Black and White Wednesday: "Short Circuits" by Michael Uslan

Check it out, Groove-ophiles! Since we're a bit past April Fool's Day and nearing Friday the 13th, how about a kooky parody of DC's own Direct Currents called "Short Circuits"? Written by writer/producer Michael Uslan, "Short Circuits", for moi, offers more chuckles than groans. T'was published in The Amazing World of DC Comics #13 (cover dated November, but the indicia says October 1976). And what the hey, why not enjoy Sergio Aragones' cover for that wacky ish?

Random Reads: "Labyrinth of the Grotto Minotaur!" by Uslan, Estrada, and Villamonte

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! We're gonna start our week with an ending--the final issue of DC's Beowulf mag! This final ish was a lot like most other issues, magic, monsters, barbarians, pretty girls. It was written by Michael Uslan as was every issue. The big difference is that regular artist Ricardo Villamonte didn't do his own layouts, they were handled by Ric Estrada. Villamonte did finish and ink the "Labyrinth of the Grotto Minotaur!" as well as provide the cover. Here ya go, Beowulf #6 (November 1976)!

Random Reads: "Man-Apes and Magic!" by Uslan and Villamonte

Greetings, my Groovy Ghoulies! Halloween is almost upon us, so Ol' Groove thought we might kick the week off with a classic Beowulf yarn by Michael Uslan and Ricardo Villamonte! "Man-Apes and Magic!" from Beowulf #3 (May 1975) has all the cool spooky stuff! Monsters! Demons! Savages! But I gotta level with ya--the only "man-apes" I can find in this story are in the title! Kooky, huh?

Black and White Wednesday: The Question by Stern, Uslan, and Toth

What it is, Groove-ophiles! Today we're gonna plant our peepers on a rare treat--Alex Toth illustrating Steve Ditko's The Question from Charlton Bullseye #5 (Summer 1976). The untitled story, plotted by Roger Stern and scripted by Michael Uslan, no matter how good it may be, is only an excuse for us to admire the artistic prowess of a true master of the medium. How did the CPL Gang (Bullseye's publisher) manage to snag Alex Toth for their fanzine? In an interview with John Cooke in Comic Book Artist #12, CPL editor Roger Stern answered that very...er...question...

"Dumb luck, I guess. Somehow, we'd gotten Toth's address and sent him a complimentary copy of CPL. Then, we managed to get him to draw a cover for issue # 11. When Bob (Layton) launched Charlton Bullseye, one of the things we both really wanted to do was run a new Question story—and since we weren't sure how to get in touch with Steve Ditko, we hit on the idea of asking Toth. I think Bob called him. Anyway, Toth said yes."

 Dumb luck rocks, dunnit? Check it out!