One Hulk Clapping - from Fantastic Four #12 to Infernal Hulk #1

Originally on sale 1962-12-11

This week, while on a slightly more than a day trip to Richmond with my youngest daughter, I had the opportunity to finally re-read The Fantastic Four #12 (this time in the foil facsimile edition*).  An outstanding issue by all accounts, but I want to focus on what may be the first instance of the Hulk-Clap...and what it has become today.

*Marvel published the first 12 issues of the FF in this format over the last 12 months in honor of the new movie from last summer.

Let's jump right to a blow-up of the three-panel clap:

The Conquering Crown - Conan the Barbarian #26, #27 & #28 - A Review

 

"There is nothing wrong with your [screen device].  Do not attempt to adjust your picture..."

I repurposed the old Outer Limits intro because, believe it or not, we're actually going to discuss a comic on Comics And... today!  Three comics in particular, one of which came out less than two weeks ago!  A stellar installment in Titan Comics' excellent Conan the Barbarian series, going on just over two years now.  The fact that I'm still getting it speaks to how much I enjoy it, and these issues...Well, you could say they're a crowning achievement.  Sorry, I just had to go there.  

Speaking of crowns, as you see on the cover of #28, it's no spoiler that Conan gets the Crown of Aquilonia, but this is a tale about how it could have happened.  I say "could have" because this is a fill-in tale crafted from pieces of various Robert E. Howard stories.  One that has been told at least a couple of times before, as the well-written/researched text piece in #28 relays.

DC Universe Streaming

I've been debating whether or not to pull the trigger on pre-ordering the new DC Universe service that will start on September 15th. There are many pros and cons to pre-ordering and I can't seem to make up my mind. In case you are in a similar state, I thought I'd share what I've learned about this digital endeavor and maybe we can make up our minds together by the end of it.

It is no secret I love DC Comics if not the direction the company has taken in the Dan Didio era. I think Rebirth was a success while the Nu52 was a failure. (I don't care what the numbers might have said, at least, in the beginning.) The DC Universe digital service seems perfect for a fan like me. So why am I hesitant?