Longbox Review

Looking back on the last part of 1978 and the beginning of 1979, I either have forgotten completely, or I bought very few comics for a few months, which is entirely possible. Money was always tight, and I remember that the winter months of this time period were particularly rough. There was one night where it was so cold, we all slept in the living room with a space heater on, in sleeping bags, to stay warm. Ahh, childhood memories.

Anyway, what did I buy during that time?

Shogun Warriors #1 (Nov. 1978): Actually, I didn’t buy this issue. My brother got this comic, and he kept it for many years. When he moved away to live with his dad, I got all of his comics, including this one and his Karate Kid issues.

Marvel Tales #101 (Dec. 1978): I didn’t know too much about Spider-Man’s supporting cast when I got this, but J. Jonah Jameson’s son has been a favorite of mine since I read this issue.

Batman #310 (Jan. 1979): Like JJJ’s son, the Gentleman Ghost became a favorite character of mine because of this issue. You have a guy who claims he’s a ghost going up against the guy who doesn’t believe in them.

Spectacular Spider-Man #30 (Feb. 1979): I didn’t know it then, but the whole Spider-Man Clone Saga was starting as part of this issue (IIRC). Also, this probably started my daydreams of jumping around my high school gym like Spider-Man, much to the amazement of my peers.

I must have bought more than one comic a month, but looking at the covers from this time period, nothing else is jumping out at me. Conspicuous by its absence: Green Lantern comics during this time. Since I enjoyed #111 & #112, you’d think I would have bought later issues.

That’s it! What will March 1979 (and perhaps beyond) reveal? Only time will tell.