Just in time for Halloween the Super-Blog Team-Up is back and this time out we’re going to Hell! Our group of bloggers and pod-casters have decided to go to hell so we’ll be writing and talkin’ about demons, devils, and super-hero adventures in the netherrealms. For my journey to Hades I’m going to take a look at Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan himself. The Daimon Hellstrom first appeared in Ghost Rider #1, 1973, and was quickly spun out to his own story in Marvel Spotlight, issues #12 – 25. The Son of Satan is not just a clever name for a superhero who performs exorcisms and battles demo ..read more

When my brother and I were kids, before we were collectors, comics were a great way to amuse ourselves and keep us busy. Young boys reading are not running around getting into trouble or bugging their parents for things to do or eat. They were also a great diversion when we were away from home, away from our toys, and the TV. To that end bags of comics sold in two or three packs at drug stores, stationary stores, or places like Woolworths were cheap and meant volume. A bag each for my brother and I could keep us busy for a weekend as we swapped issues, reading and rereading them. Our parents ..read more

It is hard to believe that it has been thirty years since those bold and brash comic creators left their jobs at Marvel and started their own company, answering to no one but each other. I was a freshmen in college in 1992 when Spawn #1 was released. I could not legally drink, did not drive, and was getting interested in comic books again. I had been an avid comic reader for most of my childhood up through early high school, but like many teenagers I started to develop new interests and my desire to get to the local comic shop every week had waned. In my second semester at UMASS I had my firs ..read more

While I was bagging and boarding some issues of Miracleman this afternoon I saw this ad for a series of pins from Eclipse comics. This ad was on the back cover of issue #6 from February 1986. I’m guessing that these pins are for the most popular titles that Eclipse was putting out at the time. I’m familiar with most of the titles and am currently collecting several of them. What’s really amazing about the ad though is how quintessentially eighties it is. The black and white grid with 3-d color squiggles looks like it came right out of an A-Ha video. The askew, shadowed images really pop off t ..read more

One of the many things that I enjoy when visiting a comic shop is finding something new to read. There are plenty of series that I collect and read regularly but finding that new gem, that new title that knocks my socks off, well it can be pretty thrilling. A couple of months ago I picked up a new comic Barbaric, from Vault comics. I liked it so much I called up the shop and asked them to put it on my pull list. I got such a kick out of it I wrote about it because I wanted to share it with anyone who actually reads this blog. It’s that kind of find that keeps me searching the racks for new mat ..read more

George Pérez is a titan in the realm of comics and pop culture. He is a kind and sweet man who has shared the gift of his art and creativity with the world through comic books and comic art. In early December he announced that he had inoperable cancer and a life expectancy of six months to a year. He also stated that he was forgoing medical treatment for a variety of reasons and that he wanted to spend what time he had left with his family, his friends and his fans. The outpouring of love and support has been tremendous and our humble group of bloggers and pod-casters decided that we also wan ..read more

I’m a sucker for variant covers that pay homage to Marvel comics Conan #1 by Barry Windsor-Smith. That cover is one of my all-time favorites, so when a modern comic honors that I’m usually going to part with some cash. While I was in Newbury comics this afternoon they had Barbaric #1, from Vault comics on the shelf. I took one look and was all in. I got home, read it, loved it, and immediately texted my buddy John at work and asked him to put it on my pull list. Creators:  Writer –  Michael Moreci Artist – Nathan C Goodeen Colorist – Addison Duke Letterer – Jim Campbell Variant co ..read more