Superman Through the Ages! Forum

Superman Through the Ages! => Site Updates! => Topic started by: Great Rao on January 11, 2005, 05:33:31 PM



Title: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Great Rao on January 11, 2005, 05:33:31 PM
Yes, it's been reprinted more times than you can count - but there've been a lot of requests for it:

(http://superman.nu/a/images/superman233.jpg) (http://superman.nu/tales4/sand/1/?page=-1)

"Superman Breaks Loose" (http://superman.nu/tales4/sand/1/?page=-1)

Whether there's any more or not is up to you guys (http://superman.nu/tales4/sand/1/how.php).


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Aldous on January 14, 2005, 02:27:39 AM
I wonder why you felt the need to say "To be honest, we've never liked it"? It's almost an apology for putting Superman Breaks Loose on the website. A lot of fans of the website are also very big fans of the Sand-Superman Saga, Great Rao, which can't have escaped your notice.

I would have to say, without any doubt, there are stories of much poorer value than Superman Breaks Loose in the online comics section -- whether they be poorer historically, story-wise, artistically, or just for plain old entertainment value.

You probably already know my opinion from way back, but the art on the Sand-Superman Saga, particularly the first instalment (and probably the second), has never been surpassed in all of Superman's long history. This is Swan at his zenith, collaborating with his best inker.

The implication that Denny failed with this body of work is a matter of opinion. I don't share it. Look at what came before. Yes, I agree, Denny didn't "get" Superman (and as much as I admire the work of Elliot Maggin, you can't just take his word for Denny's shortcomings no matter how articulate he is)... but the Superman he didn't "get" was the Silver Age one (for want of a better term). The Superman he developed starting with Superman Breaks Loose is a different beast, but I assure you it is Superman: he's a bit older, wiser, a bit more grown up, a little more grim, and the silliness is gone. Now, I really like the Silver Age Superman, but I also like Denny's (necessary) departure from it, his take on the Myth.

The character really did need this departure in attitude and style. But above all, it's entertaining, and a great (and clever) adventure.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Osgood Peabody on January 14, 2005, 10:29:58 AM
Rao - I have the originals, I also just obtained a decent scanner.  I would be willing to give this a shot, although I can't promise when I can get to it.  Just let me know logistically how I can get it to you when it is done.

Aldous (and any other Super-historian) deserves a chance to read this saga in its entirety.  

I'm biased - I grew up with the Swanderson Superman, so this to me is the definitive Superman story.  Regardless of whether Denny O'Neil may have lost interest with the character afterward- for these 9 issues he was on top of his game.  And as to whether or not he "got Superman", read the final pages of #240's "To Save a Superman", and if that doesn't send chills up your spine, nothing will!


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Great Rao on January 14, 2005, 11:14:02 AM
If anyone wants to contribute scans, that'd be great.  I'm all for being proven wrong.  :)



One person is already working on 234, so just start with 235.   If this really takes off, I'll put together a checklist of who's working on which issue(s).  Scans/questions to rao@superman.nu


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: MatterEaterLad on January 14, 2005, 12:09:02 PM
While I understand the main flavor of this site, I'm a huge fan of history...the Sand Superman saga was not my cup of tea, but what a combination of personality, reaction to its time, and a novel attempt at de-powering without changing the mythos as much...like it or not, I think it belongs if its possible...

Cheers!


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Super Monkey on January 14, 2005, 07:47:29 PM
I am also not a fan of this story, but the artwork is really amazing (I am a fan of the art), plus DC will never release it again, so it is worth putting up.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Aldous on January 14, 2005, 09:35:03 PM
Well, Super Monkey, it's strange how some people on this website (and people in general) sing the praises of "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" -- you mentioned it on the Krypto thread in the Metropolis Mailbag forum -- yet it is not a patch on Sand-Superman Saga. "Whatever Happened..?" is overrated, yet Superman fans (including Rao) have to apologise if they even mention Superman Breaks Loose.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Klar Ken T5477 on January 14, 2005, 10:43:43 PM
For me, as a silver ager when I first read these stories I was excited and thrilled and annoyed when a story like "How to Tame a WIld Volcano" took precedence over the Sand-saga.

That cover of the Chinese demon dragging off both Superman and the SandMan in New York City still sends chills up and down my spine.

Heady times indeed and when Jack Kirby started infusing his 4th world into the Super-mythos - wheee!


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: jayfort on January 14, 2005, 11:44:06 PM
This was the comic book that I started my first collection with. It was also the most read book in that collection and, alas, didn't survive. Later I sold the bulk of that collection.

This was Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson at the beginning of their very best. I agree that Denny didn't really "get" Superman but I remember being shocked at how quickly Superman's "de-powered" state vanished.

I still own a puzzle made of this cover and all 4 of my kids, at one time or another, have helped me assemble it.

I'd love to see the Sand-Superman Saga again.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Super Monkey on January 15, 2005, 12:09:46 AM
Quote from: "Aldous"
Well, Super Monkey, it's strange how some people on this website (and people in general) sing the praises of "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" -- you mentioned it on the Krypto thread in the Metropolis Mailbag forum -- yet it is not a patch on Sand-Superman Saga. "Whatever Happened..?" is overrated, yet Superman fans (including Rao) have to apologise if they even mention Superman Breaks Loose.



To me "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" is not only NOT overrated but one of the best Superman stories ever.

Superman Breaks Loose is no where near as good, not even close.

This is just my own opinion, everyone else is more than free to think whatever they want, it doesn't really matter to me.

If you don't like it, well, get over it! These are not facts, just people's own personal points of view.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Spaceman Spiff on January 15, 2005, 11:40:03 AM
Before I start blathering, I'll just say that I think Great Rao can choose whichever stories he wants to put on his website.

Ok, blathering commences now...

I'm not a big fan of Denny O'Neil. I formed that opinion long before I read anyone else's comments about him. One thing that really annoyed me was his use of silly names like Malis (for an alien robot-mummy who wants to kill everyone) or Chokh (for an alien who is polluting Earth). Denny had a message to deliver, and he was prepared to ram it down your throat. I think only Mike Friedrich ever surpassed him in treating the audience as a bunch of dullards.

Has anyone else noticed that Denny also de-powered Wonder Woman and Green Lantern around the same time? What was that about?

Did later writers ignore Superman's de-powerization because they realized that Supergirl would be more powerful than Superman? Apparently, Denny didn't think about that or he would have de-powered her, too.

So, you probably realize that I'm not screaming for Great Rao to post the remainder of the saga. But I'm sure I would enjoy the Swanderson artwork. How's that for taking sides? I guess if I was in one of his stories, Denny would name me something like Ambi Valent.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: dto on January 15, 2005, 12:33:24 PM
Quote from: "Spaceman Spiff"


Did later writers ignore Superman's de-powerization because they realized that Supergirl would be more powerful than Superman? Apparently, Denny didn't think about that or he would have de-powered her, too.



Maybe they DID "de-power" Supergirl about that time.  Beginning in Adventure Comics #402 (February 1971), Supergirl was plagued by "on-again, off-again" superpowers, and had to wear jet boots and a power-assisted exoskeleton under her "gloves and hipboots" costume (the "mod" outfit she got from Diana Prince's dress shop).  While this gave her super-strength and flight when her own powers conked out, she also lost her invulnerablity -- making villain combats a dicier proposition.  Typically Supergirl would suffer a "power failure" in mid-fight, giving the surprised antagonist a chance to mop the floor with poor Kara, but before the "killing blow" was delivered Supergirl's powers would return and she would "turn the tables" once more.

Even though this formula got old VERY fast, her "on-again, off-again" problem continued until the end of Supergirl's Adventure Comics run (#424, October 1972), and Supergirl had fully recovered in time for her own series debut in November 1972.  (Though that only lasted ten issues, so full superpowers apparently weren't enough to counter bad writing.)


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Aldous on January 15, 2005, 03:57:45 PM
Quote
Before I start blathering, I'll just say that I think Great Rao can choose whichever stories he wants to put on his website.


Well I'm sure this vindication from you will help Rao sleep better at night, Spiff.

Now, if Rao didn't want comments on his choices of story, he wouldn't have created a forum -- or, at least, that's what logic tells me.

Quote
To me "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" is not only NOT overrated but one of the best Superman stories ever.


One of the best ever?! You can't think that because of the art (which is pretty terrible), so it must be the script that attracts you. And is that script one of the best ever? I suppose it could be if you digested the hype surrounding it and didn't read much else from Superman's long history.

Quote
If you don't like it, well, get over it!


What I don't like is this dismissive sort of remark which is typical of you, Super Monkey. The forum is for the airing of opinions (and they'll come from all along the spectrum)... As the moderator you should be trying to foster debate -- or, if you can't manage that, at least allowing debate -- not trying to nip dissenting opinions in the bud with your "get over it" speech.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Super Monkey on January 15, 2005, 06:54:49 PM
I don't understand what all this negativity is coming from Aldous, I can't believe that anyone who read my post could think that I discouraging people from voicing opinions, but you seem to be upset because me and Rao and others here didn't like the Sandman story and then you go ahead and attack our taste. I don't understand why this would upset you since it's just our opinion, not everyone will like every story. I do not get upset when someone doesn't like the same stories that I do, if you hate Alan Moore's story, then fine, it's ok by me. If you love the Sandman Sage to death and think it's the great, then that's fine too, just because I do not like it doesn't mean that anyone here has to agree with me, though plenty do, but they came to that opinion on their own I am sure.

This board is about a children's comic book, there is no reason to ever get upset or stress out over anything written here. Just remember it's Superman, it's suppose to be fun, so please have fun.

So please do get over it, and by all means debate away :)


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Aldous on January 15, 2005, 10:03:00 PM
Quote
I don't understand what all this negativity is coming from Aldous


Neither do I. I read your post, and it seemed quite reasonable, which probably means I owe you an apology.

I've been feeling a bit fractious lately. Maybe I miss the rough and tumble debates we used to have on the boards. Everyone seems very polite and agreeable these days. (How disgusting.  :wink:  )

I think life, like a good story, needs a certain amount of conflict to make it interesting, and to stir the blood.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Super Monkey on January 15, 2005, 11:04:41 PM
That's ok, it happens. :P


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Lee Semmens on January 16, 2005, 05:22:48 AM
I must confess, as the owner of well over 400 Action Comics and Superman comics (mainly from 1960 to 1980) that the Superman-Sandman saga is from my alltime favorite period for Superman (the early to mid-1970s), and featuring that incomparable Superman art team of Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

I think with this story arc Denny O'Neil lifted Superman out of a bit of a rut of several years, probably starting about 1966, which featured far too many indifferent stories mixed with the gems.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Spaceman Spiff on January 17, 2005, 09:08:37 PM
Quote from: "Aldous"
Well I'm sure this vindication from you will help Rao sleep better at night, Spiff.

 :oops: My comment was intended as a preface to my own opinion, not as a commentary on anyone else's. My apologies for pre-blathering...
Quote from: "Aldous"
Now, if Rao didn't want comments on his choices of story, he wouldn't have created a forum -- or, at least, that's what logic tells me.

I agree with you, I certainly do like to offer my opinions!
Quote from: "Aldous"
I think life, like a good story, needs a certain amount of conflict to make it interesting, and to stir the blood.

OK, I'll oblige you on this. I think my avatar's cooler than yours. :wink:


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Kal-El10 on January 17, 2005, 10:52:43 PM
The Sandman Superman series came during the 5-6 years when I wasn't reading comic books so I have never read the whole story. I would welcome the chance to do so.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: lastkryptonianhere on January 17, 2005, 10:54:55 PM
Well I personally like the Sand Superman Saga but I started reading Superman's titles on a regular basis at that time also so it does bring fond memories to me.  I think that if the Great One doesn't really care to post it so be it after all he is the Great One and his work on this site is both appreciated and inspiring to this Superman fan.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: TELLE on January 18, 2005, 06:50:47 AM
Quote from: "Super Monkey"
This board is about a children's comic book


Talk about fighting words! :D

I don't really like the bulk of the stories from this period either, although the Swan (and others) artwork is usually stellar.  I must confess, my thinking about 70s DC writers is not very sophisticated and I often get the Dennys and Dannys, etc confused --I remember a helpful rhyme from an old Comics Journal letters pagem but not the actual rhyme.

Who is responsible for Morgan Edge and WGBS/reporter Clark?


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: nightwing on January 18, 2005, 10:04:19 AM
Gee, Aldous is right, we haven't had a fight here in a long time!  And since I used to be at the center of most of them, I can't help feeling I'm letting the team down!  :lol:

I have to admit neither "Whatever Happened To..." nor the Sandman Saga top my list of Superman stories, though they're both strong in their own ways.  Moore's goodbye to Superman was darker than I'd have liked, for one thing, but as far as wrapping up a universe full of old plot threads it did an amazing job in just two issues (considering how many modern comics take a year or more to tell far less complex tales).  Plus it's nice to have any ending at all!  But ultimately, "For The Man Who Has Everything" is easily Moore's Superman masterpiece.

I also agree with the consensus that Denny O'Neill was ill-suited to Superman, a fact he's the first to admit to.  The Sandman Saga was fun, but even Denny ignored the changes it wrought the moment it was over.  For my money, O'Neill only really excelled on Batman, but even the memory of those good stories was undone by his later editorship on the Bat-titles, an era that brought us excrement like "Knightfall" and the "mob rule by phone" debacle of Jason Todd's death.

As for inclusion on this site, if Rao's willing (it is his site after all) I say go for it.  It's obvious DC's turned a deaf ear to pleas for a TPB...and we're not the only ones asking, either.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Super Monkey on January 18, 2005, 11:12:13 AM
There seems to be a misunderstanding here, The Great one said he was more than willing to put them up, but he doesn't have the issues.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Aldous on January 18, 2005, 03:27:44 PM
Quote
Who is responsible for Morgan Edge and WGBS/reporter Clark?


Jack Kirby is responsible for Morgan Edge.

Denny O'Neil is responsible for Kent's WGBS TV job.

The Morgan Edge used by Denny in Superman #233 is actually the evil clone of Edge, and not the real Morgan Edge at all.

It's the clone who takes Kent off the newspaper and assigns him to TV.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: nightwing on January 18, 2005, 03:32:38 PM
Oh yeah, almost forgot.

I have issue 238 and I'll "donate" scans asap.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Great Rao on January 18, 2005, 04:07:23 PM
Quote from: "Super Monkey"
The Great one said he was more than willing to put them up, but he doesn't have the issues.

The way I look at it (http://superman.nu/tales4/sand/1/how.php) is, if I'm going to spend my money on back issues, there are other back issues I'd rather spend it on - especially at the high prices these issues seem to go for.   And there are other stories that I'd rather spend my time adding to the site.  But I've never read it and I'm curious about it.

We've got two people who said they'd work on 234 (http://superman.nu/tales4/sand/2/): one has to get his scanner fixed, the other is using a dial-up connection, so it's slow going.

Nightwing is down for 238.

Osgood Peabody, are you still willing to send in any issue(s)?

:s:


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Osgood Peabody on January 18, 2005, 04:18:52 PM
Quote from: "Great Rao"

Osgood Peabody, are you still willing to send in any issue(s)?

:s:


Absolutely.  I'll start on #235, and I can do others if needed.

Later this week, I'll try and send you some test-scans just to make sure they can get through to you, and are of sufficient quality.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Aldous on January 19, 2005, 07:13:38 PM
Great Rao,

Does the colouring for the online comic more or less match the colouring in the original printed comic book?

I only have a crisp black and white reprint of "Superman Breaks Loose." I've never seen it in colour.

For example, in the aircraft sequences, the sky goes from garish orange to pink, then bright yellow, to pink, then back to bright yellow. Was the original comic coloured like this?


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: TELLE on January 20, 2005, 01:18:27 AM
Quote from: "Aldous"
Quote
Who is responsible for Morgan Edge and WGBS/reporter Clark?


Jack Kirby is responsible for Morgan Edge.

Denny O'Neil is responsible for Kent's WGBS TV job.

The Morgan Edge used by Denny in Superman #233 is actually the evil clone of Edge, and not the real Morgan Edge at all.

It's the clone who takes Kent off the newspaper and assigns him to TV.


The funny thing is I've actually read the Jack Kirby and new TV job stories but had a temp short-out.  Love those Kirby Jimmy Olsens, Project Cadmus, etc.  But I also love the Silver Age Olsens (maybe more).  I also like the few 70s O'Neill Batmans I've read.


Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
Post by: Great Rao on January 20, 2005, 01:56:27 PM
Quote from: "Aldous"
Does the colouring for the online comic more or less match the colouring in the original printed comic book?

I only have a crisp black and white reprint of "Superman Breaks Loose." I've never seen it in colour.

For example, in the aircraft sequences, the sky goes from garish orange to pink, then bright yellow, to pink, then back to bright yellow. Was the original comic coloured like this?

I don't know for certain as  I only own the Millenium reprint edition, not the original comic.  But I suspect that these are the original colors for two reasons:
    1 I've compared other Millenium reprints with the their matching original editions and the colors have been the same;

    2 At the time this story was first published, I'm pretty sure that the sky was often colored orange, pink, or yellow from panel to panel.  Actual blue sky colors were rarely used.[/list]
    :s:


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Kal's Pal on January 20, 2005, 04:52:17 PM
    ... It's great to see Rao adding such a historically significant tale to the site, despite his personal preferences. :) I myself have only read this first part through 'Superman In The Seventies', though it looks like an intriguing little saga. ... so I look foward to seeing the rest whenever that may be. But in the meantime, thanks again Rao!


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Osgood Peabody on January 21, 2005, 09:38:01 PM
    Quote from: "Aldous"
    Great Rao,

    Does the colouring for the online comic more or less match the colouring in the original printed comic book?

    I only have a crisp black and white reprint of "Superman Breaks Loose." I've never seen it in colour.

    For example, in the aircraft sequences, the sky goes from garish orange to pink, then bright yellow, to pink, then back to bright yellow. Was the original comic coloured like this?


    Aldous - I have the original, and while the colors are more or less consistent, they don't seem quite as garish.  Probably a combination of the cheaper paper, plus 30+ years of aging.  But yes, they did change the background colors from panel to panel.


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: nightwing on January 22, 2005, 01:38:59 PM
    You got me looking at my copy, too.  Yes, the colors are all over the map in this sequence, but as Osgood says, it doesn't poke you in the eye so bad in the original.  Personally, I think this has to do with the paper used back then; you could use really garish colors but they became "muted" on that cheap newsprint.  In fact you almost had to use garish colors just to make an impression at all.  But reproduce the same effects faithfully on today's "superior" paper stock and, as Burt Reynolds said in "The End," it looks "like Walt Disney threw up!"

    The impression I get is that this occurs during a sunset.

    And for the record, I'd give up today's printing techniques, Photoshop colors, computer-generated lettering and "high quality" paper in a second for a return to the good old days of pulp paper, occasional bleeding colors and a 25 cent price tag!


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Aldous on January 22, 2005, 11:31:37 PM
    Quote from: "Osgood Peabody"
    Aldous - I have the original, and while the colors are more or less consistent, they don't seem quite as garish. Probably a combination of the cheaper paper, plus 30+ years of aging. But yes, they did change the background colors from panel to panel.


    Thanks, Osgood...

    Quote from: "nightwing"
    And for the record, I'd give up today's printing techniques, Photoshop colors, computer-generated lettering and "high quality" paper in a second for a return to the good old days of pulp paper, occasional bleeding colors and a 25 cent price tag!


    As a "four-color" fan myself, I can sympathise...

    Excuse my curiosity, though. The adventure as presented online here is the first time I've ever seen it in colour. I grew up on the Superman and DC Comics presented in black and white, due to the embargo on American originals in place at the time. The Australian (and New Zealand) reprints were, for the most part, bereft of colour.

    I much prefer top-notch art such as "Swanderson" in black and white.


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: TELLE on January 23, 2005, 02:34:02 AM
    But it really helps those non Anderson-inked pages when color is added.

    An artist who would agree with the fans of "muted" colors on newsprint is Dan Clowes, who's David Boring graphic novel was a partial homage to Silver Age Superman and Wayne Boring.

    Check out this Clowes print on newsprint:

    http://www.buenaventurapress.com/prints/printBP-14.html


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Klar Ken T5477 on January 23, 2005, 07:44:06 AM
    Telle, Dan Clowes is awesome!

    And I love the 4 color original comics feel myself!  In fact, Dark Horse archives relased a hardbound Magnus collection and they didnt have the original art or good scans so they scanned the comics and the blacks filled in on Russ Manning's art!   Slick paper and color but bleeccch!

    Better off to search for the originals on e-bay or at a local comic con.  I picked up a batch of goodies yesterday at the Big Apple and a classic JO meets Supergirl tale by Swan!


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: TELLE on January 23, 2005, 08:21:39 AM
    Cool.  I love all those supporting character crossovers.  JO meets SG, Clark Kent meets Batgirl, etc.


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: nightwing on January 23, 2005, 09:49:55 PM
    Aldous:

    When you say "black and white," do you mean just black line art on a white page or one of those deals where various shades of gray substitute for colors?

    Because it occurs to me that if there's lots of Australian B/W reprints of classic comic stories out there, they might be a great resource for the Archives series.  So often it seems DC doesn't have the original art for stories, so they get some hack to trace an old comic and try to recreate the line art that way (this is called, "black and white reconstruction" officially, but in plain English it's "tracing."  Similarly, it's credited to "Rick Keene," which translates to "caffeine-crazed chimpanzee with a Sharpey").

    If in fact there are vintage B/W comics out there, they might be much better starting point for these recreations.  I wonder if we should suggest it to DC?


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Aldous on January 24, 2005, 03:43:16 AM
    No shades of grey as such... The reprints I am talking about are more or less the same as the comics you have, except it's as if the comic page never made it to the colouring department. Or, put another way, the comics are just the pencils, inks, and lettering. Nothing else.

    Here is a page from "How to Tame a Wild Volcano." The actual page is normal size, but I have had to drastically reduce the size and quality to put it here... But hopefully you can get an idea of what I mean.
    (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Aldous1/supacomic.jpg)

    I talked about this a bit in my Australia & New Zealand: the Reprint Anthologies thread, which is around here somewhere... And I believe I discussed in this forum with the great India Ink about exactly how (?) the Australian and New Zealand publisher physically obtained the comics pages to reprint... The reprints started in the 40s and go all the way through to the 80s, or thereabouts.

    Quote from: "nightwing"
    (this is called, "black and white reconstruction" officially, but in plain English it's "tracing." Similarly, it's credited to "Rick Keene," which translates to "caffeine-crazed chimpanzee with a Sharpey")


     :rotfl:


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Lee Semmens on January 24, 2005, 05:12:38 AM
    If anyone is interested in reading more about the Australian DC reprints here is a link (originally provided by you, I believe, Aldous):

     http://www.ausreprints.com/content/

    I probably have over a hundred of them myself, some dating back to the late 1940s, but personally I prefer to get the original DC comics, of which I have well over 1500. I must admit, though, that the early Aussie comics are much cheaper and easier to get than their American counterparts.

    Interestingly, in his magazine Alter Ego, Roy Thomas often uses pages provided from an Australian reader, from the Australian comics, rather than the U.S. versions, which suggests that black and white art is easier to reproduce, as Nightwing says.


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: nightwing on January 24, 2005, 09:41:48 AM
    Wow, this really is exciting!

    Clear black and white line art, ready for scanning, coloring and reproduction without having to track down original art (which is rare and sometimes non-existant).

    Is it just me, or does this seem like a wonderful resource for the Archives program?  Who can we talk to about pursuing this at DC, assuming Rick Keene isn't somebody's cousin who they want to guarantee work to?

    And BTW, Aldous, that is a fantastic page!  Curt really gets across the idea of an oppressive downpour, and you're right that adding color almost seems like taking it over the top.


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Great Rao on January 24, 2005, 03:41:26 PM
    Quote from: "Aldous"
    Here is a page from "How to Tame a Wild Volcano." The actual page is normal size, but I have had to drastically reduce the size and quality to put it here... But hopefully you can get an idea of what I mean.

    (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Aldous1/supacomic.jpg)

    Seeing this page in black & white reveals just how incredibly beautiful the Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson artwork is in this story.  Unlike the Jack Kirby stuff (which was obviously intended to be colored but was criminally reprinted in B&W by DC), it seems like the Swanderson Sand Saga work was meant to be seen this way.  Aldous, would you be willing to scan one of the installements for the site?  The bigger the better. :)

    Also, a quick note - one of the recent upgrades I've made to the forum is that now people can include images as big as they want in their posts.  If the images are too wide, they'll automatically get shrunk down when they appear inline.  You're able to click on them and the full-size version will pop up in a new window.

    :s:


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Gary on February 02, 2005, 10:42:49 AM
    In case you can use them, I've emailed in scans of Superman #235 and #237. I hadn't read this forum at the time I started and didn't know that Osgood was also doing #235.

    I've also got #242, but it's missing the cover, and #241, but it's missing the cover and the first three or so pages. Let me know if either of these would be of any use to you.


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Great Rao on February 02, 2005, 12:15:34 PM
    242 would certainly be useful.  Just hold off sending it until I get 235-237 online, I don't want my backlog to get much longer.

    I don't know about 241, unless someone else here has just those first three pages...  :)

    :s:


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Klar Ken T5477 on February 02, 2005, 01:26:13 PM
    Cant wait to see that B&W page LARGE!!!


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Great Rao on February 02, 2005, 03:14:35 PM
    I know how you feel, but you'd better mention it to Aldous.  I'd be more than happy to add some B&W installments if he scans them.

    Maybe those missing three pages to 241?

    :s:


    Title: Re: "Superman Breaks Loose"
    Post by: Aldous on February 12, 2005, 12:35:21 AM
    Quote from: "Lee Semmens"
    If anyone is interested in reading more about the Australian DC reprints here is a link (originally provided by you, I believe, Aldous):

     http://www.ausreprints.com/content/

    I probably have over a hundred of them myself, some dating back to the late 1940s, but personally I prefer to get the original DC comics, of which I have well over 1500. I must admit, though, that the early Aussie comics are much cheaper and easier to get than their American counterparts.


    Thanks, Lee. Yes, that is the number one website for information on the Aussie black and white DC reprints.