RENAMED: MARVEL VARIANT

Oh, 

The desire for these books!

There are a few of these out there...

But rarely will you see them in this condition.

Back in the day,

Who could have realized that these books would be renamed variant books...

And sought after like the holy grail?

Collected off the convenience store rack almost 40 years ago,

Here are a few of the ones I dare to take pictures of.

  

Anyway,

Cool Marvel comics in a cooler time in Marvel Comics!

RLJ

WHAT ABOUT THIS VERSION OF BATMAN?

In my opinion,

Zack Snyder's first Superman movie...

Man Of Steel...

Was god awful!

Written by the arrogant no talent hack David S. Goyer,

And Christopher Nolan,

Man Of Steel was a soulless piece of eye candy garbage,

Filled with so many logic black holes that any intelligent viewer must have felt insulted!

Example the first --

Metropolis is practically razed to the ground... 

By a Superman as interested in total irresponsible destruction and death as his enemies!

Superman, himself, must have killed ten thousand people!

And in the final shots of the ending of the movie...

The city has been rebuilt to its formal design without explanation.

WHAT THE HELL?

This is example one of hundreds I have for this crazy, stupid movie!

And now the same crew is back for part two!

I have zero faith that this movie will be anything else but a logic busting mess!

Anyway...

Remember this version of Batman on this poster?

Crap,

Anything would be better than the garbage I am anticipating from the next...

Zack Snyder Paradigm Shifting Piece Of Eye Candy Garbage!

Remember Sucker Punch, People?

Remember That Piece Of Zombie Blasphemy, Dawn Of The Dead?

Remember 300? That movie sucks (You were all fooled and seduced by the visuals!)

Remember Watchmen? (Ambitious project of a masterpiece comic book Maxi-Series! 

But, still mired in the Zack Snyder's blah factor!)

And now he has the New Batman/Superman movie in his pocket, as well as the upcoming JLA movie!

Oh boy, what joy... NOT!

I love my DC comics!

I have no love for Zack Snyder!

And, I might hate David S. Goyer!

Bring on Sandman, DC!

Bring on a Suicide Squad movie!

Bring on an old school Doom Patrol movie!

Bring on a new Swamp Thing horror movie!

And, bring on the new Hellblazer TV show!

These are MY thoughts alone.

If YOU love everything I just eviscerated... good for you!

Enjoy!

RLJ

Resident Evil One-Shot By Marvel Comics -- 1996!

You Can Own One Of 3 Copies Of This Rare Book By Clicking Right Here!

There are cool rare Marvel Comic Book gems out there to discover.

One of them is Marvel's little Resident Evil sapphire for you to recover.

I am asking premium prices for one of three copies of these books...

They are 9.8 perfection without need for a second look.

This Marvel plus Resident Evil paring definitely needs no makeover!

RLJ

What A Super Hero Book Cover Is Supposed To Look Like!

I always thought that one of the most under-appreciated comic book series of the early '90's was L.E.G.I.O.N.! The art was always excellent, the Keith Giffen stories of Vril Dox and his rag tag band of outer space super hero rogues were always entertaining and the cover art was constantly as awesome as this cover. When Lobo decided to inject himself into this universe, the stories really got crazy.

Never read L.E.G.I.O.N.? I would seek out this 70 issue series, if I were you. And make sure you buy the Annuals. too.

Oh, and who do you think came out on top in this conflict? I'll say this... Superman is the MAN he is suppose to be in this book.

RLJ

Captain America: The Winter Soldier -- Mind Blowing Marvel Escapism!

I will tell your this, world...

I love me some Captain America.

I will take him just about anyway I can get him.

Now, 

I was not so much a fan of the Winter Soldier saga in the comic books.

But,

I never disrespected the effort.

And now Marvel/Disney has given us the  fantastic:

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER!

I will not give away any spoilers.

But I will tell you about this bit of derision choking my mind.

When the movie credits began to roll,

3/4 of the people in the theater got up and walked out.

I wanted to stand up and say,

"People! Sit your butts back down in your seats. 

There is more movie to come!"

But,

Here in the Northern Virginia theater I attend,

As usual,

I am the only black dude in the theater...

So,

I just painfully watched them go out the doors.

There are two clips after the credits roll.

You need to stay to the VERY end of the credits.

There is information in these clips that might blow your mind...

If you are a TRUE Marvel fan with a wide Avengers knowledge.

This movie earns an "A" rating all the way!

I just might have to go back and give the Winter Soldier saga comic books another look!

RLJ

The Fantastic Four Is Now An Interracial Team With An African-American Human Torch? WTF!

(Perez Hilton Picture)

Instead of mucking with the ethnic, and racial, makeup of The Fantastic Four... why not simply cast these four actors as some other super hero team. This is not The Fantastic Four... this is some crap from more know-it-all jerks who believe they know better than the core audience of the source material.

Look at what happened when Marvel/Disney screwed-up John Carter Warlord Of Mars by calling it simply John Carter, thus confusing the potential audience. Look at what Disney did to The Lone Ranger by turning the movie into an overblown hack mess!

How can I, a 55 year old Marvel fan with a 50 year extensive investment in The Marvel Universe pay my hard earned cash on a "Screw You Conventional Wisdom" bastardization of The Fantastic Four?

I will not... and neither should you. You should write Marvel/Disney a letter, on paper, and demand that the company treat the source material with respect.

What's next... a black Nick Fury? Oh, yea... Marvel already screwed with my respect for the brand by throwing that wrench into the continuity!

There are too many characters in The Marvel Universe for this kind of cross-breeding of the characters skin colors. Why make a white character black just to be gratuitous? It makes no sense to me.

Anyway, I bet the youth who are reading this missive think that I'm a crotchety old man telling the kids to get off the grass (something I have NEVER done, by the way.)

Hey, its just grass. Just don't break my windows on my house as you are playing on my grass.

RLJ

Marvel Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D -- A Mid-Season Take On The Show

http://screenrant.com/agents-shield-season-1-mid-season-finale-review/

***

HERE IS MY LITTLE TAKE ON THE SUBJECT AT HAND

These words are from a 54 year old long lived fan of the Marvel Universe! And, although I LOVE Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, the writers of this show have created a fundamental  caveat that is throwing the fans for a loop... making the show seem off for some reason.

I love the cast, but...

There is a very long lived Marvel comic book series called "Damage Control." This comic book concerns a non-super powered group of people who go into damage zones cause by the fights, and other destructive behavior, of super heroes and super villains... to clean up the mess left in their wake.

I always loved the concept of "Damage Control!" And Agents of SHIELD is "Damage Control!"

SHIELD is the technology of the Marvel universe!
Shield is the hard examination of this world!
Shield is Nick Fury!
Shield is straight adventure!
Shield is Ming-Na Wen's character, Melinda May, going SOLO into the heart of HYDRA and kicking butt in a one-woman-army campaign led by Coulson in her earbud!
Shield is Steranko world of awesomeness!
Shield is the ((((LMD)))) -- the LIFE MODEL DECOY!

And if Coulson is anything other than an LMD... working to keep SHIELD going strong, while his real body is being worked on to bring it back to life -- anything else will be a major disappointment to me!

This is just SOME of what S.H.I.E.L.D is... and Damage Control is another comic book world for another corner of the Marvel universe!

Hey Marvel, you need to hire a few writers who have actually READ Marvel comics... including S.H.I.E.L.D!  Any writer, who is serious about comic book mythology, would NEVER write these stories. This show should be all adventure, all Marvel colors and all Marvel superpowers... and how to fight, or embrace, them!

Simple as that!

RLJ

I AM READY FOR "THE FLASH" -- LIVE ACTION!

This internal comic book advertisement is from Justice League 19, from the October 1990 issue. I was bat crap crazy excited back then when it was a certainty that The Flash was coming to TV.

And... I was NOT disappointed. I have the original DVD box set and it is one of my prized possessions. The Flash is AWESOME! And if you have never watched the first, and only season of the live action greatness, then shame on you. 

There is NO camp in The Flash! There is very little comedy in The Flash. This is pretty much a straight drama... and those who are shot with bullets die! Several of the comic book enemies of The Flash battle him. 

To me, the speed affects were ahead of their time. You have to watch the show to decide for yourself... but I still love what was done all these decades ago -- on TV!

Wow! Imagine if CBS released this same ad today... for The Flash 2014. I would be there with skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea, plus popcorn minus the cell phone!

Where is The Flash on TV or the big screen? Come on folks at Warner Brothers ... we can handle it!

RLJ 

More Kelley Jones Goodness

One of the reasons I love the art of Kelley Jones' is his ability to go exaggerated for his horror, and then his ability to go proportional for his main stream work. If you want to see the perfect combination of  both of these conceits, check out these books.

I’ll tell you this… Mr. Jones can drawn a fine female form.

The story here pretty good, too.

Again… one of these days, Kelly Jones, I’m going to get you to sign SOMETHING of the many works of yours I own.

RLJ

BRAT PACK -- A SHORT REVIEW

Every couple of years, I release this little note with a couple of revisions.

This little mini-series from King Hell comics is a perverted gem.

And, it is not for kids... and not for the faint of heart and mind.

BRAT PACK!

Read this series if you dare!

RLJ

(Click on the title of this post for more information!)

BRAT PACK -- A SHORT REVIEW

Want a very good adult read to take your mind off the horror show that is politics in America... and in the world... right now? Check this out... it is also just recently available in a graphic novel.

These are the five covers for the five issues of Brat Pack. Before you go on and purchase Brat Pack, realize this... this is some sick and twisted stuff. This is adult content... and it is great!

What would it be like to examine a group of twisted, sadistic, perverted super heroes? Let's take things farther down the hell hole... what would the life of their teen-aged side kicks be like? You don't want to know! But, it is all here in Brat Pack!

This is a WTF series, so be ready.

See the bottom cover on the right? See the pouch on the belt of the female Super Hero? See the colorful pouch of which she is tugging at the draw string? Look closely at that pouch. What do you think is in that pouch? Yea... sick, indeed!

Thank goodness this series is in black and white!

Not the sex and nudity horror craziness of, say, David Quinn's and Tim Vigil's FAUST... but, as far as depraved sickness is concerned? Oh yea, pretty close.

Must read material, folks... but, absolutely not for everyone. And not for kids!

RLJ

How Cool Of A Movie Would This Be, DC?

Talk about comic book movies... here is another comic book character that DC should develop into a movie project.

The Demon would make another great horror movie. Start with Jason Blood’s journey to becoming merged at the soul with Etrigan the Demon. The first third of the movie should be a serious horror mood movie introduction.

Then, when we meet Etrigan, the movie will continue with the horror… but, now that we get to experience Etrigan’s iambic pentameter in his speech pattern -- which is filled with sardonic, and sarcastic, humor… even though Etrigan is deadly serious in being a Demon -- we get to experience some fantastic writing as The Demon talks his way through the mayhem.

This could be a fantastic movie, DC. Think about it. And remember where you first heard this -- right here in the HORRORWALKER WORLD!

RLJ

My Worn Down Prized Comic Book Possession -- Watchmen!

This is my first printing copy of the Watchmen graphic novel collection of the twelve issues. I have read this book probably 50 times since I first purchased it in around 1987. I carried this book around like it was my personal DC bible back then. There was nothing like it in comic book literature before... and I to dare say, there has been nothing written like it afterward.

As you can see, even though the book is in structural great shape, I have worn this book down from use. Still, This is my prize comic book collectible... since we have such an intimate relationship.

Originally, I purchased the individual comic books and packed them away in backing boards and comic book bags UNOPENED AND UNREAD! I waited until the graphic novel was released to immerse myself in this great story telling. To this day, nearly 30 years later, I still have not opened or read these comic books. I just can't do it.

Same thing goes for my first printing of the Absolute Edition of Watchmen. I purchased the brick heavy tome when it first released, opened the plastic, held the book in my shaky hands like Gollum of "The Lord of the Rings" stories... then slid the book back into the slipcase... unread. This picture might be the third time I have taken the book out of its protective sleeve.

Never read Watchmen, you say? Watchmen stands side by side with the fantastic likes of... Neil Gaiman's Sandman, Alan Moore's writing on Swamp Thing, the twisted Rick Veitch super hero gone sour Brat Pack, Faust by David Quinn and Tim Vigil... and Bone by Jeff Smith.

And of course, there are many more great books out there that fans love! I'm just suggesting these few books as fantastic must reads... like Watchmen.

All of these books are ADULT reading... with the exception of Bone which is very appropriate for 8 years old and up. Check them out... but I would start with Watchmen! Maybe begin with Bone if you want it a little lighter... but, read for goodness sake.

Have fun... I think I am due to read Watchmen again!

RLJ

A Lot Of Love For Artist Adam Hughes

Here is the introduction of Adam Hughes to DC through the Justice League of America.

My, oh my... how the decades pass like sands falling through millions of hourglasses.

Want to follow the works of one of the best artists in the comic book business?

Research this man's comic book history and you will fall in love with his work.

As an example, check out "Ghost" from Dark Horse...

Or, better still,

Go out there and buy up the copies of Justice League of America in your favorite book store.

And then send Adam Hughes a Twitter message of love for his artistic ability...

Just like me!

RLJ

Love Comic Books? You Will Hate This Story!!!

http://social.entertainment.msn.com/movies/blogs/blog--rare-superman-comic-found-in-house-insulation

Before you read my ultra harsh lambasting below... you HAVE to read the article in the link above!

I nominate David Gonzales as the stupidest man on the planet! Only a fool -- an idiot -- would NOT immediately place this valuable piece of American history in a protective comic book sleeve with a backing board!

And, the absurdity of allowing anyone else to place their hands on this unprotected comic book is just plain moronic!

This idiot should be too ashamed of himself to sell this book. What an ass!

I don’t have any respect for real life dumb and dumber idiocy! I hope this dude doesn’t have kids. If so, god help them.

RLJ

Are You Ready For Another Alien Vs. Predator Movie?

Simply put, I'm already ready for another pure Alien movie... or, another Predator movie. Predator is fantastic! Predator 2 was great, too. There are some geek-tastic Easter eggs openly hidden in Predator 2.

I have always believed Alien vs. Predator should have followed this comic book mini-series from Dark Horse. This is an excellent story. Actually, Dark Horse produced a bunch of 4 issue Alien mini-series a little over 2 decades ago. And, some regular issue run comics like this, too.

Good stuff, here... find it, you'll like it.

RLJ

Marvel This, Avengers 2

Mistress Death -- Alive?

Thanos -- Alive?

Adam Strange, Warlock -- Alive?

The Infinity Gauntlet -- Silly?

RLJ

(A Quick Picture) You Don't Want To See Me When I'm Angry!

 

 

 

Remember this scary mug shot from deep inside of your collection?

 

RLJ



Just What Is The Best Comic Book Story Ever?

 

I've been in discussions with a few comic book folks who were offended by my declaration of my abject love for The Killing Joke. I even went so far as to offer the "blasphemy" of declaring that I believe The Killing Joke is the best comic book story ever written... even though I made it obvious that I was offering MY OWN PERSONAL DECLARATION! I'm not telling ANYONE that they have to love what I love... or agree with me. But to take offence? Well, that's a little extreme.

I have been reading comics for about 47 years! I have ALWAYS read the story before admiring the art. I'm a reader, that is what I am. And Alan Moore has produced some of the best reading in comics... ever! And, to you... which of his stories is number 1?

That's your call!

I respect Watchmen! Look at my picture. I collected each of these books as they were released on their original dates. I wish I would have purchased doubles, so that I could have had reading copies. Even as these books were being released, the talk of the graphic novel collection was strong! -- so I have never opened the comic books you are looking at! I waited until the first graphic novel was released before I read Watchmen.

That first edition of the Watchmen graphic novel was my bible for two years straight. I have read that 1st edition so much that I have rubbed some of the ink off the cover. I dreamed Watchmen! I ate Watchmen! I talked Watchmen! And then The Killing Joke was released -- and I found my new comic book obsession!

I read Swamp Thing from the 1970's through issue 171. I read Watchmen! Then I read The Killing Joke! Oh, and Miracle Man... and V for Vendetta! Oh yea, I'm a Alan Moore fan!

And... I still believe that The Killing Joke is the best comic book story ever. Why?

Watchmen -- THE BEST! But, it is not of the mainstream DC universe!

Swamp Thing -- THE BEST! Mainstream DC horror! Swamp Thing actually is something like a DC swamp god right now!

The Killing Joke -- THE BEST! And the story is right there in the middle of the DC universe, even though DC can't seem to make up its mind what the hell it is these days!

OK, again... my reasons for my love for The Killing Joke.

I mean, really... thank god I didn't declare my love for Jeff Smith's 'Bone!"

RLJ

A Little Guardians Of The Galaxy Geek News

 

http://social.entertainment.msn.com/movies/blogs/the-hitlist-blogpost.aspx?_blg=5&post=dee84740-0d5a-49f6-8951-2fad34b6ec2b

 

 

This young man is Chris Pratt.

 



Here you go,

Comic book fans...

 You are looking at the lead character in the upcoming --

Guardians Of The Galaxy movie!

Chris Pratt is an interesting actor.

He plays serious roles in his movies,

And goes comedic in his television role...

Therefore,

Maybe he will bring something interesting to the --

Guardians Of The Galaxy in 2014!

 

Things are looking very good for Marvel's movie future!

Very good, indeed!

 

RLJ

 



The Style I Like

 

Here is another example of Richard Pollard's cool cover work.
I've never read this comic book,
Even though I have several signed copies,
Because I could never bring myself to open this bag.
So, I can't comment on the story inside.
Anyway,
I think I'll just keep them bagged.
You really don't have to read them all,
Do you?

 

RLJ