Retro Spins: Pointer Sisters - Break Out

My introduction to the Pointer Sisters was via the 1983 Eddie Murphy film, Beverly Hills Cop, which featured Neutron Dance. In and of itself, it was a hot, hot, hot soundtrack. However, if you want to hear about that, you'll have to click "HERE". Today, I'm talking specifically about the girls.

Break Out is an interesting title for their 1983 album because it was far from their first. It wasn't even their second or third. Nope, by '83, they were releasing their tenth studio album. It would also be the record which brought the trio their most success.

It was while listening and writing this post that I discovered I did not have the original version of this album. The first pressings included a song entitled, Nightline. However, when Break Out was re-released in 1984, this track was removed. In its place was a remixed version of the group's single from their prior album, So Excited! (1982). That song of course was, I'm So Excited. After doing a quick Youtube search of the omitted track, I'm totally fine with this. I'd much rather have the latter song.

In total, there were four chart toppers from the album. These were, Jump (For My Love), which peaked at number three, Automatic, which peaked at number five, Neutron Dance, which peaked at number six and the remixed I'm So Excited, which peaked at number nine.

As it starts up, Break Out delivers three solid tracks in a row with, Jump (For My Love), Automatic, which is my personal favorite from the girls and then I'm So Excited. But it then takes a bit of a dip with I Need You, but then comes back in a big way with, Neutron Dance.

Unfortunately, this momentum dives down fast after this. The rest of the album doesn't feel as refined and polished as the aforementioned hits. As if the momentum couldn't be kept up. In fact, I dare say, the rest of the album isn't even worth listening to. It's just not any good. It has its hits, and that's what I recommend sticking with.

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Baltimore Comic Con 2023: Part III - Alex Saviuk, Howard Mackie, Howard Chaykin, and Keith Williams

The good times and autographs continued at Baltimore Comic Con 2023.

Alex Saviuk after signing my convention book

Alex Saviuk was a true pleasure to meet. He was so nice that I had no problem running a personal errand for him to deliver a message, and returning back to him with said answer - More on that in a moment.

I actually had quite a few books that I initially wanted signed by him, but when I found that his rates weren't the $5.00 per book I initially researched (a common problem I found), I had to edit myself. While I ended up getting six books signed by him, four of them were duel signed, as you'll see below.

The Amazing Spider-Man
Aim Toothpaste give away

Now that I have this Aim Toothpaste promo, I'm hoping to get it signed by Jim Shooter at Big Lick NOVA 2024. Apparently, and per Jim, he's been invited to attend all Big Lick shows. So, hopefully he'll be there. Of course, Mr. Shooter and I also have to have a discussion about the $200.00 he owes me if he isn't going to deliver on the sketch I purchased and paid for at NOVA 2023. I get it. The guy's busy, but he's not even responding to my e-mails acknowledging that he hasn't delivered on the drawing, or when he plans to.

Web of Spider-Man 70
First appearance of Spider-Hulk

But first, as I said, I ran an errand for Mr. Saviuk. When he heard my next stop was Bob Wiacek's table, he was openly surprised to hear he was at the show. I told him what table number, showed him on the map, and then delivered a message to Mr. Wiacek that Alex was very interested in catching up with him. I then returned with Bob's own message, more on that in another post.

Howard Mackie signing my convention book

Howard Mackie was sharing a booth with Terry Kavanagh, but unfortunately, the only thing I had for Mr. Kavanagh was my convention book, which he was still happy to sign. Mr. Mackie, on the other hand, signed my first and second prints of Web of Spider-Man 90, the first appearance of Spider-Man 2099 (on a fold out poster inside).

Howard Chaykin

Additionally, Howard Chaykin signed these issues for me, as he too worked on them.

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Though there's nothing special about Web of Spider-Man 10, I really dig the artwork, so I decided to get that one signed as well.

Keith Williams seemed genuinely appreciative of the folks who stopped by his table to get autographs, and I'm kicking myself for not getting a photo of him. Needless to say, the timeline of table stops above didn't happen in that specific order, and by this time in the day, my brain and body was done. I could barely stay coordinated and organized, so taking pictures wasn't at the forefront of my mind.

1st appearance of Tombstone

1st appearance of Demogoblin

Of course I rounded out each table visit with an autograph to my convention book, but that post is going to wrap everything up when we get there.

For those of you searching the internet for autograph pricing, all of these creators were charging $10.00 each for signatures.

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Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 4

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 4
Release Date: March 1977

Highlights

• First appearance of Hitman (alias Burt Kenyon), Kwirkegard (in a Hostess Twinkie ad), Joe Knuckles, and Achmed Korba (who would become Brother Power)
• Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 105, 166, and Captain America 183
• Flash Thompson runs into Sha Shan, a girl he met in Vietnam, and hadn't see since The Amazing Spider-Man 109, but she flees from him - The mystery begins
• Hostess Cupcake ad starring Iron Man

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 166

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 166
Release Date: March 1977

Highlights

• Marla Madison presents J. Jonah Jameson with an all new Spider Slayer
• Harry Osborn and Liz Allen announce their engagement at Flash Thompson's Christmas party
• Stegron sinks to the bottom of an icy pond - Is he dead? No.

Low Points

• Really...Another Spider Slayer?
• Reading the word, "whelp" over and over and over and over and over...

Oddities

• Writer's day off: Spider-Man visits Mrs. Connors, who regales him with the events of her husband transforming back into the Lizard (as occurred in the prior issue) - The problem with this is that she wasn't there when it happened, and shouldn't know anything about it
• Why are Harry and Liz getting married? They dated like five minutes

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 165

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 165
Release Date: February 1977

Highlights

• Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 13, and 20
• Peter and Mary Jane have a heart to heart, trying to come to terms of what exactly they mean to each other
• Doctor Curt Connors transforms once again into the Lizard

Low Points

• I'm really not a fan of Stegron

Oddities

• Stegron take's Doctor Curt Connor's son captive, and tells the doc that if he doesn't go to his lab where Stegron has placed all the items he will need with instructions to make what he wants that he will kill the boy - So wait...you already have all the items you need, a lab that you put them in, and the instructions? Why do you need Doctor Connor to do it for you?

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 3

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 3
Release Date: February 1977

Highlights

• First full appearance of Lightmaster, AKA Edward Lansky

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Marvel writing their dialog for Asian folks - Feels wrong

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 2

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 2
Release Date: January 1977

Highlights

• First appearance of Richard Gorman
• Additional cameo appearance of Lightmaster, from his original cameo in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man issue 1
• Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 54, 111, 156, and 164
• Something is wrong with doctor Curt Connors - Is he changing into the Lizard again?
• Peter helps to get his neighbor, Gloria Grant, a job as J. Jonah Jameson's new secretary
• Because of his numerous defeats by Spider-Man's hand, Kraven the Hunter has been forced to lower his fees as a mercenary
• Hostess Fruit Pies ad starring the Incredible Hulk
• Spider-Man and Captain America in a Ricochet Racer toy ad

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Editor's day off: "Surrender now, I perhaps you may still survive."

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Talking Heads - Speaking In Tongues

I don't know much about Talking Heads. My introduction to them was in 1984's Revenge Of The Nerds, when the Alpha Betas burn their house down, ironically to the tune, Burning Down The House. Admittedly, It's not one of my favorites. However, as a band who had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I had to believe there was something to them that I was missing.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the group. Of their eight full length studio albums, I can name two songs from them I like. While it may not seem like much, because it isn't, it was at least enough that I decided to nab a couple of records from them. I picked up, Speaking In Tongues, Little Creatures and True Stories.

With all of these ready to go, I figured I'd start with the earlier of the three, Speaking In Tongues. It starts up with aforementioned Burning Down The House. However, from there, it gets a little weird. I'm not sure what I would call the band's style. It's like nothing I've really ever heard before. Their wiki page describes it as a fusion of punk, art rock, funk and world music. The art rock portion I can definitely agree with. The others, not at all.

Despite, or perhaps because of its odd sound, I really wasn't able to get into this album. I like my songs to be singable, not that I do much of that. But, that aspect definitely wasn't here. Everything was just odd. Maybe I just didn't get it.

It was because of this that I really didn't understand what all the hype was that this band went on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Further investigation didn't help matters. I checked them out on Billboard, only to find that of their eight hits which charted, only one cracked the top ten. Two made it into the top twenties, while the rest were between the fifties and nineties. This is certainly not a band I would have selected to be inducted. I suppose, if nothing else, I at least don't feel like I'm the one who's missing something here. The charts speak for themselves.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Baltimore Comic Con 2023: Part II - Jon Bogdanove, Judy Bogdanove, Louise Simonson And Walter Simonson

Let the autographs begin!

Walter and Louise Simonson

These were tough autographs to get. Every time I came to their table the line was either already cut off for a break that was coming up, or in the case of Jon Bogdanove, he was in the middle of a commission - More on that in a moment.

These weren't my first autographs to get, and by the time I did, I was so tired, my binders were disorganized, I was hungry, I was dehydrated, and my feet were killing me. However, the tried and true lessons that you learn as a child ring true, even when one is at the point of exhaustion.

While Mrs. Simonson was still signing autographs, her husband was finalizing three remarks (headshot drawings on books) for people, and then the two were leaving for the day. As Louise signed my books, I said to her, "I really hate to be that guy..." she was then interrupted, and had to go pose for a photo. When she came back, I smiled, and politely said again, "I really hate to be that guy, and I know your husband is cut off for the day, but do you think he would at least sign my convention book?" She responded, "If you want to get in the back of the line, I'll make sure he signs it before we leave.

In hindsight, I'm kicking myself for not getting my Web of Spider-Man issue one signed by Mrs. Simonson. It was in one of my binders. But again, I was so spent at this point, that thinking wasn't my strong suit. I would also later find out that between Galaxy Con Richmond, and Baltimore Comic Con, I totally missed two of the prologue books in the Death of Superman series. So, neither of those are signed. I do hope an opportunity arises to rectify these oversights.

In conjunction with the Simonsons, I stopped at Jon and Judy Bogdanove's table.

Jon and Judy Bogdanove...They're so in love!

Jon Bogdanove is a man dedicated to his craft. I had to get in his line three times, the last time waiting thirty minutes for he and his wife to come back before I finally got my stuff signed.

If you ask Jon for a sketch, he will oblige (for a fee of course), and he will do it on the spot...regardless of how many people are in his line. The first time I was in his line, this is what he was doing. After waiting thirty minutes, and getting a call from a buddy who was in another line elsewhere for me that he was nearing the front, I had to bail. When I returned, the line was cut off. Oh well...Third time was a charm.

Death of Superman Prologue
Doomsday's fists cameo
Also signed by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman Prologue
Doomsday's fists cameo
Also signed by Dan Jurgens
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Doomsday's first full appearance
Also signed by Dan Jurgens
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Also signed by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Also signed by Dan Jurgens
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Also signed by Dan Jurgens
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Also signed by Dan Jurgens
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Also signed by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Death of Superman
Polybagged variant
Also signed by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Return of Superman
Also signed by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

Return of Superman
Polybagged variant
Also signed by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
at Galaxy Con Richmond 2023

The Amazing Spider-Man: Adventures in Reading
Giant Foods give away

The Simonson's and Bogdonove's were so nice to their fans, and it was a pleasure meeting them. I look forward to them being at a future convention in my area so that I can get my remaining (missed) books signed. Hopefully that opportunity comes up, but if it doesn't, I'm very happy to have gotten signed what I did.

For those of you interested in rates, the Simonson's had a tip jar, which you could pay as little or as much as you liked. The Bogdanove's signed the first book free, and charged $5.00 for each additional.

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Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 52

   

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 52
Release Date: December 1976

Highlights

• First and only appearance of Abner Doolittle
• Reference is made to Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 1, Captain America 201, 202, Marvel Premiere 20, and Tales of Suspense 75
• Aunt May gets out of the hospital, after being sent there during the events in The Amazing Spider-Man 159

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Rather than try to help the scared and confused unnamed creature, Captain American instead sets a bomb to kill it

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 164

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 164
Release Date: January 1977

Highlights

• Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 85, 153, 154 and Captain America 148
• Kingpin uses the vita-drain to remove Spider-Man's life force, and resurrect his son, Richard...Will Spider-Man survive? Yes
• Kingpin and Spider-Man fall to the ocean, but only Spider-Man comes up. Is this the death of Kingpin? No.

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Life stealing beams

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 163

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 163
Release Date: December 1976

Highlights

• Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 153, 154, 158, 160, and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 1

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Spider-Man forms a giant ball around himself to protect him from falling from the sky - Too reminiscent of the fridge scene from Crystal Skulls
• Kingpin says he wants the pleasure of finishing Spider-Man with his bare hands, then promptly hits him with a desk...Um...That's not your hands, bro

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 1

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 1
Release Date: December 1976

Highlights

• Spider-Man's third ongoing series official begins
• Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 134, 135, 148, and 163
• Foreshadowing cameo appearance of Light Master
• Hostess Twinkie ad starring Spider-Man and the Fly

Low Points

• Too wordy for my tastes
• A missed opportunity by Marvel to launch a new Spider-Man series with a bang - This story could have easily just been a throw away in The Amazing Spider-Man, and didn't warrant an all new series

Oddities

• Some of the word on the pages are too thick, ink wise, making them impossible to read.

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 51

   

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 51
Release Date: November 1976

Highlights

• Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 13
• Phillip DeWolff takes over his son's body, and he becomes the Wraith
• Hostess Cupcake full page ad staring the mighty Thor

Low Points

• The story arc started off strong in issue 48, but tanks by its conclusion in 51
• Not an exciting read

Oddities

• The Alpha-Jammer that Iron Man put on Phillip's head in the past issue worked as a standalone piece of equipment, but in this issue is plugged in to a computer, which when unplugged allows him to once again control his son's mind - Why does it suddenly need to be plugged in to work?
• Editor's day off: "We don't to burn them out."

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Yes - 90125

Yes....Mmm....No.

I'm confused by what Yes's style of music is. It feels very rock opera, but without an actual story in place. Or rather, if there is, I completely missed the point. I didn't hate 90125. I just didn't understand what the band was going for.

Of the nine songs on the album, I can pretty much start and stop with track one, Owner Of A Lonely Heart. It's the reason I bought 90125, and it's the only thing I came away with after hearing it.

I've seen it stated that essentially one would appreciate this album more if they had an understanding and appreciation for prior Yes records. However, I have to argue that point. While that may be true, any album should stand on its own. I shouldn't have to like a band in general to be able to enjoy a random album from them. In fact, I would dare say that doesn't make them good. It just makes them familiar, and therefore, tolerable. You know, kind of how Queen fans give Hot Space a pass because it's Queen. Doesn't make it a good album on its own merrit.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Baltimore Comic Con 2023: Part I

Baltimore Comic Con struck between Friday, September 8, and Sunday, September 10, and the crowds came out in droves. This place was so busy, and lines so long, that I didn't get to accomplish hunting down all the autographs I wanted, let alone even getting an opportunity to actually walk around and enjoy the various vendors. It probably didn't help that I only had a Saturday pass, so time was extremely limited for me, on what was probably the busiest day for the show.

Between not being able to see everything, along with standing in line all day, I definitely need to reassess future conventions for just how important a specific signature is. Mainly, I think I'm going to focus on specific story lines, and not necessarily worry about key appearances. This will not only free up my time to enjoy everything, but greatly reduce the costs involved.

It's difficult to plan for these shows because the "artists" don't list their pricing in advance. Because of this, I tend to bring more than I should because I don't want to be without something if the price is too good to pass up.

A perfect example of this is when I went to Big Lick NOVA in 2023, and Rick Leonardi was signing things for a dollar. Well, at that price, it's easy to say, "Yes, please sign my entire fifty issue run."

However, when you expect an artist to be free, such as what all signs pointed to would be the case for Jim Starlin, (I don’t usually charge for signatures at conventions. - Jim Starlin on his own Facebook page) and you take eighteen books only to be told it's twenty dollars per signature, you've not only overpacked, but have to make decisions on the fly of what is important. It gets frustrating fast, and I wish these folks would just be transparent on the guest page so that people could plan accordingly.

All of the above taken into consideration, I don't want it to be thought that I didn't have a good time. I had a budget, I actually came in well under said budget, and got a lot of things signed. Were there things I wanted to get signed that I didn't? Absolutely, and I will certainly elaborate on these. However, I'm not going to let not getting things signed over shadow the wonderful things I did get signed. Plus, I suppose since I am writing this the Sunday after, it's not like I couldn't have jumped back in my car and headed back (purchasing a ticket at the door).

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