The 1970s were hot on horror and supernatural comics. Marvel was no exception with Tomb of Dracula and Ghost Rider putting up respectable numbers. This lead to Stan Lee making the buck-wild suggestion that Marvel should do a comic about Satan himself. Editor Roy Thomas decided “baby steps” and pitched doing Satan’s son instead. And thus was born Daimon Hellstrom, “The Son of Satan,” who was demonic enough to appear in Ghost Rider, but man-in-tights enough to be in Marvel 2-in-1 adventures. [Read more…] about Son of Satan (Daimon Hellstrom) Reading Order!
What the Hell is Anime? Part 3: The Seven Deadly Sins, Death Note, and Product Placement.
(What the Hell is Anime? Is a recurring series which no one has yet put a stop to. It takes a look at the beautiful weirdness of manga, anime, and the surrounding culture and packages it up in what we’re calling “satir-ucation.” Which is all to say that this is both well-meaning and entirely John’s fault.)
Hello students, please come in and take a seat anywhere.
As you can see on the chalkboard this is WtHiA-103 and as ever I, your substitute teacher and literary rapscallion John Galati, will be attempting to learn you about Anime. What it is. Where it comes from. How we can stop it. Open up your books to Chapter 30, “Folklore – All of It, All at Once.” Read aloud at your own pace. [Read more…] about What the Hell is Anime? Part 3: The Seven Deadly Sins, Death Note, and Product Placement.
Dark Detective – Steve Englehart vs DC Comics, and Everyone Else
Englehart, Pre-DC
Steve Englehart is one of the great, unsung heroes of the Bronze Age. Englehart got his start as a member of the Crusty Bunkers (a team of largely uncredited artists who helped out at Neal Adams’ studio), where his official role was as a proofreader, although Englehart has said he coscripted stories for Eeire as well as Marvel work like Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk. [Read more…] about Dark Detective – Steve Englehart vs DC Comics, and Everyone Else
How Do Superhero Comics Get Made?
At night, when I close my eyes, I can hear my comic collection growing. There is a shuffling of paper as if tiny flocks of birds were posting up, sliding next to one another on the shelves. The wall studs groan like bad actors in a Dickens play. Books vanish and reappear as if loaning themselves out.
This can’t just be my imagination; there is physical evidence of their accumulation. Indeed, it seems impossible that any human imagination could conceive of such wonders that fill these pages that now fill my home.
No. This must be the world of the supernatural. And like any good character in a Lovecraftian horror, I’m going to painstakingly describe my journey into this publishing madness. Especially all of the indescribable bits. [Read more…] about How Do Superhero Comics Get Made?
This Free Comic Book Day, Try Something New
Free Comic Book Day (#FCBD) is an industry-wide promotion that takes place on the first Saturday of every May. It’s a chance for stores, creative teams, and publishers big and small to get people interested in comics. And 2019 might be the biggest #FCBD of all with a record number of titles on offer. It’s enough to make your head spin.
But fear not! Whether you’re new to the medium or an old hand, there are tons of options to bring you in this year… and we’re going to show you how to make the most of it. [Read more…] about This Free Comic Book Day, Try Something New