Silver Age Gold

Sometimes We All Feel Like Punching An Elephant In The Face!! Strange Adventures #180, September, 1965

2011-07-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

When Julius Schwartz, a former literary agent for Science Fiction writers, became Editor-in Chief of DC Comics, the connection between Silver Age Super Heroes and Sci-Fi was cemented once and for all.

Starting with a revival of the Flash (in Showcase #4) and moving quickly to more sci-fi oriented re-envisionings of Green Lantern Hawkman, and the Atom, it was clear that the DC superhero of the late 50's and early 1960 was probably going to have some "scientific" explanation for his/her powers.

At the time, it was quite unusual for a new character (or even a new version of an established character) to debut in their own title. DC had comics devoted solely to trying out new material, such as Showcase and The Brave and the Bold. Showcase debuted the new Flash, Green Lantern, B'wanna Beast, The Atom, etc. The Brave and the Bold debuted the JLA.

But, with the aforementioned connection between the new breed of hero and Sci-Fi, is it any wonder that one such hero would find his home in the pages of one of DC's Sci-Fi anthology books, Strange Adventures?

Enter "The Man with the Animal Powers" . Or, as he would be known as of issue #190, Animal Man.

No, you won't find the familiar, orange and blue superhero duds here. A-Man's debut is very much in the vein of any other one-off Strange Adventures tale. Except he kept going. And going. Until eventually, he got his own catchy hero name and costume.

Sadly, he was not a big seller in his own time. It was not until the 1980's that Animal Man reached wide exposure in a landmark series by writer Grant Morrison and as a team member of Justice League Europe.

Interestingly, the character who would later be depicted as a very adamant animal rights activist, would make his debut punching an elephant in the face.

Check it out yourself. Enjoy "The Man With The Animal Powers" from Strange Adventures #180. September 1965 by Dave Wood and Carmine Infantino-

Will Buddy save those kids? Will he live to pop the question to Ellen?? Will he pummel more animals for our amusement??? For the answers to these and other questions, tune in tomorrow. Same Man With The Animal Powers time, same Man With The Animal Powers channel!!

Who Needs The EPA When You've Got A Radioactive Giant? Doctor Solar Man of the Atom #10, January, 1965

2011-07-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

In Doctor Solar Man of the Atom #10 by Dick Wood and Frank Bolle, the Earth's Polar Ice cap has fractured and is beginning to fissure into thousands of giant ice floes. The culprit is not Global Warming (yet) but rather a massive earthquake.

Deciding that this is "Washington stuff " (hey, the Navy doesn't even trust these guys with gloves) the "Big Berg" scouts send out a red alert that immediately gets forwarded to Atom Valley.

Luckily for those star-crossed nuclear physicists, Dr.Solar and Gail, Dr. Clarkson is on hand to explain the magnitude of the problem:

not Sverdrup!!

Anyway, a brain trust of scientists and military men is immediately called into action and Dr. Solar decides to attend- in his hero alter-ego of The Man of the Atom. For some reason, all the generals (and one snarky colonel who keeps calling Solar a "freak") want to use A-bombs to blow up or melt the icebergs. The Man of the Atom interjects that although he could melt the icebergs, it would flood the world. He also states that if he were to vaporize the ice, it would change our climate drastically, making Earth unlivable (like now). He does, however, propose another solution:

In order to pull this off, however, Solar is going to need more atomic energy than the Nuclear reactor at Atom valley can supply. Taking a tip from his own name, Solar heads to the biggest nuclear reactor he can find- Earth's Sun!

It's like a psychedelic, Dr. Solar Dance Party!!

Returning to Earth all charged up (the trip takes about 6 minutes at light speed) Solar seals the fissures in the Polar Ice Cap. He then returns to Atom Valley to make a startling discovery:

He's gotten big. Like Apache Chief big. Like Jimmy Olsen the Turtle Man big. BIG.

And, to make things weirder, there's suddenly a worldwide epidemic of electromagnetic disturbances. The Man of the Atom is immediately blamed.

I don't want to give away the rest of the story, but, as the cover implies, things get ugly before they get better. It is later discovered that the EM disturbances are caused by Sun Spots!

Also, I'm sure more than a few of you sharp cookies have noticed the resemblance between Doctor Solar and The Watchmen's Doctor Manhattan. Although Captain Atom is usually credited with being Dr. M's main inspiration, it's pretty apparent that more than a pinch of Dr. Solar has made it into that mix.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

2011-05-04T22:12:00.003-04:00

Okay, okay, so El Dorado is not actually a Silver Age character! And yeah, that's a Valentine's Day card! But still, I can't keep posting the "Green Arrow of Mexico" every year.

If anyone is still reading this more and more infrequent blog, I have plans to try and resurrect it soon as a more regular feature. So keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!

And you thought Batman was kinky!!!

2011-02-02T13:59:00.000-05:00

X-ray vision. A rant.

2010-11-08T17:02:00.000-05:00

Today being the 115th anniversary of the discovery of X-Rays, I thought I'd revive a classic post:

Since X-ray vision is one of Superman's most used powers in the Silver Age, and is therefore bound to come up time and time again in this blog, I just want to set a few things straight.

X-ray vision was created as a convenient way for Superman to locate people without tearing the roofs off of houses or crashing through walls a la Kool-Aid man. However, it soon grew in scope, becoming the source of Superman's later separately named Heat vision.

In countless issues, Superman uses his X-ray vision to fog film, irradiate things, weld things, and even recharge a dying star. I would like to say, right here and now, that X-ray vision (if it existed) DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!!!

Look, I'm an artist not a physicist, but even I understand how X-rays work.

Superman was given X-ray vision, the power to see through solid objects (except lead). X-ray machines work by projecting low-level radioactivity or X-rays, through a solid object and onto a piece of photographic film. When the film is developed, the X-rays have created an image which shows more dense material like bone or metal (which are harder for the rays to penetrate) which may be encased in less dense material, such as flesh or wood. Since Superman is an extraterrestrial with a different physiology, it is conceivable that his vision would extend beyond the range of human sight and allow him to see other wavelengths of light or radiation (some animals can see heat, for instance) However, this would mean that Superman's eyes RECEIVE X-rays, not TRANSMIT them.

If this is the case, Superman cannot just go around fogging film and boiling water, and Heat vision is moot, or completely separate.

Now that I've got that settled, On with the blog.

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - Aquaman

2010-09-10T08:00:00.003-04:00

Here we have it, the final entry in our Aquaman week. But the last is far from least!

Aquaman, like Wonder Woman already had an origin story from back in 1941. However, to bring him up to speed, the good folks at DC felt he needed a little "tweak". The following origin story was drawn by the absolutely incredible Ramona Fradon. Unfortunately, the writer's name is lost to time and uncertainty. From Adventure Comics #260, May 1959 here's "How Aquaman Got His Powers"

But wait! Apparently the Sea King was so awesome he warranted another telling of his origin a scant two years later. This time, the Atlantean angle is expanded upon and we learn more of Arthur's mother, Atlanna. From Showcase #30, January- Februay 1961 here's an excerpt from "The Creatures From Atlantis" by Jack Miller, with more art by the dazzling Ramona Fradon.

Because You Demanded It! Aquaman

2010-09-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

Two Aqua-Origins!

Not all heroes start with an origin story, but the good folks at DC felt that a guy who could breathe underwater and command sea creatures probably needed SOME explanation. Here, in an excerpt from the Dec, 1941 issue of More Fun Comics #73 we see Aquaman briefly explain his origin to a mystified sea captain:

It is interesting to note that Aquaman is not the first water-breathing superhero. That honor goes to Namor, The Sub-Mariner, who debuted in Marvel Comics #1 October, 1939. Aquaman's original origin is significantly different from the Sub-Mariner's, as the Sub-Mariner is the son of a human sailor and an Atlantean princess. However, in 1959, following the makeovers received by Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Flash, Hawkman and The Atom, Aquaman was refitted with a Silver Age revision to his origin which has a few familiar concepts:

I particularly like how he seems to have always worn an orange shirt and green pants.

One of the great things about Aquaman is his utter lack of a Secret Identity. He doesn't even have a name other than Aquaman until 1959. And even when he's revealed to be Arthur Curry, it's not like he's masquerading as , for instance, the bumbling second mate on a Coast Guard cutter or something equally inconvenient. He's just Aquaman. He lives in the sea. Being Aquaman is apparently a full-time job.

By the late 1960's, Aquaman was moved from just being a very helpful guy to being the king of Atlantis. I've always felt that Aquaman , forgive the expression, "jumped the shark" at that point.

Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown, as they say, and by the 70's Aquaman became a very heavy cat. Always worried about pollution and the good of Altlantis. He was no longer the happy-go-lucky superhero stopping pirates and delivering letters to remote islands. He had a wife and a baby son and tons of responsibility. And his villains started getting more and more aggressive.

Honestly, when I read the Silver Age Aquaman, I become nostalgic for a simpler time (in comics, anyway) where superheroes were pure adventure and no writer would have EVER thought of killing off a superhero's infant child just to boost readership.

R.I.P Aqua-Baby.

Aquagirl!!

2010-09-08T20:00:00.000-04:00

In the Silver Age, it became a popular theme to experiment with creating a female version of a popular male hero. Some of those characters are still around today, in one form or another; Batwoman, Batgirl, Supergirl...

But how many of you remember the original Aquagirl?

Aquaman rescues a girl from drowning, only to discover that she can't drown. Which is news to her, too.

After a series of field tests to determine the limits of young Lisa's aquatic powers and a hasty interview with the young lady's folks, Aquaman is completely baffled as to how Lisa can perform the same sort of aquatic feats as The Sea King.

Stopping by the next day to see how Lisa is doing. Aquaman gets an unwanted surprise

Geez, Arthur, try not to be such a dick! No wonder you live alone in a cave at the bottom of the sea. But hey, Aquaman is right. Superheroing is no business for amateurs. I mean, just look at the kinds of serious situations a seafaring superbeing runs into on a daily basis:

Thank God Aquaman was there! If he hadn't stopped by with Topo, poor Oswald may have had to wait for a passing shipload of T.G.I.Friday's servers!

Later, on patrol, Aquagirl suddenly siezes up and is no longer able to breathe underwater. Aquaman rushes her to the surface, where he explains to her about her mysterious new powers:

Whew! That was a close one! Aquaman almost got saddled with having to share his realm with a beautiful young woman. Now he can go home with his octopus and cry himself to sleep. After all, the ocean is made up of the tears of lonely Aquamen.

Something is Fishy in local Law Enforcement. "Aquaman and his Sea Police" Adventure Comics #264

2010-09-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

This may be one of my all-time favorite Aquaman stories.

It seems the recently flooded (and totally made up) city of New Venice is having some trouble with keeping law and order in its streets, er, canals. So, they call for good ol' Aquaman to come and keep the peace. I guess it was cheaper than buying a couple of boats for the New Venice PD.

Aquaman knows just what to do. He brings in a posse of his finny fins from the briny deep and in no time, they're using their aquatic antics to stop speeders, litter bugs, pickpockets and even a bunch of yahoos fishing out of season.

This has GOT to be a violation of these men's constitutional rights!

What grabs me most about this story, is the wonderful setting. New Venice seems like an ideal locale for Aquaman. He can interact easily with people and still get back to water every hour. He can fight crime in the city and still patrol the seas. There was a brief (read as: ONE issue) attempt in the 70's to take him back to New Venice, but it was never picked up. If I were writing a monthly Aquaman comic (and God willing, someday I will) I would totally set it in New Venice. But then, like most fanboys, I have a whole agenda of things I would do "IF".

As always, the brilliant artwork by Ramona Fradon is some of the best of it's age.

Black Manta- a brief, off-topic rant

2010-09-06T08:00:00.002-04:00

Gee, I dunno. Maybe because Manta rays are black? Oh! And you're a pirate. Pirates like being called "Black" something. Like "Black Bart" Roberts. Also, I can't help but notice that your costume and manta-shaped submarine are black. I'm sensing a design motif here. Aquaman fought a high-tech pirate named Harry Black in the 60's... he was a white dude. Heck, I always thought maybe HE was Black Manta.

I can't believe that in a market flooded with blaxploitation heroes and villains who had black in their names for no obvious reason -I'm looking at you Black Lightning and Black Goliath- someone decided Black Manta should be a black guy. I mean, I couldn't care less what BM's ethnicity is, but "Or have you never wondered why I'm called Black Manta?" . No, I never have. I just assumed it was because of the aforementioned penchant you have for your whole noir ensemble. I didn't realize that someone out there felt there weren't enough black criminals in popular fiction.

Why Aquaman is actually pretty cool

2010-09-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes, we've all heard the jokes about how Aquaman is a useless character whose only ability is that he talks to fish. Comedians from The State to Dave Chapelle have made that observation. Even "Family Guy" spent about three minutes on Aquaman asking a fish to get him a beer. Sure, I laughed too, but where did all this Aquaman abuse stem from?

In the 1940's and 1950's, Aquaman was a solid backup feature in comics like More Fun and Adventure and World's Finest. Every issue, there was Aquaman, using his unique superpowers to rescue ships at sea and battle modern pirates and alien invaders. He was to the Coast Guard what Batman was to the Police Department. Aquaman's powers are limited to his ability to "talk to fish". They include:

1. The ability to breathe underwater. When Aquaman was created, reliable scuba gear was still in the future. The very idea of being able to breathe and move about underwater without cumbersome equipment was the stuff of dreams.

2. The ability to command every living creature in the seas. Far from just talking to fish, Aquaman can telepathically tell them to do anything, and they obey without question. That's not small potatoes. When was the last time Superman commanded a pod of whales to carry a sinking ship to port?? (Okay, not that he'd have to. He could just fly the ship there himself, but you get the idea).

3. Superhuman strength. Aquaman is far stronger than a normal man. His muscles are able to withstand the crushing pressures of the ocean depths and his legs can propel him through the water at a superhuman pace. Not even Michael Phelps could out swim a dolphin.

So how did Aquaman become the butt of so many jokes? It all starts with the Justice League of America. In 1959, DC decided to revive the cross-title super team concept they had invented in the 1940's with their Justice Society of America. The idea of a "Society" seemed stuffy and old-fashioned by the late 50's, so the new team was called the Justice League, which sounded vaguely athletic. The roster of the new team included DC's big guns, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman had been part of the old JSA, too- she served as the team's secretary :P )but also featured some of DC's newcomers, the new Flash and Green Lantern and stalwart backup stars Martian Manhunter and Aquaman.

Although the newly formed JLA made Aquaman even more recognizable, it began to hurt his standing. Here's how: You have a super-hero team featuring seven superheroes. The writer has to write an adventure in which each of these heroes plays a role. One of your team's members can only live out of water for an hour. No writer could come up with a plot every single month that called for some reason why someone would need to take care of a menace in the ocean. Basically, because he's more of a specialist superhero, Aquaman was left standing around with very little to do in a lot of JLA stories.

Still, Aquaman was a pretty cool character and readers recognized that. He got his own solo comic at last and in 1967, he got his own animated TV show.

Well, technically he shared a TV show with reruns of last year's Superman cartoons, but his name was in the title. Aquaman was becoming a household name. Then, The Super-Friends happened.

On the Super-Friends, Aquaman was back to standing around doing very little. Sure,the ocean was a hot topic in the environmentally-conscious 1970's, and the A-man got some screen time in the earliest episodes (which were usually about pollution and/or misguided scientists trying to fix the world by force) but as the show went on, Aquaman was usually on monitor duty or babysitting Wendy and Marvin or the Wonder Twins.

Maybe even more bizarre, was the Super-friends' writers' tendency to pair Aquaman up with Wonder Woman. "What's that? He can't breathe out of water for more than an hour? Well, he should be perfectly fine riding shotgun in the Invisible Jet." In at least one episode, the Super-Friends get a Troubalert that there is an alien menace under the sea. So, of course, they send Batman and Robin in the Bat-sub while Aquaman stands around twiddling his thumbs. *sigh*

I guess my point, if I must have one is that there is nothing fundamentally uncool about Aquaman conceptually. It just takes a talented writer to see his full potential.

Aquaman- King of the Sea and a heck of a nice guy. Adventure Comics #262

2010-09-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Back before Aquaman met Aqualad, or Mera (the future Mrs. Aquaman), or became the ruler of Atlantis, he had a LOT more time to dedicate to his sea creature friends. Topo the octopus, in particular, seems to have been a sort of de facto sidekick. It's only natural, then, that Aquaman should want to see to the well-being of his finny friends. He spends four out of his alloted 6 pages tending to sick and injured sea creatures.

It's pretty obvious that the Sea King has no prior veterinary experience, as he uses a live lobster to pull a shark's bum tooth and uses a live swordfish to jimmy a turtles stuck head out of it's shell. He even shuts a feverish whale in a glass room full of icewater (the ice was chipped from an iceberg) seemingly forgetting that the whale will need to breathe at some point.

Still, his good deeds are rewarded, as his fish friends come to his rescue when he is wounded fghting some pirates on page four. The sea creatures perform emergency surgery on Aquaman. Electric eels give him electro-shock and swordfish probe for and remove bullets while lantern fish form a light fixture. Miraculously, he recovers.

This story, although absurd, is positively charming and unforgettable. Although the story itself remains uncredited, it is a masterpiece of the short-form comics story, cramming loads of action into five and a half pages. The surrealness of the splash panel is only foreshadowing of the child-like marvels to come. All of this is beautifully enabled by the brilliant artwork of Ramona Fradon, one of the truly great artists of the 1950's.

I Consider myself SCHOOLED! By My Five-Year-Old!

2010-08-19T19:56:00.003-04:00

So this evening, we had the TV tuned in to Boomerang (I rightly thought my oldest boy would enjoy Atom Ant). I was in the kitchen talking with my wife, when the oh-so-familiar strains of the Space Ghost theme drifted in from the living room. Instantly, my 5-year-old appeared in the doorway- "DADDY! Space Ghost is on!". The Boy is no stranger to superheroes (imagine that) and has seen the entire run of Space Ghost -at least the original 1960's version-at least once.

Still, I was struck by his unbridled enthusiasm and I'm a sucker for Space Ghost, so I joined him in the living room. There, on the screen, a diminutive yet macrocephalic villain was commanding
several sinister-looking alien beasts. "Oh, look!" I said, "It's the Creature King!".

"That's not the Creature King;" said the Boy, "the Creature King is green."

"Nah, " I said "that's the Creature King. You're thinking of that bad guy on the Herculoids who's kinda like the Creature King."

Two seconds later the villain in question was referred to by name. That name was The Sorcerer.

"Oh." , I said. "It's the Sorcerer. You're right."

After a few moments contemplation the Boy spoke again. "Maybe the Sorcerer and The Creature King are friends..."

You have snatched the pebble from my hand, Grasshopper. You are now ready.

The Illegal Alien Problem. They're Taking Our Superhero Jobs!

2010-08-04T08:05:00.000-04:00

Since Arizona's new Immigration Law has been in the news lately, ad nauseum, I thought I'd drag out another classic post. Also, I'm just too lazy to write anything new right now. I hope you enjoy it:

Seems like every day you read about another superhero job being filled by an illegal alien. I mean, first it was that guy from Krypton, going around acting like he was better than us. Next thing you know, he's bringing cousins and pets and a whole bottled city here, all taking our jobs and soaking up our yellow sunshine like there's no tomorrow.

Then, due to poor screening and security practices, the police department just hands out detective jobs to any old Martian who walks in off the street.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Next, a couple of winged weirdos from some place called Thanagar (try and find THAT on a map of the galaxy) come along and *poof!* they're in the Justice League of AMERICA. And I hear they got sweet jobs as museum curators or something. What? They too good to pick fruit or park cars?

And some Earthmen are even working for alien masters right under our noses. Did anybody ASK the Green Lantern Corps to send a guy to watch over Earth? I know I didn't. Who watches the watchmen? That's what I'd like to know!

And that Adam Strange guy! He should be here, using his skills to defend us, not some alien planet!

Even the Super-Friends internship went to a couple of aliens. Apparently, Wendy and Marvin (two decent, Earth teens) weren't good enough. The Super-Friends went and got a couple of aliens with "super powers" to take their slots. And they brought in a "space monkey". Did they even have to put that thing in quarantine??

No, it's gettin' so that a guy spends his whole life training and uses his millions of inherited dollars to become a crime fighter, only so he can see his job go to a bunch of "J'onny -come-lately's" from distant worlds. I, for one, find it sad.

Happy 4th of July- Marvel Style!

2010-07-04T19:11:00.002-04:00

I thought I'd celebrate our nation's independence by celebrating the Silver-Age debut of comicdom's greatest patriot- Captain America!

So, Happy 4th of July and SUCK IT, GEORGE III ! No Taxation without representation, BEE -YOTCH!!

Right off the bat, let me apologize. I had this post in mind for some time, thinking I had a reprint of Avengers#4. Turns out, the book I have that reprints it reprints a 6-page, abridged version of it. Near as I can tell, it mostly leaves out a big, Kirby fight.

In issue #4, The Avengers acquire a new member. A guy with all the charisma and leadership any superteam could ever ask for; Captain America.

This issue begins by reminding us of a big fight between the Avengers and the Sub-Mariner that took place last issue. We rejoin the Sub-Mariner on yet another rampage. After brooding about how much he hates the Human race, he decides to stop and hassle some Eskimos. These Eskimos are minding their own business, worshiping their idol; a dude frozen in a block of ice. Silly Eskimos.

Because he's just that big a jerk, Subby takes their idol and throws it into the ocean, where it just happens to drift into the Gulf Stream. The lump of ice slowly thaws out in the warm, Gulf Stream waters and reveals the floating body inside just as it happens to pass by a submarine (with the biggest interior any sub never had) filled with-you guessed it- The Avengers.

The Avengers marvel over the frozen corpse they've found and ponder his strange costume. Just then, the body springs to life and reveals himself to be Captain America.

When the Avengers question his authenticity, Cap challenges them to a fight. It's ALWAYS a fight with these people!

The Earth's Mightiest Heroes then get their asses handed to them by a guy who's been frozen for 20 years. You would think he'd have frostbite and muscular atrophy, at least.

Cap then recounts the strange tale of how he came to be there:

In 1945, while trying to defuse a flying bomb that is aimed at the U.S., Cap and his kid sidekick, Bucky are carried out over the North Atlantic Ocean. Something goes horribly wrong and the bomb explodes early, killing Bucky outright and throwing Captain America into the icy waters below. Cap is flash-frozen and slips into a state of suspended animation. He remembers nothing else, but, for some reason conjectures that he must have become frozen in a block of ice and then been found and worshiped by some Eskimos as a supernatural object...

Sure. Why not?

The Avengers dock their sub in New York Harbor and are greeted by a mob of reporters. Two seconds later, a bright flash occurs and the heroes are turned to stone. The ever-vigilant representatives of the Fourth Estate decide it must be some trick the Avengers used to dodge an interview.

Captain America emerges and puzzles over the odd poses of the "statues" of the Avengers, and then goes sight-seeing. At some point he checks into a hotel. I have no idea what he used for money. Cap does what any guy who just woke up in 1964 New York would do; he watches hotel TV.

His vegging out is interrupted by Rick Jones, who Cap mistakes for Bucky. Apparently Rick is a dead ringer for the late, lamented sidekick. I had just assumed that he looked similar because he was another Kirby drawing. To me, Rick always looked more like Snapper Car. Anyway, Rick has come to find Cap because the Avengers are missing.

The good Captain snaps out of his Rip Van Winkle funk and becomes a decisive man of action. Looking at photos taken at the dock that morning, Cap spots a guy with a device he's absolutely sure isn't a camera. Seems to me, since in Cap's mind people should be riding in flying cars by 1964, he would defer to Rick on that.

Cap is right, however, the "camera" is a ray gun in the possession of a stranded alien who was hired by the Sub-Mariner (Cap comments that he seems "to remember that name from the dim past"- "the dim past"? You mean the day before yesterday, when you and Subby were on the same side in WWII?) to turn the Avengers to stone. In exchange, The Sub-Mariner was to help the alien free his sunken ship from the ocean floor.

The alien explains that he has been stranded for thousands of years and gives hints that his frightening appearance and ability to petrify may have inspired the legend of Medusa. Oh! Good, I needed someone to rationalize Medusa for me.. now, where did we leave Thor??

Cap and Rick get the spaceman to revive the Avengers who help free his spacecraft and send him home. There are references to a big battle, but my copy skips all of that. *sigh*

For some reason, Captain America seems to act like he's really old. I mean, if you'd been frozen in a block of ice when you were 20 for two decades and suddenly revived with no memory of time passing, wouldn't you still be, like 20? Geez! at the most he's in his early 40's.

Sure, his slang and his world view would be different. But instead of acting all morose and grandpa-ish, wouldn't he be more likely to attack the staff at Benihana and make them pay for Pearl Harbor? Wouldn't he go to record stores looking for 78's of Glen Miller? Also, I don't remember anyone issuing you a discharge, Captain. Shouldn't you report for duty or something?

Junkyard of Doom-part 3- conclusion

2010-06-16T11:35:00.003-04:00

Finally (sorry, hectic week!) the conclusion of "Junk Yard of Doom!"

Junkyard of Doom-part 2

2010-06-11T11:52:00.002-04:00

I was advised that I had been remiss in not mentioning Bob Haney. Writer Bob Haney co-created Metamorpho, along with Eclipso, and an obscure super hero team called the "Teen Titans" or something.

Haney wrote mostly for DC and worked in nearly every genre. He is often remembered for the oft-reprinted "A Dirty Job" from Our Army At War #241. Mr. Haney passed away in 2004 after retiring to Mexico.

And now, Metamorpho!

The Element of Romance... Metamorpho!

2010-06-10T10:31:00.006-04:00

As most of you know, I'm a sucker for the art of Ramona Fradon. So, it's no surprise I'm a fan of her work on Metamorpho. Metamorpho is a rarity in DC's Silver Age, a hero with unwanted powers. Originally a dashing soldier of fortune, Rex Mason, Metamorpho gained his powers after finding a bizarre artifact "The Orb of Ra". Unfortunately, along with almost limitless power, Rex gained a shocking and hideous appearance.

Apart from the shape-changing fun, and the marginally educational inclusion of the names of various elements and chemical compounds as plot elements (no pun intended) this series delivered something unexpected- ROMANCE.

The main thrust of the series' plot is a bizarre love quadrangle- Rex Mason loves Sapphire Stagg. Sapphire loves Rex. Rex works for Sapphire's father, Simon Stagg. Simon Stagg's henchman- a surgically enhanced caveman named Java- loves Sapphire and hates Rex. Simon Stagg loves power and hates Rex for interfering with his hold over Sapphire... Basically it's a recipe for tension and tragedy that opens the door to lots of good story.

I hope you all enjoy part one of "The Junk Yard of Doom". I know I did.

Memorial Day- Lest We Forget

2010-05-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today being Memorial Day, I'd like to take a few moments to honor the memory of those brave Marines who gave their lives in three successive landing operations on Mystery Island. Recently, the Federal Government has declassified the details of this operation and the true story of those events can now be told. So, lest we forget, here is the full account of our third failed attempt to take "The Island of Armored Giants!":

I do want to take a moment here to sincerely thank our fighting men and women past, present and future for the sacrifices they have made for the country they loved.

I salute you!

Well, If You're Going to "Ape" Sherlock Holmes...

2010-05-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

What happens when you pair the Silver Age Green Lantern's writer with the Silver Age Flash's Artist? You get a back-up feature about a chimp who solves crime, that's what!

These days, it's not enough to have a chimp who's clever and observant, so the current incarnation of Detective Chimp is a superhumanly smart, talking chimp...but it was not always thus. Enjoy Bobo's humble beginnings as a back-up from The Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #4- "Meet Detective Chimp"

Spectergirl has a new blog!

2010-05-25T22:35:00.001-04:00

Yes, neither one of us can stop creating new blogs. This one, though is a true Labor of Love

"Need yet another blog in your life? Well I do! Please stop by and check out my new tribute to Lois Lane.

Gay for Lois Lane

Here I'll be sharing some of my favorite stories featuring the First Lady of Comics." -Spectergirl

I Have Yet Another Comics Blog!

2010-05-23T22:46:00.002-04:00

Today marks the debut of my newest comics blog, "Once Upon A Time In The West- In Comics".

If you like Westerns and/or Western comics, I think you'll enjoy it.

Happy Trails, Y'all!

Two Words for Jimmy Olsen: "DON'T TOUCH!"

2010-05-21T14:17:00.007-04:00

It's time again for more adventure with that loveable doofus, Jimmy Olsen!

Only Jimmy could #@$% up a free vacation! Once Jimmy gets bored watching the crane load all that fascinating scrap iron into the ship (Is the Daily Planet so cheap it sent these guys on a cruise on a cargo ship?) he goes for a stroll along the beach. Which is something else only Jimmy could screw up-

Jimmy finds a mysterious ray gun inside which, of course, he needs to start shooting at living things:

Not satisfied with the ecological chaos sure to be caused by an enormous pseudopod, Jimmy experiments further-

Well, Jimmy, if it's so @#$%-ing obvious, why did you need to try it again?

Jimmy heads back to the ship, where he learns Clark has missed the boat (he was needed in space as Superman). Lois shows Jimmy the souvenirs she purchased, including a small turtle. Clearly, Lois plans to unleash some ecological havoc of her own, introducing alien species to Metropolis' fragile ecosystem. You know she's just going to flush that little turtle like 2 weeks after she gets back.

Anyway, Jimmy drops the raygun and it irradiates him and the turtle, with unlikely consequences. Jimmy is turned into a giant turtle man. Which apparently means you become covered with green, hexagonal scales (but no shell) your eyes look like they're made from ping-pong ball halves, you sprout pointy ears (even though turtles have no external ears.) and you also manifest a snazzy pair of large, black breifs.

Oh! and you go on a mindlessly destructive rampage.

Superman returns from space just in time to intervene and learns more about this mysterious growth ray from an old girlfriend:

Superman then uses his own mad science to fix the problem:

Wouldn't shrinking a giant turtle man just get you a smaller turtle man? I'm so confused.

RIP Frank Frazetta

2010-05-13T10:05:00.002-04:00

Frank Frazetta died on May 10, 2010 at the age of 82.

Everyone dies. It's just a fact of life we all have to deal with sooner or later. Friends, loved ones, heroes.

I never met Frank Frazetta. I have no genuine, emotional tie to the man. Still, his passing makes me sad.

When I was a young teenager, I discovered the wonderful world of Conan the Barbarian paperbacks. Now, of course, those were written by Robert E. Howard (and heavily revised and altered by L. Sprague DeCamp) but -by virtue of their cover paintings- they were inextricably linked to the art of Frank Frazetta. Nearly all the books had covers by Frazetta. The rest had covers by Boris Valejo. I quickly became a connossieur of the Frazetta paintings. They had it all, anatomy, action, composition, and a raw, visceral quality that screamed "this IS battle".

Look at that horse! This whole piece is pure battle-madness!

The influence Mr. Frazetta had on the world of fantasy art is impossible to calculate. Inspired by the film "The Vikings" starring Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine, Frazetta eschewed a more historical look for his characters' costumes and went in a more theatrical direction, showing as much raw muscle as possible, but without the over-developed, body-builder look of his later imitators.

Frazetta's popularity may have been its own curse in some ways. The very raw qualities that made Howard's work ideal for Conan also appealed to the heavy metal and Southern rock crowd. Today, one of Frazetta's most iconic paintings "The Death Dealer"

Note the town on fire in the background and the vultures circling overhead.

is most commonly associated with the album covers of Molly Hatchet and with the juvenile, fantasy gore-fest comic "Death Dealer" produced by Glen Danzig.

I'm no longer a 14-year-old boy, wasting away a summer afternoon with a paperback. But, in a very real way, those painting by Frank Frazetta will always be a part of me. and I am saddened by his absense in my future.

As to comics- the subject of this blog- Frank Frazetta did TONS of comic book work in the 1940's and 1950's,

Walt Kelly and Carl Barks are lucky Frank discovered fantasy.

Most famously, Frazetta did The Shining Knight for DC. Clearly, at this stage of his development he was heavily influenced (like EVERYONE else) by Hal Foster's Prince Valliant.

Still, hints of his later work are there.

What other romance comic EVER looked like this??

These two Tarzan paintings are among my current favorite Frazetta pieces:

Chimps ARE scary. It's just a matter of context. And those tree shadows! I would kill to paint like that!

You can feel the gravity. AND the distance. The composition in this one just blows me away.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2010-05-09T08:02:00.001-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, to my wife, Amy and to all the mommies out there in internet land!

You like me! You Really Like Me!

2010-05-07T10:14:00.006-04:00

This morning, I discovered that Jacque of Sequential Crush had nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger Award. Well, to be honest, she's the third person to do so, but this is the first time I've understood how this is supposed to work. I was also previously nominated by Pajama Mom and by The Groovy Agent. I'm not bragging. Far from it. I feel sort of stupid that I didn't know what I was supposed to do :-P

So, first off, thank you Jacque! (And Cara and Lloyd).

Seven weird/fun things about me:

1. When I was in elementary school, I stayed home sick for a few days at my grandma's house. She encouraged me to do my homework and get get it out of the way. I didn't want to. She had cable. There was Scooby-Doo (on a week day!?!). She called me a procrastinator. I asked her what that meant. She told me to look it up. I told her I'd do it later. True story.

2. My wife, Amy, and I honeymooned at Walt Disney World. We've gone back 4 or 5 times, but only once since we had children.

3. I was born in Cincinnati, OH. When I was three, my parents moved us back to southwestern, WV. I lived in WV until I was 19, when I went away to college in Columbus, OH. I don't have a WV accent when I'm here, but when I'm with my family, or angry or tired, I start twanging like a banjo.

4. When I was 14 I was hit by a car while jaywalking across a 6-lane highway in Myrtle Beach, SC. I broke my pelvis and my leg. I still feel bad about how much I must have traumatized the lady who hit me.

5. I've had very few celebrity encounters. I met Bruce Campbell once. I stayed in a hotel with Darth Vader and Chewbacca. We ate lunch two tables over from Eric Clapton one afternoon in the cafeteria at the COSI science museum. I once took a phone call from Corben Bernsen when I worked at Highlights for Children. I no longer remember if he cancelled or renewed.

6. WhenI was in college, I took a comic book art class from Daryll Banks, who was the Green Lantern artist at the time. On the first day, in an effort to make conversation, I told him I hated that new Green Lantern costume. I didn't realize he was the one who created it! :0

7. I can pick up change off the floor by pinching it between my big and second toes.

Seven bloggers I nominate for a Kreativ Blogger Award:

Rob Kelly of The Aquaman Shrine. I love Aquaman. This man sifts through the sea king's trash, looking for keepsakes.

Jamie "Lysdexicus" Wilson of Hungry Comix. I get a little more artistically inspired every time I stop by.

SupermanFan.net. If you like Superman in all his selfish jerk glory, you'll love this.

Joakim Gunnarsson of Sekvenskonst(that's Swedish for "Sequential art"). Joakim has a great collection of cartoon art and he shares it with all of us via the internet. check it out.

Spectergirl. Well, okay, she's my wife, but I really think the time and effort she's put into ViewMaster 3-D Spectactular, Now in 2-D needs some recognition.

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for Charlton and Archie brand superheroes. It's like a parallel universe of comics out there. That's why I dig Charlton vs. Mighty MLJ.

And lastly, Indrajal Online. An amazing super-blog that is putting every issue of India's Indrajal Comics, in every available language, on the internet for your edification. Amazing!

So, there you go.

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - The Atom

2010-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Some more reader- requested material. I didn't have this story in my collection (although I have read it several times) but one of our readers, Neill, stepped up to plate and offered me these scans.

The Atom joined the JLA in Justice League of America #14, making him the second super-powered League-er to join.

There had been a Golden Age Atom, a small guy named Al Pratt who had no superpowers. He was just feisty. This new Atom, however, was a little more "super".

And here, from 1961's Showcase #34 "Birth of the Atom" by Gardner Fox, pencils by Gil Kane and inks by Murphy Anderson.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

2010-05-05T16:31:00.003-04:00

Green Arrow hangs out with the Green Arrow of Mexico. From "The Green Arrows of the World", by Bill Finger and Jack Kirby from Adventure Comics #25, July 1958

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - Green Arrow

2010-05-05T00:00:00.002-04:00

Much like Aquaman, Green Arrow spent most of his early career as a back-up feature. In fact, Green Arrow (and Speedy) debuted in the very same issue of More Fun Comics as Aquaman. Later,Green Arrow moved to Adventure Comics, followed shortly by Aquaman. Hey, us ruggedly-handsome blonde guys have to stick together.

In Justice League of America #4, Green Arrow became the first new member of the JLA since their first appearance in Brave and the Bold #28.

Green Arrow already had an origin (it involved Speedy, a lost plateau and an old Indian dude) , but it seems that 1959 was a good year for re-writes. From Adventure Comics #256, January 1959 here's "Green Arrow's First Case" by Ed Herron, drawn by Jack Kirby.

Holy Right-To-Left! It's Bat-Manga!

2010-05-03T22:37:00.007-04:00

As most of you probably know, your mild-mannered reporter is no great fan of Manga. At least not modern Manga, or American-made poseur Manga. Still, when I found the book "Bat-Manga" at the library, I was intrigued.

Back in 1966, Fox TV exported the Batman live-action TV show to Japan. Someone at the publishers of the Manga anthologies Shonen King and Shonen Gaho thought it would be a good idea if they had a Batman comic to tie in with it.

Now, the exporting of American comics is nothing new or special. We've been shipping the rights and artwork for our comics all over the world for 70+ years. Ususally, however, an American publisher, such as DC would send some Batman comics to another country, say Japan, they would be translated, re-typeset and published by the local publisher. In this case, the publisher decided it would be easier or better to simply hire Jiro Kuwata (former child prodigy and co-creator of 8-Man) to write and draw original Batman stories that were more "Japanese".

Kuwata had originally intended to take some time and teach himself to draw Batman in the style of the American comics. Publication scheduling did not allow for that, however, and Kuwata simply forged ahead drawing Batman in his own, personal style.

These comics are fascinating. They feel like you just picked up a Batman comic from another planet or another dimension. They are familiar and yet, alien.

Still recognizable are Batman and Robin:

and Clayface:

who is a pretty good fit for Japanese comics.

One of my favorite villains in these comics is "Lord Death Man" who keeps staging his own death. That storyline had a nice, eerie feeling that foreshadows the US Gothic Batmans of the 1970's.

Of course, no incarnation of Batman is complete without a few panels of *ahem* unfortunate dialogue:

And likewise, no Japanese comic is complete without a monster like this:

Seriously though, this book is really an interesting glimpse of a Silver Age Batman that was never seen outside of Japan.

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- Wonder Woman

2010-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Technically, the Silver Age Wonder Woman WAS the Golden Age Wonder Woman. Her series had never been cancelled. This new origin story, however, creates a dividing line between the Wonder Woman who was the secretary for the Justice Society of America during WWII and the new, more powerful Wonder Woman who was an equal member of the Justice League.

Enjoy "The Secret Origin of Wonder Woman" by Robert Kanigher, penciled by Ross Andru and inked by Mike Esposito from Wonder Woman #105, April 1959.

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- Green Lantern

2010-04-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Imagine my surprise when I suddenly realized I did NOT actually own a reprint of this story! I have a reprint of Green Lantern's origin being abbreviated and recapped in Green Lantern #1, but somehow, I was unaware that this specific story was missing from my library.

In a state of panic, I went to the local, public library to check out Green Lantern Archives. Little did I realize they only had a copy of Green Lantern Archives vol. 6!

Thankfully, that blogger's blogger and all-around good guy Mykal Banta helped me out with a scan of this landmark story. Incidentally, If you're a big fan of Gil Kane's artwork, (and who wouldn't be?) you may want to check out Mykal's newest blog, "Kingdom Kane".

As I alluded to yesterday, the unbridled success of DC's remake of The Flash in Showcase #4 struck a chord with the powers that be at DC. It was decided to try the formula again, this time with another cancelled hero, Green Lantern. The original Green Lantern (created by Martin Nodell) had been a railroad construction engineer who found a mysterious and ancient lantern fashioned from metal from a meteorite. This lantern and the ring fashioned from it had almost magical powers, a sort of Aladdin's lamp.

Editor Julius Schwartz had come from sci-fi publishing and he liked the idea of modernizing DC's heroes with more "scientific" explanations. There were hints of that in The Flash's origin, but sci-fi takes a front seat in this, the debut of Green Lantern. From Showcase #22, September-October 1959 here's Green Lantern's origin from "S.O.S. Green Lantern" by John Broome, drawn by Gil Kane and inked by Joe Giella.

Flash Origin Update! A Reader Spots Something Interesting!

2010-04-27T20:19:00.006-04:00

I received an entertaining comment from Silver Age Comics blogger Pat Curley:

"Pat said... It's a minor thing, but it's always bugged me that Barry's reading Flash Comics #13, because the cover shown has no resemblance to the actual cover of that issue--for one thing, Flash Comics #13 is a Hawkman cover (Hawkman and Flash basically alternated cover appearances)."

Pat, you are HARD CORE! You're dead right, my friend. I even checked All-Flash Quarterly #13- no match there, either. In fact, I checked all the covers of Flash Comics and there were no close matches at all! That cover is pure Infantino.

Now, not to get all geeky and take this to some meta-comics level, but perhaps that cover is a cover of Flash Comics #13 exclusive to Earth 1? I mean, after all, on Earth 1, which is much like our Earth except it has superheroes and stuff, there was a Gardner Fox, much like our own Gardner Fox, except he wrote Flash comics based on visions he had in his sleep of the Flash of Earth 2. So, perhaps Earth 1 has many of our Golden Age comics, but with variant covers. Imagine the new collecting frontiers!

Man! Even I want to beat me up after that!

Nice job, Pat! you win the "no-prize"!

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- The Flash

2010-04-27T00:00:00.003-04:00

For many comics historians, Showcase #4, October, 1956 is the "Day the universe changed". Or at least one of them. The publication of this little number ushers in The Silver Age. The Flash is widely regarded as the first new superhero of the Silver Age. Especially by DC. I'm not sure why they withhold their love from poor little Johnny Jones, Manhunter from Mars. After all, he did debut almost a full year earlier than The Flash. Perhaps, as a back-up feature to Batman he just didn't bring in the sales figures of a coverboy like Flash.

At any rate, in Showcase #4, DC takes it's first steps towards creating a new age of heroes. And they did it by looking towards the past. The Flash was a remake of a previous DC hero from the 1940's whose book had been cancelled (in fact, Barry Allen is reading one of his comics in the story). This process is old hat these days, but in 1956, comics had only been around for 2 decades. As you'll see tomorrow, it was successful, because DC went back to the same well time and time again.

Enjoy the beautiful dynamic art of Carmine Infantino, inked by Joe Kubert (more commentary after the feature) :

I have to say, Barry Allen is a likeable guy. While The Flash is a very physical sort of hero, his alter-ego is a genuinely nerdy police scientist and comics geek.

There are many ways to show a man running fast but Infantino seems to have mastered the technique of depicting The Flash's speed through blurred motion lines, suggesting that he's moving faster than the eye can keep up with.

My favorite panel in this issue? Top of page 5, with the food floating in mid-air. Comics don't actually move, like film or TV, so it's remarkable how well Infantino captures the moment here. I think the coffee really sells it. It would have been very easy to draw this scene and simply rely on captions to tell you what was happening, but this picture actually tells you that everything is standing still except Barry.

Tomorrow: Green Lantern.

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- Martian Manhunter

2010-04-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

This week, I'm going to further highlight the original Justice League of America- One member at a time.

Since the JLA debuted already formed in Brave and the Bold #28, I have decided to spotlight them each in the order they (or their Silver Age origins) debuted in the comics.

We start with Martian Manhunter or, as he was originally known, John Jones, Manhunter from Mars. Mr. Jones debuted as a new back-up feature to Batman in Detective Comics #225, November, 1955. As you can see from the story you are about to read, the emphasis of the comic was on the detective angle of the character. John wouldn't be written as a more conventional Superhero for a few years.

Enjoy "The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdel" . Script by John Samachson, art by Joe Certa.

I don't know a lot about 1955, but I still find it unlikely that you could walk in off the street and become a police detective. I doubt it was like walking into a diner holding up their "Help Wanted" sign.

One of the Many Reasons I love My Wife!

2010-04-24T10:41:00.005-04:00

So, this morning (being Saturday) I popped in a "Challenge of the Superfriends" DVD. As (my wife) Amy and I sat watching Superfriends over breakfast with our 5-year-old (who LOVES Superfriends), the Superfriends were in trouble. Seems they were captured by the Legion of Doom. The L.O.D. locked the Superfriends in a cage and launched the cage into space, headed for the sun.

Now, every time I see this, I think to myself, "I'm pretty sure they'd all starve to death before they ever reached the sun." Never mind other questions regarding exposure to cold and radiation. But Amy, out of nowhere, says " As they were getting closer and closer to the sun, wouldn't Superman be getting more and more powerful?

Damn! I love you, baby!

If It Sells, Keep Sellin' It!

2010-04-23T08:44:00.006-04:00

To say that Batman and Robin were a huge commercial success would be a vast understatement. True, Batman sold well for the eleven months he existed prior to adding his now-famous sidekick, but nothing like the household name he would become simply by adding a spunky kid to the team.

The combo was so successful, that every comics company rushed to imitate it, adding junior partners to their established heroes (often just a miniature version of the adult hero, such as the Human Torch's buddy, Toro) even DC itself. Few of these duos were very dynamic. Still, it had worked once, it would work again.

Not only did DC slap sidekicks on many of their existing heroes ( and by the Silver Age there were enough of these scamps to form their own team-the Teen Titans) and create heroic duos from whole cloth (Green Arrow and Speedy, for example) they also gave us an endless string of Batman and Robin wanna-be's.

Let me elaborate on that. I don't mean just pale imitations of Batman and Robin, I mean that, within the context of the Batman and Robin comics, the Dynamic duo encounter myriad crime-fighters who have based their careers on those of Batman and Robin. The Knight and Squire may be the most famous.

My personal favorite are B&R's Native American counterparts from the Southwest- Chief Man-of the Bats and Little Raven!

But, as mentioned, this formula for success was not limited to the pages of Batman. DC felt that what was good for the goose was good for the gander. Therefore, what had been good for Batman would have to be super for Superman. Enter Nightwing and Flamebird:

Not content to simply go around fixing all of Earth's problems, Superman decides he needs to also fight crime in the bottled city of Kandor.

For those who don't know, Kandor is a city that was shrunken, placed in a bottle and stolen by Brainiac all before Krypton exploded. Kandor currently resides on a table in Superman's Fortress of Solitude, where it sits under a red sun lamp (can't have a whole city of Supermen running around, can we?). Whenever Superman uses his shrink ray and stops by for a visit, he has no superpowers.

So, how will Superman fight crime in Kandor if he's not... super? He'll do it Batman-style. And he takes that lovable doofus, Jimmy Olsen along with him to play Robin.

Superman names himself Nightwing and Jimmy Flamebird, after two Kryptonian birds. He fashions costumes based vaguely on the birds' plumage. Pretty soon, they have a Nightcave, Nightmobile and even a Nighthound. Of course, Nightwing and Flamebird are a little spoiled by being Superman and Superman's Pal, so they wear jetbelts that allow them to fly.

"Er- ahem, that's NightWING, Jimmy!"

What's really remarkable, is that this concept didn't just yield a couple of memorable stories and vanish. In fact, Nightwing and Flamebird were one of the back-up features in Superman Family well into the 1970's- although at that point, Nightwing was Superman's cousin Van-Zee and Flamebird was Van-Zee's lab assistant, Ak-Var. (if you'd like to read one of those nifty stories, check out Diversions of the Groovy Kind)

Nowadays, if you mention Nightwing, people think of Dick Grayson after he quit being Robin. And Flamebird was also used again in Teen Titans, this time as a new name for the original Batgirl, Bette Kane.

The names have since been recycled several times.

Still, even though it was a throw-away idea that really broke no new ground, Nightwing and Flamebird's adventures were tremendously fun.

Not Really Silver Age... But Funny!

2010-04-22T14:38:00.002-04:00

"I'm the best at what I do. And what I do is technically illegal in Georgia!"

Lois Lane, You're Kinda Dumb!

2010-04-21T13:30:00.000-04:00

You know, Lois, this cover kind of says it all. I mean, barring any BS explanations about "Super-hypnotism" or some such rubbish, you really aren't very observant. Aren't you a reporter?

Seriously, Lois, how can you idolize Superman and ridicule Clark Kent for being average and wimpy? Even with the glasses and the suit and tie, no amount of mild manners could hide the fact that your closest co-worker is built like a brick $#!+house.

And you know all those coincidences? The ones where Clark vanishes just as Superman turns up? The ones where Superman is dying of Kryptonite poisoning and Clark calls off work because he's upset? They're NOT coincidences! I don't care what Bruce Wayne said. I don't care that you saw Superman out your window while Clark was having dinner at your place. Clark Kent IS Superman!

Wake up, Sister! And while you're at it, tell Lana Lang she's not the brightest bulb, either.

Aquaman Vs. Sub-Mariner!!

2010-04-20T14:24:00.003-04:00

I was so happy with the results of this little number I decided to indulge my vanity and share it with all of you! You lucky, lucky people! Perhaps there will be more to follow?

enjoy!

"I Hate Flash's Girlfriend!" and other observations

2010-04-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Several years ago, back when your Mild-Mannered Reporter was in his mid 20's, I used to have a job doing telephone customer service for a famous children's magazine. I worked at a dilapidated call center on the second floor of a barely-insulated warehouse and took phone calls all day mostly consisting of "I didn't get my magazine" and "I didn't order this magazine!!".

Luckily, I had a co-worker who sat near me who shared my passion for comics. He and I would read comics between calls and on our breaks and lunches. Sometimes we'd swap for the day. One day, we discovered that another co-worker, Rufus was a comics fan. Rufus was at least 20 years my senior and was a hard-working family man who just happened to have been a big fan of Silver Age comics during the Silver Age itself. Rufus would borrow our comics, sometimes the newer ones to see what was going on with his favorite characters of yesteryear, but mostly he wanted to read any reprints we had of "the good stuff". He preferred DC to Marvel because, as Rufus put it, "I prefer my heroes heroic."

One day, I brought in a re-issued 80-Page Giant of The Flash. Rufus was all over it like white on rice. When his break rolled around, I looked up to see him leaning over my cubicle. "Well?" I said, Rufus handed the comic back to me, thanked me, smiled,shook his head and said "I HATE Flash's girlfriend. She gets on my nerves."

"WHY?" You ask. "Why would Rufus dislike Flash's girlfriend Iris West so very much?"

Well, friends, I've anticipated your curiosity. Here are just a FEW examples:

She's rude...

She has no respect for Barry Allen's carreer as a Police Scientist...

I know this was before all those forensics shows on TV, but what the !@#$ does Iris think Barry does?? He's HELPING CATCH THE BAD GUYS!!

She's an immasculating shrew:

And, even though she seems to think The FLash is all man compared to Barry, she'll throw him over in a heartbeat...

Um, Iris, you're drooling.

So, yeah, I can totally understand why Rufus hates Flash's girlfriend. You know what? I hate her too.

Magnus is NOT a superhero, by three votes.

2010-04-16T13:01:00.003-04:00

By a vote of 30 to 27, the readers of this blog have decided that Magnus, Robot Fighter is NOT a superhero. I have to say I'm impressed that the vote was such a close one. I am also shocked, not so much that 3 more people felt that Magnus was NOT a superhero, but by the fact that there were 57 people out there who bothered to read this blog!

This was a hotly contested issue. And, although I was on the losing side of this vote, I graciously bow to the will of the people.

Mykal Banta, congrats.

Who is YOUR Favorite Silver Age Batman?

2010-04-14T12:48:00.009-04:00

It's kind of a funny thing about Batman. There are really two different takes on Batman during the Silver Age. See, when the Silver Age starts, around 1954, Batman is a different comic than it was in the 1940's, but not as different as it will become in 1964.

When DC's Silver Age gets rolling, it's due to the introduction of completely new versions of some of their Golden Age heroes, i.e.: The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, The Atom...

But things were different for the heroes who never went away. Changes were happening, but they were usually subtle. Aquaman got a new origin in 1959. Which was fine, since most of his readers were too young to remember his 1941 origin. Superman's powers had slowly been expanded and now derived from the radiation of Earth's yellow sun. Wonder Woman was still in the Air Force, but was far less about bondage.

And then there's Batman. Batman carried on with his same, cartoony self. Elaborate stories highlighted his need to protect his secret identity, his latest innovations in Bat-themed equipment, his struggles with his bizzarre villains

and showed off his ever-increasing supporting cast which included a Batwoman,

Batgirl,

Bat-Hound and even Bat-Mite.

Batman in the late 50's was a rare treat of bizarre storytelling. Alien worlds, time travel, and an endless string of other hero teams who base their careers on Batman and Robin are common plot ideas. Batman goes through bizarre transformation after bizarre transformation. He is turned into an alien, a macro cephalic genius from the future, and even a baby!

Still, amongst all this brilliant, imaginative fun, nothing could have compared to the weird transformation he was about to undertake.

In 1964, editor Julis Schwartz introduced Batman's "New Look". Carmine Infantino was brought in to make the Caped Crusader look more realistic. Detective Comics regular Shelly Moldoff was told to curb his cartoony enthusiasm and draw a more life-like Batman. To help standardize the look, Inker Joe Giella was brought on to ink both titles . Schwartz fired Batwoman, Batgirl, Bat-Hound and even Bat-Mite. A new Batgirl was introduced and no reference to the previous Batgirl was ever mentioned.

The stories became less fanciful. Batman now fit in better with his Justice League peers- The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman and The Atom. The Batmobile was made over as an open-top two-seater.

In 1966, Batman was broadcast to the world as a new comedy TV series.
Ironically, it was the weirdness of the earlier Batman that had inspired the show's highly stylized, campy take on the character. The TV show boosted sales of the comic, but the comic was much more staid that the TV show.

Personally, I prefer the pre-New Look Batman. No offense to the brilliant Carmine Infantino, but I prefer the more stylized, moody, noir look of the previous Batman. I really dig the Batmans of Shelly Moldoff, Dick Sprang,

Charles Paris... And more than that, I miss those weird stories and the never-ending string of supporting characters.

Which Batman do you prefer?

Hey Kids! Ask Your Folks for a Razor Blade! Tell 'Em Superboy Said To!

2010-04-12T12:43:00.003-04:00

You know, this is a fun, cool little hobby project. Of course, in 2010, it seems a little quaint and ludicrously complicated when we live surrounded by radios, TV's, The Internet and Mp3 players. But hey, back in The Silver Age, even transistor radios were cutting edge technology. Heck, disposable razors were cutting edge (no pun intended) technology!

Still, I'm a little disappointed. I mean, this is Superboy! This kid knows how to make a spectroscope from scratch! All he wants to tell us how to make is a s**ty, home-made AM radio? Hell, my Six Million Dollar Man doll had a better radio than this.

What does this article tell us? It tells us that this comic was intended to be read and enjoyed by children. When was the last time you saw something like this in a modern superhero comic? Perhaps The Punisher could show us how to make a pipe-bomb or a zip-gun?

New Poll Added!

2010-04-08T23:46:00.001-04:00

Look to your right.... No, your other right. There it is!

The Down Side of Dynamic Tension...

2010-04-07T09:32:00.002-04:00

Maybe "Mac" should have kept working on his physique until his buttocks came in. Also, is it just me, or does his reflection look like he has his trunks pulled down a little low in front? Like he's doing a Boogie Nights reenactment.

Also, as a sales pitch, "LATER" is a little vague.

Top 5 Silver Age Super Heroes, NOT from DC or Marvel.

2010-04-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Here's my list of the top 5 Silver Age heroes NOT from DC or Marvel. This is highly subjective and pure opinion. I would have been happy to include characters like The Phantom, or Plastic Man, or Captain Marvel... but I feel that their pedigrees are more Golden Age. So...*drumroll*...

#5: Doctor Weird

First Appearance: Star Studded Comics#1, September 1963
Publisher: Texas Trio
Story: In the 24th century, Dr. Rex Ward invents a means of time travel. He travels back in time to 1963, where he subsequently dies. The paradox created by dying before he was born leaves Ward trapped between worlds, a living ghost.
Superpowers/abilities: from Wikipedia

"Dr. Weird can pass through walls with ease, making himself immaterial and invisible at will. He has a sixth sense that alerts him to the presence of evil. He can teleport anywhere, and his glare can petrify anyone who sees it. He is abnormally strong and can fly. Dr. Weird seems to be able to send visions of himself to other places, and can make contact with any spiritual beings."

Created by fanzine author Howard Keltner in the 1940's, Dr Weird made his debut in a small-press publication Star Studded Comics #1. In the 1970's Dr. Weird got his own title with some stories written by Jim Starlin and George, R.R. Martin. Dr. Weird eventually found his way to Big Bang! Comics, where he has the distinction of being the only hero in their stable with a legitimate publishing history.

What's so cool about him?:
Well, I always like a good,mystical hero and this one has the added dimension of being a sci-fi hero as well. Sort of like if Doctor Strange could become intangible due to a teleporter accident. Plus I'm a sucker for heroes named "Doctor". Especially when they actually have the credentials.

#4: Captain Flash

First Appearance: Captain Flash #1, November 1954
Publisher: Sterling Comics
Story: Exposed to a lethal dose of Cobalt during a laboratory demonstration, Professor Keith Spencer does not die, but instead gains phenomenal super powers. Spencer decides to use his newfound abilities for the betterment of mankind and the defense of the good, ol' U.S.A. as Captain Flash.
Superpowers/Abilities: By clapping his hands together, Captain Flash creates a "miniature nuclear explosion" which, rather than causing him to blow up, instead turns him into a living reactor. He is superhumanly strong and resistant to injury and he can move at superfast speed.

What's so cool about him?: Arguably the first hero of The Silver Age, Captain Flash is THE first "Atomic superman" beating out Solar, Nukla and Captain Atom by a decade. The comic's artwork by (Future JLA artist) Mike Sekowski has a decidedly ahead- of- it's- time look to it, that makes it feel like it was printed a decade too soon.

#3: Blue Beetle

First Appearance: Captain Atom#83, November, 1966
Publisher: Charlton
Story: Dan Garrett, the original Blue Beetle passes his mantle to Genius Inventor Ted Kord. Kord can't seem to make Garrett's mystical scarab (the source of his powers) work, so he compensates by inventing a high-tech airship, and numerous crime-fighting gadgets.
What's so cool about him?: The Blue Beetle is a wise-cracking gadgeteer. He's a very human character, but-by far- the least angsty or heavy character associated with Steve Ditko.

Charlton had already bought the rights to the Golden Age Blue Beetle and had tried to make a go of publishing a series featuring him in the early 1960's but it was a no-go. Apparently the missing element was Steve Ditko. Ditko, fresh from Marvel where he had co-created Spider-Man gave BB a make-over that included a new origin, new alter-ego and a whole new schtick. Basically, he kept the name and wove the earlier beetle into the new character's backstory. Very reminiscent of the DC Silver-Age makeovers of Hawkman, or The Atom.

#2: Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom

First Appearance: Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom#1, October, 1962
Publisher: Gold Key
Story: Nuclear physicist, Phil Solar is exposed to lethal amounts of radiation saving a co-worker from radiation exposure. Instead of dying, Solar gains the ability to manipulate matter at the atomic level, converting his human form into any kind of energy.
Superpowers/Abilities: Ability to manipulate matter at the atomic level,
fly and blast bolts of energy
What's so cool about him?: A god in human form, Solar is almost infinitely powerful. As time goes on, he becomes less and less able to relate to his fellow humans. This comic was fairly sophisticated and way ahead of its time.

#1: Space Ghost

First Appearance: Space Ghost television program, 1966 season
Aired on: CBS
Story: Space Ghost is so cool, he doesn't HAVE a back-story.
Superpowers/Abilities: Flight, invisibility, freeze ray, heat ray, force field, stun ray... you name it, he's got it.
What's so cool about him?: The BEST of the Hanna-Barbera superheroes, hands down (sorry, Birdman) Space Ghost has a really boss spaceship, TWO kid sidekicks and a monkey! Do any of you have a money? I didn't think so. Seriously, though, the look of this cartoon (designed by Alex Toth)would go on to influence a whole generation of animators and comic-book artists.

The Greatest Heroes of the Silver Age Battle a Big Starfish- Brave and the Bold #28

2010-04-05T09:28:00.012-04:00

Well, "The Greatest Heroes of the Silver Age" minus Superman and Batman.
For those of you who don't already know, The Brave and the Bold #28 is a landmark issue in the history of Silver Age comics. Having already resurrected/revamped Green Lantern and The Flash, the next logical step for DC was to try and resurrect/revamp the old Justice Society of America. Only this time, it was decided that "League" sounded much hipper than "Society".

Naturally, sales powerhouses Batman and Superman were part of the line-up, as well as their old-school gal-pal, Wonder Woman. Also joining the new team were the brand-new sales sensations Green Lantern and The Flash. And rounding out the dream team were back-up feature stalwarts, Aquaman and J'onn J'onnz- Manhunter from Mars.

The story gets off to a great start, with Aquaman (maybe for the last time) being the first hero to learn of a threat to the Earth:

"Peter the puffer-fish"? Seriously? Anyway, a giant, alien menace preparing to invade the Earth? This sounds like a job for SUPERMAN!

Except Superman is too busy. Hmm, well, Batman's always been pretty clever. I'm sure the World's Greatest Detective could use his superior intellect and cutting-edge technology to save us all from the certain domination of an evil, alien intelligence...

Or, I guess he could beg off to stop some street crime. Well, I suppose we'll have to rely on the new kids and the second string, then:

Why does everyone make their HQ in a cave in the 50's and 60's? You know, I don't actually know how much it costs to renovate a cave. Is suspect with having electricity, gas, and running water installed, not to mention all the custom fit walls and carpet, it's probably pretty pricey. Maybe the JLA should have priced one of those pre-fab, steel buildings or something. Bad guys seem to have no trouble finding abandoned warehouses. I'm just saying is all.

So, setting a precedent that will be repeated many times for years to come, the five available members of the JLA split up and try to take on Starro's minions around the globe, individually. Except Wonder Woman. Can't send a girl out there by herself, so she teams up with the Martian.

During his part of the mission, Flash picks up a new friend:

A really irritating friend. A really irritating friend who snaps his fingers all the time and speaks in a completely bogus youthful slang clearly written by out-of-touch adults.

Of course, "Snapper" turns out to be the key to the whole thing. For some reason, Snapper is immune to Starro's influence.

Getting the team back together, Green Lantern uses his power ring to do a spectrographic analysis on Snapper and discovers that the lime Snapper was adding to his parents' lawn or "grass mat" is actually harmful to Starro and his minions.

The JLA quickly obtain some lime from local farmers...

Whew! I thought for a minute there I was going to have to not care if they paid for that lime!

and Starro shrivels up and dies.

Or does he??

But wait, even though Batman and Superman were completely useless to the JLA, they make Snapper an honorary member. Unfortunately for us, Snapper regularly comes to the meetings.

Gardner Fox will use this same formula for some time to come. Team finds out about problem. Team fights problem as individuals. Team teams up and wins. But hey, if it works, don't mess with it.

Mike Sekowsky does an admirable job of giving a universal look to seven heroes typically drawn in seven, individual and character-specific styles.

For those of you out there who feel I spend an unfair amount of time on DC comics and not enough on Marvel, I would like to mention that this single issue of Brave and the Bold was what inspired Marvel publisher Martin Goodman to tell Stan Lee to create a line-up of super-heroes. That's right, without the JLA, there would be no Fantastic Four, no Avengers. Pretty cool, huh?

Spectergirl's Crypt of Post-Code Horror

2010-04-04T23:49:00.000-04:00

Life not horrific enough? Stop by...

Spectergirl's Crypt of Post-Code Horror

We've dusted off a mouldering short-box of penny-dreadfuls from the Bronze Age of FEAR!

It's TERROR only the Comics Code Authority would DARE approve!

Have a Happy Easter- IF YOU DARE!

2010-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

I think the boys at DC were smoking a little too much Easter grass when they wrote this one.

I saw this cover over at Seduction of the Indifferent and the memories came flooding back. I bought this comic when I was eight. I tried to re-read this at HTML comics, but they don't actually have this particular issue.

The basic premise is simple: Some kids go to an Easter egg hunt which is hosted by a large, friendly-looking Easter Bunny and are, one by one, lured into a series of diabolical traps. At the end, all of the children have ended up in a big vat of chocolate in the basement of a scary old house. The Easter Bunny resurfaces, now looking like the one on the cover.

The bunny reveals to the children that he is bent on getting revenge for the hundreds of chocolate bunnies which are eaten every year. He plans to eat them (the children) and he "Always bite the heads off first!".

Like many stories in Unexpected, the twist ending doesn't make a damn bit of sense. Chocolate bunnies are, after all, just that. They are not rabbits dipped in chocolate. And if there really was an Easter Bunny, why would he suddenly crave revenge? It's analogous to Santa Claus vivisecting someone because they rip the paper on the packages.

Still, I must confess, this story scared the bejeezus out of 8-year-old me. I remember lying in bed, needing to pee, but terrified that the bathroom rug was really a trapdoor which would whisk me away to a vat of chocolate in the basement where that scary bunny (I can't even type "scary bunny" without cracking a smile) would eat me. We didn't even have a basement. Just a crawlspace.

Happy Easter!

Charlton Romance Series Cancelled in Its Prime!

2010-04-01T12:26:00.003-04:00

One of the first comics to break the barriers of inter species dating, Grizzly Romance lasted a scant 33 issues before being cancelled.

"We really thought more people were open to the idea of, you know, bestiality..." said Charlton's then editor-in chief George Wildman. "I mean, it was the 70's, everyone was doing their own thing. Turns out, having sex with animals is illegal in, like, 25 states. Who knew?"

Perhaps more surprising was the fact that the series lasted for nearly three full years.

"Well, the sales figures were pretty good in Arkansas, West Virginia, Iowa, Mississippi, Connecticut, Maine and Alabama. We were HUGE in Alabama! After the poor sales most of those states had had when Dell Comics tried to market their new western title, Lobo, I was afraid those states wouldn't buy into something as sophisticated as Grizzly Romance, but sometimes these things just come along and surprise you!"- Wildman said.

The comics' sales took a dramatic downturn in sales after intorducing a series of romantic advice pages featuring Page Peterson.

"I don't know if that really had anything to do with it, " Wildman mused, "still, it was funny. We added Page and the sales dropped. ESPECIALLY in Alabama..."

APRIL FOOLS!

Don't Do It, Annie!

2010-03-31T09:17:00.001-04:00

"All I have to do is fire this little bullet into my brain and I never have to wear this F##ing costume again! "

On the Trail!

2010-03-30T16:31:00.003-04:00

Howdy Y'all! The Ghost Who Blogs is out ridin' tha trail today. But, if'n ya cain't wait til t'morry ta satisfy that hankerin' ya got fer more Western comics, y'all c'n check in with these h'yar other fine blogs:

Mykal Banta's Gold Key Comics blog is featurin' Gunsmoke #4. Be sure ta have a look-see at the issues o' Judge Colt Mykal has posted, too.

And if thet wa'n't enuff fer ya, Pappy's Golden Age Blogzine has a story drawn by Graham Ingels featurin' the EC classic Gunfighter (among other fine horse opries!).

And, fer you folks what're in a more romantic mood, ya c'n always swing on over to ( a personal favorite) As Told To Stan Lee where Spectergirl will hook you up with some Cowboy Love.

Happy Trails!

Oh! and I just wanted to give a shout-out to Rob Kelly at The Aquaman Shrine who will be talking live on Comic Chatcast tonight. Stop by if you can!

Cowboys and Injuns Week Two- Two-Fisted Tales #17

2010-03-29T00:00:00.004-04:00

Back before there was a Comics Code Authority, Western comics actually had shooting and violence in them. And some of the best pre-code comics,bar none, came from EC. Instead of cropping out panels and making funny comments, I'm just going to let this beautiful piece by Jack Davis speak for itself. Without further ado, here's "Betsy!":

R.I.P. Dick Giordano

2010-03-27T22:10:00.002-04:00

From Comic Book Resources:

"Venerable creator Dick Giordano has passed away at 77. A longtime inker, editor, and illustrator for DC Comics, Giordano worked on such projects as Neal Adams' Batman and helmed DC editorial initiatives such as Watchmen and Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Giordano began working for DC in the 1960s and became the Executive Editor of DC Comics in 1983. He worked on many classic DC tales such as Green Lantern/Green Arrow and the always amusing Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali. "

To me, Dick Giordano was like a permanent fixture in the world of comics. I grew up with his covers, his inking, his editing and his being in charge of DC. When I discovered the Charlton Superheroes (long after they had packed it up and gone to be DC's step-children) I was thrilled to know that they had existed at all, largely due to Dick Giordano.

Knowing that there will be no future projects undertaken by Dick Giordano brings me a profound and inexplicable sadness.

Thrilling Adventures In Stamps presents, The Pony Express

2010-03-26T00:00:00.003-04:00

Westerns were so popular in the Golden and Silver ages, that not even Thrilling Adventures in Stamps could overlook their appeal. So, taking a cue from the USPS' stamp commemorating the Pony Express, they cooked up the following four-page yarn drawn by Ed Goldfarb and inked by Bob Baer:

Of course, The Pony Express came and went before the American Civil War even began, so the 1870's Colt Peacemakers everyone is waving around are a little anachronistic...but not really any worse than their 1950's- vintage Hollywood Western wear.

And speaking of vintage Western wear :

I had a lot of distractions this week, so I'm going to extend this theme into next week as well. Look for upcoming posts featuring Annie Oakley, The Lone Ranger, and a short, EC yarn drawn by Jack Davis.

Happy Trails!

Hypnosis. It Doesn't Work That Way!- Rawhide Kid #30

2010-03-25T10:35:00.003-04:00

Anyone who's ever read any of Marvel's Silver Age comics series for any length of time knows that Stan Lee LOVES a good hypnotist. And Le's hypnotists are capable of convincing people to do ANYTHING! See for yourself:

Okay, I understand how he hypnotized the bartender into the free drink, but how did he accomplish finding a decent bottle of wine in an Old West saloon? Spade Desmond's antics attract the attention of the saloon owner, who he makes act like a monkey. The saloon owner is popular enough that a fight breaks out. Since everyone is packin', the outcome is not too surprising:

The Rawhide Kid is not one to stand idly by while people are endangering each other with reckless gunplay, so he logically stops them with some reckless gunplay:
Which draws the attention of the Hypnotist.

Spade Desmond sees the potential of having his own, personal gunfighter in his pocket,

And soon, he's making good use of his new toy:

Desmond takes things too far, however, when he orders the Kid to shoot the local Sheriff:

The Sheriff explains the Kid's sudden change of heart:

Maybe someone should explain to Stan Lee that "you can't make a man do something that he would never do normally!". Didn't we just see a cheap bartender give away a drink and a saloon owner act like a monkey? Is the Kid really a bank robber at heart?

I'm so confused. I can suspend my disbelief enough to pretend you can hypnotize people to do crazy stuff, but then to turn around in the next-to-last panel and tell me it's impossible?? What the Hell did I just read?

Hangin' Tough. Tonto -Everyone's First Suspect.

2010-03-22T13:59:00.006-04:00

These days, there's a lot of talk about the dubious practice of "Racial Profiling", the idea that an individual is a more likely suspect based on their ethnicity.

Well, this idea is certainly nothing new, as The Lone Ranger's pal, Tonto can attest:

Yep, it seems that just about everywhere he goes, somebody wants to see Tonto hanged:

In fact, I've lost track of how many episodes of the old TV show feature an angry mob trying to give Tonto a new necktie, just for coming to town. And Tonto goes to town a lot. In fact, The Ranger usually stays at their campsite and sends Tonto to get information. (I'm sure many of you have heard the old Bill Cosby bit about this).

What's funny to me, is why The Lone Ranger can't just go to town himself? It's not like anyone out there knows who John Reid is or what he looks like. There's nothing to stop the Ranger from taking off his mask and moseyin' into town to get some supplies or information.

You'd think after the first time some bunch of angry rednecks tried to hang his best friend, The Ranger would reconsider the division of labor on his team.

Sadly, no matter how many people Tonto saves, The Ranger always gets the credit. And what does Tonto get? A rope.

Cowboys and Injuns Week- All This Week!

2010-03-21T22:04:00.002-04:00

Howdy, Pa'tners! This week yer Mild-Mannered Ree-porter will be takin' y'all on a tour of the Wild West. Silver Age style! So look each day fer new posts with a downright Western theme. It'll be the rootinest, tootinest, shootinest week this hyar blog ever had!

Happy Trails!

Can We Stop Reprinting This Story Already?

2010-03-17T13:34:00.006-04:00

This being St. Patty's day, I decided to treat you all to a story that has a tenuous connection to the "wearin' o' the green". And nobody wears more green than Green Arrow. Some of you may not know this, based on previous posts, but I actually like Green Arrow. Really. I also like Jack Kirby. A lot. So, you would think that Green Arrow drawn by Jack Kirby would just be like Christmas in July for me. Not so.

Not only does Jack Kirby draw the butt-ugliest Green Arrow of all time, but for the longest time, you couldn't ever find reprints of gold and silver-age Green Arrow stories- except THIS one. I don't know how many times I've bought an 80-page giant or an annual or a World's Finest collection which promised a "Vintage Green Arrow Story Inside!" just to get another copy of this freakin' story!

So, to further the chain of abuse, here it is:

Yep, giant arrows falling from space. How often do you see that? Certainly a few less times than we've seen this same reaction shot from Kirby:

"Some kind of spaceship, isn't it? Is it?" Are you sure it's not Galactus, or Darkseid, or Superman? But don;t worry, the media is on top of things:

Well, I thought it was a job for Ambush Bug, but if you say so...

After doing battle all over town, trying to minimize the damage done by these giant arrows, G.A. and Speedy discover a giant arrow in the park with a giant rope tied to it, they're dragged back through a tear in the fabric of space into an alternate dimension and become...

Yes, that's right, the "Prisoners of Dimension Zero". Except they're not prisoners. And I'm not sure who decided to start numbering alternate dimensions at zero. But, hey, they meet a kindred spirit:

??? What the F*** does "Xeen" mean? Seriously! I mean, Green Arrow wears green. It's a color theme. So does Xeen Arrow. Are we to believe that in Dimension Zero there's a color called xeen that we perceive as green? Do the inhabitants of D-0 speak English which is the same in every respect except they say xeen instead of green? I don't get it. Still, he's a more original imitation of Green Arrow than Hawkeye!

G.A. and Speedy help X.A. fight a bad guy and then he sends them home and patches the tear in the universe. End of story.

Now, why can't I get a nice Green Arrow story drawn by Lee Elias in color??

Why doesn't anyone write comics like THIS anymore?

2010-03-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

My scanner is offline this morning, and I'm a little short on time, so here's a classic post from last year.

Wow. I could write an entire blog on DC's World's Finest Comics alone. This particular issue, however is one of the finest examples of what would become a recurring theme in the Batman/Superman team-up title: Messing with Lois Lane's mind. See, Lois Lane, being the ace reporter she is, actually stumbles across Clark Kent changing into his Superman costume. Always ready to help a buddy out, Batman (and Robin-poor kid never gets any credit)decide to help Supes cloud the issue by making Lois question her own sanity. Highlights include trying to make her think Bruce Wayne may be Superman (Bruce takes her on a date and punches some lions in the face)

and an especially elaborate plot wherein Lois spends the day with Clark while Superman is supposed to be moving all her furniture to her new house (note: if you think owning a pickup truck makes you everyone's bitch when it's time to move house, try being the last son of Krypton). When Lois and Clark stop by there's Superman (Bruce Wayne in Super-drag) carrying out the last of her furniture in a big stack over his head. You know, I don't care how strong you are, don't scratch my antique sideboard just to save a couple trips. Aren't you super fast anyway?? Where was I ? Oh- "Superman" loads all the furniture into a moving van. Lois calls him on it and asks why he's not flying her stuff across town (the nerve of this bitch!) "Supes" explains that he rented the truck to help out a friend with a truck rental business and that he's just about to fly the whole truck away. He then picks up the truck and flies off. We are then treated to the "reality" of the situation. The truck is made of cardboard and is filled with a weather balloon and piloted by Robin. All of Lois' furniture was cleverly removed last night while Lois slept and replaced by papier mache copies....

You know, it might have been easier to just admit you were Superman. Think of all the crime that Batman and Robin didn't stop in the time it took to pull all this off. These guys have some really weird priorities.

What I find most remarkable about all this is how ENTERTAINING comics from the late 50's thru the mid 60's are. I mean, today's comics writers are too self-conscious to even TRY to pass something like this off. Sure it's nonsense. Sure everyone works so hard to protect Superman's identity they forget what's important... but the sheer nervy creativity of this story surpasses any tale of a grim superhero dealing with a mid-life crisis.

A Great Time at ComicChatcast.Com

2010-03-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Hey! I just wanted to say thanks to Mykal (of The Gold Key Comics blog), Jacque (of Sequential Crush) and Pat (of Silver Age Comics) for stopping by for last night's chat.

We learned that Mykal will drive 18 hours or more to score some more Gold Key comics, Jacque feels West Virginia is too far away for her to travel (even though she plans to road trip across Ohio and Pennsylvania -which will require her to traverse at least the northern panhandle of WV) and we also learned that Pat is a victim of Arizona's refusal to accept Daylight Savings Time.

Oh! and we also talked about Secret Identities. A little. Mostly about where to get comics.

I really appreciate everyone stopping by and thanks to Dave for hosting it.

If you're in driving range of Huntington, WV...

2010-03-15T14:32:00.003-04:00

This is a very nice exhibit.

I will say, that it is a little jarring to: A)look at art hanging on the wall that you also have to take the time to read and B) invest time looking at and reading a comics page which is completely out of context.

Despite the above observation, this exhibit is well worth your time if you have any interest in or appreciation for sequential art (and if you don't, you're reading this why?). Admission is $5. Details on the exhibit are available at the Huntington Museum of Art site.

And if you need to know where to get the best pizza or hot dogs in Huntington, just ask and I'll tell you.

Join Me Tonight!!!

2010-03-15T13:14:00.000-04:00

Tonight, Monday, March 15, 2010 I will once again be chatting live on Comic Chatcast-starting at 8 PM, EST.

Please stop by and talk comics. Hope to see you there!

Aaron

Some of Green Arrow's Arrows are Dumb, All of Arrowette's Arrows are Obnoxious

2010-03-08T08:45:00.006-05:00

In 1956, DC comics set a weird sort of precedent with the debut of The Batwoman. That precedent was this: When a woman turns to fighting crime, no matter what her costumed persona or crime-fighting theme, all of her gadgets will have to do with being a woman.

Miss Arrowette is a steadfast example of this philosophy. An archer of the first order, and a spunky young woman who wants to fight crime and help her hero- Green Arrow, she has a quiver of ingenious, homemade trick arrows. All of which have to do with cosmetics.

Is she a beautician in her alter-ego of Bonnie King? A cosmetologist? We don't know. But what we do know is, when you let a girl fight crime, she inevitably invents things like a hairpin arrow, a hair tint arrow, a hairnet arrow (a lot of hair things), and a lotion arrow.

Of course, the plot revolves around Miss Arrowette trying to help the Battling Bowmen, who feel that "This isn't a game for girls!" (because only full-grown men should dress up like Robin Hood and prance around the streets lobbing phallic symbols at baddies). Of course, GA and Speedy get captured by some crooks (after slipping on one of Miss Arrowette's lotion arrows) and have to be rescued by the girl. But don't worry, once Miss Arrowette finds the heroes, it's Green Arrow who does the rescuing, taking away Miss Arrowette's bow and arrows and using them himself. Wouldn't want to leave that sort of thing to a girl.

Miss Arrowette agrees to retire, but she returns at least once.

No Mom in the History of Mankind Was Ever THIS Laid-Back!

2010-03-02T16:06:00.004-05:00

Even if Mom here is okay with Dad giving their boy a B.B. gun (and some Moms are, I hear) I really doubt she's okay with, much less thrilled about, the idea that Billy is going to be plinking away in her living room.

Also, shouting "SURPRISE!" at a kid with a gun is a bad idea.

Still, this ad is far cooler than the weird, Freudian ads Daisy was putting out in 1975:

"Power? Your new Daisy will have all you need for the fun you want. It'll be more accurate, too. Just because it feels so good and fits so right." Could this be more penis-y ? I think I'm going to put this comic back in its bag and then go take a shower.

Are You Sure This Is Educational?

2010-02-26T15:49:00.002-05:00

This is the last story in Thrilling Adventures in Stamps. While the previous two posts from this comic clearly told the stories behind the men and events featured on the stamps, this one is a bit of a stretch. The featured stamp depicts a Pangowan tribesman of Gabon, Africa. The story, however, is a sensationalistic little number about a series of killings by a Pangowan Leopard Cult. The dates of these events are never given.

Enjoy "The Leopard Men" with art by Stephen Kirkel.

Yeah, This Ad Was For Your Little Girl!

2010-02-25T10:07:00.002-05:00

Okay, the idea that this ad is intended to be for a toy for your kids is insulting to your intelligence. But not half as insulting as the idea that this photo is actually of the inflatable doll you will receive and not a picture of a living woman.

Now, let's see, do I send in the coupon to "Finish High School at Home" ? Or do I order this inflatable girlfriend?

The True History of Baseball in Four Pages. SUCK IT, KEN BURNS!!!

2010-02-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

So, you want to learn about the history of Baseball, eh? Well, there's no reason to sit through all 23 agonizing hours of Ken Burns' documentary "Baseball". Not when Thrilling Adventures in Stamps can teach you all about it in four, glorious pages. Who knew that our national pasttime was a complete lie? A hoax perpetrated by The Man? Well, Ken Burns probably does, he did a lot of research on that stuff. But, hey. I just saved myself 22 hours and 57 minutes by reading this piece of stamp-inspired magic:

Weirdest Cross-Collectible EVER!! Thrilling Adventures in Stamps #1

2010-02-22T09:35:00.010-05:00

Okay, comics go where the market is. There have always been licensing deals to produce comic books about cartoon characters, movie heroes, toy lines, video games (remember Atari Force?) collectible card card games, Role-Playing games...

Well, the good folks over at Youthful Publishing weren't ones to miss out on a trend the young people were all talking about- philately. Ah, ahem. That means stamp collecting, not the other thing.

Anyway, some genius thought that using historical postage stamps from around the world as a springboard for comics stories was a great idea. And to be fair, this series managed to last 8 issues over the course of 3 years- at 15 cents an issue! I mean, this ain't World's Finest here, people! And the publishers thought of everything; they've even marked off where to punch holes in your comic so you can store it in a 3-ring binder!

I found this little gem from 1951 over the weekend while hunting for more material. The comics shop I found this in had TWO copies of this comic. One was in great shape and was priced at $20. Since your Mild-Mannered Reporter is nothing if not thrifty, I bought the far less expensive, rat-chewed copy with yellowed pages that looked like the first cousin of a pirate treasure map. But hey, how many issues of Stamps Comics do YOU own??

Reprinted below for you edification is the introduction and the first story "George Rogers Clark, Hero of Vincennes"

Black Lightning. DC Wakes Up and Smells the Marketplace!

2010-02-18T09:11:00.004-05:00

Tony Isabella, the man who brought you Luke Cage, gave DC comics one of my all-time favorite Black superheroes. Black Lightning.

Black Lightning is Jefferson Pierce, an Olympic gold-medalist who returns home to his old neighborhood on Metropolis' South Side- Suicide Slum.

Okay, I know the 70's comics were all about addressing real-world social issues, but you're telling me there's a neighborhood in Superman's home town that's SO BAD it's called "Suicide Slum" ? Hell, in the early 60's, Superman would have built clean, pretty, low-income housing on his day off and found jobs for everyone who lived in them. Of course, I guess it wasn't possible for Superman to tackle the problems of Black folks in the 1960's, as the Silver Age DC Superman comics didn't have any black folks for him to help...

Anyway, back to Black Lightning. So, in a combo of Welcome Back , Kotter and Walking Tall, Pierce (who has just accepted a job as a High School principal) returns home to find that there's a crime problem in his old neighborhood. An organized crime outfit called "The 100" have set up a drug ring on the South Side. And it looks like the 100 have a little help from a crooked politician, Tobias Whale (A freaky-looking, morbidly obese African-American albino who's kinda like The Kingpin crossed with Moby Dick).

So, of course Pierce gets his Family Friend, tailor Pete Gambini, to whip him up some disco threads -with a built-in electro-shock weapon- and takes it to the streets as Black Lightning.

At some point, with no real explanation (current retcon's aside) Jeff Pierce himself has the power to make lightning, not his costume.

Sadly, Black Lightning's series only lasted 11 issues. The first ten were written by Tony Isabella, with the final issue being written by Denny O'Neil. After his series was cancelled, Black Lightning was added to the line-up of The Outsiders, alongside Metamorpho.

Happy Birthday Spectergirl!!

2010-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today is my wife Amy (Spectergirl)'s birthday! Please be sure to stop by "As Told To Stan Lee"or one of her other blogs and wish her a happy B-Day!

Last Night's Chatcast.

2010-02-16T09:59:00.002-05:00

Hey,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you who stopped by last night for my first, live chatcast. All of you being Mykal. The rest of you missed out on a great conversation about comics. I'll be chatting again on the 15th of March. Hope y'all stop by.

I see that Jacque Nodell stopped by after the chat was over. Thanks Jacque. I hope you all stop by this evening for her chat. She'll be on at 8 PM EST. I will be there, but probably only in the background as my wife, Amy (aka Spectergirl) will be chatting and trying to win the romance comic that is being given away.

Misty Knight- Sistahs Are Doin' It For Themselves!

2010-02-16T09:15:00.003-05:00

What do you get when you mix The Bionic Woman with Cleopatra Jones? You get one fantastic Blaxploitation super-chick, Misty Knight.

I thought Misty here needed to make the list, just in case y'all thought it was only dudes who were making a big splash in the comics Blaxploitation scene in the 70's.

Debuting in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (part of the huge Kung Fu craze of the 70's) alongside her partner Colleen Wing, Misty didn't hide out in the B&W mags of the 70's for very long. In no time this foxy Private Eye was guest starring alongside Power Man and Iron Fist.

Don't Forget!

2010-02-15T20:32:00.001-05:00

Hey gang! My first ever live chatcast is starting in just a few minutes over at

http://www.comicchatcast.com/

So stop by and we'll talk about comics. It'll be fun!

Later,

Aaron

Black Goliath- I'm Not Sure I Get It.

2010-02-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

See, here's the thing: Henry Pym started out as Ant Man and then figured out how to get big instead of small and became Giant Man. And then Hank retired and passed the role of Giant Man on to Dr. Bill Foster, who was Giant Man for a little while.

And then, for some reason, Bill thought it would be cooler to change his name to Black Goliath.

Now, I know that in the 1970's black folks were trying out the idea that "Black is beautiful" and embracing the term "black" which had been formerly eschewed as a slur. The PC term of the day had previously been "Negro" which is ludicrously out of fashion these days. So, anyway, embracing the term black was hip.

None of which has anything to do with getting big.

Which is, I guess, where "Goliath" comes in. I mean, everyone knows the name Goliath, right? The giant from the Old Testament story of King David...

Problem is, Goliath was a bad guy. And he lost.

So, for me, Black Goliath is a conceptual nightmare. The name says "Hey! Not that it really should matter but I happen to be black. And I'm a giant! No, I'm not a bad giant, like Goliath, the uncircumcised Philistine. No, I'm a superhero!"

I also have no idea why his belly is showing.

A Special Announcement

2010-02-12T14:19:00.002-05:00

Listen Up, True Believers!

Your mild-mannered reporter will be hosting a live chat at

http://www.comicchatcast.com/

on Monday, February 15 at 9:00 PM (EST). Feel free to stop by and chat with me about the quirkiness of the Silver Age of comics, my blogs, or whatever. And don't forget, Jacque Nodell at Sequential Crush is doing a live chat the following evening, so be sure to check that out at well.

Hope to see you all there,

Aaron

Another slice of Black History Month...

2010-02-11T10:20:00.002-05:00

Any of you not already following KB's blog "Out of this world", you should definitely stop by. Not only does KB cover tons of great romance comics with thoughtful insight into their historical and anthropological significance, he has just added a great post about a fascinating piece of Black History as it pertains to comics: All- Negro Comics

Be sure to stop by and check out this tremendously cool post at :

http://kb-outofthisworld.blogspot.com/2010/02/minorities-in-comics-in-segregated.html

STOP! In the Name of the Loa!!! - Brother Voodoo

2010-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Part of what made the 1970's such a groovy time would have to be the new focus on mysticism. Folks in the Age of Aquarius or "New Age" were starting to explore new ways of looking at familiar ideas. And, while everyone was concerned with "the new morality" and "Doing your own thing" traditional institutions like the church your parents went to were seen as part of "The Establishment". Add to that a new interest in all things Afro-centric for a new generation for African-Americans looking to find an identity and a voice in modern America and it's no wonder a comic like Brother Voodoo would hit the shelves.

Sort of a Haitian Doctor Strange, Brother Voodoo even debuted in Doc's old haunt Strange Tales. I would tell you all about it, but the folks over at wikipedia have done a nice job, so I'll let them take it:

"Returning to his native Haïti (born in Port-au-Prince) after 12 years (originally nearly 20^[4]) of education and practice as an accredied psychologist in the United States, Jericho Drumm discovers that his twin brother, Daniel, the local houngan, is dying, a victim of a voodoo sorcerer who claims to be possessed by the spirit of the serpent-god Damballah. Just before he dies, Daniel makes his brother vow to visit Daniel's mentor, Papa Jambo. Jericho does, and becomes Jambo's student. After studying under the aged houngan for several weeks, Jericho gains a greater mastery of voodoo practices than his own brother, becoming a houngan in his own right. Papa Jambo then performs a rite that summons Daniel's spirit from the dead and joins it with Jericho's own. Having fashioned a worthy successor, Papa Jambo dies.

Taking the name Brother Voodoo, Jericho challenges the priest, who goes by the same name as his god Damballah, and his cult. With the help of his Daniel's spirit possessing one of the cult members, Jericho removes Damballah's artifact of power (wangal), causing Damballah's snakes to turn on him and evidently destroying Damballah's cult. Brother Voodoo became Haïti's houngan supreme and champion, and establishes a sprawling mansion as a base of operations. He places the wangal in a safe, its combination known only to Brother Voodoo and his manservant Bambu.^["

Apart from being one of the coolest magic-based characters of all time, the good Brother's relative obscurity has provided years worth of material for Fred Hembeck.

Who's The Black Dick who Pokes Drac With A Stick? BLADE!

2010-02-10T08:00:00.006-05:00

For those of you only familiar with the character of Blade from those insipid movies with Wesley Snipes, there was a time when Blade was more... well, groovy. Rather than a body armored, flattop wearing weirdo in Oakleys with a husky voice and a samurai sword, Blade was more like a cross between Professor Van Helsing and Shaft (although Gene Colan claims to have modeled his looks on a composite of black actors, including Jim Brown).

See, back in the day, the writers of Tomb of Dracula had more sense than to have vampire hunters using silver bullets or spikes or silver nitrate powder, etc. Despite what the Blade movies and Dracula 2000 would have you believe, SILVER IS FOR WEREWOLVES! NOT VAMPIRES!!! So, wait, no silver stakes? No Sword? Why was he called "Blade" ? Simple. Blade had a bandoleer of wooden throwing knives which allowed him to stake vampires from a safe distance.

Well, usually a safe distance...

Blade also has a leg up on the average vampire hunter. Seems his mama was killed by a vampire while she was preggers with li'l Blade. Blade absorbed certain "vampiric enzymes" and was born with quasi-vampiric powers, including longevity, improved reflexes and a resistance to becoming a vampire.

Which all makes him a totally kick-ass vampire killer.

Blade was quite probably the first Black supernatural hero... he was not to be (as we shall see tomorrow) the last.

"SWEET CHRISTMAS!" Luke Cage Hits The Streets. HARD!

2010-02-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

If you thought the Falcon was fly, hold on to your afro pick! Luke Cage (aka Power Man) -Hero for Hire, was a new direction for Black superheros. Hip, streetwise and tossing out "jive" dialog like Shaft guest-starring on Sanford and Son, Luke Cage was an absolute, Blaxploitation badass.

Debuting in his own, self-titled comic in 1972, Lucas was a young, urban black man who was wrongly convicted of a crime. While in prison, he agreed to undergo a medical experiment which accidentally gave him tough-as-steel skin and dense, super-strong muscles. Breaking out of prison, he assumed the name of "Luke Cage" and started his own business as a sort of superhuman private eye.

Very dated, but a very fun read.

Green Lantern- You Know, the Black One!

2010-02-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

In 1971, Earth's Green Lantern, Hal Jordan had a problem. Seems his back-up, gym teacher Guy Gardner, had been in a serious accident and sustained a head injury. That meant that, should something happen to Jordan, there would be no Green Lantern to patrol space sector 2814. Consulting his power ring to find another suitable candidate for the job, Hal Jordan and the rest of us, meets John Stewart (The architect, not the talk-show host).

Although sometimes accused of being yet another "Angry Black Man" superhero, John Stewart is significant for the following reasons:

1) He's DC's first Black superhero.
2) He's The Green Lantern. Not Black Lantern, not Black Green Lantern...
3) He sets a precedent wherein previously established white superheroes are sometimes replaced with a new, black version- i.e. Mr. Terrific or Captain Marvel.

I, for one, find it groundbreaking that John Stewart was just one more GL in a corps of intergalatic heroes.

Saturday Morning 1978- Black Who?

2010-02-06T15:14:00.002-05:00

I have always wondered why Hanna-Barbera bothered to make up Black Vulcan? When I first saw him as a little kid, I assumed he was Black Lightning in a different costume. I don't know how long it took me to realize his name was Black Vulcan. BV debuted on "The All New Superfriends Hour" about a year after Black Lightning first appeared in comics. One would assume that, in their quest to diversify the Superfriends, Hanna-Barbera would have simply licensed the new and popular Black Lightning. Many people have conjectured that Black Lightning seemed too topical and angry for Saturday Morning in the 70's. However, Superfriends, already avoided the grittier elements of all the other characters' comics series, so that seems an unlikely reason for abandoning Black Lightning.

According to Wikipedia (The receptacle for the sum total of all human knowledge) DC was unable to license Black Lightning to HB due to a dispute with BL's creator, Tony Isabella.

Whatever the reason, Hanna-Barbera gave us Black Vulcan. The first and longest-lasting of the "ethnic" Superfriends. And though I may have been confused about his name, Black Vulcan will always be a cherished part of my Saturday Morning memories.

Nobody's Sidekick- The Falcon

2010-02-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

Though the Black Panther holds the title of the first black superhero, the distinction of being the first African American superhero goes to The Falcon. He's also the first superhero of African descent not to have "Black" in his name.
And if those firsts weren't enough to grab you, how about this: The Falcon was the only African American superhero included in the 1970's Mego "World's Greatest Superheroes" toy line.

Add all of that to the fact that the Falcon co-starred with Captain America, sharing the comic's title as a partner, not a sidekick and you have one badass, socially progressive black superguy.

Now, if only his hip threads weren't so "pimped out".

Black Panther- Now You're Talkin' !

2010-02-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

In 1966, the first Black superhero hit the shelves. Again from Marvel, the Black Panther was and still is a unique character in the annals of black superheroes. BP debuted in Fantastic Four #52 which was published months before the founding of the controversial and openly militant Black Panther Party.

The Black Panther is T'Challa, ruler and spiritual leader of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. His costume is one traditionally associated with his role as protector of his people. He derives his superpowers (enhanced strength and reflexes) from a special herb which is reserved for the holder of his office. Out of all the black heroes who would follow in his wake, Black Panther is remarkable for his role as an example of the dignified ruler of a prosperous nation, rather than a disenfranchised citizen protecting the common man in a world that has forgotten him. He's also the first African hero depicted in comics who's not a transplanted white guy.

Lobo- Black in the Saddle

2010-02-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

In 1965 Dell comics decided to add a new star to their wonderful line of Western comics: Lobo. Dell published all of two issues of this landmark series and then cancelled it. Why? Accoring to Lobo artist Tony Tallarico, the reasons are simple and sad:

Tallarico in a 2006 interview said that he and Dell writer Arneson co-created the character based on an idea and a plot by Tallarico, with Arneson scripting it.

"I had an idea for Lobo. And I approached D.J. Arneson and he brought it in and showed it to [Dell editor-in-chief] Helen Meyer. ... She loved it. She really wanted to do it. Great, so we did it. We did the first issue. And in comics, you start the second issue as they're printing the first one, due to time limitations. ... All of the sudden, they stopped the wagon. They stopped production on the issue. They discovered that as they were sending out bundles of comics out to the distributors [that] they were being returned unopened. And I couldn't figure out why. So they sniffed around, scouted around and discovered [that many sellers] were opposed to Lobo, who was the first black Western hero. That was the end of the book. It sold nothing. They printed 200,000; that was the going print-rate. They sold, oh, 10-15 thousand."

So far as I know, nobody ever sent back a bundle of Jonah Hex.

Gabriel Jones- A Big Step Forward.

2010-02-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

During WWII, U.S. fighting forces were segregated, rather than integrated. This meant that Japanese Americans would serve in all Japanese-American units, African Americans would serve in all African American units. The U.S. Army was not racially integrated until President Harry Truman signed an executive order to the effect in 1948. This fact notwithstanding, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby decided to integrate their elite, fictional combat unit "The Howling Commandos".

In 1963, for the debut of Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, Jack Kirby drew Gabe Jones as a realistic-looking black man. He gave Gabe the same human dignity he gave every other member of his commando squad (maybe more than he gave Dum-Dum Dugan). Only one problem: The printers thought there had been a mistake.

See, the printing company who printed the comics for Marvel were confused by why this one guy was brown. They thought it was a colorist's mistake and kept color correcting when they stripped the film for the color press plates. Finally the editorial office had to contact the printer and explain that Gabe Jones was a black man and was SUPPOSED to be brown. Since Jones had not been depicted as a stereotype, the printers had been horribly confused.

I think the preceding story illustrates how far America had come in it's understanding and treatment of it's African America citizens and how far it had yet to go.

Ebony White- pro's and con's

2010-02-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

Ebony White is a mixed blessing. He is a brave, intelligent and loyal assistant to Will Eisner's hero, The Spirit. He is also, visually, a terrible ethnic stereotype which hearkens back to the "blackface" makeup of old minstrel shows. His appearance is so blatantly a racial caricature that, when asked to come up with a replacement for The Spirit , Jack Cole supplied his Spirit-like character(Midnight) with a talking monkey as a sidekick.

You may ask yourself, "Why would Will Eisner, artistic innovator, a man who knew the pain of bigotry (he was Jewish at a time when Jews were excluded from nearly as many things as black folks), depict a young, black man as a sub-human stereotype?". Well, not to make excuses, but it was common practice in the 1940's. Ebony is a "comedy sidekick", not unlike Doiby Dickles from Green Lantern or Woozy Winks from Plastic Man. The comedy sidekick is always drawn in a more cartoony style than the hero and usually has exaggerated speech patterns or mannerisms. Basically, Ebony is a broadly drawn comedy stereotype common to his time period and really shouldn't be thought of as any more offensive to African Americans than Doiby is to guys from Brooklyn.

So, yes, looking back at Ebony through the eyes of the 21st Century, his appearance may make you wince. But bear in mind, no malice was intended and Ebony's inclusion was a tiny, awkward first step forward to bringing African Americans into the mainstream of superhero comics.

A Shout-Out to My Fellow Bloggers

2010-01-28T20:49:00.002-05:00

Hey gang! I've been a little busy the last couple days launching my new blog The Ghost Who Blogs and I haven't had time to lay any Silver-Age goodies on you. But, while I'm dusting the cobwebs off of my shortboxes, I want to give props to some of my favorite bloggers.

Be sure to stop by Gold Key Comics and see what goodies from the now-defunct Western Publishing archivist-extraordinaire Mykal Banta has put on display. You may also dig Mykal's other comics blogs The Big Blog of Kids' Comics and Star-Studded War Comics. I know I do!

For a little bit of everything, particularly cartoons, hitch-hike over to Rogue Evolent's Roads of Autumn Dusk and say howdy!

And if the bronze -or "Groovy" age of comics is more your thing, check out Diversions of the Groovy Kind. And tell ole' Groove I sent you.

Or, if you prefer the Golden Age, there's always Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine and Lysdexicus' Ten Cent Dreams.

Of course, if you're lookin' for love -comics that is- be sure to stop by Jacque Nodell's Sequential Crush, Spectergirl's As Told to Stan Lee and KB's Out of This World.

And lastly, if you'd like to get the pants scared off'n ya, visit The Apocalyte's Black 'n' White and Red All Over or swing by Karswell's The Horrors of It All.

Well, that's about it for now. Good reading and if I forgot anyone, I'm heartily sorry.

Another Blog? REALLY??

2010-01-27T12:31:00.004-05:00

Yes, I've made the crazy decision to start another comics blog. This one is dedicated to the first hero to don a mask and tights and open up a can of whoopass, The Phantom. So, please, feel free to drop by and visit The Ghost Who Blogs. The real action will begin tomorrow when I'll be posting The Phantom #60 from Charton, 1974.

Judo Master- What's Up With the Pony Tail?

2010-01-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

I mean, seriously. Why the pony tail? Oh, sure, I know it's a tassel or a plume or something but being yellow, it just looks like you're wearing your flowing, blonde hair in a ponytail. Maybe you could trade in your pants and slippers for a poodle skirt and bobby-socks; listen to some Sinatra records after school and then head to the malt shop. I think you know where this is going.

And before anyone tries to tell me it's a Japanese thing, don't bother. I'm not buying it. Just because the Sumo Wrestler in the background has a ponytail instead of the proper Sumo bun hairdo doesn't let you off the hook, Judo Master.

Maybe that's why you became a master of the martial arts, to fend off all the beatings you got for that sissy-ass pony tail?

Get a haircut, you hippie.

If Nobody Told You He was Blind, This Costume Would have Made you Suspect It.

2010-01-25T08:00:00.002-05:00

Let me start here by saying that I am not a big fan of pointless costume makeovers. I prefer Spidey in red and blue (or red and black w/ blue highlights), I like Batman to have trunks over his tights, heck, I even prefer the big, Michelin Man style Iron Man costume. But I have to say when Wally Wood made over Daredevil's suit, it was a no-brainer.

Meaning no disrespect to Bill Everett- the guy invented the Sub-Mariner fer cryin' out loud- and I know that red and yellow look great together (Captain Marvel, Flash, Speedy, Johnny Quick, Judo Master...) but the monochrome red suit looks so much sharper.

And frankly, it makes so much more sense. I mean, it was one thing to name the guy "Daredevil". That just means he's a risk-taker. It's a whole other ball of wax to decide he wears a devil costume AND THEN NOT MAKE IT RED.

Unless your devil-themed hero is the mascot for Duke, red is always the color of devils. I know it, you know it, Hell, even Daffy Duck knows it. So, two issues after Wally Wood took over the art chores for Daredevil, he updated his look with the now-familiar costume:

Ironically, Everett was off the book by the time his new co-creation, Daredevil battled his most famous creation, The Sub-Mariner!

And that suit is so iconic, it's barely changed in 40+years.

Boy, Adoption Sure Was Easier When Clark Was Little!- Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #20

2010-01-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Superman is such a super guy, it would have to be wonderful to be married to him, right? Well, maybe not:

"Is it a big diamond? Did you crush some coal and make me a giant diamond? - Maybe you made us a planet?..."

Honeymoon OVER!

Lois and Clark head to the orphanage where Clark has been cruelly interring Kara ever since she arrived on Earth. They apply for adoption immediately and everything looks good, but wait, apparently in the early 1960's, the ideas of motherhood and a career don't mix:

Okay, that kid is just about ready for college. You're telling me, Lois can't write about fashion shows and inane inventions and Museums of Superstition and what Superman did today while her daughter is at school?

Anyway, Lois sacrifices her career to make Superman happy. And all he does is run off with their daughter all the time and save the world, leaving Lois with the housework. Except Superman vacuums the rugs by inhaling with his super-breath (YUCK!!) and Supergirl, volunteers to do the dishes- with disastrous results:

That snoopy broad in the window who looks suspiciously like Margaret Hamilton as Elmira Gulch in The Wizard of OZ is Mrs. Clayton, the investigator from the orphanage. Mrs. Clayton gets the wrong idea immediately, assuming Lois is lounging around all day while Linda does all the housework. Actually, I guess it is kinda the right idea, but being super, it takes Linda and Clark seconds to clean up, leaving Lois home all day with no-one to talk to but Superman's boring-ass robots:

While Lois is bored to tears, Superman and Supergirl get to go do fun things like this:

This would NEVER work! See my previous rant.

Meanwhile, Lois continues to try to play the role of homemaker. Having wrenched her back, she orders the Linda Lee robot to make the beds. Lois notices that the robot is not performing efficiently and soon spots a loose bolt, which she tries to bang into place with a hairbrush. Women! I don't know how many times I've caught my wife using any convenient, heavy object (no matter how precious) as a hammer, or using a butter knife instead of one of our 15 screwdrivers! The right tool for the right job, ladies. Wait, where was I?:

So, Lois gets caught beating her daughter by that busybody, Mrs. Clayton. Linda is taken away without the benefit of police involvement or a hearing or anything.

But, at least Lois is still married to Superman. I mean, a guy like that, he's got to be super-understanding, right?

Wrong! As per usual, Superman shows his true colors as a selfish jerk.

This Doctor Still Makes House Calls!-Strange Tales #120

2010-01-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

"Not often does Doctor Strange walk the city streets!"- Yeah, I wouldn't leave the house in that outfit either! *rimshot*

The reason Doctor Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts has deemed to soil himself by condescending to walk amongst us lowly mortals is that, once again, our very existence is threatened by forces beyond our very comprehension. In other words, there's a haunted house and he wants to check it out.

Apparently, the house has enough of a reputation that a TV crew has come to send a reporter inside the house and report his findings live on television. Unfortunately, this being the early 1960's, TV cameras are huge and not at all easy to take with you. Which means that reporter Allen Stevens has to go inside the haunted house and describe what he sees via microphone. Maybe this would have been a better story for radio??

To make sure Stevens is safe, Dr. Strange assumes his ectoplasmic or "unphysical" form and attempts to enter the house. Surprisingly, he is unable to do so. Returning to his body, Strange falls back on his old standby, his magic amulet. Using it's all-seeing eye, Strange observes Stevens within the house. Stevens observes an old oil lamp floating in the air, and then sees something which shocks him so greatly he fears for his sanity.

Strange immediately pushes the crowd out of his way (magically, no less) and enters the house. He witnesses the same floating lamp, which does not scare him. Next, he is encircled in a thick, swirling mist, but Strange is unimpressed with such cheap theatrics:

The mists form themselves into a cage. Strange shouts a lot of mystical mumbo-jumbo and dispells them. The good Doctor talks a little smack to the house and the house replies indignantly in a disembodied (and, I have to assume, otherworldly) voice. Strange demands the release of the reporter or he will reveal the house's true secret. The house consents and then asks Strange to keep his bargain. Strange says he will keep the house's secret,as no-one would believe:

Um, yeah. So, is the house an extradimensional being appearing in the form of a house? Or is there some dimension populated with sentient houses? And if you wanted to observe us, is pretending to be haunted and hiding in the boonies the best way??

This all reminds me of a show from my childhood: The Six-Million Dollar Man. There's a famous story cycle where Col. Steve Austin goes looking for Big Foot. When he finds Big Foot, it turns out that the Sasquatch is really an android, built by an alien race. These aliens live in a hidden, underground complex and have built and sent Big Foot as a way to "observe humanity". First of all, the aliens look just like us. All they hadda do was go into town to observe humanity. Second, is the best way to "observe" humanity to build a 7-foot monster and set it loose in an area so remote no-one ever goes there?? I never got that.

My rendering of events as I recall them.

Any way, I love early Doctor Strange stories. And, yeah, I know I kinda panned Ditko a couple of weeks ago, but his work on this issue was really atmospheric and creepy.

For the rest of what went on in this issue, check out Pat's summary at Silver Age Comics.

Check Out "As Told To Stan Lee"

2010-01-20T17:09:00.002-05:00

Finally! At long last, "As Told To Stan Lee" has posted it's first article! Be sure to check it out and leave some encouraging comments!

http://astoldtostanlee.blogspot.com/

Metamorpho. How Can You Not Dig This?

2010-01-20T08:00:00.003-05:00

I recently picked up the Showcase edition of Metamorpho and I have to say, so far I'm in love.

The earliest issues have art by Ramona (Aquaman) Fradon and Charles (Batman) Paris which is just astoundingly beautiful (Oh! How I wish this were in color!). The plot and characters remind me somewhat of Plastic Man's Jack Cole at his height. And Metamorpho himself is a wonderfully "flexible" character.

Soldier-of -Fortune, Rex Mason works for one of the world's wealthiest and most power-hungry scientists, Simon Stagg. Mason is also engaged to Stagg's daugther, Sapphire. The love between Mason and Saphire causes nothing but outrage in the heart of Stagg's henchman, Java- a revived, mentally-enhanced cave man- who hates the dashing Rex Mason with a burning passion. A passion almost as strong as his desire to win the heart of the beautiful Sapphire.

Are you hooked yet? Because it gets even better!

Rex Mason is a cocky, swaggering man-of-action who despises his employer, Simon Stagg. Mason only works for Stagg because A) Stagg pays well and B) Mason is in love with Stagg's daughter and needs the money to marry her.

As our story opens, Mason thumbs his nose at Stagg once too often, returning from an expedition with a rare potion of immense power, only to dump it on Stagg's rug. After all, Stagg asked him to obtain it and bring it back, not to give it to him.

Stagg plots with Java to send Mason on a one-way mission to the Lost Pyramid of Ahk-Ton which holds a famous mystical treasure -The Orb of Ra. Stagg offers Mason $1,000,000.00 to find it and bring it to him. Stagg also instructs Java to go with Mason and see that he never returns. Knowing that a million 1965 dollars would mean financial independence for Sapphire and himself, Mason reluctantly takes the job.

As Mason and Java approach the lost pyramid in their small airplane, the pyramid begins to give off intense heat. Crash-landing the plane, both men survive, but the landing gear has been damaged in the crash.

Once at the pyramid, Java finds a concealed entrance. Soon, Mason finds hieroglyphics which tell the story of an Egyptian priest, Ahk-Ton who found a mysterious, glowing meteorite. Ahk-Ton fashioned an orb from a fragment of the rock and attached it to a sceptre which he presented to Pharoah.

Mason and Java find the sceptre. Java takes the sceptre and then sets off a booby trap, trapping Mason with the original, large meteorite. Java leaves Mason for dead and returns to Stagg, dreaming of how his boss might make him handsome, so that he can win the love of Sapphire.

Meanwhile, Mason is transformed by the meteorite into The Element Man. He quickly discovers that he can alter his form to become gaseous or liquid and can become any element. Mason uses his power to repair the Magnesium landing gear on his plane and return home to confront his boss.

To sum up, Metamorpho uses his new powers to kick the asses of Stagg's private army and Java.

Stagg, not wanting to pass up having a superman in his employ, offers to cure Mason if he'll continue to work for him. Sapphire still loves Rex, even though he is now a hideous freak. Java boils with envy and rage.

This series (I'm only on the 3rd story, mind you) is off to a great start. As mentioned before, I love the art. And DC didn't do very many heroes with unwanted powers in the Silver Age, but they sure did this one right. I was mostly familiar with Metamorpho from his appearances in Batman and the Outsiders and (Keith Giffen's) Justice League. I thought he was an intriguing character then, He's moved up to my top ten now.

A Proposal of New Nomenclature.

2010-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I propose a new way of referring to an era of comics.

Since we comics geeks have latched onto what is now a standard way of referring to different time periods/movements in American comic books, i.e. the Golden, Silver and Bronze Ages, I think it's well beyond time to add a new division. The Tarnished Age.

Hear me out. At first thought, The Tarnished Age sounds a little negative. However, I feel it is an apt description which reflects the intentions of the creators of the time. Most of the comics of the era I'm describing are re-examinations of traditional superheroes, looked at through the lense of reality and cynicism. Those once-gleaming heroes of the Gold and Silver ages have become...tarnished.

The Tarnished Age of comics would begin around 1982 with Alan Moore and Alan Davis' revisionist take on Marvelman, aka Miracleman.

From there, we jump across the pond to Mark Gruenwald's 1985 Squadron Supreme maxi-series.

Next up, we predictably move on to 1986 with Moore and Gibbons' Watchmen

and Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

From that point forward, nearly every hero gets a new, grittier take. Daredevil has a crisis of faith, Green Arrow has a mid-life crisis and starts using pointy arrows, Spiderman has a serious wardrobe malfunction, Lex Luthor becomes a Machiavellian CEO and Kraven the Hunter blows his brains out.

Sound tarnished enough for ya? The hardest part will be determining where the Tarnished Age stops and the next age begins.

I Had A Dream That Someday I Would Be In a Comic Book-

2010-01-18T08:00:00.010-05:00

In honor of the contributions to civil rights, world peace and the advancement of ALL people which were made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Silver Age Gold would like to direct everyone to this wonderful website where you can read this historic comics retelling of "The Montgomery Story".

Well, I Sure as Hell Didn't Expect THAT! Unexpected #210

2010-01-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

I usually post something about Saturday Morning superhero cartoons of the 60's on Saturdays, or nothing at all. But today, as I wind down "Ape-ril In January" week, I thought I'd treat you all to a bonus.

Amy and I bought this little number at ChicagoCon one year for $0.25. It was purchased solely on the strength of the cover image.

Now, of course, I know that the above comic is from the Bronze Age, but it has a friggin' vampire ape on it! I have a soft spot for bronze age horror comics. With all the CCA restrictions placed on comics companies (self-imposed or not), it was nearly impossible to do a horror comic that was actually, well... scary. What you usually get is either a ridiculous, predicatable piece of tripe that is unintentionally funny (and therefore highly enjoyable) or, on rare occasions, something that manages to manipulate the limitations of the format and still produce something exciting- and when they're good, they're great!

The above comic is of the former variety. In fact, most issues of Unexpected from the 70's and early 80's are just plain awful. They rely heavily on twist endings, as the name would suggest, but the twists are usually not just unexpected, they're a complete non-sequiter. It almost works in a Dadaist or Absurdist way. I usually joke that a better name for this series would have been "-'The Hell?!?"

So, no, I can honestly say that a big gorilla with bat wings surprising a bunch of people in a grave yard was not something I would have expected. Mission accomplished!

Silver Age Gold

Sometimes We All Feel Like Punching An Elephant In The Face!! Strange Adventures #180, September, 1965

Who Needs The EPA When You've Got A Radioactive Giant? Doctor Solar Man of the Atom #10, January, 1965

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

And you thought Batman was kinky!!!

X-ray vision. A rant.

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - Aquaman

Because You Demanded It! Aquaman

Aquagirl!!

Something is Fishy in local Law Enforcement. "Aquaman and his Sea Police" Adventure Comics #264

Black Manta- a brief, off-topic rant

Why Aquaman is actually pretty cool

Aquaman- King of the Sea and a heck of a nice guy. Adventure Comics #262

I Consider myself SCHOOLED! By My Five-Year-Old!

The Illegal Alien Problem. They're Taking Our Superhero Jobs!

Happy 4th of July- Marvel Style!

Junkyard of Doom-part 3- conclusion

Junkyard of Doom-part 2

The Element of Romance... Metamorpho!

Memorial Day- Lest We Forget

Well, If You're Going to "Ape" Sherlock Holmes...

Spectergirl has a new blog!

I Have Yet Another Comics Blog!

Two Words for Jimmy Olsen: "DON'T TOUCH!"

RIP Frank Frazetta

Happy Mother's Day!!

You like me! You Really Like Me!

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - The Atom

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA - Green Arrow

Holy Right-To-Left! It's Bat-Manga!

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- Wonder Woman

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- Green Lantern

Flash Origin Update! A Reader Spots Something Interesting!

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- The Flash

Not-So-Secret Origins of the JLA Week- Martian Manhunter

One of the Many Reasons I love My Wife!

If It Sells, Keep Sellin' It!

Not Really Silver Age... But Funny!

Lois Lane, You're Kinda Dumb!

Aquaman Vs. Sub-Mariner!!

"I Hate Flash's Girlfriend!" and other observations

Magnus is NOT a superhero, by three votes.

Who is YOUR Favorite Silver Age Batman?

Hey Kids! Ask Your Folks for a Razor Blade! Tell 'Em Superboy Said To!

New Poll Added!

The Down Side of Dynamic Tension...

Top 5 Silver Age Super Heroes, NOT from DC or Marvel.

The Greatest Heroes of the Silver Age Battle a Big Starfish- Brave and the Bold #28

Spectergirl's Crypt of Post-Code Horror

Have a Happy Easter- IF YOU DARE!

Charlton Romance Series Cancelled in Its Prime!

Don't Do It, Annie!

On the Trail!

Cowboys and Injuns Week Two- Two-Fisted Tales #17

R.I.P. Dick Giordano

Thrilling Adventures In Stamps presents, The Pony Express

Hypnosis. It Doesn't Work That Way!- Rawhide Kid #30

Hangin' Tough. Tonto -Everyone's First Suspect.

Cowboys and Injuns Week- All This Week!

Can We Stop Reprinting This Story Already?

Why doesn't anyone write comics like THIS anymore?

A Great Time at ComicChatcast.Com

If you're in driving range of Huntington, WV...

Join Me Tonight!!!

Some of Green Arrow's Arrows are Dumb, All of Arrowette's Arrows are Obnoxious

No Mom in the History of Mankind Was Ever THIS Laid-Back!

Are You Sure This Is Educational?

Yeah, This Ad Was For Your Little Girl!

The True History of Baseball in Four Pages. SUCK IT, KEN BURNS!!!

More Stamps- Tales From The Post Office!

Weirdest Cross-Collectible EVER!! Thrilling Adventures in Stamps #1

Black Lightning. DC Wakes Up and Smells the Marketplace!

Happy Birthday Spectergirl!!

Last Night's Chatcast.

Misty Knight- Sistahs Are Doin' It For Themselves!

Don't Forget!

Black Goliath- I'm Not Sure I Get It.

A Special Announcement

Another slice of Black History Month...