The Complete Gizmo by Michael Dooney (missing anything?)

[DrSpengler]

So I was thinking about incorporating reviews of Michael Dooney's "Gizmo" series into my site simply because...I like Gizmo.

However, the frustrating thing about Gizmo is that 50% of the series exists as back-up strips splattered across a dozen obscure indy comics from the 80s, some by Mirage, some by others.


So here's what I've got and I'd like to know if I'm missing anything and preferrably what issues of what comics I should try and hunt down:


Domino Chance #7 (November, 1983), "Our Hero, Gizmo Sprocket"
Domino Chance #8 (December, 1983), "Shopping Spree"

Gizmo (Vol. 1) #1 (May-June, 1985), "A Gasket in Need is a Gasket Indeed!"

Michaelangelo (microseries) #1 (December, 1985), "One Unconventional Robot"

Gizmo (Vol. 2) #1 (1986), "That Was No Teddy Bear, That Was My..."
Gizmo (Vol. 2) #2 (1986), "Finally Shandaar!"
Gizmo (Vol. 2) #3 (1986), "Bits an' Pieces"
Gizmo (Vol. 2) #4 (1986), "A Gasket in Need is a Gasket Indeed" (reprint with new frontispiece), "Peace on the Line"
Gizmo (Vol. 2) #5 (March, 1987), "Lions an' Robots an' Girls oh my!"
Gizmo (Vol. 2) #6 (July, 1987), "A Ghost of a Chance"

Gobbledygook (Vol. 2) #1 (December, 1986), "Shopping Spree" (reprint)

Grunts #1 (November, 1987), "Monuments"

The Collected Gizmo (December, 1988), Gizmo (Vol. 2) #1-6 (reprints), "King for a Day", "One Unconventional Robot" (reprint), "Peace on the Line" (reprint), "Monuments" (reprint)

Gizmo and the Fugitoid #1 (June, 1989), Book One
Gizmo and the Fugitoid #2 (July, 1989), Book Two

Mirage Minicomics Collection story #5 (1989), "Reflections on a Metal Face"

Plastron Cafe #1 (December, 1992), "Sirensong"

TMNT (Vol. 4) #6 (October, 2002), "A Few Small Repairs"


Then there's also one page character cameos in:


TMNT (Vol. 1) #47 (May, 1992), "Masks, Part II"

Tales of the TMNT (Vol. 2) #33 (April, 2007), "Credo"


Now, is that everything? Have I missed any other Gizmo stories printed in some other obscure indy books?

Any help would be awesome.

[oldmanwinters]

Great idea, Spengs, I've also become a Gizmo fan, largely because I'm a Dooney fan. I can't add anything to your list, but I just thought I'd recount a lucky score in picking up The Collected Gizmo TPB signed by Dooney (with a mini-sketch of Fluffy Brockelton) for a mere $3. That was a good day...

[willtupper]

To kind of off-shoot this thread, are any of you all familiar with... I think it was called "Starker Helm: Robot Hunter-Hunter" that (again, I think) the mighty Dooney did?

I don't remember too much (obviously), other than the art was astounding, the story fun and inspiring, and my wishing there had been more than the one back-up story about him/them that I read in the back of a Gizmo issue (maybe).

[DrSpengler]

To kind of off-shoot this thread, are any of you all familiar with... I think it was called "Starker Helm: Robot Hunter-Hunter" that (again, I think) the mighty Dooney did?

I don't remember too much (obviously), other than the art was astounding, the story fun and inspiring, and my wishing there had been more than the one back-up story about him/them that I read in the back of a Gizmo issue (maybe).

Yeah it was a back-up in one of the Gizmo (Vol. 2) comics. I thought it was alright, though I actually misremembered it for a while as an origin for Gizmo-himself (because the damaged robot Starker Helm rescues and takes home for repairs very vaguely looked like Gizmo). I was surprised how wrong I was when I reread it recently.


And there's a Collected Gizmo? What all's in it? Any new material exclusive to the collection?

[oldmanwinters]

And there's a Collected Gizmo? What all's in it? Any new material exclusive to the collection?

It contains reprints of Gizmo Vol. 2 #1-6 (at least the main stories), "King for a Day" (Renet makes an appearance),"One Unconventional Robot", "Peace on the Line," "Monuments," Peter Laird introduction, and a nice 80s photo/bio of Mike Dooney.

I'll try to get you some scans if you like.

[DrSpengler]

It contains reprints of Gizmo Vol. 2 #1-6 (at least the main stories), "King for a Day" (Renet makes an appearance),"One Unconventional Robot", "Peace on the Line," "Monuments," Peter Laird introduction, and a nice 80s photo/bio of Mike Dooney.

I'll try to get you some scans if you like.

At least "King for a Day" and "One Unconventional Robot" sound like new material, or at least reprinted from a source I'm unfamiliar with.

The Renet one *really* interests me, especially if its a serious piece and not a silly parody comic.

[John Pannozzi]

Army Surplus Komikz Featuring Cutey Bunny # 5 featured an illustration by Dooney of "Gismo Sprocket".

[oldmanwinters]

It really speaks to the obscurity of the Gizmo series that this thread comes up as Google's #1 hit with I searched for:
dooney gizmo

The comic really does need an Encyclopedia-style treatment. It's such good stuff.

EDIT: Apparently, Dooney did shoot Playmates some Gizmo action figure proposals. Too bad they never got the ok, it looks like they would have had great play value:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrible2z/2321170202/in/set-72157611143189065/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrible2z/3296608124/in/set-72157611143189065/

[VaughnMichael]

It really speaks to the obscurity of the Gizmo series that this thread comes up as Google's #1 hit with I searched for:
dooney gizmo

The comic really does need an Encyclopedia-style treatment. It's such good stuff.

EDIT: Apparently, Dooney did shoot Playmates some Gizmo action figure proposals. Too bad they never got the ok, it looks like they would have had great play value:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrible2z/2321170202/in/set-72157611143189065/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrible2z/3296608124/in/set-72157611143189065/
Yeah that comes from Dooneys comic book styled sketch book it's full of great drawings and figure designs.

[DrSpengler]

I'd seen the Gizmo toy sketch before, but not Omzig. Would've been great to have seen HIM in the comics, at least (even if villains like that didn't really exist in the fun and fancifree world of the Gizmo comics; perhaps as a spoof?).

[oldmanwinters]

Yeah that comes from Dooneys comic book styled sketch book it's full of great drawings and figure designs.

I'd love to see that book, or least some more scans!

[VaughnMichael]

I'd love to see that book, or least some more scans!
I'm on it!

[oldmanwinters]

I'm on it!

Oh, joy! :thyper:

[John Pannozzi]

Turns out that "One Unconventional Robot" was originally published in the Michelangelo microseries (http://www.cbdb.com/action.lasso?-database=comics_.fp3&-layout=Master&-response=record_detail.htm&-recordID=43996&-search).

[DrSpengler]

Turns out that "One Unconventional Robot" was originally published in the Michelangelo microseries (http://www.cbdb.com/action.lasso?-database=comics_.fp3&-layout=Master&-response=record_detail.htm&-recordID=43996&-search).

Huh. You know, I own a copy of the first printing of Michaelangelo #1 and forgot it was in there (went back and checked just now to be sure).

Thanks! I updated my list.

[oldmanwinters]

Turns out that "One Unconventional Robot" was originally published in the Michelangelo microseries (http://www.cbdb.com/action.lasso?-database=comics_.fp3&-layout=Master&-response=record_detail.htm&-recordID=43996&-search).

This fact also slipped by me! I assume this happened in the second printing?

[DrSpengler]

This fact also slipped by me! I assume this happened in the second printing?

Naw, first printing. I have both the original and the "Christmas Special" second printing and checked em both.

[tyciol]

I don't suppose anyone would know if "King for a Day" was printed in anything besides complete Gizmo? I really want to read anything involving Renet and was wondering if there was a more TMNT-specific volume that included it. Even if it does focus on Gizmo, I'm more in it for Renet.

Would love to see some kind of McGillicutty-Tilley teamup if TMNT ever revisits time travel. Preferably the genius mutant one.

[DrSpengler]

I don't believe "King for a Day" was ever printed any place other than The Collected Gizmo.

[DK2]

That Collected Gizmo is not an easy book to find.

[wilddiverse]

I got a copy by asking about the book when placing an order with Mirage two years ago. They might still have some to sell.

[DK2]

Oh really? Maybe I'll ask them if I put in another order one day. I'm still wanting to try out Peter and Jim's "Planet Racers" books and Jim's "Paleo". Has anyone read these and say if their worth the read? Yeah I'll try and ask about Collected Gizmo. Don't get why they don't even just list it on the order listing. Thats like the 2nd or 3rd on these boards that others have told me "Mirage may still have it" or "I got mine from Mirage but they just don't list it". Kinda strange bizness pratice to not show actually what really you have?
*Just looked back on my post and I don't know why the "Paleo" book is linked to cook book at all. *

[DK2]

I ordered the Gizmo trade from Mirage just now. After "wilddiverse" mentioned this, I asked Dan at Mirage and he said that it was correct they still had it and that he was surprised that they had stock of this book and he'd put it on the site soon to order online. I initially tried to order last week but you can't do it when the online page doesn't allow you to order books that ain't on the list. Calling Katie didn't help either as she wasn't sure how to process the order other than trying to substitute Gizmo book as some other book. Never the less she thought it best to order later and wait for the Gizmo book to be listed by Dan. Finally it was up this week. So I ordered. Its amazing what Mirage may actually have in stock when they don't even know themselves. My brother ordered all of the Archie TMNT digest books but was unable to get #1 from Mirage. Now the last few weeks they have #1's digest in stock again. This was shortly after one of Peter Lairds discovered boxes at home and dropped off the stuff at Mirage. Another time someone on these boards mentioned one of the two TMNT portfolio's from Mirage and I tried to order the one but Dan said they have it in stock but all the portfolios were taken apart and he wasn't sure any were even "complete". So he's never bothered to list that at all. What else does Peter Laird possess in his TMNT holdings? Its unreal.

[TitoGa]

I've looked for this particular book in a lot of places, to no avail at all, mostly for the "King for a Day" story. Any ideas about where I'll be able to order it, or at least read it online? There's not a lot of Gizmo material and as soon as I readed about the existance of this one the itching started and is currently growing at an astonishing rate... :tsad:

[DrSpengler]

I've looked for this particular book in a lot of places, to no avail at all, mostly for the "King for a Day" story. Any ideas about where I'll be able to order it,

You can buy it directly from Mirage:

http://miragelicensing.com/paypal/trades.html

Scroll down to the very bottom.