Sunday Funnies: "Well, I'll Be a Kotter's Uncle!" by Edelman, Oksner, and Estrada

Welcome back, Groove-ophiles! One of Young Groove's fave TV shows was Welcome Back, Kotter. Those silly Sweathogs and their equally trippy teacher tickled the old funny bone most every Thursday night. Evidently, the folks at DC who produced the Welcome Back, Kotter comic mag watched the show, too, 'cause the characters sounded right--something that didn't happen a lot in the world of licensed comics. Writer Scott Edelman really "got" Kotter, and proved it with WB,K #9's (October 1977) "Well, I'll Be a Kotter's Uncle!" The main running gag of the show, which kicked off and ended nearly every episode, was Kotter telling a funny story about an uncle or aunt. Edelman decided to build an entire story around Kotter's kooky relatives--and wrote a story that even tops what we saw on the show itself. The art by Bob Oksner and Ric Estrada captured the look of the show's characters and took things a bit over-the-top--but in a good way. Kick back and enjoy, Groove-ophiles. Don't be surprised if you find yourself saying, "Very impressive, Mr. Edelman!"

Making a Splash: Dave Cockrum's X-Men Part Two

Dave Cockrum finished up his first turn as X-Men artist with the following run of sensational splash-pages. (You can see his first batch of stunning splashes here.) His character and costume designs left an indelible mark on our favorite mutants, making them the hippest, most modern, most with-it heroes of the Groovy Age.  Ladies and gentlemen...X-Men #'s 101-107!

Dave's replacements were no slouches in the art department--the penciler/inker team of John Byrne and Terry Austin. They went on to a long run of highly-acclaimed (to put it mildly) issues before All-New, All-Different co-creator Dave would return post-Groovy Age to take our merry mutants to even greater heights.

Groove's Faves: "Sam Lomax, N.Y.P.D." by Younger, Sekowsky, and McWilliams

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Have ya picked up the new Atlas titles, Phoenix, Grim Ghost, and Wulf yet? Ol' Groove got his grubby paws on 'em and am looking forward to more. They're not exactly the Atlas/Seaboard style we remember from back in the Groovy Age, but they have a cool vibe and show lots of potential. The most intriguing update has to be pulling Wulf (the Barbarian, natch) into our present day world and teaming him with a cop named Sam Lomax. Yep, the same Lomax that headlined Atlas/Seaboard's short-lived Police Action mag! (I gave ya all the skinny on that mag here.) Since Lomax is back, Ol' Groove thought it was high time to share a peek at his dazzling debut from Police Action #1 (November 1974) courtesy creators Jack (Russ Jones) Younger, Mike Sekowsky, and Al McWilliams. Dig it, baby!

Groove's Faves: "Who Is Haunting the Haunted Chateau?" by Mayer and Toth

Weird War Tales #10 (October 1972) is one of Ol' Groove's all-time fave war comics. Not only does it provide the dazzling DC debut of the incredible Walt Simonson, but its lead feature "Who Is Haunting the Haunted Chateau?" is the creation of those twin titans of comicbook excellence Sheldon Mayer and Alex Toth! Far out, huh, Groove-ophiles?

Black and White Wednesday: "Relic" by Toomey and Simonson

Warren's Creepy #112 (cover dated October 1979) was a great mag with over a half-dozen black and white shockers between its four-color covers. For a story to stand out in a mag filled with strips by talents like Archie Goodwin, Al Williamson, John Severin, and Alex Nino? It's gotta be something special. I think Bob Toomey and Walt Simonson's "Relic" fills the bill. What do you think, Groove-ophiles?