Our Fighting Forces #111

Our Fighting Forces #111 (On Sale: November 14, 1967) features a cover by Irv Novick featuring Lt. Hunter's Hellcats.

We begin with Lt. Hunter's Hellcats in "Train of Terror" by Robert Kaniger and Jack Abel. This is followed by "No Movies in a Foxhole" drawn by Jack Sparling.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

Young Love #65

Young Love #65 (On Sale: November 14, 1967) features a cover by persons unknown, but the woman's eyes sure look like the work of Tony Abruzzo

We begin with "If It Isn't Love, What Is It?" drawn by Gene Colan. This is followed by "Tears for My Love" from Falling In Love #20 and drawn by John Forte and Bernard Sachs. Lastly is our cover-story "Sweet Mystery of Love" by persons unknown.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #80

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #80 (On Sale: November 9, 1967) features a cover by Curt Swan and Neal Adams. They made a pretty good team and I love the visual here of Lois ripping out the words "Girl Friend" from the logo.

"Get Out of My Life, Superman" is by Leo Dorfman and Kurt Schaffenberger. When Superman misses Lois Lane's birthday party, the girl reporter is humiliated. She leaves town and moves to Coral City, home to America's space program. Lois changes her last name to Lorne, takes a job as a nurse, and vows to forget about Superman. Her plan is made easier when she saves the life of astronaut Rand Kirby which begins a romance.

Superman misses Lois after she has left town. When he is assigned to cover a story in Coral City as Clark Kent, he finds Lois. She tells Clark that she doesn't want Superman to find her, but when danger presents itself, she suggests calling Superman for help. After the danger has been averted Lois pretends to be under the influence of truth serum and tells the Man of Steel that she doesn't want to see him anymore.

I believe this was one of three comics I bought the first time I bought comic books. The other two come out in a few days.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Girls' Love Stories #132

Girls' Love Stories #132 (On Sale: November 9, 1967) features a cover by persons unknown.

We begin with "A License to Love" penciled by John Rosenberger. That is followed by "Love is a Red, Red Rose," a reprint from Falling In Love #13 inked by Bernard Sachs. Lastly is our cover-story, "Do Kisses Always Mean Love?" which is drawn by Jack Sparling.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #104

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #104 (On Sale: November 7, 1967) features the last of this book's Neal Adams covers.

"The Many Lives of Jerry Lewis" by Arnold Drake and Neal Adams is Neal's last Jerry Lewis story. I know Neal has remarked that this and the Bob Hope book were the easiest money he ever made, but Neal now had Deadman and the Spectre and more covers than you could shake a stick at and DC as a whole was much better served with Neal revamping the look of the entire line of books.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Tomahawk #114

Tomahawk #114 (On Sale: November 7, 1967) features another interesting Bob Brown cover. Although pretty much unhearalded as a cover artist, Brown was constantly producing some of the most dynamic covers of the time.

The Tomahawk cover-story "The Terrible Power of Chief Iron-Hands" is drawn by Fred Ray.

The back-up "Traitor of the Totem Pole" is a reprint from Tomahawk #57 and is drawn by Bob Brown.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Wonder Woman #174

Wonder Woman #174 (On Sale: November 7, 1967) features a cover with the unusual team of Carmine Infantino and Irv Novick.

"Steve Trevor – Alias the Patriot" is by Robert Kanigher, Irv Novick and Mike Esposito. Angle Man discovers a way to remove Wonder Woman's super powers. He knows that she will continue to fight crime, so he provides Steve Trevor with pills which give him powers. He hopes that Wonder Woman will retire and marry Steve, then he will ensure that Steve runs out of pills and cannot renew his powers. However, Steve shares the pills with Wonder Woman and together they track down Angle Man. Wow, is this a really awful sounding story or what?

The back-up story, "Wonder Woman Vs the Air Devils" is also by Robert Kanigher, Irv Novick and Mike Esposito. Capital City honors several super-heroes with statues placed around the city. Wonder Woman's statue is made of gold and is protected by Steve Trevor. The King of Crime plans to steal the gold statue by diverting Wonder Woman with attacks on the other statues. He succeeds in taking the statue and kidnapping Trevor. Wonder Woman is unable to pursue him to his island hideout because she fears for Steve's life.

Wonder Woman returns to Paradise Island, where she meets with her mother. A passing meteor shower gives Wonder Woman an idea of how to rescue Steve. She hitches a ride on a meteor which strikes the King of Crime's island. Her surprise catches the crook off guard, allowing the Amazon Princess rescues Trevor.

And people wonder why the O'Neil/Sekowsky/Giordano Wonder Woman reboot was so desperately needed?

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Aquaman #37

Aquaman #37 (On Sale: November 2, 1967) features just a stunning Nick Cardy cover; it's beautifully designed and masterfully executed, full of raw emotion. How could anyone pass up this comic on the stands? To me this cover marks the beginning of Cardy's ascendancy as one of the greatest cover artists of all time.

"When the Sea Dies" is by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy. A great cataclysm under the sea interrupts a fight between Aquaman and the Ocean Master. The sea itself begins to rot. Aquaman traces the source of the disturbance to a scorpion-shaped vessel piloted by the Scavenger. The villain is searching for a time decelerator hidden under the ocean. Aquaman's best efforts are unable to penetrate the Scavenger's ship, so he forms a temporary alliance with the Ocean Master.

Mera and Aquababy are then kidnapped. Aquaman is unable to free them, but when the Ocean Master locates the time decelerator, the Scavenger leaves his ship. Ocean Master tries to double-cross Aquaman, but he is stopped. The Scavenger uses the time decelerator in an attempt to become immortal.

This strip is sort of a turning point for Aquaman as it features the last appearances of Tusky the Walrus, and Storm and Sea Imp, Aquaman and Aqualad's giant sea horses. I know, I said this about the sea horses in Aquaman #35, but I was misinformed I guess.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Falling In Love #96

Falling In Love #96 (On Sale: November 2, 1967) features a cover pencilled by Jay Scott Pike.

Inside we have "How to Make a Man Love You" inked by Bernard Sachs, "Wake Up to Heartbreak" drawn by Bernard Sachs and "Ashamed of Her Love" penciled by Howard Purcell.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Our Army at War #188

Our Army at War #188 (On Sale: November 2, 1967) features a Sgt. Rock cover by Joe Kubert.

Inside we have "Death Comes for Easy" by Robert Kanigher, Joe Kubert and Jack Abel. It is very unusual to find Kubert handling only the penciling chores.

The back-up is "Live Wire for Easy" reprinted from G.I. Combat #57 and produced by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

Superman #203

Superman #203 (On Sale: November 2, 1967) features a cover by Curt Swan and George Klein.

Inside we have "Clark Kent's Biggest Day" by Leo Dorfman and Al Plastino. Reporter Diana Adair is assigned to follow Clark Kent for a day in the life story for Eye Magazine. Clark tracks down the Long-Hair Gang, but is forced to conceal his super powers with Diana nearby. The gang tries to murder Clark, making it more difficult to protect his secret identity.

Next is "Superman's Black Magic" by Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino and reprinted from Superman #138. Clark Kent attends a costume party at the Daily Planet in a devil costume. He has to leave suddenly when he spots two wanted criminals outside. To gather evidence against them, the Man of Steel uses his powers to pretend he is the devil.

And finally the cover story, "When Superman Killed His Friends" by E. Nelson Bridwell and Pete Costanza. After helping build canals on an alien world, Superman stops a giant meteor on a collision course with Earth. When he returns to the Daily Planet, his chest shield illuminates beneath his clothes, exposing his secret identity. Superman tries to get rid of the effect by bathing in the heart of the sun. He then returns to Earth, but his insignia fires deadly rays which kill his friends.

Superman learns that the rays came from a Doom Demon which he picked up during his demolition of the meteor. A space-hunter named Knarf has been hunting the demon, but is killed before he can tell Superman how to stop it. After Knarf's death, the demon tries to kill Superman too.

Superman then awakens on the alien world upon which he was building the canals. The aliens show him a chunk of Red Kryptonite that he was exposed to. Superman realizes that his encounter with the Doom Demon was only a dream. However, when he returns to Earth, he sees the same meteor on a collision course.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Teen Beam #2

Teen Beam #2 (On Sale: November 2, 1967) has a cover featuring Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits and the Monkees. This is the first and last issue of this teen music magazine published under this name, the first issue being called Teen Beat. A name change did not save this non-comic book from cancellation.

It was edited by Jack Miller.

Strange Adventures #207

Strange Adventures #207 (On Sale: October 31, 1967) features Neal Adams' first Deadman cover and his fifth cover of the month.

"What Makes a Corpse Cry?" is by Carmine Infantino (plot), Jack Miller (script) and Neal Adams (art). Deadman leaves the circus to search for his killer. He remembers an encounter at a night club prior to his death in which he was threatened by Rocky Manzel. Deadman returns to the club hoping to learn if Rocky was responsible for his murder. He takes over the body of Paul the bartender and discovers a counterfeiting operation under the club. Deadman's efforts get Rocky apprehended by the police and free Paul and his girlfriend Liz from Rocky's grip. Reprinted in World's Finest Comics #226 and Deadman #2.

The back-up story is "Man of a Thousand Shapes" by Joe Samachsom, Carmine Infantino and Bernard Sachs and is a reprint from Strange Adventures #66.

Edited by Jack Miller.

Detective Comics #370

Detective Comics #370 (On Sale: October 31, 1967) features a cover with the odd combination of Carmine Infantino and Neal Adams, two styles that do not really mesh well, at least here.

"The Nemesis from Batman's Boyhood" is by an unknown writer, Sheldon Modloff and Joe Giella. Batman and Robin encounter the Blitzkrieg Bandit, a crook who stays in town for two days before moving on to another city. Batman nearly has the crook defeated, then sees his face. Suddenly, Batman is unable to finish off his foe, which allows the bandit to escape.

After the fight, Batman explains to Robin that the crook is Bart Lambert, a former school bully that often harassed Bruce as a young boy. As a result, Bruce has a mental block that causes him to freeze up when fighting the bandit. During their next fight, the mental block kicks in again, and Batman is knocked unconscious.

Robin follows the Blitzkrieg Bandit to his hideout. When Batman regains consciousness, he receives a radio message from Robin indicating that Lambert has shot the Boy Wonder.

The back-up story is "Case of the Colorless Cash" by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane and Sid Greene and stars the Elongated Man. After a series of armored car robberies, the Elongated Man hides in the back of one of the cars during transport. When a cycle gang tries to rob the truck, Ralph stops them. However, when the money is delivered, it has been replaced by colorless paper.

Puzzled, the Elongated Man returns home and finds that his wife Sue is in possession of a 20-dollar bill that has also lost all its color. Ralph returns to the bank and learns that the colorless paper was thrown away, but is now missing from the trash. Reprinted in Showcase Presents the Elongated Man Vol. 1 TPB.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Adventure Comics #363

Adventure Comics #363 (On Sale: October 31, 1967) features another Curt Swan and George Klein cover.

"Black Day for the Legion" is by Jim Shooter and Pete Costanza and continues from the previous issue. Fighting back, the Legionnaires defeat Morlo's Chemoids and capture the villain, while Superboy destroys the smog-maker. However, Morlo breaks free and leaps off the platform into a dense forest below, where Superboy's X-ray vision fails to spot him.

Meanwhile, Mon-El's party, including Element Lad, Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, Colossal Boy, and Lightning Lad, approaches Daxam, and is greeted by a deadly rain of alkali hailstones and ball lightning. Similar chemical storms have razed all major cities there, and the Legion learns that Mantis Morlo, operating from an undersea base in the Sea of Ornal, is responsible. The heroes penetrate his base and destroy all his weaponry, but the villain escapes in a submarine.

At the same time, Dream Girl and her comrades, Star Boy, Invisible Kid, Ultra Boy, Matter-Eater Lad, Chameleon Boy, and Phantom Girl, greet the High Assembly of her world, Naltor. They inform the Legionnaires that artificially induced food contaminates have given the populace bad dreams, and have thrown them into a panic. Ultra Boy flies into space, where he uses his penetra-vision to "peel" Naltor, layer by layer, until he finally finds the base of Mantis Morlo at its very core. The Legion rushes to capture him, but he succeeds in escaping. Chameleon Boy, whose antennae tingled when he stood near Morlo, stops the others from pursuing him.

During all of this, the real Dr. Morlo is safely ensconced in his orbital laboratory. He gloats over his victories, having used Chemoid doubles of himself to create disasters to lure the Legion to some of their home worlds. His real target is Earth, and he paints a target on the globe, then launches a bomb to burn the planet to a cinder. Reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 7 HC.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Action Comics #357

Action Comics #357 (On Sale: October 31, 1967) features another Curt Swan and George Klein cover.

"The Kryptonite Rumble" is by Leo Dorfman and Wayne Boring and is a continuation of the story from last issue. Having gained an explosive punch via Kryptonian chemicals the Annihilator, Jr. forces Superman to release his mentor, the Annihilator. The junior super villain then contacts his old gang and forms a new government cabinet. Superman is forced to back off to prevent an earth-shattering explosion.

Later, the Annihilator discovers that the Kryptonian chemicals have weakened his heart. He creates a cure, but when he tries to give it to Pete, the boy believes his mentor is trying to betray him. The Annihilator is then thrown out of the White House.

Pete and his gang then set a Kryptonite trap for Superman. Pete knows that his explosive power is wearing off, so he forces the Man of Steel to supply the chemicals needed to restore his power.

Wayne Boring is fired after this issue and will only do a single Superman story in 1970 until returning to DC for six stories beginning in 1984.

The back-up story is "Supergirl's Secret Marriage" by Otto Binder and Jim Mooney. Linda Danvers leaves Stanhope for the weekend and meet Joaquin Jarl, a man who claims that he is her husband. Joaquin knows that she is Supergirl and has several items to prove his story. He believes that a recent exposure to Kryptonite has caused Supergirl to forget him.

Joaquin tells Supergirl that he is actually from the planet Zhonnia, which Supergirl visited a year earlier. After rescuing a young couple, Supergirl met Joaquin and they fell in love.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

World's Finest Comics #172

World's Finest Comics #172 (On Sale: October 26, 1967) has a rather drab Curt Swan and George Klein cover.

"Superman and Batman... Brothers" is by Jim Shooter, Curt Swan and George Klein. In this imaginary story following the death of his parents, Bruce Wayne is sent to live with the Kents in Smallville. Young Bruce and Clark Kent become brothers, though Bruce does not know that Clark is Superboy. Bruce trains and studies crimefighting techniques and eventually becomes a costumed crimefighter, Batboy. Clark thinks Bruce has become a criminal and confronts him after Bruce discovers that he is Superboy. Once the misunderstanding is resolved the two heroes become a team.

After several years, Bruce inherits Wayne Manor in Gotham City. Clark moves to Gotham instead of Metropolis and becomes a reporter for the Gotham Gazette. The two heroes continue their partnership until Luthor kills the Kents. Bruce, has now seen two sets of parents murdered, and decides to move away. Superman takes him into the future, where he continues fighting crime with the adult Legion of Super-Heroes. Reprinted in DC's Greatest Imaginary Stories TPB.

The odd back-up story for this issue is "Tank for Beach Green" from Our Fighting Forces #12 and is by Bob Haney and Joe Kubert.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Justice League of America #59

Justice League of America #59 (On Sale: October 26, 1967) sports a Mike Sekowsky and Sid Greene JLA cover.

"The Justice Leaguers' Impossible Adventure" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Sid Greene. Five Justice League members are teleported to the planet Marithania by its rulers, the Impossibles, to have their super-powers taken away on the grounds that, whereas their fellow members have earned theirs, these members came by their abilities by mere chance. (Superman, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter gained their powers by accident of birth, Flash received his super-speed through an accident, and Wonder Woman's abilities were a gift of the goddess Aphrodite).

When the Impossibles' enemies, the Contras, attack, the powerless heroes are forced into battle, and actually benefit from their loss, because their various weaknesses have also disappeared. Reprinted in Justice League of America Archives Vol. 7 HC

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Brave and the Bold #75

Brave and the Bold #75 (On Sale: October 24, 1967) features the fourth Neal Adams cover of the month and Neal's first shot at doing Batman.

"The Grasp of Shahn-Zi" is by Bob Haney, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. Historians note, this story takes place on Earth-1, but does not explain how and/or why the Spectre, who lives on Earth-2, is visiting. Later stories reveal that there is an Earth-1 Jim Corrigan, but only one Spectre. Therefore, this story is considered the first appearance of the Earth-1 Jim Corrigan. If you don't know what all this Earth-1 Earth-2 mumbo jumbo means, don't sweat it.

Batman is a guest at a Chinese New Year party in Chinatown. The mayor of Chinatown, Bill Loo, admits that the old ways of his people are slowly changing as the new generations, like his son Danny, embrace modern culture. Shahn-Zi, a near-immortal river lord, is angered by this cultural transition. He seals off Chinatown from the rest of the city with a mystical barrier. He then tries to force Danny Loo to become his successor.

The Spectre is the only being capable of penetrating the mystical barrier. He enters Chinatown and joins with Batman to stop Shahn-Zi. While the Spectre battles the river lord directly, Batman acts to break the spell under which he has been put. Reprinted in Showcase Presents the Brave and the Bold Batman Team-Ups Vol. 1 TPB.

I owned this book for a while before I actually read it. As a kid this Adams' cover just scared the shit out of me.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Fox and the Crow #107

Fox and the Crow #107 (On Sale: October 24, 1967) features another Stanley and his Monster cover by Winslow Mortimer.

"Fatso Dugan, the Prehistoric Poop" by Arnold Drake and Winslow Mortimer and featuring Stanley and his Monster begins the issue.

It is followed by two untitled and uncreadited Fox and the Crow stories.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.