Saturday, November 30, 2013

SOUTH SEA GIRL "Echoes of an A-Bomb"

Because it's a chilly late Fall/early Winter in the US...
...we're going to look at the tropical adventures of a sarong-clad heroine battling atom bomb-wielding Commies in an airship!
This tale from Leader's Seven Seas Comics #6 (1947) was scripted by Manning Lee Stokes with art by legendary "good-girl" artist Matt Baker, who also illustrated most of the legendary Fox Comics Phantom Lady series (which we ran HERE).
Stokes was a pulp/paperback writer specializing in mystery and action.
His only comic book work was for various strips in Seven Seas Comics.
This strip ran for all six issues of Seven Seas Comics and some of the stories have been reprinted, usually renaming the heroine or changing the story title.
When it was reprinted in the 1950s, the heroine's name was changed to "Vooda", and her bare midriff was covered both on the new cover art and the modified story pages...
When it was reprinted in the 1960s, she was once more "Alani" and her tummy was uncovered...
...but not on the new cover art by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito!
Be here next week, when we present another tale of classic comic grrl power!

Friday, November 22, 2013

DIANA THE HUNTRESS "Anthem of Freedom"

Long before Katniss Everdeen notched arrow to bowstring...
...the original archer heroine was making her mark in pop culture during comics' Golden Age...
As we pointed out in Diana's "origin" story HERE, the authors mixed their Greek and Roman pantheons, but did utilize the correct powers and abilities for the gods and goddesses they used!
Though the writer of this story from Charlton's YellowJacket Comics #6 (1944) is unknown, the artist is long-time pulp and comic book illustrator Leo Morey.
There'll be more never-reprinted tales of Diana the Huntress in the future.
Watch for them!

Friday, November 15, 2013

BOY EXPLORERS "Isle Where Women Rule" Conclusion

We Have Already Seen...
Now let's continue this Golden Age tale about "feminazis", as Rush Limbaugh would call them..
Where the Amazons of Wonder Woman were kind and loving, wanting to help Mankind, these women embody the worst stereotypes of "strong women", feared by men of the era!
The Boy Explorers were typical of the "kid gang" strips of the era, combining a group of stereotypes (tough Brooklyn/Bronx or hillbilly urchin, glasses-wearing intellectual, annoying little-brother type, and a "typical" American boy) along with an adult mentor.
The plots ranged from fighting crooks and enemy spies in their neighborhood to travelling to exotic locations.
(This particular group is taking an around-the-world cruise.)
This never-reprinted tale from the back of Harvey's Terry and the Pirates Comics #4 (1947) was written and illustrated by the team of Joe Simon & Jack Kirby (who created the genre), this tale came out at the end of the concept's popularity, when stories became more and more outrageous to hold the waning audience's interest!
BTW, our "sister" blog, True Love Comics Tales presented a Womens-Lib era variation on the concept, which you can read HERE!

Friday, November 8, 2013

BOY EXPLORERS "Isle Where Women Rule" Part 1

Is this tale reponsible for Rush Limbaugh's "feminazi" fantasies?
This never-reprinted story from Harvey's Terry and the Pirates Comics #3 (1947), typlifies the adolecent male mindset from his childhood (which he apparently hasn't outgrown)...
Where the Amazons of Wonder Woman were kind and loving, wanting to help Mankind, these women embody the worst stereotypes of "strong women", feared by men of the era!
The Boy Explorers were typical of the "kid gang" strips of the era, combining a group of stereotypes (tough Brooklyn/Bronx or hillbilly urchin, glasses-wearing intellectual, annoying little-brother type, and a "typical" American boy) along with an adult mentor.
The plots ranged from fighting crooks and enemy spies in their neighborhood to travelling to exotic locations.
(This particular group is taking an around-the-world cruise.)
Written and illustrated by the team of Joe Simon & Jack Kirby (who created the genre), this tale came out at the end of the concept's popularity, when stories became more and more outrageous to hold the waning audience's interest!
BTW, our "sister" blog, True Love Comics Tales presented a Womens-Lib era variation on the concept, which you can read HERE!

Friday, November 1, 2013

AGAR-AGAR "Over the Rainbow"

It's all been leading up to this...
...the big finale to the series, with a never-seen in America tale!
Don't worry about a synopsis!
Just enjoy!
Don't you just love a happy ending?
This final Agar-Agar story from Dracula #11 (1971) was written by Luis Gasca under the pen-name Sadko (which he also used as the scripter on Wolff, another strip in Dracula, illustrated by Estaban Maroto, which we're running in Hero Histories™) and illustrated in a Peter Max-esque style by Alberto Solsona..

It's been a groovy trip, baby!
Be here next week, when we present another tale of classic comic grrl power!