Shark Wrasslin' Covers

[Lone Ranger]

In my latest blog entry (click link below), I've posted a few rather interesting covers from a strange little subgenre of covers.

Now, there are plenty of covers featuring sharks but this particular genre actually features hand-to-fin combat.

Can you think of anymore (a few others came to mind after I posted my blog)?

As an aside, does anyone else find that Wonder Woman cover to be a more than a little strange. What's she thinking?

[Red Oak Kid]

Whenever the subject of sharks and comic books come up, I immediately think of two things.

The Joker's Five Way Revenge where Batman fights a shark in a tank(tho this scene does not make the cover) and.......Flash Gordon (http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=34526&zoom=4)

[Kan-Man]

Whenever the subject of sharks and comic books come up, I immediately think of two things.

The Joker's Five Way Revenge where Batman fights a shark in a tank(tho this scene does not make the cover) and.......Flash Gordon (http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=34526&zoom=4)

There are so many wonderfully bizarre things about that Flash Gordon cover, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

By the way, I love this thread.

[Lone Ranger]

That is a great cover. I think that I've seen enough covers like that now to go with a 'Shark Riding/Surfing' genre.

I'm starting a little subfile now.

[benday-dot]

First this a swordfish and not a shark, and secondly Subby isn't exactly wrasslin' the beast. But he does certainly have his hands full and I will seize on any excuse to post a Bill Everett cover. I love those "water lines" of which he was so characteristic.

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1874/400/1874_4_57.jpg

[Kan-Man]

First this a swordfish and not a shark, and secondly Subby isn't exactly wrasslin' the beast. But he does certainly have his hands full and I will seize on any excuse to post a Bill Everett cover. I love those "water lines" of which he was so characteristic.

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1874/400/1874_4_57.jpg

I bought that one off the racks. I still have a tattered copy of it somewhere.

[prince hal]

http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=29513&zoom=4

(Wish I could just copy this, but my computer know-how is nowhere...)

Not riding the shark, but may be jumping it.

A typical example of what makes Mike Grell's work ultimately unappealing to me: stiff figures, no sense of anatomy (nor even the illusion of it), and an "action" shot that looks inactive.

Doesn't it look like Elongated Man's head turning around to see his overly long cape being chewed upon?

Or is Superman related to Regan McNeil?

Compare and contrast with the Bill Everett cover, class.

[MichikoS]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/midnight_17.jpg

This shark is possibly related to Wonder Woman's amorous pal. You may a whole new subset here -- Sharks in Love!

Michi

[Aaron King]

I actually just bought the Modern Comics reprint of that Midnight Tales issue at an antique store for two dollars. It's such an amazing cover! In my printing, the UPC code is replaced by a white block with green lettering that simply says, "READ COMICS!" I'm going to frame it and hang it on my wall.

And inside? No submarine. No underwater adventures. No sharks.

[Jeff O.]

KONA, MONARCH OF MONSTER ISLE No. 3

http://www.oddballcomics.com/covers/kona_3.jpg (http://www.oddballcomics.com/covers/kona_3.jpg)

Oddball Comics article:

http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2000-09-05 (http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2000-09-05)

[Reptisaurus!]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/midnight_17.jpg

This shark is possibly related to Wonder Woman's amorous pal. You may a whole new subset here -- Sharks in Love!

Michi

That's beautiful! Man, my run of that particular title stops at 16. Guess I got a new addition to my want list.

[Scott Shaw!]

KONA, MONARCH OF MONSTER ISLE No. 3

http://www.oddballcomics.com/covers/kona_3.jpg (http://www.oddballcomics.com/covers/kona_3.jpg)

Oddball Comics article:

http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2000-09-05 (http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2000-09-05)

Thanks, Jeff, you beat me to it! That's gotta be the BIGGEST shark ever wrassled! (And it's the cover of the best issue of KONA, MONARCH OF MONSTER ISLE, too..."The Cave Of Mutants"...brrrr....!) I was just waiting for Scott M. to respond to my email...!

Aloha,

Scott!

[telerites]

The Fighting Yank took on Jaws in The Fighting Yank #20.

http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=5865&zoom=4

[The Scribe]

http://www.amongwolves.com/resources/sharkman+1.jpg

;) :D

[prince hal]

I could have sworn there was a Rock cover with him taking on a shrak with a knife. I'm going to keep fishing for it, but meanwhile, check out this ...

http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=26509&zoom=4

[benday-dot]

I could have sworn there was a Rock cover with him taking on a shrak with a knife. I'm going to keep fishing for it, but meanwhile, check out this ...

http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=26509&zoom=4

Thanks so much Prince Hal... I love everything about that cover. It communicates itself perfectly!

[InfoBroker]

We ok, it's not exactly wrasslin' but when I saw this cover, I just had to share it .


http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/19013/400/19013_4_006.jpg


I like the way Felix was draw in the 1940s early 50s comics more than this 60s version, but this is such a wonderful cover.

-jb the (sharks smell blood) ib-

[Jeff O.]

Will Mickey bob-and-weave to avoid the shark's steel jaws? Will he try to grab hold of the attacker without losing a gloved finger? One thing's for sure, with his seat caught in a clam, the scrappy little guy's not going anywhere. What a deathtrap!

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1531/400/1531_4_112.jpg

(The only thing that could make it worse would be if Goofy accidentally knocks out Mickey's air supply.)

[Jeff O.]

TARZAN No. 56

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/543/400/543_4_056.jpg (http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/543/400/543_4_056.jpg)


KORAK, SON OF TARZAN No. 16

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1649/400/1649_4_16.jpg (http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1649/400/1649_4_16.jpg)

[Red Oak Kid]

Not a cover, but worth seeing.

[Aaron King]

Too bad he doesn't have his Bat-Shark-Repellant Spray...

[Lone Ranger]

I've got some others in mind that I didn't post in my blog:

An Oddball classic, for sure. I am certain that Mr. Shaw! must have featured this one at some point.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/13397_4_006.jpg

[Lone Ranger]

Whenever I see Victor Mature, I can't help but think of the Monkees.

Here's what anonymous from Atlanta had to say about this film:

Victor Mature spends more time drinking beer than fighting sharks in this shamefully bad film about a U.S. military shark-fighting operation in Cuba. It looks like it was shot with only camera (which has a hard time staying in focus). The film was probably just an excuse to take a vacation in Cuba.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/FC762cbr.jpg

[Lone Ranger]

Wow - did I ever post those in the wrong thread.

I guess I'm a creature of habit.

Aaron - please toss 'em over to the Shark Wrasslin' thread.

[Red Oak Kid]

Hey bartender, I'll have what he's having.:p

[Lone Ranger]

Hey bartender, I'll have what he's having.:p


It's a little concoction I like to call '2 hours sleep'.

My move was as successful as a move can be - we are now living in a house full of boxes with an archaelogical dig for a kitchen. I was chatting with my contractor yesterday, staring at this giant pit in my new backyard and he told me they were a week ahead of schedule. I was not comforted.

If anyone needs my new address - please send me a PM.

[Red Oak Kid]

An Oddball classic, for sure. I am certain that Mr. Shaw! must have featured this one at some point.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/13397_4_006.jpg

I've never seen this cover. It raises so many questions.........:confused:

[Scott Shaw!]

I've got some others in mind that I didn't post in my blog:

An Oddball classic, for sure. I am certain that Mr. Shaw! must have featured this one at some point.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/13397_4_006.jpg

Holy cow! I've not only never featured this at ODDBALL COMICS, I've never even SEEN it before! But I'm sure gonna look for a copy now! I immediately fell in love with that cover...no guns, no gangsters! I HAVE spotlighted a different issue, though, with duck hunters shooting at gangsters hiding in a marsh while ducks fly overhead, also drawn by the great L. B. Cole.

GREAT find, Scott!

Aloha,

Scott!

[Red Oak Kid]

I apologise in advance for going off on a tangent but I think Scott! may have featured this (http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=240192&zoom=4) issue of Guns Against Gangsters a long time ago. If not, it was a similar cover of FBI men disguised as hunters/fishermen.

[Kirk G]

Bit of Trivia:
When the movie JAWS hit big in the early 1970s, there was a scramble to publish anything that had Sharks in it. Among the books that immediately was rushed to reprint with a JAWS title slapped onto the book, was an authoritative book written by a Harvard graduate who devoted his life to understanding and researching sharks until his untimely death in about 1962 off the coast of San Diego. The man's wife received all the income from this, but he has another more interesting claim to fame that has only really come to light since 2001... and the HBO production of "Band of Brothers!"

The man was PVFC David Kenyon Webster. One of the original men of Easy Company! Check him out on wikipedia!

[Jeff O.]

FOUR COLOR No. 614

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/279/400/279_4_00614.jpg






THE WORLD AROUND US No. 30

http://www.classicscentral.com/wau/wau30b.jpg

[Jeff O.]

Edited out CBR double post (which hadn't shown up when originally submitted).

[Lone Ranger]

Another classic (although it loses points because it actually makes sense that Tarzan might fight a Shark).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/Sparkler37.jpg

[Lone Ranger]

GREAT find, Scott!


I am shocked that I was able to bring something new to the Oddball table.

If I had a copy - you know it would be on its way to the Shaw! household already.

[Lone Ranger]

Inspired by Kirk G's comments about the impact of the film Jaws, I updated my blog with some Jaws inspired covers. Take a look (link in my sig below).

Meanwhile... there are some more Golden Age Shark Wrasslin' covers, including this beauty:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/Shark/reallife11.jpg

[JimmyDee]

More shark covers! Love them!

[Jeff O.]

JAWS cover, a la Archie....

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/13261/400/13261_4_0079.jpg (http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/13261/400/13261_4_0079.jpg)

[Jeff O.]

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/4183/400/4183_4_03.jpg

[Jeff O.]

This one may also lose points, initially. It makes sense for Aquaman to fight a shark he can't reason with or command.

However, compensation is offered in number of wrestling opponents in the ring at the same time.

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/4940/400/4940_4_000000031.jpg


(Aquaman sure could've used Tarzan as a tag-team partner.)


DISCLAIMER: In general, I'm not a fan of covers with large flows of blood. At least in this case, the lettering is Eisnerian.

[Lone Ranger]

I love this XELA ocver - the shark has definitely thrown in the towel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/Shark/Exciting60.jpg

[Aaron King]

I really want to see a shark use a knife to fight a person. So many of these shark-wrestlers have knives, and I guess sharks have mouths full of knives, but I'd love to see a shark with his fin wrapped around a shiv. Maybe I'll put one together this weekend...

[Jeff O.]

JAWS cover from MAD

http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/600x800/mad180id.jpg (http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/600x800/mad180id.jpg)

JAWS covers from CRACKED

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/14478/400/14478_4_0129.jpg (http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/14478/400/14478_4_0129.jpg)


http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.131.GIF (http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.131.GIF) -- swimming with the fishes


JAWS cover from SICK

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/23472/400/23472_4_0107.jpg (http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/23472/400/23472_4_0107.jpg)


JAWS 2 cover from MAD

http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/600x800/mad204id.jpg (http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/600x800/mad204id.jpg)


JAWS 2 covers from CRACKED

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.154.GIF (http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.154.GIF)


http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.155.GIF (http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.155.GIF)


JAWS 2 covers from CRAZY

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19439883210.43.GIF (http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19439883210.43.GIF)


http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19439883210.45.GIF (http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19439883210.45.GIF)


Marvel's cover for the official comics adaptation of JAWS 2

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/2401/400/2401_4_06.jpg (http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/2401/400/2401_4_06.jpg)


JAWS 3-D cover from CRACKED

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.198.GIF (http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/19362625850.198.GIF)

[Lone Ranger]

How did I forget this classic?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/Shark/bluebolt4.jpg

[Red Oak Kid]

I love this XELA ocver - the shark has definitely thrown in the towel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/Shark/Exciting60.jpg

I disagree. I think he is getting sleepy and is wishing he had a cigarette.

[benday-dot]

Have you yet had or seen this chum filled opus from one of those St. John 3-D comics?

[http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/20015/400/20015_4_001.jpg

[Chris N]

Just grabbed myself a Human Fly avatar, and couldn't help but notice one of his background stunts was wrassling a shark.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o1/CocaC0la99/humanfly1-1.jpg

[Super Villains INC>]

how about this?


http://www.comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=29943&zoom=4

[Kirk G]

There must be one with Namor and a shark...or Tiger Shark and a shark vs. Subby... I just can't think of it at the moment...

[foxley]

The Big Red Cheese gets into the act:

http://www.comictreadmill.com/CTMBlogarchives/2007Images/whiz019.jpg

Does it still count if it's a mutant shark?

http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=131675&zoom=4

http://comics.org/coverview.lasso?id=131677&zoom=4

Piledriver!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/seanmaher1/06_shaolin_cover.jpg

[foxley]

http://collection.movingimage.us/media/mmi/images/2/9/12179_object_representations_media_2932_medium.jpg