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Post by Farrar on Jul 5, 2019 15:50:17 GMT -5
July 1969
My Marvels off the racks: I think I was still buying these piecemeal, that is, one at a time/on separate occasions. At any rate I was happy to be able to find "my" Marvels--the monthly team books--along a couple of reprint mags:  Avengers #68: the conclusion of a three-issue arc, something about the Vision and Ultron. Can you tell I wasn't too interested in the story? Frankly the line-up of Hank (as YJ), Jan, Clint (as Goliath), Vision, Iron Man, Thor, Cap, and (occasionally) T'Challa didn't interest me. I longed for the "old" days when the cast of characters had included Wanda, Pietro, 'Tasha and Herc. The only thing I liked about this issue was the Sal Buscema interior art; the Sal-Sam Grainger team here approximated my beloved John Buscema-George Klein art, IMO. Nice Buscema cover too. Avengers Special (Annual) #3: Another nice Buscema cover, this time by John. The lead story was a reprint of Avengers #4. The rest of the issue contained reprints of a Cap-Red Skull arc from Tales of Suspense #66-68, stories that were set in the 1940s. Ho hum...sorry, but I wasn't particularly interested in Cap. Fantastic Four #91: Continuation of the Skrulls kidnap Ben arc. I found it boring any time the FF story concentrated on one member, as was the case here. The rest of the cast--Sue, Reed, Johnny, Crystal, and Alicia--showed up in only a few panels. Marvel's Greatest Comics #23: Marvel Collectors' Item Classics had a new name! Frankly I preferred MCIC; it sounded less obvious and more elite, you know? Anyway whatever the comic's title, I liked the FF #31 reprint. At the story's end Sue and Johnny are reunited with their long-lost father; it was just of the sort of soap opera-y stuff I liked to read. Even better was the Iron Man reprint from Tales of Suspense #64: "Hawkeye and The New Black Widow Strike Again!" If Natasha had seemingly vanished from the pages of the Avengers comic, at least I could see her here. The IM story recounted how she'd obtained her new superhero costume (the fishnetted one--a mishmash of Black Canary's costume along with "a mask to resemble yours, Hawkeye"  ). But by far my favorite Marvel that month was this one, X-Men #60:  Once again the Adams-Palmer art and Thomas's scripting made the comic seem less simplistic than the other comics I was reading. The action moved so quickly! There were lots of different locales and characters in this issue. And I loved that Lorna was definitely sticking around, and it seemed that Alex would become a regular in the book too. I was so glad the X-Men was expanding its cast of characters beyond the original five.  And as an adult re-reading this issue, I get an extra kick out of Roy's "Ben Casey" reference...  ...Adams had done the BC syndicated strip 
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Post by Prince Hal on Jul 5, 2019 16:02:48 GMT -5
Farrar, you captured perfectly the effect the arrival of Neal Adams on the comic book scene had on all of us readers. Suddenly all this stuff looked so real! And while looking back, we can see that his art wasn't always perfect, it's clear that his presence kicked things up a notch even at staid DC Comics, evidenced by how many Weisinger covers Adams did during his time there. BTW, could never figure why Sauron wore overalls. And green ones, to boot! Like putting King Kong in Bermuda shorts. Inside, at least, he was sporting plain old pants. Ditto on MCIC being a much better name than MGC. To me, all those reprint comics from Marvel lost something when they shrank the page count and ditched Golden Age material. Also never cared for that new Avengers logo that appeared as of #62.
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Post by Farrar on Jul 6, 2019 12:41:56 GMT -5
^^^ Thanks, Prince Hal . It took me a few issues to used to Adams's X-Men. As I may have mentioned elsewhere, initially I found it too craggy for my taste; I liked the Werner Roth X-Men art. However by #59/#60, I was acclimated to Adams's version of the characters. Under Thomas-Adams the pacing picked up and the stories now had an appealingly peripatetic feel to them. Also, by #60 it seemed he was the book's permanent artist and that was a big relief to me--I hated it when a book would constantly switch artists (as the X-Men had done prior to Adams, and as was still being done on the Avengers comic at the time). While I liked his work in the X-Men, I hated the Adams Weisinger covers; in general they were too frenzied and overwrought for my taste. I was, and still am, a staunch fan of the earlier, beautiful Curt Swan covers (and Kurt Schaffenberger's covers on the Lois series). I get that the move to Adams for the Superman-related covers was one that Carmine Infantino deemed was necessary--DC woke up and realized that it had to change its philosophy and appeal to an older, more sophisticated audience--but there was just something so perfect about those Swan covers to me. I suppose Adams's Superman stuff was,at the time, too "realistic" for grade school me. However I always liked his Batman, horror, and other series' covers--just not the Weisinger stuff (with a few exceptions here and there such as Adventure #368 and Superman #215). Fwiw and from what I have read, Weisinger initially resented having Adams foisted upon him (by Infantino); but he changed his mind when he saw that Adams was willing to work with him using Mort's cover ideas (as Swan had done). And then when the sales figures and overwhelmingly-favorable reader letters started to come in, Mort was a convert. I hear you about the Avengers logo; just look at the difference between the #68 and Avengers Special #3 covers in my above post. The older logo (seen on the Special) was far classier! |
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Post by berkley on Jul 8, 2019 2:54:04 GMT -5
July 1969I was still a very sporadic reader at this stage - comic books would be an occasional treat my parents would buy for me - if we were in a store with a comics rack, they might let me pick out 2 or 3 or whatever - or I might read them at a the house of a neighbour or relative, that kind of thing. Avengers #68 - not the first Avengers issue I ever read (that was I think #45*) but an important comic for me because it really made an impact, for some reason; images from it stayed in my head for decades without ever having a copy to re-read - some of them little things like the Black Panther talking on a cool-looking walkie-talkie. Funny - though I was too young to pay attention to the creators' names at the time, for years I assumed that this issue must have been drawn by John Buscema, because once I began to recognise artists a few years later, the images in my memory, it seemed to me, must have been drawn by him. Years later, when you could see these things on the internet, I was surprised to see it was by Sal, not John, because by the 70s their styles had diverged quite a bit. Captain Marvel #17 - for some reason this 2nd-string Marvel character (not that I would have understood that at the time) had caught my imagination early on and I continued to find his adventures involving even with the drastic changes that came along with this issue. Sub-Mariner #18 - Triton was another early favourite, from seeing the Inhumans in the FF, so this cover caught my eye. Don't recall much about the story, to be honest
*edited after looking at the cover gallery: I see that a lot of my personal "firsts" were around the same time, summer of 1967
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Post by Farrar on Jul 8, 2019 22:02:31 GMT -5
July 1969...Avengers #68 - not the first Avengers issue I ever read (that was I think #45*) ...
*edited after looking at the cover gallery: I see that a lot of my personal "firsts" were around the same time, summer of 1967
Avengers #45 was my first Avengers issue too (and Marvel comic, along with FF #68)! The daily Marvel Super-Heroes cartoons, along with the new FF Saturday cartoon, were the reasons I began to seek out Marvels at the candy stores. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2019 9:45:16 GMT -5
Farrar ... Do you maintain a database of your record keeping of Comics back 50 years? ... I can't even do 5 years?
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Post by brutalis on Jul 10, 2019 11:24:14 GMT -5
Farrar ... Do you maintain a database of your record keeping of Comics back 50 years? ... I can't even do 5 years? Not speaking for Farrar (or any other of the CCF old-timers) but for myself: I can look through Mike's Amazing World for what was on the spinner rack and almost instantly "know/remember" what I bought new off the stands at the time. Kind of like Alzheimer's possibly in that as I get older I can remember a lot more of my childhood/youth memories more vibrantly than much of things experienced lately. Again, for myself when I was growing up I almost never kept a comic book list, I just somehow kept track of my comics in my head. That was true for searching out each new monthly issue as well as for digging through back issues at thrift stores and used bookstores. It wasn't until the 80's and the LCS that I really had to start compiling some sort of listing to keep track. These days I simply pull up the current sales list each week from various on-line sites and write down what looks interesting so I have a working list of what to search for every 6-8 weeks when I make a comics run. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2019 11:45:35 GMT -5
Farrar ... Do you maintain a database of your record keeping of Comics back 50 years? ... I can't even do 5 years? Not speaking for Farrar (or any other of the CCF old-timers) but for myself: I can look through Mike's Amazing World for what was on the spinner rack and almost instantly "know/remember" what I bought new off the stands at the time. Kind of like Alzheimer's possibly in that as I get older I can remember a lot more of my childhood/youth memories more vibrantly than much of things experienced lately. Again, for myself when I was growing up I almost never kept a comic book list, I just somehow kept track of my comics in my head. That was true for searching out each new monthly issue as well as for digging through back issues at thrift stores and used bookstores. It wasn't until the 80's and the LCS that I really had to start compiling some sort of listing to keep track. These days I simply pull up the current sales list each week from various on-line sites and write down what looks interesting so I have a working list of what to search for every 6-8 weeks when I make a comics run. Thanks for this recap here.  |
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Post by Farrar on Jul 10, 2019 14:37:50 GMT -5
@mechagodzilla (and anyone else who may be interested), I only followed a few series on a regular basis--the ones that show up again and again in my posts--and I only read comics for a few years (yes, I was that "5 year fan" Weisinger and others catered to once upon a time). So it's easy for me to know for sure what I bought back then, and to even remember which neighborhood stores I bought comic book X from.
There's plenty I don't remember too, though (which I'm inevitably going to mention in a future "50 years" post). When visiting my grandparents they would give me money for comics, but if I'd already bought that month's necessities (FF, Avengers, etc.) often I'd end up buying an Archie comic. I don't recall which ones specifically, so I have not been including them in this journal. But I do know I only bought titles like Pep, Laugh, Betty and Veronica, Betty and Me, Reggie and Me...never the main Archie title. And I remember thinking back then that "Pep" was such an unlikely name for an Archie comic (now I know Pep's lineage, thanks to Mike's and a myriad of other resources).
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Post by Farrar on Jul 12, 2019 15:04:19 GMT -5
Here are my DCs for July 1969:  Action #380: I was buying Action only for the Legion back-up feature. This story featured Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel (two charcaters in whom I've never had much interest), with Mon-El appearing in a few panels. Just like in the earlier Light Lass-Timber Wolf story, in which Lightning Lad appeared in a few panels. Yep, this was the fate of the once-mighty, majestic Legion: now reduced to three characters, or rather two and a half, per story. I absolutely hated what DC had done to the Legion, squeezing them into a few measly pages. Adventure #384: I had this issue because it was part of my subscription. Not one but two Supergirl stories! Yippee!      Geez, for this crap they got rid of the Legion? The Swan-Anderson covers for both the Action and Adventure comics were beautiful, though. Wonder Woman #184: This was quickly becoming my favorite DC series. I loved the new Wonder Woman; the art was striking and the stories had a lot of action and moved quickly. And #184's exquisite cover--the composition, the details--look at the crowds on the sides! Sekowsky and Giordano at their best. However there was a section in this story that gave me pause back then (and still does). In the story Diana realizes she needs help as she and the Amazons battle Ares's mighty forces. Here's what she comes up with:  This made absolutely no sense. What about the Justice League? She'd left them on good terms a few months earlier in JLA #69 (on sale in December 1968) and she contacted them a couple of issue later (JLA #71); and she'd just appeared with Superman in Lois Lane #93 (on sale in May 1969). Why didn't she just ask the JLA or any of her old super friends, for help? I mean, I know why, in terms of what Sekowsky was trying to do here: he was creating his own world for Di. But this silo'ing didn't work because of her background as a powered hero and also because she was being shown in other DC mags at the time. Cutting her off from the rest of the DC didn't make any sense. Anyway, as much as I was enjoying the new WW, I really thought this was a big misstep, and it took me out of the story. I contented myself with the art, though. Magnificent. |
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Post by Prince Hal on Jul 12, 2019 15:19:29 GMT -5
Here are my DCs for July 1969: Action #380: I was buying Action only for the Legion back-up feature. This story featured Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel (two charcaters in whom I've never had much interest), with Mon-El appearing in a few panels. Just like in the earlier Light Lass-Timber Wolf story, in which Lightning Lad appeared in a few panels. Yep, this was the fate of the once-mighty, majestic Legion: now reduced to three characters, or rather two and a half, per story. I absolutely hated what DC had done to the Legion, squeezing them into a few measly pages.
Adventure #384: I had this issue because it was part of my subscription. Not one but two Supergirl stories! Yippee! Geez, for this crap they got rid of the Legion? The Swan-Anderson covers for both the Action and Adventure comics were beautiful, though. Wonder Woman #184: This was quickly becoming my favorite DC series. I loved the new Wonder Woman; the art was striking and the stories had a lot of action and moved quickly. And #184's exquisite cover--the composition, the details--look at the crowds on the sides! Sekowsky and Giordano at their best. However there was a section in this story that gave me pause back then (and still does). In the story Diana realizes she needs help as she and the Amazons battle Ares's mighty forces. Here's what she comes up with: This made absolutely no sense. What about the Justice League? She'd left them on good terms a few months earlier in JLA #69 (on sale in December 1968) and she contacted them a couple of issue later (JLA #71); and she'd just appeared with Superman in Lois Lane #93 (on sale in May 1969). Why didn't she just ask the JLA or any of her old super friends, for help? I mean, I know why, in terms of what Sekowsky was trying to do here: he was creating his own world for Di. But this silo'ing didn't work because of her background as a powered hero and also because she was being shown in other DC mags at the time. Cutting her off from the rest of the DC didn't make any sense. Anyway, as much as I was enjoying the new WW, I really thought this was a big misstep, and it took me out of the story. I contented myself with the art, though. Magnificent. Couldn't agree more re the Legion's ignominious fate. How bad could the sales on Adventure have been? I wonder how much the sales went up with Supergirl? I guess they must have been somewhat better, as it remained her title for three years and 44 issues. The only ones I ever bought were the first one, the 100-pagers, and the 52-pagers.... all for the reprints. As for your quandary re the JLA, I was mystified that she didn't look for female heroes who could have come to help Diana: the Valkyries, Joan of Arc, Judith, etc., etc. Also with you that Sekowsky brought a real excitement to WW. He also benefited from an inker like Giordano, who tightened up his pencils just enough without destroying their looseness and dynamism. |
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Post by Farrar on Jul 12, 2019 15:29:12 GMT -5
And also for DC and July 1969, here's what I picked up while my family and I were upstate on vacation, Lois Lane #95 (a Giant containing reprints). The regular Lois Lane book, like most other DCs at the time, was going in a new more realistic direction; and Irv Novick was now LL's regular artist, but I just couldn't get used to the book's new direction. So I was very happy to come upon this Giant, in which every story was beautifully illustrated by the great Kurt Schaffenberger. Sure, the theme "The Strange Lives of Lois Lane" is sensational, but what struck me then as now is that all the stories involved Lois's career as a journalist, and not on, say, her tricks to wed Superman or discover his secret identity. The collected stories also included a pretty big supporting cast, including Lucy Lane, Lana Lang, Prof. Potter, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (I'd never seen him figure so prominently in the action as he did here in a couple of the stories) as well as Clark/Superman (of course). In all these stories, Lois is the one who's doing the thinking and figuring things out and solving the mysteries. I loved this Giant and I remember reading it over and over again throughout that vacation.  |
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Post by Farrar on Jul 12, 2019 15:37:27 GMT -5
... As for your quandary re the JLA, I was mystified that she didn't look for female heroes who could have come to help Diana: the Valkyries, Joan of Arc, Judith, etc., etc... Yes, that was the insult added to the injury; as the story progresses, she turns to them (female heroes) only after the male heroes turn her down. And only because Brunhilde, the leader of the Valkyries, offers their assistance to her. Then of course in the heat of the battle (which Diana and her allies are losing), the men have a change of heart and show up, and the day is saved! I mean, the art was great but the message? Terrible. It really soured me on the book. |
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Post by Prince Hal on Jul 12, 2019 16:08:51 GMT -5
... As for your quandary re the JLA, I was mystified that she didn't look for female heroes who could have come to help Diana: the Valkyries, Joan of Arc, Judith, etc., etc... Yes, that was the insult added to the injury; as the story progresses, she turns to them (female heroes) only after the male heroes turn her down. And only because Brunhilde, the leader of the Valkyries, offers their assistance to her. Then of course in the heat of the battle (which Diana and her allies are losing), the men have a change of heart and show up, and the day is saved! I mean, the art was great but the message? Terrible. It really soured me on the book. Wow! Not a good look at all. Female empowerment only went so far... |
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Post by Prince Hal on Aug 1, 2019 20:01:55 GMT -5
AUGUST 1969Only bought a few comics, for several reasons. I had run the course with Marvel except for the odd issue. I do recall that after having seen an enormous difference in the number of titles available on the stands since the distribution revolution in early '68. There was a kind of lull, it seemed. I found it difficult to get Avengers, which I did follow, after #59. This would change soon enough, I suppose, but that contributed to my not sticking closely to the Marvel titles I had followed for a while. Also, DC had cancelled a bunch of titles that never really got a chance, IYAM. The issue of Bat Lash I bought in August '69 was the final issue, for instance. No more Legion meant I wasn't buying Adventure. And the few pages and characters in the back of Action weren't enough to keep me buying that. The "horror" books were becoming popular, but they never really did it for me; I didn't buy those. The other reason was the one I'd alluded to in the post about July '69's comics, which I will follow up on and explain next week in my dormant "Comic Memories" thread. Tough to write about, actually, but I will do it. Anyway, here's my list for August '69: Bat Lash 7  Brave and the Bold 86 Detective 392 Green Lantern 72 World’s Finest 188 (Giant, but only 64 pages!) It was the Speedy story that made me buy it!  Avengers 69 FF 92 (Great cover!) FF Annual 7 (Reprinted FF#1 (FF origin story) and FF Annual #2 (Dr. Doom's origin, plus the FF vs. Doom). Thanks to Farrar for the correction! X-Men 61 And the best of the lot by a long shot: DC Special 5  God I loved this comic! First of all, it was Kubert. And that cover. A genuine classic. I'll love it forever. Captures the lure, legend and beauty of comics perfectly. Secondly, it was bookended with an original story about the Kuberts at home... also classic. And the stories were superb, perfect for a young fan.. or for an older one, for that matter. Thank you, Joe Kubert! 10 comics for $1.80 (WOW!)
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). 
