Witchblade Issue #1

One cbr file | 12 Mb | 22 pages

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. While major Image titles like Wildcats, Youngblood, Cyberforce, Gen13, and Wetworks have been cancelled at one time or another, Witchblade has continued to trot along with monthly issues since its first issue in 1995. Of course this first issue of Witchblade was a tremendous hit, but so were those other Image titles. So what makes Witchblade so special? One big element is that Witchblade has been able to escape the bad girl mold that is was originally cast. If it was just about some voluptuous babe in tiny clothes and no story direction it could have ended up like Lady Death, Shi, or Vampirella. Another factor is that Witchblade has continued to keep up a solid level of artwork and writing talent throughout the years. Readers actually feel like the lead character Sara Pezzini is taking a journey through a meaningful storyline that builds with every issue. It also helped that Witchblade was never a character completely owned by an individual artist. When artist Michael Turner left the series, the book kept flying along like nothing happened. Granted Witchblade is not nearly as popular as it once was. July's issue #109 sold over 14,000 copies, placing it at 142nd in sales for that month. But things like sales can change dramatically from year to year. Who would have expected the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer book to be selling 100,000 copies a month? You never know where the next hit will appear. So take a look at how Sara Pezzini changed from a regular cop in New York to a supercop. Excellent art by that Turner dude. Enjoy! Bauer out.

Witchblade Issue #1
Read Witchblade Issue #2 and many other Image comics for free at the Official Top Cow Library!

Batman: New Times Video

One mov, Quicktime video file | 84 Mb | 11:58

It's been a long time since I've posted a fan film on Jack Bauer's Headquarters. I always tried to post the best of the best and Batman: New Times is no exception. There's some excellent animation in this Lego-animated video and a good story. There's also an all-star cast of voices. The 1960s Batman (Adam West) is Batman and 1990s Joker of the Batman Animated Series (Mark Hamill, aka Luke Skywalker) is the Joker. How cool is that?! Courtney Thorne-Smith (Melrose Place, According to Jim) is Catwoman and Dick Van Dyke (Night At the Museum, Dick Van Dyke Show, Diagnosis Murder) is Commisioner Gordon. Batman fan should love this one. Enjoy! Bauer out.

Batman: New Times Video

The Tenth Issue #1

One cbz file | 13 Mb | 27 pages

Sometimes comic book artists explode onto the scene. Usually when this happens, they hit their peak too early and then their artwork declines. Tony Daniel was certainly a hit when he arrived with his tight penciling style in the 90s. He was hot off his stint on the highly popular Spawn and even drew an issue of Witchblade. Daniel's artwork is very impressive in these original issues of his own book titled The Tenth. It's violent, the girls are hot, and it's just plain fun. So if you enjoy stuff like that and enjoy seeing big, creepy Hulk-like characters running around, this book is for you. Enjoy! Bauer out.

The Tenth Issue #1

Masters of the Universe Issue #1

One cbr file | 4 Mb | 23 pages

We've had Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and now here's another comic book series of the 80s. Masters of the Universe was really big as an animated series during the 80s and even made a comeback a few years ago with an updated series. So if an animated series was popular, it usually had a comic book too. It's interesting that after this mini-series ended with DC that Marvel Comics continued a regular series. In 2003, Masters of the Universe was restarted as an Image Comic with some pretty sweet artwork. There is talk about a Masters of the Universe movie being in the works. This would not be the first time that He-Man hit the big screen. He was portrayed by Dolph Lundgren back in 1987 with Courtney Cox being the helpless teen. Although Dolph is rarely remembered for more than his role as the steriod pumped boxer in Rocky IV, Masters of the Universe is probably his best movie. Skeletor is plenty evil and James Tolkan plays a crazy shotgun toting detective (who we all remember as Mr. Strickland from the Back to the Future movies). Enjoy! Bauer out.

Masters of the Universe Issue #1

How to Draw Comic Books

2 cbr files | 22 & 15 Mb | 36 & 30 pages each

We can always use more quality comic book artists out there. Back in the old days, comic book artists rarely changed titles. Once an artist started a run on a successful book, he usually penciled the title for years. But today, most pencilers rarely stick to a title for more than a few months or a year. So if you keep practicing and learning more tricks you might find an opening one day to pencil a book like Uncanny X-Men, Amazing Spider-Man, Detective Comics, or Action Comics. You just never know when opportunity can come knocking at your door. Before opportunity knocks though, you have to prove yourself and have the skills to outdo whoever is currently penciling a title. Even if you're not interested in becoming the next superstar artist out there, you might want to check these books out to see some cool pencils and learn some more about the history of comic books. Both of these books were available for free this past summer at local comic book shops in the USA. So if you don't live there or missed "Free Comic Book Day," here's your chance to read these too. Enjoy! Bauer out.

Comics 101: How-To and History Lessons From the Pros

Wizard How To Draw Special Volume 3

Aphrodite IX Issue #1

One cbr file | 10 Mb | 20 pages

This was an interesting mini-series from Top Cow (Image) comics. A hot green-haired girl is the center of an action-packed adventure storyline. What's not to like about this? Dave Finch pencils and David Wohl scribes. This series has been popular for a while. I wonder why they didn't expand this to a regular series. It had Witchblade-like potential. This is actually a steamier comic book than I expected. I guess this one should be labeled for mature readers. Enjoy! Bauer out.

Aphrodite IX Issue #1

Gen 13 v2 Issue #5

One cbr file | 13.4 Mb | 30 pages

Fairchild dumped her old clothes last issue and decided to stroll around jungle-style. I haven't seen an outfit like this since Rogue lost her clothes in the Savage Land. This issue is titled "Family Feud" and J. Scott Campbell works his magic fingers once again to bring you dozens of scantily clad vixens. This series seems to have strayed off the trail of the original mini-series. Is this Gen 13 or Baywatch? Who cares. It's summer and hot women are welcome anyday. Enjoy! Bauer out.
Gen 13 v2 Issue #5

Journey Into Mystery Issue #83 (First Thor)

One cbr file | 4.2 Mb | 12 pages

So how did Thor become Thor? Your curiousity should be satisfied with this issue. By issue #126 of Journey Into Mystery, this series was renamed Thor. How long did the first volume of Thor last? A very long time. To issue #502 to be exact. Thor's currently back in the Marvel universe, so what better time to revisit his origin and first appearance? Enjoy! Bauer out.
Journey Into Mystery Issue #83 (First Thor)

Showcase Issue #22 (First Hal Jordan as Green Lantern)

One cbr file | 9.5 Mb | 35 pages

DC Comics had an excellent idea by bringing back the Flash and Green Lantern as Silver Age superheroes. Barry Allen made his first appearance as the Flash in Showcase #4, while Hal Jordan became the Green Lantern fan favorite by making his grand first appearance in Showcase #22, back in 1959. By 1960, Hal's Green Lantern had his own title that started with issue #1. I still don't understand why the Silver Age Flash series began with #105. The Silver Age series was nothing like the Golden Age series, thank goodness. Barry Allen's Flash deserved an issue #1. Anyway, enjoy this thrilling story titled "SOS Green Lantern!" and find out how Hal became so freakin' powerful. Enjoy! Bauer out.

Showcase Issue #22 (First Hal Jordan as Green Lantern)

X-Men Giant Size #1

One cbr file | 11.4 Mb | 36 pages

This is the issue that put the X-Men back on the map for good. The original X-Men series basically died for several years and was reprinting early issues of the series. Then this issue was released with a new team of X-Men who were composed of mutants from continents across the world. It's tough to fathom a time when Wolverine or Storm wasn't in the pages of X-Men, but this is the issue that started it all. It's the most coveted issue of X-Men of the 1970s. The regular X-Men series started printing new stories with this exicting new team with X-Men #94 and the rest is history. Cyclops was the only original X-Man in the field (Prof X formed the team) who joined this new team. See how it all began right now. Enjoy! Bauer out.
X-Men Giant Size #1

Shi: The Way of the Warrior Issue #1

One cbr file | 17.2 Mb | 33 pages

This is the first issue of William Tucci's Shi (pronounced She). Shi was in the middle of the crazy "bad girls" trend of the mid-90s. Shi was one of the most popular female comic books of the day with Lady Death and Vengeance of Vampirella. I guess that people just got tired of looking at scantily clad women. Of course that wasn't it. Same old story- if the books are late, you begin to lose your audience. Or the lead artist leaves and then nobody cares about the book. Or if you keep doing mini-series and not continuing a regular series it hurts the appeal of the characters. Let's face it, it's tough to maintain top sales in the comic book market over long periods of time. Most of the top selling titles from 10 years ago don't even exist anymore. Shi was a fun book with the main character taking down criminals in the city. Shi is a sexy, entertaining, and surprisingly violent comic. That's why's she's a "bad girl." Enjoy! Bauer out.

Shi: The Way of the Warrior Issue #1

The Brave and the Bold Issue #28 (First Justice League)

One cbr file | 13.6 Mb | 35 pages

First Justice League of America appearance ever! You've read the first issue of JLA, so you might as well see how it all began. Enjoy! Bauer out.
The Brave and the Bold Issue #28 (First Justice League)