tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post5831973646331825222..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: Who's the Best... Licensed Comic Book?Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-19580899909930742812013-02-16T09:11:10.775-06:002013-02-16T09:11:10.775-06:00I'm a big fan of the original Star Trek...thou...I'm a big fan of the original Star Trek...though I can't seem to muster much love, even in an ironic sort of way, for the Gold Key comics. They were just awful. I do like the short lived Marvel series that followed the first movie and DC's two volumes of Trek have plenty of good moments.<br />DC's short-lived adaptation of the 70s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter actually had a few suprisingly good and funny moments.<br />Finally, I've just picked up, for a quarter apiece at Half Price Books, a nearly complete run of Atari Force and have been enjoying the ones I've had a chance to read so far. (I've finished the Gerry Conway/Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez issues and I'm just starting the Mike Baron/Eduardo Barreto run)Ray Tomczakhttp://guttertalkcomicsblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-780341380073486252013-02-13T20:46:01.013-06:002013-02-13T20:46:01.013-06:00Say, would GROO have been considered a licensed ch...Say, would GROO have been considered a licensed character? He was/is creator-owned, right?<br /><br />HBhumanbellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-43572001710198164482013-02-13T13:58:22.859-06:002013-02-13T13:58:22.859-06:00Shang Chi is a pure Marvel creation based extremel...Shang Chi is a pure Marvel creation based extremely, extremely loosely on Kwai Chang Caine from the Kung Fu TV series, although the only common ground was that they would both sit around talking for a long time about the importance of peace and then eventually be provoked into bitchslapping really a lot of people really hard. The legal problem is Smith, Reston and, of course, the Fu man himself. <br /><br />RichardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-23798704897216013992013-02-13T13:38:19.043-06:002013-02-13T13:38:19.043-06:00Micronauts!!
Also, Rom was stunningly good, again...Micronauts!!<br /><br />Also, Rom was stunningly good, against all expectations.William Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07896164917625191919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-87525705014988715842013-02-13T12:11:30.682-06:002013-02-13T12:11:30.682-06:00Shang Chi is still appearing in Marvel books; I kn...Shang Chi is still appearing in Marvel books; I know he was in the Secret Avengers title a few years ago (before I quit reading new comics).Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032477453891087135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-30756233258640130392013-02-13T11:45:39.041-06:002013-02-13T11:45:39.041-06:00That last "anonymous" was me. I hit the ...That last "anonymous" was me. I hit the publish button early...Inkstained Wretchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-65870811376914880282013-02-13T11:44:49.499-06:002013-02-13T11:44:49.499-06:00I remember seeing Shang-Chi guest-star in a Captai...I remember seeing Shang-Chi guest-star in a Captain America comic in the early 00s. Maybe that was before some lawyer sent a "cease and desist" letter to Marvel. Maybe the letter went because of it...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-43859402426586095002013-02-13T11:21:52.018-06:002013-02-13T11:21:52.018-06:00Wow, perfect! Thanks Matt! Wow, perfect! Thanks Matt! Garettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-54568296440840279902013-02-13T08:25:38.314-06:002013-02-13T08:25:38.314-06:00Garett, check Amazon. The Charlton years are colle...Garett, check Amazon. The Charlton years are collected.Doc Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783244633195233970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-13777827684974588612013-02-13T08:10:55.122-06:002013-02-13T08:10:55.122-06:00I'd also to like to mention that one of the wo...I'd also to like to mention that one of the world's great tragedies is that Marvel is unable to reprint trades of "Shang-Chi: Master of Kung-Fu" because of the licensing issues related the Fu Man Chu characters. What a shame. I'm sure if they had it to over again, Marvel would have just made up their own Asian crime lord to be Shang's father. Hopefully one day that will get worked out somehow and we'll finally be able to get some collected volumes of this truly iconic Bronze Age series.Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988016825582035390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-29180895505414327282013-02-13T08:04:58.492-06:002013-02-13T08:04:58.492-06:00I have never been a huge fan of licensed comics fo...I have never been a huge fan of licensed comics for some reason. I never even got into Star Wars or Conan. However, I do remember really liking the Micronauts. Probably because of the early artwork of Michael Golden. It was a really well done sci-fi adventure book. I didn't like it as much once they started crossing over with the rest of the Marvel U. I thought they worked best in their own little world. (No pun intended).Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988016825582035390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-56664078851798840212013-02-13T07:18:16.984-06:002013-02-13T07:18:16.984-06:00The Sax Rohmer copyright thing is really odd. No o...The Sax Rohmer copyright thing is really odd. No one seems to know exactly what copyright they have, which, considering he appeared in books, films, film serials, TV shows, music, radio serials, comic strips and comic books for about 60 years is amazing. Also, no one knows who owns the rights now, for example, the original Republic serials from the 30’s can’t be broadcast. Paramount own all these and have perfect copies of them, but can’t release them (or it’s not worth it for the market demand). Perversely, the 60’s films with Christopher Lee are still available to buy now, but I haven’t seen them on TV since the 70’s. Rohmer is supposed to have sold all the rights in 1955 for $4m (imagine how much money that was in 1955!) but I don’t believe any trace of that transaction exists. <br /><br />The first stories were published in the 20’s so it will actually start to come into the public domain soon, but given that it was considered unacceptably racist even in its own time (which is saying something) God knows how it will look to 21st century eyes. <br /><br />Having been accused of racism to Asian people for 40 years, and having written of a sinister Asian mastermind who used disease, bacteria and germ warfare to further his ends, Rohmer died of Asian flu.....<br /><br />Richard<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-11516482880168936512013-02-13T02:40:58.331-06:002013-02-13T02:40:58.331-06:00Well, Roy got Thongor: there was that 8-issue run ...Well, Roy got Thongor: there was that 8-issue run of Thongor stories in Creatures on the Loose. Didn't exactly set the world on fire, though...Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-25085307963608561982013-02-13T01:01:03.155-06:002013-02-13T01:01:03.155-06:00Conan!
When it comes to the Bronze Age, Conan is ...Conan!<br /><br />When it comes to the Bronze Age, Conan is the license that rocked the world. <br /><br />The success of the Cimmerian reshaped what comics were going to be for a very long time. <br /><br />And to think, Roy wanted Thongor. Sheesh!<br /><br />Rip OffRip Jaggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-56304854030196142172013-02-12T21:28:44.274-06:002013-02-12T21:28:44.274-06:00Since the character Shang Chi is original, althoug...Since the character Shang Chi is original, although loosely based on David Carradine's Caine in the tv series Kung Fu, I wouldn't have thought of him as a "licensed character" although, of course, much of his supporting cast, including the predominant recurring villain, are very much licensed characters. Anyhow, on that basis Master of Kung Fu is very much my favorite licensed comic book although I didn't really get into it until around issue 57 when I started collecting it regularly (and eventually got all the back issues). I wasn't into martial arts at all but I loved the art & stories.<br />I also really liked the Micronauts; initially I thought the idea of comics based on toys was utterly ridiculous but I decided to give issue 7 (guest-starring the Man-Thing) a try, and whaddaya know, I liked it! Conan was another fave I got into late -- I liked Big John Buscema's art, but I really loved Barry Smith's run. Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-79035266952122435302013-02-12T21:02:11.495-06:002013-02-12T21:02:11.495-06:00I'd like to see more of the Phantom by Aparo, ...I'd like to see more of the Phantom by Aparo, some compilation. I had one--not quite up to his Batman level, but still looked good. My favorite from Charlton. Appears he drew 7 issues, just right for a TPB.Garettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-16785037372353666892013-02-12T20:39:09.180-06:002013-02-12T20:39:09.180-06:00Almost forgot: Doc Savage and The Shadow! Marvel a...Almost forgot: Doc Savage and The Shadow! Marvel and DC's adaptations introduced me to both of these characters, and led me to checking out the pulp novels they came from originally. I still think that Kaluta, Buscema and De Zuniga captured these properties perfectly (as for Frank Robbins on The Shadow, well you can imagine). Both series disappeared far too soon.<br /><br />James ChattertonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-37509753760475176592013-02-12T20:24:28.354-06:002013-02-12T20:24:28.354-06:00I'd've bought Hercules by Buscema in a hea...I'd've bought Hercules by Buscema in a heartbeat!Doc Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783244633195233970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-67495810282338447532013-02-12T19:11:16.170-06:002013-02-12T19:11:16.170-06:00Without question it has to be the licensed Conan p...Without question it has to be the licensed Conan properties Marvel got back in the 70s. I read somewhere that it was Gil Kane who recommended that Marvel get that character. Regardless, Marvel lucked out big time when they got the rights to use that character, and Roy Thomas was also inspired to create Red Sonja from another REH creation.<br /><br />Many people forget MOKF involved licensed characters, specifically Fu Manchu and Denis Nayland Smith. I think it's primarily because the main character, Shang Chi, was an original Marvel character created from a licensed character (Fu Manchu).<br /><br />I still have some of the original Star Wars licensed comics from the 70s. They were decent, but I think the early ones suffered from not knowing what the inevitable movie sequel would bring. Some early issues had Leia in missions still wearing that white gown and sporting that infamous double bun hairstyle! <br /><br />Can't say much about the Tarzan stories 'cause I haven't read enough if them.<br /><br /><br />- Mike 'I ain't touchin' a Transformers or Twilight comic book with a 10 foot pole' from Trinidad & Tobago. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-56569394459158680942013-02-12T19:01:56.435-06:002013-02-12T19:01:56.435-06:00I'd say Conan has been the biggest for me over...I'd say Conan has been the biggest for me over the years. Reading the main title lead me to the original novels, which I enjoyed, and then to Savage Sword later on. Great art and stories, and a world you can get lost in.<br /><br />Kubert's Tarzan has had more influence on me over the last few years. Love his art, perfect roughness for Tarzan, jungle. His drawing style isn't wooden, but things have a firmness like wood. I couldn't get into the original novels. Like a couple of the early movies from the '30s. Can't get into Manning's Tarzan--bland.<br /><br />Master of Kung Fu--loved it when it came out, and love it again now! I prefer the Zeck period. Not a Gulacy fan--his style seems awkward to me. Gene Day later, I used to like, but now he seems dull, not enough movement. A TPB would be welcome.<br /><br />Some of my favorite Buscema art is the early movie adaptations, around 1960--Spartacus, Hercules, Sinbad. If he'd stayed in comics in the early '60s, it would've been a treat. Also he drew a couple good cowboy comics like Luke Short's Top Gun--not sure if this was adapted material. Any Luke Short fans out there?? <br /><br />I liked Micronauts when it came out, but tried to read it recently and it didn't have the same pull. I tried reading Star Wars comics, but didn't think they were anywhere near as good as the movies.<br /><br />A Buscema Hercules comic would've been awesome--you can tell he enjoyed drawing the character, whether it was in 1960, or in the '80s in the Avengers. My fantasy is John Buscema working on Hercules for 100 issues through the 1960s!<br /><br />Garettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-49329729052774592492013-02-12T14:06:41.677-06:002013-02-12T14:06:41.677-06:00Yeah.., we CERTAINLY don't get enough of the &...Yeah.., we CERTAINLY don't get enough of the 'three S's in life.<br /><br />("...at least not in my government job here..")<br /><br />I was never into Tolkien/Hobbit stuff (still not..), but I'll have to take in classic Smith and Buscema Conan someday soon (not the repainted stuff..).david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-62433192617025854422013-02-12T13:37:11.866-06:002013-02-12T13:37:11.866-06:00Richard, I didn't care for Golden's art on...Richard, I didn't care for Golden's art on Avengers Annual 10, or almost any other super-hero art by him. There was something about it -perhaps it all seemed too round, too...I don't know...oily? There was just something that put me off. But for some reason it was acceptable, even enjoyable, on Micronauts.<br /><br />It's a shame we can't have TPBs of Master of Kung Fu.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032477453891087135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-88311216175750591012013-02-12T13:23:41.977-06:002013-02-12T13:23:41.977-06:00That's why I'll take Conan over Frodo &...That's why I'll take Conan over Frodo & Co. any day o the week: scary monsters, swinging swords, and scantily clad wenches!Doc Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783244633195233970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-41949231726131731892013-02-12T13:20:07.407-06:002013-02-12T13:20:07.407-06:00The Conan books were a bit too "mature" ...The Conan books were a bit too "mature" for me as a Bronze Age baby. But having read them in recent years, they are a lot of fun (at least while Roy Thomas was writing them.)<br /><br />Conan is decidedly pulp fiction, and not Tolkien-style "high fantasy." It's all about the three S's - swinging swords, scary monsters and scantily-clad wenches. But the comics are entertaining yarns, and the Buscema & BWS art is outstanding. <br />Brucenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-38882982625413085002013-02-12T13:19:29.659-06:002013-02-12T13:19:29.659-06:00Aw, YEEEAH.
"Hey, Surf's Up, hip Bat-Da...Aw, YEEEAH. <br /><br />"Hey, Surf's Up, hip Bat-Daddio..."<br /><br />With scaled '60s Barris Batmobile..? <br /><br />Way Cool.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.com