Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve posted one of these (since last May!). I’ve been so busy just doing Pull List reviews and the LBR podcast that this is always at the bottom of the priority list. However, I’m all caught up until I read the new DC titles that are on their way to me as I type. So, what was part of my comic reading life 31 (!) years ago?
As you will see, my interests turned very clearly towards DC, despite the fact that I started with Marvel titles only a little over a year before. Also, apparently I bought nothing in January (or I’ve simply forgotten). I can’t say now why I gravitated to DC, other than the obvious: I just liked the stories/characters better for some reason.
February
Action Comics #507: I remember this comic blowing my mind a little. I knew by this point that Superman’s parents were dead, so to have Jonathan Kent back, seemingly alive and well, was a bit trippy. I don’t recall why I picked this up, except for possibly the cover demanded I read this story. It caught enough of my attention that I definitely got the second part of the story.
Best of DC #5: This included the best stories from DC Comics published the previous year. Despite the hefty price (over double cover prices at $.95), it’s still a bargain since I got eight stories. I still remember fondly the Superman and Sgt. Rock team up, the other two Superman stories, and the Batman story. I also recall thinking, who is this Jonah Hex dude? I went on to buy many of these digests from DC.
DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #2: Speaking of DC digests, here’s a collection of Flash stories that I still have. Flash has never been a favorite character of mine, although I did enjoy the Wally West run (ahem) from the late 80s. But I did enjoy these stories, and still look at this digest from time to time. Of special note is the first story in the collection which features Carmine Infantino art, and Barry, Wally, & Jay!
New Adventures of Superboy #5: The memory can be tricky. I recall having at least the first issue of this series, but not the next three. This issue, however, I remember quite clearly having. That whole deflecting energy blasts with a piece of fabric (even invulnerable Kryptonian fabric) is something that stuck with me over the years, as in that makes no sense whatsoever. :)
I didn’t buy this then, nor have I ever seen it, but Epic Illustrated #1 (Marvel) came out this same month. I wish I had bought this and the rest of the series.
March
Action Comics #508: The second part of the return of Jonathan Kent story. I don’t recall the reason for his return, but I do remember that aliens, through their seemingly magic super-science, were able to bring Mr. Kent back to life. Of course, he can’t stay for reasons I also don’t remember. I now must go add these two Action Comics issues to my comic wishlist.
DC Comics Presents #22: I just remember this cover in the spinner racks. Some guy can turn into a comet?! How cool/strange is that? I only got to read that story for the first time when I read the DC Showcase collection last year.
Flash #286: If this is the issue I’m thinking of, I remember wondering how a guy who can control color and having turned Barry Allen white (literally–Barry had to put on make-up to maintain his secret identity) could somehow sap Flash’s powers? But with a cover like that, how can you not want to read it?
New Adventures of Superboy #6: I remember nothing about the story, but how sad is it that Superboy chooses his duty in the big city over his family? Kids . . . .
Superman #348: Another cover that made me want to read the story within. For some reason, I have a huge fondness for this comic, but I don’t really know why because, as I recall, the story was kind of subpar.
Longbox Review 