STARMAN Stuff for Sale!An Idol Pursuits - 6-Dimensions of Dr. Strange entry.

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Alrighty!
As promised yesterday, I am going to showcase a few items that not only have much to do with my "6-Dimensions of Dr. Strange" mentality but also are UP FOR SALE on the eBay!

* UPDATE *
THESE AUCTIONS HAVE ENDED.
Spectacularly, I might add.
Thanks to all who participated!

(But read this post anyway. It's got some nice info and sweet pics of the items in question.
Face it... due to the unfortunate rarity of these items, you'll probably never see some of these in real life, so soak in the goodness here.)
*END UPDATE*

This time around, we hop the company fence to graze in DC COMICS' back yard.

The object of my affection?

STARMAN!

Not just any Starman, but the awesome JACK KNIGHT Starman.

(And don't worry. I'll be SURE to fill you in on just HOW Starman is "related" to Dr. Strange before the end of this post.)

Created by James Robinson and Tony Harris, I started reading the exploits of the Jack Knight Starman as DC's "ZERO HOUR" craziness was going down.
This was what... 1994... right?
Damn.

I was working at the aforementioned (in other posts on this blog) BonMark Books in East Meadow, NY (a lovely antiquarian bookshoppe / comic shoppe that has since gone away) and was getting my monthly fix of 4-colored goodness via a sweet employee discount. Because of that discount, I was more than willing to buy tons of comics that I otherwise would have little interest.
Thus Green Lantern and multiple other "Zero Hour" titles caught my fancy.

But ONE new title emerged from the wreckage of DC's then-newest "reset button" with ALL of my attention firmly gripped:

STARMAN!

My interest in the character was, at first, purely one of nerd interest.
Y'see, Jack was a collector of cool items of every sort.
Art books, Hawaiian shirts, old prints, toys, gum machine premiums, tin toys, etc...
Basically, he was "me".

If DOCTOR STRANGE was the "mental & spiritual me", then STARMAN was the "physical & collector-minded me".

Add to the fact that there was a striking resemblance... a tousled black mane, goatee (ghotee?), a penchant for weird print "Hawaiian" type bowling-shirts, a black leather jacket AND I wore goggles like that for awhile in lieu of standard sunglasses (the "wraparound" conforming nature of the goggles helped ease my eyes from my then-allergies to pollen and whatnot).

(If I can dig out a pic from that time, I'll post it here)

Yup.
Starman was "the shit".

Then, my interest in the comic grew into artistic awe, as Tony Harris began getting his vibe on for the art chores and Robinson's story grew and expanded upon it's own mythology.
As both a writer and illustrator, I couldn't help but be impressed with the work being done.
Wondrous stuff indeed.

To the point that I bought EVERY ISSUE of EVERY comic title wherein Jack Knight or ANY of his supporting characters made appearances.
Yup.
I've got 'em all
(and will, sadly, be selling EVERY ONE of them off - sooner or later. Probably in a HUGE "complete set" type of haul)!

However, this post isn't about the comics.
This is about the SWAG!

Because of my collector's mania, I bought whatever product came out concerning Jack Knight.

And HERE, I will showcase them for you.

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First up is a SWEET piece of rare collectible goodness...

The STARMAN BADGE!

I was going to leave this item for last, but it's too cool NOT to post FIRST!
I mean just LOOK at this thing!
It is awesome!

2 inches in diameter, and so shiny and cool... one of DC's very first "Prop Replica" type items, (long before they actually DID such things).
Made in 1997 !

The Jack Knight STARMAN wore this item on the front lapel of his leather jacket.

The basic story was; while getting "dressed" to go out for a patrol / battle, Jack was looking for SOMETHING that would be a "symbol" for his status as "super-hero" (without getting all spandex).
In his assortment of tin toys / bubblegum premiums was a Sheriff's badge.
With a STAR motif, and a "law keeper" angle, it seemed perfect!

I'll confess that I desperately wanted to wear mine, but had long before learned my lesson against actually WEARING items that I collected. SOME people can do that without worry, but I had a bad history of losing my cherished swag, so I never took this out of the jewel case.

Instead, I kept it proudly on display for a while (in a sealed glass display case - away from any light or sun, natch) until my wife and I made our first move. Then, it lay packed safely away, along with the other "non-Dr. Strange" items. Not to see the light of day for several years - until now.

These things are so INCREDIBLY RARE... just type "Starman Badge" in a web-search and see how many people would seemingly give their arms and/or legs for this thing!


They NEVER show up for sales or auctions!
Such is the power of it's coolness.
When you HAVE ONE... only hell or death can make you part with it.
And now... due to my own situation, it is up on the auction block (
endingended SUNDAY, JULY 26 2009).

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The NEXT item is a similar (and equally rare) one:
The STARMAN CLOISONNE' Enamel PIN!

Ba-ZAM!

A little over 1.5 inches wide and made of Cloisonne' enamel baked onto a base-metal pin, this Zodiac / Astrological design is what Starman wore emblazoned upon the back of his leather jacket.

The central STAR design worked along with the "stars" angle of the astrology chart.
Wheels within wheels, man.

Anyway, much like the BADGE, I resisted wearing this item and never removed it from it's protective jewel case.



This item, from 1999, is so rare that it almost doesn't register AT ALL on web-searches.
Only the most die-hard fan had ever seen one or was lucky enough to score one.

But now... my loss is YOUR GAIN!
Get bidding quick, before it's gone!

( *Update* : It's gone.)

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Next up:

The STARMAN STATUE!

Yessir, this was a sweet "get".
I can't quite explain the coolness of this piece.
Aside from the overall design (based on Tony Harris' work), it just oozes "attitude" and "cool".

It's a superhero statue that you don't have to feel self-conscious about displaying in your office (if any of you DO ever feel self conscious about things like that - I never did, but miles may vary).
Dressed in his street-clothes "uniform", this is just a sweet piece of sculpture and design that everyone can appreciate.

Every detail from the golden "cosmic rod" (and just what comic geek doesn't love that little euphemism) to the goggles and the Zodiac / Astrological design on his jacket is perfect.

I had it on display in that sealed glass display case, but soon had to store it back in it's box, because my assorted Dr. Strange collection really needed that valuable real-estate.

So, now... it's but one of the items up for auction this week (
endingended SUNDAY, JULY 26 2009).

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The last item on the block is probably the most "common"...

The STARMAN Action figure!

Look. It's a STARMAN Action Figure!
What other reason did I need for getting it?!?

The Cosmic Rod has a little diode light bulb in it that lights up and glows when the rod is held in both of Starman's hands.

C'mon! How is that NOT cool?
If you're surprised this never got out of it's plastic coffin... (I'm always one to bust these things out to play), it's only because I bought TWO.
I still have one loose (and will be keeping it if I have anything to say about it).

Well... those are the items up for auction this week.
Remember, the link for eBay sales is on the right side of the blog on the sidebar.
But what the heck...for your convenience
HERE is the link to these eBay auctions.

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Now, BEFORE I GO...
I would be remiss in my blogger duties if I did not fill you in on one of the cool little tidbits of "6-Degrees"
(aka; "6-Dimensions") that separate STARMAN and DR. STRANGE.

Well... actually, in their case, it's only 1-Degree!

Back in 1996 a little event transpired that shook the comic-book fanbase to it's core...
That "Event" was MARVEL -VS- DC / DC -VS- MARVEL.

Starting off with a 4 issue cross-company mini-series, the event pitted many of the heroes and villains from each company against each other in various fights.
A select handful of these battles were to have their outcome dictated by "votes" from the readers (mail-in votes, iirc - which means that a popularity contest is the ONLY reason that Wolverine could possibly have defeated LOBO. But, I digress).

However, not all of the meetings were voted on, or even became "featured" in the books.

In issue # 1 we see that two heroes meet and do not fight.
Instead, they (as the caption read): "...have risen above our differences. United by a spirit of learning."

Those two learned, and enlightened heroes?
DOCTOR STRANGE & STARMAN.

That one panel made me buy the whole damned mini-series.
Alas, no further appearances by either of these two, but we DID get the LIVING TRIBUNAL...

The ramifications from the inter-universal crossover was that they would then merge and find that characters from across the dimensional divide would combine with their counterparts.
So, similar characters would merge to become a whole NEW entity.
(i.e.; Wolverine and Batman would become "DarkClaw")

Thus was the "Amalgam Comics" line and universe born.

Anyway, from this mess came the awesomeness that was...

DOCTOR STRANGEFATE.

Dr. Strange meets Dr. Fate

(written about previously on the blog [HERE])

See?
It's ALL Connected!

OK.
That's all for me today.

Feel free to visit the eBay auctions and bid early and often.
(And hey... if anyone is interested in EVERY SINGLE APPEARANCE of JACK KNIGHT STARMAN - and his cast of characters... let me know. I'll compile a list of everything and we can talk.)

Be good, people!
And keep looking to the STARS!

The Days of Whine and No-says.

Hey there, visitors to the Sanctum.

Apologies all around.

The backlog of thoughts that I've had concerning the past few months' worth of comics has been pretty overwhelming (especially when added to everything else going on these days).

To that end, I had every intent to post snippets, scans, thoughts and reviews here the past few weeks, but just can't seem to dig my way out from under.

Brain... fuzzy. Energy levels... low. Ennui... rising.

I'm looking to post some info on some stuff going up on eBay tomorrow (and how they fit in with my old 6-Dimensions of Dr. Strange philosophy), and then once that's out of the way, I'll redouble my efforts to bring this blog up to date.

So much I still want (and need) to get to.
Thanks for the patience.

Happy Birthday, America! 2009

DOCTOR STRANGE
& assorted DEFENDERS (well... mostly)
wish you all a Happy (and safe) 4th of July!

Art by Sal Buscema
Daredevil, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, Daimon Hellstrom; Son of Satan,
Luke Cage; Power-Man, Ghost Rider and Shang-Chi; Master of Kung Fu.

From the Marvel 1976 Calendar
One of the multitudes of Marvel calendars showcased previously on this blog
In PART I of the 3 part "TIME WARP" series. Found [HERE]

In space... no one can hear you sigh.

I have found that many comic fans who dwell -even partly - on the internets, young and old alike, seem to have been united in their love and fervor for "the little toy-comic-title that could".

Of that, I speak of ROM; SPACEKNIGHT, the epic opus of Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema (and later Steve Ditko) along with a treasure trove of guest inkers.

For quite a few years, despite minor cameo appearances and veiled references, fans have been clamoring for a true revival of the title / character.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the comic series, here's a brief recap:
Starting in December of 01979 and going on for a 75-issue run (plus 4 Annuals and guest-starrings in other's titles) ROM : SPACEKNIGHT told the story of a man from the far off planet of Galador (in the Golden Galaxy) who, when his world is beset by the evil, space-faring, shape-shifting, magic-weilding race of the DIRE WRAITHS, volunteers to be the first of many who would sacrifice their humanity to become cyborg warriors; a Spaceknight.
After sending the evil marauders to rout, ROM follows them to Earth, where they have set up a beach-head and wages a war for our world's survival against a race that can shapeshift into anyone, a race that has been here for decades, lying in wait.
Truly, that series was "Secret Invasion" done RIGHT.

Many websites and articles extole the virtues of that series (which holds up as well today as it did when it first started 30 years ago) - even though they mostly universally lambaste the TOY that it was based upon.
(MINE is one of the few places where a glowing, positive review of the toy can be found [HERE])

However, as much as fans of comics and toys BOTH wished a new version of ROM would be released (in comic and/or toy form) all hopes were held at bay by complicated rights' holdings.

Parker Brothers, who created the toy, held rights in limbo, while Marvel let their rights slip when they stopped publishing the comic.
Later, as detailed back in November 02008 [HERE], it was revealed that HASBRO (who now owns most of Parker Brothers holdings - as well as being the current holder for the rights to manufacture the toys and action figures for MARVEL) had filed for renewed rights to ROM: SPACEKNIGHT.

However, as revealed [HERE] on the "ROM BLOG'' (by Lee Seitz - who runs the world's greatest ROM fansite - ROM Spaceknight - Revisited), the rights filing by Hasbro has hit a snag.

Basically, they asked for terms that were far too broad.
(Check out Lee's ROM BLOG post for the specifics)

Also, they ran into another problem, in that the term Spaceknight is a difficult one to win, because Marvel still retains the rights to THAT term, since they had a 2001 mini-series of that name, which dealt with the tale of ROM's sons and their renewed war as Spaceknights.
(Readers of Marvel's space-faring titles like NOVA and ANNIHILATION are familiar with the Spaceknights as well, since they made some brief appearances therein.

The term was also briefly scrawled across the side of a bus in a recent issue of Ghost Rider (# 34) which saw an "Alien Abductee" bus of hippies killed by a demonic trucker.

art from Ghost Rider # 34
Jason Aaron (writer), Tony Moore (artist)

detail of panel

Time is nearly over for Hasbro to re-file.
Any failure to properly comply could very well put the "brakes" on any further ROM: SPACEKNIGHT sightings for us in the near future.

So, at this point, the future of ROM is still in the shadowy realm of Limbo.

MAN... THINGs just ain't right.

Maybe it's just me but something isn't right with this next piece...

Statues and maquettes are big business.
Collectors will plunk down major coin for 3D likenesses for their favorite characters / properties.

Now, I will fight ANYONE to the death who refutes my claim as being one of the world's most intense fanatics of the Marvel Comic's character; THE MAN-THING...
However, even I don't see the need for THIS:

A $499.00 "comiquette" of the MAN-THING!

Manufactured by Sideshow Collectibles it's a lovely piece (complete with light-up l.e.d. eyes).
Standing 18.5" High (469.9mm) x 22" Wide (558.8mm) x 16" Deep (406.4mm), and weighing in at over 15 pounds, it is a GIANT.

Would I love to have one?
Well, duh. SURE I would.
(although, it has already sold-out at the manufacturer level)

But with the economy as it is (and this is not even taking my recent employment situation into account)... I would be hard-pressed to justify dropping 5 bills on this.

This is exactly the kind of thing that has been gnawing at my completist collector's mentality as of late.
I've been feeling more like prey than a prized fan or customer.
Marvel (and many other such companies) are tapping deeper into the wallets of the declining numbers of their fan base and - seemingly - been taking our love for granted.

At one time, only the most popular characters garnered such treatment, and slowly over time, the lesser known properties had been given the special treatment - much to the delight of their small (but very loyal) fanbase.

However, over the years we've seen just about every lesser known entity being given "life" in such a high-profile manner.
It has got to the point where many bloggers are astounded when the newest statues and busts are solicited, that the dregs of the character property pool are being turned into high-priced collectibles.

It is to the point where every character is getting multiple statues, every old storyline is being reprinted ad nauseum in deluxe hardcovers and the fans are being asked to spend more and more.

I own every representation of the Man-Thing (there are more than you may think) and Doctor Strange, among other properties... but I have been forced to take a more serious look at these items as of late.

(of course, if anyone out there wanted to take up a collection and buy one for me... well... I wouldn't stop them.)

Many OLDER items are still highly sought after, and as rarer items (before the production numbers on such things has exploded to "1990s Image comic" proportions) and many of those older items are still "worth" a high price tag.
But $500 for a giant Man-Thing statue?

If the economy wasn't as it is (and I was still gainfully employed)... I'd probably be trying to rationalize a way to order this. But would that make any sense?

So... what do YOU guys think?
Is it a case that ANY character is now viable for such a treatment?
Or are we being fleeced?

Pen-Ultimate Doctor Strange? -or- Ding Dong, Dork Doc is Dead.

As a part of my recent reading my backlog of the past 2+ months' pile of comics, I came across the events of Ultimate Spider-Man # 131, 132 & Ultimatum # 4.

*NOTE: Some MAJOR SPOILERS are in this post for anyone who hasn't yet read the Ultimatum storyline
(lookin' at YOU "waiting for the trade" guys out there).
This is your ONLY warning.*

Ultimatum # 4
Cover "A" by David Finch and Variant cover "B" by Ed McGuinness

Before I get involved with the seeming DEATH of the Ultimate Universe's Stephen Strange Jr., I should note that in the events of those issues, the Sanctum Sanctorum was once again destroyed.

Anyone who has followed this blog long enough (or just lucked into the posts via a google search) knows that I had a long running, and extensive expose' on ALL of the varied times that the Sanctum was destroyed.

So, the other day, I added THIS instance to that series, found [HERE] in the next-to-last entry of that series.

HOUSING CRISIS : SANCTUS INTERRUPTUS - Part VII
- A look in the mirror before heading out: - The Finale.

(You may notice that I made a note of the add-on in the "SPELLS RE-CAST" feature on the sidebar. A handy place where I note any additional major tweaks to old posts.)


So, feel free to check THAT out, but not before you stick around and witness the apparent demise of "Ultimate" Doctor Strange
(and...just WHY is he called "Doctor" Strange if he isn't a doctor of any kind, anyway? I thought only Dr. Doom had the ability to pull that off. But I digress...).

OK.
So, back to the point at hand.

In the "Ultimatum" storyline (basically the equivalent of the "reboot" switch being thrown for the line of comics that, by the very nature of it's intended origin, should never have needed one) Magneto has finally become pissed off enough to warrant his laying waste to the Earth, in an attempt to punish homo sapiens for the death of his kids; Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch.

To that end, he has screwed up the magnetic fields of the planet and caused earthquakes, ice-ages and floods to crop up all over the world.

During the massive flooding of Manhattan, many heroes were killed - either by the disaster itself, or by altercations with villains.

"Strangely" enough, with the exception of the Hulk
the other 3 guys in this pic are now (or are claimed to be) DEAD.

One such instance was when Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum was destroyed (remember, check out the last entry at THIS post for the full scoop on that).
Spider-Man and the Hulk were battling against the various demonic hoards that erupted from the wreckage of the mansion, including the possessed form of Stephen Strange.
It seems that "Doc Jr." was knocked out and the entity; NIGHTMARE invaded his body.

"Who's been sleeping in MY head?"
(from Ultimate Spider-Man # 132 Bendis/Immonen/Von Grawbadger)

Nightmare-Strange then manipulates Spidey and Hulk to battle foes pulled from their own nightmares, and in doing so, causes the Hulk to go ape-shit and thusly destroy a vital mystic ward inside the Sanctum.

This isn't good.It's like that episode of Bugs Bunny where the gremlin is testing warheads with a hammer.
(also from Ult. Spidey # 132)

This dimensional barrier was the only thing keeping DORMAMMU from invading Earth, and with its destruction, the Lord of the Dark Dimension rose out of the ashes.

Ultimatum # 4 (of 5)
Jeph Loeb (half-assed story), David Finch (sweet pencils),
Danny Miki (crisp inks), Peter Steigerwald (pretty colors)

It would seem that THIS was sufficient to "wake" Strange, and for him to shake off the possession by Nightmare - although, the writing is so piss-poor that this, and other plot points, aren't clearly addressed.

For instance, WHEN in "Ultimate Doc's" published history has he been portrayed as being anything more than a 2nd rate sorcerer? When did he show that he could levitate without the Cloak of Levitation? When did he suddenly get the stones to go up against Dormammu of all things? (something Doc Sr. could do, but Jr. here just never seemed able to much beyond basic spells.)

I also find it a bit forced that Dormammu is brought up at all in this, since there's only ever been the most basic of mystical threats shown in the Ultimate U. At least where the resident "Sorcerer Supreme" has been concerned.
Xandu and Nightmare.
Pretty sure that's been the sum total.
So, Dormammu pops up with little or no explanation.
If someone were to read this issue having never read a "616" appearance of Dormammu before, they'd just think he was a generic flame-headed demon.
No biggie.
So. Chalk that up to piss-poor writing as well.
(Synonymous with the name LOEB)

(I SHOULD mention at this time that the artwork is beautiful. Finch, Von Grawbadger and Steigerwald really do themselves justice here. But, back to my rant about the writing...)

Also, when was the Human Torch shown to have been grabbed by Dormammu?
It's an off-panel event (unless I missed something. If so, please set me straight in the comments section).
Sure he's been MiA for a while in the Ult FF title, but there hadn't been any reason to think that he'd pop up in Dormammu's keepsake locket, right?

The Torch is being used as a fire source... and WHY is that?!? Sure, Dormammu is a Faltinian and flame is their natural state - so unless he required an earthly manifestation of fire to use as a catalyst, I don't see the need (although, we really don't know much about "Ultimate Dormammu" * ).

Don't start none - won't be none.
Well... I guess there'll BE some no matter what, really.

However, Dormammu isn't taking ANY shit from Junior here.
In a bit of dialogue that sets up the title of "Sorcerer Supreme" as a mantle passed down a blood-lineage (not sure how I feel about that really), Dormammu states that he is finally to rid himself of the last, and least of the line.

Dormammu pops Jr. like a boil on the ass of the world.

So, thankfully (and in reply to my many prayers for just such an occasion - many of which had been written ON THIS BLOG) "Ultimate Doc" is killed off as the punk that he is.
Good riddance.

Or... IS he really gone?

For we next see a shadowy form sigh and vanish with young Stephen Jr's bloody pulped body.

Perhaps it is Wong. I doubt that it is Stephen's mother, Clea. She wouldn't be casual enough to sigh at her son's horrific demise. Especially since her only appearance in the Ultimate line was as a worried-sick mother who did not want her son to follow in his father's footsteps (back in the Ultimate Team Up series - Issue # 12 to be exact. Ult Doc's first appearance).

Perhaps, and this is MY wish; it is DOCTOR STRANGE (Sr.) himself, free of whatever dimensional situation he vanished to all those years ago, returned to Earth, only to bear witness to his son's death.
That would finally make "Ultimate" Doctor Strange more than his son; "PenUltimate Doc".
If Stephen Strange Sr. comes out to play in the Ultimate universe, then I'll be happy.
(Well... relatively happy, since I really don't give a crap about the Ultimate U. thus far.)

So there you have it.
The "event" is not yet over at the time of this writing.
One last issue of the mini and a few "Requiem" issues to go, and then we'll see a new rebirth to the "Ultimate" universe.

Stephen Strange Jr.
R.I.P.
(Rest in Pieces)
2002 - 2009

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* I had a thought.
If the Ultimate Universe is just another reality, and there have already been many examples of Marvel "616" characters being able to access other realities (since they are just other dimensions, really) - wouldn't that possibly make this "Ultimate Dormmamu" to simply BE the "616" Dormammu?

Sure, it COULD be another version of the entity, but WHY?
The Ultimate Universe should primarily be alternate versions of the PHYSICAL PLANE; i.e; people, planets, space, etc... and NOT the DIMENSIONAL aspects of reality.

But, then, they DO have an "Ultimate Asgard" don't they?
Is there an "Ultimate Living Tribunal" or "Ultimate Eternity"?
Having "Ultimate" dimensional entities just seems wrong to me.

Oh well... whatever.
"Ultimately"... does it really matter?

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*UPDATE*

10/10/2009

Well, there's been some answers to my questions / points of problematic happenstance in this issue (published later in Fantastic Four: Requiem).

REVIEW and INFO can be found in a new post [HERE]

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Crawling From the Wreckage. -or-HEY KIDS! COMICS!

Just a quick hit-n-run post.

After a long dry spell, I'm in the process of reading 2+ months' worth of comics (stuff that came out since my job downsizing) and I have a TON of things that I need to blog about here.

Thanks to a very good friend (and former co-worker) who loaned me his laptop, I'll be able to do just that.

However, I just need to install some kind of image optimizing software first (photoshop preferably) and then we're off to the races.
(Only problem is the CD/DVD drive isn't operational, so I need to do a workaround.)

Anyway, LOTS of good stuff.
More Doctor Strange appearances than I've seen in recent YEARS!
That whole Doctor Voodoo thing.
Man-Thing!
More 6-Dimensions goodness!

RANTS! RAVES! REVIEWS!
And much much more!

See you guys soon.

~P~
PTOR