Guess the Classic Cover - All New #1 Collector's Edition

[Lone Ranger]

Welcome to the new Guess the Classic Cover. We have had two very successful versions of the game already. We burned through nearly 250 covers pre-meltdown and another 400 covers in just over year.

The basic rules are as follows:

1. I will post a portion of a Classic Cover as a clue
2. If you know the answer - please state the title and issue number
3. I will post a larger portion after a while (10-15 views)
4. Partial guesses/answers to help others along are just fine.
5. I assign points depending on how many clue were provided.
6. Hints will be given to help move things along (or perhaps frustrate them!)

If you answer a cover with only one clue revealed, you are awarded 400 points. A two-clue answer will get you 300 points and so on.

Please feel free to talk about how you went about solving the cover, if you own a copy, any memories you have of the book etc….

After the first 50 covers have been solved, InfoBroker and I will tally to points and the top 5 will receive a JK Award.

The JK Award is comprised of two mid-70s gems by two legendary JKs: Tor #1 (DC) by Joe Kubert and Eternals #1 by Jack Kirby. These awards have been very generously donated by InfoBroker and all that we asked is that you provide the postage.

For more information please see the thread annoucing the changes.

__________________________________________________ _________

Ok – enough talk, let get to the cover.

Here is the first clue to the first classic cover of the new game.

HINT – This title made its debut in the 60s

[Nate C.]

Awesome, Scott. As always, I will only lurk, as I lack the skills to play; I don't see how you guys do it!

[Mike Kuypers]

Avengers #83

[Lone Ranger]

Avengers #83

Well, well, well...

In the tradition of the game, the first cover is solved in one clue.

Well done - 400 big points for Mike K. What gave it away?

Nice going Mike, now everyone else feels woefully inadequate. :D

I was trying to start with a true classic that a lot of people might have seen before.

For new players - don't worry, many covers get to a 3rd and even 4th clue.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - The cover artist passed away within the last couple of years.

[Lone Ranger]

Awesome, Scott. As always, I will only lurk, as I lack the skills to play; I don't see how you guys do it!

Don't worry Nate - one of these days a cover will come along and a lightbulb will light up above your head.

I feel that there's a cover out there for everyone.

[Mike Kuypers]

Hey, no one is more amazed than I am!

With your first clue and the visual I figured it was a Marvel title. Something about it suggested The Avengers, but I was prepared to search through all the Marvel titles that debuted in the '60s.

The GCD cover is a bit odd. Possibly a foreign edition.

[Mike Kuypers]

Awesome, Scott. As always, I will only lurk, as I lack the skills to play; I don't see how you guys do it!

I felt the same way, Nate. During the original version of this game I lurked, too. But once you dip your toe in the water it becomes addictive. Try it. No penalties for a wrong guess.

[Red Oak Kid]

Avengers #83

I Quit! :D

[InfoBroker]

Avengers #83

to quote Red Oak from about a year ago...

"What the?"


-jb the skills-have-rusted ib :cool:

[Bill Angus]

That's Eerie #139 by Frank Kelly Freas, I think.

[Lone Ranger]

That's Eerie #139 by Frank Kelly Freas, I think.

I quit too!!

What? I can't quit?

Let me have a look at that contract!

*reads*

Crud! You're right I can't quit.

400 big points to Bill Angus

That is indeed a nice cover by the late, great Kelly Freas for Eerie's final issue. How did you spot it?

Ok folks - we are going to get beyond the first clue one of these days!

We have completely freaked out any new players.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - This comic was published in the 60s

[Bill Angus]

It was a combination of your clue & the fact it was painted. The most prominant comic painter I knew of to have passed on in the last couple of years was Freas, so I just did a look for his stuff on the GCD. It just happened that was the first cover (that wasn't Mad) to show up.

[Lone Ranger]

It was a combination of your clue & the fact it was painted. The most prominant comic painter I knew of to have passed on in the last couple of years was Freas, so I just did a look for his stuff on the GCD. It just happened that was the first cover (that wasn't Mad) to show up.

That's some nice detective work Bill. Nice job.

[Lone Ranger]

to quote Red Oak from about a year ago...

"What the?"


-jb the skills-have-rusted ib :cool:

I wasn't expecting you to get that one right away JB, as it's post 1970. It is one of the most memorable Avengers covers, though.

I am already humbled by the huge brains around these parts.

[Dom]

Amazing Spiderman 22

[Lone Ranger]

Amazing Spiderman 22

Nope, but welcome to the game Dom.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - this series featured artwork by both Steve Ditko and Alex Toth.

Please note - I am out of town until Sunday night, so may not get the chance to post another clue until then.

[TheHistorian]

Awesome, Scott. As always, I will only lurk, as I lack the skills to play; I don't see how you guys do it!

Skill? HEY EVERYBODY, THIS FELLA THINKS IT'S A SKILL GAME!

Anyone who hasn't hit a cover simply due to dumb luck, please raise your hand...

[Lone Ranger]

Ok - one more clue before bed, but I am heading out of town first thing in the morning, I swear.

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - this title went on hiatus for more than 5 years

I'll bet that does it

[T GUy]

This has the sniff of some DC anthology such as House of Secrets to me. Probably Mystery in Space.

[Mike Kuypers]

I looked at the DC anthologies after the first clue. I'll feel foolish if I missed it. (I also checked out Superman Family titles on the theory that shade of light purple often turns up on old DC covers. Now I'm not even sure this is a DC.)

[Yes its me]

For some reason when I saw the picture the first thing that came to my mind was My Greatest Adventure. Don't know why...

[InfoBroker]

Showcase Presents the Atom #36

colors immediately pointed to DC.

Line quality, design of machines, and inking - All Gil Kane.

Yesterday:

I went first to the Atom title - no luck

then to Green Lantern - no luck

then to Showcase - and missed the dang thing

then back to work

then pondered in the evening hours

Then remembered Gil's regular gig on Strange Adventures in that time frame - no luck - but this is a great period for studying Gil's tremendous design skills.

then got desperate and looked at Hulk, then remember Alex Toth on Hulk? I don't think so. Knew it wasn't an Echhs-men* cover, but looked anyway.

Then went to bed.

Sleep is a wonderful thing for the eyes. Went back to Atom and Showcase because even more desperation sent me running back to my first instincts about the nature of this art and its links to Gil Kane's early 60s work on Atom.

Ta da! See how simple it is(n't).

-jb the grateful to the GCD yet again ib :cool:

* It should be noted, that my saying "Echhs-men" is not a slur on some of my favorite silver-age comics, but is merely a "poke-in-the-ribs" humorous reference to the Not Brand Echh Marble Comics Universe.

[Mike Kuypers]

Way to go, JB. I was looking at Showcase earlier today and didn't see it. Yeah, the coloring shouts DC. Still, that goofy face would seem to fit the Metal Men more than the Atom. Anyway, I'm glad I won't have to worry about this one over the weekend.

[InfoBroker]

If it isn't obvious by now, this game does not preclude using reference material to solve and/or confirm the answers to the puzzles.

I use a lot of online resources depending on where my suspicions take me.

They include the following:

For Marvel Silver-agers nothing is faster and nicer than this site. (http://www.samcci.comics.org/)

For DCs of almost any period Mikes Amazing World of DC (http://www.dcindexes.com/covers/) is an astonding piece of work. One of my favorite places to linger and explore the changing trends in mainstream comic art.

For stuff missing from the GCD, Mile High Comics and eBay are my default choices.

There is a Charlton site or two, but I've lost the links for them. Probably due to my leaning more and more on GCD for non-Marvel/non-DC searching.

Sometimes, when I'm certain it's a Steve Ditko cover I go this extension (http://www.ditko.comics.org/ditko/covers/) of the Marvel Silver-age site.

Rob Allen pointed us to a great Marvel Atlas site (http://www.atlastales.com/?_p=n) for 1950s material.

There are also several pro-spotters who add to there online arsenal of tools with copies of the Gerber Photo Guides Volume I and II. I still don't have them, but I've been making bids on eBay. So I'll ask everyone to stay away from there unitl I procure my set.

Over the past year I have also learned a few interesting aspects of Kimosabe's taste in comics, but my knowledge is nowhere's near as complete and accurate as Red Oak Kid's seems to be. But there are times, like this Showcase cover where it has helped me to thin the choices. Kimo loves the Atom, it is one of his all time favorite silver-age comic titles. He also has a long run of Brave and Bold comics.

Speaking of Red Oak Kid, maybe I should offer up a bonus JK Award to the first person who can spot a Neal Adams cover on the first clue BEFORE ROK. I'm still convinced he worked at Continuity Studios for a long stretch of time.


So anyway, I hope that helps newcomers learn some of the ropes, and perhaps level the playing field a bit.

-jb the (giving away his trade secrets) ib :cool:

[Yes its me]

Wow, what a great how to guide. Hopefully I won't suck as badly as I do now. Although I did go to Showcase The Atom, and missed the friggen' thing. :evilangry

[Lone Ranger]

Showcase Presents the Atom #36



Well done JB - 200 points for you.

I was actually happy to get to a 3rd clue after so many quick solutions.

Thanks for the lowdown on how you got to the answer - I always enjoy a twisted tale.

Here is the full cover, folks - it's a real beauty IMHO.

New one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it is a Marvel book.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - Both John and Sal Buscema contributed to this title.

[InfoBroker]

Here is the second clue

HINT - Both John and Sal Buscema contributed to this title.

<*grabs rib-tickler poking-device from special contraption-storage unit *>

Now lemme see...

Just how many Marvel titles get excluded with that clue?

Ok, not Strange Tales the original version. Big John re-debuted there, and I don't recall Sal doing any inking there, since he didn't show up on Marvel's doorsteps until after that title was converted to Dr. Strange.

Avengers is definitely a candidate, as are Spidey,the FF,Hulk, Captain America, Silver Surfer, Thor, Subby, and well I guess you could include Conan from the clue, but I don't think this material we are seeing has a Hyborian Age origin. Looks a bit more modern than that.

Hmmm, do Daredevil and Echhs-men fail this test. I can't be certain. If so they would be about the only major flagship titles that the Buscema brothers haven't both worked on. Not a bad record for two very talented artists.

The colors make me think late 70s and into the mid 80s timeframe.

-jb the almost positive this is NOT a silver-age Marvel comic ib :cool:

[Lone Ranger]

<*grabs rib-tickler poking-device from special contraption-storage unit *>


Just how many Marvel titles get excluded with that clue?



Lots and lots of titles:

Ghost Rider (vol 1)

Millie the Model

Black Goliath

Peter the Pest

Fantastic Four Roast

Life of Pope John Paul II

:p

[InfoBroker]

You can only stick your tongue out at me if you include Homer the Happy Ghost on your exclusion list. Otherwise, it is considered very uncooth...

- jb the purveyor of all that is :cool: ib - :cool:

[Mike Kuypers]

My first notion -- based on the back alley debris and the perspective -- was Amazing Spider-Man or Daredevil. No luck there. Of course I stopped searching both around 1980, so maybe I didn't search far enough.

Based on the Buscema Brothers clue I expanded my search to include Capt. America, Avengers and Thor. Also tossed in Spectacular Spider-Man based on my first hunch. Again, no luck.

Hopefully a future clue will narrow down a decade.

[Red Oak Kid]

The first clue also made me look at Romita Spidey covers. Then the green tint made me think Cap/Falcon covers. They seemed to have a lot of green.

Based on the second clue, the color has me thinking late 70s early 80s.

I'm just glad no one has solved it while I was at work.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - it was published in the 80s

[InfoBroker]

hmmm...

One of my first inclinations was this classic cover...

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/2182/400/2182_4_100.jpg

but no greens...

-jb the still pondering ib :cool:

[Sir Tim Drake]

Amazing Spider-Man #226.

[Sir Tim Drake]

I suppose I should explain how I solved it. I noticed the cat's tail and the "JR Jr. / Milgrom" signature on the pile of boxes, and then I had a flash of insight. That issue is one of my favorite Spider-Man stories.

[Lone Ranger]

Amazing Spider-Man #226.

That is it!

200 points for our Mad Mod !!!

I like the way JR Jr and Milgrom signed this cover.

I bought this one off the racks at the airport here in Toronto before a childhood vacation to Cozumel with my family.

Anyone remember when the sold comics (and often 3 packs) at airports?

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it was published in the 60s

[Lone Ranger]

Over the past year I have also learned a few interesting aspects of Kimosabe's taste in comics, but my knowledge is nowhere's near as complete and accurate as Red Oak Kid's seems to be. But there are times, like this Showcase cover where it has helped me to thin the choices. Kimo loves the Atom, it is one of his all time favorite silver-age comic titles. He also has a long run of Brave and Bold comics.

Speaking of Red Oak Kid, maybe I should offer up a bonus JK Award to the first person who can spot a Neal Adams cover on the first clue BEFORE ROK. I'm still convinced he worked at Continuity Studios for a long stretch of time.


That was a great overview JB.

I should say that since a lot of people know my comic interest (B&B, Atom, Lone Ranger etc...) I try to spread those out as much as I can. I'll bet there weren't that many B&B covers during the past 400 (I'd guess 5 or so). I try to sneak my personal faves in my people are least expecting it.

I love to try to fool ROK with Neal Adams covers - but have had very little (if any) success. The same goes for JB and Marvels from the 60s.

I hope that everyone is having fun so far.

[Mike Kuypers]

Amazing Spider-Man #226.

It's good to know my instincts weren't wrong. If only I had stuck with it! :)

[Red Oak Kid]

THUNDER Agents #6


WAAAAHOOOOO........!

[InfoBroker]

You think I'm not going to recognize a Thunder Agent uniform?

And that Tower orange...

Thunder Agents #6

HA!

-jb the ib :cool:

[InfoBroker]

Aw RATS!

In the time it took me to check and post, The Red Oak Kid out drew, out gunned and out-played me.

-jb the writhing in agony ib :cool:

[Red Oak Kid]

Cue Gunsmoke theme.

[Rob Allen]

Maybe I shouldn't give this info away, but another site that I use to look up covers sometimes is www.bipcomics.com - go to Issues and then Catalog.

[Lone Ranger]

THUNDER Agents #6


WAAAAHOOOOO........!

And it's ROK by a nose.

400 big points for a 1 clue answer. Sorry JB - so close.

I may have used this one waaaay back in the day. I was hoping that people may have thought that the 'shoulder' was part of some generic DC street scene (I guess a purple shoulder would have been better).

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it was published in the 70s

[Red Oak Kid]

I may have used this one waaaay back in the day. I was hoping that people may have thought that the 'shoulder' was part of some generic DC street scene (I guess a purple shoulder would have been better).

.

Good thing I just posted my answer and didn't take the time to explain it.

I don't think you used this one before. I know you used the TA cover looking down on a speeding car and someone dropping into it.

I never was aware of TA when they originally came out. And I don't have any in my collection(I mention this just to drive InfoBroker a little crazy). But there was something about the first clue that made me think Wood and since I remember you had used TA covers before that was the first place I looked.

<yawn> wow, is everyone as sleepy as I am? Yep, it's definitely time for all good Classic Cover players to turn off their computers and get into bed and drift off to dreamy dream land.

That's where I'm going. See, I'm turning off my computer and fluffing up my pillow.

Now my computer is off and I am asleep.

AWWW come on guys, turn off your computers. That first clue will be there ALL DAY tomorrow. Heck, if I was you I wouldn't even bother looking at it again until late tomorrow afternoon.

[TheHistorian]

No idea on the current cover - I mostly give up on anything newer than 1960, unless it just jumps out at me...

I just wanted to say that I love InfoBroker's current avatar - simply the most fun WDC&S cover ever!

[InfoBroker]

I never was aware of TA when they originally came out. And I don't have any in my collection(I mention this just to drive InfoBroker a little crazy)

... too late. Waaaaay too late.

Several Mayo Clinic specialists are still trying to chart my crazy quotient. Still off the scales, even though they are using logrithmic charts, and modulating the ratios by powers of ten.

I caught the tail end of Tower Comics just a few issues before the went into all-reprint form. My first issue sported a great Gil Kane cover (to wit)

http://www.thunderagents.com/images/coverlarge/ta15cov.jpg

There was a kid in my neighborhood who only bought Tower comics. When we played super-heros he would be Dynamo and I was Spidey (who else in that phase of my life).

He kept turning that buckle power switch on and off whenever I got near him. I couldn't confince him that I had webbed his thumbs back ala the Shocker tale from #46. (see that Amazing Spidey Annual of yours from 1971)

This would have been one of the early moments of my being driven crazy.
One of us would eventual go home mad at the other for being unreasonable.

Fortunately I could take all my frustations out at my drawing table. One of the earliest company cross-over comics ever not-published. I had Spidey making toast out of all the Thunder Agents. His final act of vengeance was repalcing the "chief" with Jonah Jameson.

Talk about a meltdown.


-jb the pencil is mightier than any dorky power belt ib :cool:

p.s. Circa 1969, I got his entire Tower Collection for 1/2 cover price. His earliest issue was (irony of irony) Thunder Agents #6. More revenge! BWAH-HA-HA!

[InfoBroker]

I just wanted to say that I love InfoBroker's current avatar - simply the most fun WDC&S cover ever!

Awwww... thanks.

I'm wearing it in honor of Bruce Hamilton and his contributions to keeping classic comic material in print for younger generations.

But in the next day or two I gotta switch back to my Astro City avatar-garb. If you wanna immortalize this one, you have my permission to wear it anytime you want.

-jb the iconized ib :cool:

[METAROG]

Hey, I just found out that the GTCC was back up. This is the cover to Superboy and the Legion #240. Got back just in time!!!! :D

[InfoBroker]

Metarog! Welcome back and don't go sneaking away without explaining how you were able to link things that look somewhat like Juggernaut's armbands to a Legion of Superboy Comical Book.

I was busy looking at Seaboard Atlas title, thinking Rich Buckler, or maybe another 70s comic artist had a hand in this illo.

-jb the not letting anyone off the hook here ib :cool:

[METAROG]

Well IB, I used to be a Legion junkie until it all got too confusing after Crisis. I must have read each Legion story from the 70's 20 times over. Thusly, it was fairly simple to recognize this nice Grell cover. Just that simple really. ;)

[Red Oak Kid]

Just for the record, THUNDER Agents 9 is the other cover that LR has used in the past. I remember that yellow moon.

Now, after a good night rest I'm going to get to work solving the latest cover. Yep those are definitely Juggernaut's power bands, so I'll just start searching.......huh?

awww crud.

[Lone Ranger]

Hey, I just found out that the GTCC was back up. This is the cover to Superboy and the Legion #240. Got back just in time!!!! :D

Wow - 400 points for ROG.

What is going on here?

I can't believe how many covers have been solved after only one clue. I don't think that these have been any easier, have they?

Looks like I may have to dig into my 'Misc. Obscure' box.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it has a 10 cent cover price

[Mike Kuypers]

Good thing I just posted my answer and didn't take the time to explain it.

I save explanations for the next post. I always go on the assumption someone else is just a few keystrokes away from beating me to the punch. And they usually are!

[Mike Kuypers]

What is going on here?

I can't believe how many covers have been solved after only one clue. I don't think that these have been any easier, have they?

Looks like I may have to dig into my 'Misc. Obscure' box.

You never can tell how these things will go. Look how much trouble a simple issue of Amazing Spider-Man gave us.

[Lone Ranger]

You never can tell how these things will go. Look how much trouble a simple issue of Amazing Spider-Man gave us.

And the Showcase #36 - which I think falls into the true 'Classic' category.

It is funny how the human brain works (or doesn't sometimes).

[InfoBroker]

It is funny how the human brain works (or doesn't sometimes).

Alright... stop talking about me behind my back.

I was busy reading your nifty review of Spirit Wartime comics over in the What Have You Read thread. Now you have my curiousity up about some Spirits that I don't think I have ever read.

I have the 30 odd, printed 1/2 size on normal typing paper, and put into 3 bags of ten issues each collection. Those were done in the early 70s. I also have all the Warren published Spirits, including the tryout full color episodes in Eerie and Creepy. And I have all the Kitchen Sink comics. A great run with lots of background material.

But I don't think the non-Eisner issues were reprinted until the Archives, which I have none of at the moment due to budget pressures. But I keep hoping for an ebay goldmine too.

-jb the (mixing threads again) ib :cool:

[TheHistorian]

But in the next day or two I gotta switch back to my Astro City avatar-garb. If you wanna immortalize this one, you have my permission to wear it anytime you want.

Once you switch, I'll take it over. It's too fun to not have around all the time.



I have the 30 odd, printed 1/2 size on normal typing paper, and put into 3 bags of ten issues each collection.

There were four of those "Spirit bags".

[InfoBroker]

Just for the record, THUNDER Agents 9 is the other cover that LR has used in the past. I remember that yellow moon.


Also did #12, but someone snagged that so fast it was only a blip on the Classic Comics Covers Radar device.

-jb the whistling innocently ib - :cool:

[InfoBroker]

There were four of those "Spirit bags".

Oops. That's right. I must be compensating for Wil Eisner's commentary. He thought that the 30th installment was the 40th, and said something about feeling his oats now that the strip was maturing.

I really enjoyed those early, albeit raw issues. They showed the framework for where the Spirit strip was heading. In those commentaries, I remember Mr. Eisner talking about using words in dialog balloons to suggest accents. Especially important was spelling them to force the sense of how the accent sounded, rather that the dictionary correct spelling.

Again his first examples were somewhat crude and stereotyped, but later on he and his staff mastered it. Next to Pogo, I think the Spirit strip was one of the best at extending the characitures of the cast using the trappings of the lettering techniques.

-jb the Ames-lettering-guide ib :cool:

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 2nd clue

HINT - The artist (according to one reliable online credit source) who drew this cover is still alive.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - The publisher re-used this title nearly 30 years later for a mini-series.

[T GUy]

From that hint, I'm going for 1950s Atlas mystery comics (consistent with the clue). If only I could recall the names of all those reprint mini-series from the late '80s such as Monster Menace.

Edit: After reading the post below, you may wonder why this board has no facility for deleting messages. As do I.

[T GUy]

From that hint, I'm going for 1950s Atlas mystery comics (consistent with the clue). If only I could recall the names of all those reprint mini-series from the late '80s such as Monster Menace. Even after looking up things on AtlastalesI'm still drawing a blank. Bah! Humbug!

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 4th clue

HINT - T Guy is barking up the right tree for this title that lasted more than 30 issues

[Red Oak Kid]

This will be easy, guys. Just find an Atlas horror comic with a woman being menaced by a ghost!

Piece of cake!





DAMN you Martin Goodman!

[METAROG]

Spellbound #12. :)

[Mike Kuypers]

Congratulations. I tried to search by publisher and the GCD claimed they didn't have any Atlas titles... except one British comic. :mad:

[Red Oak Kid]

Congratulations. I tried to search by publisher and the GCD claimed they didn't have any Atlas titles... except one British comic. :mad:

I encountered that last night. So today I did a publisher search for Marvel and all the Atlas titles are listed under Marvel.

I was comparing titles with 50s/80s dates and I estimate I was about 5 minutes away from seeing the Spellbound title when Metarog solved it.

[Lone Ranger]

Spellbound #12. :)

Well done - 100 points for ROG!

I thought the 30+ issues might have been a good clue as it would eliminate titles like Menance, Mystical Tales, World of Suspense etc... but looking back there are still plenty of horror books with 30+ issues.

I should have said - rhymes with 'hellhound', but I needed to stretch a cover out a little bit. You guys have been too fast.

Here is the full cover - which I think is by Russ Heath.

Here is the full cover- new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it is not a Big Two book.

[MWGallaher]

Phantom #67 from Charlton.

One of a rather nice sequence of painted covers by Don Newton at the end of the run. I ran through Boris Karloff and Twilight Zone covers first, when I suddenly remember Charlton's atypical use of what always seemed to me to be an upscale cover medium. Granted, Newton's covers weren't always as "painterly" as Gold Keys: many of them are still essentially line drawings, but with modeled coloring, but they did seem pretty classy in contrast with their competition at the time.

[Lone Ranger]

Phantom #67 from Charlton.

One of a rather nice sequence of painted covers by Don Newton at the end of the run. I ran through Boris Karloff and Twilight Zone covers first, when I suddenly remember Charlton's atypical use of what always seemed to me to be an upscale cover medium. Granted, Newton's covers weren't always as "painterly" as Gold Keys: many of them are still essentially line drawings, but with modeled coloring, but they did seem pretty classy in contrast with their competition at the time.

Wow! Very well done Michael.

400 points for you.

So we're back to the one clue answers, are we?

I figured that Slam would eventually get it, as I know he has a bunch of the Don Newton Phantoms.

This is a wonderful issue - really getting into the history of the Phantoms.

Here is the full cover.

New one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - This book was published in the 60s

[Slam_Bradley]

I figured that Slam would eventually get it, as I know he has a bunch of the Don Newton Phantoms.



The first thing I thought when I saw the clue was "Charlton Phantom." And then I let myself get sidetracked in to actually working. Damn, busy court days getting in the way of my playtime.

[Lone Ranger]

The first thing I thought when I saw the clue was "Charlton Phantom." And then I let myself get sidetracked in to actually working. Damn, busy court days getting in the way of my playtime.

I hate it when people expect me to work during office hours. People keep bothering me mid-post.

Sometimes it seems as though I look forward to other people's vacation more than my own.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 2nd clue

HINT - this title made its debut in the 50s

[InfoBroker]

Well I was pretty sure it was Don Heck work, but why I didn't ack on that I'll never understand.

<inner voices>: Neither will we

But you have found a wonderful early Iron-man comic here Kimosabe, featuring the introduction of Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan. Not the same Hogan who wrestled "the little masked Marvel" in Amazing Fantasy #15, but perhaps they are related and hoepfully no-one will ever be so mundane as to write a story linking them.

Tales of Suspense #45.

-jb the Marvelous ib :cool: <- very much so considering the villian for this comic.

[Mike Kuypers]

I looked at Tales of Suspense (among others), but because I was working on the theory it was a horror subject and not a superhero one I paid no attention to Iron Man.

[InfoBroker]

I was walking down that path for awhile as well MK. But the second clue nailed it. Not too many Marvel comics that premiered in the 50s, managed to make it into the 60s. The coloring screamed Marvel, and like I say the inkwork was definitely Don's. So I was thinking Iron-man since I had already walked down the Thor's and early Astonish/Strange Tales trails.

Is it hot there in Michigan? It is here in Minni-sew-tah. I finally broke down and turned on the air conditioner forthe first time this year. <whew>

Jack Frost would be welcome here today.

-jb the swealtering ib :cool:

[Mike Kuypers]

It's in the low 80s now. But tomorrow they're forecasting 94°. Ugh!

[Red Oak Kid]

I was sure this was a Strange Adventures cover with the earth moving away from the sun.

[Lone Ranger]

Tales of Suspense #45.

-jb the Marvelous ib :cool: <- very much so considering the villian for this comic.

That's it!

I knew that JB would get this one sooner rather than later.

300 points for the InfoBroker.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the 10th classic cover

HINT - this comic was published in the 60s

By the way - it's supposed to be in the mid to high 90s in Toronto for the next week or so. No thanks.

[Mike Kuypers]

Jimmy Olsen #108

[InfoBroker]

Wait a minute! We are on the 10th cover already?

ARGHH!!!! Another glance and I see we have SOLVED the 10th cover already.

Things are running hot in Michigan, nevermind what the temperature gauges say. I'm thinking MK must be the source of the current Midwest Meltdown we are experiencing. He must be getting a kickback from the power companies.

This pace doesn't bode well for my need to get the scorecards and spreadsheets tuned up. Cover #50 is going to be upon like Flash, Dash, Impulse, MPH and Quicksilver all rushing towards us at once.

I need to warn you people that the first ten days of July I will be vacation bound. If we hit 50 in that time frame, there will be a delay posting the totals.

Of course, given my procrastinating ways, that might not be such a big deal after all.

-jb the shocked and awed ib :cool:

[Red Oak Kid]

I don't think so.

I was sure it was Action 394, which also has Midas in the title.

But neither of these covers have the jewels that are in the clue.

[Mike Kuypers]

I don't think so.

I was sure it was Action 394, which also has Midas in the title.

But neither of these covers have the jewels that are in the clue.

Oops, you're right, I'm wrong. What looked like a pearl necklace in the thumbnail are the white bands around the cash. Rats!!! :mad:

[InfoBroker]

You mean I wasted all that wonderful build-up on a false alarm?

Serves me right for not checking for correctness first.

The evil nature of the evil twin has set me up again.

- jb the steaming (easy to do in this heat and humidity) ib :cool:

[InfoBroker]

Thought for sure it was this classic Carmine Infantino cover

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1428/200/1428_2_136.jpg

Close, but no jewelry to go with the hard cold cash.

-jb the reflective ib :cool:

[InfoBroker]

But this one seems to be studded with gems...

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1428/200/1428_2_151.jpg

-jb the off to bed now ib :cool:

[Mike Kuypers]

Oh, sure! Solve the whole thing while I'm asleep! And I'M the evil twin? Pffft!

[InfoBroker]

Sorry Mike...

The Bad InfoBroker broke free in the late night hours near midnight last night. The shocking revelation that Astro City might only be a fictional place has sent him scurrying about in a blind panic now.

The Mayo medical staff are struggling to secure him, lots of nets flying about, and... and...

YES! They've got him sedated.

Peace and sanity descend upon Rochester. Women and children are saved!

HOORAY!

You are free to return to your evil ways, as we now resume this threads regularly scheduled programming.

jb the good (but slightly wacky) ib :cool:

[Lone Ranger]

But this one seems to be studded with gems...

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1428/200/1428_2_151.jpg

-jb the off to bed now ib :cool:

That's it!

400 points for JB the IB. Another one clue solution - we are at a record pace here.

I must say that you guys are nothing if not thorough.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it is not a Big Two (Marvel/DC) book.

[Red Oak Kid]

Another one clue solution - we are at a record pace here.
.

While LR was taking a vacation, we have been taking Kirbyesque pills.

[InfoBroker]

While LR was taking a vacation, we have been taking Kirbyesque pills.

sssshhhhh!

ixnay on the irbyesquekay illpays.

You want a team of Toronto medical advisors to begin an investigation into improper drug use in Classic Comics Competitions.

Next thing you know, we'll have to provide blood and urine samples everytime we post a response to this thread.

<ouch!> Put that needle down Kimosabe.

<ouch!> <ouch!>

-jb the punctured ib :cool:

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - this comic has a 10 cent cover price

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - this title was published by more than one company.

[Cherokee Jack]

Tarzan # 71.

[T GUy]

Curses! Foiled again!

I went straight past this in thumbnail (not for the first time).

I then started looking at Korak, Son of Tarzan thumbnails until I recalled that Gold Key started at 12c. This made the Gold Key Phantom series a no-go as well. Still, I got to see some nice Dell painted covers on the Lone Ranger before surrendering.

[Red Oak Kid]

I too went straight to the Dell Tarzan covers first and missed it on the thumbnail.

[Lone Ranger]

Tarzan # 71.

That's it!

200 points for CJ!

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it was published in the 60s

[Cherokee Jack]

I'm glad I got this, but disappointed I didn't get it on the first clue. Seems like that's the norm here now. :)

I almost didn't look at TARZAN because it seemed too obvious, and I figured everyone had looked there already.

[Mike Kuypers]

I'm glad I got this, but disappointed I didn't get it on the first clue. Seems like that's the norm here now. :)

I almost didn't look at TARZAN because it seemed too obvious, and I figured everyone had looked there already.

I think we all did. It was the thumbnail that threw us. Or me at any rate.

[Red Oak Kid]

The current cover doesn't look like DC or Marvel to me.

[Mike Kuypers]

I was thinking Marvel or Charlton.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - both Steve Ditko and Al Williamson contributed to this title.

[InfoBroker]

Some things I did not know

... but do now, thanks to trying to track down this cover (still haven't nailed it).

Prize Comics somehow managed to be publishing comics into the 1960. Anyway Black Magic was still kicking. I thought they folded years earlier than that.

Forbidden Worlds sports artwork by Steve Ditko and Al Williamson. I wasn't aware that either had done any work for American Comics Group.

Tippy Teen was Tower Comics longest running series.

ACG also had a long running Romance Comic, over 70 issues. But the GCD only has three covers checked in so far. Maybe Kimo headed that direction with this comic? Hmmmm... did Steve Ditko ever do any romance comics.

One thing I did know:

Forbidden Worlds and Adventures Into the Unknown have some really weird covers. Everyone is an Oddball candidate. EVERY SINGLE ONE!

The search continues:

I'm still leaning my thinking towards it being a Harvey Thriller or an ACG comic. But I haven't managed to spot anything in that arena yet.

In desperation I am now searching Atlas-Marvel war comics that might have leaked into the early years of the sizzling sixties. Steve did do some war gendre material for Battle!

-jb the totally stumped ib :cool:

[MDG]

[Forbidden Worlds sports artwork by Steve Ditko and Al Williamson. I wasn't aware that either had done any work for American Comics Group.
I was thinking this was an ACG book, but didn't know enough to start looking.

The two faces on the left look kind've Wood-ish, maybe. A Tower book?

MDG

[InfoBroker]

The two faces on the left look kind've Wood-ish, maybe. A Tower book?

I was thinking maybe he inked, touched and cleaned, or perhaps even Dan Adkins either slightly before or just after Wally let him have byline credits.

I scoured the Tower books, but I may have missed something.

by this is all wild speculation...

- jb the bleary eyed ib - :cool:

[Cherokee Jack]

[B]

I'm still leaning my thinking towards it being a Harvey Thriller or an ACG comic. But I haven't managed to spot anything in that arena yet.

-jb the totally stumped ib :cool:

This was the only place I looked, as Harvey was my first thought . Not saying it's not Harvey, but I didn't find it (and I didn't look at every title.)

How's that for no help at all?

[Lone Ranger]

Now I'm starting to feel a little guilty about this one. :o

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - the title character has appeared in both live action television and feature film production.

[Mike Kuypers]

Is that partial word "Matador"? Just wondering.

[Red Oak Kid]

Daredevil 5.

[Mike Kuypers]

See? I said it looked like Marvel. InfoBroker, you got some 'splainin' to do!

[Red Oak Kid]

He sure does!

The third clue made me think of the Daredevil cover, but I figured if it was such a classic Marvel, Infobroker would have already snagged it. So I didn't even bother to look.

But Mike's query about Matador made the light bulb go on over my head and I looked anyway.

I feel embarassed to take any points for this one.

But I will. :evilsmile

[Mike Kuypers]

How do you think I feel? I knew the Matador was an early DD foe. If I'd kept my mouth shut I might have worked it out for myself. Sheesh!

[Cherokee Jack]

THWOCK---THWOCK---THWOCK---THWOCK--------that's the sound of the guy who's second favorite silver age Marvel comic is DAREDEVIL, and who owns the first 102 issues, beating his head with a billy club.

[Red Oak Kid]

I think there is going to be a lot of self inflicted head bashing over this one.

I see Infobroker as the cartoon character with a mallet in each hand taking turns hitting his head and driving himself into the ground.

We might need to put a 24 hour watch on his cell.

BTW, I always thought this cover was layed out by Ditko, but the GCD says it is by Kirby and Wood.

What the.....

[Cherokee Jack]

I just looked at the thumbnail at GCD. I don't think anyone would've gotten it from that thumbnail.

It always looked like Kirby to me, but I figured if it was a Marvel, it was a mystery/horror/western title, not one that I've seen a kazillion times.

THWOCK----THWOCK------THWOCK------THWOCK.

[Red Oak Kid]

Ya gotta give LR credit for being tricky.

When I saw the first clue with the princess and indian chief it blew all the circuit breakers in my brain.

No way that could be a 60s Marvel. It looked like a Famous Funnies cover from the 30s to me.

[InfoBroker]

See? I said it looked like Marvel. InfoBroker, you got some 'splainin' to do!

Stan: Well look who just came in. Kid Daredevil himself, Wally Wood.

WW: Is that a tape recorder Stan? You know I'm afraid to speak into these things. I'm not a big talker. I can never think of anything to say. I get struck dumb, my mind goes blank...

Stan: OK, OK, OKAY!

Stan: Boy! I'd hate to hear you when you feel like talking.


CNN BREAKING NEWS

(Rochester, MN) Pandemonium has broken out in the Northwest section of Rochester, Minnesota this morning. Motorists trying to navigate the construction activity on Highway 52 are now struggling to avoid a large green hulking mass that is leaving a path of rampaging destruction in its wake. We are rushing helicopters and reporters to the scene now. They should arrive shortly.

Meanwhile...

In Toronto, Canada a near riot has broken out as hundreds of comic fans have descended like moths to flame on the Silver Bullet Comics Shop.

http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/img/article_images/artpic-0409-05-full.jpg
Hey! For Toronto, this is as riotous as we get.


The source of the confusion is a mild-manner, Cowboy named Kimosabe, who in a state of near jubilation has offered free Marvel comic books to everyone in the surrounding metro area.

We caught up with the masked-man, silver bullets and all, and managed to catch this explanation from him before the crowds took him away in wild celebration.

Kimo: I did it! I DID IT!

CNN: Did what sir? What has caused this ecstatic euphoria?

Kimo: I made to the third clue, the THIRD I tell you, on a classic Marvel Silver-age comic from the sixties, and that pompous, egocentric [b]Marvel silver-age[b] fan from Minnesota didn't even chime in at that point. Not even then.

CCN: Marvel? Silver-age fan from Minnesota?

KIMO: THE INFOBROKER! HE FLUBBED IT!! He was checking all these obscure comic companies and completely missed his Merry Marvel Marching Comics Group. He even had the artists pegged, but didn't bother to check their contributions to his main precious House of Ideas publisher. Man it was great...

CCN: That explains a great deal of this tremendous excitement. But I sense there is more to it than that.

KIMO: Oh yea! It was his arch-rival, the Red Oak Kid, that Terror from Texas who snagged the comic while the great "jb the (boy does he have egg on his face) ib" was still snoozin’ and losin’.

KIMO: Now if I can only get a Neal Adams cover to the third or fourth clue, and have someone other than "the ROK" solve it. I could retire a very happy man.

KIMO: OF course, it won't be the InfoBroker. His mind is shattered.

CNN: This is Christiane Amanpour returning you do our main desk in Atlanta. WOW! It's a regular Mosh Pit (http://www.altx.com/interzones/gangsta/mosh.html) down here...

[InfoBroker]

BTW, I always thought this cover was layed out by Ditko, but the GCD says it is by Kirby and Wood.

What the.....

I always thought this cover was Wally's (and his studio) from the get go. A lot of artists initially coming to Marvel in this time frame, sourced heavily from Jack to match the mood, style and editoral desires. But the composition, the layout and the poses just don't jive as being Kirby to me.

I'll also echo with what Mark Evanier has said about Jack rarely if ever doing cover layouts.

- jb the trying to save face ib -

[Lone Ranger]

Daredevil 5.

That's it!

200 points for ROK. Thanks to Mike K for the assist.

Although I am quite happy to get this far with this cover - it's a bit of a guilty pleasure because I feel responsible for a lot of eye strain out there.

Great post on the aftermath JB - thanks for being such a good sport, and thanks to everyone for making this one a fun and memorable cover.

Well known Marvel books are tough - because so many covers are iconic. I wouldn't of thought of even trying this one until I noticed those costumed folks in the back. They served as wonderful decoys.

I agree that this is most likely Wood and Wood alone.

Here it is (although I know most of you can picture it in your heads).

New one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - This is not a Big Two (Marvel/DC) book.

*is afraid this one will make DD #5 look like a piece of cake*

[METAROG]

That looks like All Good Comics 1944 edition by Fox. It has an infinity type cover IIRC.

[Lone Ranger]

That looks like All Good Comics 1944 edition by Fox. It has an infinity type cover IIRC.

Wow!

I can't even begin to explain just how confused I am right now.

3 clues for Daredevil #5 and All Good Comics (1944) in only one clue?

And a very 'ear'ie clue at that.

400 well earned points for ROG.

Where was that one stored in your brain? I though we'd be here until next week with this one.

I picked up this Fox Giant at the Toronto Comicon with Archival Grading. A tough book to find - a real coup for the infinity cover lunatic that I am.

These are strange books - a mixture of funny animals and superheroes like the Green Mask and the Puppeteer.

I am really upset that I didn't get to use a clue involving the Bouncer.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

OK - let's see how we do with this one.

HINT - it is a DC book

[Mike Kuypers]

I am really upset that I didn't get to use a clue involving the Bouncer.

Or Pussy Katnip. :)

[MichikoS]

Green Lantern/Green Arrow #78?

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Or Pussy Katnip. :)

Here is a page of Pussy Katnip's adventures - definitely one of the oddest Golden Age strips I've ever read.

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a Vertigo mini-series revamp.

[Lone Ranger]

Green Lantern/Green Arrow #78?

Michi

Nope, but not a bad guess (you'll see why when the cover is revealed).

Welcome to the game Michi.

[Red Oak Kid]

Green Lantern/Green Arrow #78?

Michi

Yep you are on the right track. 78 was by Adams and I think these are definitely Terry Austin inks on Grell which came later.

Lets give Michi a chance to solve this one.

[Mike Kuypers]

Here is a page of Pussy Katnip's adventures - definitely one of the oddest Golden Age strips I've ever read.

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a Vertigo mini-series revamp.
Wow, that is oddball. This would be right up Scott Shaw!'s alley, so to speak.

[InfoBroker]

I picked up this Fox Giant at the Toronto Comicon with Archival Grading. A tough book to find - a real coup for the infinity cover lunatic that I am.

Yea but this copy is flawed. Patty neglected to sign her name inside all the little infinity repeat images. What's the matter with her? Has she no sensitivity towards these things?

-jb the flabbergasted ib :cool:

[MDG]

I agree that this is most likely Wood and Wood alone.


Here it is (although I know most of you can picture it in your heads).

This has got to be one of the earliest instances of trumpeting a new artist on the cover of the book, right?

With organized "fandom" being such a small part of the customer base at the time, it seems very odd for Marvel to do this. Makes you wonder who it was aimed at. It's not like they were stealing Wood from a competitor--at the time, I'm pretty sure Wood had been pretty absent from 4-color comics for a few years, appearing mainly for MAD, Topps, Warren, and other commercial work.

I'm not one of the peopl who can picture Silver Age Marvel covers in my head--did they do this a lot?

MDG

[METAROG]

Wow!

Where was that one stored in your brain? I though we'd be here until next week with this one.



Ah, I have researched all or most of the Golden-Age one-shots and these Fox issues are some of the most obscure around. Sorry to spoil your fun LR. :D

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - Although that's not Green Lantern's hand, he does appear on this cover.

[MichikoS]

I was hoping for beginner's luck. Fooey. I'll keep hunting around as time allows and watch for the next clues. Unless, of course, the answer gets posted. Then I'll just laugh and learn until the next time. How DO you guys do that ONE GUESS thing?? Is it a flash of inspiration, or hours of patient toil?

Michi

[Slam_Bradley]

Hmmmm...thought it might be Justice League #5...but no.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - it was published in the 90s

Pssst... Slam's guess was also a good one, just not 100% on target.

[Slam_Bradley]

JLA: Year One #5

[Lone Ranger]

JLA: Year One #5

Well done!

200 points for Slam.

Were you thinkg of Guy's first on JLA #5?

I thought I'd throw in a more recent cover just to keep things interesting.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it was published in the 70s

[Slam_Bradley]

Well done!

200 points for Slam.

Were you thinkg of Guy's first on JLA #5?

I thought I'd throw in a more recent cover just to keep things interesting.



Yeah, I was thinking of Guy's glove.

I appreciate anything from 1975 up. Gives me a shot.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - it's a Marvel book

[InfoBroker]

Is it a flash of inspiration, or hours of patient toil?

Well for Red Oak and Mike Kuypers it is hours and hours of (im)patient toiling. But me, its all insight and pure inspiration. Look how quickly I nailed that Daredevil cover.

jb the (living in denial) ib :cool:

[T GUy]

Sometimes 25 minutes of petient toil doesn't pay off. I've just looked through every Marvel '70s B&W I can think of for this latest piece of devilry with no success. :(

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue


HINT - The main story in this book was written by Len Wein and drawn by Jim Starlin

[Mike Kuypers]

Marvel Preview #10

[Lone Ranger]

Marvel Preview #10

That's it!

200 points for Mike K.

One wonders why Marvel Preview featured Thor, since he already had his own title.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Mike Kuypers]

I knew the Marvel Preview cover looked familiar, but relying on my memory for titles of Marvel B&W mags wasn't getting me anywhere. I finally resorted to searching by publisher. See, most of the time this doesn't come easy. More often than not it takes patience and a lot of searching. In my case, at least.

[Red Oak Kid]

Sometimes 25 minutes of petient toil doesn't pay off. I've just looked through every Marvel '70s B&W I can think of for this latest piece of devilry with no success. :(

Same here.

[MWGallaher]

One wonders why Marvel Preview featured Thor, since he already had his own title.


Thor the Mighty was developed as an ongoing expansion series for the Marvel magazine line. It was going to focus on the mythic aspects of the concept: adventure fantasy rather than superheroics, set in Asgard's past, not on Earth. The magazine never made the schedule, but the two issues that were completed did see print: this one, in its intended format, and the other in color as a Thor Annual. (I believe it was Annual #8; it appears to have art by Buscema and deZuniga, who were often teamed for the B&Ws. I remember the artwork was notably out of standard proportion, since the height-to-width ratio of the B&Ws was different from the four-color books.)

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it has a 10 cent cover price

[Mike Kuypers]

"Master Comics #4?" he said doubtfully.

[Red Oak Kid]

While not looking at Marvel Preview covers I ran across this indepth checklist of Marvel Black and White magazines.

Marvel Checklist (http://enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Marvel%20B&W%20Horror%20Magazines.htm)

[Red Oak Kid]

This has got to be one of the earliest instances of trumpeting a new artist on the cover of the book, right?

With organized "fandom" being such a small part of the customer base at the time, it seems very odd for Marvel to do this. Makes you wonder who it was aimed at. It's not like they were stealing Wood from a competitor--at the time, I'm pretty sure Wood had been pretty absent from 4-color comics for a few years, appearing mainly for MAD, Topps, Warren, and other commercial work.

MDG

Here is my two cents on why Wood was trumpeted on the cover. First, since this was 1964 I am going to assume Stan Lee was responsible for this blurb. I don't think Stan was very aware of any comics fandom, organized or otherwise. I think he was doing any and everything he could think of to attract attention to his line of books. These early Marvel covers were full of blurbs. Since Wood was somewhat well known for his MAD work, I think Stan was trying to trade on that.

Plus it didn't hurt to welcome Wood to the Bullpen by displaying his name in large letters on the cover. It probably made Wood a happy camper, for a couple of weeks anyway.

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1636/400/1636_4_0005.jpg

[MWGallaher]

My guess was that trumpeting Wood's arrival was a tactful way to announce to the readers that the art was going to be better from now on. Joe Orlando and Vince Colletta had followed the wonderful Bill Everett with three issues of art that ranged from mediocre to atrocious, and my theory is that Stan--who must himself have realized that Orlando and Colletta were delivering substandard work--knew that this book was in critical condition. So I don't think Stan expected readers to know who Wood was, he just wanted them not to turn up their noses based on the lousiness of the previous three issues.

No offense intended toward Joe Orlando; he did a lot of great artwork, much of it close in style to Wood's own. I mostly blame Colletta for the sheer ugliness of those issues (although apparently Stan didn't; Vince continued at Marvel, and I don't believe Joe did, at least not much). But even if Joe's work wasn't particularly ugly before Vince got hold of it, it still wasn't up to the standards of Kirby, Ditko, and Heck work elsewhere in the Marvel superhero line.

[Red Oak Kid]

So I don't think Stan expected readers to know who Wood was, he just wanted them not to turn up their noses based on the lousiness of the previous three issues.

.

I didn't know that about the previous art. I agree that Stan wasn't assuming that everyone knew who Wood was.

I think the key word in the blurb is "Illustrator". I think Stan was saying hey, check out this book. It's different. It's drawn by a real illustrator, not the usual comic book artist.

I think that was the idea behind all those blurbs. He was yelling at the potential comic book buyer(who probably usually bought DCs), hey, look at these Marvel comics. These comics are different from the other comic books.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - it is not a Big Two book (and not Big Three if we call Fawcett #3 ;) ).

[Rob Allen]

re: Daredevil #5,

I suspect that Wally Wood had a reputation among fans who remembered EC and Mad, and Stan was trying to attract them.

Also, Orlando left because he didn't like working "Marvel method", from a plot synopsis rather than a script. His storytelling choices often didn't fit what Stan was looking for, which meant Stan kept asking him to re-draw things. The last straw for Joe was a Giant-Man story where Stan apparently asked him to re-do half the pages - for no extra money, of course. Steve Ditko did the re-drawing of that Giant-Man story, and it was credited to Steve alone, but you can still see some Orlando in there.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - this title changed genres (and had a title modification) before the end of the 40s

[MDG]

Crack Comics #43

[Lone Ranger]

Crack Comics #43

That's it!

200 points for MDG

I wanted to work in a Justice League clue for Captain Triumph, but couldn't think of one without totally giving it away. I believe this CT made appearances in All-Star Squadron, but the Triumph from Justice League was a different character altogether (although he came from the 'past').

Here is the full cover (a very attractive cover by Al Bryant - not exactly Reed Crandall, but not too shabby) - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - both Alex Toth and Jack Kirby contributed to this title

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - this cover artist did work for many publishers including Ace and Tower.

[MWGallaher]

Adventure #423

Now that's Green Lantern's hand! Sneaky, as usual...

On the second clue, I did a mental run-through of Tower artists I was aware of (a reasonably small group) and hit upon Sekowsky, and thought that that hand might just be consistent with his style. So I looked at his Adventure Covers (Kirby? Check! Toth? Check!) and found this Oksner cover along the way. Did Oksner work at Tower? I didn't know that...

(I don't remember what the deal was with those colorful shades the Leaguers have apparently just doffed, but it's cute how the Atom has those teeny tiny ones at his feet! And I'll bet Batman, with his ears pressed flat, and Hawkman, with that unwieldy mask, looked pretty silly with them on.)

[Lone Ranger]

Adventure #423

Now that's Green Lantern's hand! Sneaky, as usual...

On the second clue, I did a mental run-through of Tower artists I was aware of (a reasonably small group) and hit upon Sekowsky, and thought that that hand might just be consistent with his style. So I looked at his Adventure Covers (Kirby? Check! Toth? Check!) and found this Oksner cover along the way. Did Oksner work at Tower? I didn't know that...

(I don't remember what the deal was with those colorful shades the Leaguers have apparently just doffed, but it's cute how the Atom has those teeny tiny ones at his feet!)


Nope , I don't think Oksner worked at Tower. In my early morning fogginess, I got mixed between the interior artist and cover artist. Well done figuring it out from my mixed up clue.

300 points for Michael.

The shades are some sort of mind control device used by aliens to control the JLA. It's not a great story, but it's a bit of a hidden gem as you've got Sekowsky working on the JLA again.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it is not a Big Two book

[MichikoS]

Hey! I know this one! It's TOTAL WAR #1 (renamed M.A.R.S. Patrol after issue #2).

It was that distinctive "Gold Key" type font that triggered my recollection -- plus having read this issue a bunch of times. I can't believe I got it!!!

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Hey! I know this one! It's TOTAL WAR #1 (renamed M.A.R.S. Patrol after issue #2).

It was that distinctive "Gold Key" type font that triggered my recollection -- plus having read this issue a bunch of times. I can't believe I got it!!!

Michi

Wow!

Well done Michi - welcome to the scoreboard.

400 big points for you!

I figured this was a tough one and would last forever. I was wrong.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - this comics was published in the 80s

[MichikoS]

Since I've had some beginner's luck, I'm going to ride it: Wolverine #1, 1982?

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Since I've had some beginner's luck, I'm going to ride it: Wolverine #1, 1982?

Michi

Sorry Michi - that's not it.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - it is a Marvel comic

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - More than one member of the X-Men appears on this cover

[MichikoS]

Oh my god that hideous pair of purple striped pants with the sash did it! Nightcrawler #3, January 1986 from the 1st mini-series! Right??

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Oh my god that hideous pair of purple striped pants with the sash did it! Nightcrawler #3, January 1986 from the 1st mini-series! Right??

Michi

Nice work!

200 points for Michi, who has pulled off back to back covers.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it has a 10 cent cover price

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 2nd clue

HINT - this title did not live to see the introduction of the CCA stamp

[InfoBroker]

re: Stan's awareness of comic fandom circa Daredevil #5

Er, um... actually, from my perspective, I can't think of an editor more sensitive to fandom than Stan Lee in this time frame. Julius Schwartz would be my next choice, followed by Dick Giordano, but he is still a few years from being an editor.

The content of the Marvel letter's pages and the begining events of Comics Fandom taking hold, interviews in pro and fanzines, editorial policy and story content all indicate a very strong awareness of fans and fan activities.

Samplings off the top of my head...

Early FF (8 or 9) with Letter from G.B. Love announcing some fan projects he is working on, and the formation of S.F.C.A.

Letter's Page inserts responding to a Fandom oriented review of X-men #1 and Avengers #1 by Jerry Bails. Jerry loved the Avengers but didn't think too much of X-men. Stan responded that he felt he could get Jerry hooked within a year, and he tipped his hat to Jerry being a founder father to comics fandom.

First monthly dose of Marvel comics, when most if not all of them mention some kind of verbage about this being "The Marvel Age of Comics", ties in tightly to comic's fandom awareness of a renassiance in comics and coining of the term "The Silver Age." (Jerry Bails wanted to call it the Second Heroic Age - something a bit more accurate in scope).

Letter's Page insert commenting on a major fan organization voting the Fantastic Four the best comic of the year, confirming the title "World's Greatest Comic Magazine" a couple years after Fantastic Four #3. Also comments about early Alley Awards (circa 1964) with the Thing winning the most popular comics character, and various other awards. Dr. Doom was being voted best villian from the get-go.

First Steve and then Stan and Jack getting involved in the early (and I believe first) Comic Convention in New York City, also from 1964.

Comments about Alter Ego (the first), Comic Collector and other early fanzine projects peppered about in various issues of FF, Spider-man and other letter's pages.

Even something as minor as the awareness of Dave Cockrum's shifting from civilian to active military service because of his many, many letters to Marvel.

Flash-forward about three decades:

At the 1993 Chicago Comic-Con with Larry (Beanworld) Marder moderating, I asked Stan what happened from 1963 to 1966 that caused the dramatic shift in the style and content of Marvel's comics. I expected to hear things about the growing staff, enabling more story control to the artists, streaching and challenging the creative goals of the bullpen, seeing comics as a true art form and other lofty things...

He said the answer was simple. It was the letters he was getting from the fans. It changed his perspectives on what his audience wanted from comics.

-jb the ib :cool:

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - this title was briefly revived nearly 25 years after its initial cancellation.

[Graham Vingoe]

All-star comics seems likely?

[Lone Ranger]

All-star comics seems likely?

Hey grazz, it's great to see you around.

[Red Oak Kid]

Boy Commandos 11.

[Lone Ranger]

Boy Commandos 11.


That is it! 200 points for ROK

This is another one from my 'Infinity Cover' collection.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[MichikoS]

I'm just happy I was able to identify Kirby (S&K?) with those few strokes shown in Clue #1. (But most Golden Age covers are out of my league, I'm afraid).

Still...I may not be as bad at this little game as I thought.

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it has a 10 cent cover price

NOTE - I am heading out of town for the long weekend (tomorrow is Canada Day), so I probably won't be able to post another clue until Monday night

[MichikoS]

Photo-realistic rendering of cartoon character...Dell? Four Color series? early '50s? Holiday comic? Disney?

Character looks like: Howdy Doody? Charlie McCarthy? Cecil (of Cecil and Beany)? Peter Pan?

Don't know.
Michi

[Lone Ranger]

I'll leave the second clue before I take off for the weekend

HINT - In an alphabetical list of comic book publisher, this one would likely be last.

[Mike Kuypers]

HINT - In an alphabetical list of comic book publisher, this one would likely be last.

Sounds like Ziff-Davis. The GCD isn't going to be any help, unfortunately.

[T GUy]

Michi: I'm just happy I was able to identify Kirby (S&K?) with those few strokes shown in Clue #1. (But most Golden Age covers are out of my league, I'm afraid). What the man said.

[MichikoS]

Fairy Tales #11, June-July 1951. Yes, Ziff-Davis. Whew.

Michi

[Graham Vingoe]

Hey grazz, it's great to see you around.

I haven't really left, but its easy to underestimate the amount of time a new baby takes out of your schedule! There was also the minor matter that in the last Guess the classic cover, I never managed to be on the boards when I cover I recognised was still being looked at. I'm determined to get on the scoreboards this time.

[Mike Kuypers]

Fairy Tales #11, June-July 1951. Yes, Ziff-Davis. Whew.

Michi

Once I knew what to look for I found a picture online, but otherwise had no luck. Good catch, Michi.

[Red Oak Kid]

I still say it is an issue of Big Jon and Sparkie the Radio Pixie.

[Lone Ranger]

Fairy Tales #11, June-July 1951. Yes, Ziff-Davis. Whew.

Michi

Well done Michi - 300 points for you!

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Happy 4th to all of my American friends.

Here is the 1st clue to the next classic cover.

HINT - This title made its debut in the 40s

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 2nd clue

HINT - this title lasted more than 200 issues

[prince hal]

That's a Kirby villain's scrufffy neck, n'est-ce pas?

[Lone Ranger]

That's a Kirby villain's scrufffy neck, n'est-ce pas?

Peut-etre

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - Gil Kane and Tom Sutton contributed to this series

[T GUy]

That's Kid Colt, Outlaw No. 106 from September, 1962, featuring the Circus of Crime.

[Lone Ranger]

That's Kid Colt, Outlaw No. 106 from September, 1962, featuring the Circus of Crime.

That's it!

200 points for T Guy

Funny how many western villains had modern day counterparts.

Here is the full Kirby cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - the title made its debut in the 80s

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - this issue was published in the 90s

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HITN - Artists such as Russ Heath and Gil Kane have contributed to this title

[Slam_Bradley]

Here is the 3rd clue

HITN - Artists such as Russ Heath and Gil Kane have contributed to this title


Legends of the Dark Knight # 12.

[Lone Ranger]

Legends of the Dark Knight # 12.

Well done

200 points for Slam!

Here is the full cover

New one up soon

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - This is not a Big Two book

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - it was published in the 70s

[T GUy]

That's the Skywald horror mood publication Scream No. 1.

[Lone Ranger]

That's the Skywald horror mood publication Scream No. 1.

Nice Job!

300 points for T Guy.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Mike Kuypers]

...and I wasted all my time looking at CREEPY and EERIE...

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 1st clue to the next Classic Cover

HINT - this comic has a 10 cent cover price.

[Lone Ranger]

...and I wasted all my time looking at CREEPY and EERIE...

Doesn't that just make you scream..scream...scream?

[Mike Kuypers]

Doesn't that just make you scream..scream...scream?

Yep. I'm going out of my skull.

[MichikoS]

I'm taking a guess -- Forbidden Worlds #22?

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - this series made its debut in the 50s

[Mike Kuypers]

Here is the second clue

HINT - this series made its debut in the 50s

No picture? Now I'm really going out of my skull! :)

Hey, you snuck that in while I was typing! :D

[Lone Ranger]

No picture? Now I'm really going out of my skull! :)

Hey, you snuck that in while I was typing! :D

I briefly put up the 3rd clue - but hopefully caught my goof in time.

[Mike Kuypers]

I briefly put up the 3rd clue - but hopefully caught my goof in time.

All I saw is what's up there now. Doesn't look like DC or Marvel.

Speaking of Marvel, where has InfoBroker gone to? He probably would have nailed that Two-Gun Kid comic.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the 3rd clue

HINT - Alex Toth and Joe Staton both contributed to this title

[MichikoS]

Brave & the Bold #36, featuring Hawkman - 1961?

Michi

[Lone Ranger]

Brave & the Bold #36, featuring Hawkman - 1961?

Michi

That's it!

200 points for Michi.

I actually thought that this one would be gone earlier, because it is a true classic, if not inconic cover. That's why I couldn't provide very large pieces of the cover as clues.

Here it is in full - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - There has been more than one incarnation of this title

[MWGallaher]

I actually thought that this one would be gone earlier, because it is a true classic, if not inconic cover. That's why I couldn't provide very large pieces of the cover as clues.


I'm sure a lot of us are kicking ourselves over missing that one. But I warn you, I am now very well acquainted with DC war covers of the 1957-65 era, because I was positive the answer was to be found there! Kubert, explosions, and a text cover box with the header "Featuring" at the top...it just had to be Our Fighting Forces or something like that!

[MWGallaher]

That's Avengers #10.
One of them, at least. Quite obviously George Perez--maybe even a self portrait!--and of very recent vintage, so it didn't take long to find.

[Mike Kuypers]

I'm sure a lot of us are kicking ourselves over missing that one. But I warn you, I am now very well acquainted with DC war covers of the 1957-65 era, because I was positive the answer was to be found there! Kubert, explosions, and a text cover box with the header "Featuring" at the top...it just had to be Our Fighting Forces or something like that!

I think what threw me off was the coloring. It just didn't come across as a DC cover to me. (And I'd never get the Avengers one. Too contemporary.)

[Red Oak Kid]

I'm sure a lot of us are kicking ourselves over missing that one. But I warn you, I am now very well acquainted with DC war covers of the 1957-65 era, because I was positive the answer was to be found there! Kubert, explosions, and a text cover box with the header "Featuring" at the top...it just had to be Our Fighting Forces or something like that!

I didn't realize it was Kubert, but I figured it was a DC. And I even saw the thumbnail of that B&B. But I was looking for a spaceship's exhaust.

Whose idea was it to start this game over anyway? Since the reboot, I feel out of sync.

[Lone Ranger]

That's Avengers #10.
One of them, at least. Quite obviously George Perez--maybe even a self portrait!--and of very recent vintage, so it didn't take long to find.

Well done - 400 points for Michael.

I try to do some more recent stuff, so as not to scare off younger players.

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Whose idea was it to start this game over anyway? Since the reboot, I feel out of sync.

To be fair, I haven't been fair.

I'm not sure I've used a Neal Adams cover since the reboot.

I will fix that.

Also - you are spending too much of your brain power thinking up advertisements to crop.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it is not a Big Two book.

NOTE - I will be computer free until Monday night, so no new clues until then. Have a safe and fun weekend everyone.

[Red Oak Kid]

I try to do some more recent stuff, so as not to scare off younger players.

.

I think that is good. I think the points have been spread out pretty evenly which means no one person is dominating.

BTW, does anyone know the largest size computer monitor that is commercially available? I'm tired of squinting at thumbnails.

[Mike Kuypers]

I have a 20-inch monitor and I still have to squint at thumbnails. I think it has to do more with monitor resolution than the size of the screen.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the second clue

HINT - it was published in the 60s

[Bill Angus]

Archie's Mad House #16

[Lone Ranger]

Archie's Mad House #16

Nice job Bill - 300 points for you!

How did you know that one?

Here is the full cover - new one up soon.

[Lone Ranger]

Here is the first clue to the next classic cover

HINT - it was published in the 70s

[Bill Angus]

How did you know that one?

You know... I have no idea.

Something about the art style (or perhaps colouring - who knows) made me think of those Archie quasi-horror/adventure books which Dan DeCarlo did (the one's narrated by Sabrina), so I started looking in the GCD for anything published by Archie.

When I saw the 'Archie's Mad House' title in the list... well somehow I felt this was one of those titles and took a look at the cover gallery. And, voila.

Sorry - no earth-shattering insights here, mostly dumb luck.

Though I was thinking Archie horror from the first clue (maybe it was the eyeshadow on wolfie ;) ).