Still Truckin'/Sad Sack in "The Grudge"

 Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Ol' Groove is just checking in to reassure everyone that he (and DotGK) are alive and well--just buuuuuussssaaayy!

Writing/lettering/promoting your own comics it pretty time-consuming, but I love it! It's a great escape from work, Covid, and all the craziness that goes along with it. I just sent Diversions #4 to the printers, so it should be available via IndyPlanet in print and digital a few weeks from now. I also put it on DriveThruComics for all the .pdf fans out there. This issue is extra special because it features the last collaboration with my pal, the late Donnie Page. He created U.S. Flag and Liberty Lad (his version obviously, of Captain America and Bucky), long ago. A few years back we co-plotted the story, then in 2019, while battling cancer, Donnie drew this amazing, Groovy Age-style, wall-to-wall action mini-thriller in his (as he called it) "Sal Buscema-clone" style. This summer, inker/finisher John Gentil took on the task of getting the story ready for print by digitally enhancing and inking PHOTOS of the pages Donnie had taken with his phone--because he never got the chance to scan them. Herculean efforts like those of Donnie and John NEED to be published, so I'm thrilled to get this story into print. I'm especially thrilled that my friends Steven Butler and Mort Todd have allowed me to use their art (which they created to cheer Donnie up) as the cover. 

Art by Steven Butler/Colors by Mort Todd

There's also a a magnificently illustrated, by JW Erwin, Night Spider story in the issue...

...and Joe Koziarski rocked the modern/retro feel of super-science-hero Max Miracle, as well.

We also had a bit of a lark creating these faux snack cake ads in the style of the Groovy Age Hostess snack cake ads that ran in so many of our favorite comics...

Art by JW Erwin

Art by Joe Koziarski

The Guns & Rosa faux ad is in the OTHER book we sent to print (and DriveThru if you like your comics on the digital side), Guns & Rosa Special Edition #1. Joe Koziarski did the fantabulous cover, ad, and art for all the Rosa material (which was originally published in the first two issues of Diversions, but collected here in one mag for folks who like their anthologies to feature only one character). 

Ol' Groove has also been working on more characters/stories for  upcoming issues of Diversions, AND writing a prose novelette for an upcoming project that I can't speak of now, but will blow your socks off in the near future!

So, in short, Ol' Groove hasn't been a Sad Sack this year! And speaking of Sad Sack...Here's my favorite Sad Sack story from Sad Sack #200 (April 1968), with art (according to GCD) by Fred Rhoads--"The Grudge!"

George Baker's cover for Sad Sack #200

Oh, it's been a while since Ol' Groove has given a shout-out to some of his favorite blogs! Here are a few new-er ones that shine like Groovy Age stars (and you can always find them in the "Mind Blowing Blogs" list in the sidebar)!

Groove-ophile Michael Mead's Occasional Murmerings is one of Ol' Groove's favorite reads. He's currently discussing Jack Kirby's Fourth World mags as they each reach their 50th anniversary. Michael has an awesome spin on discussing these mags by showing how The King had his finger on the pulse of the times and how the real world helped him create the Fourth World. If you haven't been reading Michael's blog, you really need to check it out!

Attack of the 50 Year Old Comic Books by Alan Stewart is another must-read for all fans of the Groovy Age! Alan's delving into 1971, the year that Kid Groove turned into a full-fledged comicbook fiend, baby, and Alan is so adept at, not only recalling how he felt/feels about the comics, but the stories behind the creation of those comics that you just can't stop reading!

And Benton Grey's Into the Greylands is also covering good ol' 1971, but Benton's reviewing the groovy mags in his own inimitable way that add new insights that make you really think about the comics he's reviewing. Ol' Groove digs the way he looks at the mags with more of a modern eye, rather than just (yeah, like Ol' Groove) so much nostalgia. 

One last thing, Ol' Groove just has to thank Joeseph Simon and the gang at First Comics News for interviewing yers trooly about my fantasy creations, Kragor and Ash-Aman. As much as I dig rapping about the Groovy Age of comics, it's pretty cool to get to rap about my own stuff!

Cover art by Russ Martin

Stay safe and dry, Groove-ophiles, and I'll see ya next time! Pax! 

Ol' Groove's Still Making Comics With a Groovy (and Golden) Age Vibe!

Happy Holidays, Groove-ophiles!

Ol' Groove is happier than an elf with a brand-new set of toymaking tools! Why? 'Cause...

Diversions #3 is finally available in print and digital from IndyPlanet and in digital format from DriveThru Comics! The issue kicks off with the conclusion of an exciting NIGHT SPIDER mystery/adventure that has him fighting the diabolical duo of Megabyte and Googol! The art is, naturally, by JW Erwin (who also rocked the fab-a-mundo cover)!

In the middle of this mildly magnificent issue is a faux Golden Age adventure featuring THE BLACK ROSE! Our heroine must clear her name of a murder most foul in the David Vance illustrated Blue Moon Classic!

Batting clean-up is THE MIDNIGHT STRANGER! The Wraith of Wrath is back in action in a brand new tale of rigorous revenge! And best of all, artist Joe Koziarski is back for this one!

If you've never checked out an issue of Diversions, now would be a great time! Three issues are ready and raring to find your mailbox (and buying more books means savings on postage)! And if you have bought copies of Diversions, THANK YOU! Oh, and, ahem, they make superior stocking stuffers!

Hope you enjoyed this preview of my latest comic, Groove-ophiles! I'd love to hear from some of ya about what you think about what the Blue Moon gang and yers trooly are doing. It would send me over the (blue) moon if I could get enough feedback to start a liltin' letters page in Diversions! 

See ya next time with more stuff from the Good Ol' Groovy Age Days!

Items of Interest to Invigorate Your Imagination!

Hey, Kids! Comics from 50 Years Ago!

March 31,  & April 1-2, 1970

Groovy Age Splash Page of the Week

Groovy Age Spotlight On...
Blue Moon Comics' Diversions!

Okay, Groove-ophiles! Yers trooly has behaved long enough! It's time for some braggin', horn tootin', and pluggin'! I'm sure you've noticed the big ol' Blue Moon logo that's been hangin' out on the top right-hand side of the blog (It's a link to the Blue Moon Comics website, ya know). You've no doubt had your eye caught by the colorful JW Erwin Diversions cover(s) just below that logo (links to Drivethru Comics and IndyPlanet where you can order copies of Diversions). Maybe you've clicked on the logo or covers (if you have, many, many thanks) or maybe you've resisted the temptation. May Ol' Groove ask that you resist no more?

Ya see, Blue Moon Comics in general and Diversions in particular is a labor of love that's been a long time comin' for Ol' Groove. A lot of you probably know that in the late 90s/early 2000s I published a couple dozen small press comics under the Blue Moon label. They were homemade and sold via mail-order during the fledgling days of the interwebs. The folks who got 'em dug 'em, but time marched on and Blue Moon faded away. At least, for a while.

Ol' Groove scratched his comics writing itch for a spell by writing about comics here on DotGK, but in time, opportunities started cropping up that allowed me to write some comics stories for a variety of wonderful small press/indy publishers like The Creeps, Will Lill, Surprising, Lucky, and Golden Era. No doubt, you've seen those mags displayed on the right sidebar over the last few years, as well. I've had a great time writing for those folks. Still do some writing for some of 'em! In fact, I have a story coming out in the next issue of The Creeps (#25)--but more on that at a later date!

Night Spider art by JW Erwin

But the stars have finally aligned so that I could get back into publishing my own comics. I dusted off my old Blue Moon label and didn't have to think twice about the title for my flagship title: Diversions! What else would I call my package of brand new comics whose goal is to recapture the fun and freewheeling spirit of the Groovy Age?

Diversions (The Comic) is a 24 page black and white anthology comic in which I hope to explore most every comics genre we love. In the first issue we have a street-level superhero (Night Spider), a fighting female seeking revenge in the Old West (Guns & Rosa), and a short science fantasy shocker (Other Worlds: "King of the Hill!")! We have more superheroes in the works, but we also have sword and sorcery, horror/mystery, kid's adventure/humor, and so much more. My goal is to make each issue feel like a trip to a Groovy Age spinner rack with its variety of genres and artistic styles!

"King of the Hill" art by Donnie Page and Ken McFarlane

The artists I'm lucky enough to work with on Diversions, JW Erwin, Joe Koziarsky, David Johnson Jr., Greg Rieves, the late Donnie Page, and others, are true pros! They're talented storytellers and stylists who love making comics as much as I do. As you can see by the samples sprinkled throughout this post, they pour 100% of their titanic talents into every panel!

Guns & Rosa art by Joe Koziarski

Diversions #1 is ON SALE NOW, and Ol' Groove really hopes you'll give it a try! You can get .pdf copies at DriveThru Comics, digital copies at IndyPlanet--and you can also pre-order PRINT copies at IndyPlanet (which they'll send out as soon as their state-mandated "stay-at-home" order is lifted ). I and my artistic pals plan on continuing to create cool content for Diversions over the long haul (we're already working on enough material for at least three more issues, with plans for lots more!), so get in on the ground floor and grab a copy (digital or print) of the first ish right away! Ol' Groove would sure appreciate the support!

Cover art by JW Erwin