Off To Comic Con International: San Diego!

Since I won't be home I thought I would get the rest of the week's comics out ahead of time. If you get a chance to go to the SDCC, you can find me most often in one of these panels hosted by Mark Evanier.

Adventure Comics #360

Adventure Comics #360 (On Sale: July 27, 1967) has a Curt Swan and George Klein cover, but is it also someone else? This is the second Adventure cover that to me has the hand of Neal Adams in the layouts. In this case look at the Superboy figure. Yes, it is Curt Swan, but the pose is not. Remember that in the next few months as Adams starts doing DC super-hero covers at first they are almost all for Weisinger. I think he was tinkering with the Adventure layouts before he ever got credit for it. Like the cover of #358, next month's is even easier to spot as Adams.

Inside "The Legion Chain Gang" is by Jim Shooter, Curt Swan and George Klein and continues last month's storyline. The Legionnaires wander through the maze of sewers on Takron-Galtos, the prison planetoid, where they discover a hidden passageway leading to one of Lex Luthor's secret lairs. Using his advanced machinery, they recreate their costumes, then make plans to free Cosmic Boy, Sun Boy, Lightning Lad, and Duo Damsel from jail.

At the same time, President Boltax receives a report from Brugol, the warden on Takron-Galtos. Boltax visits his son, whom he keeps prisoner in a locked room, but the boy refuses to speak to him. After Boltax leaves, he loosens the screws on a ventilator grill and escapes.

Meanwhile, the Legionnaires, under the leadership of Espionage Squad chief Chameleon Boy, successfully free their captive comrades from jail and retrieve their confiscated flight rings, then regroup at Luthor's lair. They deduce that Earth's water supply has had a hypno-chemical put into it, and Brainiac 5 concocts an antidote.

At the water purification plant the next day, the Legion creates a distraction to divert the guards, while Brainiac 5 goes to pour his antidote into the water. Before he can administer the antidote, Brainiac 5 is slugged from behind by a guard. Reprinted in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #238 and Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 7 HC.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Action Comics #354

Action Comics #354 (On Sale:July 27, 1967) has a Curt Swan and George Klein cover.

Inside we have "Captain Incredible" by Cary Bates and Al Plastino. Superman is upstaged several times by a new crimefighter calling himself Captain Incredible. The new hero looks puny and wears glasses, but possesses more power than even the Man of Steel. After helping Superman on several occasions, Captain Incredible suddenly begins to attack. Superman is unable to stop his opponent, so he retreats through the time barrier.

Arriving in the 27th century, Superman visits inventor Dane Gnorr, who created a special fabric with which Captain Incredible's costume is made. Gnorr explains that he built Captain Incredible who is really a robot. He then sent the robot back in time to help Superman. A side effect of the time trip however has turned him against the Man of Steel.

Superman returns to the 20th century and challenges Captain Incredible.

The back-up Supergirl story is "The Brain-Stealers" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and continues from Action Comics #353. Supergirl has been forced to serve as a living library on Zorkia by the disembodied brains of that world. The brains seek to restore their bodies, so that they can conquer the galaxy. Knowing their intentions, Supergirl refuses to help them.

The brains then try to trick Supergirl by having her use her super powers on seemingly trivial tasks. They are able to transfer her powers to their queen Neolla who has been stored in suspended animation.

Edited by Mort Weisinger

Detective Comics #367

Detective Comics #367 (On Sale: July 27, 1967) has an interesting cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

"Where There's a Will -- There's a Slay" is by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene and continues from the previous issue. After defusing a bomb meant to kill Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson and Alfred discover a will written by Bruce in the Batcave. Robin deciphers a clue written into the will that leads him to Doc Hastings, the villain behind the murder attempts. Robin finds the villain while on the way to warn Bruce, but he is knocked out by a jolt of electricity. Hastings then uses Robin as bait for a trap. Reprinted in Batman #262

The Elongated Man back-up "Enigma of the Elongated Evildoer" is by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene. While vacationing at a ski lodge, the Elongated Man is asked to help solve a mystery involving robberies committed by a thief believed to have stretching abilities. Ralph investigates the robberies and concludes that the thief might not have stretching powers at all.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Strange Adventures #204

Strange Adventures #204 (On Sale: June 27, 1967) has a kinda cool Carmine Infantino and George Roussos cover, featuring the Crazy-Quilt Man.

Inside we have "Instant Trips -- Instant Danger" by Jack Miller and Joe Certa, "The Man Who Discovered the West Pole" by Otto Binder, Gil Kane and Joe Giella which is reprinted from Strange Adventures #64 and "The Crazy Quilt Man" drawn by Bernard Baily.

Next issue in these pages Arnold Drake creates his masterpiece hero. I'm tingling already!

Edited by Jack Schiff.

Justice League of America #56

Justice League of America #56 (On Sale: July 25, 1967) has a great cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson. This may have been my first exposure to Wildcat!

Continuing last issue's JLA/JSA crossover "The Negative-Crisis on Earths One-Two" is by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Sid Greene. Collecting the negative radiation given off by the black spheres, the super-heroes treat four of their number with it, granting them sufficient power to overcome the controlled villains. Flash, Green Lantern, Hourman, and Wonder Woman of Earth-2 are chosen, but the radiation also has the side-effect of turning them evil and setting them against their fellows.

As Superman and Robin battle Hourman, Green Arrow and Hawkman fight the Flash, Wildcat and Mr. Terrific combat Green Lantern, and Johnny and the Thunderbolt are matched against Wonder Woman. Johnny Thunder and his Thunderbolt also play a big part in all this. Reprinted in the Justice League of America Archives Vol. 7 HC and Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 2 TPB.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Metamorpho #14

Metamorpho #14 (On Sale: July 25, 1967) features a Sal Trapani cover.

"Enter the Thunderer" is by Bob Haney, Sal Trapani and Charles Paris. Continuing the story from Metamorpho #13, after preventing a battle between Element Girl and Sapphire for his affections, Metamorpho answers a call for help from Simon Stagg's School of Science. The school is under the attack of a costumed crook called Neutrog, who possesses powers over all the elements. Neutrog seeks to bring about Armageddon by preparing for the arrival of the Thunderer. The villain then incapacitates Metamorpho with an atomic pile.

Due to the atomic exposure, Metamorpho becomes radioactive and deadly to mankind. Simon Stagg launches him into space to protect Earth. With Metamopho gone, Earth is left open to attack from the Thunderer, a mutant being who wants to cause Armageddon. Conventional military weapons prove useless against the villain. Earth seems defenseless, until Metamorpho returns.

Element Girl was also aboard Metamorpho's rocket and brought it back to Earth. She then joins Metamorpho against Neutrog and the Thunderer. During the battle Neutrog is defeated, then abandoned by the Thunderer. However, the Thunderer's powers appear to ultimately destroy Metamorpho. Reprinted in Showcase Presents:Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Plastic Man #6

Plastic Man #6 (On Sale: July 25, 1967) has a cover by Carmine Infantino and Mike Esposito.

Inside we have "The Sly, Slippery, Slithery Sphinx" by Arnold Drake and Winslow Mortimer. A criminal known as the Sphinx upstages Dr. Dome and makes him look foolish. When the Sphinx then tries to kill Plastic Man, Dr. Dome forms an alliance with Plas because he wants the honor of killing him himself.

"Menace of the Mad, Mad, Mod Goldzinger" is also by Arnold Drake and Winslow Mortimer. When Plastic Man and Mike visit a dance club, the are on the scene for a robbery by Goldzinger, a crook that can magnetically attract gold. Plastic Man pursues and catches the crook. Before he can be turned over to police, Madame DeLute frees Goldzinger and hires him to kill Plastic Man.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Showcase #70

Showcase #70 (On Sale: July 25, 1967) has a Bob Oksner and Henry Scarpelli Binky cover.

Stories include "Duel Shiners" by Bob Oksner, "Changed Man" and "Leap Before You Look" also by Bob Oksner and both reprinted from Leave It To Binky #54 and finally we have "Perfect Match" also by Bob Oksner.

Edited by Barbara Friedlander.

World's Finest Comics #169

World's Finest Comics #169 (On Sale: July 25, 1967) has a cover by Curt Swan and George Klein.

Inside we have the cover story "The Supergirl-Batgirl Plot" by Cary Bates, Curt Swan and George Klein. While on patrol near Gotham City, Supergirl is attacked by a spectral hand. Batgirl comes to her aid. Working as a team the girls are able to escape the hand which then disappears. The girls then begin a campaign to humiliate and discredit Superman and Batman.

In a series of incidents Supergirl temporarily robs Superman of his powers and upstages him. Meanwhile Batgirl makes Batman act like a coward while fighting crooks. The girls then lock Batman out of the Batcave and steal his equipment. Supergirl also takes the Fortress of Solitude and hides it from Superman. Next the girls kidnap Robin and leave both heroes powerless without even their secret identities.

When the girls the confront Superman and Batman, their real identities are exposed. Superman discovers that Supergirl is really the Kandorian woman Black Flame, while Batman discovers that Selina Kyle the Catwoman has been masquerading as Batgirl. The heroes forces the villainesses to reveal where the real Supergirl and Batgirl are being held. However, before a rescue can be enacted Supergirl and Batgirl arrive from another dimension.

"The Amazing Cube" is a reprint from Tales of the Unexpected #9 drawn by Bernard Baily.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Flash #173

Flash #173 (On Sale: July 20, 1967) features another great cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson. Great to see Jay Garrick in action on a Flash cover!

"Doomward Flight of the Flashes" is by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene. While battling the Domino Gang alongside Kid Flash, the Flash suddenly vanishes in a bolt of light. Kid Flash returns to Barry Allen's house where he meets Jay Garrick and his wife Joan who have dropped by to visit from Earth-2. Jay joins Kid Flash on a search for Barry. Then Kid Flash is also teleported away by a flash of light.

Kid Flash awakens on an alien planet next to his mentor where they meet an alien mutant called Golden Man who claims responsibility for teleporting them to his planet. He is far more evolved than other beings from his planet and has teleported the Flashes there to provide a hunt. Flash and Kid Flash are then forced to outrun their captor to stay alive.

Golden Man secretly has another motive for the hunt. He plans to use the super-speed energy expended by his opponents to evolve the rest of his race. Then he can rule over them as a dictator. However, Flash is lost in a pit of quicksand. Since his plan requires two speedsters, Golden Man returns to his laboratory with the unconscious Kid Flash.

Golden Man then teleports Jay Garrick to his world. However, Jay's internal vibrations allow him to remain conscious upon arrival. Jay and Kid Flash try to defeat Golden Man, but are captured again. Then Barry Allen arrives, having survived the quicksand by vibrating through the planet's crust.

The three Flashes are then able to defeat Golden Man. In a last ditch effort to succeed in his world domination plan, Golden Man activates an experimental machine.Reprinted in DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #2 and Crisis on Multiple Earths:Team-Ups Vol. 2 TPB.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Doom Patrol #114

Doom Patrol #114 (On Sale: July 20, 1967) as usual has a cover by Bob Brown.

Inside we have the cover story "Kor -- the Conqueror" by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. An experiment in time warps goes wrong and transforms Dr. Anton Koravyk into Kor, a Neanderthal man who menaces the city with Dr. Koravyk's powerful sonic weapon. The Chief continues his efforts to "cure" Madame Rouge.

The second story, "The Kid Who Was King of Crooks," is also by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. In this the continuation of the retelling of Beast Boy's origin, the diamond thieves who have kidnapped him use Gar Logan's shape-changing powers to rob a highly-guarded vault in Johannesburg. The criminals perish, however, when the child's idea of a practical joke causes each to suspect the other of treachery, and they kill each other.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff

Batman #195

Batman #195 (On Sale: July 20, 1967) has a strange cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson. I like where Infantino was going with this cover, but the big red caption chopping off a huge chunk of the cover real estate (note that the cover does not continue above the caption) is poorly thought out.

Inside "The Spark-Spangled See-Through Man" is by Gardner Fox, Sheldon Moldoff and Joe Giella. Thief Ned Creegan robs the laboratory of scientist Nevil Logan, stealing specials gems that Logan had been using in radiation experiments. Creegan takes the jewels to a nearby fence to sell them when Batman and Robin arrive. During the fight with the Dynamic Duo Ned is transformed into a skeletal figure possessing an electrical touch. The electrical charge is able to stun Batman and allow him to escape.

Ned returns to the lab where Logan explains that Ned was exposed to radiation. He blackmails Ned into helping with his experiments, then gives him a pill that will temporarily cure the skeletal effect. Logan warns that every second Ned spends in that form will cost him a day of his life.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Teen Titans #11

Teen Titans #11 (On Sale: July 18, 1967) has a nice Nick Cardy cover. Missing are the Go-Go Checks and ugly logos that marred Nick's previous TT covers. Robin is pushed to the back to spotlight Speedy's return. Note how in just a few issues the TT's have gone from looking 12 or 13 to looking 17 or 18.

Inside we have "Monster Bait" by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy. Speedy returns to help the Teen Titans when they go to the aid of boy genius Willie Gregson, whose summer job is that of assistant to famed scientist Dr. Simon Finley. A criminal gang tries to blackmail Wille, whose father, now a respected businessman, is an ex-convict, forcing Willie to steal Dr. Finley's secret nerve gas formulae for them. The Titans tangle with scuba divers and a fake sea monster in this book-length story. Reprinted in DC Super Stars #1.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Our Fighting Forces #109

Our Fighting Forces #109 (On Sale: July 18, 1967) has an interesting Irv Novick cover. Looks like a dash of Joe Kubert in the inks.

Inside we have Lt. Hunter's Hellcats in "Burn, Raiders, Burn" by Robert Kanigher and Jack Abel.

The backup story is "The Unsinkable Subs" also drawn by Jack Abel.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

Inferior Five #4

Inferior Five #4 (On Sale: July 18, 1967) has a Mike Sekowsky and Mike Esposito cover featuring the Five and Thor!

"Valhallaballoo" is written by E. Nelson Bridwell and drawn by Mike Sekowsky and Mike Esposito. Bored with the heroes of Asgard, Odin sends the Valkyries to Earth to fetch some new heroes to entertain him. Unable to find any heroes in Scandinavia, the Valkyries visit Megalopolis where they find the Inferior Five. They bring the heroes back to Asgard to meet Odin and the other Norse gods.

The Inferior Five soon meet Thor who is interested in visiting Midgard. The team returns to Earth with Thor and three other Asgardians. Thor assumes the identity of a baseball player, Don R. Blitz. Loki however has followed Thor to Earth. After a battle between Loki and Thor, the Asgardians plan to return home. However, the baseball team owner tells Thor that he is under contract and must remain to play baseball.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Young Love #63

Young Love #63 (On Sale: July 18, 1967) has a rather bland Jay Scott Pike cover.

Inside we have "Love is More Than This" drawn by Jay Scott Pike, "Happily Ever After" drawn by Arthur Peddy, and "Let's Not Fall in Love" drawn by Jay Scott Pike.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Bomba the Jungle Boy #1

Bomba the Jungle Boy #1 (On Sale: July 13, 1967) as a cover I would not have guessed is by Carmine Infantino and Charles Cuidera.

Inside we have "The Jaws of Doom" written by George Kashdan and drawn by Leo Sommers. I remember Sommers work from Warren, but did not know that he did any work for DC. Apparently, this and the next issue of Bomba contain the only DC artwork by Sommers.

Bomba the Jungle Boy was first published in 1926, was one of the earliest and most successful of the many Tarzan imitators. , Authorship was credited to Roy Rockwood, a Stratemeyer Syndicate pseudonym, but the actual author for most of the series was probably John Duffiel), The books were popular and sold well, as indicated by the number of titles in the series, the longevity of its time in print, and the number of spin-offs into movies and comics.

Monogram's Bomba the Jungle Boy film series was inspired by the adventure-book series. Johnny Sheffield, formerly "Boy" in the Tarzan pictures, starred as Bomba. Economically produced, and not one of their best efforts, Bomba the Jungle Boy turned out to be one of Monogram's most successful series. In 1962 a 13-episode syndicated series, "Zim Bomba" was produced by editing down footage from the Monogram films. This might be what the cover blurb, "TV's Teen Jungle Star!" is referring to. I don't think I ever saw the series or read the comic books.

Some of the stories from these comics were later reprinted with minor art and lettering changes as Simba stories in DC's Tarzan comics.

Edited by George Kashdan

Green Lantern #55

Green Lantern #55 (On Sale: July 13, 1967) features a Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson cover.

"Cosmic Enemy Number One" is by John Broome and Gil Kane. In it Actor Roger Vicker is killed while portraying Green Lantern. Vicker's brother Charley wants to help the real Green Lantern find the killer, but GL learns that the murder was part of a coordinated attack from offworld on all Green Lanterns. Charley is therefore left on Earth, but GL uses his ring to establish a mind-link allowing Charley to stay informed about GL's progress.

Green Lantern flies to Oa where the Green Lantern Corps is briefed by the Guardians. Prisoners of a prison planet are behind the attack which have killed several Green Lanterns using mini-nucleo energy. The prisoners were able to break free with the help of Earth criminal Al Magone who was placed on the planet in 1928 by Abin Sur.

The Green Lantern Corps confront the villains directly. Many Green Lanterns are maimed or killed in the battle, and Earth's Green Lantern finds himself trapped in a yellow spaceship. Using the pre-established mind-link with Vicker, GL is able to teleport Charley to his location. Charley then frees Hal from the ship. GL gives Charley a power ring from one of the dead Green Lanterns, then they rejoin the battle with the criminals.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Girls' Romances #127

Girls' Romances #127 (On Sale: July 13, 1967) has an odd Jay Scott Pike cover. I see some Vinnie Colletta in the inks, particularly the man's hair and face, but Pike did sign this one, so maybe I'm wrong.

Inside we begin with "One Love Too Many" by persons unknown, followed by "Love Without Words" inked by Bernard Sachs. Lastly is our cover story "We'll Never Meet Again" drawn by Jay Scott Pike.

Edited by Barbara Friedlander.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #105

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #105 (On Sale: July 11, 1967) has a Curt Swan and George Klein cover.

Inside we have "The World of 1,000 Olsens" by Otto Binder and Pete Costanza. Jimmy Olsen learns that Professor Worthington has discovered a new asteroid near Earth. Before Worthington can explain why he has named it the Olsen asteroid, the professor is killed by a disintegration ray. Jimmy checks the professor's research and finds evidence that the asteroid is inhabited by duplicates of him. Then a spacecraft lands which offers him a ride to the asteroid.

Jimmy takes the ship to the asteroid and finds many varieties of Olsens. Some are normal in appearance while other mimic some of his freakish transformations. Some of the Olsens are good while others are evil. When Jimmy claims to be the real Olsen he is arrested.

Jimmy escapes from jail by disguising himself. He is then aided by one of the good Olsens. He discovers that Tempus the clock maker is responsible for the asteroid and the Olsen doubles. Tempus plans to destroy Earth by crashing into it with the asteroid.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Blackhawk #236

Blackhawk #236 (On Sale: July 11, 1967) as usual has a cover by Dick Dillin and Charles Cuidera I find this one more interesting than most of the recent Blackhawk covers.

Inside we have "Melt, Mutant, Melt" by Bob Haney, Dick Dillin and Charles Cuidera. Having completed their mission in a foreign land last issue, the Blackhawks make their escape across the border with the aid of the giant twins Romulus and Rufo. Once they reach safety the team parts ways with the giants and return to their headquarters. As soon as they arrive another urgent mission again forces them into action.

The Blackhawks fly to the lab of government scientist Dr. Manton. Manton claims to have been turned into a mutant by one of his experiments, but Blackhawk realizes that the man is a spy. The Blackhawks are defeated one-by-one, until only Blackhawk himself remains.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #102

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #102 (On Sale: July 11, 1967) has Neal Adams' first Jerry Lewis cover.

Inside we have "The Hound Dog from Mars" written by Arnold Drake and drawn by Neal Adams. If I owned this one, I would tell you what it was about.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Secret Hearts #122

Secret Hearts #122 (On Sale: July 6, 1967) has a fairly nice cover by Jay Scott Pike.

Inside we have "The Battle of Love" by persons unknown and "Dreams Are for Fools" which is inked by Bernard Sachs. "Reach For Happiness, Episode 13" is drawn by Jay Scott Pike.

As usual with a lot of the romance books, there is not a lot of information.

Edited by Jack Miller.

House of Mystery #169

House of Mystery #169 (On Sale: July 6, 1967) has a Dial H for Heroine! cover by Jim Mooney.

"The Terrible Toymaster" is the Dial H for H.E.R.O. story written by Dave Wood and drawn by Jim Mooney. In it Robby Reed uses his H-Dial to become Velocity Kid and track down the costumed crook the Toymaster. His girlfriend Suzy witnesses the transformation and follows Robby. When Velocity Kid is defeated by Toymaster, Suzy comes to his aid. She explains that she has learned Robby's secret. Despite his protests, she demands to use the dial herself. When she dials H-E-R-O-I-N-E, Suzy becomes Gem Girl.

Gem Girl pursues Toymaster while Robby waits for the dial to recharge so that he can become a new hero. Suzy succeeds in finding the Toymaster's hide-out, but she is captured.

The back-up feature is "The Manhunter Monster" starring the Martian Manhunter and it's by Jack Miller and Joe Certa. Martian Manhunter learns about two upcoming robberies planned by Vulture. At the first robbery, he witnesses monsters committing the crime. The monsters have flame breath which weakens the Manhunter. To avoid the danger, J'onn shapeshifts into the form of one of the monsters, but he is unable to change back.

Edited by Jack Schiff.

Wonder Woman #172

Wonder Woman #172 (On Sale: July 5, 1967) has a fairly dull Irv Novick cover. Also, the word "New" is added to the logo this issue, but it disappears after this, then reappears on issue #175 as "The New," only to disappear on issue #177.

Inside we have "A Day in the Life of an Amazon" by Robert Kanigher, Irv Novick (who replaces Ross Andru begining this issue) and Mike Esposito. Wonder Woman answers a letter about how she spends her day. She explains that while shopping for a birthday present, she stops a hold-up by some bandits. Next she is asked to watch a baby by Professor Dinwoodie. The baby has been given an experimental growth formula that causes it to become a menace. Wonder Woman subdues the threat, then helps a restaurant owner whose waitresses failed to show up for work.

Wonder Woman then flies to Paradise Island to visit her mother. On the way she intercepts an alien scout ship.

The backup story "The Amazing Amazon Crime" is also by Robert Kanigher, Irv Novick and Mike Esposito. Wonder Woman visits a museum which features a lifelike statue of her. When she meets the sculptor, he seems familiar. The sculptor is the brother of a former crook, now serving a long prison term after being captured by Wonder Woman. The man has now vowed to get revenge for his incarcerated brother.

That night, the statue comes alive. It is really an android capable of movement. The Wonder Woman android knocks out a janitor and robs the museum before returning to its original position. The janitor then blames the real Wonder Woman for the crime.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

Tomahawk #112

Tomahawk #112 (On Sale: July 5, 1967) has a nice Bob Brown cover. The coloring really shines here to bring out the best in the cover, a pretty dynamic piece by Brown.

Inside we have "The Rangers Vs. Tomahawk" by Bill Finger and Fred Ray.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.