sir-links-a-lot – Page 11 – Mike Sterling's Progressive Ruin

And now, a bunch of links to videos you’ve either already watched or will never watch.

December 12, 2010December 12, 2010 filed under sir-links-a-lot 10 Comments

So former employee Jeff helped me out the other day in going through a bunch of boxes trying to find a comic book that came out during a specific month and year, for a customer seeking the “birth month” comic for a friend’s birthday. (I didn’t bother explaining that the comic actually came out a couple of months prior to the date on the cover, since I didn’t want to be “that guy” at the shop. I reserve my “that guy”-ness for this site.) Anyway, Jeff said that, in return for his help, he’d like me to say something nice about him here, since I never seem to do so. And I agreed. Therefore:

Former employee Jeff probably isn’t an axe murderer.

There you go, Jeff. Hope you enjoyed it!

In other news:

Just became aware of this webcomic: Mystery Solved – “the webcomic of skepticism and adventure,” it says. Well, that sounds right up my alley…especially this story which takes on ghost “investigators.” Man, those dudes annoy me.

I suspect you already know that the Thor movie trailer is officially released, as opposed to the “leaked” trailer that was out a few months ago. In fact, at first I thought this new trailer was going to be the same, but no, there are some new shots of swell Thor action in there. Not that I ever saw that original leaked trailer, because that would have been wrong.
Anyway, this is yet another movie that’s going to be presented in “3-D” (i.e. higher ticket prices for a crappier movie-going experience). Does anyone actually like these 3-D effects? I only hear complaints about how it muddies up the picture, and the glasses suck, etc. etc. Oh, and it says “2-D in select theatres” — I have yet to see a movie offered in 3-D at a theatre that didn’t also have it in 2-D. But I’ve hardly been going from venue to venue doing surveys, so maybe I missed something.

Here’s the official site, which is mostly just a portal to the trailer, and also has some neat animation and sound and doesn’t resize itself properly to my browser window, and one of those things probably isn’t an intended feature.

Speaking of trailers, here’s one for the Batman: Arkham City video game, featuring one of Batman’s oldest villains.

And then there was this Conan O’Brien segment where Conan calls Bat Lash, Ultra the Multi-Alien, Captain Boomerang, and Space Ranger “lame,” and there was no forgiveness, not ever again. Well, okay, he might have a point about Ultra. And maybe Captain Boomerang. And, oh, fine, Space Ranger, too. But not Bat Lash! Not Bat Lash. Bite your tongue, Mr. Fancy-Pants TV Guy!

Sometimes I just want to post a scan of a mid-1980s Jemm, Son of Saturn house ad.

December 8, 2010December 8, 2010 filed under advertising, sir-links-a-lot 13 Comments

Just happened to come across this ad I was rereading some ’80s Superman comics, and I don’t think I’ve reread this series (by Greg Potter, Gene Colan and Klaus Janson) since it originally came out over 25 years ago. However, I do recall really looking forward to it and enjoying it when it finally did. I should bust them out and read ’em again.

I apparently have enough residual goodwill towards this character that I’m — well, “excited” is too strong a term — how ’bout “bemused” whenever Jemm pops up in one series or another. I think his first post-series appearance was a brief cameo in the round-robin title DC Challenge, and since then he’s appeared in such places as Grant Morrison’s JLA run, in Ostrander and Mandrake’s Martian Manhunter series, and most recently (I believe) in the Superman: World of New Krypton mini-series.

So anyway, Jemm: pretty much the definition of an eighth-stringer, but I like him anyway.

There’s a new action figure of Jemm coming out this year from Mattel’s DC Universe Classics line, and here’s an extensive look at it. Doesn’t quite match the look of Colan’s twisty and amorphous version from the mini-series, but I suspect an action figure strictly matching Colan’s particular art style would only frighten and confuse.

Some people didn’t want to wait for the official figure, and thus whipped up a custom-made Jemm figure done in the style of the hyper-muscular Total Justice action figure line.

If that’s all too plastic-y for you, here’s a custom-made Mego-style version complete with cloth clothing (about halfway down the page).

And in conclusion: Jemm, Son of Saturn. Not to be confused with….

“YRUBB ORUTOO DA YREEMB UYON – – KRYPTONIU EWYRR!”

November 17, 2011December 7, 2010 filed under gelatinous cube, sir-links-a-lot, superman 5 Comments

I’ve been so used to seeing the Kryptonian language represented by a special symbol typeface in Superman comics over the last few years that seeing a phonetic version of spoken Kryptonian is…well:

from Action Comics #489 (Nov 1978) by Cary Bates, Curt Swan & Frank Chiaramonte

…yeah. I suppose, once I have a spare decade and a complete collection of Superman comics, I can catalog the different ways Kryptonian has been represented over the years. Then I can finally fulfill my dream of opening a Kryptonian language camp for underprivileged children, and we can compete with the Klingon language camp across the lake…but perhaps I’ve said too much.
• • •

In other news:

Kevin Church wrap ups one webcomic, immediately starts up another: The Line, with art by Paul Salvi.

Forgot to mention that Awesome Hospital artist Matt Digges is also writing the current storyline: starts here, with awesome installments to follow!

Pals Dorian and Ken unleash their latest movie trailer reviews over at the Bureau Chiefs site. The trailer reviews really are among my favorite things.

So The Variants, the critically-acclaimed comedy web show what takes place in a funnybook store, is gearing up for a second season, and here’s the shocking teaser.

Rick Veitch draws the Gelatinous Cube from Dungeons & Dragons.
Let me repeat that:

RICK VEITCH DRAWS THE GELATINOUS CUBE FROM DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

So awesome.

Here’s an interesting look back at Comico’s licensing of properties for comics, including Macross and Jonny Quest. Of particular note is the mention of one cult-favorite ’80s character that Comico licensed but ended up not publishing. I hadn’t known about that!

Dr. K discusses the possible influences on Will Eisner’s adoption of the term “graphic novel.” Bonus: comment section includes some respectful and informative additions from cartoonist Eddie Campbell.

Nerds Ruin Presidents. Warning: CANNOT BE UNSEEN.

At long last, a blog post with an embedded advertisement that people won’t mind.

December 2, 2010December 2, 2010 filed under sir-links-a-lot 4 Comments

A big congrats to Kevin Church and T.J. Kirsch for reaching the concluding chapter of She Died in Terrebonne. Now would be a good time to start at the beginning and read straight through!

Johanna tries to get to the bottom of why Uncle Scrooge McDuck is called “Dagobert” in Germany. Along the way, we learn about a famous German translator of Disney comics…read the article at the first link before you click on that second link. (via pal Andy)

Neilalien found some neat Diabolik artwork on display…Mr. Alien dug up some information about the pieces, which you can read about at that link.

Pal Carla has been blogging up a storm lately, about the Thanos Imperative and about The Avengers, and it makes for entertaining readin’. Go check it out…tell Carla Mike sent you.

Dave Wolkin brings us Eight Nights of Wolkin, examining the Jewish identity as represented in comics. It kicks off with this entry, which ends with the greatest Marvel Comics licensing idea of all time.

Pal Dorian says this gag is aimed at a limited audience. I am in that audience.

“Hawkeye’s only real attribute is being a dick, but dammit if that doesn’t get the job done.”

Tim O’Neil lays down the law re: various superheroes.

Mag at the Comic Treadmill appreciates some fine design work from David Aja on some recent Marvel comics

Andrew spins his regular Nobody’s Favorites feature into something new…Nobody Else’s Favorites, discussing characters only he likes.

Some people just write posts for their comics weblogs. Bully, the Little Stuffed Bull, presents full-blown epics. To wit: The Business Cards of Superheroes.

And now, a brief commercial message starring, apparently, a cousin of Swamp Thing’s:

(thanks to Susan for the heads-up)

Not the first mention of Crying Superman on my website.

November 4, 2010 filed under sir-links-a-lot, superman, swamp thing 12 Comments

So there was this question from a late ’70s installment of Bob Rozakis’ Answer Man column:

I was a bit amused by someone’s need to have this question answered. Then again, there was no easily-accessible public Internet at the time…how else were you gonna find out?

‘Course, we all know the answer now:

Why Superman even put up with Jimmy, I have no idea.

Oh, and don’t forget this:

Hey, hey…less crying, more flying, pal.

Anyway, the Answer Man column, for at least part of its run, was part of DC’s “Daily Planet” news/advertising page…this was the headline story of this particular installment:

Well, that’s nice. I’m sure those two crazy kids will make it work. See, Superman, there’s no reason to cry on this, the happiest of days!

• • •
In other news:

Chris Sims, Benjamin Birdie, Jen Vaughn, and the World’s Most Handsome Man, David Wolkin, team up to play live action Dungeons & Dragons and simultaneously create pure hilarity.

Don’t remember if I linked this before, but it turned up in my Swamp Thing Google alerts feed (…what? What?) and if I posted it before, here it is again: a very nice 2006 drawing of Swamp Thing and Abby by Michael Zulli. Maybe kinda Not Safe for Work, since Abby’s naked, though not showing any naughty bits. Come to think of it, Swamp Thing’s naked in the picture, too. Just look at him, letting his tubers just dangle out there like that.

Here’s a short bit about Comico’s Black Book anniversary comic. (Hey, I have one of those!) There’s also a short blurb about the first volume of the Comics Interview compilation project, which I talked about a few days ago…I actually have a copy in my possession now, courtesy of the publishers, and it’s quite the impressive tome. I may have more to say about it later, but it’s hard to review, aside from pointing out that if you’re looking for a large collection of interviews with a wide variety of interesting people, here it is! I’ve been enjoying reading through it, and if you have an interest in comics history, you probably will, too.

Pals Dorian and Ken have their latest movie trailers review over at The Bureau Chiefs. I love it when they do this column.

“Wow” indeed.

October 29, 2010 filed under sir-links-a-lot, sluggo 10 Comments

BEHOLD: obtained from the eBay, a magnet of Sluggo with a bat ‘n’ ball:

Don’t know much about it…a quick Googling seems to date this magnet to the mid 1990s. It looks older than that to me, but that may just be because Sluggo is eternally a creature of the ’40s or ’50s.

I have another eBay-obtained Sluggo magnet coming in the mail, and there may be more yet to come. Watch this space for all the latest Sluggo magnet news!

…

DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES FROM THIS SPACE. EVER.

• • •
In other news:

CO2 Comics has a neat archival comics project in the works…not of actual comics, but of the 1980s and 1990s zine Comics Interview. The 11-volume project is titled David Anthony Kraft’s COMICS INTERVIEW: The Complete Collection, with volume one, currently in release, coming in at a whopping 680 pages.
Comics Interview was a fine mag, each issue stuffed with interviews with comic creators, publishers, showbiz celebrities, and even the occasional fan. Some of the interviews included in this debut book include Steve Gerber, Keith Giffen, Berke Breathed, Joe Kubert, Walt Simonson, Don Rosa, Matt Wagner…man, there’s a lot of them. Just go to the site and click on the animated book cover-thingie and you’ll see the contents yourself.

I have to admit it never occurred to me that those old Comics Interview zines should be collected into a more permanent form, but it sure seems like a good idea and I’m glad its being done, rescuing all these interviews from obscurity. Maybe this’ll lead to more zines being collected…c’mon, complete Comic Reader!

In the mood for something…spooky? Then treat yourself to an uncanny tale of mind-bending horror, courtesy El Gorgo!

Bully, the Little Stuffed Bull, finds a thread and follows the heck out of it! What terrible secret unites the Fantastic Four with one of the most beloved films series of all time?

Awesome Hospital wraps up Chapter Two of its ongoing webcomics saga, and if you haven’t been reading so far, it’s too late…TOO LATE! (Or you could just read the archives.)
And in Halloween-ish webcomic news…Cool Jerk‘s Paul Horn joins Kevin Church in a weeklong zombie-riffic adventure in The Rack. People live…people die, and The Rack will never be the same!

Where you can find Halloween-type comics stuff, since I’ve not really been on top of it on my own site this year.

October 22, 2010 filed under blogging about blogging is a sin, sir-links-a-lot 5 Comments

Since I’ve been distracted over the last couple of weeks by my dental issues, I’ve not yet properly settled into the proper Halloween spirit…which is a shame, since I do so love all the costumes and decorations and such for the holiday. But some of my pals have been in the Halloweenish mood of late:

Pal Dorian has been reviewing terrible ’80s horror films in his own inimitable way, and I’m ashamed to say I’ve seen too many of them.

Bully, the Little Stuffed Bull what blogs about the comics, has been exposing Riverdale’s deep, dark, horrific secrets that Archie, Jughead and the gang have been keeping from us all these years.

Mag and H have been posting a swell series of classic Halloween comic covers for your enjoyment. Dig this crazy Fred Hembeck recreation of a classic EC Comics cover!

Andrew terrifies us as only he can with his swell series of Halloween-themed posts on a variety of topics. Of note is an entry in his ongoing Nobody’s Favorites series where he talks about a character that both puzzled me and creeped me out as a young Mikester.

And this isn’t a series of blogposts, but rather just a single column…but Customer Jim tells us all about the Great Pumpkin.

And I’m sure there are others, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind. Any others, drop ’em in the comments section…go ahead, plug the hell out of the Halloween posts on your or your friends’ websites.

To be honest, I have no idea what I’m going to do for Halloween this year. I’m never going to top this. And I’m still pretty happy with this guest post I wrote for The Horror Blog on Five Scary Superman Moments.

Maybe I’ll just post a picture of me in my Nancy costume. Surely that’ll be frightening enough.

Yesterday was the Monty Python reference, today is the Firesign Theatre one.

October 14, 2010 filed under blogging about blogging is a sin, employee aaron, pal plugging, retailing, sir-links-a-lot, watchmen 5 Comments

So Wednesday I had a customer ask me where he could find the Black Freighter comic book, as seen in the Watchmen film. “Only in Watchmen, my friend,” I told him, but I’m still really surprised no new comic-format tie-ins to the film were released. A “replica” Black Freighter comic would have been kind of neat, and perhaps not as…off-putting to the purists as, say, a Nite Owl & Silk Spectre mini-series. Well, there was that fan-made attempt at reconstructing the comic from its excerpts in Watchmen. But I suppose the Black Freighter DVD that was released made an actual comic book release redundant.

…Yeah, yeah, I know, I’m about a year out of date with this Watchmen movie tie-in talk. Look, I’ve been out of it for about a week, and this guy really did ask me this yesterday. I gotta work with what I got, man.

Also, pal Brandon passed this link along to me, and I was going to put it up as one of my sick day posts, but a quick Googling showed that it already made the rounds on some of the comic news sites. But, eh, what the hell…a song about Hollis Mason, the original Nite Owl. It ain’t too shabby.

And in all my griping over the last few days about my painful dental issues, I see I never did mention that poor ol’ Employee Aaron managed to get one of his toes broken. No, no, not as a result of a cruel and unfair punishment meted out by me for violating one of our draconian workplace rules. This time. He was doing something at home, like, I think, saving a bunch of nuns and orphans from a buffalo stampede, when he tripped and fell, and, whoops, there goes the pinkie toe. So Sir Aaron Limps-a-lot is staggering around the shop, I can’t talk to anyone because my cheek has swollen up into a hot, painful lump the size of a Ford Festiva, and Ralph has pneumonia, dengue fever and the yaws…we’re a fine bunch.

Speaking of Watchmen, and not speaking of all us sick crew, as I was trying to find that Black Freighter reconstruction, I came across this photo of (presumably authentic) Watchmen film props for the Black Freighter comic and the Tijuana Bible. The user who uploaded that image has other Watchmen items from the film, including some of the magazines…that New Yorker would be a neat item to have.

In other news:

So former employee pal Sean‘s band, The Kill Junkies, just released their first album Steamroller which is available from Amazon in that convenient MP3 format. It’s more metal than a really metal thing filled with metal, so it may not be for gentler ears, but Sean’s a swell guy and I’m happy to support his creative endeavors.

And now…NAKED SUPERMAN AND BATMAN (safe for work, from a Code-approved comic)! I find the jar containing the brain of the Gorilla Boss (visible in one of the panels) to be simultaneously creepy and sad.

I am slowly…very slowly…almost too slowly…going through and tagging my older posts, and the most recent effort was made tagging most of my Watchmen posts. Now you can more easily find my writings on that particular topic, including the single greatest Watchmen post to ever appear on any comic blog, ever.

I don’t want to go on the cart.

October 13, 2010October 13, 2010 filed under sick day, sir-links-a-lot 4 Comments

Hey, gang…I’m finally feeling a little better, thanks to these horse pills the doctor gave me, and while last night was probably the most miserable I’ve been, I believe I’m past the worst of it. Thank you for all your well-wishes, and hopefully I’ll be back to business as usual on this site by tomorrow.

I do have a couple of links, though:

Here are the results to a 1995 Marvel reader survey, in which the Punisher is voted “least favorite superhero,” 53% of respondents are still enjoying the Clone Saga, and 24% are online. It’s fascinating reading.

Congrats to friends of the site Mag and H, on the seventh anniversary of the Comic Treadmill!

Pal Dorian has been doing horror movie reviews as part of his Halloween celebration, and today he hits one of my favorites. I actually saw this one in the theater!

Just a link for today.

October 12, 2010 filed under sick day, sir-links-a-lot 2 Comments

Still pretty sick, pals, so all I have for today is Gerry Giovinco’s latest column on comics coloring from the ol’ Comico days. An interesting read!