Don't Be A Wimp!

Comics advertisers knew that most comics buyers were young boys and adolescents, and they tailored their ads accordingly.  This particular ad would be appealing to kids who really didn't want to put in the effort to actually build their bodies.  Just think: No exercise at all!

Probably the most famous ad of this type was the Charles Atlas pitch:

If I recall correctly, there was a later, extended version of the ad that had Mac remarking ruefully that he noticed how his girlfriend had referred to the bully as "that man", while scornfully calling him "little boy".

Of course, in the all-too real world of childhood and adolescence, bullies were a regular problem, and so this fantasy presentation of getting even was quite powerful and, I suspect, effective.

Sports heroes were often used to push these body-building courses:

Although often the personal testimonial of a normal guy who had been turned into a hunk was favored:

Before and after pictures were often featured. I believe this one is probably my favorite:

They made sure to specify that you would be a hit with the gals if you followed the regimen:

Not to mention successful in "all sports":

Incidentally, the George Jowett books that were marketed using the last few ads are all available online here.

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Number 1012





Crandall and Evans in the Twilight Zone





The first issue of the comic book version of the popular TV show, The Twilight Zone, came out in 1961. The entire issue was blessed by the artwork of two top comic book artists, Reed Crandall and George Evans. This shows them at the tops of their form, Crandall penciling and Evans inking. Both had years of experience behind them, and both spent a few years at the ne plus ultra of comics, EC.



This issue was published as part of the Dell Four Color series, #1173, 1961.

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Buck Rogers - D001 - "Meeting the Mongols" (1/7/29 to 7/5/29)

Today sharing very first "Buck Rogers" strips (1/7/29 to 7/5/29) by Philip Francis Nowlan, a fictional hero who inspired  Alex Raymond to launch one of my favorite fictional hero "Flash Gordon"  as Sunday Strip in January 7, 1934.

Read more at Wikipedia about
1. Buck Rogers
2. Strips list

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All credits go to her & the original uploader(s).

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Number 1011





Reptisaurus and the jungle love triangle





This entertaining Charlton comic is new to me, even though it was published in '63, when I was visiting the comic book spinner rack in my local drug store every week. I missed a monster book where the monster, Reptisaurus, is almost a bit player in the story, and the main plot involves a love triangle. Rich man, his blonde fiancée, and a white hunter who bags the babe! Oh yeah...they also figured in some Aztecs who worship Reptisaurus.



The artwork is by Montes and Bache. I don't know the work of Bill Montes at all, and what I know about Ernie Bache is that he worked with Dick Ayers during Ayers' original 1950's Ghost Rider days. A quick search of the internet didn't turn up any information on Bill Montes, and all I found about Bache is what I already knew. If anyone knows if these two men are still around please let me know.



A criticism I have is of the ashen gray the colorist made the Aztecs. I know this portrait I found online is heroic, glorified artwork, but it's probably closer to the real Aztecs than Charlton's colorist made them.



There were 6 issues of a Reptisaurus comic in 1962; Montes and Bache drew the last two issues, preceding this "special edition." From Reptisaurus Special Edition #1, 1963:













































Ernie Bache also inked this four-page humor strip from Charlton's Abbott and Costello #5, penciled by Grass Green. Grass was an early member of comics fandom, one of the first fans to attempt to turn pro. Most comics companies were by then closed shops, and what work he got was sporadic at best. I think the Steve Skeates script is funny, and Grass' artwork with Bache's inks serves it well.

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2 Flash Gordon's Sundays (Incomplete): S149 - "Skorpi vs Baldur" (3/18/79 to 6/3/79) & # S150 - "Captain Roper" (6/10/79 to 9/9/79)

Art: Dan Barry 

Summary (S149): As Ellta settles in at Dr. Zarkov’s Rocky Mountain retreat (see S-148 Death Ship), Flash continues his efforts to track down Skorpi undercover agents on Earth, unawares that an advance Skorpi detail is already preparing an underground spy base in the Arctic.

But starting their digging into the frozen continent, the Skorpi get a monumental surprise themselves as a giant Norseman is thawed from a deep sleep and creates havoc in his midst...

I'm love with this story since childhood. Don't know why. If anyone can complete this strip, would be very very thankful.

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Indrajal version is available HERE

Summary (S150): As an obstinate Norseman sets off in search of the legendary Asgard (see S-149 Skorpi vs Baldur), Flash and Dale join Zarkov at a giant solar collector in space shortly before a Mongo ship in distress docks at the station.

Rescuing the desperate occupant, the trio learns that the orbiting city Mongo II is slowly dying as crucial energy supplies from a nearby moon are hijacked by an mercenary from Earth who has allied himself with no other than Ming the Merciless...

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(Source of summary: www.ipcomics.net).  

These are from Emile's e-collection. All credits go to Emile & the original uploader(s).

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Number 1010





The Eerie Mirror Of Isis





Joe Kubert's dramatic early '50s artwork highlights this horror tale, saving it from its major comic book sin, speech balloons in some panels that nearly crowd out the drawings. As always Kubert did the best with the material he was given. In "The Mirror Of Isis" he even got to draw a babe in a brass bra.



From Avon's Eerie #3, 1951:

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