4 comments about Legion of Super-Heroes Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions).

1. As a collection of essential comic book classics this can't be beat. Each one of these stories is a winner. Unfortunately, as one of the first editions in DC's Archive series it suffers from a number of production missteps that too often distract.
   1.) Although like all DC Archive Editions this is printed on sturdy archival paper designed to last for ages, the dust jacket was not produced with logevity in mind. I have had my copy for ten years now and the dust jacket has already become very yellow. So yellow in fact that the Super-Hero Clubhouse on the cover has become the exact same color as the once-white background.
   2.) A lot of noise was made by DC when these editions were first released regarding an extensive color reconstruction that, theoretically, was to remain faithful to the original material with the exception of minor corrections where neccessary. Sadly, the colorists involved in this edition took great liberties. Comparing the original comics with the Archive edition can be a real shock as some stories, for example the story introducing Ultra-Boy, seem to be colored without consulting the originals at all. Another annoying choice made by the colorists involves alterations of a 'retroactive continuity' sort. In the early stories there was always a scene near the end that showwed a handful of anonymous members of the Legion. In the Archive edition the colorists have changed the coloring on these unnamed characters to make them appear to be characters who would be introduced later (e.g. coloring a character green with yellow hair to make it appear Brainiac Five had been there from the first story). These coloring changes now become editorial decisions that do more harm than good. As for color corrections where neccessary, the Archive edition manages to make many mistakes that were never in the originals. Just witness the inconsistant all-yellow and sometimes yellow-and-red of Supergirl's "S" insignia on her cape. These mistakes are not present in the original comic.
   3.) The coloring is made up of very large pixels that don't conform to any shapes other than rectangles. This was an early attempt at using the computer to color a comic, it didn't work that well and it's painful to behold. At the price these books are listed, one would have hoped DC would've worked out the kinks in their coloring software before using it on such a project. Another glaringly anachronistic coloring gaffe is made by continious use of an airbrush or spray paint effect (it honestly looks like it was applied using a mouse in an old MacPaint program). Airbrushing effects were simply impossible using the 4-color printing process of the late fifties and early sixties, and it really looks awful besides.
   Now the good news: DC has had ten years to get it right and I can report that they have indeed. A comparison of this edition with Volume 11 will reveal all these issues have been corrected in later editions. But the mistakes in these early editions were never corrected...



2. The DC Comics Archive Editions may come with a high price point, but it would be hard for any fan to argue he wasn't getting his money's worth. Where else could you get the entire history of the Legion of Super-Heroes (in order of publication, no less?) -- up to ELEVEN volumes now!

   This first volume, of course, contains the first several appearances of the Legion and of Legion-related characters, back when they were mainly supporting members of the Superboy -- and later Supergirl -- cast. The Legion plays a very peripheral role in several of the stories -- the one where Supergirl is trying to find Superman a wife, for instance -- and in some the Legion doesn't appear at all (such as the Mon-El and Ultra Boy origin stories where the Legion is merely alluded to). Eventually the book makes it to the era where the Legion got their own serial -- "Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes," and although members of the Super-family still appear in most of these, the Legion is finally being allowed to come into its own.

   The characters introduced in this volume range from the inspiring (Brainiac 5, trying to atone for his ancestor's sins, the poor, exiled Mon-El, etc.) to the deliciously silly (I confess, I'm a big fan of Matter-Eater Lad and Bouncing Boy. I'm probably the ONLY fan of Matter-Eater Lad and Bouncing Boy) and this book also contains something that was pretty rare at the time -- the death of a superhero. You just didn't see that sort of thing in DC Comics in 1958.

   I can't wait to pick up volume two. Oh -- and kudos to DC for keeping the cover design of their Archives uniform for so long. Unlike Marvel's similar "Masterworks" series, I can start my LSH Archives collection right now and I know that all eleven volumes will look like a set on my shelf once I've got them. It's a small thing, I know, but it's something I appreciate.




3. Volume 1 of the Legion of Super-Heroes is an interesting look at their earliest appearances. The team grows in fits and starts as seen through other series (Superboy, Supergirl, and Superman) as a strange assortment of teens from the future appear in Smallville and Midvale for a wide variety of odd reasons. It is hard to keep track of the growing membership as many appear only in the background and main plot points often revolve around a new member appearing for the sake of the story, such as the rather odd Star Boy and the more interesting Ultra Boy storylines. Only near the end of the volume does the Legion itself get its own storylines and the early issues begin with a bang as the Legion suffers its first death, Lightning Lad. The promise of greatness is apparent in a few of the stories, if not quite delivered, but this volume is still essential for any Legion fan.



4. Excellent. The characterisation is fabulous and the sub plot of the substitutes is well recognised, My only concern is the price, but that's not Amazons fault. Wonderful part of COMIX forgotten hisory.
   
   Make's me feel 12 again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   Greg from Oz.

4 comments about Cowboys & the Trappings of the Old West.

1. This is a very good book for those interested in all the various accessories that the cowboy (and cowgirl) used. It is a good reference for old west living history groups that need to authenticate costume articles to a particular time period. The pictures are top quality.



2. I found the book both entertaining and informative. The photography and description of the material is excellent. As an amatuer historian on the subject, I found it to be educational as well as concise and pointing out subtle items which could have been overlooked by the casual observer. It is one of those books the reader can either read from cover to cover or open anywhere and dig right in.

   It covers all aspects of turn-of-the-century attire and accouterments from the working cowboy to the Wild West Show performers. Excellent and entertaining.




3. It has a great number of photos that show details of western clothings, accessories, and other items. As a costume designer, I need to see the details for my research, and this book helped me a lot.
   The book shows everything from hats, bandanas, leather cuffs, spurs, to boots. It also has a nice section on cowgirls.



4. I'm a leatherworker and I've just fallen in love with this book. I think it's going to be a fantastic reference because not only does it have a ton of high-quality pictures, but it also goes into great depth about the historical use of every single item there. Absolutely great.

5 comments about A Painted House.

1. A Painted House is about a young lad having to help his family pick cotton to make the income. It is told by his point of view. It is awesome reading. I am not really a book worm but this book kept my interest till the very end. I would set up almost all night long wanting to know what would happen next.
   This moving story takes place in the mid 50s country setting. It is about a boy that narrates the story of a time frame of a special summer that he would never forget. Form his love of baseball to seeing an older girl take a bath is something pretty big for a 7 year old to experience and coming of age.
   I found myself relating to some things that happened to this lad. I did not want this book to end. For the reading is quick and very understandable. The author's writing can really paint a picture in your mind about what all is going on. When I get the chance I will read it again and pick up on some things that I was unable to pick up before. I HIGHLEY recommend it for all ages.



2. I am deeply upset that I even read this book. Don't get me wrong, I read my fair share of books. I just like it when they have some sort of a... I don't know...PLOT! This book just rambles on and on. So many parts in the book could have become something interesting, but none of them ever did. The worst part is that the only character I ever felt anything at all for was Ricky, who doesn't even appear in the book. He's only mentioned.
   And the ending of the book was awful as well. It was filled with loose ends and left me wondering. Nothing was ever resolved. This book had no point.



3. I'm surprised by the reviewer who gave this a rating of one, and stated there was no plot.
   
   The plot is that of a boy who loves his family, but must keep secrets far bigger than his age. We see the beauty of the relationship between family members. We see the reality and starkness of cotton farming in rural Arkansas, and the prejudice between races and economic status. The reader hears through a boy's story how a city mother has adapted to the country and an unpainted house, when her heart longs for the city and the finer things of life. And that's just the surface issues.
   
   No plot? Maybe you should rent a video instead. You missed the heart of this beautifully-written story.



4. What a great book - in fact, I finished it in three days after stumbling on it while house sitting for a friend. The story is both funny and tragic but a easy read none the less. I just wish their was a sequel to follow up on the great cast of characters.



5. I absolutely loved this book. It was a modern day "to kill a mockingbird."
   
   I enjoy most of Grisham's work and even though I bought this book it sat on my shelf for almost a year. I don't really care about legal thrillers, but I was so use to that being his genre that I didn't really know what to think of this books premise.
   
   But once I opened it I was grabbed from the first page and was completely immersed the way I really good book suck you in. I finished it in one day and have re-read it several times and recommended it to all my friends.
   
   Single more enjoyable novel I have ever read.

5 comments about Eleventh Hour.

1. A eyewitness to the murder of a priest, Nicola Jones sees the killer leave the confessional. FBI agent Dana Carver returns to bury his twin bother and find his killer with the help of Dilon Savich and Lacy Sherlock. The ELEVENTH HOUR moves and is the one that drew me into reading more of Catherine Coulter's series. To this reader it is one of the best in the series, when a new TV series hits the air and follows the same events the suspense grows.
   "Nick" is under protection as the killer searches to silence her forever. Of course, with all Coulter stories there is a romance to lighten the pages of the hard packed thriller.
   Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and QUALIFYING LAPS.



2. ....but a friend recommended her to me, and I picked this one at random. Really, I read very little fiction, but, sometimes, one has to take a break...heavy history can get heavy. This is not bad at all..."cop thriller", centering on the FBI.....
   
   The plot has a lot of twists, and turns, but the book it well written, the various story lines are kept straight, and all the "loose ends" get tied up, which doesn't always happen....
   
   All in all, if this is your cup of tea, go for it. Miss Coulter writes well, and keeps everything moving along in good order. Try it; you might just like it.....



3. Wow , what a book . A priest is killed and his twin brother is the FBI agent that is out to find his killer . A homeless lady (whom is really a college professor ) is the witness to the murder so Dana Carver (the FBI agent) has the pleasure of protecting her as hard as it is .
   
   It is like the author weaves 3 different stories into 1 with this book and she does it wonderfully . There is other murders and they are all connected to a TV script but you will have to read the book to get all the great details and to see what happens between the FBI Agent and the homeless woman/college professor and to see why she was pretending to be homeless when she saw the priest get shot . A GREAT READ !



4. kept me in suspense; had to keep turning that page to see what happened next no matter how tired i was!



5. I enjoyed the book as I do all her books, but I wouldn't say it was her best. However it was worth the read and money.

4 comments about Collector's Guide to Dolls of the 1960s and 1970s: Identification and Values, Vol. 2.

1. Volume 2 of Cindy Sabulis' great doll directory of the Sixties and Seventies has more obscure dolls than anyone has ever seen. There are the popular favorites like Tressy, but did you ever see the bizarre Peteena,a glamorous woman with the head of a poodle? Betsy Wetsy rubs elbows with the John Travolta doll, but then there's the strange Ginny Bones, all head with a stick body.
   But don't worry: you'll still see Twiggy, Flatsies, Liddle Kiddles, Heidi and the Rock Flowers. But then there's the obscure guys like Mr. & Mrs. Mouse House, Herby Hippy, and Lil' Souls. Just when you think you've seen it all Cindy will surprise you.



2. As a vintage doll collector I would be lost without this authors books for dolls of the 1960 and 1970's. I have had such fun finding dolls that I had long forgotten about or never even knew existed. The photos and information in this book are very valuable to the vintage doll collector. I would highly recommend this book. Even if you are not a collector the book is very fun to have around. People come over and open the book and say I had this doll or I remember my friend had this one.



3. I really could not live without this book! Not only has it taught me more about what I do collect, but it has opened up a whole new world to dolls that I never new exisited. The vibrant color photos are amazing and the descriptions are fun to read. Thank you for the countless hours it must have took to compile such a thorough history of dolls from my era!



4. As if her first book didn't do enough damage to my bank account, Ms. Sabulis had to follow up with a sequel, providing me even more opportunities to indulge my doll-collecting habit (addiction).
   
   Just like her Collector's Guide Vol I, Volume II is page after page of beautiful photographs and informative descriptions of dolls I had or wanted as a child, and also contains many dolls I never knew existed (but now of course must obtain). There's so much there, I find something new each time I peruse it afresh.
   
   Warning: The cost of this book is very reasonable. But unless (unlike me) you have a lot of self-discipline, it will ultimately cost you far more than the initial purchase price!

4 comments about Fine Indian Jewelry of the Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection.

1. Painstakingly compiled and with an expert, knowledgeable commentary by Shelby J. Tisdale, Fine Indian Jewelry Of The Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection offers an impressively informative history and survey of the southwestern Native American jewelry that is represented in the collection of the Millicent Rogers Museum as the result of art patron and passionate collector Millicent Rogers who assembled a spectacular collection of Navajo and Zuni silver and turquoise, Hopi silverwork, and Pueblo stone and shell jewelry during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Of special interest is the chapter devoted to "The Origins of Indian Jewelry in the Southwest". Profusely illustrated and a very strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies reference collections, Fine Indian Jewelry Of The Southwest is enhanced for scholars and non-specialist general readers alike with the inclusion of a glossary, references, and an index.



2. I HAVE ORDERED SEVERAL BOOKS FROM AMAZON AND THEY ARE EXPEDIENT AND HAVE A GOOD BOOKS AT A GREAT PRICE. AVAILABILITY GREAT. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS WITH AMAZON AND THEIR SERVICE. THANK YOU, BECKY DYER



3. This is a glorious book of Southwest Indian Jewelry with interesting info on Millicent Rogers, who herself was a work of art.
   
   A must-have for collectors of Southwest Indian Jewelry.



4. If you like Indian Jewelry but can't get to the museum in Taos this is a great first book on the subject. If you do go to the Millicent Rodgers Museum, this is the book to help you savor that grand experience for many years to come. And it's a great reference work if you are contemplating investing in Zuni or Navajo jewelry.
   
   Wilford's Trading Post
   Gallup, New Mexico

2 comments about Canadian Coins, 62nd Edition - A Charlton Standard Catalogue (Charlton's Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins).

1. Charlton's Standard Catalouge of Canadian Coins is a great reference and price guide. I would highly reccomend it.



2. Good product, nice condition for used book and very prompt service in delivering book.
   
   Jim Cesario

No comments about Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue and Buyers' Guide 1895.

3 comments about Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money.

1. I'm new (again) to the hobby after ~5 years and I picked this book up over the weekend. I cannot evaluate or review the pricing information contained in this book but it seems to be on par with what I am seeing in the market. As I mentioned in the title, I'm really liking all of the color pictures and detailed information about the different series of notes - color pictures probably outnumber the black and white pictures 20 to 1. I'm very glad I purchased this one!



2. THIS BOOK IS OH SO INFORMATIVE ON PRICING ! ALSO HAS GREAT PICTURES ! THE ONLY REASON I DIDN'T GIVE IT 5 STARS, WAS THAT IT DID NOT GIVE PRICES FOR DIFFERENT PRINTING "BLOCKS" WITHIN ANY GIVEN YEAR. ALSO DID NOT CONTAIN INFO ON HOW MANY NOTES WERE PRINTED ON ANY GIVEN YEAR OR FROM ANY GIVEN FEDERAL BRANCH.



3. The best description I can give of this work is as a "reference work," and it is not "literary." It is profusely illustrated, but not all notes are depicted.
   
   As a collector of currency for over 50 years, several errors in picture captions popped out at me immediately. I have also compared the pricing with the current market, and as any such volume the data is already getting stale. U.S. Currency is red hot at this time, and the market is extremely volatile. It is difficult for a catalog of this type to be useful for other than a short time frame, if the valuations are a reason for it's purchase.
   
   Other than these small quibbles, a recommended work. Four stars.

No comments about Warman's Field Guide to Precious Moments: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).