X-Men #1 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

1991's X-Men #1 by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee holds the Guinness World Record for the best selling single issue of all-time. The total number of copies sold is around the 8 million mark. However, I don't think it's a fair attribute. 8 million people didn't buy this book. There were 4 different variant covers that revealed a massive battle scene between the X-Men and Magneto. Add the fervor of speculators who gobbled up first issues by the long box full, and in reality, X-Men #1 was probably only purchased by 2-3 million individuals. 

The new series was a restructuring of the X-Men franchise. Seeing that there were just too many mutants to keep track of,  first, Marvel killed off a few fan favorite characters with a massacre in Genosha. Then they split the roster in half and blue some of the all-time greats together in a sister series. Then, Magneto, who had become an ally of the Xavier's School for Gifted Children, renounced his membership and fled to the ruins of his asteroid compound to create a refuge for mutants. In return, Charles Xavier returned to lead the X-Men after years away. 

Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Beast, Storm, Gambit, and Rogue. Plus support from the mechanic genius Forge. If this sounds like the lineup for Fox's classic X-Men: The Animated Series, you're almost right. Only Jubilee is missing. But over time, she'll be recruited by Cyclops to join what will soon be dubbed 'the blue team.'

As Claremont was winding down his lengthy run as the X-Men's scribe, co-plotter and artist Jim Lee's star was rising. In just a couple of issues, Lee would also become the new writer of the series. But his tenure would be short. Feeling undervalued by Marvel, Lee and about a half dozen other writers and artists from the bullpen broke free from the publisher and founded Image Comics. 

A rotating lineup of talent would write on the new X-Men title, including Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, and Grant Morrison. After a brief 2-issue fill-in by Art Thibert, before eventually setting on Andy Kubert as the regular penciler from issue #14-59. As for the series itself, beginning with the Morrison run, issue #114, it was retitled New X-Men. Issue #157 lost the 'New' moniker before another change at issue #208. Becoming X-Men: Legacy, the title went back to just X-Men in 2012 for the milestone 300th issue. Never cancelled due to dwindling sales, X-Men #300 concluded many storylines and paved the way to seasonal relaunches in hopes of streamlined numbering of titles.

 However, if you have ever read any of my reviews of the more recent Deadpool series with a nearly annual reset back to issue #1, you'll know that I hate this new way Marvel numbers it's books. It's a leading reason that I have stayed away from most Marvel series of the past decade. But I don't seem to be the only one who hates this new method of doing business. However, despite how much we hate it, it doesn't seem like Marvel will be ceasing this way of conducting business any time soon.

Completing this review completes Task #36 ( Work by Jim Lee, Fiona Staples or Alex Ross) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

And with this review, my 2026 Reading Challenge is COMPLETE!

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Detective Comics #627

From 1991, this deluxe sized issue commemorates the 600th appearance of the Dark Knight in Detective Comics. The idea of this issue is pretty novel. To begin, it reprints the very first story of which Batman appeared in Detective Comics #27. In a story titled 'The Case of the Chemical Syndicate', Bruce Wayne is alerted to the death of a pair of businessmen while accompanying Commissioner Gordon on a case. In the guise of the Bat-Man, the vigilante hero determines who the killer is, ushering forth a gritty sense of justice with dark undertones unparalleled in comicdom. 

Readers then are gifted with a reprint of a story from Batman's 30th anniversary appearance in Detective Comics (#387), circa 1968. Editor Julius Schwartz commissioned Mike Friedrich, Bob Brown and Joe Giella to retool that first appearance to reflect the more modern time period. This reboot includes Robin the Boy Wonder in a story that focuses on the generation gap, which was a subject that DC Comics seemed to have very little knowledge in. It's an odd tale in which Robin is sure that the son of one of the deceased is the killer' to the point that it's Batman who keeps a level head while the teen sidekick literally says 'Kids these days...'

There are 2 more stories in this anniversary issue. Both of which retell 'The Case of the Chemical Syndicate' to reflect the early 90s. The first story introduces a new character called Pesticyde. Unfortunately, it's the character's only appearance. But it was a darn good one! Written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Jim Aparo, it blows that 60s reboot out of the water!

90s retool #2 is a bit more complex. Half of the story focuses on Batman trying to solve the murders of those businessmen; half focuses on a drunken homeless man claiming that his buddies have been killed. You might think that the two plots have nothing to do with each other. Yet, Alan Grant does a masterful job stringing both story lines together. This story has some great art by Norm Breyfogle, who along with letterer Todd Klein, sneaks in the names of dozens of past Batman artists and writers. The cool thing about all this is how each matches the art style or signature of the creators. 

I'm co-leading a comic book club this school year. Our first assignment is to read a Batman comic book. Any Batman work is allowed. I was going to read an issue of Detective from 1970 that reprinted several of Batman and Robin's most unusual cases. Unfortunately the book was coming apart at the seams. At first I thought I had bought the book without a back cover. Then I saw that the missing section was still inside the bag. I then began seeing how the front cover and other back pages were beginning to peel as well. As much as I really wanted to read that book, I didn't want to bring it to school and let it get further damaged. Hopefully I'll read it sometime in the future. 

Detective #627 was an interesting experiment. It started in the 60s and continued 30 years later. I wonder if this test was ever continued in another anniversary issue? If yes, I'd be really interested in getting those issues if DC ever did. And if they haven't, maybe it's time to do it again! I'd buy it!

As much as I wanted to show my students an old comic book, I'll have to do with this book. Though if you were to ask those guys, they'd probably comment that 32 years of age is old. 

Sheesh...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Amazing Spider-Man Annual: 1991

I just don't think I could live in the UK and be a comic book fan. It takes not several months but several YEARS before material that debuted in the United States to finally become available across the pond. And how the stories are chopped up into smaller pieces for weekly releases instead of monthly, with some non-vital art deleted would just infuriate me to no end. This hardback annual from London's Marvel Comics LTD is proof in point. 

This annual contains material set in the early days of the Hobgoblin. The usurper to the Green Goblin throne has been in operation for a while. But Spider-Man has no idea who is behind the mask. It's so new in the Hobgoblin's career, poor Harry Osborn thinks it might be him operating under some sort of fugue state like his evil father did prior as the original Green Goblin. But an early encounter with this new Spidey villain puts Harry at ease for that. But what's with the personal vendetta that the Hobgoblin has against the Osborns? 

Meanwhile, Peter Parker is trying to adjust his life to a series of changes. Recently freed from the Venom symbiote, Parker learns that Mary Jane Parker knows he's Spider-Man! Plus, thanks to the destructive nature of his alien parasite, Petey quit college and it's caused a strain between him and Aunt May.

Along with the story, this annual is full of fun and games. There's a couple of mazes, a valuable fact-file about the back-story of the Hobgoblin (without revealing the identity of the baddie), a search-a-word and much more. 

Though this annual was released in 1991, it contains material that was originally published in 1984 in the pages of America's Amazing Spider-Man. Was British Marvel books devoted to Spider-Man really behind by 7 years? Or do English annuals reprint fan favorite stories? I'd really be interested to know.

Another mystery I want to know more about: how did this book end up here? I found this at a book warehouse for only a buck. That store was in Raleigh, NC. How did it get there? Too bad books don't speak because I bet there's an interesting tale behind it's travels.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars. 

All-Pro Sports Comics #1 (2022 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Challenge)

Even though I was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, I paid very early attention to the career of one Vincent Edward Jackson.  

Oh, you don't know Vincent Edward Jackson? Well, do you know Bo- Jackson, that is!

Jackson played a trio of sports for Auburn University including baseball and football. Bo's impressive scoring of 17 touchdowns and almost 1,800 yards during his senior year earned the Tiger the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp Award in 1985. While Bo's future looked paved in goal with teams such as the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Buccaneers putting early bids on the multi-sport star. Ultimately, Bo went on to play with the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Raiders while securing several lucrative endorsement deals including Nike and a live-action cartoon series with NBC. 

But early on as a child, Bo Jackson almost ended up behind bars. The 8th of 10 children, Jackson's family were literally dirt poor in rural Alabama. They lived in a 3 room shack that did not have indoor plumbing. Often targeted for his stutter, Jackson developed a violent temper. The angeralso earned him a nickname- 'Bo-hog', later shortened to just BO.

A violent incident of animal cruelty put Bo at an impasse- clean up his act or got to juvenile detention. For the sake of his mother, Bo chose to put his aggression into school sports. Bo become a 3-sport star and was heavily recruited by many SEC schools. Jackson selected Auburn due to it's proximity to his family and the rest was history.

Some of that history includes Bo running a touchdown for a then record of 92 and 93 yards, breaking baseball bats over his knee when he struck out, hitting a home run in 4 consecutive at bats, and becoming the first player in MLB all-star history to hit a homer and to steal a base in a game. He was the MVP for that 1989 game. 

The Bo Jackson train came to a screeching halt in a January 1991 NFL play-off game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A rough tackle resulted in Bo dislocating his hip. Somehow upon being taken off the field, the hip popped back into place and the damage was done. Blood vessels damaged, Jackson was soon diagnosed with avascular necrosis which killed all of the cartilage within Bo's hip socket. 

Bo would never play football again. After taking 1992 off to get a total hip replacement, Bo returned to baseball with the Chicago White Sox and the California Angels. While Bo did have some impressive numbers, chronic pain kept him from ever playing more than half a season's worth of game. By 1994, Bo Jackson hung up his cleats for good. 

This issue of All-Pro Sports Comics was published in 1991 just as Bo's career ending injury had experts wondering 'what if?' Published by Burke Publishing, this issue was to usher forth a vast line of comics based on current and all-time great superstars of all areas of sports. Ultimately, only 5 issues were published. Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Larry Bird and Evander Hollyfield were featured in these unauthorized biographies. Sadly, Burke Publishing folded sometime in 1992 before the release of the much promised issue to feature 'Steffi Graf Graf and the Babes of Tennis!' All-Star Sports Comics would be Burke's only comic book publication.

There is supposed to be a variant cover to this issue. Bo in his Royals uniform is the lesser known version. Despite the rarity of the KC Royals cover, I haven't seen a very big difference in the prices of the 2 comics. Though, I've run across the Raiders issue on several occasions in bargain bins throughout the North Carolina comic convention circuit. 

Bo Jackson will never be a part of Canton or Cooperstown. His career was too short and he never played for a championship team. But those short several years that Bo did play were exciting. If anything, Bo will forever be enshrined in my personal hall of fame. He was an amazing specimen who unfortunately became a victim of a career ending injury.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Completing this review completes Task #37 (About Sports) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Walt Disney's Holiday Parade #1

It's 1991 and with a lineup of Ducktales, Tailspin, Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck, weekday afternoons were dominated by Disney. 

I've long thought that holiday comics weren't for expanding the canon of a character but for a tremendous opportunity to advertise a publisher's characters and comics. From reading this book, I think I was on to something. At the end each of the 7 or 8 stories in this holiday anthology, there's a small blurb (at the page bottom) advertising what regular monthly comics the characters further appear in. 

Those stories are a mix of classic and all-new (to 1991) stories. They include:

• A Carl Barks favorite in which Donald's nephews try really hard to be good for Santa and fail miserably.
• Baloo and his beloved cargo plane are taken hostage in the tiny nation of Thembria, in a story that reflects the miracle of the first Hanukkah!
• Chip and Dale get an unexpected visitor in the form of a flying squirrel that flies in its sleep!
• Uncle Scrooge tries really hard to think of one good deed he's done in order to impress Santa.
• A snow drift threatens to keep Santa from coming to town. That is unless Super Goof can save the day!

Add L'il Bad Wolf and his Pop, Mickey, Minnie and Pluto and a host of other Disney favs and you've got a fantastic assortment of holiday themed stories!

If I had found this when I was a teen, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it. But now that I'm older, I long for simpler things. Walt Disney's Holiday Parade is a time capsule to the early 90s. It wasn't a perfect time. But it sure wasn't as cruddy as 2021 has been.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Christmas Comic Posters

I could have bought and read this book 2 years ago. It sat on the graphic novel book shelf of my favorite comic book store all this time. The title threw me. I thought a poster book was just that- a collection of posters to hang on your wall. I certainly judged a book by it's cover!

What Christmas Comic Posters actually is is a collection of front page of select British Christmas comics offered to the public from roughly 1884 to 1941 Back when newsprint was the dominant source of news and entertainment, a variety of newspapers would offer weekly inserts of comics. Yearly, those inserts would get the yule tide treatment and be offered as a separate purchase to readers young and old. 

The papers used in this book are from the collection of Denis Gifford, who in 1991 was one of the leading authorities in British comics. Gifford also writes the little blurbs about the comics on the following page. And that's where we get the poster book name from. 

See in the UK, art books are designed with the attributing info on the back so that if someone really liked the image, they could remove the picture from the book without damaging information about the remaining images. I'm kinda okay with this idea. Only if you were intending for the pages to be removed, I would've opt with perforated paper!

The majority of the characters are relatively unknown to non-British citizens. There is a cameo of Charlie Chaplin. Beano and Dandy, which some American comic fans might know of, have entries in this book. But the addition I was most excited about was the inclusion of Mickey, Donald, Goofy and friends from a comic called Mickey Mouse Weekly. 

Now to talk about the elephant in the room. No- I am not talking about the actual elephant on this book's cover. But the cover does offer a hint to what I am going to discuss. Readers should keep in mind that this book is about humor and art from the pre-Civil rights era. During this time, a very popular toy in England was a doll called a Golliwog. Generally a black male with white rimmed eyes, giant red lips, frizzy hair and vintage clothing; the Golliwog was a kind of minstrel Ken doll. 

Today, the Golly as it is sometimes referred, is considered a very racist character. Even the name is offensive. Up until just a couple of minutes ago, I didn't even know that these toys had a name. So, I am not reporting on this information to be offensive. As with many of my reviews, I like to teach about the history of comics and pop culture along with give my opinion. And that's what I am doing here. 

If you wish to own a copy of this book, you should note that a image of the doll appears in roughly 80% of these holiday comics. It's not front and center mind you. You kinda have to do a 'Where's Waldo?' that search for them. But they are just one of several things considered out of date or 'cancellable' found in this book.

I thought the overall book was beautiful. The intricate detail on everything. They just don't make art like that these days. If you love the artwork of Richard Scarry, George Perez and Frank Quietly, you should enjoy this book. I only wish that Mr. Gifford would have focused a little more on the characters that star on the previous page instead of the publication history. Maybe even discuss that troubling history of some of the imagery included. Other than that, I enjoyed this book.

Yes, I know that there's a lot of outdated concepts here. Some sexist. Some racist. A few are topical to the day and jokes that just don't make sense to a 21st century Yank. And if you are wondering who that Father Christmas bloke is- that's Santa Claus, silly!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Superman: For Earth

What Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was to nuclear disarmament, this book is to the ecology.

Lois Lane is tasked to cover a conference on global sustainability issues and it causes her to have some serious concerns about the viability of the Earth. Thus, Superman tries to take on conservation and cleaning up the planet. But he finds that it's a task impossible for one man, even if it's a Superman, to do alone. 

A lot of folks claim that between DC and Marvel, DC Comics is the less preachy of the big two. Well, this book would be a good example to prove folks wrong. 

At one point, Superman takes on some loggers in Brazil. And the head honcho, despite being a giant douche, makes a good point. He tells The Man of Steel that it's hypocritical for the hero to tell other countries what to do with their natural resources but the hero does nothing to the Americans. 

Well, that scene got me thinking. Is DC practicing what it preached in this 1991 graphic novel? Superman: For Earth is a book that needed trees to print it. And yes, this book was printed on recycled paper. While that's good for the sake of this book, I don't think DC Comics kept up with the practice for very long. 

The recycled paper makes for this book to look way older than it is. The inks have an almost sepia tone to them. If not for the prestige format, which I know began in the mid-80s, I would have said that this book was from the mid-70s. (Yes, that recycled paper seemed to degrade that much.)

At the end of the book, there's 2 pages of eco-charities listed for people to contribute to and such. Being nearly 30 years old, I wonder how many of these still exist. I'd actually be interested to research that one day.

An okay book that does explore some important aspects of Clark and Lois' impending nuptials in terms of their decision about children. But above all, this was a propaganda piece. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Robin #5

The Tim Drake Robin’s training culminates with his final show down with the big boss crime lord that Lady Shiva’s been wanting to take down for the length of this entire series. But, Robin’s got his work cut out for him as this baddie is blind and has super heighten senses, especially hearing, to make up for his handicap.

A fantastic ending to a really good series. Robin takes a little while to find his wings, yet as with all birds, it just takes a little push to get a youngling flying.

With the myriad of teachers and training Tim Drake has encountered in this mini-series, you almost have to wonder “Did Batman set this whole thing up from the very beginning?”

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Robin #4

Well, I was right. This issue has Robin learning the ropes from Lady Shiva. We also see the origins of why this Robin uses a staff and a bolo caster.

The art’s gotten better and is on par with the writing. This issue also features another fantastic Brian Bolland cover.

I am so glad I’ve stuck with this mini-series. It’s only gotten better as the issues (and tensions) mount.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Robin #3

I think I’ve got this series figured out. Every chapter is has Tim Drake learning from a new sensei on how to become a fighter.

Issue one had Robin learning from one of Batman’s old trainers. The previous issue had Robin learning by proxy from his first official solo outing as the new sidekick of the Dark Knight. This issue has Drake learning to street fight from the guy he rescued from the street gang, who happens to be a former DEA agent.

I suspect with Lady Shiva making herself known as a potential ally of Robin’s we’ll be seeing her teaching her own form of martial arts.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Robin #2

The Tim Drake Robin finds himself on the run after he witnesses a man being beaten by a street gang and the fledgling sidekick comes to the guys rescue. With very little than a personal computer and a solid gold Visa card, Robin finds himself no longer in France for training but now he’s on his very first solo mission to bring down a ruthless crime lord.

Not 100% sure where this book is going. But, I like what I see. This series’ art is so very 90s, it’s sad. However, the writing is very good (the characters have depth and the dialogue isn’t very cheesy) and the fantastic Brian Bolland covers make up for the other visual slights.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Robin #1

Part One 

Sometime after A Lonely Place of dying, Tim Drake finally got permission to be Batman’s new sidekick. Big on brains but lacking in the muscles department, the new Robin is sent to Paris to train with one of the last remaining masters of an ancient martial art.

Thus begins chapter one in the story of the new Robin. A very interesting take on a classic hero. It’s amusing to see Robin building himself from the ground up. Plus, to have Lady Shiva waiting in the wings, there are surprises behind every corner.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

A Classic TV Christmas- Advent 2017 Day 21

As we head into the 90s, we are going into orbit to celebrate holidays with those misfits on the Satellite of Love. Yes, it's a Mystery Science Theater 3000 Christmas! While there, we'll write odd essays on what Christmas means to me, sing a Patrick Swayze Christmas carol, and be forced to watch one of the worst holiday films of all-time: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. 

The 1964 film is a classic in of itself. You know the kind of film! It's so bad, it's not good- it's GREAT!

Martians want to help teach their children about Santa. So they perform an alien abduction at the North Pole sending Santa to Mars, forcing him to give gifts to all the good little Martian boys and girls! But of course, Santa isn't having any of this and teaches the Martians what it means to be on the naughty list!

Unfortunately, I can no longer share this December 1991 episode with you. I used to be able to watch it all the time for free. But now that the gang at Rifftrax has the rights to it, I can only share it if I pay $9.99 for it and even then, I am not even sure if legally I can air it here. What I can do is share a copy of the unadulterated 1964 movie. Enjoy- but don't blame me if this movie becomes an annual tradition in your home. 

Until next time, Merry Christmas!

NFL Superpro #1

Well folks, today is the beginning of football. I’m ready to cheer on my Steelers. In preparation to the kick-off of the 2014 season, I decided to ready what many consider the worst comic book of all-time. That’s right- I read NFL Superpro #1!

  The book was published in 1991 and was collaboration between the NFL and Marvel Comics. The book stars Phil Grayfield, a retired football player whose career was ended due to injury. He’s now a sports reporter and during an interview with a sports collector, he’s knocked unconscious and trapped in a burning room filling with practice films. The chemicals melt and give Grayfield super powers. Along with an experimental football player’s uniform, the ex-athlete fights crime while simultaneously committing copyright infringement.

This being the first issue, I thought it would be the ‘origin’ issue. Alas, that all happened in the NFL Superpro Super Bowl Special, which I also own but was saving to read during next year’s Super Bowl. Thankfully, Marvel did devote a whopping 4 panels in explaining how Grayfield became Superpro.

Now I’m about to commit some comic book heresy- issue #1 wasn’t that bad! Yes- the premise is corny. If burning celluloid would give you super powers, I’d set a movie theatre on fire right now and breathe deep. Also, if your running around in an experimental football uniform that bears the NFL logo and you were the Commissioner of said league would you not A) sue the guy for wearing unofficially licensed material and B) figure out who had said uniform and trace back how it ended up in this vigilante heroes hands? It’s not one of the most well thought out premises, I’ll give you that.

However, if you look at this as an un-official 'Marvel Team-Up' between Superpro and guest hero, Spider-man; the book isn’t terrible. True, the two heroes never officially meet but in terms of Marvel Team-Up’s reputation of introducing new heroes to fans in hopes of garnishing a fan base, Superpro was better than some of the crap I’ve read in the pages of MTU. (Speaking of Team-Up, apparently Robert Kirkman wanted to bring Superpro back for a story but couldn’t due to copyright and the best he could do was have Stilt-Man brag about beating Superpro up once. Okay, if Stilt-Man can defeat you, maybe you should hang it up.)

The art was okay for 1991 standards. It was gritty and a little sexy. There are some pretty cool fight scenes. The dialogue stunk, unless it was Peter Parker/ Spider-man. Those parts were pretty good. I would say instead of treating this book as garbage, look at it as a B-movie. It’s so bad, it’s good.

Instead of considering Superpro the worst comic of all-time, I see this as the Plan 9 from Outer Space of comic books. I paid 50 cents for this in a bargain bin and I am sure some folks would say I paid too much. However, if I find the other 11 issues in this series in a dollar box, I’d snatch them up. They’re always good for a laugh.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars

NBC Saturday Morning Comics

This one-shot from the summer of 1991 was published by Harvey Comics in co-operation with NBC and Toys r Us to promote that season's new fall-lineup of cartoons and kid shows. For one time only, fans of Malcauley Culkin, Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, and Wayne Gretzky got to see their idols in comics form for the shows Wish Kid and Pro Stars. As a kid I was a huge Gretzky fan and I thought the sun rose and set on Bo Jackson. It's pretty much the only reason I got this comic. If I even get to meet Bo, I'm gonna surprise the heck out of him by having him autograph this instead of a ball or trading card.

  Along with the aforementioned stories, this comic included a Yogi Bear comic; something called 'Spacecats' and a short story involving the gang from Saved by the Bell. This comic also doubled as an activity book with some puzzles and a maze to solve. I highly doubt there are very many pristine issues of this comic in existence due to these activities and I was lucky to find one.

  The biggest problem with this comic is that every story ends with "To be continued" and would only be resolved when the reader saw the show on its premiere date in September. To my knowledge Pro Stars and Wish Kid, and probably Spacecats has never appeared on VHS or DVD. So, I don't think I'd ever find out how these tales were resolved. (I'm not losing sleep over it, but it bears mentioning.)

  The comic also featured a voting contest for readers to vote for their favorite series. I was actually interested in this aspect and did a search about this. However, I couldn't find any hits regarding the voting in my search results. So, I couldn't tell you who won or lost.

    The concept behind this comic was a clever ploy of marketing. I'm sure kids were delighted with this, even if they had to shell out a buck twenty-five for it. This time period is pretty much the end of both the Saturday morning cartoon on the big three networks as well as the end of Harvey Comics. From that historical aspect, this might be a book worth collecting or if you are a fan of any of the athletes or characters featured in this book. Ironically, the fan base that probably would be the most interested in this comic (and know the least of its existence) would be fans of the teen series Saved by the Bell. With the show riding a nostalgic high and a planned tele-pic about how the show was made in the works, SBTB stuff is very popular right now and extremely hard to come by.

rating: 6 out of 10 stars.