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Did you know that New Gods was originally earmarked for Showcase #94, until it was decided Jack Kirby's new mag stood a better chance in its own title? Showcase was therefore quietly 'shelved' with #93 in 1970, but resurfaced seven years later, in November '77 (dated for March '78) with the long-delayed 94th issue, featuring The New Doom Patrol in a three-part adventure which concluded in #96. Interestingly, issue 94 states that #93 appeared in 1973, but I assume this is a typo as the information is erroneous.
Next up was Power Girl, likewise in a three-part story (97-99), with the hundredth issue featuring just about every character who had ever appeared in the mag in its long history. 101-103 starred Hawkman, and #104 showcased (pun intended) OSS Spies At War. Other stories had been prepared, but due to what became known as 'The DC Implosion'*, 104 was the last issue. What would've been the next two issues appeared in Cancelled Comics Cavalcade, with a third strip being published in an issue of Adventure Comics.
(*Ironically, this very issue carried a 'Publishorial' by Jenette Kahn, promoting plans for upcoming new comics under the description of 'The DC Explosion'. 'Twas not to be.)
And now for the personal bit, of which all you Crivvies are so fond of (cough). Most of the comics you see here are replacements, with only #100 being the original one I bought at the time. I must've given away whatever remaining ones I had to a pal in the late '70s or early '80s, though I obtained replacements for 94 and 96 quite a good few years ago now, with 95 following later. I've just recently acquired 97-99, and 101-104 via eBay, which is how I can show you the last eleven issues of the title that debuted the Silver Age Flash, Challengers Of The Unknown, and several other popular DC heroes.
However, looking at these comics now, I know I never had 104, nor am I sure about 101-103 as nothing about them rings a bell with me. I know I definitely had 94-97, and I'm fairly certain I had 98-99, as the ad box at the end of the Power Girl story for 100 seems familiar. Just think though, a journey begun back in 1978 has finally ended after 45 years - a journey I didn't even know I was on. Still got there in the end, though, eh? Do you remember any of these issues, Crivs? Comments welcome in the you-know-where.
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Showcase 100 is one of my favorite comic books. It's art by Joe Staton was from when he was at the top of his game and the idea of squeezing so many heroes into a story wasn't quite as popular at the time as it has become since the advent of Crisis on Infinite Earths and Secret Wars. And the characters in this one so different, it's a real hoot.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read 100 again since I first got it, RJ, so I'll have to remedy that before too much longer. Glad I've now got the last 11 issues of the title, even if it took me 45 years to get around to it.
ReplyDeleteI had a few of these and from memory they were pretty nice comics. Issue 100 is a bit of a fanboy treat with so many characters and nice art. I missed issue 104 but I have bee on the look out for a copy as it has Ric Estrada art ( depending on who is inking Rics work it can be very nice).
ReplyDeleteI read 100 last night, McS, and have to say I found it all pretty underwhelming. Even Staton's art didn't seem as good as on some of his other work. Funny how time can sometimes change your perception of some things, eh? The image of 104 is the seller's photo, which I'll replace with a scan of my own when the comic arrives. It should've been here by now.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read my copy in years, sadly a few comics etc from the past lose their impact when we get older. Maybe I'm just not remembering it corectly.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, McS, you're probably remembering it exactly as it seemed to you at the time, whereas I was never too impressed with it when I first read it back in the late '70s. I'd say it's still a significant issue in terms of aspiration, though not in execution.
ReplyDelete104 arrived this morning and seller's pic has been replaced with my own scan of actual comic.
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