She Casts a Hex of Sex! An "IDOL PURSUITS" post

I will readily admit to a nerd crush of sorts to the Marvel Comic's character; Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a.; the SCARLET WITCH.
Long have I held that she would be a far more favorable love-interest for Doctor Strange than Clea.

Perhaps, that's just my own love of redheads coming into play, but that's neither here nor there.

I have many representations of the Scarlet Witch in my Sanctum-collection; be they action figures, busts, statues (sadly, the Bowen statue that I had ordered years ago was shorted to my dealer and I never got that one) as well as posters, 7-11 tumblers and, of course - comics.

However, there is a limit to how far I will carry my geek/nerd love of this fictional character...

and Sideshow Collectibles has reached it.


A new "comiquette" (comic book maquette) based on the mutant mistress of mysticism is lovely at first glance...


but only gets a bit creepier as you take a closer look.

Uh... what?

While this isn't the FIRST time that a female comic book character has been tarted up to the extreme, usually such representations are strictly within the realm of fan-fic fan-art and commission requests.

John Byrne is rolling over in his grave.
(Having always held that Wanda wasn't overtly sexual, I'm sure Byrne died of an aneurysm when he saw this!)

Yes. Japan HAS recently released some sexually charged versions of the Scarlet Witch, but hell... it's JAPAN! They have been doing that sort of over-the-top sexual sublimation shtick practically forever.

This, however, is the first Officially licenced such piece of girlfriend-substitution of Wanda Maximoff (that I know of anyway).

At $205.00 US it's not too bad in the cost department, unlike the $500.00 MAN-THING comiquette that I blogged about last month [HERE].

But, while I am a MUCH bigger fan of MAN-THING, and I swore off that item due to the extreme nature of the PRICE, in this instance, I will not be ordering the Scarlet Witch comiquette because... well... LOOK at it.


With her being more well-endowed than she's EVER been portrayed in the comics, and obviously enjoying controlling the "boy toy" of her life (the VISION) with a joystick, no less...
my wife will wonder what the hell is wrong with ME should I think of putting this on display.

(And for you single guys out there - the hetero ones anyway - this probably won't win you any points with the GF any time soon... y'know... unless she's into this sort of thing.
In which case... congratulations on that!)

But, even if I weren't thinking of how my significant other would see this thing, just by my OWN standards... it's a bit much.

For the REST of those out there... thinking of buying this... think of poor VISION!

Oh, the pain and indignity of it all.

Voodoo, Villains, Valkyrie & Visible Astral Forms - NEW TOYS!An "IDOL PURSUITS" post

Y'know... while I was going thru my "Sanctum collection" looking at all the cool swag (hoping that I won't have to sell it all off one day soon) I made a vow that some of the things that I absolutely WILL KEEP are some of the various action figures of my favorite characters.

They're small enough to be kept on a bookshelf or computer desk, portable and fairly impervious to harm - should I need to toss them in a box for awhile for any reason.

But also, they're also a relatively inexpensive way to have 3-dimensional representations of my comic-book faves in my possession.

But, I also knew that it would be something that I could keep up with (barring any exclusive and/or unreleased bullshit like the BLACK BOLT figure that was to have come out last year).


I STILL need this one to finish my "ILLUMINATI" set.
It was only available in Canada and the Singapore, but has FINALLY made it to the USA.
Now, I just have to FIND one.

However, a few NEW pieces of MARVEL plastic love were unveiled by HASBRO at the 2009 SDCC (San Diego ComicCon) recently.
A few of which have been in the works for a few years, and two which were on my mind a lot as of late...

Allow me to showcase those select FEW items here, as they relate to my "6-dimensions" philosophy.

First up is...

BRO-DOC VOODOO!

Whether you call him BROTHER VOODOO or DOCTOR VOODOO he is still a very cool character - one long held in a good place in my head and heart - and LONG overdue for a figure.
This is to be a MARVEL LEGENDS figure (single packed) as far as I can tell.
While I know that the new 3.5 inch Marvel Universe figures are all the rage as of late, I still like my action figures to be a bit bigger. The 6 inch Legends figures more than fit that bill.

Another new "Legend" (and he is EVERYWHERE in the comics the past few years) is...

The HOOD!

It must have been a no-brainer to have him (and Voodoo) made into figures this year, with the whole "Next Socrerer Supreme" storyline going on in the New Avengers title.
Aside from that, HOOD has been in practically every Marvel title for the past few years, and his exposure is only getting MORE extreme.

However, it makes me wonder WHY there is no DORMAMMU figure to be released.
THAT seems like it should be a done deal.
He would make a great build-a-figure", but Hasbro has stated that they have stopped the B.A.F. program, due to budgetary constraints.

One other figure to be released (and one that had been rumored for several years) is...

VALKYRIE!

Arguably THE most steadfast member of the DEFENDERS (actually being in more issues than any of the founding 4 members), she is to be released later this year.
(Not to jinx the deal, but it is also rumored that NIGHTHAWK is to be made into a figure not too long thereafter.)

There are also to be versions of Nighthawk and Gargoyle, along with Hulk and Silver Surfer to be released in the next year as a 4-piece set entitled; "Super Teams: The Defenders"as a part of the booming "Super Hero Squad" series.

Speaking of the SUPER HERO SQUAD figures, at long last the
"Secret Invasion Begins - Illuminati" set is to be released this year.

Skrull Soldier, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Dr. Strange (Astral Form)

Does this mean I have to go get the Black Bolt S.H.Squad figure?
(I already have Namor)

Primarily, I'm only truly interested in the Astral Form figure of Doctor Strange, but if I DO see a Black Bolt (and maybe Gladiator version of Hulk) I may seek to complete that set.
The Astral Doc is just a redo of his previously released "regular" Squad figure, just molded in clear blueish plastic.

One thing I DO know is quite cool is the new PLAYSETS that are being released.

Check out CASTLE DOOM!

How is this NOT fabulous?

Hopefully, there will be a bit more substance to it, but even still... it's pretty neat.

Now, if things go well enough, and Doctor Strange regains the title of Sorcerer Supreme in some big crossover "event", how awesome would it be to have a playset of the Sanctum Sanctorum?

You KNOW that I'll need one!

DR. STRANGE & ROM: SPACEKNIGHT"Together again" (ok. not really)

Sorry for the stupid title for this post, but honestly, I couldn't think of anything else.

The reason for it, is that in WIZARD # 215 (September 2009) has DOCTOR STRANGE on the "artist jam" cover *...

featuring - left to right:
(top row) Tony Harris' DR. STRANGE, Marc Silvestri's CAPTAIN AMERICA, Lee Bermejo's WOLVERINE,
(bottom row) Art Adams' THING, Phil Jimenez' SPIDER-MAN & J. Scott Campbell's IRON MAN

And behind that cover is a 5-page article featuring 1970's - 1980's Marvel go-to-guy writer; BILL MANTLO.

Within the article, entitled; "Tragic Talent", written by Christopher Lawrence, is info on the creator, who had suffered brain trauma from a hit-and-run driver, and among his many works was; ROM: SPACEKNIGHT.

The article also features a few illos of ROM.
The double-page spread header for the piece is a bold and colorful piece by Greg Horn.

illo by Greg Horn
ROM is at the top left corner.

One more is in a blurb box, and features artwork by Michael Golden, taken from the cover to ROM # 9.


With quotes and comments by many fellow creators in the comics' field, including; Keith Giffen, Mike Mignola, Carl Potts, Walt Simonson, Roger Stern, and ROM-editor Al Milgrom, the article gives a basic overview of Mantlo's carreers as a comic writer - and later, when he left comics, as a criminal defense attourney.
It also details information of the tragic 1992 accident that lay him low to where he has required constant medical care ever since.

I'm not a consistent buyer of Wizard (haven't bought an issue an ages), but with Doctor Strange on the cover * and Bill Mantlo article with ROM inside, this one was impossible to pass up.


* For the first time since Wizard Magazine #42 (March 1995), Dr. Strange has made the cover! For those who don't recall... #42 had two covers, each with fold-out triptych Alex Ross paintings:
One of Marvel Superheroes & one of the Villains (Dormammu included).

Heroes

Villains

However, the only way to SEE Strange (or Dormammu) was when you folded out the cover to see the whole
image. At least THIS time, Strange is on the front cover!

Unfortunately, Dr. Strange does not appear anywhere INSIDE the issue.
There are minor mentions, however.
In "70 Marvelous Moments"; a tribute to Marvel's 70th anniversary,
# 24 "Steve Ditko Disappears" is the only mention of Strange.

Also in the issue, Strange Tales #110 is listed as one of the 11 "key"
issues in Marvel history.
But WE already knew that.

DR. STRANGE & ILLUMINATI in:PLANET HULK DVD A "Magic" of Video post

Working on blog posts (bizarrely, I have even LESS free time now that I am "between gigs" than I did when I was working full-time... go figure) but I just wanted to share THIS:

DR STRANGE & the ILLUMINATI in
PLANET HULK Animated feature.
by LIONSGATE & MARVEL Animated
(Doc and Illuminati shown in that ubiquitous "we're sorry" scene at start of clip)




Premering on DVD and blu-ray
February 2010

Looks pretty good thus far!

Dormammu featured in: SUPER HERO SQUAD Animated series A "Magic" of Video post *UPDATED* DR STRANGE is to be featured TOO!

Gah!

My first impression (based on the video teaser - as well as the unfunny "comic" strips) is that this will suck ass... but it IS Dormammu in a new animated series on Cartoon Network.

*UPDATED*
(08-14-09)
It seems Dr. Strange is ALSO to be featured in at least one episode.
And, Baron Mordo also.
*Info added at end of post.*

Based on the ass-tacular "Super Hero Squad" mini comics from Marvel (which are far inferior to the old "Mini Marvels / Bullpen Bits" strips), Dormammu (voiced by famed horror-actor; Robert Englund) is a featured baddie.



I WILL admit, that the TOYS are pretty cool though.
Here's the site for all things "Squad"

SO GLAD Doc isn't part of this trainwreck! *
Silver Surfer looks pretty good though.

---

*
*UPDATE*
It seems I spoke too soon.
According to Comics Continuum & Cartoon Network press releases about the show, DOCTOR STRANGE (to be voiced by Roger Rose) (and Baron Mordo - voiced by Dave Boat) are also to be featured.
That makes sense, I guess, since Strange DOES have a couple of "Squad" figures.
Mordo doesn't as of yet. Nor does Dormammu.
That may change soon enough.
VALYRIE (Michelle Trachtenberg) ALSO seems be on the list to be featured!
As is - 'natch - DR. DOOM (Charlie Adler) !


While I was hoping to avoid this cartoon, it looks like I'll, at least, have to catch a few episodes.


Truthfully, take a look at THIS image of a strange "evil" cityscape.


The design is AWESOME!
Perhaps, this might not be as bad as my "Spidey-Sense" is indicating?
I'll have to wait and see.
For show information check THIS out.
For full voice-over casting info, look HERE.

* UPDATED INFO * with VIDEO and pics of DR STRANGE and MORE in a new post [HERE].

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

.
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.

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

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).

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

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.)

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

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).

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

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.

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

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.