GIF GIFTS

Just a bit of a time/space filler today.
Regardless, these are still some real goodies to share with everyone.


No long ramble this time. I'll just show you a few things I found online while I should be doing more important stuff.

Animated gifs of some of my favorite characters!

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DOCTOR STRANGE!

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MAN-THING!

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ROM : SPACEKNIGHT!

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SHUMA GORATH!

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SCARLET WITCH!

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aaaand... 

LOBO the DUCK!

 

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OK, LOBO the DUCK is really nobody's favorite, but seeing as he's part of the Amalgam Universe and is a mash-up between LOBO and HOWARD the DUCK, I'd say he's pretty damn awesome.
Plus, just LOOK at him! Sweet!

These are all animated gifs, sometimes called "sprites", many of which were created by talented gamers and coders for use in what is known as "M.U.G.E.N." (or just MUGEN), which is a freeware version of typical 2-D sidescrolling fighting style video games.

Many of these sprites are 100% original works, while most are based off of some form of template - either a generic template or based on figures already created and adjusted to look more like the new character desired.

For instance, Doctor Strange up top is based on a Magneto template with some adaptations and tweaks here and there (Spider-Man hand, for instance).


The popularity of the CAPCOM style fighting game seems to be what started this trend, especially the MARVEL vs CAPCOM games (as I blogged about once earlier [HERE]).


Allow me to give some props to the coders who made these.


I TRULY wish I could acknowledge the ROM animator, but I found that one a few years back and can't seem to locate it online any more to find the creator's name.


From what I can tell, here are the creators of the others:

Dr Strange by SPOOKY77 - info on his process [HERE]
Man-Thing by "ledernieraztlan"
Shuma Gorath by "sludge" - more of it [HERE] (registration required)
Scarlet Witch by "Warecus" and "ZVitor"
Lobo Duck by "sic-1"

Anyway, it's fairly easy to find things like this online.
I've found a bunch of posed and moves of Shuma Gorath, BlackHeart and Dr Doom from the actual Marvel vs Capcom games, but since those are probably copyrighted intellectual properties of big corporate entities - I'm not posting them here.

Enjoy the gif(t)s!

Van DAMN!

I'm trying to get a few posts together here on a myriad of subjects, but just can't seem to get my motor runnin'.
So, while I'm trying to infuse myself with some high-octane super-unleaded, I thought I'd share THIS little thing as seen on MAXIM online.

12 Superheroes Who Should Be On '70s Vans

Both
ROM SPACEKNIGHT
- and -
DOCTOR STRANGE
make the list!

Check it out! [HERE]
But if this van's a rockin...

IDOL PURSUITS : ROM: SPACEKNIGHT is HERE! - or - It's my (birthday) PARTY, and I'll ROM if I want to.

Yup.
I'm the birthday boy today (although, this won't be posted until much of the day has passed), and I'm here (at the ripe old age of er...*phmorrty-tume*...*cough**cough*...) to share with you, in another "IDOL PURSUITS" * entry, my love of an action figure er... doll...uh... "Electronic 'Action' Toy" from 01979.

ROM : SPACEKNIGHT

ROM is here!
(As if the teasers I ran over the last two days didn't give it away...)

I'll even give a video tutorial "expose' " of sorts, at the end of this blog entry wherein, I, PTOR, speak to you and show you how the ROM figure works.
With several videos, some audio clips, plenty of photos and my usual verbose written word-count, this could very well be the most monstrously media oriented post I've ever attempted.

So, sit back and enjoy.
And remember... clicking on images makes them Galadorian in size!

*******

Now... ROM, for those of you who either are unfamiliar with the character - or - who only knew of him from his self-titled Marvel Comic series, was an electronic "interactive" toy, from a time when such things were only starting to be introduced into the marketplace.
However, since most of those electronic toys were usually hand-held games (anyone remember the Coleco handheld sports games?) or first and second generation console games (Pong! and the likes of Atari), an electronic "action figure" was a bit ahead of it's time.

*******

ROM was the brainchild of inventor Bing McCoy **, who, first seeking to invent an "Egyptian Mystic" doll, found that no manufacturer was interested, and so he transformed the core concept into a futuristic cyborg instead.
(I mean, that's the natural progression, right? Actually, fans of the original Battlestar Galactica might agree. The human pilots wore helmets that resembled Egyptian headdresses and the Cylons were robot/cyborgs of a sort, right? Toss in some red L.E.D. lights for eyes and you're halfway there.)

Parker Brothers, well known for their board games, was looking to get into the action figure and electronic toy market and what better way than to combine the two?

(You've got your kung-fu grip in my microprocessor.
No. You've got your microprocessor all over my kung-fu grip!)

Parker Bros whipped up a promotional video complete with a basic back-story for ROM in order to present it for the buyers at that year's Toy Fair.

You'll note that the Dire Wraiths were "created" as was their shape-shifting abilities, however, sadly, their figures were never released, making ROM a one-figure "line".

They mixed up the Translator and Analyzer, but this was just a video sales pitch to buyers,
who really wouldn't care less which was which.

A few tidbits were dropped; like the whole "Solstar Order" angle, but really, it was just renamed as the general term "Spaceknights".

That, and a few other crucial touches were added by Marvel Comics, when Parker Bros asked them to produce a comic to promote the toy.
Then-Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, and go-to writer Bill Mantlo came up with much of the rest of the story and the hit ROM : Spaceknight comic was born.

Sadly, the toy was neither well promoted nor attractively made. This contributed toward it's failure on the marketplace. The comic, however, lasted 7 years, 75 issues, 4 Annuals and several guest starring roles in other comics, with a story line that touched and changed many corners of the Marvel Universe. Still, BOTH the toy and comic maintain a cult status to this very day.

******

ROM's attraction, for me, was multi-faceted.

I was introduced to ROM by the comic, but the toy had an allure about it, and it was my fervent desire, as a lad, to get it as a birthday present when it was first released.

ROM; the comic and the toy, both hit the marketplace in late 1979.



(Which, incidentally makes this ROM's 30th Anniversary!)



I had started buying the comic, from the spinner racks of my local stationery store, starting from issue # 3, and right then and there, I was hooked.


The dynamic artwork of the teaser ads kept me drooling and desirous for the figure that was the inspiration for this wonderful comic!

Now... imagine if this was drawn by Jack Kirby.
That would've been awesome!

While Bill Mantlo's sweeping melodrama and Sal Buscema's evocative artwork gripped me and pulled me in, what really held me in it's power was ROM himself. The design and look of the Spaceknight was familiar enough to a fan of sci-fi robots and yet new and innovative enough to be something else entirely.
Something special.

Sal Buscema was no slouch with his dynamic artwork!
ROM was certainly my favorite Sal Buscema vehicle.

So, it should come as no surprise that I expressed my desire for the figure for my birthday (April of 1980, since by the time I really was deep into ROM I was too late for the figure's first sales of Christmas 1979).

My parents, although they love(d) me, had never embraced my love of comics or such childish things as "action figures", and so, they shot down any hope of buying me a "DOLL" for my birthday.

Especially, a doll that cost somewhere around the $20 mark.
And even more especially, a doll for a young boy who was now into a double-digit age-bracket.

Instead, I hid my mild disappointment when I opened up my gift to reveal that it was a new tape recorder.
Sure, I knew that my chances for scoring ROM was slim-to-none, but I held out some slight hope that it was all a fake-out ploy, and that there really would be a ROM waiting for me that day.

Now, I'll admit that it was a nice recorder, and I used it - a LOT.

(NOT the actual model, but close.)

However, while I would use the tape recorder for what it was worth... it was still a let down, for I knew that the one thing that I had hoped for was lost to me.
Possibly, forever.

Not to seem as if I let die the dream of having a ROM of my own, I did indeed venture forth one day - a month or so later, to a store (most likely Woolworth's at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, Long Island), to search for the object of my desire --- to no avail.

No one had it, or knew if they would have it again.

So, I would have to contend myself with the comic, and the ad for the toy, that I would probably never see in real life.

Ads from inside back cover & inside page of Marvel Comic issues.

Many years had passed, and eventually, I forgot about the ROM figure. Heck, I'd even had practically given up on the ROM comic on and off - especially toward the latter end of it's run.

Still, as fate sometimes plays with us, after a decade or so, ROM would once again hold me fast in his plandanium grip - and this time... he wouldn't let go.

*******

As I had mentioned in my previous "meme" post [seen HERE], I once lived in New York City across the street from the "physical address" of Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum; his address supposedly at 177A Bleecker Street, and I was living at 160 Bleecker Street.

Just down the block on the corner of Bleecker and Thompson Streets was an old antique toy / collectibles shoppe.
One day while I was revisiting the old haunt, primarily for a painting job, I stopped into that old toy shoppe to browse the arcane wares.

And there, in one corner of the store, near the front window stood ROM.
It might have been one of the first times I had even seen one in person.
The fact that it was a dull grey instead of any type of silver was a little off-putting, but not too much so. In the first few issues of the comic, ROM was colored and referred to as grey.
There was no box, and I doubt that he was complete with all his weapons, but still... it stood proudly.

I was there with my best and oldest friend, Adam (appropriately named, eh?) and mentioned to him the backstory of my 1980 birthday and my love of the comic, and my desire to perhaps spend the money that I was about to make from the painting job on that ROM. If my memory serves, I believe it was around my birthday then, as well, so it seemed fated to be.

My friend implored me not to make such an impulsive purchase. Or at least to give it a day to think about it, since the shop wanted a high price tag for the incomplete item.

As hard as it was to do so, I promised, and went back to my task, my thoughts filled with images of that gunmetal grey guardian of the galaxy.

The next day, after I had completed my work, Adam picked me up and as we drove around the city, he nonchalantly placed a shoe box in my hands.

Opening the box, pulling aside the tissue wrap, there looking back at me was ROM; SPACEKNIGHT.

After much back and forth, my friend swore to me that he did not purchase the figure that we had seen in the store, instead giving me HIS OWN which he stated that he had when HE was young. I still don't know if I believe that story... knowing what a truly good and selfless person (not to mention the high quality of friend), I wouldn't doubt that he went back to the shop and bought the ROM for me himself (although, I'd have hated for him to spend that kind of money on me for something like this).

Even though it was missing the box and Neutralizer * - it was perfect in every way.

*AWESOME UPDATE of April 9, 2010 - at END of this POST*

Still, it was unexpected, so very appreciated (even though I kept telling him that I couldn't accept it), and treasured from then onward.

The NEUTRALIZER this one is holding is from a different set
- as I'll detail below.

*******

However, that's not really the end of the story.

*******

A few years later, I was in the same toy shoppe, on Long Island, where I purchased my first "MARVEL WORLD PLAYSET" [as chronicled HERE], and up on the top shelf behind the register was ROM... in Box. Complete.

I was hesitant to even think of inquiring about it, since it felt like a disservice to my friend and his kind gift, but then I thought that I'd be able to more actively use the gifted ROM (as I would unpack it on occasion, place the 9 volt battery in it and fire it up) and keep the boxed one on display.

However, that was even if I would (or could) buy it - I hadn't inquired the price as of yet - and feared doing so.

Taking a deep breath, I asked what the price would be, and once again, much like the Marvel World, I was given a very good deal.
My being a loyal (and frequent) customer there was certainly paying off.

And so... I bought it and now have the two ROM figures.

"Met him on a Monday and my heart stood still...
the TWO-ROM-Rom-Roms, the TWO ROM-Roms..."

*******

On prominent display in my Sanctum, I do, every now and again, pull out the one given to me by my friend, and admire it for the cheesy beauty of it all... and play around with it.

The ROM figure is sadly, devoid of much in the way of... action possibilities.
It's a stiff, ungainly, gangly figure, top heavy and lacking the ability to be posed in any but the most basic of ways - due to the utter lack of articulation.

Still, with ample imagination to fuel the play, there are no limits to what adventures you... and ROM could experience.

To aid in that endeavor, ROM comes with several accessories and has the ability to emit several electronic sounds.

His various accoutrements and "bells-&-whistles" are delineated on the package:





His Electronic Accessories include:

TRANSLATOR - With this accessory, you can make ROM understand any language.

ENERGY ANALYZER - With this, ROM can detect energy readings and also detect good and evil.

NEUTRALIZER - Able to disrupt energy patterns, armed with this, ROM seems almost invincible.

With his Built-In Electronic Features:

ADVANCED ELECTRONICS - Microelectronic systems control all of his functions.

LIFE-LIKE RESPIRATOR - Built into his protective armor, with this ROM can survive in any environment.

ENERGIZED ROCKET PACK - At the touch of a button, twin pods "ignite", enabling you to imagine ROM flying through space.

*******

Here I'll post the sound files individually (unlike the two "teaser" entries, that I posted over the last two days - which were merged sounds) for you:

- ROCKET PODS


- RESPIRATOR


- TRANSLATOR


- ANALYZER


- NEUTRALIZER

*******

The Instruction sheets detail how everything works.

*******

However, seeing it in action is a much more satisfying experience.
Join me now, as I showcase my ROM figures and show how they operate.

NOTE: I've uploaded a Higher Quality video here, replacing the previous lower res version. The same video. Just better quality.
Press the "Play" button and if you wish to see in HQ, then click the RED "HQ" button that will appear on the bottom control bar.




Please pardon my haggard appearance and strained voice, but I was pretty tired after a long stint of major house work - on top of a late evening of work the night before. Rambling as quickly as I could, to get it all in under the 10-minute time-limit for YouTube, I garbled half of my words speaking rapidly. Next time I try a video post, I'll speak a little slower.
Also, my apologies for the quality of the video.
I am trying to upload a high-quality video, but YouTube is giving me hassles with it, so I loaded the lower res one as a back-up.
***UPDATE***
I managed to upload the higher res version of the video here. 04-10-09.

*******

* AWESOME UPDATE *
April-09-2010
As told in a new post
(found [HERE])
the NEUTRALIZER from my friend's ROM has been found!
The story can be found at that link.

20 years later... found.

* END UPDATE *

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And so, I hope you are happy with this extensive overview of ROM.

If you desire any further information about ROM, either the toy or the comic, there's no better resource than the ROM SPACEKNIGHT - REVISITED site [HERE]. I frequently contribute information there, but Lee Seitz, the site master there, needs little help in producing a top notch information resource.
SPECIAL THANKS to Lee and his site for providing the sound files featured above.
If you go to his site you can actually DOWNLOAD them to keep for your very own.

*******

*
"IDOL PURSUITS" is the name of the line of posts wherein I showcase assorted FIGURES.
Be they "action figures", "standees", Statues, Model Kits, etc...
Check out the previous entries in the "IDOL PURSUITS" line of blogposts.

- To check out just the previous ROM; SPACEKNIGHT entry:
(the statues/model kits) - go HERE.

- To check out ALL of the "IDOL PURSUITS" entries - click HERE.


**
Don't forget to visit Bing McCoy's website - [HERE].

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***

A Look Inside - A Look Behind : - A MEME Post

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Click to Open Wide the Door
(and see the "personalization")

Originally titled "The Showdown" - from Marvel Fanfare # 6
before I tweaked it for my own selfish ends

Ol' Groove, from "Diversions of the Groovy Kind" has knocked on the door of the Sanctum - with a meme, asking for me; ~P~ (sometimes known as PTOR); Master of the Sanctum Sanctorum to participate (his entry HERE).

Initially, I was going to pass on the honor, because I am currently in the middle of a monstrous series of entries detailing
The Search for, Nature and History of...the Sorcerer Supreme .
However, my initial reluctance to answer the call reminded me of the many times that other heroes would go calling to the Sanctum Sanctorum of Dr. Stephen Strange ; Master of the Mystic Arts, only to find that he wasn't at home - or worse, would just not answer their entreaties.

And so, it is because of that sense of feeling how I always hated when that would happen in the comics, that I thought that this once, I'd throw wide the door for a brief glimpse into the Inner Sanctum of Sanctum Sanctorum Comix.


The Rules
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog.
3) Write six random things about yourself.
4) Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Simple enough, and so... let's begin:

1) PTOR is a knickname given to me by one of my most treasured friends (and co-workers).
She adopts a voice similar to famed old-time actor Frank Nelson - when she mimicks me - even though I sound nothing like that. It is hilarious.

2) I'm a bit of an oddity in my immediate family as I'm the only left-handed, hazel-green-eyed, 6 foot tall person in a family of righty, brown-eyed, mid-height folks. (as an added bonus tidbit; my eyes change color depending on what I'm wearing, my mood or the atmosphere outside.)

3) While it is not my name, whenever I meet someone new, they almost ALWAYS assume my name is "Stephen". Often calling out that name expecting me to respond to it. After all these years - I finally do. COINCIDENCE?

4) I tend to dress like a super-villain. Meaning, that my entire wardrobe is almost entirely comprised of "villain-colored" items:
Black, and various shades and hues of grey, green and purple (no purple pants however).
Perhaps 2 or three red items.
(I almost never wear blue, even though I look good in it [and it makes my eyes change to a shade of blue that the ladies adore] - as I dislike the color - primarily because everyone else loves it.)

5) When I was a kid, I had several occupations that I thought I would attain:
- Missionary (although, I almost became a monk - long story.)
- Stuntman (jumping my bicycle over anything put in front of me.)
- comic book artist (and I did become a comic writer/artist for a few years in the booming 1990's.)
- Therapist (people have always come to me with their problems - I've an understanding ear)
- Actor / musician (was semi-professional in both of those until I determined that I preferred to be behind the scenes as a writer / artist)
- Writer / Artist (which is what I have become - having been a paid, published professional artist since 10th grade)

6) While attending art school, I lived at 160 Bleecker Street, directly across the street from the supposed address of Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum (177A Bleeker Street) in Greenwich Village.


---

I am passing the torch on to the following bloggers (sorry friends... feel free to participate if you wish to, and no harm, no foul if you don't):

- Howard "Wrong Dimension Boy" (at his wrongdimension LiveJournal blog)
- Monique (at Comixtravaganza)
- Michael (also at Comixtravaganza - hey, it's not cheating. There are two people there with two distinctive voices!)
- Scotty C (of Scotty C's Mind)
- Plok (one of my all-time fave bloggers at his Trout in the Milk blog)
- Googum (whose action figure fumetti theatre makes my day - at Random-Happenstance)

---

Now I have GOT to get back to my regularly featured content.

Be This Not... DOOMSDAY !

URGENT! *
FANS OF DOCTOR STRANGE... TAKE HEED!

While I wish I had posted this earlier today ** , I still want to make it known that ANYONE and EVERYONE who visits this blog should go QUICKLY to "Comics Should Be Good @ Comic Book Resources" and vote for DR. STRANGE who is in "March Madness"-type of battles.

He has already defeated Wolverine, but now is losing against DR. DOOM!

The battle rages HERE !

However, the voting ENDS at 2 PM E.S.T. tomorrow
(Friday, March 27th).
***CORRECTION***
Their web-site's clock is incorrectly set to P.S.T. not E.S.T., so you probably have until 5 PM EST to vote.


If you have more than one computer - vote on each one!

And then, keep on the lookout for Strange's next opponent.
If we all vote, we can turn this thing on it's head.

***UPDATE***
Vote finals show that DOOM defeated STRANGE : 453-334.
Doom got 58% of the vote
View vote results HERE.

I'm sure that if I had posted this earlier, we may have had a chance to rally.
Oh well... next time.
***END UPDATE***

*
(OK. So it's just a silly online contest... but that doesn't mean that Strange has to lose, right?)

Also in combat are Batman vs Darkseid.
Feel free to vote however you wish in that battle.


**
Work and life have taken their toll on me today.
I'm exhausted.
The review of New Avengers # 51 and my discussion on the nature of being the Sorcerer Supreme will continue anon.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

Marvel's Magic Show

Marvel has jumped into the odd's-making for the Next Sorcerer Supreme with a new article on their web-site (HERE).
It's more of a fluff teaser piece than an actual in-depth look into the candidates, but it does address a few of them

Readers of this blog will know that I already dove into that betting pool a few moths ago (HERE) as well as a follow-up - rant, of sorts - (HERE * ).


*Be sure to read the comments on that one... some GOOD stuff in there.

WHO SHALL BE THE SCAB SUPREME?

Lo! It shall come to pass...

Click to make Supreme Sized.

Official Marvel House-Ad for the event.

While I pontificated about this subject several months ago (HERE), Marvel's own Tom Brevoort and Brian Michael Bendis finally put forth some official "odds" of their own about who shall be the next Sorcerer Supreme in an article from Comic Book Resources.

I know that comics are cyclical in nature, and that nothing is forever, but still... this entire enterprise fills me with a sense of dread foreboding.

It's not due to the concept of the storyline. Dr. Strange losing the power and/or title of Sorcerer Supreme is hardly ANYTHING new (it's been done at least 6 times before, that I can name off the top of my head) nor is the lead-up prelude of Strange using Dark powers and having to atone for them (that's been at least done 2 or 3 before that I can think of).

Frankly, I'm all FOR a shake up of the status quo every once in a while.
Those aforementioned instances of power-downs, title losses and dark magic were among the very best tales of the good Doctor.

No.
Sadly, the reason for my trepidation lands squarely on the shoulders of the architect of this particular story-line; Brian Michael Bendis.

Bendis has some good ideas at times, but his execution of those ideas is almost NEVER any good.

It's not that he's a bad writer. Truthfully, I will readily admit to LIKING his stuff.
Most of the time, anyway.

Except for his dialogue. Everyone speaks with the same "voice" and hardly EVER are they accurate to what has been accepted as "the norm" for that character.

My main problem isn't even Bendis' horrid treatment and handling of Dr. Strange to date.
There have been a few instances of actual "great potential" in the overall "setting" of Bendis' Stephen Strange. The background workings of the Sanctum Sanctorum in the New Avengers title were sublime.

Although...NOTHING can redeem Bendis' handling of Strange in "The Illuminati", "House of M" or "Avengers Disassembled" - those were abso-fucking-lutely horrid.

Truthfully, it all falls within the parameters of Bendis failing to follow through in any cohesive manner with his grand concepts. All of his epics have fallen flat upon delivery;
"House of M", "Secret War", "Avengers Disassembled", "Illuminati", "Secret Invasion"...
All of them; fantastic concepts. All of them - missing key plot points (or - an ending).

Perhaps, they should all be seen as one sweeping story. One that has yet to end.
Perhaps, they need to be reviewed and critiqued when they are "all" completed (whenever the hell he decides these events will come to a close).

So. Then. The next installment of the Bendis epic-event-a-tron is to recast the life of Doctor Strange and role of the Sorcerer Supreme. It might be good. Or it might suck.

The only silver lining (to no matter WHAT occurs) is that it can be undone (if need be) or I'll be able to finally give up this insane hobby (if Doctor Strange is removed "completely").

Unless the MAN-THING becomes the Sorcerer Supreme... then I'm GOLDEN!

The "Magic" of Video - Part I; DR. STRANGE - 1978 TV Movie. a Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz presentation.

As a new feature film for Doctor Strange is, once again, rumored to be in production, I thought it best to go over the many versions of Doctor Strange that have made it to the (small) screen thus far.

First up would be this; the 1978 made-for-tv pilot movie:

DR. STRANGE

The first mass media appearance of the Marvel Comics character; DOCTOR STRANGE, outside of comics, magazine cameos (such as ESQUIRE Magazine in 1966) and the occasional piece of merchandise, this made-for-TV movie was the pilot for what was hoped to be an ongoing television series.

Based, loosely, upon the work and characters of creators; Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, this film was

Written and Directed by:

• Philip DeGuere

Starring:

• Peter Hooten as Dr. Stephen Strange
• Clyde Kusatsu as Wong
• Jessica Walter as Morgan Le Fay
• Eddie Benton (later Anne-Marie Martin) as Clea Lake

and

• John Mills as Thomas Lindmer

Featuring:

• Philip Sterling as Dr. Frank Taylor
• June Barrett as Sarah
• Sarah Rush as Nurse
• Diana Webster as Head Nurse
• Bob Delegall as Intern
• Larry Anderson as Magician
• Blake Marion as Department Chief
• Lady Rowlands as Mrs. Sullivan
• Inez Pedroza as Announcer
• Michael Clark as Taxi Driver
• Frank Catalano as Orderly
• Michael Ansara as Ancient One (voice, uncredited)
• Ted Cassidy as Demon Balzaroth (voice, uncredited)
• David Hooks as The Nameless One (uncredited)

Trippy 1970's mod music by:

• Paul Chihara

Produced by:

• Alex Beaton
• Philip DeGuere
• Gregory Hoblit

Released by Universal (an MCA company) on CBS TV on Wednesday, September 6th 1978, from 8 - 10 pm Eastern Time, it was up against heavy competition as it aired the same time as a re-broadcast of a segment of the very popular mini-series: 'ROOTS'.
As such, the Master of the Mystic Arts had met the ultimate foe.
Neither Dormammu... Nor Mordo... Not Nightmare... Or even Death itself, but instead; the NIELSEN RATINGS monster.

The film gets lambasted and little respect by critical comic fans, however, I must state that it stands head and shoulders above much of the output of that time-frame, comic-related or otherwise.

One of the points of contention among die-hard fans is that it posited some reinterpreted characterizations.

- Stephen Strange is more of a "slacker, horn-dog", (But a CARING, slacker, horn-dog) Psychiatrist / MD with a mini-fro, than the "driven and avaricious egotistical surgeon" we know from the comics.

- Clea is "Clea Lake"; a college student.

- Wong is able to cast spells.

- And the "Ancient One" is Thomas Lindmer; a more 'modern-day Merlin-type' of mystic than the Eastern lama who taught the comic-version of Strange the ways of sorcery.

The film also suffered from budgetary and effects constraints, and some of the acting is less than Emmy worthy, but no one involved can be accused of phoning it in.

With some interesting cinematography, clever editing (the Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein segments help tie together the characters' separate worlds) and effective settings (especially within the Sanctum Sanctorum), it's a very entertaining film and one that is enjoyable even after many multiple viewings.
It's cheese. But, it's GOOD cheese!

While, next time, we'll be going over all the assorted goodies associated with this film, it's best to just have the movie stand by itself.

And so, without further ado... Hit the lights, please...

Originally presented on CBS.
Their own "EYE" of Agamotto shining upon the project.

-------------

The Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog

presents a Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz presentation

- of -

DR STRANGE

*************
"There is a barrier that separates the known from the unknown.
Beyond this threshold lies a battleground where forces of good and evil are in eternal conflict.
The fate of mankind hangs in the balance and awaits the outcome..."

"In every age and time,
Some of us are called upon
to join the battle..."

*************


part I

*************


part II

*************


part III

*************


part IV

*************


part V

*************


part VI

*************


part VII

*************


part VIII

*************


part IX

*************


part X

*************
~FIN~

Check back next time for a showcase of many items, pics, and goodies associated with the film.


Feel free to discuss the merits of the film in the comments section.

(my apologies for the moderate quality of the film. I HAVE a higher quality version that I was going to use, but my video editing software was cursed by Asmodeus, so I resorted to these back-up files, pre-edited by others. If I ever get it back up and running. I'll re-edit and re-post here for posterity.)

Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz * : Video Teaser

Take a look at this video and see if you can guess what I'll be showcasing here very soon. **

Lots of goodies to come!

* Sanctum Sanctorum Vidz is the name of my YouTube account, from which I'll be featuring any video content for the blog.

** HINT: It's not "The Man With The POWER".

They're Agamottoliscious!

SO awesome...I wish this was a crossover!

Now I want THIS as my new desktop wallpaper.
-at the END of the post-
(via BULLY the Little Stuffed Bull)

*don't forget to check the alt-text for extra yummi-goodness!

A STRANGE New Year...?

Reader Susannah sent me THIS piece of recent news:

---------------------------------------------------------------

From the Marvel website, Joe Quesada, Cup o' Joe column, 12-23-08:

JM: March also sees New Avengers #51 and the "Search for the new Sorcerer Supreme." Dr. Strange has been synonymous as that guy for so long…what's behind the impetus to change it?

JQ: The Marvel Universe is an unpredictable place. We have some very cool ideas for Dr. Strange and the world of the Sorcerer Supreme. I don't think I'm telling you anything you don't already know when I say that whenever Dr. Strange shows up as a supporting character, you go "Yes! This guy is so cool! Why doesn't he get his own book?" And then when we give him his own book…it doesn't seem to do all that much…

JM: Yeah, we talked about this before as "The Scottie Pippen Syndrome." He's great when Michael Jordan's around.

JQ: Yeah, exactly. There's a whole category of those guys. Dr. Strange is in that category, Nick Fury and SHIELD have always been in that category, Namor's a guy who kinda falls into that category…who else? The Silver Surfer, maybe.

So every now and then, we try to look for a new way to approach these characters,
and maybe find a new tone for story for these characters that might inject that...that
"thing", that magic - pardon the pun - that will take them to a higher level where
maybe we can launch them into a new book that will be compelling.

You know, Moon Knight was one of those characters, too, for a long time. We really got lucky with the [writer] Charlie Huston launch, and now that character's been stable and in his own series for years. If you asked me if we'd still be publishing Moon Knight several years down the road…I might have bet against it. But I love when stuff like that happens. So the search for a new sorcerer supreme will be a wonderful, redefining story for Dr. Strange, and…well, there are some big surprises coming for our fans in it.

---------------------------------------------------------------

This article found HERE.
So... what will 2009 bring to us?
A NEW Sorcerer Supreme (however temporary)?
A NEW direction and "creative interpretation" for Doctor Strange?
A NEW "STRANGE"-like disaster?
or
A NEW and SUCCESSFUL relaunch for the Master of the Mystic Arts?

I've been at this FAR too long to hazard a guess. Old-timers like myself have been teased far too many times to dare lay down odds (because they'd tend to be poor odds).

However, HOPE is magical.
And we are ALWAYS HOPEFUL... and thus, full of Magick!
Let us HOPE that Marvel...and DOC is filled with Magick this time around as well.

Tamam Shud!
~P~

Doctor Strange appearance UPDATE!

Just a quick update on DR. STRANGE comic appearances, cameos & whatnot that have happened recently.

First up is a hidden cameo in:

MARVELS : EYE OF THE CAMERA # 1,
by Kurt Busiek & Jay Anacleto.

Did you see him?
Look closer.


No?
Here ya go.
Ah! Cute.
(I hope this isn't going to be another thing that I buy the whole damn mini just because of one fleeting glimpse of Doc and he'll never appear again.
Please tell me he'll be in this.)


Next up is a page from:

MIGHTY AVENGERS # 20.
Brian Michael Bendis and several artists.

Doc's at the bottom of the page in a flashback to his hands getting crushed by Hulk.


The SANCTUM SANCTORUM is featured in a scene from:

WHAT IF : FALLEN SON.

No Doc, however. By Marc Sumerak (writer) and Trevor Goring (art)


Doctor Strange has a decent guest-starring role in:

WHAT IF : NEWER FANTASTIC FOUR

Since it's a sort of re-imagining of the INFINITY GAUNTLET saga, he's in most of the issue. By Paul Tobin (story) and Patrick Sherberger (pencils).

And, as a BONUS, there's a back-up feature starring Doc & The Illuminati against (World War) HULK.
Five pages of fun stuff by Chris Giarrusso.

And lastly, an online digital exclusive (at the Marvel.com "Digital Comics Unlimited" website)...

Doc and the Illuminati VS Santa.

It's a (non-canon) 2-page story from the:

MARVEL DIGITAL HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

It's FREE to read (for a limited time) and it's FUN! So... get going!
Direct link: HERE!
(special thanks to friend of the Sanctum; Howard Hallis & reader Susannah for helping to turn my Eye of Agamotto on to this digital delight.)


Also, a pretty good BROTHER VOODOO appearance in: HULK # 9.
Doctor Strange is MENTIONED (as in; We couldn't call Strange, so here's Brother Voodoo).


OK.
That's all for today.
I've got a TON of friggin' AWESOME stuff in the works, and am just trying to figure out WHAT to feature here FIRST!

I'm hoping to have a big year-end series and then start off 2009 with a bang!