Animation Congregation: More Animated Themes, Dreams and Schemes!

Redartz: Hey, last week was a lot of fun- there's a lot of love out there for Saturday mornings (and after school, and evenings; anytime animation is available). I'm gobsmacked by the response you all had (picture me as Wile E Coyote getting clobbered by an ACME Anvil). So, to slake your thirst for more cartoonish capers, here is one more heaping helping of memory prompters. Some were inspired by your comments last week. Others, I just tried to mine a few more obscure clips. And to start us off, here's a few of those Saturday morning preview ads so prominently featured in the comics. They always appeared in late summer comics, so the anticipation they prompted for the new fall season helped take the sting out of the impending return of school...

Next up, before we hit the toons, here's a couple of fondly remembered Public Service-type spots that were common throughout  the 70's and 80's. Bet you still know the lyrics...

Schoolhouse Rock: Conjunction Junction

Time for Timer

And now, let's settle back and feast our eyes upon some more cartoons. How many do you remember?

Thundarr the Barbarian (1980)

Jabberjaw (1977)

Return to the Planet of the Apes (1976)

Where's Huddles (1970)

The Jackson Five (1971)

Groovie Ghoulies (1970)

Star Trek (1974)

Roger Ramjet (1965)

Underdog (1964)

Super Friends (1973)

The  Mighty Heroes (1966)

Smurfs (1981)

Wait 'Till Your Father Gets Home (1972)

Well, that about does it. We'd better turn off the set and get busy before we're told to "turn that off and go play outside". Hope you enjoyed another dose of classic animation; next week we'll be looking at some comics art. So until then, keep sharing those thoughts, and be well!

Follow The Leader: Episode 44: Crossovers

Martinex1:  Every Tuesday we Follow the Leader and latch onto your topic suggestions for the day.

The last few weeks' offerings have really inspired the commentators, and the feature has regularly been among the top-viewed posts on this site.

So bring it on! What will we discuss today?  Somebody please get the ball rolling.  Everybody else join in with comments.   Cheers!

Follow The Leader: Episode 43: Twist Endings!

Martinex1:  Topics topics everywhere; get us on our feet!  It is Tuesday and we need somebody to take the lead!

Movies, television, music, bands, characters, comic books, novels, writers, actors, artists, and civilization are all fair game as long as it appeals to our Bronze Age sensibilities.

Cheers!

The Quarter Bin: A $1 Challenge with Gorillas in our Midst!

Martinex1: Four comics for four bananas!   Today we are looking at comic covers with a strange but rather prevalent trope - gorillas!  As I researched this, I was astounded by how many comic covers existed with gorillas as the main attraction.  

We have genius gorillas, talking gorillas, gun wielding gorillas, giant gorillas, purple gorillas, and that is just the start.  We have King Kong, Konga, Magilla Gorilla, Gorilla Grodd, and Gorilla Man.  

Also hidden among the myriad covers may be the greatest rubber mask reveal of all time.

While a significant number of examples are from the Silver Age, the Bronze Age and even Modern Age are well represented.  The silver age classic book Strange Adventures was surely fascinated with the creature, but Superman's Pal Jimmy Olson, Superboy, and the Flash also had their fair share of the hairy beast.  DC was gorilla crazy for a while and definitely leads the pack, but we have offerings from other publishing companies like Gold Key, Charlton, Archie Comics, Marvel, and Image as well.

I think you will have fun taking a gander at these kooky covers.  With over 60 covers, this is the widest selection offered yet in our $1 Challenge, but you can only afford four for your hard earned dollar, so make your personal picks and share your comments.