Godzilla: Meet The Titans

Fans of the classic Toho flicks will no doubt recognize each one of the fantastically designed creatures, and we can assure you- you will NOT be disappointed when you see the film.

Director Mike Dougherty really does give these fantastic creatures the respect and care they deserve, proving he wasn’t kidding when he said “Primitive man saw these creatures, you want to give them a presence that would make them drop to their knees and bow to this god.”

Pair these gorgeous Titans with incredible sound design and one of the best scores this year (by Bear McCreary), Godzilla: King of the Monsters has all the makings of a true summer blockbuster.



Members of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species-thought to be mere myths-rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

DC Announces New Batman/Catwoman Series

From DC Comics

DC fans can expect an exciting future as the publisher revealed early details on its strategy for 2020, beginning with stories featuring tight, intertwined narratives across DC’s comic book lineup. Leading this charge into the future is Batman, the World’s Greatest Detective and a cornerstone of the DC universe.

Related: Batman #1 Variant Cover C DC Rebirth September 2016 DC Comics Grade NM

Beginning in January 2020, DC’s ongoing BATMAN comic book, currently shipping twice-monthly, will return to a monthly schedule, allowing DC to incorporate the monthly BATMAN title into the larger DC universe and continuity. BATMAN will ship alongside a new 12-issue BATMAN/CATWOMAN series by Tom King and Clay Mann, while Bat-Family titles DETECTIVE COMICS, CATWOMAN, NIGHTWING, BATGIRL and others will continue into 2020 with no immediate changes to their shipping schedules.

“We’re making changes to our comic book publishing line to set DC up for continued success,” said DC’s editor-in-chief Bob Harras. “We’re starting with the bestselling BATMAN comic after ‘City of Bane’ wraps up in December. ‘City of Bane’ is an incredible story and an integral part of our overall ‘Year of the Villain’ campaign, and a new Tom King and Clay Mann Bat/Cat series in 2020 fills the gap once BATMAN begins to ship monthly.”

Featuring art by Tony S. Daniel, ’City of Bane’ kicks off in BATMAN #75 on July 17th, 2019, when, after three years being broken down by Bane, Bruce Wayne falls to his lowest point. Bane’s minions have moved into Gotham City, taken control and are ruling with an iron fist…and Batman is nowhere to be found. This extra-sized anniversary issue kicks off a storyline that ties together all the threads of the first 74 issues of Tom King’s epic BATMAN run. ’City of Bane’ will run 11 issues with artwork by series regulars Daniel, Mikel Janín and Mann, concluding in December 2019 with BATMAN #85.

“Batman and Catwoman is a chance to do what Morrison and Quietly did in Batman and Robin: launch an ambitious, accessible, beautiful, thrilling new series that concludes years of stories and defines what Batman is, can, and will be,” said Tom King. “This will be a comic about what the best Batman comics are always been about, how our greatest hero turns fear into bravery, pain into hope, trauma into love. It’s the story I always wanted to tell, and I’m telling it with the man I consider to be the greatest artist in comics, my brother Clay Mann.

“It’s tough to leave Batman,” added King. “It’s a gift and a joy to be on that book. But I’m leaving it to work on the biggest, most ambitious projects of my career, comics I get to make with the best collaborators in comics. And that’s a gift and a joy too.”

“We’re excited for fans to get more of what they love from DC,” said Harras. “With Joëlle Jones continuing on CATWOMAN, a new creative team on BATMAN, plus titles like DETECTIVE COMICS, BATGIRL, NIGHTWING, RED HOOD: OUTLAW and BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS, our Gotham City protectors and the talent behind them will continue to offer great stories that cater to the tastes of as many Bat-fans as possible in 2020 and beyond.”

G.I. Combat "The Death of the Haunted Tank!"

From DC Comics

"The Death of the Haunted Tank!" written by Robert Kanigher with art by Russ Heath:
The bombshell saga that created the new Haunted Tank, is reprinted from issue #150. Plus: "Peace with Honor!" by Ric Estrada. And: 1-page Warrior illo "Field Marshal E. Rommel" by Sam Glanzman.

G.I. Combat #169 (1st Series 1952) February 1974 DC Comics Grade NM

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The Light Tank M3 Stuart is the vehicle of Jeb Stuart's tank crew during World War II. The ghost of Stuart's ancestor Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart possessed the tank and aptly became nicknamed as the "Haunted Tank". Throughout the war the tank fought through the North African Campaign to the European Theater of Operations, but not without being damaged and its crew saw through several M3 tanks. When their latest M3 was destroyed, the crew scavenge spare parts and wreckage from a "tank graveyard" to build themselves a new tank, known as the "Jigsaw Tank", which serves them from that point.

The Jigsaw Tank was soon eventually replaced by an M4 Sherman tank that served its crew through to the end of the war. Despite an incident in which the ghost of General William T. Sherman being assigned to the tank once the crew switched to the Sherman, General Stuart's ghost continues to watch over the crew till the war's end.

Our Fighting Forces "7 11 War"

From DC Comics

Sarge starts winning at dice and feels that is a bad portent for the Losers. Their C.O. demands that they draw straws, and when the Losers draw the short straw, they think that they're in for it now. However, it turns out that the short straw wins a leave to London. The Losers arrive in the aftermath of a bombing and rescue some kids at the bequest of their mother near an unexploded bomb. They attempt to save the woman, but they are not in time before the bomb detonates. The Losers head back to camp as they feel even when they get leave it turns out to be a losing proposition.

Our Fighting Forces #128 - December 1970 Issue - DC Comics - Grade Fine

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Joe Kubert cover. Mort Drucker.

Our Fighting Forces began with an October–November 1954 cover date. Writer-editor Robert Kanigher's work appeared in most issues of the title. Artist Alex Toth worked with writer/editor Archie Goodwin on the story "Burma Sky" in Our Fighting Forces #146 (Dec. 1973–Jan. 1974) and Goodwin praised Toth's art in a 1998 interview, stating "To me, having Alex Toth do any kind of airplane story, it's a joy for me. If I see a chance to do something like that, I will. He did a really fabulous job on it." Jack Kirby wrote and drew issues #151 to 162 featuring The Losers. Other contributors include artists Jack Abel, Ross Andru, Ken Barr, Gene Colan, Ed Davis, Mort Drucker, Mike Esposito, Ric Estrada, George Evans, Jerry Grandenetti, Russ Heath, Bruce Jones, Joe Kubert, Irv Novick, John Severin, Tom Sutton, Frank Thorne, and Wally Wood, some of whom would also script. The series was cancelled as part of the DC Implosion with issue #181 (September–October 1978).

The History Of Memorial Day

From The History Channel

The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.

By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.

Waterloo—which first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and reprised the tradition in subsequent years; by 1890 each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states, on the other hand, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Read The Original Article

Superman "Tales of the Bizarro World!"

From DC Comics

Bizarro-Jr. No. 1 gets in trouble at school for giving the correct answers on exam questions, but sleep-carves a Mount Rushmore-style monument to famous movie monsters of Earth, flunks his art test with highest honors, and redeems the pride of the first Bizarro family.

Superman #202 (1st Series 1939) December 1967 DC Comics Grade Fine

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Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Klein.

"Bizarro's Amazing Buddies"
This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #289.

When parents on the Bizarro World rise up in protest against horrifying TV programs from Earth like Daniel Boone, Bizarro No. 1 goes to Earth to find some wholesome heroes worthy of being seen on children's programming, like the Abominable Snowman, the Frankenstein Monster, and the Devil. He locates none of them, but does run across Titano, the giant super-ape, whom he calls "Tiny" and promises to make a star. On the Bizarro World, kids declare that "Tiny" is a steal of King Kong. Bizarro is disgraced. And because he is, the Bizarro Mayor proclaims him a hero and features him and his family in a ticker-tape parade.

"Bizarro's Secret Identity"
This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #288.

Bizarro Mxyzptlk gives Bizarro Lois No. 1 super-powers, and she assumes the secret identity of Stupor-Woman to help female Bizarros. Mister Mxyzptlk comes by, makes everyone forget Bizarro-Lois was Stupor-Woman and takes away her powers, while making Bizarro No. 1 put on a fake nose and become Stupor-Man, using a secret identity of Bizarro-Clark Kent. Perry White exposes Bizarro-Clark as both Bizarro No. 1 and Stupor-Man because he wears his "Bizarro No. 1" medallion in plain sight. Bizarro abandons his disguise, but says he must be smarter than Superman, because his secret identity was exposed on his first case.

"Bizarro Meets Frankenstein"
This story is reprinted from Superman #143.

On Bizarro World, the Bizarro family is enjoying an evening of watching Earth television programs. They come to enjoy the horror movies, as to the Bizarro mentality, they equate to comedy, when Bizarro tells his children that he is the greatest monster of all, he is quickly corrected when an advertisement for a movie based on Frankenstein's Monster airs on the television. This prompts Bizarro to return to Earth and face off with the Frankenstein Monster.

Of course the monster is fictional, and so Bizarro ends up attacking an actor who is portraying the role, bringing the attention of Superman. Since Bizarro hasn't done anything wrong, Superman chooses to just sit back and see what the monster ends up doing. Bizarro then begins to try and scare people, but only finds that people laugh in his face and don't find him the least bit frightening. Not even a pair of children are scared of Bizarro, and instead come to enjoy his company.

This drives Bizarro mad with rage and he goes on a rampage on the movie set, until he believes he's scared everyone because their hair is standing on end. In reality, Superman had turned on a static electricity generator, so that Bizarro would be satisfied and go back to his home world.

Watching with his x-ray vision, Superman sees just that, and Bizarro goes to his children and presents them with a marionette of the most frightening thing he could find on Earth: Superman.

"The Bizarro Invasion of Earth"
This story is reprinted from Superman #169.

Superman is dismayed when the Bizarros come to Earth saying that they will do him the favor of destroying the planet, not knowing they mean the advertising globe on top of the Daily Planet building.

"The Bizarro Perfect Crimes"
This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #291.

When criminal Bizarros kidnap Bizarro Lois Lane and hold her hostage, Bizarro No. 1 is forced to think up get-rich-quick schemes for them time and again, such as raiding Earth garbage dumps and wrecking cars to make them more valuable, until Superman impersonates him, lends a hand, and gets the wicked Bizarros to reveal where they have stashed Bizarro's wife.

"Bizarro Creates a Monster"
This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #292.

Bizarro is angered that broadcasts he picks up from Earth call the Frankenstein Monster a horror character, so he decides once again to give his people a real monster. First he captures an apelike caveman from another planet. Then he trains the duplicator ray on the caveman, and produces a blond Adonis whom foolish Earth people would call a matinee idol, but whose looks are enough to drive Bizarros into paroxysms of fright. The creature, whom Bizarro names Sapollo, does star in a film, but it proves to be too much for even the toughest Bizarros. Bizarro No. 1 eventually bows to the will of the planetary council, and agrees that Sapollo is too horrible to live. But before he can be captured, Bizarro Mxyzptlk merges Sapollo with the body of the caveman. Because the caveman is a decent-looking sort who goes around smashing houses, including that of Bizarro No. 1, everybody is satisfied, and all breathe a sigh of relief, knowing the monster has been banished.

NOTE: Images below are not from the issue for sale. They are generic images for reference only.

Thousands Of Fans Swarm To See The Worlds Biggest Monster ... Locomotive

Literally thousands of fans have lined up to catch a glimpse of the worlds largest superstar ... and it's not Godzilla. No the monster in question isn't a Hollywood terror but the newly restored Union Pacific 'Big Boy' locomotive 4014 which is now on a cross country tour to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Related: Girl and Goliath Santa Fe 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive 3751 Limited Edition Print



History:

UP No. 4014 was part of the first group of 20 Big Boys, classified as 4884-1. In December 1941, ALCO delivered No. 4014 to Union Pacific, which placed it in revenue service. Designed to haul 3,600-ton trains over Utah's Wasatch Range, No. 4014 and the 24 other Big Boys routinely pulled trains of up to 4,200 tons. No. 4014's last routine repairs took place in 1956.

No. 4014 completed its final revenue run on July 21, 1959, just hours before the last revenue run by any Big Boy. It had traveled 1,031,205 miles (1,659,564 km) during its twenty years of revenue service. Union Pacific retired No. 4014 on December 7, 1961. All of the Big Boys were retired by 1962, their duties assumed by diesel locomotives and gas turbine-electric locomotives (GTELs). Union Pacific donated it to the Southern California chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, California, where it became one of the eight Big Boys preserved around the United States.

In late July 2016, UP officials announced that restoration work on No. 4014 had begun under Heritage Fleet Operations director Ed Dickens. No. 4014's driving wheels were sent to be repaired by the Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. To convert the coal-burning locomotive to run on No. 5 fuel oil, the firebox grates were replaced with a fire pan and an oil burner. In March 2018, it was reported that the process of putting the locomotive back together had begun; ten months later, the locomotive's restoration was nearly finished.

No. 4014 was successfully test fired on April 9, 2019, and on May 1 at around 9 p.m., it finally moved under its own power for the first time in over 59 years. The following day, the locomotive left Cheyenne on its first test run to Nunn, Colorado and return.

Upon the completion of the restoration, No. 4014 joined the railroad's No. 844 (FEF-3 4-8-4) and No. 3985 (Challenger 4-6-6-4) in excursion service. No. 4014 also became the world's largest operational steam locomotive, displacing No. 3985, which was the largest operational steam locomotive until it was taken out of service in 2010 due to mechanical problems.

No. 4014 made its first excursion run amid the celebrations marking 150 years since the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Following its May 4 christening at the Cheyenne Depot Museum, the locomotive — along with No. 844 — traveled to Ogden, Utah, making several brief stops in communities along the way. No. 4014 arrived at the city's Union Station on May 9, and departed on May 12. It derailed on May 16 while entering the yard at Rawlins, Wyoming; it took three hours to get the locomotive back on the rails. It then continued its journey the next day, and finally arrived back in Cheyenne on May 19.

Look for the 4014 to come to your area sometime this year. Keep track of it's progress at 2019 Union Pacific Steam Schedule.

An Awesome New Anime Short - The Mighty Grand Piton

The Line

Looks like an updated version of Gigantor or Johnny Sokko...

The Mighty Grand Piton is a short film about a young British girl, Connie, who travels to the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia for her school holidays with her family. There, she accidentally awakens a giant robot buried under the Twin Piton mountains on the south of the Island. This robot seems compelled to protect Saint Lucia but his origins are mysterious. No one knows where he came from or how long he’s been there. During the many years he’s lain dormant, The Mighty Grand Piton, became nothing more than the stuff of legend.

READ MORE: Epoxy #1 - Limited Series - Giant Robot Manga - Epoxy Press - Grade NM



The Mighty Grand Piton is the brainchild of Wesley Louis, whose parents were born in Saint Lucia before moving to the UK. Connie, whose character is based on an amalgamation of Wes’s nieces and nephews, is also an embodiment of his own experience of visiting the Caribbean. Specifically, the story references his memories of engaging with a culture and community that he grew up just hearing about. We also get a sense in this film what it was like seeing for the first time a landscape that could not be more different from where he was born in London.

I wonder how long until Disney steals this one? lol

Bettie Page's Timeless Beauty Deserves Upgraded Trading Cards

Dynamite Entertainment announces a Kickstarter for upgraded packaging and contents for the Bettie Page Deluxe Ultra-Premium Sketch Card Collection. Adorers of Bettie's timeless beauty and sketch card fanatics can check out the campaign for great value on packs and boxes, including one-of-a-kind sketch cards and other bonuses! Famed wrestler, commentator, artist and Bettie superfan Jerry "The King" Lawler will not only be featured as an additional card premiering via Kickstarter, but will also be contributing signed and exclusive sketch cards to the set with a unique design!

The Bettie Page Sketch Cards Kickstarter is live now, visit here: BETTIE PAGE DELUXE ULTRA-PREMIUM SKETCH CARD COLLECTION

Following successful and fan-favorite comic book series, Dynamite is bringing Bettie to trading cards! Bettie’s timeless All-American sensuality and playfulness is captured expertly by top-of-the-line artists included in this set including Joseph Michael Linsner, David Williams, John Royle, Scott Chantler and more! Also included are some of the most iconic photographs of the beauty legend. Dynamite will also be bringing in the hottest sketch card artists for thousands of one-of-a-kind exclusive pieces.

The special Jerry Lawler promo card is inspired by the iconic work of 1980s painter Patrick Nagel. This uniquely designed chase card as well as signed versions will be included in a limited number of packs. Including ultra rare Gold Elite Signature Series cards! Backers on Kickstarter for one or more packs are guaranteed one of these cards!

"I've been a Bettie Page fan for a long, long time," said Jerry Lawler. "As an artist myself, I've always been a huge fan of pinup art from models and legends like Gil Elvgren and Olivia. Bettie and I are both from the beautiful state of Tennessee. There was a kind of connection. I was the king of wrestling and she was the queen of the photoshoot! She always seemed special to me. I'm excited about the fact that the Dynamite cards and comic books are letting today's fans get acquainted with an icon like Bettie again or for the first time. It's not just art to me, it's doing a piece for one of my all time favorites. Its a win-win!"

Every individual foil pack includes 2 Base Cards, 2 Sketch Cards, 1 black and white "Peek-a-Boo" card, 1 puzzle card, and 1 autographed card for 7 total cards per pack, with 12 packs per box. The Peek-a-Boo cards are a risqué photo of Bettie and will be black bagged like a full size adult magazine so fans will actually open it to reveal the entirety of the card. Now fans can support the Kickstarter to have every foil pack additionally packaged in individual sturdy cardboard sleeves.

Bettie Page will forever reign as Queen of the Pin-Up and an icon of femininity. Her signature black hair, bangs, sparkling blue eyes and prototypical figure made every man want her and every woman want to be her - and that continues to this day. Some of her more risqué photoshoots and films were whispered legends which garnered one of her other nicknames, The Dark Angel, further cementing her legacy.

Bettie Page's influence on art and comic books knows no bounds either. In the 1970s and '80s, artists across media were inspired by Bettie such as Olivia and Eric Stanton. Innovators of the "good girl" style in the 1950s such as Matt Baker and Bill Ward were surely inspired by Bettie's figure and charm. The comics master Dave Stevens directly based The Rocketeer's girlfriend Betty on her differently spelled namesake.

Another reward tier option for supporters is the critically acclaimed Bettie Page graphic novels by writer David Avallone (Elvira Mistress of the Dark) and artist Colton Worley (Project Superpowers, The Shadow).

Backers who preorder four foil packs or more will be able to choose among a selection of top tier artists to produce exclusive one-of-a-kind sketch cards just for them. Also available are various, one-of-a-kind sketch card puzzle sets of 4,6 and 9 cards.

Bettie Page super fans can consider going all in on higher reward tiers for a full bag of loot. Which includes two full boxes (24 packs), two promo cards, a 9 card puzzle set, the ability to choose their own sketch artists and most exclusive of all - an uncut factory card sheet! The ultimate rare collectible for card collectors.

Dynamite's cream of the crop sketch card artists in this set include Axe, Ken Haeser, Kevin Graham, Mike Lilly, Mitch Ballard, Rich Molinelli, Sanna U, Tim Shay and tons more!

“Bettie Page’s influence on popular culture on so many different levels has lasted for nearly 70 years! I have no doubt that her enviable physique, style and attitude will continue impacting men and women for another 70 years,” said Nick Barrucci. “Creating this card set and bringing in such a diverse pool of artists each offering their own interpretation of Bettie is the perfect way to celebrate this legacy. The fans are going to love all this gorgeous art.”

This Kickstarter campaign is only available for a limited time, so don't miss the chance to get these cards early and with added value! BETTIE PAGE DELUXE ULTRA-PREMIUM SKETCH CARD COLLECTION

Uncanny X-Men: "And Hellfire is Their Name!" (The Dark Phoenix Saga: Part 4 of 9)

From Marvel Comics

Following their near defeat by the White Queen and fearing that the mansion is no longer safe for them, Cyclops takes the team to the former X-Man Angel's aerie in New Mexico. He asks to talk to Angel privately, who then flies him to the top of a butte out in the middle of the desert (much to the chagrin of Professor X who wanted them to return to the school immediately). Cyclops recounts the X-Men's recent adventure and states that they were targeted by a group called the Hellfire Club. Warren finds this hard to believe as he and his girlfriend Candy are members of the Hellfire Club.

Scott goes on to explain that he's worried about changes in Jean’s personality. Before he can explain any further, Jean herself arrives and interrupts them to have a private picnic with Scott. Warren leaves them alone and Jean gets Scott to take off his visor. Much to his surprise, she telekinetically holds his optic blast in check. The two embrace and make love on the butte as the sun sets.

A week later on a stormy night, the X-Men return to New York City to infiltrate the Hellfire Club and learn why they are targeting the X-Men. Wolverine and Nightcrawler travel through the sewers to sneak into the club from below. As they are passing through the rapidly flooding tunnels, Wolverine slices open some electrical wiring pointing out that they could use a distraction later if things get hairy, a move that Nightcrawler finds very sneaky.

Uncanny X-Men #132 (1963 1st Series) April 1980 Marvel Comics Grade VF
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1st printing.
This comic book is in close to new condition. Comic is complete with cover and all pages attached. This comic has very few flaws that warrant a VF grade.
Comic Book will be shipped bagged and boarded!

Meanwhile, with invitations organized by Warren, Scott and Jean, and Peter and Ororo attend a prestigious party within the club. Before they go in, they radio back to the Professor and Angel in New Mexico to advise them of their plan so that they can carry on if they fail. As Scott and the others enter the party and try to blend in, they are spotted on the club’s security monitors by the Hellfire Club's inner circle: the cybernetic Donald Pierce and mutants Sebastian Shaw, Harry Leland and Jason Wyngarde. Shaw tells Wyngarde this is his chance to prove that he has full control over Jean Grey and sends him out into the party.

Sure enough, as Scott and Jean are dancing, Wyngarde cuts in and sweeps Jean off into another one of his illusions. She instantly believes she’s in the 18th century and that Wyngarde is the love of her life, ignoring the perplexed Scott.

Wyngarde takes Jean upstairs and Scott follows after them. Scott is shocked when Wyngarde drops the illusion to reveal himself to be none other than the X-Men's old foe Mastermind. Chasing after them, he is blasted by Jean who has now been transformed into the Black Queen and is under Mastermind's full control.

Hearing Scott's scream of pain over the crowd, Storm and Colossus change into costume and charge after their friend. Running upstairs, they encounter Sebastian Shaw. Colossus learns the hard way that Shaw can absorb any physical attack inflicted on him and transform it into strength and invulnerability. Shaw easily defeats Colossus in battle but Storm manages to escape by creating a thick fog to obscure his vision.

Down in the basement, Wolverine and Nightcrawler emerge from the sewers only to be attacked by Pierce and Leland. Pierce locks Nightcrawler in a chokehold. But while Wolverine manages to damage Pierce's cybernetic arm, Leland uses his mass-increasing powers to increase Wolverine's weight until he breaks through the floor and lands in the sewers below, where he is swept away and presumed to have drowned.

Upstairs, Storm is tracked down by Sebastian Shaw who easily defeats her in hand-to-hand combat. The X-Men have all been defeated and the inner circle members celebrate their victory. Sebastian Shaw silently notes Jason Wyngarde's cockiness and suspects that he will attempt to replace him as leader of the Hellfire Club. A toast is proposed to the newest member of their club -- the Black Queen!

Down below in the sewers, meanwhile, Wolverine emerges from the waters alive and well. He is incredibly angry, having taken the Hellfire Club's best shot and he is ready to show them his own.

This story is continued next issue.

McFarlane’s SPAWN makes history as the longest running, creator-owned comic book with superstar creative team

From Image Comics

Todd McFarlane’s SPAWN character sets the stage for a historic celebration as it breaks the record for the longest-running, creator-owned comic in the world. To mark this momentous occasion, McFarlane has gathered a team of superstars from the comic industry to contribute to this giant sized 72-page book.

Related: Spawn #2 June 1992 Image Comics Grade NM

The big news for SPAWN #300 is that award-winning artist, Greg Capullo (Batman), returns to illustrate SPAWN. Capullo first brought his talents to Image Comics' longest running title, with issue #16, leading to a visually-stunning run as the book’s featured artist, culminating in the hallmark 100th issue.

Following his seminal work on DC Comics’ iconic Batman, Capullo will be the main featured interior artist on SPAWN #300, alongside another major revelation...

For the first time since 1995, Todd McFarlane, one of the top-selling artists in comic book history, will return to pencil and ink interior artwork of the character he created during his high school days!

“I created SPAWN back when I was a teenager hoping to someday break into the comic book industry,” said Todd McFarlane, SPAWN creator, and President at Image Comics. “Now, over 40 years later, not only was I able to have a career drawing and writing comics, but SPAWN has been by my side for most of that journey. Even more exciting, SPAWN is becoming the longest running creator-owned comic in the world!

“The group of creative folks helping out on this historic SPAWN 300th issue is something that I hope thrills the ‘inner 15-year-old' in all of us. Plus, to have Greg Capullo come back to this title after so many long years, is what has me most excited as I personally consider him to be the top talent drawing in our industry today.”

The superstar creative team doesn’t end with Capullo and McFarlane. Current SPAWN artist, Jason Shawn Alexander, fan-favorite J. Scott Campbell (Danger Girl, Spider-Man), rising star Jerome Opeña (Uncanny X-Force, Seven to Eternity) and best-selling writer Scott Snyder (Batman, Metal, Wytches), all bring their talents aboard to help usher in SPAWN’s next grand evolution.

The birth of Image Comics in 1992 was an exciting time, but there are few moments I remember more vividly than getting my hands on the first issue of SPAWN,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher & Chief Creative Officer at Image Comics. “Todd was already a comics superstar at that point—but SPAWN vibrated with an energy all its own and I think everybody knew it was destined not only to be a hit but to stand the test of time. The fact that we’re approaching issue 300 nearly 30 years later is a testament to its impact not just on Image, but the industry as a whole. Go, Todd!”

SPAWN #300, a 72-page full-color comic book, celebrating 27 years, and counting, of the hit independent series with an all-star lineup of comics creators, will be in stores August 29, 2019. The title will feature 12 covers by McFarlane, Capullo, Campbell, Opeña, and Alexander, including gorgeous black and white “Artist Edition” variants showcasing the original, inked artwork of both Capullo and McFarlane. This historic, oversized issue will retail for $7.99.

DC To Relaunch 'Wildcats' Starting In August

This August, Warren Ellis unites with artist Ramon Villalobos for an action-packed new era of WILDCATS. Following his genre-breaking work reintroducing beloved superheroes from the WildStorm Universe, Ellis and Villalobos will take the covert team on a new adventure in a six-issue miniseries beginning August 28.

Related: Wildcats Covert Action Teams #1A (1st Series 1992) August 1992 Image Comics Grade NM

“The first line I wrote down for WILDCATS was: ‘Saving the human race from the human race,’” says Ellis. “It’s a team made up of people who have seen the worst in everybody and everything, and yet still put themselves in frankly absurd amounts of jeopardy just so tomorrow might be a little bit better. And it’s a short series, so I might just kill them all. Come and see what happens. The art is great.”

“Warren has created something truly spectacular with the relaunch of the WildStorm universe over the past two years,” says DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee. “There are few visionaries in our business and few still who can elevate mythos with such vitality and spectacle. Paired with Ramon’s extraordinary artwork, I’m thrilled for fans to check this out come August.”

From the pages of THE WILD STORM, the piratical covert team are here to stop humanity from destroying itself. The black-ops team featuring Grifter, Savant, John Colt and Adrianna Tereshkova have discovered that the secret space program Skywatch has been performing medical experiments on abducted innocents for decades. And now one of those experiments is about to explode—revealing a new threat and level of danger that no one could have prepared for. The covert team may have thought the world was strange before, but they had no idea—and now the stakes might just be too high.

“From the jump, WILDCATS has always represented to me the most modern and cutting-edge approach to superhero comics,” says Villalobos. “I’m excited for the opportunity to draw fun and fashionable comics for the coolest and smartest audiences in comics. WILDCATS has a heritage of genius creators who have worked on these characters, so it’s pretty cool to be able to awkwardly put my name among theirs.”

WILDCATS from Ellis and Villalobos will build on Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt’s 24-issue series THE WILD STORM, which kicked off in 2016. The series will channel the same breakneck energy and imagination, creating a thrilling new story for fans of the WildStorm universe.

WILDCATS #1 is available on August 28. You can check out the main cover and variant cover here.

This August, Gwen Stacy enrolls at Empire State University in GHOST-SPIDER #1!

Gwen Stacy Journeys Across the Spider-Verse in 'Ghost-Spider' #1

Written by Seanan McGuire with art by Takeshi Miyazawa, the new series sees Gwen make her way to the center of the Marvel Universe as she travels from her troubled home of Earth-65 to Earth-616 for Super Hero action…and school! And the newest student at ESU is about to get a crash course in multiversity as she splits her time between the world she loves and the world she’s just getting to know!

Related: Spider-Gwen #0 Fried Pie Variant Cover January 2016 Marvel Comics Grade NM

"After dipping her toes into the main Marvel Universe, Gwen Stacy is finally taking the leap part-time as she enrolls in Empire State University," notes series assistant editor Danny Khazem. "But Gwen’s going to need to do her Spider-History research if she’s going to figure out just who from Spider’s past is keeping tabs on her!

"Seanan McGuire and Takeshi Miyazawa are bringing their A-game back to Gwen’s world in GHOST-SPIDER #1, where she’s going to face some familiar Spider-Foes in her travels between her native home of Earth-65 and Earth-616—the Marvel Universe we all know and love!"

Pre-order your copy of GHOST-SPIDER #1 at your local comic shop now!

Darth Vader Uses The Full Power Of The Dark Side Against The Rebels On Hoth

These scenes should have been in The Empire Strikes Back!

From Gizmodo (Australia)

Darth Vader is scarier than he used to be. While he’s always been intimidating, knowing that he was once a little kid who built C-3PO hurt his threat factor. For a while. Rogue One, arguably, changed that, melding the prequel and original trilogy versions of Darth Vader into a Force-powered walking tank of terror.

Related: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Official Collectors Edition Paradise Press, Inc 1980 Grade F/VF

The latest Galaxy of Adventures short brings that Vader to Hoth. This is not the Darth who just calmly waits for doors to open, who marches through the Rebel Base while his Stormtroopers do all the dirty work.



No, this Vader is much more dangerous than that. This is the Darth Vader I like to imagine, the one who you know by reputation in the original trilogy but don’t really get to see in action. The force (heh) of nature, knocking down your door and cutting you down.

Scary guy, yeah?

King of Monsters Roars onto the Web to Establish Global Dominance with First Official Website Godzilla.com

Toho

Feel the rumble as one of the most iconic monsters stomps its way online with the global launch of the first-ever official Godzilla website from Japanese entertainment studio Toho Co., in time for the highly anticipated film, Godzilla: King of the Monsters releasing on May 31.

Commemorating the 65th anniversary of its screen debut in 1954, Toho is connecting Godzilla fans around the world of all ages through exciting content from more than 30 films, comics, art, apparel, toys, encompassing the entire Godzilla universe.

“We’re thrilled to unleash a world of content around our most beloved Godzilla,” said Keiji Ota, CGO (Chief Godzilla Officer) at Toho. “Fans have been longing for a universe that celebrates the all-mighty king of monsters and Godzilla.com delivers the most exciting news and stories about upcoming events, new merchandise and special releases as we commemorate the 65th anniversary of Godzilla.”

One of the most exciting features is the first official Godzilla Monsterpedia, unveiling everything fans have ever wanted to know about monsters (or kaiju) in the Godzilla Universe! Monsters such as King Ghidorah, the three-headed monster and Godzilla’s biggest rival; Mothra, the guardian god of its maternal island; and MechaGodzilla, the giant battle robot modeled on Godzilla are featured. The battles among them and with humans are one of the highlights of the Godzilla movies. The more fans get to know about the kaiju, the more they can enjoy the exciting world of Godzilla.

Godzilla.com will be continuously updated as a source of news for upcoming Godzilla films including movie trailers and key art, events, fan content, new product news, and all future announcements. It will also be a resource for Godzilla’s complete filmography including rare videos, wallpaper and much more destructive content including updates on epic Godzilla toys, apparel and lifestyle products.

Godzilla first appeared in Toho’s “Godzilla” (1954), a classic monster movie widely regarded as a masterpiece. The work launched a monster franchise that expanded over 64 years with more than 30 films. Over time, the franchise itself has evolved, as Godzilla and other creatures appearing in Godzilla films have become a metaphor for social commentary in the real world. The characters are no longer mere entertainment icons but embody emotions and social problems of the times. Godzilla has become a globally recognized icon, finding its way into worldwide pop culture and influencing many creative minds.”*

Dungeons & Dragons: Infernal Tides Comic Book Heats Up IDW Publishing in November

IDW Comics

IDW Publishing reunites the Dungeons & Dragons: Legends of Baldur’s Gate creative team of writer Jim Zub and artist Max Dunbar for an all-new adventure: Dungeons & Dragons: Infernal Tides! Debuting in November 2019, the five-issue miniseries delves into the mythology established in the highly-anticipated D&D adventure Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus arriving on September 17.

Related: Eerie #100 April 1979 Warren Magazines Grade VF

In Infernal Tides, fan-favorite Minsc and his friends are caught in the middle of devil-tainted corruption that has taken hold of Baldur’s Gate. Unravelling the secret of its source will take the heroes to unexpected places and threaten the sanctity of their very souls. Even if they survive this perilous journey, there will be Hell to pay!

“Dungeons & Dragons: Infernal Tides is a wild ride through some of my favorite parts of D&D lore,” says Jim Zub. “Getting the chance to help develop the story and setting for a brand new D&D sourcebook directly with the D&D team, having Max Dunbar contribute key concept art to that adventure, and then getting both of us back at IDW to create a brand new comic story that propels Minsc and the rest of the Baldur’s Gate heroes into the same kind of devilish danger is an absolute dream come true. This comic is going to be pure D&D-fueled adrenalin. I can’t wait for readers to see how it all rolls out.

“I’m so connected to these characters,” Jim continues, “that I’m shaving my head and donning the purple makeup and leather armor to play as Minsc at D&D Live 2019: The Descent. Watch me roll some dice with Chris Perkins as DM and Matthew Mercer playing Boo in the final part of The Descent at dungeonsanddragons.com on May 18 at 8pm PT.”

“I am so thrilled to be able to return to D&D comics with Jim Zub in Dungeons & Dragons: Infernal Tides,” says Max Dunbar. “This story plunges our Heroes of Baldur’s Gate into an adventure of a scope and scale we haven’t seen yet in these comics. We’ll dive into the heart of locations and events that are absolutely legendary to D&D. I feel incredibly lucky to be working with Jim Zub, incredible colorist Sebastian Cheng, IDW, and Wizards of the Coast on this vast and diabolical story!”

“We are so excited to be bringing back the original Baldur’s Gate creative team for this new series,” says David Hedgecock, associate publisher at IDW. “What an incredible privilege it has been to watch these creators and this story become such an important part of D&D canon!”

Infernal Tides, while an accommodating entry point for intrepid new readers, rewards longtime fans as the continuation of Jim Zub’s epic comic book storyline which began with Dungeons & Dragons: Legends of Baldur’s Gate and continued into Shadows of the Vampire, Frost Giant’s Fury, and Evil at Baldur’s Gate.

For information on how to secure copies of the Dungeons & Dragons: Infernal Tides miniseries, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

Write & Draw Your Own Vampirella Comic!

Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite is making a giant splash in July 2019 with a new Vampirella series by top tier creators like Christopher Priest, as well as reprints and collections of highly sought after recent and classic material, and lots of special items for fans. But in addition to celebrating the 50 years of Vampi, Dynamite looks to the future of Vampirella comics with a blank comic for aspiring creators!

Related: Vampirella #2 (1st Comic Series 1992) February 1993 Harris Comics Grade NM

Dynamite is offering the Vampirella Blank Comic Book. This standard length comic book sports sketch-quality blank interior pages and a cover with just logo treatment. Dynamite is embracing the extraordinary talents of their fanbase and the comics community to experiment and produce their own Vampi stories.

People can take on the project solo or collaborate with friends to write, draw, ink, color and letter a full length story. Or split up the pages for an anthology in the vein of the original magazine. Another challenge would be to follow the famous 24-hour comic challenge. An artist drawing in this book could be the next José González, Amanda Conner, Mike Mayhew or Ergün Gündüz, finding themselves professionally drawing the Daughter of Drakulon someday. Or writing, in the footsteps of Archie Goodwin, Kurt Busiek, Mark Millar or Christopher Priest.

"This IS the year of Vampirella! It's her 50th Anniversary, and as we were looking at exciting new projects to do, we thought to join the current trend of creating near completely blank books for fans to be creative and write and draw their own adventures!" said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. "Whether fans will write and draw comics to practice their craft, or just for the fun of it, this is a great book to try and fulfill your artistic aspirations."

The Vampirella Blank Comic Book will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ May 2019 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in July 2019. Comic book fans are encouraged to preorder copies with their local comic book retailers.

Fans Go Insane For Godzilla: King of the Monsters

The hits just keep on coming in 2019, and according to these early reactions to Michael Dougherty’s monster mash sequel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, fans might have the kind of Godzilla film that was only briefly glimpsed in Gareth Edwards underrated original.

Here’s a small selection to stoke the blue flames of anticipation before Godzilla: King of the Monsters hits cinema screens on May 31st.

#GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters is the modern day Godzilla movie you’ve been waiting for. It’s everything the 2014 Godzilla isn’t, while still retaining the best elements of that film and elevating them x 100. Monstrous action that rattles the theater. So damn good. @GodzillaMovie pic.twitter.com/claFZH3oq1

— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) May 10, 2019

Social reaction embargo has lifted on #GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters, so I can finally say OH MY GODZILLA YESSSSS! If your biggest complaint of #Godzilla 2014 was not enough monster time, DEFINITELY get it in this! Let them fight! Had a great time from start to finish! #godzillamovie pic.twitter.com/8qNfQ3P9b9

— Andre (@BlackNerd) May 11, 2019

#GodzillaMovie is the film I’ve waited years for. The thrilling sequel captures the spirit of Japan’s famous kaiju while setting up his reign for years to come. There are few words which describe the film as well as momentous, and its epic scale will leave audiences of astounded.

— Megan Peters (@meganpeterscb) May 11, 2019

Godzilla: King of the Monsters rules so goddamn hard. Easily the most fun I’ve had in theaters all year and the best Monsterverse entry yet. The scale is mind-boggling & every action scene could be your new desktop wallpaper. See it on the biggest screen possible. #GodzillaMovie pic.twitter.com/YoZrAAjey1

— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) May 11, 2019

Am now free to say #GodzillaMovie King of the Monsters is handily the craziest, most entertaining American kaiju movie in existence. But that doesn't do justice to just how wild a ride this is, jumping from the majesty of the monsters to the wackiness of the humans...

— David Crow (@DCrowsNest) May 11, 2019

The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is set for release on May 31st, 2019 and sees Michael Dougherty (Krampus) directing returning Godzilla stars Sally Hawkins (Dr. Vivienne Graham) and Ken Watanabe (Dr. Ishiro Serizawa), and new additions Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Aisha Hinds (Star Trek Into Darkness), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley), Zhang Ziyi (The Grandmaster), Randy Havens (Stranger Things) and Elizabeth Ludlow (The Walking Dead).

The History of Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2019 occurs on Sunday, May 12. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts.

Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.”

Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, this celebration fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church”—the main church in the vicinity of their home—for a special service.

Over time the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted into a more secular holiday, and children would present their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the American Mother’s Day in the 1930s and 1940s.

The origins of Mother’s Day as celebrated in the United States date back to the 19th century. In the years before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children.

These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.

Another precursor to Mother’s Day came from the abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe. In 1870 Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” a call to action that asked mothers to unite in promoting world peace. In 1873 Howe campaigned for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be celebrated every June 2.

Other early Mother’s Day pioneers include Juliet Calhoun Blakely, a temperance activist who inspired a local Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the 1870s. The duo of Mary Towles Sasseen and Frank Hering, meanwhile, both worked to organize a Mothers’ Day in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some have even called Hering “the father of Mothers’ Day.”

Read The Original Article At History.com

This Week In History: Winston Churchill becomes prime minister of Great Britain

This Week in 1940, Hitler begins his Western offensive with the radio code word “Danzig,” sending his forces into Holland and Belgium. On this same day, having lost the support of the Labour Party, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigns; Winston Churchill accedes to the office, becoming defense minister as well.

As British and French Allied forces attempted to meet the 136 German divisions breaking into Holland and Belgium on the ground, 2,500 German aircraft proceeded to bomb airfields in Belgium, Holland, France, and Luxembourg, and 16,000 German airborne troops parachuted into Rotterdam, Leiden, and The Hague. A hundred more German troops, employing air gliders, landed and seized the Belgian bridges across the Albert Canal. The Dutch army was defeated in five days. One day after the invasion of Belgium, the garrison at Fort Eben-Emael surrendered, outmanned and outgunned by the Germans.

The Dutch and Belgian governments immediately appealed to Britain for help. Neville Chamberlain pleaded to Parliament that a coalition government, of Liberals and Labour, would be necessary to generate support for a war effort, especially given the lethargy that infected Britain, still reeling from World War I. Labour demonstrated no support for Chamberlain, preferring Churchill, who they thought better able to prosecute a war. As one member of Parliament put it: “Winston—our hope—he may yet save civilization.” Great Britain had finally come to take the Nazi threat seriously.

Read The Original Article At History,com

California Governor Wants To Increase Health Care Coverage For Illegal Aliens

In California Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2019-20 budget plan, he suggests spending nearly $260 million to provide health care to illegal immigrants aged 19 to 25. But where would this money come from? According to the Sacramento Bee, his plan could siphon public health dollars that would otherwise be going towards the treatment of STD's, and even measles outbreaks.

As of May 1, there have been 40 confirmed cases of measles in California.

Providing more health coverage for undocumented immigrants is expensive, and would likely force other existing health clinics to close "at a time when we now have measles cases in the region and we don't want to be shutting those services down," Dr. Peter Beilenson, the county Health Services Director said.

Why would Newsom want to provide more money to immigrants? California already allows undocumented children to participate in Medi-Cal until they're 19... And while the federal government usually helps with the costs Medicaid, California wouldn't have that luxury due to it's large population.

According to director of Placer County's Health and Human Services Department Jeff Brown, moving around the state money "would exacerbate our already limited capacity to respond to outbreaks and public health emergencies."

Newsom is expected to have a revised budget ready by May 14. The state legislature will vote on it this summer.

“I hope there will be some reconsideration,” state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), chairman of the Senate Health Committee said.

Read The Original Article At KFI 690