A little Pika to be Chu(re)..

Since the cult of Pokemon has taken over Kaspar's school in the last couple of months I thought to surprise him with these finds also from Cambelltown trip yesterday..

Various Pokemon books - Scholastic - 2004

Pikachu - made for Mcdonalds -TGB China - 2012

Although they still don't have the appeal for me like my own Pokemon Stadium Action 3D cards that are the only example of those rare lifeforms I possess..

To the near end of the Line..

It's been awhile since I last traversed the main strip of Cambelltown (not within my living memory..), so as I had to make my way to the southwestern end of the city to recover Junior's bag that he'd left on the train last night in at St James (City Circle), it was an opportunity to op..

Some black vinyl courtesy of the Plaza book & Music Exchange (nicely old school in appearance) from $1 to $5, plus also a fine slab of superhero disco-shmaltz from Meco via The Salvos.

Superman and other Galactic Heroes - Meco - Casablanca records - 1979

Homer and Jethro at the Country Club - Homer & Jethro - RCA - date unknown

Press the Eject and Give Me the Tape - Bauhaus - Beggars Banquet - 1983

The Best of The Cowsills - The Cowsills - MGM Records - date unknown

Came across this Cristian curio at the Lifeline for $2..

The Music Machine - Candle/Sparrow/Birdwing - 1977

Some interior spread of 8 page songbook inside:

Also I much appreciated the effort that staff at the Lifeline went into displaying their treasures - here's a sample:

I got back home with one regret.. I really should have bought this rather than just take a photo:

A killer cover to be sure, what was I thinking...

Li'l Abner at his Best..

Been a little while since recent input into The Rack but am back this time with a weekend Newtown Market find that I'm greatly looking forward to reading..

The Best of Li'l Abner - Al Capp - Holt, Rinehart and Winston/New York - 1978

For an $8 purchase I may finally realise one of my longtime desires - to read a goodly amount of Li'l Abner by Al Capp..
Maybe it was growing up in Hobart, Tasmania (closer to Dogpatch than you think..) that I missed reading this as a newspaper strip in any local paper, unlike folk in big city Sydney, I've discovered, got the chance to. I also didn't know that the strip ran well into the late 60's.
It always looked like a quirky satire of ol' US of A and I always suspected that it was downright surreal whenever I encountered any reference to the Shmoos, but never realised how out there the strip was until recoiling from a quick flick thru this on the way home.. I started to salivate..
Beautiful line work from Mr Capp - surely the embellisher of the sexiest females in comicdom..

This sure beats Archie..

The edition also packs a fistful of colour pages that continue the gloryness.

..ya gotta luv the Shmoos..

Also discovered that Mr Capp had had a leg severed at the hip at age 9 by a trolley car and was well known for his wooden leg antics..

Here's to you, Al..

Just Could'nt Walk Away..

Still managing to tap the Elizabeth's vein as on recent visits in the last week have turned up a few prize gems at still good prices..

assorted Vertigo, Dark Horse, Renegade titles

Have never read this reinterpretation of the classic DC Creeper - looks interesting, and completed a couple of Hellboy series. Flaming Carrot still one of my faves from the lost time of 90's weirdness..

assorted Marvel, First, Fantagraphics and independent titles

Longtime inspiration Rick Geary was not to be passed up.. and have never read the Chaykin graphic novel or the Detectives Inc - both one of the first GN of their time. Fantastic Winsor McCay collection. Really looking forward to checking out Krazy Kat in 3D!

assorted Marvel, First, independent titles

Slowly building up that Grim Jack collection, and some beautifully produced Gilbert Hernandez Cocoino Press from Fantagraphics. And still some more 3D to ogle over..

assorted Marvel, DC, independent titles

.. including this Wally Wood 3D curio..

I'm still checking each week at both stores to see if anymore trickles thru....

The Well Dries Up..

I finally did make it back into Elizabeth's last week, only to discover that probably 90% of the cracker stuff I left behind last time was already gone.. I say La Vi.. and I hope they've all gone to good homes. Still, I managed to find these gems in the depleted new stock bin..

Wednesday Comics - Various one page stories - DC Comics - 2009

I've always wanted to read these for the fave Kamandi new stories and at $1 each it was too tempting - even when issue 1 (of 12) was not found..

Assorted Warren and independent releases

Can't understand why no-one had picked up the early Eerie's (# 2,3,4,& 100) at $5 a piece as they are fantastic, along with some curios..

Assorted Marvel and independent releases

Always wanted to read the Allred Red Rocket (#1 & 2) and nice to have a better copy of the classic Warlock for the files. Particularly like the Rich Buckler How to Become a Comic Book Artist from 1986.

One further trip in on last Fri pretty much showed the well to be dried up.. as always I await in the shadows (where Only The Shadow Knows)...