Remembering Neal Adams On The 4th Anniversary of His Passing

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Every once in a while, I will pull out an issue of Batman or one featuring Deadman to savor the artistry of Neal Adams. 

I will admit that I didn't care much for his artwork back around 1968, but reading his Batman and Deadman stories, along with his run on Green Lantern/Green Arrow, his art grew on me. I thought his compositions were quite interesting. 

I had the privilege of meeting Neal Adams at Comikaze Expo in 2012 after being on a Godzilla panel there. I found him easy to talk to and had a couple of photographs taken with him. 

Today, marks four years since the passing of Neal Adams at age 80. (I thought he was younger.) 

It would be fitting to raise a glass in a toast to his memory today.

Original Curt Swan Art Page

Somewhere around 20 years ago, I purchased a page of original art of Action Comics no. 405. It is the October 1971 issue.

The page was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Murphy Anderson (with backgrounds inked by Jack Abel). At the time I bought mine, original comic book art was not too expensive. Mine was $100. I have forgotten who the dealer was that I bought it from.

The page was signed by Swan. 

Today, Swan's original artwork, highly sought after, sells in the thousands of dollars. Key issue art commands more as do covers and splash pages. No, I don't plan on selling my page.

Here is the cover of the issue (by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano):

Here's the page I bought as it appeared in the comic book:

Here's the original artwork as it appears in my home:

Neal Adams: 3rd Anniversary of His Passing

Above, the Neal Adams cover of Batman no. 200.

It is hard to believe that already it has been three years since the passing of comic book giant, artist Neal Adams.

The third anniversary came yesterday. Adams passed at age 80 from sepsis (which also took my mother in 2010). 

Yesterday, Dennis Hayes wrote this about Adams:

On this date April 28, 2022 Neal Adams died in New York City at the age of 80..

Adams was an American comic book and commercial artist known for helping to create some of the definitive modern imagery of the DC Comics characters Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow; as the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates; and as a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Adams was inducted into the Eisner Award's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1999.

When he came on the scene in the later 1960s, I didn't like his style at first. It was too jarringly different. But his artwork grew on me and he became one of my favorite comic book artists (just behind Curt Swan).

I had the pleasure of meeting him in 2012 at the Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. He was quite friendly and was easy to talk to. I was there to take part in a Godzilla panel.

Above, Neal Adams and I at Comikaze Expo in 2012.

His influence in the comic book industry is still felt today.

R.I.P.

Neal Adams Passing One Year Anniversary

Above, Neal Adams and fans at the 2012 Comikaze Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that a year has already flown by since the passing of legendary comic book artist Neal Adams in New York at age 80.

He died in his sleep from complications of sepsis. This was also the cause of death of my mom thirteen years ago. 

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo,

Adams was known for his definitive artwork on Batman and for his work on Superman, Deadman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow.

I had the honor of meeting him at Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles in 2012. 

The man may be gone, but his artwork still lives on.

Paul Levitz's "Neal Adams: Force of Nature - An Appreciation"

Above, Paul Levitz and Mrs. Jerome Siegel at the Superman week
 luncheon in Los Angeles, July 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When his "big burst" upon the comics scene came around 1967-68, my first reaction was neither liking his work nor hating it. It was just so different. Later, when he started drawing Batman and Deadman stories, his work really grew on me.

Above, Superman #204 cover by Neal Adams.

Neal Adams was a giant in the comic book industry. His passing two days ago caused a huge outpouring of appreciation of his artistic talent and leadership in artists' rights that revolutionized the comic book industry.

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

One such outpouring of appreciation came from former DC Comics President Paul Levitz that was posted at 13th Dimension. It is an excellent read. 

It begins with:

Comics has lost a force of nature. Neal Adams was a magnificent artist, but that might have been the least of his talents. It would have been enough if he had just been an artist, of course: being one of the two newcomers to comics in the 1960s (with Jim Steranko) that rekindled the aspirations of a generation to reshape the pages of comics; drawing the definitive Batman that Neal would argue with his customary modesty would make possible billions of dollars of revenue for the company; moving the world of American comic art back from design (exemplified by Carmine Infantino) and exaggerated cartooning (as leaped from the pencil of Jack Kirby) to a new balance of dynamism and illustration; and entertaining so many millions of us.

To read the rest of Levitz's appreciation of Neal Adams, go here. 

Comics Great Neal Adams Dies At 80

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Very sad news!

It is the kind of news that forces one to shout, "Aw, f*ck!"

Comic book artist great Neal Adams has passed away at age 80. He was the man who created the definitive Bronze Age Batman for DC Comics.

Don Glut posted the following on Facebook:

I just heard the sad news that artist Neal Adams -- who  back in the 1960s changed the look of comics -- has died at 80.  Neal illustrated one of my earliest professional stories, "Goddess from the Sea," in VAMPIRELLA #1. What a thrill it was for novice me to open that magazine and find that Neal had done the art for one of  my stories - and made it so much better than it actually was. And I'm so glad that last year -- finally --  in his Crusty Bunkers comic book shop right here in Burbank, CA, he autographed my original copy of that issue.

He also posted:

FYI, I just received this email message from Jim Steranko: Yeah, I was the first that Chris Adams called with the bad news. No prolonged suffering; he died in his sleep about 2-3 in the morning. Don't believe I can accept it—just cannot imagine the Comix World without Neal. At last weekend's show, a couple fanboys mentioned stories about he and I being adversaries—completely fabricated for PR hacking. Even though we were both hard-headed, opinionated SOBs, we NEVER had a negative word between us. Never!!! And I attributed that mostly to Neal!"

I was privileged to meet Neal Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  

I heard he was in ill health in recent months, but this was totally unexpected, at least to me. This is a big loss for comic book fans.

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. 

Happy 80th Birthday Neal Adams!

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Neal Adams, the comic book artist who many (including me) consider to be the definitive Batman artist, turned 80 today.

Adams recently was released from the hospital after a bout with sepsis. Thankfully, he overcame it and is enjoying his birthday.

It is hard to believe Neal Adams is 80. Then again, it is also hard to believe that I'm 67. But, there you go.

I became aware of Adams's work around 1967 when he started drawing covers for DC's Superman Family of comic books. Then, he started doing some Batman/Superman stories in World's Finest Comics.

Not long after that, he started illustrating stories in Batman and Detective Comics. And, around about that time, he took over the illustrating chores for the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series of stories in the Green Lantern comic book. Adams also illustrated Deadman stories, some included Batman. Those were great reads.

I got to meet Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I was there as a panelist on Godzilla.

Adams is still very much artistically active and appears at numerous comic book and science-fiction conventions around the country.

A big Happy Birthday to Neal Adams!

UPDATE (06/17/21):

A nice tribute to Neal Adams was posted in an unlikely place: National Review. I am aware that Adams is politically liberal (and decidedly anti-Donald Trump), but he is lauded in the article as the "Reigning King of Comic Books".

To read the article, go here.

Superman #233 Published A Half-Century Ago

Above, the iconic cover artist Neal Adams doesn't like.

Fifty years ago this month, I was in the first half of my sophomore year in high school.

This month fifty years ago was when Superman #233 (cover date January 1971) hit the newsstands at the "expensive" price of fifteen cents. This issue marked the beginning of the "Bronze Age" of comics for Superman.

A post at the "Neal Adams Almanack" Facebook page caught my attention on the issue.

In this issue, kryptonite was done away with, and Clark Kent was reassigned from the Daily Planet newspaper to Galaxy Broadcasting Company's newsroom. In other words, Clark Kent became John Chancellor (the then-anchor of NBC Nightly News). 

Above, #233's "splash" page by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

Superman #233 also featured an iconic cover by Neal Adams of Superman bursting kryptonite chains from his chest. It is interesting to note that Adams did not like the artwork, feeling it was "rushed". The interior featured the story of "Superman Breaks Loose" by Denny O'Neill with superb artwork by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

The "splash" page of the story states "a return to greatness" for the Man of Steel. Yes, a return was needed as stories became dull and formulaic since the glory days of the early 1960s when science-fiction writer Edmond Hamilton wrote for the comic.

Above, artist Neal Adams and your truly at Comikaze Expo in 2012.

I know it has been a long time since Superman #233 came out, but seeing that it is now a half-century ago, it puts it into a whole different perspective for me. (Jeez, I'm getting old!)

For more details on Superman #233, go here.

Oh, yes. I still have Superman #233 in my collection. I'm hanging onto it since it is considered a "key issue" by collectors.

Adventure Comics #369

One of my favorite comic books was Adventure Comics of the Silver Age. It featured full-length stories of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

The writing was top-notch (by a young Jim Shooter) and great artwork (generally Curt Swan and George Klein and later Swan and Jack Abel).

A little discussion on Adventure Comics no. 369 (cover date June 1968) is taking place at Facebook and I scanned a couple of pages. The cover (at top) was done by Neal Adams.

Here I am with Adams at Comikaze Expo in 2012:

The first is the "splash" page featuring a rare ink job by Curt Swan:

Then, there's page 7 of the story featuring the work of Swan and Abel:

A number of fans didn't care much for Abel's inks on Swan, but I thought they fit the Legion stories quite nicely.

Stan Drake, A Neal Adams Influence

Yesterday, there was a discussion about influence(s) of artist Neal Adams at the Neal Adams Almanac on Facebook.

Above, yours truly with Neal Adams.

It was started by moderator Arlen Schumer when he posted a drawing by Stan Drake of his characters from "The Heart of Juliet Jones" comic strip (above). This brought back memories as I followed that strip when the old Los Angeles Herald-Examiner was published.

When he posted the drawing, Schumer wrote:

ONE OF NEAL'S BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Stan Drake, promo art for ''The Heart of Juliet Jones'' (posted by John Castelhano‎ to Illustration Art Archives); discuss!

It has been a while since I last saw work by Drake (during the discussion, it was revealed that Drake was also the illustrator of the Blondie comic strip in the 1980s, much to my surprise since I never made the connection although I read the strip) and it was nice to see his fine line work again after all these years. Ah, it was nice to see real artistic talent!

Caroline Munro: Greatest Talia There Never Was

Above, Caroline Munro and Armand at Monsterpalooza 2012.

An interesting article was linked at a Neal Adams Facebook page on actress Caroline Munro. It was posted by 13th Dimension.

The premise of the article is that Munro would have been the best Talia (daughter of Ra's al Ghul) ever in a Batman movie. Unfortunately, she never got the chance, but she does bear a striking resemblance to Talia in the Batman comic books.

The article has plenty of photos of Munro to enjoy.

Also mentioned in the article was that yesterday was Munro's 68th birthday (born January 16, 1949).

A happy belated birthday to Caroline Munro!

Neal Adams' "The Coming of the Supermen" Hardcover

I haven't bought a new comic book in ages, but this is tempting me very much!

It appears to have been released a couple of weeks ago (while I was on my road trip).

13th Dimension wrote:

Coming of the Supermen, Neal Adams’ raucous 6-issue DC miniseries, is collected in hardcover this week. Pick it up. 

The premise isn’t particularly new, with concepts DC has played with even in the last 10 years: Some surviving Kryptonians show up on Earth to help out Superman, sort of as a junior Supersquad. They’re learning the powers but Darkseid and his minions are the opposition and all hell breaks loose. Plus there’s a hidden planet on the other side of the sun in an orbit opposite ours. And Superman bleeds.

Above, yours truly with Neal Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

From what I am seeing, facially, Superman looks like Superman again. And, Adams has given Superman his red trunks back!

To read more, go here. 

Batman Stamp In The Mail

Above, the Golden Age Batman stamp.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Caped Crusader, the United States Postal Service issued commemorative postage stamps honoring Batman last year.

The stamps depict Batman in four different "ages": the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Bronze Age and the Modern (or current) Age. The Bronze Age Batman stamp is by Neal Adams.

Above, the USPS Batman stamp set.

The set of stamps has met with some mixed reviews from stamp collectors. Some called the issuing of the stamps "cheapening" stamp collecting.

The reason I am posting this is that I received a piece of mail yesterday that had the Golden Age Batman postage stamp. To be honest, I liked it and will keep it.

The USPS Batman stamps look a lot better and more representative than the Canadian Superman stamps that were issued two years ago without a Curt Swan version of the Man of Steel. Unconscionable!

Neal Adams Underground Ad

Comics great Neal Adams drew an ad for a British cold & flu remedy and the advertisements have been posted in London's Underground (commonly called "The Tube").

He posted a sample on his Facebook page. Nice to see he hasn't lost his touch!

I had the pleasure of meeting Adams at last year's Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo.

Above, Neal Adams and Armand at the 2013 Comikaze Expo.

Some Positives In The Al Plastino Artwork Matter

It is good to see that the comic book professional community is getting behind Golden Age/Silver Age Superman artist Al Plastino in his efforts to get to the bottom of how his original artwork ended up in private hands when the pages were supposed to have been donated to the John F. Kennedy Library almost 50 years ago.

Many in the comics industry, including Neal Adams and his daughter, have gotten involved and, as I mentioned in an earlier blog post, are seeking a legal remedy to keep the artwork from going on the auction block permanently.

At 91, Plastino doesn't need this kind of drama in his life, but in a way it is good that he knows that comics professionals and fans are standing with him, and he is very appreciative. I sent him a link to an earlier blog post on this matter and I received a thank-you from him (posted at top). I am glad that I was able to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to him for years of enjoyment through his work.

As others have said on this matter, the fight is just beginning!

Legal Steps To Prevent Al Plastino Superman-JFK Art From Going To Auction Initiated

Above, artist Al Plastino with the 'splash page' of the artwork in contention.  Photo: Facebook.

It was good news that Heritage Auctions pulled the Al Plastino original artwork of "Superman's Mission For President Kennedy" and will investigate how it ended up in private hands instead of being at the John F. Kennedy Library, where it was intended.

But this is just a temporary withdrawal. However, steps are being taken to keep the artwork from going on the auction block permanently.

According to the New York Post:

But advocates for comic book artists say that since the art was never given to the museum, Plastino remains the rightful owner. Comic book publishers, they claim, only buy the publishing rights to an artist’s work, not the work itself. Publishers generally dispute this, and it’s an issue that’s been debated for decades. 

“He never gave up ownership of the art because DC never purchased it from him or paid sales tax,” asserted Kris Adams Stone, daughter of comic book legend Neal Adams. She added that legal papers are being prepared to halt the auction for good.

To read the full story, go here.

Action Comics #405 Artwork

While chatting with a friend who just scored a Thomas Kinkade painting, it got me to do some digging on the original Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson artwork for Action Comics #405 (October 1971) that I own. It was for the story, "Superman, Bodyguard or Assassin?"

Here's the page:

And here's the cover to the comic it's from (by Neal Adams):

I must've bought the art page about 10-12 years ago. I paid $100 for it. Checking around, it appears that comparable original art from Swan and Anderson during that period now fetches around $500. See this.

Canadian Superman Stamps

by Armand Vaquer

The Canada Post is issuing a run of Superman postage stamps in commemoration of the Man of Steel's 75th anniversary.

The stamps depict the evolution of Superman through the years.

The reason Canada has gotten involved is that Superman co-creator Joseph Shuster was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His Superman artwork is represented in the stamps.

Other artists' work that are represented include Wayne Boring, Dick Giordano, Neal Adams, Kenneth Rocafort and Jim Lee.

I do have one gripe about these stamps. The work of definitive Silver Age Superman artist, Curt Swan is not represented in this collection. That, to me, is a major omission on the part of the Canadian post office.

At least Swan's work was represented in a stamp in the United States when the U.S. Postal Service issued some DC Comics super-hero stamps in 2006 (left).

To order Superman stamps from Canada Post, go here.

Legend Neal Adams's Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #1 Debuts at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience

Source: PR.com News Release

Above, Neal Adams and Armand Vaquer at the 2012 Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

A variant cover of The Walking Dead #1, drawn by legend Neal Adams, will debut at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience, June 28-30 at Basketball City (Pier 36). It is Skybound and Wizard World's fourth Limited Edition cover in the Wizard World Series, offered free to full-price attendees.

New York, NY, June 15, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams will create the fourth in a series of exclusive Wizard World variant covers of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #1 comic, provided for free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience, June 28-30 at Basketball City (Pier 36) in Manhattan. Wizard World and Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, have teamed to produce the line.

Adams will be on hand at Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience to sign copies of the limited-edition comic, produced in extremely limited quantities and available to fans only while supplies last. The first three covers, illustrated by superstar artists Michael Golden, “Zombie King” Arthur Suydam and Julian Totino Tedesco, respectively, were huge hits at Wizard World events in Portland (February, Golden), St. Louis (March, Suydam) and Philadelphia (June, Tedesco). A different creator will draw the variant cover art for each of the remaining scheduled Wizard World shows this year.

Adams has also drawn a second, sketch Black & White cover, which will be provided to VIP guests at the event.

Independent third-party comic book grading service CGC, a leader in the industry, will accept TWD #1 variant and Signature Series submissions at its Wizard World NYC Experience exhibitor booth.

The Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience will be a bonanza for fans of the AMC series based upon The Walking Dead, as headliners Norman Reedus (“Daryl Dixon”), Laurie Holden (“Andrea”), Michael Rooker (“Merle Dixon”), Jon Bernthal (“Shane Walsh”) and Chandler Riggs (“Carl Grimes”) will appear at the event. They will be joined by other well-known celebrities, including Stan Lee, Patrick Stewart and WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, as well as a top-drawer collection of well-known artists, a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the fourth event on Wizard World’s 2013 calendar and the promotion's first at Basketball City.

The Walking Dead graphic novels accounted for seven of the 10 bestselling titles of the year and were #1 overall for both 2011 and 2012.

Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under. Event hours are Friday, June 28, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 30, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty-one years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com.

About Skybound

Skybound is Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics and home to his creator-owned works including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. Skybound also develops and fosters other talented writers, creators and artists and publishes their comic book series and graphic novels: Clone, Ghosted, Invincible Universe and Witch Doctor. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S., where Kirkman serves as Executive Producer/writer. Kirkman is also developing a new show with FOX International Channels based on his upcoming comic book series set in the world of exorcism. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com.

About Wizard World

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

2012 Year End Review

Above, space shuttle Endeavour is towed through the streets of Inglewood in October.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2012 is almost over.  For the most part, the year has been a productive one.  The only real item to mar the year was the failure of Mitt Romney to beat Barack Obama in the November election.  Otherwise, the year has been a good one.

Thankfully, I didn't have to attend any funerals for family members or friends.  Hopefully, this trend will continue through next year.  Knock on wood.  Unfortunately, one friend did pass away.  Comic Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney passed away in July.  Thankfully, we re-connected a few years ago.

The year started out with a get-together dinner (photo, left) in January in Burbank with Jerry "Karlos Borloff" Moore, his girlfriend Marta and Don Glut.  Following dinner at a local eatery, we migrated to Glut's and hung out there for a while.

Also in January, I bought table space at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention (photo, below right) at the Shrine Exhibition Hall to sell The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.  Despite the rainy weather, which dampened the crowd numbers a bit, we did pretty good as far as sales go.  I was thinking about doing the same this coming January, until I remembered that I now have to work Sundays (the day the show is held).  Oh, well.

In general, sales for the travel guide have been better in 2012 than it was in 2011.  Those sales led me to re-order a new batch from ComiXpress to cover the current holiday sale and next year's Mad Monster Party Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Japan tourism in general has improved over 2011.  As Japan's tourism improved, so has sales of the travel guide.

I started reading my collection of Ian Fleming James Bond books during this period.  I have a couple more to read as I have filled in the gaps in my collection.

My article, "Japan Safe For Monster Fan Tourists" made the rounds around the Internet in March.  It appeared in many websites, travel-related and non-travel-related, including the Anime News Network.

April saw the passing of Dark Shadows great Jonathan Frid, artist Thomas Kinkade, newsman Mike Wallace and American Bandstand's Dick Clark.

I attended this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank in April.  While there, I had a reunion with friends Barbara & Jerry Weiler, who came in from Las Vegas.  Also at Monsterpalooza, I met actress Caroline Munro, got her autograph and had a photo taken with her (at left).  She still looks great!

In May, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan received a good review in The Japan Times.




In June, Emi Ito, one of The Peanuts (of Mothra fame) passed away at age 71.  Writer Ray Bradbury died at age 91.

Comic Book writer and columnist Tony Isabella gave a good review of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan in Comics Buyers Guide (photo, right).

In July, I held the first of several yard sales of comic books.  I was pleased to be able to sell quite a number of them.

I donated a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library.  It is now listed and available for researchers.  They were pleased to receive it.

In August, I made available The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan as an ebook at Amazon.com's Kindle Store.  Sales have been good and it is also available at Amazon's foreign sites.  I had been approached by several people about putting it out as an ebook, given the rising popularity of tablet computers.  So I did.  Amazon's ads (example below) for the travel guide are popping up all over the Internet, including in the Drudge Report.

I began my stint as a contributor to a new Japan travel-related website: JapanTourist in August.  My first article appeared in September.

In September, I was invited to join a panel (photo, left) on Japanese robots and monsters at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Our panel had a standing-room-only crowd and I sold several copies of the travel guide following the panel.

While at Comikaze, I met the great comic book artist Neal Adams.  His Batman work of the 1970s is considered the "definitive" Batman and his influence on the character is still felt today.  I had a photo taken with him (below).

I am one of those who "never wins anything."  Well, my luck changed as I won a gift certificate to a Japanese restaurant in downtown Los Angeles through Japan Up! magazine.

In October, I trekked down to Inglewood to see the space shuttle Endeavour being towed to the California Science Center.  Figuring the crowds would be smaller in the wee hours of the morning (I was right), I went there at three-thirty and got some photos of the ship.  An estimated one million people witnessed the shuttle in the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles.

This year's corn harvest has been great.  We made 40% more this year than the year before.  I paid off a lot of bills and bought a few things that I wanted/needed.

Speaking of food, my "roomie" Jes is taking culinary classes and has been making some great dishes.  I am, at least, eating better and healthier with less reliance on fast-food.

Following the election, November has been relatively quiet.  Thus far, December has been the same, except that I had posted an article on "The Battle At Osaka Castle" at Japan Reference's Portal.

Here's to an even better 2013!