Forever People #1

Forever People #1 (On Sale: December 1, 1970), has a cover by Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia.

We start to get a hint of what Jack Kirby has in mind for DC with "In Search of a Dream" written and drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Vince Colletta. Darkseid has kidnapped Beautiful Dreamer, a young woman from Supertown. Four of her friends, Mark Moonrider, Big Bear, Serifan, and Vykin the Black, use a boom tube to reach Earth to find her. When they arrive a young photographer takes their picture and a shot of the boom tube before it vanishes.

The photos reach Jimmy Olsen at the Daily Planet who shows them to Clark Kent. After hearing the story from Jimmy, Superman sets out to find the young men known as the Forever People. Inter-Gang is already watching the kids for Darkseid. When they see Superman they attack, but Superman defeats them.

The man of steel agrees to help the Forever People locate Beautiful Dreamer and Darkseid sends Gravi-Guards to combat Superman. The Forever People summon the Infinity Man who defeats the Gravi-Guards and Darkseid releases Beautiful Dreamer. Superman asks if he can visit Supertown. They reluctantly open a Boom Tube for Superman but tell him that he should stay on Earth and help them fight Darkseid. Superman is midway through his journey when he realizes he cannot leave mankind defenseless before Darkseid, and turns back to Earth, catching only a fleeting glimpse of New Genesis. This has been reprinted in Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told HC (1988), Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told TPB (1989), Jack Kirby's Forever People TPB (1999), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2007), Countdown Special: New Gods #1 (2008), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 TPB (2012) and DC Comics Presents: Darkseid War 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (2016).

Edited by Jack Kirby.

Super DC Giant S-21

Super DC Giant S-21 (On Sale: November 25, 1970), has an odd cover by Charlie Armentino. I know, who is Charlie Armentino? Beats me. This is the only reference to him I have ever seen.

We start with "The Reckless Losers" by Writer/Penciller Ric Estrada and inker Tony DeZuniga.

Next, we have "Live -- Without Love" drawn by Jay Scott Pike. Gail falls in love with Richy, but when he asks her to marry him she tells him that she promised to wait for her soldier boyfriend Peter, who's missing in action. This story was reprinted from Young Romance #140 (1966).

We next have "I Couldn't Be Faithful" drawn by Tony Abruzzo and reprinted from Heart Throbs #117 (1968).

We end with a three-part reprint from Young Romance #155-157 (1968), "Love Is What It's All About" drawn by Mike Sekowsky and kind by either Dick Giordano or Joe Orlando, depending on how you believe.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Detective Comics #407

Detective Comics #407 (On Sale: November 25, 1970), has another cool cover by Neal Adams.

Man-Bat is back in "Marriage: Impossible" by Frank Robbins, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano. When Batman learns about the pending marriage between Kirk Langstrom and Francine Lee, he races down to the cathedral to stop the wedding. Interrupting the ceremony, he pulls a mask off Langstrom's head, revealing the face of the Man-Bat. Man-Bat flies off through the window leaving guests horrified and Francine in tears. Batman grabs her, demanding to understand how she could marry Kirk after everything that has happened.

He recalls how he tried to cure Kirk after their last battle against one another and even brought Francine to the Batcave, hoping she could convince Kirk to accept the antidote. This tactic failed and Kirk had escaped the cave the same way he got in. Francine then tells Batman how she pledged to show how committed she was to Kirk by taking the bat gland extract herself. She pulls off her veil and a mask revealing that she is now a She-Bat.

Francine flies off into the rafters and Batman chases after her. The Man-Bat peers down from above and tries to crush Batman with a chandelier. Batman evades the oncoming missile and sprints up the cathedral staircase. Batman rings the cathedral bell, which causes the Man-Bats intense pain. Taking advantage of the situation, Batman knocks them both out and administers the antidote, turning them back to normal. This story has been reprinted in Man-Bat #1 (1984), Batman in the Seventies TPB (2000), Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 2 HC (2004), Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 5 TPB (2012), Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 2 TPB (2013), Batman Arkham: Man-Bat TPB (2017), and Batman by Neal Adams Vol. 2 TPB (2019).

Our backup is Batgirl in "One of Our Landmarks Is Missing" by Frank Robbins, Gil Kane, and Vince Colletta. Continuing from the last issue, Batgirl had stumbled upon the fact that the leader of the group Peaceful Protest has begun resorting to bombings to get the group's message across.  However, this revelation has gotten her trapped in a room where if she steps off a circle in the middle of the room the entire place will explode.

While Batgirl is utilizing her cape and a boot to try and turn off the switch that activates the explosives, Mal, Shelley, and the Peaceful Protest group pay a visit to a man named Slavin, who had hired Mal to bomb the building in question. The building in question was protected as a heritage building, which prevented Salvin from building a new high rise apartment building.

Batgirl arrives and with the help of Shelly, captures everybody involved, however, Shelly is shot attempting to stop Mal from escaping. Shelly is taken to a hospital where is expected to recover and testify against Salvin. This was reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1 TPB (2007) and Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2018).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Adventure Comics #401

Adventure Comics #401 (On Sale: November 25, 1970), has a Supergirl cover by Mike Sekowsky and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Frightened Supergirl" written and penciled by Mike Sekowsky and inked by Jack Abel. As Supergirl gives a public talk in Stanhope College, Nasty Luthor douses her drink with a "fear serum" concocted by her uncle Lex Luthor that causes Supergirl to rampage through Stanhope, terrified of anything.

Nasty manages to talk a terrified Supergirl into going to her house where she and Lex plan on keeping torturing her. Though Nasty's idea to scare Supergirl further with a toy car backfires when Supergirl brings the house down in her effort to escape.

Then Linda wakes up and discovers to her relief it has only been a dream. Thank god it was not an imaginary story...oh shit, nevermind. 

The back-up features Tracey Thompson in "The Strange House" written and penciled by Mike Sekowsky, with inks by Frank Giacoia. Tracey Thompson decides to investigate an abandoned haunted mansion to prove to her friend Betsy there are no such things as ghosts. As they explore the place, they run into two very real ghosts and several crooks. Tracey and Betsy manage to escape and call the police to get the crooks arrested, but Tracey still wonders who was that couple in the mansion's cellar. She realizes she doesn't need to know.

Edited by Mike Sekowsky.

Action Comics #396

Action Comics #396 (On Sale: November 25, 1970), has a cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

Proving that old ideas die hard, we get yet another "imaginary story" of Superman, "The Super-Panhandler of Metropolis" is by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman's powers begin to fade over time. By the 1990s, he has dropped out of the public eye completely. Now he lives anonymously on the streets of Metropolis as a wheelchair-bound beggar. His friends are not aware of his condition. He does however retain his super-vision and super-hearing. As he wheels through the city, he sees how the improvements in technology have eliminated the need for a Superman. Climate control has melted the ice caps revealing his Fortress of Solitude. 

He returns to the abandoned building he now calls home with food he has bought for the two people staying with him. His latest attempt at finding a cure for his condition winds up destroying his Clark Kent outfit forcing him to panhandle in a blanket and shawl. In his attempt to get a coin that misses his cup he reveals his Superman suit and escapes the resulting hero-worshiping mob. This mess is continued next issue.

We end with  "The Invaders from Nowhere" also by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Two aliens from the planet Krann appear in Superman's fortress and abduct the Man of Steel. The aliens have advanced technologies that they use to immobilize Superman and return with him to their home planet which has a red sun. They place Superman in a large machine that siphons off his super-kinetic energy as he tries in vain to escape. Oddly, Superman retains his superpowers under the red sun. The aliens use the siphoned energy to reignite their planet's core to save their dying world.

Superman feigns his own death. The aliens remove him from his cage. This allows Superman to escape and reach the alien ship which brought him to Krann. He then discovers that Krann is actually a microscopic world within a dust particle in his fortress. Their red sun was actually a model red sun which explains how Superman retained his powers. With the mystery solved, Superman observes Krann as it explodes. The alien experiment to save their planet backfired resulting in its destruction.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #135

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #135 (On Sale: November 24, 1970), has a cover by Neal Adams.

We have "Evil Factory" written and penciled by Jack Kirby and inked by Vince Colletta. In this issue, we get more than just a glimpse of Darkseid and some of the minions of Apokolips, the return of the original Newsboy Legion, and the introduction of a new hero. After meeting with the Hairies, Superman escorts Jimmy Olsen and the Newsboy Legion to a secret installation that houses a classified research project. Superman reveals that the Hairies were grown there as clones. Upon arrival at the project, the boys meet their dads who have been secretly working at the project.

While the boys enjoy their reunion, Superman escorts Jimmy to the lab and shows him the project's results: clones, including several microscopic Jimmy Olsens. However, the cloning facility has been penetrated by Simyan and Mokkari, two agents of Darkseid from Apokolips. They stole samples of Jimmy's DNA and created a giant monster infused with Kryptonite. The evil scientists then send their creation back to the project where it beats Superman.

Jimmy reaches the original Newsboy Legion who have been conducting their own special experiment in cloning. They unleash the Golden Guardian, a clone of the now-deceased Jim Harper, to battle the giant Olsen. This story has been reprinted in Jimmy Olsen: Adventures by Jack Kirby Vol. 1 TPB (2003), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2007), and Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 TPB (2012).

They are still pretending that Murray Boltinoff is the editor.

Girls' Romances #154

Girls' Romances #154 (On Sale: November 24, 1970), has a cover by Nick Cardy.

We begin with "The Girl Who Gave Her Love Away" drawn by Werner Roth and Bill Draut. Freshman Sandy is ecstatic when senior Allan takes an interest in her, but her friends all warn her about his reputation as a lady-killer. Sure enough, he soon breaks up with her, claiming to be engaged to a girl at another college, but then he returns and admits he lied, and that he's really in love with Sandy this time.

Next is an untitled Betty's  Boutique story drawn by George Tuska and Vince Colletta. Betty models several new outfits for two customers, but she mistakes which one is really doing the shopping.

That is followed by "A Kiss from a Stranger" drawn by Arthur Peddy and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Girls' Romances #81 (1962). A guy meets a girl on the beach and they share a romantic moment, but she runs away. Unable to forget her, he tracks her down again and she admits that she was engaged, but broke it off after she met him and hoped to find him again.

Next is an activity page, "Sew Here's How!"  by Liz Berube.

We end with our cover story, "Part-Time Lover" drawn by Artie Saaf and Frank Giacoia. Randy is bored with her boyfriend Chuck so she dumps him when she meets Myles, who takes an immediate interest in her. But when Myles turns out to be married, Chuck is still waiting to take her back.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superboy #171

Superboy #171 (On Sale: November 19, 1970), has a cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

"Dark Strangler of the Seas" is by Frank Robbins, Bob Brown, and Murphy Anderson and features Superboy and Aquaboy (Aquaman as a teen). Superboy helps two fishermen drag an oil-covered boy out of the ocean. Superboy removes the oil and is introduced to Aquaboy. The water breathing teenager explains that he encountered an oil tanker leaking oil into the ocean which was killing marine life. When he tried to intervene, the tanker crew covered him in oil and left him for dead.

Superboy and Aquaboy team up. They approach the head of the oil company demanding that they stop the pollution. When the company refuses, the two teens disrupt the shipment of oil. The company strikes back. They use Aquaboy's girlfriend Marita as bait to lure Aquaboy into a trap. Superboy saves his friend and puts an end to the evil company. However, the battle against pollution continues to be a struggle around the globe.

In a one-page epilogue, it is explained that Superboy's adventures have been moved forward in time to the 1950s in order to keep pace with the adult adventures of Superman who remains perpetually 29 years old. This story has been reprinted in Best of DC #7 (1980) and Superboy: The Greatest Team-Up Stories Ever Told TPB (2010).

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Secret Hearts #149

Secret Hearts #149 (On Sale: November 19, 1970), has a cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with our cover story, "David" by Gerry Conway, Alex Toth, and Dick Giordano. Nurse Irene Vickers is shocked when her ex-fiance David is brought into the hospital after a car accident, but she still mistakenly believes that David cheated on her with her sister Lois.

Next, we have "The Sagittarian Woman" an illustrated text article by Raymond Marais and John Celardo.

That is followed by "The Only Girl for Him!" by Len Wein, Win Mortimer, and John Rosenberger. When Adrienne and Peggy compare notes about their new boyfriends they believe that they are dating the same guy, but it turns out they are twins.

Next is a one-page gag strip featuring The Mis-Adventures of Penelope Potter entitled "The Hint!" drawn by John Celardo and Vince Colletta. Guy thinks that Penelope wants to be kissed, but she slaps him and says she wasn't hinting at that at all.

The next story is "A Shared Love!" by Joe Gill, John Celardo, and John Celardo. Pamela buys Ian's old roadster when he's low on cash, but when his fortunes change he wants the car back. He starts to date her and Pamela realizes that he can get the car back if they get married.

We end with "Don't Bet on Love" drawn by Jay Scott Pike and reprinted from Falling in Love #64 (1964). Vicki and her friend Inez wager to see which will be the first to date the new gas station attendant, who doesn't seem to notice either of them.

Edited by Dick Giordano.

Date with Debbi #13

Date with Debbi #13 (On Sale: November 19, 1970), has a cover by Stan Goldberg and Henry Scarpelli.

We begin Debbi with "When Good Friends Get Together!" penciled by Doug Crane. Mr. Anderson thinks Debbi has fallen off the roof,

Next is Debbi in "Desperate for a Date" drawn by Stan Goldberg and Henry Scarpelli. After a fight with Buddy, Debbi tries to find another date.

That is followed by Debbi in "Debbi's Heroes" penciled by Doug Crane. With an escaped prisoner in the neighborhood, everyone wants to protect Debbi.

Next is Benedict in "A Reputation Is Important" drawn by Stan Goldberg and Henry Scarpelli.  Miss Frippe is out to prove that Benedict is a cheater.

Next, we have Debbi in "Oh, Those Beautiful Chicks" by John Albano, Bill Williams, and Henry Scarpelli. Buddy tries to improve his concentration. Reprinted in Best of DC #45 (1984).

Following that is Benedict in "You Can Fool Some of the People..." penciled by Bob Oksner. Benedict and Mona try to make Debbi think Buddy is crazy.

Next is Debbi in "Mona's Big Chance" penciled by Doug Crane. Mona tries to visit Buddy in the hospital.

We end with Debbi in "Robust Female" penciled by Doug Crane. Debbi and Mona plot to get Helen Carwell away from Buddy.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Three Mouseketeers #5

Three Mouseketeers #5 (On Sale: November 17, 1970), has another great cover by Phil Mendez.

We begin the reprint-fest with The Three Mousketeers in "The Mole, the Merrier!" by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman. Minus gets lost in Marmaduke's mole tunnels. Reprinted from The Three Mouseketeers #9 (July 1957).

Next is The Dodo and the Frog in "Choo Choo Chums!" drawn by Otto Feuer. Fenimore tries to buy Dunbar's house so he can sell it to the railroad. Reprinted from Funny Stuff #77 (March-April 1954).

We next have The Three Mouseketeers in "Time Out for Minus!" by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman. Minus decides he needs a vacation and doesn't want to be in the story. Reprinted from The Three Mouseketeers #12 (November 1957).

That is followed by an untitled Bo Bunny story by Sheldon Mayer. Friendship is a wonderful thing. Reprinted from The Raccoon Kids #56 (May-June 1955).

We have another untitled story, this one fetureing Doodles Duck by Sheldon Mayer and reprinted from Comic Cavalcade #63 (June-July 1954).

Next, we have a section of games, b beginning with "Hey Kids... It's Gametime!" by Phil Mendez which explains how to remove the It's Gametime insert from the rest of the magazine.

The one-page games are all created and illustrated by Martin Naydel and are all reprinted from It's Gametime #3 (January-February 1956). The games are: "Find the Twins," "Play Boxes," "Word Ladder," "Number Words Quiz, " "True or False Kwiz,"  "Krazy Crosswords," "Trixy the Puzzle Monkey,"  "Word Cage!," "Let's Go Hunting," "Space Sticklers," and "Elephant Hunt." The final page is the "Answer Page" which provides the answers for the previous puzzles.

Next is The Three Mouseketeers in "The Black Ball Bounces Back!" by Sheldon Mayer. Fatsy has to do a brave deed after being blackballed by the Mouseketeers. Reprinted from The Three Mouseketeers #7 (March-April 1957).

That is followed by The Dodo and the Frog in "Bewitching Pitching!" drawn by Otto Feuer and reprinted from The Dodo and the Frog #82 (January-February 1955).

Next is Elmo the Mouse in the text-story "What I Did On My Summer Vacation."  

Next is The Three Mouseketeers in "Patsy Comes Through" by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman. Patsy tries to figure out how to ski on a banana. Reprinted from The Three Mouseketeers #7 (March-April 1957).

We end with The Three Mouseketeers in "Big-Feets Holiday" by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman. The mice try to understand Christmas. And figure out why the Big Feets have a tree inside their house, and what those striped canes are for. Reprinted from The Three Mouseketeers #6 (January-February 1957).

Edited by Dick Giordano.

Teen Titans #31

Teen Titans #31 (On Sale: November 17, 1970), has another great cover by Nick Cardy. 

We begin with the Teen Titans in "To Order Is to Destroy" by Steve Skeates, George Tuska, and Nick Cardy. While waiting outside the office of the school psychologist Dr. Pauling, Johnny Adler overhears the doctor recommending a brain operation to a student who has trouble studying. Fearing the doctor, Johnny leaves the office. Then he is attacked by a group of students who are being mind-controlled. Johnny takes refuge in a small cabin, but he is unable to reach help until Wally West comes to campus on a college tour. Wally helps Johnny, then leaves to bring in the Titans.

When the Titans arrive on campus, they find that Johnny has been captured and forced to have the brain operation too. Now he is part of the student group controlled by Paulson, who orders the Titans attacked. While the Titans battle the students, Johnny overcomes his programming and goes after Paulson. He gets Paulson to issue a desist order to the students. After Paulson is arrested, the damage to the students' minds is reversed. This story was reprinted in Super-Team Family #7 (1976) and Showcase Presents: Teen Titans Vol. 2 TPB (2007).

The back-up story is the Hawk and the Dove in "From One to Twenty" by Steve Skeates, George Tuska, and Nick Cardy. While patrolling the back alleys for crime, Hawk witnesses a newsdealer giving twenty dollars worth of change to a customer who paid with a one-dollar bill. Hawk suspects that the customer is running a shakedown racket and follows him. When the man is mugged, Hawk goes after the muggers, but he is knocked out.

Don finds his brother and working together they return to the newsstand. They see the same man performing the same transaction. They realize that it isn't a shakedown, but both men are involved in counterfeiting. Hawk and Dove apprehend the men and leave them for the police. This story was reprinted in Showcase Presents: Teen Titans Vol. 2 TPB (2007).

Edited by Dick Giordano.

Phantom Stranger #11

Phantom Stranger #11 (On Sale: November 17, 1970), has another great cover by Neal Adams. 

The book-length "Walk Not in the Desert's Sun..." is by Gerry Conway and Jim Aparo. Mysterious disappearances strike the east coast. The Phantom Stranger senses a connection with a strange triangle spotted in the night skies around the world. When a pyramid appears suddenly in Sudan, the Phantom Stranger crosses the ocean to investigate. On the plane, he meets Lynn Berg, a woman returning to her homeland after years of living abroad. When they arrive, Lynn witnesses her brother Teddy killed by terrorists. Lynn is enraged. She attacks and brutally kills the terrorists before she disappears.

The Phantom Stranger heads for the pyramid where he finds Lynn and the other people held captive. The Stranger is captured by Tannarak who claims to be an anointed messiah of hate. The Phantom Stranger opposes him and discovers his power comes from an alien computer. The computer analyses the Stranger and Lynn and realizes it erred. It thought all humanity was evil. To correct its error, the computer self-destructs. Tannarak is caught in the blast, but the Stranger escapes to safety with Lynn. However, the experience has damaged her mind. Reprinted in Showcase Presents Phantom Stranger Vol. 1 TPB (2006).

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Hot Wheels #6

Hot Wheels #6 (On Sale: November 17, 1970), has another cool cover by Neal Adams. Personally, I have to add Dick Giordano as inker as I don't see Neal inking this already strange cover. This is the only Hot Wheels cover without the cast faces going down the left side.

I remember the joy I felt when I opened this book and saw Neal Adams drew the cover-story. That joy was tempered somewhat two months later when issue #7 did not appear and the word got out that Hot Wheels had been canceled. For a book pretty much owned by Alex Toth, it was a little sad that he was nowhere to be seen in its final issue. 

Our cover-story is "The Humbug Run" by Len Wein, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano. After Jack and Kip crash out of the Polar Bear Gymkhana in snowy Maiden Valley, the gang decide to take in some skiing. While on the slopes they save a young boy, Timothy, from a collapsing ledge of snow. Timothy is one of a number of orphans brought up each year to join in the celebrations, but seems none too thankful for the rescue.

Later that day, as the gang prepare to tow their junked car home, Timothy shows up asking for their help and saying he is being chased by men with guns. The gang sluffs him off till the shooting starts. Jack, Kip and Tank hop into their car with Timothy and the shooters, dressed as elves, pursue them, gund blazing. Through Jack's superior driving they are able to get away from the gunsels, who end up crashed into an icy lake.

Back at the lodge, Timothy explains that he is Prince Timothy, heir to the throne of Kalvania and that after he ditched his chaperone to take a peak at the real America, he was shot at. In fear he h\blended into a group of orphans and ended up at the lodge, certain that he had evaded the gunmen. Just then, the gun-toting elves and their leader, Duke Ebenezar, dressed as Santa Claus, arrive, guns out. The Duke explains  that Timothy's father is on his death-bed and that if something unfortunate were to happen to Timothy, that the Duke will take the throne.

When a jack-in-the-box distracts the men, the boys attack with fists, taking out the gunsels. Afterward they learn that the Duke's plan was all for naught as Timothy's father recovered from his illness.

Next is a one-pager on the "Mighty Midget" K3 Magnette race car by Jack Keller.

We end with "Super Chick" drawn by Ric Estrada and Dick Giordano. When Mickey and Kip enter a sidecar race in California, Janet and Ardeth tag along to chear them on. Only Dexter and his goons try to take Kip out and, when he is nowhere to be found, Ardeth volunteers to take his place in the race. Just as the race starts, Kip arrives to inform Janet that he took out Dexters's goons with karate. As the race progresses, Dexter and his goon resort to a number of dirty tricks to beet the Hot Wheels crew, but in the end it is Ardeth who wins the race for team Wheeler.

Edited by Dick Giordano. Like most Giordano books, Hot Wheels was a joy to read and at times artistically brilliant. It is a real shame that due to licensing, this book will never be reprinted,

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #107

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #107 (On Sale: November 12, 1970), has a cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with Lois Lane in  "The Snow-Woman Wept" by Robert Kanigher, Werner Roth, and Vince Colletta. Clark and Lois are sent to Raleigh College to cover separate stories. Lois covers the winter carnival and meets snow sculptor Norman Brooks. Meanwhile, Clark visits the lab of Professor Bridnell who has invented a device that allows animals to breathe underwater. The device is not yet ready for human trials.

When Clark leaves the lab, Bridnell's assistant Dr. Tort attacks him. Tort is working for a foreign power and is out to steal the invention. Taking a break from her own assignment, Lois stops by the lab to satisfy her own curiosity about the invention. She stumbles across Tort who turns the device upon her. Instead of allowing her to breathe underwater, it changes her body into snow.

Tort disposes of the body at the carnival by pretending it is a snow sculpture. Superman realizes it is the real Lois and stops her from melting to death. He returns to the lab. Tort uses the invention on Superman. Superman's power of invulnerability fails him in a moment of weakness, and he begins turning to snow. He is able to reverse the process on himself before it is too late. He then apprehends Tort and his co-conspirators. Using the device in reverse then returns Lois to normal.

Our back-up story is The Rose and the Thorn in "My Executioner Loves Me" by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, and Mike Esposito. After the Thorn disposes of three more members of the 100, Vince Adams assigns Beau Benton to kill her. That night, Beau attacks the Thorn on a pier. She avoids his gun and tosses him into the water. The would-be killer strikes his head and is knocked unconscious. The Thorn dives into the water to pull him out.

When Benton regains consciousness, he is surprised that the Thorn saved his life despite his intentions. He decides to ignore the contract and falls in love with her. The 100 then tries to kill Benton, too. When Benton suggests that they leave the country together, Thorn appears to agree. However, she drops him off into police custody instead.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Strange Adventures #228

Strange Adventures #228 (On Sale: November 12, 1970), has another cool cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with our cover story, "The Day the Earth Split in Two" by John Broome, Sid Greene, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Mystery in Space #31 (1956).

Next, we have Adam Strange in "The Fadeaway Doom"  by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Mystery in Space #68 (1961). One day on the planet Rann, high above the city of Ranagar, a message ordering the people of the city to surrender within one day appears. Alanna's father Sardath asks the military's second in command Kaskor to summon all the fighting men to Ranagar. Their unknown threatener, seeing that an army has been mobilized somehow makes all the fighting men disappear. Alanna then goes to the location where Adam Strange will appear via the Zeta-Beam. When he arrives Alannais about to inform Adam of what is going on when they are attacked by a wild Tigrabar, but before it can attack the two find themselves transported to a baron world. There they find the missing soldiers and Alanna has time to tell Adam what happened.

Soon they are attacked by Dust Devils, which tips Alanna to the fact that they have been transported to the planet Rhynthar, which is home to a species of sentient dust clouds. When the creatures attack, Adam learns that they are composed of a form of Sodium that is super-heated, and exposure to sand would turn them into glass. With this in mind, Adam and the soldiers begin to fight off the Dust Devils.

After defeating the Dust Devil's, they are contacted by a pre-established television monitor and soon find that the mastermind behind their defeat was their own second in command, Kaskor, who developed a device based on the Zeta-Beam to transport his enemies onto Rhynthar. He explains when the Zeta-Charge from his weapon wears out they will not be returned to their place of origin, but instead fade into oblivion. Shortly, the original Zeta-Beam that brought Adam to Rann wears off and Adam is returned to Earth.

There, Adam has a duplicate of Kaskor's uniform made in a costume shop and then travels back to Rann on the next Zeta-Beam. Once back in Ranagar, Adam disguised as Kaskor is able to sneak to the palace and confront the real Kaskor. Telling the shocked Kaskor that he is his conscious, the rebel shoots Adam with the Zeta-Ray once more. When nothing happens, Adam grabs the device and uses it to send both him and Kaskor to Rhynthar.

There, in a panic of his own impending doom, Kaskor explains that it's a half-charged blast from the Zeta-Gun that is lethal and that a full charged blast would reverse its effects. With a solution to their predicament in hand, Adam reverses the effects of the Zeta-Gun to return all the Ranagarian's back home. Before returning himself and Kaskor back to Rann, Adam explains he made Kaskor's first shot ineffectual by using a radio transmitter as a jamming device. He then returns Kaskor and himself to Rann. There, Kaskor is sent to prison, and Sardath destroys the Zeta-Ray. With his mission accomplished the Zeta-Beam wears off and Adam is returned home once more.

This is followed by "Dream-Journey Through Space" by John Broome, Gil Kane, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Strange Adventures #58 (1955).

Next up is "The Hothouse World" by Gardner Fox, Mort Drucker, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Mystery in Space #13 (1953).

That is followed up by "The Last Television Broadcast on Earth" by Bill Finger, Sid Greene, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Mystery in Space #28 (1955).

Next is "Detour in Time" by Gardner Fox, Jerry Grandenetti, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Strange Adventures #89 (1958).

We end with Atomic Knights in "The Plant That Hated Humans" by John Broome and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Strange Adventures #150 (1963). A botanist in a nearby town has developed a new strain of plant life capable of growing in the post-war environment. The new plants have telepathic abilities and can walk. 

The Atomic Knights discover that the plants plan to attack human settlements. However, they can't fight the plants directly because they are outnumbered. Instead, the Knights strike at a nearby dam, cutting off the water supply to the plant creatures. Without water, the plants die almost instantly. The plant army is defeated, but the Knights continue their vigilance in case they strike again.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Girls' Love Stories #156

Girls' Love Stories #156 (On Sale: November 12, 1970), has a cover by Bill Draut. Some say this is by Nick Cardy, but some are really wrong.

We begin with our cover-story, "Diagnosis: Heartbreak!" drawn by John Rosenberger. Nurse Chris tries to attract the attention of Dr. Lance Cramer, but when he finally falls for her after months of indifference, she fears that she is distracting him from his work.

Next, we have "Beautiful Stranger" inked by Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Secret Hearts #40 (1957). Susan befriends Nadine, who has a bad reputation for trying to steal the boyfriends of other girls. Susan grows to trust her but is shocked when she finds her boyfriend Tracy in Nadine's arms.

That is followed by "I'll Find You, My Love!" drawn by Bill Draut. Peggy falls in love with a stranger who dances with her one night, and she spends the next year trying to find him again, unable to connect with any other guy.

Next, we have "Dates 'n' Mates," a two-pager by Liz Berube.

We end with "Lover -- or Liar?" by Jack Oleck, Art Saaf, and Vince Colletta. Julie leads a campus protest, taking over a building to force the administration to listen to the protesters' demands. Ken joins the protest and slowly falls in love with Julie, though he keeps trying to convince the others that there are better ways to achieve their goals.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #122

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #122 (On Sale: November 12, 1970), has a cover by Bob Oksner.

I usually read the Jerry Lewis books before posting, I'm traveling from California to Texas to Utah and then back to California, and time for reading is getting hard to find. We begin with "The Target in Tights" by Alan Riefe and Bob Oksner.

We end with "High Man on a Totem Pole" also by Alan Riefe and Bob Oksner.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Young Love #84

Young Love #84 (On Sale: November 10, 1970), has a cover by Bill Draut and Vinny Colletta.

We begin with "A Little Kiss for Big Sister" drawn by Artie Saaf and Wally Wood. Flo falls in love with her sister Jan's boyfriend Ralph, and since she's the nicer of the two, she eventually gets him.

Next is "A Proud Goodbye" drawn by Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Heart Throbs #63 (1959). Belinda is shocked to find that her new boyfriend Eliot is the brother of her old boyfriend Van.

Next, we have "Get Out of My Heart" penciled by Jay Scott Pike. Jen has always blamed Skip for her sister's death, but when she finally learns that he was not responsible, she finds herself falling in love with him.

We end with "Love Is... What It's All About!" by Liz Berube.

Our Fighting Forces #129

Our Fighting Forces #129 (On Sale: November 10, 1970), has a Losers cover by Joe Kubert. 

We begin with The Losers in "Ride the Nightmare" by Robert Kanigher. Ross Andru, and Mike Esposito. Johnny Cloud has been haunted by nightmares. The nightmares have caused him to react irrationally, even when wide awake. The other members of the team worry that Johnny's actions could put the team in danger. When the Losers are sent to retrieve a Polish scientist held prisoner by the Nazis, Johnny puts himself in harm's way. The other Losers protect him. 

They find the scientist, but their escape is blocked. After the scientist sacrifices his own life by falling on a grenade, Johnny goes berserk and unleashes his rage on the Nazis. He destroys an enemy missile site and in the resulting confusion, the Losers escape. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: The Losers Vol. 1 TPB (2012).

We end with  "Ironclad! Man Your Guns" drawn by Fred Ray. A Union soldier boy mans a battery on the Mississippi River and dreams of getting a medal from President Lincoln. He and his fellow soldiers are confronted by a Confederate ironclad attempting to break through barriers and bring supplies to the confederacy. Onboard the ironclad, a young Confederate soldier also has dreams of a Presidential medal, only from President Davis. The ironclad wreaks havoc on the Union guns and breaks through the Union lines. The young Union boy is the only survivor and he takes a rowboat and a lone explosive and rows after the ironclad. As his boat sinks, he lights the fuse and wedges the explosive to the ironclad's wooden hull but is swept up in the flow of the ironclad's prop when the bomb goes off. 

The only survivor from the ironclad is the young Confederate boy, who sees the Union boy in the water and bulls him to shore. In the end, both boys received medals from President Lincoln.

Edited by Joe Kubert.