Avengers: First to Last

     An interesting mix of never before told behind-the-scenes stories of the original line-up of Earth's Mightiest Heroes and as well as the team's swan song.

     The first group of stories appeared in the back pages of Avengers Classic. Featuring such greats as Dwayne McDuffie (Damage Control) and the Man himself, Stan Lee, these shorts reveal what happened between the issues, like how Marvel obtained the licensing rights to the Avengers and the first ever meeting between Captain America and Spider-Man.

      It's always been my pet peeve with the Marvel Classic books that they never contain any original material. But with Avengers Classic, that wasn't case. Of note, if you already have issues 1-12 of the Avengers in some sort of collected form and you have this volume, you'll have all the original material and covers contained in Avengers Classic. You will not need to scour the bargain bins for the individual issues of Avengers classic.

      The second feature was a completely new story. The Last Avengers Story reveals what could happen in a final stand off between Hank Pym and Ultron. Written by Marvel mage Peter David, this book was dark, bloody, and a wild read. It was also a little naughty. That's all thanks to the painted pages of Aliens Vs. Predator's Ariel Olivetti.

       If you are trying to collect Avengers stories, you'll need this collection. It's the perfect combination of funny, serious, and adventure. But due to the level of blood and gore in The Last Avengers Story, this is not a book for all readers- especially kids- as some images can be quite unsettling.

     Worth Consuming

     Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 52

     40 years ago- it was Presidents Day.

     I'm wondering if doing research on this day, the things I found were light. With government shut down for the holiday and schools out, I guess it was a chance for everybody to relax and stay out of trouble.

    It might also explain the one bit of info of interest that I could find:

    On this day in Madman history in New York, 74 couples who were members of the Unification Church, said 'I Do' in a mass ceremony. I guess with the day off for Presidents Day and Valentine's Day being over a week later, people in love needed something to do.

     Until tomorrow...
     

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 51

 

  On this day in 1977 history, the 19th running of the Daytona 500 occurred. The winner of the race was Cale Yarborough. It was his second win of this race. He'd go on to win 2 more times at Daytona before retiring.

    Also of note about this race, driver Janet Guthrie became the first woman to ever complete the Daytona 500. She'd also become the first woman to complete the Indianapolis 500. 

And their off...
Janet Guthrie's car is 2nd from the left lane of drivers.

   Now,  I'm not what you call a NASCAR fan. I've been to a race and I've seen my fair share of races on TV. But I just can't call myself a fan.

Janet Guthrie during the driver intros.

    I like cars. I like going fast. I love the designs on the cars, especially if they're for something special like promoting a movie or something. But I just can't call myself a fan.

  But the reason is quite simple- when you are a little kid it is impossible for them to sit through a 200 lap race! Anything over the number 10 is an eternity for a kid! I think it's one reason why I liked playing sports as a kid but I didn't really enjoy watching it until I was older. Everything just seemed way too long...

    My dad's father was a huge fan of racing and every Sunday, he'd have the race on. Generally, if my cousins were around, we'd all be out playing while my grandpa, dad, and his brothers all watched NASCAR. (But if I was to only kid around, those race days would be the longest of my life.)

Driver Bobby Wawak's car caught fire after a crash.

  
    I have a distinct feeling that this race wasn't watched by my grandfather. That's because also on this date in Madman history, Elvis Presley played a concert in Charlotte, NC. 

    My grandmama was a huge fan of the King. It's been passed down as legend that the day Elvis died, my grandmama packed a bag and drove all night to Memphis and was in attendance along Elvis Presley Boulevard when the hearse carrying Elvis' body drove into Graceland. So, I have a feeling my grandparents were in attendance for the concert and didn't watch this Daytona 500. Or at least that's what I'd like to imagine. 

   I know this post was supposed to be about race car driving, but I just can't help leaving you without a glimpse of the magical night in the Queen City.

   Enjoy... 

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 50

   I told you a few days ago that I'd return to the awards shows of 1977. Well, today I keep my promise as this Madman looks at the Grammy Awards from my birth year.

   The host for the 19th Grammy Awards was Andy Williams of Moon River and numerous Christmas Classics fame. Aired on CBS live from Hollywood, the event honored dozens of artists and their achievements in the world of music from 1976.

"America, I am Your Forefather..."
-James Earl Jones as Thomas Jefferson.

    You wouldn't think Henry Fonda, Helen Hayes, James Earl Jones, and Orson Welles would be Grammy Winners but the quartet all won for Best Spoken Word Recording with Great American Documents. The year prior was the Bicentennial and the album was just one of countless items marketed to celebrate America's 200th birthday. With the win, Helen Hayes became just the second person to ever win the EGOT, meaning she had won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony in her celebrated career.

With this Grammy, SVB's 15 minutes of fame was up.

    The winner of Best New Artist was the Starland Vocal Band. Which pretty much was the kiss of death for them because despite a short-lived variety show, all four members of the band divorced each other and went their own ways by 1981. Coincidentally, the also won a Grammy for Best Vocal Arrangement which isn't considered a career kiss of death but just another Grammy nobody really cares about. 

     Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald all won various Grammy Awards for their Jazz compilations.

Big Winner Stevie Wonder backstage with Ashford and Simpson
and solo artist George Benson.

     But the biggest winner of the night had to be Steve Wonder. His iconic album, Songs in the Key of Life won at least 5 Grammys. If you add those technical awards that they never air, he probably won a couple more.

     Overall, the Grammys of 1977 wasn't overtly shocking. Though many do attribute Starland Vocal Band's win as Best New Artist to be the beginning of the BNA curse which struck future acts such as Men at Work and Milli Vanilli.

Dolly Parton backstage prior to presenting a
Country Music Award.

    So, that' my trip through 1977 today. But before I go, here's a track from Mr. Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life. Enjoy...

   

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 49

 

First edition of 2000 AD

   Though the cover was dated for February 26th, today marks the 40th anniversary of the British sci-fi comic magazine 2000 AD. Growing up I was allowed to read any comic book I wanted except for this one, Heavy Metal, and anything listed in the adults only box at the local comics shop Tales Resold. But over the past decade, I've gotten my hands on some issues and I must say I enjoyed them. 

    2000 AD was where many great British comic book writers and artists got their start. Talents like Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Brian Bolland, and Grant Morrison gained international fame working on the publication. But if 2000 AD is known for anything, it's this- Judge Dredd.

Alan Moore- Acclaimed Writer
of Rasputin cosplayer... you decide.

    Judge Dredd appeared in the title's second issue or Prog (which is short for Program.) The authoritarian look at life in an overcrowded metropolis won over fans, appalled critics, and soon became English slang for a police state. 

2000 AD's most famous character, Judge Joseph Dredd.

     2000 AD was edgy, violent, and just want the punk movement needed. Published weekly, it quickly became a sort of manifesto for the anti-establishment crowd which is ironic because Judge Dredd is the ESTABLISHMENT! But the die was cast as the alienated tone of punk rock was embraced by many of the writers of this series well into the late 80s, especially the work of Morrison and Moore. 
  

My favorite 2000 AD alum, Neil Gaiman.

     When 2000 AD was first published it was owned by IPC Magazines. Over the next two decades, the title was purchased by Robert Maxwell and Edmont UK. When the book first came out, it was in black and white and published like an over-sized tabloid magazine. Nowadays, the book is a mere shell of itself. Published in stark color and reduced to the size of a general comic book to save cost and appeal to readers. Fans liken these changes to when National Lampoon stopped publishing nude women and foul language in their pages after being bought out by a subsidiary in the late 80s. It was like a neutered dog- still feisty but missing a real passion to it's bite. 

A 2016 issue of 2000 AD.
It doesn't seem quite so grim and gritty anymore...

    Time (and sales) will only tell if 2000 AD will make it another 40 years or become another classic sci-fi comic title relegated to bargain bins worldwide and otherwise forgotten. 

    Until tomorrow...

     

Tib and Tumtum #1: Welcome to the Tribe (Family Comic Friday)

 

   For today’s Family Comic Friday, I went back to France for inspiration. The series is called Tib and Tumtum. Tib is a young caveboy who has a red birthmark on his face. Teased by the other kids in the tribe, Tib often plays by himself. One day, he comes across a small dinosaur that he names Tumtum.

    But dinosaurs are supposed to be extinct. Is Tumtum the real deal or is the thunder lizard a figment of lonely Tib’s imagination?

    I really enjoyed this sweet graphic novel by French cartoonist Grimaldi. It was funny and it was fun. Though this volume reads as a complete story each page contains it’s own punchline. So it’s very easy to find stopping points without being broken down into chapters.

   I also liked how this adventure was framed as the untold story of the cave people who created the paintings in Lascaux. It kinda made this story seem more real.

     There’s currently 2 volumes in the Tib and Tumtum series. Both are for readers in grades 4-6. But I think with a helpful adult, children in grades 2-3 could enjoy this book as well.

    Available on Amazon and libraries nationwide, this is a great book filled with memorable characters, thrills, and a few chills, that anyone should make a part of their child’s reading tribe.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 48

  It's a look at another true crime from 1977!

   My mom was hooked on true crime. If there was a new book by Ann Rule, she was first in line for it. If there was a new made-for-TV movie about it, she would have the VCR set and ready to go. I guess that's why I'm a little partial to in myself.

    On this day in 1977 history, Chicago candy heiress Helen Brach disappears. She was last seen in a Minneapolis medical clinic for routine treatment. She supposedly went to the gift shop, mentioned that she was in a hurry, and never seen or heard from again.

The Brach family tomb.

    A massive manhunt was underway a few days later, but nothing ever turned up. Some believe that the 'Candy Lady' was murdered by a known Windy City Lothario named Richard Bailey who was eventually jailed for conning rich little old ladies out of their life savings, including Brach. (The judge in Bailey's racketeering case even added extra years to his sentence because of the possibility he might have gotten away with Mrs. Brach's death. I didn't even know that was legal to do...) Bailey is now in his late 80s and is still incarcerated in a Florida prison.

    Though her body was never discovered, Helen Brach was legally declared dead 7 years later in 1984. Her fortune went to the care of her beloved dogs Candy and Sugar, who are entombed in an empty crypt bearing the Candy Lady's name. 

     In the past 20 years, numerous books have been published about the Brach disappearance. Many believe that Richard Bailey and his brother Paul got Helen Brach tied up in a horse breeding scandal that attempted to defraud the mafia and Brach was murdered in retaliation for the ruse. However, nobody has ever been tried for the murder despite numerous 'eyewitness' accounts of the crime.

My theory:
Mrs. Brach was murdered for producing this cringe-worthy junk...

     That's a general overview of the case. If you are interested in reading more about the Brach disappearance and the possible mob ties involved, check out the book 'Who Killed The Candy Lady?' by James Ylisela. It seems to have some very interesting theories.

     Well, until tomorrow...