CRIVENS! COMICS & STUFF!
A cascading cornucopia of cool comics, crazy cartoons, & classic collectables - plus other completely captivating & occasionally controversial contents. With nostalgic notions, sentimental sighings, wistful wonderings, remorseful ruminations, melancholy musings, rueful reflections, poignant ponderings, & yearnings for yesteryear. (And a few profound perplexities, puzzling paradoxes, & a bevy of big, beautiful, bedazzling, buxom Babes to round it all off.)
Monday, 20 January 2025
BABE Of The DAY - DENISE MILANI...
Saturday, 11 January 2025
2025 FACSIMILE EDITION OF THE 2018 FF #1 FACSIMILE EDITION - OR IS IT? (EH?)
2025 Facsimile. Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Above, is the latest Facsimile Edition of The Fantastic Four #1. Look at that barcode box in the corner; far too big and intrusive compared to the 2018 edition, below. Why do Marvel do it? I'm talking about unnecessarily obscuring part of the cover in this way. At least with the 2025 edition they've got the date right (November) as opposed to August on the previous version. I should point out, though, that back in 1961, although the issue was cover-dated November, it actually went on sale in August (8th, I think), and the 2018 incarnation was, I assume, merely reflecting this fact.
2018 Facsimile with less intrusive barcode |
At least this time they've included the 'Continued After Next Page' tagline before the ads, which they neglected to do last time. I also note that although the 2018 facsimile placed the indicia under the ad on the inside front cover (as did the 1961 original), it's now been moved to under the splash page. Again, why? Okay, the 2018 indicia had fewer lines than the latest one, but as the 2025 splash page was reduced in size to accommodate it, why couldn't they do likewise with the ad and put the indicia where it should be? (Seeing as how it's meant to be a 'facsimile'.)
2025 Facsimile, indicia moved to splash page, reduced to accommodate it |
This latest edition doesn't have the 16 extra pages of bonus material that the last one did, which is something I actually approve of as I prefer it to be more like the 1961 printing. If they'd only reduced that barcode and had the indicia under the ad, the whole comic would've been perfect. However, there's some good news. The upcoming foil variant cover version has placed the barcode on the back cover (like DC now do) so that's an improvement. Why Marvel didn't do so with their 'standard' facsimiles is beyond me, but all the mags will likely be reissued again in the future, so we can only hope that then they'll do things right.
2018 Facsimile with updated indicia, though in the right place as per original |
I've heard that the barcode is destined for extinction anyway, before too long, so that's something to look forward to if it means its defacement of comicbook covers will soon be a thing of the past. Anyway, if you want a relatively inexpensive copy of FF #1, despite my observations this is one of the better ones. Buy it as soon as you can, effendis - you know it makes sense. And below is an old photo of another issue of #1 in my collection, which is currently tucked away in a safe place, and not at hand for scanning.
BABE Of The DAY - DENISE MILANI...
Sunday, 5 January 2025
FRED FLINTSTONE - A SPY-TYPE GUY... (Updated)
Friday, 3 January 2025
PART SIXTY-ONE Of FAVOURITE COMICS Of The PAST - AMAZING ADVENTURES #17...
Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Around 20-25 years back, an acquaintance gave me a beat-up copy of Amazing Adventures #17. When I say 'beat up' I mean it, as the cover was hanging off, the spine was rolled, and it had multiple wrinkles. I only accepted it because I'd once owned the issue back in the early '70s and thought it'd be nice to have again. The replacement lay neglected for a few years, 'til one day I spruced it up a little to make it slightly more presentable.
It consists of edited-together reprints of back-up tales in the X-Men mags of the '60s, with a new splash page and end page by Jim Starlin, as well as the cover. Truth to tell, it's hardly a classic, but I remember having it back in the day, so owning it again made that particular period of my life seem not so far away. However, I always intended to acquire a better condition copy, though the rather extravagant prices some dealers were asking deterred me for a while.
Anyway, I recently saw a very nice condition copy (VF) on eBay for a few paltry quid, so I snapped it up right away, and that's its cover image at the top of the post. I've also included the first and last pages so you can enjoy Mr. Starlin's complete contribution to this usually (though surprisingly) expensive back issue - unless you get lucky like me.
I have the X-Men Masterworks and Omnibus editions reprinting the original separate tales of which the contents of AA #17 consists, which were rather heavily re-edited and, in some instances, resized in order to fill the required panel dimensions. The image below shows one panel which was 'drawn up', and as you can see, whoever did it neglected to add Cyclops' body past where the original (and now invisible) lower border line cut it off. Take a look - Cyclops' torso appears to be floating in mid-air with no visible means of support. (I haven't checked, but I suspect this may've originally been two panels combined into one.)
Then there's the panel below, where whoever added to it drew The Beast's right foot too small and without any toes. I don't know why some people don't seem to take pride in their work. Blowing my own trumpet for a moment, when I resized panels for IPC Pocket Libraries I never stinted in giving them my all, so that the 'joins' were never visible and the added parts looked as if they'd always been there from the start. Sadly, not everyone has my desire (or skill - laugh if you want) to do things properly.
So yet another Marvel mag has joined my merry throng of comics, and it seems as though it's never been away. If you had (or still have) this comic, feel free to record your memories or thoughts about it in the comments section.
Tuesday, 31 December 2024
AND NOW, AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT...
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL CRIVVIES EVERYWHERE!
(And Lang May Yer Lums Reek!)
Sunday, 29 December 2024
PERCEPTIONS AND PROJECTIONS DEPT - HOW THINGS ARE, OR HOW THINGS SEEM TO BE?
Back in 2014, I published a post that received only one comment (in 2015). Maybe the football was on telly that night, but I thought it was such an interesting subject I'd have another go. Why don't you lot have a go at leaving a comment this time, cavortin' Crivs?
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This is going to be a difficult one to express because it's kind of a nebulous concept, but I'm willing to give it a go if you are. Ready? Do houses, neighbourhoods and places have a particular 'ambiance' all their own, or does it all depend on the 'eye of the beholder'?
BABE Of The DAY - DENISE MILANI...
MARX TOYS IRON MAN... (Updated)
Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Wednesday, 25 December 2024
Tuesday, 24 December 2024
THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE (THAT'LL BE FRED THEN)...
CORGI REISSUE OF MATTE BLACK BATMOBILE...
Copyright DC COMICS |
Back in 1966 when Corgi Toys issued their TV Batmobile, for around the first 6 months it was matte black (according to Corgi, though other sources claim it was only a couple or so). The photos supplied to Corgi to start the project had a distinct matte finish, but the TV show's producers decided to make the car glossy just before filming began. When Corgi execs saw the real car (or one of its doubles) while it was on tour in Britain to promote the new show, they realised the error and gave instructions to their Swansea team that the toy's paint job should be amended to gloss, which it was for the rest of its span.
Corgi Model Club have reissued this version of the car as a members only model, though in actuality it's not really matte, but more of a satin finish (as was the '60s toy). That's my own car, recently received, and I've now lost count of just how many versions of the '66 car I now own. I know I've got two originals, three gloss reissues, and now the matte/satin reissue as well. On top of that, I have a Husky version, a Corgi Juniors, several by Mattel (in various scales), at least a couple by Jada, and quite a few by other manufacturers. Like I say, I've lost count of precisely how many, but it's, well... many!
Anyway, only the matte/satin version is on show today (not any more, see below), but bear in mind my camera's flash may make it look shinier than it really is. (As of typing I've not yet taken the photos so I don't know how they'll come out.) However, there's no denying it's a thing of beauty every Batman fan should have, but you can't - unless you join the Corgi Model Club that is. (Or know someone who's a member who'll buy one for you.) So what's stopping you?! Join up right away! Meanwhile, in answer to a request from B, here are the the matte and gloss versions side-by-side. Click to enlarge for a better view.