Lost Crossovers: When the Star-Spangled Kid met the Caped Crusader

In the Golden Age of Comics, it was a real rarity for the stars of any two comic book features to meet one another. It happened occasionally, but outside of the regular get-togethers of the Justice Society of America in ALL-STAR COMICS, it was rare to see two different super heroes occupy space in the … Continue reading Lost Crossovers: When the Star-Spangled Kid met the Caped Crusader

WC: WORLD’S FINEST #151

During the Silver Age of Comics, there was a prevailing wisdom that it was the cover that sold the magazine, rather than any quality within the book itself. Comics were largely an impulse purchase on the part of numerous casual young readers, so coming up with a cover image that would grab their imagination and … Continue reading WC: WORLD’S FINEST #151

5BC: 5 Most Unlikely and Unprecedented Crossovers

These days, the concept of a crossover between two different fictional characters has become so entrenched in popular culture that it's difficult to come across a pairing that is truly noteworthy. In a world in which everybody is exploring a Multiverse, it seems strange to think that there was a time when the idea that … Continue reading 5BC: 5 Most Unlikely and Unprecedented Crossovers

Forgotten Masterpiece: ALL FUNNY COMICS #16

I only became aware of this story recently, and it has an aspect to it that may have been overlooked to some. So I'm going to feature it here. In the postwar era, the public's taste in comic books shifted away from super heroes towards other genres. Notably, humor comics became quite popular, and like … Continue reading Forgotten Masterpiece: ALL FUNNY COMICS #16

WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #324

This is a relatively effective cover for an issue of DETECTIVE COMICS in this period, even given that the series tended to look a bit antiquated when placed on the comic racks next to the other contemporary DC titles. That use of the close-up of the Robot Brain with Batman and Robin trapped inside it … Continue reading WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #324

WC: BATMAN #167

This particular issue of BATMAN was the only one I got in my Windfall Comics purchase of 1988 that featured editor Julie Schwartz's "New Look" revamp version of Batman and Robin. After years under former editor Jack Schiff and with sales dwindling, irwin Donenfeld shifted the Caped Crusader over to Schwartz's editorial control. Even at … Continue reading WC: BATMAN #167

BHOC: BATMAN FAMILY #19

I was and am a creature of habit. When something becomes a part of my routine, I tend to continue with it even past the point that made it part of the routine in the first place. In the case of BATMAN FAMILY, I had begun to read the series when it was largely a … Continue reading BHOC: BATMAN FAMILY #19

WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #322

Not every comic book that I got as a part of my Windfall Comics purchase in 1988 became a beloved favorite. Some of them, such as this issue of DETECTIVE COMICS, I barely remember at all. In fact, if it wasn't on a list of books compiled when that purchase was made, I would swear … Continue reading WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #322

WC: BATMAN #148

Here was another issue of BATMAN that I got in my Windfall Comics purchase of 1988. While it's a 12 cent issue, it was still published during the editorial reign of Jack Schiff. And as such, it was a bit noteworthy, as by this time schiff and his creative teams had largely pivoted the Caped … Continue reading WC: BATMAN #148

Great Covers: BATMAN #383

This is a pretty striking BATMAN cover, especially for the era. It's a good use of graphic design combined with a limited palette to achieve an effect. It's subtle, but you really can't miss that white-held portrait of Batman superimposed over the night's activities.the strong red-orange backgrounds giving the whole cover a bit of punch. … Continue reading Great Covers: BATMAN #383