A College Boy Without a Care in the World!

Before we launch into business as usual, it's been a year since we've been back up!  Yay!  What fun we've had!  Let's have some more, courtesy of  Pep Comics #23:

I'm not at all certain that having a parrot means you're a sailor.  That seems kind of... well, not racist, but... occupationist?

I don't know... someone probably needs to go to a less-competitive college.  He looks a little stressed.

Okay, Saltwater Jones or whatever your name is, we get it.

Hey!  It's time for some head-scratchin' Fun with Out of Context Artwork! (tm!)

Well, that was interesting, but I'm not really sure how I was supposed to look at it.  If I'm looking at it left to right, it's like he's gone from fear to some sort of perverse enjoyment.  And that may be the case, for all I know.

Seriously, dude... you're just milking it.  Don't be that guy.

Well, blow you down, indeed.  I'm very happy for you... " 'Matey . "

See you tomorrow!

A Few Roos Loose in the Top Paddock, He Is!

Here's a little "Man of Steel" (hi, Googlers!) fun from Adventure Comics #293, courtesy of contributor Robert Gillis!

I don't know why we act like time travel is so dang unlikely.  Clearly, we just have to follow the convenient calendar pages! The Time Barrier is easier to navigate than an interstate!

From Adventure #301, we have confirmed that Superman blows.  And that he also has a skewed perspective on what's important:

Yeah, if he's moving the Earth around, I'm a bit more concerned about earthquakes and tidal waves.  The last thing I'm worried about is the accuracy of my Goats in Trees calendar.

You think I made that one up, don't you?

Exhibit "A":

Meanwhile, from Amazing Spider-Man #384:  

Oh, no!  Please don't say the word...

Blarg.  Cue the Origin Montage! (tm!)

We GET It! (tm!)

I haven't posted every time we've seen the origin flashback, by the way.  I try to limit it to once every five or six sightings.

And here's something that caught my eye from Amazing #345:

First, Boomerang was born in Australia but raised the United States, so I don't know why he's getting all Crocodile Dundee there.

But more to the point:

Okay, no one working on the docks noticed the magenta pants and the bright blue boots?  I realize that New Yorkers are a pretty jaded bunch, but it seems like someone would have called him out on that.  You know, like the Seinfeld episode where Jerry had to wear cowboy boots?  Those are much worse.

Crikey!  See you tomorrow!

Why Does Aunt May Always Look So Startled? And Other Cosmic Questions...

Secret Wars II had everything I don't like about a comic: Cosmic forces engaging in sci-fi blah-blah, magic, and....

... well, I do like me some Disembodied Floating Heads! (tm!)

There are so many of 'em that poor Spidey can't even stand up straight on the cover of his own book.  That's a lot.  Either that, or he's mooning them.  Which, considering how often he's annoyed with Disembodied Floating Heads (tm!), I'd be considering doing that myself.

And there was this one little bit of Fun with Out of Context Dialogue! (tm!):

That's a victory in any guy's book, isn't it?

This was the end of the Secret Wars II cross-overs in Amazing Spider-Man.  The next issue would have all-new 

Oh, geez.

As we've seen, it's not like Spidey doesn't reflect on his origin story at least once every ten issues.  Do I have to pay to read it again?  Then again, it could be worse... I could be paying a hundred bucks to read it again!

 Come back, Beyonder!  I may have been too hasty!

See you tomorrow!

Make Way for Slyde and His Fried Eggs of DOOOOM!

So, as we can see, the trend of complete irrelevance in Spider-Man history continued with Amazing Spider-Man #272 and the first appearance of Slyde...

As you might imagine, he was basically a cross between the Speed-Demon and the Eel.  When you take two bush-league bad guys and squoosh them together, what do you get?  Another bush-league bad guy.  With a stupid name.  What is it with you kids and deliberately mis-spelling things?  "Z's" and "S's" are not interchangeable.  And get off my lawn.

His awe-inspiring origin?  Thusly:

To give credit where it's due, this is the first time I've seen fried eggs used as part of an origin story.

History tells us that Slyde slid into oblivion, but there was a DC character who had the exact same power, so there's something to be said for a character who was imitated (albeit by an equally unsuccessful character, but still...).  Do you know who I'm thinking of?  Answer in the comments and impress me with your knowledge of B-List characters!

And, since it's Spider-Man, we have to have yet another installment of...

Say it with me, people!

We GET It! (tm!)

In the previous issue, there was this cameo by the Avengers, and if there was a worse line-up in Avengers history, I don't know what it was:

When 40% of your team is the Black Knight and Starfox, you've got personnel issues.

And I don't even want to know why Hercules is picking that guy's nose.  This was probably around the time I quit reading The Avengers.

See you Monday!

Even a Girl Can Ride Him!

Hey, hey!  It's time for more Fun with Out of Context Dialogue (tm!) courtesy of Superboy V1, #2, from contributor Robert Gillis!

Yes, that would be awkward.

Pronouns are awesome.

And that issue was a two-fer!  Thusly:

Wambo readily agreed the taming was totally worth it.

Thanks again, Robert!

Taking a gander at Amazing Spider-Man #269, with a very special....

Wheatcakes.... Monochrome Edition! (tm!)

WHEATCAKES!

And since it's a Spider-Man story, you know what it needs?

An installment of We Get It!(tm!)

Yeah, yeah... Uncle Ben died because you failed to act.  We almost forgot it for half an issue.

We GET It! (tm!)

Well, now Pete's just being silly.

But I'm feeling generous.

WHEATCAKES! (tm!)

Has Pete Ever Told You His Origin Story? He Has? Want to Hear it AGAIN?

More fun with Amazing Spider-Man #261... fun of the with Out of Context Dialogue (tm!)  kind!

Boy, we've all been there, haven't we, fellas?

Heh... that was a little blue.  Then again, that's what makes it FUN!  ... with Out of Context Dialogue (tm!)

I believe we're getting the set up for a Random Slap (tm!) , but after yesterday's false start I want to be sure...

... we have the windup... annnnnnnddd...

Yes!  We have a Random Slap... Special Back of  Everyone's Head Edition! (tm!)

And I plow into Amazing Spider-Man #162 and, as often happens, I regret not starting a meme earlier.

Here's the thing: We are subject to a flashback regarding Pete's origin on a regular basis.  And I mean a regular basis.  I wish I had the oomph to go back and catch them all, but I'm not going through 261 issues all over again, so we'll just have to start here with a new CMNS meme I like to call...

We GET It! (tm!)

Yeah, yeah... failed to stop the burglar that later killed his uncle.  We GET It! (tm!)

That issue had one of your better photo covers...

This goes into the Cover Hall of Fame not only because it was well-done, but also because it actually related to the interior story, which was indeed about Pete tracking down a photographer who took a pic of him mid-change.  Nicely done!

Who is the model for the cover?  I'm sure someone knows, but I've no idea.  The cover is credited to Elliot Brown.  A bit more on the origins (and the unused art that was at the ready in case the photo tanked) can be found here .  

That's it for today!  I'll see you Monday!