Monday, September 30, 2013

World's Finest # 157, May, 1966


March, 1966. This was my FIRST issue of WORLD'S FINEST! The grey hair on Superman intrigued me and the kids, of course. I was 7 after all. I didn't realize this was a sequel at the time. In fact, I didn't even know the meaning of the word "sequel."And "Imaginary Novel?" As Alan Moore would later state, aren't they all?

Note in the ad below that the George Reeves SUPERMAN series continued on in syndication and was a seen on WKRC in Cincinnati. As I recall, it was early evening, maybe 5:30. Meanwhile BATMAN had just premiered on ABC as seen on the back cover.
























One of my all-time favorite DC ads. The BATMAN comic was the first I ever bought of that series and  I consider it to be the first comic book I ever actually collected. Mark Waid says it was his as well and adds that since it was the first issue to hit the stands after Batmania hit, many others could say the same thing.


Even then, this story seemed to me a pointless addition. Still does. Not even particularly good Howard Purcell art. 




Sunday, September 29, 2013

Worlds Finest # 156, March, 1966


Go-Go Checks are here! This one is another that intrigued me for decades in the ads before I ever saw a copy. The Bizarros hadn't been seen much since they lost their own series in ADVENTURE COMICS. This is a pretty good return to form for them by Edmond Hamilton and E. Nelson Bridwell.
















This is the best Tommy story? Seriously? Maybe the editors didn't read 'em all.



Saturday, September 28, 2013

World's Finest # 155, February, 1966


Another classic story from this era although the solution as to the new character's identity seemed obvious to me even when I first saw this issue when I was about 9. We're not quite to the point where I actually started getting the comic but aaaaaallllmost.






 





In the letters page the editors mention the fact that TWILIGHT ZONE is off the air, a fact they ignored a few issues back and which is what caused the letter hack here to bring it up in the first place.


A unique combination filler and ad by Mort Drucker.


Weird-Ohs were big. Ya hadda be there.


This was always a favorite subscription ad.


A totally pointless and not even accurate "Hitchcock" tie-in for this one but they even put it on the cover.




They're almost here! Love 'em or hate 'em but the Go-Go Checks are pure nostalgia to those of us who grew up on comics starting in '66!