Howard was being hidden... in plain sight.

---------

Now, I am SURE that many of you are doubting the truth of this revelation.
However, to prove the point of Howard's suitability and worthiness of the title, we can look directly at his prior magical experience and tutelage under Doctor Strange as both; mentor and mystic instructor.

Read these few selections, if proof is what you require.

---

Howard reveals his inclination towards do-goodery,
despite the personal cost.

Howard the Duck # 10
Steve Gerber / Gene Colan / Steve Leialoah

---

Given instruction by Dr. Strange, Howard temporarily became
Mallard of the Mystic Arts!
Sensing the duck's inherent talents, future tutorship was offered.

Marvel Treasury Edition # 12
Steve Gerber / Sal Buscema / Klaus Janson

---------

It is obvious that the erstwhile student shall become the Master and Supreme Sorcerer of the Marvel Universe.

Howard's entire storied history details a character with mystical origins, as he had first come to our world via a shift in the cosmic axis; falling through to the Nexus of All Realities.

His first adventures were with such mystic entities as:
the Man-Thing, sorceress Jennifer Kale, master mage Dakimh the Enchanter, Korrek the barbarian, and more.
Steeped in mystical lore, having battled against wizards and magically enchanted monsters, Howard is no stranger to the ways of magic.

This will be a bold new day will show Howard's true valor, worthiness, selfless nature and eagerness to be protector of his adopted homeworld, as evidenced by his first edict when assuming the mantle...

Howard the Duck Magazine # 08
Dave Sim

And AS kumquats, we will be safe in the tender gloved hands (wings?) of this caring gardener of spirits...

DOCTOR the DUCK: Mallard of the Mystic Arts
and
SORCERER SUPREME!

Unfortunately, message board writer Brian Mickael Bendis is not Marvel writer; Brian Michael Bendis, and frankly, the crack-job opinions of some hack message-board troll writing to two other clowns (Jo Quesada and artist, Billy Tann) who seem to have screen-identities similar to Marvel creators (real original, guys) have no bearing as to what will come to pass in the comics written by Marvel's Bendis.

Maybe.
If anyone had tried to lay claim that Luke Cage would eventually become an A-list power-player and leader of the Avengers... they'd have been laughed-at to death.

But, by the same token, anyone claiming that Spider-Woman would be a hot character would have been met with emphatic agreement - as she has the sexiest costume of any female super-hero - ever.