TIME WARP: The Modern Marvel Calendars *Addendum 4*

Time is relative.

It seems "Time Flies"… (whether you’re having fun or not) and as such, I’ve missed several opportunities to post new blog entries. My apologies.

And so...

Happy (belated) New Year - 2014, Sanctum Dwellers!

In this, the first post of the new year, I once again thought it appropriate to blog about the passage of time. Well... honestly, about calendars.

This post also doubles as an updated add-on to an old post from this time in 2009 wherein I showcased all of the various Marvel Calendars - from 1975 - to the "present"... well... at least the ones that featured Doctor Strange or any of my "6-Dimensions" interests.

The original series can be found at the following links:

(Part I : the "CLASSIC" calendar series can be seen - HERE)
(Part II : the "MODERN" calendar series can be seen - HERE)

(Part III : the 1980 Doctor Strange calendar - in its entirety - can be seen - HERE)

This blog post is just to add two "new" entries into the "Part II - MODERN" portion of that series (these added entries will be added to that post directly, as well)

Occasionally, the "addendums" focus on the new calendar for the new year (new, new, new!). But, of late there have been no new calendars to feature DOCTOR STRANGE. This is made especially “strange” by the fact that, as one of the “Illuminati”, the super-secret cabal featured in Jonathan Hickman’s NEW AVENGERS title, and that editor Tom Brevoort continually touts NEW AVENGERS as “the most important title that Marvel is publishing…” you’d think that group (or any member(s) of that assembly) would be featured on at least one of the 12 months of the calendars over the past two years. But, no.

And so, today’s entry is to showcase some old calendars that I acquired since my last such entry; one from 2005 and the other from 2007. Both of which are of the “Page a Day” desktop variety (of a type which I have exhibited here in time’s past - the 1995 desktop calendar - found with the "Modern" Marvel calendars [see link above]).

With this sort of calendar, each day has its own tear-off page, and on that page is featured some artwork or tidbit of info about a character or comic issue.

The 2005 “Characters of Marvel” Calendar, a “Day At A Time” edition, has DR STRANGE right on the cover page! (With a portion of the cover to “Sorcerer Supreme # 51 showing.) A good start!

The format of this edition was to have sequential pages/days devoted to a character, before moving on to the next. This has several pages dedicated to the Master Mystic!

It also had pages on several of my 6-Dimensions characters; Scarlet Witch, Ghost Rider, Nick Fury, etc… as well as a plethora of other characters, so… a good calendar!

The 2007 edition, is a “Marvel Heroes” “Year In A Box” calendar, and was not as kind to Dr. Strange.

It has Doctor Strange featured on ZERO pages! WTF? Well… he’s not featured solo on any pages, but is seen as a small figure in a few group shots, and is mentioned in some write-ups (for "House of M" and such).

Still, Scarlet Witch is featured on a few pages (solo and as a group member) so… that’s ok.

Otherwise, it’s fairly light on my 6-Dimensions characters.

Except… it DOES have MAN-THING as shown on the cover to “Marvel Comics Presents” # 5, so… alright!

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Also of note, is that this year (2014 for any future visitors from the year 2525 [if man is still alive]) features the same day-of-the-week-per-month pagination as previous years wherein a past Marvel Calendar can be reused to perfection!

Such previous years are 2003, 1997, 1986, 1975, 1969, etc… , and I’ve already featured those calendars (well, the ones that actually HAD Marvel calendars) in previous entries of the MARVEL CALENDAR series [see links above].

So, no Doctor Strange in ANY 2014 calendar? No problem. Let me slap my 1975, calendar on my wall.

Heck, I’ll put the 1997 calendar in my study, the other 1997 in my bedroom, the 1975 calendar in my Sanctum Sanctorum, the 2003 in my bathroom....

See?...

Time is relative.

MARVEL STAMPS (and DR. STRANGE) SAVE THE DAY! Marvel Philatelist Promotional Swag: Part 2 -or- The Postman Always Blogs Twice

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This is the 2^nd in a duo of blog posts pertaining to Doctor Strange / Marvel swag as produced by the United States Post Office. (The first entry – featuring a solid silver “Ultimate Marvel” coin series can be found [HERE]).

As we showcased in that most recent article, Marvel (and Doctor Strange specifically, for the nature of this blog) had a series of solid silver Coin Medallions and Ingot Stamps minted by the United States Post Office to help celebrate the series of Marvel Comics postage stamps which were released at the time (2007).

From left to right; top to bottom:

Spider-Man, Hulk, Namor, Thing, Captain America

Silver Surfer, Spider-Woman, Iron Man, Elektra, Wolverine

Amazing Spider-Man # 1, Hulk # 1, Sub-Mariner # 1, Fantastic Four # 1, Captain America # 100

Silver Surfer # 1,Marvel Spotlight on Spider-Woman # 37, Iron Man # 1, Daredevil Saga featuring Elektra # 1, X-Men # 1

While the actual push was for the commemorative First Class stamps featuring Marvel Super-Heroes and Villains, as drawn by Marvel artists (in nearly every case taken directly from the comics or utilizing the cover art itself), it was the promotional material that led to the big score for this Doctor Strange fan/collector.

For while Doctor Strange was not a part of the actual US Post Office stamp sheet, he was one of the characters selected for inclusion in the ancillary offering (the aforementioned silver coins and ingots), and as such was included in the promo materials which were released by the Post Office to help sell the stamps. As many a Doctor Strange collector can attest when it comes to Marvel collector swag; “always the bridesmaid, never the bride”… or maybe to keep the Postal theme alive; “not 1^st class… but Bulk mail”.

Allow me to present to you the promo material at this time.

If you were to walk into a Post Office in early 2007, you may very well have been met with this large poster, featuring many of the Marvel heroes as traced over photos – er – “drawn” by Greg Land.

Once again, left to right, top to bottom:

Dr. Strange, Human Torch, Elektra, Thing, Falcon

Mr. Fantastic [head], Hulk, Daredevil, Phoenix, (Mr. Fantastic [body])

Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Invisible Woman, Namor, Stan Lee (as a Postman), Captain America

Wolverine, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman

I don’t know who Land used as a model for Namor, but he is so disgustingly, annoyingly smug-looking that I want to punch him in the throat. So… PERFECT for Namor! Just saying.

However, like anyone who has seen any other Greg Land piece, the poses and faces are instantly recognizable as being re-used from other works. Almost any Greg Land X-MEN cover uses that same Wolverine pose. Just saying that, too.
And while I'm at it... why is Doctor Strange's head smaller than his hand(s)? Look at the GUN SHOW he's pulling off there, too! Damn... Land really doesn't care that not every male hero can be traced from "men's fitness" muscle magazines.

Anyway... it is this artwork that is utilized on all of the promo materials.

If you were to continue up to the counter at your previously alluded-to Post Office, you may have been able to see this “3D” standee dump.

With raised images of the featured stamps flanking the unit, it is printed using several overlaying layers of artwork, thus giving the appearance of being “3D”, with each row of figures appearing closer and closer, until the figures in the foreground “pop” out closest to the viewer than those in the subsequent layers. You can almost smell Wolvie’s sweaty aroma from your computer, can’t you?

At the front is a pad of tear-off contest entry forms (winner would win $10,000… good only at the Post Office Store. Dang… that’s a LOT of stamps).

However, those two items may be the only ones readily viewable by Postal patrons, as the rest were not meant for display.

The following is a 2-sided, 4 piece, over-sized jigsaw puzzle which may have been meant as a give-away to anyone who bought the most Marvel stamps (or perhaps was an intended prize in some kind of promotional contest).

On one side are 4 different enlarged Marvel stamps: Hulk, Silver Surfer, Captain America, Spider-Man (not that I can believe I’m saying this, but to have the Surfer instead of the more recognizable Wolverine makes little sense to me. Perhaps the choice was made by some aging hippie postal worker, fondly remembering licking acid off of Silver Surfer LSD stamps back at Woodstock… I dunno. But then, on a similar note, WHY would the choice of Elektra be made for the actual Stamps over any other, more worthy and responsible “role model” heroine? Certainly, Ms. Marvel [an Air Force Colonel], Storm [the first major African-American Female character], Invisible Woman [a mother – who happens to be a career adventurer] or even Kitty Pryde [youthful, genius, minority, role model] would have made more suitable choices than a returned-from-the-dead assassin?}).

The other side (and the actual “puzzle” aspect of the jigsaw) features the Greg Land group shot.

Lastly, and the rarest item of all, is this Postal Bulletin magazine, meant for the eyes of the Postmaster (and maybe a few clerks) only. Within its pages are boring – er… detailed articles and charts discussing not only the Marvel stamps initiative, but those of so many others at the time.

As you can see from the cover, the stamps were made available nationwide July 26^th, 2007 – which is not wholly coincidental as to why I have chosen this time to showcase these Post Office items now.

Who says this isn’t the most mind-blowingly well-thought-out, First Class blog of all? *

*

Everyone says that. Myself included. Don’t let me fool you otherwise.

MASTER of the MINTED ARTS - The DOCTOR STRANGE U.S.P.S. COIN MEDALLION

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With the revelation, earlier this month on July 4th, that DOCTOR STRANGE was an integral part of ensuring that our nation achieved its Independence (as seen [HERE]), it should come as little surprise that Doctor Strange was commemorated with a limited edition solid silver coin, minted by the U.S. Government (well, the United States Postal Service)!

Minted in 2008, and made of 0.7 oz of .999 Fine Silver, this coin, while not legal tender, is a limited edition of the ULTIMATE MARVEL COLLECTION.

 The coin came with a certificate of Authenticity that doubles as a character information sheet.

Unfortunately, they erroneously credited the artwork on the coin as being drawn by Dave Cockrum, when in fact it was by Bill Everett from the cover of Strange Tales # 148.

This coin was but ONE of a series of medallion coins and stamp ingots.

The ingots using artwork from the 2008 Marvel Comics stamps series (which we'll discuss in a post very soon), while the other artwork - on the coins - is from other assorted sources taken directly from the comics. Why is Doctor Strange a part of this series? Well... he was featured as a part of the Post Office's commemorative stamp promotional material (which we shall look at in that aforementioned near-future post).

Here's how The ULTIMATE MARVEL COLLECTION was advertised on the USPS site for the series:

"On July 26, 2007, the United States Postal Service issued a sheet of 20 postage stamps featuring the greatest Marvel Comics Super Heroes, including Spider-Man, Captain America, Elektra, the Incredible Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. Marvel’s Super Heroes have entertained and inspired generations of Americans … providing an escape from every day life and making the world a safer place. 

Now, for the first time, the United States Postal Service has authorized each of the Marvel Comics Super Heroes stamps to be minted as a fully colorized solid silver ingot. The collection also includes 20 officially authorized pure silver medallions that feature colorized images of famous Marvel Super Heroes and villains like Captain Marvel, Thor, Green Goblin, and Dark Phoenix. 

The Ultimate Marvel Collection is the only collection of its kind in the world, and is a strictly limited edition. It is officially licensed and authorized by both Marvel and the United States Postal Service."

I was aware of this series when it was first announced, but soon found that ordering the items was next to impossible. I eventually gave up, thinking that it was an abandoned enterprise, and it wouldn't be for another 5 years that I would see this (and a few others) listed for sale in an online outlet.

Luckily for me, Dr. Strange was cropped out of the cover art for Fantastic Four 243 (Everyone vs Galactus, by John Byrne) or else I'd have had to hunt down another of these.

However, as it is, I'm thrilled to have this piece and no matter what its actual value, to me... it's worth a "mint". (Get it? "Mint"...? Ah... the cheap coinage of puns.)

SECRET GIFTS from the SANCTUM SANCTORUM

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In keeping with the thru-line for this month’s blog posts, of showcasing gifts (either from me to you, or from others to me) this entry will reveal secret presents that I (sorta) helped deliver to everyone who reads many of Marvel’s mystical comics over the past decade or so.

Now, bear in mind, none of these are anything more than minor, humble offerings. Still, while being hardly worth mentioning, I needed something in the vein of “gifts” for the blog post, so here we are.

Every now and again, I have – either via intentional communication, or others’ “referencing” of my images – influenced stories and artwork from a few writers & artists at mighty Marvel. Then, those influential tidbits would be presented therein the creator’s work and thus would I be a silent gifter (a “Secret Sanctum” as it were… get it?... “Secret Santa : Secret Sanctum”?... uh… nevermind…) to comics readers.

While this has happened on more occasions (that I am either omitting intentionally, have forgotten or am unaware) I shall reveal three such instances – each with their own level of success.

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The first such incident occurred back in late-2005 or early-2006, when after purchasing unpublished comic scripts (in particular issues of “What If?” which feature Doctor Strange, of course) from famed author Steve Englehart, we had several more email correspondences, wherein he was revealing his then-next work for Marvel; ‘STRANGE WESTERNS; starring the BLACK RIDER’ one-shot which was part of Marvel’s then-resurgence attempt for their western characters.

Mr. Englehart was telling me of how since the tale dealt with the “before he was Ancient” Ancient One, teaming up with the Black Rider (and subsequently other era-appropriate heroes) that he wanted to form them into an ersatz 1800’s-era team of Avengers.

I pointed out, that if the Ancient One were to be a part of it, it would make more sense that he take the “Doctor Strange” role and have an 1800’s era team of DEFENDERS.

That idea struck him as a much better angle to pursue, and if the one-shot were picked up for further publication options (mini-series’, long-term series’, and/or specials, etc…) that my angle would be the way he would like to proceed.

Sadly, while good, the Black Rider never got past that oneshot (a fate shared with the other western heroes of that ‘Marvel Westerns’ attempt), and so, my mental fruit died on the vine

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The next occasion that I shall share met with far more success.

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I truly have NO idea how I began corresponding with author/artist/designer David Sexton back in late-2006 or early-2007. Perhaps an exchange on a message board that led to further email exchanges? Suffice it to say that somehow, we did.

In those conversations, Mr. Sexton told of his large-scale project for Marvel which was a one-shot and mini-series called ‘Marvel Tarot’, and how it was to also feature a newly designed tarot consisting of Marvel’s mystic heroes.

The basic premise being that Ian McNee (last seen in a back-up tale in ‘Marvel Fanfare’ # 6) would have a tarot deck that would portray all these various Marvel mystics.

I suggested that why not just have him use such a deck that already existed? Doctor Strange had just such an enchanted deck which he used to choose “Secret Defenders” in the title of the same name.

Mr. Sexton thought that was a fabulous idea and a wonderful stroke of serendipity, and thus he proceeded with that concept for the final publications.

However, he probably didn’t know that Marvel has a “sliding timeline” (that all the events from Fantastic Four # 1 until “now” occurred in a 10 to 12 year span of time – vs – the actual years of publication) and had Ian McNee state, in comic, that he had that deck of cards in his possession for 10 YEARS – which is how long it had been since ‘Secret Defenders’ was published. Now, of course, it’s a minor quibble, and one that maybe no one but me noticed, but it caused the nerd-centric portion of my brain (read: 99.999%) to stop dead.

It took me some time to get over “epic fail” of my not being sure to detail that aspect of how things work, but at the time:

1. I was fairly sure everyone knew about the “sliding timeline”.(More about it [HERE])
2. Even if he didn’t know, an “editor” would catch it.
3. I was not wanting to be a pest or seem like a fanboy, and so kept my correspondence to a minimum.

Still, it was a cool idea, which kept a piece of valuable mystical eclectica in the canonical zeitgeist – for a short while, at least.

Sadly, while ‘Marvel Tarot’ was a success in every aspect of its rejuvenation of the various magical properties that Marvel has in its catalogue, somehow it, and all its tantalizing teases of projects and storylines to come, was quickly forgotten.

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But then there are times when you can influence someone’s work without having any idea that you are doing so.

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This next, and most recent incident occurred without my awareness – until I opened the pages of the comic in question.

If you were to do an internet search for images of Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Window, you’d most likely come across any number of my own uploaded images at or near the top (as I’ve uploaded several for this very blog, either any of my assorted illustrations of same, my avatar which I use for “gravatar” and other message board ID, or even the tiny favicon that is used and visible next to the URL for the blog). Now, look at the top of the side-column in my blog, you’ll see an old pic of a leather bound book with the “Window sigil” emblazoned on it, sitting on a table next to a skull, crystal orb, an ornate “Eye of Agamotto” and some custom-made jewelry; including a ring and a medallion with the same window sigil on them. 

The sigil is how I’ve drawn it for decades. (In fact that photo was taken in the mid 1990’s and the book itself was crafted in the late 1980’s.) As far as I can recall, no one has drawn it quite exactly that way, although obviously there have been very similar variations – as each artist has his or her own version. I, too, have other variations that I use – depending on the usage – but for a stand-alone graphic image, that’s the way I’ve tended to roll.

Well, imagine my shock and surprise when I opened up both ‘Deadpool’ “NOW” # 2 & 3 and see my drawing of the window in the comic. Well, not MY drawing, but artist Tony Moore’s reproduction of it as a shadow on the bookcase behind Doctor Strange.

There are two viable deductions for how he came to use my own rendition:

1. He did an internet search for Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum Window and saw one of my pics.
2. Co-Writer, Brian Posehn offered a visual reference taken from action figure customizer, "Sillof"' with whom Posehn’s friend/fellow comedian and geek emeritus Patton Oswalt hepped him to, since Oswalt is a fan of the customizer’s work. Sillof’s own customized diorama of the Sanctum Sanctorum also used my own design (I think he had asked me if it was ok to do so – I know I get requests like that from time to time, and don’t recall if his was one of the “official” uses or not), and so if the pics of Sillof’s custom Sanctum were offered to Posehn, who then in turn passed them to Deadpool artist Tony Moore, then that’s how it may have ended up being the design of choice. *Whew!*

But, for any naysayers, I will –through the magic of internet animation – show you that the two designs line up perfectly.

And there ya go… you’re welcome.

LoL

OK, fine… as I said at the onset, neither of these are giant event-changing ideas, like giving Wolverine bone claws and naming him after the bullying father of his childhood friend (ohhhh…. The whole thing makes my head hurt) – or that Professor X had a secret third team of X-Men that he sacrificed trying to save the original team before he would then recruit yet another (ugh… who thought of THAT?)…uh… or that Iron Man would have ALWAYS been Kang’s traitorous mind-thrall who’d then die off and his teen-age self would come to the present to take over the role (WTF?!?)… or that the young-boy Stephen Strange would be tormented by demons sent to him by a jealous Baron Mordo, since the Ancient One had said that the boy was destined to be “the chosen one” (GAH!!!)… or that WONG would be a pupil of the Ancient One too and be the one to call upon the Vishanti while Strange was a bumbling idiot (AARGH!!!)… y’know what?

MY little contributions are BETTER than those because, while tiny and innocuous, they helped BUILD upon the stories and didn’t destroy, derail or degrade the properties.

You’re welcome.

(Now, if anyone has any interest, I’ve long had a great idea how Man-Thing can give birth to his human self and raise the now-infant Ted Sallis in the Nexus, which would then lead to… 
*Seriously, see it [HERE])

Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club (part II) : STRANGE SWAG

As introduced in my most previous post, (which featured an uber-rare, online-exclusive, bonus-content audio-play [HERE],) I discussed the basics of the Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club.

In 2006, (and into 2007,) Scholastic Books teamed up with Marvel Comics to form the Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club; a subscription book (and collectibles) club, where you would sign up to receive 10 shipments (with a low price first shipment, and then 9 additional - and more expensive - deliveries) of Book Club goodies every month.

Initial Shipment

Including: the first of a series of 10 story "chapter" books, a magazine, a sticker sheet, some toys, a game board and pieces for a "battle" game, a set of collectible cards in an illustrated tin case AND a poster (which when combined with the other 9 posters form a JUMBO-size mega-poster image)! 

Each additional shipment included a Super Hero Adventure Book, a new issue of Marvel Magazine, a 20-Trading Card Booster Pack, a Super Hero Poster and Marvel Stickers, plus continued Website access for the secret online-only content, much like the audio-play featured last post.

Of course, the primary (and, frankly - ONLY) reason that I signed up for the service was in the fleeting hope that - eventually - there would be some DOCTOR STRANGE content in one (or more) of the shipments.

As most DOC-fans of any substantial length of time will readily attest, there is a dearth of Dr. Strange content when it comes to Marvel general merchandise. Sure, Wolverine, Hulk, Captain America and Spider-Man are on everything and anything, but the chances of Doctor Strange being shown on any merchandise item are slim-to-nil.

However, hope springs eternal for the die-hard fan, and as luck would have it, a part of the initial shipment contained a sticker sheet that had a sticker featuring Doctor Strange!

Apologies for some of these poor pics.

My photography staging area is currently a disaster area, and I needed to get these done quickly.

Doc shown 2nd row - 1st sticker on the left.

This was enough to keep me coming back for more shipments - every month - for 10 months... in the slim hope that there would be (there HAD to be) more. 


The fourth shipment was a HULK shipment - with book, poster segment and magazine all featuring the green goliath, and it made sense to me that with their long, historied connection, that Dr. Strange would be featured somewhere therein.

Disappointingly, the audio play that I featured last post was Doc's only contribution to that shipment.
But, still... that kept my hope alive.

But, with shipment after shipment coming with absolutely no Doctor Strange content, I was ready to cut my losses and cancel my subscription. I kept on, however, due to my paranoia that once I canceled, that a Doctor Strange related shipment would have been the very next one. And so I waited it out... all the way to the end.

Good thing that I did.

For the 10th and final shipment was what could be considered the "everything but the kitchen sink" shipment. The "everybody else" assortment.

It featured a Silver Surfer magazine...

And while the magazine didn't have anything with Dr. Strange within (surprising since there was also the long, historied relationship between the Surfer & Strange as Defenders) the shipment did contain several items of STRANGE swag!

Like every other shipment, this one also came with a sticker sheet.
In an ironic symmetry, this last shipment's sticker sheet (like the first shipment's) would also feature a Doctor Strange sticker.

Doc shown 2nd row - 2nd sticker from the right.

Each shipment would also come with a pack of cards for a CCG, and this shipment would finally contain a card for Doctor Strange.

While that would be a nice treat (and a rare addition to my insane collection of Strange-related collectible cards), an even better treat would also lie within this shipment:

The storybook that featured DOCTOR STRANGE (and the Avengers) vs GALACTUS.

The story featured a pot-lock / potpourri of heroes, most closely resembling the line-up of the "Bendis-vengers" in a battle to save the Earth from Galactus and his many heralds (none of which were heralds ever seen before in comics canon). Actually, while the book title is listed as the Avengers vs Galactus, is was really "Everybody vs Galactus", since the devourer of worlds would be faced by not only the World's Mightiest Heroes, but also the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and many solo heroes.

Doctor Strange is written as dealing with several of the heralds, so that the heroes can take the battle to Galactus. Here's a pic with an excerpt:

click to read

And last, but certainly not least, the shipment also had a mini-poster which featured the DEFENDERS (minus the Hulk, who is on his own poster) versus Galactus!

click to Galactus-size

This 11" x 17" mini-poster was the final segment of the 22" x 85" mega-image battle-scene that would be made when all ten posters were aligned in their proper positions.

click to mega-size!

Sadly, the club shuttered not long after this final shipment - depriving other dorks...uh... darling children from the wonders of the Marvel Super Heroes Collector's Club.

To Do ROM ROM ROM... To Do ROM ROM. -or- Giving the people what they want.

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This is more or less an UPDATE to a previous series of posts - specifically the last one [HERE] (but the rest of the series can be found HERE, HERE and HERE) wherein I had created and submitted an original piece of artwork featuring ROM : SPACEKNIGHT for the SPACENITE2 fundraiser show / auction to benefit former Marvel writer, Bill Mantlo.

 In the last post of the series (again - [HERE]) I presented my original illustration

... for any and all digital colorists out there to try their hand!

However, I was told by some, in comments and emails that the provided images could and/or should be made larger to enable computer colorists a better canvas with which to work.

So... I got to it (finally) and did so.

Instead of posting the artwork here (and bogging down page loads) I am providing links to my DeviantArt page [HERE] where you can download HUGE versions of not only the "inked" black line-art [HERE], but also the original blue-line pencil art [HERE] (which you can then ink yourself).

 

NOTE: 

THESE are NOT the oversized images.

They're BIG, and the inked one might be large enough for some, but the oversized scans are ONLY available from my DeviantArt page.

Heck, don't have access to computerized coloring software?
Then print it out and grab your box of crayons, if you'd like!
(And you need not feel pressured to "stay in the lines".)

And then, as promised... as an added bonus... after you've colored it... send me a digital copy and I'll showcase them on the SANCTUM SANCTORUM COMIX blog in a future post!
(I'll even set up a cool link-exchange, wherein I link your piece to your own blog or site and you can do the same - thus spreading the internet fanbase network.)

All I insist upon is that you leave my various signatures and website info intact.

Feel free to add your own sigs and web-info below mine in the bottom right corner.

That's cool... and fair.

I even adjusted the size and placement of my sigs in the oversized images to allow more room for your info! 

If you need image reference for all the assorted characters in the illustration, don't fret.
I have provided all of those in the previous post (once again - [HERE]).

So, no excuses. Let's see some colored samples!

Valentine's Day 2011 Kiss my Giant-Sized MAN-THING

While, in years past, I have presented deep, introspective gazes into the love-life of Doctor Stephen Strange and his numerous love-interests (which can be found at the following links HERE and HERE or even the "Clea Loves Sex" series:  HERE), today I only have time for a "quickie".

And as such, I think that this year I'll focus on a few images of some sweet love for the MAN-THING.
(now won't THAT be taken out of context by Google surfers)

 

Story by Marv Wolfman, Artwork by Liam Sharp 

from 'Marvel Shadows and Light' # 2

Man-Thing is sensitive enough to "cuddle" afterward.

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It has been hinted in 'Thunderbolts' # 150 that Man-Thing has a "crush" on Moonstone, but as of this time, aside from a longing glance, no scene of outward affection has really been shown.

Story by Jeff Parker, art by Kev Walker from Thunderbolts # 150

Love-lights are in his eyes.

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While wracking my brain to come up with a good scene of someone (preferably female) kissing MAN-THING, I did indeed come across a few, but the few instances I came across were either poorly staged (i.e; too many figures in a panel, or too much dialogue, or cropped awkwardly), such as this example - one of the earliest of my remembrances of someone actually WANTING to hug the Man-Thing.

 Story by Chris Claremont, artwork by Gene Colan
from 'Doctor Strange ; Master of the Mystic Arts' # 41.

Man-Thing about to get "thanked" by several people in togas.

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Some embraces were too vague, with only subtle emotions on display...

Story by  Paul Hornschemeier, Art by Mark Texiera, from 'Tomb of Terror' # 1

 A tear-stained cheek, a gentle caress and a sad farewell.

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...OR some instances where the "embrace" was inappropriate (one great scene where Man-Thing and his former wife/lover Ellen Brandt were locked in a death kiss, with her being absorbed into his mass).

Story by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, artwork by Nic Klein
from 'Dead of Night ; Featuring Man-Thing' # 4

Man-Thing loves her... to death!

Many relationships are filled with hostility that barely hides deeply-seeded love.

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Displays of manly love or "bro-mance" are alright, such as between Man-Thing and members of the Thunderbolts (as shown in this old post HERE) and this one between Man-Thing and Frank Castle (aka; the Punisher - aka; FrankenCastle).

 Story by Rick Remender, art by Tony Moore and Mike Hawthorne
from 'Punisher/FrankenCastle' # 13.

Bromance!

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Even a "big brother" type of caring has been seen, as was the protective friendship between Manny and Franklin Richards.

Story by Scott Lobdell, art by Chris Bachalo from 'Generation X' # 25.

Story by Peter David, Art by Salvador Larocca from 'Heroes Reborn : The Return' # 1
 

No NAMBLA. jokes, please. That shit's just WRONG!

(oddly enough, in either case, the "M" should stand for "monster")

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Platonic man-love has been seen, such as the one time when Quasar (Wendel Vaughan) gave Manny a quick kiss to the top of his head.

Story by Marc Gruenwald, art by Greg Capullo from 'Quasar' # 31

Man-on-Man-Thing love.

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Much like the scene from Doctor Strange above, there was even a scene where multiple people were lavishing attentions upon Man-Thing.
Jennifer Kale (unfortunately in one of the few instances where she isn't wearing her metal bikini) and a few other heroes put together the various "blown-up" pieces of Man-Thing, reassembling him, and seemingly are giving him a full frontal massage to "revive" him.

Story by Marc Gruenwald, Art by Andy Smith from 'Quasar' # 50

They just keep rubbing that Man-Thing until he spurts some of his "Nexus".

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Heck, I'm even open minded about trans-gender love... such as this WOMAN-THING / SUMP-THING union. (It's a weird story. But Man-Thing is a woman in it, and Swamp Thing is the Sump-Thing... uh... you'd need to go back and read Cerebus # 23- 25 before reading this issue. )

story and art by Dave Sim, from Cerebus # 82.

The "real" (unseen) "sex scene" is in Cerebus # 25.

y'know.. just nevermind.

The only person who will be turned on by this is Mike Sterling!

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Of course, at the end of the day, THIS is STILL my favorite image of Man-Thing lovin'!

Story by Jeff Parker, Art by Colleen Coover

from ' X-MEN : FIRST CLASS : FINALS' # 3

So, there ya have it.
And remember...
Whomever knows LOVE... YEARNS for the Touch of the MAN-THING!

May your favorite Man-Thing give and receive all the love that it deserves.

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY to ALL!