selegue

Ever heard of the Polka.Dot Pirate, have you? Of course not! It says right in the splash panel that she's unknown. Did Roy Thomas ever get a chance to connect her with Little Dot's family tree? Jack also lovely and unknown

but no insight on Sniffles or Bugs' finger? Jack I'll go on a limb but since MJ & S were in # 1, they should be in this issue as well? Let us know when you get it and be sure to scan some of that MJ & S art goodness. Will do. According to Toonopedia, if the feature is here Sniffles should still get top billing over MJ. There may also be a story about the politically incorrect Little Pancho Vanilla. Jack Poof Poof Piffles

but no insight on Sniffles or Bugs' finger? Jack

OK, it may not walk like a duck or quack like a duck, but I can't think of a better place to post it than here with the ducks. I just won Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies Comics 5, March 1942. A key of sorts -- first funny animal super-hero! Does anyone know if there's an early "Sniffles and Mary Jane" in this book? Yeah, I know, it's damaged from the bound volume, but I can't complain for the price -- besides, bound volume books tend to be glossy, flat and have nice paper quality. And what the heck is Bugs doing with his finger? Jack

I purchased the book at SD Con and thought you did an outstanding job on it. Everyone I showed it to was impressed as well -- both with Fletcher Hanks and with the high quality production and design. Can't wait for Volume 2. I can't wait for Volume 1! I waited too long and missed the first print run. Congrats on exceeding expections. It sure looks like a niche book but people love Fletcher! Jack

If you're using the default page setup, this is page 63 and the last update is on p 59. Ah, the nonfiction issues that nobody loves. I have lots of those! Jack

Thanks. I'll try to give it another boost soon. Jack

When we finish our trade, the FCs I send you will feel right at home with this one. How far from 1000 is the current total? Jack

The cover of #21 always makes me wonder what was wrong that month. Were Kane and Anderson in a rush? It seems the weakest of the original run. The layout is mediocre, the figures are too far in the background, and the cover blurb is typeset rather than hand-lettered with the lousy contrast choice of red on an orange background. Does anyone else agree? Were there other hands involved in this cover? Was there something odd going on at DC in early 1963 when the issue was in production? Jack

Sure is -- I've never seen anything but covers from Doolin. I'm glad to see some storytelling! Have any of his stories been reprinted for us mere mortals? (Any of the Planet Comics, for that matter.) Many histories are totally dismissive of the contents of Fiction House comics, but some of the interior scans I've seen are very attractive. Since you liked the cover to Planet # 29 the best for the little ringed moon, here's the Doolin-drawn Mars story from that issue. It's a) not the best scans and b) not the best Mars story but at least I didn't have to pick one since you picked the issue for us - Thanks. No longer will I believe that the contents of Fiction House books are all sub-par. The panel of The Cult is a hoot. Homer Simpson prototype up front. "The last blost..." -- for some reason that cracked me up. Jack

Great stuff. More to my point about the sexual tension of the "battles" between GL and SS, just look at his posture on #16. Is that one of the best known copies of #8? No kidding about the high-res scan. Gorgeous! Jack

Sure is -- I've never seen anything but covers from Doolin. I'm glad to see some storytelling! Have any of his stories been reprinted for us mere mortals? (Any of the Planet Comics, for that matter.) Many histories are totally dismissive of the contents of Fiction House comics, but some of the interior scans I've seen are very attractive. Jack

This cover is the epitome of DC's Silver Age "unmasking = loss of sexual innocence" (to put it politely) theme, isn't it? How appropriate for it to include Kane's hot Star Sapphire. The idea that GL and she can't recognize one another is even more hilarious than Lois not recognizing Superman with glasses. Wonderful copy. I'm always glad to see sharp copies of the graytone covers, since you're taking requests. Jack

Even for the world's worst art-spotter (me), there is NO mistaking Lily Renée's distinctive elongated physiques and ultra-short skirts on this and the previous cover. Spectacular! I'm so glad to see her claiming kudos at conventions. Jack

This one drew an audible gasp out of me. Spectacular cover and copy. GCD says Joe Doolin, which must be right. He may not have been Planet's best draftsman, but the combination of fire-breathing, flying lizard, brutal green alien, and hot redhead are over the top! The funniest detail is that little ringed planet iin the yellow (!) sky right under the dragon. Is that supposed to be the planet's moon (a ringed moon in broad daylight?) or should those guys underneath cover their heads? Thanks again for posting these. Jack

Not quite what you mean, but here's another near-match. Not too close because Stilt-Man doesn't have clouds drifting across his nether regions. Hey! No fair using a different publisher!!! Not to mention the lack of a buxom babe running in the foreground. Jack

Yes, I know that the swastika has a long history. That's sort of what I meant with the Kuna comment. If you're sober enough, can you tell me why THIS book reverses the swastika from the Nazi version. Does the story not refer to the Nazis by name because the US hadn't entered WWII when it was published? Jack

Not quite what you mean, but here's another near-match. Not too close because Stilt-Man doesn't have clouds drifting across his nether regions. Jack

The cover makes me think of this old joke. Jack

That drawing is genuinely weird. 1. He's obviously a mutant -- look at how his face is put together! 2. He stole Fred Flintstone's shirt. 3. He stole Jughead's hat (almost). Jack

Yes, and Porky wasn't wearing any pants that time either! But it's good to see another copy. Why the heck did Dell put their seal on the mountain instead of up in the corner? Jack

So you want the woman who was a terrible Sue Storm, to be a terrible Wonder Woman? She's maybe 5'6" to 5'7" with a slight build. I can't believe that she could be a serious contender, not even considering acting talent. Wonder Woman needs a Lucy Lawless type, at least 5'10" and muscular. (LL's probably a bit too old at this point, but I just noticed while looking up her age that she's doing WW's voice in an animated Justice League New Frontier in production. I didn't know that!) He's too short too. Certainly pretty, but gorgeous is stretching it. Jack Sorry, Jack...I should have said HE is gorgeous... I was trying to be kind, she's not my type... and he is DEFINITELY tall enough, ...he's about 6'3" Lucy Lawless would be good if she were a little younger and could act...but there are plenty of great, tall actresses out there. Sharon Well then, Jackman's not my type! Jackman is 6'3" (a fine, noble and most desirable height)? They chose a 6'3" guy to play Wolverine? He's supposed to be short, right? WTF? In that case, bring on Jessica as Wonder Shrimp! Jack

So you want the woman who was a terrible Sue Storm, to be a terrible Wonder Woman? She's maybe 5'6" to 5'7" with a slight build. I can't believe that she could be a serious contender, not even considering acting talent. Wonder Woman needs a Lucy Lawless type, at least 5'10" and muscular. (LL's probably a bit too old at this point, but I just noticed while looking up her age that she's doing WW's voice in an animated Justice League New Frontier in production. I didn't know that!) He's too short too. Certainly pretty, but gorgeous is stretching it. Jack

This by Basil is more reminiscent to the idea I have of what an underground looks like. You're right, because Crumb unabashedly swiped Wolverton's style in many of his early stories. "Rough Tough Creampuff", for example, is Wolvertonesque right down to the rhyming couplets. Bo Bo Belinski (early Crumb character), name and all, could be straight out of a Wolverton strip. I don't mean to run down Crumb. He never tried to hide his influences. He went beyond Wolverton in his own directions, and his draftmanship on the biographies of blues artists, for example, is astonishing. Don Martin owed a debt to Wolverton too. Fester Bestertester? Wolverine prototype!!! Jack

There's an American Pie joke in there somewhere, but I just can't get it out. Yeah, that peach cobbler can be mighty sticky. Jack