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.

Bring on the Back-Ups: "The Last Duty!" by O'Neil and Craig

One of the best things about DC's Dollar Comics format was that it allowed the editors of those extra-sized comic mags to try a variety of content. One of the things editor Paul Levitz used for back-ups in Detective Comics was Tales of Gotham City. Gotham was as much a character in Batman's universe as any side-kick or villain, so these Batman-less slice of life stories were always a treat. Today's example, "The Last Duty!" written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated by EC Comics luminary Johnny Craig from Detective Comics #488 (November 1979) is absolutely one of the best of this sometimes back-up series. See what ya think, Groove-ophiles!