Pop Culture Chronicles

Best of the West

Here is a photo of my old west toy collection, mostly from my childhood and mainly from the Johnny West "Best of the West" collection by Marx Toys. From left to right, the figures are as follows:

• Jamie West on red horse. Both I recently acquired from ebay, though I do have a Jamie from my childhood, but he is in pieces. My daughter repainted his head which I'll probably use to replace the head on this one.
• Geronimo on a black horse. Geronimo is original from my childhood and in great shape. The black horse I picked up in an Ohio second hand store. 
• Sundown Kid driving the wagon pulled by a red horse. The Sundown Kid was not Marx, but he is from my childhood. The horse and wagon are original from my childhood. The wagon was once covered, but I lost the canvas, which was actually plastic.
• Johnny West, standing in front of the wagon. This is my oldest figure who is now 50 years old. His left arm is taped, but we'll pretend it's a bandage from a flesh wound.
• Jane West. Her body is the original from my childhood, but my daughter replaced the arms and head from a Jane we bought on ebay for that purpose.
• Captain Tom Maddox on a brown "Thunderbolt" horse. Both are originals, but not from my childhood. I always wanted a Maddox, but never got one so I bought it for myself on ebay. The horse was purchased at a vintage toy store in Dayton, Ohio.  
• General Custer on a buckskin horse with moveable head. Both original from my childhood.
•  Sam Cobra, the villain, standing. Original from my childhood. 
• Sheriff Pat Garrett on a buckskin horse. The sheriff is original from my childhood and the horse was purchased at a flea market in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 
• The Lone Ranger collection is not Marx, but is from my childhood. The Lone Ranger is on Silver and Tonto on Scout. The villain, Butch Cavendish, is standing on the far right. I never got his horse.
• Marshall Matt Dillon, standing. This was a Toys-R-US find from the 90s. He is the only Gunsmoke character to be made into an action figure.  

Batman '66

It's good to see the 1966 Batman back again. The Batman '66 comic is a concept whose time is long overdue. Never before has there been an ongoing comic series, or even a limited series, based on the Batman TV show with characters in the likenesses of the actors. Just the cover of the first issue with the Adam West/Burt Ward version of Batman & Robin is worth the price of the book. 

The stories leave much to be desired if you're looking for serious drama. They are intentionally campy, like the TV series. They are good for a chuckle and especially good comics for children (there are so few comics good for kids these days). 

In addition to the new comics, Mattel has released classic Batman TV series action figures. You can get a two-pack with Batman & Robin which comes with a batrope and a wall for them to climb. A photo of this toy was used for an alternate cover of Batman '66 #1, which was exclusively available at San Diego Comicon. Other figures in the series include Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman, and Joker. They are sold separately, as are Batman and Robin if you prefer to buy them that way. A Batmobile is also available. Another Batman figure in swim trunks with a surfboard has also been released, in homage to one of the sillier third season episodes.

While on the topic of toys, the high-end Japanese toy manufacturer, Hot Toys, has come out with Batman & Robin TV series figures as well. These guys are so realistic they're almost creepy, like wax museum figures. But we've come to expect no less from this company. While the Mattel figures are around $16 each, the Hot Toys versions are in the $250-300 price range. 

With all this renewed emphasis on the Batman series it appears that some of the licensing issues regarding the series are being resolved. Of course I'm thinking what most other Bat-fans are thinking. Can a DVD collection of the series be far behind? We shall see. 

Mego Men (and other 8 inch Action Figures)

The Mego company just about had the 8 inch action figure market cornered in the 1970s. These were some of my favorite childhood toys. I recall saving my money for the next trip to TG&Y or K-Mart to get another of my favorites--and it was usually a difficult choice.

Mego began with the Action Jackson figures (Mine is still good, but not pictured). He was the quintessential man of action who could be a cowboy, fisherman, motor bike dude, baseball player--you name it---depending upon which clothing and accessory packages you preferred. But Mego branched out, eventually landing the licensing rights to both DC and Marvel heroes. Additional heroes were added to the line each year and Action Jackson was eventually phased out. Pictured are some of my personal childhood collection.

Mego also produced a classic monsters series, but the license for the Universal Pictures versions belonged a company called Azrak Hamway Inc. So the Frankenstein pictured is not actually a Mego.

Mego had other categories as well:

• Planet of the Apes (I have "Soldier Ape, but he is worse-for-the -wear).
• Western Heroes (I have Wild Bill Hickok and Sitting Bull, both of whom are now dismembered but I still got all the parts)  
• Happy Days (I have Fonzie. A lever on his back makes his thumbs go up. Aayyy)
• Starsky and Hutch (Mine are still in excellent condition).
• Our Gang (the Little Rascals) (I didn't even know these existed until last week).
• Star Trek (I've kicked myself for 30 years for not collecting these).

In addition to Starsky and Hutch other TV heroes came in 8 inch versions, but not from Mego. LJN produced the cops from the Rookies (I have Webster and Gillis), the team from S.W.A.T. (I have Deke and the S.W.A.T. van), and the paramedics from Emergency (I have Roy). These well-made figures have withstood the test of time.

I had many hours of fun with these 8 inch people who were such a significant part of my childhood. Of course I had Batman (the original with removable cowl), Robin, and Superman. But these guys are too worn to still be photogenic. 

You can learn more about Mego by visiting the website dedicated to these 8 inch figures. it's called Mego Museum.  

Geppi's Entertainment Museum

A recent business trip took our family by Baltimore, Maryland. We stopped off at downtown for a couple of hours to visit Geppi's Entertainment Museum.

The museum is a celebration of American pop culture from the Brownies, to Buster Brown, to Batman, to the Beatles. Moving from room to room is like taking a trip through time. Visitors begin by pondering the Pioneer Spirit (1776-1894) as they view the toys of children from that era. The first commercialized pop culture characters were the Brownies who appeared on toys and other merchandise.

The museum took us on through the history of newspaper strips, comic books, antique toys and banks, old time radio, television, music, and movies. Many items displayed the likeness of pop culture icons including Mickey Mouse, Superman, Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, Howdy Doody, the Beatles, Darth Vader, Mr. T., and many many more. The museum houses items which include toys, cereal boxes, records, books, action figures, lunch boxes, model kits, games, and much more.   

One of my favorite parts of the museum is the Batman display with a life-sized caped crusader guarding glass display cases of Bat-merchandise. Included were replicas of the TV series' bat-phone and the Shakespeare bust that gave millionaire Bruce Wayne and his youthful ward access to the bat-poles. What amazed me is how much of this bat-stuff I actually have in my collection. I'd love to have a Batman museum or even a decent display case like they have in antique malls. Then I could unpack more of my stuff.

Another favorite part of the museum was the comic book room tracing comic history from the Golden Age to the Modern Age. Encased in glass were issues containing first appearances of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Hulk, the Fantastic Four and many others, all in decent condition. I pointed out Action Comics #1 and told my kids that if we had a copy we could pay off our house and have money left over. Some of the most interesting comics were those with TV or movie photo covers with everyone from Lucille Ball, to John Wayne, to Fess Parker's Davy Crockett. The comic room also had a huge, perhaps complete (?), collection of Big Little Books.

Adding to the fun were cards with bar codes that could be scanned at monitors throughout the museum which asked pop culture trivia questions and gave you multiple choices. Cards were later exchanged at the gift shop for a prize. The museum was colorfully decorated with huge copies of comic covers, actual movie and adventure serial posters, original comic art, animation cells, and other treasures.

I first learned of the museum from my friend, Ron, who told me it was featured in this year's Jughead Free Comic Book Day issue in which Archie becomes a night watchman at Geppi's. The comic included the museum's web address.

So if you're ever in Baltimore, and you're a retro pop culture enthusiast, you'll love Geppi's. Our family got out of bed at 4:30 in the morning to arrive at this destination on time. The kids were excited and had pop culture t-shirts ready to wear that morning. They love vintage pop culture. We must be raising them right.             

Earth-Two Batman

I just had to buy the Earth-Two Batman a few weeks ago at my local comic shop. He is from DC Direct's All Star Comics with the Super Squad line---the fourth Reactivated series. I've actually had the Earth-Two Robin since 2005. I bought him at a comic shop while vacationing in Colorado. He is part of the Crisis on Infinite Earths action figures series, released on the 20th anniversary of the comic book series. Although from two different sets, these guys do look great together.   

While this is the "Golden Age" Dynamic Duo, these figures actually reflect the "Bronze Age" look of these characters. This is how they looked in the 70s. During these years, Robin fought alongside the JSA in their annual team-ups with the JLA. This version of Robin also appeared with the JSA in All Star Comics and Adventure Comics. He remained active into the early modern age in the original Infinity Inc. and with the Huntress in the back pages of Wonder Woman.

But how often did this version of Batman and Robin actually pair up during the Bronze Age? I can think of only one adventure they shared during that era. They appeared in Justice League of America 135-137.

For that matter, how often did the Earth-Two Batman appear during that era? His rare appearances include the following:

• There was a one panel cameo in Justice League of America 82 (1970), recently reprinted in the trade, Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 2.

• The above mentioned appearance with Robin in Justice League of America 135-137 (1976), recently reprinted in the trade, Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 4. 

• In 1977 Batman appeared in All Star Comics 66-68.

• Also in 1977, readers learned that the Earth-Two Batman and Catwoman had married, raising a daughter who grew up to be the crime fighting Huntress. These stories were told in All Star Comics 69 (Huntress' first appearance) and DC Super Stars 17 (telling of the Catwoman's death which inspired her daughter's crime fighting career). The DC Super Stars story was recently reprinted in the trade, The Huntress: Dark Knight Daughter.    

• The year 1979 saw the story of this Batman's death in Adventure Comics 461-463.

The Earth-Two Batman also made various "retroactive" appearances during the Bronze and Modern Age. Most of these were stories set in the 1940s during World War II.

- DC Special 29 - Origin of the JSA (1977)

-The Brave and the Bold 146 (1979) {Batman and the Unknown Soldier during WW II}

- Justice League of America 193 (1981)

- All Star Squadron 1-4, 24-26, 31-37, 41, 54, 59-60 (1981-1986)

- All Star Squadron Annual 2 (1983) and 3 (1984)

- The Brave and the Bold 182 (1982) {Dick Grayson's short stint as Batman}

- The Brave and the Bold 197 (1983) {Retroactive telling of events in 1950s leading to Batman & Catwoman's marriage} Reprinted in the trade, Greatest Stories, Volume 2: The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told.

- America vs. The Justice Society of America (1985) Four part limited series in which Batman plays a vital role through flashbacks.

- Secret Origins 6 (1986) Retelling of Batman's origin.

- JSA 82 (2006) Retroactive tale of Earth-Two's Batman and Superman.

- JSA 85 (2006) Batman appears as a ghost.

It's possible I could have missed something, but these are the appearances I came up with in my comic and internet research. If you have anything to add, or any questions, feel free. 

I love Batman and especially the Golden Age Batman. Since his recent appearances in the pages of JSA and the announcement of a new Earth-2 in August, I'm hoping this guy will make a comeback. I've always liked the idea of Batman and Catwoman having a daughter who fights crime. It would be awesome if her parents could still be living on the rebooted Earth-2, perhaps serving as mentors. I'm not holding my breath, but with the return of the Earth-2 Robin and Huntress at least an Earth-Two Batman's legacy might continue.    

Favorite Earths, Part 1

DC Comics has now cataloged a number of the 52 universes in the new multiverse. Here are my favorite multiple earth concepts due to their retro potential:

Earth-2 The original Earth-Two was my favorite earth of all. It was home of the original Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and other big guns who began their careers in the late 30s/early 40s. In the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths multiverse, Earth-Two was populated by these older versions of popular DC icons. Their proteges included a graying Robin, the Huntress (daughter of Batman and Catwoman), Power Girl (Superman's Kryptonian cousin), and the orginal Infinity Inc.

The post-52 Earth-2 will be explored in Justice Society of America Annual 1  due this August. This earth will be similar, but not a perfect recreation, of the original Earth-Two. I'm not holding my breath, but I'm hoping that more mature versions of Batman and Superman can exist on this world, without having died and without having been retconned out of existence.

On a recent comic shop visit, I was excited to see some Batman and Superman Justice Society action figures as they appeared in the 70's All-Star Comics and Adventure Comics. This is a part of DC Direct's Reactivated action figures series. Previous collections in the series have included Super Friends and Kingdom Come versions of popular characters. The JSA figures make up the Reactivated series' Super Squad collection.

I'm hoping that these new JSA figures, which also include Hawkman and Wonder Woman, is a good omen--like a pointing toward a reactivation of these characters in comics. The Superman is graying-around-the-temples and the Batman looks like he did as a semi-retired super hero, while as Bruce Wayne he served as Gotham Police Commissioner. Earth-Two's Batman was killed in action in Adventure Comics #462, but I'm hoping that the Batman on this new Earth-2 might still be living.

Again, I'm not holding my breath. But at the very least it appears that Robin will be alive and well and that Huntress will be Batman's offspring. How Power Girl will fit in remains to be seen. This Earth-2 will resemble her former adopted home, but it's not an exact replica. Interesting.             

Some Stuff I Got For Christmas

Each year I'm fortunate enough to receive some comic related stuff for Christmas. My 2007 haul includes the following:

The Corgi 1940s Batmobile Roadster is a highly collectible toy. Corgi has produced some great Batmobile toys through the years reflecting every phase of Batman's history. This one is large scale die-cast. My wife and kids bought it for me at Target.

Here is a view from the front. Is this sleek or what? Funny though, I don't recall ever seeing this exact version in any of my Golden Age comics reprints (Notice I said "reprints" since I can't afford to own many original Golden Age comics). 

This really fits with my love of nostalgia and of the Golden Age Batman.

Here is a view with the hood open. Batman keeps his engine clean and in peak running condition.

Notice the presence of the Bat logo on the engine and on the backs of the seats.

And now a view from the back, with the trunk open. Here is where Batman keeps all his wonderful toys. The utility belt is stored here along with some batarangs and assorted technology that only wealthy super heroes knew about in the 40s.

Notice the bat-logo on the steering wheel and on the dash board.

And to my added surprise, on the bottom of the car is this "impression" of Batman (for lack of a better term).

Since this is close in size to the average model kit, perhaps I'll display it alongside my Batmobile kits that reproduce the looks of the 50s comics, the 60s TV show, and the 1989 movie.

I also got some books for Christmas, including the trade paperback version of DC: The New Frontier, Volume 1.

This is one of the best comics I've read in a long time--a real page turner that I can hardly put down. If you like nostalgia and all things retro, you'll love this reimagining of the dawn of DC's silver age.

I am also glad to know that this epic will soon be released as a made-for-DVD movie. I only hope they do it justice. Since I also went out and bought volume 2, my review is forthcoming.

And to top off my Christmas, my niece and nephew gave me a copy of this Standard Guide to Golden Age Comics. It's basically a price guide and with publication as recent as 2006, most of the prices are at least still close. But the best part of this book is the collection of 900 Golden Age covers--all in full color!

Hope you had a great holiday as well.