DR. IDIOTIC - or - Super Hero SQUAT! - A "Magic of Video" Post

A Review and commentary of Super Hero Squad animated series - episode # 5
"Enter: DORMAMMU!"

SuperHero Squad "# 5" production card

which is an homage to the cover of Strange Tales # 122

Last week, I saw episode # 5 of SuperHero Squad ("ENTER...DORMAMMU!"), featuring Doctor Strange in a co-starring guest role and I wanted to gauge my eyes out from the first minute onward.

Too harsh?
Aside from having the show's theme song stuck in my head like some kind of ear-worm, it's taken me the better part of the week to breathe deep and to not just write a rant.
(OK. there were other real-life reasons why it's taken me so long to get to this. I STARTED writing this on the day that the show aired - Oct 10th, but honestly, my wanting to write more than just all negative comments was incumbant of my taking some time away from it.)

You don't have to take my word for it.
Either before or after reading my take on it, feel free to watch the episode [HERE].

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As I made mention in my previous SHS post [HERE] I have ZERO interest in seeing "Strange Dr. Strange" as evidenced by one of the character sketches, but to my dismay... Doc's first appearance in this series has him acting like a moron.



Yes, the story, written by Charlotte Fullerton and directed by Patty Shinagawa, posits a seemingly valid "reason" for it. However, with Strange's entrance within the opening sequence of this, his introductory episode, showcasing him as a lunatic, still sucks as the latest in a loooong list of crappy treatments that we Dr. Strange fans have had to endure for lo' the past decade!

It wasn't ALL skidmarks and character assassination, however.
There were a FEW good, solid positive points for Doc in the episode.
Unfortunately, they were far too few and far between.

One of the more shining aspects to Doc's treatment in the episode comes from Captain America's assessment of his powers and abilities.

Oddly enough, his eye color is listed as GREY but they're always colored GREEN in the episode.
And... is it just me or how can his height be 6' 2.5" when all the characters look to be 3' tall?

Cap describes Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme (I guess we won't be seeing Brother Voodoo any time soon in the SuperHero Squad, huh?), most powerful magicians in the universe, a master of the mystical and physical energies, able to levitate, travel dimensions, transformation of matter, possessor of the Eye of Agamotto (and expert Bulgarian cow-tipper and a great sudoku player).

Along with the glowing review of Doc's CV, we are treated to some of the very best animated images of Dr Strange ever presented.

Desktop images, anyone?

However, those grand images and glowing remarks of his character and abilities are not truly represented in the episode, since for the most part, (due to reasons revolving around interference with one of the show's ubiquitous McGuffins; "the Infinity Fractals",) Strange is relegated to behaving like the love-child of Robin "stream-of-consciousness" Williams and Jerry "Hey, LADY!" Lewis.


The "playing-it-for-yuks" version of Strange had one or two genuinely funny points, as in the scene above, where he sings a variation of "Frère Jacques" with "Dormammu" in the place of "dormez-vous".
Most of Strange's jokes fell flat, but that one got a grin from me.

When played straight, voice over actor Roger Rose gets most of the quiet dignity of Strange down. Unfortunately, even that is fairly one-dimensional.
To give credit, there's probably not much he could have done with Strange's "normal" speech in this episode, since the majority of the time the script calls for shenannigans.
One of my primary beefs against Rose's handling of Strange is that he mumbles so much of the joke material that even if there were some golden one-liners in there, they're lost amidst the noise.

"Strangely" enough, most of the actual GOOD humor in the episode came from the mouth of Iron-Man (and I kinda LIKE the nonsensical way how the mouth-slit on his helmet actually moves like a mouth)!
Iron Man has the lion's share of good lines in this episode. Some really funny one-liners.
Perhaps it's because in the hands ...er... mouth... of Tom Kenny (aka Spongebob Squarepants) any lines are capable of inflection, nuance and mirth.

My favorite was: after the Squad are sent to find Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, which is hidden via a spell of concealment, Iron Man asks; "Is there a doctor in the house?... Is there a HOUSE in the House?"

The Sanctum IS revealed (due to the Hulk's door-bell button-mashing) and it is a close approximation of the edifice that comic fans find familiar.

So, when are they making the Sanctum Sanctorum playset?

Also present, and pleasantly unchanged from his classic incarnation, is WONG, Strange's manservant.

Where's my Squad WONG figure?

Wong doesn't speak a word in his SHS debut, which, in a cartoon where every character suffers diarrhea of the mouth, is odd. It almost felt as if the producers hadn't really planned his appearance beyond the visual.
Or perhaps they were stuck for whether to play safe (read; PC) with his speech patterns or not.

Either way, Wong's entire role in the episode is to answer the door and escort the gathered "Squaddies" to the inner Sanctum of Doctor Strange.

Also of merit is the appearance of the ORB of Agamotto - always a treat to see actual artifacts from the comics canon being used properly.

The ORB is used to gaze into the Dark Dimension and show the heroes the possible origins to the magic that had perplexed them at the show's opening sequence.

The Dark Dimension!

In response to Strange's presenting the DARK DIMENSION, Iron Man gets in another of the best lines of the episode; "How come it's never the 'Duckies and Bunnies Dimension'?".
I laugh just typing it.

While Iron Man gets such a wealth of good lines in the show, it seems that most of the other characters are left with nothing worthwhile to say.
Hulk is annoyingly stupid (even more so than he would normally be).
Silver Surfer is annoyingly vapid (although, to his credit, he is far less so in this episode than in others).
Wolverine is annoyingly annoying.

Thor and Falcon have some worthwhile screen presence, but they are definitely playing second (and third) fiddle to Iron Man's lead.

Perhaps my biggest disappointment in the episode was the big bad himself.

I think this might be worse than any issue of SECRET DEFENDERS.

Dormammu wasn't given the greatness that he deserved.
Nothing against Robert Englund, who voiced the dread one, but his vocal quality just didn't resonate "ultimate mystic dictator of an otherworldly mystical dark dimension".
Englund's pitch seemed too high and the delivery of his lines felt flat to me.
Of course, it IS a kiddie show, and having him lay it all out to try and have kids crap their pants on Saturday morning might not be the goal of the show's producers.
I understand that completely. (Not unless a line of Squaddies Rubber-Undies is due for the marketplace.)
Still, I would have liked for Dormammu to have a bit more menace.

Once the faulty characterizations of Doctor Strange and Dormammu are addressed, there is only ONE reason that this episode, as a whole, wasn't a complete loss (well, there were dozens of reasons, really, but only if you count each one as a separate reason)... and THAT is because of the MINDLESS ONES!

"Dormammu and the Mindless Ones" = A death-metal band.
Iron Man has all their albums.

The Mindless Ones lit up the screen with their very presence.
Well... lit it up with blinding eye-beams as well, but that's just the frosting on the mindless cake.

Although, (and I hate to nit-pick, but) the "Mindless Ones" were presented as having somewhat of a MIND!
In some scenes they are shown to have expression by the eye-slit forming a frowny or a surprised expression! There is a distinctive showing of intelligence in their actions, when, in the comics canon they are merely mindless berzerkers - fighting anything in their way just for the sake of fighting and because something is in their way.

Still, that is a very minor quibble, and mentioned only for the sake of completeness.
The Mindless Ones were my favorite part of the episode.

Honestly, these guys were the only thing keeping me from doing bodily harm to any number of TV execs, storyboard artists, voice-over actors and Joe Quesada - who is now in charge of Marvel's Animation endeavors.

Taking this episode as but one in the series' line, I have found the personalities and behaviors of many characters to be very "off" - if not flat out "wrong".

Captain America is an out-of-touch WWII-minded elder-statesman, who thinks that Thor is a woman (and a Women's Libber).

Silver Surfer has power levels that are treated as little more than simple power-zaps (even though he constantly mentions the power-cosmic) all the while speaking in simple "surfer-dude" type of jargon ("cosmic, dude").
Actually, that wouldn't bother me much at all, if it weren't his only one-note persona.

Dr. Doom is...well... a more childish version of Doom!
Petulant, impatient and arrogant.
So, Doom is otherwise fine, except for scenes like this one.

Orbitz gum - for dirty mouths - no matter what.

I DID find one thing to be quite impressive.
The producers of the show maintained that the Hulk is the only one able to see Dr. Strange in his astral form.
One scene has him pointing to the astral image (which has his cloak of levitation - one of neilalien's major peeves) while everyone else sees only empty air.


Once Doctor Strange regains his own self-composure, there is very little wrong with the going's-on in the episode. However, it takes one final burst from the McGuffin before Doc is able to be freed of it's taint.

I WILL say that the old-school VISUAL treatment of Dormammu is appreciated!

That last bit of incompetence causing Doc to turn his friends into other aspects of themselves.

Frog-Thor is AWESOME!
Wasp-Wasp sadly reminds me of the late 1990's bug-version of the characters.
Better not to go down that dark path.

However, once Doc whips out his Eye of Agamotto, it all gets turned around!


Fully himself, and in charge of his supreme sorcery, Doc makes short work of Dormammu and Dr. Doom.

Dr. Doom + Dormammu = Doomammu?

He is then free to go back to the Sanctum and plan a full day of Bavarian cow-tipping.

Either that or Doc has a collection of "My Pretty Pony" dolls.

Of course, the show couldn't end with Doc as a powerful and stoic entity.
No.
Sadly, as he places the spell of concealment about the sanctum once again, we hear his sobbing lamentation of the fact that he left his brownies in the oven.

Please, please, please don't have him retain any aspect of babbling idiot that he portrayed in this episode. That would only make all of we Doc fans do the cross-eyed, finger-to-mouth "bibble-babble-boobble" motion.

You mean like THIS?
Yes. Like that.

Still, I await Doc's 2nd appearance on the show.
Today, October 21st, is to be the airing of "A Night in the Sanctum", featuring Doctor Strange and MORDO!

I'll review that one soon!

Hopefully this show will win me as a fan yet.

But maybe that's just me thinking all crazy.

"bibble-babble-boobble"

1 YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY!

Today marks 1 YEAR for the Sanctum Sanctorum Comix Blog.

I had started several different drafts to what would make a fitting one year post, but each one was unsuitable for it's own reasons (either too much time needed for proper research and formatting - - or too introspective).

As such, I feel that it might be more proper to simply give "the nod" (which is the universal sign of acknowledgment) to the day and let it stand as it is.

I like to spend my birthdays alone, quietly enjoying a few simple things; contemplating the road traveled as I listen to relaxing music and enjoy a drink or two. As such, I feel that it might be best for the blog to do the same.

So, here's to the 1st year.
May there be more to come.

Thanks to all those who have helped and/or visited along the way.

1 YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY! -or-The BEST OF vol 1: 2008-2009

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

It’s the ONE YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY for the SANCTUM SANCTORUM COMIX BLOG!
One BIG and BUSY year with MANY awesome posts!
(This is on top of the prior decade or so of my merely being an omni-present commenter/ know-it-all loudmouth on others blogs, message boards and random street corners!)

Since I began my blogging, due to the off-hand advice of a friend, on October 11th of last year, any semblance of a calendar-year can be tossed right out the window. So, we will focus on what I blogged from OCTOBER 11, 2008 to OCTOBER 11, 2009.

Feel free to use this opportunity to peruse some of these old posts - whether you have read them already or not, there is actually some really good stuff in here.



Let's see...

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- How about I begin at the beginning, with my very FIRST POST (it might not be a “best of” in the strictest sense, but this blog would not exist without it. – [HERE]

And, for that matter, the official, unofficial seal-of-approval of long-time Doc-blogger; NEILALIEN – [HERE]

In regards to this being, primarily (ostensibly), a comics blog, it seems fitting to recall that I gave an inside look into my own psychosis and origins of my long-term love of comics.
THE METHOD TO MY MADNESS – [HERE]

And for anyone who looks at the top of my left sidebar and sees that this blog is dedicated to the unlikely trio of DR. STRANGE, MAN-THING and ROM: SPACEKNIGHT, allow me to explain…
DORKWIN – ORIGIN OF SPECIES: 6-DIMENSIONS of DOCTOR STRANGE
(Sorcerers, Space-Men and Swamp Beasts, Oh my!) – [HERE]

Yet, even earlier than that, my love for comics manifested from the daily newspaper strips of Spider-Man and Star Wars.
Dorkwin redux – SON-OF-ORIGINS – [HERE]

Or perhaps, you’re more interested in taking a look behind the curtain...

‘THE MEME”: A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES at my personal secrets – [HERE]

Journey into my own, very disturbing, DIMENSION OF DREAMS – [HERE]

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Interested in comic-themed swag? SURE! Who isn’t? Well, seeing as how showcasing my insane collection of Strange stuff was the primary reason for even starting this blog, please allow me to show you a few items that I shone a spotlight on this past year.


DOCTOR STRANGE “TOON TUMBLERS”:
Part 1) – [HERE]
Part 2) – [HERE]

MARVEL PARTY TABLE CLOTH – [HERE]

DOCTOR STRANGE CREDIT CARD SIGN – [HERE]


Now, y’see… there’s Swag, and there’s SUPER Swag, but above all those others there’s UBER-SWAG!
I was pleased to present some of my “grail” items; high-end rarities, exclusive and/or one-of-a-kind pieces of collectible goodness.

BEHOLD… the TOWER OF POWER – [HERE]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Marvel: The MARVEL WORLD Playset – [HERE]

ORIGINAL ARTWORK worthy of le Louvre’:

Original art page from Doctor Strange: Master of the Mystic Arts # 29 - [HERE]

Original, hand-painted, character sheet (animation production cel) of Doctor Strange from SPIDER-MAN and his AMAZING FRIENDS episode: “Seven-Little Super-Heroes” – [HERE]

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I also featured part of my collection of high-end, “one-of-a-kind” DOCTOR STRANGE bling:

The “DOCTOR STRANGE” (film replica) Ring – [HERE]

The DOCTOR STRANGE WINDOW Medallion – [HERE]

The DOCTOR STRANGE: FLIGHT OF BONES Insignia Ring – [HERE]

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Of course, there can be posts about collectibles that are more common (and popular), like ACTION FIGURES. Here are some posts in a continuing series entitled, “IDOL PURSUITS”, dedicated to looking at the history of DOCTOR STRANGE ACTION FIGURES:

Part 1) - 1979 Ben Cooper “dangler” figure – [HERE]

Part 1a) - ADDENDUM:  The pre-“Action Figure” figures – [HERE]

Part 2) – The DOCTOR STRANGE MEGO figure that almost was – [HERE]

Part 3-A) – Gaming figures: TSR Standees – [HERE]

Part 3-B) – Gaming Figures: TSR Metal Figurines – [HERE]

Part 4) – The PVC Figurines: DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]

Part 4a) The PVC Figurines - addendum 1: “MAN-THING” – [HERE]

Part 4b) – The PVC Figurines  - addendum 2: “DEFENDERS” – [HERE]

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Or even posts about the “not-so Action-y” variety of figures: STATUES & MODEL KITS.

Idol Pursuits (ROM SPACEKNIGHT "action figure" toy) – [HERE]

Idol Pursuits (ROM SPACEKNIGHT model kits: full size and bust) - [HERE]

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And next, a few posts that combine the delight of SWAG with the HOLIDAYS best associated with them:

TIME WARP : MARVEL CALENDARS (New Year’s)
# 1 – The “Classic” years (1975 – 1981) – [HERE]
# 2 – The “Modern” era (1980’s – present) – [HERE]
# 3 – A special 12-month pictorial essay on the DOCTOR STRANGE 1980 Calendar – [HERE]

DOCTOR STRANGE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES (Halloween) – [HERE]

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Of course, SOME comic-blog readers actually like to read about... oh, I dunno... comics!

So, here are some insanely in-depth reviews:



Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes # 5 (featuring DOCTOR STRANGE) – [HERE]

Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes # 9 (featuring DOCTOR STRANGE) – [HERE]

HULK # 10 (featuring the DEFENDERS vs the OFFENDERS) – [HERE]

X-MEN FIRST CLASS: FINALS # 3 (a sweet MAN-THING story) – [HERE]

ULTIMATE END: A look at events in ULTIMATE "ULTIMATUM":
PART 1) - The Death of “Ultimate” Doctor Strange – [HERE]
PART 2) - The further examination – and exhumation – of “Ultimate” Doctor Strange – [HERE]

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- But what kind of blog would this be if I didn’t rant and rave er…compose well-thought-out and coherent analysis of comics and/or events/character developments once in awhile... 

Whether you’re a fan of quick, one-shot posts, or extended, multi-part epics, I had you covered this past year.

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ONE-SHOT POSTS
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KNOWLEDGE is POWER: a look into the nature of the “powers” of Doctor Strange – [HERE]

The questionable death of RINTRAH; Apprentice of the Mystic Arts – [HERE]

STRANGE LOVES – a continuing and ever-expanding history of EVERY romantic liaison made known in the life of Stephen Strange – [HERE]

WITHIN YOU / WITHOUT YOU – A deep look at a scene that – to ME – defines DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]


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LONG RUNNING MULTI-PART ESSAYS:
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CLEA LOVES SEX: A look at that indisputable evidence that…Clea Loves Sex!
# 1) – [HERE]
# 2) "2nd Entry" – [HERE]
# 3)  "All about the Benjamin" – [HERE]


HOUSING CRISIS: An intensive examination of the History of the many RISES and FALLS of the SANCTUM SANCTORUM of DOCTOR STRANGE:
# 1) "The Intro" – [HERE]
# 2) "Strange (Tales) Days" – [HERE]
# 3) "Shadows on the Wall" – [HERE]
# 4) "Sanctum on Parade" – [HERE]
# 5) "Wolves at the Door, Ghosts in the Attic"– [HERE]
# 6) "Draw the Curtains and Turn Out the Lights"– [HERE]
# ∞) "A Look in the Mirror Before Heading Out"– [HERE]

Or for your approval, here’s an as-of-yet unfinished series detailing the SEARCH FOR, NATURE & HISTORY OF THE SORCERER SUPREME –

Prelude – [HERE]
New Avengers v1 # 51 : A REVIEW – [HERE]
WHO SHOULD BE THE SORCERER SUPREME (April Fool’s Edition) – [HERE]

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- Like to watch TV and films? Like reviews of same? Then these “Magic of Video” posts, which are bits of TV-related commentary, may be of interest (sadly,I didn’t blog about many this year):


Spider-Man & his Amazing Friends – 7 Little Superheroes (with Doctor Strange) - [HERE]

Spider-Man & his Amazing Friends – Black Knight - [HERE]

Spider-Woman (with Dormammu & Mindless Ones) - [HERE]

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But sometimes, the stars align and one subject can cross over into the realms of all others; swag, reviews, film and more! Such is the case of the 1978 DOCTOR STRANGE made-for-TV movie!

VIDEO TEASER – [HERE]
Magic of Video – 1) THE TV MOVIE – [HERE]
1A) – PROMOS, DESIGN ART, SWAG - [HERE]
1B) – MEGO FIGURE - [HERE]
1C) –  The FILM REVIEW (possibly the most in-depth, detailed review for a cheesy film; EVER) – [HERE]


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Of course, at year’s end (well… by the beginning of a new year, while referencing the previous one) there is, of course, opportunity to write about EVERY aspect of our reader/collector habits!I’ve begun, here at the Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog, my own "Awards Show", the "SANCTUM AWARDS".

I present "Sancty's" to deserving "Best of" and Worst of" categories in all aspects of the prior year’s Marvel Comic’s “Doctor Strange”-related releases; comics, film, TV, toys, collectibles, etc.

Sometimes this is the only place where I may discuss certain titles, storylines or products.

Other times, I am revisiting older posts with my votes.

Either way, a thorough overview of the year's official product output is reviewed.


The 2008 1st ANNUAL  SANCTUM AWARDS - can be found – [HERE]

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I would be remiss if I didn't thank the many friends, fans, readers, followers, fellow-bloggers and wonderful souls out there who have helped, inspired, cajoled, cudgeled and commented.

A list of but a scant few (in no particular order) are:

-Neilalien-

-Howard Hallis-

-Mike Sterling and his "Progressive Ruin"-

Lee from "Rom, Spaceknight Revisited"

-Darren from "Lonely Geek's Swamp - a Man-Thing blog"-

-Plok from "A Trout in the Milk"-

-Holly-

-Arachne Solara-

-Sean Aaron-

-The Groovy Agent-

-John Sisson-

-googum from "Random Happenstance"

-Erick from "Wonderful Wonderblog"-

-The Grand Comic Database-

-waaaay too many awesome blogs and forums-

-numerous "anonymous" commenters-

- soooo many more blogs and people who have been there along the way -

 Thank You all!

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And creators without whom this blog would be about my collection of rare molds, spores and fungus':


- Steve Ditko -
- Jack Kirby -
- Stan Lee -
- J.M. DeMatteis -


- Steve Gerber -
- Dan Green -
- Steve Englehart -


- Gene Colan -
- Marshall Rogers -
- Michael Golden -
- Paul Smith -
- Mike Ploog -
- Dan Adkins -


- Steve Rude -


- Bill Everett -

 
- John Byrne -
- Peter Gillis -


-Roger Stern -
- Frank Brunner -
- Kevin Nowlan -


- Chris Warner -


- P. Craig Russell -
- Gerry Conway - 


- Sandy Plunkett -


- Alan Davis –
- Jeff Parker -


- Mike Allred -


- Mark Buckingham -


- Howard Chaykin -

- Kurt Busiek -


- Mike Weiringo -


- Al Milgrom -


- Rudy Nebres -


- Tom Sutton -


- Steve Mellor -
- Ian Akin and Brian Garvey -
- Sal Buscema -
- Bill Mantlo -
and many, many, MANY more!

And that should do it.

Sure, there are a lot more entries - but not all of them are merit-worthy, or while they may be good, are just silly hit-and-run style posts.

Some are to showcase new products or comics that were to be released, and others are tongue-in-cheek bits of whimsy, or tips of the hat to various holidays. 
I have a lot like that - some quick Photoshop, an Action figure or comic scan and what passes for "wit" = a quick blog post.


But if you like that sort of thing, open up the blog-history drop down lists and just jump around.



And... thanks for reading!
Come back again for YEAR TWO!

The MAN-THING meets Sun Tzu? Plus MORE MAN-THING appearances!

So has the Art of War been reduced to little more than a Mud-Fight?
How about a muck-encrusted MOCKERY of a mud-fight?

That seems to be the case when ARES; God of War will face off against MAN-THING!

Art by Mike Deodato

Not anything major is known to write about at this time, but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention it...

MAN-THING is to be featured in DARK AVENGERS # 10.

Interview with Brian Bendis can be found on CBG site [HERE].

Not much info to be found there, but that's where the artwork came from.

*** EDIT / UPDATE**

I should ALSO have mentioned that MANNY is to be in:

PUNISHER # 12

Written by Rick Remender
Penciled by Tony Moore
Cover by Mike Mckone
Franken-Castle, Part 2
The Punisher is dead, so who, or what, is the giant patchwork monster skulking through the tunnels under New York? And what do those strange armored Japanese hunters tracking him want? Criminals are no longer being killed; they are simply vanishing into thin air. Listen closely, you can hear their pleas far below the streets. Those forgotten by society have a new protector. The Legion of Monsters has found a new leader.
32 Pgs./Parental Advisory $2.99

and

DEADPOOL : MERC with a MOUTH # 6

Written by Victor Gischler
Penciled by Bong Dazo
Cover by Arthur Suydam
Head Trip, Part 6
Space, the Final Frontier. O-ver-ra-ted. Wade, the severed Zombie Deadpool head and Dr. Betty find themselves back on good old Earth, knee-deep in swampy goodness. Seems like Headpool is a little homesick, and everyone agrees the zombie virus should be put safely back into its own dimension. All they've got to do is find that damn dimensional portal. Anyway, you don't think A.I.M, is gonna give up that easy, do you? No way. Just because their space station got itself all blown up doesn't mean they're out of the game. But wait -- who's this surprise guest star? Is it a MAN? Is it a THING? Well, you see where this is going ... Is this enough preview copy to get you to buy the damn book, because I can go on all night?!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory $2.99

DORMAMMU! by Bowen An Idol Pursuits post

A visitor to the blog sent me an email with a little bit of news;
BOWEN DESIGNS (those of the uber cool Marvel statues and such) are producing a bust of the DREAD DORMAMMU!


This pic is the one sent by AL, the owner of STATUEMARVELS site, and as such retains his watermark.
That link will bring you directly to the post about the Dormammu piece.

From what I can ascertain, Randy Bowen (or at least a worker under his name) sent the StatueMarvels site in progress shots of the sculpture being worked up by Jeremy Lloyd.

Nice to see some more love being paid to the magical side of Marvel.
Dormammu is a no-brainer since he was featured in practically EVERY Marvel Comic for the past two years.

Thanks Al.
Everyone should pay a visit to his site.

(Now I just have to start saving money by recycling cans so I can buy the statue)

Yet ANOTHER SuperHero Squad UPDATE! With DOCTOR STRANGE design drawings and video! A "Magic of Video" post

With DOCTOR STRANGE in there - on far left end...
a new promo image / screen grab of the "Squaddies".

While I am not crazy about my lack pf posting here as of late, I am equally less-than-enthused about the fact that one of the FEW things that I AM blogging here is the SuperHero Squad animated series.

Personally, after watching the first few episodes, I found it so moronic that it stupified even my inner-child's brain.
Really. For the most part, it's not funny.
(OK, I chuckled a few times here and there. I mean KLAW dressed as a PIMP? That was kinda funny. But in a nonsensical way.)

Yes, yes... I KNOW it's a "kiddie" show and probably isn't targeted to 40-something male adults (unlike the majority of all of Marvel's output)... however, it is there, and as such, is a fan's mountain to climb.

However, with the 4th episode it seems to have stepped up a notch.
While still predominantly unfunny (most humor is aimed as low as possible - although there IS a nice dig at STORM's horrid dialogue from the first X-MEN movie - i.e; "What happens when a Toad is hit by lightning?"), hope doth spring eternal, and knowing that Doctor Strange is going to be featured on this show soon, I have high hopes for at least a turning point wherein the show becomes watchable.

My eagerness to blog about it (and give extra exposure to the show - you're welcome, Marvel) is purely due to the fact that this show delves deeply into the corners of the Marvel Universe and pulls out some wonderful nuggets of esoteric character gold!

Watching a new preview clip (which I'll add to this post) I saw quite a few 9th tier Marvel characters being given the limelight. Screaming Mimi - in her pre-Songbird incarnation and costume!?! Cool! And THAT is truly awesome! For that alone, I feel I should recommend the show. Sure, it HAS to have the ubiquitous, overmarketed Wolverine on the team, but to be able to showcase losers like KLAW and the RingMaster and the Circus of Crime? All is forgiven.

Also, there IS some exceptional design work, here and there.
I can always be swayed a bit by good design.

So, before I run on even further, allow me to showcase some design artwork for DR STRANGE and post the clip of the new teaser trailer here as well.


First, the DOCTOR STRANGE design sketches.

Note: They are updated, and the updates seem to be the inclusion of the high-backed cowl on the Cloak of Levitation, and the removal of the lower "skirt" portion of his tunic (to keep it in style with his Squad figure).

Also note: All of these works are Copyrighted by Marvel and I stake zero claim to any of them.
I am merely sharing them with anyone who may have interest in the show (these and more design drawings are found at marvel.com) . Hopefully the new Disney-owned Marvel will grok free press.

I like the style and overall seriousness that is attributed here to (most of) Doctor Strange's stances and character.


Readers of this blog will note that the colored versions of two poses from these two pages was shown in a previous post [HERE]. And the Doc-in-flight pose was used prominantly in the show's opening sequence (video of which was also shown in that previous post).


This NEXT sketch is sadly, not one that I'd like to see explored further, primarily because it seems to try at an attempt to poke fun at the "Strangeness" of Dr. Strange's name.

Unless this story was written by Steve Gerber before his untimely passing, I have little interest in "Strange Dr. Strange".

It would seem that this was an early draft idea, and has hopefully been left on the idea-cutting-room floor.

Now, for those who have waited patiently, here is the new preview trailer:
Doctor Strange is shown as a serious player. I'm not 100% sure about the "Rainbow Bright" effect that he has when using his magic, but it could have been far worse (as "Strange Dr. Strange" will attest).

Dormammu shown at .34 seconds
Doctor Strange VS Enchantress at 1.00
Doc in the crowded rush scene (as shown at top the blog post) at 1:06
Silver Surfer vs a Mindless One at 1:16

Since STRANGE left, the place has turned into a BROTHEL!

After a few years of having famed blogger Chris Sims (of The-ISB) constantly reviewing the insanely bad issues of TAROT : Witch of the Black Rose, I confess I finally succumbed and checked out an issue.

The COVER is the most tasteful part of the entire comic!

The newest issue (# 58) of Jim Balent's opus (self-published by his BroadSword imprint) held one unexpected delight for me hidden among it's many overinflated boobs and ludicrous crotchshots.

And that is, that Doctor Strange seems to have rented out the Sanctum Sanctorum (or at least it's designer) to these nekkid witch ho-bags.

Check it out. Clicking image makes pic DDD!

Naughty Bits have been obscured (by me) for the young and impressionable who may visit this all-ages site.

When TAROT and her evil sister; RAVEN arrive back into the inner sanctum of some magician/librarian (/friend of the artist due to the specifics of the likeness in the drawing of the man), it seems his window shares some mystic design with that of the Sanctum Sanctorum of Doctor Strange.
i.e.; The WINDOW.

While I have no further intent to pick up Tarot : Witch of the Black Rose (because it is just as bad as Sims has professed), I am happy at the serendipity which caused me to get this one issue.