Friday, May 25, 2007

Walk like an Egyptian

I know, I know... quite a few of you are all jazzed up today because it's the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars film, which premiered in theaters on this date in 1977.

SSTOL regulars know that I'm not much of a Star Wars fan. I've mentioned before that when the original film opened, I saw it twice — not because I was enthralled by it, but because everyone else I knew babbled so enthusiastically about the picture that I was certain they couldn't be talking about the same cheesy, derivative, abysmally acted movie I saw the first time. So this 30-year celebration holds no joy for me.

On the other hand, here's a news flash that gets my motor running.



This week, the media distribution company BCI announced the upcoming DVD release of The Secrets of Isis, the classic '70s TV series starring JoAnna Cameron as the lovely and stalwart Egyptian-flavored superheroine. The complete three-disc box set will be available on July 24.

Now that's what I'm talking about.



It's about time the mighty Isis received her just due. I speak here of the original, accept-no-substitutes model, not the almost unrecognizable "reimagined" version of Isis that DC Comics trotted out in the weekly comic series 52 recently — the one whose death triggered the worldwide slaughter perpetrated by Captain Marvel's nemesis, Black Adam. And certainly not the Isis-in-name-only who appears from time to time in The Legend of Isis, a comic book created by Bluewater Productions. (In fairness, I do enjoy the latter series for what it is, even though I wish they'd called the lead character by a different name. It's a fun, entertaining comic. I highly recommend the trade paperback that incorporates the first several issues.)

So, in celebration of the announced DVD release, here's my little tribute to the Saturday morning superstar. Leading off, Isis takes to the skies, in this recently commissioned artwork by Michael McDaniel.



Next, we get Isis up close and personal, in a nicely rendered portrait by Scott Jones, the artist better known as Shade.



Finally, the great Michael Dooney takes Isis back to her Egyptian roots, in this stylish, beautifully delineated piece.



I can hardly wait for July 24. "O mighty Isis!"

And that's your Comic Art Friday.

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1 insisted on sticking two cents in:

Anonymous Donna offered these pearls of wisdom...

Here's one thing we share in common Uncle Swan. Neither of us jumps with enthusiasm over "Star Wars" and its latter prequels. I never forked over my hard earned cash to buy a theater ticket for the movie, nor have I watched it play on HBO or Cinemax.

The media has published enough movie clips over time that I do know who Darth Vader is. My teenaged daughter is a fan of the prequels as well as the original sequels (from our days).

I do take much delight in teasing her from time to time with the line, "Luke, I am your father" in my best impression of the voice of James Earl Jones, aka Darth Vader. Teenagers are a challenge to raise and they often get under our skins. That makes it all the more delightful to know that I as a parent have gotten under the skin of my teenager!

Thanks for making me smile today. Hope the smile is infectious and gets right back to you!

1:57 PM  

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