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So there I was, reading the Wikipedia entry on Plastic Man for no good reason, when I spotted this:

Here it is, just a little larger:

Is a citation really necessary for Woozy’s description as a “doofus?” Isn’t it fairly self-evident? He’s a goofy, silly sidekick for a 1940s superhero — of course he’s a doofus.

Ah, well. We all know you’re a lovable doofus, Woozy, citation or no citation:

Plastic Man #5 (1946) – cover scan from here

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Good news for fans of Tales of the Beanworld, straight from the mouth of creator Larry Marder:

Deluxe hardcover reprints of the original series, followed by a new graphic novel and a new series. This makes me remarkably happy, as I do love the Beanworld. Shame that it has to be “deluxe hardcover” (read: expensive) reissues of the originals, but I’m sure it was either being released in that format, for various economic reasons, or no Beanworld at all.

A while back I suggested that Beanworld would make a good webcomic, while worrying that there may not be enough Beanworld fans around still buying comics (or even near a shop that would dare order something called Tales of the Beanworld which wouldn’t even have a zombie variant or foil cover or anything).

But then again, I do have customers at the shop who’ve kept Beanworld on their comic saver lists all this time, so who knows?

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An observation about the forthcoming Iron Man movie:

Usually, as I’ve noted in the past, when a comic book movie is impending, there’s a sudden increase in interest in the related comics, at least until the movie is actually released. At that point the moving picture supplants interest in the printed page, so any brief bump in sales (or, in the case of Dark Horse books that inspired movies, a brief bump in people asking us for DH books that are unavailable for order) vanishes. Like during the run-up to Spider-Man 3, I had someone wipe us out on every copy of Amazing Spider-Man #252, the first appearance of the black outfit. (Wonder how he did on those?)

However, I’ve had no such bump in interest in Iron Man back issues. A couple kids have been poking through the bins in the Iron Man section, but no onslaught of people having to read this “Iron Man” thing, no speculators snapping up key Iron Man issues for presumably, slabbing ‘n’ throwing on the eBay.

Oddly, our customers are extremely enthusiastic about Iron Man the movie. They’re just less enthused in regards to the Iron Man funnybooks, which remain among our lowest-selling “classic” Marvel comics.

And speaking of the Iron Man, those Free Comic Book Day Iron Man HeroClix figures are on this week’s invoice, so hopefully they’re actually showing up…along with the couple of FCBD comics that have been AWOL. Thank goodness…maybe we’ll almost be ready for the event this year!

from Star Trek #7 (March 1970) – art by Alberto Giolitti & Giovanni Ticci

Not that I have anything against the Eiffel Tower or our French friends…I’m just appreciating the sheer Irwin Allen disaster movie vibe of the scene.

Anyway, I’d like to apologize for the dependence on scans over the last few days. My “Low Content Mode” from a couple weeks ago seems to have extended itself, due to Real Life intruding on my weblogging time. Yes, I have a real life, that I manage to fit in between “managing” the comic shop, and writing my love letters to All-Star Batman. I should be back to what passes for normal in short order.

If I may continue blogging about blogging, I’m also still planning on creating a “rotating logo banner” function on this site, much like the random “since 1969” taglines, in order to show off all the great banners submitted by readers. I didn’t want folks to think their hard work is just disappearing…you banner will be seen again, I assure you.

And so long as I’m on the Trek kick, lemme point you in the direction of the weblog/podcast Look at his Butt — yes, that’s what it’s called. I first noticed it in my referral logs one day, some time ago, and went to investigate…it features two happy young women, cheerfully obsessing over the manly manliness of William Shatner. It’s good, fun, silly obsessing, not “restraining order” obsessing, from a couple of people who know their Trek stuff.

Speaking of obsessions, here’s a fellow weblogger feeding one of mine with a homebrewed Swamp Thing Final Crisis promo.

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Where were you when SPIROMANIA STRUCK?

“What? What did you say? Who is this ‘Billy’ you’re speaking of?”

From the cover of this book:

A closer look at your “hand painted Mexican cardboard box.”

Cactus garden excitement shown in ad may not accurately represent actual excitement. Your cactus garden excitement may vary. Duration of cactus garden excitement also not guaranteed. If cactus garden excitement exceeds 48 hours, consult your physician.

full ad from Captain and the Kids #18 (1950)
– click to make prickier

full ad from Star Trek #51 (March 1978)
– click to make Trekkier

Superman party invitation card, circa early ’70s(?)

Dave Campbell is closing up shop at his much-beloved comics weblog Dave’s Long Box, as only he can. Thanks, Dave, for all the laughs, peculiar videos, and for adding the word “Airwolf” to internet discourse.

Do not be sad, my little internet friends, for Dave continues to have a paying blogging gig at ABC.com — he’s paid to watch TV and then write about it; truly he’s living the American dream — and he promises to have a new more general-purpose blog launching in the near future.

Good luck, Dave, in your post-Longbox endeavors…I think I speak for most folks when I say I can’t wait to see what you cook up for us next.

ADDITIONAL LINKAGE:

Dave’s longtime friendly rival Chris Sims gloats grieves in his own inimitable manner.

BEHOLD

MONKEY DOODLE

ad from The Captain and the Kids #18 (1950)

Dear Archie,

Don’t promise me something fantastic:

…And then just present me with a simple subscription pitch:

No Archie, having taken the brown acid, tripping hard while Jughead tries to talk him down? How terribly disappointing.

Yours,

M.

Archie subscription ad (1970)

LATER….

from Planet of the Apes #3 (Dec. 1974) by Doug Moench,
Mike Ploog & Frank Chiaramonte