Fred Hembeck Sells the Marvel Universe (One Shot)

 

Comic: Fred Hembeck Sells the Marvel Universe

Where Purchased: JAF Comics in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

When Purchased: June 20, 2024

When Read: November 17, 2024

When I first started collecting comics, Fred Hembeck was the guy who drew a little 3-panel comic strip that appeared in DC comic books. Usually funny, always irreverent.

Along with the "Ask The Answer Man!" column on those Daily Planet promotional pages, Hembeck helped me deepen my understanding of the history that came before.

He also featured prominently in the Marvel Age publication, contributing a 2-page humor strip for most of the comics run.

I also own a few of the black and white magazine-sized format books that FantaCo published back in the day (a rare exploration of something non-Marvel or non-DC for me back then) and I love love LOVE the Fantastic Four Roast that he wrote and laid out the artwork for from Marvel to commemorate the FF's 20th anniversary. 

It features one of the first wraparound covers I had ever seen. 

I always felt he rather cleverly recounted the FF's origin... 

One of my favorite sequences from the story is the X-Men page.

So when I came across "Fred Hembeck Sells the Marvel Universe" I had to pick it up.  I am glad I did as it is a hoot.  While not for everyone, this is a fun flashback to the early days of collecting for me.

I snagged this during a work trip in Pennsylvania this past summer.  All in all, I think we've made four or five trips that had us driving across most of the state in the last two years.  There are only a few spots where there are any comic shops worth popping into.  Mostly we have hit antique stores.

I visited JAF Comics in Bethlehem, PA this time.  It was a little out of our way but Nan was determined I would find some comics on this particular trip.  It was worth the stop, as I found this book as well as two decently priced, gap-filling issues of Super- Villain Team up and an issue of Captain America.

  

Post Script: Seven Secrets

Comics: Seven Secrets #2-18

After my last post, I spent the next two evenings completing Seven Secrets.  It was a solid series.  I could see an adaptation making its way to the small screen at some point.

I rated the majority of the issues at a 9.  One or two dipped to an 8, which was probably more my fault but sometimes the art and layout confused me and dulled some of the impact that was intended.

I often bemoan how most television shows these days seem to really be chopped up, season long movies.  I miss the days of having a favorite episode because many shows I watch now seem to really need the episode before and after to fully flesh things out.

This was the first comic book series that I read that was essentially one long 480 page story.  No recap pages.  Cliffhanger-esque endings that rolled right into the next issue.  I did like it but probably could've gotten away with just grabbing the trades.  As it was, reading twelve issues on 11/13 and wrapping up the final five on 11/14 might've actually blunted my overall enjoyment.  I am glad I didn't read it month to month as it was published!

Seven Secrets #1

 

Comic: Seven Secrets #1

Where Purchased: Online at Rubber Mallet Comics via Comic Collector Live

When Purchased: May 2, 2021

When Read: November 12, 2024

I am not sure if I mentioned that I like Tom Taylor's writing.  He has a strong handle on characters and his stories really pop.  Somehow I missed this series when it started in August of 2020 and it looks like I bought the first 7 issues in May of 2021 from two different vendors on Comic Collector Live before adding it to my pull list in June of that year with issue 8.

From there, I finished buying the series and bagging and boarding them....and setting them aside.

And now having finally read issue one...wow!  I wish I had jumped into this sooner.  The book just STARTS and doesn't let go.  There is no cabbage-heading here.  Buckle up and let's see everything unfold.

The overall premise is that there are "seven powerful secrets-words, wonders, weapons, and worse-with the power to change the world."  According to a press release from publisher BOOM! Studios:

In the world of SEVEN SECRETS, the Order has trusted in Keepers and Holders to guard the Secrets in seven briefcases against all harm for centuries but when their stronghold is attacked and the secrets put in peril, the entire Order must face their greatest fear—an enemy who knows too much and is willing to kill to get what he wants.

Now, the Order’s newest member, Caspar, must discover the truth of the Secrets before the enemy does, or risk losing everything.

This was a solid 9 out of 10.  I'm going to make time over the next week to finish this series.  I will probably skip reviewing each issue but maybe do some sort of wrap up post when I finish.

Feeding into my collector mentality and coupled with the overwhelming fear of missing out that often accompanies it, I went with the variant cover for this issue.  I did the same with four of the others that I bought online three and a half years ago.

This issue's cover is by InHyuk Lee.  According to the interwebs, InHyuk Lee is an illustrator from Seoul, Korea, who is known for his digital artwork.  He has contributed covers to 8 comics in my collection...five of which are variants and three of which are the main cover.

E-Man #6

 

Comic: E-Man #6

Where Purchased: The Joker's Child in Fair Lawn, New Jersey

When Purchased: September 4, 2024

When Read: November 11, 2024

I do not know anything about E-Man.  When I started collecting comics, I stuck mostly to mainstream superhero books you could find on the newsstand.  

As an unabashed fan of John Byrne and currently on a quest to collect all of his published work, I purchased this comic for its back-up story which features his professional comics debut.  It is about what you'd expect from a recently turned pro who would go on to have a nearly 50 year career in comics.  It is enjoyable but a far cry from the artist he would become.

As of the time of this post, I only have one more John Byrne drawn book on my want list.  It is a 1992 colorized reprinting of a story that first appeared in 1980's "The Art of John Byrne".

I have never seen a copy in the wild.  There is one copy for sale on the comic marketplace "Comic Collector Live" right now for only $2.00 and the seller has 2 other books on my wish list but the three in total does not meet their minimum order amount.  It is way too expensive on eBay.

A recent work trip had me in New Jersey with a lot of extra time on my hands.  The Joker's Child had popped up in my research for other trips but it was either too far from where I was going or it was closed on the day I was near enough to justify stopping in.

It is a neat little shop.  The day I visited there were several kids with their parents poking around.  Back issues were reasonably priced and the layout was conducive to browsing.  In addition to this issue, I was able to get two decently priced issues of X-23 that I needed.

This was one of five (!) stops I made this day.

Marvel Two-In-One #23

Comic: Marvel Two-In-One #23

Where Purchased: Anytime Antiques in Wells, Maine

When Purchased: May 30, 2024

When Read: November 11, 2024

Another recent addition to our lives has been finding antique stores during our travels.  In all honesty, I don't think I ever really shopped at one until Nan discovered Five Corners Antiques in Essex Junction, Vermont before we moved.  

I can't remember why or when exactly she went but she texted me pictures of comics that she found there.  After that, we went somewhat regularly and I would try to find something worth picking up.

From there, and especially while we were house-hunting and after the move, antique stores have become a fairly regular staple for us.  On longer trips it gives us a chance to stretch our legs and get some steps in.  There is more than enough for Nan to search for and I can speed through to find any hidden cache of comics.

Most places are hit or miss.  Often times places will vastly overprice the most common or worthless comic.  Some times I will find something worth purchasing but it comes with a degree of impulsivity or regret later at the condition or price I paid.

But I do enjoy looking and the thrill of just finding some is always a treat...even if it is rare for me to find something that is actually on my want list.

All of which brings us to this past May where we decided to take a mini-vacation to Maine.  After checking in to our hotel and before meeting Haley and Brian for dinner, we found an antique store in Wells.  We arrived right before closing so I did a hurried search through the boxes of comics they had.  I was happy enough with what I found that we went back the next day before leaving the area.

This issue of Marvel Two-In-One was on my want list in that I was actively trying to complete the series at this point.  I found three MTIO in total here, in addition to a slew of Captain America issues and a Rom Annual.  This was one of three issues I probably overpaid for but it is balanced out by the deals I got on the Captain America issues.

As far as issues go, this one is actually the conclusion of a three-part story.  That is fairly unusual for this book, as I always thought part of the appeal of this series (and Marvel Team-Up) was to rotate guest stars and focus on one-off stories.

It isn't a bad story.  It is fun to see The Thing team up with Thor and have them visit the Egyptian gods.