Comics Corner: The Long Halloween 3

Title: Batman: The Long Halloween

Issue Number: 3

Release Date: February 1997

Highlights

• Joker's massive pistol - You have to see it to believe it, and it's funny
• Joker adds another interesting layer to the story

Low Points

• Probably the worst drawings of Joker I've ever seen in a Batman comic - Looks awful

Oddities

• Joker defeats Harvey Dent in a fight by kicking him in the privates

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Bat Symbols grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Long Halloween 2

Title: Batman: The Long Halloween

Issue Number: 2

Release Date: January 1997

Highlights

• Intriguing entry that makes you want to keep reading, but...

Low Points

• ...Felt short, and nothing really got accomplished
• Story doesn't feel like it's advancing
• Cover is misleading - Solomon Grundy is neither predominant nor relevant to the story

Oddities

• Harvey Dent got blown up, and there's not a scratch on him, yet his wife is covered head to toe in bandages in a hospital bed

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Bat Symbols grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Long Halloween 1

Title: Batman: The Long Halloween

Issue Number: 1

Release Date: December 1996

Highlights

• You can see the inspiration which lead into Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy
• Very mysterious plot builds in this first of thirteen issues
• Harvey Dent's gets blown up

Low Points

• Not sold on why Catwoman needs to be involved - She doesn't do anything

Oddities

• Artwork feels sloppy and undefined, pretty bad for a premium priced book

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Bat Symbols grading system)

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 25

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Issue Number: 25

Release Date: June 1965

Highlights

• Finally! Peter Parker makes a back-up Spider-Man costume
• First appearance of Smythe and his Spider Slayer
• First appearance of Mary Jane Watson...Except her face is hidden behind a plant and head dress
• Aunt May find's Peter's second costume and confronts him

Low Points

• J Jonah Jameson rampages through the city with a robot, but yet he's not arrested or even considered for a moment to be a villain

Oddities

• I don't understand what all the mystery is behind Mary Jane Watson that Stan and Steve kept mentioning her, but never showed her, and now even when she appears, they cover her face

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

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 24

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Issue Number: 24

Release Date: May 1965

Highlights

• Mysterio makes a mysterious entrance as the villain of the issue, disguised as Doctor Ludwig Rinehart

Low Points

• Story takes too long to get to the point, and the payoff is just Mysterio in disguise
• Boring

Oddities

• Peter Parker believes what he reads about a psychiatrist (actually Mysterio in disguise) stating Spider-Man will eventually go mad

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

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Retro Spins: Xanadu

I've never seen the movie Xanadu, nor do I honestly have any interest to.

XANADU is a look at the future and a loving remembrance of the way things were in the heyday of Hollywood. The musical score includes the hit songs "Magic," "I'm Alive," "All Over The World," "Suddenly," and the title song "XANADU." Olivia Newton-John, the screen's newest love goddess, will dazzle your senses with her luminous beauty and beautiful voice. She and Gene Kelly star in this dazzling musical fantasy. The 40s meet the 80s in XANADU, a very special love story and the first lavish, old-fashioned musical to utilize today's music. - The back cover of the original VHS

The back cover of the VHS does state it correctly. Olivia Newton-John does have a beautiful voice, and she brings her all to the soundtrack in conjunction with Electric Light Orchestra. Jeff Lynne of  ELO takes the majority of the writing credits (having penned all of side two of the album). However, there are several contributions to the album vocally, such as Olivia Newton-John, The Tubes, Cliff Richards and even Gene Kelly. It's a fantastic conglomeration of talent all under one record jacket.

What I like most about the soundtrack is its mixture of 80's and 40's style sounds - some of which gets combined in tracks. A perfect example of this is Dancin', which has a fun almost doo-wop soda shop sound to it. Because this is Olivia Newton-John, after all, you will run into a few ballads throughout the album. However, the majority of it takes the lead from ELO's style of fantastic pop synth and orchestra string style music, which I really enjoy. As such, I do have to say I favor side two of the album over side one.

When you hear the building beginning of I'm Alive, you get on the edge of your seat with an, "Oh dang, something is about to happen," feeling. Then it blasts at you with the drums and acoustic guitar as the song takes off. You then get The Fall, a track which features an almost haunting Jeff Lynne echoing in your ears. Don't Walk Away and All Over The World are good, but don't thrill as much as the first two. The album culminates in the film titled, Xanadu, which features a fantastic duet between Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. The producers were saving the best for last I guess.

Overall, I really liked this album. It was different, but at the same time really good. Perhaps it's because while it was a commercial success, it's not like I was pelted with it repeatedly on 80's airwaves. At least not by 1982, when I really started paying attention to music. It was a nice change of pace, and one I'll keep in the back of my mind when I need to get away from mainstream music, but still sit down with something enjoyable from start to finish.

Hmm...Maybe I will check out the movie.

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Gremlins Cereal (Ralston)

Gremlins Cereal
Ralston
1984

Looks like mini Gizmos. Tastes like Mr. T cereal. Considering the two came out the same year, I don't think that's a coincidence in any way. Ralston literally took the same recipe, smashed it in different molds, and slapped a new label on it. Unique in a way that this allowed for many new branded cereals for the time. Lame, because it was the same cereal.

Gremlins Cereal offered two promotions during its very limited run. The first was a plush Gizmo, which was produced and sponsored in part by Hasbro and offered as a mail away incentive. As such, these plush dolls could also easily be purchased at most retailers which sold toys during the same time period.

The second was a set of eleven stickers. These were randomly inserted into specially marked boxes, one sticker per box. These are the same stickers produced and released by Topps for their 1984 trading card set. Essentially, you didn't need to buy cereal boxes to get them all, as they could easily be obtained from wax packs.

Considering both promotions were readily available via multiple avenues, they're pretty poor incentives. At least in my opinion they are.

The cereal didn't survive all that long in 1984, and was quickly shuffled off of shelves prior to the end of the year to make way for the next branded one to take its place...Probably Mr. T.

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 23

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Issue Number: 23

Release Date: April 1965

Highlights

• The Green Goblin returns
• First appearance of Lucky Lobo
• Frederick Foswell is out of prison (see issue 10) and returns to work at the Daily Bugle
• Lucky Lobo's entire gang gets busted

Low Points

• The back and forth distrust between Peter Parker and Betty Brant has officially worn thin - One issue she doesn't trust him, the next he doesn't trust her

Oddities

• Peter Parker leaves his Spider-Man outfit just sitting on a hanger in the attic?
• Spider-Man stops mid-fight to call Aunt May and tell her he won't be home in time for dinner

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

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 22

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Issue Number: 22

Release Date: March 1965

Highlights

• Return of the Ringmaster and his gang
• The gaggle of circus creeps toss Ringmaster out of his own gang
• Peter talks about Dr. Henry Pym - As in Pym Particles, Ant Man, etc.

Low Points

• Simple heist story with little imagination, very boring

Oddities

• Spider-Man knows how to hypnotize people?

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

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 21

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Issue Number: 21

Release Date: February 1965

Highlights

• The Beetle appears in The Amazing Spider-Man for the first time, but it's not his first appearance in comics
• Shameless plug for Coke, yup, that's a highlight
• Peter Parker shouts down Johnny Storm in public 
• Peter Parker really takes it to heart that the people of the city fear him

Low Points

• From a personal perspective, Human Torch needs to politely exit Spider-Man's spotlight and go back to the Fantastic Four where he belongs 
• Betty Brant continues to prove she's nothing but emotional baggage

Oddities

• Human Torch assumes Spider-Man is behind his girlfriend going missing just because he finds webbing in her home - He's too dumb to think Spider-Man may have been trying to help?

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

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Retro Spins: The Transformers The Movie

I've never pretended to be a big Transformers fan, both of the toys or television show. In fact, I never even saw the movie until the 90's, when a friend of mine from high school ordered me a copy of the VHS from Canada - The only place it was available from at the time. It was okay, but what stood out to me much more than the film itself was the awesome soundtrack.

There's an evil new force in the universe. A monster planet that devours everything in its path. And it's heading for the small planet of Cybertron where a unique race of transforming robots continues to fight a civil ware-a war between good and evil that has raged for millions of years.

The evil Decepticon Transformers, led by the manical Megatron, have sworn to crush their enemies, the Autobots. To this end, they have relentlessly pursued them across the galaxy from planet Cybertron to planet Earth and back again. But the heroic Autobot Transformers and their courageous leader Optimus Prime are not easily defeated. - Back cover of the original VHS

One of my favorite aspects of this album is how "raw" it feels. Lots of thrashing style songs, heavy guitar licks and amazing drumming and bass work make it equal to that of your high profile heavy metal hair band of the 80's. It's mixed well with a handful of wonderful ballad and uptempo synthesizer led instrumental tracks from Vince DiCola.

Some of my all time favorites include Instruments of Destruction from N.R.G., Dare from Stan Bush, Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way from Spectre General, The Transformers from Lion and Escape from Vince DiCola. Though it's by no means the only way you can hear or get it, I also enjoy how the album ends with "Weird Al" Yankovic's Dare To Be Stupid, a track heard in the film during the scene on Junkion.

It's got its hits and misses, but overall, The Transformers The Movie album is pretty solid and it stands up to the test of time. Unfortunately, it's a little tough to come by these days. It crops up on ebay in batches, but it's going to cost you between $30.00 and $70.00, depending on the seller.

There's also an equally costly 20th Anniversary edition which includes a few bonus track, all of which are from Vince DiCola. Additionally, there's an alternate take of the opening theme by Vince DiCola and Stan Bush. After having a listen to this version, I'm glad Lion got the honors for the theme. Their version is far superior. 

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The Game Of Jaws (Ideal)

The Game Of Jaws
Ideal
1975

You know, if I've seen Jaws, I don't remember it. I think I've seen it...I remember owning it on VHS along with Jaws 2, Jaws 3D and Jaws: The Revenge. I have to believe because of this I've seen it. However, now that I think about it, I don't really remember any of the content in the films. Hmm....

Despite its popularity, it's difficult to make merchandise around that of a shark and the few humans which were relevant in the movie. Of course, considering it was 1975, and nobody was really banking big money on movie tie-in merchandise, it's irrelevant. Not only was there limited Jaws merchandise available, the stuff that did exist was all only relatable in the name, and not the human characters.

Take for example the 1975 Ideal game, The Game of Jaws. The concept was a take on Milton Bradley's Operation (1965). Although, without the buzzers and body parts.

The premise was to fill Jaws' mouth with all the games "junk pieces", and then be the first person to remove four from his mouth with your gaff hook. If you didn't do it correctly, the mouth would snap shut, and your turn was over. 

Honestly, it doesn't sound like all that bad of a game. I could see a younger version of myself having a lot of fun playing this with my siblings and / or friends. Heck, it wouldn't even have to be called Jaws to sell it. A game like this could have easily stood on its own.

The downer to this game is finding one complete with all the pieces and being relatively cheap. Getting one in the box with all the parts will easily set you back seventy dollars or more. Ouch. While I know there are some high tech board games out there these days that can set you back that kind of scratch, this one here is by no means fancy in any way. Not sure I would personally see the value in that, but then again I can't even remember if I've seen the movies or not. So, you know, not exactly a fan over here.

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2020 Toy and Comic Events Calendar

Like toys? Like comics? Live in the Northern Virginia area? Mayhaps it would be desirable for you to patron these local events in 2020! I know I am.

***POTENTIAL POSTPONEMENTS AND / OR CANCELLATIONS MAY BE OCCURRING AS A RESULT OF THE CORONAVIRUS. MAKE SURE YOU INQUIRE WITH THE VARIOUS EVENT HOLDERS BEFORE TREKKING OUT FOR THEM.***

Shoff's Comic and Cards (Sports and Non-Sports) Card Show
Date: February 23, 2020
Hours: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Annandale Fire House Expo Hall - 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Virginia 22003
Admission: $3.00

Shoff's Comic Con
Date: March 8, 2020
Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Frederick Maryland Calarion Inn - 5400 Holiday Drive, Frederick, Maryland 21703
Admission: $8.00

Shoff's Comic and Cards (Sports and Non-Sports) Card Show
Date: March 29, 2020
Hours: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Annandale Fire House Expo Hall - 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Virginia 22003
Admission: $3.00

The Great Philadelphia Comic Con
Date: April 3 - 5, 2020 New Date: September 4 - 6, 2020
Hours: Varies based on package
Location: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19460
Admission:Varies based on package, 3-day pass $69.95

Awesome Con
Date: May 1 - 3, 2020
Hours: Varies based on package
Location: Washington Convention Center - 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Admission: Varies greatly, 3-day pass $80.00
Coronavirus Update: Click HERE

Tidewater Comic Con POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 15 - 16, 2021
Date: May 16 - 17, 2020 POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Hours: Varies based on day
Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
Admission: Varies based on day, weekend pass $75.00

Shoff's Comic and Cards (Sports and Non-Sports) Card Show CANCELLED
Date: May 9, 2020
Hours: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Annandale Fire House Expo Hall - 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Virginia 22003
Admission: $3.00

Fredericksburg Comic and Toy Show (Formerly Fredcon)
Date: July 11, 2020
Hours: Varies based on ticket, no later than 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center - 2371 Carl D Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Admission: $10.00 - $15.00


Dave Hart's Baltimore Toy and Collectibles Show
Date: July 18, 2020
Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Timonium Fairgrounds - 2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21003
Admission: $5.00

Dave Hart's Mega Flea Market
Date: July 19, 2020
Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Timonium Fairgrounds - 2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21003
Admission: Free

Brickfair Lego Fan Expo
Date: August 1 - 2, 2020
Hours: Varies by day
Location: Dulles Expo Center - 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, Virginia 20151
Admission: Varies based on day

Fairfax Comic Con
Date: August 22 - 23, 2020
Hours: Saturday - 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Dulles Expo Center - 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, Virginia 20151
Admission: $12.50 - $35.00

New York Comic Con
Date: October 8 - 11, 2020
Hours: Varies based on day
Location: Javits Center - 429 11th Avenue, New York, New York, 10001
Admission: Not available yet

Baltimore Comic Con
Date: October 23 - 25, 2020
Hours: Varies based on day
Location: Baltimore Convention Center - 1 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
Admission: Varies based on day and package, $65.00 three day pass

Do you know of any I didn't mention? Please post it in the comments section!

You can fill in your down time between all of these great shows by hitting some awesome toy and comic shops in the area.

Big Planet Comics
426 Maple Avenue E
Suite 4721
Vienna, Virginia 22180
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Wednesday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sadurday 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(703) 242-9412
Other locations in Washington DC, Bethesda Maryland and College Park Maryland

Lost In Time Toys
11200 Scaggsville Road
Suite 105
Fulton, Maryland 20759
Monday through Saturday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM and Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(301) 776-8697

The Toy Exchange
1001 Twin Arch Road
Suite 12
Mt. Airy, Maryland 21771
Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(301) 829-0700

Tosche Station
7521 Huntsman Boulevard
Springfield, Virginia 22153
Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
(703) 489-2912

Victory Comics
586 S Washington Street
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
Monday through Friday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
(703) 241-9393

Know of any other vintage toy or comic shops? Drop their name in the comments section!

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