1983: BLIP MAGAZINE COVER GALLERY (Marvel Comics)

This is a short-lived (and long-forgotten) footnote in the history of Marvel Comics: their 1983 venture into the booming world of video games: BLIP MAGAZINE.

Marvel presumably found the going too tough in the choppy world of magazine publishing and put the kibosh on the monthly after a mere seven issues.

I've also posted the "star" (ahem) packed article from the launch issue.  It's an uncanny premonition of things to come: cover boy Matthew Laborteaux (THE RED HAND GANG) went on to star in CBS' WHIZ KIDS later the same year.  Did this cover help sway the decision of the producers?  I love the non-Hollywood sticky plaster on his hand as well.  How glamourous!  Some of the other star names are more "who the frak?" and note that TRONner Bruce Boxleitner wasn't going to lower himself to actually appear in the magazine.

And - Nicholas - move on: your Spidey TV show was cancelled waaaaay back in 1979.

I posted - a long time ago - more from the 2nd issue.  Find it here.

1982: MARVEL'S BLIP MAGAZINE AND SPIDER-MAN GAME

Here's a two-for-one entry in the pantheon of long-forgotten geek items... Marvel's venture into the realms of video games publishing, BLIP MAGAZINE (Issue 2, March 1983).  And this issue is understandably hyping the latest release from (appropriately) Parker Brothers games: Spider-man!  Perfect synergy!

It's a great chance to see an early demonstration of Stan Lee's acting chops.

Just to make sure no-one missed the point, Blip even ran an exclusive six-page Spidey strip with John Romita art!

Blip Magazine (February - August 1983) clocked-up a mere seven issues before getting the chop.