Redartz: Every now and then, you may see comics appear on television. Not adaptations, but actual comics themselves. Conversely, sometimes you'll see television shows appear in comics.This is the root of our discussion today.
I have assembled four examples for you today; four instances in which an actual 'real world' television program was an integral part of a comic story. All, incidentally, are very fun, lighthearted stories, and serve as a bit of a departure from the title's regular fare. So, let's turn on our four color screen and see what's on.
Action Comics 345- "The Day Candid Camera Unmasked Clark Kent's Identity"
This is an amusing story, a bit far-fetched (it is, after all, a Weisinger era Superman story). In brief, the popular 60's CBS show "Candid Camera" is doing prank stunts on the Daily Planet staff. Host Allen Funt inadvertently catches Clark Kent in mid-switch to his Superman costume, and fears he's exposed the Big Secret. But never fear, Supes had overheard the plans with his super hearing, and at superspeed went to a costume shop and added a pair of Batman pants to his costume. He then gave a rather lame explanation of how he was turning the tables on Funt and the show. Silly, yes, but a charming bit of 60's pop.
Josie and the Pussycats 50: " Quiet on the Set"
You all know Josie and her band from the classic 70's Saturday morning cartoon. Well, they first appeared in comics. In this issue, the group travels to California to visit Hanna Barbera studios, to see how they're about to become tv stars. In the course of their visit, they tour the studio, Alexandra causes her usual mischief, and the band actually meet Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. And of course the girls make a point of concluding the tale with a plug for the show...
Marvel Team-Up 74: "Live From New York...It's Saturday Night"
In which Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson score tickets to NBC's "Saturday Night Live". The truly brilliant original cast of the show make appearances, as do Stan Lee (invited) and the Silver Samurai (uninvited). And, you get Garrett Morris as Thor. Run, do not walk, to your nearest back issue dealer.
Avengers 239: "Late Night of the Super Stars"
Former Avenger Simon (Wonder Man) Williams calls upon the Avengers to help his acting career with an appearance on "Light Night With David Letterman". Most of the team are unavailable, though, so Hawkeye, Beast, Black Panther and Black Widow join Simon on the show. Unfortunately, Avengers nuisance Fabian Stankowitz crashes the show. Oh, and David Letterman helps save
the day.
Four comics, four shows, four fun crossovers. Can you think of some others? These were all comedies, as well- have there been any dramatic tv/comic mixups? Perhaps you have a great idea for one of these stories. What character or characters would make an interesting appearance on what program? Pull out all the stops and give us your wildest concepts...
9 comments:
Can't think of any others off the top of my head; the closest one that comes to mind is when Don Rickles appeared in Jimmy Olsen during Jack Kirby's run.
Horrible that I cannot think of examples to add today.
I always avoided the issue with the Letterman cover. Was it the Milgrom art or the fact that Letterman looked like Alfred E. Neuman?
In Detective Comics #357 in 1966 or '67, Batman and Robin were guests on a TV talk show hosted by William B. Williams. Why DC would use him as a guest star, I have no idea. Williams was a DJ in New York at the time, but, AFAIK, he was not nationally famous. And, even in New York, he probably was not popular with kids (then the majority of comic book fans). IIUC, his show had an "easy listening" format.
In the 1970s, he was the announcer and sidekick on a syndicated TV talk show hosted by Sammy Davis Jr.
I remember the Jimmy Olsen issues with Don Rickles, which seems like another odd choice of guest star. I don't know if many DC comics fans were also Rickles fans, or vice versa.
Hmmm, I left a comment earlier, but it seems to have disappeared. It was a mention of Amazing Spider-Man 304, where Peter Parker appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson while promoting his "Webs" book. It was in 1989, right on the edge of the Bronze Age, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
I think Tom Snyder was in a couple of Miller Daredevils, but I don't remember the details.
I seem to remember ... through a great fog... that Hill Street Blues, Cagney and Lacey, and perhaps Kojak characters made cameo appearances in Marvel comics. Where and when? No idea. Like I said it is very hazy ... and I hope I’m not just remembering an episode of Mad Magazine.
I would like to see Quincy ME team up with Dr Strange and Don Blake on a case. (Does Don Blake even exist anymore)?
Marti- yes, that Avengers cover is, shall we say, less stellar than some. A fun issue, though. Now that MTU cover? Wonderful.
TC- You're right-wing I'm unfamiliar with William B. Williams. However it seems like there were some Mavel books, perhaps Avengers or Fantastic Four, that had appearances by Walter Cronkite. And that's the way it is...
Mike W.- good recall on those books. Forgot that Pete did the book tour.
I was kind of bummed when that Marvel Team-Up came out. I wasn't watching SNL regularly at the time and those guys took the place of a super hero. When I read the story though it was ok and may have even propelled me into watching SNL more often.
Spider-Man #99 had our hero appearing on The Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson. I read that story thanks to a bronze age Marvel Tales issue.
It's also fun when things go the other way, a Marvel comic on a TV show!
You could bet those sightings always made the letters pages.
I remember Radar sleeping with an Avengers comic on MASH. I think it was #60. Doesn't really matter which one, as any issue would have been published long after the Korean War. No less fun to spot!
-david p.
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