The Ephemerist

This final batch was published to promote the DC firepower cards, and a set of cards featuring depictions of Marvel Superheroes by the Hildebrandt brothers, grandly called “Marvel Masterpieces”.

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These promotional card sheets were for sets that Marvel published themselves in 1994, about the Marvel universe in general, and Spider-Man in particular. I particularly like the way the cards on the second sheet match like a jig-saw puzzle.

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In the mid-1990, when trading cards were a vital part of the comics retail business, promotional sheets for new card sets were quite common in magalogs like Previews. These sheets were typically printed on the same cardstock as the actual cards, and featured the same special features (foil printing, embossing, etc.)

The sheets presented here were for several Fleer Ultra sets, dating from 1994 and 1995. I’m presenting these sheets here because they are quite cool, in my opinion, even though I’ve moved beyond them. They are for sale, by the way.

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It’s 1993, and the comics glut is at full swing. Rulers of the domain are Image, who bury the market under ultra-rare collector’s issues with alternative embossed chromium foil green logo hologram covers, grim heroes and zero content, and Wizard Magazine, who continually try to convince the gullible public that they really need this stuff.

And so, at Christmas, they join together to celebrate their tidings of not that much comfort and even less joy on a chromium embossed card with Wizard. Strange days, strange days.

Still, all the best for Christmas and the New Year from the Ephemerist, who will probably go into hiding and bask in the warm glow of the family for a few days now.

(art and copy © Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, I guess)

As is the case every other year, last weekend the quiet Flemish town of Turnhout was completely conquered by hordes of die-hard comics fans (well, more like a steady dribble, but there you have it) for the Strip Turnhout Festival. It was a good festival, with some very interesting shows (on Michel Vaillant and Kim Duchateau, amongst others), Scott McCloud doing his spiel and an evening of music accompanied by cartoonists (instead of vice versa).

The Festival also unveiled some very interesting publications, such as the Dutch translation of Matt Madden’s 99 Ways To Tell A Story (translated by yours truly), and a set of postcards by Turnhout City Artist Jan van der Veken (blogged about before), featuring a series of typical Turnhout views. And since the Turnhout people are very nice, we present these cards here, for all you millions who couldn’t make it (thanks, Toon).

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What a great idea - Loaded Blanks is offering a range of postcards featuring short comics with blank dialogue balloons. That way, you are able to tweak the story to your liking or to the message you want to get accross.

There are cards for all kinds of occasions, and the cards feature art in a variety of styles, by people like Allison Cole, Aaron Renier and Dame Darcy. And they only cost a buck each !

(Reading will kill you)

Reading is dangerous ! Dutch cartoonist and designer Joost Swarte wants to warn all of you of the dangers of books and reading in general. For that purpose, he has produced a handy set of post cards, each with an easy to understand message for particular risk groups and possible victims.

Carefully read these examples and get yourself a paper copy of the complete set. They are not only worth it - they might actually save your life !

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Cartoonist Kim Duchateau illustrated this complementary phone card for Flemish weekly P Magazine. The girl in the picture is Kim’s kinky heroine Esther Verkest

Katie Cook draws the cutest Poison Ivy ‘ve ever seen. I want one ! And just look at these cutesy Watchmen :

Check out her other sketch cards for DC, Star Wars and others. This girl is a graphical genius.