Random Reads: "The Lurker Within" by Warner and Boyette

What it is, Groove-ophiles! No, it's not "cavemen week", just a coincidence that Bloodstone is showing up the day after Kong the Untamed. It's been a looooooooong time since we looked at the color incarnation of John Warner's immortal hero, Ulysses Bloodstone, so Ol' Groove thought today would be the perfect day to read the second part of Bloodstone's debut from Marvel Presents #1 (July 1975--another coincidence--it's not July 1975 week, either). Oh, and you can read part one here and Bloodstone's history here. We'll wait...

You're back? Okay, then, here's "The Lurker Within" by John Warner and Pat Boyette!

Ol' Groove's Request Line: "The Caves of Doom" by Oleck, Conway, and Alcala

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Recently, Groove-ophile John R. e-mailed Ol' Groove with a request for Kong the Untamed #3, so here 'tis! Kong #3 (July 1975) was a transitional issue. Former cover artist Bernie Wrightson was gone, with Bill Druat covering ish 3. Writer Jack Oleck was out, only plotting this issue, as scripter Gerry Conway would take over the full writing chores next issue. The major blow would be finding out that this would be artist Alfredo Alcala's last ish. Keeping a creative team on a series back in the Groovy Age was a tough job. Seems like every two or three issues part or all of the creative team would disappear, often to be replaced with someone whose style was nowhere near the former creator's. Was a weird world, but it made for some interesting stories (both between and behind the covers)! Okay, John and everyone else who's interested, let's check out "The Caves of Doom" by Jack Oleck, Gerry Conway, and Alfredo Alcala!

And remember, if you wanna make a request, just click the Groov-E-Mail icon and lay it on me!

Charlton Arrow Week! "The Challenge of Mata Zin" by Fred Himes

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! It's Charlton Arrow Week here on the Diversions! I know this is kinda different--and yeah, call it a week's worth of plugs if you want--but I think Fester Faceplant and the Gang behind the new Charlton Arrow comic deserve all the plugs and kudos they can get! I mean, to Ol' Groove, gathering a group of fans and pros to revive Charlton Comics (or as close as legally possible) is a task worthy of great praise! To think that pros like Paul (Life With Archie) Kupperberg, Roger (Captain America, Daredevil) McKenzie, Joe (E-Man, Dick Tracy) Staton, Rick Stasi, Lou Mougin, Mort Todd, and so many others would join such an enterprise out of sheer love for Charlton Comics makes it a mag above and beyond wanting. It's a mag we need! If you don't have a copy (first printing is sold out!!), go here right now and get a copy (Not sold in stores!). Aaaaaand get ready to order ish #2 which promises to be even better (E-Man by Nick Cuti and Joe Staton, anyone?)!

One thing Charlton was well known for back during the Groovy Age was their licensed comics. They licensed newspaper comic strips, TV shows, TV cartoon shows, pop stars, you name it. In 1974/1975, dinosaurs and cavemen seemed to be poised to take over Saturday mornings. Land of the Lost on NBC. Korg, 70,000 B.C. on ABC. And Valley of the Dinosaurs on CBS. Today we're gonna check out Valley of the Dinosaurs #3 (April 1975). Fred Himes was awesome on this strip, as his "The Challenge of Mata Zin" should prove....