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Welcome to…Frrright Night!
By James Chambers – If you’re a fan of horror movies, chances are good you’ve seen Fright Night, one of the best of the contemporary vampire movies. If you haven’t, then this very creepy comic from Now Comics is a great way to check out the story, since the series began with an adaptation of the film before launching into all-new original stories. What made the movie so successful was the way in which it placed a very traditional vampire in a very modern setting, and the same thing makes this series worthwhile. After all, most contemporary comic book vampires are decidedly non-traditional, which makes this book a breath of…
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A classic hero crossover adventure
By James Chambers – As a short-lived Saturday morning animated series, Defenders of the Earth united Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician, and the Phantom to confront the evil forces of Ming the Merciless. Marvel Comics handled the comic book based on the show, publishing it under the Star Comics imprint (another short-lived venture), which specialized in comics aimed at younger readers. I’ve never seen the cartoon, but when I came across this book in the clearance box at the comic shop, the idea of bringing three of King Features’ best-known adventure heroes together really intrigued me. A story by Stan Lee and art from Alex Saviuk, a long-time favorite of…
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The write stuff
Though they work their magic far behind the scenes of the comic book business, comic book writers are often some of the most interesting and unusual people in the business of creating comic books. In addition to conceiving the adventures of our favorite heroes and heroines each month, they have some unexpected hobbies and pastimes. From slight of hand to unusual collections, here’s a look at just a few. Comic book writers share their favorite pastimes (COMBO #27) By Alex Amado • Art by Bill Jankowski Mark Waid, Prestidigitator Mark Waid, author of last summer’s smash Kingdom Come, is a truly multi-talented individual. In addition to his writing skills, which…
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The Hall of Fame isn’t just for sports cards
By Chuck McAnulla (COMBO #27) – HOF: Perhaps those letters mean nothing to you. Perhaps you prefer ABC or XYZ. As a card collector, you may better relate to IOU. The “HOF” designation does, however, have a magical connotation for sports card collectors, since it signifies that the players so identified in a given card set’s checklist are members of the Hall of Fame in their particular sport. Hall of Fame athletes have traditionally been of greater interest to sports collectors and their cards more highly prized, monetarily and otherwise. Prices of very rare tobacco sports cards can run to six figures—yes, all to the left of the decimal point!…
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Tales of the Persian wild ass
By Jimmy Palmiotti (COMBO #27) – I’d met Howard Porter a couple of times at busy conventions but did not have the chance to really speak to him mano a mano until I got assigned to ink a JLA cover—for some other comics mag—over his pencils. What impressed me about the cover was how tight and confident Howard’s linework was on that piece and how well it was done. I had a ball working on it, and got to do that “penciler/inker” bonding thing over the phone that day, which made doing this interview a little easier. Howard’s not a new guy—he’s paid his dues on a number of books,…
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Terry Moore is no Stranger to quality reads
By Terry Moore – Everybody’s got a list of books they love and remember. I can’t begin to tell you everything I love in 600 words or less, but I can give you a primer. And to make it look official, I stayed up all night alphabetizing it! You’re welcome. Anything (that starts with an “A,” see?) by Milo Manara. Like Butterscotch, Click!, or the Fellini book. Manara is known for his erotic tales and beautiful art done with a single pen, but oh, God, it is so beautiful. Nobody draws like Manara. His women are sexy, with tiny noses and long legs. His linework is deceptively simple, defining a…
Fan site for the late, lamented Combo Magazine (1994-1997)
