Thursday, April 4, 2013
Bring on the Back-ups: "The Puzzle of the Pyramids" by Rozakis and Martinez
Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Today let's dig on a classic Bob Rozakis penned Robin solo tale from Detective Comics #447 (February 1975). "The Puzzle Pyramids" is typical fun Rozakis--down to earth, centered around Dick Grayson's college life, some funny dialogue ("Shove this in your ear!"), and even a cameo by one Clark Kent. What makes this particular tale stand out to Ol' Groove is the snappy art by A. Martinez and Mazzaroli. Now, I'm pretty sure that this A. Martinez is the same penciler who did a truckload of romance and war comics for Charlton. As far as Mazzaroli, it seems that this was a one-and-only job. According to the Grand Comics Database, the pencils and inks are credited to Continuity Studios in Julie Schwartz's editorial records. That's another clue that might possibly link A. Martinez to Charlton, as Dick Giordano, one of the head-honchos of Continuity at the time, was a former Charlton editor. I ain't no Sherlock Holmes, but I think I got this one! 'Course even if I'm dead wrong, you still have a fun little featurette to flip over!
Thank you,Mr Groove!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this one in the 70's and
thinking that the Splash and Clark Kent's right hand looked a bit Mr Adams(/Mr Giordano)-esque,
but the rest drawn in a different style.
If I may be Dr Watson;
I know that Mazzaroli is a real name,but maybe
this time it's a joke from the mind of Mr Adams?
"Mazzaroli"= Matzah roll?
"Matzha" or Matzho,a bread baked for Passover
or whenever.
/Mr Anonymous
This is one of a handful of old Detectives I have (coverless at that) and I re-read it a few months ago for the first time in probably 30 years. This was a very nice little backup story, and yes, snappy art.
ReplyDeleteHi Mr Groove and thanks for all your bringing back time.
ReplyDeleteI have a request: please complete the adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "The Hyborian Age".
Go on like this.
Greetings.
As I recall, Martinez & Mazzaroli were South American artists Neal Adams was trying to get Julie to use. I thought they did an okay job, though I didn't like their version of Chief McDonald. And the Robin (and Clark and Dick) one page one most certainly shows signs of "assistance" from Neal and/or Dick Giordano.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob! This helps clear things up a lot. I appreciate your dropping by with your eyewitness accounts. Means a lot to all of us here in Groove City! The Answer Man never lets us down! :D
Delete