SILVER SURFER COVER GALLERY - PART THE FOURTH...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

And here we go with the last batch of the original 18 issue run of '60s SILVER SURFER comic covers.  The first five are (I think) by Jaunty JOHN BUSCEMA (though, truth to tell, I have my doubts about #17), and the final one is by Happy HERB TRIMPE, the interior art being by Jolly JACK KIRBY.  Unfortunately, although critically well-received (and fondly remembered), sales were not as expected on the series and issue #18 proved to be the last.

Plans had been afoot to change the direction of the series, making the Surfer much more angry at the injustices meted out to him by the human race and reacting accordingly, but they never materialised.  The Surfer went on to become a founding member of the 'non-team' The DEFENDERS in the '70s, and starred in a one-shot SS issue by JOHN BYRNE in 1982, before being resurrected in his own ongoing title in 1987.  He has also appeared in various graphic novels and limited series over the years, ensuring that we're not bound to forget the star-spanning surfer of the spaceways anytime soon.

He was never better though, than in his original '60s run, so enjoy these cataclysmic covers from when comics were far more entertaining and much better value for money than they are now.  A complete story in a comic (even with continuing sub-plots), as opposed to being spread across seemingly countless issues and different titles where nothing much happens and there are too many 'talking head' shots?  Methinks the comic creators of yesteryear were onto something.

  

ANYONE KNOW THE ANSWER?

Whenever I click on Dougie's SOME FANTASTIC PLACE blog, a message says it's been removed.  Does anyone know what's happened?  Is it merely a temporary malfunction or has Dougie done a runner?

Update: Dougie's blog has reappeared.  I'll keep my eye on it to see if it vanishes into limbo again.

PART THE THIRD OF MICK ANGLO'S PICTORIAL TRIBUTE...

Copyright DC COMICS

And now the remaining covers from my own collection of SUPER DC, a British reprint comic which came out in 1969 or '70.  There's a bit of a mystery as to exactly what year it made its debut, and I suspect that it followed the path of the IPC magazine VULCAN in the mid-'70s.  (For those of you not in the know, Vulcan was first sold in Scotland and wasn't sold nationally until six months later.)

In Super DC's case, I'm unsure in which part of the country it would have appeared first, but I suspect it may have been England initially, then Scotland.  I have two copies of issue #1, and both are of slightly different dimensions.  Also, the indicia typeset does not match (although both are copyrighted 1969), suggesting the possibility of being printed at different times.  The dates on the calendar free gift are 1970/'71, but this could have been an update for a second printing.

Of course, another possibility is that maybe only the first issue was reprinted, to launch it in Scotland and then get rid of previously printed, unsold subsequent editions.  The fact that every issue had the price of one shilling on the cover, even after decimalisation, tends to suggest that they were printed well before distribution - especially as the copyright date of 1969 also appeared on every issue (if memory serves).  This, of course, is all speculation on my part, but it would certainly help explain why there are two different versions of #1.  If anybody has a better suggestion (or, in fact, knows the real reason), feel free to share it here.

Thanks to the generosity of ANDREW KERR, I was able to show you the cover of the fourteenth and final issue, which I didn't have in my collection.  However, I've now managed to acquire the comic for myself, and replaced Andrew's image of the cover with my own.  I'm still looking for a spare copy though, if anyone could bear to part with theirs.  (Update: Now got a spare, meaning I have two sets of all fourteen issues.)

Incidentally, the ad below (featuring WORLD'S FINEST #180) appeared on the back cover of every issue of Super DC.  Exactly how they could colour BATMAN's costume correctly on the front cover, but get it so spectacularly wrong on the back is beyond me.

So, lift your glasses to MICK ANGLO, 'creator' of MARVELMAN, and editor of one of the fondly remembered comics of my boyhood.  Here's to you, Mick.

  

Coming soon: The cover of the one and only ('cos there only ever was one) Super DC Bumper Book.  (Though I've got two of them.)

SILVER SURFER COVER GALLERY - PART THREE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Continuing with our gallery of SILVER SURFER covers, we take up where we left off last time, which was SS #7.  That means we start this little session with #8 through #12, with #13 to #18 still to come in the next post.  Hope you'll join us then, but in the meantime enjoy these five covers by JOHN BUSCEMA.

Although Big John only drew the first seventeen issues in the series, they're clearly superior to the eighteenth and last ish illustrated by JACK KIRBY, which was intended as the first in a new direction for the title.  Clearly, then, even with an artist of Buscema's calibre, sales weren't as good as they could've been, hence the change in approach.  I can only speculate that the Kirby last issue did even worse in sales, hence the reason why the planned 'Savage Silver Surfer' plotline never materialised.  After all, why flog a dead horse and throw good money after bad?

      

More on this in an upcoming post.  Don't miss it!

TERRIFIC COVER GALLERY - PART THREE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Here are four more covers from the ODHAMS PRESS publication of the 1960s, the titanically-titled TERRIFIC, plus the back-page pin- ups too.  Lasting only 43 issues before being merged with its POWER PACK stable-mate FANTASTIC, it nevertheless retains its place in the fond memories of dreary old farts like myself. 

More to come in future posts. 

PART TWO OF A PICTORIAL TRIBUTE TO MICK ANGLO...

Copyright DC COMICS

Here are some more covers from my collection of SUPER DC, the TOP SELLERS reprint title from the late '60s, early '70s.  Also shown are the free gifts from issue #1.  Traditionally, British comics had free gifts in the first three issues, but that was usually only with weeklies.  Perhaps because it was a monthly publication, editor MICK ANGLO decided to put all three giveaways in the 1st issue - or it could've been that, individually, they weren't up to much, hence the 'quantity' rather than 'quality' approach.

If anyone has issue #14 of Super DC and wants to make a few quid, then get in touch.  Then I can feature it on a future post.  (Update: Now got it.)

 

With two or three exceptions (where interior panels were enlarged for the purpose), Mick Anglo is believed  to have drawn the covers, using images from various DC sources as reference.  If anyone knows anything different, I'd appreciate you letting me know.

Look out for the third and final part soon.

IMPORTANT - CALLING ALL BLOGGERS...

Sometimes, when I click on an image on someone's blog to enlarge a picture for closer scrutiny, the image appears same size or smaller against a black background. This means that one is unable to view and appreciate the image at a larger size, which often renders featuring it in the first place a bit redundant.

If you go into 'settings' - then 'formatting' - and disable the lightbox facility, it will enable readers to enlarge images for closer study.

Go on, it's much better. 

A PICTORIAL TRIBUTE TO MICK ANGLO - PART ONE...

Copyright DC COMICS

As reported on various other sites, MICK ANGLO, creator of MARVELMAN, passed away recently.  To be completely frank, as Marvelman was merely an imitation of FAWCETT's CAPTAIN MARVEL, I'm not entirely convinced that the term 'creator' strictly applies in ol' MM's case, but I don't have an axe to grind over it.

Mick was also the editor of SUPER DC, a British monthly magazine which featured resized black & white reprints of various superhero strips from the stable of NATIONAL PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS (DC COMICS) back in 1969/'70, and I have very fond memories of the title.

Now that MARVEL own the rights to Marvelman, Mick can be regarded as having been associated with Marvel and DC - no mean feat for any British comics contributor.  In memory of Mick, I've decided to focus solely on Super DC, as I was never really into Marvelman when I was a kid.  Although, ironically, I later lettered the sample pages submitted to Marvel when they were in negotiations for the character.  No doubt it was my fantastic hand-lettering which clinched the deal.  Harrummmphh!  (Sorry, there seems to be something stuck in my throat.)

I seem to remember DEZ SKINN saying somewhere that Mick, as well as his duties as editor, also drew the covers for Super DC.  If anyone can confirm that, feel free to do so in the comments section.  If it wasn't him and anyone can identify the artist, let me know and I'll be sure to give him a credit.

According to the late comics collector and historian DENIS GIFFORD, there were fourteen issues of Super DC.  I have the first thirteen issues, so if anyone has the elusive fourteenth, either sell it to me or kindly send me a scan of the cover so I can feature it in the second part of this tribute.  (Update: Don't worry, I've now got two in fact, as I have of the other issues also.)

MAURICE ANGLOWITZ, born on June 16th 1916, died on October 31st 2011, aged 95.  In his time, he worked as an editor, writer and artist - a one-man team supreme you might say.  He could probably letter as well.  Obviously he was at the front of the queue when talent was being handed out.  (Despite BATMAN's stunted left leg on the cover of issue #2.) 

Look out for Part Two soon.

GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SNICKERS...

The world as I knew it no longer exists.  It seems I've been kidnapped by aliens and transported to an alternate dimension where things are almost the same - but not quite.  In this bizarre doppelganger planet, TREETS are called M&Ms, OPAL FRUITS are named STARBURST, OIL Of ULAY is known as OIL Of OLAY, JIF is christened CIF, KITKATs are made by NESTLE'S, not ROWNTREE'S - and MARATHONs are titled SNICKERS.

AAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!  I'm trapped on a world I never made.  Beam me up, Scotty!  (But while I'm waiting for the transporter to lock onto me, cast your eyes over the images on this page -  a comforting reminder of when all was right with the world and it was a saner place to be.)

PART TWO OF TERRIFIC COVER GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Here's the second instalment of TERRIFIC covers (plus their back-page pin-ups) from the 1960s for you to cast your perceptive peepers over, you lucky POWER PACK perusers of perfection.  Anybody old enough to remember these iconic issues produced by 'the Garret' is getting on a bit by now, so just take your tablets from the nice nurse and lose yourself in yesteryear.  Your telegram from the Queen will be along before you know it.  Remember to come back for part three in a few posts from now.  You surely wouldn't want to miss the treats in store from 'The Floor of 64', would you?

TWO ANNUALS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE...

Annuals copyright relevant and respective owners

For a limited time only, WH SMITH's have a 'two-for-one' offer on at the moment - buy one annual, get another absolutely free.  Thought you'd like to know.  (This obviously supersedes their previous 'buy one full price, get another for a £1' offer.)