Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson Original Art

As I mentioned in my blog today on Boy Commandos no. 25 from 1948, Curt Swan is my all-time favorite comic book artist.

One of my prized possessions is a piece of original art by Swan (pencils) and Murphy Anderson (inks). It is a page from a 1970s issue of Action Comics (featuring Superman) and is signed by Swan.

This is it:



Nice, eh? (No. It's not for sale.)

Boy Commandos No. 25

One of the oldest comic books in my collection is Boy Commandos no. 25 from National Comics (now known as DC Comics). The cover date is January/February 1948, which means it was published in late-1947.

I managed to buy it back in the early 1990s at a comic book convention.

According to Mike's Amazing World of Comics (or, specifically, Mike's Amazing World of DC Comics) database, Boy Commandos no. 25's cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Charles Nicholas. The three stories were also pencilled by Swan and inked by Steve Brodie.

Swan went on to become "the definitive Superman artist" and my personal favorite. I was lucky to obtain this Golden Age comic at a reasonable price. Having it feature early work of Curt Swan is the icing on the cake.


SPECIAL THANKS: To Tony Isabella for the tip about Mike's Amazing World of Comics database!

2012 Marks 20 Years Since "Death of Superman"

It doesn't seem possible that this year marks 20 years since Superman died.

Well, not really. It was in 1992 that the story arc involving a mysterious new villain named Doomsday appeared. His story spread over several months involving Action Comics, Superman, Adventures of Superman and Superman: Man of Steel. And it also involved issues of Justice League America.

The finale came in Superman #75, the comic book where Superman gave his last breath. That issue came out in two editions: the regular street edition and a special polybagged edition (that also contained a mourning armband).

It was a period of slow news and the publicity machine of DC Comics roared into gear and people by the thousands, many who never picked up a comic book in their lives and some who haven't for years, lined up at comic book stores to buy Superman #75. My dad was even caught up in this frenzy and bought several copies of both editions.

Following "The Death of Superman" story arc, the comic books began a new story arc called "Funeral for a Friend," which dealt with the world's reaction to the death of Superman. This was followed by the "Reign of the Supermen" story arc where four "Supermen" show up and readers had to figure out if any of them were the real Superman, whose body was stolen from its tomb.

Ultimately, none of the four Supermen were the real one and the story ended with the return of the real Superman, now sporting long hair.

Many people had the misconception that Superman #75 would be a goldmine as an investment. It is not.

Last year, DC Comics completely revamped their entire line of comics, including this Superman (usually referred to the "Modern Age" Superman). The Modern Age Superman has been dumped for a new Superman (with a modified costume, sans red trunks).

DC Comics' Ugly New Logo

Above, the new DC Comics logo.

DC Comics/DC Entertainment has registered a new logo.

Well, I got my first look at it and can only say one thing: "Damn, that's ugly!"

Looking at it, I have to wonder what moron at DC decided that a new logo was needed and why they chose this design. There was nothing wrong with the present one (below).



The current regime at the comic book giant recently revamped and restarted their line of super-hero characters with ugly new costumes, etc. I guess the new logo is probably fitting since they made their cash cows look like hell (especially Superman).

What were they thinking?

"Man of Steel" Costume Revealed: Yuck!

Above, Brandon Routh in "Superman Returns."



The Hollywood Reporter has posted two photos of Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel, now in production.



Unfortunately, the costume (based on DC Comics' new design) is horrible to look at (at least for me). If you thought Brandon Routh's costume was bad, this one is even worse.



To see the costume, go here.