Just as DC/National Comics and other outfits were still dabbling with super hero characters as the 1940s transitioned into teh 1950s, the same was true of Timely Comics, which would one day become Marvel. The firm has lasting success with three characters throughout the 1940s: the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America. But all … Continue reading The First Silver Age Marvel Super Hero
I was strangely super-excited when I got this issue of MARVEL SUPER ACTION in a 3-Bag at a department store or a toy store. I don't know what motivated Marvel after three issues featuring reprints of Captain America stories (which the title would return to the following issue) to devote this one to reprints of … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL SUPER ACTION #4
This is a very simple cover by Russ Heath, but very effective. The duochrome approach of limiting all colors to just red and yellow is arresting to teh eye--that red background is a like a stop sign when placed on a magazine rack among other publications. And the use of stats to have Harry's figure … Continue reading Great Covers: UNCANNY TALES #48
This was another comic book that I purchased out of the drugstore's Big Bin of Slightly Older Comics, books that had been reported destroyed but which had actually been sold "off the back of the truck" to my drugstore at a cut-rate price. I almost certainly picked up this issue to fill out a grouping … Continue reading BHOC: SON OF SATAN #8
This was yet another back issue that I picked up during my first trip to the Batcave, the very first full-on comic book specialty store that I had ever been in. I was drawn to this issue for a single, specific reason: somewhere in my travels, I had learned that this issue reprinted the 1950s … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #20
A fantastic 1954 cover by the terrific Russ Heath for an issue of WESTERN OUTLAWS. It's an amazing piece of work in that Heath uses the reflection in the mirror behind the central gunman to fill in the gaps of the narrative--this single illustration delivers a complete story of action and reaction. Heath's fine linework … Continue reading Great Covers: WESTERN OUTLAWS #3
Continuing on with comics I bought during my first trip to Bush's Hobbies in Ronkonkoma. I was a huge fan of the Golden Age of Comics and the histories of the assorted characters that I was following--I wanted to know everything, to read everything. In particular, it had been the original Human Torch who provided … Continue reading BHOC: FANTASY MASTERPIECES #7
My brother Ken continued to intermittently read assorted war comics, most of which eventually ended up with me, This issue of WEIRD WAR TALES was the next. In the 1970s, DC had some success with the word WEIRD, cross-breeding their supernatural/mystery titles with other genres--WEIRD WESTERN TALES has given the world Jonah Hex, for example, … Continue reading BHOC: WEIRD WAR TALES #59
The next book I picked up at the 7-1 was the final super hero issue of DC SPECIAL for the time being–with the following release, the book began reprinting Three Musketeers stories and the like, which didn’t interest me. I feel like I’m harping on him and his work, but it’s unavoidable given that he … Continue reading BHOC: DC SPECIAL #21
Pretty sure that I traded my next door neighbor Johnny Rantinella something for this comic, as it guest-starred the Flash, and was one of those great 100-Page Spectaculars that I loved. It’s got a fun Nick Cardy cover as well. The story opens as, inexplicably, Superman is in Clark Kent’s usual place, reading the news … Continue reading BHOC: ACTION COMICS #443
The Tom Brevoort Experience 