“It Was a Dichotomy that Made No Sense”- Reexamining 2011’s ‘Lee & Kirby: The Wonder years’

I’ll admit to being a bit conflicted upon reviewing Mark Alexander’s sentimental study of Stan Lee & Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four run from 2011, ‘Lee & Kirby: The Wonder Years‘, published by TwoMorrows Publishing (and doubling as the 58th issue of The Jack Kirby Collector, albeit in a deluxe, trade paperback format) for what I’d […]

Another Reason to Boycott ALTER EGO

Roy Thomas’s long-lived Alter Ego continues to be published by TwoMorrows Publishing, with issues announced as far in advance as December 2024, outliving other comic magazines in an era where print continues to falter. While I’d like to give the lion’s share of credit to the contributions of John “Mego Stretch Hulk” Cimino’s numerous essays […]

“You Sort of Believe It Actually Happened”- Examining Roy Thomas’s Comments On ‘The Great Stan Lee/Jack Kirby Debate’

At the time of this writing, Roy Thomas has just turned 83. And, in reaching another milestone in his Eighth decade I’d argue one of the more significant ones is the bestowment of the glorious nickname “The Forever Boy” by his own personal Scott Thorson/Manager/Leech John Cimino. Honestly, when this was brought to my attention, […]

“I Always Had So Many Outside Interests”- Stan Lee’s Love of Comics

We often see Stan Lee described with sobriquets such as the “Geek Godfather” and “Comics Maestro” and it’s truly understandable that the general public would keep up their association with this collective image of the man. But what occurs to me as someone who has spent years and years reading through nearly every article and/or […]

“Selfy With God”- A Look At The Banal, Misguided & Nauseating Tribute Art After Stan Lee’s Death

It’s now been half a decade since the untimely passing of Stan Lee, creator and co-creator, editor and art director, modern Mark Twain and/or Shakespeare– surely, there won’t be a dry eye in the house once we get through this highly moving selection of tribute art that arose in the days after Lee’s death in […]

“But The Work Always Consumes Me”- An In-Depth Interview With Artist JAMES ROMBERGER

Where to start and how to describe the staggering talent and versatile career of American Artist and Eisner-nominated Cartoonist James Romberger? Well known as a fine artist, his depictions of New York’s Lower East Side hang in both prestigious private collections as well as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum and others, and exhibitions […]

“The Following May Be of Interest to Stan Lee Historians…” – The Pathological Needs of Mark Evanier

Patrick Ford at The Marvel Method group brought something to my attention: a blatantly untrue statement by lifelong grifter and sociopath Mark Evanier regarding the syndicated Spider-Man newspaper strip. This in itself is nothing worth writing about- Evanier is a repeat offender when it comes to tilting towards the side that best suits him at […]

“I Guess Ditko and Jack are The Only Two Guys Who Know That…” A Brief Oral History of Stan Lee’s Responses To Kirby’s Creator Claims

(This has been compiled for the purposes of research; it is by no means complete. However, it contains the bulk of Stan Lee’s recorded public statements/responses to Jack Kirby’s claims of being the primary creator of the Marvel Universe. You will see at times that Lee is consistent in his narrative and repeats talking points. […]

“Comics Should Explore The Great Range, Opportunities of Fiction and Fantasy”- On Ditko’s Influence & Influences

You’ll have to bear with me with this entry as it’s a bit stream of consciousness and would likely be a better comment on an article than an actual article itself. It also will speculate, which I generally frown upon when pushing a case for the argument; however, I believe the speculation here has significant […]

“In A Serpent’s Nest, Nothing Can Survive.” – OR, This Is The Shit I Have To Deal With

One thing about this blog that I’d like to maintain is that I am never interested in promoting myself like an Alex Grand nor am I out to cultivate public spats and feuds like a Rich Johnston. Why, I’m even hesitant to mention their offensive names lest it appear that I, of all people, might […]