Marvelmania: Bruce McCorkindale Silver Age Cover Re-creation Art

K

Marvelmania: Black Light Blockbusters

Black light poster

A black light poster is a poster printed with inks which fluoresce under black light. The inks used contain phosphors which cause them to glow when exposed to the ultraviolet light emitted from black lights.

In the United States, blacklight posters emerged as part of the psychedelic fashion scene between 1967 and 1969. Since then, the art form has gone out of fashion and is generally viewed as a relic of the 1970s.

The Third Eye, Inc.

The third eye (also known as the inner eye) is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna (brow) chakra in certain Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. It is also spoken of as the gate that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness. 

In New Age spirituality, the third eye may alternately symbolize a state of enlightenment or the evocation of mental images having deeply personal spiritual or psychological significance. The third eye is often associated with visions, clairvoyance (which includes the ability to observe chakras and auras), precognition, and out-of-body experiences. People who have allegedly developed the capacity to utilize their third eyes are sometimes known as seers. 

This New York City-based publisher put out scores of intriguing black light posters. (No affiliation with the Redondo Beach surf music club of the same name.) 

They were primarily of the psychedelic, head shop genre of the late 1960s. Poster themes varied from the mystical to political to religion to colorful geometric designs and op-art. Included are works by noted black light artists Orlando Macbeth and Roberta Bell. 

In the early 1970s, Third Eye produced black light Marvel comic book hero merchandise -- posters, jig-saw puzzles, greeting cards, etc. 

 

 

Marvelmania: Bruce McCorkindale Spider-Man Cover Re-Creations (After Steve Ditko)

From Dick Ayers to Mike Zeck, and the rest of the comic creator pantheon in-between, re-creations are a growing trend in collecting that is growing in popularity, especially for the budget-minded original art collector. God only knows what tremendous prices the actual Steve Ditko covers would bring at auction.

The Sterankophile: Captain America

The Spirit of America print

Jim Steranko has often cited Captain America as his favorite comic book character.

In the wake of terrorist death and destruction, America has rallied with a renewed sense of patriotism and a powerful resolve to protect the nation's freedom.

United in that cause, Jim Steranko and Marvel Comics have joined forces to bring hope and courage to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy.

Heralded for his spectacular patriotic covers and action-packed panoramas, Jim Steranko delivers the definitive image of the classic star-spangled hero in The Spirit of America, a breathtaking vision celebrating the legend of comics' fighting Sentinel of Liberty, from his battle-born World War II creation through the Cold-War revival to today's turbulent crusade.

"Captain America has always been my favorite character and I know he holds a unique place in the hearts of all comics fans. It's a great honor to be associated with him again in this special cause", Steranko says, referring to his innovative series that redefined the American gladiator.

In his joint venture with Marvel Comics, Steranko has pledged a 100% donation to WTC Charities from the sales of this print, with a goal of $100,000. Join the fight to maintain liberty and justice among all Americans.

Marvelmaniac: Make Mine Cornball

The 1966 Donruss "Marvel Super Heroes" Gum Cards

You would think the Marvel Super Heroes would be the theme of a multitude of trading card promotions, but there are really only a handful produced from the 1960s to about 1981, when the theme really took off.

The 66-card Donruss set is the first card set utilizing a selection of Marvel Heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, and Daredevil.

Youngsters even had the chance to write their own one-liners on numerous cards making finding high-grade examples even tougher to acquire.