Archive | May, 2012

The Saturday Comics: The Marvel No-Prize Book and Fumetti Book

5 May

May 5, 2012

As I began last week, Marvel was going a little crazy in the 1980’s. In addition to putting out a bizarre Generic Comic Book, they also put out a Fumetti Book. What is fumetti? It is a photo or series of photos with “funny”  text balloons or captions. Why did Marvel do this? I don’t know but as you will see next week, Marvel’s love affair with photography was just beginning. This comic featured various Marvel staffers in all their black and white glory.

Then there was the No-Prize Book. Marvel, like DC, often ended up with things that made no sense in terms of established continuity or even with a single story. Sometimes even one panel was so screwed up it made no sense. Rather than say “my bad,” Marvel would give out “No-Prizes” to any fans who wrote in and explained away the mistake. Sometimes the reasons were bizarre.  What was the prize? There was no prize. Well, I guess there was. See the envelope below.

 

Next week, more Marvel 1980’s oddities. 

 

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Imponderable: Tokyo Japan

4 May

May 4, 2012

In keeping with this week’s Japan theme here is a Classic Imponderable from Tokyo.

July 7, 2011

Japan strikes again

I’ve covered the cyberhug before. And while not everyone agrees with me, I still say Japan is nuts. If there is a wacky computer product or bizarre sex video the odds are it comes from Japan. Whether it is a game based on urinating, an elderly porn star, or an electronic French kiss, it is clear that the Japanese have some issues to work through.

I don’t see the attraction of tongue kissing my computer. Of course I also get out of my house and interact with real people from time to time so I may not be in the target audience for this thing.

I also worry about the possibility of electrocution.

The researchers are working to replicate an individual’s taste, breathing, and tongue moisture, but since they want to create “celebrity” kissing apps, will they have to replicate each star’s specific bad breath and body odor? Could we one day have the ability to experience Robert De Niro’s tobacco breath in our mouth? Lindsey Lohan’s stink after a drunken binge? And popular and funny she may be, but would you want to tongue-kiss Betty White? Through a computer or not, there’s a limit.

And this being Japan, the potential for fetish is endless. I won’t get into it but in Japan you can buy used panties from a vending machine. ‘Nuff said.

I can only wonder about who comes up with this, but I wonder more about the volunteer who tests this.

Who is the person who is waiting for the day they can stick a straw in his mouth, kiss his computer, and pretend it is Ed Asner?

The question is Imponderable.

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