Now here is an interesting oddity that we'll talk about a little bit. During World War II, starting in late 1944 and running into 1945, DC/National Comics signed a deal with the United States Navy to provide them with Special Editions of a number of upcoming publications, to be used in the training of sailors … Continue reading ACTION COMICS #80 – U.S. Navy Edition
Category: Everything Else
When Batman Used A Gun
It's an argument that comes up every couple of months like clockwork, especially when some new film or television project is announced. There are always those that espouse that Batman, in order to be treated realistically, should carry and use a gun. And these people inevitably point to the character's earliest days as justification, talking … Continue reading When Batman Used A Gun
ZIP COMICS #28 and the Origin of the Web
A week ago, I posted a feature in which writer Jerry Siegel and artist Paul Reinman revealed the secret origin of the Web, that 1960s-era costumed crusader who was "hen-pecked" by his wife Rosie and her mother to give up the super hero business and settle down to a regular life. https://tombrevoort.com/2022/12/17/brand-echh-mighty-comics-45/ I mentioned that … Continue reading ZIP COMICS #28 and the Origin of the Web
PUSSYCAT #1
The PUSSYCAT one-shot is something of an oddity in the Marvel back catalog. As it doesn't carry any Marvel markings, it can easily be overlooked as even coming from the House of Ideas, though the indicia makes things clear. And in truth, while it originated in the same place, it got there the long way … Continue reading PUSSYCAT #1
Fifteen Thoughts about Superman: the Movie
For no particular reason, I've been thinking about SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE recently. It's a film that I first saw new back in 1978 and that has been a favorite ever since. What's more, it is clearly the progenitor for all of the big-budget super hero movies' that have come after it, to one extent or … Continue reading Fifteen Thoughts about Superman: the Movie
Vanishing Art Form…
Here's another vintage newspaper article about comic books from the dawn of the Silver Age. This is the earliest such piece that we've run, and it's interesting to see the writer's attitude towards comic books--both the titles that he clearly remembers from his own youth and their scarcity in the present moment--that moment being August … Continue reading Vanishing Art Form…
SUPERMAN: MATINEE IDOL Times Three
One of the hugest steps forward for the growing popularity of the Man of Steel in his earliest years and the event that represents the apex of the Superman fad which opened the floodgates to dozens of similar costumed champions in the pages of dozens of comic books was the arrival of Superman on the … Continue reading SUPERMAN: MATINEE IDOL Times Three
Superman: This Island Bradman
What is the rarest Superman comic book in existence? That's a question that would invite a great deal of debate. But there's some compelling evidence to indicate that it may be this one. This Superman custom comic book had a print run of only around 200 copies total, and was distributed to an incredibly select … Continue reading Superman: This Island Bradman
TV Guide: How They Make Superman Fly
it cannot be overstated how much of an impact the 1950s ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN had in keeping both the character and the entire comic book business alive and vibrant throughout that decade and the next. While the Man of Steel was a red-hot fad at the start of the 1940s when he first burst onto … Continue reading TV Guide: How They Make Superman Fly
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman 1966 Souvenir Program
It's one of the great lost pieces of Superman Americana. For three months in 1966, actor Bob Holiday starred as the Man of Steel in 129 performances of the Broadway musical It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman. While a cast recording was made and is readily available today, and a few promotional appearances … Continue reading It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman 1966 Souvenir Program