BR-migration

Ha ha -- love the Beard Guide -- thanks for posting!

There is a book that is early in process about The Major -- I don't want to steal their thunder, but I think readers will be really pleased by the people who are doing it. I know I can't wait to read it. And I agree -- he had a problem paying on time (to be fair, the whole system was being invented on the fly), but he absolutely put Siegel and Shuster on the map and in a position to do Superman. He took the big chance on two total unknowns, not National.

ha ha that was great I forgot you bought the LoC copy (writing this book took a long time and made my brain hurt). I wonder if a) no one bought it from the ad or b) it was too expensive for them to copy? But I kind of doubt a) because look at that ad! And Siegel was a popular comics name by then -- they were advertising comics based on the fact that he created them. I wonder how many other fanzines, etc. were let go by the LoC? The really interesting part about all of this is that Jerry registered them right away. Clearly, he learned his lesson from Superman (and regretted it) almost immediately.

Here's one of the later articles I talk about in the book (1952) where Kantor claims Siegel as a business partner -- this time for an unnamed comic venture.

The Humor Course seems to have gone out -- there was a copy on eBay a few years ago -- it's all typewritten and kind of standard '30s humor stuff. I've never seen "Stooge" though. Frank (Joe's brother) followed in Jerry's footsteps in high school and even took over his infamous high school pen name of "Stiletto." But I agree with you BZ, there may still be names out there we don't even know about. The few Kantor letters to the pulps are, I'm convinced, the actual Kantor since they have another address and use a completely different vocabulary. I also tend to think that "Miracles on Antares" was Kantor's because that would explain why Jerry seemed to idolize him, but Kantor's later public letter to Jerry about a movie version of Antares (which I have in the book) suggests it is Jerry's. ?? Because we can't know for sure, it makes the mystery all the stranger. When Kantor is busted for all his scams in the fifties, the paper notes that the Better Business Bureau has several huge files on him -- unfortunately, they were all thrown away when they moved offices years later. never ends.....

Wow -- that is fascinating. Moskowitz was one of the first to say Kantor was an alias and seems just as amazed that he was real -- its too bad those photos are lost somewhere. Just goes to show that you can't take anything for granted with these guys. I actually think he did sell the story to Amazing (which is why Jerry idolized him), but they folded before it ran. Just a guess though. I don't know about the mental issues, either. Clearly, the conflation of Kantor with Siegel was something he was also doing himself (or was a victim of), but he was also involved in a lot of really crazy projects of his own in Cleveland and elsewhere that I go into in the book. I call him Bizarro in the book because he's the version of Jerry that didn't make it -- and think of how many of those people there were. Thanks for posting BZ -- really cool.

Hi all- Over at The Beat, I just posted an essay about Jerry Siegel using a ghost writer -- something that's been rumored for years, among a few fan historians and in a CBM article in the '90s by Bob Beerbohm. But now, thanks to John L. Coker III, there is finally proof: If you've read my new bio on Siegel and Shuster SUPER BOYS (and why not? ha) then you know I have a whole chapter devoted to Kantor, who might be the ultimate ghost in comics. I have a follow-up post on my blog here, with some art and other documents. BZ and others (like that great fanzine scan above) have posted some great history here over the years, so thought it would be appropriate. Thanks, Brad

Great post -- and I remember that Scoop piece. In my book, I reveal where those films came from. And what happened to the first Superman Macy's float -- and no, it's not in their basement somewhere sorry for the unabashed plugs... Super Boys on Amazon

I found several ads for S-F -- but not that Amazing Stories one -- and I looked. BZ? Unfortunately, Dr. Occult is not collected anywhere -- but I reproduce some panels of it in the book. DC is producing a big "Siegel/Shuster Omnibus" edition of Action reprints to coincide with the new movie, but I believe it is all Superman. It's too bad -- their early stuff is really phenomenal work. BZ -- that Superman ad is like pristine.....

Here's another for the swipe file:

Wow! Thanks BZ! I have to say, that to actually be posted in the legendary "Golden Age Collection" thread is truly an honor. I've read every post -- and could not have understood half of what I might about comics if it weren't for the Gold Board. Many of you were of immense help to me -- I think of this place as pulps/comics grad school. I'm a comics guy my whole life -- but still learned a TON here. I thanked the Board by name in the book. I'll be posting some art/artifacts up on the book's website at: www.super-boys.com Today I have something on there where you can sign the actual Superman check! But I will come back and post some stuff here, too, if you don't mind. Here's something just for the board, who I know likes artifacts. Here is the cover of the Glenville HIgh School yearbook in 1929: Thanks again, Brad

All: BZ has decided to remain anonymous, so let's respect that -- no need to hand out clues to put people on treasure hunts. Mr. Golden Age will be back, he's probably out raiding the deepest darkest corners of the world for things we didn't even know existed... BR

good idea Here's hoping BZ is ok and hopefully relaxing on an island somewhere. We're thinking of you, big guy!

Nice catalog! It's actually just opened in Cleveland at the Maltz Museum of Jewish History -- a great museum with a permanent Siegel/Shuster display. Site is here: http://www.maltzjewishmuseum.org/ I haven't been to it yet but saw it in NYC and not only is this version bigger, but have heard it is well worth the trip. BR

You guys asked for it....