Peerless Power of Comics!

I added another Kirby inked cover to my Kirby inking Kirby post: Strange Tales Annual # 1. Take a look and see if you agree with my assesment. Have I missed any Kirby inked covers? Stay tuned. I wish one and all the warmest holiday wishes and hope that 2012 will be a peaceful, productive and positive year. 

We are losing the pioneers of comics at an alarming rate. Jerry Robinson passed away on Dec 7th, and now Joe Simon. The comics industry rests on the shoulders on men such as Simon, who came onto the scene before there were ground rules, making them up as they went along. As editor, artist, writer and businessman Simon did it all, only Will Eisner comes to mind as someone with as many skills. Partnered with Jack Kirby, Simon was a recognizable name early on. He produced comics that were not only innovative, but sold tremendously. The Simon and Kirby team were legendary in the industry, and inspired so many of the kids who followed them, from Steve Ditko to John Romita. They had a track record and maintained a high quality of production. It is wonderful that we now have the ability to see more of their output; not just the superheroes, but crime, horror and romance. There is so much to explore and appreciate, and the rich history of the medium is being r...

This essay, an investigation on Ditko's Timely-Atlas Fantasy stories, was originally published in Ditkomania # 71. It's been updated and revised for this blog post. The fantasy stories that Steve Ditko drew for Atlas comics in the late 1950s-early 1960s have always been admired and revered for their originality, mood and charm. The question of authorship of these stories, however, has been riddled with inconsistencies, with Stan Lee usually credited over the years. Lee’s signature did not appear on Ditko stories until 1961. The mythology that has permeated the fan press is that Stan Lee signed everything he wrote, but if that is indeed the truth, then the question cries out: WHO wrote the pre-1961 Ditko stories, of which more than a few read very much like the later Lee signed stories? There is proof of at least one author on a few stories, but the others lead to further speculation. Perhaps somewhere along the line a better understanding of the Lee-Ditko working relationship ...

The Marvel westerns have usually been neglected or dismissed, perhaps rightfully so in terms of the presence and dramatics afforded the superheroes. It may not be a genre they are noted for but I’ve always found something interesting about the “Kid” heroes; Kid Colt, Two-Gun Kid and Rawhide Kid, in particular: the “big three” of my childhood. The westerns were always far removed from the superhero shenanigans of the Marvel Age, even though Stan Lee tried to indirectly tie them in by using costumed villains from time to time, but they remained on the sidelines, in their own little niche (at least until Steve Englehart tied them into the Marvel Universe in the Avengers # 142, December 1975).  I once asked Stan Lee why he didn’t cross-over the Western characters, he simply said he never thought of it. I suspect the primary reason was because there was little fan interest in them, and even though they were thought of as "lesser titles" by the 1960s, westerns were solid sellers da...

Before Barry begins, I wanted to let everyone know that this is not a eulogy. I'm still alive and kicking, although personal issues have kept me away from regular postings. I sincerely want to thank Barry for orchestrating a very touching post that makes me proud to be part of fandom. It is people like those whose comments you will read that make the world a little easier to get through. The Way It Began! Nick Caputo: The First Yancy Streeter! Nick Caputo was born at a very early age. But he would gain a reputation of knowing and loving comics and being incredibly generous. Nick would also be one of the premiere identifiers of Marvel Age Artists. You don’t make many good friends after the age of 40, but the Yancy Street Gang, me, Nick, Mike Vassallo and our ward, John Caputo, became fast friends really quick. And I mean real friends. So our story begins: How did Nick get involved with comics? John says: “As his brother I am 7 years older, so I can vividly remember his youth. Ni...