FACTS MACHINE

Movies. Comics. Beer. Death Metal.

[browsethestacks]

The Art Of Chris Giarrusso

[biggoonie]

Shanna, The She-Devil #1-7 by Frank Cho

[vintagegeekculture]

In Mexico, publisher La Prensa stopped reprinting Spider-Man after #119, because they believed the audience wouldn’t accept Gwen Stacy dying. So they did over 45 issues of original content, which included an issue where he married Gwen Stacy (who didn’t die): 

[boanertitz]

RIP tumblr titties

[marvel-dc-art]

Batman: Kings of Fear #3 - “Evaluation” (2018) pencil & ink by Kelley Jones color by Michelle Madsen

[vintagenola]

American Drug Store at 1100 Tulane Avenue - 1952

Via the Franck - Bertacci Photographers Collection

[metallianvalidor]

Julie Bell art

[metallianvalidor]

Ken Kelly for Manowar

[vintagegeekculture]

Model work and blue screen effects behind the scenes for the original Star Trek series.

[vintagegeekculture]

well did they elect to kill Robin or not?

Yes. My understanding is that it actually was incredibly close, only a few dozen votes. 

There is something extremely crass and a bit mean spirited about electing to kill an unpopular character by holding a popularity contest. What’s interesting is that Jason Todd’s controversial “lil’ stinker” personality was something that came in out of nowhere and was not how the character was initially introduced.

There are several really great stories, like the Teen Titans Zendia story arc, where Jason Todd was presented as not very physically impressive or powerful, but quick thinking and resourceful, who takes full advantage of the fact his enemies underestimated and ignored him (this was how he was presented in Moore’s Man Who Has Everything as well - people forget that Jason Todd saved the day in that one). 

If a character isn’t working, or is widely disliked or controversial, the solution is not to give up, make them a part of a crass stunt. The solution differs from character to character, but it’s important to start with empathy. For instance, one way is to “get the audience on their side” by having them go through setbacks, so empathy gets the audience rooting for them (have their girlfriend or boyfriend leave them, have them lose their job, etc.)

I do dimly recall hearing that Jason Todd came back into the comics in some way. My knowledge of comics has a “cutoff point” so I can’t tell you any more, except that that’s one hell of a trick, considering there was a body. Other people can probably tell you more about that.

[boanertitz]

I dunno. I definitely see what you’re saying but it was also the height of gimmicks in comic books, and write in columns like “Stan’s Soapbox”. I personally don’t think DC expected people to vote for death, but were doing whatever they could for fan interaction and participation. They were going to test the 900-number on something else but Denny O’Neal said he didn’t want to waste the opportunity on something small. Having felt guilty about the alterations that were made to Todd Post-Crisis, he decided to point the trigger at Robin and see what happened.

However, the gimmicky reboot/revamp/reintroduction has become such a regular thing in comics now that I wish they would do better things with unpopular characters. New characters that fail just keep getting their six issue runs and nobody is buying those books. Despite the fact that comic book fans are a very aggressive and temultuous bunch, people speak their opinions with their wallets.

I’m not saying characters need to get shot in the head but some things just weren’t meant to work out. In this case the DC crowd literally sent him to the chopping block. In the long run I think it was for the best because it’s one of the most memorable and decisive moments in comic book history. It also paved the way for a ton of good Batman books in its aftermath. It defined Joker and Bruce Wayne way more than it defined Robin. That’s the Bruce I grew up reading. Pensive, apprehensive, and cold shouldered to the untrained spectator.

[thepopculturearchivist]

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, December 1, 1958.

[league-of-extraordinarycomics]

Unmasked Series 

Created by Alexmdc

[vintagegeekculture]

“Night Hawks” (1981) a Sylvester Stallone anti-terrorist thriller, has maybe the most geek-tastic cast ever assembled, with people primarily remembered today for science fiction movies. I doubt this was intentional, but it is fascinating.

 Billy Dee Williams

 Rutger Hauer

 Persis Khambatta

 Catherine Mary Stewart

 Lindsay Wagner

[supersonicart]

Bennett Slater, New Work.

Fascinating new paintings by artist Bennett Slater that are currently on view at Talon Gallery in Portland, Oregon until December 13th, 2018.  If you’re in the area, you should absolutely stop by.

Don’t miss Supersonic Art on Instagram!

[metallianvalidor]

The Beast of Burden - San Julian

[sstayloco]

[vintagegeekculture]

One of Bruce Lee’s unmade projects was the planned but never filmed costume ancient swordsman film, either called “Blind Swordsman” or “Dragon of Jade.”

This would have been made around 1972 at Golden Harvest, before going to Hollywood. In his tragically truncated output, Bruce Lee was never known for doing “costume pieces” or “ancient swordsman” movies where he sported long hair (!), so these test images are somewhat unique.