MasterChief

Okay, Folks. Next cover, next clue...

Hey... didn't you get the memo? No Uber Geeks allowed. Congrats, Greg.

Ahh! That is a great question. (cover clue?)

Sparked by comments made earlier regarding Picture Frame border colors, I took the plunge into the CMYK spectrum in an attempt to quantify cover colors. Quickly realizing I was drowning in a subtractive color model, and not wanting to spend countless hours trying to identify original print colors by way of my RGB monitor, I backed away from any attempt at being anal-retentively-precise and SWAGed by way through 389 cover images. Now I'm pretty certain that black is black and white is white. And that red is red and yellow is yellow. But when it came to some of the other 'colors', I wasn't so sure. In any event, it is what it is. And even with my middle-aged eyesight one can quickly see: The Black Picture Frame Border was a favorite of the Merry Marvel Production Crew. (Yes, I know... these are really useless facts. Get a life, MasterChief!)

Speaking of the proverbial needle... Here's a classic PF with its lead story pulled right from the 'ol electronic haystack for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Gee, I dunno. I'm trying to maintain some semblance of a work–life–hobby balance, and I haven't been too successful as of late (just ask my wife). I'm quite the geek when it comes to hobby study and I have several concurrent projects in the hopper right now. If I spend any more time on this great hobby, I just might find myself sleeping with the dog.

Congrats, GT~! The Suscha CTB#13 is a sweet book! Although I complained about the lots I didn't have the chance at winning, I was certainly successful at landing a few of the books that caught my eye. And I must humbly confess; I am certainly proud to be the new owner of the following:

Mahalo, Peter. Hope all is well with you!

Is there a drooling graemlin? Homer looks like he's had one too many!

I've been flying under the radar for awhile But you can bet one thing, Mr. Town... I've got my sights pictured in on this thread, that's for sure! By the way, Did any of you Framers observe or participate in the last Suscha News auction? I just happen to... and boy was I blown away by some of the action. There were a couple of Frames that I had my eye on. Problem was – so did a few others! And those SOBs brought some serious dough to the table. Here's some hammer-notes I took from the event. They're a few of the books I targeted. And no, I didn't score the bull's-eye on these... Some Whale blew my SS Minnow clear out of the water very early in the bidding.

Argh! I give up. I say uncle to the collector extraordinaire... UNCLE! Not sure where you're finding all these treasures, GT, but you win... You freakin' WIN! (Nice books, Big Guy. Keep 'em coming! )

So who the heck is Ted? Geez... sometimes I feel like I'm on the outside looking in when it comes to this hobby.

That would be a mighty fine gesture, GT. Thanks for the thought! By the way, I think the 9.4 presents straighter and cleaner. It's nicer than the 9.6, IMHO. You got a steal of a deal, my friend! (thumbs u

Great catch, GT! You're really hauling those babies in. BTW, I got a fishing tale about your Western Gunfighters #9. Several months back that book was up on Pedigree with a listed price of 75 clams. So I immediately set the hook to register a "Sale Pending". Time starts to drag as I'm waiting to hear from Pedigree to reel in the deal. Troubled after a week's time I contact Doug to see what gives. Doug replies that he checked his database and that a consignor's name wasn't listed, and so the seller may not have received the buy it now email. Doug goes on to say that he'll try and track down the consignor but states it won't be easy. Several weeks pass and I find myself waiting to hear from Doug, so I drop him another line. Doug responds that no one ever contacted him about the bid and the guy who listed the book was probably unaware that the bid was made. And because a name wasn't listed for the consignment, he says there's no way for him to find out who owned the book. Well anyway -- that's my story. And, sad to say, it will be remembered as the "one that got away".

Nice copy! And it's another gritty Severin commandos' cover. Wanted to post the below on Pearl Harbor day, but didn't get the chance. That said, it's never too late to thank those that served on that infamous day.

Simply awesome stuff, GT! I always found the Kane Cover of OK#10 to be super cool. The way the Kid holds and works those dual pistols is captivating. Kane had a way with drawing the hands of his characters. Given the dynamics available with picture frame employment, he was able to convey a sense of power, agility and surprise to drive the drama. Western Gunfighters #11 is another characteristic Kane example of this artistic methodology. The pistoleer in the foreground appears stunned by surprise, and his hands help to underscore the emotion.

Interesting piece of data, GT. And the point is clearly emphasized with an illustration. Incidentally, after a bit of digging, the only PF copy of TGK that I have is pictured below... Two-Gun Kid (1971 to 1972) - census dated 08/30/2010

I have no idea if CGC corrected this or not, but that's not the Stranger. You get a No-Prize for that one, Joe! Jakar's impersonation of the Stranger even had yours truly fooled.

Nice yellows! I really dig the cover of CA#150. It expresses dramatization drawn the Marvel way. The powerful and dramatic stance of the Stranger is imposing. And the Kane Frame with Romita Embellishment accentuates a feeling of forthcoming action.

Thanks for posting! Amazing Adventures #12 is a fantastic book. And it's another magnum opus done by Gil "The Picture-Frame" Kane. Ya know, those yellow PFs are a sight to behold. Much like the black ones, the yellows are in a class by themselves. The Bullpen nailed the marketing concept with that four-color approach. Contrasting colors on a yellow background snap the action to attention when deployed in a PF layout.

Holy Cow! You just killed the thread with that one. Everyone is completely speechless... (Nice book, big guy!)

I wasn't into Sal Buscema's work when I was younger. Perhaps because I was a huge John Buscema fan who felt Big John really knew how to draw comics the Marvel way. That being said, I have grown to admire Our Pal Sal's work -- especially his picture-frame covers. Sal's interpretation of the classic Kirby cover rendering to FF#49 for the cover MGC#36 is one that instantly comes to mind.

Interesting perspective. And I agree. The power and dominating demeanor of the Kingpin and his goons weighed heavy upon 'ol Parker and the cover of ASM#51. It captured many a reader's attention back in the day. I dig 'em both...

I'll keep you in mind. (thumbs u

Yeah -- it was a great show. It took me 20 years to make it to the Comic-Con. For years I talked about going, but never did. Work... no money... no time. Excuse after excuse. When it finally happened I truly wished I hadn't waited so long. Here are a few more odds and ends from the show of '06...