Random Reads: "Fifty Million Tons of Soul!" by Haney, Oksner, and Smith

Dig it, Groove-ophiles, even in the waning days of the Groovy Age, DC was still producing some sentimental, slice of life comics the likes of which were getting more and more rare. One little sorta-series that kept tugging at the heart strings ran in the back of the Dollar Comics issues of Detective Comics: Tales of Gotham City. It's long been said that Gotham City itself is as much a character as Batman, Commissioner Gordon, or the Joker, and this series that appeared under editor Paul Levitz' reign made a believer out of Teen Groove. A fave in that series was but the Bob trio--Haney, Oksner, and Smith: "Fifty Million Tons of Soul!" If someone pitched a story like this these days, editors more than likely would show that writer the door, but back in April 1980, some of us adored these tales of seemingly random folk who's lives would be entwined, changed, or touched by something simple. Even something as simple as a bridge.

Amazed by Aparo: "The Impossible Escape" by Haney and Aparo

Batman. Mister Miracle. Bob Haney. Jim Aparo. Brave and the Bold #112 (January 1974). "The Impossible Escape!"

You're welcome.

Groove's Faves: "Today Mars, Tomorrow...the Universe!" by Haney, Swan, and Anderson

Check it out, Groove-ophiles! Today we're gonna take a look at the grand finale of Denny O'Neil, Michael Netzer (Mike Nasser), and Terry Austin's Manhunter from Mars epic that ran in Adventure Comics 449-451! Thing is, "Today Mars, Tomorrow...the Universe!" is written by Bob Haney with art by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson! Wha hoppen? Wish Ol' Groove could tell ya, but the comix biz has always been kinda weird about who's writing and drawing what--especially back in the Groovy Age. Writer Denny O'Neil was the story editor for this particular ish of World's Finest (#245, March 1977, to be precise), so one can only assume he made sure Haney ended the saga the way it was intended. And as much as Ol' Groove loves the Swanderson art team, it sure would've been cool if Netzer and Austin had done the art here. Ah, well, at least we had 'em for the Green Arrow and Black Canary back-ups in this self-same ish! Oh, yeah, did Ol' Groove mention that Superman and Batman star in this here conclusion?

Cover art by Neal Adams