BHOC: WELCOME BACK, KOTTER #1

This next comic book I know was bought for my brother Ken, as there is no way I would have purchased a comic book based on a television comedy–that’s simply not what I was reading comic books for. But WELCOME BACK KOTTER was a hot show at the time, one that my family watched often … Continue reading BHOC: WELCOME BACK, KOTTER #1

BHOC: SUPERMAN #300

Centennial issues in comics books have for many decades been accorded a special status, an acknowledgment of longevity, a celebration of success. By 1976, it wasn’t enough any longer to simply publish a centennial issue, that issue had to in some way be special, and reflect the fact that this was a significant moment. SUPERMAN … Continue reading BHOC: SUPERMAN #300

BHOC: SHAZAM #19

I feel like this issue of SHAZAM was probably purchased for my brother before ultimately ending up with me. That said, given that the cover features a reverse version of the hero, it is possible that I selected it myself, given my love of the Reverse-Flash.  It’s a pretty solid issue, with two stories both … Continue reading BHOC: SHAZAM #19

BHOC: SUPERMAN #284

We’re getting near to the end of the era of the 100-Page Spectaculars, not that I knew that at the time. This issue of SUPERMAN represents one of the last I’d ever purchase, bought as usual from my local 7-11. I’ve had two or three copies of this book over the years–not quite sure what … Continue reading BHOC: SUPERMAN #284

BHOC: LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #C-34

Another Treasury Edition brought home by my father, and proof positive that we were in the closing months of 1974. I would have been reading comics for a year and a half at this point. These Christmas Specials used to be a regular thing, attractive even to more casual purchasers as something that could be … Continue reading BHOC: LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #C-34

BHOC: SHAZAM #16

Another 100-Page Spectacular, and a sure call for my money and my attention. By this point the SHAZAM television series had begun airing on Saturday mornings. I watched it dutifully, but found it a bit dull. I could tell that it was trying to teach me things rather than just telling a story. And besides, … Continue reading BHOC: SHAZAM #16

BHOC: SUPERMAN #280

For some strange reason, while I was following ACTION COMICS relatively regularly, I wasn’t similarly picking up every issue of SUPERMAN. This latest issue would be my first in months. It’s also worth pointing out that, at this time, even SUPERMAN wasn’t published monthly. DC was still following the pattern that they’d established in the … Continue reading BHOC: SUPERMAN #280

BHOC: ACTION COMICS #439

It’s difficult for me to recall in these days where not a week goes by that I don’t read dozens and dozens of comics, but as a child, getting a new comic was a rare and wonderful thing. My regular purchases of ACTION COMICS, the only true monthly I was following, give a good indication … Continue reading BHOC: ACTION COMICS #439

BHOC: ACTION COMICS #438

Another month, another issue of ACTION COMICS. This was still during the days in which many or even most comics, DC ones in particular, weren’t released monthly. My beloved FLASH was bimonthly, and just about to increase to 8 times a year. JUSTICE LEAGUE, likewise, was bimonthly. Even SUPERMAN was only 8 times a month. … Continue reading BHOC: ACTION COMICS #438

BHOC: SUPERMAN #276

Not 100% sure where I bought this book. I have a vague sense that I got it on a shopping trip of some kind, rather than through any of my usual places. In any case, it was a good follow-up to that SHAZAM Treasury Edition, even if I didn’t quite get all of the jokes … Continue reading BHOC: SUPERMAN #276