Cat-Man_America

... So much for me getting an expedite on that MM#66 Matt sent you. (gulp!) ... ...

Nice copy! If it hasn't already, that puppy needs to make it's presence known in the Timely thread as well! (thumbs u

I like the pool table shots better But, ...but you can't see the book details as well in those digital camera shots on the pool table! Maybe if I used a red felt backing on my scanner it'll make the pool table fanciers happier. Here's another scan (framed by a darker background) of a book that I've had in my collection since the mid-70's; I hope this leaves a more favorable impression...

Killer cover! That's a beauty, walclark. Here is a recent acquisition (old label CGC) that should compliment your torrid Schomburg Torch-fest...

Thanks for filling in some of the hazy areas, Richard! I think you're right about Don Newton; his appearance in costume probably prompted me to take the photo at the time, the rationale for which had been lost over the ensuing years. I'm only sorry that the shot didn't come out better. "Conine mint" ...I almost had to clean my best imported ale off the screen after that one, but how true, ...oh how true. Sadly ...or perhaps not, ...I'll probably never have the occasion to see any of Manny's unique resto work unless it slips past the watchful eyes of CGC graders!

A couple of recent raw acquisitions, freshly scanned...

Beautiful books! Gotta eventually get me some of those. (thumbs u BTW, sorry about the 180, but did anyone else notice CGC's label error on their book-of-the-day today (9.4 copy of USA #3) http://www.cgccomics.com/gallery/details.aspx?comic=862 While I'm at it, I'll post my new scan of USA #1...

The next series I dread (yes, I'm among the unsuspecting victims of con paparazzi); just remember, it was 1976 and plaid trousers were apparently "in" (lame excuse #1). Top left far photo: Robert A. Brown and George Evans solving the world's problems one deal at a time. Notice the lethal looking weapon in George Evans' hand. Top left near photo: Ron Frantz, making his mark in the reel world while playing follow the leader; he projected quite an image in those days, usually at the other end of the room. Bottom left: (shudder) Yes, that's me in the plaid pants. In retrospect, the plaid worked much better on pulp dealer Randal Hawkins shirt than as trouser fabric. I'm not sure who the kid is trying to crowd in for a closer look at the mannup books, ...Mitchell Mehdy maybe? Top right photo: Chris Turner from Tulsa selling something to Roger Hill (EC fan artist/collector); Roger made it possible for the convention to land George Evans as a guest. Middle photo: Ed Baldwin's daughter Cindy and Deana Padgett working the Registration desk. (photo attribution: Alan Wise) Bottom right photo: Fan/dealer John Wooley (just out of the Navy) contemplating his future pulp/mystery novel career while doing something folks can no longer do at cons. No, ...not THAT (dirty minds )... but there is something about smoking while wearing a Disneyland shirt that is WRONG on many levels! BTW, notice the early attempt at pressing books on the left side of the photo.

Great stories; I should probably add that this publication was originally put together by the Oklahoma Alliance of Fandom, a non-profit organization, paid for by member subscriptions and at this time under the editorship of Robert A. Brown and Ed Baldwin. Attributions are provided where known. MOAR photos??? OK, here is the next section and known identities (please feel free to fill in any blanks or correct misspellings, where known: I'm working from recollections and incomplete notes provided by the compilers)... Top left photo: Nancy Trevino (couple to the right are unknown, but my notes read "Wally Wood" and friend; possibly a nickname or an in-joke by the folks who put this together, ...but not one of mine). Bottom left photo: Mike Templin selling prints, comics and rare SF books; on the far left can be spotted Jim Behnke and hat. Top right photo: Joe Bob Williams in action! Joe Bob was part of the group that tried to put together the failed Dallas World SF Con bid in the early 70's. Middle photo: Supposedly this is Wilt Conine selling (all others unidentified), but unless he shed a few pounds between the earlier photo and this one, I think the attribution notes may be in error. Bottom right photo: Jim Behnke thrilling his customers with an epic tale from his last jungle adventure, ...as he closes in for the kill.

Very likely, because in some background notes it mentioned that he had come some distance to attend Wintercon (his last visit to an Oklahoma con was apparently Multicon '70).

The Oklahoma Alliance of Fandom Wintercon '76 follow-up... cover: The cover art attribution is sketchy (no pun intended), but my guess would be George Evens since the work looks professional and he was the guest artist at Wintercon '76. 1st photo: Roger Nelson, toy dealer. 2nd photo: Guests Spanky McFarland and George Evens Top left photo: Wilt Conine, and in the right-hand background Rick Payne, and lots of happy conventioneers. Center left photo: Spanky McFarland just after his guest speech shaking hands with Robert A. Brown Bottom left photo: comic dealer Randall Hawkins, far right; others unidentified Top right photo: Charles Breakfield, Herb Dolf and "Manny" Sequin (sp?) displaying a comic that they're excited about. Bottom right photo: Guy in the middle background was noted as being Jerry Hoffman; the dealer and fan in foreground are currently unidentified. More photos from the OAF Wintercon '76 report will follow later as I organize the available information. As always, if anyone recognizes someone that has been overlooked, please share the infol

Nice!

Oklahoma Alliance of Fans history on parade! Cover of the Multicon '72 convention program (Okla. City; Don Maris & Eric Groves chaired)... This was the year that the Carl Bark's painting "Sheriff of Bullet Valley" was given away in a door prize drawing. Luck of the draw, that Barks painting was won by a fellow USAO college art student, Robby McMurtry (see link below). (thumbs u http://www.robbymcmurtry.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=173

Epson Perfection V33 (from Fry's). They're available on line pretty cheap, when in stock. The results are spectacular (IMO) and it's easy enough to use that now I'm thinking about buying a second one for back-up in case this one ever breaks down (which you know it will, eventually). BTW, you do realize that a "Merryweather" scanner is the same as a CAT-scan, don't you? I'll believe anything you tell me! That's a heavy responsibility (I'm not Mitchell Mehdy, you know). Well, I can honestly say that my decision to purchase Roy's copy of MM#2 is partially responsible for getting me back into GA collecting after a lengthy hiatus. Here are the newly scanned front and back covers... If it's only TP, at least it's totally Charmin.

I feel a bit guilty posting my work here among all the fine amateur work, as art is my career and I don't want that to take away from the high caliber work posted by the many talented non-professionals on these pages. Most of my work these days is in the form of commissioned paintings as opposed to book covers and illustration, but I've done a lot of convention program book covers and B&W illos over the years. Here is an oil painting that I provided for FenCon 1 back in 2004 (the program staff was kind enough to allow my input into the layout design as well, which compliments the work, IMO; the concept is based on the early SF digests) ...

Epson Perfection V33 (from Fry's). They're available on line pretty cheap, when in stock. The results are spectacular (IMO) and it's easy enough to use that now I'm thinking about buying a second one for back-up in case this one ever breaks down (which you know it will, eventually). BTW, you do realize that a "Merryweather" scanner is the same as a CAT-scan, don't you?

...I need to get me a Venus fly trap; those look scrumptious! (thumbs u

An early fan costume contest (HoustonCon '74)...

Wilt Conine caught in a somewhat awkward position by your blurry eyed photographer at HoustonCon '74; he was apparently looking for some Action at the con and found it!

I especially like that cover. It's very mysterious Love that cover; awesome late Timely book!

Please bear with me, I'm chompin' at the bit to try out my new FB scanner on a few previously scanned books (look ma, ...no pool table!): This may be my favorite comic of all time; such clean lines. Seriously, the cover was cleaned; no complaints here! And my latest GA acquisition, courtesy of Mr. Bedrock (muchas gracias, Richard) ...

NEW scanner (finally, a flatbed that works with all my books, including CGC slabs!)... ...AND a new, totally Charmin acquisition! Off white-White pages with slight to moderate restoration (8.5 App). Also, here is my rescan of my slabbed Cap #5 (CGC 8.5 Blue)... I probably could've adjusted the yellow in the scan a bit around the edges as there is no darkening at either end of the word America on the actual book, but I think this scan looks great otherwise! (thumbs u

Here are a couple of rare fanzine images from my friend Bob Wayne's Tales from Texas (cover by Lewis Shiner): ... including a page of art that I produced with a bit of "stipulation" provided by my then significant other Kathy Harper when the Rapidograph dots got to be too much for me... Yes, I was very into Lev Gleason's Daredevil back then, even creating characters that were inspired by Cole's iconic versions (left side of page). Note: The actual character strip that I'd intended for Bob's zine never made it to print as Tales from Texas ceased publication before it's completion.

who else could it be John? I guess it is somewhat Let me see, ...swastika with imposing red skull over it, ...yep, I'm calling it: Red Skull!

In answer to your second question, yes. I've known Wilt since 1969. I traveled with him to at least one of HoustonCons in the early 70's where I recall him buying a copy of Action #1. He attended one of the OAF reunions three or four years ago and as far as I know he's still around and doing well, but I haven't seen him since. And yes, the self portrait of Dorian Grey is hanging in my closet. Wilt was a HS teacher, although not mine nor did I attend his school; but a friend of mine did. I remember going to Wilt's house. I was probably in 9th or 10th grade so around 1978 or so (I know it was before I had a driver's license as my mom would drop me off there). He took me to his garage where I had never seen so many boxes of books. It wan't too orderly which made it even more exciting. I spent hours there on different visits. I bought the book below from him and still have it. I remember mispronouncing his last name and calling him Mr. "Conan" - his name is pronounced Conine (like Co and the number 9). He politely corrected me but I thought Conan sounded pretty cool for Wilt - especially with his beard and all. He also told me about Alan Light's Buyer's Guide which I subscribed to. Some few years ago, I got rid of all those issues. Just didn't have any room for them and I kick myself for that all the time. I had been a subscriber since the late 70s. Mr. "Conan" is much closer than you think; as I recall he was a high school wrestling coach back when I knew him. I probably handled that very book as most of the OAF members had the fortune of looking through his Timely collection when club meetings were held at his home. I'm going to test how good my memory is now. My recollection is that he lived on NW 80th Street in OKC, at least back in the late 60's and early 70's; if that's right then I remember his house number as well, but I won't post it since as far as I know he and/or other members of his family still reside there.