Creator Profile #2 Marshall Rogers

Hey there friends, another edition of the ultimate comics blog is here for consumption!! This creator profile features one of the best Batman artists of all time, Marshall Rogers. While he is best known for his work on Batman, Rogers, who had a background in architectural design, drew Gotham city with such a moody accuracy, that it became just as big a character as the dark knight himself. He and writer Steve Englehart did a mere six issue run on Detective Comics in the mid seventies and each issue is now considered a classic having been reprinted several times. His moody solitary Batman was the perfect counter to the maniacal Joker and his laughing fish of issue #475. Later in 2005, he would once again team-up with his old pal Englehart and do a limited series called Dark Detective in which Batman thwarts the Joker's plot to run for office. Aside from his work on Batman, Rogers did many fill-in issues and covers for Marvel and DC respectively. He did moderate runs on Mister Miracle for DC as well as an underrated run on Marvel's Silver Surfer in the late 80's. Rogers was a warm and friendly guy; I was fortunate enough to meet him a few years back, and he was very giving with his time and artistic gift. Sadly Marshall died suddenly in 2007 and the comics community lost one of the best artists of the seventies, as well as a premiere Batman creator. That's it for today true believers, but i'll return very soon with more great comic facts for you!!! Peace, B.M.T.

Comics That Only Need A Cover #2

Howdy friends! Another beautiful day in Boston! Well this installment of the Ultimate Comic Blog will take us all the way back to 1969, but first a little history lesson for you. Back in the 1960's DC created various new characters and placed them in a title called Showcase. Many of these heros were duds and were quickly forgotten (B'wana Beast anyone?). Others became classic heroes that still exist today (The Flash). For several issues starting with issue #73 each issue featured a character that soon got their own title. Issue #74 was the Anthro issue. Anthro is a caveman. Yep that's it. So easy Anthro could do it. Anthro #1 was released in July 1968, and promptly erased in 1969. The last issue is the one showcased today.

Anthro #6

This cover will always be one of the best because of the cat-fight! With art by Howie Post and Wally Wood it harkens back to the good old times when you could just sit back, "relax" and eat your turkey leg while two broads fought over you. Now it's all about saturday trips to Pier 1.But in all seriousness, that is why it's still a fun cover, it's absurdity. Thanks for taking the time true believers and i'll catch you later! Peace, B.M.T.

The Funny Books

For the second installment of The Funny Books, i've chosen a more recent offering. Superman/Batman Annual #1 from 2006. I know I went on a bit of a rant about the superiority of older books, but this one is just plain FUN!

Writer: Joe Kelly

Artists: Ed McGuinness, Various

Synopsis: Superman and Batman team up to thwart the efforts of Deathstroke and The Crime Syndicate.

The creators knew what they were doing with this book. This non-continuity tale takes place on a cruise ship with Clark and Bruce having to share the same stateroom and keep an eye on Lois Lane. Deathstroke the Terminator has been contracted out to kill Superman, so he shows up disguised as a waiter, waiting for the moment to make his move. The Crime Syndicate shows up to shake down the wealthy guests on this cruise, as well as another unnamed assassin. This assassin acts and resembles a certain "merc with a mouth" and basically gets in the way of Deathstroke earning his pay. I'm sure you can guess who wins, but the ending is too good to reveal here. All in all this is a hilarious take on an otherwise serious title and i would recommend grabbing this one next time you see it in the dollar bin. Well that's it for this edition folks, i'll be back soon with another DC book with... an AWESOME cover. Take care true believers, B.M.T.