The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

by **ElijahSnowFan** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:42 pm

cncoyle wrote:It's so sad that an industry has to be reminded that their job is to tell entertaining stories, not clean up inconsistencies in their three-quarter-century history of publishing.

You know, there once was a time when it seemed like these companies, maybe Marvel a little bit more than DC, had balance when it came to this issue.

Now, it seems like it's so ridiculously out of whack...it's just crazy. You have Spider-Man and Wolverine in 10 books each. You have other characters who can't seem to get into a book, anywhere -- and I would argue that most readers would like one less appearance of Spider-Man or Wolverine if they could get any appearance whatsoever of a character they like who is slightly less popular, in a good story.

I feel this most acutely with, as always, Captain Marvel. I must be the stupidest bastard alive, because I just don't get why that character can't appear, as Billy Batson and Billy Batson alone, in the mainstream DC Universe.

It wouldn't have to be his own book...just let the character be a heavy hitter in the Justice League or Justice Society. I won't disparage all of the characters who have appeared in those books over the years, but I think it's fair to say that Captain Marvel has as much of a loyal following, if not moreso, than the majority of the rosters of those books. Man, I'm like a dehydrated man in the desert -- I'd pay a lot of money to see Billy Batson in a legitimate role in a book.

I mean, seriously -- Magog was a member of the Justice Society.

Magog.

Wow.

by **ElijahSnowFan** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:43 pm

Asmodeus Jones wrote:

It's from the cover of a science-fiction paperback on my desk.

"It began in Union City when they brought in the man who screamed before he died, his flesh a mottled gray. Then it spread. The disease hit South Bend. Then Chicago. Men dying. Their skin a lead gray, their lips browned, and screams tearing their way up through throats that leaked blood. Always men. Never women."

BKV, you thief!

HA! Thanks for the heads-up -- I kinda have interest in the book after reading that! What is it?

by **Victorian Squid** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:56 pm

ElijahSnowFan wrote:
HA! Thanks for the heads-up -- I kinda have interest in the book after reading that! What is it?

The Haploids by Jerry Sohl.

I was also thinking of this picture from another book for my avatar. Switching now..

SCAN0094.JPG

Nah, I like the Haploids one for now..

by **ElijahSnowFan** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:11 pm

Asmodeus Jones wrote:
The Haploids by Jerry Sohl.

I was also thinking of this picture from another book for my avatar. Switching now..

SCAN0094.JPG

Nah, I like the Haploids one for now..

Ha! Again, thanks for the info -- I'm going to check that book out!

And, for the record: Both of those pictures are creepy, my friend!

by **Victorian Squid** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:24 pm

ElijahSnowFan wrote:
Ha! Again, thanks for the info -- I'm going to check that book out!

And, for the record: Both of those pictures are creepy, my friend!

The cover artist for the Sohl book is Rafael de Soto, I'm not 100% sure of the other one, it looks a little rougher a technique, but they are both from 1953. De Soto did tons of pulp covers

If you check Amazon, you may find a dearth of options--and books like this aren't available for the kindle or anything. If so, feel free to PM me. My copy, by book grading-scale not comics, is in VG+ condition. It's in great shape for a mass market paperback older than almost any of us, well over half a century old.