Almost as Good as the Golden Age: Justice League – The Complete Series

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Bill Jourdain

One of my favorite animated series of all time was Batman: The Animated Series.  I thought it captured the Batman of the Golden Age (by intent or otherwise) better than any “modern” treatment of Batman in film.  In recent years, DC and Warner Brothers have produced a great follow-up to this series with the Justice League Animated Series.  While this is probably far removed from the Golden Age of Comic Books, it still captures the essence of these heroes in their Golden Age and early Silver Age incarnations.  I enjoyed the Justice League animated series almost as much as Batman: The Animated Series.

I am therefore pleased to announce that on November 10, 2009, Warner Brothers will release Justice League: The Complete Collection on DVD.  This is a whopping 14 DVD set featuring all 91 episodes of this series.  There is also a special 15th bonus disk containing an all new retrospective, “Unlimited Reserve: Exploring the Depths of the DC Universe”.  This is simply a great DVD set and would make an excellent Christmas gift for any fan of DC Comics and the Justice League.

Justice League: The Complete Series

Justice League: The Complete Series

The packaging of this set is first rate.  The 15 DVDs are in two DVD cases in a metal slipcase.  It will look great on anyone’s shelf!  The disks come in standard or widescreen format, so you can choose your preference.  The menus are easy to navigate and very well done.

Here’s the official release from DC and WB:

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl.  They have all used their unique powers to fight evil across the galaxy.  These seven superheroes unite to become the Justice League.  These adventures feature battles with favorite villains like Lex Luthor, Vandal Savage and sorceress Morgan Le Fey.  Acts of justice include saving Aquaman from a coup and clearing Green Lantern’s name in a charge of genocide.  From the smash hit TV series, these triumphant tales of teamwork will enthrall and inspire!

Green Lantern and Wonder Woman

Green Lantern and Wonder Woman

This is a great DVD set that I would recommend to every fan of the Golden Age of Comic Books!  You can own it on DVD or buy it for your favorite fan starting on November 10, 2009.

Back Cover Image

Back Cover Image

For more information, check out the official site at www.kidswb.com and also check out the DVD official site, www.dcbeyond.com.  You can purchase this DVD set direct from WB by clicking here.  This set retails for $99.99 (USA), but can be found online for a discounted price (i.e., $72.99 at Amazon).

Thanks to Warner Brothers for sending this great DVD set to me for my evaluation and review.

WB Affiliate



Share
Posted in Golden Age Comics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Trivia Contest Winner

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Bill Jourdain

Congratulations to our friend and fellow blogger Pat Curley of the Silver Age of Comic Books blog for being the first person to provide the correct answers to the trvia contest questions from the last podcast! Pat is the proud owner of the new 2010 Vintage DC Comics and Vintage Marvel Comics calendars from Asgard Press. Thanks to all of the fans of the Golden Age of Comic Books podcast who provided entries to the triva contest.

Before I post the trivia questions and answers, I’ll point out that the first two parts of the Uncle Scrooge question were actually taken from last year’s contest. It was the third part of the question that required a little bit of extra research to find the correct answer.

Here are the questions and answers:

1. Uncle Scrooge was created by the great Carl Barks and made his first appearance in Four Color Comics #178 in the story “Christmas on Bear Mountain“. The first question has three parts: a. In What title and issue did Uncle Scrooge make his second appearance; b. What was the name of the story; c. What was the name of the location in Scotland where the McDuck clan ancestral home was located?

The answers: a. Four Color Comics #189; b. “The Old Castle’s Secret”; c. Dismal Downs.

2.  On what early Detective Comics cover did Batman appear with a vampire?

The answer: Detective Comics #31 (A vampire known as “The Monk” appears on the cover with Batman).

Congratulations again to Pat for being the first person to provide all of the correct answers.

By the way, in case you had not noticed, Detective Comics #31 is featured on the front of the 2010 Vintage DC Comics Calendar.

Vintage DC Calendar

Vintage DC Calendar



Share
Posted in Golden Age Comics, Podcast | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Golden Age of Comic Books – October 12, 2009 – #64 – Baltimore Comic Con Special Edition

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Bill Jourdain

Baltimore Comic Con 2009

I’m back from a great weekend at the 2009 Baltimore Comic Con where I was privileged to be a guest of Asgard Press.  We had a great crowd and I was very pleased with the interest in the Asgard products, including the DC and Marvel Vintage Comic Book Calendars.  I signed a number of the DC Calendars, and enjoyed talking to many fans of the Golden Age of Comic Books Podcast.

Signing Calendars at the Baltimore Comic Con

Signing Calendars at the Baltimore Comic Con

While at the show I was able to find the time to conduct some interviews and put together a Special Edition Baltimore Comic Con Podcast.

I conducted an interview of Peter Shin of Asgard Press, where we talk about the Vintage Calendars and other great products offered by Asgard.  You really need to check out the great products at their website.

Bill with Peter Shin of Asgard Press

Bill with Peter Shin of Asgard Press

One of the great things about Baltimore for Golden Age fans is Geppi’s Entertainment Museum.  Museum Curator, Dr. Arnold Blumberg was at the show and I was pleased to be able to interview him about the Museum.   Not only does the Museum exhibit some rare Golden Age comics and memorabilia, it offers great programs for young and old.  Arnold mentions of number of these programs in the interview.

Geppi's Entertainment Museum

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum

I was fortunate to have a few minutes to talk to the great Don Rosa, who makes his third appearance on the Golden Age of Comic Books Podcast.  We talk about everything from The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, to Golden Age Fandom, to a discussion of Don’s two favorite Barks’ adventures.  Don is always a gentleman and loves to talk about comics more than I do!

Don Rosa

Don Rosa

Last but not least, this episode contains the second annual trivia contest!  The first listener to email me the correct answer to the two questions (and all subparts) will receive an autographed copy of the 2010 Vintage DC Comics Calendar and a copy of the 2010 Vintage Marvel Comics Calendar.  There will only be one winner so make sure you quickly do your research and email your answer!  The email address for your entry is goldenagecomics@gmail.com.  I’ll reveal the name of the winner and the answers in a later post.

Thanks again to Peter and Mi-Sun of Asgard Press for making this a truly great weekend at the Baltimore Comic Con.  I am already counting the days to next year!

Share
Posted in Golden Age Comics, Podcast | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Golden Age of Comic Books – October 4, 2009 – #63

Posted on October 4, 2009 by Bill Jourdain

I’m back with another installment of the Golden Age of Comic Books Podcast.  In this installment, we discuss the Golden Age Crimebuster who appeared in Boy Comics.

Boy Comics #3 (April 1942)

Boy Comics #3 (April 1942)

Crimebuster was the alter ego of teenager Chuck Chandler.  After his parents were murdered by the evil Nazi villain, Iron Jaw, Chuck became Crimebuster and vowed to avenge their deaths and to fight Nazi evil, with his monkey sidekick, Squeeks.  Boy Comics was published by Lev Gleason Publications and debuted with issue #3 in April 1942.  The series ran until issue #119 in March 1956.  Chuck Chandler appeared in every issue of the title.  His last Golden Age appearance was in issue #119, March 1956.  This title has some classic WWII propaganda covers.

Boy Comics #10 (June 1943)

Boy Comics #10 (June 1943)

In addition to Crimebuster, I mention the new Marvel Mystery Comics Handbook: 70th Anniversary Special published by Marvel this week.  In the tradition of the History of the Marvel Universe series, this issue focuses on all of the characters appearing in the first year of the existence of Marvel Comics.

Marvel Mystery Comics Handbook: 70th Anniversary Specia

Marvel Mystery Comics Handbook: 70th Anniversary Special

Last but not least, I mention my upcoming trip to the Baltimore Comic Con (October 10 and 11).  I will be the guest of Asgard Press at their booth from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday.  Come by and see me if you are at the show.  I’ll be signing calendars and talking about Golden Age comic books.

Vintage DC Calendar

Vintage DC Calendar

Share
Posted in Golden Age Comics, Podcast | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Golden Age Reprint Roundup – September 13, 2009

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Bill Jourdain

There have been some good Golden Age reprints over the last few weeks.  Both Marvel and DC have provided some interesting and esoteric offerings.

DC Comics

The Sandman by Simon & Kirby

The Sandman by Simon & Kirby

DC has published The Sandman by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.  This hard back book features the “new look” Sandman and Sandy from Adventure Comics 72 (March 1942) through 91 (April/May 1944), #100 (October/November 1945), #102 (February/March 1946) and World’s Finest Comics 6 (Summer 1942) and 7 (Fall 1942).  You’ll also find the covers from Adventure Comics 92-97 and 101.  As a bonus, DC also reprinted “General Electric” from Sandman #1 (Winter 1974).  This book has a cover price of $39.99 U.S. and is 304 pages.

Marvel Comics

Marvel has published two more issues of its 70th Anniversary revival titles.

70th Anniversary Mystic Comics #1

70th Anniversary Mystic Comics #1

First, with a cover date of October 2009, Marvel issued Mystic Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1.  This title features Golden Age reprints of two Vision stories from Marvel Mystery Comics #13 (November 1940) and #16 (February 1941).

70th Anniversary Daring Mystery Comics #

70th Anniversary Daring Mystery Comics #1

Second, with a cover date of November 2009, Marvel published Daring Mystery Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1.  This issue features a Golden Age reprint of “The Phantom Reporter” from Daring Mystery Comics #3 (April 1940).

In a slightly esoteric vein, Marvel also issued another volume of its Atlas Era Marvel Masterworks.

Atlas Era Black Knight/Yellow Claw Masterworks

Atlas Era Black Knight/Yellow Claw Masterworks

This issue features reprints of two late Golden Age/early Silver Age titles.  First, The Black Knight issues 1 (May 1955) through 5 (April 1956) are included, with art by Joe Maneely, Fred Kida, John Romita and Syd Shores.  The Black Knight stories are followed by reprints of The Yellow Claw 1 (October 1956) through 4 (April 1957) with art by Joe Maneely, Jack Kirby and others.  If you are interested in Marvel’s Atlas Era, this volume reprints material that will likely not find reprinted in other sources.  This book has a cover price of $59.99 U.S. and is 246 pages.  There is a nice introduction by Roy Thomas and a great piece about Joe Maneely by Dr. Michael Vassallo.

Share
Posted in Golden Age Comics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment