Saturday, March 09, 2013

Psylocke Psaturday #7: I wanna give my violet more violence

Hey, isn't this the week I'd promised you a peek at Betsy Braddock's new hair colour? Hint: it's a word that doesn't rhyme with anything. Yes, that's right...her hair is orange. Either that, or silver. Let's watch, shall we?


Panels from the Captain Britain story "Thicker Than Water..." in The Daredevils #3 (March 1983), script by Alan Moore, pencils and inks by Alan Davis, letters by Jenny O'Connor

Well, that doesn't tell us anything. Except maybe that Jenny O'Connor needs some lettering practice. Nothing personal, Ms. O'C.




Um, let's not answer that last question, and we'll go onto the question of Betsy's hair.

Yes, for the first time (and forevermore in the 616), it's purple. Which means that since, say, around the time of Uncanny X-Men #167, she's used a massive truck container's worth of this stuff. Remember the crossover in 1997 when Wolverine got into it and he was purple all over? Oh man, that was hilarious!


And hey, just to prove hey hair is purple now...here's the colourized version of that scene, from the Captain Britain trade paperback collection of his Daredevils stories.


Colors by Digital Chameleon

Yep, she's got purple hair and they're having milkshakes in London. It is, as far as I'm concerned, the best day ever.


Now remember, Betsy was a pilot. Then, she was a supermodel. Now, she is a psionic psecret agent for the UK's version of S.H.I.E.L.D.*, S.T.R.I.K.E.** Tune in next issue when she also becomes a ballerina-astronaut princess! (Or, possibly a ninjette.)

Hey look, it's Brian Michael Bendis, or possibly Lex Luthor, walkin' into Forbidden Planet, back in the days when it was on Denmark Street! I miss that version of the shop.


Which is not to be confused with Forbidden Planet in New York, for which I once again trot out this charming video. Check out this li'l stuffed movie star and enjoy! And next week...psubsequent Psylocke!



*pSecret Hair Indigo-Enriching Lovely Dreadlocks
*pSlightly Thrilling Representatives In the Kingdom of England


365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 68


House ad for The Heckler #1 (September 1992); printed in Batman #484 (September 1992)
Ad art: pencils by Keith Giffen, inks by Malcolm Jones III


Today in Comics History, March 9: Edie Sawyer is dissuaded from crime by the delicious taste of the golden cake and creamy filling of Hostess Twinkies™


from X-Statix #10 (Marvel, June 2003), script by Peter Milligan, pencils and inks by Philip Bond, colors by Laura Allred, letters by Nate Piekos

Today in Comics History, March 9, 1951: Yeah, another one of these guys died


from "The Death-Cheaters of Gotham City!" in Batman (1940 series) #72 (DC, August 1952), script by David Vern, pencils and inks by Jim Mooney, letters by Ira Schnapp

See you again on June 8!

Friday, March 08, 2013

365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 67


House ad for Shade, the Changing Man #1 (June-July 1977); printed in House of Mystery #252 (May-June 1977)
Artwork adapted from the cover of Shade, The Changing Man #1: pencils and inks by Steve Ditko
Ad designed and lettered by Gaspar Saladino


Today in Comics History, March 8: The utter failure of the Bureau of Unemployment Services


from X-Statix #10 (Marvel, June 2003), script by Peter Milligan, pencils and inks by Philip Bond, colors by Laura Allred, letters by Nate Piekos

Thursday, March 07, 2013

365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 66


House ad for The Flash v.1 #184 (December 1968); printed in The Atom and Hawkman #40 (December 1968-January 1969)
Comic cover art: pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Mike Esposito
Ad designed and lettered by Gaspar Saladino

Aw man, that sounds like too sad of a comic book to read. Maybe I'll read a later issue of the Wally West Flash, and say, a random issue of Animal Man.


Covers of Flash v.2 #76 (May 1993), pencils and inks by Ty Templeton,
and Animal Man v.2 #18 (May 2013), pencils and inks by Jae Lee, colors by June Chung

Oh, for Pete's sake, you guys? How about a comic book cover that makes you feel good?!?


Wow! That's better!

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 65


House ad for The New Adventures of Charlie Chan #1 (May-June 1958); printed in World's Finest Comics #94 (May-June 1958)
Comic cover art: pencils by Sid Greene, inks by Joe Giella, letters by Ira Schnapp
Ad designed and lettered by Ira Schnapp


Tuesday, March 05, 2013

365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 64


House ad for Binky's Buddies #9 (May-June 1970) and Swing with Scooter #27 (May 1970); printed in Detective Comics #399 (May 1970)
Comic cover art for both covers: pencils and inks by Henry Scarpelli
Ad designed and lettered by Gaspar Saladino


Monday, March 04, 2013

Today in Comics History, March 4, 1982: Agent 86 is debriefed after another successful mission against K.A.O.S.


from The Unknown Soldier (1988 series) #3 (DC, January 1989), script by James Owsley, pencils and inks by Phil Gascoine, colors by Carl Gafford, letters by Carrie Spiegle

365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 63


House ad for Aquaman v.1 #45 (May-June 1969); printed in Wonder Woman #182 (May-June 1969)
Comic cover art: pencils and inks by Nick Cardy
Ad designed and lettered by Gaspar Saladino

Why? Well, because this:


Panels from Aquaman v.1 #45 (May-June 1969); script by Steve Skeates; pencils, inks, and letters by Jim Aparo

And this!


Also, because of this!


Then...THIS!


Sooooo...that's why.

Today in Comics History, March 4: Batman has obviously read Detective Comics Annual #8


from Detective Comics #364 (June 1967), script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Joe Giella

Today in Comics History, March 4: Match wits with Batman!

Can you figger out when the Riddler will strike?


from Detective Comics #364 (DC, June 1967), script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Joe Giella

Answers on a postcard! (Um, and don't read this previous post.)

Today in Comics History, March 4, 1982: Green Arrow takes his hide-'n'-seek competition against the Flash really seriously


Panels from The Unknown Soldier (1988 series) #3 (DC, January 1989), script by James Owsley, pencils and inks by Phil Gascoine, colors by Carl Gafford, letters by Carrie Spiegle

Today in Comics History, March 4: Commissioner Gordon has heard that one before


from Detective Comics Annual #8 (DC, 1995), script by Chuck Dixon, pencils and inks by Kieron Dwyer, colors by Richmond Lewis, letters by Albert DeGuzman

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Today in Comics History, March 3, 1982: This burro is beginning to really loathe Jason Blood


from The Unknown Soldier (1988 series) #3 (DC, January 1989), script by James Owsley, pencils and inks by Phil Gascoine, colors by Carl Gafford, letters by Carrie Spiegle

Today in Comics History, March 3: Edie Sawyer's remake of the opening credits to The Mary Tyler Moore Show gets pretty weird


from X-Statix #10 (Marvel, June 2003), script by Peter Milligan, pencils and inks by Philip Bond, colors by Laura Allred, letters by Nate Piekos

What career does Edie decide to go into? Join us here on March 8 to find out!


365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 62


House ad for Showcase #63 [The Inferior Five] (July-August 1966); printed in Teen Titans v.1 #4 (July-August 1966)
Comic cover art: pencils by Joe Orlando, inks by Mike Esposito
Ad designed and lettered by Ira Schnapp

Why yes, that is a big green giant in purple pants on the cover:




Panels from Showcase #63 [The Inferior Five] (July-August 1966), script by E. Nelson Bridwell, pencils by Joe Orlando and Jerry Grandenetti, inks by Mike Esposito

Why yes, that is a Nazi version of the Qwirky Qwartet version of the Avengers:




Why yes, that is some seriously meta breaking of the fourth wall.

Today in Comics History March 3, 1982: Jet Fighter is excited to get his own DC comic book series


from The Unknown Soldier (1988 series) #3 (DC, January 1989), script by James Owsley, pencils and inks by Phil Gascoine, colors by Carl Gafford, letters by Carrie Spiegle

Today in Comics History, March 3, 1949: Golden Age Earth-2 Gwen Stacy invites Golden Age Earth-2 Peter Parker on a picnic


from Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1 (DC, October 2012), script by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and inks by Adam Hughes, colors by Laura Martin, letters by Steve Wands