Groove's Faves: "Harry" by Jeff Jones

Poetic. Haunting. Sad. Ironic. Gorgeous. "Harry" from Comix International #5 (1975) by Jeff Jones. Colors by Rich Corben.

Black and White Wednesday: "Undisturbed" by Cuti and Morrow

Why does Ol' Groove love his 1970s comics so much? 'Cause of comics like this one, baby! Charlton Comics did both black and white and color comix versions of the sci-fi cult classic TV show Space: 1999 back in the late 70s and they consistently kept their top-talent on both mags (scroll on down the index and find the many posts I've put up already). Here's another example of that high-caliber talent on display in the b&w version's ish #5 (cover-dated July 1976): "Undisturbed" by Nick Cuti and Gray Morrow.

(And Nick, if you're out there reading this--thanks, man! You rocked in the Groovy Age and you still rock to this day!)

Ol' Groove's Request Line: "Blind Justice...Blind Fear!" by Frank Robbins

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! We're back with more Frank Robbins' Batman--'cause all'a you (well, all but one of ya, sorry) demanded it! Actually, the late, great Mr. Robbins is picking up fans right and left with his stylish Batman art--and Ol' Groove ain't gonna do a thing to stop that train! From Detective Comics #421 (December 1971) dig on "Blind Justice...Blind Fear!"

Our Pal Sal: "Sound of the Silencer" by Evanier, S. Buscema, and Simons

What it is, Groove-ophiles! As hard as it is to believe, Captain America's pal, the Falcon, was around for about a decade before he ever got a solo story (outside a rare Cap-less ish of the Star Spangled Avenger's own title). To rectify that sorry sitch, Mark Evanier wrote a cool story for Marvel Premiere #49 (May 1979) that allowed Sam Wilson to strut his stuff and called it "Sound of the Silencer" (methinks Mark might be a Simon and Garfunkel fan). The story was drawn by, of course!, Our Pal Sal Buscema with inks/finishes by a young and oh-so-talented Dave Simons (R.I.P.) on one of his earliest pro jobs. Teen Groove thought Sal and Dave meshed quite well, with Sal's action-packed pencil-power coming through loud and clear. Still think that's the truth! It ain't a classic by any stretch, but it is a fun diversion--complete with a hoot of a Frank Miller/Klaus Janson cover. Check it out, baby!