WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #326

This was a noteworthy issue of DETECTIVE COMICS, though not for especially good reasons. Because this was the final issue to be edited by Jack Schiff before the Batman titles were moved over into Julie Schwartz's editorial stable in an attempt to buoy their sinking sales. And one glance at this cover tells you precisely … Continue reading WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #326

Lee & Kirby: When Challengers of the Unknown Presaged Fantastic Four

When we talk about the forces that came into play in the creation of the original Marvel super heroes, in particular the Fantastic Four and attempt to apportion credit (or blame) between the two men who worked on those early strips, one earlier feature that is inevitably invoked is Jack Kirby's series for DC, CHALLENGERS … Continue reading Lee & Kirby: When Challengers of the Unknown Presaged Fantastic Four

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: WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140

This was the oldest issue of WORLD'S FINEST COMICS that I got in among my Windfall Comics purchase of 1988. The title was another one that serious collectors didn't much bother with for the most part, so back issues were both plentiful and relatively affordable. There were a few issues of WORLD'S FINEST in the … Continue reading WC: WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140

WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #319

Among the books that I acquired as part of my Windfall Comics purchase, there were a number of issues of DETECTIVE COMICS. Which stands to reason--the title was one of the very few books to continue to be published uninterrupted from the Golden Age all the way through to the Silver, thanks to the abiding … Continue reading WC: DETECTIVE COMICS #319

5BC: The Five Most Unique Super Heroes of the Silver Age

In the early 1940s, as a myriad of would-be publishers heard about the overwhelming success of Superman nd rushed into the marketplace offering their own get-rich-quick versions of a comic book super hero, the reality is that nobody quite understood just what factors made Superman work. And so, everything was tried, and creativity--both good and … Continue reading 5BC: The Five Most Unique Super Heroes of the Silver Age

BHOC: DETECTIVE COMICS #287

I bought this issue of DETECTIVE COMICS during that same first visit to Bush's Hobbies, and I bought it for the same reason: it was old. I believe it was likely the oldest copy of DETECTIVE in the actual boxes (though I wouldn't be surprised if some earlier issues were either on the wall or … Continue reading BHOC: DETECTIVE COMICS #287