The Flashback Holiday Gift Guide

 With the gift giving season looming, here are some gift suggestions for those in your life interested in the sort of media this blog focuses on:

Hey Kids! Comics! by Howard Chaykin: This collects the first limited series by Howard Chaykin about the history of comics from the 40s to the 2000s as seen through the eyes of three (fictional, though clearly inspired by aspects of real people) creators who got their start in the Golden Age. The through-line is the proof of the reputed Jack Kirby adage: "comics will break your heart, kid," or at least leave you embittered and angry, as editors and publishers profit from your work and fandom misunderstands the real history. There are 2 more volumes in the whole series.

The New Adventures of Batman: The Complete Collection: Holy Blu Ray, Batman! Featuring the voices of Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin (reprising their roles from the 60s TV series), this 1977 Filmation series was likely many young fan's first introduction to Bat-Mite and likely raised the profiles of Clayface, as well.

Wandering the Wild Wild West by Don Presnell: Its subtitle says it's a "critical analysis of CBS series" but I would say it's more a good overview of show. Still, a book well worth it for fans. There just aren't many WWW books out there!

The Atlas Artist Edition vol. 1: Joe Maneely: With this volume, Fantagraphics starts giving the Atlas Comics artists the same lavish showcases they've been giving the EC artists. The woefully under-appreciated Joe Maneely was a great place to start.

These Are the Voyages: TOS Season One by Marc Cushman and Susan Osborn: This volume and its companions are the most comprehensive guide to Star Trek the Original Series available. Cushman's commentary on the episodes as tv drama is limited (though as much as many other guides available), but he presents a wealthy of information on the development of each episode from story idea to final aired version, with quotes from interview with creative staff and memos from producers and network execs. If it has a flaw, it's that you wouldn't call the series concise; Every season is its on volume, and every volume is sizable. 

Flash Gordon: Classic Collection Vol. 1: On The Planet Mongo by Alex Raymond and Don Moore: Mad Cave Studios is the latest company to undertake reprinting the classic Sunday strips. This volume covers January 1, 1934 to April 18, 1937, and includes additional background material and an introduction from Alex Ross. I haven't looked at this version to compared it the IDW or Titan reprints of the past, but hey, this one is in print!

Blake's 7 on Blu

The British sci-fi series Blakes 7 is finally coming to Region A blu-ray--at least the first season. Amazon has it up for pre-order with a projected release date of December 10. It came out this month in the UK. For the uninitiated, it's about a rebel who leads a group of convicts and outcasts in a struggle against the totalitarian Terran Federation. Jason and I reviewed the pilot here.

While the budget of the show leads to some dodgey props and less than impressive special effects, the stories and generally good as well as the acting.

The Resurrection of Atlas Comics

So, apparently it was announced at NYCC back in October that Atlas Comics is coming back. They've got an exclusive partnership with Walmart to distribute merchandise, including a line of collectible action figures with Mego...

There's also the obligatory (these days) movie deal with Paramount.

While I have some nostalgia for Atlas and Jim and I used to bandy around ideas for how Atlas could be relaunched, I think that maybe a third of the characters need to be forgotten, a third could be cool with some revamping, and a third are good "as-is" but unfortunately might not standout in a crowded marketplace. Spawn seems to have nabbed Grim Ghost's schtick, for instance. 

Anyway, there's a good chance they'll get me to pick up a few issues.