ALTER EGO #162

(W) Various (A) Various (CA) M Nodell G Kane; T Austin

Has Alter Ego uncovered "A Prophecy in Four Colors?" Will Murray presents an amazing array of possible prototypes of Batman (by artist Frank Foster in 1932!), Wonder Woman (by Star-Spangled Kid artist Hal Sherman), Tarantula (by Air Wave artist Lee Harris), and others! Plus a rare interview with Hal Sherman! Extra: Michael T. Gilbert with still more on artist Pete Morisi, FCA, Bill Schelly, John Broome, and more! Cover by Shane Foley, an all-star homage to Bob Kane, H.G. Peter, and Arthur Peddy!

AMERICAN COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES HC #2

1980S NEW PTG

(W) Keith Dallas (A) Jack Kirby (CA) Jack Kirby

The American Comic Book Chronicles continues its ambitious series of full-color hardcovers! This volume on the 1980s covers all the pivotal moments and behind-the-scenes details of comics during the Reagan years! You'll get a year-by-year account of the most significant publications, notable creators, and impactful trends, including: The rise and fall of Jim Shooter at Marvel Comics! The ascendancy of Frank Miller as a comic book superstar! DC Comics' reboot with Crisis on Infinite Earths and its Renaissance with a British invasion of talent like Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Neil Gaiman! The emergence of Direct Market-exclusive publishers like Eclipse Comics, Pacific Comics, First Comics, Comico, Dark Horse Comics and others!

BRICKJOURNAL #61

BrickJournal, the magazine for LEGO enthusiasts, gets into figure building with a look at Jae Won Lee's historical and legendary figures! There's an in-depth feature on Eero Okkonen's stunning LEGO mythic figures! Then we go to town to survey Andrea ("Norton74") Lattanzio's new ultra-realistic builds, including classic food stands and gas stations! Plus: "AFOLs" by cartoonist Greg Hyland, step-by-step "You Can Build It" instructions by Christopher Deck, Minifigure Customization with Jared K. Burks, and more!

MARVEL COMICS IN THE 1960S SC

(W) Pierre A. Comtois (A) Jack Kirby (CA) Na

After being relegated to the realm of children's literature for the first 25 years of its history, the comic book industry experienced an unexpected flowering in the early 1960s. A celebration of that emergence, Marvel Comics in the 1960s: An Issue-by-Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon takes the reader from the legendary company's first fumbling beginnings as helmed by savvy editor/writer Stan Lee (aided by such artists as Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko), to the full maturity of its wild, colorful, offbeat grandiosity.

QUALITY COMPANION SC

(W) Mike Kooiman (A) Louis K. Fine (CA) Dick Giordano

The Quality Companion provides a dedicated look at the prolific Golden Age publisher which spawned a treasure trove of beautiful art and classic characters, including the "Freedom Fighters" - Uncle Sam, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, The Ray, Human Bomb, and Doll Man - as well as Plastic Man, the Blackhawks, and others. The volume also covers the characters' revival from the 1970s up through the current versions of the characters at DC Comics.

RETROFAN MAGAZINE

RetroFan features a Jaclyn Smith interview, reopens the Charlie's Angels Casebook, and visits the Guinness World Records' largest Charlie's Angels collection. Plus: an exclusive interview with funnyman Larry Storch; Captain Action, the original super-hero action figure; The Dick Van Dyke Show; a vintage interview with Jonny Quest creator Doug Wildey; a visit to the Land of Oz; the ultra-rare Marvel World superhero playset; and more fun, fab features! Featuring columns by Ernest Farino, Will Murray, Scott Saavedra, and Scott Shaw!