A Senses-Shattering Smattering of Swell Stuff!

Hey, Kids! Comics from 50 Years Ago!

March 1 & 5, 1970

Groovy Age Splash Page of the Week

Tom Sutton (who would have been 83 this week) from Monster Hunters #3, September 1975

Question of the Week: Can You Remember Your Earliest Marvel Comics?

Why is Ol' Groove focusing the question on Marvels? Well, mostly because I can't remember my earliest DC, Charlton, Harvey, Gold Key, Dell, or Charlton comics because I didn't necessarily buy those for myself--'cause those companies put out a lot of "kiddie" books.  Also, when I did start buying my own comics off the spinner rack, they were mostly Archie and DC comics because of my love for the Batman TV show and the DC and Archie cartoon shows that filled my Saturday mornings. Sooooo… discovering Marvel was a big deal for Li'l Groove. I bet it was a big deal for a lot of you Groove-ophiles, as well!

I'm doing my first ten Marvels because...I can actually remember them! I can honestly remember going to the ol' King Kwik just outside my Cincinnati subdivision and pulling these mags from their place in the spinner rack. To be clear, I'm not counting comics other people bought me, or comics I got in trade from the other kids in the neighborhood. These are Marvels I chose myself, fresh off the spinner rack.

10) Captain America #127, April 1970 (Yep, last week's list of comics from 50 Years Ago inspired this QotW!) 

9)  Avengers #73, December 1969

8)  Amazing Spider-Man #79, September 1969

7)  Incredible Hulk #121, August 1969

6)  Fantastic Four #92, August 1969

5)  X-Men #60, July 1969

4)  Daredevil #52, March 1969

3)  Sub-Mariner #7, August 1968

2)  Not Brand Echh! #10, July 1968

1) Captain Marvel #6, July 1968

Do you remember your the earliest Marvel mags you picked out for yourself, Groove-ophile? It doesn't have to be ten. It can be more or less, whatever you can remember or would like to share, but please share your memories in the comments, okay? Pax!

R.I.P. Mort Drucker

In an age of sad news, here's a bit more, Groove-ophiles: Mad Magazine's master caricaturist Mort Drucker passed away Wednesday, April 8, at age 91.  While Drucker drew comics for many years before his association began with Mad, it was his movie and TV parodies in that world-famous mag that made him a super-star. Drucker's parodies appeared in an amazing 228 of Mad's 550 issues! Drucker's caricature  art also appeared on famous magazine covers, including a 1970 issue of Time Magazine that is now enshrined in the National Portrait Gallery. 

He also famously created the poster art for George Lucas' breakout film American Graffiti. 

To those of us growing up in the Groovy Age, Mr. Drucker was as much a part of our pop culture as any of the politicians, sports, rock, TV, or movie stars he so deftly lampooned with his amazing art. I chose to share the following movie parody, "The Poopsideown Adventure" (from Mad #161, cover-dated September 1973, written by Dick De Bartolo) for a couple reasons: one, because it lampoons one of my favorite 70s flicks and two, because it showcases Drucker's abilities by letting him draw a huge all-star cast of celebrities (plus all the extras he tosses in for the fun of it). We'll never forget the talent of Mort Drucker!

Hey, Kids! Comics from 50 Years Ago!

April 7 & 9, 1970