The post about Heroes for Hope…
…that I promised last time will have to wait ’til just a little later, I’m afraid. But here’s a scan of a Bicentennial Cap Stamp, instead:
Enjoy, won’t you?
…that I promised last time will have to wait ’til just a little later, I’m afraid. But here’s a scan of a Bicentennial Cap Stamp, instead:
In doing some digging through musty, forgotten boxes in the back room of the shop, I turned up a heapload of promo materials dating mostly from the mid ’80s though about the mid ’90s. One of the things I found was an original Batman: The Dark Knight Returns press release/promo pack, which was the source for the content of this post from Saturday. Also included in the package were some photocopies of interior pages, such as that one shot of Superman hefting the tank over his head.
The letter notes a “three-dimensional point-of-purchase poster,” and while I know we have one in the shop…er, somewhere, I couldn’t recall where it was, and even if I could find it, as I recall it’s not in the best of shape.
But thankfully reader Dave O. was good enough to send a photo of his nearly pristine copy of the same 3D Bat-thingie to me, just in case I hadn’t seen one before. Well, as I said here, I had, but Dave’s photo certainly came at just the right time, and he was good enough to let me use it here:
A couple of other notes about that press release:
THIS IS IT. YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THE RANKS OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST HEROES, AND DO YOUR PART TO FIGHT THE DEVASTATING FAMINE IN EAST AFRICA. COME TO THE SPECTACULAR HEROES FOR HOPE DAY AT (name of your store) AND GET YOUR COPY OF HEROES FOR HOPE: THE X-MEN BENEFIT SPECIAL FOR EAST AFRICA.
MARVEL COMICS, HOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS HEROES, IS DONATING ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS SPECIAL ONE-OF-A-KIND COMIC BOOK TO THE EAST AFRICAN RELIEF EFFORTS, AND (name of your store) IS YOU LOCAL HEADQUARTERS FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT. SO DON’T MISS OUT ON THE EXCITEMENT – COME TO HEROES FOR HOPE DAY, (day, date and times) YOU’LL FIND MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS, PRIZES AND FREE GIFTS FOR EVERYONE, ALL AT (name and address of your store)
REMEMBER, HEROES FOR HOPE DAY – THIS IS YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME THE FIRST PERSON ON YOUR BLOCK TO JOIN THE RANKS OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPER TEAM, AND DO YOUR PART TO HELP THE STARVING IN EAST AFRICA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 1986
DARK KNIGHT* RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE
Frank Miller continues to break new ground in the comics industry. He revolutionized the comic book when he wrote and illustrated the six issue mini-series RONIN*, published in 193-1984. Now, Frank’s treatment of Batman* in the four issue DARK KNIGHT series will prove equally ground-breaking.
“We’re always talking about how important it is to expand the market for comics,” explains DC Comics Vice President-Executive Editor Dick Giordano. “We know comics aren’t just for kids anymore, but it’s difficult to convince people of that.”
Miller’s treatment of the Caped Crusader will prove revolutionary for both DC Comics and the comic industry overall. In feature stories schedules to run in upcoming issues of Rolling Stone and Spin, both available nationally and internationally through newsstands and subscription, Frank will discuss DARK KNIGHT and the comics industry. DC Comics plans to advertise the series in both rock music publications. Other national media coverage of the series is pending.
Notes Richard Gehr, editor at Spin, “I think comics and science fiction are once again on the cutting edge of popular culture. They deserve their rightful place in magazines like Spin.”
The DARK KNIGHT series of four 48-page issues depicts Batman’s last stand. The story takes place 10 years after Batman has retired, when he’s pushing 50. Circumstances in Gotham City* combine with his personal life to put Bruce Wayne back into action for one final time. The series introduces a new, female Robin*; several classic Batman villains; and Batman paraphrenalia [sic] updated and computerized. Superman* will appear in two of the four issues.
The series will be printed in a deluxe format comparable to the RONIN series. Art Director Richard Bruning describes it as “the best of the traditional format with the advantages of new technologies. DARK KNIGHT is more like a series of comic book-sized graphic novels than a comic book series.”
In addition to the national media coverage, DARK KNIGHT will be supported by a four-color retail poster that sells for $4.95 in comic book specialty stores; and a unique three-dimensional 9″ x 13″ counter display card. A recent innovation for the printing world, the three-dimensional point-of-purchase poster has never been used in the comics industry before.
The DARK KNIGHT series reunited for the first time the penciller/writer, inker, and editor of Marvel Comics Group’s DAREDEVIL: Miller, Klaus Janson, and Denny O’Neil, respectively. The series is colored by Lynn Varley. Each contributor has done his/her best artistic work to date.
DARK KNIGHT #1 ships on February 25, 1986, to comic book specialty stores nationwide. Each issue sells for $2.95.
*indicates trademark of DC Comics Inc.
…from this post, where I presented a few panels from the 1970s Dynapubs Flashback reprint of 1941’s Special Comics #1. Here’s a page of the Hangman in his civvies taking what he usually dishes out:
If you’re enjoying Thanksgiving…here, take a break from putting up with the relatives and follow along in your December 2008 Diamond Previews to see a few of the goodies coming your way soon to a funnybook store near you. Friends in non-Thanksgiving areas are of course welcome as well.
BRACE YOURSELVES:
p. 222 – Female Force Sarah Palin:
p. 234 – Chucky Vol. 2 #3:
“The carnage hits the fan as Chucky’s rampage through a reality television show continues.”
I think I may have seen enough reality show settings for genre pieces to last me a while.
p. 264 – The Dreaming #1:
p. 277 – Whatmen:
p. 355 – Jailbait Zombie SC:
“To kill an army of zombies run by gangsters, the vampire detective must team up with a precocious teen with clairvoyant powers. But, she demands something big in return: she wants to be undead, too!”
That’s too much High Concept. TOO MUCH.
p. 375 – Justice League Unlimited Martian Hanhunter Symbol T-Shirt:
“That’s the symbol of the Martian Manhunter.”
“The who now? You sure it’s not a Trivial Purs…oh, wait, that’s not supposed to be some kind of representation of a sphincter, is it?”
“WHAT? No!”
p. 414 – Star Wars Yoda Bronze Statue:
p. 424 – Mr. Toast and Shaky Bacon Plush Toys:
p. 428 – The Kotobukiya Collection Marvel Studios Iron Man Mark II Fine Art Statue:
p. 444 – Pac-Man Power Up Energy Drink:
p. 452 – A Bunch of Watchmen Stuff:
There’s a bookmark set, a calendar, and this thing:
There’s also this “Thermal Mug” which changes color when heated:
p. 464 – Munchkin Chibithulhu Pink Plush Previews Exclusive:
Marvel p. 26 – Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk #1 & #2 All New Printings:
But really, at this point just let it slide for a few more years, then repackage it as some kind of “nostalgic” special. “Remember this comic from when you were a kid? Well, at last, here’s the long-awaited exciting conclusion!” Hey, they’ve done it before.
If you all want to talk about The Shield, feel free to use my comments section if you’d like. SPOILER WARNING in effect.
By the way, this is post number 2,500. How ’bout that!
This wasn’t a bad little series, actually. It’s footnote-friendly Roy Thomas at his most footnote-iest, romping through the Justice Society’s history…a good crash course on DC’s Golden Age.
From a mid-1980s distributor newsletter for retailers, giving suggestions on ordering levels and potential sales for forthcoming comics:
Actually, I sorta preferred this period of this particular artist’s work, come to think of it.