EVEN MORE PUPPIES - THE SENSATIONAL SALMA STRIPS OFF...

Okay, Crivs, I'll have to make this

quick, 'cos I find it difficult to type with

my fingers all a-tremble.  It's sensational

SALMA HAYEK getting her kit off in an

elevator.  (I'll do my very best to resist

 the predictable "going up" jokes.)

Wotta goddess!!!

THE RETURN OF FRANKIE STEIN...

Copyright REBELLION

In March of 1973, the first issue of new comic SHIVER & SHAKE went on sale.  Very much in the mould of WHIZZER & CHIPS in that it was 'two comics in one', it had a humorous horror theme permeating its pages.  Making his return after just over five and a half years in limbo (if you ignore his two non-KEN REID illustrated pages in WHAM! Annual 1971) was mirthful monster FRANKIE STEIN, this time illustrated by ROBERT NIXON.

Here's his very first 'comeback' strip from S&S #1, along with the covers.

PUPPIES, PUPPIES, AND MORE PUPPIES...

Everyone loves cute puppies, so here are

a few for you to "ooh" and "aah" over.

The FIRST MAX FLEISHER SUPERMAN CARTOON...

I first learned of these classic cartoons in 1972, when I read about them in E. NELSON BRIDWELL's introduction to the SUPERMAN - From The '30s To The '70s book, but it was at least twenty years before I saw them.  Here's the very first one to entertain you, so grab your cape and let's go.

The FLINTSTONES MOVIE INTRO...

The FLINTSTONES movie received some mixed reviews when it was released in 1994, but I thought the live-action re-creation of the cartoon's opening titles was great.  What do you think?

PART TWO OF THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN COVER GALLERY...

Images copyright DC COMICS

These comics seem so recent to me, that it's hard to accept they came out almost exactly half my life away.  There are adults out there, married with kids, who weren't even born when I bought the early issues of this series.  What a scary thought.  Time flies, sure enough - and faster than a speeding bullet, too.

Once again, JERRY ORDWAY turns in some spectacular covers, although I think SUPERMAN's arms are a bit long in ish #432.  However, as they're magnificently drawn arms, we'll forgive him for that- especially as #435's 'homage' to JACK KIRBY's mid-'70s IRON MAN cover is an absolute belter.

So enjoy these six spectacular covers from the '80s, and be sure to return for six more in part three of this super series.

  

ARE THE STARS OUT TONIGHT?

Y'know, I've still got a tape cassette containing ART GARFUNKEL's I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU that I bought way back in the mists of time.  Can't be @rsed digging it out though, so here it is from YouTube.  Click that little arrow, baby!

HEY THERE, IT'S YOGI BEAR TRAILER...

Poor HUCKLEBERRY HOUND - he never had

his own movie.  YOGI BEAR did though, back in

1964, and not an anaemic TV film either.  'Twas an

actual cinematic release.  Here's the trailer.

BABE Of The DAY - SALMA HAYEK...

No words, just kneel in the

presence of the stunning SALMA

HAYEK.  You are not worthy.  I, of

course, am extremely worthy.  (Well,

what do you expect when I'm the

 one writing these captions?)

THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN COVER GALLERY - PART ONE...

Images copyright DC COMICS

In the wake of DC COMICS' 1986 12 issue maxi-series, CRISIS On INFINITE EARTHS, SUPERMAN was given a new comic mag (starting from #1) and his original solo title was rechristened The ADVENTURES Of SUPERMAN, continuing the numbering of the mag which had first appeared back in 1939.

Looking at these covers now, two things occur to me: The first is just what a brilliant artist JERRY ORDWAY is, and the second is that, when we move from a house, we never truly leave it behind, continuing to inhabit it in our memories and dreams forever after.  One look at these covers (especially the above one) and I'm once again back in my room of the house I left nearly 30 years ago, with everything exactly as it was when I lived there.

Another thing that strikes me is just how criminal it is that Jerry Ordway's art appears to be missing from mainstream comics these days.  Why is he not illustrating the top MARVEL and DC comicbooks as he once did?  Clear storytelling, dynamic action, and powerful perspectives surely haven't gone out of fashion, so I'm at a complete loss to understand why Jerry apparently is no longer courted by the top two companies in the biz.

The link to Jerry's blog is in my blog-list, so check it out when you get a moment.  In fact, scratch that - make a point of paying it a visit as soon as possible and leaving a comment saying how much you appreciate his contribution to the world of comics over the years.  First though, savour the supreme sublimity of the captivating covers in this pulse-pounding post.

And feel free to leave a comment on this blog as well.

PART FOUR Of LITTLE STAR COVER GALLERY...

Images copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

More terrific TOM KERR art on the covers of LITTLE STAR, DCT's nursery comic from the '70s.  Issue #19 in particular is a good one, as it varies from the usual similar layouts that Tom had employed on previous covers.  Not that that's a criticism by the way, as it must be difficult to do something different in a single drawing, week-after-week, with a flying red bus.  Only six more covers to go in this series - will you be glad or sad when it's all over, frantic ones?

MEGA-STAR BOB HOPE AT THE EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE IN 1984...

Okay, so they're not the greatest quality pics in the world, but all I had was a HANIMEX 110mm camera when I snapped these photos on the night of October 13th 1984, while attending The EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE to catch superstar comedy legend BOB HOPE.  I'd briefly met Mr. Hope and got his autograph before the show (and sent a few items backstage afterwards for him to sign), but after the rest of the audience had departed, I was still gathering my stuff together and Bob wandered onstage with his jacket over his shoulder to chat to the stagehands, saw me in the fourth row, and gave me a wave through the gap in the curtains.  I met him again ten years later when he played The GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL and had my photo taken with him and his wife DOLORES.

Incidentally, Bob was 81 years of age back then, but looked at least 20 years younger.  The woman sharing the stage with him in the second-last photo is one of the singers from the support act on the night, STUTZ BEAR CATS, and she performed a short comedy routine with him during his part of the show.  (Just her, not the rest of the group.)  Don't recall her name, alas (if I ever knew it), but she was a total babe.  (Update December 2024: CHRIS HENNEN of Stutz Bear Cats informs me that the lady is JANE BEAUMONT.)

A great show and a great night - one that I'll always remember.

Jane Beaumont of Stutz Bear Cats with Bob.  Sue Wright,
Chris Hennen, & Graham Bickley were the other members 

And below is some of the paraphernalia I picked up at the Playhouse on the night.

Bob mentioned that the Portsmouth show was cancelled due
to a suspected unexploded bomb being found the night before

Just to save anyone having to trawl through the archives, below is one of the photos taken in 1994 when an ordinary guy met a legend.  (That's the legend in the grey pinstripe jacket.  Cough!)

OLIVER HARDY HAS A BAD BREAK...

In my local neighbourhood shops was once an establishment called STANLEY'S STORES.  It was a hardware store and contained a Post Office section, as well as selling a variety of household items.  At the time of this trivial, self-indulgent reminiscence, it wasn't my local neighbourhood, but the one next to it.  It had previously been the area in which I lived, but we'd moved in 1965 and weren't to return 'til '72, though that's neither here nor there, I suppose.

In this shop, tacked to the wall was a sign - the one you see above, in fact.  I recognized the LAUREL & HARDY figures as being in the style of the LARRY HARMON cartoon show of the famous comedy duo, which was then on TV.  It seemed likely that the sign's artist had copied them from the strip in TV COMIC, or the cover of the 45 rpm single of the theme tune (which I also had at the time, and now do again since first publishing this post).

Anyway, having noticed the sign on numerous occasions when accompanying my mother, I one day ventured to enquire whether I might have it.  Much to my surprise, I was informed that I could, and that's how it came to be in my possession.  I've owned it, at a guess, since around 1971 (perhaps even late '70 or early '72) and because the shop is long, long-gone, it's a nice reminder of a place that was once a familiar part of my young life.

I bought my WADE porcelain YOGI BEAR (which I still have) from the same shop, perhaps even on the exact same day, so that's two items which conjure up images of a long-vanished era on which I look back with some fondness.  Do you have a similar link to your youth?  Then tell your fellow Criv-ites all about it, why don'tcha?  Go on!

WHOOPEE! SHIVER AND SHAKE WITH DELIGHT - IT'S ROBERT NIXON'S FRANKIE STEIN...

Copyright REBELLION

Mention the name FRANKIE STEIN to people of a certain age and images of KEN REID's maniacal, mental and marvellous comic strip character from WHAM! comic in the 1960s spring to mind.  My main memories of Frankie are from this period, but it's strange to realize that PROFESSOR CUBE's creepy creation enjoyed far more fame on his second stab at the big time in the 1970s than he experienced on his first outing.

Frankie appeared in Wham! around 142 times between '64 & '67, and six times in the '66-'71 Annuals, but his '70s appearances in IPC comics SHIVER & SHAKE and WHOOPEE! (not including MONSTER FUN, where he was honorary editor) far outnumber his earlier ODHAMS PRESS strips.  What's more, Ken Reid only illustrated 121 of Frankie's 142 Wham! outings, and only two of the six Annual stories, although, as far as the '60s are concerned, he's still the artist mainly associated with the strip in most readers' minds.

Although I bought Shiver & Shake and Whoopee! when they first came out, I didn't stay with them (apart from the odd issue) throughout their run.  Casting my mind back, I recall being pleased to see Frankie again, but I was a little disappointed that Ken hadn't resumed illustrating the cartoon antics of his comic creation.  (Excellent though his successor ROBERT NIXON undoubtedly was.)  I also wondered where Prof. Cube's 'real' son MICKY had disappeared to, as - apart from Reid reprints - he was absent from the '70s incarnation of the strip.

This led to a potentially perplexing situations on occasion, as in a reprinted Reid story where Prof. Cube goes on holiday and Micky accompanies him on the 'plane - with no mention as to who he actually is.  Older, more street-smart readers could perhaps be forgiven for wondering why Cube had apparently taken to hanging around with a young boy - and was taking him on holiday.  Yes, you're right - that's probably just a cynical, world-weary adult view of things - not something that would've crossed the minds of more innocent readers back then.

It's also interesting to note that Micky was present in only one of the last 16 Wham! strips, so it seems that he was in the process of being phased out anyway - regarded, perhaps, as surplus to requirements.  If so, then the '70s strips basically just picked up where Wham! ones left off, and Micky's absence is consequently less surprising than at first thought.

So for fans like me, it's Ken Reid's version of the character that remains the definitive one, but the fact is - we're probably in the minority.  To readers of the '70s, Frankie was an even bigger comic star for a longer period, and Robert Nixon is the artist with whom Frankie is mainly associated.  Every '60s Frankie strip would fit into one relatively thin volume, whereas his '70s pages would fill two or three thicker ones, at least.

Having featured Ken's version of Frankie several times in the past on this blog, it's now time to acknowledge Robert Nixon's even more popular incarnation of the comical creature.  I've been reading through these '70s strips over the last few weeks and Nixon's version of Frankie, though just as gormless as Reid's, is more lovable - and probably more innocent.  They're an enjoyable read indeed, and make me wonder if the strip might've had a longer run the first time around if Nixon's simpler style had been adopted from the start.  Who knows?      

YOGI BEAR STRIKES AGAIN...

Copyright relevant owner

From the cover-dated October 8th 1960 issue of TV EXPRESS WEEKLY (or whatever it was calling itself at the time) comes YOGI BEAR and his pals.  Hope you enjoy this page from yesteryear.

DARE-A-DAY DAVY MEETS DRACULA And The WOLFMAN - HALLOWE'EN SPECIAL...

Copyright REBELLION

This page is from the January 6th 1968 issue of POW! (#51), rather than a '67 October one, but none of that month's episodes had anything to do with Hallowe'en, whereas this story better suits the time of year.  Once again brilliantly illustrated by the mighty KEN REID, it nicely rounds off our celebration of All Hallows' Eve.

WHIZZER & CHIPS #3 - HALLOWE'EN/GUY FAWKES ISSUE...

Copyright REBELLION

It's Hallowe'en tonight and the mood  hangs heavy in the air, so that's all the excuse I need to republish this pertinent post again.  Back On October 25th, 1969, the third issue of WHIZZER & CHIPS went on sale, with a GUY FAWKES mask as a free gift.  It looks like the artwork of TOM KERR to me, but regardless, I remember rushing over to the newsagent's across the road from my house to buy it, the minute the shop opened in the early hours of that Autumn morning a whopping 46 years ago.  (The comic bears the date of November 1st, but British comics were traditionally dated up to a week ahead to give them a longer shelf-life.)

Handy how both Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes Night were covered by this issue coming out in advance of the two occasions. I wonder if the mask was used by 'guisers' on October 31st, and then 'recycled' for use on their 'guys' on November 5th?  If so, quite a few of them probably perished on top of a bonfire in parks and gardens the length and breadth of the U.K.  It's a wonder any survived.

As this was the last Hallowe'en of my primary school days, it was most likely the very last time I went out 'guising' (or 'trick or treating' as they call it now), but I didn't wear this mask and have no solid recollection of what I actually dressed up as that particular year.  However, one glance at the above cardboard mask brings back the sights, sounds and scents of that Autumn evening in my old neighbourhood, so very long ago.

Makes me wish that I was ten years old again.  Did anyone else have this W&C mask?  What are your memories of this day in 1969?  (Or any childhood Hallowe'en night if you don't go back that far.)  Spill all in the comments section.

KID KLASSICS - HORROR Of The HOUSE On HAUNTED HILL...

Art by STEVE DITKO, copyright MARVEL COMICS

Seeing as how it's Hallowe'en, I thought I'd re-publish this two-year old post of a true tale to put you in the mood.  Are you alone?  Are you sure you're alone?  Perhaps you'd better check first before we proceed.  Ready?  Good, then I'll begin.

******

Not long after my family had moved into our new house back in 1972, a curious thing happened.  My brother came downstairs into the living-room one night and claimed he'd just seen an elderly lady in white on the stairway outside his room.  My parents pooh-poohed the notion, but, shortly after, my bed was moved from my front room on the grounds it was damp (the room, not the bed) into my brother's room, which we then shared for a few months (again, the room, not the bed).  I suspect it was more to do with my brother being scared to be alone than it was with the risk of me catching pneumonia, but I grant it could've been a combination of both.

Some indeterminate time afterwards (a year or two perhaps), my brother again came into the living-room with a concerned look on his face and called us upstairs, saying that someone was walking around in the attic.  We all trooped up to my brother's room and, sure enough, there was a sound of creaking boards - as if someone was walking from one end of the attic and back again.  My father got out the stepladder and tentatively poked the top of his head a few inches into the hatch opening, but he was in no mad rush (nor were we) to more thoroughly explore the vast confines of its black interiors, so we put the noise down to some not entirely convincing 'rational' explanation and retired downstairs again.  

Some years later, we moved house, and four years after that, we moved back again - with the exception of my brother, who'd acquired his own flat in the meantime.  Now, I don't believe in ghosts, but the couple with whom we exchanged houses in order to return to our former abode, told me that one night while lying in bed, a ghostly apparition had drifted through the wall from my brother's old room into theirs, then floated right over their bed and melted through the window on the other side.  They were a young couple and a bit flaky, so I put their 'experience' down to having partaken of a combination of too much alcohol and weed.

But here's where it gets strange (as you doubtless anticipated).  A few years after having moved back, I was lying in my bed one night in the small hours when I suddenly became aware of a wizened old woman in white shuffling towards my bedside.  She stopped and stooped, lowering her crinkled face towards mine as if scrutinizing it intently.  For a moment I was paralysed, but then, with a growl, I sat bolt upright in bed to confront the ancient figure, who immediately retreated (still facing me) into the far corner of the room before fading into nothingness.

I sat stunned for a moment, not quite sure what had happened.  Had I seen a ghost, the very one my brother had claimed to have seen so many years before?  Or had I only been dreaming and suddenly awoken - with the figure in my dream somehow still visible before me, like some swiftly-diminishing after-image?

Who can say for sure?  I still don't believe in ghosts, but that was certainly a moment which gave me pause for thought.  Anyone else got any similar experiences?  Feel free to share.