Merry Christmas, Groove-ophiles! Not only do we have (as promised) part two of the awesome Roy Thomas/Sal Buscema/Jim Mooney Titans Three Saga, but we have some little-seen classic tales from the amazing Detective Comics #500! Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a trio of barely-clad outcast heroes and detective-themed superheroes, right? When it's happening in Groove City--RIGHT ON!
When Young Groove got his hands on Sub-Mariner #35 (December 1970), second grade me was just starting to become enraptured by Mighty Marvel. This was the warm-up for Avengers #88, the mag that hooked me forever. Why is Ol' Groove rappin' about this mag in a Christmas post? 'Cause this is another of those (for me) legendary comics I picked up on the way home from Christmas play practice, baby! I read and re-read this mag pretty much every day leading up to Christmas--and many, many times after. Check it out...
Detective Comics #500 (December 1980) is a milestone, natch. An 84 page, square bound cornucopia of comicbook treasures. I have great memories of discovering the last copy on the spinner rack at my grandmother's local Piggly Wiggly (in Rose Hill Virginia). Man, I'm so glad she sent us to pick up an extra can of yams for our Christmas Feast! Anywho, I've shared the Walter (The Shadow) Gibson-penned prose-piece in the past (read it here), so I thought we'd share a couple more faves from that magnificent mag for this Christmas--both of 'em written by the late, great Len Wein. First is the legendary, Snoopy-inspired "Once Upon a Time..."
And finally, this cool tale teaming some of The Batman's non-super-hero back-up pals from the first five hundred issues of 'Tec, starring Slam Bradley with art by one of the all-time greatest Batman artists, Jim Aparo…"The 'Too Many Cooks' Caper!"
And here's an extra Christmas surprise--the gorgeous wrap-around cover and the story-behind-the-story of Detective Comics #500!
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Christmas' past with moi, Groove-ophiles! Better to spend time with Subby, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Batman, and Slam Bradley than those spooky ghosts that keep tracking Ebenezer Scrooge down year after year, right?
Oh, and it's not a Christmas post without a look at some presents from Ol' Groove's Christmas Present...
Hope you enjoy your day! Spend quality time with the ones you love, remember the Reason for the Season, and share the love all year long! Meeeeeeeerry Christmas! (See ya New Years Eve!)
When Young Groove got his hands on Sub-Mariner #35 (December 1970), second grade me was just starting to become enraptured by Mighty Marvel. This was the warm-up for Avengers #88, the mag that hooked me forever. Why is Ol' Groove rappin' about this mag in a Christmas post? 'Cause this is another of those (for me) legendary comics I picked up on the way home from Christmas play practice, baby! I read and re-read this mag pretty much every day leading up to Christmas--and many, many times after. Check it out...
Detective Comics #500 (December 1980) is a milestone, natch. An 84 page, square bound cornucopia of comicbook treasures. I have great memories of discovering the last copy on the spinner rack at my grandmother's local Piggly Wiggly (in Rose Hill Virginia). Man, I'm so glad she sent us to pick up an extra can of yams for our Christmas Feast! Anywho, I've shared the Walter (The Shadow) Gibson-penned prose-piece in the past (read it here), so I thought we'd share a couple more faves from that magnificent mag for this Christmas--both of 'em written by the late, great Len Wein. First is the legendary, Snoopy-inspired "Once Upon a Time..."
And finally, this cool tale teaming some of The Batman's non-super-hero back-up pals from the first five hundred issues of 'Tec, starring Slam Bradley with art by one of the all-time greatest Batman artists, Jim Aparo…"The 'Too Many Cooks' Caper!"
And here's an extra Christmas surprise--the gorgeous wrap-around cover and the story-behind-the-story of Detective Comics #500!
I hope you've enjoyed this visit to Christmas' past with moi, Groove-ophiles! Better to spend time with Subby, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Batman, and Slam Bradley than those spooky ghosts that keep tracking Ebenezer Scrooge down year after year, right?
Oh, and it's not a Christmas post without a look at some presents from Ol' Groove's Christmas Present...
Hope you enjoy your day! Spend quality time with the ones you love, remember the Reason for the Season, and share the love all year long! Meeeeeeeerry Christmas! (See ya New Years Eve!)
Titans Three! Ah that takes me back to my warm comfy days! This trio of outsiders was a natural and a wee bit later when Doc Strange got into the mix, it would breed one of Marvel's most successful Bronze Age comics. Sal's artwork is downright creamy with Mooney's lush inks, and the fanboy moments are rich. Great comics by great talents!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Rip Off
The reason for the season?
ReplyDeleteHere it is, scripted by Stan Lee, drawn by Joe Sinnott, before Timely and Atlas had become Marvel:
http://atocom.blogspot.com/2013/12/holiday-reading-room-bible-tales-for.html?m=1
Enjoy!
Chris A.
Or check this page out from The Mighty Thor 293 from March, 1980, written by Roy Thomas, penciled by Keith Pollard, and inked by Bob Layton.
Deletehttp://api.ning.com/files/GAt6ovdCmToKBq0bGYw-UlRnK749ofyeXN*mn3AlENTZzU2E*Yw-YmolaBFAC3-Ns8leNg9N9n*LM2VtgylGepHn4LtsBJsW/1225thor293.jpg
Gene Poole
Rose Hill, VA? That's just over the hills from Blackwater, Sneedville, and Rogersville...
ReplyDeleteNo slight against anything else in this post, but that Simonson/Wein two-pager is great. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA bit late to wish you a happy Christmas as where I am its already the early hours of the 27th, so have a good New Year Groove.
-sean
In the "Peanuts" comic strip Snoopy would sit at his typewriter, working on the great American novel, always starting with, "It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly a shot rang out..."
Delete- Neil
Thanks for the Christmas post! Always great to see anything by Aparo. I had completely forgotten about this gem!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Groove!
ReplyDeleteI noticed the Galaga machine up there.
Let it be known by all mortals who read this blog, that I am the Galaga Champion of all time and all realities. I cannot be defeated or even competed with.
Let all bow down and despair. I have spoken.
M.P.
I used to play Galaxian before it became Galaga.
DeleteGene Poole
Galaxian is on there too. It's torture!!! lol!!
DeleteGalaxian, Like Space Invaders, is merely the first stage in becoming Master of the Galaga Arts, Grasshopper.
DeleteYou are not a Jedi yet!
M.P.
Dunno if I ever will be, lol! But it's fun trying! :D
DeleteGreat post Groove! Wish I'd read that Sub-mariner tale, it looks fantastic. And that Detective blockbuster is one of the best 'Anniversary' issues ever.
ReplyDeleteI envy you that Galaga machine! Soooooo many quarters chunked into that game back when.
Sorry so late to the table; hope your Christmas was merry and that your New Year will be happy!