The Black Magic # 1 That Wasn't-Rare Kirby

Above we see an ad for BLACK MAGIC # 1 that appeared in June of 1950. Note the lack of the distinctive title logo. By the time the book itself popped up, however, in August or early September, we got an entirely different Kirby cover, with the new logo, as seen below. The contents seem the same although "I'll Never Sleep Again" has been retitled "The Last Second of Life."

Radio Days

Popeye and Jack Cole

  Jack Cole probably would have made  a good POPEYE artist. At least that's the assumption I'd make based on his PLASTIC MAN work. But Cole did other types of comics as well including some truly creepy horror comics before the Comics Code kicked in.

The latest volume in Yoe Books' CHILLING ARCHIVES OF HORROR COMICS from IDW collects those stories. Although his own story is ultimately tragic, Cole was one of the few artists whom I would call a near perfect fit to comic books and the tales in JACK COLE'S DEADLY HORROR will not disappoint the horror fan or the Jack Cole fan. 

Also in today's mail was a copy of the 2nd volume collecting up the chronological reprintings of Bud Sagendorf's POPEYE comics. The strip has continued in many media since its creator Elzie Segar passed in the 1930's but Sagendorf, more than anyone else, seems the rightful successor in that his characters not only look and talk like Segar's versions but they also have the same type of well-written, wacky, creative adventures that made the original THIMBLE THEATRE a classic in the first place.

My name's in both of these so consider this more a plug than a review. But both volumes represent some of the best of what they represent. If you're a classic comics fan, here are some classic comics!

More Rare Beatles

Arguably the most photographed men in the world, here's another batch of little-seen Beatles photos found on the Net.

Buster's Birthday

I first saw him on TV's CANDID CAMERA in the early sixties, then in the BEACH PARTY movies of that era. When he passed in 1966, I paid no attention whatsoever. 

In time, I saw THE GENERAL.

Then, in the late seventies, I was privileged to see a great many Buster Keaton masterpieces--shorts and features-- in big screen revivals. 

In my opinion, Buster Keaton was the funniest man who ever lived and one of the greatest American filmmakers. 

Today is the 188th anniversary of his birth! Thanks, Buster, and Happy Birthday, wherever you are!

Video Day

br /> Let's take a look back from the 50th Anniversary to the 15th Anniversary of DOCTOR WHO!





Here's a pre-CROCODILE DUNDEE Paul Hogan as The Ghost Who Walks. Robin Williams has a new series with the jury still out on it. Here he is way back with his first TONIGHT SHOW appearance. Krazy Kat meets Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Bros and more! And finally, here's a special promoting the Fall, 1966 TV season…with Batman and Robin…and Milton Berle.

Peanuts

By coincidence, today is PEANUTS' birthday. The reason that's a coincidence is that the other day, I started rereading a couple of my PEANUTS volumes for the first time in years and years and was once again struck by the near perfection of PEANUTS  as a comic strip. 

From the characters and the art-style to the gags and the sometimes deeper meanings behind them, PEANUTS works on so many levels where other strips just sit there trying--and often failing--to be funny.

I don't like everything. I never cared for Spike or Snoopy's other relatives, for instance. And Schulz's horribly squiggly lines of later years make me all too painfully aware of his mortality, effectively taking me out of the "reality" of the strip itself.

And reality is the right word. In spite of the fact that its continuity over time is often nil and the odd inequity of the aging process amongst the various characters, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Peppermint Patty and Snoopy present a very definite reality of their own that's able to seemingly effortlessly and painlessly comment on ours. While the strip does not seem as revered today as it did in its heyday, spend any little amount of time with these kids and it's impossible not to get sucked in. Unlike many strips which are best enjoyed in small segments, PEANUTS has you wanting to binge and then leaves you wanting more. That explains the name, I guess. Luckily there are so many collections out there. If you have one, might I suggest reading it in honor of the anniversary today?  If you don't, check any used bookstore and you should find a collection of PEANUTS, still the greatest comic strip of all time.