Topps and Marvel Stick(er) Together: The 1975/76 Marvel Super Hero Sticker Sets Part 2

Better late than never, Groove-ophiles! Way back in September '08, we rapped (wrapped?) about the way too corny and cool Marvel/Topps bubblegum/sticker sets. Well, finally, here is Ol' Groove sharing the second set of those sensational and superheroic stickers--along with the puzzle that went with the first set (since Ol' Groove shared the second puzzle with the first set). So, 1976 stickers and the 1975 puzzle--and if you're still puzzled, read all about the Marvel/Topps sticker sets here. Or better yet, just drool over the art and giggle over the cornball comedy that caused us Groovy Age kids to toss our dimes at the check-out ladies!

Happy 75th Birthday, Jim Steranko!

Since James Steranko is one of the of the Fathers of the Groovy Age, there's no way Ol' Groove could let his 75th birthday pass without a little bit of huzzah! Jim's comicbook art (you can see many samples if you just click his name over in the Stream of Comicbook Consciousness) helped create and then define the Groovy Age. His use of advertising and pop-art motifs in our four color fantasy worlds turned the whole comicbook industry on its ear and inspired--inspires--new generations of artists to this day. Young Groove grabbed every  comic with the name "Steranko" he could get his paws on, so, naturally, when Steranko's powerhouse paintings started appearing on the paperback racks, yers trooly hadda procure those for his own as well. While I never outgrew comics (as my teachers had hoped), I did "grow" enough to actually read "real" books like tons of Shadow reprints and the whole Weird Heroes series before high-school ended. Thank you, Mr. Steranko! You inspired me as a kid, and you continue to inspire me today in so many ways!!

Sunday Funnies: Mad About Happy Days

Two of Teen Groove's favorite pastimes, reading Mad magazine and watching Happy Days, together in one post. How's that for self-indulgent sharing? From Mad #187 (Cover dated December 1976), here's "Crappy Days" by Arnie Kogen and Angelo Torres. Enjoy, Groove-ophiles!

Science Fiction Theater Presents: Farewell to the Master

In a couple of weeks, there'll be millions of us flocking to the local theater to watch Keanu Reeves star in the remake of 1951's The Day the Earth Stood Still. Chances are, that film will bear even less resemblance to the the Harry Bates short story, "Farewell to the Master" (published in the October, 1940, issue of Astounding) than the original film.

In 1973, Roy Thomas read the original Bates short story, located the author to get permission to adapt the story into comicbook form, then teamed with penciller Ross Andru and inker Wayne Howard to create a more faithful adaptation of "Farewell to the Master" for Worlds Unknown #3 (June, 1973). Here's the behind-the-scenes skinny from writer/editor Thomas, himself:
Did Thomas and company accomplish their lofty goal of doing the story right? It's up to you to decide, Groove-ophile!