64 years ago, the creation of the Marvel Universe took a giant leap forward when three of the company’s most famous heroes debuted in their first comic book appearances ALL ON THE SAME DAY! Yep, hard as it is to believe, the Amazing Spider-Man, the Mighty Thor, and the Astonishing Ant-Man all hit newsstands on... Continue Reading →
A book by one of my favorite authors, a fascinating history of Hannibal Lecter, and three—count ‘em, THREE!—DC Finest volumes make up my May reading list. Ironwood by Michael Connelly • 5 Stars on GoodreadsDespite having a minor stroke last year which temporarily affected his vision, Michael Connelly is on a roll, with 2026 being... Continue Reading →
Here we go with another look at my three latest DC Finest purchases and reads … and this time, it’s All Batman, All the Time! There’s already been two Batman volumes in 2026, and there’s three more on the horizon between now and the end of the year, plus another Bat-centric Team-ups volume (which just... Continue Reading →
On June 23, 1960, a new and different comic book appeared on newsstands. And while giant-sized comics costing 25 cents were nothing new—Dell, Archie, and Harvey had been doing them for years—Giant Superman Annual 1 was something very different for DC Comics, it’s first-ever, 80-page, all-reprint issue, and the first giant-sized issue to star comics'... Continue Reading →
Just in case you missed my appearance on the San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog's first SDConCast of their 15th (!) season, you can now watch it right here, right now, through the wonders of technology! Once again, the nice people at the Unofficial Blog (Kerry and James), teamed me up with my friend and fount... Continue Reading →
Lots of graphic novels and comics collections in this month’s reading stack, along with one very disappointing crime/thriller novel. The Delivery by Andrew Welsh-Huggins • 2 Stars on GoodreadsGod, this book was tedious. I read Welsh-Huggins' first Mercury Carter book (The Mail Man) a while back and had problems with that one, too, to be... Continue Reading →
Been a little while since I’ve done one of these (partly because I'm doing them three at a time), but here we are … these are the three latest DC Finest volumes I’ve read and enjoyed. DC Finest War: The Big Five Arrive by Robert Kanigher, Bob Haney, Joe Kubert, and Ross AndruThis is the... Continue Reading →
Unless you’re involved in a life-threatening situation or—like me—can upgrade to a nicer place and save some monthly moolah, don’t move, kids. My recent move carved two months out of my life, losing valuable walking, watching, and reading space. I finished exactly ONE book in all of February, that coldest, darkest month, and I am... Continue Reading →
On March 30, 1939, a new hero greeted comic book fans on their local spinner racks. “The Bat-Man” swooped onto the cover of Detective Comics 27, nabbing a criminal in the act. Welcome to Tales From My Spinner Rack Episode 29: “My Favorite Batman Artists, From Bob Kane to Jim Lee!” In honor of Batman’s... Continue Reading →
PSST! … Tales From My Spinner Rack fans, I’ve been keeping a secret from you. Before I got my comic book spinner rack, I had another, “secret” spinner rack, this one dedicated to paperback books. Episode 28 reveals the story behind that other rack, the one devoted to my James Bond vintage paperback collection! Welcome... Continue Reading →
New year, new books! Well … a few of them, at least. January was a bit of a lost month for me, with a bout of the flu and preparation for a major event in my life (more on that on this here blog in the near future). Here are the three books I did... Continue Reading →
Tales From My Spinner Rack! rockets into the new year with Episode 27, “Steranko & Adams: Comic Book Revolutionaries!" which takes a look back at the tumultuous 1960s and the two artists who revolutionized superhero comics in the latter half of that decade, Jim Steranko and Neal Adams! Steranko started first at Marvel on Nick... Continue Reading →
Finishing off the year strong and making my Goodreads goal of 75 books a reality. Here are the final books I read in December that put me over the top for 2025. The Red Shore by William Shaw • 5 Stars on GoodreadsA new book by William Shaw is a cause for celebration any year,... Continue Reading →
Well, it’s that time of year once again, so here I am with my annual Christmas card, which sadly is digital only, because I’m cheap and hate the Post Office. I want to wish each and everyone of you who is reading this a very Merry Christmas and the hope of a Happy New Year... Continue Reading →
MERRY CHRISTMAS! My latest video, “Deck the Halls with Christmas Comics!,” takes a look back at some of my favorite holiday-themed comic books at this most festive time of the year, some of which I own and some of which I WISH I owned. Starring Superman, Batman, the Marvel Superheroes, Archie, Dennis the Menace, Donald... Continue Reading →
