Todd Klein's Blog, page 27

Rereading: THE GHOSTS OF THE HEAVISIDE LAYER AND OTHER FANTASMS by Lord Dunsany

Cover and illustrations by Tim Kirk

This 1980 posthumous collection from Owlswick Press is nicely packaged, but the contents are quite a mixed bag. First there are a number of short ghost stories, the kind you might enjoy on a quiet evening by the fireside with a glass of something. Several are told by Jorkens, Dunsany’s pub tale spinner. I enjoyed these, but found none very memorable. Next there are quite a few essays, mostly short, in which the author rails against things he dislikes, celebrates nature, and talks about his hobbies and occupations, including play writing. The best of these is a memorial to his illustrator Sidney Sime, but many I found dull and only skimmed. Finally there are two plays, a very short humorous one, and the longer “Lord Adrian,” which at least has the trappings of fantasy, and touches on some of the same elements as his novel “The Blessing of Pan.” I enjoyed that.

In all, the writing is mildly recommended, though the illustrations by Tim Kirk are excellent.

Ghosts of the Heaviside Layer by Lord Dunsany

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GASPAR SALADINO and X-MEN #137

This and all images © Marvel

Recently letterer Tom Orzechowski sent me this image, writing:

This just came to me via a Facebook friend: an alternative treatment for the cover of UNCANNY X-MEN #137. He asked if it was my lettering. Of course, it’s Gaspar’s work. I imagine they scrapped his blurbs in order to allow for a larger use of the Byrne/Austin artwork. Anyway, 40 or so years later…something new. To me, anyway. And, maybe to you.

I think I might have seen this on Facebook also, but I can’t find the source.

ADDED: The source is Ron Zalme, a Marvel production artist at the time, and the image is from his files. He wrote about it on Facebook:

The cover art for X-MEN #137 had been commissioned and done without any preliminary design work… which was frequently the case… but Marvel had decided to run a contest that month… and that issue was supposed to be a special “double-sized” comic… and the X-Men logo was one of Marvel’s largest title logos to begin with. I did my best to cobble it all together… but Jim Shooter and the editors were appalled by the tiny bit of room left for the art! (Rightly so! … But I kind of intentionally pasted it up that way to… ummm… make the point…). Needless to say, changes were made. LOL They got rid of a bunch of cover copy to fit the art in a more traditional manner.

That version was replaced with the printed one:

As Tom said, it was decided to enlarge the cover art, leaving no room for Gaspar’s fine blurbs except for the one above the title, “Special Double-size Issue!” That remained, while UNCANNY was dropped. There’s also no Comics Code seal. One obvious problem was the addition of the large top banner promoting a contest. On the Grand Comics Database entry for the issue I found this note:

According to Marvel scriptwriter (and occasional editor) Roger Stern, the absence of the seal was an accident. “That month, Marvel started running a contest with a big honkin’ banner across the tops of all the covers… which necessitated some special paste-ups… and the code seal either fell off or was never added.”

But as you can see, the contest banner was on the first version of the cover, so I think it was just a matter of it being missed when the new layout was made, and that probably happened in a rush, since the first version was already out to the separator. On the printed cover, a new cover blurb runs across the bottom, “PHOENIX MUST DIE!” I think that was done with a headline type machine that Marvel had in the office, there was probably no time to get it lettered. The printed version certainly looks better to me than the first one, though it’s still overcrowded.

It’s not all that unusual for cover lettering to be created and then not used, it happened to me occasionally. Gaspar’s work on this cover is excellent, but probably not really needed, he just lettered what he was given with his usual flair and creativity. Saladino started lettering Marvel covers around 1973, and did some off and on through the early 1980s. He was never a regular letterer on any particular title. He would visit the DC and Marvel offices about once a week from his home on Long Island, and while there would pick up whatever work they had for him. Sometimes for late covers he would sit down and do the lettering on the spot.

The lower of these two blurbs is interesting because it credits the writer and artists, something Marvel was not usually doing at the time on covers, though they were always credited inside. Those credits are in Gaspar’s fine upper and lower case, somewhere between script and block letters. Too bad these blurbs never saw print, but these things happen in comics, and as long as he was paid, Saladino would not have cared either way.

Thanks to Tom O and Ron Zalme for sharing this. Lots more about Gaspar Saladino’s lettering can be found on the COMICS CREATION and LOGO LINKS pages of my blog. He’s also featured in THIS chapter of my online book, “The Art and History of Lettering Comics.”

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And Then I Read: INTERESTING TIMES by Terry Pratchett

Rincewind, the reluctant and unskilled wizard, is my least favorite lead character in the Discworld series, so I wasn’t expecting too much from this title featuring him, but there are enough other characters of interest, places of interest, and amusing situations to have made it a fun read. Rincewind is generally not tied to the wizards of Unseen University in Ankh-Morpork, but here he’s magically sent by them as a “representative” to the distant Counterweight Continent, which it turns out is much like imperial China in our own history. Rincewind arrives suddenly, and almost immediately is running for his life, as usual, from all kinds of trouble and commitment, but he’s gathered in by a band of ancient mercenaries led by Genghis Cohen who have plans to invade the imperial city and palace. There the Grand Vizier Lord Hong is plotting to kill the Emperor in a devious way that will put the blame on others so he can take control of the empire himself. A ragtag band of idealistic peasants make up his main opposition, and Rincewind is soon involved with them as well, since one of them is an old companion. The hapless wizard tries to convince everyone around him to run away while they can, but of course they don’t listen. And as usual, Rincewind finds himself at the center of the battle that’s about to begin.

Entertaining and recommended.

Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett

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Rereading: FREDDY THE PILOT by Walter R. Brooks

Cover art by Leslie Morrill

While I much prefer the interior art by Kurt Wiese, this new cover for the paperback edition is not bad.

If you were reading this series from the beginning, or at least early on, you gradually came to accept that Freddy the talking pig from the Bean Farm in upstate New York could master just about any skill, but in this book he breezes right by driving a car to piloting a small plane, somehow. One of the reasons is to help his friends at the Boomschmidt circus, who are being harassed by another plane dive bombing their big top shows and scaring the audience, forcing Boomschmidt to give their money back. Soon he’ll be broke, and Freddy and his friends want to prevent that. The dive bombing is the work of rich Mr. Condiment, who has a crush on the circus’s bareback rider Miss Rose, and is willing to shut down the circus in order to get her to marry him. The animals want to prevent that, too. Mr. Condiment is a comic book publisher from Philadelphia, and Brooks has plenty of digs at comics in this book, which I found amusing, and which was a popular trend in 1952, when it was written.

Other storylines involve Mr. Bean’s brother, Uncle Ben, who is trying to invent a new bombsight to sell to the Army, but it turns out to be a treasure detector instead. Sniffy the skunk and his family become fans of Robin Hood, and take up staff fighting and doing good deeds. Both Freddy and his detective partner, the cow Mrs. Wiggins, put on disguises to try to scare away Mr. Condiment, and there’s plenty of action in Condiment’s secret airstrip when Freddy and his agents take on Condiment’s men there.

Great fun, recommended.

Freddy the Pilot by Walter R Brooks

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Rereading: THE CROWN OF DALEMARK by Diana Wynne Jones

Cover art by Geoff Taylor

The final book of the Dalemark Quartet is a long one, my copy has 494 pages, and it ties together all the characters and storylines of the previous three books as well as introducing a new character from the present time.

Maewen Singer lives in a modern Dalemark, with railroads, telephones, and all the devices and culture of mid-20th century Britain. Her mother is an artist, her father a diplomat in the capital city’s royal palace. When she goes to visit him there for a few weeks, she explores the history and artifacts displayed in the royal castle, as well as paintings of past rulers and their friends. This is a Dalemark of no-nonsense, but the days of the godlike Undying are remembered by historians like her father. One aide of her father, Wend, is happy to show Maewen some of the artifacts, taking them out of their cases, but he has a hidden agenda. When he hands her the golden statue of The One, Maewen is suddenly transported about 200 years into the past, where she finds herself in the middle of a revolution, and where she is seen and accepted as Princess Noreth, the leader of that revolution, who she apparently looks exactly like. The real Noreth has disappeared, and Maewen struggles to fill her place, with help from close advisors: Mitt and Navis from Drowned Ammet, Moril the Singer from Cart and Cwidder, and Wend is also there representing The Undying, tied to The Spellcoats family, acting as a guide on the green roads they follow. Maewen is also given advice by a voice that may be The One, but the advice is often horrible, so is it really from the evil spirit Kankredin? The prophecy says a new king can unite all of Dalemark if the royal tokens are gathered: a ring, a cup, a sword, and a crown, and that’s the quest Noreth was about to begin when Maewen found herself in Noreth’s place. Can she and her band really do all that, while evading capture by forces rising to stop her?

I enjoyed rereading this, though the plot is complicated and I sometimes got lost among all the characters and references. It seems more plot-driven than the other books in the series, but in the end is a satisfying conclusion to the epic fantasy tale. Recommended.

The Crown of Dalemark by Diana Wynne Jones

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Incoming: ABSOLUTE JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPERHEROES by Paul Dini and Alex Ross, New Printing

I think this originally came out in 2017, just arrived is a new printing. Tabloid size (or close to it), boxed hardcover containing wonderful stories by Dini and painted art on every page by Alex Ross, collects the series that focused on individual characters Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Captain Marvel, as well as one featuring the entire Justice League. Price $100. Check with your comics retailer, or linked below at Amazon.

Absolute Justice League The Worlds Greatest Superheroes

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And Then I Read: ENOLA HOLMES AND THE MARK OF THE MONGOOSE by Nancy Springer

It’s 1890, and Enola Holmes is no longer hiding from her famous brothers Sherlock and Mycroft. She’s living at a club for working women in London, and taking clients as a finder of lost or missing persons. Her latest case is that of American publishing representative Wolcott Balestier, who has vanished on the late night streets of London while walking from the home he and his sister rent to see the newly opened and electrically lit Savoy Theater.

Enola is first approached by Wolcott’s best friend and client, Rudyard Kipling, but Kipling is rude and contemptuous when he finds out the detective is a young woman. This goads Enola into searching for the missing man anyway, especially after she meets his heartbroken sister Caroline, and despite the fact that her brother Sherlock has been hired by Kipling instead. Using her unique resources and methods, Enola is soon on the trail, but also finds plenty of trouble from a rabid dog loose on the streets, as well as a new brotherhood of oppressed lower-class workers each marked with the distinctive scar on the back of one hand, the “mark of the mongoose.” When Enola learns that Wolcott has been bitten by the rabid dog, she knows his life is in grave danger, and he must be found as soon as possible.

I enjoy this series, it fits in beautifully with A. Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes stories, but explores areas he never considered, like the lives and careers of women at the time. Enola herself is a wonderful character, and the stories are clever and exciting mystery-adventures. The handling of Kiping in this one is excellent as well. Recommended.

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer

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Rereading: THE PRIVATE WORLDS OF JULIA REDFERN by Eleanor Cameron

Cover art by Trina Schart Hyman

The fifth and final book of Cameron’s Julia Redfern series, both chronologically and as written, published in 1988 and her last novel for young readers, though she continued to write reviews and essays for a few more years.

Julia is now about fifteen, in high school, and her life is full of drama, both as an actress in school, and with her friends and relatives. At home, Julia has still not really accepted her stepfather Phil, though she knows he’s a good man who her mother loves, and that causes tension. She often escapes to spend time with her elderly friend Rhiannon Moore, formerly a next-door neighbor. Rhiannon has her own troubles, especially a nasty, nosy sister who won’t leave her alone, and covets her belongings.

At school, the drama club’s yearly play is Romeo and Juliet, and while Julia hopes to be Juliet, it goes to a rival. Meanwhile, a romance is developing with John, who will play Romeo. And then there’s the shock of seeing her married Uncle Hugh with an old flame in their private corner of the park. Everything in Julia’s life is in turmoil, and grown-up situations are pushing into her life in uncomfortable ways.

Highly recommended.

The Private Worlds of Julia Redfern by Eleanor Cameron

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Rereading: TICKTOCK AND JIM, DEPUTY SHERIFFS by Keith Robertson

Cover and illustrations by Everett Stahl

A sequel to Ticktock and Jim, about a boy and his western horse in middle America in the late 1940s. Jim and Ticktock have a delivery business and a strong friendship. In this book, Jim has a new neighbor, Larry, who moved from the city to the small country town of Springdale. Larry has been ill, and his grandparents think country life will help him regain his strength. Friendship with Jim and Ticktock helps, and soon the boys are on the trail of possible freight hijackers. Playing detective, the pair soon get into serious trouble when they’re caught by the hijackers, and Ticktock is carried away in one of their trucks to be disposed of. But readers can expect the smart, brave horse might have other ideas, even when one of the hijackers wants to shoot him.

Great fun, exciting and full of surprising events and great characters in this second of Robertson’s many fine books for young readers. Recommended.

Ticktock and Jim Deputy Sheriffs by Keith Robertson

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Rereading: TICKTOCK AND JIM by Keith Robertson

Keith Robertson’s first novel for young readers, published in 1948, shows writing skill and appeal that would carry through his long career. He was particularly lucky in being paired with illustrator Wesley Dennis, best known for illustrating the books of Marguerite Henry like “Misty of Chincoteague,” out the year before this, as Dennis’s horses and people depictions are excellent.

Jim Meadows is sorry to have to stay home on the farm one summer day when his parents and sister Jean go to town for ice cream, but his regret is soon turned to joy. A traveling horse trader comes by, and Jim spots a skinny, unkempt cow pony that he thinks would make a great riding horse and friend. He convinces the horse trader to exchange him for his gold pocket watch, a family heirloom given to him on his last birthday. Jim knows his father won’t be happy about the trade, but Jim is delighted with his new horse, who he names Ticktock in honor of the watch.

Mr. Meadows is angry when he finds out what happened, but sister Jean and Mrs. Meadows are more sympathetic. Over the next few weeks, Jim and Ticktock become fast friends as the boy grooms, cares for, and feeds his pony back to health, and learns to ride him. Mr. Meadows allows the horse to stay for the time being, but threatens to get rid of him in the fall rather than feed him all winter, so Jim has to come up with ways to raise money. He starts a new business he calls The Pony Express Inc. to deliver messages and packages, and herd animals to his town’s livestock auction. When he and Ticktock discover a perfect hideout in the woods, things couldn’t be better, but everything in their lives is turned upside down when Ticktock is stolen by a man running from the law. Jim despairs of ever seeing his best friend again.

Great read, full of excitement, appealing characters, enterprise, and wisdom about horses and people. Highly recommended.

Ticktock and Jim by Keith Robertson

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