CRIVENS! COMICS & STUFF!: SILVER AGE DC CLASSICS

Saturday, 9 March 2013

SILVER AGE DC CLASSICS - PART ONE...

Images copyright DC COMICS

In 1992, DC COMICS bade a fond farewell to the company which had printed their comics since 1955 - WORLD COLOUR PRESS in Sparta, Illinois. In commemoration of this 37 year association, DC produced SILVER AGE DC CLASSICS - ten titles reprinting collectors' item issues, the last to be printed on the WCP presses.

So, here, for your perusal and appreciation, is the first instalment of a three-part presentation of every cover and splash page from these super special edition printings of landmark events in DC's memorable and magnificent comics-publishing history. They're my gift to you!

And be sure to come back for Part Two. In fact, jump over to it by clicking here.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: I really liked this series, since it allowed me to buy and read key issues (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) at a reasonable price. Some might say that DC's criteria were too broad and inclusive. Personally, I think that the Green Lantern-Green Arrow run was post-Silver Age and more like early Bronze Age. And they also reprinted the Detective Comics issue that introduced Martian Manhunter, which some would consider too early. But we could probably argue all day about when the SA began and ended. AFAIK, there is no official definition, and it is all a matter of opinion.; 9 March 2013 at 04:43
Kid said...: They also published a Sugar & Spike comic (#99) which wasn't actually a reprint, but it was great to obtain these 10 issues nonetheless. As you say, they allowed readers to buy key issues at an affordable price. Well done, DC.; 9 March 2013 at 12:10
Gey Blabby said...: DC comics were the only ones we could buy in our area, so it was a case of like-it-or-lump-it. Fortunately, it was mostly a case of like-it for me, and in the case of GL-GA, I loved it; that splash page by Adams still gives me a warm glow.; 9 March 2013 at 12:18
Kid said...: I remember reading that first 'new' Batman story in primary school, aged somewhere between 7 and 9. I don't think it had been reprinted at that point, so it must've been the original issue.; 9 March 2013 at 13:35
Anonymous said...: AFAIK, Detective #327 was first reprinted in DC Special #1 in 1968, so if you read it in 1967 or earlier, it must have been the original. And I assumed that the Sugar & Spike issue reprinted their first appearance, but if it was "#99," it must have been previously unpublished. The original series ended with #98.; 9 March 2013 at 14:33
Kid said...: Thanks for the info. I mentioned that S&S #99 wasn't a reprint in my first response, thereby indicating that #98 was obviously the last issue. I have the DC replica edition of S&S from 2002 (I think), so I might post some of that one day. The material in #99 is described as 'all-new', but I'm unsure whether it was produced specially for the issue or was culled from S&S strips he drew for the European market.

As far as I remember, I probably read the Batman tale anytime between '66 and '68, so I reckon it must've been the original. I don't think I've ever seen DC Special #1, apart from the cover in ads.

Thanks again.; 9 March 2013 at 15:10

About the artist:

From 1985 to 2000 A.D. (little joke there), I contributed to a variety of high profile comics and magazines for various companies.

For IPC/FLEETWAY/EGMONT, I freelanced as a lettering and logo artist on various weekly comics and monthly magazines, and also as a resize comic artist and spot illustrator on pocket books, summer specials and annuals.

For MARVEL U.K., BLACK LIBRARY, REDAN and USBORNE BOOKS, I again freelanced as a lettering artist, also working as a restoration artist for MARVEL U.S., restoring and re-creating certain pages of JACK KIRBY art for their MARVEL MASTERWORKS editions.

I also lettered the MARVELMAN sample pages submitted to MARVEL U.S. when they were considering acquiring the character, which - as we all now know - they DID.

Supplied comic strips, cartoons and illustrated advertisements for local business campaigns and newspaper publication on a professional basis since the age of 16. Did my first paid art job for publication at 14 or 15 for Lanarkshire Education Board.

Have also made TV appearances as a collector of memorabilia.

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Just some of the titles I worked on are:

2000 A.D. * JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE * DICEMAN * SONIC The COMIC * JUDGE DREDD, LAWMAN Of The FUTURE * CRISIS * REVOLVER * EAGLE * TIGER * BATTLE ACTION-FORCE * BUSTER * WHIZZER & CHIPS * WHOOPEE * NIPPER * SCHOOL FUN * ACE VENTURA, PET DETECTIVE * The REAL GHOSTBUSTERS * DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE * COUNT DUCKULA * RUGRATS * The TRANSFORMERS * DEATH'S HEAD * THUNDERCATS * GALAXY RANGERS * DRAGON'S CLAWS * SINDY * MARVEL MASTERWORKS * The TROLLS * LOADED * INFERNO * WARHAMMER * ROSE BLACK.

Copyright Notice:

Images remain the property of their respective copyright owners and are used here only for the purpose of review, promotion, and nostalgia.

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In the case of images culled from my own collection where copyright of an item isn't mine, I impose no copying restrictions on fellow bloggers.

(Although, if you don't allow copying on your own site, then you really shouldn't be copying from others, should you?)

And while you can credit this blog if you like, it's not mandatory. Who has time to make notes of every casually visited site during an idle browse of the Internet?

In the case of anyone copying images of my own artwork and calligraphy, I affirm my right to be identified as the creator, and any such copying should not be for the purpose of monetary or material gain. (Unless it's mine.)

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Please also note that this blog is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or connected to, any organisation, business, or group, and is wholly independent.