Brave or the Bold: Comparing the 'Team-Up' Comics...

 

Redartz:  One feature of comics in our beloved Bronze Age was the popularity of "team-up" books. And yes, I know that the concept existed back in the Silver Age in the form of DC's "Brave and the Bold". Nonetheless, it wasn't until the 70's that you found multiple such titles on the spinner racks. And therefore the 'Team up' comic became as much a Bronze age touchstone as Giant Size comics, Treasury Editions and Hostess Ads.

Between Marvel and DC, there were four 'biggies' that exemplified the genre. Of course the aforementioned "Brave and the Bold" was one, and DC added later "DC Comics Presents". Marvel offered "Marvel Team-Up", and "Marvel Two-in-One". Perhaps a bit less imaginative than DC's titles, but the names certainly told you what you could expect to find between the covers. 

And speaking of covers, below you'll find four groups of covers, representing some of each title's notables. Accompanying these will be a few comments from your humble host about these series.   So buddy up and let's have a look...

 Brave and the Bold

 "B & B" debuted back in 1955, and for years presented various adventure features and rotating headliners. One noteworthy issue was number 28, in which the Justice League of America first appeared! But a few years later, in 1963's issue 50, B & B gave us the first team-up story, with Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter. Various heroes were paired, but by 1966 Batman became the 'host' of the book (no doubt due to the influence of the then-current Batman tv series). And Batman spent the remainder of the series' run teaming with almost everyone imaginable, including the House of Mystery!

Bob Haney wrote most of them, but other writers jumped in later in the book's run. Artists included Ramona Fradon, Carmine Infantino, Neal Adams and Jim Aparo, among others.

Marvel Team-Up

Marvel entered the team up niche in 1972, giving Spider-Man a second book. For the most part Spidey hogged the limelight, but a few issues teamed other characters, primarily the Human Torch and the Hulk. Efforts were made, with varying levels of success, to mesh "Team-Up" storylines with the current ones in "Amazing Spider-Man". I personally enjoyed MTU, but seldom found it as readable as Amazing. One exception to that was the phenomenal Chris Claremont run, with frequent great art by John Byrne. 

Other writers included Gerry Conway, Len Wein, J.M. DeMatties and Bill Mantlo. Among the illustrators were Jim Mooney, Sal Buscema (who did a BUNCH),  and Kerry Gammill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvel Two-in-One

Starting in 1973, everyone's favorite rocky orange Thing appeared in this title, giving bashful Benjy a spotlight outside of the Fantastic Four. Unlike Spider-Man, Ben Grimm never departed from the book (until it's cancellation and replacement with the Thing's solo title). He got to join forces with most everyone in the Marvel universe, including some appearances by his FF teammates. And the occasional crossover with Spider-Man was a big treat, especially the truly classic MTIO Annual 2.

Writers included Steve Gerber, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Bill Mantlo and Mark Gruenwald. Artists appearing were Ron Wilson, Sal Buscema, John Byrne and George Perez, among others.

 

 

 

 

 

DC Comics Presents

It seems odd that it took so long, but DC finally gave the Man of Steel a Team-Up venue in 1978, in the form of DC Comics Presents. Superman got to join up with a vast array of guest stars, right up until the book's cancellation (kind of like the Thing in MTIO; except in the case of Superman his team-ups just shifted over into the John Byrne reboot of Action Comics). One short run of this book had Jim Starlin scripts and artwork, and was a definite high point. Among the writers were Martin Pasko, Len Wein and Denny O'Neil and Gerry Conway. You found art by the likes of Jose Luiz-Garcia Lopez, Joe Staton, and Rich Buckler. Interestingly there were numerous issues in which the guest star's reknowned creators were featured on this book, such as Alan Moore writing a Swamp Thing shot, and Keith Giffen doing Ambush Bug...

 

 

 

 

 

Sooooo, now it's time for your input. What series did you follow? Which do you consider more successful, which had the best stories and art? Which particular stories did you enjoy, which guest stars did you most anticipate? Any that didn't make the cut but should have? We're teaming up; I got things started and you get to take it from here!

 

Riding the Retro Metro: Thursday Sept. 15, 1977!

Redartz: Ah, you're here! Perfect timing; we're ready to board the Retro Metro for another trip back, back, baaaaack to the Bronze age! Today's episode takes us to that colossal cultural year of 1977. To be specific, Tuesday September 15; 1977. There's much for people to talk about right now: the recent passing of 'The King", Elvis Presley. US President Jimmy Carter has signed the Panama Canal Treaty, giving control of the canal back to Panama. NASA has launched Voyager 2 on a mission to Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. And disco is the current big trend in music; as seen in the film "Saturday Night Fever". The soundtrack is full of BeeGees tunes, and their younger brother has the top song on the US Billboard Pop Chart:  Andy Gibb, "I Just Want to Be Your Everything"

Rounding out the top five:

2. The Floaters, "Float On"
3. The Emotions, "Best of My Love"
4. James Taylor, "Handy Man"
5. Fleetwood Mac, "Don't Stop"


None of the top five this week are what I'd call favorites, but they are quite listenable. And granted, the lyrics of "Float On" make it fun enough: "Cancer, and my name is Larry". 

As is often the case, the most interesting songs, for me, are further down the chart. Among them this week: ELO, "Telephone Line"; another innovative tune from Jeff Lynne and crew.  London Symphony  Orchestra, "Star Wars Main Theme"; the summer's big science fiction blockbuster installs a symphonic piece onto the top forty, courtesy of composer John Williams. Meco, "Star Wars Theme/ Cantina Band"; Star Wars strikes again, but with a disco beat. And, it includes the catchy bit from the cantina on Tattooine.Heart, "Barracuda"; a great rocker from the incredible Wilson sisters..Carly Simon, "Nobody Does it Better", another movie theme on the charts- this one from the current James Bond adventure.

Tops in the UK:  Elvis Presley, "Way Down"

Although the King is dead, his music lives on. In a big way in the UK, as he tops their charts this week!

Having surveyed the music scene today, let us now check out the evening's tv viewing. As for the US Television Schedule:  

Kene Holliday and Victor French of "Carter Country"

 

ABC:  Welcome Back, Kotter; What's Happening!!; Barney Miller, Carter Country, The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour

I'll often tune in Barney Miller, with the excellent ensemble cast (including Hal Linden, Abe Vigoda and Ron Glass) of oddball big city police officers. Other officers, the small-town variety, are seen on "Carter Country", a sitcom based in the Georgia environs that were home to President Carter (hence the name). 











CBS:  The Waltons; Hawaii Five-O; Barnaby Jones

All these shows are perennial favorites of my parents, and their set is faithfully tuned to CBS. My tastes lie elsewhere, however...

NBC:  CHiPs; Man From Atlantis; Rosetti and Ryan

 

If "Emergency" had motorcycle cops instead of paramedics, and had a disco background, it would be "CHiPs". This show is my Thursday night pastime; starring Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada as two California Highway Patrolmen (the source of the show's title). Some action, some humor, some 70's cheesiness with a constant disco beat. Then you have "Man From Atlantis", with  Patrick Duffy as 'Mark Harris'- the last survivor of lost Atlantis. Sort of like Namor the Sub-Mariner, but without the pointy ears and winged feet.

BBC1:  Tomorrow's World; Top of the Pops; Happy Ever After; When the Boat Comes In; Cannon; Great Writers

BBC2:  Inside Germany; Day Out; London and the Thames; The Nun's Story


Now that we have the video entertainment in order, we must make a run to the spinner racks and see what four-color wonderment is out right now:

S

That issue of Amazing Spider-man looks like a winner; the Punisher back for more fun'n'games. Then there is that Mister Miracle: with Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers doing the book, it is well worth a look. Avengers and X-Men are always a lock for a good read. Power man is pairing up with Iron Fist, that sounds like a story worth following. The comic adaptation of Star Wars (there's that movie again) reaches it's conclusion in this issue. But above all, that Marvel Two-in-One Annual is the pinnacle. Completing the tale began in the already classic Avengers Annual 7, Jim Starlin and Joe Rubinstein promise a great ride. And with two of my favorite characters starring in the book; oh man. A lot to choose from this week; this just has to be one of the greatest times to be reading comics.

Of course,any time is a good time to read comics! And although our visit for today has come to it's inevitable end, we have the option to continue it a bit further with your stories and memories! So I'll pass the steering wheel over to you;  and sit back to ride until the next excursion on the Retro Metro!

Follow the Leader: Episode 65: Bronze Age Time Capsule!

Martinex1: Another episode of a favorite feature... Follow the Leader!  Who will jump on early with a comment to get our conversation rolling?  What will it be?   Music, Television, Comics, Bad Habits...who knows?  Only the Leader knows!

Panel Discussion / Brave or the Bold: Two Bronze Age Greats: Byrne and Perez!

Martinex1: We have another double-header for you today with a topic that straddles both Panel Discussion and The Brave or the Bold.  Our headliners today are John Byrne and George Perez, obviously two of the most prolific and outstanding artists of our favored era.  A couple of weeks ago in a comment section I asked a question regarding the work of these artists on a particular image from Avengers #181, and it sparked an idea.   Let's compare and contrast these greats.  Who was the better cover artist, group artist, and all-around story teller? 

I assume it will be difficult to decide so I've supplied a number of pieces below with George Perez' work on the left and John Byrne's art on the right.   Their careers followed similar patterns and they often worked on the same books.  Sometimes they traded off penciling covers from issue to issue as in Avengers, Marvel Two-In-One, and even the Uncanny X-Men.  Terry Austin, a great artist in his own right, inked both on occasion.  They worked with many other famous inkers as well like Sinnott, Giacoia, and Thangal.    Both artists evolved over time.  It should be fun today contrasting the work and we will enjoy hearing your comments as we discuss the men, the art, and the ties to the Bronze Age!  Cheers!

George Perez

John Byrne

Perez (cover)  - The table scene in Avengers #181 -   Byrne (interior)

Perez - Wundagore Covers - Byrne

Perez (1985) - Pieta Covers - Byrne (1980)

Perez - Confrontation with Proteus - Byrne

Perez (and Austin)  - Project Pegasus - Byrne (and Austin)

Perez - Captain Britain Team-Up - Byrne

Perez - First Marvel Cover Work - Byrne

Perez - Super-Teams Defeated - Byrne

Perez - Famous Covers / Tragic Events - Byrne

George Perez - The Avengers and the Titans (Whoa!)

John Byrne - The X-Men and the Titans (Holy Moly!)

Perez - Fantastic Four - Byrne

Perez  - Team Work - Byrne

Perez - All Out Action - Byrne

Perez - And More Avengers - Byrne

George Perez -  Two Page Spread

John Byrne - Spreading it out with the X-Men

Perez - And let's not forget the DC stars like Superman - Byrne

Perez - and Wonder Woman - Byrne

There is so much to consider in the art and output (that has lasted for decades) that each of these gentlemen could get a dedicated week on BitBA.   I suspect that this may just be Part 1 of the Perez / Byrne comparison; I will come back to this in future months and explore so much more - but let's hear your comments on the talented duo and their Bronze Age influence.