The MISSING LINK In COMICS...

Copyright REBELLION

Now that I've cleverly piqued your interest with a cunningly conceived title, I can deliver the knockout blow.  The MISSING LINK began as an INCREDIBLE HULK-KING KONG knock-off in "the comic with the mid-Atlantic accent" - FANTASTIC #1, way back in February 1967.  Written by ODHAMS' POWER COMICS editor ALF WALLACE (who later worked for MARVEL UK), it featured the superlative artwork of Spanish illustrator LUIS BERMEJO ROJO, usually credited simply as Luis Bermejo.

Within the space of a few weeks, the strip took a completely different direction, eventually being renamed JOHNNY FUTURE with issue #16.  Fondly remembered by readers of the time as one of the better-drawn adventure strips of the '60s, here, for your perusal, is the first episode in case you weren't around at the time.  And if you were, here it is again so that you can relive the happy memories of your childhood days.  Brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?

Now tell me - who wants to see the next episode?

For more information on The Missing Link and Johnny Future, click here.   

And, below, is the cover of the comic in which ol' Linky made his debut.

PART EIGHT Of COMIC COVERS 'SNAP'!

Copyright DC COMICS

Okay, I'll admit the above cover isn't a dead ringer for the one below, but it's essentially the same design from a different angle.  However, I consider it an example of comic covers 'snap' because both comics feature the same tale and the same artist, NEAL ADAMS, drew each cover.  Much as I appreciate both illustrations however, I still feel they could be more dynamic.  I'd have loved to see a CURT SWAN or JACK KIRBY version - what about you, culture lovers?  Make your views known in the comments section. 

The GREATEST SUPERHERO Of ALL?

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

How could I forget?  And just how could I forget I'd forgotten?  If I hadn't seen the cover staring out at me in a previous post on this very blog, I wouldn't have remembered that I'd forgotten to remember I'd forgotten.  All clear?  Good.  (You know how I hate confusion.) 

Back on October 6th, 1976 (wow, thirty-six years ago), MARVEL's U.K. answer to CAPTAIN AMERICA went on sale in newsagents all across the country.  The accompanying scans come from the very copy I purchased from JOHN MENZIES in my local shopping centre on the way to work that morning all those years ago.

CAPTAIN BRITAIN was a first for Marvel U.K. - the debut of an all-new, specially created superhero, as opposed to the diet of reprints from across the pond we had hitherto enjoyed and responded to with rabid appreciation.  The strip was still produced in America (though writer CHRIS CLAREMONT and artist HERB TRIMPE had British connections), but set in England, and featured the kind of mockney-Cockney dialogue that our Yankee cousins imagine we all speak like.  (Think DICK VAN DYKE in MARY POPPINS and you've got the picture.)

Various hands have guided the LONDON LION in different and diverse directions since his first humble beginnings in '76, but despite basically being a SPIDEY knock-off, there was an unconvoluted innocence about CB's early tales which was refreshing.  But don't take my word for it.  Judge for yourself as BRIAN BRADDOCK's initial voyage of discovery now unfolds before you for your reading pleasure.  Ready?  Hold on to your hats and off we go!

Unfortunately, the budget didn't stretch to full-colour throughout the mag, so the FANTASTIC FOUR reprint had to settle for Letratone, though by now the printing standard was good enough to reproduce the grey hues without turning them into the muddy mess that had blighted many earlier weekly titles.  NICK FURY, AGENT Of S.H.I.E.L.D. brought up the rear of the comic, which had returned to colour for JIM STERANKO's classic tales of super-espionage.

So there you have it!  Britain's Brian Braddock battling the bombastic baddies of the brutal JOSHUA STRAGG - The REAVER - for the very first time in a classic tale from the vaults.  Now don't say I'm not good to you, 'cos it simply wouldn't be true.