Monday, February 1, 2010

Meet the FIRST Black Comic Character with His OWN Book--LOBO!

Celebrate Black History Month (and show off your pop-culture knowledge) with kool kollectibles from Atomic Kommie Comics™ featuring comics' FIRST Black cowboy!

Created the same year (1966) as Marvel's Black Panther (who guest-starred in Fantastic Four, Tales of Suspense, and The Avengers, but didn't get his own series until 1973, or his own comic until 1977), Lobo was the FIRST Black character with HIS OWN BOOK!
(Other Black characters had their own series in anthology books, but Lobo was the first to have his name AS the comic's title!)
Lobo combined several popular concepts...
Man on the Run for a Crime He Did NOT Commit
Exemplified by then-hit tv series The Fugitive, Lobo was framed, but couldn't prove his innocence.
Lone Western Hero
A loner wandering the Old West, righting wrongs was an especially popular genre in tv Westerns.
Variations on the theme included gamblers (Maverick) and martial-arts experts (Kung Fu)
Note: the tv series Branded combined both the Loner and Man Framed themes!
Prominent Black character
Black characters (except for sterotypes like Amos 'n Andy) were few and far between on tv until the mid-1960s, and even then only as supporting characters (usually servants).
1960s urban dramas like Naked City and East Side, West Side, which dealt with current social themes had Black guest stars including James Earl Jones and Diana Sands, but no Black regulars.
Star Trek (1966) had both a Black regular character (Lt. Nyota Uhura) and Black actors in prominent roles as scientists and high-placed officers (admirals, etc,).
But, at that point, there were no tv series with a Black lead or Black title character!
(Diahann Carroll's groundbreaking series Julia didn't debut until 1968!)
So, Lobo was, to say the least, a daring experiment, albeit one with as many popular themes as possible to maximize sales potential!
Unfortunately, it didn't work.
Lobo the comic only ran two issues, but now you can have the collectibles like t-shirts, magnets, mousepads, etc., they never made during his title's too-brief run!
Our Lobo page...
Lobo
Our entire Western line (including Lobo)...
Western Comics Adventures™

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Kool New Blog: Comic Twart

There's a very kool blog I'd like to point out to all comics fans...Comic Twart!
The concept is an artists' jam (both pros and very talented amateurs who could turn pro) with a different character or series each week! (Among them is Francesco Francavilla of Zorro and, soon, Green Hornet, fame!)
So far they've done spectacular jams on Zorro and The Rocketeer.
(both pulp/Golden Age comic/retro-themed subjects! Our favorite!)
Who knows what they'll do next?
I'll be watching!
Will you?

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Return to a "Heroic Age" Atomic Kommie Comics™ NEVER left!

The lead feature in last Wednesday's USA Today's Life section was about Marvel Comics' change of story concepts, dropping the grim 'n gritty themes inspired by Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns and returning to a more upbeat, fun approach called The Heroic Age, closer to the Golden or Silver Age,while promising to remain "edgy" and "contmporary"!
We're pleased, since that's what Marvel was...back in the Silver Age!
DC had already announced similar plans with their In Brightest Day overhaul of the DC Multiverses, but their PR people weren't quite as effective in generating publicity as Marvel's...

But, we at Atomic Kommie Comics™ have been presenting the best of the previous Heroic Age on our collectible Lost Heroes of the Golden Age of Comics™ line for the past several years!
The vintage covers we use were the creative expressions of people who sought escape thru entertainment media from a world where financial disaster and war were everyday events!
(Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like today, doesn't it?)

Back then, it was the late 1930s-early 1940s.
The Great Depression was slowly ending, and World War II was slowly creeping up on us!
The average Joe and Jane turned to radio, the movies, and pulp and comic magazines for brief respites from everyday worries!

Today, the Great Recession is slowly ending, and, while the Iraq War is ending, the Afghanistan War is building up!
Instead of radio, the average Joe and Jane have tv in various forms and the internet.
And, we still have movies and comic magazines!

And, we still have heroes!
Come celebrate with us!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Design of the Week--Perfect Love!

Each week, we post a limited-edition design, to be sold for exactly 7 days, then replaced with another!
This week...our final Valentine's Day-themed assortment features..."Tales of Ideal Romances"...Perfect Love!
Available on an assortment of goodies from clothing to collectibles, it'd make a (dare we say?) perfect, yet kitschy Valentine's Day present for your pop culture-loving sweetie!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

News about The Green Hornet: Year One mini-series!


According to noted Zorro artist Francesco Francavilla on his blog, he'll be doing both the interior coloring and alternate covers for the new Dynamite Comics mini-series Green Hornet: Year One!
As you can see from the promo piece, his art has a real pulp-era/Golden Age feel!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Anti-Valentine's Day Gifts! (3)

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been suggesting kool Valentine's Day kollectibles for those with True Love in their hearts!

But what of those of you who don't look forward to this Day for Lovers?

Don't worry! We haven't left you out!

Today, Atomic Kommie Comics™ offers I Married a Monster from Outer Space from Seduction of the Innocent™ on a host of items including greeting cards, garb, mugs, journals/diaries, even a teddy bear!
Show your spouse (or ex-spouse) the TRUE meaning of horror on Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Anti-Valentine's Day Gifts! (2)

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been suggesting kool Valentine's Day kollectibles for those with True Love in their hearts!

But what of those of you who don't look forward to this Day for Lovers?

Don't worry! We haven't left you out!

Today, Atomic Kommie Comics™ offers 'Til Death Do Us Part! from Horror Comics of the 1950s™ on a host of items including greeting cards, garb, mugs, journals/diaries, even a teddy bear!
Show your ex-sweetie the TRUE meaning of Eternal Love on Valentine's Day!

Tomorrow: I Married a Monster from Outer Space!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Anti-Valentine's Day Gifts! (1)

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been suggesting Valentine's Day kool kollectibles for those with True Love in their hearts!
But what of those of you who don't look forward to this Day for Lovers?
Don't worry! We haven't left you out!
Today, Atomic Kommie Comics™ offers "Wrong Way Wedding" from the Weddings section of True Love Comics Tales™! on a host of items including greeting cards, mens' and womens' garb, even teddy bears!

Tomorrow...a 1950s horror comics romance classic! (We're NOT kidding!)

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Fantastic Femmes (sorta)--Corinne Bailey Rae


Technically, Corinne Jacqueline Bailey hasn't done any genre work, but I'm a big fan of her previous, self-titled album Corinne Bailey Rae, and I'm looking forward to the new one, The Sea!
(It's my blog, and if I want to bend the rules, I can! And take a look at her! She's well worth bending [or breaking] a few rules for!)

Check out...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Welcome to our new venue...

Since my background is in print (CMYK), not web (RGB), and my knowledge of html is practically nonexistent, I've been dependent on sites like Squidoo and Blogger to express my fannish inclinations.
In this case, ComicBookMovie.com enabled me to set up my own fan page for (surprise) The Green Hornet incorporating their site's newsfeed (tailored to info about the character) along with my own material including galleries from my collections of tv series (like the pic above), movie serial, radio show, and comics material as well as several upcoming articles about the character's various incarnations.
(One of the things about being a collector is showing off your collection to like-minded fans. This'll enable me to do so, virtually.)
It's a work in progress, and I hope to have it completed by the time the movie opens this December.
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Stop by and say "Hi!"

Friday, January 22, 2010

Design of the Week--Puppy Dog Eyes on Lovers' Lane!

Each week, we post a limited-edition design, to be sold for exactly 7 days, then replaced with another!
This week...give new meaning to "puppy dog eyes" with this kool vintage cover from the Lovers' Lane comic book series!
Available on an assortment of goodies from clothing to collectibles, it'd make a kitschy Valentine's Day present for your pop culture-loving sweetie!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The OTHER Hornet's Nest


Remember how we recently mentioned our newest on-line store, this particular one dedicated to the Golden Age version of the legendary The Green Hornet (and Kato)?

To accompany it, and offer certain collectibles it doesn't stock (like dark/black t-shirts and mugs), we've just opened a second "Hornet's Nest" at another site to accomodate the flood of requests!
With the upcoming movie starring Seth Rogan and Jay Chou, now's the time to get ahold of our kool kollectibles for yourself or your pop-culture-craving loved one!

Think of how his/her eyes will light up at a birthday or graduation gift set with one or two of our collector's items along with one of the NEW Green Hornet books or comics!
Feel the buzz, and enjoy!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Show your lady she's a HEROINE on Valentine's Day!


If you'd like to show your woman that you appreciate her strength as well as her beauty, why not give her a Valentine's Day gift that symbolizes exactly that?
We offer dozens of designs showing powerful women doing what they do best!
Whether it's '70s psychedelic or '40s retro, we have a heroine to suit your needs!
There's a kool variety of products ranging from his-and-her garb to mugs and mousepads to messenger and tote bags to blank sketchbooks!
Check out Heroines™!
Your lady (and you) will be glad you did!

Monday, January 18, 2010

TRUE LOVE COMICS TALES™ for Valentine's Day!

Comics aren't just about spandex-clad heroes and heroines in battles of cosmic import!
They also tell intimate tales of heartbreak and true love, betrayal and redemption, and misery and sheer joy!
With than in mind, Valentine's Day is coming!
And what says "True Love" better than a kool, kitchy gift from TRUE LOVE COMICS TALES™? (Plus, it's both longer-lasting AND cheaper than a dozen roses!)

Choose from over 50 heart-rending designs in nine categories including...
(The ORIGINAL LonelyHearts Columnist)
(or is that Love in School?)
...on greeting cards, teddy bears, calendars, shirts/tops/intimate wear, diaries, and many other kool kollectibles!

A public service announcement for all lovers and would-be lovers from your BFFs at Atomic Kommie Comics™

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Now OPEN--The Hornet's Nest!


Welcome to The Hornet's Nest

It's a new on-line store featuring seven different Green Hornet designs derived from the 1940s movie serial posters for The Green Hornet and The Green Hornet Strikes Again! (as shown above) and Golden Age comic book covers prepared with state-of-the-art technology and applied to collectible t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags!
Note: the products are all from American Apparel and shipped in eco-friendly packaging!
(Talk about going GREEN!)
We'll be adding more designs both here and in our Atomic Kommie Comics™ store over the next few months, so keep an ear on us here and listen for the buzz...