MOVIES & TV | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture

Oct08

GIF-MANIA! Dig 13 Times KIRK ALYN Changed into SUPERMAN and Back Again

Posted by Dan Greenfield on Oct 8, 2026

GIF-MANIA! Dig 13 Times KIRK ALYN Changed into SUPERMAN and Back Again

A BIRTHDAY SALUTE to the first live-action screen Man of Steel, in groovy little moving pictures… — UPDATED 10/8/26: It’s the late Kirk Alyn’s birthday! Perfect time to reprint this piece from Oct. 8, 2023! Swell! — Dan — By WALT GROGAN The late Kirk Alyn was born 116 years ago — 116! — on Oct. 8, 1910! Alyn was a working actor best known for originating the role of Superman and Clark Kent in the Columbia big-screen serials Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950). He made his first movie appearance in the 1930 film, Fast and Loose in an uncredited role and over the next 18 years made many more uncredited appearances. He also took the starring role of Chris Calvert in another serial, 1949’s Radar Patrol vs. Spy King from Republic. In 1952, he played Quality Comics’ hero Blackhawk in another 12-part serial from Columbia. But wasn’t done with Superman. He returned to the big screen later in life to play Lois Lane’s father, alongside Noel Neill who played her mother, in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. (Neill, of course, played Lois in both of Alyn’s Superman serials and on George Reeves’ Adventures of Superman TV show). Like Reeves, Alyn’s Clark Kent was no milksop, especially since the Daily Planet reporter had to do much of the leg work before finally, and triumphantly, becoming Superman in each chapter. One of the joys of watching these serials is anxiously waiting for Clark to turn into Superman and back again, and the 1948 Superman doesn’t disappoint on this score. While the Planet storeroom was essentially Superman’s changing room in the later episodes of the serial many of the early episodes featured Superman changing in broad daylight (with one notable exception), often ducking into some bushes or behind a car. For anyone who has seen the Adventures of Captain Marvel serial, which preceded Superman by six years, you’ll remember the effective use of a mannequin/dummy for the Big Red Cheese’s flying scenes. The Superman serial took a different tack by freeze-framing Alyn and switching to an animated Superman for the flying scenes as well as for some special effects. The cost-conscious move worked. With that in mind, we present GIF-MANIA! 13 TIMES KIRK ALYN CHANGED INTO SUPERMAN AND BACK AGAIN: — Ducking behind a tree! — Behind a parked...

Oct06

MARVEL Offering a Galaxy of 50th ANNIVERSARY Editions Celebrating the Original Bronze Age STAR WARS Comics

Posted by Dan Greenfield on Oct 6, 2026

MARVEL Offering a Galaxy of 50th ANNIVERSARY Editions Celebrating the Original Bronze Age STAR WARS Comics

Coming in 2027… Marvel in 2027 will be offering new editions reprinting the entire line of its original 1970s-’80s Star Wars comics, to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary and the earliest expansion of its universe. The books — including a deluxe edition collecting the foundational first six issues, as well as three omnibi — feature a litany of top-flight creators, such as Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, Archie Goodwin, Carmine Infantino, Walt Simonson, Louise Simonson, Chris Claremont, Ann Nocenti, Sal Buscema, and many more. Dig the online retailer descriptions: STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE 50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin The original comic adaptation of the greatest space-fantasy film of all! Weeks before George Lucas’ first Star Wars film hit theatres, Marvel gave fans their first look at Luke Skywalker, boldly asking: “Will he save the galaxy, or destroy it?” You may know the answer, but that doesn’t spoil the fun of seeing A New Hope like never before — including scenes that never made the silver screen! When the Empire takes Princess Leia prisoner, Luke, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 ride to the rescue and take on Darth Vader in his awesome Death Star. It’s six against a galaxy — one that’s far, far away and a long time ago! May the Force be with you, in the mighty Marvel manner! COLLECTING: Star Wars (1977) #1-6 Hardcover 128 pages $29.99 Sale Date: Apr 27, 2027 — STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HOWARD CHAYKIN COVER (NEW PRINTING) The original Star Wars comic book returns! As the phenomenon dawned in 1977, Marvel Comics published the very first Star Wars comic-book series. Now, the House of Ideas is re-presenting those original adventures in its wampa-sized Omnibus format! It’s the return of the Jedi to Marvel in an opening volume that begins with A New Hope and ends with The Empire Strikes Back. In between, the rebels face a wealth of new perils — from space pirate Crimson Jack to the bounty hunter Beilert Valance, as well as a surprisingly svelte Jabba the Hut (one “t”). Luke goes back to Tatooine, Leia battles alone, Han and Chewie play the deadly Big Game, and Darth Vader hunts for answers! With all your old favorites and plenty of fresh faces — hello, Jaxxon! — there’s no...

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Oct17

Life Model Decoy, by DEAN HASPIEL and SEAN FRANCISCO YAU-SMITH

Posted By Dan Greenfield on Oct 17, 2013

Dean Haspiel‘s a busy dude right now, what with his big project The Fox (with Mark Waid) due out in stores in two weeks. But he took time out to talk about superhero comics’ quest to be more realistic with an old buddy of his, Sean Francisco Yau-Smith. Dino wrote it up for us and it’s a funky read, so enjoy!

Oct17

THE GOTHAM TRIBUNE: The Real Boy Wonder

Posted By Dan Greenfield on Oct 17, 2013

Aw, hell, I’m just gonna throw this one out there: Burt Ward’s Robin the Boy Wonder is, upon great reflection and judgment, with all factors weighed, with pros and cons carefully calibrated, the Platonic ideal of the character.

Oct15

MIGHTY Q&A: PBS’ Superheroes Mavens

Posted By Dan Greenfield on Oct 15, 2013

Tonight, PBS premieres its three-hour documentary “Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle” from director Michael Kantor and co-writer Laurence Maslon. The two also collaborated on a similarly named book now out from Random House. So after the show tonight (check local listings) come back here to see what these guys have to say:

Oct14

Comic Book Men Party

Posted By 13th Dimension on Oct 14, 2013

I had a great time at the Comic Book Men season 3 premiere party on Sunday night. After watching the premiere of Walking Dead, Judie and I walked around the block from our home in Red Bank, NJ to join friends to watch the premiere of Comic Book Men season 3.

Oct13

Comic Book Men Returns To Sunday Nights On AMC

Posted By 13th Dimension on Oct 13, 2013

I’ll be at the party for the launch of season 3 of Comic Book Men. It’s just around the block from my home in Red Bank, so I’ll hobble over there. Hobble, because I’m a wreck from walking NY Comic Con for the past few days.

Sep30

THE GOTHAM TRIBUNE: Batman ’66 with Allred, Case and Parker

Posted By Dan Greenfield on Sep 30, 2013

If you’re a comics fan, there’s a very good chance that you became one because of a TV show, a movie or a video game first. For millions of us, it was the 1960s Batman show starring Adam West.

Next Entries »

GIF-MANIA! Dig 13 Times KIRK ALYN Changed into SUPERMAN and Back Again

MARVEL Offering a Galaxy of 50th ANNIVERSARY Editions Celebrating the Original Bronze Age STAR WARS Comics

Life Model Decoy, by DEAN HASPIEL and SEAN FRANCISCO YAU-SMITH

THE GOTHAM TRIBUNE: The Real Boy Wonder

MIGHTY Q&A: PBS’ Superheroes Mavens

Comic Book Men Party

Comic Book Men Returns To Sunday Nights On AMC

THE GOTHAM TRIBUNE: Batman ’66 with Allred, Case and Parker

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