Alter-Ego Magazine Discussion/appreciation

[CharlieRock]

I preordered the Captain Video book before it can out. It's a very nicely printed book, but it does seem to be on the high side as for cost. That is why I only bought the one book at the time. I first saw an ad for these in Alter-Ego magazine. Again these are very nicely printed.

Geo

I've just added that magazine to my pull list from my LCBS. What would you say is that mags best features that I can look forward to. I mostly got it because my pull list has been shrinking and I like to read about comics, especially getting into the creators thought processes.

[Yoc]

Charlie, you are in for a real treat when you start getting Alter-Ego!
Easily one of the most informative magazines going totally focused on the Gold and Silver-Age of comics.  Edited by Roy Thomas, former Marvel editor and writer.  Lots of interviews and retrospectives.  I never fail to learn something new about our hobby when I read each issue.  Check out their web-site to get an idea of what they've done in past issues here -
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=98_55

You wont regret buying this title.

[CBpop]

I second Yoc's recommendation of Alter-Ego.  I remember the memo versions  of AE from the early years and re discovered the current (3rd version ??) of AE on the TwoMorrows site when Roy did the Captain Video book. 

TwoMorrows also has a “comics by decade” history series called “American Comic Book Chronicles” that I recommend.  Each book covers a decade of comics ( 1940s, 1950s, 1960s etc) in a full-color hardcover. Not all of the decades have been covered yet but I have the 1950s and the two 1960s books and have found them well researched, informative and fun to read.  Especially when I can go to DCM and read the comics mentioned in the books!!!!

You can buy the chronicles hardcover or, for a lesser cost, a digital copy.  However, if you buy the hardcover you receive the digital copy free. The same price structure applies to Alter-Ego magazines: buy the magazine get the digital copy free.   

There are other excellent products available as well :
 http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1109

Fans need to support efforts like TwoMorrows Publishing since both DCM and TwoMorrows are working to preserve  the history of comics.

I'm just a comics fan, not an employee of TwoMorrows 

[Yoc]

Well said CB.  And DCM isn't connected with TwoMorrows but certainly admires all the work they've done over the years.

Let us know what you think after you've read your first issue Charlie.

[Poztron]

I started getting Alter Ego in the early '60s back in the Ronn Foss and early Roy Thomas days. I rediscovered it when TwoMorrows was issuing the new series and have subscribed ever since. Roy does a great job and Jim Amash's interviews and articles are top notch. I have every issue except for #1 of the new series. (Anyone have a spare copy at a reasonable price? Message me through DCM!)

Great coverage of GA and Silver Age comics and creators. I'm a bit less taken with the Bronze Age coverage, and wish they'd fill in the holes on the various small publishers that DCM has been featuring of late. But, all in all, AE is the best vintage comics mag going. I don't really consider it a fanzine these days. It's a pro mag with a fannish soul.

[Yoc]

It's a pro mag with a fannish soul.

I couldn't have said it better.

[CharlieRock]

I've added it to the pull only early this month (or was it late last month) so I haven't gotten the next issue yet. But I'm feeling a lot better about adding it right now. 

Does anyone have a similar recommendation for Back Issue magazine?

[Yoc]

Back Issue has a silver and bronze age focus.  Both are available as digital downloads for a reasonable price.  You might check the past issue listings and see if one catches your eye and give one a try.  I enjoy both titles though A-E is more my thing these days.

-Yoc

[CBpop]

It's hard to pick just one A/E to recommend, all are entertaining and full of information.  I would review the TwoMorrows catalog and pick subjects or artists that you like or would like to know more about.  You can click on an issue on the website and get a preview of the issue you may find interesting.

Being a fan of Murphy Anderson and Carmine Infantino ( AlterEgo #10) I picked issues with information on them and found other issues with special topics of interest such as comic company histories like ACG  (AlterEgo # 61)  and spotlight issues featuring information on Golden Age artists ( L.B. Cole & Jay Disbrow  AlterEgo #117).  There are issues on Alex Toth, Nick Cardy, Bob Powell. Matt Baker and lesser known artist that would be lost to history if not for TwoMorrows' A/E revival. 

As you can see, it's hard to pick a single issue, they are all well done. Good luck picking a single copy, I would have taken advantage of buying the complete run if I didn't have many of the issues already or the $$$ for a one time purchase.

[Yoc]

There are some 'Best of A/E' collections that might make sense for you CB.

[CharlieRock]

http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/954?stockItemID=MAR141599

So next week the newest issue of Alter-Ego magazine comes out. It is the first issue to come out since I'd idly added it to my pull list. So it'll be the very first for me. Some of you have been fans of this magazine for a while. In fact the recommendations for it were so ready in coming that it has taken over a thread under a different name so I thought it would be nice to have a thread for this magazine and it's discussion and/or appreciation.

Apparently, if you have not been reading this magazine you (like myself) have been missing out.

I would like to also include Back Issue magazine also coming out next week:
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/954?stockItemID=MAR141600

And any other fanzine dedicated to comic books of days gone by.

 

[Yoc]

Hi Charlie,
Great idea for a new topic.  I've merged it with the AE replies in the Harvey topic.

[CharlieRock]

Thank you, Yoc.
I used to skim over Wizard magazine back when it was coming out in Grocery Stores, etc.
I liked it somewhat, it seemed it always had some Top 10 list that always seemed wrong. Like they would have a Top 10 artists list that included John Romita Jr. or something. Still, it was diverting enough I kept picking it up.

[CharlieRock]

%*&@#*% comic book store owner for some reason took Fairest off my pull list so I didn't get issue #27 today. Nor did he order Alter-Ego #126 or Back Issue magazines #73. And I distinctly remember telling him I wanted those because he asked me "Those aren't comic books, they're magazines. You still want them?" And I said 'yes' and had been asking him every Wednesday for last three-four weeks. Today they were supposed to be in and he goes "Oh, when did you say you want those?"
 

[Yoc]

Ouch, not having the best luck there...