The Bum’s Rush #84

WARNING! None of the news or rumors you see here in The Bum’s Rush should be considered FACT until it actually happens. It might never happen. How do you know I’m not just making all this crap up? I could, you know. You’ve been warned!


Dave Cockrum: November 12, 1943 – November 26, 2006

Most of you probably already know that last week artist Dave Cockrum passed away due to complications from diabetes. Cockrum was most famous for creating the new X-Men with Len Wein in 1975 and a defining run on Legion of Super-Heroes in the early 70’s. He was 63 years old.

I still fondly remember reading and intensely loving the reprints of Giant-Size X-Men #1 and other early issues of Uncanny X-Men drawn by Cockrum. His character designs were some of the most eye-catching and memorable I have ever seen and I still count Thunderbird’s as one of my favorite costume designs of all time. I was shocked (shocked I tell you) when they killed Thunderbird off in his third appearance! And no one could draw Cyclops’ visor like Cockrum could. I used to dream of being able to draw Cyclops’ visor that well. I had strange dreams as a kid. Thanks, Dave, for the great memories, the kick ass comic books and dreams about drawing.

Family friend Clifford Meth asked that those wishing to send messages to Cockrum’s wife, Patty could do so by emailing magnetorampant@yahoo.com.


Year Of The Madman

Last week it was announced that Allred’s popular creator-owned character, Madman, would be returning as a monthly comic from Image in April of 2007. Before the launch of the new series, called Madman Atomic Comics, Image will release Madman Gargantua, an 852-page monster collecting every Madman series prior to the new ongoing. Allred also stated he plans on releasing individual collections of both Madman and The Atomics.

Allred says that he plans to keep the book on a regular monthly schedule, though he admits to the possibility of other projects distracting him from Madman Atomic Comics from time to time. Already in the pipeline are two fill-in issues for Vertigo’s Fables. There’s also talk of a new X-Statix mini-series with writer Peter Milligan (no relation) and a Superman/Batman mini-series with writer Paul Chadwick.


A Sight For Thor Eyes?

Ohhh… did you groan a little at that title? I apologize.

Anyway, next year Marvel will be launching a brand new Thor ongoing series, written by J. Michael Straczyski. Seriously, I could care less. I mean I really used to love Straczynski’s comics. Midnight Nation is easily one of my favorite limited series. His early work on Amazing Spider-Man was some of the best Spider-Man comics I’ve ever read. And Supreme Power? Forget about it. That was a fantastic book when it first started. But somewhere that guy just kind of lost it and I haven’t read a book by Straczyski that I’ve liked in a loooong time (him and Bendis both, man what happened to those two?)

But now I hear that Olivier Coipel is supposed to be the regular artist on Thor? What are you doing to me Marvel? You’re tearing me in half! On the one hand my great love of Coipel’s artwork, something I’ve had since I read his first issue of Legion of Super-Heroes so long ago. And on the other hand… a big pile of who cares. Mind you, it helps that Coipel has decided to mess with Thor’s costume.

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I love me some Coipel, but I am not digging that look. Not at all. Are his sleeves made out of disco ball material or something? Give me the good ol’ fashioned super-hero lookin’ Thor. Or at least the Eric Masterson version, maybe? Probably not, huh? Whatever, I’m out on the new Thor book. I’ll just be sitting here in the corner, patiently waiting for someone to bring Thunderstrike back to life.


Not The One With Howie Long

A few weeks ago I mentioned that DC’s Firestorm was taking a one-month break before returning with an all-new creative team in the form of writer Dwayne McDuffie and artists Dan Jurgens and Ken Lashley. And that is all true… for the most part. It turns out that this all-new creative team is actually a guest creative team and the trio will only be on the book for three issues!

So who will be taking over the book once McDuffie’s three issues are up? I have absolutely no idea. But I do know that McDuffie’s guest arc has Firestorm running up against Mr. Miracle and the New Gods. And considering that DC is making no secret of the fact that next year’s big event book will, at least partially, revolve around the New Gods it could be that this three-issue arc will end up being pretty important.

And for your viewing pleasure, an early sketch of Firestorm by artist Ken Lashley:

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In Case You Didn’t Know…

You can now find Stumblebum comic books in stores all over Dallas, including Titan Comics,
Zeus Toys and Comics, Excelsior Comic Gallery and Keith’s Comics! They’re the perfect Christmas gifts for friends, family and pets! Would I lie to you? No, of course not. Only my guest writers do that.


The Only Comics That Matter

Last Week –
Connor Hawke: Dragon’s Blood #1 by Chuck Dixon & Derec Donovan
Casanova #6 by Matt Fraction & Gabriel Ba
Godland #14 by Joe Casey & Tom Scioli
Daredevil #91 by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano
X-Factor #13 by Peter David & Pablo Raimondi

This Week –
Batman/The Spirit by Jeph Loeb, Darwyn Cooke & J. Bone
Immortal Iron Fist #1 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, David Aja & Travel Foreman
Nextwave #10 by Warren Ellis, Stuart Immonen & Wade Von Grawbadger
Talent #4 by Christopher Golden, Tom Sniegoski & Paul Azaceta

Next Week –
Doctor Strange: The Oath #3 by Brian K. Vaughn & Marcos Martin
Invincible #37 by Robert Kirkman & Ryan Ottley




If you have any interesting news, rumors, lies, etc. about comics and think I should know about it too just email me at thesuperleezard@yahoo.com.

Read more dumb crap written by me at www.livejournal.com/users/superleezard.
 

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