Superman's Pal - part 4

This time around, Jimmy gets to dish back the callous treatment to Superman, hardly acting as his pal.

Continuing the trash theme of this post, and the transformation theme of the previous Jimmy Olsen post, once again, Superman is helpless to restore poor Jimmy.

Superman's Girl Friend - part 1

"Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane" ranks right up there with Jimmy Olsen on my all time favorites list. It had just as many wacky premises and covers as "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen" did. Unfortunately, I have only a handful of my Lois Lane comics on hand, with the majority being in storage 800 miles away, making it a bit difficult to retrieve at the moment. Sadly the issues I do have on hand have pretty mundane covers compared to what I've been posting on Jimmy's behalf.

Here's 2 to start with.

Superman's Pal - part 3

This is why Jimmy could never have his own monthly series now. The current Jimmy Olsen doesn't have any romantic entanglements and the biggest calamities that he ever seems to face is being yelled at by either Perry White or Lois Lane, and having his camera smashed.

You call those problems? Look at these troubles.

Not only does Jimmy have to suffer through all manner of physical transformation, but an insensitive Superman as well. Some pal!

My favorite is that for dramatic tension on the cover of issue #65, do we have a life in jeapordy? A secret revealed? No! One of Jimmy's quills has accidentally knocked off Lucy Lane's hat. No wonder people bought this issue.

Superman's Pal - part 2

One of the things I love best about the covers to "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen" are the premises which were depicted to hook a potential reader into buying the comic. Covers, and premises, like these would be unthinkable now. I love to imagine some kid in a drug store wondering "How DOES Jimmy Olsen cut Superman's hair of steel?" and immediately rushing to the cash register to buy it and find out.

Nowadays, Superman is so busy, he barely has time to eat an entire meal with his wife, let alone don a chefs hat and cook for an eating contest. What I wouldn't give to write a comic book series like this now.

Superman's Pal - part 1

One of my favorite comic books of all time is "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen." Yes it was silly, but it was also pretty inventive too> I only wish comics published now were this much fun. The best part of this series for me, were the covers. Sadly, I do not have all of my Jimmy Olsen comics available at this time. Many are still in storage. Starting today, I'll post a couple (and some "Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane" covers as well) each day, until I run out.

Today: two of my favorites; issue #79 and issue #88.

Dead High Yearbook Available Now

Apparently "Dead High Yearbook" is available now in book stores. I couldn't tell you when it came out. Last week I think. I haven't seen a copy yet, so I couldn't even tell you who did the art for the story I contributed to it. All I know is that one of the stories was written by me and it involves some unhealthy diet supplements.

If any one has seen this book, or has it, and wants to provide me with more details, I'd appreciate it.

Fun With Scissors - part 115

This week's chawactuh is one I've been wanting to get to fowuh some time, the one, the ownwee, Elmer Fudd.

Mystery Solved!

Scooby-Doo #118, available in stores now, DOES in fact contain a story I wrote. It is one of my regular "Velma's Monsters of the World" features in which Velma imparts on the reader information about various monsters from folklore and myths in cultures from across the globe. This month's shape altering monster may be one of the most disturbing entities to appear in Scooby-Doo, as evidenced in this suitably creepy panel detail by Robert Poe and Scott McCrae. It gets worse. Don't believe me? Then, what are you waiting for, get to your nearest comic book store now!

Freddie Francis 1917-2007

Freddie Francis (smiling on the left) directed a lot of movies of varying quality, many of them horror movies. For every subpar film such as "Trog" (1970), there were more gems such as "The Evil of Frankenstein" (1964), "The Skull" (1965) and "Tales From the Crypt" (1972).

He was a an even more accomplished cinematographer nominated, and winning many international film awards for his work including two Academy Awards, most recently for "Glory" (1989). He also provided the cinematography for "The Innocents" (1961), Scorcese's "Cape Fear" remake, three of David Lynch's movies including "The Straight Story" (1999) and one of my favorite movies of all time "The Elephant Man" (1980).

His name was one of the first non-actor names I recognized as a kid, usually in garish hammer lettering or on an Amicus anthology movie. Either way, I knew I was in for a good time. Thanks, Freddie!

Spring Is Here!

...not that it feels like it yet.

Another Mystery to Solve

According to the DC website, Scooby-Doo #118 contains a story I wrote. Since I've not received copies of this issue yet, I cannot confirm this. The fact that copies of this issue have not reached me, leads me to suspect I'm not in there.

If any one happens into a comic book story and wants to check for me, I'll made them an honorary member of Mystery, Inc.

I'll post an update once I know one way or another.

Fun With Scissors - part 114

This one was meant to be included in my month long Halloween celebration last October, but scanner mishaps eliminated inclusion of any monster characters that month. I was going to save it for next October, but with the release of the complete "Milton the Monster Show" to DVD this week, I thought I'd throw up the show's star, Milton, himself.

White Zombie

I found this collage of Bela Lugosi as Murder Legendre in "White Zombie" in a box of stuff. I'd completely forgotten about it. I did this collage about three years ago, and didn't quite finish it. It was in pretty abysmal condition when I found it. I cut everything away from the original blackground and attached the pieces to a new sheet of black paper. The blend between the hair and the black isn't as seemless as it was with the original sheet, but an attempt at restoration seemed to be more worthwhile than simply throwing it into the recycling. I'll probably play with it a little more at some point, or simply redo it from scratch.

Fun With Scissors - part 113

Straight from the Lost Valley and costarring with Space Ghost it's Dinoboy and his trusty pal, Bronty.

Illustration Friday - "Hide"

It's been a long time since I participated in Illustration Friday. A busy schedule and two and a half months without a scanner has kept me away. Here's a quick collage I whipped together this morning to illustrate "Hide."

Fun With Scissors - part 112

Here's Floral Rugg of "The Hillbilly Bears."