Ol' Groove's Request Line: "The Skull of the Lizard-Man!" by Moench and Hama

What it is, Groove-philes! Ever since Ol' Groove ran a post about the far-out art Russ Heath provided for Doug Moench's script for Ka-Zar #12 (which you can read here), Groove-dom assembled has been clamoring for the conclusion to Moench's cataclysmic cliff-hanger. Well, Ol' Groove has heard your cry, baby! Here's the soul-searing conclusion of Moench's savage saga, "The Skull of the Lizard-Man!", with art by Larry (Wulf the Barbarian) Hama and Fred Kida from Ka-Zar #13 (November 1975). Enjoy!

Cover by Rich Buckler and Klaus Janson

(Mucho thanks to Fett!! for the sensational scans!)

Black and White Wednesday: "Cold Cuts" by Wrightson and Jones

Greetings, my Groovy Ghoulies! Here's a creepy classic featuring one dyn-o-mite collaboration! "Cold Cuts" is written by our fave macabre artist Bernie Wrightson (then Berni Wrightson) with art by Studio mate Jeffrey Jones. Gritty, gruesome, and of course, gorgeously illustrated, here it is, from Creepy #91 (cover-dated August 1977)!

The Boys from Derby: "The Energy Crisis!" by Cuti and Staton

Just imagine, Groove-ophiles! Turmoil in the Middle East! Soaring gasoline prices! Economy on the ropes! Is Ol' Groove turning Groove City over to the Associated Press? Nope! I'm taking ya back to 1974, baby! The same jive we put up with now, we put up with then--the big difference is how we handle it. Comics don't spend much time tackling the really heavy issues now'days, but during the Groovy Age it was hip to be relevant. Even a fun comic like E-Man would find a way to work in a message ish, like #3's (March 1974) "The Energy Crisis!"

Not only did creators Nick Cuti and Joe Staton use this ish to turn us on to the importance of taking care of our environment (or as the young'uns today would call it, "going green"), but they introduced us to some new supporting characters who would play important roles in upcoming issues. Nova Kane's co-worker and pal Rosie, our fave P.I. Mike Mauser, and the villain of our piece, Samuel Boar. Ol' Groove's already rapped about Mauser, and you'll be seeing the importance of Rosie and Boar in future Boys from Derby posts. Until then, enjoy the show!

Bring on the Back-Ups: "Case of the Dead-On Target!" by Frank Robbins

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Here's a cool tale you may have forgotten featuring minor Batman Family member Jason Bard. "Case of the Dead-On Target!" from Detective Comics #435 (March 1973) is probably Ol' Groove's favorite Bard featurette 'cause it's not only written by co-creator Frank Robbins but also drawn by Robbins in that funky modernized Golden Age style that remains controversial to this day. Check it out!

Sunday Funnies: "Family's Feud" by Howard Nostrand

Admit it, Groove-ophiles--if you had a TV back in the mid-to-late 70s, you were addicted to Family Feud. That Richard Dawson-hosted Match Game spin-off took the game show world by storm, lasting well into the 80s, and rising again, and again, phoenix-like decade after decade. If you have GSN, you no doubt realize that the original version is the bomb-diggety. Dawson, smooching every lady contestant in sight, thumbs in his vest-pockets, doing his best to be nice when he really wanted to bop some of those nutty contestants is unlike any other game show ever. Naturally, The Feud was a pop-phenomenon, which means that our fave humor mags poked fun at it in their pages. Howard Nostrand's "Family's Feud" from Cracked #154 (cover-dated October 1978) looks great and does a fine job of skewering the sillier aspects of that classic show. On your mark! Let's start..."The Family's Feud"!