Aquaman #35

These are odd. Some of the September comics came out at the end of June, so here are some I previously missed...

Aquaman #35 (On Sale: June 29, 1967) has a nice cover by Nick Cardy. This issue of Aquaman features three "events." The first is the draining of the Atlantis dome, the second is the first appearance of Black Manta and the third is the last appearance of Storm and Sea Imp, Aquaman and Aqualad's giant sea horses. They were a big part of the Saturday morning Superman/Aquaman cartoon show, but from this point on in the comics, the wet ones just swam everywhere (and boy are their arms tired!).

Inside we have "Between Two Dooms" by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy. Black Manta attacks Atlantis. When Aquaman leaves the city to fight him, he falls into a trap. Black Manta then poisons the dome protecting the city. As a result, Dr. Vulko is forced to pump all the water out of the city. Aquaman returns and decides to initiate Project X, which turns the Atlantean people into air breathers again.

Aquaman, Aqualad, Mera, and Aquababy are now the only water breathers in Atlantis. While outside the city, Mera and Aquababy are attacked by Black Manta. Aquababy is kidnapped, so Aquaman surrenders himself. Ocean Master is planning his own attack and sees Aquaman being taken captive. He intercedes and takes Aquababy himself. This ignites a duel between the two villains. Reprinted in DC Super Stars #7.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #77

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #77 (On Sale: June 29, 1967), AKA 80pg. Giant #G-39, features a Kurt Schaffenberger cover and follows the theme Lois' Greatest Shockers! The release date on this is highly suspect to me, as Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #76 went on sale two days earlier.

Inside we have "The Witch of Metropolis" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #1 by Otto Binder and Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane is exposed to fumes from an experiment by Professor Jason. The fumes cause Lois to change into an old hag each night. Lois thinks she has become a witch, so she casts spells.

Next is "Lois Lane -- Convict" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #6 by Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane takes a bribe from a mob boss. He wants her to hold off writing a story exposing him. She is forced to keep working for the mob when they blackmail Lois with a photo of her taking the bribe. Lois is eventually sent to prison for using marked money from a crime. Lois confesses to taking the bribes.

The mob springs Lois from jail and takes her to the mob leader, Baldy Pate. Pate forces Lois to tell him where the evidence she was going to expose is located.

Next we have "The Six Lives of Lois Lane" from Action Comics #198 by William Woolfolk, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye. After Lois Lane witnesses Superman change into Clark Kent in front of a mirror, Lois’s mind goes into shock. For the next few days, Lois believes she is a different historical figure. Lois takes on the personas of Betsy Ross, Florence Nightingale, Annie Oakley, Madam Curie, Barbara Frietchie, and Queen Isabella of Spain. Superman seeks to restore Lois’s mind, but is fearful she will remember discovering his secret.

The next story is "The Mad Woman of Metropolis" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #26 by Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane receives a tip to meet one of Clark Kent’s informants. When she arrives she is knocked unconscious. She revives, but Clark can not back up her story, so she thinks the bump on the head causes her imagination to go wild.

Later, Lois is convinced that she has unconsciously destroyed a Superman poster. Worried about her erratic behavior, Lois visits a psychiatrist who convinces her to read a book to take her mind off her problems. Lois feels better, but when Clark looks at the book it has blank pages.

Lois is convinced she has gone crazy, and a voice tells her to kill herself.

Next is "Lois Lane's X-Ray Vision" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #22 by Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane’s sunglasses become exposed to some strange electrical energy which enables the wearer to gain x-ray vision. Lois uses the ability to get a scoop, but the new power allows her to see Superman’s costume under Clark Kent’s clothing. Superman learns of the ability of the enhanced glasses and arranges for Lois to lose them.

Later at the Daily Planet office, Superman, as Clark, pretends to have found them. Just as Lois begins accusing Clark of being Superman, an escaped con bursts in and shoots Clark.

Next we have "The Ghost of Lois Lane" from Superman #129 by Jerry Coleman, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye. While Lois is in Professor Grail's laboratory covering a story, Superman uses his X-ray vision to find the Professor. His X-Ray vision sets off a machine that sends Lois into the 4th dimension. The machine explodes leading Superman to believe Lois is dead.

Every time Superman uses his X-ray vision he can now see Lois. He believes that Lois is haunting him because of what he did.

Next is "Lois Lane's Darkest Secret" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #25 by Kurt Schaffenberger. While trailing a movie actress, Lois Lane learns that the employees of a hair salon are using truth gas on their customers and then blackmailing them with their secrets. Lois contacts the actress, Sandra Thorne, and tries to catch the crooks in the act. However, they do not show up forcing Lois to return to the salon.

Lois undergoes the truth gas treatment, but she has taken the antidote. She tries to trick the blackmailers but they learn of her plot. The crooks gas her at her home and force her to reveal the existence of a Kryptonite meteor.

The final story is "The Fattest Girl in Metropolis" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #5 by Otto Binder and Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois is the only witness to a murder. She is unable to identify the killer from mug shots, so she fears he will come after her. While visiting Professor Colby, Lois is exposed to a growth ray that causes her to become fat. Lois is embarrassed by her weight and avoids Superman.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Superboy #140

Superboy #141 (On Sale: June 29, 1967) sports a cover by Curt Swan and George Klein.

"No Mercy for a Hero" is written by Jim Shooter, penciled by George Papp and inked by Frank Springer. Ron-Avon from the aggressor world Belgor comes to Earth to challenge Superboy. If the Boy of Steel refuses to meet the challenge or loses, Ron-Avon threatens to turn the residents of Smallville into lifeless metal. Superboy agrees to the challenge and bests the alien boy in two out of three challenges.

After losing the contest, Ron-Avon pleads for Superboy to kill him. When the Boy of Steel refuses, he learns that the boy's parents will be killed by the rulers of his world unless Superboy kills Ron-Avon.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Our Army at War #184

Our Army at War #184 (On Sale: June 29, 1967) has a bland "Sgt. Rock" cover by Joe Kubert. In the future Kubert would never have picked such a lack-luster angle and would have greatly increased the drama in this, what should be, riveting scene. This is the second issue of Our Army at War to be released this month.

Inside we have "Candidate for a Firing Squad" by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert featuring "Sgt. Rock."

The backup story "Invasion Beach Taxi" is a reprint from Our Army at War #44 by Bob Haney and Russ Heath.

Edited by Robert Kanigher

Detective Comics #366

Detective Comics #366 (On Sale: June 29, 1967) has a cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson. One interesting aspect of Detective at this time was the way Fox and Broome traded off series each month.

"The Round-Robin Death Threats" is by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene. Bruce Wayne receives a letter ordering him to perform a simple task at a specified time. To ensure the order is carried out, the letter is sealed with a special gas that not only forces Bruce to obey, but also to keep him from talking about it. Despite his best efforts to stop the compulsion Batman complies with the order to tell Commissioner Gordon to turn on his radio at a specified time.

However, Robin has noticed Batman's behavior and reconstructed the letter. He arrives in time to stop Gordon from turning on the radio that was rigged to kill him. Gordon then enters a trance, just like the one affecting Bruce. Batman and Robin follow and prevent Gordon from triggering the death of John Kobler.

Kobler then goes into a trance too, nearly triggering the death of sportswriter Fred Tinney. Then Tinney goes into a trance as well. Batman and Robin have stopped each death, but Tinney gets away. Batman returns to the Batcave knowing that Bruce Wayne is the target, but he is unable to tell Robin due to the compulsion. Instead he writes a will for Robin that contains a clue to the connection between himself and the other potential murder victims. Reprinted in Batman #262

The Elongated Man back-up "Robber Round-Up in Kiddy City" is by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene. Sue Dibny witnesses a suspicious man at a car rental agency. She forces her husband to investigate though Ralph suspects the man is an ordinary salesman. Sue forces Ralph to follow the man to a museum, where a robbery is in progress. The crooks escape in the salesman's car, leading Sue to conclude that her suspicions were correct.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Adventure Comics #359

Adventure Comics #359 (On Sale: June 29, 1967) has a real Curt Swan and George Klein cover this time out.

Inside "The Outlawed Legionnaires" is by Jim Shooter, Curt Swan and George Klein. The entire Legion is away from Earth on various missions. Whey they return, a Science Police squadron escorts their cruisers to Metropolis Spaceport, where they are informed that their club has been disbanded by the United Planets Council. The heroes find their Clubhouse barricaded, and are thrown into jail for violating a curfew.

Duo Damsel's parents bail her out and tell her that the President of Earth has died in a road accident, and has been succeeded by Kandro Boltax, the Vice-President, who has brought in an entirely new cabinet. His first bill, for a new water purification plant, was passed, and his second one, to outlaw the Legion, was also approved some days later.

Duo Damsel informs her comrades of all this, and the Legionnaires gather in front of the Metropolis Midtown Terminal the next day. There Dream Girl predicts that a monotrain will fall, and the heroes, Colossal Boy, Superboy, Mon-El, Element Lad, Light Lass, Matter-Eater Lad, Saturn Girl, and Ultra Boy, go into action to save it when the disaster happens seconds later. However, disguised Science Police officers arrest the group, who are sentenced by a judge to hard labor on Takron-Galtos, the prison planetoid.

The remaining Legionnaires, who are forbidden to use their powers or wear their costumes, are later attacked by a group of young toughs. Princess Projectra, the one member with the political influence to resolve their plight, is injured in the fight.

Later, Invisible Kid finds that his parents have attached a bugging device to his view-phone. Shocked, he resorts to his secret communicator and contacts Brainiac 5, who suggests that everyone on Earth is being controlled, and that their benefactor, R.J. Brande, is their only chance.

On Takron-Galtos, the imprisoned boy Legionnaires are forced to labor in a jewel mine, while the girls work in a laundry. Saturn Girl's powers have told her the truth of the situation on Earth, but an invisible barrier stops her thoughts from leaving the planetoid.

When the free members call on R.J. Brande, he refuses to listen, and summons his guards. The heroes fight their way out, but Lightning Lad, Duo Damsel, Sun Boy, and Cosmic Boy are injured and left behind in the melee, while the others reconnoiter in an underground sewer. There they vow to form a secret resistance movement to discover the person behind all this. 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 #353

Action Comics #353 (On Sale: June 29, 1967) has Wayne Boring's last cover for DC, and in fact, only his second cover in the past 10 years. Boring's style never quite left the 40s and 50s. Starting with DC in 1940, he drew these chunky characters with their rigid torsos that just oozed old "gone but not forgotten" DC clunk. Pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by George Klein.

Inside we continue last month's story with, "The Battle of the Gods" by Otto Binder and Wayne Boring. While returning to Earth after a mission in space Superman is blocked by his enemy Zha-Vam. Zha-Vam uses the shield of Orion to prevent Superman's passage back to Earth. The Man of Steel circumvents the obstruction by traveling back in time to the days of the Greek gods. He visits Mount Olympus and discovers Zha-Vam's origins.

The Oracle has told Zeus that one day the gods will be forgotten and Superman will be hailed by the people. Angry, Zeus orders the construction of a pseudo-man powered by the gods themselves. He then sends the newly created being, Zha-Vam, into the future to battle Superman.

The back-up Supergirl story is "The Cosmic Collectors" by Otto Binder and Jim Mooney. Linda Danvers takes a part time job a the school library where she discovers Joe Trent checking out several science books. When he returns the next day for more books, Linda becomes suspicious. She watches him take the books to an alien spacecraft.

The following day, Linda intercepts Joe and takes the books to the ship as Supergirl. Inside the ship she finds a group of disembodied brains that form the Living Library of Zorkia. They are traveling the universe absorbing knowledge to take back to their home planet.

The brains then want to use Supergirl in their living library. When she refuses, the brains stun her with Kryptonite. They then force her super brain to absorb all the stored knowledge and take her to their homeworld. Supergirl is then forced to serve as a living library for the people of Zorkia.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Girls' Love Stories #129

Girls' Love Stories #129 (On Sale: June 27, 1967) has a wonderful Jay Scott Pike cover.Apparently he brought her there to put on a show; it is a convertible after all!

Inside we begin with "I Came to Say Goodbye" which is penciled by Arthur Peddy. It is followed by "So Little to Ask" drawn by Arthur Peddy and Bernard Sachs. Lastly is our cover story "Love Was a Lie" drawn by Jay Scott Pike.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #76

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #76 (On Sale: June 27, 1967) features a Kurt Schaffenberger cover.

"The Demon in the Bottle" is by Leo Dorfman and Kurt Schaffenberger. While surfing, Lois Lane discovers a genie in a bottle. Lois releases the genie and uses his powers to help attract Superman. Lana soon discovers the genie and also begins using him to gain Superman's affections. Neither girl realizes that the genie is really a Kandorian named Vitar who has fallen in love from afar with both girls. He has enlarged himself and pretended to be a genie in order to be close to the girls and choose between them.

When the girls find themselves in peril, Vitar comes to their rescue dressed as Superman. However, the real Man of Steel arrives and forces Vitar to admit his true purpose. Lois and Lana then agree to accompany Vitar back to Kandor to see if they would like it there enough to stay and become Vitar's wife. Those "LL" girls must be really hot to have all these aliens falling in love with them!

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Strange Adventures #203

Strange Adventures #203 (On Sale: June 27, 1967) has a fairly ugly Carmine Infantino and George Roussos cover.

Inside we have "The Winged Beasts of Nightmare Swamp" (great title!) drawn by Lee Elias and "The Split Man" drawn by Jack Sparling.

Edited by Jack Schiff.

Brave and the Bold #73

Brave and the Bold #73 (On Sale: June 22, 1967) has a really weird cover by Carmine Infantino and Charles Cuidera featuring Aquaman and the Atom.

Inside we have Aquaman and the Atom in "Galg the Destroyer" by Bob Haney and Sal Trapani. Aquaman and Aqualad battle a group of undersea raiders only to watch them disappear from sight. Aquaman suspects that they may have shrank into a droplet of water, so he gathers the nearby water droplets and takes them to Atlantis. When scientist Dr. Vulko is able to identify the droplet containing the raiders, Aquaman summons help in the form of the Atom.

Before the Atom arrives, Aquaman is hit by a beam that shrinks him and transports him to the droplet world. Atom is then forced to enter the droplet to save Aquaman. Inside he finds an evil and intelligent plankton creature called Galg who is in charge of the raiders.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Heart Throbs #109

Heart Throbs #109 (On Sale: June 22, 1967) has another very nice cover by Jay Scott Pike.

Inside we begin with "Sweet Mystery of Love" drawn by Jay Scott Pike, followed by "Plan for Heartbreak" a reprint from Falling In Love #9 penciled by Mike Sekowsky and inked by Bernard Sachs. Lastly is our cover story "3 Girls -- Their Lives...Their Loves, Episode 8" another strip drawn by Jay Scott Pike.

Edited by Barbara Friedlander.

Metal Men #27

Metal Men #27 (On Sale: June 22, 1967) features a Ross Andru and Mike Esposito cover.

"The Startling Origin of the Metal Men" is by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito, and that is about all I know of it.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

Swing With Scooter #8

Swing With Scooter #8 (On Sale: June 22, 1967) has what looks to me like a Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito cover.

Inside we have "The Curse of the Far out Pharaoh!, or How We Became the First Bikini Sized Teenagers Because Sylvester is Such A Clumsy Dum-Dum!" where the gang get the shrinking treatment. Anyone have the Scooter books and want to take a guess at IDing the writers and artists?

Edited by Jack Miller.

Superman #199

Superman #199 (On Sale: June 20, 1967) sports a classic cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson. I remember as a kid this was one of the classic questions: who was faster, Superman or the Flash? How could you pass up a comic that had them racing each other?

"Superman's Race with the Flash" is by Jim Shooter, Curt Swan and George Klein. Superman and Flash are contacted by the United Nations to run a race for charity. Both men agree to the race which will consist of three laps around the world. The race requires each hero to follow a particular course with several obstacles along the way. Superman is also forbidden from flying.

Before the race begins two international criminal organizations gamble billions on the outcome with one group betting on Superman, the other betting on Flash. As the race is run, both groups set traps for the racers to ensure their man wins. Superman and Flash are both captured. Guest stars include Supergirl and the Justice League of America. This classic was reprinted in Limited Collectors' Edition C-48.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Sugar and Spike #72

Sugar and Spike #72 (On Sale: June 20, 1967) has a cover by Sheldon Mayer.

Inside we have "Bernie the Brain" written and drawn by Sheldon Mayer. This, the introduction of Bernie the Brain, was a popular story, being reprinted in Sugar and Spike #85 and Best of DC #65.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Falling In Love #93

Falling In Love #93 (On Sale: June 20, 1967) features a cover attributed to Jay Scott Pike, but it doesn't look like Pike to me. This might be an interior panel blown up and it might be Pike with an inker.

Inside we have two stories by persons unknown: "He Only Used My Love" and "Tomorrow is Never," the latter a reprint from Secret Hearts #44 with partially redrawn artwork to update the clothes and hair. Lastly we have our cover-story "Don't Fall in Love with Me" which is penciled by Jay Scott Pike.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Star Spangled War Stories #134

Star Spangled War Stories #134 (On Sale: June 15, 1967) has another great Russ Heath "War That Time Forgot" cover. The color is a little bland, but the visual is terrific. It had been four years since PT109 starring Cliff Robertson has come out, but I think PT boats still had a "cool factor" for quite a while. Nice Crocosaur by Heath too!

Inside we have "The Killing Ground" by Robert Kanigher and Neal Adams featuring "War That Time Forgot." This story was reprinted in 1973 in G.I. War Tales #2 which also used the same Russ Heath cover but with much worse coloring (the Crocosaur was purple!).

The backup story is "Ace of the Death Cloud" by Howard Liss and Jack Abel.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

Fox and the Crow #105

Fox and the Crow #105 (On Sale: June 15, 1967) has a Stanley and his Monster cover most likely by Winslow Mortimer. At least from the covers this series looks sorta fun, and with Arnold Drake writing it, I sure it had a lot of humor.

Inside we have a Stanley and his Monster story, "The Monster Who Went to School" by Arnold Drake and Winslow Mortimer.

It is followed by "A Planned Vacation" and a titleless story from persons unknown. Both of these are Fox and Crow stories.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Justice League of America #55

Justice League of America #55 (On Sale: June 13, 1967) has what I remember as one of the coolest covers I had ever seen by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson. Man I thought that adult Robin costume was so cool! I also think this is another example of DC artists trying to do a Jack Kirby. The dynamic pose, the extreme foreshortening on Robin's fist, the villain almost flying off the cover. DC covers were changing rapidly; my golden age was arriving!

Inside we have the cover story "The Super-Crisis That Struck Earth-Two" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Sid Greene. In the yearly Justice League/Justice Society cross-over, there are four black spheres, life-forms from another universe, which are absorbed into the bodies of four humans of Earth-2, granting them super-powers but also turning them evil. United to battle them are the members of the Justice Society of America, including new member Robin, now an adult crimefighter.

He and Wildcat team up against Martin Baxter, an embittered former ballplayer intent on destroying sports arenas, Wonder Woman battles Claire Morton, a stenographer with a love for gems, Hawkman and Mr. Terrific battle Horace Rowland, businessman-turned-criminal, and Hourman fights Chinese bandit How Chu.

When the JSA is defeated, late arrival Johnny Thunder sends his magic Thunderbolt after the villains, but he too meets defeat. Johnny then summons members of the Justice League of Earth-1 for aid, only to find them engaged in a similar case with no results. Reprinted in the Justice League of America Archives Vol. 7 HC.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.