Metallica

And comics for all

I bought this Metallica comic 20 years ago in a comic shop in Swansea. It was published by Revolutionary/RockRoll comics and basically tells the story of the band up until the And Justice For All album. Its not particularly terrible for Metallica fans but there's nothing in it we didn't already now about the band. Dave Mustaine's sacking, Cliff Burton's tragic death, the big stories are all obviously covered.
Do not expect any colour however. This comic is strictly a black and white affair. And the likenesses aren't wonderful either. The artist has managed to make Ozzy Osbourne look like a fat butcher with only one tattoo. He looks more like an extra from Coronation Street.
There are a few other comedy strips after the Metallica story but nothing that stands out.
Saying all this, I am glad ive got it because if nothing else its a cool addition to my metal collection. One for fans of the music only im afraid.

Batmobile Owners Manual

Sleeky cheeky

Ah Christmas sales! Sometimes they can churn up some tidy bargains and this January I wasn't disappointed. The Works shop, which has books at cheap-as-chips prices to begin with, was flogging this cool Batmobile Owners Manual for 99p! According to the price on the back it usually sells at a Batwallet whopping £14.99p so looks like I hit bingo here.
Obviously the Batmobile has everything to offer the Dark Knight in his relentless pursuit of supervillains, and this manual covers just about the lot from engine specs to the make up of the windscreen and tyres. (Trust me, Bats will never need the RAC). The sketches of early prototypes of the Batmobile are nicely drawn, and includes 'top secret' blueprints included in a brown envelope. Tidy! Reading through the specs makes you realise that not only does the Batman surpass Sherlock Holmes as the world's greatest detective, but he could also teach Enzo Ferrari a thing or ten about designing super cars too.
And heres where I got to thinking; along the way to completing this amazing vehicle, Batman must have had some setbacks right? Even one of the coolest superheroes on the planet has his off days right? Perhaps he accidentaly slipped on his own oil slick while testing out the Batmobiles gizmos? Or had furry dice hanging off a mirror one time? Building a car like this, WOULD have had its share of frustrating/comical moments, and it would have been fun to see them recorded in this manual. Just a thought.
Other than that, this was well worth getting for 99p. Id have paid paid the £1 if only to have the hologram effect front cover. It doesn't show up well in the above pic but trust me, it IS a hologram/3D type book cover which is very swell.


0 to 200mph in 0.5 secs