File this one under "Collector-Level : INSANE"...
As I was returning my Marvel Calendars * to their proper place on the "paper-goods" shelf of my collection within the Sanctum Sanctorum, I had to slide THIS item over, lest it get crushed.
Seeing it, I realized that something utterly ridiculous like this would be a great item to showcase next on the blog.
I present to you a Marvel Comics "PARTY TABLE COVER"!
*click all images to cast a spell of "enbiggenment" upon them.*
Produced in 01995 by Hallmark Cards for their 'PARTY EXPRESS' line.
Fabulous.
But WHY is it in MY collection?
Take a look at the flip-side...
Still don't see it?
OK. Here's a CLOSE-UP.
Behind that image of Thor you'll see THREE panels featuring DOCTOR STRANGE!
If those panels and poses (and dialogue) seem familiar... they
should.
As any Doc-fan worth his salt will tell you, they originate in the classic;
Strange Tales # 127.
Which along with issue # 126; featured Dr. Strange's first battle with Dormammu.
Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
The story behind it's acquisition is a testament to my die-hard collector's insanity.
Back then, I was holding down two jobs
(one was as Art director - and Art books department head for a small Antiquarian book and comics shoppe). The second gig was as an artist for a company that painted murals for businesses and private homes.
One day, I was part of a team sent to paint a mural for a Party store.
While walking through the aisles my eye caught a glimpse of the familiar webbed bootie
(his boot, not his butt) of Spider-Man.
Walking over, I saw several party supply items featuring Marvel characters.
To any rabid fan collector-monkey, what happens next is a familiar series of events;
My pulse began to quicken, my eye growing sharper, looking for any slight sign of the object of my obsession.
After looking at all the assorted goodies; plates, napkins, party hats and favors, I saw no sign of Dr. Strange
(or any of my other sources-for-mania).
Just as I was about to go back to my work, I saw the paper tablecloth.
It was shrink-wrapped in clear plastic so all I could see was the front and back
(despite my desperate attempt to peer into the sides) of the item.
But, within a fraction of a second, I spied that tiny one-tone reproduction of the Master of the Mystic Arts.
SOLD!"The Quest" leads me to some strange places, and even when I'm not actively
on "The Quest", I am always at the ready.
---
As a bonus, for the curious, here are pics of the item partially unfolded.
This isn't the entire table cover (which measures 54" x 89 1/4" or 1.37m x 2.26m for our metric friends) , but it is this series of artwork that is repeated constantly all over the item.
The LOGOS are what comprise the main body of the table cover. And the comic-art is the border that runs along the sides.
Featuring artwork by modern Marvel artists, like Jim Lee, Art Adams, Gary Frank, John Byrne, Mark Bagley, and others superimposed over a background of classic Marvel comic panels by such masters as Ditko and Jack Kirby, this paper table cloth, would have been a hit at any kiddie comic-fan's party!
Trust me. There's LOTS more "stupid shit" like this in my collection.
And hopefully, you'll get to see all of it in time.
;-)
-------------
* Check out the recent "Time Warp" series of Marvel Calendars, if you haven't already, via these links.
Part I - The "Classic" Marvel Calendars -
Part II - The "Modern" Marvel Calendars -
Part III - The 1980 Occult World of Doctor Strange calendar -
From a photo of my own EYE of AGAMOTTO amulet.
Looks a little like Cheney there..gif)
I would SO vote for ROM! You look at that image and tell me it doesn't fill your soul with HOPE.
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