Tag: House of Secrets

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With Further Ado #335: Two of DC’s Greatest Characters

With Further Ado #335: Two of DC’s Greatest Characters

Posted on by Ed Catto

Recently, we went to Saratoga Spring’s annual Chowder Fest. It’s a wild day where all the restaurants, bars and brewpubs offer up their own version of chowder. I don’t think anyone is obligated to conform to strict definition. There is a judging for the Best Chowder, but I never keep track of who wins. It’s corny to write, but everybody wins at this event. It’s kind of like a village-wide pub crawl, with music.

And the day after the pub crawl Chowder Fest, we stopped at wonderful comic shop: Excellent Adventures in Ballston Spa. It’s owned and operated by John Belskis. He’s a passionate comic fan, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a big Captain Action collector too. His shop is stuffed to the gills with wonderful comics, superhero toys, paperbacks and rare collectibles. And to his credit, he always creates clever comic-themed window displays too.

John sold me some treasures this visit, including an issue of House of Secrets #74. I never really got into this series in any of its incarnations, but it seemed like a fun comic try. What could go wrong? The cover trumpets the fact that this issue has “Two of DC’s Greatest Characters”.

The first story features Eclipso. Although many of Eclipso’s adventures were illustrated by Alex Toth (elevating them to the “just about readable” category) this one was not. Sadly, Jack Sparling hacked his way through this adventure. Continue reading “With Further Ado #335: Two of DC’s Greatest Characters” →

With Further Ado #209: Actual Comics at SDCC

With Further Ado #209: Actual Comics at SDCC

Posted on by Ed Catto

There’s a certain number of critical conversations, many would categorize it as “moaning”, amongst longtime fans that San Diego Comic-Con isn’t about comics anymore.  Some fans of traditional comic get overwhelmed by all the media hype and complain that SDCC has lost its way.

Of course, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when industry publications, like Adweek, celebrate all the Pop-Ups surrounding the convention center.  I’m not sure I agree with their “Top Nine” Activations/Pop-Ups, but their recent listing is here.

I’m fascinated by everything at San Diego Comic-Con. I love the big ideas presented and promoted at the show, as well as the smaller, oddball collectibles, original art, and back issues.

So, my best shopping was with a back issue dealer who had “reader copies” of comics priced for a dollar.  (Reader copies simply refer to comics that aren’t in the pristine condition that many collectors seek out.) What a deal! Each comic cost only $2.50.  Let me celebrate these treasures that I rescued, and maybe you will agree that San Diego Comic-Con, while not exclusively about comics, still is a great place for comics.

Around The World Under the Sea – This is a 1964 Dell comic is based on a movie I never heard of. But maaaaaan, I wish I could’ve seen it at a drive-in!  It’s kind of Jules Verne-y. But it starred Shirley Eaton, who the whole world will always remember from Goldfinger, so it is sort of James Bond-y too.  Here’s the trailer.  The cover has all those things that teenage me and my teenage buddies needed in a movie: Scuba guys fighting, sea monsters and a girl in a bikini.  I was crestfallen when I realized the interior pages were by Jack Sparling. He’s never been my favorite. In his defense, I will say he just nails the Lloyd Bridges likenesses. Continue reading “With Further Ado #209: Actual Comics at SDCC” →