FOOM #21 (Marvel, Spring 1978)

Marvel took a few stabs at fan clubs over the years, and probably the most successful and widespread was FOOM (Friends of Ol' Marvel).  This fancinest incarnation of the fan club featured a very nice, quarterly, magazine-sized publication that lasted for 22 issues.  Items associated with the fan-club, including poster sets, command very high prices to this day.

The 21st issue included a feature that showcased the rise in popularity of science fiction (I wonder why), and included interviews with each Marvel artist or writer who worked on a current Marvel title, such as SEEKER 3000, STAR-LORD, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, as well as a splendid Jack Kirby interview where he details his joy at being offered 2001 and taking it to the next level--which he certainly did (and creating Machine Man in the process!).

But one of the best moments in the magazine is the Roy Thomas article about bringing STAR WARS into Marvel comics.  The interview is worth reading for several reasons (in fact, there are a couple of tidbits I was looking for that will go into the next edition of THE CANTINA COMPENDIUM, see sidebar), but one of the coolest revelations that I have never heard mentioned anywhere is that he was present at the infamous "rough cut" screening at George Lucas' home, where the first, non-dynamically-edited version of the film (which still included WWII dogfight footage in place of space battles) was shown to Lucas' friends and colleagues.  This event is often referenced as a major turning point in the development of the film, and it's probably one of those moments where, if it hadn't existed, I wouldn't be typing about this film today.  It was this showing--often referred to as "confusing," or even "disastrous"--that caused Lucas to think about re-jiggering the pacing of the film, adding some much needed inserts that would be filmed in the US, and--most importantly--re-editing the film with Richard Chew and, most crucial of all, his wife Marcia Lucas. 

Interestingly, Thomas doesn't give us a single adjective to let us know his opinion of how that screening went.  Instead, he uses the event as an example to show how much Marvel was required to come up with on their own, having only that viewing, the novel, and some black-and-white stills to work from!

There is also a mention of Marvel's weekly UK comic titles, which included Star Wars, and necessitated some new cover art, since the stories were broken up into weekly (and black-and-white) segments.

It's interesting to look back on the mid-to-late 70's, when Marvel was riding high with TV adaptations of super-heroes, and, as mentioned, a certain science fiction film that changed everything.  FOOM as a magazine was recently revived as a glossy, comic shop-publication (which included a Marvel Value Stamp, there's a blast from the past!), so it will be interesting to see if it continues.

The Phenomenon of Bootleg Chinese Lego Marvel Super Hero Minifigures

Or, as I call them, "BOOTLEGO"....

When I was a teenager, and discovered bootleg CD's, I had a saying:  "Power to the pirates"!  Then the Internets exploded, and piracy took on new levels of existence.  That said, you may have read that Lego has recently levied a lawsuit against various companies operating in China, who are producing low-priced copies of actual Lego sets, often very quickly.  (For example, you may have seen some of the "STAR WNRS" sets, that steal the set, the artwork, and everything, floating around.)

However, this exact type of product isn't what we are discussing here.  It's one thing (and pretty blatant) to copy existing Lego products, but slightly another to offer items and characters that, for various reasons, Lego doesn't (or won't ever) produce.  That's what we will be looking at (for the most part) today.  

You probably remember when the word "bootleg" meant shoddy or inferior quality, like fake Nike's that would fall apart when you wore them, or jewelry that turned your fingers green.  This is no longer true.  Some of these Chinese companies are producing figures very close to the quality of what the Lego Group makes!  Let's look at a handful of Marvel characters that are missing from the physical Lego Marvel universe (but, mostly, exist in the games, in fact!):

1) First up, STAN LEE.  Huge oversight by Lego not offering him, as he is omnipresent in their wonderful Lego Marvel video games.  He should have been a pack-in offer with one of the games, but then again, I'm sure there is a reason for this, like maybe Stan wanted too much money? Would that surprise anybody alive? I bet not.

2) Baron Zemo was an impulse buy, but one that we aren't likely to see in a Lego set, especially in his classic comic version.

3) Yes, we got a great ANT-MAN minifigure, but it was the movie version, and it left the comic version woefully unrepresented.  (Although, bootleggers, those are Lego SPIDERS, but nice try, there...)

4) Daredevil also should have been made by now.  I know he often has batons, but for some reason they included two red lightsaber blades, which is weird.

5) Spider-Woman...oh, how did that get in here? She was actually a Comic-Con exclusive, and is a very expensive figure, that's how.  Moving on...

6-10) We all know why there is no Lego Fantastic Four...because movie studios that aren't Marvel aren't done corrupting the original characters yet, and won't admit defeat.  We all also know what needs to happen--exactly like Sony did with Spider-Man--then, we might see a Lego FF.  Until then, this will do.  Also note the transparent Human Torch.  There is a reason that Lego won't produce minifigures that are entirely translucent:  because the required plastic creates a chemical bond when placed up against itself, rendering your figure into a statue.  Or, that's what I've read.  So far, this figure still moves, but just in case, I positioned him in "flying mode."  The cool Thing looks like he stepped out of the video game.  He comes with a boulder, which, strangely, is on a stick, which I discarded.

11) The Rhino is another no-brainer...but yet when we got one, it was the stupid Sony version from their second Amazing Spider-Man film.  I do hope that Lego will make a Rhino, and that he will be exactly like this. 

12) The Silver Surfer, of course, is lumped in with the same batch of rights issues that the Fantastic Four are, but he's also needed.  I wouldn't be surprised to see chromed versions coming out of China soon, because lately that is the trend.

13) Out of everything in this post, I would put money on Mysterio being the most likely minifigure to be produced by Lego.  They have been very diligent about providing us with classic Spider-Man villains, and have given us a long list.  This figure has a clear head, a two-piece bubble that clips around it, and a neat cape that is actually velvet-y on the outside, but I can see Lego outdoing themselves when it happens.

14) In the cool-but-a-little-ridiculous department, Galactus would be an amazing minifigure, but if he were made (and he should be lumped in with the FF licensing problems, so...not), he would need to be at least the size of those large minifigure clocks...even Minimates did something similar, and made him twice for that reason.  Anyway, you are probably noticing that his legs are longer than the typical minifigure legs, and you are correct (another manufacturer uses this trick for Mr. Fantastic, to make it look like he is stretching)...I can't decide if this is really cool, or just really silly, but the original sculpt of the amazing helmet made it all worthwhile.

If you decide to pursue some of these figures, know that it will take around a month to get them to the United States.  What you have seen above was completed in four orders with no problems at all. There is an excellent blog that goes much further into sites, sellers, and tracking, and you can read all about it here:  It's Not Lego!

Of course, bear in mind that accidents still happen, as in this review I saw posted:

No other problems though!

Vintage Jack Kirby NEW GODS promotional poster (1984)

I don't talk about comics much, because there are plenty of other places to read about them, but when I do, I can't go 12 words without praising Jack Kirby.  One of my favorite comics of all time was his Fourth World series, because it was a real explosion of creativity for Kirby.  (In fact, I read them regularly, like some people read LORD OF THE RINGS...I have the originals, the reprints, and the hardcover volumes too.)  Personally, I think this explosion had a lot to do with breaking free of Marvel, and allowing all of his stored-up ideas and energy to come out.  The series, especially the NEW GODS title, crackled with over-the-top action, lofty, larger-than-life characters (like Thor cross-polinated with Shakespeare and Homer), intricate Kirby designs of a brand-new mythology...and it really delivered.  As an ultimate example of a great Kirby creation, it also suffered from the same problems as his other solo endeavors, because his mind far outraced the progress of the monthly books...and also, because they ended before he could "finish" his stories.

In 1984, DC gave him the chance to finally "finish" his New Gods story arc, by reprinting the original issues in fancy editions, culminating with a jumbo-sized last issue, where Kirby was able to revisit/remake his planned 12th issue, even though he mostly went in an entirely new direction.  This, in turn, led up to a much-hyped graphic novel, THE HUNGER DOGS, which serves as a "conclusion" to Kirby's Fourth World epic.  (Not to mention that Darkseid's inclusion into the last two seasons of Superfriends not only revamped the show into a more comic-like feel, but also boosted the popularity of the Fourth World books!)

And, ironically (as with other comic publishers), these comics created many more characters that, after his death, continue to be used...be it good, bad, or indifferent.  It matters not to me, so I won't comment on it, because as far as I'm concerned, the book is closed on the Fourth World, and we have all we will ever need. But then again, I know I'm a purist.

Anyway, with all that said, DC published a wonderful promotional poster in 1984 for the NEW GODS reprint series, with dramatic new Kirby artwork, inked by Kirby's ultimate inker, Mike Royer.  I had tried to buy this poster from my local comic shop owner several times over the years, right off the wall, but he simply wouldn't part with it...so I waited.  I lucked into an UNUSED one, that was still crisp and folded, as it originally came.  It's a smallish poster (maybe 17 x 24" ?), but if I'm lucky, I can find some unused wall-space for it, because it deserves to be displayed!

Signed By The King!

Went to a comic convention Saturday, and on the second time passing a large, hardcover book in a slipcover box, I asked the extremely nice guys at the table exactly what it was. When they told me, my jaw dropped, and so did $100. This is an extremely amazing book from 1992 called THE ART OF JACK KIRBY, limited to an edition of 1,000 and published by The Blue Rose Press. Not only did Kirby do special artwork for the box (just look, Orion and Captain America together! Darkseid and Doom! Gasp!), but on the endpages is a lithograph hand-numbered....followed by a rice paper page....wait for it.....SIGNED BY JACK KIRBY! Words cannot express my joy.