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!

 

Follow the Leader Episode 161: Cyborgs, Fictional and Otherwise...

 

Redartz:   It's been awhile, so the time has come once again to give you all the opportunity to set the agenda for the week! Perhaps you've been anxiously awaiting this chance, nurturing a provocative poser or inspiring inquiry. The field is wide open, the stage is set, the audience is seated. The rest is up  to you!

 But before I turn the mike over to you, here's a quick preview of coming attractions. For next week, you might start gathering some thoughts about........Team-up Comics.................

Short Cuts: Quick (non-medicinal) Mood Lifters...

 

Redartz:  Hi gang! Today, here in the US, there's something going on that will occupy most folks' attention. Can't quite recall it but I'm sure it'll come to me. Anyway, it seems appropriate to keep things quick and light here this go-round. Therefore, it's just a single question, one whose answers may be helpful to us all from time to time. 

 When you are looking for a brief diversion, mood improvement, or just something to make you smile, what comic title / music/ anything do you turn to?

My remedy for a pick-me-up is an issue of DC's Sheldon Mayer classic, "Sugar and Spike". Those two torrid tots never fail to evoke a smile and a chuckle. Just wonderful light-hearted, charming fun. If no comics are within reach, I'll fire up the tablet and play anything by the B-52's. There's simply no way you can hear that group and not perk up noticeably. Perk up, and probably break out in embarrasing Dad Dancing movements...

 Ok, like I said, quick and light.  So what lifts your spirits in a  pinch?

Animation Congregation: Ultimate Halloween- Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin...

 

Redartz:  Happy Halloween Week, everyone! In honor of said upcoming holiday, we're saluting the indisputable classic among Halloween shows. To be honest, there aren't really all that many, unlike the endless array of Christmas specials. At Halloween, many folks binge on horror and monster flicks. But in terms of animated specials, it just isn't Halloween without the Great Pumpkin

First broadcast in 1966, it was the second "Peanuts" special from the stellar team of Charles Shultz and Bill Melendez. It followed "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from the preceding December of 1965. A personal note: I've never missed either one in all my years, and truthfully, the"Great Pumpkin" is my favorite. 

"It's the Great Pumpkin" is simply perfect Halloween fun. It has too many classic lines to mention; in fact many of us could probably recite the script from memory. Consider Charlie Brown and Linus discussing Santa Claus vs. the Great Pumpkin: Linus is incensed by Charlie's dismissal of his belief in the Pumpkin, to which Charlie observes "We're obviously seperated by denominational differences". As a kid I didn't really get that , but it beautifully shows Shultz' ability to gently weave adult commentary into his world of Kids. 

 

There's the great scene with the kids going trick-or-treating; and of course Charlie Brown 'had a little trouble with the scissors'. That all takes me right back to my days going out Halloween night with friends. Incidentally, like the kids on the show, with no parents. Mom and Dad just sent us out into the night, and we were fine with that! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And on the subject of parents, one thing that strikes me as an adult- Lucy going out to get Linus from the pumpkin patch at 4:00 am!   

 

 

 

 

 

And of course you have Snoopy vs. the Red Baron, and the cool nighttime race over no-man's-land. How much classic animated goodness can you fit in a half hour? Apparently quite a bit; one mighty full treat bag's worth. 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of treats, how about Vince Guaraldi's score? Another dose of perfection. Here's a bit from the show; the "Great Pumpkin Waltz"...

 Vince Guaraldi:  "Great Pumpkin Waltz"

 

 

Yes, I loved the special 'back then', and even picked up the paperback version. It joined the rest of my "Peanuts" library on my bedroom shelf. More importantly, the special holds up wonderfully through the years, and is still a must-see show each October. Bet you  will be watching too...

 

Oh, one final comment.You may be aware that I'm also a big "Simpsons" fan. Well, a few years ago their annual "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween episode included a tribute to "It's the Great Pumpkin". The episode was brilliant, and here's a shot of the actual "Great Pumpkin" meeting Milhouse/Linus...

 

Well worth the effort to look it up. Happy Halloween to one and all!

 

 

 

close 

Chew the Fat: Ideally Interesting Inquiries, Musically Motivated...

 

 Redartz:  Hello once again! Last week we posed a few questions about comics. We got some great responses, so we're going to go one more round. This time, the subject is music. Otherwise, it's the same concept as last week; just a brief friendly survey to wrap your head around...

 

1.  What was the first record you ever bought?

2.  What is the most recent example of music you've purchased or downloaded?

3.  Which musical artist, and which recording, would you say has affected /influenced/inspired you the most?

4.   How did your particular musical tastes evolve; i.e. music class in school, a musical friend or relation,  or perhaps just personal exploration?

5.   We're all going on a road trip. We have to choose one Sirius XM pop music channel. Your pick is: 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's or Contemporary? 

 

And since you're no doubt awaiting my responses, here they are: 

1.  First record I ever bought was the 45 rpm disc of Vicki Lawrence's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia"; spring of 1973. Maybe the first time I spent my allowance on something besides comics or trading cards...

2.  Most recent musical addition is the lp of Carly Simon's 1976 album "Another Passenger", which I converted and loaded onto my trusty tablet.

3.  Most influential artist is a group; the Beatles. No question about it. As for recording, that's a tough call. But one song which always moves me, and speaks deeply to me, is Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come".  

4.   My family was always playing music, so the influences were everywhere; especially in terms of classical music and Broadway tunes. And my grandmother gave me a bit of advice which has always held true: she said she could always tell a good piece of music because it would send chills down her spine. The best music does just that.

5.  For a road trip- probably the 80's channel. Great music and great variety.

 

Now then, you've all 'paid your quarter', so now 'make your selections'!

Chew the Fat: A Quick Quantity of Questions, Comics Connected...

 

 Redartz:   Anyone up for a quick quiz? Here's five questions for each of you to mull over. No right or wrong answers, no pressure, no biggie. 

1.  What is the oldest (in terms of earliest date published) comic you ever possessed?

2.  What is the most recent comic or graphic novel you have acquired?

3.  Congratulations, your life story is about to be made into a comic. Who writes and draws it?

4.  A young person, newly introduced to comics, comes to you for advice. What sage wisdom do you give someone 'just starting out'?

5.  For many of us, 'superhero' comics are the genre of choice. But what is your second favorite comics genre; what do you turn to when you want something different?

 As is only fair, here's my answers to the above questions...

1.  Back at the height of my original collecting years, I had an old Little Orphan Annie promotional comic from 1934. I still love to pick up promotional comics, as they tend to be rather unusual (and often somewhat cheaper than 'ordinary' comics. Don't recall why I parted with that, but so it goes...

2  My most recent comics purchase was DC's "Superman Smashes the Klan", a tpb done in anime style, and an issue of Bart Simpson's "Treehouse of Horror" (it being Halloween season, and all).

3. Being a rather odd individual, Steve Gerber would be a natural for the script. Artwise, I'm kind of old school, so Bruce Timm would be a good fit, he'd keep it light.

4. Very simple, I'd tell them to collect what they like to read. Don't worry about value, just find  your own interest and follow it.

5. Humor, without a doubt. If I'm not reading about Spidey or Batman, I'm perusing Archie or Uncle Scrooge...

 

Like I said, quick and easy. Now it's your turn!

Short Cuts: "And Now, the News"...

 

Redartz: With all the craziness in our world today, most of us keep tabs on current events; via the tv news, the net, even (yes, still) the newspapers. But how about 'back then'? When you were a kid, did you pay any attention at all to the news? Did you read any of the paper aside from the comics? 

When I was little, my folks always tuned in Walter Cronkite with the CBS News. Even to

day, when I think of tv journalism, Walter"s is the image that appears in my mind.  Dignified and personable, he
was the one I turned to all through college. 

A few years earlier, I (and every Saturday Morning cartoon viewer) got bits of the news from "In the News",  short featurettes during commercial breaks and between shows. Those jounalistic episodes might have helped foment my later thirst for news and analysis.

 

 How about you? Send us all a bulletin; just the facts...