Making a Splash: Black Panther in Jungle Action, Part Two

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! Last week we looked at Rich Buckler and company going into Jungle Action with the Black Panther, so this week we're following up with the incredible art of Billy Graham as he (along with top-notch inkers Klaus Janson, Craig Russell, Pablo marcos, Dan Green, and Bob McLeod) joins author Don McGregor on a trek through the wilds of Wakanda (JA issues 10-22, April 1974-April 1976). Wanna join 'em? Ol' Groove knew you would...

Funny Stuff: "News Blues"

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Or perhaps Ol' Groove should say, "Ha, ha, ha!" Today we begin (why didn't I think of this before?) another new semi-regular department: "Funny Stuff!" We're gonna kick it off with a cute Little Audrey strip (writer? artist? Even GCD doesn't know.) from Playful Little Audrey #91 (July 1970). As a six-year-old, Li'l Groove could totally relate to this story (except for the getting out of school due to rain (actually, flooding)--didn't experience that until 1977): parents want to watch the news; missing a show because you had one TV (and no such thing as a VCR or DVR); a rainy day with nothing to do but read comicbooks (never a bad thing in my eyes). Can you imagine how confused kids today would be after reading "News Blues"? Now THAT'S funny!

And did Ol' Groove mention how much he loves dream sequences?

Black and White Wednesday: John Byrne's Groovy Age Batman

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! A few years ago, author Jason Shayer of the awesome but sadly defunct DC Comics of the 1980s blog shared several Batman drawing by young John Byrne from the 1970s. I think these sensational sketches, which Byrne drew from 1972-1980, deserve to be seen again. Although Jocular John will probably cringe at seeing his old art dredged up once more, Ol' Groove finds the power, vigor, and enthusiasm Mr. Byrne put into these drawings simply irresistible! (Yeah, that's an 80s song, but what'cha gon' do?)

Oh, yeah, Young Byrne took a shot at the Joker, too! Wow!!

NOTE: Shayer's Marvel Comics of the 1980s blog is still going strong. Ol' Groove checks it out 'most every day, and you should, too!

Decent Comics: "The Secret of Mr. Tawny" by Bridwell, Newton, and Schaffenberger

Wotta coincidence, Groove-ophiles! Yesterday we had the "ultimate mutant" Alpha morphing into something-above-human. Today Doctor Weldon Ambrose does pretty much the same thing, but with a much different ending. And since the SHAZAM team is going for a bit more realistic look and feel than what had been previously associated with Captain Marvel and company, they attempt to make talking tiger Mr. Tawny a bit more realistic as well. Do they succeed? You decide!  From World's Finest Comics #259 (July 1979), check out "The Secret of Mr. Tawny" by E. Nelson Bridwell, Don Newton, and Kurt Schaffenberger!

Marvel-ous Mondays: "Alpha, the Ultimate Mutant!" by Wein, S. Buscema, and Esposito

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Here's part two of Len Wein and Sal Buscema's Defenders (with the help of Professor X) vs. Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants mini-epic from Defenders #16 (July 1974)! After meeting a gigantic Inhuman called Omega months earlier in the FF, I suppose it was only natural that someone at Marvel would respond with a mutant called Alpha (though, Omega might've made more sense as a moniker for this villain, too, but what'cha gon' do?). Young Groove loved how Alpha started out looking like Bugs Bunny's nemesis The Crusher--thaaa Crush-AH!  (sans the beard)--

--and continued to morph into a truly alien-looking-yet-humanoid creature by the end. It's also worth noting that, while not as cool and moody as Klaus Janson on the previous ish, Mike Esposito's inks are pretty solid over Sal's pencils here. In some places it almost looks like Sal inked himself. Big difference, imo, in Esposito inking Sal compared to him finishing/inking over Sal's layouts. And of course Wein's story has that crazy-but-cool 70s vibe (almost like a re-imagining of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's intro of Him in FF issues 66-67) with a killer ending (that Chris Claremont would put to magnificent use in the X-Men's revamped mag a couple years later). Have fun with this one, baby!

Cover art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia (with John Romita)