Marvel Fanfare #2

I started collecting comics in a big way in 1982. This was when Marvel and DC had just started printing comics on nice paper, if I recall Marvel Fanfare was printed on slick "baxter" paper and Marvel was printing some of their direct-sales titles on "mando" paper. This was also when direct sales and comic shops we're taking off in a big way. Frank Miller's Wolverine mini-series came out that year and Dave Stevens' Rocketeer debuted in Starslayer #2, good times. Michael Golden was one of the first artists I noticed and started collecting. Just a couple months after it came out, Marvel Fanfare #2 was being touted as having "low distribution" and back issues were going for the then high price of $6.00. I think I got a deal and paid $5.00 for mine.

I don't remember much about this story, but it was continued from a storyline started in issue #1, and obviously it involved Spiderman turning into an actual spider. This issue also had a story by Paul Smith, another one of my favorites of that period. Below is a scan of the cover of Marvel Fanfare #2 and a scan of the original art. The issue is cover dated May 1982 and the retail price was $1.25.

Star Wars Art

A small selection of Star Wars artwork by some of the best.





Star Wars #55, January 1982. Cover art by Walt Simonson.




Imperial Storm Trooper by Al Williamson.




Art by Bill Stout for the book Star Wars Visions, 2010.




Star Wars #38, August 1980. Cover art by Michael Golden.

The Doctor is In

Doctor Doom by John Buscema, n.d.




Psychoanalysis #1, April 1955. Cover art by Jack Kamen.




Dr. Octopus vs. Spiderman by Jim Mooney, n.d.




Dr. Solar: Man of the Atom #20, July 1967.




M.D. #4, November 1955. Cover art by Johnny Craig.




Cover for Dr. Strange Portfolio by Michael Golden, 1983.




Ben Casey daily by Neal Adams, January 4, 1966.




Painting of Dr. Kildare, unknown artist, n.d.

Heroes Convention 2010

I attended the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find comic book convention in Charlotte, NC on June 5. I found out I was going at the last minute, and didn't have time to really go over the guest list.

This was the first large comic convention I have attended in about 12+ years. One thing I liked about it was that it was mostly about comic books. I've been reading about what a media event the San Diego Con has become since I attended in the 1980's, and it just doesn't sound like as much fun.

I really don't buy comic books much anymore, but a lot of the back issue prices seemed pretty reasonable to me. I picked up a stack of Gold Key Ripley's Believe It or Not comics at what I consider a bargain price. The best part of the convention for me was to see and catch up with Bernie Wrightson (see a couple posts below for the drawing I bought from him). It was really good to see Bernie happy and productive.

The biggest surprise was seeing Michael Golden. Next to Wrightson and Kaluta, he was one of my first favorite artists when I started collecting comics in the early 1980's. His work on Micronauts and Dr. Strange really stood out to me.

It was also nice to catch up with Scott Hampton. I asked him what he had done recently I should look for at the show. He suggested The Life Eaters and I was not disappointed. I'll try and post a review of it here later this week.

I'm definitely planning to go next year. Until then, here's some pictures:




The Convention Floor




Bernie Wrightson. His wife Liz on the left, writer Steve Niles on the right.




Michael Golden.




Scott Hampton working on a Batman painting. I believe this was for the art auction.




Comics For Sale.




Painting of The Thing from the art auction. I don't know who did this, but I like it.




Some art for the auction.




I have no idea who they are supposed to be, but they were happy to pose for a picture.




Darth Maul.




Star Wars Dixie Cups.




Costumed couple. I believe that is the Black Widow on the left. The guy: Nick Fury? I'm so out of it with superhero comics.




Comics for Sale.




Mike Mignola.




The Riddler.




And...it wouldn't be a comic con without an Imperial Storm Trooper walking around.