tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post6969000934858390781..comments2024-03-28T20:30:40.872+00:00Comments on Steve Does Comics: Phantom Stranger #26, The Spawn of Frankenstein.Steve W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09191442559702617745noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-37118251652225820502021-10-25T21:24:20.732+01:002021-10-25T21:24:20.732+01:00It is a worry.It is a worry.Steve W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09191442559702617745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-1502346843289527722021-10-25T18:12:28.798+01:002021-10-25T18:12:28.798+01:00Where did Kill Dumpster go???Where did Kill Dumpster go???Charlie Horse 47https://www.blogger.com/profile/00906538705798228800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-38322104527380029732019-06-20T16:46:40.897+01:002019-06-20T16:46:40.897+01:00Better late than never, Red. The Phantom Stranger ...Better late than never, Red. The Phantom Stranger had so many great covers. Somehow, he was one of those characters who was better suited to appearing on the front of books than he was to appearing inside them.Steve W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09191442559702617745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-43575078439926813762019-06-20T04:13:35.041+01:002019-06-20T04:13:35.041+01:00So late checking in here, alas. Fun discussion. L...So late checking in here, alas. Fun discussion. LOVE that Phantom Stranger cover; Kaluta creates wonders. <br /><br />Also love Ploog, especially his Man-thing. His work on Man-Thing, that is. I must watch my prose more carefully...<br /><br />MP- cool experience finding that oldie on a spinner. I had a similar treat: found a copy of Giant Size Chillers 1 (with Dracula, from 1974) on a rack next to my dentists office about 1979. Happily grabbed it. <br /><br />Redartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08221459636234713619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-74915149205827387662019-06-19T23:09:40.418+01:002019-06-19T23:09:40.418+01:00We don't have Piggly Wiggly over here in Penn&...We don't have Piggly Wiggly over here in Penn's Colony, Charlie.<br /><br />Is it any good? I like to try different places when I go on road trips.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-2259280344029092912019-06-19T11:07:13.348+01:002019-06-19T11:07:13.348+01:00Admitting one has been to the Piggly Wiggly is the...Admitting one has been to the Piggly Wiggly is the first step to true healing.Charlie Horse 47https://www.blogger.com/profile/00906538705798228800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-91339814003851846252019-06-19T00:22:10.926+01:002019-06-19T00:22:10.926+01:00MP, your're completely right.
Apparently I...MP, your're completely right.<br /><br />Apparently I'm losing the mystery and wonder, as well as the spring in my step as I grow longer in the tooth.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-13180976894782117282019-06-18T03:45:14.293+01:002019-06-18T03:45:14.293+01:00As far as an explanation goes, I prefer "dark...As far as an explanation goes, I prefer "dark cosmic forces" to some yo-yo doin' a sloppy job fillin' a spinner rack down at the Piggly Wiggly.<br />Where's the magic in that, man?!?<br />(sigh)<br /><br />M.P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-19439186543222564022019-06-18T01:11:45.431+01:002019-06-18T01:11:45.431+01:00Going to pop in Frankenstein: the True Story in my...Going to pop in Frankenstein: the True Story in my DVD player. The second half. Then call my little sister with play-by-play, to see if she was truly traumatized.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-272628397714351862019-06-17T23:28:51.399+01:002019-06-17T23:28:51.399+01:00There probably weren't cosmic/ supernatural fo...There probably weren't cosmic/ supernatural forces at work for you to make your find.<br /><br />Either the place where you found the book was serviced by a magazine distributor that employed rack-jobbers (guys that pulled the old stuff, put in the new, at minimum wage), or was a "Mom & Pop" that missed it when they were clearing racks, figuring they'd sell it eventually.<br /><br />A lot of the family grocers & drug stores in my area literally seemed to hate carrying comics. Probably because poor kids like me took to long fishing pennies & nickels out of my pocket. Lol.<br /><br />There was one cool place, called Reese's News. When I'd be able to dart in, old man Reese would let me rifle through the pile of comics he was going to send back. He was a cool old bird.<br /><br />When I was 15 years old he let me buy Easy Rider magazine, lol.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-91948520367353071022019-06-17T01:26:43.949+01:002019-06-17T01:26:43.949+01:00Big John Buscema did a few issues on Marvel's ...Big John Buscema did a few issues on Marvel's Monster of Frankenstein, which I thought were great! I loved his work, and wanted to draw like him, but there was only one Big John.<br />Actually, there's a very weird story about my introduction to that particular comic. I would understand why somebody would be skeptical, I have trouble believing it myself.<br />Anyway, it was around 1980, I was still a kid and grocery stores still had spinner racks full of comics. I would sometimes go to the store with my mom, because she would usually buy a couple for me, God bless her. (This was shortly before I made my fortune in the paper route game.) Anyhoo, in the racks was a copy of Marvel's Monster of Frankenstein #8. Guest-starring Dracula!!!<br />What was bizarre was that that particular issue had come out in 1974, and was priced 20 cents. What it was doing in a spinner rack in 1980 when comics were going for what, 35 or 40 cents a pop, is anybody's guess.<br />Had it been sitting in the back room for six years? Or maybe rode the spinner rack for all that time?<br />It was just plain weird, but I wasted no time in grabbing that comic off that rack with my sweaty little hands.<br />I read it till it fell apart and years later I snagged another copy from a comic shop. In fact, I got the whole dang run, uneven as it was.<br />But I'm still haunted by the weirdness of it.<br />Were there other forces at work? Dark forces perhaps? We may never know.<br /><br />M.P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-27723401113178083992019-06-17T00:45:50.547+01:002019-06-17T00:45:50.547+01:00Heh. Giant-Size Man-Thing always sounded like a Jo...Heh. Giant-Size Man-Thing always sounded like a John Holmes film.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-71855558611207031152019-06-17T00:38:53.364+01:002019-06-17T00:38:53.364+01:00Nah, Sean, oh my brother, I'm relatively thick...Nah, Sean, oh my brother, I'm relatively thick-skinned.<br /><br />Still, Ploog's Ghost Rider & Werewolf By Night were also a visual treat.<br /><br />As far as the Wrightson cards, after I find them, they'll be available on a first-come-first-served basis till they're gone. I'll make a formal announcement here on Steve's site.<br /><br />It'll be (game show/DJ voice) "A Steve Does Comics exclusive!"<br /><br />Sean, as well as Steve, you guys have one each on reserve.<br /><br />All you folks have been great putting up with me, and this is just a show of appreciation.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-30145539700857260742019-06-17T00:19:49.363+01:002019-06-17T00:19:49.363+01:00How many people have met Frankenstein?!
Lessee, th...How many people have met Frankenstein?!<br />Lessee, there's Abbott and Costello, Dracula, Billy the Kid, the Wolfman, Spiderman, Thor, Iron Man, Batman, Gene Wilder...<br />I think, sooner or later, pretty much everybody is bound to meet the Frankenstein monster sooner or later. Maybe even us.<br /><br />So watch out!!!<br /><br />M.P. (concerned for your safety)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-16708857113570823292019-06-16T23:17:22.497+01:002019-06-16T23:17:22.497+01:00I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on Man-...I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on Man-Thing Kd, as my fave interpretation was by the mighty Alfredo Alcala, who excelled himself in Giant-Size Man-Thing (ho,ho)* #3. <br />Not that I don't like Ploog, but his best work for Marvel was generally in the black & whites (Planet of the Apes!); sadly, they often pared him with unsuitable inkers in the colour monthlies. So his Frankenstein wasn't what it could have been either.<br /><br />Er, unless that means I don't get any Wrightson promo cards, in which case... you were quite right of course - Ploog FTW!<br /><br />* Yes, I am that childish - that title always makes me chuckle.<br /><br />-seanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-25610344617267412542019-06-16T22:48:46.682+01:002019-06-16T22:48:46.682+01:00Ploog did the best Man-Thing, bar none.Ploog did the best Man-Thing, bar none.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-35957100713313772342019-06-16T22:42:37.553+01:002019-06-16T22:42:37.553+01:00You're welcome Steve, I hope you enjoy the stu...You're welcome Steve, I hope you enjoy the stuff linked there. <br /><br />Another Frankenstein-esque story with Aparo art is the lead Batman story in DETECTIVE COMICS 438, where a monster is haunting Wayne manor, and turns out to have a less supernatural explanation. <br /><br />DC and Marvel in the 1970's had so much good stuff. <br /><br />Here's Marvel's MONSTER OF FRANKENSTEIN 1-18. Ploog was the Halloween horror king at Marvel, doing the earliest work on FRANKENSTEIN (issues 1-6), GHOST RIDER (in MARVEL SPOTLIGHT 5-8), WEREWOLF BY NIGHT (in MARVEL SPOTLIGHT 2-4, and then continuing in the WEREWOLF BY NIGHT series 1-7), MAN-THING (issues 5-11), GIANT-SIZE MAN-THING 1, and a few other great things, including inking Starlin's first published 6-page story at Marvel in JOUNRNEY INTO MYSTERY 1 (Oct 1972). <br /> <br />I recently re-watched the 1977 animated movie WIZARDS by Ralph Bakshi, and it has some really beautiful still paintings by Ploog during the narration sequences. As well as some equally beautiful work by S-F book cover artist Ian Miller. Something we were too young to appreciate back when it was originally released. The cable channel FXM re-plays the movie very frequently (on Direct TV, channel 258). Amazing that Ploog went from doing comics, and a year or two after leaving Marvel worked on a nationally released film in theatres.Dave Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12353225529813983401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-87431291421237328462019-06-16T22:31:52.691+01:002019-06-16T22:31:52.691+01:00I was Solomon Grundy for Halloween quite a number ...I was Solomon Grundy for Halloween quite a number of times in the last few years.<br /><br />Once one of the barmaids had a Lady Flash costume on. We did a number of faux-fight poses. I wish I still had the pictures.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-29018463878111755642019-06-16T22:13:53.231+01:002019-06-16T22:13:53.231+01:00Killdumpster said:
"There was a 2-part tv ...Killdumpster said: <br />"There was a 2-part tv event in the 70's called "Frankenstein: The True Story", with Michael Sarrazin as the Monster.<br />My littlest sister & I were watching it and when the Monster tore the head off Frankenstein's female creation during a grand ball scene, I was shocked, and my sister ran to the bathroom & threw up!"<br /><br />I loved that 1973 movie. As I recall, it was a British production. In addition to the story, it presents one of the earliest film appearances of a then 20-year-old and super foxy Jane Seymour. The same year, she also appeared in the James Bond film LIVE AND LET DIE, the first of the Roger Moore series. <br /><br />Another DC "Frankenstein" of sorts is the villain Solomon Grundy, who first appeared in th4e golden age Green Lantern series. I first read it as a reprint in the WANTED:THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS VILLAINS series. <br />Dave Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12353225529813983401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-19321471835413188262019-06-16T22:04:53.960+01:002019-06-16T22:04:53.960+01:00Dave, thanks for the link.Dave, thanks for the link.Steve W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09191442559702617745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-60384813267749169042019-06-16T22:02:03.708+01:002019-06-16T22:02:03.708+01:00Hell, I'll send one to everyone that wants one...Hell, I'll send one to everyone that wants one. It'll be like Christmas in July, lol!<br /><br />I'll let you guys know when I dig them up. Across the pond they probably weren't readily available.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-19954205390592780062019-06-16T21:54:20.869+01:002019-06-16T21:54:20.869+01:00The story in PHANTOM STRANGER 26 is the conclusion...The story in PHANTOM STRANGER 26 is the conclusion to the series in issues 23-25, with the concluding story illustrated by Jim Aparo. <br /><br />You can read the preceding stories in 23-25 at links here: <br />http://www.rkmbs.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1224907/fpart/1#Post1224954Dave Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12353225529813983401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-9035014134896646942019-06-16T21:48:46.477+01:002019-06-16T21:48:46.477+01:00Sean, I agree with you. On Wrightson. I have a sta...Sean, I agree with you. On Wrightson. I have a stack of Bernie Wrightson 3-D hologram promo cards of Frankenstein somewhere in a storage area (which Indiana Jones wouldn't venture into).<br /><br />When I unearth them this summer, I'll send you one.Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-68592964623695573642019-06-16T21:33:57.087+01:002019-06-16T21:33:57.087+01:00There was a 3-part "Spawn of Frankenstein&quo...There was a 3-part "Spawn of Frankenstein" backup series by Kaluta in PHANTOM STRANGER 23-25, and then just a Kaluta cover on PHANTOM STRANGER 26. <br /><br />At the same Kaluta did a beautiful "Carson of Venus" backup series in KORAK 46-56 (1972-1973), And Kaluta left both to work on THE SHADOW. (From which Kaluta was fired after issue 6 for missing deadlines, and since then he only does one-shot stories and covers. With the single exception of his STARSTRUCK series.) <br /><br />"Spawn of Frankenstein" is an attempt to do a sequel to the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley FRANKENSTEIN novel. Starting at the point that the novel ended.<br /><br />For an interesting comparison, I'd also recommend picking up Wrightson's FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE ALIVE four-issue story for comparison, since it likewise is a sequel to the novel, by Steve Niles and Wrightson. Wrightson fell ill during the series, so it was a long time coming out. And the 4th and final issue was done by Kelley Jones (Wrightson's own choice) to conclude the series over Wrightson's lawyouts. I just got the collected hardcover of this series, that also includes the unfinished pencils that Kelley Jones inked over and completed. It's kind of an odd 8 1/2" X 12" size, but otherwise nice. Dave Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12353225529813983401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263300365798803459.post-11310298215669903992019-06-16T21:30:57.266+01:002019-06-16T21:30:57.266+01:00Having viewed 30+ adaptations of Mary Shelley'...Having viewed 30+ adaptations of Mary Shelley's story (I'm a sucker for the theme), I would have to agree.<br /><br />Marvel actually commisioned a Japanese anime version of Frankenstein, coordinating it with the publication of their title. It's pretty brutal, as I recall.<br /><br />Like all things Marvel, they had to ruin Frankenstein with the "superhero-flavor" eventually.<br /><br />If anything, out of all the interrations, the most entertaining were the Hammer films. They were very pioneering, focusing on the doctor first, his creations second. Sometimes he was written just insanely driven, sometimes a little evil thrown in. I salute Peter Cushing (as I raise my beer)!!Killdumpsternoreply@blogger.com