Colin Smith

A really rather splendid alt-movie poster by Kilian Eng for 1994’s “Stargate”.

Ushibori in the Rain, 1929, by Hasui Kawase.

Four lobby cards for 1993’s quite fabulous “Groundhog Day”.

Absolutely top-notch space opera by Frank Hampson & his studio for the Dan Dare strip on the front of Eagle #9:5, cover-dated this very day in 1958.

Tom Gauld’s delightful cover to the edition of The New Yorker dated this very day in 2019.

Truth 👍

Good morning! It’s Saturday January 31st 2026! Another day already? Crikey!

(Dated this very day in 1981, 2000AD #197, with its dreadfully printed but still fabulous cover featuring Judge Dredd by Brian Bolland.)

You be careful out there among them English, John Book.

So that was Friday January 30th 2026. Crikey. Another 24 hours done, another 24 hours nearly here.

(Dated this very day in 1982, a mere 44 years ago, 2000AD #249, with its cover featuring Rogue Trooper by Dave Gibbons.)

And so to bed. Sleep well, gentle sentients. May tomorrow be a kind day.

Maleficent & Prince Philip, a fabulous concept painting by the great Eyvind Earle for 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty” from Walt Disney.

So that was Friday January 30th 2026. Crikey. Another 24 hours done, another 24 hours nearly here.

(Dated this very day in 1982, a mere 44 years ago, 2000AD #249, with its cover featuring Rogue Trooper by Dave Gibbons.)

And so to bed. Sleep well, gentle sentients. May tomorrow be a kind day.

I agree about the Chaykin prestige story. It was the relatively brief 80s run on Blackhawk by Evanier & Spiegle et al that won me over. Just really solid storytelling. For me, it was a lovely fit with all those other 80s pre-Watchman/TDKR DC comics like Atari Force & Mike W Barr’s tales.

I also got the Blackhawk figure. I’m not actually sure how I feel about it. It’s a very cruel-looking take on the character. But then, it’s not hard to imagine him being a merciless old cove :)

Why, yes, I did acquire said figure. Classic Doctor Fate is always my jam.

Darwyn Cooke’s design for a Doctor Fate “New Frontier” action figure along with a charming Billy Batson accessory.

Today my digi-scrapbook is being filled with The Things I Loved In 1993.

I’m not thinking of anything specific. Just hints, just a suggestion of darkness along with joy. Because that darkness really was shocking at the time to many. eg Truman being shocked/appalled by what he perceived to be its political meaning.

Mind you, the film did somewhat bomb at the time with word of mouth helping do for it. Perhaps a touch of warning about the film’s content, for cheer & not, might have helped calibrate expectations and avoid disappointment when a totally feel-good comedy didn’t arrive.

Yeah, fair point. 👍

🙏 🙏 🙏

I’m fascinated by these lobby cards for 1946’s classic It’s A Wonderful Life, which give every impression of trying to sell the movie as a light romantic comedy rather than a periodically traumatic fantasy about robber capitalism & community resistance.

Westwood/McClaren were based in London

It’s an existential concern on this side of The Big Pond too, I fear. We’re only a few years behind the Republic in that. >gulp<

Could be.

Today my digi-scrapbook is being filled with The Things I Loved In 1993.

Whenever the talk turns to “real” Americans in the Republic’s rural “heartlands”, I often recall this diary entry by Simone de Beauvoir from her 1947 trip to America.

An original 1981/2 Westwood/McClaren “Pirate” outfit. Expensive in its day, a fortune now at auction.

And here’s the back cover conclusion of “Tony” and “Sid’s” exploits:

Good morning! It’s Friday January 30th 2026! Another day already? Crikey!

(Dated this very day in 1960, the week’s edition of Film Fun & Top Spot, with its cover featuring the comicbook misadventures of Tony Hancock & Sid James.)

You be careful out there among them English, Joanne Book.

So that was Thursday January 29th 2026. Crikey. Another 24 hours done, another 24 hours nearly here.

(Out this very month in 1985, a mere 41 years ago, Judge Dredd #19, with its splendid cover by Brian Bolland.)

And so to bed. Sleep well, gentle sentients. May tomorrow be a kind day.

So that was Thursday January 29th 2026. Crikey. Another 24 hours done, another 24 hours nearly here.

(Out this very month in 1985, a mere 41 years ago, Judge Dredd #19, with its splendid cover by Brian Bolland.)

And so to bed. Sleep well, gentle sentients. May tomorrow be a kind day.