Deathlok The Demolisher

Astonishing Tales #25 (August 1974)

Pencil art by Rich Bucker, inks by Klaus Janson

Just picked up Deathlok The Demolisher Origins pocket book published by Panini.  What a find! I didn't know these things existed.  It contains Astonishing Tales #25 - #28, #30 - #35 in full colour but the size of a paperback.

Deathlok the Demolisher Origins Panini (2014)

I first became aware of Deathlok when I read Marvel Team-Up forty years ago and have always wanted to read more about this cyborg.

Marvel Team-Up #46 (June 1976)
Pencil Art by Rich Buckler, inks: Mike Esposito

I have already blogged about this issue when I was writing about Marvel Team-Up here.  Apart from this issue I have only read the first Astonishing Tales in Marvel Firsts: The 1970s so I am looking forward to reading the rest and maybe some of the money I spent will find its way to Bill Mantlo and help with his healthcare costs.

Marvel Firsts: The 1970s Volume 2

Vital reading for Bronze Agers

Rich Buckler is much maligned these days for his swipes from/homages to Jack Kirby when he was drawing the Fantastic Four in the mid seventies but at the time I knew no better and expected to see the FF drawn this way from seeing the reprints of Jack's work in Mighty World of Marvel so I have a soft spot for Buckler.  I'm sure Joe Sinnott's inks had a lot to do with it too.

Fantastic Four #156 (March 1976)

Pencil art by Rich Buckler, inks by Joe Sinnott

The FF as slaves of Doctor Doom, Medusa's long red tresses and the Silver Surfer too!  Who could resist?

Back In Bronze!

Been away so long I thought I would never be back but here I am!  I have been a little busy of late but I have not stinted on keeping up with http://stevedoescomics.blogspot.co.uk/ Sheffield's finest remains an inspiration to this lazy blogger.  How does he keep his hectic schedule?  There must be something in the Yorkshire water?  Anyway I know the question on the tip of everyone's tongue: "what has Silver and Bronze Age Subjects been reading?"  Well, one of the best reads has been George Perez and Len Wein's post-crisis re-boot of Wonder Woman, why can't DC get anywhere near this level of excellence these days?  Although I could be wrong as I'm not up to date with the latest at DC since the New 52 fiasco although I gather that Action and Detective will be returning to their original numbering which is one good thing I suppose.

George Perez and Len Wein's excellent Wonder Woman 

art by George Perez

I have also been re-reading one of my favourite runs of all time, Herb Trimpe's tenure as artist on The Incredible Hulk.  I have blogged before about my appreciation for the late, great Herb here, here and here, but as the years pass by my fondness grows for the tales delineated by this great artist.

Incredible Hulk #110 (December 1968)

Herb Trimpe (pencils) and John Severin (inks)

Incredible Hulk #123 (January 1970)

art by Herb Trimpe

I hope to be back soon with more musings, I'm a bit upset with the current revelations about Captain America and I'm building up to a post to air my views so watch this space.  I'll leave with a great cover of Captain America and The Falcon with a gorilla.  You can't beat gorilla covers!

Captain America and The Falcon #135 (March 1971)

Art by John Romita

Comic Book Resolutions 2013 Revisited

So as 2013 comes to a close, how did my resolutions work out? As usual with any resolutions I make I did very poorly. I certainly read a lot of comics but not the ones I had planned to read. Silver Age Spider-man? Nope. Black Panther? Nope. Werewolf By Night? Nope. Walt Simonson's Thor? Stan and Jack's Thor? Neither. I did read some Tintin but only the first four books. I would classify this as an almost total failure. 

Amazing Spider-man #3 (July 1963)
Art by Steve Ditko

Hawkman by Kubert

Hawkman by Joe Kubert

The world is a poorer place without Joe Kubert in it but at least we can cherish his art. Nobody could draw Hawkman as well as Kubert. Murphy Anderson was great but Joe Kubert was very special.

Joe Kubert with large print of Showcase Presents Hawkman #101 (June 1978)
Art by Joe Kubert

Super Sons: Superman Junior and Batman Junior

Do you seek an escape from an insane world? New 52 not floating your boat? Superman too grim and gritty? Legion of Super-Heroes cancelled again? Ben Affleck not your ideal Baman? Too many X comics, too many Avengers comics? Doc Ock as Spider-man confusing your inner fan boy? Never fear Bob Haney is the solution to all your problems!

World's Finest #215 (December 1972 - January 1973)
Art by Nick Cardy