BHOC: ACTION COMICS #488

I was into picking up this next issue of ACTION COMICS thanks both to the impending showdown between Superman and Microwave Man--a costumed villain from the past who'd spend decades off in space--and the start of the Air-Wave back-up series. I knew Air-Wave from over in GREEN LANTERN and had liked him a bunch as … Continue reading BHOC: ACTION COMICS #488

BHOC: IRON MAN #115

This next issue of IRON MAN was the preamble to what would, in time, be considered one of the very best runs that the title had to offer. His arrival had been touted on the Marvel Bullpen Bulletins page all month, and so here was John Romita Jr., the son of Marvel legend and art … Continue reading BHOC: IRON MAN #115

WC: SGT FURY #25

This issue of SGT. FURY AND HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS was the final one I got in my box of Windfall Comics, purchased for $50.00 back in 1988, and it was an interesting issue for reasons that I'll expound upon later. SGT FURY was a bit of an odd duck in the Marvel line, in that … Continue reading WC: SGT FURY #25

BHOC: FANTASTIC FOUR #199

The excitement was building, at least for myself and my small collection of comic book reading friends, as FANTASTIC FOUR neared its big issue #200. The build-up had been going on for almost a year, and now that inker extraordinaire Joe Sinnott had returned to teh series after missing a couple of issues, everything was … Continue reading BHOC: FANTASTIC FOUR #199

BHOC: DEFENDERS #64

This issue of DEFENDERS featured the climactic chapter to one of the dopiest and most fun stories in the entire series, and a real favorite of mine. Honestl, after this, DEFENDERS became something of a slog for a very long time, a title that I bought out of habit or obligation, but not one that … Continue reading BHOC: DEFENDERS #64

WC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18

From a fan engagement point of view, there was probably no more galvanizing comic book at the start of the Silver Age of Comics than JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. Fans--particular Dr. Jerry Bails, who pretty much founded super hero fandom with his associate Roy Thomas--had campaigned to get a new, updated version of the Justice … Continue reading WC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18

BHOC: AVENGERS #176

Back at my usual weekly trips to the local 7-11 on Thursday afternoons after school to pick up the new comics, I came across this latest issue of AVENGERS. The title was then in the midst of the well-remembered Korvac Saga, and while it had hit some speed bumps in terms of artist retention, this … Continue reading BHOC: AVENGERS #176

WC: JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #118

By the time this issue of JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY was published, he series had crystalized into its final form. The short one-off adventures of the Thunder God Thor now gave way to an impressively long serialized story that ran consistently from issue to issue without a break for several years. In addition, the character's background … Continue reading WC: JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #118

BHOC: THE FLASH #130

During that first excursion to Ed's Coins and Stamps, I did what I always tended to do in these situations: I bought the oldest issue of a key comic book series that I could afford. In this instance, that turned out to be THE FLASH #130, which was my oldest issue of the title for … Continue reading BHOC: THE FLASH #130

BHOC: DOOM PATROL #100

For whatever reason, Ed's Coins and Stamps seemed to have a much greater variety of old DC titles than he did Marvels, and so much of what I bought from him on this first trip followed suit. This issue of DOOM PATROL was among them. I had never seen a copy of DOOM PATROL before … Continue reading BHOC: DOOM PATROL #100