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Post by electricmastro on Apr 2, 2020 14:43:24 GMT -5
For comparison, other patriotic designs I think fared well, all things considered, on balancing out the red, white, and blue, though not always having stripes: American Crusader:  Captain Freedom:  Pat Patriot:  Spirit of ‘76:  Super-American:  |
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Post by shaxper on Apr 2, 2020 14:50:58 GMT -5
And, of course, there's this guy:  MWGallaher pointed out how Cap's design works better because of how the stripes emphasize the abs, but even then it's interesting how the Marvel Cinematic Universe felt the need to adapt those stripes:   Not really stripes anymore. |
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Post by electricmastro on Apr 2, 2020 15:39:40 GMT -5
And, of course, there's this guy: Nah. I never quite analyzed it before, but now that I think about it, it somehow seems less stylish to have the stripes on the chest, which were redesigned later on as previously mentioned, as opposed to being on capes, shorts, or skirts. I will say that the gloves and boots worked out better from the beginning though. The headwear also reminds me of luchador masks, which is a plus to me.  |
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Post by electricmastro on Apr 2, 2020 16:41:18 GMT -5
By the way, there's something surprisingly comforting about us all providing scans from the book, and it's the SAME scans. Makes me feel a lot more connected, somehow, as it's obvious when someone is using a scan from a different copy or printing of the book. You read the exact same thing I did. That is very cool. Indeed. Also, comicbookplus is a plus for me above digitalcomicmuseum since I don’t have to bother downloading anything too! Anyway, in regards to Pep Comics #16, I will say that the Lin Streeter art for the Comet isn’t quite as good here as Jack Cole’s art. Probably didn’t make that much of a difference for the feature in the long run though considering what happened next, and quite a shame what happened to the Comet too.  |
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Post by codystarbuck on Apr 2, 2020 20:52:00 GMT -5
Right off the bat, I just wanna mention that I've always thought that the Shield had a pretty lousy superhero costumes. The overabundance of red detracts from the "American-ness" of the look. The color balance feels all wrong with this red-dominant distribution. Maybe it's just me, but I perceive red as the least significant color in the flag, whether it does or does not happen to have the least actual area (I suspect there is actually less blue, but it seems like more). Stripes have almost never been effective in a superhero costume. Recall how Timely's grim Destroyer looked like a clown from the waist down, and how many fans found Red Tornado's outfit laughable--although at least Reddy could spend all his action time as a whirlwind below the belt. And Stripesy's terrible look was not only due to Hal Sharp's primitive and amateurish artistic capabilities. Simon and Kirby made it work on Captain America, but they cleverly limited the stripes to the front of the abdomen, where they accentuated the muscular form. Irv Novick's Shield design is conceptually clever--the torso as a shield is a promising design idea--but in practice, it made the character too often look bulky (especially in the 1960's when Paul Reinman drew it), and having those stripes go all the way into the briefs sends off an uncomfortable vibe. Personally, I always like the abundance of red in his costume (and Commander Steel), in comparison to the numerous patriotic heroes in an overabundance of blue. I also loved the Red Tornado's costume and the Destroyer. To me, it's in how the stripes are incorporated. The US gymnastics team uniforms/leotards mad great use of the stripes in a diagonal pattern. I also had a sweatshirt that did that. It made for a nice contrast. I do think the later Impact Comics redesign worked better, as did Rich Bucklers modification, for the Red Circle line. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Apr 2, 2020 21:24:52 GMT -5
Hey fellers! Join the Junior G-Men Club and root out subversive commies! And remember, our boss, J Edgar isn't a sissy; he just likes the company of men @and some pretty ribbons and lace)  The Shield is finem, for what it is; but, it wasn't one of the better strips from Archie. The Hangman and the Black Hood both had better stories and anything from Charles Biro had a bit more bite to it. Novick does a good job, though Simon & Kirby were so ahead of the curve. Danny in Wonderland is just plain weird (and possibly actionable, from Geppetto) The Comet is a bit stiff, though I must say the figure work is a bit interesting, with minimalist faces and odd contortions for the bodies. ack Cole had the best Comet stories; but, he did more by dying, to pave the way for the much more interesting Hangman (his brother). Fireball is about as generic a mystery man as you could want (Comet at least has interstoing powers and Shield had the more interesting costume); but, it has a weird mix of interesting panels and some really grade school-level art. I suspect some of the better stuff to either be swipes or corrections from above. Sgt Boyle is pretty good; of course it is. It's Biro. Reminds of Hogan's Heroes, without the comedy. I got a kick out of Lee Sampson. Typical Ring Knocker;" violates the Honor Code and gets rewarded. Somebody had been around Annapolis or watched a movie, as they get some stuff right. The anchor insignia is correct, for a midshipman's cover (cap); However, they then have it on a commissioned officer,which is wrong. Color is also wrong and they didn't have white pants with a navy jacket. Pants were of the same color, even then. Swords were actually the property of the Academy. They were issued to midshipmen officers and turned back in (same in NROTC). After you were commissioned, you had to buy your own; though it wasn't required until you were of lieutenant commander rank (same with the Mess Dress uniform). Madame Satan-MLJ had some pretty grisly horror, which is ironic, given they were one of the architects of the Comics Code. Kayo Ward looks like Joe Palooka, if drawn by Dick Tracy's Chester Gould. Bentley of Scotland Yard is pretty typical for mystery stories; derivative of the same drawing room mysteries that were at the movies. Okay issue; but, Pep really doesn't get good until Archie shows up. Shield gets better and Hangman takes over the Comet's spot, with much more interesting stories. |
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Post by shaxper on Apr 2, 2020 21:28:45 GMT -5
Probably didn’t make that much of a difference for the feature in the long run though considering what happened next, and quite a shame what happened to the Comet too. What happens? I have no familiarity with these books. |
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Post by electricmastro on Apr 2, 2020 22:22:11 GMT -5
Probably didn’t make that much of a difference for the feature in the long run though considering what happened next, and quite a shame what happened to the Comet too. What happens? I have no familiarity with these books. Oh, he died in the next issue, Pep Comics #17 (July, 1941). Yes, quite possibly the first superhero death in comic books. The Comet (real name John Dickering) was attempting to save his brother, Robert Dickering, but got shot to death by gangsters in the process, later leading to Robert becoming a superhero himself to avenge him, the Hangman.   |
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Post by shaxper on Apr 2, 2020 22:44:24 GMT -5
What happens? I have no familiarity with these books. Oh, he died in the next issue, Pep Comics #17 (July, 1941). Yes, quite possibly the first superhero death in comic books. The Comet (real name John Dickering) was attempting to save his brother, Robert Dickering, but got shot to death by gangsters in the process, later leading to Robert becoming a superhero himself to avenge him, the Hangman. Interesting, and only one issue after the introduction of Madam Satan. Seems like MLJ was looking to shake things up. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Apr 2, 2020 23:14:38 GMT -5
Read about half... a little tired for the rest. So far:
The Shield What the heck is up with the colorist? that some terrible lining up the pages, and a few thing are just out and out wrong. I really like the vulture as a character design.. very cool! The art overall is decent, but not great. The story, though... what's up with the hero completely failing? Secret plans in the hands of the enemy is a big fail, no matter if you retrieve them. Luckily, the Vulture is dumb enough (seemingly) to getting payback than making money (an odd trait). What's totally inexplicible to me is why he blew up HIS OWN CONTROL PANEL.. was he proving a point to the Shield, or did he miss, or was he just dumb?
At one point, Dusty exclaims 'Smart Ducks'.. is that a thing? I hated Juju... too much like Snapper Carr. Not very impressed overall.. I'd take the lead in Planet COmics over this, I think.
Danny in Wonderland
The Pinocchio story with an androgynous lead...Danny seems right out of Astro Boy with that outfit. Sadly, that's the only redeeming part. Is the point having these character be in fairy tales, or did kids in 1943 or whatever not realize? At least the coloring was good, and the art was decent too.
The Comet
Very cool costume, but the rest is just a Superman clone.. even the girl looks just like Lois Lane!
Fireball
This was almost good.. I really liked how the girl in distress was right, and new the guy was a hero. What's up with no flames though, were they copyrighted or something? I just Fireball just generates heat, not fire?
At least that made it not just like Human Torch, but it was weird.
I'll check out the rest tomorrow!
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Post by wildfire2099 on Apr 2, 2020 23:17:03 GMT -5
Darn it. Now I want to know what makes Richy such an amazing boy! I think we have a winner for the next one! |
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Post by electricmastro on Apr 3, 2020 0:57:03 GMT -5
Darn it. Now I want to know what makes Richy such an amazing boy! I think we have a winner for the next one! I’ve browsed around quite a bit, and a lot of the more interesting public domain material, at least for the art, come from the horror and sci-fi stories. In terms of publishers, I’ve found that publishers such as American Comics Group, Fiction House, Lev Gleason, and Quality tended to be more consistent in providing interesting material, with a special shout out to Centaur for their generally weird material. Artists that worked on quite a bit of public domain stuff include Wally Wood, Frank Frazetta, Steve Ditko, Lou Fine, Joe Kubert, Jack Cole, with the biggest standout of them all being Basil Wolverton’s art. Also worth noting is that a lot of Captain Marvel and Plastic Man’s early adventures are in the public domain too. |
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Post by shaxper on Apr 3, 2020 8:24:28 GMT -5
Thoughts on The Comet: While It's impossible to ignore wildfire2099's point that this is a total aping of Clark Kent and Lois Lane:  I REALLY enjoyed some of the action in this one:   electricmastro and codystarbuck both seem confident that Jack Cole's art was superior (which I believe!), but I'll happily take this. And yet, just as with the last two features, there is absolutely no effort made to catch the reader up on who these characters are nor even what The Comet's powers are. Did MLJ not want new readers or something? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2020 8:47:56 GMT -5
Yay! I loved your reviews of Pep Comics. Pre-Archie MLJ comics have been my focus the past year. I decided to move beyond DC (National), Marvel (Timely), Fawcett and Quality for my 1940's reading and dig into MLJ, Nedor Publishing and Lev Gleason's Daredevil.
As far as MLJ some of their heroes could have been a big deal if they had tried a little harder. The Shield would have been a decent hero with a better costume. Some of their ideas were unique like killing the Comet and having his brother become the Hangman. I also feel publishers saw this with the revivals by Archie in the 60's and 80's and even recently. However to be honest DC did the BEST job of revamping these characters in the 90's (their IMPACT! line) and their short lived attempt a few years ago. So ironically it was DC that led me to seek out past adventures of these heroes.
As far as Nedor and Lev Gleason? Dynamite's Project: Superpowers various series led me to look for Black Terror, Daredevil and others.
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Post by brutalis on Apr 3, 2020 8:51:26 GMT -5
Thoughts:
The Shield: nothing really daring or different here and hero comes across as rather dumb. Early Novick has Shield looking more like he is dancing than fighting which makes for a different visual style.
Danny in Wonderland: endearingly odd Pinocchio tale. Wonder they weren't sued.
The Comet: So Clark Kent runs around in his pajama's at night wearing Cyclop's visor. Day job not enough? Crazy man, crazy!
Fireball: enjoyable if not very memorable.
Madame Satan: would never have guessed this was an Archie comics story if read alone. Stylish and dark tones and unrepentant in it's portrayal of evil/villainy.
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