Thursday, August 23, 2012

Bill Mantlo's guest star appearance in the pages of Alpha Flight

Left click to enlarge

I just found something really cool. Alpha Flight #66 (Jan.1989) was the final issue of Bill Mantlo’s run on the book. He wrote 37 issues, which was a longer run than the creator of the book, John Byrne. The story is something of a tongue n' cheek farewell story for Bill Mantlo as one of Alpha Flight's characters (Manikin) makes a fuss over Mantlo's script with the issue. Although from what I can see Mantlo was never referred to by name in the story line but it's still pretty obvious it's him. I don't know how well you can see it hanging there in Mantlo's hospital room but somebody used some of the clip art from this issue to make a fictitious Alpha Flight cover. If you'd like a more extended and detailed account of the story with some more of the clip art go here: http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/27/meta-messages-bill-mantlos-bizarre-goodbye-to-alpha-flight/


In the 80s I had a small collection of Alpha Flight issues I had picked up sporadically over the years from both John Byrne and Bill Mantlo. But issues 33 and 34 which were written by Mantlo were among my favorites. This was the era where Wolverine was really starting to become a rising star in the Marvel Universe and I was pretty eager to pick up anything with him in it. Although Rom never appeared in the pages of Alpha Flight I'm happy to say that Alpha Flight did appear in Rom issues 56, 57 and 58.

I think this is a good stopping point for now I need a break but I'll still be checking the comments sections. That's not as time consuming as putting together these postings.

15 comments:

  1. That alternative cover is certainly a great discovering.

    Alpha Flight #66 was, also, the last comic Bill Wrote for Marvel. It's great putting himself into it.

    I love this blog. Thanks for your work.

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    1. gracias amigo! i did not know that was Mantlo's last issue for Marvel. i love it when people come to the comments section to share information that i am missing in my postings. it let's me know people are actually paying attention to what i'm writing here. thank you again Omoloc!

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    2. I've found that cover in facebook. It's from his brother Mike.

      You can see it full size here:
      http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=448311235191297&set=a.448311231857964.98107.175415352480888&type=1&theater

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    3. Gracias Omoloc! i will use this in a future posting.

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  2. This comic is prior to Animal Man #19 (Jan, 1990), so Bill broke the 4th wall before Grant Morrison did. How about that! :)

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    1. hey Bruce! i just left a comment on your blog about how i wish i had read more Cloak & Dagger back in the 80s. i didn't know Mantlo worked on Animal Man. unfortunately there's another character i didn't read much of either back then.

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  3. No, I meant that everyone went nuts when Grant Morrison broke the 4th wall in Animal Man #19 including himself in the storyline, but Mantlo here had already done it.

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  4. nice post! I love the flight. heck any team with an oddball line-up. ROM could've been great on a team toolike The Defenders or something.

    It's extra cool the issue was his last for Marvel. What a send off.

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  5. Oh Wow Dude this is so making me late Wow and its Worth it Wow Amazing look to this I so am coming back but I had to say something... "Dammit Jim!!"

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  6. I love this. I had no idea that was his last issue at Marvel. I adored Alpha Flight, from Byrne to Mantlo, much like Dan for the oddball line-up. Thanks, Dave.

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  7. Bruce, i'll look into that as well as for Cloak & Dagger back issues and post about what i find.

    thanks Dan and Zhaanman (hey that rhymes) i'm glad you found the post interesting and thanks to the opening comment it took this post to a whole new level.

    ya know what the world needs Randomnerd? a Rom spaceknight coloring book. something just got me thinking about that :)

    just want to let you all know i've got something really cool in the works to be published here soon. fans of anyone of Mantlo's created titles are guaranteed to enjoy it.

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    1. We really do need a coloring book. I need a coloring book. My kids really need a ROM coloring book. :)

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  8. Man it shows you how much I didn't always pay attention to who was always behind the book so I didn't realize Bill Mantlo did Alpha Flight and Cloak and Dagger Too Wow!! Thank Dave for that and issues 33 and 34 where my faves as well!

    I Love John Byrne style and story he just quits and moves on too much! Namor to Fantastic Four, Superman, X-Men, Alpha flight lets just say the man got around.

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    1. Bill Mantlo didn't just write Cloak n Dagger he co-created the characters. same with Jack of Hearts and i know you know who he is. i made a good $1 bin find today in regards to what we're talking about today, stay tuned for my next posting.

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