Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice (1966)

One more track from PET SOUNDS

I Know There's An Answer (Remastered)

Another great song from PET SOUNDS

The Beach Boys - God only knows

Entry #14 of My EARLY MUSICAL INFLUENCES . . . . .
Pet Sounds by THE BEACH BOYS

Gary Finds The Internet Free Good Stuff For Us, Previews More Art

EDITOR'S NOTE: Occasional columnist Gary Scott Beatty checks in again to help us find more
free viewing on the Internet to help pass the time.  Please take a minute to check out Gary's Patreon page and consider giving him a little monthly help.  . . . . . . . 

I've been having a riot coloring pages for Welcome to Dunwich. The panel above shows one of Anna's Scooby Gang coming across Taylor Davison and her kid -- inks, letters, colors. If you want to see the rest of this page, and the inks, it's posted on Patreon here. I had a harder time than I expected getting through the rape and birth H. P. Lovecraft suggests in 1929's The Dunwich Horror. Once I moved past the creepy stuff into the action I felt better about where this story is heading. +++   Fun stuff. Toy company Hasbro has released full episodes of the 1983 cartoon G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero on YouTube for free. The comic book series by Larry Hama that started a year before is a damn good read, but the impact of the cartoon itself can not be understated as one of the first, modern era pop culture phenomenons to bring kids, parents, comics, cartoons and toys together in a marketing juggernaut. G.I. Joe thwarted terrorist organizations years before the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 that lead to 19 years (so far) of America's continuous war in the Middle East. G.I. Joe also brought back the concept of soldiers being cool. We were so inundated with WWII movies and TV shows when I was a kid in the '60s, interest in soldiers without super powers took that long to come back around. Enjoy G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero free on YouTube here. +++   Random observation: Truly Scrumptious is such a James Bond woman's name. I just realized 007 author Ian Fleming wrote the book the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie is based on. And, yes, actress Sally Ann Howes is Truly Scrumptious. Not much else to recommend about this overly long movie unless you need to turn your mind off for over two hours. That's what we were doing. +++   I had to chuckle at Witchcraft, a 1964 b/w horror film, because the land developer plot is similar to the gentrification premise I have going in Welcome to Dunwich. Witchcraft is carefully crafted and well acted, and the sets have that complex, gothic look that always interests my eye. I'm surprised I hadn't seen this one, since '60s b/w horror is kind of my go-to. It takes a bit to get moving, as many '60s movies do, but Witchcraft delivers chills. I enjoyed seeing how spooky scenes built tension -- very purposeful direction from Don Sharp (The Face of Fu Manchu). Witchcraft is free with ads here on TubiTV. +++ Many like to bitch about Facebook, but tech that keeps us remotely connected has been a remarkable tool during this self quarantine. People have been wonderfully supportive in more posts than usual this last week. Maybe this is what Mark Zuckerberg originally envisioned for the social networking app: people making connections and playing nice. Stay safe and be happy. In glorious service to our Aazurn overlords, Gary Scott Beatty For in depth stuff, join me on Patreon

The 1,000 COMICS CHALLENGE, Part Five

SWEET HEART #1 (Action Lab/Danger Zone) Very weird and disturbing, which means I really liked it! A six-year old in nearby Ellicott City, MD has contact with a swampy humanoid creature, which stalks him throughout his life. Things get complicated when more family members get targeted. FOUR STARS

BILLIONAIRE ISLAND (Ahoy Comics, March 2020) Brilliant satire. One of my favorite comics of 2020. A smug super-rich villain worthy of our scorn. Five Stars.

OUTER DARKNESS / CHEW (Image Comics, March 2020) John Layman's two wild creations cross paths. And, you don't really need to be familiar with either to enjoy this. Weird space antics with food detectives. Four Stars.

STRANGE ADVENTURES #1 (DC, 2020) Tom King brings Adam Strange front and center with the help of the artistic tag team of Gerads and Shaner. I like this set-up issue. Too soon to tell, but I have high expectations for anything King does. I love that Adam's gun goes "pew, pew" when used. 4 Stars.

RISING SUN #3 of 3 (IDW) Ron Marz adapts the feudal Japan warfare and political intrigue game to comics with great results. Love the 6 clans and characterization, especially the in-fighting and distrust. 3.5 Stars

2020 FORCE WORKS #2 (Marvel) I really liked Rosenberg's Punisher vs Zemo storyline. I'm enjoying his humorous take on Hawkeye:Freefall. But I do not like his Force Works. Dull, standard Marvel action, seen it too many times. 1 Star.

4 books from AWA:

ARCHANGEL 8 #1: It would be easy to dismiss this as a Frank Castle/Punisher wannabe, but this is different. Main character is a hitman for hire. The wings on the cover appear to be symbolic, although there are religious references throughout as well as a ritual killing. Worth watching for more. 3 Stars.

HOTELL #1: The creepiest of the bunch. Pregnant mother on the run stops at a small motel on Highway 61. The motel is the nexus for each issues' grisly standalone story, a la Tales From The Crypt and others. 4 Stars.

RED BORDER #1: A couple flee the cartel and head for the Mexican border. Is their rescue friend really their friend? 3.5 Stars.

RESISTANCE #1: The best of the bunch and spot on for these times. There's no lack of theories as to what's behind a pandemic. Just as it's about to eliminate humankind, it goes away. Among the surviving five-percent are those whose abilities have been altered by the virus. 5 Stars.

The Flamin' Groovies - Whiskey Woman

You can really hear The Rolling Stones influence on this song . . . .

The Flamin' Groovies "Teenage Head"

High Flyin' Baby

Entry #13 in my Early Musical Influences. While the other San Francisco
bands in the late 1960's were into psychedelic music, these retro-rockers
kept things jumpin': from TEENAGE HEAD by The Flamin' Groovies . .

Comics Review: STRANGE ADVENTURES #1

STRANGE ADVENTURES #1 (DC Comics, MAY 2020) Writer: Tom King.  Artists: Mitch Gerards, Evan “Doc” Shaner. Letters: Clayton Cowles

  

With the release date of the BLOODSHOT It’s about time someone did a new mini-series with classic neglected DC hero Adam Strange. Tom King is a great choice to script it.

   The first issue set-up jumps back and forth between Adam’s last days on the Planet Rann before retiring to Earth with wife Alanna. Now, he’s a popular author of a memoir of his space-faring days. And, with fame comes 

attempts to discredit, as in an irate person at a book-signing event accusing Adam of criminal misdeeds. 

   Just like another book I recently read (Outer Darkness/Chew) the art choices are a team-up. You can spot the differences between Gerards’ style and Shaner’s style, but overall the transition is pretty seamless and easy on the eyes.

RATING SYSTEM

 STORY: So far so good, although I’m sure there is a lot more to come across the planned 12 issues. Wait and see. I love that Adam’s ray gun goes “pew pew” when fired.  2.5 POINTS.

ART:    The simpler style of the artistic duo suits the story very well. 2 POINTS

COVER: The main cover is a bit funny, like a defaced poster. 1 POINTS

READ AGAIN?  I already did.  1 POINT.

RECOMMEND? Too soon to tell. Based on King’s other works, yes.  1 POINT

TOTAL RATING: 7.5 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10 POINTS. BETTER THAN MOST SUPERHERO FARE.

Comics Review: OUTER DARKNESS / CHEW #1

OUTER DARKNESS / CHEW #1 (Image Comics, March 2020) Writer: John Layman.  Artists, Inks, Colors: Afu Chan, Rob Guillory. Letters: Pat Brosseau, John Layman

    I’m a fan of CHEW, the 60-issue humorous series by John Layman and Rob Guillory that wrapped up some years back, so this was a welcome return. I wasn’t so excited by the more recent OUTER DARKNESS. I only read the first issue.  I was expecting it to be funny like CHEW. Layman took a different direction with this one, a lighter tongue-in-cheek mash of science fiction and horror themes. However, after reading the first issue of this crossover, I’m seriously considering giving the OUTER DARKNESS series a second chance.

    With such disparate elements as these two stories, this team-up shouldn’t work but it does. Also, readers not familiar with either series can still follow this and enjoy it. 

   The crew of The Charon (nice reference) from OUTER DARKNESS have to placate an alien diplomat who only communicates through food. If he’s not happy with the menu, he’s very likely to eat the chef. That forces Captain Rigg to time-teleport detective Tony Chu and partner John Colby onboard for assistance. Chu is a cibopath, who gets psychic impressions from what he eats. 

  Both artists share duties during the beginning of the issue, respectively illustrating their co-creations - -Chan on Outer Darkness, and Guillory on Chew. After teleporting Chu and Colby to The Charon, Chan takes over on art. There’s a funny aside on these pages where Colby asks “Why do we look like this?”

   Layman also breaks the fourth wall later when first officer Alastor Satalis tires to explain the time/teleportation technology to Chu and concludes “It’s obviously very complicated, something a layman could never understand.

Layman replies in the footnotes/writer’s notes: It’s true! I can’t!”

RATING SYSTEM

 STORY: A promising debut with lots of familiar fun from the Chu gang and more fun than I expected from the Charon crew.  2.5 POINTS.

ART:    That great homage to classic cartoon art that helps enhance the humor without going too far.  2.5 POINTS

COVER: Simple and effective. Here he is. 1 POINTS

READ AGAIN?  Disturbingly funny.  1 POINT.

RECOMMEND? Fans of either series won’t need my recommendation — they already picked up this book. For others, if you like humorous adventure comics, check this out.  1 POINT

TOTAL RATING: 8 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10 POINTS. ABOVE THE PACK, AND RECOMMENDED.

American Mythology Offers Free Digital Issue Of STARRING SONYA DEVEREAUX

TRY STARRING SONYA DEVEREAUX FREE!

American Mythology and the creators of the B-Movie extravaganza comic series, Starring Sonya Devereaux, would like to give all our loyal fans a free digital edition of the first issue! It's our way of thanking you for your support and in giving everyone something to enjoy while we get through this situation together.  To get your FREE DIGITAL COPY OF STARRING SONYA DEVEREAUX #1 simply click on the link below, put the digital issue in your cart, and use the coupon code:  FREESONYA - Its that simple!  It's is our way of thanking you for your continued support of our comics and to hopefully spread a little joy.  Please note: Starring Sonya Devereaux is a mature readers series.

Starring Sonya Devereaux #1Digital PDF Edition (MR) (W) Todd Livingston, Nick Capetanakis (A/CA) Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim This is a digital PDF edition of Starring Sonya Devereaux #1 Naked Are The Damned. This title is for mature readers. No budget is too low, no dialog too cheesy, and no plotline too thin to keep Sonya from appearing in these straight to DVD flicks.

From the Authors:

From the multi award-winning authors Todd Livingston & Nick Capetanakis: Everybody can use a little laughter and beauty right now, so we’ve decided to share the first issue of Starring Sonya Devereaux with you for freesies.  We hope that these beautiful images created by Brendon & Brian Fraim (colored by Jordan Boyd) and slightly above-par writing will distract and entertain you for 30 minutes or so and bring some joy into your hopefully self-quarantined life.  Seriously – stay at home. This doesn’t mean invite friends & family over. Geez Louise. About the book: “Starring Sonya Devereaux” is an affectionate parody of low-to-no-budget movies; the kind that are shot on weekends and are lucky to go straight to DVD & streaming.  Each issue features a different movie.  This one is about Satan posing as a corporate CEO, using voodoo to make zombies. There is also a nude modeling agency. Sonya herself is a self-absorbed scream queen who happily accepts every role she’s offered, no matter how lousy or how much she’s paid (her bills are taken care of by her alimony from her ex-husband, leaving her to focus solely on her narcissism). We hope you enjoy it and look forward to your thoughts! Todd & Nick   .

More Sonya Devereaux Goodness:

Starring Sonya Devereaux SpiderShark vs. SnakeBear Cvr A (W) Todd Livingston (A/CA) Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim Hollywood's 306th best actress is scream queen Sonya Devereaux, whose career consists entirely of ultra-low budget, straight to DVD horror movies - the kind you find in the bargain bin at the grocery store or playing at 2am on cable TV.

Starring Sonya Devereaux Vamp Academy 4 Main Cvr (MR) (Pre Orde Cover & Art Brendon & Brian FraimWriters Todd Livingston & Nick CapetanakisHollywood's 306th best actress is B-movie scream queen Sonya Devereaux, whose career is made up entirely of low budget, straight to DVD movies - the kind you find in the bargain bin at the grocery store.

Starring Sonya Devereaux Debutante Desperado Main Cvr (MR) Cover & Art Brendon & Brian FraimWriters Todd Livingston & Nick Capetanakis Starring Sonya Devereaux: Debutante Desperado: Actors Meredith Salenger, Scott Whyte, and writer/director Eric Spudic co-star with Sonya in a low budget wacky western in which a stagecoach carrying rich college girls to Spring Break get shi-jacked.

Hey Look!  New Comics!

AM Archives Laurel & Hardy 1972 #1 Main Cvr (W) John Albano, Harry Scarpelli (A/CA) Mike Sekowsky Everyone's favorite funnymen return in a beautiful reproduction of one of the hardest to find classic humor comics of the Bronze Age! Journey with us back to 1972 to discover three silly stories of the boys' timeless antics - "Silly Saps at Sea," "Private Detectives," and "Them Desert Bones."

Casper's Spooksville #3 Main Cvr (W) Mike Wolfer, Rodolfo Mutuverria (A/CA) Eric Shanower Casper's incredible, outer space adventure continues! Hot on the trail of the aliens who stole their beloved belongings, Casper, Wendy, Hot Stuff, and Spooky track the aliens to an arid, ancient Egypt-like world of upside-down pyramids, bizarre inhabitants, and the biggest, meanest, outer space dragon you've ever seen!

Rocky & Bullwinkle As Seen on TV #3 Gallant Main Cvr (W) Todd Livingston, Todd Clark (A) Jacob Greenwalt (CA) S. L. Gallant Hey Rock - watch me pull a comic out of my hat. Presto! Gee Rock, that's not just any comic, that's the last installment of the "Now You Ceaser" story! Golly, I thought that was our lunch order.

Focus on Scary Tales

Victor Crowley's Hatchet Halloween Tales #1 Bonk Parody Cvr (W) James Kuhoric, S.A. Check, Jason Pell (A) Cyrus Mesarcia, Puis Calzada, Richard Bonk (CA) Richard Bonk Spend Halloween with three creepy tales from Honey Island Swamp! Novelist SA Check (Volcanosaurus) delivers the doomed destiny of a circus troupe attempting to add Victor Crowley to their freakshow.

Zorro Sacrilege #1 Kaluta Main Cvr (W) Mike Wolfer (A) Mauricio Melo (CA) Michael William Kaluta The legendary hero, Zorro must face something more terrifying than even the living dead - demonic possession of the innocent! Something evil has festered into the soil itself of a newly constructed canyon community as a wave of demons turn simple farming folk into bloodthirsty vile fiends.

Beware the Witch's Shadow: Happy New Fear #1 Calzada Main Cvr (MR) (W) Jason Pell, James Kuhoric (A) Rich Bonk, Dan Parson (A/CA) Puis Calzada Journey deep into the woods where the witch dwells for new stories of greed and gluttony. Here insider her hovel you will be entertained with tales of the macabre before she devours your soul.

Eternal Thirst of Dracula Book 2 #1 Kaluta Main Cvr (W) Mike Wolfer (A) Elmer Cantada (CA) Mike Kaluda Mature Readers only. The indie horror event of 2018 returns with a brand-new chapter featuring a cover by the legendary comics artist Michael (I...Vampire) Kaluta! Return to 1970's grindhouse horror as Van Hauser and Kandy Brick come to terms with the truth...

The Crossover of the Century! The Three Stooges Meet Laurel & Hardy!

Laurel & Hardy Meet The Three Stooges #1 Main Cvr (W) S.A. Check, James Kuhoric (A) Diego Tapie (CA) Eric Shanowar Two of the most beloved comedy troupes of all time meet in a once in a lifetime special event! Laurel and Hardy meet The Three Stooges in an incredible story combining their unique comedic stylings into one blockbuster tale.

Standard and Deluxe Editions Available!

Mark of Zorro: 100 Years of the Masked Avenger Art Book HC - Mass Market Ed (W) James Kuhoric (GD) Jason Ulmeyer Celebrate Zorro's centennial with a massive collector's tome of riches including rare art from Zorro pulp publications, film, television, comics, animation, and pop culture! The Mark of Zorro 100 Years of the Masked Avenger is a beautifully crafted love letter to the storied history of one of the most enduring heroes ever to grace popular culture.

Collector's Corner: Hard to Find Limited Editions Are Here! Are you looking for the rarest of the rare?  Those few editions that only the true comics hunter has found and slabbed with your favorite grading company?  We've got them - super rare editions limited to as low as 75 copies!  Check out our store to find this week's rare find: Laurel & Hardy 1972 1/350 Ltd Ed!

AM Archives Laurel & Hardy 1972 #1 Retro 1/350 Ltd Ed Cvr (W) John Albano, Harry Scarpelli (A/CA) Mike Sekowsky This rare edition is limited to just 350 copies! Everyone's favorite funnymen return in a beautiful reproduction of one of the hardest to find classic humor comics of the Bronze Age!

Underdog & Pals #3 1/350 Ltd Ed Cvr (W) Pat Shand, Mike Wolfer (A/CA) Matt Hansel This edition is Limited to just 350 total copies! The epic Underdog story "King Sinister" concludes! With Underdog under his control, will anyone be able to stop Simon Bar Sinister and Cad from taking over the city?

Rocky & Bullwinkle As Seen on TV #3 Ltd Ed 1/350 Retro Animation Cvr (W) Todd Livingston, Todd Clark (A) Jacob Greenwalt (CA) S. L. Gallant Hey Rock - watch me pull a comic out of my hat. Presto! Gee Rock, that's not just any comic, that's the last installment of the "Now You Ceaser" story! Golly, I thought that was our lunch order.

Casper's Spooksville #3 1/350 Ltd Ed Retro Animation Cvr (W) Mike Wolfer, Rodolfo Mutuverria (A/CA) Eric Shanower Edition limited to only 350 total copies!! Casper's incredible, outer space adventure continues! Hot on the trail of the aliens who stole their beloved belongings, Casper, Wendy, Hot Stuff, and Spooky track the aliens to an arid, ancient Egypt-like world of upside-down pyramids, bizarre inhabitants, and the biggest, meanest, outer space dragon you've ever seen!