Author: Stacy Baugher

As part of the launch for the upcoming Red Circle titles, DC is publishing a series of four one-shots by J. Michael Staczynski to introduce the old MLJ/Archie characters to a modern audience. First up, The Hangman.

AUTHOR NOTE: This article is not an all inclusive study of the Marvelman character.  There are issues in the creation and subsequent history of Marvelman that have not been touched on in years, and this is a basic rundown of the evolution of the character from publisher to publisher. The seeds of Marvelman as a character where planted in 1941, when National Periodical Publications (know today as DC Comics) sued Fawcett Comics for copyright infringement over their publication of the character Captain Marvel, saying it was to close to their own character Superman.  The case languished in court for years,…

Warren Ellis’ best kept web comic secret gets reviewed.

When I was a kid, I remember wanting to be a comic book artist so badly it hurt. Comics had been in my life since before I could remember, and many a day was spent tracing over the art of the greats like Don Heck, John Romita, and Jack Kirby. I shudder to think the number of Bronze Age comics I devalued or destroyed in the name of artistic training. When I got older, I enrolled in every art class I could find and actually became quite good, winning state contests and school shows. The thing that always bugged me…

Or, “No, really, remind me who Steve Rogers is?” Well, hot off the news that American Dream #1 has sold out I get to review the second issue, and number two is keeping me as thrilled as number one did! This is how comics used to be, and I really wish that Marvel would bring back the MC2 Universe in a more regular way. Sure, the Spider-Girl series is good, but there is so much more MC2 love out there to discover!

Or, “Can YOU find the Watchmen reference in this all-ages book?” Several years back, I had a really popular piece that made its way around a couple of message boards about how the Big 2 where ignoring the younger generation of readers. “If all the comics are aimed at adults, there is no place for kids to jump in and enjoy” was one of my main points, and at the time it was completely valid. Now that I am a new father, I have been sampling different comics in search of titles to start my 2 month old daughter’s collection.…

Or, “No, this guy was never an Avenger nor a woman named Rita…” In some of my previous Hero Histories, I talked a little bit about how Golden Age characters might make an appearance and never be seen again, or they could last through to today. While that was meant to be aimed at actual characters, it holds true for good names a well. You might recognize this week’s Hero History as a name belonging to one of Hank Pym’s various alter egos. Maybe you know it as a young ex-criminal named Rita DeMara who went to the future and…

Or, “Steve Rogers? Who’s Steve Rogers?” Last year Matt did a review of Avengers Next issue #1-5, and other than that, I have not had much exposure to the MC2 Universe, but here is what I know: MC2’s Earth-982 has heroes and villains that are descendant from the Marvel Heroes we know and love. The whole concept started with What If…? #105 and the story of May Parker, the daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson-Parker. In the standard 616 Marvel Universe, May was (supposedly) kidnapped as a child, never to be seen in continuity again. In the 982…

I spent this past Free Comic Book Day at Heroes And Dreams in Flowood, MS. I’m sure you have already read my reviews of the free comics my family picked up (didn’t you?), but now I can let you know a little more about what activities happened at the store before we made it there. An appearance by the Mississippi Outpost of the 501st An appearance by the Mandalorian Mercs Artist Jesse Labbe was in-store to draw sketches for the fans Take the jump for more about the event, plus a gallery of images too.

Or, “F-R-E-E, that spells free…” This past Saturday was Free Comic Book Day, and my family and I went to one of the comic stores in our area to partake in the festivities. Unfortunately, as we do not have the logistics to accurately plan a time of departure with a five-week old daughter, we missed out on many of the events at Heroes And Dreams. Fortunately, we did not miss out on the free comics! I picked up a copy of Gemstone Publishing’s EC Sampler, my wife chose the Bongo Comics Free-For-All, and we picked up a copy of DC’s…

Or, “Hell’s Kitchen has more than one cook…” Okay, so I admit that even though the street-level vigilante/hero is just about my favorite genre (right after patriotic based heroes); it has been years since I read Daredevil. Matter of fact, the last time I picked the book up regularly was the days of the “Fall from Grace” back in 1994. As a matter of fact, my reading of Daredevil has always been sort of like an awkward date. You really enjoy the time you spent on the date, but there are other things going on and you get distracted. Then…

Or, “This Rockman has absolutely nothing to do with Megaman…” The Golden Age was a time of wonder in the comic book industry. New heroes where popping up at dozens of new publishers every week, and if the idea could translate to paper, it was given a shot. Some were never seen after their first appearance, others lasted for decades. Oddly enough, some characters were forgotten and not seen in new adventures for over fifty or more years. The peculiar Rockman, Underground Secret Agent, is one of those recently “re-discovered and re-imagined” heroes of the past.

Or, “With the absence of old friends, new ones appear…” A number of years ago, I picked up a title which I knew nothing about called Strangers In Paradise. While I was just looking for anything to read during a slow release week, I found a friendship which lasted for many years. Katchoo, Francine, David and the rest of the cast where welcome into my life, and those of several friends, with each new issue. SiP was one of the first books I was able to hook my wife on when we where dating, and it was one we read…

Or, “If Cthulhu calls, take a message…” Okay, I have to admit, I’ve been bad. But I am about to try and make up for it. I’ve heard all the love that the guys here at Major Spoilers have been heaping on BOOM! Studios. I’d heard that they had won the “Best New Publisher” award from Wizard Magazine. I’ve listened to the podcasts and read the reviews. Despite all that, I really did not think that BOOM! had anything for me as a comic reader. Well tonight, while I was getting caught up on listening to the podcasts, I heard…