DC Comics Archival Print - A is for Aquaman

To be fair, in the New 52 it stands for Atlantis -- but that would be nitpicking!

Just announced via the Source Blog:

DC Collectibles, the exclusive line of collector items from DC Entertainment, continues to build out its recently expanded online store, and now offers a high-end line of custom graphic prints for sale exclusively online. Fans may recall that a limited selection of the custom prints were available for sale at C2E2 earlier this year, and based on popular demand an expanded line-up is now available for sale here. More than 20 prints are currently available, with new prints added all the time. Make sure to visit DC Collectibles store (www.shopdccollectibles.com) regularly as a one-stop shop for the latest prints, statues, action figures and more collectible awesomeness!

And just to tick off rob!, they made a SHAZAM one too (as well as a Starfire that could double as truck mud-flap decal!). Check 'em all out and we'll have something special for the 1st F.O.A.M.er to send us a picture of the above print displayed in their possession!

"Get To Know Your Super-Pets!"

The fine folks at Capstone Books--who have been enormously kind and generous to the Shrine--sent us this *awesome* poster of all the DC Super-Pets characters, both human and animal, drawn by Art Baltazar. (Aww yeah, click to embiggen!)

Here are some close-ups of the Aqua-Family and their pets:

For whatever reason, I think George the Evil Pufferfish is my favorite.

On a separate note, can someone tell me why DC Super-Pets isn't an animated series yet?!?

Be sure to check out the Capstone/Stone Arch books blog for more stuff on the DC Super-Pets line, and all their other books!

Heatwave 3

This spiffy, Aqua-centric poster comes from our newest member of F.O.A.M., Pieter van Meeuwen!

I'll let Pieter explain just exactly what we're looking at: "It's a poster that Stephen Sadowski did for Vancouver Gay Pride. He cast featured performer Jujubee as Mera and turned the two DJ's into Atlantean guardsmen. So awesome!"

I agree, it's a really gorgeous piece of work, and it immediately reads as "Aquaman" without ever actually featuring him. Thanks Pieter, and welcome to F.O.A.M.!

DC Poster by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez - 1979

The master artist Jose Luis Garcia Lopez (Praise Be His Name) posted this over on his Facebook page a few weeks ago, the original art to a heretofore unseen poster he was commissioned to do in 1979 (despite the "1981" written at the bottom).

The poster was inked by Dick Giordano, and if you click to embiggen you can see it features all of the big DC stars of the time, with an emphasis on the Legion of Superheroes, who were pretty big then. Aquaman is kinda tucked away in the back there, but he's doing his best to catch up!

I had never seen this poster before, and Jose doesn't mention what is was for. Anyone ever have a copy of it?

Death of Superman Poster - 1992

I stumbled across this promo poster for the 1992 "Death of Superman" mega-event during a Google image search for another post, and was happy to see Aquaman included--and as one of the Man of Steel's pallbearers, yet!

A couple of other random observations:
--Changeling is one of the pallbearers, really? Changeling?
--next to Blue Beetle is Thunderbolt, one of the few characters to be bought by DC, only for them to lose him again.
--Martian Manhunter has to stand next to Darkseid? What a dis!
--speaking of Darkseid, I'm calling shenanigans. I'm all for calling a truce during a time of, er, crisis, but this is a guy who has tried to destroy the universe a hundred times over. I'd say the heroes of the DCU missed a chance to take him out once and for all. Geez, Superman dies, and the other heroes just lose it!

DC Comics Promo Poster - 1994

F.O.A.M.er Ilke Hincer sent in a link to an eBay auction for this DC promo poster, which was produced in 1994 (see: Supes' mullet).

Measuring a whopping 22x34", this poster features all the stars of the DCU, using all different artists--that Aquaman by Ken Hooper, alongside Wonder Woman by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, Flash by Mike Wieringo (I think?), Captain Marvel by Jerry Ordway, and more.

By mixing action shots as well as iconic poses, this makes for an oddly staged poster, but who cares when Aquaman is featured so prominently?

Thanks Ilke!

"Strength In Numbers" - 1996

A couple weeks ago the Shrine posted a library bookmark whose artwork was taken from a larger, limited edition print by Jerry Ordway and Karl Kesel that was sold through the late, great WB Studio Stores.

Thanks to F.O.A.M.er Daria, we now can see the whole piece (click to see a bigger version) and see all sixty(!) characters they managed to cram in there. And like an actor that knows where to stand so the camera always has a clear shot of them, Aquaman knew to pose near Superman, since that's where most of the attention would be focused.

Can you name them all?

Thanks Daria!

JLA Poster by Alex Ross - 2002

This amazing poster of the JLA and assorted friends by Alex Ross measures a whopping 22x58" (click to see a bigger version, although not that big!) and was sold as a stand-alone poster, as well as being used as a wraparound, double-gatefold cover on the Alex Ross: Mythology book (which I am lucky enough to own).

A smaller version (with less characters) appeared in the 2003 oversize JLA: Liberty and Justice book, but with this deluxe version Ross gets to indulge himself by including honorary JLA members like Metamorpho, Adam Strange, and The Phantom Stranger, as well as those heroes he simply always wanted to be in the group: Plastic Man and Captain Marvel. No need for a grudge this time!

DC 75 Poster - 2010

Courtesy F.O.A.M.er Brent Almond is a scan of the huge-o "DC 75" poster that comes with the Music of DC Comics CD released a few weeks ago (click the image to see a bigger version). Nice to see Aquaman on the front lines!

Brent also scanned the CD tray, which is another multi-character image:

(click to see everybody!)

He also has this to say about the CD itself: "The interior of the CD book also lists all the tracks are available as ringtones! Unfortunately, they don't work on iPhones, so if a generous Shrine member wants to convert the Aquaman ringtone into a format that iPhone users can use, I would be eternally grateful!"

Me, too. Thanks for the scans Brent!


A few weeks after Brent sent me these scans, I was having a discussion about the CD with F.O.A.M.er Shag Matthews and Walter from Boosterrific.com, and Shag noticed something interesting about the the art in the CD tray--which I assumed was the same group shot used as a print ad for WB's licensing department, posted here a few months ago:

If you look closely, you can see that Aquaman--and only Aquaman--has been redrawn. In the original ad directly above, his costume looks like the one he has in Brightest Day, where his tunic is goes all the way up his neck. But in the piece used for the CD tray, his tunic is more of the traditional variety.

In addition, some folks have been moved around (Booster Gold behind Aquaman instead of Mr. Terrific, for example)--the kind of thing I never would have noticed had Shag not pointed it out. Weird!

DCU Posters by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez

This exquisite, awesome, sublime (pick your adjective) poster is by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. featuring many of the stars of the DCU in their classic, iconic forms.

Sure, the Big Three are the dominant characters here, but many other heroes get their due, including Aquaman, who kinda looks like he's about to sucker-punch Green Arrow:

These pics come from long-time commenter, newest F.O.A.M.er, Aaron Scott. Funny thing is, when Aaron first asked me if I had a copy of this, I thought he was talking about the poster seen here:

This ad ran in most of DC's 1980 books, and it wasn't until I dug out the actual ad and compared the two posters did I see they're different creatures. I mean, they kinda look the same--they have the same central design, they're both by JLGL, but they're clearly two different items.

While working on this post, I found a shot of this poster, as well:

This poster looks to be by JLGL and Dick Giordano, and features a more broader sampling of the DCU. You can clearly see Aquaman, but he's fighting for space a lot more on this one (Enemy Ace??).

Aaron tells me he found both posters for sale at a comic shop in the 90s, who was moving a lot of old inventory for charity. The first one measures around 11x14", with no other details to be had. So, for now, the whys and wherefores of the first poster remain a mystery...for now at least.

In the meantime, thanks for the scans and info Aaron, and welcome to F.O.A.M.!

Aquaman Poster Roughs by Alex Ross

This is another selection from the Alex Ross: Mythology book, featuring Ross' pencil roughs for the Aquaman poster that was part of a whole set of life-size, JLA posters.

Of the three approaches, I'd say Ross ultimately went with the best one--the hands-behind-the-back one makes it look like Arthur is showing off his package, and I like the diagonal created by the trident on the final version more than the straight vertical one.

While I've always been a fan of the sleek, swimmer's-body look both Jim Aparo and Neal Adams tended to give Aquaman, there is a lot to said for the beefy, almost old-time strongman physique that Ross gives him: you really get the sense of how much sheer raw power Aquaman has, something generally not highlighted in the character's comic book adventures.

Blackest Night Teaser Poster

This is the new teaser poster for DC's upcoming Blackest Night series. Two words I never thought I'd see together: Zombie Aquaman.

I swore off all multi-book crossover events years ago, but alas, I think I'm going to have to pick this one up. My only hope is, by the end of it, we have a living, breathing, Classic Aquaman once again the DCU.

About a dozen different F.O.A.M. members sent me this yesterday (you guys are awesome), but newest F.O.A.M.er Max Handerson was first. Thanks Max!

DC Super Heroes Poster Book Ad - 1979

I've seen this ad in about a thousand different DCs from around 1979, but I don't think I've ever actually seen the book itself. I never knew anyone who had one, and I don't think I've ever come across it on eBay. Anyone out there have one?

It certainly looks very nice, what with that great Dick Giordano shot of the big stars of the DCU (and Dr. Sivana) charging at you...plus it has an intro by Isaac Asimov!

I'm grinning at the idea of having the author of I, Robot having to sit down and pen some words about, say, Catwoman.


Update: Within a few minutes of posting this, several of you left comments or sent me an email with links to more info about this book. (You guys are awesome)

On AbeBooks.com, several people are selling copies of the book, here's a shot of the cover:

While the book looks totally awesome, prices start at around fifty bucks (going all the way up to $125 on Amazon!) , which is insane.

I want to see what's in this thing, but not that bad.


Update 2: You F.O.A.M.ers keep coming through! David Kelly has the poster book and sent me a scan of the Aquaman image, a handsome shot by Dick Giordano:

This image was re-used as the flip side to a Pepsi brand placemat, which I posted on the Shrine here, which featured Aquaman's origin drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger.

So in the end, I'm not missing anything by not having the book itself, though of course I'd still like one. But at prices ranging from $50 to $125, I don't see one in my future any time soon.

Thanks David!

Spanish Comic Poster - 1984

This super-cool pull-out poster--featuring a classic stock art piece by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez--came inside an issue of Batman Spanish Novaro Comics, published in Mexico in 1984.

It was sent to me by F.O.A.M. member Ramiro Munoz, who has previously sent me all kinds of cool stuff that I would normally never get to see. Thanks Ramiro!
___________________________________________________________

Aquaman Poster - 1992

One last thing re: the fourth Aquaman solo series we wrapped up over the weekend.

DC didn't do a lot of merchandising or promotion for the fourth Aquaman solo series, the lone example being this promo poster culled from Kevin Maguire's cover to the first issue.

While its drawn beautifully, its an odd image for a poster, and the type at the bottom right is virtually unreadable.

*sigh*
_________________________________________________________

Last week I posted this pic:

...just today I got an email from F.O.A.M.er John Lijewski III concerning this hoodie. Apparently John pre-ordered one, but was told that "due to lack of demand" the shirt is not being produced. Great Neptune!

I don't know how many orders it might take for the company (80s Tees.com) to change their mind, but for those of us out there who wanted one, this might be the time to write company president Kevin Stecko and ask him to reconsider. Maybe if enough Aqua Fans write in, they'll change their mind!

Thanks for the tip John!

Update: I traded emails with Kevin, and while he didn't say they had any plans to reconsider, they also didn't say they wouldn't, you know? So if you're really interested in purchasing this item, leave a comment indicating such here. Then I'll total them all up, and email Kevin and see if that's enough for his company to reconsider.

Aquaman Poster by Martin Egeland - 1994

Before we start, let me apologize for the lousy scan--usually, if I find a better version online I use that, but no luck. And as you can see, I'm a lame photographer.

Anyway, this was the big promo poster DC put out to push the new Aquaman series by Peter David and new artist(and fellow Kubert School alum!) Martin Egeland.

As anyone who has been reading this site for a while knows, I'm, er, less than a big fan of this era of Aquaman, but to be fair, I haven't read any of these issue in a long time so maybe it's time to revisit some of these books--it wouldn't be the first time a comic that didn't work for me the first time around and then with the passage of time read much differently.

Also, this era certainly did have its fans(see Tim Schlattmann's interview earlier in the week), and David had a long, healthy run(over fifty issues total) on the book. So definite props to him for being someone who managed to do nearly the impossible--sell an Aquaman comic book!

DC Direct Poster by Terry & Rachel Dodson - 2007

Definitely a bright, cheery image, courtesy of the Dodsons--Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis was blessed with a series of wonderful covers during its brief run, but none more fun(no pun intended) and light-hearted than this one, so it was a great choice for a poster.

Why this came out last week, just in time for the book to be cancelled, I don't know, but I'm happy for its existence nonetheless. Clear skies, Aquaman looks heroic, and the comely mermaids look suitably impressed.

Aquaman, mack daddy.

Poster by Craig Hamilton - 1994

This was the one Aquaman item by Craig Hamilton that I've never been able to acquire--it shows up rarely on ebay; if ever--a full-size poster, featuring a very bad-ass looking Sea King with Craig doing his usual superb illustration job.

(Ever wonder where Atlantis gets the necessary loot to build all those palaces? Well, now you know!)

Anyway, then how did I get this, you ask? Well, this scan of the poster was sent to me by Craig himself, making him the first person to be a subject of the Shrine as well as a F.O.A.M. member for providing me an item to post!

Congratulations and thanks again, Craig!

Poster by Alex Ross - 2003

Aquaman, when rendered by Alex Ross, always looks like He Means Business, and this 22x34" poster is no exception(plus, that trident looks really mean).

Part of a really vast series of posters by Ross, all nearly life-size. If you bought them all and put them up on the walls of one room, you'd probably feel like you were at a JLA office party.

Post Cereal Giveaway Poster - 1979

I had seen this item on ebay from time to time, but always just a bit more than I was really willing to spend. But then I saw it last week for $20, and that seemed to fair to me and I snapped it up.

This was one of a series of 15x20" giveaway posters by Post Cereal in 1979. I don't know if they were ever actually released, since the auction for it had this intriguing description: They were "rescued" from being destroyed when the printing house went bankrupt. These are very rare premiums plus they are UNFOLDED prior to the mailing. So I'm not sure whether all of the posters were "rescued" (read: probably stolen) or just these ones up for auction (this seller was also selling a Bat-Family one by Garcia-Lopez, and a Flash by, again, Aparo, which is odd, since he rarely drew the Flash).

In any case, it's a nice poster, with art by my favorite Aquaman artist, Jim Aparo. The figure is taken from his cover to Aquaman (first series) #59, with a new background inserted. It's swell.