Hey, Kids! Comics from 50 Years Ago!
March 31, & April 1-2, 1970
Groovy Age Splash Page of the Week
Groovy Age Spotlight On...
Blue Moon Comics' Diversions!
Okay, Groove-ophiles! Yers trooly has behaved long enough! It's time for some braggin', horn tootin', and pluggin'! I'm sure you've noticed the big ol' Blue Moon logo that's been hangin' out on the top right-hand side of the blog (It's a link to the Blue Moon Comics website, ya know). You've no doubt had your eye caught by the colorful JW Erwin Diversions cover(s) just below that logo (links to Drivethru Comics and IndyPlanet where you can order copies of Diversions). Maybe you've clicked on the logo or covers (if you have, many, many thanks) or maybe you've resisted the temptation. May Ol' Groove ask that you resist no more?
Ya see, Blue Moon Comics in general and Diversions in particular is a labor of love that's been a long time comin' for Ol' Groove. A lot of you probably know that in the late 90s/early 2000s I published a couple dozen small press comics under the Blue Moon label. They were homemade and sold via mail-order during the fledgling days of the interwebs. The folks who got 'em dug 'em, but time marched on and Blue Moon faded away. At least, for a while.
Ol' Groove scratched his comics writing itch for a spell by writing about comics here on DotGK, but in time, opportunities started cropping up that allowed me to write some comics stories for a variety of wonderful small press/indy publishers like The Creeps, Will Lill, Surprising, Lucky, and Golden Era. No doubt, you've seen those mags displayed on the right sidebar over the last few years, as well. I've had a great time writing for those folks. Still do some writing for some of 'em! In fact, I have a story coming out in the next issue of The Creeps (#25)--but more on that at a later date!
But the stars have finally aligned so that I could get back into publishing my own comics. I dusted off my old Blue Moon label and didn't have to think twice about the title for my flagship title: Diversions! What else would I call my package of brand new comics whose goal is to recapture the fun and freewheeling spirit of the Groovy Age?
Diversions (The Comic) is a 24 page black and white anthology comic in which I hope to explore most every comics genre we love. In the first issue we have a street-level superhero (Night Spider), a fighting female seeking revenge in the Old West (Guns & Rosa), and a short science fantasy shocker (Other Worlds: "King of the Hill!")! We have more superheroes in the works, but we also have sword and sorcery, horror/mystery, kid's adventure/humor, and so much more. My goal is to make each issue feel like a trip to a Groovy Age spinner rack with its variety of genres and artistic styles!
The artists I'm lucky enough to work with on Diversions, JW Erwin, Joe Koziarsky, David Johnson Jr., Greg Rieves, the late Donnie Page, and others, are true pros! They're talented storytellers and stylists who love making comics as much as I do. As you can see by the samples sprinkled throughout this post, they pour 100% of their titanic talents into every panel!
Diversions #1 is ON SALE NOW, and Ol' Groove really hopes you'll give it a try! You can get .pdf copies at DriveThru Comics, digital copies at IndyPlanet--and you can also pre-order PRINT copies at IndyPlanet (which they'll send out as soon as their state-mandated "stay-at-home" order is lifted ). I and my artistic pals plan on continuing to create cool content for Diversions over the long haul (we're already working on enough material for at least three more issues, with plans for lots more!), so get in on the ground floor and grab a copy (digital or print) of the first ish right away! Ol' Groove would sure appreciate the support!
Blue Moon Comics' Diversions!
Okay, Groove-ophiles! Yers trooly has behaved long enough! It's time for some braggin', horn tootin', and pluggin'! I'm sure you've noticed the big ol' Blue Moon logo that's been hangin' out on the top right-hand side of the blog (It's a link to the Blue Moon Comics website, ya know). You've no doubt had your eye caught by the colorful JW Erwin Diversions cover(s) just below that logo (links to Drivethru Comics and IndyPlanet where you can order copies of Diversions). Maybe you've clicked on the logo or covers (if you have, many, many thanks) or maybe you've resisted the temptation. May Ol' Groove ask that you resist no more?
Ya see, Blue Moon Comics in general and Diversions in particular is a labor of love that's been a long time comin' for Ol' Groove. A lot of you probably know that in the late 90s/early 2000s I published a couple dozen small press comics under the Blue Moon label. They were homemade and sold via mail-order during the fledgling days of the interwebs. The folks who got 'em dug 'em, but time marched on and Blue Moon faded away. At least, for a while.
Ol' Groove scratched his comics writing itch for a spell by writing about comics here on DotGK, but in time, opportunities started cropping up that allowed me to write some comics stories for a variety of wonderful small press/indy publishers like The Creeps, Will Lill, Surprising, Lucky, and Golden Era. No doubt, you've seen those mags displayed on the right sidebar over the last few years, as well. I've had a great time writing for those folks. Still do some writing for some of 'em! In fact, I have a story coming out in the next issue of The Creeps (#25)--but more on that at a later date!
 |
| Night Spider art by JW Erwin |
But the stars have finally aligned so that I could get back into publishing my own comics. I dusted off my old Blue Moon label and didn't have to think twice about the title for my flagship title: Diversions! What else would I call my package of brand new comics whose goal is to recapture the fun and freewheeling spirit of the Groovy Age?
Diversions (The Comic) is a 24 page black and white anthology comic in which I hope to explore most every comics genre we love. In the first issue we have a street-level superhero (Night Spider), a fighting female seeking revenge in the Old West (Guns & Rosa), and a short science fantasy shocker (Other Worlds: "King of the Hill!")! We have more superheroes in the works, but we also have sword and sorcery, horror/mystery, kid's adventure/humor, and so much more. My goal is to make each issue feel like a trip to a Groovy Age spinner rack with its variety of genres and artistic styles!
 |
| "King of the Hill" art by Donnie Page and Ken McFarlane |
The artists I'm lucky enough to work with on Diversions, JW Erwin, Joe Koziarsky, David Johnson Jr., Greg Rieves, the late Donnie Page, and others, are true pros! They're talented storytellers and stylists who love making comics as much as I do. As you can see by the samples sprinkled throughout this post, they pour 100% of their titanic talents into every panel!
 |
| Guns & Rosa art by Joe Koziarski |
Diversions #1 is ON SALE NOW, and Ol' Groove really hopes you'll give it a try! You can get .pdf copies at DriveThru Comics, digital copies at IndyPlanet--and you can also pre-order PRINT copies at IndyPlanet (which they'll send out as soon as their state-mandated "stay-at-home" order is lifted ). I and my artistic pals plan on continuing to create cool content for Diversions over the long haul (we're already working on enough material for at least three more issues, with plans for lots more!), so get in on the ground floor and grab a copy (digital or print) of the first ish right away! Ol' Groove would sure appreciate the support!
 |
| Cover art by JW Erwin |
I had the Josie and the Pussycats, B&V, Betty and Me, and Life with Archie issues. I think I still have that Life with Archie.
ReplyDeleteChallengers of the Unknown #74 has a great Neal Adam's cover and an eight page sequence with Deadman & the Challs, followed by a one page Wrightson story that really belonged in House of Mystery or one of its sister titles.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Berni, he did an atmospheric story in Unexpected #118 called "Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, Who's the Deadliest of Them All." Nice Nick Cardy cover.
I owned that Superboy issue! Great Neal Adams cover & fun story inside.
Regards,
Chris A.
I normally dislike those split in half cover images, but Joe Kubert made it work on Sgt. Rock 220!
ReplyDeleteGene Poole
Sorry, Groove, but those Charlton covers are all kinds of >>blecch<< to me. Really bland, unimaginative and with terrible design to boot. There are so many more great Marvel and DC covers you could have posted instead.
ReplyDelete- Neil
Um. Nooo...the covers I posted were the only books published during that particular week 50 years ago. I'm not picking and choosing the covers, I'm posting covers of all the books that actually came out on the racks on the dates listed. The 50 Years Ago posts are historical, not my personal choices. Sorry for the confusion.
DeleteThat's surprising! Seems Charlton flooded the market that week. Whodathunk?
Delete- Neil
I've noticed since I started this new format that Charlton really unloaded a lot of titles during the first week or so of the month. Archie put out a lot, too, but it almost looked like Charlton tried to grab as much space as they could when each month started.
DeleteMaybe that was their distribution deal and they released the entire line on the first week of every month.
Delete- Neil
Good theory. May have to check with my pal and Charlton guru Mort Todd about that!
DeleteCharlton was founded by two men who met in prison(!)----John Santangelo & Ed Levy.
DeleteTrue story.
Regards,
Chris A.
I think it was pretty well known that Charlton was mobbed up. Check out all the Italian names associated with them (I'm Sicilian. I can say that. Lol).
DeleteYou certainly are the arbiter of what should and shouldn't get posted! Charlton occupied a unique niche in comics publishing and collecting. I liked their publications including the covers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, keythd23. I'm sure Neil's original comments were shared with the best of intentions. It is quite interesting to note how Charlton (and Archie, if we look really closely) churn out the mags earliest in the month.
DeleteNice to see that wonderful James Sherman LSH splash page again, he was a great artist. Does anyone know what happened to him after his run on LSH etc did he stay in comics as I can't recall seeing his work in decades. Incidentally I don't think Indy Planet post books out to the UK (not into digital downloads I'm afraid)
ReplyDeleteMcSCOTTY, From what I've been able to glean, Sherman went into commercial art sometime in the 90s. He's credited with designing the ShopRite grocery chain's logo. As for IndyPlanet (thanks for acknowledging Diversions, by the way, 'tis appreciated), they do ship to the UK, but their shipping is pricey. I plan on putting out a couple more publications very shortly, though, which would help alleviate the cost of shipping (they can ship a few books for the price of one, usually). Or, if you're interested, e-mail me directly (thegroovyagent@yahoo.com). I have a few copies and as long as they don't shut down international mail service due to the pandemic, perhaps we can work out a way for me to send you one of mine. :D
DeleteI know that James Sherman did some work on the Flash Gordon strip, with Bruce Jones scripting, but it could have been in the '80s. Not sure.
DeleteGene Poole
I think he soured on the industry due to some unpleasant experiences he encountered from Archie after its Fly relaunch in the 80s. Also he was less than pleased by the inking he received from Jack Abel on the Challs series in Super-Team Family. I met him at a few conventions he was at when I lived in NYC. Nice man. He also did a fill-in of the Silver Surfer (39) in Volume 3 of that title.
DeleteIt's amazing how many great artists had brief comics careers, whereas others hung in there for many decades.
DeleteMost fans of The Studio artists (Wrightson, Jones, Kaluta, & Windsor-Smith) don't know the work of their friend Steve Harper. He was similar in some regards to Jeff Jones in approach, and was inked by Neal Adams in Weird War #8 in 1972 and inked by Mike Kaluta in Star Spangled War Stories in 1976. Harper left comics to do landscape paintings in New Mexico over 40 years ago.
There are others like him that I could cite from the Groovy Age.
Regards,
Chris A.
And I will!
DeleteCanadian artist Bill Payne. Per his bio at Lambiek, he drew comic strips in Toronto:
https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/payne_bill.htm
Here, after Berni Wrightson's superb cover and frontispiece, is a story drawn by Bill vom/read/comic-house-of-mystery-1951-eng/207
I've only seen one other one he did for HOM, and it seems he only did a handful for DC.
Another great, unsung talent!
Regards,
Chris A.
How about Sandy Plunkett? He was part of the Crusty Bunkers in Neal Adams' Continuity Associates in the '70s, but seemed to make quite an impression in 1983 when he pencilled a story in Marvel Fanfare #6 with Spider-Man and the Scsrlet Witch. The villain was the same one in Ditko's Spidey-Dr. Strange teamup in a 1965 Spider-Man annual, and Plunkett's work is evidently a tribute to that, though he has quite a bit of Jeff Jones influence in his drawing. P. Craig Russell provided the inks.
DeleteThough Sandy had been doing comics work since 1975 and as recently as 2012 this 1983 effort seems to be his most acclaimed. Have a look at a page:
https://coolpages.tumblr.com/post/153399582764/marvel-fanfare-6-switch-witch-marvel-comics/amp
I'm told he was very slow in producing pages, so mainstream comics wasn't really for him (similar to Mark Schultz of Xenozoic Tales who has since turned to scripting).
Regards,
Chris A.