Happy Birthday, Stan!

Today is Stan "The Man" Lee's birthday, Groove-ophiles, and Ol' Groove is sure you'll all join me in wishing him a very happy 88th. We all know that Stan is one of the greatest creators, writers, editors, and all-around cool pop icons of all time. We've all grooved to his cosmic sagas in mags like Fantastic Four and Thor. We've been awed by his wall-to-wall action tales for heroes like Daredevil and Captain America. We've even shed a tear or twelve with Spider-Man or the Silver Surfer. But one area of Stan's skills is often given the short-end, and that's his humor. I love his corny, self-deprecating style, m'self. Of course, it always helps that Stan manages to team up with just the right co-creator/artist on his endeavors (Jack "King" Kirby on FF, Thor, and Cap; Gene Colan on DD; Steve Ditko and John Romita on Spidey; John Buscema on Silver Surfer, for those of you from Outer Slobbovia). When Stan came up with his earth-shattering single-panel gag strip, "My Son the Super-Hero" he teamed with humor artist supreme Marie Severin. What? You never heard of "My Son the Super-Hero"? Huh. Mebbe it's 'cause Stan and Marie never sold the strip to any newspaper syndicates. A shame, too, 'cause it was a hoot. I know this 'cause Marvel dug it up and presented a few sample strips in FOOM Magazine. Ya wanna see 'em?

Okay, it's not Krazy Kat, or Pogo, or even Frank and Ernest, but hey, it's Stan and Marie and super-heroes, baby! C'mon, you know you giggled...

Ah, well, I tried Stan! Happy Birthday, anyway--we love ya! You'll always be The Man!! (Mebbe I should'a run some Millie the Model...?)

Bring On the Back-Ups: "Television Told the Tale!" by Kanigher, Infantino, and Sachs

Ol' Groove hopes you enjoyed your Christmas holiday, gang--now we're headed toward a brand new year! Before we start that party, let's take a quick trip to the Golden Age via the Groovy Age! Is that possible? Sure it is! Every once in a while, the editors at DC would dig up an old, unpublished Golden Age tale and publish it in the back of one of their Groovy Age mags. Sometimes it would only be parts of the story (what had survived the ravages of time), sometimes, as with today's post, we were lucky enough to get entire forgotten masterpieces. Adventure Comics #399 (August 1970) boasted this previously-unpublished Black Canary story by the classic Canary team of Bob Kanigher, Carmine Infantino, and Bernard Sachs. Young Groove really, really dug Infantino/Sachs' very Milt Caniff style on "Television Told the Tale!" Still do, in fact! How 'bout you?

Archie and the Gang's Christmas Cards

Merry Day-After-Christmas, Groove-ophiles! Just a quick post to wish you a continued best holiday ever this weekend! Here's a little extra Christmas cheer starring Archie, Betty, and Veronica!

12 Days of Christmas 2010! Step into Christmas with Archie and the Gang

Merry Christmas, Groove-ophiles! It's Ol' Groove's fave day of the year, and I sure am glad you've stopped by to share a part of this special time with me. More than anything else, this day is about love, and when it comes to love and knowing what the Spirit of Christmas is, Archie and the gang sure know where it's at. Just check out this quartet of holiday tales. They'll make you laugh, make you think, and maybe even bring a tear to your eye. Yeah, it's a little sentimental and old fashioned, but who cares? It's Christmas, baby!
We'll kick things off with Miss Beazley who learns how easily putting a little love in your heart spreads love to those around you. From Archie Giant Series (aka Archie's Christmas Love-In) #192 (1971) here's "The Missing Ingredient"...


Jughead's best friend Hot Dog finds out that it's better to give than receive in "Canine Convert" from Archie Giant Series (better known as Archie's Christmas Stocking) #203 (1972)...


Even a Scrooge like Mr. Lodge can find a heart during Christmas. Just dig "Run for the Hills" from Archie Giant Series (aka Archie's Christmas Stocking) #216 (1973)...


And finally, in Archie Giant Series (another Archie's Christmas Love-In) #205 (1972), Archie and the whole gang learn what Christmas is really all about. Don't let the title fool ya, "Blizzard Wizard" is where it's at!


Ol' Groove hopes you've enjoyed your time in Groove City this Christmas. Here's wishing all of you real Peace and Love. Not for just today, but for every day! Feliz Navidad!

12 Days of Christmas 2010! A Christmas Carol by Moench and D. Hands

Merry Christmas, Groove-ophiles! Christmas Eve 2010--who'da thunk? Here's wishing you all the best for the holidays and a great-big Dating Game style "mmmmm-wha!" for hanging out with Ol' Groove. To make this special day extra special, here's none other than Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol from Marvel Classics Comics #36 (cover-dated 1978--I s'pose each ish was s'posed to stay on sale all year long...). The story was adapted by the mega-talented Doug Moench who did a heckuvva job condensing the whole novel into a mere 48 pages. The art is credited to Diverse Hands, which was a moniker (coined by Jim Shooter?) that meant the art-credit went to whatever army of Bullpenners was handy at the time. I'd love to know specifically who-did-what, but nailing it all down, especially the inks, is far beyond my meager skills. Mayhap there's a Groove-ophile out there who can help us out? Or even a Groovy Age Bullpenner or three who might have some first-hand knowledge?

Anyway, it's a fine adaptation of a tale cherished by millions. Enjoy, and again, Merry Christmas, Groove-ophiles!