GH: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #215

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA had been one of my favorite comic books when I was younger. It was one of only three series to which I ever maintained a subscription to insure that I didn't miss an issue. But by 1982, the book was feeling tired and a bit stale. Writer Gerry Conway had been … Continue reading GH: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #215

BHOC: INVADERS #35

INVADERS was a title that I liked during its initial run in the 1970s, but for a while it had been growing progressively weaker. Ever since the departure of artist Frank Robbins, a succession of fill-in creators had taken the helm with varying results. Even Roy Thomas, who ad conceived the series as a tribute … Continue reading BHOC: INVADERS #35

BHOC: MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION #45

Now this was a bit of a surprise when I rolled up into the 7-11 that week. Up until this point, MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION had featured reprints of earlier issues of AVENGERS. But with no warning whatsoever, this latest one instead contained a classic issue of X-MEN. The clue as to the reason was apparent … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION #45

BHOC: BATMAN FAMILY #20

This was, it turned out, the final issue of BATMAN FAMILY in its current form. Shortly after this, the DC Implosion would happen, slashing the size of the DC line dramatically and costing a number of people--including this issue's editor Al Milgrom--their jobs. On the chopping block at that moment was DETECTIVE COMICS, as it … Continue reading BHOC: BATMAN FAMILY #20

BHOC: MARVEL COLLECTORS’ ITEM CLASSICS #17

This issue of MARVEL COLLECTORS' ITEM CLASSICS was another book that I bought on that night after I'd worked all day at my father's office. It was an issue that I picked up for the most important reason possible: it was priced more cheaply than other issues that were there, thus allowing my money to … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL COLLECTORS’ ITEM CLASSICS #17

BHOC: MARVEL COLLECTORS’ ITEM CLASICS #13

MARVEL COLLECTORS' ITEM CLASSICS was an Annual sized regular title that reprinted earlier stories in the Marvel canon for the benefit of readers who came to the line later. Like me. It eventually changed its name to MARVEL'S GREATEST COMICS and ran for a good long time. And for somebody like me, who was interested … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL COLLECTORS’ ITEM CLASICS #13

BHOC: AVENGERS ANNUAL #2

As I've mentioned here before, having become aware of the fact that my father's place of employment was located right in the vicinity of the Levittown Heroes World location, the only real comic book shop I yet knew of, I would regularly plead for him to stop by the place and pick me up some … Continue reading BHOC: AVENGERS ANNUAL #2

WC: TALES TO ASTONISH #38

It's been said over the years that Marvel's publisher Martin Goodman had an unwavering faith in the sales appeal of Ant-Man. How much of that was due to him hearing about the sell-through numbers on the earliest appearances of the Atom over at rival DC I do not know--but it does account for the reason … Continue reading WC: TALES TO ASTONISH #38

BHOC: MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION #38

This issue of MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION was another book that I picked up as part of a 3-Bag purchased either at a department store or a local toy store. It reprinted an issue of AVENGERS that was about a decade old at that point. And during that time, AVENGERS was a very different book than … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION #38

WC: TALES OF SUSPENSE #46

This cover to TALES OF SUSPENSE #46 has always struck me as odd. For one things, we don't actually see the title character in costume--that inset image of Tony STark donning his armor feels like an afterthought to me, an add-on. Additionally, the crimson Dynamo who is so touted here bears only a marginal resemblance … Continue reading WC: TALES OF SUSPENSE #46