Random Reads: "The Man Who Cheated Destiny" by Klein, Von Eeden, and Simons

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! Here's a rare script by ace letterer Todd Klein for Secrets of Haunted House #25 (March 1980), "The Man Who Cheated Destiny!" Another cool and rare thing about this story is that Haunted House's host Destiny plays an active role. Also, it's got fabamundo art by Trevor Von Eeden and Dave Simons. What's not to love?

Black and White Wednesday: 1973 FOOM Character Contest

What it is, Groove-ophiles! Jaunty Jim Steranko mentioned it in his editorial in FOOM Magazine #1, but it wasn't until getting the second ish that Young Groove realized that Marvel was really serious about their FOOM Character Contest. All'a those cool looking characters other FOOMers were coming up with spurred me into creating...Bird Boy! Thankfully, Marvel was merciful as well as mighty, and didn't run my illegible illo (complete with traced Neal Adams Robin head! Though they did include my name in the contestants list in FOOM #3...)

Bet you'd like to see all of those cool creations the elite of Marveldom Assembled concocted for FOOM numbers 2-4, wouldn't ya? As ever, Ol' Groove aims to please...

Winner Mike Barreiro had to wait a little longer than expected for his character Humus Sapiens to make his debut...28 years, in fact! Yep, though Humus Sapiens won the 1973 contest, he didn't appear in a Marvel comic until 2001...and even then, it wasn't in X-Men, but Thunderbolts, and as Humus Sapien, sans the "s" at the end of his monicker. Dunno much about the character, but his power must be super-patience...

Did'ja notice there is a character in there by the name of Wolverine? And check out the background depicting his origin. Makes ya go, "hmmm", huh?

And did you catch some of those contestants' names? Are they who we think they are? Steve Rude? Trevor von Eeden? Rich Larson? Grant Miehm? Mike Chen? Dough Hazlewood? Bill Morrison? Steve Saffel? And who did I miss? Any of you Groove-ophiles represented in those pages?

Groove's Faves: "Nothing but a Man" by Maggin and Von Eeden

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Today's post digs up yet another far-out tale from the Files of the Forgotten, the scintillating sequel to Elliot S! Maggin's legendary "What Can One Man Do?" from Green Lantern/Green Arrow #87 (September 1971). That tale, based on a term paper Maggin had written his junior year of college, catapulted the young writer into super-stardom, landing him a permanent place in editor Julie Schwartz's stable where he'd become a semi-regular on Superman, Action, and other DC comics. Lots of folks remember that story because of its stark-realism, superbly illustrated by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. I know it really grabbed Young Groove, Green Arrow's experience in a race-riot and struggle with whether or not to serve as Star City's mayor forced me to think about things like tolerance, justice, and public service. It's been reprinted many times, most recently in one of DC's mammoth Showcase editions. 'Tis the definition of a classic.

Few, sadly, remember Maggin's stunning sequel, "Nothing but a Man" from World's Finest #255 (November 1978), in which G.A. (as Oliver Queen, natch) finally does run for mayor. Again, the story is superbly written, fraught with realism and pathos, thought-provoking, and yes, painful in its frankness. While the art by a teen-aged Trevor Von Eeden packed a punch, much of the realism was drained from it by Vinnie Colletta's feathery, cartoony inks. If a 20-something Von Eeden had drawn this baby, t'would have definitely made fandom stand up and take notice. Still, "Nothing but a Man" deserves much more attention that it will ever get. And here's why...

Famous First Fridays: Black Lightning

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Today's Famous First is a two-in-one. When Black Lightning hit the stands in January, 1977, the mag was not only the first issue of the first DC mag to be headlined by a black character, but it was also the first professional comicbook to be drawn by the awe-inspiring Trevor Von Eeden. Now, admittedly, Von Eeden's pencils for BL #1 aren't yet up to the levels of magnificence he'd reach during the 80s, but considering they're the first pro work of a 17 year old, he not only holds his own with his circa 1977 peers, but surpasses many of them (just dig page 13--that is one inspired piece of storytelling, and it's an excellent indicator of how great Von Eeden would become). Now, normally this is where I'd go into a deep and detailed behind-the-scenes/history of Black Lightning, but since Mr. Von Eeden, himself, has a magnificently written and profusely illustrated (dig those early character designs!) web page that covers it all first hand, Ol' Groove will contain himself and direct you there. And if you're interested in Von Eeden's bio, or seeing more samples of his art (spend extra time on his Batman and Green Arrow samples--they rock hard, man!) Trevor Von Eeden's Official Web-Site is a great place to spend some quality comicbook time! Meantime, check out today's Diversion--Black Lightning #1, written by BL creator Tony Isabella penciled by (duh!) Trevor Von Eeden, and inked by Frank Springer!


Black Lightning's mag lasted only 11 issues. After that, he could be found hidden in a Dollar Comics issue of Detective or World's Finest. He spent a big chunk of the 80s as a member of The Outsiders and enjoyed a short revival of his own title in the 90s. Today he's a member of the JLA while his progeny hang out with teams like The Outsiders and JSA. What Ol' Groove can't figure out is with Trevor Von Eeden still alive, well, willing, able, and even more talented than ever...why aren't he and Black Lightning reunited in a brand new mag? Why DC? Why?