5BC: Five Times DC Self-Mythologized

While as we've seen, Marvel was relatively quick to begin to self-mythologize its creative staff and editorial Bullpen, rival publisher DC (then known as National Periodical Publications in an attempt to disguise the fact that they published evil comic books in the aftermath of the senate hearings) wasn't as quick to follow suit. Even creator … Continue reading 5BC: Five Times DC Self-Mythologized

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

BHOC: SUPERMAN #324

Here was another regular issue of SUPERMAN that I bought during one of my weekly Thursday 7-11 new comics drop-ins. It's not a wonderfully drawn cover, for all that the purple background does help it to pop. But for some reason, the reproduction on a lot of DC's covers in this period was muddy, with … Continue reading BHOC: SUPERMAN #324

BHOC: BATMAN #300

This particular issue would be my candidate for most underwhelming oversized anniversary issue of the era. It was heavily promoted throughout the DC titles of the era--and who could resist that story hook? It's the day the Batman retires! But honestly, it's a pretty bleh read, tedious, and with the central thesis really being fitted … Continue reading BHOC: BATMAN #300

The First Quicksilver Story

Quicksilver was one of the many second banana super heroes who profligated throughout the Golden Age of Comics, filling up the back pages of assorted anthology titles and providing thrills but not being so memorable or distinct that they ever became stars themselves. Occasionally, one of these back-page crime-busters would break out and become a … Continue reading The First Quicksilver Story

BHOC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #155

My subscription to JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA was still ticking along, though I wouldn't renew it again after it too ran its course like my FLASH subscription. So the next comic that I got was my sub copy of this issue. This is one that I hardly recall at all, and I don't think I've … Continue reading BHOC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #155

BHOC: ACTION COMICS #483

This was the fourth chapter in Superman's clash with the super-powered android Amazo, a conflict designed as the backdrop through which to introduce a new and marketable new piece of Kryptonian lore to the mythos: the Supermobile. Having accomplished that over the past two issues, it was time to get this story wrapped up this … Continue reading BHOC: ACTION COMICS #483

5BC: Five Times Marvel Referenced DC Characters In Interesting Ways

What goes around comes around, and when it comes to the often-fannishly-induced game of dropping in references benign or malicious to a competitor's characters, there isn't any company who is entirely blameless in this endeavor. Here then are five times Marvel referenced DC characters in interesting fashion. ADVENTURE INTO FEAR #17 - Steve Gerber was … Continue reading 5BC: Five Times Marvel Referenced DC Characters In Interesting Ways

BHOC: GREEN LANTERN #104

I picked up this issue of GREEN LANTERN on one of my weekly comic book runs to the 7-11. It has to be said that, after issue #100, I really wasn't enjoying GREEN LANTERN all that much. I really liked the character, having first been exposed to him in his back-up series in the pages … Continue reading BHOC: GREEN LANTERN #104

5BC: Would You Believe Five More Forgotten DC Retcons

If there's one thing that DC has loved to do over the years, it's to explore strange story avenues and then abandon them. In some ways, that's become their history ever since CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS--it feels that you can't go but a few years anymore until everything you've read is thrown out and they … Continue reading 5BC: Would You Believe Five More Forgotten DC Retcons