More From the Dollar Comics Bin...

While digging up the remainder of the X-Force/"X-Cutioner's Song" crossover event in the dollar comic bins at V-Stock this week, I found some real gems, including the Dr. Strange #32 pictured above! I mean, will you look at that cover? You know that'll be fun  :D

*Warlock Chronicles #1 & #2, 1993

Since reading Infinity Gauntlet this summer, my interest in Thanos, Adam Warlock, & Dr. Strange has piqued. They are all characters I knew little or nothing of just a couple years ago before I started this blog & started reading comics again, and though I always thought of myself as a meat-and-potatoes kinda superhero fan, these cosmic characters were an unexpectedly fun read. That #1 has a  foil/prizm background, and embossed Adam Warlock on the front- really great! This should be entertaining  :D

*The Silver Surfer/Warlock Resurrection #1  and What If... #49, 1993

Again, more Adam Warlock WITH Silver Surfer, AND Drax the Destroyer on the cover! Cannot wait to dig into that! I've never had A What If.. issue, and read this from front to back last night before bed. Wasn't head-over-heels about the art, but I was entertained by the story.

On an earlier trip I picked up some Infinity Gauntlet-related 1991 issues of  Dr. Strange and Silver Surfer, in which the good Doctor must take on Adam Warlock and the Sentinel of the Spaceways, comrades against the Mad Titan Thanos in the Infinity Gauntlet, and Silver Surfer suffers the mind-bending vengance of Thanos- far out! I've also read Defenders # 78 & #79 from 1979-80, which feature the reluctant teamates Sub-Mariner & the Hulk- intense!

 

I sincerely enjoyed all these, and at a dollar an issue, that's hard to beat. I finally broke down last month and got a couple boxes to help keep me organized, but will need another soon as the "Have Read" box on the left, below is nearly full. Keep in mind there's also a huge tote full of comics from my youth, and a bookshelf in my room packed with trade hardbacks, paperbacks, and single issues. I wish I had time to write about each and every one of these, but I read A LOT of comics- far more than I ever did as a kid :D

More Later- Make It FUN!

Defenders #109, 1982

I started writing this post a month ago, so it's time to play catch-up here at the Super-DuperToyBox  :D My interest in the Marvel non-team the Defenders grew after reading  Avengers Defenders War recently, and I've scrounged up some random issues from the dollar comics bin, including this well-worn copy of Defenders #109 from 1982. Look at that cover- rockin' !  

Valkyrie's announces the Enchantress' pending doom, repayment for trapping her in the host body of Barbara Norris, ironically to help the-allies the Defenders. Her eternal soul escaped it's centuries long containment in the crystal Globe of Souls, and Brunnhilde now having regained her true body thanks to Dr. Strange's magic, the Asgardian goddess commands the mystic to cast a spell to contain the confrontation & for the Defenders to stand down while she finishes her battle with Amora.  

Brunnhilde flies into a rage against Amora, shocking fellow Defenders as well as Amora herself, who returns the attack with some spells, the final one rooting Brunnhilde to the ground, like a tree! Before Amora deals the final blow, Brunnhilde mentally rolls the crystal globe into Amora's leg, breaking her spell and sucking her soul into it- horrific! The gleefully vengeful Valkyrie tosses Dr. Strange the globe to Strange for safekeeping while she attends to her All-Father Odin on Asgard.

Though the spirit of Barbars Norris gone & back in her own body, Brunnhilde's vengeance is not quite undone by the reversal of fortune, Amora now having been imprisoned in the crystal globe Dr. Strange keeps. She departs for Asgard to confront the All-Father! Her demand for retribution for the old god's negligence is met with surprising tenderness by a repentant Odin. The two embrace following his confession, forgiveness not given, but acknowledgement expressed.

Meanwhile, interdimesionally lost comrades Hulk, Hellstrom & Namor are pulled through a rip in the universe, dispatched there by the Enchantress earlier. The land clumsily on solid ground before someone they re shocked to see... !

Dr. Strange manages to find Hellcat while searching for the other three lost Defenders, and they pay a visit to Vera, Beast's librarian girlfriend, along with Spider-Man & Gargoyle. Dr. Strange feels some indistinct force pulling his lost teammates away from the spell he cast, and disappears to search the dimensional pathways for them. Still upset over the death of Nighthawk, caused by her demonic father's spell, Patsy (Hellcat) stays to confide in houskeeper Dolly in lieu of dinner with Beast & Vera. Later in the evening, Patsy slips away whileDolly sleeps, in search of her identity as an individual woman, the recent turn of events having been difficult to digest.

Finally, Dr. Strange finds his way to the other three lost Defenders, found earlier by the presumed-dead Nighthawk (Kyle)! Great last page!

While I was initially unfamiliar with the surrounding continuity, this story sucked me into this issue! Dropping into the series here 11 years after it's inception is only a mild handicap, the action whooshing my imagination off on an exciting adventure from the first page. As stated earlier, I've since read a couple more odd issues of Defenders and Dr. Strange found in the dollar comics bins at V-Stock (pictured below), and Defenders: Indefensible which I picked up in December at Comic Headquarters. I enjoy super-group/team books in general, and am becoming a little more familiar with Dr. Strange and his non-team of heroes.

*See my post on The Avengers-Defenders War!

More Later- Make It Fun! 

Marvel Premiere Editions!

Precipitating my creation of the Super-DuperToyBox, my childhood love of comics was rekindled- a passion that has only accelerated over the last 14 months, my shelves now spilling over with trade paperbacks & back issues of everything I can get my hands on. As much as I love action figures, I don't just collect plastic over here- I want to read the stories, know the characters, and enjoy the art that these toys are based on. I study my comics more diligently than most college students do their coursework. I take it seriously, and not a day goes by without reading them.  I found a little comic shop down in South County the other day that had gone undetected by myself: Comic Headquarters at 4352 Telegraph Road- they've been in business over two decades! There was a 50% off hardback editions, and while I had a respectable pile of back issues to read, I wasn't going to pass up these ten dollar Marvel Premiere Editions!

*The New Fantastic Four

In the aftermath of Civil War comes Reconstruction, the beginning of a stunning new era of fantastic adventure. The team has been rocked to its foundations by the controversial events of the last several months. Now Reed and Sue have announced their plans to take some time off to work out their martial problems, leaving Ben and Johnny to hold the fort. But they won't be doing it shorthanded. The newly married Black Panther and Storm join the team for all new adventures featuring Silver Surfer, Galactus and... a new Quasar? Collecting Fantastic Four #544-549.

*Future Foundation Vol.1: Tomorrow

Before his death, the Human Torch made his wishes known: If anyone were to replace him in the Fantastic Four, it should be his best super-hero buddy, Spider-Man. but even with the addition of Spidey to their ranks,Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman and the thing are now so much more than four. Welcome to the FF - the Future Foundation! Marvel's First Family has moved beyond the simple pursuits of super heroing into a bold new era of discovery. but to make tomorrow today, they'll need to expand their ranks even beyond Spider-Man and their genius children. What does the future mean when it depends on the likes of the Wizard, the Mad thinker, A.I.M. and Dr. Doom? Collecting Future Foundation #1-5.

*Cable: Homecoming

From the moment Cable jumped into the time stream with the infant "mutant messiah," he's had only one goal: keep Hope alive until she can choose her own destiny. But now, stranded on a planet in its death throes, eating fried rat on a stick for the millionth time, Hope turns to Cable and tells him she's ready to go home. Thus begins "Homecoming," the penultimate chapter in the X-Men saga that began with "Messiah CompleX." It's not only zero hour for Cable and Hope, but also for the mutant hunting them, Lucas Bishop, who is rapidly running out of chances to save mutantkind and the world. Because if Hope does make it back to the present, everything changes for the X-Men. PLUS: Duane Swierczynski and Steve Dillon bring you four thrilling, untold tales from Hope's future past as she grapples with vicious snipers, robot wolf packs, mutant rats, and even Cable himself. Collecting Cable #21-25 & X-Men: Hope.

*Defenders: Indefensible

Wong possessed by Nightmare! Dormammu and Umar in unholy alliance! The Hulk and the Sub-Mariner at each other's throats! The Silver Surfer... uh... surfing. Can Doctor Strange reunite the Defenders and save "Reality As We Know It?" Only the Ancient One knows for sure! Collecting Defenders #1-5.

*Publication summaries/descrptions taken from Amazon.Com

I haven't been able to post much in December due to my heavy workload at the day job- a small, high-end retail establishment in a VERY busy shopping mall. Needless to say, we have been extremely busy! Additionally, I had to halt work on the 15 canvases I'm working on for my show next February in order to crank out a painting commission and a few other paintings as Christmas gifts for some family members. AND... another art gallery in the city recently expressed interest in my artwork, so I'll be reworking my resume, preparing a presentation, and wrapping up some work for a Sunday delivery to them- when opportunity knocks, answer the door! 2012 is shaping up to be my year, and I will be ready!

So if you don't see me before, I want to take this moment to wish each & every one of you a Joyous Holiday Season! I am most grateful to all of you who come to this happy place where we share toys, comics, and a love of all things FUN!

Excelsior!

Avengers-Defenders War

I sure love an all-star slugfest! Collecting Avengers Vol.1 #115-118 and Defenders Vol.1 #8-11 in one TPB volume, The Avengers Defenders War tells the story of the two fabled superhero teams clashing over possession of the Evil Eye. Ruler of the Dark Dimension, Dormammu, sought out the ancient device with plans to use it in envelope the Earth's dimension within his own. By tainting one of Dr. Strange's spells, Dormammu convinces the Defenders that reassembling the globally scattered device would set free their friend the Black Night, having been turned to stone! 

Dormammu enlists Loki to help in his quest, now blinded by a previous battle with his Thunder God half-brother, Thor. Promised the restoration of his eyesight in return for his assistance, the untrusting Loki convinces the Avengers that the Defenders have impure & ambitious intentions with the Evil Eye. Pitting the two super groups against one another in hopes of foiling Dormammu's evil plot, Loki intends to save his own hide from whatever else his new employer might do if attaining the unfathomable power of the Evil Eye! While Dr. Strange sends the Defenders in opposite directions worldwide to retrieve the pieces of the Evil Eye, Loki deceitfully sets the Avengers on their trail!  Needless to say, some epic brawling ensues!

Silver Surfer Vs. Vision & the Scarlet Witch!

In Polynesia, Vision & the Scarlet Witch intercept Silver Surfer fishing a section of the Evil Eye from a volcano, accidently triggering an eruption that knocks Wanda's ship from the sky. In a rage, Vision attacks Silver Surfer mercilessly, but chooses to save his beloved from the creeping lava at the last second, leaving the Sentinel of the Spaceways free to retrieve & make off with the section of Evil Eye for Dr. Strange.

Iron Man Vs. Hawkeye!

International businessman Tony Stark tracks down his section of the Evil Eye quickly in Mexico, discovered by Professor Figueras at the Intituto Tecnologico. But Clint swipes it with a grappling arrow, a fight ensues, the archer outdoing his former Avenger teammate at every turn, and making off with the prize.

Dr. Strange Vs. Black Panther & Mantis!

In the cornfields of Indiana, Dr. Strange casts a spell to find another section of the Evil Eye, but Mantis detects his escape disguise as a local farmer's wife and attacks with T'Challa. The two warriors are no match for the sorcerer's unfathomable power however, and succumb to another spell, Dr. Strange escaping unscathed.

Swordsman Vs. Valkyrie!

A castle hidden in the jungles of Bolivia is the scene of Swordsman and Valkyrie's swashbuckling duel. The owner of the castle throws a monkeywrench in the mix, shooting the Swordsman in the back for fear of his secret fortunes being exposed to the outside, the gentleman rogue running him through before collapsing. On the floor, Valkyrie deems his wound non-fatal before taking the section of Evil Eye the Swordsman deftly swiped.

Captain America Vs. Sub-Mariner!

In downtown Osaka, Japan, Captain America discovers Namor already found his section of the Evil Eye, and challenges him to fisticuffs, the arrogant Prince of Atlantis unable to resist. But Sunfire decides to teach the two a lesson in international law by taking the device himself! Wresting it back from Sunfire, the Cap and Namor begin to realize something doesn't make sense, and the two take off to get to the bottom of the misunderstanding.

Hulk Vs. Thor!

In Los Angeles, mystically guided by Dr. Strange, the Hulk easily digs the remaining section of the Evil Eye from beneath the street. But Asgard's most powerful god is upon him in no time, filling civilians with cold dread as the two strongest heroes on Earth duke it out, coming to an hour long, arm-locked stalemate before... Dr. Strange shows up with both the Avengers and Defenders, "United at last, to override the lies that set us at each other's throats... and ready to face the common foe!"! 

Together long enough to see past their differences and reassemble the Evil Eye to rescue the Black Knight, the devious Dormammu unexpectedly steals it right from under the heroes, his plan all along to merge his dimension with theirs, sending all into chaos!

Now alert to Loki's meddling, Dormammu cages the God of Mischief, just in time for the Watcher to appear and benevolently observe "the spectacle of two dimesions shifting their essences".

Fighting for their lives and led by Dr. Strange, the Defenders manage to break Dormammu's barrier, only to be robbed of their consciousness at the last second. The Avengers follow to their comrade's aid, but Dormammu captures them in a sucking pool of quicksand before reverting the powerhouse Thor & Iron Man to their helpless human forms.

The Scarlet Witch, her mutant ability part of her essence is unaffected however, and manages to strike a hex upon Dormammu while he struggles with Loki, now free from his cage. Triggered by the blast the Evil Eye swallows Dormammu and then blasts Loki, returning his sight, and driving him totally insane!

The Evil Eye again in Dr. Strange's capable hands, the sorcerer returns to where he first found Dane/Black Knight in limbo, only to find him gone! Returning with the grave news, he and the rest of the Defenders are suddenly transported to the 12th century, where the Black Knight is in the middle of the Crusades against the Arabs! Caught in the fray, Dr. Strange manages to transport them from danger, and Dane can explain how he and his ancestor's souls now intermingle, endangering King Richard's war against the Mohammedans.

King Richard's evil brother John is now allied with Dane's evil ancestor Modred, and the Defenders must sneak into the castle disguised as cowled priests and free him. But Modred detects our heroes, conjures fierce gnomes to undo them, knocking the Evil Eye from Dr. Strange's grasp. Thrown into the fortress oasis by on of the mystical creatures, Namor realizes they are earthen elemental spirits, susceptible to water, and he sets about dissolving them with his command of what he knows best. Modred and Price John now holding the Evil Eye, it looks like curtains for the Defenders. Suddenly, Prester John, Master of the Evil Eye, appears from out of time to reclaim his charge, back now in the era of his birth! After dispatching Modred and Prince John, he returns the Defenders to their own time, Dane having resolved to stay in the 12th cetury as the Black Knight.

I remembered Prester John from Fantastic Four issue #54, which I read in my Marvel Essential: Fantastic Four Vol.3 .  Getting back into comics over the last year, when all those connections start coming together in my head, it makes the whole thing more fun! This was a great adventure I'd reccomend to any Bronze Age Marvel fan.

More Later- Make It FUN!

*Read Bronze Age Babies exhaustive three part look at the series here and here and here! Love that blog- good stuff!

Author: Steve Engelhart Art: Bob Brown (Avengers #115-118) & Sal Buscema (Defenders #8-11). Marvel, 1973