Flex Mentallo

Kennedy again:

Ian Kennedy:

I have the first 72 issues of Air Ace and the first 200 WPL. This one is rare: There was also a War at Sea library, which only ran for about 35 issues. I have most of those. Here is a linky: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Picture_Library

Each one is a stand alone story. The first title was War Picture library. Wikipedia: . . . cowards and glory seekers could be found in some episodes; spies and traitors rubbed shoulders with our staunchly loyal heroes in others. Neither were all of the stories purely about killing the enemy; some of them were dedicated to saving lives even in the midst of the carnage of war Artists included Solano Lopez and Hugo Pratt.

The printing quality did little justice to the originals. This was the cover for an issue entitled "Whirlwind in the sky" The artist was an italian, Giorgio De Gaspari

Some of the better covers:

Ah! Planes! More Flying Aces please BZ!! My father threw this digest in the fire when I wouldnt stop reading it. Took me 30 years to find another copy: It was one of a factual series with excellent pictures and descriptions: Air Ace was a long running digest sized black and white comic featuring adult-readable stories:

I looked up the remake of Judex and as I suspected it's a Region 2 DVD and therefore wouldn't play on US machines. ...there is always the internet...

I would think that The Scarlet Pimpernel might have been a bigger influence. Another possible influence might have been Frank Packard's Jimmie Dale. I guess I thought of Holmes because he too regarded the authorities as dimwits! I suppose I was thinking more along the lines of which characters were costumed crime-fighters who had secret identities. Yes, as opposed to detectives!

Les Yeux Sans Visage - way off topic but worth posting anyway:

I have the multi-part Judex silent film by Louis Feuilladeon on DVD and it was a pleasure to watch. It's a darn good movie but as it was filmed in 1917 it also provides an interesting look at the world as it was nearly a century ago. Note: Judex, which translates to "Justice," is an avenger operating outside law. http://www.amazon.com/Judex-Deluxe-Ren%C3%A9-Crest%C3%A9/dp/B0001Y4MJA/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1302408108&sr=1-1 That is interesting Alan, I didnt know the original was available. Judex was remade around 1963 by Georges Franju (who also made a classic horror film called "Les Yeux Sans Visage", which I highjly recommend to anyone who doesnt know it) In his version of Judex, Franju sought to recapture the feel of the silent fueillades. As with Cocteau's "Orphee", the imagery is poetically surrealistic, and beats the pants of modern cgi -not because itis more convincingly realistic, but because it is dreamlike. Some stills:

I would think that The Scarlet Pimpernel might have been a bigger influence. Another possible influence might have been Frank Packard's Jimmie Dale. I guess I thought of Holmes because he too regarded the authorities as dimwits!

150+ more books being added now My God, Bill, do you never stop? (Hastily accessing the link now!)

Nice to know it's in good hands! Here is a slightly better scan:

Hearty congrat's on the achievement, Michael. Just got back in town today and noticed your beautiful book. Great acheivement. Señorita Rio is so cool !! ..and it's one of the toughest issues!

Excellent copy as usual. Re: the above. The Spider could have really used that platinum badge! What's interesting to me reading this is the variations we have in the pulp heroes and the similarities. The Phantom Detective, The Spider, The Shadow, G-8, The Avenger and Doc Savage are ALL boringly master of disguises ... but they vary wildly in their relationship with law enforcement: 1) The Phantom Detective works closely with the law 2) The Spider is as Wentworth is friends with the commissioner but the law is always trying to apprehend him causing more hassle when he is solving crimes 3) The Shadow works in ways that will reveal the criminals to the law and while in early stories, the law is after the Shadow, soon the law starts to realize how much more they get done thanks to the Shadow 4) Doc Savage has a hilarious dis-regard for the authorities forces themselves but a true sense of justice 5) G-8: does not apply 6) The Avenger has I'd say a relationship similar to that of the countless private detective of the past 30 years of TV. These differences are what make each pulp hero interesting and worth checking out until you find who you like best. Very interesting - made me wonder for some reason to what extent - if any- these pulp tec creators might have been influenced by Sherlock Holmes - but being a Brit I'm bound to think of that arent I? Here is a digest sized comic I dont have anymore:

We all derive a great deal of entertainment - not to say - inspiration - from watching your collection grow Jeff, so (I think I speak for all of us) I sincerely hope that your fear of things drying up turns out to be unfounded! The Nedors have been especially enjoyable to see over the past few months - we just dont see them very often, in any grade! Then you will like what I got in the mail today... I'm sure I will!

My old copy, twice removed - now why on earth did I sell that masterpiece?

We all derive a great deal of entertainment - not to say - inspiration - from watching your collection grow Jeff, so (I think I speak for all of us) I sincerely hope that your fear of things drying up turns out to be unfounded! The Nedors have been especially enjoyable to see over the past few months - we just dont see them very often, in any grade!

Awesome - I especially like these end of the world covers! Steve, this is a fabulous group!