#Kurt Busiek Story | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

keycomicbooks · 24 days

Text

Astro City #27 (2015) Alex Ross Cover, Joe Infurnari Pencils, Kurt Busiek Story, American Chibi Joins Team

#AstroCity #27 (2015) #AlexRoss Cover, #JoeInfurnari Pencils, #KurtBusiek Story, #AmericanChibi Joins Team "Game Over" American Chibi has been a mystery since her debut-until now. Learn the secrets behind her origin, her powers and the deadly threat she stands against. SAVE ON SHIPPING COST - NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PICK UP IN DELTONA, FLORIDA https://www.rarecomicbooks.fashionablewebs.com/Astro%20City.html#27 #KeyComicBooks #DCComics #DCU #DCUniverse #KeyIssue

0 notes

vertigoartgore · 1 month

Text

2004's Superman: Secret Identity #1-4 covers by Stuart Immonen.

23 notes · View notes

smashedpages · 1 year

Photo

In 1992 The Welsh Publishing Group released The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles magazine, which included, in conjunction with Dark Horse Comics, a two-page comic by Kurt Busiek, Adam Hughes, Karl Story and Sean Tierney. The magazine only lasted one issue, so this was the only comic Busiek and Hughes produced for it.

Dark Horse was publishing a Young Indiana Jones comic at the time as a tie-in to the TV show of the same name, and Busiek regularly contributed articles to it that were used as back matter and tied the plot of the issue to real-world history.

#kurt busiek #adam hughes #young indiana jones #dark horse comics #karl story #sean tierney #young indiana jones chronicles

216 notes · View notes

cantsayidont · 4 months

Text

January to April 2004. Fans of MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN would likely enjoy this poignant 2004 miniseries by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen, about a young man named Clark Kent in a world very much like ours, where Superman is a familiar — and fictional — pop culture icon. Clark grows up the butt of many jokes, but when he's in high school, he discovers that he really does have powers like Superman's, something that has no precedent in his world outside of comic books.

If this premise sounds familiar, it's because it's a lot like the origin of the Earth-Prime Superboy, before he became a way for Geoff Johns to mock comics fans (and for DC to play out its institutional hostility toward Siegel and Shuster). In the pre-Crisis era, Earth-Prime, one of editor Julius Schwartz's little jokes, was supposed to be our world, where comics artists, writers, and editors transcribed the adventures of the real heroes of the other Earths. In the afterword to the trade paperback compilation of SECRET IDENTITY, Busiek admits that the similarities were wholly intentional, and that while he didn't mention it in his proposal (and DC didn't advertise it as such), this was essentially his extrapolation of that 1985 concept by Elliot S! Maggin, Curt Swan, and Al Williamson.

After moving to New York City in his '20s, this Clark becomes a reporter — though not for the Daily Planet — and meets a young woman named Lois Chaudhari. To my knowledge, this was the first time a counterpart of Lois Lane was presented as an Asian woman (although of course she's not precisely Lois Lane).

Throughout most of the story, Clark uses his powers only in secret, but he does make himself a Superman costume. Eventually, he feels compelled to come clean with Lois:

Like Busiek's ASTRO CITY, SECRET IDENTITY is a very introspective story, less interested in action (of which there's relatively little) than in emotion and small observations of life with superhuman abilities. If you're expecting bigger dramatic stakes, you may find the series underwhelming — there are no supervillains or alien invasions, just Clark's reflections on his life and family, from childhood to old age — and the fact that the story never reveals why Clark has powers may frustrate. However, its autumnal wistfulness is appealing if you're in the right frame of mind for it. Immonen's art is gorgeous, and I can't think of a better artist for this story, which straddles the line between a real-world environment and the "heroic realism" of the modern superhero genre.

Fourteen years later, Busiek tried to do a similar story with Batman, BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT, with John Paul Leon, which doesn't work nearly as well, wallowing in some uncomfortable attitudes about mental illness and an inappropriate though deliberately ambiguous supernatural element. Leon's art is interesting, but the story leaves a sour taste, and it does not succeed (at all) in doing for Batman what SECRET IDENTITY does for Superman, which is disappointing.

#comics #superman secret identity #kurt busiek #stuart immonen #earth-prime #superman #clark kent #lois lane #my adventures with superman #maws #elliot s maggin #curt swan #al williamson #eduardo barreto #julius schwartz #batman creature of the night #john paul leon #i don't think supernatural elements are necessarily inappropriate for batman #but putting that in a supposedly “real world” story about a man who is definitely mentally ill is in poor taste

36 notes · View notes

classicmarvelera · 7 months

Text

Marvel's Short Stories That Redefined Superhero Comics

In the rich tapestry of Marvel Comics, there are epic sagas and sweeping crossovers that capture our imaginations and define the superhero genre. However, some of the most profound and enduring tales are found in the pages of shorter stories—narratives that span four issues or fewer. These concise yet impactful stories have left an indelible mark on readership, the comic book industry, and how we perceive superheroes. Let's explore how these short stories, including "Powerless," reshaped the world of Marvel Comics

1. "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (Uncanny X-Men #141-142, 1981)

"Days of Future Past" catapulted readers into a dystopian future where mutants are hunted to near extinction. This tale of time travel and the consequences of prejudice resonated deeply. It showcased the potential for comic books to address social issues, shining a spotlight on bigotry and discrimination. Its influence can be seen in subsequent X-Men stories that continue to tackle real-world problems

2. "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" (The Amazing Spider-Man #248, 1984)

A single-issue masterpiece, this story touched the hearts of readers worldwide. It revealed the human side of superheroes, reminding us that these characters, despite their extraordinary abilities, are grounded in humanity. "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" humanized the superhero genre, emphasizing the impact these icons can have on fans

3. "Vision and the Scarlet Witch" (Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1-4, 1982)

While not strictly a short story but much shorter than "Demon in a Bottle", this series explored the personal lives of two Avengers in an intimate and relatable way. It demonstrated that superheroes are not just costumes and powers but individuals with complex emotions and relationships. "Vision and the Scarlet Witch" (not The Vision and the Scarlet Witch 12 issues series) redefined the portrayal of personal lives within the superhero genre

4. "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" (The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122, 1973)

The story that started the Bronze Age! This two-issue arc forever altered the perception of superhero storytelling. The death of Gwen Stacy was a turning point, showcasing that superheroes do not always emerge victorious and unscathed. It added a layer of realism and emotional depth to Spider-Man's world

5. "The Death of Jean DeWolff" (The Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110, 1985)

A gritty murder mystery within Spider-Man's world, this story proved that superheroes can explore darker themes. It demonstrated the versatility of the genre, showing that it could tackle complex and mature subject matter

6. "God Loves, Man Kills" (Marvel Graphic Novel no. 5)

This graphic novel delved into themes of prejudice and discrimination. It elevated the X-Men beyond mere superheroics, highlighting the allegorical nature of their struggle. "God Loves, Man Kills" made it clear that comics could be a powerful platform for social commentary

7. "The Trial of Reed Richards" (Fantastic Four #262-265, 1984)

This storyline explored the legal ramifications of superhero actions. It demonstrated that superheroes are not above the law and can be held accountable for their actions. "The Trial of Reed Richards" added a layer of complexity to the superhero genre, reflecting real-world concerns

8. "Marvels" (Marvels #1-4, 1994)

This four-issue limited series takes a unique approach by exploring the lives of ordinary people in a world filled with superheroes. It delves into themes of powerlessness and how everyday individuals navigate a world where superhuman abilities are the norm. "Marvels" offers a different perspective from the eye(s) of journalist Phil Sheldon on the Marvel Universe, highlighting the challenges faced by those who can't match the extraordinary feats of superheroes

In conclusion, these short stories within the Marvel Universe have left an enduring legacy. They impacted readers by addressing real-world issues, challenged the comic book industry to embrace mature and diverse storytelling, and redefined how we perceive superheroes. These tales remind us that beneath the masks and capes, superheroes are reflections of our own humanity, and their stories can be as complex and thought-provoking as any other literary genre

Marvel's short stories have proven that superhero comics are more than just entertainment; they mirror our world and aspirations. These concise narratives have shown that profound storytelling can occur within the limited confines of a few issues. They have opened the doors for deeper exploration of characters, themes, and societal issues, and they continue to inspire creators and readers alike to push the boundaries of what superhero comics can achieve

In a genre often associated with bombastic battles and larger-than-life conflicts, these short stories are a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the ability of comics to engage our hearts and minds. As we celebrate the impact of these narratives, we are reminded that sometimes, the most significant stories come in the smallest packages

#marvel comics #short stories #dystopia #real life drama #chris claremont #roger stern #john byrne #peter david #gerry conway #kurt busiek #alex ross #bill mantlo #crime #social issues

24 notes · View notes

thenotoriousscuttlecliff · 3 months

Text

Maddening how DC largely ignores this entire era, never really collecting or reprinting any of it except for Death of Superman, which is far from the best story it produced. That and the Wedding seem to be the only bits of the Triangle era widely available, which is just crazy, but not all that surprising. DC has never been all that fussed about reprinting Superman stories from the silver, bonze and modern age, except for a select few.

#superman #action comics #dc comics #clark kent #lois lane #lex luthor #jimmy olsen #perry white #death of superman #looking at the year ahead it just more reprints of all star #geoff johns (ugh) getting the absolute treatment #a kurt busiek collection #and a storyline featuring the most famous batman villain who has a movie out this year #not confident things will really change with superman legacy coming out #even if it is a massive hit they'll just reprint all star birthright and for all seasons again #and maybe moore's stories

10 notes · View notes

ladyloveandjustice · 10 months

Text

As both extra info for people excited about the change- and to shut down losers mad about it (I mean it won't actually shut them down because they just want to be racist, but it feels good to show up the gatekeepers with comics knowledge)- this isn't the first time Lois has been portrayed as Asian.

Most prominently, there's Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane story, which was published this year. It's by Sarah Kuhn, and Lois is biracial Japanese American teenager in it.

Clark seems to be Asian in this story too:

Kuhn said when she was little she used to fantasize that Lois was Asian based on her dark hair. You can read some interviews here and here.

In Superman: American Alien (written by Max Landis, unfortunately), Lois is half-Asian:

And for a South Asian rather than East Asian Lois, there's Superman: Secret Identity by Kurt Busiek, which follows a man who's named Clark Kent after the Superman in the comics...who then actually gains Superman's powers. This Lois is Lois Chaudhari, who's Indian-American.

My friend Rena did a great post on her you can read here.

Lois Lane is a character who's always been reinterpreted, and who can be so many things, that's one of the wonderful things about these characters. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

#lois lane #superman #dc comics #my adventures with superman #clark kent

273 notes · View notes

the-gershomite · 1 year

Photo

Conan’s Favorite Joke

story by Kurt Busiek

art & color by Bruce Timm

lettering by Richard Starkings & Comicraft

#dark horse comics #Conan #conan's favorite joke #Kurt Busiek #Bruce Timm #Richard Starkings

423 notes · View notes

luthwhore · 5 months

Text

a while back i made a recommended reading list for lex luthor, and originally didn't plan to make a superman one, since it's a lot easier to find reading lists for him, but a lot of the reading lists i see either tend to be very short and have the same 5-10 books on them, or feel way too expansive and overwhelming, so i wanted to make a list of some of my personal picks!

this list is designed to help relatively new readers get to know the character, so i've tried to focus mostly on things that are accessible to people with only minimal knowledge of the character/world (with one single exception).

i also have not included any pre-crisis stories because i don't feel like i've read enough pre-crisis content to confidently recommend any specific comics, but i might one day come back and add a section for pre-crisis comics later!

❤️ = Personal favorite

Origin Story

Superman: Birthright, by Mark Waid ❤️

Superman: Birthright is what I would consider to be the definitive modern Superman origin story, featuring modernized versions of many Silver and Bronze age concepts. Mark Waid is, imo, one of the best modern day Superman writers in the sense of really understanding the core of his character, so I would highly suggest starting here for an understanding of who Clark is and what makes him tick. Optional: If you like "Birthright", the presently incomplete "Last Days of Lex Luthor" is a direct follow up to it, also written by Mark Waid, and delves deeper into the complicated relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor.

Superman: Secret Origin, by Geoff Johns

Written a few years after Birthrigh, "Secret Origin" technically supplanted Birthright as the official canon. Like "Birthright", it attempts to modernize many Silver/Bronze Age concepts, though it takes a different route than the aforementioned "Birthright."

Post-Crisis

Superman: Up, Up, and Away, by Geoff Johns & Kurt Busiek

Set after the events of the DC events Infinite Crisis and One Year Later, though it's not necessary to read either to follow this arc. After a year long break from being Superman, Clark returns to the cape. Since Infinite Crisis served as one of many soft-resets for the pre-Flashpoint DCU, it's a solid arc to start with.

Superman: Last Son, by Geoff Johns

Clark learns of another Kryptonian child on Earth and decides to take him in and introduces the character of "Chris Kent." Follows "Up, Up, and Away". This arc technically ran concurrently with the "Camelot Falls" arc, with "Last Son" being the Action Comics storyline and "Camelot Falls" being the "Superman" storyline. (I would recommend reading "Last Son" first, since otherwise you might be confused by Chris's presence in "Camelot Falls".)

Superman: Camelot Falls, by Kurt Busiek ❤️

One of my personal favorite post-Crisis Superman stories. Clark is told that the only way to avert an apocalyptic future is to give up being Superman. One of many, many stories that asks the philosophical question "Do heroes actually make things worse?" but has a very fresh and uplifting take on the premise.

New 52

Action Comics (2011), by Grant Morrison

Grant Morrison's Action Comics is a very sharp departure from the pre-Flashpoint version of Superman, instead choosing to do with the Golden Age what Mark Waid's "Birthright" did with the Silver Age. Morrison's Superman here is significantly more hotheaded and aggressive than the previous decade's version of him, but he's by far the closest to Siegel and Shuster's original vision for the character, so it's worth a read.

Superman: Unchained, by Scott Snyder

A Superman vs the US military story, with art by the legendary Jim Lee. It's a little dark in tone (and in color scheme) for Superman, but pretty in-line with the tone of most n52 books.

Rebirth and Beyond

Superman: Up in the Sky, by Tom King

A story that shows the lengths Superman is willing to go to in order to save one person. Has some very cute interactions between Clark children, and in general really gets the heart of Superman as a character.

The Warworld Saga, by Phillip Kennedy Johnson ❤️

A massive story following Superman to Warworld, where he works to free a group of Kryptonians being kept as gladiatorial slaves. Leans heavily into the idea of Superman as a Moses allegory, with the Authority as supporting cast. Over all a really beautiful story, both in terms of the plot and the art. Imo, the best Superman story from the last decade. Optional: If you like "Warworld" make sure to read the rest of PKJ's Action Comics run. His last issue of Action Comics just dropped recently, so you could absolutely sit down and binge the whole three-year run straight through.

Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2021 - ongoing), by Mark Waid

Set during the early years, featuring Superman, Batman, Robin (Dick Grayson), and occasionally Supergirl. In true Mark Waid fashion, it pulls heavily from the Silver Age, and manages to balance Silver Age campiness with more modern storytelling. (If you're a Superbat fan and you're somehow not reading this already, you should be.)

Superman (2023 - ongoing), by Joshua Williamson ❤️

The current running Superman arc. Another soft-reset for the Superman canon, meant to serve as an easy starting place for new readers. Beautiful art, hopeful and uplifting, and features my personal favorite take on the Lex in the comics, which should really tell you something. Optional: Action Comics issue #1050 sets up some things for this comic, but you won't lose much by skipping it.

Self-Contained Stories

Superman Smashes the Klan, by Gene Luen Yang ❤️

A YA graphic novel based on an old radio show. Set during the 1940s during Superman's early years, and really takes Superman back to his roots as a champion of the oppressed. If you read no other book on this list, please read this one. It's a quick and easy read and gets right to the heart of who and what Superman is.

Superman: For All Seasons, by Jeph Loeb

A story spanning four stages of Clark's life, with gorgeous artwork by the incomparable Tim Sale. Delves into Clark's relationships with most of the important people in his life, including his parents, Lois, and Lex.

Superman: Secret Identity, by Kurt Busiek

A meta twist on the Superman story with a boy in the real world develops Superman-like powers and has to grapple with what that means for him and what to do with those powers. A really excellent deconstruction of Superman.

All-Star Superman, by Grant Morrison

Superman, upon being told he has only a few days to live, chooses how to spend the rest of days. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Superman stories of all time, but features a lot of deep cut lore and will resonate more if you're more familiar with the characters. This is the one book I would not recommend starting with. Also leans heavily on the Silver Age canon.

#clark kent #superman #dc comics #comic recs #reading list #i will go back in and add pre-crisis recs at some point too

55 notes · View notes

sisaloofafump · 1 month

Text

I read Superman: Secret Identity today by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by Stuart Immonen. It is incredible, hands down one of the best alternate universe stories I’ve read. It is a beautiful slow exploration of centre stones of Superhero personal fears: facing the decision of whether to hide one’s powers or go to the press; of the dangers of the government and how to live amongst humanity rather than separate from it; whether and how to raise children and keep your family safe; and how to age and retire. Each aspect is thorough and presented in beautiful prose and illustration. If you’re interested in superhero studies or superman-specific character work, this is mandatory reading. It is really great.

The thing is? It’s not about Clark. Or at least, not as we know him. It’s about a kid in Kansas named Clark Kent who lives in a world with the same superhero comics as us, that for all intense and purposes is our world, and this Clark Kent grows up under the shadow and mockery of having the same name as a comic book hero. Then he develops Superman’s powers. It’s inspired by an old one shot in DC Present’s about a superboy of Earth-Prime, if you want to read more of the premise.

Anyway, it’s real great and I cannot recommend it enough to those interested in more contemplative superhero/superman comics.

#I randomly selected this too #put all his comics in a spreadsheet and it spit this out #the gods of luck were on my side for one hour this day #and to them I am forever grateful #dc comics #superman #clark kent #comic recommendations #my rambles

26 notes · View notes

artbyblastweave · 9 months

Note

I remember a bit you posted positing that the whole point of Worm is that the correct choice of which of the Big Two superhero settings to live in is "none of them". I do kinda wonder: How do you think one would go about creating a superhero setting that doesn't kinda suck to live in, assuming such a thing is even possible/desirable (fictional settings that don't suck to live in are honestly rare)?

Astro City by Kurt Busiek I think got closest, sort of by the nature of the project- it's a multifaceted vignette-based look at the ups and downs of a superhero setting with a 100+year-long internal timeline, and therefore it's kind of inherently predicated on the idea that things are generally going to turn out all right on balance, in an anthropic principle sort of way. (And this is an attitude that's generally been adopted by the populace within the setting; one of the earliest issues involves a sequence where the residents of an apartment block set up a party on the roof to watch a giant galactus-type crisis situation, because they have no control over whether or not the heroes will be able to deal with it, but all things being equal it's a hell of a thing to see.)

Of course, many, many capes within the setting end up dead on the job or weighed down by the events of their past, but less in a way that feels like the story is trying to aggressively make a point about how dark the underlying conceit of superheroism is, and more in a way that if you took a birds-eye view of any subculture over a 100-year period, you'd obviously see a bunch of luminaries die or retire because that's just a really long period of time even before you get into the lifestyle risks.

#asks #thoughts #astro city #meta #an additional thing is that Astro City's level of dystopianosity is textually something that fluctuates #most stories set from the 90s on are set in an idealistic upswing #but the 70s-90s of the setting were pointedly and noticably more violent and with higher civillian body counts #to reflect the tone of big two comics during those years

113 notes · View notes

chernobog13 · 2 years

Text

R.I.P CARLOS PACHECO

What a crappy week this has been, and I’m not talking about the election results.

First I got news of Kevin O’Neill (Marshal Law, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) passing a few days ago. Then I learned that Carlos Pacheco Perujo passed away this morning.

Carlos Pacheco, a Spanish artist, spent a long time working on this side of the Atlantic for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics.

Although he had been doing work for Marvel since 1995, the first book I remember seeing Pacheco’s work on was the 12-issue Avengers Forever. I initially picked up the book because it was written by Kurt Busiek, who was doing a bang-up job with George Perez on Avengers at the time. I liked the story, and was very impressed with the artwork.

This was also the first time that Pacheco worked with inker Jesus Merino and - like Kirby & Sinnott, Swan & Anderson, Adams & Giordano, and Byrne and Austin - it was a match made in Heaven. Merino would continue to be Pacheco’s regular inker for many, many years afterward.

Pacheco also had runs on Fantastic Four and X-Men.

Of course, with me being a DC guy, I was very excited when PAcheco moved to DC tin 2003 to draw a 96-page JLA/JSA crossover, Virtue and Vice, wherein he depicted the entire roster of each team.

Pacheco also drew covers for several issues of the JSA’s own book.

He then teamed with writer Jeph Loeb for a few issues of Superman/Batman.

Then he joined up again with Kurt Busiek for (most of) a year-long run on Superman.

Busiek and Pacheco teamed-up again for their creator-owned series Arrowsmith.

Arrowsmith: Behind Enemy Lines, the second volume in the series, finished up earlier this year. The trade paperback collecting the series was released in September, at around the same time that Pacheco announced he was retiring from comics due to being diagnosed with ALS.

Despite the dire news, I was hoping we’d have more time to spend with him. As is always the case with someone you love and admire, they always pass away far too soon.

Rest in peace, Carlos.

#Carlos Pacheco #Flash Gordon #Princess Aura #Avengers Forever #Fantastic Four #X-Men #Marvel Comics #Justice League of America #JLA #Justice Society of America #JSA #Superman #Batman #Ultraman #DC Comics #Arrowsmith

306 notes · View notes

loveenchantinggentlemencollector · 4 months

Text

@comfortfoodcontent and @kylereadscomics did this first, so I thought it would be fun to think about what some of my favorite comics are. Here are some of my favorite single issues, stories, and runs:

Avengers by Kurt Busiek and George Perez - This was my first Avengers run, loved the characters and George Perez's amazing art, plus my favorite Ultron story, Ultron Unlimited.

DC vs. Marvel - I love crossovers like this, and as a kid, because my favorite character is the Flash, I was Team DC. The other fights were fun as well.

Detective Comics #627 - A reprint of Batman's first appearance in Detective Comics #27, plus updates of the story by different creative teams, including Marv Wolfman and Jim Aparo, and Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle, showing how Batman has evolved over the years.

Superman for All Seasons - Possibly my favorite Superman story, showing Clark's early days and my favorite version of Superman, the guy with incredible power who just wants to help.

Green Lantern: Rebirth - The story that made me a Green Lantern fan, loved the big space opera action, the different ways the lanterns use their rings, and made Sinestro my favorite Green Lantern villain.

Incredible Hulk #377 - The first Hulk comic I read as a kid, loved the Peter David run, his examinations of Bruce Banner's character, and Professor Hulk was my favorite version of the Hulk.

Kingdom Come - One of my favorite DC stories, loved the commentary of traditional super heroics versus the grim and gritty 90s, and how those ideologies clash. Plus, Kingdom Come Superman's outfit is still epic.

Flash: The Return of Barry Allen - My favorite Flash story, loved seeing Wally West step out of Barry Allen's shadow, the start of the Flash Family, also solidified Eobard Thawne as my favorite Flash villain.

Starman by James Robinson, Tony Harris, Peter Snejbjerg, and others - A more recent addition for me, as I was always a JSA fan, but never read all of this run until recently. Loved the characters, especially Jack Knight and the Shade, the Golden Age history, the themes of legacy, the villains, and how the story reaches a satisfying conclusion.

Wolverine and the X-Men by Jason Aaron, Chris Bachalo, Nick Bradshaw, and others - I'm probably going to get some heat for this pick, but this was the book that got me back into X-Men post Morrison and Whedon. I read every issue as it came out, and it was so much fun, I liked the characters, the action, the villains, and Genesis is one of my favorite characters (love the idea of "what if Apocalypse, but Superman"). Plus, it has Wolverine and Storm as a couple, my OTP.

#comics #top 10 #marvel comics #dc comics #the flash #green lantern #starman #comic lists #superman #the avengers #incredible hulk #favorite comics #batman #kingdom come

15 notes · View notes

doctorofmagic · 2 months

Note

Hey. Amazon is having a Doctor Strange kindle sale and I'm getting the last few Epic Collections that I don't have. I'm excited to read the latest one that came out, that has the rest of Stephen's Strange Tales issues. I have a question about the one titled Afterlife, that collects Strange Tales (1994) #1, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #76-90, Ashcan Edition; Doctor Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen?. What do you know about the stories from that time? Thanks for any help.

Hello!! I'm so glad you're getting more comics to add to your collection!

Let's see what I can tell about these stories without any spoilers, mmmm...

I think my favorite part of Strange Tales #1 is the team-up with Ben and Johnny. Ben has teamed up with Stephen before several times, they have a very interesting and amusing chemistry, but adding Johnny to the equation only makes it better. The art is also incredible (Kurt Busiek has this unique style).

Sorcerer Supreme is a roller coaster. You'll be getting the unpopular "no stache" look, the weird stories and the "back to the roots" storyline (which is cool but at the same time not so cool? Some weird things happen, but if you read Jed's recent stories, you'll pick some references!). I really really really love Stephen's last look (the white shirt with golden ornaments and the cloak turning into the red trench coat). Also the "are you gay?" panel, which is a classic haha. Overall, not my favorite, but definitely essential reading!

Doctor Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen? is a one-shot that I also own in my native language. It's kinda predictable but goes to a very imaginative scenario of fantasy, which is always welcome.

In short, I do believe it's a nice collection of stories and you'll not be disappointed! Hope you have fun and I appreciate your trust in me to give some feedback 🙏🏻

#how can the sorcerer supreme be of assistance?#ask #doctor strange #stephen strange #refs #marvel comics

13 notes · View notes

vintagegeekculture · 1 year

Text

Lettercol Fights of 1970s Marvel

It’s been forgotten now, but some of the most fascinating fandom discussions were held in letters pages in Marvel Comics of the 1970s.

For example: the letters pages in Invaders, a 1970s written World War II-set comic, had lively debates and back and forth about (what else?) canon, specifically, the canonicity status of Marvel’s pre-1961 Golden Age Comics.

Two perspectives emerged on this. The first was articulated by regular lettercol contributor Al Shroeder III, who met his wife through comic book lettercols (I cannot stress enough how unlikely that is). Al Shroeder III said that the older, pre-FF golden age stories were just as “real” as the later Marvel Universe we know that started in 1961. If something is established in the older comics, any future revival or use of the characters in Marvel has to adhere to what is established scrupulously.

The other perspective in Invaders lettercols was best embodied by lettercol regular Kurt Busiek, who often wrote into Marvel Comics in the 1970s, particularly those of his hero, “Stainless” Steve Englehart (though Invaders was written by Roy Thomas, not the Stainless One). Busiek argued that the Marvel Universe came into existence in 1961, and so therefore the older, pre-1961 stories were only canon in so far as the later MU acknowledged their existence.

Who was correct? In the letters pages for Invaders, people wrote in to support either Al Shroeder III or Kurt Busiek’s position.

75 notes · View notes

deacblues · 15 hours

Note

mr. blues, how would you rip off a superhero? I really like speedster-type characters and love the design of golden-age flash, but I want to do my own thing instead of fanfic and avoid all the issues that come with using a pre-established character

I come to you since I believe you have a really good understanding superhero designs and would be able to give advice on how to get that kinda vibe right

You're in luck, because plenty of artists and writers have wanted to do this exact thing! Greats like Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, and Kurt Busiek have put out great Superman comics, each featuring a legally distinct man of tomorrow.

Their costumes are cut from the same cloth as Superman's (full-body tights, regal cape, chest-emblem), but use new details. A new reader might see True-Man and think "oh, he looks like Superman," which is probably just what Rick Veitch wanted. So, if you want to make a Flash story without using The Flash, that could be the way to go.

Or maybe you're just trying to make your own original speedster, and The Flash is just one of your inspirations. How could your design allude to the scarlet speedster without just copying him?

You could look at the inspiration behind The Flash! Jay Garrick, the golden age flash, sports the same helmet as Mercury. You could try borrowing different elements from Mercury, like his staff, or his flowing robe (I bet that would look great flowing behind him, mid-sprint).

And, while not as explicit, Garrick's costume (tights, sweater, helmet) isn't too far from what a college athlete in the 1940's might've worn. Remember, Garrick was introduced as "a scrub on the football team".

You can really wear your influences on your sleeve too! When designing Robin, Jerry Robinson drew heavily from N.C. Wyeth's Robin Hood:

Or you can let those influences filter naturally through your own sensibilities. Captain Britain and Jack Staff are both symbols of Britain, but they don't look very alike!

Inspiration could be anywhere, so look everywhere! Fairy tales, ancient myth, modern sportswear, high fashion and beyond—it's all up for grabs! Just keep it bright, keep it simple, and keep it fun!

#questioning #costume design #guess ill tag every character in every image now lol #superman #supreme #maximortal #true-man #the flash #mercury #robin #robin hood #captain britain #jack staff

7 notes · View notes