Batman Says "Merry Christmas!" 1975 Albert Bigley Comic Art! DC Comics?

Here's a yummy yuletide greeting (drawn in 1975 by a ten-year-old me), from Batman himself! Inspired by a reprinting (in that year's oversized DC Comics Christmas tabloid) of Neal Adams' classic 1970 tale, "Silent Night of the Batman," here is the Christmas-cloaked Caped Crusader, now sporting a special message on that very cape! I recall this being displayed proudly (thanks, Mom!) on our basement door that year! Click below to enlarge!

BAT-BONUS! Click below to enlarge both the cover (by the incomparable Nick Cardy) to the hallowed holiday comic, and the interior art that inspired the above awesome illustration!

Nick Fury! Custom SHIELD Mego Action Figure! Marvel Comics!

Yet another one of my custom Mego figures, this one made sometime around 2005, as a gift for a Fury-loving pal! Here's the famed SHIELD ramrod, Nick Fury himself! I tried to approximate how the Mego mavens woulda produced a Fury figure, with one eye (heh) toward the Jim Steranko art of the late-60s SHIELD comic, complete with hints of tech hardware and such, but keeping the actual detailing very simple! Click below to enlarge pics, and enjoy!

Starting with a custom sculpted head (complete with soggy stogie), I added a
blue "zip suit," with my own Mego-like printed detailing! A few added found
accessories, like belts, holsters and hose, and Nick seems to have festooned
himself with tons of hardware!

Above: I also created this psychedelic custom card, featuring
actual Jim Steranko artwork, and Mego graphic icons!

The "Lone Rager" Rides Again! "Blaammm!" 1975 Albert Bigley Art!

That's right! Here's yet another blast from my past! For about 13 minutes, I sorta dug the Lone Ranger character, due to his similarities to superheroes (he wore a mask, right?), and his mini-comeback during the mid-70s (heralded with a line of toys, models, and action figures). Below is my 1975 attempt at an action-packed pencil drawing of the masked lawman, complete with sound effects, logo ('the Lone RAGER?!") and "detailed" background! Hey! I was ten years old, OK? Click to enlarge, and keep your silver bullets untarnished!

Can ya tell I had a hard time getting his hat just right? I also apparently spent
 a ton of time struggling with his nose, hands, and, uhm, crotch.

Batman! Violent and Out of Control! 1976 Albert Bigley Art! DC Comics?!

Let's take a look at not one, but two terrific (?) images drawn by me (age 11) in 1976! These twin powerhouses (attempt to) depict an angry version of the Batman, swinging into full violent action against some very unfortunate thugs and crooks! I was trying to emulate the work of artist Neal Adams, who had fairly recently brought the "Dark Knight" back to his more vicious "street-level" roots in the comics, which meant tons of grunting, straining, hollering, and hitting (from Batman, not me)! Click below to enlarge and wonder why!

What exactly is Batman doing to that poor thug in
the upper left? Did he also tear off the guy's shoulder?!

POK-A-CHOC! The Caped Crusader seems darned 
casual in that pose to the right, no? 

Above: The inspiration for my 1976 bat-drawings,
an example of Neal Adams' 70s Batman!

The Riddler Strikes! 1973 Albert Bigley Art! DC Comics?!

Here's another gem from the treasure chest! It's my 1973 drawing of Batman's longtime super-foe, the rascally Riddler! Drawn on notebook paper (!), here is the Prince of Puzzlers, swiped shamelessly from the famous 1966 poster image (then appearing on toy packaging, lunchboxes, apparel, etc...) by Carmine Infantino! Click to enlarge, if you must!

Looks like I quit early after beginning the colored pencil stage
of this masterpiece! And, is the Riddler standing in the desert?!

BONUS! Click below to see the famed 1966 poster (featuring sterling Carmine Infantino imagery) that was my inspiration for the above artwork!

Take a BREAK With the Monkees! Rare 1996 Reunion Article and Pics!

When the reunited Monkees (Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones) hit Charlotte, North Carolina on a concert tour stop in 1996, the local free newspaper, BREAK, was there to deliver the inside story of the band to the uninitiated! Tho mostly consisting of cribbed info from the three books (one by Davy himself) on the group that were available then, this long-form article still delivers the abridged story to the local masses, also priming the pump for the Monkees' shows in the area! During this time, the band also made a "meet-and-greet" appearance at the now-defunct Media Play store, and Micky also held a gallery showing of his artwork while in NC! Click each image below to enlarge and read!

Notice how the above heavily-Photoshopped cover indulges in more than a little
sensationalism, in order to grab the eyes of passers-by and potential readers!

The above pic, tho a reunion photo, comes from
the 1986 tour, not the 1996 concerts.

BONUS! Click below to enlarge these two clippings from NC area papers, detailing Micky's art gallery showing while in Charlotte!

BONUS BONUS! Click below to see me, posing with Micky Dolenz, during his 1996 gallery art display event in Charlotte, North Carolina!

BONUS BONUS BONUS! Click below to see rare video coverage of the Monkees' 1996 NC visit! Their concert! Store signings! Micky's art show!

Cesar Romero as--The Joker! "1966 BATMAN" Fan-Made Model Kit! POW!

ZAP! It's Cesar Romero as the JOKER! Here's the 1966 version of this classic Batman foe, as seen on the fantastic and far-famed TV series! This fan-made resin "garage kit" was painted up in acrylics and enamels! Click images below to enlarge!

Note the manic pose and attitude! The talented sculptor (Johnny Stacks) really
captured Romero's facial features well, even his "painted over" mustache!

Most of the pants stripes were applied with markers, and a light gloss 
was applied over the shoes, hair, parts of the face, eyes, teeth and lips.

Note that the suit actually has very few colors: two tones of magenta, with 
green and black! The facial details also involved some marker, colored 
pencils, and dry washes.

Want to see other rare fan-produced Bat-kits? Just click here!

Above: The unassembled and unpainted kit, ready to go!

1940s "Golden Age" Batman! Custom Mego Action Figure! DC Comics!

Here it is! My latest and greatest Mego-style custom action figure! Here is the "Golden Age" 1940s version of Batman, as he appeared not only in DC comics, but also in two live-action movie serials of the day! Click below to enlarge each image!

Above: My inspiration for this custom figure,
the 1940s BATMAN movie serials..

Above: The custom-sculpted Batman head,
acquired from an eBay auction....

Above: The painted and detailed head! I used acrylics,
as well as ink and light and dark spray enamels ...

Above: The figure begins to come together! I wanted to use an authentic
70s Mego Batman gray bodysuit, to get that  somewhat "baggy" feel.
Custom boots, belt, and shorts from "Dr. Mego" help complete the look...

Above: The completed figure! I used several loose
action figure "weapon" parts to create a futuristic
rifle (seen brandished by our hero in the movie
serials at times)...

Above: I created Batman's chest emblem in Photoshop,
printed on adhesive paper, then cut out and applied...

Above: Batman's cape was made from party napkins! I wanted to use
material that would look somewhat rumpled and rough, and would allow
me to "pose" it on and around the figure!

Above: Batman's glove cuffs were made using stiff bristol board, then
covered in the same napkin material as his cape...I used the same deep
blue spray enamel for all blue costume portions, cape included...

Above: While not exactly matching the look of the "serial costume," I wanted
to achieve the feel of an "early Batman," one who used ready materials to quickly
assemble his garb and battle gear!