This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
BATMAN
By now I sound like a broken record, but once
again there are no new releases hitting local comic shops this week due
to Covid-19, so I decided this would be a great time to catch up on
some books I have not read yet. This week I am going to pull back the
pages of DC Comic's Batman. I must admit that I got suckered into buying these issues because of the introduction of the Joker's new right hand woman, Punchline. Prices for these issues have gone up quite a bit, so I am glad I got them when I did. Now it's time to read up and find out what all the hub-bub is about!
That's why I am excited to read these issues! Have you read this title yet? If
so, share your thoughts in the comments below. If not, what are you
reading now?
Throw on your Silky Pajamas, and Creep on out as we take you back to the 90s! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK!
Artist: TLC
Song: Creep
Album: CrazySexyCool (1994)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: #1
Bonus Fun Fact: This song was TLC's first #1 hit on the billboard charts. It was written by Dallas Austin and received a Grammy award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
In the 90s basketball was everything to me. I was all-in on Michael Jordan and the Bulls, but still supported my local New Jersey Nets. I attended many games with my family and teammates at Brendan Byrne Arena in the Meadowlands to see some of my favorite players hit the court. I got to see Tim Duncan, Chris Mullin, Shaquille O'Neal, Vince Carter, Drazen Petrovic and so many more! I played on teams since the 5th grade and actually ended up winning 2 championships in that time and was named to the All-Tournament team in '95! So, not to get any longer but I was a basketball card collecting, game watching, sneaker consuming fool! I don't remember seeing these NIKE ads below when they were first used, but I found them recently and I love the looks of them! Comics and basketball...COUNT ME IN! Now it's time for me to stop babbling and for you to enjoy some sweet retro advertising!
Pretty cool right? I couldn't find any on-air advertising to back up this print ad campaign, but while searching YouTube, I did find this animated NIKE ad for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992!
This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse
Once again there are no new releases hitting local comic shops this week due to Covid-19, so I decided this would be a great time to catch up on some books I have not read yet. This week I am going to pull back the pages of DC Comic's He-Man and the Masters of the multiverse Mini-Series. I've read the first issue and I must say it is quite cool seeing all the different versions of He-Man from different mediums and eras in one place! Can't wait to see who makes an appearance next! That's why I am excited to read this! Have you read this title yet? If so, share your thoughts in the comments below. If not, what are you reading now?
Throw on your Eye patches and head to the Bronx as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: Doug E. Fresh feat MC Ricky D
Song: La Di Da Di
Album: The Show (1985)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: N/A
Bonus Fun Fact: This song is an early hip-hop classic and has been sampled by numerous rap acts since it was released in '85. Snoop Doggy Dogg created his own version of the song in 1994 which peaked at #64 on the Billboard charts.
Didn't really have too much time to plan out anything new for this week to blog about, so I figured I would just show off some of my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures in my collection. The NECA produced TMNT figures from 2008. These figures were created to mimic their original appearance in the early 80s Mirage Studios comic books. I think they did a pretty good job of that. From what I've seen they were released several different ways. As a Black & White variant box set, standard card backed figures and the tube figures you will see below. The sculpting is excellent and I love the little details you can see in each figure. These were done by a true fan and I am glad I made them part of my ever growing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collection! Now on to the photos!!!
This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Once again there are no new releases hitting local comic shops this week due to Covid-19, so I decided this would be a great time to catch up on some books I have not read yet. This week I am going to pull back the pages of IDW's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mini-Series. This is a team-up that fans have been clamoring to happen for years! Did I just say "clamoring"? That's how excited I am to read this! Have you read this title yet? If so, share your thoughts in the comments below.
Throw on your Biggest set of earrings and head to a Dance Club as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Song: Head to Toe
Album: Spanish Fly (1987)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: 1
Bonus Fun Fact: In addition to reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list on June 20, 1987 "Head To Toe" was also #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles Chart & Dance Chart.
Well, here we go, one last time! Staying with my Mom at my childhood home for a
few weeks brought back a ton of memories and nostalgia, but looking
through all the totes of stuff I own that have been stored in her attic
really kicked those feelings into high gear. Today I will share a few of
these TMNT items I have saved for decades with you.These Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Valentines are from the early 90s and there actually were still a few uncut cards left in the box. Was I the only one who picked out my favorite Valentine card from the box and gave it to myself? Also, why don't they include "Teacher's cards" on packages anymore? What up with that?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pencil
I remember getting this from a local Hallmark store back in the mid-90s. It was quite a tough decision on which Turtle to pick. I usually go with my favorite, Donatello, but this time I went with Leonardo. Not sure why? I remember my Mom bought it for me to use for schoolwork, but it was used sparingly since this thing was like gold to me!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Burger King Toy
I remember these being a big deal on the playgrounds back when they hit Burger King in 1989. This was right before the movie came out at the height of Turtle-mania! I even remember them previewing the TMNT movie in their BK Kids Club Adventures Magazine!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Handheld Game
This bodacious Konami handheld game came out in 1989. That was the same year Nintendo introduced the Gameboy to America. Even though these LCD handheld games were fun, the Gameboy came along and they became an afterthought. Before that time though, these games were the only way you could play your favorite games on the go. This Turtles game was a little tricky, but it definitely killed a few hours while on those family road trips during spring break!
Topps Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Card Set
This set was released by Topps in 1989. This was the first set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cards ever released and contained 88 base cards, 11 stickers and 22 Mirage Studios Art cards. This set was special because it was the only way you could get these Mirage cards that featured artwork from the original comics. Each card was also given an upgrade from their standard release and came with a glossy finish. This is a very cool set that I am glad is in my collection!
Leonardo Cyber Samurai Action Figure
A lot of people did not care for the Cyber Samurai Turtles, I on the other hand liked the futuristic take on our heroes in green. This series of figures came with the 4 Turtle brothers, Bebop, Rocksteady and Shredder. The figures by Playmates were also accompanied by a 5 part comic story that started in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures published by Archie comics with #62. Check them out in all their radical glory in the commercial below! COWABUNGA!!!!
This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
DCeased
Once again there are no new releases hitting local comic shops this week due to Covid-19, so I decided this would be a great time to catch up on some books I have not read yet. This week I am going to pull back the pages of DC Comics' DCeased Mini-Series. I've heard good thing about it and I am always down for a little bit of creepiness mixed with my super heroes. Have you read this title yet? If so, share your thoughts in the comments below.
Throw on your Craziest 60s Retro Shirt and head to a Disco as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: Deee-Lite feat. Q-Tip & Bootsy Collins
Song: Groove Is In The Heart
Album: World Clique (1990)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: 4
Bonus Fun Fact: This song reached #1 on Billboard's "US Dance Club Songs" list in 1990.
Well, here we go again! Staying with my Mom at my childhood home for a
few weeks brought back a ton of memories and nostalgia, but looking
through all the totes of stuff I own that have been stored in her attic
really kicked those feelings into high gear. Today I will share a few of
these items I have saved for decades with you. First is this Darkwing Duck Pizza Hut Personal Pizza Box. These came out in the early 90s and you not only got this cool box with your Darkwing Duck feast, but it also came with a cool collectors cup and an official Crime fighter Kit! I still have both of those stashed somewhere, but all I could find was this box to stir up those memories of Disney Afternoon glory!
"Neighborhood Watch" Drawing
It's no secret that I love the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but in the 90s I was a fan of a lot of independent comic book characters. This drawing I did showcases some of those faves like Usagi Yojimbo, Shi, Cerebus, The Tick, Flaming Carrot, Bone and Scud. Man, I wish I still had time to draw. I guess I will just have to find that time!
Freddy Krueger Squish'em
This officially licensed Freddy Krueger toy was released by LJN in 1989. I wish I could say that was when I got him, but it wasn't until the mid 2000s when Freddy would join my collection. At that time I was working at an auto glass shop as an installer in Morristown, NJ and this little Freddy character was uncovered during a slow day when we had to clean up the shop. He was under our tool bench in a cabinet and I am glad I found him before anyone else could scoop up this Nightmare from Elm Street!
Keith Hernandez Autographed Baseball
I was born an huge New York Mets fan and some day in the distant future I hope to be buried in my Mets hat! So, when my Dad found out that this 1st base playing MVP, Gold Glove and World Series winner would be at a local sports store called Rich's World of Sports in Blairstown, NJ, we had to go! I got to meet the Met & Seinfeld legend that day in 1989 and it was the thrill of a lifetime. He was really nice and chatted with us about baseball for a few minutes. After our chat he signed a ball for me and my brother and a 1987 Topps card for me! I love this ball and the memories that come with it!
Ghostbusters Cereal Box Cards
Ghostbusters cereal was produced by Ralston from about 1985 to 1990 and in that time they had some awesome premiums in their boxes. Glow in the dark flying discs, holograms and of course these nice cards you could cut out from the back of the box. These babies glow in the dark and showcase some pretty cool artwork. Anything Ghostbusters back in the day was like gold to me and these cards are no exception. I just wish that I would have kept the whole box!
Thundercats: Cats Lair
This was the toy of all toys back around the Christmas of 1986! That year was also the year The Real Ghostbusters toys came out and I asked for both at Christmas. Well, the big day finally came around and I have to say I was very disappointed with the outcome. I even wrote a whole article about it a few years ago. If you want to relive one of the worst holidays I ever had, you can read it by clicking HERE! I still have my Cats Lair and despite not being in the picture, he does still have his head somewhere. This was a great toy and it makes me happy to know my Mom has not thrown it out! Check out it's greatness in the commercial below and be ready to have your mind blown!
This week the comic book I am most excited to read is... NOTHING!
That's right, this is not an April Fool's joke! There will be no new comic books shipped to your local comic shop for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic! I'm staying positive that this will not be a long term problem, but if it is at least I can find comfort in the ability to read some of the classics over again. I know locally owned comic shops will feel the pain from this distribution shut down, so if you can find a way to support them, please do so. When this all gets back to normal, it will be great to see the shops open their doors again! Stay safe!
