BHOC: GREEN LANTERN #106

On Thursday it was back to the 7-11 for a look at what new comic books had appeared upon the spinner rack in the back corner. This had become a regular weekly pilgrimage for me, one that I took with absolute regularity barring those times when some other requirement or responsibility prevented me from doing … Continue reading BHOC: GREEN LANTERN #106

TEEN TITANS #20: Titans Don’t Fit the Battle of Jericho

In the latter part of the 1960s, change was beginning to be felt within the halls of venerable old DC Comics (then operating as National Periodical Publications.) The culture at large was going through a shift, and so the tried-and-true methodology that had kept the giant publisher on top was no longer working as well … Continue reading TEEN TITANS #20: Titans Don’t Fit the Battle of Jericho

WC: SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE #24

Just as with Jimmy Olsen, whose title we covered here a few weeks ago, so too was Lois Lane popular enough throughout the 1960s to headline a series all her won. This is thinks in no small part, I expect, to the portrayal of actress Noel Neill in the ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN television series, which … Continue reading WC: SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE #24

Making “The Demon Within”

The SHAZAM Award given out by the Academy of Comic Book Arts for Best Dramatic Story in 1972 went to a memorable short piece that ran in HOUSE OF MYSTERY #201. It was written by John Albano, drawn by the great Jim Aparo and edited by Joe Orlando. It was titled "The Demon Within", and … Continue reading Making “The Demon Within”

Let’s Rap! The 1971 DC Reader Survey

The fortunes of DC Comics were not looking all that encouraging at the start of the 1970s. Comic book sales in general were continuing to erode, as both the number of outlets carrying comic books declined as the traditional Mom & Pop candy stores gave way to larger chains and the affidavit reporting system for … Continue reading Let’s Rap! The 1971 DC Reader Survey

WC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15

Among the many comics that I acquired in my Windfall Comics purchase of 1988, there was a string of six or so issues of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA from right in its earliest period. This one was the oldest of the bunch, #15, and it featured a story that I had read previously as a … Continue reading WC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15

Lost Crossovers: Jerry Lewis Meets Batman and Robin

It's somewhat difficult to believe today, but comedian and movie star Jerry Lewis headlined his own DC comic book for about twenty years, the first half-dozen in conjunction with his then-partner, Dean Martin. Amazingly, more copies of Jerry Lewis were being sold and consumed than of the Atom or Hawkman or the Doom Patrol, all … Continue reading Lost Crossovers: Jerry Lewis Meets Batman and Robin

Personal Best: SPIDER-BOY #1

This was perhaps the first truly excellent comic book that I put out, a single issue that accomplished its mandate exceptionally well and delivered on teh promise-of-the-premise in fine fashion. It's always going to be a little bit awkward talking about books I worked on in such glowing terms, so please understand that when I … Continue reading Personal Best: SPIDER-BOY #1

WC: SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #23

This issue of SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN was I believe the oldest book that I got in my Windfall Comics purchase of about 150 prime Silver Age comic books for $50.00 in 1988. It's really a pre-Silver Age 1950s issue in tone and spirit, and a good example of the kinds of stories the Superman … Continue reading WC: SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #23

Blah Blah Blog – Wizard Awards Ceremony No More!

A post from my Marvel blog of years gone by, in which I shared a video and a story about how Steve Wacker and I inadvertently brought an end to the Wizard Awards Ceremonies at the yearly Wizard World convention. Unfortunately, I no longer have the video that we shot, so I can't embed it … Continue reading Blah Blah Blog – Wizard Awards Ceremony No More!