I Am Legend (30/54) - More Original Eclipse comic adaptation art by Elman Brown (1991)

I know what you're thinking. Didn't we already cover original art from the comic adaptation? Yes we did. And you'll recall, one of the things I lamented in that post was not purchasing the page that featured the portrait of Neville that became the iconic image of the adaptation for me. 

So imagine my surprise when, just days from the 70th anniversary of the novel's publication, I got an email from Steve Niles letting me know that he came across a box of the original art, and asking if I might be adding any more original pages to my collection. It was an opportunity I wasn't going to pass up, and I was able to negotiate a deal to add nine more original pages to the archive!

The first pages bookend the two pages I purchased previously showcasing the iconic fire pit from the novel. The first when Neville finds the dead bodies in his yard after the prior night's assault; those which he would ultimately take to the pit.

I particularly loved this rendering of one of the dead female vampire in the shrubbery.

This page follows immediately after my two page spread of the pit, as he tosses another body in, before driving away thinking of his daughter Kathy. 

My first request was to acquire the page I had regretted passing on previously, which thankfully was still available. Even though it's not the original illustration, it's still an amazing page. 

I felt it was only appropriate to get a page that featured Cimarron Street, and the opening of Chapter 9 did just that.

The following page is an important one in the story — where Neville takes note of all of the different documented means of dealing with vampires.

I added several pages featuring Ben Cortman, including this portrait page.

And I also acquired the two page spread featuring Cortman's death at the hands of the new society.

I particularly like the panel with the axe, which has a decidedly Bernie Wrightson look to it. 

While I had already purchased the final page of the book, the preceding page features the first line that I think of, when I consider the book's final lines, "A coughing chuckle filled his throat."

But even more importantly, this page featured Neville's realization.

I was extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to pick up these original pieces decades after I had purchased my first three, and I'm pleased to be able to share them with you here.

Come back next week for another item from my I Am Legend Archive. 

Creature from the Black Lagoon (29/54) - Spinature (2021)

In 2021, Waxworks records started releasing Spinatures — sculpted character busts to place on your turntable. The line started with a series of Universal Monsters, so it wasn't too long before the Creature joined the lineup.

Of course I had to shoot a video of the man in action...

Be here next week for another item from my Creature collection!

Godzilla (28/54) - Bandai Mechagodzilla (Black) Theater Exclusive (2003)

During the Millennium era, Mechagodzilla got a revised design for his appearance in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002). The design is a reversion from the smoother, rounded Heisei version from 1993's Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II, back towards the Showa-era angular version from 1974-5.

This design is my favorite version of the character, and so an all-black variant was a must have for the collection.

Check back next week for another item from my Godzilla collection!

 

I Am Legend (29/54) - Promotional items for the IDW reissue of the comic adaptation (2003)

I came across this oversized sign on eBay, which I assume was dispalyed in the IDW booth at ComicCons throughout 2003. The artwork is on two sheets pasted down on black cardstock (with an IDW label on the reverse). 

While the title is easily readable, Matheson, adapter Niles and artist Brown's names don't really stand out, particularly from a distance. An issue that was addressed both by increasing the font size, and running a dark banner behind them, as on this postcard (this example signed by Steve Niles). 

IDW's release was the first time the books were collected into a single volume (initially in hardcover, and subsequently in trade paperback). 

It's interesting to note that the artwork used on these promotional pieces was not actually used on the hardcover or softcover releases from IDW. 

Check back next week for more items from the I Am Legend Archive!

Creature from the Black Lagoon (28/54) - Super7 AHI-inspired Creature from the Black Lagoon ReAction figures (2021-2022)

I've shared a couple of my AHI bendy and jiggler Creatures in the blog, but there are two AHI figures that I doubt I will ever have. In the mid 70s, AHI produced a line of 8" World Famous Super Monsters, which included the Creature. For some reason, for the Creature there were two unique sculpts — described as wide and narrow body for obvious reasons. 

So when Super7 released their own take on the AHI figures in facsimile packaging as part of their 3-3/4" ReAction line, I was already sold. Both variations of the Creature were offered, first on cardbacks...

You may noticed the cardback is a knock-off of James Bama's artwork from the Aurora model kit.

...and then subsequently in AHI-style boxes.

And then there was the inevitable Glow-in-the-Dark ComicCon exclusive... of the wide sculpt variant. I ordered two, and was pleasantly surprised to receive one each of the wide and narrow sculpt glow creatures. It turns out that the narrow sculpt was a retailer exclusive limited to 1000 pieces. 

Because these AHI style figures fill a hole in my collection that would otherwise never be filled, I think they are my favorite of Super7's ReAction Creatures.

Check back next week for more from my Creature collection! 

Godzilla (27/54) - The Art of Godzilla and The Art of Godzilla vs Mothra signed by Shinji Nishikawa (1991, 1992)

I have a lot of Japanese Godzilla related books in my library. Even in the days before the internet made such international purchases a lot easier, I would shop at our local Kinokuniya bookstore with an eye out for pretty much any profusely illustrated Godzilla related books. 

One of my favorite pickups in the early 90s was The Art of Godzilla, featuring work from Godzilla vs King Ghidorah. The book included some amazing work by Shinji Nishikawa, who I had sign it when attending Monsterpalooza in 2014.

You can't really tell from the picture below, but the filmstrip on the right is reproduced on clear acetate through which you can see the title page. I had Nishikawa sign my book on the title page so it would show up beneath the blows up image from the film.

The book has some great illustrations of Mecha-King Ghidorah, as well the Junior version of Godzilla (designed to fall halfway between a dinosaur and the Godzilla we know and love. 

When planning for my Monsterpalooza trip, I decided to research whether they did similar volumes for the other Heisei era film. Unfortunately, the only other volume appeared to be The Art of Godzilla vs Mothra. I had to have one, and was able to find one for sale on Amazon Japan. As the convention was about a week away, I had resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't have it in time to get it autographed. Much to my surprise the book that I had ordered from Japan on a Friday afternoon was in my hands the following Monday, allowing me to bring it to the show to get signed as well.

Unfortunately, they didn't follow the prior volume's acetate in front of the title page, but I was glad not only to find a reasonably priced copy, but to be able to get it signed by Shinji Nishikawa as well!

Be sure to check back next week for something else from my Godzilla collection!

I Am Legend (28/54) - Ridley Scott Warner Brothers Crew Parking Pass (1997)

In 1997, Ridley Scott was attached to direct the Warner Brothers remake of I Am Legend (well, technically The Omega Man, but don't get me started) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. I previously showcased a piece of production art from that adaptation, and today I showcase another artifact from the production.

This parking pass would be distributed to crew members to allow them access to park on the lot (or set, during production); placed on the dashboard of their car. 

What makes this example particularly cool is that it doesn't just feature the title of the production (which was common practice), but also includes the star and director — notable in that the film never made it past the pre-production stage, and clearly distinguishing it from the Francis Lawrence/Will Smith adaptation 10 years later.

Be here next week for another item from the I Am Legend Archive!