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
This SHAZAM Treasury Edition featured Saturday morning’s Captain Marvel, Jackson Bostwick, on its front cover, a transparent though appropriate attempt to appeal to fans of the show, then-airing. I can’t say that I was especially a fan of the show–I watched it, but primarily because it was there. In those days of limited television channels, … Continue reading BHOC: LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #C-35
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
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
There was a candy store near my grandmother’s house that we used to walk to when we would visit her, which was frequently. We’d go there and get a candy bar, or play some pinball. And it turned out that they carried comics–but only one kind of comics, Marvel Comics. And so, this was the … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #16
I have a vague memory of getting this issue of SHAZAM at my grandparents’ house, though I’m far from certain about that. But it does track to me–I was only a so-so fan of Captain Marvel at this point, but if the pickings were slim, the 100-Page format would have been a deciding factor in … Continue reading BHOC: SHAZAM #15
The next book I got was another Famous First Edition, this one of WHIZ COMICS #2, the first appearance of Captain Marvel. The cover isn’t a perfect replica, though–DC had to remove the cover copy “Gangway for Captain Marvel” because of Marvel’s trademark on the Captain Marvel name. The whole issue is a crude but not … Continue reading BHOC: FAMOUS 1st EDITION #F-4
My father brought this SHAZAM Treasury Edition home for me during a frequent cigarette run. I’d be wiling to bet that he thought it was a Flash book–red costume with a lightning bolt, how hard is it? Either way, I enjoyed my first encounter with the World’s Mightiest Mortal. It was a pretty huge deal … Continue reading BHOC: LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #C-27
A super cool and graphic CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES cover by C.C. Beck. It’s a very simple idea–three logos to communicate the fact that there are three stories in the issue starring the Big Red Cheese. Again, good use of a black background to help provide contrast.
This is a wonderfully absurd CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES cover by C. C. Beck. That white background really makes all of the dogs as well as the logo and copy pop. And the expressions on the lead dog and Marvel himself are terrific.
The Tom Brevoort Experience 