Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Bring on the Back-Ups: "The Last Duty!" by O'Neil and Craig

One of the best things about DC's Dollar Comics format was that it allowed the editors of those extra-sized comic mags to try a variety of content. One of the things editor Paul Levitz used for back-ups in Detective Comics was Tales of Gotham City. Gotham was as much a character in Batman's universe as any side-kick or villain, so these Batman-less slice of life stories were always a treat. Today's example, "The Last Duty!" written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated by EC Comics luminary Johnny Craig from Detective Comics #488 (November 1979) is absolutely one of the best of this sometimes back-up series. See what ya think, Groove-ophiles!








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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 27, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    JOHNNY CRAIG?1 Don't how I missed this issue back in the day, but I'm glad that you brought it to my attention, Groove. Thanks!

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  2. AnonymousAugust 27, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    Thank you,Mr Groove,for sharing.
    I've never seen this one.
    Good story and art.
    /Mr Anonymous

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  3. FaffAugust 27, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    Superb story and probably one of the fairest treatments of cops in comics ever.

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  4. M W GallaherAugust 27, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    To my discerning eye, it appears that Dan Spiegle ghost-pencilled this job for Johnny Craig. Spiegle would later do a few more "Tales of Gotham City" under his own name.

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  5. hobbyfanAugust 27, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    I remember reading this way back in the day. Brilliant story. I wish they'd collect "Tales of Gotham" into a TPB.

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  6. wmeiselAugust 27, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    Great story that I have never read. Thanks for posting, Groove.

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  7. AnonymousAugust 27, 2013 at 11:51 PM

    Uh, why didn't the cops search and disarm that guy? I've been frisked for less than that.
    The cops in Gotham seem either corrupt or incompetent. No wonder Batman's always pissed.

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  8. Percy ByssheAugust 28, 2013 at 4:25 PM

    Wow! Craig - don't see him every day -late in the groovy period and he still has it...I guess that's why the groovy age was groovy - Johnny Craig can just show up anywhere...

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