Once we get to the 1960s, the deaths of super hero characters becomes a more frequent occurrence, though still relatively a rarity (and usually the characters who meet their end--Lightning Lad, Junior Juniper, Ferro Lad--either aren't the headliners of their series but rather one member of an ensemble. And some of them, like Lightning lad, … Continue reading The Death of Menthor
Attempts to tap into the Marvel style weren't limited to only the 1960s. One of the most blatant attempts happened in the 1970s, and represented a tragedy of unfulfilled potential. In 1974, after he had sold Marvel and thereafter his son Chip had been pushed out of the company in favor of Stan Lee, Marvel … Continue reading Brand Echh – The Destructor #1
Upon hearing that Captain America co-creator Joe Simon had joined forces with Harvey Publications to release a new line of super hero titles to capitalize on the new wave of costumed hero popularity, both Martin Goodman and Stan Lee were concerned. They both had a ton of respect for Simon's commercial abilities, and feared that … Continue reading Brand Echh – Unearthly Spectaculars #2
Having left Marvel in 1965 because he was unhappy with the way the books were created--where the artist was having to do the lion's share of the plotting as well as illustrating, thanks to the "Marvel method"--veteran artist Wally Wood was recruited by the start-up Tower Comics to help create and launch their new line. … Continue reading Brand Echh – Dynamo #4
A bunch of changes were evident in this next issue of ALL-STAR COMICS. First off, the Super-Squad banner was gone, replaced by a gigantic logo declaring that, once and for all, this series was about the Justice Society of America. Similarly missing was Wally Wood, the artist who had visually identified at least the previous … Continue reading BHOC: ALL-STAR COMICS #66
I think I would have bought this issue of ALL-STAR COMICS during the Christmas break–a new issues of ALL-STAR was always a welcome sight, as I was totally in the can for the Justice Society of America. It’s got a pretty basic Wally Wood cover–by this point, Wood was pretty much the whole show on … Continue reading BHOC: ALL-STAR COMICS #65
Now this was a good one–so much so that I’m pretty sure that my brother Ken later bought his own copy of it. This issue of ALL-STAR COMICS made excellent use of the skills and aptitudes of artist Wally Wood with a story that took the Justice Society back to the time of King Arthur, … Continue reading BHOC: ALL-STAR COMICS #64
I bought this issue of ALL-STAR COMICS at my usual 7-11. It wasn’t a surprising purchase as I was in the tank for the Justice Society by this point, and so ALL-STAR was a favorite of mine. But boy, that collection of logos at the top of this cover isn’t doing the art any favors. … Continue reading BHOC: ALL-STAR COMICS #63
A new issue of ALL-STAR COMICS greeted me at the 7-11, a welcome occurrence as I was completely in the tank for the Justice Society of America. The cover on this one is pretty nice, albeit cluttered with text. And the Superman figure somehow looks a bit bloated and laconic. But there’s some good drama … Continue reading BHOC: ALL-STAR COMICS #62
Picked up the next issue of ALL-STAR COMICS at the 7-11, quite possibly at the same time that my brother got SUPERMAN #299. This was a no-brainer, as I was already a huge Justice Society fan. The whole affair is very much trying to be more like a Marvel comic, likely the influence of writer/editor Gerry Conway. … Continue reading BHOC: ALL-STAR COMICS #60
The Tom Brevoort Experience 