Flashback; 1977! FREEDOM FIGHTERS # 9

Bob Rozakis is The Man!

In the height of sensory overload and comic-y goodness,

this great issue showcases secret origins, loads of fight scenes,

revelations, treats, threatening smack-down dialogue,

cheesy twists, and tons of cliffhangers!

The Freedom Fighters were already big faves of  mine,

but the fever pitch of the series had me breathlessly

awaiting every issue! And Silver Ghost masquerading

as the hunky Americommando on that cover didn't hurt!
(courtesy of Rich Buckler & Abel.)

He's turning those KIDS against the FF, dammit!

What a cool, dynamic, well-laid out cover.

Interior art is superbly handled by Dick Ayers and Jack Abel,

and everyone is suitably heroic and defined.

This is what comics were meant to be!

Thanks for the great memories, guys!

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"It Was the Seventies"

"Say 'cheese'!"

The two made-for-TV specials from the Hanna-Barbera team
and NBC in the late 1970s, "Legends of the Super-Heroes", 
were live-action hoots that captured the imaginations of hungry
fanboys (and girls) at the time!

Like all things H/B, it probably has not weathered the test of
time well, and surely it is an embarrassment to anal-retentive
or angst-ridden continuity geeks. As for me, I still have fond
memories.

To see live people clad as super-heroes or comic book 
characters at that time was nearly unheard of...and here were
not only some good looking guys in form-fitting spandex,
but some B and C list characters (which tended to be my faves!)



As an Earth 2 fan (and majority DC fan at the time,) I 
went ape-shit wild over the promos for these! I marveled at
the Huntress, Black Canary, Solomon Grundy and others!
Captain Marvel? Awesome! MORDRU from the Legion?!?!
Whodathunk? It was a comic fan's wet dream.


Whatever criticisms there were (and are) about content,
the shows were very fun and exciting, and the costuming and make-up
were phenomenal! The action scenes exploded, and for young gay
kids everywhere, seeing shirtless and spandex-clad super-heroes
acted by hunks was a dream come true!
(Straight guys must have loved the Double-D's on Hunny
and B.C., too...something for everyone!)


I would probably intentionally never watch it again--some
things do not revisit well--but it's a great memory, and 
given the time and resources, it was great TV!


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Favorite Costumes: Wonder Man

Now, I must confess up front that I am a fan of the

character, first and foremost. He has at times, along with Rogue,

been top victim of the 'most atrocious costumes ever designed.'

But then others I simply Love. Those we'll focus on today.

Some work well only if particular artists parlay it well.

Any who, there's some bias involved!

Because I love some Simon Williams!

Now this is perfect; sexy, modern, swaggerly, and

a good combo of previous incarnations. From the last

Ms. Marvel series.

Here's an example of well-done version of shitty costume.

I love the rage and power; he's formidable, sexy, and showing

off those muscles. Plus he's got his wrist bands!

And no, it's not because I'm gay that I like the purple energy.

(well, possibly not.)

Gorgeous rendition of the classic original costume.

Something about the 1960s and green villain costumes!

(art by Paulo Santana)
Sophisticated and stylish version with a hint of the prior cartoon's art.

A man's man, and a man dislodged in time. One of many

reasons for my Wonder-lust, courtesy of Byrne.

Not really a fan of the California look, but it

has grown on me over time. This art is incredible.

Okay, mash-up time. Love the Perez ion-based purple

energy look, and I also love the Bagley & Adams

art from Avengers Two (channeling a bit of Gammil,

as I see it--which is a tremendous compliment!)

Sinewy, powerful, snarky; this is not his first choice

for a career or how to spend a Saturday!

Ahhh, the classic red safari jacket!

I LOVED this look. It symbolized so much!
Simon was theatrical, he was a 'man out of time',

he was a wealthy guy, he had some pretensions,

he didn't quite fit in, and he wasn't 'really' a super hero.

And I just plain liked the look too; something unique and classy.

And you sure as hell can't go wrong with Kirby!

Beautiful, dynamic design! Great color scheme.

I loved it when Perez did it up right in the

beginning of Wondy's 'return' in the late 1970s.

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Marvel/DC Unification

I've seen this around a few times, never credited, never

sourced. It certainly looks like Perez (or, in places, Ron Lim) or a very

accomplished knock-off artist! But I never saw it during

the many years of ads for JLA/Avengers, and it isn't from interiors on that project.

Possibly a fan piece or a composite photo-shopped bit; not sure but it's nice!

************

HOT COMICS MEN: via Simone Bianchi

Just gonna let the gorgeous art do the talking today!

Favorite Costumes: original Dr. Mid-Nite

Again, a very basic (yet busy) costume

that is unique with both color schemes

and style.

I love everything from the red tunic and swashbuckler

belt to the crescent moon buttons!

'Hooty' makes a great accessorization flair as

the owl pal of the midnight hour!

Beautiful!

Simple, sleek, and memorable.

You GO, Dr. Charles!

LOOKING GOOD: DOOM PATROL classic moments

This take on the DP was pretty sweet

for me; that art is so smooth and flowing!

But I also love the fit of more indy/alt/grungy

styles that fit the DP mood.

This album-cover inspired punk

aesthetic rocks!

Ahh, Perez. His "Hunt for the DP

Killers" art was just phenomenal!

From the (appropriately) over-sized version

of Who's Who. Sweet!

Lightle's DP was exquisite, even tho I didn't care

for all the other characters or the uniforms that followed!

Classic! Can't beat the greats.

Retro style!

One of the rare "works" moments from One Year Later.

Ahhh, My Greatest Comics Memories.

Showcase Seventies goodness!

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Favorite Costumes: Firestorm

Love the basic design of the

original Firestorm.

No changes necessary to a

dynamic, colorful, unique visual.

Even the Super Friends couldn't kill

ol' Ronnie's popularity.

Ol' flame-head is the bomb.

When he debuted, he was the first new

'teen' character to have shown up in a while.

A big gun with a wild origin.

Rest in peace, real Firestorm.

Favorite Costumes: Polaris

To be fair, the Mistress of Magnetism has

had her share of double-bagger costumes.

However, as long as the variations to the

original Steranko classic don't veer too far....

And the artist & writer don't feel the need

to make her possessed or butch or a giantess

to add 'character' (ugh!)....

she is a star!

There should be a regalness to Lorna,

not a trashy or common look.

(I also have much love for the Cockrum

stripper outfit, but it is much more.....dated, I think.)

You can't improve on perfection.

'Iconic' is iconic for a reason.