R.I.P. Hulk Artist Herb Trimpe

I was devastated when I heard that Herb Trimpe had passed away. He was one of my favorite Hulk artists. The first issue of The Incredible Hulk I remember having was #191 (Sept. 1975).

I really wish I could have met him at one of his convention appearances. Rest in peace Mr. Trimpe.

See a complete list of his work on ComicBookDB.

From New York Post --

Prominent comic-book artist and Wolverine co-creator Herb Trimpe died at his home in upstate Hurley, N.Y., on Monday. He was 75.

Trimpe is credited as being the first comic-book artist to sketch the Wolverine character for publication back in 1974, when the clawed crusader made his debut in an issue of The Incredible Hulk.

During his time as an artist for Marvel Comics, Trimpe drew for other titles like Spider-Man, G.I. Joe, Godzilla, Captain America and Iron Man.

Before he started earning a living at his trade, Trimpe served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He enrolled at Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts upon returning home.

“He loved drawing but his real passion was airplanes,” said his wife of seven years, Patricia Velasquez-Trimpe. “He loved writing fiction, and had actually been writing just before he died.”

In the weeks and months after the 9/11 terror attacks, Trimpe, an Episcopalian deacon, worked at the World Trade Center site, serving as a chaplain. He also worked to clear away rubble.

“That was just his nature,” said Trimpe’s step-daughter, Natalia, 25. “He just wanted to help out, so when 9/11 happened, he just felt like he had to do whatever he could.”

His work after 9/11 earned him the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, an award given to artists in comics and animators who work tirelessly in their private lives to serve society.

After leaving monthly comics, Trimpe continued producing art and making public appearances at comic book conventions around the world.

He had just been meeting and greeting fans in New Jersey over the weekend at the East Coast Comicon at the Meadowlands Expo Center.

“He enjoyed people recognizing his work and seeing his fans,” his wife said. “We had a wonderful life together.”

Steel City Con Part 3: Stuff I Didn't Buy

Of course I saw a ton of stuff I would like to have, but just didn't have the funds for it.

 I actually have most of these cards. But, it was really cool seeing them all together like this.

 MEGOS!

 Star Wars costumes.

 More Megos.

 Shogun Warriors! I wanted that Hulk cup.

 More Shogun Warriors. I just need that Hulk's shirt.

 Remco Monsters!

 A buck an Anakin!

 Love this Creature!

 I had this Marvel Comics Super Heroes Card Game when I was a kid.

 More old wax packs.

 A whole bunch of awesome right here.

 I had Oh Hell. I have The Six Million Dollar Man. I wish I had Land of the Lost and The Monster Squad.

G.I. Joe USS Flagg. This thing is frickin' huge!

Atlantic City: It's A Toy Store

A little over a week ago my wife and I spent a week in Atlantic City, NJ. I'm gonna (hopefully) make some posts about all of the cool things we saw there.

First up is toy store not too far away from Atlantic City in Richland, NJ. It's called "It's A Toy Store". They had a pretty good selection of vintage toys. Unfortunately there credit card machine wasn't working and I didn't have a lot of cash on me. But, I still picked up a couple of cool items for my collection. A Whitman Incredible Hulk round puzzle from 1982 for $3 and a 1975 7-11 Marvel Comics Dracula cup for $5.

Visit them on Facebook.

The Toys Time Forgot

About a month ago, I went to a vintage toy store in Canal Fulton, OH called The Toys Time Forgot. I nearly had a nerdgasm when I walked in there. My wife had went there around Christmastime to buy me some presents (see pics here) and the only other time I'd been there was probably about 15 or more years ago. I spent way too much time just admiring all of the wonderful collectibles (my wife was waiting in the car) and I finally walked out of there with three Marvel Legends Hulk figures and a bunch of packs of Star Wars and Battle of the Planets trading cards. I dealt with the owner (who is a great guy) and think I got a pretty good deal. They graciously allowed me to take some photos with my cell phone. The one thing I wish I would have photographed was a set of Funny Face mugs with pitcher. If you're ever in NE Ohio, I highly recommend visiting this store.

Wow! A Marx Creature from the Black Lagoon and a Mummy Soaky.



All kinds of great action figures here. Ideal STAR Team Zem 21 and Knight of Darkness. Battlestar Galactica Colonial Warrior. Buck Rogers Tigerman. Pulsar and his nemesis Hypnos. V alien. I still have a Zem 21 and my brothers Pulsar.



Jigglers! I had the Mummy.



Marvel Legends.

Statues and busts galore.



Poor Howdy Doody has been lynched! I had this ventriloquist dummy when I was a youngin'.

MEGOs!!!!



Holy crap! A carded Aqualad (although the back of the card was cut open).

I love Shogun Warriors!



These Groovie Goolies statues are awesome!



G.I. Joe. I still have pieces of Mike Power, Atomic Man.

DC Super Powers Collection and Mego Pocket Super Heroes.



This one's for my brother. The Fantastic Four.