Thursday, March 31, 2011

Ghost Rider (Old West) Premium Offer

The original Ghost Rider was a Western character created for Magazine Enterprises in 1949 by writer Ray Krank and artist Dick Ayers. First featured in Tim Holt Comics #11, the old west Ghost Rider quickly went on to feature in his own series. There's been a lot of ret-conning of this character, but this is the original and IMHO the best version of the western Ghost Rider.
Anyway, I recently ran across this ad from one of the original comics, circa 1950-ish.
I found another, similar ad on Pappy's Golden Age Comics blog, here.

 
Why don't they offer stuff like this anymore?!? This is awesome!
Well, old Xemnu got to wandering the 'net. And I found this auction at Hake's auction house. Apparently, it's one of only two existing samples of this premium!
 

 
Check out the nifty glow-in-the-dark feature!



Dang! I may have to craft one of these myself! I'll let you know if and when I do (I'm sort of a crafty alien-thing). Maybe I'll post pictures? Who knows?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of GoldImage via Wikipedia
I'm not a huge fan of the Lone Ranger, or westerns in general. I do have a fondness for Clint Eastwood westerns, but I don't think you can be male and not like a western with Eastwood.
Having said that, the Lone Ranger has a long history: radio, comics, movies, television...you name a media and the Lone Ranger has been a part of it.
There was a time when every boy in America wanted to be the Lone Ranger. You'd see kids running around outside (yeah, I know...amazing!) chasing each other around yelling, "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!" Alas, now we have Bakugan, Playstation and Wii. *sigh*
There is a lot to be said, both good and bad, about the Native American stereotype of Tonto. I'll leave it for you to judge, or not, for yourself.
For now, though... 
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear!



Word is Disney is gearing up a "reimagining" of the character. You know what that means: suck! The good news? You can still watch television episodes of the original series on Hulu.com. How nifty is that? And maybe, just perhaps, children will once again get up and move around outside!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Vampirella!

Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969). Cover art by Frank...Image via Wikipedia
Ah! I could look at images of everyone's favorite blood-sucking bombshell from Drakulon all day! But then I wouldn't get anything done.
Created by Forrest J. Ackerman for Warren Publishing in the late 1960's, there is (to my mind) only one, true version of the character of Vampirella: the one gracing the covers and pages of the horror magazine published from 1969 to 1983. Classic!
Note: All images pulled from the prodigious archive of Heritage Auctions. Check 'em out!





Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Doc Savage - Bob Larkin Edition

While painter James Bama is perhaps best known (and most widely regarded) for the 'modern' interpretation of the Man of Bronze, it is artist Bob Larkin who very, very adequately filled Bama's painters' brush when the western artist retired from the reprint series.
Bob Larkin was, in fact, my first real exposure to the character. I was digging through the used book store one day a long, long time ago and stumbled across the Doc Savage Omnibus #4. And, needless to say, I was hooked.
Anyway, a small selection of Doc art by the incredibly gifted Bob Larkin. Enjoy!







Monday, March 21, 2011

Steranko!

It just occurred to me: how could I run this blog and not feature anything by comics legend Jim Steranko!?!
Probably most widely known for his groundbreaking, hypnotic and psychedelic work on Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Steranko has led a life and had a career almost too amazing to be true. Writer, artist, illustrator, historian, magician, musician...Steranko has done more in his life than most people could do in two. His work has (and still does have) more influence over comic art, layout and graphic design in the last 40 years than any four artists combined. The only other comic creator with a stronger foothold in the history of comics is Jack Kirby, whom Steranko apprenticed with at Marvel Comics in the 1960's.

Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #7 (Dec. 1968...Image via Wikipedia
Anyway, enough history (for now). I present a few pieces of Steranko work. Please, allow me to indulge!
(Almost forgot! Visit this tremendous website, the Drawings of Steranko for even more fabulous eye-candy!)










Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Friday, March 11, 2011

Goodnight Dune

Continuing the Dune theme here at Xemnu's lair...
This beautiful gem by Julia Yu popped across my radar recently. Being a Dune geek, as well as the father of several smaller future Titans-in-training, I was immediately entranced. I think anyone who is a fan of the Lynch movie or of the Frank Herbert universe will love this!
First, a couple of preview images to whet your appetite:

For the rest of Julia Yu's wonderful, wonderful creation, visit her website devoted to the book:
GoodnightDune.com