Funny Stuff: "Dr. Deranged vs Deadpan!" by Thomas, Colan, and Grainger

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! Roy Thomas and Gene Colan (with inker Sam Grainger) brought us a doozy of a supernatural, super-hero parody in Not Brand Echh #13 (February 1969). Can ya believe..."Dr. Deranged vs. Deadpan!"? (And how 'bout that Spookter cameo?)

Decent Comics: "Twelve Million Years to Twilight" by Conway, Giffen, and Celardo

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! All good things must come to an end, and so it goes with DC's Groovy Age revival of Challengers of the Unknown. Yep, Challs #87 (March 1978) is the grand finale of the massive cosmic epic featuring not only the Challs, but also Deadman, Swamp Thing, and Rip Hunter. Tons of wild stuff going on in this ish, with penciler Keith Giffen really strutting his artistic stuff (dig that full page diagram of Challenger Mountain, f'rinstance). Husband/wife writer team Gerry and Carla Conway work hard to tie up soooo many loose plot threads, and though it would have been nice to have had at least one more ish to let things breathe, it's a pretty satisfying (if kinda rushed) ending to the whole shebang. And dig the JLA and Demon cameos! Are you ready for one last Challs journey as we travel..."Twelve Million Years to Twilight"?

Cover art by Alex Saviuk and Dick Giordano

Decent Comics: "The War at Time's End!" by Conway, Giffen, and Celardo

Check it out, Groove-ophiles! The penultimate issue of DC's Challengers of the Unknown revival is one of those everything-but-the-kitchen-sink issues with loads of characters and tons of world-building. Actually, in this case, it's "future-building"--and what a bizarre and unique future Gerry Conway, Keith Giffen, and John Celardo came up with! From CotU #86 (January 1978) enter..."The War at Time's End!"

Cover art by Rich Buckler and Frank Giacoia

Decent Comics: "To Save a Monster" by Conway, Giffen, Celardo

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! With Challengers of the Unknown #84 (September 1977), not only was Swamp Thing guest-starring, but Boston Brand, Deadman joined the ever burgeoning supporting cast! Gerry Conway, Keith Giffen, and John Celardo were really starting to cut loose with a wild and crazy mix of sci-fi and supernatural. And when you read the "next issue" blurb on the final page, you'll see they're just firing up!

Cover art by Rich Buckler and Joe Rubinstein