It's Mysterious Adventure Magazine The Comic Book Series! As Seen @ LBCC 2009! Above:  Front Cover to the Spring 2009 issue of Mysterious Adventure. To The Left:  Matt (Crap) Bennett & Scott Godlewski @ 2009 LBCC. Continuing my new series on comics and graphic novels that I found out about in the Artists Alley at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con ... Is the 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine' comic book series from Matt (Crap) Bennett and Scott Godlewski. Their table caught my attention because the way the covers of their publications were laid out on the table made me first think that they had several publications for sale.  Upon closer examination there were only two publications, but each cover was striking enough to make me pick them up to look at closer. In the photo to the above left is Matt holding the Spring 2009 issue and Scott at the right holding the 2nd issue (Summer 2009).  The photo insert to the right of their photo is a close up of the first issue. You can see how striking both covers are.   The genre that the covers present is one that I like, so of course I struck up  a conversation with both of them. The following is what their first issue of this comic book series is about: "Written and Illustrated by Scott Godlewski, Matt Bennet, Joe Dellagatta, Ben Perkins, Matt Kaufenberg Standard Comic Black & White Page Count: 40  Cover Price:  $2.99 The Flying Phantom must escape a deadly trap sprung by the manical Dr. Otto Metzger and the Dead Baron! Plus, an eerie retelling of the Selkie legend, a private eye with a frightening secret, and two ranchers discover an unbelieveabe creature on the Arizona desert! Mysterious Adventure Magazine recaptures the magic of the great Silver Age anthologies with a modern twist!" I put the above issue mentioned and the second issue toward the top of my list of comics to read first from the LBCC, because of the covers and the conversation I had with them. The first story in the Spring issue did not let me disappoint me.  It was exactly what the cover indicated this 'magazine' comic book would be. Good job by Scott Godlewski and Matt Bennett. Then I read the second story, 'The Fisherman's Wife'.  Although it was an enjoyable story by Mat Bennett and Joe Dellagatta, it was then that it really struck me that I was reading an anthology comic book.  An anthology comic book as I have mentioned in this blog before, is one of the hardest comic books to review.  That's because that even though the cover may pull a casual browser to stop and pick up the comic book, you would think that all the stories inside would fit the 'theme' or genre format that the front cover suggested would be inside. I found the second story to be good, but the art style was so different from the cover and the first lead story, that it was kind of jarring to be the following story after the lead story.  Taken on its' own, the story and art was good, but somehow didn't seem to fit in this issue in my opinion as a reader and reviewer. The third story 'Found in The Desert' by Scott Godlweski and Matt Bennett, got back on track with the genre that I would think would be in this comic book.  A good 4 page story. The fourth and final story, by Matt Bennett and Ben Perkins, fit in the genre, and actually reminded me of the old stories by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko that were the pre-superhero HoRRoR / MoNSTer stories that I loved so much. The last four pages were welcomes from Matt and Scott, and a great 'hook' for the reader to join the 'Mysterious Adventure Club' with a membership card, etc.  Now that is the branding and style that made me pick up these two issues in the first place! So for me, the first issue this anthology comic book series did a pretty good job in delivering the promise of what the cover suggested would be inside.  Again I want to state that publishing anthologies with different writers and artists are one of the hardest things to do in comic book publishing.  Matt and Scott did a pretty good job delivering in the first issue of this series. Wait, I said there were two issues, right?! Here's the details on the second issue, Summer 2009 cover date: Written and Illustrated by Matt Bennett, Scott Godlewski, Joshua Covey, Michael Kasinger, Michael Babinski, Dan Schkade, Matt Kaufenberg, Ryan Cody Standard Comic Black & White Page Count: 40 Cover Price:  $2.99 Masked mystery men, water-borne legends, and demonic detectives await! Mysterious Adventure Magazine recaptures the magic of the great Silver Age anthologies with a modern twist! Again, Scott and Matt promise a 'Mysterious Adventure' comic book on the front cover.  And again for the most part they delivered that to me as a reader. There were five stories in this second issue.  The front cover featured 'Night Shift'.  That lead story delivered what the front cover promised. But again the following story, although I enjoyed it in its' own right, was too different for me as a reader from what the front cover suggested would be in the comic book. The third story, 'Saying Goodbye With Bullets' fit the story genre of the comic book although the art style was different.  But it wasn't that different from the issues's theme after reading the second story.  It kind of put the issue back on track for me as a reader. The fourth story, 'Down To Zero' was another Flying Phantom story, who was featured in the first issue.  Again, another well done story and art here! The fifth and final story. 'Death In Haiku', was another story with artwork that was too jarring for this comic book in my opinion.  It just didn't seem to jell with the rest of the issue's works.  This would be a good anthology story, but just not in this series in my opinion. So... for me the first issue was a good first issue start for this series.  The second issue had a couple of stories that just didn't jell for me as a reader.  Again as I've said, publishing anthology comics is a hard undertaking to take on.  The premise of the series is a good one, and the lead stories delivered what the front covers promised.  Being a long-time comic book reader, I'm wondering if instead of an anthology book, maybe a 'split book' would work better? A 'split book' would be like the old 'Tales of Suspense' which basically ended up with Iron Man and Captain America sharing the covers for the most part and sharing the interior pages.  'Tales To Astonish' with the Incredible Hulk and the Sub-Mariner would be another good example.  However, just like anthology comics, the 'split book' concept doesn't always work to draw in readers.  Take for example 'Strange Tales' that had Doctor Strange and Nick Fury - Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The readership of that split book probably didn't like both features, as they were too different.  That is probably why sales of that series weren't as high in numbers as TOS and TTA. However, in 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine', the comic book series, I could see that 'split book' concept as probably working.  Especially with their own characters 'Flying Phantom' and 'Night Shift'.  Both of those features worked well and were actually the featured characters on the two front covers.  Those front covers promised and the interior pages with those two characters delivered!    You can find more about the 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine' at their web site: http://www.comicspace.com/mysterious_adventure/ You can purchase these issues at: http://www.indyplanet.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1785 I enjoyed both of these issues enough that I would be sure to come back for the third issue.  Like any new comic book title that is an anthology comic book series, the publisher does have to get a few issues out to see what the reading public enjoys before finding its' selling niche! BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today!  Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films!  ~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   "Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"   Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for review, send to: Make It So Marketing Inc PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013             Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners. CONVENTION PHOTOS:  Speaking of Captain America in the above main feature of this blog post... Below is another photo from this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC).  This one has Reb Brown showing two of the several photos that he had for sale at his media guest table. These photos were from his Captain America films that were made for TV. This was during the era of the Incredible Hulk TV series that Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno were starring in.  When you get a chance to see Reb Brown at a convention near you, stop in and say hi to him and check out the other photos from other films and TV Shows including 'Yor, the Hunter from the Future' - a cult classic! If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

As Seen 2nd Day @ 2009 Long Beach Comic Con - LBCC!

 

Michael and Reb (Captain America) Brown! "As Seen" @ 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con Photos From the 2nd Day!  October 2nd - 4th 2009 @ Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA, 90802 Fri: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Trisha Paytas (a.k.a. Ms. Limelight), Michael D Hamersky, and Melody Mooney (a.k.a. Hygena) first known for their great roles on Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero? TV Show @ LBCC! Wonder Woman and Michael... and Yeah, I know I was with another Wonder Woman the day before.  So I'm fickle! LOL!     The Knight Rider Companion Book Author & Publisher at their booth!  Book Review Blog from Michael to follow in the days to come! Saturday's attendance in the exhibit hall was full, with several long lines for signings for creators like Jim Lee!   One of my favorite comics dealers @ comic cons - Phil Schlaefer @ his booth! Vem Of HollyVood Graphic Novel @ TAT Booth #148! Red Moon Graphic Novel Creative Team Steve Kozak & David McAdoo   Andi Ewington flew in from the UK to be @ Com.x booth #263 DWAP Productions team, Dale Wilson & Astra Price @ TAT Booth # 148   Yeah, I'm up early again, the morning after the 2nd Day of the Long Beach Comic Con! For those of you that are new to our blog, I have been blogging the last couple of days that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con was running from October 2nd thru the 4th!  Which means... that TODAY will be the FINAL DAY of this Comic Con in Long Beach, California! As You can see from the photos above, (taken from several hundred that Tina and I shot on Saturday to use in later blogs to come), it was another fun day at this comic book convention! Please see yesterday's blog where I showed photos from Opening Day.  That's where I mentioned that I enjoyed seeing Stan Lee cut the Opening Day Ribbon, and of course the whole crowd joined in on congratulating Stan for having October 2nd, 2009 proclaimed 'Stan Lee Day' by one of the Long Beach City Councilmen.  It was great to be there to see this in person, and for those that couldn't be there 1st Day, I shared a couple of photos of this event in yesterday's blog! Most of my half day on Friday that the con was open, was spent talking to comic book and graphic novel creators as I visited them in Artists Alley (AA).  I only saw 5/8 of the tables in the AA on Friday, plus a couple of booths on the way walking to AA. So Saturday, with Tina along this time to help take photos and point me in the right directions, we saw the remaining 3/8 of the AA tables, the media guests tables, and then the exhibitor booths, and then walked by the retailer booths saying hello to those that we knew on the way out last night.  Tina and I have prior committments for today, (Sunday), so we had to take in the rest of it all on Saturday! So, before I start commenting more on the photos shown above all of this text, I want to tell You that if YOU are in the Los Angeles / Long Beach area today, Sunday October 4th, drop in and see this comic con!  There are many good illustrators there that can draw sketches for you, media guests from several TV Shows and Films that have photographs and autographs to sell, Plus there are actual comic books that you can purchase direct from the creators, plus even older back issues and the newest issues from the retailer booths!  Okay, I want to mention a little more about those that are pictured in the photos above: First, the large vertical photo is of Michael with Reb Brown, who played Captain America in the TV Films.  Tina and I enjoyed talking briefly with Reb about those films and other films that he has played in since then.  I will be blogging about Reb's future con appearances as he makes them known to me.  I previously blogged about Reb Brown and published photos of his days as Captain America. (Click here to see that post.) The photo shown below Reb's is of Michael with Trish Paytas and Melody Mooney, both of whom were contestants in Season 2 of Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, which I enjoyed watching.  I have "seen" Melody before at the SDCC when the Season 2 was being first promoted, but in that setting there are so many persons there that getting a chance to talk with her was near impossible.  Here at the LBCC I was able to talk with her and Trisha.  I'll be sharing more about them in future blogs.  In the meantime, here is my previous blog post that they would be attending this LBCC:  (Click here for that post.)  Below their photo is another photo of Michael,(Thanks Tina!), with Wonder Woman... again(?!).  Yeah, Tina puts up with my requests to have photos taken with Wonder Woman, who seems to be everywhere at Comic Cons, just like Santa Claus is everywhere during the Holiday Season!  My thanks to this Wonder Woman for posing with me! I do appreciate that! The second column photos, in order from top to bottom are: Nick Nugent, and his publisher Gary Spohn, who had a booth to promote Nick's book "The Knight Rider Companion".  Tina immediately pulled me to their booth when she saw it, knowing of my interest in the latest version of 'Knight Rider' that recently was on TV.  My thanks to Nick & Gary who furnished me with a preview copy.  I will be reading that book soon, and blogging a review of it here in this Blog!  Tina, who is in book publishing / promotions / book launches, was impressed in the high end quality of the book.  Just thumbing through the book while at their booth, I was impressed with the number of color photos the book contained. More on that book later and a link to their web site then... The photo below that was taken from the 2nd floor of the convention center overlooking the exhibit hall floor.  My thanks to the con staff for allowing me to take photos from that special room using our press pass. As you can see, the room was full of attendees when I took that photo (and others) approx 1PM. The third photo on the top right column shows Phil Schlaefer, a good comics retailer in Sunnyvale, California, who has set up at comic cons for years.  He recently had a Grand Re-Opening in Sunnyvale, and we spoke briefly about business there and at the recent SDCC and this LBCC. In the fourth photo is 'Vem' who is a driving force behind the graphic novle 'HollyVood'.  If you are at the last day of the LBCC, look for him and others that are wearing the yellow shirts with the red letters 'HollyVood' and ask them more about this project.  I've already blogged about this project, (click here). The fifth photo shows Steve Kozak and David McAdoo promoting their Red Moon upcoming graphic novel.  I received a sample copy of their prequel comic book, which I will review here later. In the sixth photo is Andi Ewington, who along with others from the UK that were at the Comic.x booth, flew in from the UK to attend.  More on his works later in this blog! In the seventh and last photo in the right column are Dale Wilson and Astra Price, who are the co-owners of DWAP Productions. Great to meet you this time Astra!  I've blogged about one of their titles, 'Caffeine Dreams' in this Blog before. (Click here!) OK, I've run out of room in this post... But Who else is scheduled to be there?  Well, here is the link to the full comics creators and media guests schedule: http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/guests.html  - Please note, appearances and times are always subject to possible change.  The link will also take you to the other tabs in the web site for FAQs, programs, etc, for this, the Final Day of the 2009 LBCC! Also, our thanks to the folks at MAD Exhibits who are putting on this Con: Martha Donato, Phil Lawrence, Mike Scigliano, also known as "Scig!", Steven Hoveke, Kate Horn, Mike Horn, and Chip Carter.  Plus thanks to Drew Seldin of Seldin Gross Communications for handling our press requests. Tina and I both enjoyed attending and reporting about this comic con!  OKAY, that takes care of 'con updates' from Saturday.  As mentioned earlier, I was there the first day, and Tina and I were there Saturday. Previous committments keep us from attending the final day.  But we know that those attending and also exhibiting there will have a Great Final Day at this year's LBCC! BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today!  Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films!  ~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   "Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"   Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for review, send to: Make It So Marketing Inc PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013             Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners. CONVENTION PHOTOS:   Michael D Hamersky congratulating Mike 'Scig' Scigliano on a great Opening Day before starting making the rounds @ LBCC the second day.  Michael & Tina also thank Drew Seldin for extending the courtesy of our press questions requests.  A Great Job was done by all concerned with handling the 1st annual Long Beach Comic Con.  Tina and I are looking forward to attending again next year!  We'll let our Blog readers know ahead of time as to the dates of the con, names of guests and creators that will be attending and more before the next LBCC arrives!   If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

Reb (Captain America) Brown @ Long Beach Comic Con!

 

1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con Is Almost Here!  October 2nd - 4th 2009 @ Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA, 90802 Fri: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Reb Brown - Captain America in Two TV Movies Will Be In Attendance.  Check The Program for Hours!     Reb Brown in Costume  Captain America Action Figure Based on TV   Volume 1 of Captain America TV Films   I have brought to my blog readers attention that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con will be upon us very shortly... That's because it starts at the beginning of October; running from October 2nd thru the 4th! When I was checking the guests lists, both comics creators and media guests, a few names jumped out at me.  I have previously blogged about Hygena and Ms. Limelight from Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero TV show on SyFy would be in attendance. (Click here for that post.)  Another name that jumped out at me was Reb Brown.  He may not be as well known to you as the other two persons named above, but if you have ever seen the two made for TV films that were pilots for a Captain America TV Show... then he is the guy that played Captain America!    Reb was born in 1948.  After playing college football at USC, Reb began his acting career in 1973. His first appearance was in the film Sssssss. He then appeared in guest roles on several Universal Studios-produced television series.  Those included Emergency!, Marcus Welby M.D., Kojak and The Rockford Files. He then played Captain America in two made-for-TV pilot films.  This was during that the time in the late 1970's that Marvel Comics worked with Universal Studios for CBS network development deals.  The main success that is remembered today is 'The Incredible Hulk' that starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, (Lou will also be at this Con!). Reb has gone on to play in other theatrical films and guest roles on TV Shows, none of which are of comic book based projects. So anyways, I thought I would point out his appearing at the LBCC to you today because I for one, have never met him, even though I have watched both films. Who else is scheduled to be there?  Well, here is the link to the full comics creators and media guests schedule: http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/guests.html  - Please note, appearances and times are always subject to possible change, just like at any other convention. Now that you know that Reb Brown a.k.a. Captain America will be there... You can buy your tickets online for the LBCC at: http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/p-1-long-beach-comic-con-registration.aspx Also, If you would like to join with over 1,300 other members who have 'joined' the Long Beach Comic Con Facebook Fan Page, feel free to do so at: http://www.facebook.com/LongBeachComicCon?ref=mf You'll get more up-to-date information as the Con gets closer to its' opening day by signing up there!  BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today!  Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films!  ~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   "Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"   Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for review, send to: Make It So Marketing Inc PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013             Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners. CONVENTION PHOTOS:   Yeah... John Romita Sr. is more widely known for his work on the Amazing Spider-Man title for Marvel Comics.  But he also illustrated Captain America back in the short lived mid-1950's revival by Atlas comics!  Plus John illustrated Captain America in his own title shortly after Cap received his own solo title and continued the numbering of the 'Tales Of Suspense' series.  John Romita Sr. is shown gesturing in the below photo I took at the 2001 Comic Con International:  San Diego / San Diego Comic Con.  If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.