Roy Thomas

The mostly true tale of Stan Lee, the one and only Godfather of Comics. From his childhood in Depression-era New York, to transforming Marvel into the number one comics publisher in the world, to his 21st-century reinvention as Chief Creative Officer of global entertainment company POW! Entertainment, Stan “the Man” Lee stands the test of time as the most legendary name in comicbook history. Stanley Lieber began working at Timely Comics in 1940 at the age of 17 and found himself at the helm of the bullpen as its top editor just two years later. But it wasn’t until 1961 that he ignited a revolution known as the “Marvel Age of Comics.” With a legendary stable of art partners including Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Romita, and Jim Steranko, Lee unleashed a dizzying cascade of seminal comicbook creations—the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, the X-Men, and the Avengers to name a few. After moving to Hollywood in 1980, he did it again, developing TV and film projects that laid the groundwork for the “Marvel movie.” Stan’s constant cameo presence in these billion-dollar worldwide events was a testament to his influence. As the man behind POW! Entertainment, he became a master of all media—working with rock stars and professional sports leagues, movie mavens and reality TV shows—reinforcing his creative stature the world over. First published as a signed Collector’s Edition and sold out within a week, the book was written and edited with Lee himself. His tale is told by his successor at Marvel, renowned comics writer, editor, and historian Roy Thomas, who brings “you are there” insights and wide-eyed clarity to key moments of Lee’s journey to pop culture immortality. Featuring hundreds of treasures of comicbook art, intimate photographs sourced straight from his family archives, a foreword written by Lee himself, a novel-length essay and new epilogue by Thomas, and an appendix with complete reprints of Stan’s comics from throughout the decades, this is a titanic tribute worthy of the Man. All Marvel characters are © MARVEL

V ?dalším díle klasické ságy Conan s B?lit brázdí hyborejské oceány a prochází pralesy. Mistři vyprávění, scenárista Roy Thomas a kreslíř John Buscema, vedou barbara s pirátskou královnou do džungle, kde se střetnou s pánem lvů Amrou. V další povídce se Conan pro změnu setká s Rudou Sonjou, či dokonce s legendárním králem Kullem – dalšími Howardovými světoznámými postavami. Svazek obsahuje rovněž barevné verze původně černobílých povídek Jima Starlina a Johna Buscemy, adaptaci vůbec první povídky o Conanovi „Meč s fénixem“ a též vzácnou povídku „Plíživec v mlhách“.

Přichází jeden z nejpodmanivějších párů komiksové historie: Conan a Královna Černého pobřeží! Nejprve se však Cimeřan spolčí s Rudou Sonjou, a to v jedné z nejlepších povídek od scenáristy Roye Thomase a výtvarníka Johna Buscemy. Poté si Conan během putování Západem poslechne „Laza-Lantiho osudovou píseň“, střetne se s děsivým mnohokamenným mužem a též zavzpomíná na mládí v Cimerii! Následuje setkání s vlčí ženou Lupalinou a audience u strašlivého vladaře Unose! Conan přibírá na cesty své přátele Jusefa a Taru a ocitá se tváří v tvář svému největšímu soupeři: sobě samému! A na samý závěr se poprvé dozvíme vše o původu Belit, královny pirátů, jež se má stát Conanovou družkou v lásce i v boji. Tato kniha není součástí žádné z Kolosálních knih.

Pokračování původní komiksové řady nakladatelství Marvel představuje legendární příběhy psané scenáristou Royem Thomasem ve výtvarném pojetí Barryho Windsora-Smithe, Gila Kanea a Johna Buscemy. Conanovy kroky se v nich zkříží s kultovním hrdinou Michaela Moorcocka, Elrikem z Melniboné, a s jeho duše požírajícím mečem Bouřavou; získá nového spojence v silném Fafnirovi, s nímž brázdí Vilajetské moře, a přidá se k žoldákům při obléhání města... Užijte si ságu plnou dobrodružství, intrik i odvrácené strany války. V publikaci najdete rovněž adaptaci Howardovy klasické povídky „Dcera Pána mrazu“ a příběh, v němž se poprvé představí první komiksové ztvárnění Rudé Sonji!

Roy Thomas tentokrát při snaze vytvořit z Barbara Conana jeden z neproslulejších komiksů všech dob spojil síly s výtvarníkem Johnem Buscemou! Conan pokračuje v cestách po hyborejských zemích, a dokonce vstupuje do armády svého někdejšího nepřítele, krále Yezdigerda. Osud ho zavane do stygijského močálu, kúšské a zembabwejské džungle i do kitajské říše a všude ho čekají střety s netvory, démony a krvežíznivými válečníky! Roy Thomas tentokrát zpracoval některé z klasických povídek, jako např. „Krev Belšazarovu“, a stvořil rovněž i zbrusu nové příběhy, kupříkladu čtenáři velmi oblíbený „Stín v hrobce“. V sešitu „Prokletí zlaté lebky“ se objevuje jako hostující výtvarník Neal Adams, takže na Conanovo spojenectví s Jumou proti zlému čaroději Rotatovi se můžete těšit v jeho pojetí!

The story of the most inspired comic book promotional campaign of all time, collected here for the first time In 1974, Marvel Comics publisher Stan Lee devised an ingenious promotional campaign-Marvel Value Stamps, which appeared on the letters pages of their monthly comics. Readers could cut out all 100 of these Super Hero and Super Villain stamps and place them in a special mail-order booklet. Once complete, these stamp books could then be redeemed for special discounts and exclusive merchandise. The program was so successful, a second set was released in 1975. And now, for the first time, these original stamp books, stamps, and all of the surrounding ephemera and source material are collected into one must-have volume for collectors and fans, along with text from Marvel Comics former editor in chief and historian Roy Thomas.

Conan wasn't the only Robert E. Howard sword and sorcery icon to be adapted to Marvel Comics! Following Conan's breakout success, Roy Thomas set his sights on Howard's legendary barbarian king of Valusia: Kull! Marie and John Severin contributed what many consider the creative highlight of their careers, in tales that showed how uneasy hung the crown on the head of Kull -- especially when confronting wicked sorcerer Thulsa Doom! The art of Mike Ploog also features heavily, along with contributions from some of the era's top talents...including Kull's first appearance, drawn by comics legend Bernie Wrightson! COLLECTING: Kull the Conqueror (1971) 1-10, Kull the Destroyer (1973) 11-29, Creatures on the Loose (1970) 10, Monsters on the Prowl (1971) 16; material from Kull and the Barbarians (1975) 1-3, Savage Sword of Conan (1974) 9, Conan the Barbarian (1970) 10, Conan the Barbarian Annual (1973) 3, FOOM (1973) 14

Hulk takes a trip to Counter-Earth where he confronts his most-hated enemy--Bruce Banner! Add in the Rhino and the Abomination and the action and drama can't be contained. Then, he heads north to Canada where the X-Men's Mimic returns and the Wendigo makes his first appearance. The drama continues when Betty Ross is mutated into the Harpy. Next, the Green Goliath sets out on a path of revenge against a murderer's row of earth-shaking enemies including Juggernaut, Cobalt Man and a return encounter with Rhino and Abomination. Finally, Hulk lands in Attilan, where the Inhumans are forced to launch Hulk into deep space to prevent the destruction of Attilan. He'll land on Counter-Earth, where a saga with the messianic Adam Warlock awaits! COLLECTING: Incredible Hulk (1968) 157-178; material from FOOM (1973) 1-2

The return of the vampires! Doctor Strange once wiped bloodsuckers from the face of the Earth -- but now they rise again...beginning with one very close to Stephen! Brother Voodoo has the answer for the problem -- zombies?! And what is Zom -- besides big trouble in a tiny form? Dormammu unleashes his Mindless Ones on New York City, captures Clea and renders Doctor Strange powerless! Does this mean that Baron Mordo will be the new Sorcerer Supreme? A possessed Topaz needs help finding the special ingredients to exorcise her demon -- and her shopping list includes the fur of Werewolf By Night and the flame of Ghost Rider! And as Thanos exerts his grip on the Marvel Universe, Strange plays a crucial role in the Infinity Gauntlet saga! COLLECTING: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) 14-33; Ghost Rider (1990) 12

It was an age of mighty heroes, misunderstood monsters, and complex villains. With the publication of Fantastic Four No. 1 in November 1961, comics giant Marvel inaugurated a transformative era in pop culture. Through the next two decades, the iconic Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the X-Men leapt, darted, and towered through its pages. Captain America was resurrected from his 1940s deep-freeze and the Avengers became the World's Greatest Super Heroes. Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and dozens more were added to the pantheon, each with their own rogues' gallery of malevolent counterparts. Nearly 60 years later, these thrilling characters from the 1960s and '70s are more popular than ever, fighting the good fight in comics, toy aisles, and blockbuster movies around the world. In The Marvel Age of Comics 1961-1978, legendary writer and editor Roy Thomas takes you to the heart of this seminal segment in comic history-an age of triumphant character and narrative innovation that reinvented the super hero genre. With more than 500 images and insider insights, the book traces the birth of champions who were both epic in their powers and grounded in a world that readers recognized as close to their own; relatable heroes with the same problems, struggles, and shortcomings as everyone else. By the '70s, we see how the House of Ideas also elevated horror, sword and sorcery, and martial arts in its stable of titanic demigods, introducing iconic characters like Man-Thing, Conan, and Shang-Chi and proving that their brand of storytelling could succeed and flourish outside of the capes and tights. Behind it all, we get to know the extraordinary Marvel architects whose names are almost as familiar as the mortals (and immortals!) they brought to life-Stan "The Man" Lee, Jack "King" Kirby, and Steve Ditko, along with a roster of greats like John Romita, John Buscema, Marie Severin, Jim Steranko, and countless others. The result is a behind-the-scenes treasure trove and a jewel for any comic fan's library, brimming with the innovation and energy of an invincible era for Marvel and its heroes alike. 2020 MARVEL

První vydání komiksové adaptace kultovního filmu Drákula Francise Forda Coppoly vyšlo již v roce 1992, tedy současně s premiérou filmu. Původní filmový scénář, převyprávěný legendárním Royem Thomasem a v té době vycházející hvězdou Mikem Mignolou (který se na filmu podílel jako jeden z výtvarníků), se dočkal nadšeného přijetí veřejností. Neustále rostoucí věhlas tohoto zpracování byl ještě umocněn tím, že po dlouhou dobu nebyl vydán žádný dotisk. Tento komiks je tedy jedinou možností, jak vidět Coppolovo pojetí Drákuly v jeho pravděpodobně nejpůvodnější podobě, a zároveň také možností se seznámit s posledním velkým projektem Mikea Mignoly před stvořením Hellboye.

První vydání komiksové adaptace kultovního filmu Drákula Francise Forda Coppoly vyšlo již v roce 1992, tedy současně s premiérou filmu. Původní filmový scénář, převyprávěný legendárním Royem Thomasem a v té době vycházející hvězdou Mikem Mignolou (který se na filmu podílel jako jeden z výtvarníků), se dočkal nadšeného přijetí veřejností. Neustále rostoucí věhlas tohoto zpracování byl ještě umocněn tím, že po dlouhou dobu nebyl vydán žádný dotisk. Tento komiks je tedy jedinou možností, jak vidět Coppolovo pojetí Drákuly v jeho pravděpodobně nejpůvodnější podobě, a zároveň také možností se seznámit s posledním velkým projektem Mikea Mignoly před stvořením Hellboye.

Crom! This inaugural volume ushers in Marvel's line of definitive Savage Sword of Conan collections. Full-color covers, letters pages, pinups, extensive articles and reviews on Conan, his world and his creator -everything's included just as no one is spared the vengeance of Conan! After the breakout success of Conan's color comic, Marvel brought the legendary sword-and-sorcery saga of Robert E. Howard's hero to its black-and-white magazine line. In lushly illustrated novel-length adventures with all the drama, violence and allure the comic book medium can off er, writer Roy Thomas and Marvel's greatest artists craft a host of Conan classics like Barry Windsor-Smith's "Red Nails" and John Buscema's "Black Colossus" and "A Witch Shall Be Born" featuring the infamous Tree of Death are just the beginning! COLLECTING: SAVAGE TALES (1971) 1-5; SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN (1974) 1-12, SPECIAL (1975) 1

The greatest saga in sword-and-sorcery history begins - the saga of Conan! Born on a battlefi eld in the frozen lands of Cimmeria, Conan fights his way through the untamed Hyborian kingdoms, sparing no man, woman or wizard his wrath. His adventures will become legend. He will become king. Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith brought Robert E. Howard's iconic creation to four-color life with work that set new standards for comic book storytelling. Marvel is honored to present each story, each cover and each letters page - all painstakingly restored to match the majesty of the original editions. In these early exploits, Conan ventures from his homeland for the fi rst time, honing his skills as a thief, mercenary, pirate and above all, warrior! COLLECTING: CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1970) 1-26; MATERIAL FROM CHAMBER OF DARKNESS (1969) 4; SAVAGE TALES (1971) 1, 4

They debuted in 1963, but weren't the instant sensations that the Fantastic Four or Spider-Man had been; twenty years later, they were the most exciting (or x-citing!) property in comics. Fans couldn't get enough of Wolverine! Storm! Cyclops! Beast! Nightcrawler! Jean Grey! Not to mention Professor X, and his nemesis, Magneto! The X-Men brought a level of nuance and storytelling sophistication that hadn't been seen in mainstream comics, and now, with thousands of comics, and ten feature films to date, the X-Men have cemented their place as one of the greatest super hero teams in history. With 192 pages of images, and text by Roy Thomas, The Little Book of X-Men will be your favorite guide to comics' greatest mutant team! (c) MARVEL

In 1962, he was created by exposure to gamma radiation in Incredible Hulk No. 1. Though it took a few years for him to develop his now-famous personality, he was nonetheless a weapon of destruction from that first appearance. Not only did the Hulk fight anyone who got in his way, but his alter ego, Bruce Banner, fought the multiple personality disorder that transformed him, spawning many other versions of the Hulk, each of whom were aspects of Bruce's personality. Despite that, the Hulk took down the Leader, the Abomination, and Wolverine, among hundreds of other great villains. The star of a smash-hit TV show, two blockbuster movies, and hundreds of great comics, he's one of the most instantly recognizable characters in the world. With 192 pages of images, and text by Roy Thomas, The Little Book of Hulk will be an indispensable guide to comics' most savage hero! (c) MARVEL