GL and the MIGHTY yellow lamp!

Morning true believers and followers of SAS! So I've received some feedback asking for these posts, penned by none other than myself, Jubilant Jeff V, to focus more on some personal collecting stories and feedback while I tie in some commenting on this week's theme. This week's SAS was Green Lantern #5. "The Power Ring that Vanished". Now, I always start out with HIGH hopes for a silver age Green Lantern comic and usually as the story unfolds my hopes are left as ablaze as The Human Torch. I JUST DON'T GET IT! JOHN BROOME IS THE WRITER! HE WROTE FOR THE FLASH AND THOSE PLOTS WERE WELL DEVELOPED, SCIENTIFIC, AND WITTY! (this is now the point where I turn into the rage comics guy) JOHN BROOME, Y U RUIN GREEN LANTERN FOR ME!!!!!

 

That's right folks, in Green Lantern's first appearance in Showcase #22 GL can apparently handle many things for he is THE MIGHTY EMERALD GLADIATOR! Except yellow lamps, that is where he draws the line. 

 

I really do try and like GL, the concept behind it always fascinated me but the silver age green lantern, what Glorious Gil Kane is often best known for, just irritates me because I really do try to like it. Looking back on the character, I understand what DC was doing as they were writing for a young audience. The stories Broome penned for GL are often simplistic, vocabulary is not very advanced, and GL tends to feel like he is deliberately trying to teach instead of just letting that happen naturally while the story unfolds. GL #5 that I read this week was no different and disappointing as this week GL was taken out by a tree limb which is the catalyst that sparked this week's love/hate post. I have a few more GL's that I acquired in my DC haul about a month ago so once again, my hopes will be high. Ya know, its strange. After reading a bad SAS that I really had high hopes for, it actually puts me in a funk for about a day or so. It just feels like such bitter disappointment that I inherently get angry at my comics and then, inevitably I'm like, its ok, I still love you. 

The Cowled Crusader

This week’s SAS involves the Caped Crusader, the Gotham Gangbuster, the Cowled Crusader...THE BATMAN! This week’s issue is Batman #201 (1968) and entitled “Batman’s Gangland Guardians!” So this is the first official silver age Batman to land in “THE” Collection and one of 6 sensations that I landed at my first live auction a few weeks ago. The auction was an estate sale and there were 18 total comics up for auction, in lots of 6. So with the comics being divided up into 3 lots of 6 comics the winner of each lot had their choice of what they wanted. Before the auction there was a preview of all the items so I got to wander about and inspect these silver age sensations up close and personal. The comics were bagged and all spread out over a table and upon inspection I discovered that amongst the comics were Hawkman #1 and Hawkman #2, both in Good + to Very Good condition and could have brought in a nice chunk of change in resale! So I priced all the comics that had good resale value of the 18 and sat back down in my seat to scope out the competition and identify potential threats to my acquisition of the winged wonder of Thanagar. I identified one major threat and I am apparently an expert marksman, amongst the ranks of Hawkeye and Green Arrow we’re talking about here, as I was 100% correct! As the auction began and item after item came up, my mark bid on NOTHING! When the comics came up the battle began. I knew that he knew the Hawkmans were the catch of the day and I knew that he knew SO DID I! I had my number that I was willing to pay, keeping in my mind that though it was Hawkman #1, Hawkman is still considered to be a second tier hero and therefore not as collectible which would reflect in my resale ability. So I drove him up, I backed down, he won the first lot and of course chose the lot with Hawkman #1 and #2 in it. Oh well, I still came away with a lot at a much cheaper price with some great comics, keeping three issues for myself and reselling the other three for a modest profit. Now, onward with Batman #201!  

What drew me to this issue was that on the cover the police were shouting that they had orders to shoot to kill Batman. Naturally, this piqued my attention. As the tale unfolds we learn that a west coast gang is trying to move in and take over the crime world in Gotham City. We discover that there is a group that is not so keen on a hostile takeover, a group consisting of: the Penguin, the Joker, Catwoman, the Mad Hatter, the Clue Master, the Getaway Genius, and Johnny Witts. The Penguin learns that this new gang is planning to start their takeover with a set of death traps for the Caped Crusader and the Penguin and the rest of the group agree that it would be better for business if Batman lived because if Batman dies then they will most certainly be next! So unbeknownst to the Cowled Crusader, at each of these “death traps”, a gangland member of Gotham City is lurking behind the scene to save The Batman: 

 

Finally the West Coast mob gets fed up and nabs Batman themselves with the plan to end their caped and cowled headache once and for all. 

In the end, the Dark Knight emerges victorious, though puzzled by his “luck” throughout the last few nights. Chalk it up to all in a day’s work for the Batman and his Gangland Guardians. I really enjoyed this story, penned by Gardner Fox. The tale kept its intrigue the whole way through and kept the reader wondering how Batman would avoid a planned and certain death on each page. My only complaint in this issue is the panel layout and transitions as I am not a fan of having to follow arrows to try and figure out where my next panel is. So other than the panel flow being a bit clunky, I would give this issue a B+ and definitely deem my first adventure with the Dark Knight a success! 

Part 2 of Special Double Size Post!

So this week we are off and running with the scarlet speedster, the sultan of speed….The Flash! Just wanted to mention a quick aside to give you, the readers of SAS (Silver Age Sensations), a look behind the curtain to see the direction SAS will be heading in the coming weeks and if there may be any requests for a detour here or there. So a few weeks ago I scored a haul of Silver Age DC Sensations featuring: Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern, The Atom, Wonder Woman, Batman, and World’s Finest Comics. I will be reviewing one of these sensations a week, in no particular order, but if anyone had a suggestion for one of those newly added titles for me to grab from “THE” Collection and review or wanted me to dive into my collection for a Silver Age Marvel Sensation for review I would be as happy as The Joker on the perfect day for a masterful crime to oblige to any such requests. Now, away we go into The Flash #118!  

 

Flash #118 “The Doomed Scarecrow!”, published in 1961, features a story penned by John Broome and artwork by one of my favorite artists of the Silver Age…Carmine Infantino. Infantino is most notably known for his work drawing The Flash and rightfully so as it was he who completely redesigned and reoutfitted this original Golden Age hero and it was quite the transformation.  

A few weeks ago, browsing the shelves of a Barnes and Noble, I read a previously unpublished interview with Infantino in which he described his redesign for The Flash. In this interview we learn that Infantino wanted to completely scrap the look of Jay Garrick, the original Flash, and make this new updated version more sleek and streamlined. One of Infantino’s major motivations was to make his new Flash, the Barry Allen Flash, look like an actual runner, complete with a slender but toned physique. Infantino also understood that there would always be the challenge of drawing “speed”, a challenge that any artist would have to overcome when the character that he is drawing is dubbed “the scarlet speedster”. One of the methods that Infantino employed to get around this obstacle is to use simple and subtle symbolism to prime the idea of motion and speed in the reader’s mind. Infantino utilized the use of something that we all inadvertently associate with speed….the symbol of lightning. Those streaks of lightning and lightning bolts emblazoned upon Flash’s costume are not merely for show as these symbols helped Infantino communicate “speed” to the readers, a simple yet brilliant technique.  

Now, onward we go into this week’s issue! In this issue The Flash finds himself in Hollywood as a consultant for a movie that is being made about him and he is there as a fill in for when the cameras simply cannot find a way to create the illusion of the Flash’s speed since the Flash is being played by a completely normal and run of the mill actor bereft of super speed, an actor by the name of Steve Palmer. Flash learns that attempts are being made on Steve’s life whilst on set so Flash decides to switch places with him and investigate as to what is really happening on this set in Hollywood. Well, after a swift knock to the back of the head with the butt of a gun, things start to make sense for the sultan of speed! 

After things begin to clear up for Barry (these things take time after being clubbed over the back of the head with the butt of a gun) he begins to formulate a plan to utilize a rather unique talent he possesses. The Flash is able to move back and forth so quickly that it causes his entire molecular structure to vibrate and with those molecules moving so rapidly, he is able to effectively do this: 

So, all in all I would give this issue a C+. I’m more of a fan of a hero vs. super villain story line, or a story line with a bit more tantalizing of a plot so this issue didn't really do it for me but hey, I got to enjoy Carmine Infantino’s artwork so I’ll take it.

Part 1 of Special Double Size Post!

So after compiling my first post on the winged wonders of Thanagar and publishing it for all admirers of comicdom to see, I wanted to treat my readers to a special double size issue posting, but fear not true believers, no quarter is necessary for payment of this double size issue! What awaits you, the reader, inside this posting? Well this special posting will be broken up into two separate posts with this post being #1 of 2 with #1 featuring a bit of origin story if you will; a place where it all began.

I had not always been an avid member of comicdom, as I am now. I had always loved superheroes, they had fascinated me beyond belief and quite frankly the fact that they still do as an adult is what makes the ideas of Stan Lee, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Jack Kirby, Carmine Infantino etc. truly immortal. So what was the spark that lit the fire that set my love for silver age comics as ablaze as The Human Torch? 

 

Well, the answer to that question and more awaits you, the reader, as you follow me on a journey.  

 

Journey into Mystery with the Mighty Thor #114 will always be what I measure silver age comic books against. Though there may be more valuable issues, issues with more color or pop on the cover, issues that are in better condition than mine or those that feature a more pivotal story inside; this book truly encapsulates the silver age of comics. #114 is penned by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby and it was this union, though at times an unhappy one, which brought sheer joy to the readers that would open up a Stan Lee and Jack Kirby masterpiece! This issue was my first first and as it can be for many members of comicdom, you never forget your first first.The cover of this issue features the Mighty Thor squaring off against a new villain, THE ABSORBING MAN and garnishes the tag line “The Stronger I am the Sooner I Die!” The Absorbing Man has been given a most unique power, a power bestowed on him by Loki, God of Mischief.  

  

As the story progresses, Thor finds that he is quite literally battling himself. Like a heavyweight title bout, the Absorbing Man matches Thor punch for punch and pound for pound.  

 

Thor comes to the realization that this is a battle that he simply cannot win. This is where things get interesting. Thor is summoned, in the middle of battle, back to the realm eternal, back to Asgard itself! It is here that we see the brilliance of a Stan Lee and Jack Kirby epic:  

 

Now, as I mentioned in my first post, Marvel loved their multiple part story lines, which from a bottom line standpoint I 100% understand. As a collector, I can’t help but despise this brilliance just a little bit. Regardless of that though, it is this comic, Journey into Mystery with The Mighty Thor #114 that sparked a love that I will forever be indebted to Stan and Jack for creating and sharing. A love that I now want to share with all you, my new and loyal followers of SILVER AGE SENSATIONS (SAS for short)! Oh, and as always……EXCELSIOR!

P.S. Head on over to part 2 of this special double sized issue post for my weekly review of a new (new to “THE”collection anyway) Silver Age Sensation! This week we have a review of The Flash #118 “The Doomed Scarecrow!” 

The Brave and the Bold #36

 

    The best way to start this blog is with high flying action and what better way to do that than with the winged law officers from the planet Thanagar: HAWKMAN AND HAWKGIRL! So this sensation was penned by the often underrated Gardner Fox (whom penned such classic stories as those found in the Green Lantern and those found in The Flash, when head writer John Broome was away for that issue) and drawn by another comic book legend that is often underrated; Joe Kubert. (For a bit of background on Joe Kubert, check out this blog posting from the one and only +Longbox Graveyard and the link for that post is http://longboxgraveyard.com/2013/05/22/sgt-rock/)  As was DC's style in the early Silver Age, reader's would get two stories for the price of one and in my opinion, I LOVE that format. Twelve to thirteen pages adds up to the perfect amount of panels to tell a complete story with plot, intrigue, action, and triumph and readers would get treated to two 12-13 page stories via this method. DC did not draw things out and spread them out over multiple issues, which I've found was Marvel's favorite delivery method. Don't get me wrong, I TOTALLY understand the appeal, it helps the bottom line by selling more and more mags, along with subscriptions, but it leaves the reader who doesn't have the complete story arc feeling a bit "incomplete" and as a collector of these Silver Age sensations, getting complete Marvel story arcs is often "challenging" but I still love Stan the Man and a signed Silver Age Thor comic bearing his signature that I got at New York City Comic Con is my most prized possession so EXCELSIOR!!!  

    

    Now the Brave and the Bold #36 is broken up into two stories, the first of the two entitled "Hawkman and the Strange Spells of the Sorcerer". This story basically breaks down like a mini Indiana Jones story as Hawkman and Hawkgirl actually work in a museum while they are "undercover" while on earth studying our law enforcement procedures and practicing their own brand of high flying policing. Hawkman and Hawkgirl are faced with battling phantasms created by dark magic that they cannot harm. Turns out they are merely distractions to throw the winged lawmen from Thanagar off the scent of one of their coworkers from the museum from completing a dark magic spell to bring these phantasms to life. However, as JK Rowling insinuates in the pages of Harry Potter, if you can break a wizard's concentration while they are casting a spell then the spell will not work and this is exactly what Hawkman and Hawkgirl were able to do. So Hawkman and Hawkgirl are actually winged investigators whom so happen to work in a museum and have alien technology. They are basically a blend of Indiana Jones, Doctor Who, and Batman and the answer to all that rolled in one is simply one word....EPIC!

   

    The story Fox penned as the second tale in this mag was even better than the first. This story, also featuring art by Joe Kubert, was entitled "Hawkman and the Shadow Thief of Midway City". A shadow was robbing Midway City blind, leaving police "in the dark". As it would turn out, the thief was actually using something that he received as a gift for saving an alien's life; something known as a dimensiometer which would enable the thief's body to escape to another dimension leaving only his shadow in this dimension. Hawkman and Hawkgirl were eventually able to deduce the dual identity of the shadow thief and for all the loot he was stealing the shadow thief was living in a trailer which I found a bit odd but it's this fact that enabled Hawkman to capture him in a most epic fashion. As the shadow thief attempted to escape from Hawkman, Hawkman carried the trailer to the edge of a cliff and as the shadow thief took a leap through his trailer wall, he plummeted off the edge of the cliff and and for Hawkman to save him the thief had to give up the dimensiometer, which he gladly did. The last panel of this mag features Hawkman and Hawkgirl flying off into the distance, off to their space ship to return to Thanagar and DC included this note: 

         

Dear Reader, 

And so Hawkman and Hawkgirl leave earth to report back to their own world of Thanagar! Will they ever return?That depends on you! if enough of you have purchased the "tryout" issuess of Hawkman in the Brave and the Bold, if enough of you write us asking for the winged wonders reappearance in his own magazine--- We will be happy to fulfill your request!

    It's these personal touches like these that just go to show you the connection that comics used to have to their readers. Their relationship was one based on open communication and one that made the reader feel like and understand that their favorite characters LITERALLY needed their support. Well, Hawkman would have had my vote. Would the winged wonders have had yours?