Signed Duffy's Tavern Copies

Martin Grams' DUFFY'S TAVERN book is now out. Received my copies today. In fact, if you're a fan of the classic radio comedy series, I have a handful of copies signed by Martin listed on Amazon at $40.00 each (cover price is $39.95). The book is nearly 800 pages that Martin meticulously researched over more than a decade and was written in cooperation with Ed Gardner's family. As much a biography of Gardner--an absolutely fascinating, iconoclastic, performer and businessman--as it is a history of the show and yet every single episode is dealt with as well as the movie, the books and the TV series. It's Martin's best book to date and one of my favorite books on classic comedy. Go to the link in the sidebar and then click on the "NEW" to find my listing.

1943 Timely Ads

Tubby Learns About Playking-Jack Kirby

Here's another unusual Kirby ad--possibly inked by Mort Meskin.

R.I.P. Bhob Stewart

Seen here is Bhob Stewart, an obscure actor in the 1967 semi-nudie flick, COOL IT BABY. Below is an early undergroundish comic strip from 1964 by an obscure cartoonist named Bhob Stewart.

 CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN was generally considered the hipper and more adult monster mag. It was edited by a man named Bhob Stewart.

TALES FROM THE FRIDGE was a well-done underground comic created by the man who actually coined the term, "underground comic," one Bhob Stewart.

There was also a very good illustrator names Bhob Stewart.

And there was a comics historian, author and one-time assistant to Wally Wood named Bhob Stewart.

From the early sixties to today, the name Bhob Stewart turned up in connection with many, many Topps non-sports projects as well.

Sadly all of these Bhob Stewarts as well as the many, many other versions passed away yesterday. I'm proud to say that Bhob Stewart called me several times in recent months for long, fun conversations and that I was pleased to be one of an impressive group of folks he solicited to help revise his book on Wallace Wood, a project that may now be in limbo. 

Whether I knew it or not, I was enjoying work that Bhob had something to do with for most of my life, from his Topps projects that I collected in 2nd Grade to his CoF mags that I hid from my Mom when I was 12 because of the occasional naked lady, from his scholarly notes on EC in Russ Cochran's boxed sets to his unique blog in recent years. 

As I put it on Facebook last night, Bhob reminded me of Allen Ginsburg who always seemed to be in involved one way or another in significant cultural events. Like Ginsburg, for 60 years Bhob was at the forefront of or at least in the periphery of most significant POP culture events. 

Rest in Peace, sir. And thanks!

 

R.I.P. Harold Ramis

AOL posted the above in connection with their obit on Harold Ramis. I can't help but think that Ramis himself would find it amusing.  "Legendary actor???" Quick, Ramis fans! Name any TWO movies he was in as an actor that don't have the word "GHOSTBUSTERS" in the title!

What Harold Ramis WAS, was a brilliant humorist. As a writer, director and yes, occasionally an actor, he created many lasting smiles on TV (early episodes of SCTV) and later film. GROUNDHOG DAY, written, produced and directed by him and starring his frequent collaborator, Bill Murray, is close to being a perfect film comedy in my book. 

R.I.P. 

Latest Art

How Sexy Are You?

No, you haven't landed on the wrong blog. This 2 page self-test was actually in a 1972 DC comic book! Granted it was a romance comic book but even then this is a little adult!

Mickey and Paul

Posting has been and will remain a bit light for a while here as I work on not one, not two, but about NINE projects...including one major one that should give all of you reading this a kick down the line. In the meantime though, enjoy this cool picture of a fairly mediocre actor and a great pop singer. Your preference as to which is which.

Nostalgia Expo 2014

Here's the official announcement flyer for this year's NOSTALGIA EXPO, the successor to the long-running CINCINNATI OLD TIME RADIO AND NOSTALGIA CONVENTION. This year's all-new guest was one of my "imaginary friends" growing up--LASSIE's Timmy, Jon Provost! Returning from 2013 is Ivan Cury whom I got to meet only briefly last year but who seemed like an interesting gentleman. Also appearing at Cincinnati for the first time will be actress Beverly Washburn who has a Hollywood resume as long as your arm that includes, among many other significant movies and TV series, an episode of the original STAR TREK.

Below is a letter from Mike Wheeler, who took over the reins last year after Bob Burchett's final show the year before. Mike lays out the issues in maintaining and growing this type of Convention very succinctly.

Peter Capaldi in The Musketeers

While waiting impatiently for Pater Capaldi's heroic DOCTOR WHO to appear, I stumbled across his role as Cardinal Richelieu, the historically real "Big Bad" in Dumas' THREE MUSKETEERS.

As one of my favorite classics in high school, I've seen many a version of the oft-filmed story but I have to say this exciting, atmospheric and lengthy adaptation may well be the best yet! Certainly better than the various "hip" versions of the past couple of decades.

And if Capaldi's hero is half as good as his villain here, he will SO be worth the wait.

Prez

For this President's Day, here's PREZ, Joe Simon's oft-ridiculed, WILD IN THE STREETS-inspired DC title from 1973 about the world's first teen President of the US. If you've never actually read it, you're in for a surprise as it really is pretty good...as long as it stays within its self-contained universe.  The art was by longtime Simon collaborator and former Eisner acolyte, Jerry Grandenetti. Later attempts at bringing the character into mainstream continuity were absurd to put it mildly. The final issue never appeared but showed up in the fabled CANCELED COMICS CAVALCADE.

Buck Rogers Ad-1979

More Spillane!

A couple more Timely Comics fillers by a pre-fame Mickey Spillane. Click to make readable.

Karen Valentine

Seemed appropriate today to celebrate Karen Valentine, an actress who flourished in the period between the iconic sixties TV girls and the jiggly seventies TV girls. Karen co-starred on ROOM 222, was a regular in popular TV movies (including being my favorite Gidget ever), she was nerdy-sexy on a couple episodes of LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE and became a fixture of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES for a number of years. She was one of the first celebs I saw live, in this case starring in BUS STOP in summer stock (with James Naughton and Rose Marie) and she was also the very first celeb I got a personally signed photo from! Every day is Valentine's Day if you're Karen!

Thanks for everything.

 

The Funniest Person Who Ever Lived # 17-R.I.P. Sid Caesar