posted March 21, 2003 09:08 AM               

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Originally posted by stoter1:
I just picked this book up, and I liked it quite a bit. I'm not entirely through ot, but so far, it's been a fun ride. I even liked the introduction, although I did think that it ws a bit too long. Now, all we need is a DR. Fate archive as a companion book. What are everyones impression of this book? Did you enjoy the art? the story?? alos, can someone explain to me how these archives are colored? It looks to me that in sevral places, the colors have been enhaced. There appears to be a muted efect, vlending several colors, that I dont believe appeared in the original comics. I've noticed this in several archives, especially in puctures depicting the sky or water, that there are often, for instance, several shades of blue. Did the original comics also contain sverl shades of blue, or has the color been enhanced. Thanks

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Usually the coloring in the Archives is "de-enhanced". In other words, there is less variation and subtlely than in the originals. They've never gotten the coloring of Superman and Batman right for example.

The only Archive volumes that appear to faithfully reproduce the original colors are the Spirit volumes.

I understand that the Spectre was supposed to be blue and gray in his earliest stories and only became Green and White later on- but the Archive ignores this distinction. (I can't confirm that, because I've never seen any originals from that early in the run.)

posted March 21, 2003 09:12 AM               

Thanks,

Friend.

posted March 21, 2003 09:31 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by whoswhoz:
Usually the coloring in the Archives is "de-enhanced". In other words, there is less variation and subtlely than in the originals. They've never gotten the coloring of Superman and Batman right for example.

The only Archive volumes that appear to faithfully reproduce the original colors are the Spirit volumes.

I understand that the Spectre was supposed to be blue and gray in his earliest stories and only became Green and White later on- but the Archive ignores this distinction. (I can't confirm that, because I've never seen any originals from that early in the run.)

Nope! Scratch that! If you have the Gerber book, you can see that the first four covers are not colored accurately in the Archive. For fifty books, you'd think they could at least get the colors right.

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posted March 21, 2003 10:01 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by whoswhoz:
Usually the coloring in the Archives is "de-enhanced". In other words, there is less variation and subtlely than in the originals. They've never gotten the coloring of Superman and Batman right for example.

The only Archive volumes that appear to faithfully reproduce the original colors are the Spirit volumes.

I understand that the Spectre was supposed to be blue and gray in his earliest stories and only became Green and White later on- but the Archive ignores this distinction. (I can't confirm that, because I've never seen any originals from that early in the run.)

Nope! Scratch that! If you have the Gerber book, you can see that the first four covers are not colored accurately in the Archive. For fifty books, you'd think they could at least get the colors right.

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posted March 21, 2003 10:16 AM               

I also find it interesting that, not only does he start out with a fleshed out origin, which is unusual for the Golden Age, but he doesn't appear as The Spectre untill the end of his second issue. It really is neat to see them making it up as they go along.

posted March 21, 2003 01:21 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by whoswhoz:
I understand that the Spectre was supposed to be blue and gray in his earliest stories and only became Green and White later on- but the Archive ignores this distinction. (I can't confirm that, because I've never seen any originals from that early in the run.)

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I think some of the original advertisements for More Fun/ the Spectre series showed a sort of purplish blue and not green. But I'm pretty sure that his first comic book appearance was in the green and white/gray uniform we know and love.

Unfortunately, I don't have that issue of More Fun Comics -- or more accurately, that issue on microfiche -- like I do with the Dr. Fate stories. I ran out of microfiche money and I knew I had the 1970's reprint so I didn't buy Spec's origin issues.

posted March 21, 2003 01:23 PM               

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Originally posted by CMCINTYRE3600:
The Spectre also seems to have the first "antithisis" advesary. The one who is the exact opposite side of the heroes coin, like Sinestro, Reverse Flash, Venom, etc, in the form of Zor, a being of similar power but much more experiance who wanders the Earth doing evil. Very cool.

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I love Zor. He was a dapper sadist of the highest order. I also liked the idea of the mystical tree/wood -- ectobane!

Hee hee.

And people say the Spectre was always so serious.

posted March 21, 2003 04:25 PM               

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Originally posted by IndianaBoo:
Does anyone know if they reprinted the Spectre solo adventures from All-Star Comics 1 & 2 within the archives. Just curious.

I think there was at least one solo adventure in either or both books.

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posted March 21, 2003 11:32 PM            

I agree with you Tim,I'd certainly prefer to see the art as it was originally printed and with scanning the original pages there'd be no issue of having to "restore" the original line art for Archive recoloring thus losing some of the finer linework. I've never been crazy about the glossy stock used in the Archive editions,the ink just sits on the pages looking much too bright and garish though the Spirit Archives use a better non-glossy paper that absorbs the ink and mutes the brighter colors.

posted March 22, 2003 11:31 AM               

Dr. Fate would be great. With the success of JSA, I expect it coming.

The reprint of Secret Origins in the 1970s used a Green costume--which by the way, what a great origin.

The Spectre was violent enough given it was the 1940s, but the AWESOME Aparo series in Adventure Comics was just incredible and violent as could be. I encourage all to snag those issues or grab them collected from a series DC put out called Wrath of the Spectre, which included non-published stories.

The Spectre 1980s relaunch was wretched. The first eight issues were decent, but then it became silly. This could also be said of Dr. Fate series.

The Ostrander/Mandrake series of the 1990s was incredible. One of the best books DC could have done.

I am hoping for a Volume Two (I do not expect it, though). This was very well done. There are some great reprints from Detective Comics in 100 pagers in the 1970s. Snag them.

The problem for me, and it isn't really a problem, was that I had a "sensationalized" view of these stories would be like in the 1970s when I was a ten-twelve year-old kid. Now that I am older (very late 30s), I can tell that these stories were written for the average 10 year old so dialogue is "hokey": and situations seem improbable. The latter point is addressed in the introduction. Hey, though, that is nearly true of all "Golden Age" books. Those 1970s 100 pagers simply printed the best stories. Honestly, there were some pretty weak stories with carbon-copied characters that were written for the 8-12 year old male demographics. Still, it does not dismiss how glad I am to have these available. Cool characters, fun art, and a nice window to glimpse the past.

Enjoy all of the Archives from the Golden Age. Starman, GA Flash, GA Green Lantern, All-Star, Plastic Man, Black Hawk, Black Canary, and all of the rest.

I would also encourage lobbying DC to do some further characters like Dr. Fate, Golden Age Sandman, Golden Age Hawkman, more Plas, Flash, and Green Lantern. I also would love a Wildcat and Dr. Midnite book as well. Let's look at Quality characters like Doll Man and Uncle Sam. Some other Fawcett charcters deserve the archival treatment as well like Captain Marvel Junior, Spy Smasher, Mary Marvel, and Bulletman.

posted March 22, 2003 11:32 AM               

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Originally posted by batfan63:
Absolutely a great series. I have waited for this for years. For all Posings:

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posted March 22, 2003 02:38 PM               

Does this volume have the story where The Spectre bashes a villian on the head with a plantet? I've always like this scene, but I can't remember where it came from.

posted March 22, 2003 03:02 PM               

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Originally posted by Professor Zoom:
Originally Posted by Tim Dini:
" I also wonder why that DC doesn't just shoot and reprint the original printed pages? Marvel did that a couple of times with All Winners and Marvel Mystery that were extremely well done. I don't mind if some of the colors are out of register or the pages appear tan, I think that method more closely preserves the "Golden Age" feel of the material."

I agree with you Tim,I'd certainly prefer to see the art as it was originally printed and with scanning the original pages there'd be no issue of having to "restore" the original line art for Archive recoloring thus losing some of the finer linework. I've never been crazy about the glossy stock used in the Archive editions,the ink just sits on the pages looking much too bright and garish though the Spirit Archives use a better non-glossy paper that absorbs the ink and mutes the brighter colors.

Still it was a treat to be able to read these rare stories and the Dr. Fate covers just whet my appetite for more Golden Age issues.

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I prefer the Spirit paper also. Actually using the laser scan the whole comic approach you lose even more of the fine line work as the black line work gets divided up between the three other colors. These types of books always come out blurry, in my opinion. Apparently in DC's also. I asked Bob Rozakis about it once. His reply lead me to believe that DC had never (and would never) even consider that option. Of course, he's not there anymore. But my impression is they don't like it. It was used on the Kitchen Sink Superman and Batman Sunday books, if you really want something to compare to.

posted March 22, 2003 03:47 PM               

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Originally posted by Joe Pacheco:
OK. One more question, because I'm thinking of getting this, but I usually HATE GA books...

Does this volume have the story where The Spectre bashes a villian on the head with a plantet? I've always like this scene, but I can't remember where it came from.

Thanks, Joe

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Joe,

I don't have my copy of the archive yet and I haven't looked at my fiche in a while.

But I think the scene you are thinking of was drawn by Murphy Anderson for the Silver Age series. The villain was --Shaitan(??, I think Or was it Azmodeus?? Arrggh. I am light on Silver Age Age Spectre lore. . . .)

posted March 22, 2003 04:03 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Joe Pacheco:
OK. One more question, because I'm thinking of getting this, but I usually HATE GA books...

Does this volume have the story where The Spectre bashes a villian on the head with a plantet? I've always like this scene, but I can't remember where it came from.

Thanks, Joe

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This is from Showcase 61.