Comic Book Caper!

Al Milgrom and Dick Giordano

Everett E. Hibbard and Hal Sharp
Why have three stalwart DC heroes fallen out over a vintage Golden Age comic book? The answer is that there is only one hero on that 1978 cover, Barry Allen the Flash. The "Green Lantern" and the "Wildcat" pictured are merely criminal imposters who are trying to steal the 1942 Flash Comics issue featuring Barry's close friend and Earth-2 husband of Joan the one and only Jay "Flash" Garrick.

It seems this comic has special properties of teleportation which the criminals want to bend to their own illicit uses. As fans we of course know that the true power of any vintage comic is to "teleport" each and every reader back to a time when good was often able to overcome evil and the difference between them was less muddy than it seems in the both the modern world and in the comics of same.

With a powerful winter storm blowing through today, it seems a propitious time to hunker down in a warm dry house and  make use of some of those time-traveling powers that comics are so very very good at. 

Rip Off

Joy!

"Joy" was written and illustrated by Will Eisner for the December 21st, 1947 installment of The Spirit Section. By this time, Eisner had produced many "Christmas Spirits" as these stories were dubbed, but this one was different. It's presented as text on single panels. Always an innovator, Eisner's technique here is exquisite and typically the story is full of character and spark. In a mere seven pages Eisner unfolds a modern fable, a tale of child who finds the land of his dreams.

This was the very first Spirit story reprinted by Warren Magazines in Eerie #54. It's a very odd choice, since it's so atypical of a standard Spirit story. Certainly folks seeing The Spirit for the very first time must've been quite surprised by subsequent tales which hewed closer to standard comics format. I only got hold of a copy of this significant comic magazine a few months ago. I'm glad to add this rendition of "Joy" to my meager Spirit collection. Jerry Grandenetti is credited with the backgrounds on this story. Abe Kanegson did the lettering. This version has lush colors by Rich Corben.

Here's the splash page in its original form. The story has been reprinted several times since.

 It is in the incredibly difficult to locate The Spirit Special.

It is contained as it ought to be in Kitchen Sink's The Christmas Spirit collection.

You can buy the story relatively cheaply if you find it in glorious black in white in Kitchen Sink's The Spirit #25.

Most recently the story was reprinted in DC's The Spirit Archives, specifically volume fifteen.

"Joy" is just that, a story to fill your heart with the proper seasonal feeling. Merry Christmas to each and everyone one of you. Thanks for stopping by.

Rip Off

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer!

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1972

1973

1975

Spring 1976

Winter 1976

Winter 1978

Summer 1978

 

1980

Without question one of the most charming creations in all of comics is DC's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Of course DC didn't "create" Rudolph at all. Rudolph was the creation of Robert May who worked for Montgomery Ward. A guy named Denver Gillen drew the first Rudolph and Montgomery Ward realized what a marketing goldmine Rudolph could be. Rudolph was adapted to cartoon form in 1944 by Max Fleisher and later in 1947 or thereabouts Johnny Marks wrote the song recorded by the great Gene Autry. The song was a blockbuster and in 1950 DC came out with its first annual issue of The Brand New Adventures of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The series lasted for the entire decade of the 50's and into the 60's until ending with the 1962 "Giant" issue. A decade later DC revived the series for its tabloid size Limited Collector's Editions series and Rudolph again appeared somewhat regularly through the 70's. Rube Grossman handled most of the work on Rudolph in his original 50's run and Sheldon Mayer took the helm in the 70's. The final issue of a Rudolph comic by DC was a Best of DC digest in 1980. I especially love Rudolph's snow-topped logo (doubtless by Ira Schnapp) which I notice they ditched for his inexplicable "summer fun" issue (which seems to be the work of Gaspar Saldino to my eye).

Here is a delightful adaptation of the very first DC issue from 1950 transformed into a cartoon of sorts. 



Below is some original artwork by Sheldon Mayer featuring Rudolph, Santa, and the whole North Pole gang.

There is a charm and a whimsy to Rudolph which is hard resist. DC would be well-served to dig up the character and issue some reprints for the modern market. I don't know what the license issue might be (and licensed characters seem not to be something the Warner bosses want to deal with) but it wold make a delicious trade.

The management of the Dojo (me) hopes Santa (and Rudolph of course) brings everyone what they wish for this Christmas Eve.

Rip Off

Not So Funny Folks!

This vintage 1946 cover by the venerable Sheldon Mayer unwittingly speaks effectively to our modern day as the political class of our nation's capitol dither over the fiscal issues which hover over each and everyone of us. Concerned with political brinksmanship, we all move closer to the precipice and a likely downturn at the very least in all our prospects.

Rip Off

Prince Valiant's Ride!

This is just beautiful. I cannot come close to being able to afford one of the original one hundred limited-edtion lithographs this was produced for by the late great Hal Foster. I'd love to get a mere poster. Is there such a thing?

Rip Off

Look Out, Dagwood!

Here are a couple of fun Harvey Comics covers from 1955 featuring Chic Young's immortal Bumsteads. It really clever how these covers which are dated the same month use the same art and spring off it. Note the little head of Dagwood in the box next to the Harvey logo. Nice detail. Must've looked very intriguing sitting on the stands together.

Rip Off

Doomsday Plus One!

Well good morning.

Since that didn't happen, we have time to read this. 

Rip Off