Taking some time to hug a koala — but we’re still around…
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G’day! Starting now, we’re taking a (sort of) break from 13th Dimension’s shadowy, subterranean headquarters and headed Down Under from some Aussie sun and fun!
But fret not: The comic-book website recommended by four out of five dentists will still be live, just slowing down a bit.
Yes, there will be new material over the next few weeks. Yes, there will be some favorites from the vaults that, like me, haven’t seen the light of day in a while. There will be posts every day, in fact, just not as many.
RETRO HOT PICKS will keep running for the duration — and boy, we have some doozies for you — and we’ll have our monthly installment of BRONZE AGE BONANZA. But there will be no regular HOT PICKS and all of our weekly features — by Kerry Callen, Bill Morrison, Des Taylor, Dakota Alexander, and Franco — will be on hiatus. (They deserve a break too!)
But just wait! There’s something big for you to look forward to: After we’re back for a bit, we’re launching a special theme week at the end of the month unlike anything we’ve done in the almost 13(!) years we’ve been at this. Oh, and we’ve already got a new weekly feature that we’re readying for the summer!
So, lots and lots to come, as always. For now, however, we’re turning on the autopilot and grabbing some shrimp, some meat pies and checking out that little thing they call the Great Barrier Reef.
Here are 13 COVERS starring Captain Boomerang to get you — and me — in the spirit:
Carmine Infantino pencils, Joe Giella inks
Dick Giordano
Infantino pencils, Anderson inks
Giordano (with Ross Andru?)
Infantino and Giella
Karl Kesel
Giordano
Tom Mandrake
Howard Porter
Paris Cullins pencils, Giordano inks
Ryan Sook (Boomerang), with Fernando Pasarin and Joel Gomez (background)
Luke McDonnell pencils, Geof Isherwood inks
Yeah, yeah, not a cover
April 2, 2026
I read your website daily and I am from Australia! My local comic book vendor is also a fan!
Supanova is on the Melbourne and the Gold Coast in a few weeks time and some Oz Comic Cons there’s some great Australian comic book collecting youtube channels simple Simon, Mn stash, still only 35c
If you are in Melbourne Victoria you want to check out Lobos Collectables they are incredible vintage old school comics, toys, marvel treasury editions they have it all, it’s easy to spend an entire day in there.
Minotaur in Melbourne is great Melbourne comic book instituion too. Have lots of cheap discounted tpbs.
Adelaide Comics centre is incredible range.
The Nexus Toy Fair in Perth is a massive Perth comic event that will be on in a few weeks.
Enjoy!
G’day mate!
April 2, 2026
>>The Nexus Toy Fair in Perth is a massive Perth comic event that will be on in a few weeks.
>
Is it branded around the character?
April 2, 2026
I plan on going to Adelaide Comics Centre, Gamma Rays and others!
April 2, 2026
https://www.supanova.com.au/events/melbourne-2026/event-home/
https://www.supanova.com.au/
https://ozcomiccon.com/
April 2, 2026
Australia has a really fascinating history with comic books and cartooning and humorists
Frank A Nankievell is a fascinating figure to do some research into
He worked with
Kitazawa Rakuten in Japan in the 1890s.
John Ryan (1931-1979) wrote a fabulous book called Panel by Panel: An Illustrated History of Australian Comics.
John Dixon’s Air Hawk and the Flying Doctors which his art style if very Milton Caniffesque I say that as a compliment.
Bonzer: Australian Comics 1900s-1990s is another good book published in 1998 on Australian Comics history.
While Captain Boomerang is a popular character in Australia captures the whole larrikinism perfectly theres one superheroes Australians love the most The Phantom traditionally speaking.
Lot of the time at local newsagents couldn’t always get Marvel and DC always stocked the Phantom, the 1996 Phantom movie Filmed in Australia, Phantom and Black and White Commando War Comics are popular.
2000 AD and Judge Dredd is also very popular.
Ginger Meggs was a very popular Australian comic book sort of like the Australian equivalent of mixture of the Katzenjammer Kids meets Dennis the Menace (the American version), I had no idea as an Australian the difference between the British Dennis the Menace and Gnasher Beano and the American Hank Ketchum Dennis the Menace
Australia has a great history of wonderful cartoonists Will Dyson, Pat Sullivan(creator of Felix the Cat), Pat Oliphant, Bill Rigby, Eric Jolliffe, Norman Lindsay
Gestalt comics is one of the largest Australian comic book publishers from Perth, Western Australia, Comics on Country
Starburst magazine editor and science fiction writer was from Perth Western Australia
Peter Ledger is a legendary Australian comic book creator did some cover colouring with John Buscema on Weirdworld lot of movie posters emerged part of the Australian new wave counterculture 1970s married Christy Marx.
Thelma Keane of the Family Circus comics feature syndicate.
Wife of Bil Keane and mother of the legendary Walt Disney animator is from Gympie in Queensland
Gary Chaloner and David Devries also of interest.
April 2, 2026
This is great, Elijah! Thanks!
April 2, 2026
Have a great time down under Dan
April 2, 2026
Hey, thanks!
April 2, 2026
Have fun!
April 2, 2026
Thanks!
April 2, 2026
Have a great vacation.
April 2, 2026
Thank you!
April 2, 2026
Be sure to check out the unique Australian Phantom fandom while you are there. Really revere the character so much more than we Americans have. And should you get down as far as Adelaide, enjoy the music scene.
April 2, 2026
That’s where we’re going to be!
April 2, 2026
Wow! Those are some ugly-ass costumes. I still love the original. It’s fun and kind of elegant.
April 2, 2026
Enjoy! Send us some pictures! (I checked to make sure this wasn’t posted April First!!)
April 3, 2026
Wow. First Japan and now Australia…have a safe enjoyable time. Being back some kangaroo steaks. Tastes like chicken I hear.
April 3, 2026
“bring” back some…. (How I do wish there was an edit option.)