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    Suspended Animation: Hal Foster: Prince of Illustrators, Father of the Adventure Strip 

    Published on 04-25-2012 06:20 AM  Number of Views: 193 
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    1. Suspended Animation
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    Hal Foster: Prince of Illustrators, Father of the Adventure Strip

    I was in my late twenties before I took a good look at Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant, despite being a fan of comic books and strips since childhood. Maybe it came with the passage of time, and further education in the art form of comics, but a deep appreciation for his work eventually materialized. And then solidified. Then, marked me for life. That’s why I’m so thankful for Brian M. Kane, and his book Hal Foster: Prince ...
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    Suspended Animation: Interview with Doug Wheatley 

    Published on 04-12-2012 06:31 AM  Number of Views: 83 
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    1. Suspended Animation
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    Interview with Doug Wheatley

    As a fan of comic books and strips for over 35 years, I actively refer to Doug Wheatley as “an artist’s artist”. All that really means is that, in my eyes, he is one of the most accomplished artisans in the comics industry, today. While I can only speak for myself, however, I suspect that his refined, realistic style has convinced many other fans of the same. It was a pleasure to conduct this short interview with him, and I appreciate his patient, enthusiastic ...
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    Suspended Animation: Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5 

    Published on 03-28-2012 03:51 AM  Number of Views: 122 
    Categories:
    1. Superhero
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    Essential Fantastic Four Volume 5
    Published by Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
    568 pages
    $16.99

    The last four installments of Suspended Animation have dealt heavily with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s breathtaking 1960s run on Marvel’s Fantastic Four. And, while the remarkable quality of the legendary duo’s work was monumentally maintained in the fifth volume, a subject which cannot escape inspection is the passing of the artistic baton, first to stand-in artist John Romita, then to the second ongoing penciler in the book’s history, the renowned John Buscema. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Essential Fantastic Four Volume 4 

    Published on 03-14-2012 02:03 AM  Number of Views: 143 
    Categories:
    1. Superhero
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    Essential Fantastic Four Volume 4
    Published by Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
    536 pages
    $16.99

    The Fantastic Four was, for some time, Marvel Comics' flagship book. And for good reason. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's historic work on the mag remains a measuring rod for comic book stories, even today. And the inspiration gained by fans during the Silver Age is mirrored by their modern day counterparts who are fortunate enough to uncover this sequential gem.
    ...
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    Suspended Animation: Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 3 

    Published on 02-29-2012 05:05 AM  Number of Views: 152 
    Categories:
    1. Superhero
    2. Suspended Animation
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    Essential Fantastic Four Volume 3
    Published by Marvel Comics
    520 pages
    $16.99

    Simon and Garfunkel. Burns and Allen. Conway and Knotts. Sonny and Cher. Abbot and Costello. What do these duos have in common? They produced a lot of entertainment, for a lot of people, which will be remembered for a long time. Of course, we can add many more to such a list, but the duo this column is concerned with is Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, as the look back on their classic work ...
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    Suspended Animation: Essential Fantastic Four Volume 2 

    Published on 02-14-2012 04:09 AM  Number of Views: 236 
    Categories:
    1. Superhero
    2. Suspended Animation
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    Essential Fantastic Four Volume 2
    Published by Marvel Comics
    528 pages
    $19.99

    Some transformations are entertaining to watch. Some are not. A loud, funny comedian (or comedienne), morphing into a loud, obnoxious politician or political commentator? Not fun. Jack Kirby in the early ?60?s, developing his drawing style into one of the biggest, boldest and most daring the world of comic books and strips has ever seen? Like Willy Wonka?s chocolate factory for the eyes. Add Stan Lee?s increasingly enjoyable writing, combined with his illustrative alliterations, and you have the treasure that is Marvel?s Essential Fantastic Four Volume 2. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Essential Fantastic Four Volume 1 

    Published on 01-31-2012 02:52 AM  Number of Views: 216 
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    1. Suspended Animation
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    Essential Fantastic Four Volume 1
    Review by Mark Allen
    Published by Marvel Comics
    544 pages
    $16.99

    Marvel Masterworks, or Marvel Essentials? Whichever a person chooses to consume the first 20 issues (and Annual #1) of The Fantastic Four is, for all intents and purposes, inconsequential. That is, unless you judge a great comics experience by whether or not the strip is in color. If so, you will be depriving yourself of some of the great works of the medium. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Comic Book Literacy 

    Published on 01-12-2011 08:34 AM  Number of Views: 987 

    As a 35-year comics fan, it?s always satisfying to me when I find the medium of comic books examined in a meaningful way. Unfortunately, it doesn?t seem to happen enough by way of video documentary. However, for fans of comic books, there is a new light on the horizon...

    The documentary, Comic Book Literacy, by Todd Kent, is an engrossing piece containing interviews with the likes of Art Spiegelman, Joe Quesada, Paul Dini, Scott McCloud, and many more professional comics producers. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Spiderman/Kingpin: To the Death 

    Published on 03-27-2010 08:18 AM  Number of Views: 579 
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    Spiderman/Kingpin: To the Death
    ?1997 Marvel Comics
    Priced at $5.99.

    Spider-Man has gone berserk, preying on the criminals of New York City. The bullet-ridden corpses of both small-time crooks and "made men" are turning up, with witnesses screaming the same statement made by the evidence; Spiderman has turned killer! This is all news, however, to Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, as he finds himself hunted by the law and superheroes alike. Only one member of the super-powered community believes Spidey is innocent, and it is the man who may know him best of all; Daredevil. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Lou Fine 

    by
    Dave
    Published on 03-21-2010 11:04 AM  Number of Views: 703 
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    Lou Fine spent less than six years as a professional comics artist, but has had more influence than some who spent a lifetime in the field.

    Born in November of 1914, Fine was stricken with Polio as a child, leaving him with a bad leg, and restricting him from physical and athletic games with his peers. As a result, he focused his time and attention on drawing. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Planet Hulk 

    Published on 03-12-2010 06:07 AM  Number of Views: 677 
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    The Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk
    Published by Marvel Publishing, Inc.
    416 pages
    $34.99 retail

    After hearing about it for the last few years, this Johnny-come-lately finally sat down and read Planet Hulk. In my defense, I believe I am part of a growing group of comics fans who are being forced by escalating prices, not only to ?wait for the trade?, but to wait for it to go on sale on Amazon or Ebay. Sue me. ...
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    Suspended Animation: Jezebel Jade 

    Published on 03-05-2010 06:40 AM  Number of Views: 799 
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    Jezebel Jade
    Published by Comico Comic Company
    32 pages

    One of my all-time-favorite comic book stories is Jezebel Jade. If you recognize the name, then you've probably seen at least one of the only two Johnny Quest episodes in which she appeared. And, I'm talking about the original '60's series, not the one produced in the '90's. ...
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    Suspended Animation: E.J. Pace: Christian Cartoonist 

    Published on 02-26-2010 01:05 PM  Number of Views: 685 
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    E.J. Pace: Christian Cartoonist
    Published by Calvary Comics
    248 pages
    $19.95

    As a committed fan of comic strips and comic books, I?m interested in the influence of those media, both past and present. As an even more committed Christian, I?m fascinated at how they have been used to communicate the message of the Bible. E.J. Pace: Christian Cartoonist, by Alec Stevens, helps satiate both interests. ...
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