Groove's Faves: "Today Mars, Tomorrow...the Universe!" by Haney, Swan, and Anderson

Check it out, Groove-ophiles! Today we're gonna take a look at the grand finale of Denny O'Neil, Michael Netzer (Mike Nasser), and Terry Austin's Manhunter from Mars epic that ran in Adventure Comics 449-451! Thing is, "Today Mars, Tomorrow...the Universe!" is written by Bob Haney with art by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson! Wha hoppen? Wish Ol' Groove could tell ya, but the comix biz has always been kinda weird about who's writing and drawing what--especially back in the Groovy Age. Writer Denny O'Neil was the story editor for this particular ish of World's Finest (#245, March 1977, to be precise), so one can only assume he made sure Haney ended the saga the way it was intended. And as much as Ol' Groove loves the Swanderson art team, it sure would've been cool if Netzer and Austin had done the art here. Ah, well, at least we had 'em for the Green Arrow and Black Canary back-ups in this self-same ish! Oh, yeah, did Ol' Groove mention that Superman and Batman star in this here conclusion?

Cover art by Neal Adams

Bring On the Back-ups: "The Suspects" by O'Neil, Netzer, and Austin

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! It's chapter three of Denny O'Neil, Michael Netzer (Mike Nasser), and Terry Austin's Manhunter from Mars back-up in Adventure Comics. This time, Hawkman and Hawkwoman are..."The Suspects" from Adventure #451 (February 1977)! Wouldn't ya have just loved to have seen Netzer and Austin tackle some Hawkman tales? Like, WOW!

Did'ja read the blurb at the bottom of the last page? Be on the look-out for the full-length and fab finale coming soon!

Bring On the Back-ups: "Return to Destiny" by O'Neil, Netzer, and Austin

Season's Greetings, Groove-ophiles! A couple'a weeks ago, we dug on the first chapter of Denny O'Neil, Michael Netzer (then Mike Nasser), and Terry Austin's mighty Martian Manhunter mini-epic (right here). Today we're gonna check out the second sensational chapter, this one guest-starring Supergirl! A sci-fi murder mystery with totally cool, unique, and awesome art? Yeah, baby, that's what we've got right here! From Adventure Comics #450 (December 1976), here is "Return to Destiny"!

Bring On the Back-ups: "Mission Catch a Killer" by O'Neil, Netzer, and Austin

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Ol' Groove is comin' at ya with another rarity--the J'onn J'onzz, the Manhunter from Mars mini-series/back-up from Adventure Comics #449-451 (October 1976-February 1977) and the pulse-pounding conclusion from World's Finest Comics #245 (March 1977). No, Irving, we're not running them all today! We've gotta have something to keep you coming back, don't we? We're gonna start with the first chapter, "Mission Catch a Killer" by Denny O'Neil, Michael Netzer (as Mike Nasser), and Terry Austin, and keep 'em coming for the next few weeks. Man, don't'cha just dig that Netzer/Austin art?

Stay on your toes, Groove-ophiles! Chapter 2, guest-starring Supergirl will head your way soon!