Twomorrows Publishing

Creative Team

• AJim Shooter
• AJohn Byrne
• WRoger Ash
• CAMike Zeck
• CAJohn Beatty

Description

Back Issue! #171 celebrates Jim Shooter’s years at Marvel with a look at The Shooter Era! We examine Shooter as writer on such titles as Secret Wars, Avengers, and Star Brand. We also look at comics that were created during his time as Marvel’s editor in chief, such as Moonshadow, the death of Phoenix, and Roger Stern’s run on Spider-Man. Featuring the work of Jim Shooter, Mike Zeck, John Beatty, J.M. DeMatteis, Jon J. Muth, Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Roger Stern, John Romita Jr., and others. With a Secret Wars cover by Mike Zeck and John Beatty. Edited by Roger Ash.

Creative Team

• A/CASteve Ditko
• ABrinke Stevens
• WPeter Normanton

Description

“In this issue, I, the Cryptologist, raise Steve Ditko’s otherworldly artistry from the depths to showcase an eerie selection of his extra-dimensional terrors. Then we begin a two-part celebration of 1944’s House of Frankenstein, a veritable monsterfest if ever there was one. If that’s not enough, we’ll meet up with some delightful leading ladies of horror, among them Hazel Court, Brinke Stevens, Barbara Shelley, Martine Beswick, and Ingrid Pitt—but be careful not to fall head over heels for their charms; you might (not) live to regret it. If you do escape those cinema sirens, the darkly mirthful creations of Charles Addams will be here to raise a guffaw or two. Our spine-tingling foray into pre-Code horror comics continues, and as you’ve come to expect from Cryptology, there will be more Hammer horror treasures, along with other forgotten terrors from the past. If you never get your fill of chills, acquire this latest issue of Cryptology, the only read for retro horror fans!”

Creative Team

• A/CAJack Kirby
• WJohn Morrow
• WJon B. Cooke

Description

In the tradition of his past books Kirby & Lee: Stuf’ Said and Old Gods & New, Jack Kirby Collector #98 explores the King’s final act in comics and animation, in this first-ever overview of that largely undocumented era by editor John Morrow. Marvelmation examines the climax of Kirby’s storied life and career, from his return to Marvel Comics in 1976, through his lengthy stint in 1980s animation, up to his passing in 1994. This double-size book examines the the highs and lows of his 1970s Marvel output (Captain America, Black Panther, Machine Man, Eternals, 2001, and Devil Dinosaur), digging deep into the whys and wherefores of those creations. Jon B. Cooke delves into the Marvel inter-office politics that threatened to squelch Kirby’s creativity, and led him to abandon mainstream comics to produce Captain Victory and Silver Star for Pacific Comics, thumb his nose at Marvel with Destroyer Duck, and make a triumphant return to DC Comics in 1984 with SUPER POWERS and THE HUNGER DOGS. Jim Shooter gives his take on Marvel’s side of the Kirby original art battle in a never-published interview, while unseen correspondence sheds new light on that painful episode in Jack’s life. Plus there’s extensive coverage of Jack’s animation career, from the 1978 Depatie-Freleng New Fantastic Four cartoon, to Thundarr the Barbarian and other Ruby-Spears projects, including a host of shows you never knew Kirby was involved with. Finally, it focuses on his years of retirement, sharing memories from fans, family, and friends who give us a better understanding of how he viewed his legacy, and the resolution of numerous unused concepts he left behind at Topps Comics and elsewhere. It includes extensive art galleries of both comics pencil art and animation concepts, and heartwarming photos that provide a proper farewell to the King of Comics!