Monday, September 17, 2012

Reading Room: HELL-RIDER "Prologue"

Let's return to the 1970s, for more adventures of the Cycling SuperHero...
...with a convenient recap of his adventure in the first issue!
Now that you've caught up, be here tomorrow, and we'll tell you the sensationally-sordid story of the
Night of the Ripper!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "His First Case" Conclusion

Despite a rough upbringing in the slums, including the death of his mother during an epidemic, Dan Garret becomes a scholarship student at State University, not only making Honor Roll, but becoming a letterman at several sports as well.
During his senior year, he receives word that his policeman father has been shot and badly-wounded...
This tale from Fox's Blue Beetle #1 (1939) was written and laid-out by Will Eisner (yes, that Will Eisner) and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the name "Charles Nicholas" for his comic work until he retired.
You'll note there's no explanation of how or when Dan developed the Blue Beetle identity or costume.
And, following this tale in the first issue of his own book, are reprints of Blue Beetle's first few appearances from Mystery Men Comics, including his premiere, which featured him in a radically-different costume!

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "His First Case" Part 1

Several months after debuting in Mystery Men Comics, the Blue Beetle got his own book...
...and, finally, the story (at least some of it) behind his first appearance!
Who wounded Dan's father?
Will he get away with it?
How does this event cause the birth of the Blue Beetle?
For the answers to these and numerous other questions...
...be here tomorrow!
Same Beetle time!
Same Beetle blog!
You'll note we don't call this untitled story an origin.
That's because, you learn some aspects of how Dan Garret became the Blue Beetle, but you won't learn all of them (including the most important one)!
This tale from Fox's Blue Beetle #1 (1939) was written and laid-out by Will Eisner (yes, that Will Eisner) and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the name "Charles Nicholas" for his comic work until he retired.

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Friday, September 7, 2012

Reading Room: WOLFF "World of the Witches"

Return to the post-apocalyptic future Earth of Wolff the Barbarian...
...where technology and magic are both considered "dark arts" by the majority of inhabitants of this barbaric future!
Is it just me, or does the Sorceress of the Red Mist remind you of sexy space heroine Agar-Agar, who was also published in the Dracula anthology magazine (and was also written by Wolff co-scripter Luis Gasca under the pen-name "Sadko")?
Or was that eye-makeup thing just a fashion trend in the early 1970s?
This tale from Dracula #2 (1971) was superbly-illustrated and co-written by Esteban Maroto.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Reading Room: AMERICAN EAGLE "Whirlwind of Battling Justice"

Besides Captain America, there were a number of chemically-enhanced super-patriots...
...including this multi-powered hero who debuted in Nedor's America's Best Comics #2 (1942)!
Script for the origin tale by Richard Hughes, art by Kin Platt.
America's Best Comics featured already-existing characters from other titles.
American Eagle is one of only five characters to debut there during its' 31-issue run.
The American Eagle and Eaglet (Bud Pierce's eventual costumed identity) became semi-regular features in both America's Best Comics and Exciting Comics (where American Eagle rotated cover appearances with other strips) and made their final Golden Age appearance in Fighting Yank #18 (1946).

Both Alan Moore's America's Best Comics (no relation to the Golden Age comic book) and Dynamite Entertainment's Project SuperPowers have recently-revived the character in startlingly-different plotlines.
featuring American Eagle!