The Geeky Brummie Pull List with #NTYCBD Saturday Morning Cartoons Edition.
Hello and welcome to another Pull List. In this edition I’ll be looking back at some comics I loved that may be new to you for New To You Comic Book Day – #NTYCBD. Where possible I’d like people to reach out to their local comic book store – a list of the big UK ones are at the bottom this post – and make a purchase from them. I will include a link to the books on Comixology/Amazon as an option where possible. Some books may be more difficult to track down but it’ll be worth having a look on eBay for those.
This week I’m going to pick three of the comic series that revived some of my favourite Saturday Morning Cartoons (except in the UK it was more likely a weekday on BBC 1 just before Blue Peter).
Title: The Flintstones Vol. 1
Publisher: DC Comics
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- Written by Mark Russell : Art by Steve Pugh
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Page Count : 167 Pages
Comixology Link – The Flintstones Vol. 1
From the Publisher:
Fred and Barney reunite for Mark Russell’s modern take on Hanna-Barbera’s most famous stone-age family!This new series starring the first family of Bedrock (and civilization, really) tells the story of who we are and why we do what we do as if it all began with Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty, and the rest of the citizens of Bedrock. Shining a light on humanity’s ancient customs and institutions in a funny origin story of human civilization, Mark Russell (PREZ) blends modern interpretations with Hanna-Barbera’s classic character’s, bringing a breath of fresh stone-age air.Hanna-Barbera has created some of the most recognizable animated characters of all time. As part of DC Comics’ re-imagination of cartoons like Scooby-Doo, The Flintsones, Johnny Quest, Space Ghost, and Wacky Racers, these new series will be infused with modern and contemporary concepts while keeping the heart and soul of the classic animation. Collects THE FLINTSTONES #1-6.
For a while DC comics had the licence to publish comics based on the old Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Now at first glimpse these may not seem all that interesting. Comics based on fairly crudely animated shows. Shows that you remember watching as a kid in the 60s and 70s. Shows that you fondly remember but probably weren’t all that great. So why buy a comic based on those cartoons? What DC did, was to get some of it’s best creative talent to produce these comics and giving them carte blanche with the stories.
So what we get here is Mark Russell (Second Coming, Prez and The Wonder Twins) to writing a bitingly sharp satire on modern life seen through the prism of stone-age man. Partnered with British comic legend Steve Pugh, who here delivers some of his best work. Pugh is a true talent, his art is perfectly suited for this story and updates the look of all the characters wonderfully. But it’s his representations of the anthropomorphic home appliances that shine here.
The Flintstones covers topics like PTSD, religion, consumerism and equality in a profound and beautiful way. This comic is way better than it has any right to be and established Russell as one of the great modern comic voices.
Don’t be put off by your memories of The Flintstones cartoons, give this book a go and be prepared to cry like a baby at the tales of Mammoth hoovers and laugh at the absurdity of modern religion. Highly recommended.
Title: Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles
Publisher: DC Comics
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- Written by Mark Russell : Art by Mike Feehan, Howard Porter and Mark Morales
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Page Count : 167 Pages
Comixology Link – Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles
From the Publisher:
Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles is anything but a strict reboot of the pink mountain lion with particularly refined sensibilities.” —Hollywood Reporter
“ It’s sort of crazy and awesome that this even exists at all…The writing by Mark Russell is witty and compelling.” —Nerdist
“New concepts that capture the playful spirit of those old cartoons with a more modern sensibility.” —A.V. Club
A bold new take on the beloved cartoon comedian from the writer of The Flintstones!
Drama! Comedy! Tragedy! For the renowned Southern playwright called Snagglepuss, these are the ingredients that have made him a star of the New York stage and the glittering world that surrounds it. But the year is 1953, and behind the bright lights, darkness is brewing.
As Snagglepuss prepares for his next hit play, there’s already a target on his back. The Red Scare is in full effect, and the House Un-American Activities Committee is hunting down every last subversive in show business. So far, Snagglepuss has stayed out of their spotlight.
But Snagglepuss is gay…and his enemies are out to destroy him for it.
One by one, his best friends are being blackballed, from legends like Lillian Hellman and Dorothy Parker to his fellow Southern gentleman Huckleberry Hound. Can Snagglepuss’ reputation survive the rampage of the right wing long enough for him to stage his next masterpiece? One thing’s for sure: the show must go on!
Hot off his surprise-hit reimagining of The Flintstones, writer Mark Russell joins artist Mike Feehan to unleash the fire and fury of his sharp-witted political satire in Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles—a powerful look at what it means to be an American, no matter who or what you are. Collects Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1-6, plus a Snagglepuss story from Suicide Squad/Banana Splits Special #1.
Snagglepuss is probably hardly remembered here in the UK. I remember him as a co-host in Laff-A-Lympics and for his wonderful voice provided by by Daws Butler. Snagglepuss spoke with quasi-Shakespearean turns of phrase. Some of his verbal mannerisms became catchphrases: “Heavens to Murgatroyd!”,”Exit, stage left!”, and he had a fondness for closing sentences with the emphatic “even”.
Mark Russell once again takes his characters and weaves a disturbing and beautiful story for them. Exit Stage Left, is a story set in the America of the 50’s, when McCarthy@mikeseriously @mark_morales11 @MrHowardPorter ism, the Cold War and the persecution and blacklisting of innocent people under false pretences was rife. Snagglepuss, is presented here as a secretly gay playwright, trying to survive in an era of intolerance The Snagglepuss Chronicles is dark and depressing, but it is also smart, touching and true to life, it’s a pleasure to read and features wonderful art throughout.
It’s incredible to see what Mark Russell has been able to do with these cartoon characters and this book rightly featured on many comics of the year lists when it was first released. It’s a book that will no doubt stand the test of time and should be one you read as soon as you can.
Title: Future Quest Vol. 1
Publisher: DC Comics
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- Written by Jeff Parker : Art by Ron Randall, Steve Rude & Evan Shaner
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Comixology Link – Future Quest Vol. 1
From the Publisher:
When worlds collide, it’s up to Hanna-Barbera’s best-known adventure-seeking heroes to save the galaxy! Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, the Herculoids and more are reimagined here in this new action-adventure thriller!
When the adventurous and inquisitive Jonny Quest and his adoptive brother, Hadji, make a startling discovery in the swamplands of Florida, they are pulled into an epic struggle between the Space Rangers and a dangerous villain who threatens the galaxy. Now it’s up to the combined forces of Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, the Herculoids, Birdman, Frankenstein Jr., the Impossibles, the Galaxy Trio and Mightor to stop the villain and save their universe!
Hanna-Barbera has created some of the most recognizable animated characters. As part of DC Comic’s reimagination of cartoons like Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, Space Ghost and Wacky Racers, these new series will be infused with modern and contemporary concepts while keeping the heart and soul of the classic animation.
Collects FUTURE QUEST #1-6.
Taking a lighter and less serious approach to the heroes of Saturday Morning is Jeff Parker. This series features most of the Hanna-Barbera science fiction/adventure cartoon characters, especially Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, and The Herculoids. The art is great throughout, especially from Shaner and Rude and the story is full of action and adventure.
If you have any love for these characters then this book will be the Hanna-Barbera equivalent of The Avengers, seeing these heroes team up is thrilling. It doesn’t quite hit the highs of The Flintstones or Snagglepuss but it’s pulp adventure all the way and filled with nostalgia.
My Pulls
With no new comics to buy this week what can you do in the meantime? Let your local comic shop know you are here for them. Contact them and see if they are still open, continue to pre-order titles, and use this as an opportunity to purchase one of my #NTYCBD suggestions, a new collection or back issues from them. Use one of the apps or websites below to see what’s due to be coming out soon and pre-order the titles you’re interested in, since, as of now, publishers still intend to release the comics that are not currently able to get to stores.
Here are a few of the great comic shops in the UK so get in touch and see how you can order comics and continue to support their stores –
FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL (VARIOUS) – includes Worlds Apart Birmingham
Currently closed and home delivery / mail order services are also suspended until further notice. Follow the stores social media pages for updates!
FORBIDDEN PLANET (VARIOUS) – includes Birmingham Megastore
All stores are currently closed but their Web Store is still active. Check their website for more information –
https://forbiddenplanet.com/stores/
GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)
Store closed but mail order available. Check their website for more information –
https://www.goshlondon.com and https://twitter.com/GoshComics
OK COMICS (LEEDS)
Currently closed and mail order services are also suspended until further notice. Follow the stores social media pages and website for updates!
http://www.okcomics.co.uk/ and https://twitter.com/OKComics
PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)
Store closed but mail order available. Check their website for more information –
http://www.page45.com/ and https://twitter.com/PageFortyFive
TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)
All stores are currently closed but their Web Store is still active. Check their website and social media for more information –
https://travellingman.com/ and https://twitter.com/TravellingManUK
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