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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 11:27:30 GMT -5
Betty Kane Bat-Girl - Supporting Character for Batman - Early DaysFirst appearance: as Bat-Girl, Batman #139 (April 1961)  From WikipediaThe original Bat-Girl first appeared in Batman #139 (April 1961) as Betty Kane, the niece of Kathy Kane, also known as Batwoman. After discovering her aunt's dual identity, Betty convinced Batwoman to train her as her sidekick.
Batwoman and Bat-Girl were created to be romantic interests for Batman and Robin, respectively, as well as wannabe crime-fighting associates. Bat-Girl appeared seven times between 1961 and 1964, but then disappeared in 1964 (along with Batwoman, Ace the Bat-Hound, and Bat-Mite) when new Batman editor, Julius Schwartz, decided she and other characters were too silly.
It has been suggested by scholars that the characters of Batwoman (in 1956) and Bat-Girl (in 1961) were introduced in part to refute allegations of homosexuality in Batman comics; specifically, the enduring claim that Batman and Robin were homosexuals.On a Personal NoteWhen, I read my brother's Comic Books from the early 60's when Bat-Girl Betty Kane was introduced - I fell in love with character because she was a perfect complimentary piece for the Dynamic Duo and Robin itself. I thought her Red and Green Costume was perfect and having said that it's matches up Robin's costume too. Bat-Girl who was introduced in 1961 was by far one of the best moves that DC Comics ever did until Editor Julius Schwartz axed the idea completely and when he did that - I stopped reading Batman for awhile. When she first appeared - it's made Batman Comic Book more well rounded, complimentary, different, a breath of fresh air, and most importantly made it more colorful and creates more stories to tell and that's why I like Betty Kane so much. I just don't know what prompt Julius Schwartz's decision to drop her in the first place. Favorite Pictures of Bette Kane as Bat-Girl She had that All-American Look - Pretty, Attractive, Cute, and I just loved the Blonde Hair and looks so appropriate for the 60's of which she first appeared on scene. Loved the Green Cape, Green Trim and Belt. So Chic in every way!  I consider her a Supporting Character in support of the Dynamic Duo during the early days of Comics and that's why I adore her greatly. 
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 11:34:30 GMT -5
More on Bat-Girl Betty KaneFrom WikipediaLater in the 1970s Batwoman and Bat-Girl were revived and were regarded to have been inactive for several years. Bat-Girl became a member of the Teen Titans West. However, she only appeared four times in this era, at the end of the original run of the Teen Titans magazine. She was a Member of Teen Titans West and I was very disappointed when she only appeared 4 times during that run.  Teen Titans West Group With Dick Grayson, Robin the Boy Wonder with Betty Kane Bat-GirlNice Close-Up Picture ... One of my Personal Favorites! ... They did a great job with her hair making it more relevant in the 70's!
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Post by Farrar on Jan 6, 2016 11:37:07 GMT -5
I have this one, Batman #22 which introduces "The Adventures of Alfred." It was a recurring feature in the title for a while.  Great cover! He looks like he's getting ready to take it off, take it all off   -- a la Rita Hayworth's Gilda. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 9:12:53 GMT -5
Bibbo Bibbowski - Supporting Character for SupermanFirst appearance: Adventures of Superman #428 (May 1987)  On a Personal Note: I have a copy of this book and it's a rare Bronze Age Purchase because many of my friends recommended me this book because of this character Bibbo. I enjoyed this character and having said that he became an instant hit back in the 80's. I read several of his adventures because my friends brought me Superman Comic Books while I was working and literally mailing them to my home so that I don't miss it at all. So, I ended up having a stack of them and never looked back. From WikipediaBibbo first appears in a Suicide Slum bar called the Ace o' Clubs. When Superman comes in looking for information, Bibbo, thinking this is "some clown in a Superman suit", punches Superman, damaging his hand. He gains respect for the Man of Steel because "yer tough". He would later refer to Superman as his "fav'rit" hero.Two Pictures of Bo  I find him personal, unique, fun-loving, supported, and most of all a human being that taken great lengths to be Superman's Pal. So, having said that ... a rare Bronze Age Character that made this list as one of the Best Supporting Characters. In Superman Returns Bibbo Bibbowski apparently appears in an early scene in Superman Returns played by Jack Larson (who had portrayed Jimmy Olsen in the 1950s Adventures of Superman).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 9:17:49 GMT -5
I always liked the original Bat-Girl. When she appeared in Teen Titans, I was surprised as the only Batgirl I knew at the time was Barbara Gordon. I liked how she was a tennis pro and really wish she had been utilized more. I didn't care for the Flamebird persona, but was happy to see the character again.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 9:45:34 GMT -5
Carol Ferris - Supporting Character for Green Lantern/Hal JordanFirst appearance: Carol Ferris: Showcase #22 (Sep-Oct 1959)  I do have a copy of this book and it's at my Bank in a Safe Deposit Box.
From WikipediaCaroline "Carol" Ferris is a fictional character appearing in the DC Comics Universe. She is one of many characters who has used the name Star Sapphire, and was the long-time love interest of Hal Jordan, the Silver Age Green Lantern. In her role as Star Sapphire, Ferris has been active as both a supervillain and, more recently, as a superhero. Her original design was based on Elizabeth Taylor. In the 2011 feature film Green Lantern, actress Blake Lively plays the role of Ferris. Carol Ferris was ranked 36th in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.On a personal Note - No picture of Blake Lively because the Green Lantern Movie is a BOMB in my opinion and I was so disappointed in that movie. According to Wikipedia she was based on Elisabeth Taylor and according to my friends it was this picture below that the creators of Green Lantern wanted her to look like. I was told by several Comic Book Owners in my lifetime in Seattle and Victoria (Canada). Compare this picture with the three pictures of Carol Ferris below and it's uncanny!  She was one of my favorite Supporting Characters in Hal Jordan/Green Lantern life and one of the most determined business lady that ran Ferris Aircraft as a Vice President and she was tough, determined, and most importantly gave Hal Jordan a job as a test pilot and his livelihood as well. I adore her greatly and one of my favorite supporting character in the early days of the Silver Age of Comics. Three Favorite Pictures of Carol Ferris   One of the better looking ladies in DC Comics History!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 9:57:51 GMT -5
Later On, Carol Ferris became Star Sapphire, a Major Character in DC Comics I also have a copy of this book, again at my Safe Deposit Box at my Bank. First Appearance: Star Sapphire: Green Lantern v2 #16 (Oct 1962) From WikipediaAs Ferris Aircraft's Vice President, Carol Ferris, the only child of aerospace mogul Carl Ferris and his wife Christine, hired Hal Jordan and quickly found herself attracted to the fearless test pilot, who was secretly the superhero Green Lantern. However, the young couple’s romance quickly became complicated when Carol took over the company from her father and the Zamarons crowned her the new Star Sapphire. When the Zamarons discovered that she was in love with Green Lantern, a servant of their estranged friends, the Guardians of the Universe, they sent her to defeat Green Lantern in battle as Star Sapphire.
Over the years, Star Sapphire and Green Lantern would duel again and again, but each time Jordan would defeat Ferris and revert her to normal. Jordan and Ferris separate when Carol is engaged to Jason Belmore; later she is confined to a wheelchair. It was during this time that Carol found out that Hal Jordan is Green Lantern.Favorite Pictures of Star Sapphire  The coolest picture of Star Sapphire challenging Green Lantern!  I always prefer the Original Look of Star Sapphire!
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Post by Phil Maurice on Jan 7, 2016 10:37:56 GMT -5
According to Wikipedia, she was based on Elisabeth Taylor. . . Makes sense given that Gil Kane had used Paul Newman as his "model" for Hal Jordan, and both Taylor and Newman had starred in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" about a year prior to publication of Showcase #22. |
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Post by Farrar on Jan 7, 2016 11:32:57 GMT -5
Makes sense given that Gil Kane had used Paul Newman as his "model" for Hal Jordan, and both Taylor and Newman had starred in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" about a year prior to publication of Showcase #22. Right--according to some books/bios, Gil Kane was acquainted with Newman as they were neighbors in Queens or Staten Island at some point in the 1950s. Frankly I never saw much of a facial resemblance between Kane's Hal and Newman. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 11:45:58 GMT -5
For Fun ... Elisabeth Taylor and Paul NewmanWonder Woman and Steve Trevor Thanks for the Comments Phil Maurice and Farrar!
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Post by Cei-U! on Jan 7, 2016 12:12:00 GMT -5
The reason Julius Schwartz dropped Bat-Girl and the rest of the Bat-Family characters is simple. The sales on Batman and Detective had been steadily dropping since before the imposition of the Comics Code and were veering dangerously close to cancellation levels. Schwartz was given a mandate: work the magic he'd brought to bear on the revived All-American heroes and jettison all the dead weight the strip had accumulated under Jack Schiff. That "dead weight" included the Bat-Family, which had not resulted in the revitalization of a tired franchise the way Supergirl, Krypto, etc had revitalized the Superman franchise. And though I can't recall the specifics, I *think* Schwartz felt that each spin-off character diluted the impact of Batman himself, a position I tend to agree with despite my considerable love for the Batman Family-themed Annual (the first Batman comic I ever read). This editorial attitude also explains why Schwartz did a similar housecleaning when he took over the Superman books post-Weisinger.
Cei-U!
I summon the rationale!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 12:22:31 GMT -5
The reason Julius Schwartz dropped Bat-Girl and the rest of the Bat-Family characters is simple. The sales on Batman and Detective had been steadily dropping since the imposition of the Comics Code and were veering dangerously close to cancellation. Schwartz was given a mandate: work the magic he'd brought to bear on the revived All-American heroes and jettison all the dead weight the strip had accumulated under Jack Schiff. That "dead weight" included the Bat-Family, which had not resulted in the revitalization of a tired franchise the way Supergirl, Krypto, etc had revitalized the Superman franchise. And though I can't recall the specifics, I *think* Schwartz felt that each spin-off character diluted the impact of Batman himself, a position I tend to agree with despite my considerable love for the Batman Family-themed Annual (the first Batman comic I ever read). This editorial attitude also explains why Schwartz did a similar housecleaning when he took over the Superman books post-Weisinger. Cei-U! I summon the rationale! Sad, to say and I understand your words here Cei-U! and most importantly you jarred my memory bank and having said that I was running my emotions when they dropped the Bat-Family of which I affectionately loved in the first place. This picture below represent my enduring love of the early days of Batman and I just loved this combination of heroes and that's why included Ace the Bat-Hound and later on Batwoman will make the list too. I had a hard time swallowing your words here and you made it painfully obvious here and that's why Julius made that decision in the first place. Thanks for your comments here.  |
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Post by hondobrode on Jan 7, 2016 15:53:21 GMT -5
Bibbo is all kinds of awesome ! I was thrilled to see him in Man of Steel.
Great that he made your list, MG ! The 90's were great for the Superman titles.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 15:59:16 GMT -5
Bibbo is all kinds of awesome ! I was thrilled to see him in Man of Steel. Great that he made your list, MG ! The 90's were great for the Superman titles. I have about 30-50 Superman Books from that period and about 1/3 of them from Bibbo ... My friends always buy me an extra copy because I was working 60-65 hours a week and could not make time to the Comic Book Store and he one character that I like the most. I still have the books and they are in a box in my storage unit. |
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Post by Cei-U! on Jan 7, 2016 16:28:43 GMT -5
Bibbo and Cat Grant are the two post-Crisis Superman cast members I consider worthy editions to he lore.
Cei-U!
I summon my fav'rits!
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-- a la Rita Hayworth's Gilda. 
