The Monster Times #2 Article: Writing Star Trek Comics

Anyone reading this blog for long knows of my affection for "The Monster Times," a newspaper-format monster magazine that was little-remembered by most, but fondly by those that found it. I picked my first issue up in 1973, and it really fanned the flames of the fire that had begun in my pre-teen life for Star Trek, and to a lesser degree, Planet of the Apes. Of course, I had loved monsters since I was a tyke, so this publication really hit the spot with its coverage of all these areas. I didn't buy the issue I'm covering this time from the newstand; I found it much later at a genre collectables shop. But I was thrilled to come into possession of it, as it had been one I had wanted since seeing it in the back-issues ad in TMT itself years before.

I've featured material from issue #2 of TMT before, here and here; but it was so chock full of Trek stuff that it could be awhile before I'm done. This time we feature an article about Star Trek comics, from a well-known writer that contributed stories to the Gold Key version; Len Wein.

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Although the Gold Key comics were my first Star Trek item ever purchased, and really, my entry point into fandom, I never really cared for the art or the stories; I could tell even at that early stage in my appreciation for the show, that the comics really didn't reflect it very well. They still have a nostalgic attraction for me, however, and I enjoy my old issues that bring back good memories. In this article we find out how one man swam against the tide to try and correct come of the most glaring departures from the show, and bring up the level of the writing as well.
The pages from the British comic strip were the highlight of the article for me, boasting as it did superior art and much more accurate depictions of the characters (read more about them here). I came across more pages of this comic later when they were reprinted in various convention booklets and such, but never a complete set containing a whole story. The article kicks off with a look at the book that the author used to help bring the Gold Key people in line, and one that holds a wealth of wonderful memories for me as well; "The Making of Star Trek." Never have I been more excited to get a book than when I did that one!

And, as a bonus, below we feature another item from the same issue, the photo-story parody "Star Drek." It actually uses a couple of publicity photos I've not seen anywhere else, before or since; the cowering Uhura and the Tellarite in the Jeffries tube.

As for the photo of Uhura recoiling in fear against the wall, this is another example of the sexism rampant during the time. I didn't mind the sexism as expressed in the mini-skirts... but what if you had photographed a male crewman cowering in fear the same way?Yet to them at the time it seemed a natural thing.

Mad spoof: "Star Blecch III: The Search For Plot."

Through the power of my awesome intellect and formidible brain power (which enabled me to open my collection cabinet, bring out this magazine, scan the pages, format them for the page, and upload them), I am presenting for your enjoyment this time the Mad spoof of "The Search For Spock," published in December of the Orwellian 1984. Behold, the epic known as "Star Blecch III: The Search For Plot."

Alfred says to click on the images to enlarge and not worry so much.

Below, from the same issue, Don Martin looks at the movie...

Bonus item #1: Below is the cover of the great fanzine "Enterprise Incidents" #5, put out in December of 1977. The art is depicting ships from the Franz Joseph Technical Manual, which many fans really took to heart. I'm certain that the space station seen in Star Trek '09 was inspired by the Starfleet headquarters depicted in the manual.

The next bonus item is from the back cover of the November 1974 issue of "The Monster Times." These ads and subsequent reports on the early conventions were as close as I ever came to them, but I enjoyed knowing that others shared in my love for the show to such an extent.

If you have memories of attending that convention, or anything associated with it, share them with us! Heck, even if you didn't go and have no memories of it, enjoy reading about it and comment anyway... I'm not particular as long as I hear from you! "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear..."

And yes, I did own both of those "stupendous" and "colossal" life-sized posters advertised. I still have the Spock one; don't ask what happened to the Kirk one. Just... don't ask.

"Mad" Spoof of ST:TMP

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Ye Olde Collection Cabinet opens to reveal a well-done spoof of Star Trek:The Motion Picture from the pages of Mad magazine... issue 216, published July 1980. Long-time Mad artist Mort Drucker does his usual hilarious job of illustrating. Unlike the Crazy TMP spoof, which merely imitated Drucker's previous Trek parodies, this one was written after actually seeing the movie, and depicted the events, sets and uniforms fairly accurately... except where space effects of V'Ger are shown. Can't figure that one out. I hardly think the artist was working only from publicity stills. Maybe they found it too hard to put V'Ger down on paper?

Below, a cute caricarture of Three Men and A Babe found somewhere on the web, I know not where now.

And, today's Gratuitous Uhura picture, related to the post by virtue of it being from ST:TMP. Any excuse...

Uhura was put off by the junk-revealing jumpsuits that some of the male crewmen were wearing now.

Finally, a note I received about a couple of lucky (and rich) fan's opportunity to sit and shoot the breeze with ol' Pointy Ears himself... the latest bid when I looked was over $5,000!

Hey Frederick:

Taylor here from Attention with some exciting news for you and the readers of your blog My Star Trek Scrapbook.

I wanted to reach out to you about the Leonard Nimoy auction that is currently open at Charity Buzz. Fans can bid now for their chance to enjoy a private tour of the iconic Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles with the one and only Mr. Spock. This auction is valid for two people and is your chance to spend the day getting to know the man who played Spock.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights and was donated by Leonard Nimoy.

Thanks for your time and I hope you can share the news. If you have any questions feel free to send them my way.

Taylor Newby
Attention
532 Broadway, Fl. 10
New York, NY 10012
www.attentionusa.com
blog.attentionusa.com

"Crazy" Spoof of "The Wrath of Khan"

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Featured this time is a "Crazy" magazine spoof of "The Wrath of Khan" from issue #92, published in December of 1982. Another winner of a cover by Bob Larkin, whose likenesses and accurate details never failed to delight a fan like me. And the inside spoof art is not too shabby this time, either. The last post I made with their ST:TMP story was merely a retread of old "Mad" art based on the TV show with a bit of the new movie script sprinkled in. But this time, the ships, sets, unforms and plot are represented well. It's a bit strange, though, that although the cover does give away Spock's death as a plot point, the story inside doesn't even touch on it. The last page feels rushed, in fact, as if there should have been more but they ran out of time. Anyway, enjoy!

1980 "Crazy" ST:TMP Spoof

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From out of the collection cabinets this time, comes issue #60 of "Crazy" magazine, which occupied about the third rung down on the humor magazine ladder, under "Mad" and "Cracked." Published in March 1980, the spoof artist Kent Gamble makes no effort to have the costumes or anything else align with the new movie, simply copying everything from the TV show in somewhat sloppy artwork. He imitates very closely the style of Mad's Mort Drucker, which redeems it somewhat; even if entire faces and poses seem copied from earlier Drucker Trek spoofs. Gamble was probably cheaper and more affordable for this low-rent magazine. The cover, however, is done by genre fan favorite Bob Larkin, who always nails the costumes and characters. At least they didn't skimp on that.

The midget-sized Sulu is a hoot, but Decker gets omitted entirely for some reason. Also, it seems that the depiction of the ship inspired the design of the new one in the '09 film; one I've often said seemed based on an 8-year-old's drawing from memory of the Enterprise.

A Study In Shatnerisms... set to music!

Hammy? Perhaps. But I happen to enjoy ham. Bill gives it to us hot, baked with maple syrup and a pineapple slice on top. M-m-m-m, good!

I saw the video at the bottom of this post yesterday over at the great Daren Dochterman's blog and had to share it with you. When Bill made this, in 1971, "it was a very good year."

It highlights all the reasons we love to watch Bill act... and while immensely entertaining, it's far less embarassing than Leonard's "Bilbo Baggins" video! Leonard can never claim superior poise, intelligence or sophistication as long as that exists.

"You know you love me, yeah, you know it."

"With a face like this, how could you not?"

Humilty and greatness are often mutually exclusive.

And here it is... a full Trek-season's worth of Shat-faced mugging in one short video, as only Bill can do it... and still look good the whole time! Amazing.

Can you imagine Jeffrey Hunter doing this? I don't think so. His command-weary and way-serious Captain Pike brought weight to a role that many might have considered too silly for a real actor (science fiction was considered kid's stuff back then); but that style would never have carried a series. No, it was the the lightness and levity that Bill brought in along with his burden of command that gave the Kirk role life. And it was definitely the watchable "Shatnerisms" that made the show so much fun.