tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89580689287337024002024-02-18T20:52:40.234-06:00Spring Road Super Reviewa blog dedicated to lesser-known comic book heroes and villains Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-77651120026882335802021-06-14T12:00:00.001-05:002021-06-14T12:00:00.222-05:00Midnight and the Atomic Dice! -- Smash #68 (DEC 1946)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=2213&page=3" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">This story</a><span style="text-align: left;"> gets off to a bit of a slow start. Yet another adventure that begins in the laboratory of Doc Wackey, this tale hit newsstands almost a year-and-a-half after the American bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ending the Second World War. Once it became common knowledge that the United States had developed atomic technology, all things atomic (bombs, radiation, etc.) became a MAJOR trope in superhero comics (not to mention monster movies). </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Today, Doc's putting the finishing touches on a pair of seemingly regular dice. We quickly learn, however, that they're anything but<i> </i>that. In fact, they are the world's first pair of <i>atomic</i> dice. Attempting to calm down the (reasonably) freaked-out Gabby, Doc explains that the dice are harmless until brought within one block of the "high frequency radiations near a radio tower." (I'm no physicist...but I'm a little skeptical of the "science" here.) Doc explains that he's disguised his atomic explosive inside the dice, "to foil international spies." Fully convinced of his invention's incognito status, Doc and Gabby leave the dice on the lab table and head out for an afternoon stroll.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0Xe7mtfe_9IprQSEjWq4nw1Koo3QDa_duHjD3QMkQC4ucvnflkLzcak6QkKz5X6z5NB3m1qT1XdVoFy1QIXYfM_LX5WNj4Hmq7fGoaj5hI1twnUtIBaghItnMdf_6Txq1G4-vmhuzis/s515/Smash+Comics+68-04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="386" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0Xe7mtfe_9IprQSEjWq4nw1Koo3QDa_duHjD3QMkQC4ucvnflkLzcak6QkKz5X6z5NB3m1qT1XdVoFy1QIXYfM_LX5WNj4Hmq7fGoaj5hI1twnUtIBaghItnMdf_6Txq1G4-vmhuzis/w480-h640/Smash+Comics+68-04.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, "African dominoes" was a slang term for dice. What I've<br />not been able to ascertain is whether this was an intentionally racist <br />idiom in the 40s. If you happen to know, or can link me to quality <br />information on this question, I'd appreciate it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, at the radio station, Dave Clark is handed a hot-off-presses bulletin announcing that the notorious Max Magoo has broken out of the state penitentiary! Magoo has left a note saying he knows he will eventually be caught, but before he is he'll accomplish his two remaining life goals: (1) to shoot a million games of craps, and (2) to kill everyone responsible for sending him to prison (i.e., Midnight, the D.A., Judge Bloff, and the entire jury that convicted him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No sooner do Doc and Gabby leave, then Sniffer Snoop invites himself to poke around the lab. Upon seeing the dice, Sniffer concludes that despite Wackey's mumblings about having created an "earth-shaking" invention, the old man has <i>really </i>just been holed up shooting craps with Gabby. He gives the dice a couple rolls for entertainment and, after rolling four sevens in a row, pockets the cubes and decides to had downtown to just in case "something profitable" turns up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Doc and Gabby return to find..no dice and the prof announces, "I knew it! I've been watched by international spies!" Doc then forcibly enlists the terrified Gabby to help him track the dice down, because "innocent lives are at stake!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Back downtown, Sniffer tries to entice a suspiciously limp-armed passerby into a game of craps and gets a rather...ah...<i>vigorous </i>rebuttal. </div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpWngwcXBywxTrUq0KV_TmKf_DHN8d5rQ7WRUJNupWiczUPRLGH8z4r2kmBJ9WUbakEw6ORYmdS1tje34E8qiHyPo_p3uV_WlMR4cUw_yG1spbMVOiC8n9IWN6CN5OWlWjbEpga_cvrA/s522/Smash+Comics+68-07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="514" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpWngwcXBywxTrUq0KV_TmKf_DHN8d5rQ7WRUJNupWiczUPRLGH8z4r2kmBJ9WUbakEw6ORYmdS1tje34E8qiHyPo_p3uV_WlMR4cUw_yG1spbMVOiC8n9IWN6CN5OWlWjbEpga_cvrA/w630-h640/Smash+Comics+68-07.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First "African dominoes" and now "Memphis marbles"? <br />I'm learning all sorts of old slang for dice.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div>Having returned from the radio station and donned his Midnight attire, Dave Clark is frustrated to discover that all of his housemates/partners are AWOL, leaving him to begin the search for Max Magoo alone.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we cut away to a scene of Magoo making good on his pledge, and surrounded by a trio of limp-armed toadies begging not to have to shoot any more craps. The oddly-punctilious Magoo agrees...but demands that they go out and find him somebody else to play. After all, he's gotta get these million games done so he, "start knocking guys off!"<br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAxeuRHsXtN3S2fJtkAi8KYk7N9yQHn8qXhIpa-JzHHyLVbn_8rjSVyatFybfHhaqH49gRDUlM4UnjwXjXscJ0J-nnStNszhjYPSh9XmGY0eMy7JWoXJvy0PYQUe0P19zqiZ7RrMQPiU/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="717" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAxeuRHsXtN3S2fJtkAi8KYk7N9yQHn8qXhIpa-JzHHyLVbn_8rjSVyatFybfHhaqH49gRDUlM4UnjwXjXscJ0J-nnStNszhjYPSh9XmGY0eMy7JWoXJvy0PYQUe0P19zqiZ7RrMQPiU/w400-h285/Max+Magoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pinups on the wall in the background make me <br />curious who the artist was for this issue. Could it have been<br />a late Jack Cole work? <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p>We turn back to Doc and Gabby, still on the hunt for the missing dice. No sooner do they spy Sniffer with the ivories, than they also see him snatched off the street and shoved into a passing car! (Gee. Can you guess you nabbed him?)</p><p>Doc and Gabby do their best to get to Sniffer before Magoo's thugs, but they fail. Watching the car speed off in the direction of a radio transmitter, when they hear a sudden BAM! -- Doc and Gab fall to the ground in grief. About this time, Midnight shows up and wants to know what's going on.</p><p>Doc informs him that Sniffer had blown up both himself and the whole town, whereupon Midnight casually notes that the town doesn't look blown up to him...but he does see a car with a flat tire up ahead and two guys dragging a third.</p><div>Immediately recovered from their grief, Wackey is ready to charge off after Sniffer explaining that they've got to get to the defective detective before he <i>does </i>blow up the town. </div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, the writing has some real problems. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaRbkq68KMf_V5lVrWIH01xFPqpEa-aYWBZ8LCNg0DogRBxmW7Mffc9Q1ZrSXxEvzjCKWL9QB9iVviNEqB2_bM2-za2boYPiRfvfaS084TQL-FNznDwJnNwEqQwnDP7Py8RsADwfRBg0/s540/Smash+Comics+68-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="496" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaRbkq68KMf_V5lVrWIH01xFPqpEa-aYWBZ8LCNg0DogRBxmW7Mffc9Q1ZrSXxEvzjCKWL9QB9iVviNEqB2_bM2-za2boYPiRfvfaS084TQL-FNznDwJnNwEqQwnDP7Py8RsADwfRBg0/w588-h640/Smash+Comics+68-10.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So...rather than <i>follow </i>the two guys dragging the third (on <u>foot</u>, remember), Midnight decides the smart play is to pose as a street-corner vendor selling, "the world's best liniment for sore arms." When another of Magoo's arm-weary henchlings (one, Bones Bileski) makes a snatch for the fake liniment bottles, Midnight seizes Bones by the arm and twists it into all sorts of unholy (and anatomically impossible) contortions until Bileski gives up the location of Magoo's hideout, which turns out to be a yacht.</div><div><br /></div><div>Onboard, Sniffer is hurled into what has effectively become the craps cabin with Magoo. They tell Snoop that he's going to shoot craps, but the mustachioed menace could be forgiven for missing details. He was a bit distracted by the dead chap on the floor. Magoo coolly explains that the corpse had assumed room temperature as a result of trying to use crooked dice. Thereupon, Sniffer tosses the macguffin dice out the nearest porthole and suggest that they use <i>Magoo's </i>dice for the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Out on deck Gabby is beaned on the head by the discarded dice, causing him to yell out in pain -- (and, curiously, suffer a punk knot on the noggin). Thus alerted, one of the "Magoons" (see what I did there?) receives his <i>own </i>beaning courtesy of our azure-attired hero.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the excitement of the moment passes, Midnight and company suddenly realize that the dice that hit Gabby were Wackey's! Gazing helplessly over the ship's rail as the ballistic bones float ever closer to a "trans-ocean radio tower" our heroes have no chance to formulate a plan. As it turns out, the previous ruckus has alerted the remaining Magoons and the obligatory donnybrook ensues. After dispatching the small fry, the final mano-a-mano with Magoo is kind of a let down. Midnight bursts in on Magoo, pops him one good time, and that's it.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwnr1Nq21RP9jfYIiu2S2zYyp7aKuyP2reLZGhd9pbIdu2kIz3L_MI4cHvXACuTket9OIbFt0UCgW_KC6tTkpYMd25cFg19bLJ5FmD-t1b3KslOzgdK92JdeAJtCg54f-kQirCi2uMFo/s508/Smash+Comics+68-13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwnr1Nq21RP9jfYIiu2S2zYyp7aKuyP2reLZGhd9pbIdu2kIz3L_MI4cHvXACuTket9OIbFt0UCgW_KC6tTkpYMd25cFg19bLJ5FmD-t1b3KslOzgdK92JdeAJtCg54f-kQirCi2uMFo/w478-h640/Smash+Comics+68-13.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as is your C5 vertebrae, apparently😨</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>About this time the dice finally explode, creating a tidal wave that carries our heroes and their criminal quarry back to shore, depositing them -- as fortune would have it -- right into the foyer of the police station</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PostScript</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After serving out his debt to society, Max retired to a quiet life and became known as something of a bulldog enthusiast.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDkAy9ghGW_iXb5jMEOYyhCx3QJnTqQR9nGKb06LY1e9RXWcyblBlzyKPYBgSD6gr4DV-MAT-FQXYeEoFOaK_uaBELkhcu3VoumJnsmwqLHK6Fu5CjaYIjWcjiGrEXzfZWg0HC6t3bVw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDkAy9ghGW_iXb5jMEOYyhCx3QJnTqQR9nGKb06LY1e9RXWcyblBlzyKPYBgSD6gr4DV-MAT-FQXYeEoFOaK_uaBELkhcu3VoumJnsmwqLHK6Fu5CjaYIjWcjiGrEXzfZWg0HC6t3bVw/w400-h305/magoo+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-79553618436830621562021-06-07T12:00:00.001-05:002021-06-07T12:00:00.255-05:00The ComebackAfter a hiatus of over a year, I'm ready to renew posting here at the ole Spring Road Super Review! First, let me say a special "thank you" to all my readers and friends who kept our family in your prayers. It was a BIG help. <div><br /></div><div>Last summer I landed a position that allowed me to continue supporting my family, but required moving (literally) 1,000 miles away. While our initial plans were to sell the house and move everyone out there, for a variety of reasons that did not work out. I began searching for another position and was recently able to secure another position, with higher pay and greater job security within commuting distance of our home. To say we're thankful would be an understatement!<div><br /></div><div><div>That's really all for now. Next week we'll resume our foray through the Golden Age publishing history of Midnight with <i>Smash Comics </i>#68. See you then!</div><div><br /><br /></div></div></div>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-75262988100869376042020-05-25T12:55:00.001-05:002020-05-25T12:55:14.466-05:00UpdateReaders,<!--Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics--><script async="" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-130045433-1"></script><script>
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</script><div><br /></div><div>First, let me apologize for missing last week's post. </div><div><br /></div><div>Second, let me apologize that for this week (and perhaps future weeks) this is all I have for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third, let me give you a brief update that will help explain this dereliction of duty. Ever since it's inception, this blog has been something I did on the side. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I learned on May 14th of this year that I was being let go from the university where I had worked as an academic librarian for about 9 years. Since that time, I've found myself in a bit of a fog....having to pack up and get out, having to start the job hunt, having to break the news to our early teen children that we'll almost certainly have to leave the only home they've got much memory of. <br /><br />To be honest, I just don't have it in me to blog about comics right now. If you are the praying sort, I'd greatly appreciate you sending up a few words on our behalf that some better doors will open (and soon)! </div><div>I hope that this isn't the last post I ever make on this blog, but it might be. At the very least, posting is probably going to get <i>a lot </i>more sporadic until I can get my feet underneath me again. <br /><br />Thanks for everything, guys!</div>Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-69431382779219822062020-05-11T10:57:00.003-05:002020-05-11T10:57:44.007-05:00The Perils of Dating a Crimefighter -- Smash Comics #67 (OCT 1946)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It seems like we've been on a tear recently with Midnight adventures centering--one way or another--around one-off female characters. This week we sort of explore Dave Clark's dating life (something that's been unaddressed since "<a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2017/07/midnight-and-circus-mystery-smash.html">The Circus Mystery</a>" by Jack Cole back in <i>Smash Comics #24. </i>Apparently there was no love connection with Miss Taylor, perhaps our boy will have better luck with Miss Annabelle Sweete.</div>
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This story again opens with Dave's roommates at swords' points. Sniffer has apparently helped himself to Doc Wackey's store of "pre-war grape juice." </div>
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When Gabby and the Doc come to exact their revenge, Sniffer barricades himself into his bedroom and threatens to let them, "have both barrels right through the door!" His will for revenge inexplicably broken, Doc gives up his pursuit...but before walking away he issues a prophetic warning to Sniffer: "...one of these days Dave Clark'll need his spare bedroom and out you'll go!" This gets Sniffer to fretting...and scheming.</div>
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Meanwhile, blocks away an appropriate-looking <i>criminal </i>attorney named Denslow is lying in wait for District Attorney Westcott. Denslow approaches and, before the D.A. can fully grasp the danger he's in, guns down Wescott! A block away from <i>these </i>happenings, Dave Clark is exiting his radio station when he hears the gunshot. </div>
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Quickly donning his mask, Dave somehow knows <i>exactly </i>which direction to run to and he arrives--attired as Midnight--at the scene (apparently) mere moments after the murder. While he's examining the body of the late D.A., our hero is surprised by a whisper behind him. Wheeling about for action, Midnight is shocked to discover not a hardened killer, but a witness! </div>
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It turns out that this blonde bombshell--eventually to be revealed as Miss Annabelle Sweete--was standing nearby when Westcott was gunned down, and tells Midnight she recognized the killer! Before she can say more, a second shot rings out--narrowly missing Sweete! However unlikely it might seem, Denslow has stuck around and now knows he's been made. Having--literally--dodged a bullet, Midnight swiftly, he spirits the young woman out of the alley and into a nearby taxi cab.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once safely away, Annabelle reveals she passed both men close enough to hear them speaking to each other and got a good look at their faces (though--unbelievably--<i>neither </i>of them noticed her?). <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrKYLHNRwPp-WAJ1pan5VVOHPywPq4mDcCGSedGALAvD-HO0dT4y6Gv_uZxt-YrGLBMv7Q4cUmXKq_HXrH5n2gKG7Lw6ZUMvjZXS6UAE6yBNR-rH9UDE8j7cN_6oMvZ8i5JgdEgsX-vs/"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="736" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrKYLHNRwPp-WAJ1pan5VVOHPywPq4mDcCGSedGALAvD-HO0dT4y6Gv_uZxt-YrGLBMv7Q4cUmXKq_HXrH5n2gKG7Lw6ZUMvjZXS6UAE6yBNR-rH9UDE8j7cN_6oMvZ8i5JgdEgsX-vs/w400-h288/annabelle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Midnight decides Annabelle needs a safe house to hide out until she can testify against Denslow. He suggests she in his "friend" Dave Clark's spare room. Miss Sweete not only agrees, she really...uh...commits to the role.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOVVqUomPK0-XW8V5gOr7_yKkwsJBlRytiBkU09gD-QIP8t5ZrnkGHLmjvEiHaXU8x3sjGdq38lBgIZNV70UnBHEmIaieMyThCfZ2hrH8hpUXcFMSFEFmjunytdpUzC0w4lCcJxSxlPo/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="545" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOVVqUomPK0-XW8V5gOr7_yKkwsJBlRytiBkU09gD-QIP8t5ZrnkGHLmjvEiHaXU8x3sjGdq38lBgIZNV70UnBHEmIaieMyThCfZ2hrH8hpUXcFMSFEFmjunytdpUzC0w4lCcJxSxlPo/w400-h381/commit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the house, Midnight asks Annabelle to wait a moment while he goes informs "Dave" of the plan. Then he'll send Clark out to escort her in properly. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As soon as he's inside, Dave (he's apparently removed at the mask on the walk up to the front door?) tells the boys to frantically get the place spruced up because his girlfriend is waiting outside. Despite being shocked and little offended that they've been left in the dark about this romance, the trio comply. They do, however, pause long enough to spy on Dave lip-wrestling his new lady friend in front of the house. From the looks of it, Dave may have lost that particular match.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CzWxAge_xjcN2ppreIv6lxWZnArRKN8-A7bmRaIxlgJ1JcV3EG715ECijnXpE-HW-GJwX6TaER5qe7TqHZPorKM1nF-K_Cdd9i43DHgtlv13IpDjYk0dEw58T-T5GSYa-u0bzlC7ZHs/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="478" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CzWxAge_xjcN2ppreIv6lxWZnArRKN8-A7bmRaIxlgJ1JcV3EG715ECijnXpE-HW-GJwX6TaER5qe7TqHZPorKM1nF-K_Cdd9i43DHgtlv13IpDjYk0dEw58T-T5GSYa-u0bzlC7ZHs/w370-h400/kiss.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back inside the house, Dave makes the entirely reasonable announcement that, "Annabelle is visiting us for awhile! One of you'll bunk on the couch until we make regular arrangements for her room!" Immediately, the wild speculation begins. Sniffer is enraged that this surely signals and his and Hotfoot's impending ouster. Vowing that he "won't take this lying down" and that, "if anyone leaves it'll be that be that female Dracula!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, Doc and Gabby entertain fevered fears of their own.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28IRSo8_qw-AaYkMdvyWtHie2NuEUpLRpOtPHaidMKdQ5gRB_IWctHftA8eOc5FTbvls1NmxU3enJl0PlycSGD3MkfZjUVv1DPrIrsso0YllWbq7QvUwcRk07WFrs5z7ISpjDOUvNUsY/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="605" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28IRSo8_qw-AaYkMdvyWtHie2NuEUpLRpOtPHaidMKdQ5gRB_IWctHftA8eOc5FTbvls1NmxU3enJl0PlycSGD3MkfZjUVv1DPrIrsso0YllWbq7QvUwcRk07WFrs5z7ISpjDOUvNUsY/w400-h340/unfortunate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Doc...Your lingo has <i>not </i>aged well. smh</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of Dave's roomies decide to pursue reverse-psychology strategies to get Annabelle to leave. After Doc politely excuses himself to go work on his latest invention, Gabby warns Annabelle she might not want to sit too close to the door as the Doc is "getting a bit careless" in his old age and that new <i>super atomic bomb </i>could make a nasty hole. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While Gab and Doc are painting pictures of mortal danger, Sniffer prefers to appeal to his assumed feminine sense of disgust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWrK5dbt3CPMHEKoctZ8qyw9PWcWpnBc12Sswu0oPgDQArsI9hZLApFNj7pb0tOadmj1I6ctPbCiz8m2anq9LRbiTet1NRUKz5CK1V4PLZdfGCDIQN7xVuYPMObBU3ImFoE3gnb201LY/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="1141" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWrK5dbt3CPMHEKoctZ8qyw9PWcWpnBc12Sswu0oPgDQArsI9hZLApFNj7pb0tOadmj1I6ctPbCiz8m2anq9LRbiTet1NRUKz5CK1V4PLZdfGCDIQN7xVuYPMObBU3ImFoE3gnb201LY/w400-h176/disgust.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not gonna lie. Annabelle is startin' to grow on me.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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Meanwhile, Midnight's search for Denslow is reaching a dead end. Denslow, however, has hit upon a strategy for finding (and snuffing out) the mystery woman who witnessed his crime. He knows radio man Dave Clark is buddies with Midnight, so Denslow wonders if the woman might be stashed there. Okay...kinda convenient but I guess the story isn't <i>too </i>outlandish. Next, however, Denslow decides that he <i>personally </i>should go and check out Clark's home. (Mind you, this is despite the fact that up til now, Denslow's apparently remained in hiding and has been sending his underlings out to look for the woman...So, why the sudden change of heart?) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When his oathmen cronies object that their boss can't go out in public without being nabbed on the spot! (Nevermind that it makes no sense why he <i>would </i>be nabbed, since Annabelle has yet to testify to <i>any </i>legal authority!) . Never they should worry, though. Da Boss has a plan:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSB4niRtgKzbeZWSqfA83Qvfr6I7daPMaJ2x3EH0C1yx5ra4a1Tg_wfDsEx7LqsaZH4uAti7958NiXCZAv1NijBpPEZHUxvqJT2C0iNYWcLtRG9vs5gY98hMLNuBBFkW7fH1D2BPOGmg/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSB4niRtgKzbeZWSqfA83Qvfr6I7daPMaJ2x3EH0C1yx5ra4a1Tg_wfDsEx7LqsaZH4uAti7958NiXCZAv1NijBpPEZHUxvqJT2C0iNYWcLtRG9vs5gY98hMLNuBBFkW7fH1D2BPOGmg/w320-h400/da+boss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm...yeah. Looks perfectly normal.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite Denslow's desires, his two thugs worry about the boss heading to Clark's house alone. (Awww. Isn't that sweet?) They decide to secretly tail him...just to make sure he isn't nailed for Wescott's murder and <i>they </i>don't wind up being sent to jail along with him. And anyway, they reason, "that Clark oughta be rubbed out for bein' chummy with Midnight!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spying Denslow coming up the drive, Sniffer seizes upon yet another moronic idea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34H2ZAcQolZ1vpspX-lzHYRc4kQgllF5tb7AriSVoCBIHUN2FbeY0AEVUOsaj0O-Y_hTzQYTuW9GOFta9meZEG7FrZLx28fYttgPeR_2nhlXkwmSMqG9Wz7yX_Og_5iDIxG-odfKAVRY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="901" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34H2ZAcQolZ1vpspX-lzHYRc4kQgllF5tb7AriSVoCBIHUN2FbeY0AEVUOsaj0O-Y_hTzQYTuW9GOFta9meZEG7FrZLx28fYttgPeR_2nhlXkwmSMqG9Wz7yX_Og_5iDIxG-odfKAVRY/w400-h239/moronic+idea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No sooner is he escorted into the living room, than Denslow dumps the headgear and produces a gat. He's prevented from shooting Annabelle, however, by Hotfoot's intervention. While the bear cub goes chows down on the lawyer's ankle like a ribeye, one of Denslow's shots goes wild. The report sends his goons racing to their boss' aid, and causes Wackey and Gabby to (incomprehensibly) conclude that Annabelle has started housecleaning?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0tb1uPKA7fvUtdliXLVzgaNrrHZ-9SMNU-AZ3aoMTONmG9bS4adS5vS1jFaMH3socJt1ayX4Pj9gBYMBBWM2g93GiWhTmcXNfOk3K11Ee36ZsOQeSrsVW-XqUIhlMKE9cyW7H1zVgnU/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="605" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0tb1uPKA7fvUtdliXLVzgaNrrHZ-9SMNU-AZ3aoMTONmG9bS4adS5vS1jFaMH3socJt1ayX4Pj9gBYMBBWM2g93GiWhTmcXNfOk3K11Ee36ZsOQeSrsVW-XqUIhlMKE9cyW7H1zVgnU/w400-h354/housecleaning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps Doc should invent a hearing aid.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Midnight returns home--in costume, mind you--to find his quarry in his living room. The standard fistfight ensues. Whatever Doc is cooking up (we're never quite told) it blows the door off its hinges striking Denslow in the face. Apparently, the smoke (or is it the stench?) coming off the experiment is pretty bad too. It empties the house! When the cos show up to arrest Denslow & company, the (shockingly) fickle Annabelle starts hittin' on the balding (and presumably much older) chief of police. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wXI4EHyTguYwSUSC5aNLnMs2VEaXkUjj18WOpSOMcuLJtHwhD8wib673X9usayHUtUtmp72sQ2OpT0RWslWatAm7hl_8vX5PLS3FA5YnhYtDYu0zolFOtbrAoqC9rFEBz4ypK6YM3X4/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1128" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wXI4EHyTguYwSUSC5aNLnMs2VEaXkUjj18WOpSOMcuLJtHwhD8wib673X9usayHUtUtmp72sQ2OpT0RWslWatAm7hl_8vX5PLS3FA5YnhYtDYu0zolFOtbrAoqC9rFEBz4ypK6YM3X4/w400-h368/final.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess Midnight dodged more than one bullet this time.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-57841554291769316842020-05-04T11:45:00.000-05:002020-05-04T11:45:21.763-05:00A Pig in a Poke (part 2) -- Smash Comics #66 (AUG 1946)H<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Meanwhile, despairing of their pal ever returning with the promised pork chops, Wackey and Gab have stepped out and are on their way to pick up their own dinner at The Coffee Pot when they abducted at gunpoint by a woman calling herself Circe. Apparently, Circe is simply a misandrist with a particularly bizarre plan for exacting her feminine vengeance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vOoi6GNp8-8fZUeWz5_16eaH1NQurXDH3EkSv-wtXzNS9qLJQ6GSmjeaHa35sk1HPr9KbgcOnZuwkYhaUN-iOzH5LibJIGrcTcTnHAwRxE0Lar9oOlpirQVp849C9FbRd5VKAbktcqg/s1600/feminine+vengeance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="527" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vOoi6GNp8-8fZUeWz5_16eaH1NQurXDH3EkSv-wtXzNS9qLJQ6GSmjeaHa35sk1HPr9KbgcOnZuwkYhaUN-iOzH5LibJIGrcTcTnHAwRxE0Lar9oOlpirQVp849C9FbRd5VKAbktcqg/s400/feminine+vengeance.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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Despite their skepticism, a quick dosing of Circe's "pig medicine" and Midnight's sidekicks become swinekicks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdAQ9v-_aAB675SsqnwSXPOz3Y1PM7YbBYAjSlQYVW2uHpYiLG5VwjjXXngII7v2Odceso0Xw_HuIXGV3-C1dHgLm76DkWXzPb5XkPn3rW50vpP32QhlaWiaqUOekXSTnhFFK1jAp9Zk/s1600/swinekicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="687" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdAQ9v-_aAB675SsqnwSXPOz3Y1PM7YbBYAjSlQYVW2uHpYiLG5VwjjXXngII7v2Odceso0Xw_HuIXGV3-C1dHgLm76DkWXzPb5XkPn3rW50vpP32QhlaWiaqUOekXSTnhFFK1jAp9Zk/s400/swinekicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We next learn that the mystery man buying all the pork is named Quimby. If you want to get a sense of Quimby, try to imagine an anti-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Swanson">Ron Swanson</a> and I think you'd be pretty spot on.<br />
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The next couple of panels are confusing. I think we're to understand that Circe has set up in Doc Gage's basement. Further, we're supposed to divine that Midnight followed Quimby around town, but for some bizarre reason didn't overtake him to demand an explanation until he arrived at Gage's. Mind you, the exact location of Circe's lab is not specified...However, I can't make sense of these panels with any other explanation:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHCHBiZcW_JPCi4xMPHCgs7hjfXlukMxnkd9o8cqZvucLz0PORGrRw4HFyQA9iSZmstwiyB6f55yRkpGuf8hB9w5FF1jOTBl7HHvqWewVlmGambZ4dHdNTzDdA3NiXsic1UoMblZRVu8/s1600/no+explanation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1130" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHCHBiZcW_JPCi4xMPHCgs7hjfXlukMxnkd9o8cqZvucLz0PORGrRw4HFyQA9iSZmstwiyB6f55yRkpGuf8hB9w5FF1jOTBl7HHvqWewVlmGambZ4dHdNTzDdA3NiXsic1UoMblZRVu8/s400/no+explanation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A quick inspection of his late friend, reveals that Gage took a rap to the head...though apparently with more long-lasting consequences. About this time, Midnight spots his caged pals, and Circe is breathless at the prospect of another "pig-man" for her collection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBOcEX3B2zj614kMVbVNRgz2EcDHIzzVIQzVQKjIYiwJWEK9xyixBQsrYbCcBYgDND008gjoUbqf0M9AAa04LH1wQWjLEF6hQbBha31PDAgZcyleitWlMd6aYklRZDkcoApRwe-ECDWc/s1600/potato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="363" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBOcEX3B2zj614kMVbVNRgz2EcDHIzzVIQzVQKjIYiwJWEK9xyixBQsrYbCcBYgDND008gjoUbqf0M9AAa04LH1wQWjLEF6hQbBha31PDAgZcyleitWlMd6aYklRZDkcoApRwe-ECDWc/s400/potato.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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The femme fatale protests that she didn't kill the doctor, and Midnight compliments her on an "almost convincing" act.<br />
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Meanwhile, Sniffer Snoop is still in search of dinner when he spots our old pal Quimby attempting to scale a security fence at the Kirkey Packing Plant. Concluding that the Kirkey Plant will reward him handsomely for capturing a thief in the act, Sniffer gives chase and--like Midnight before him--follows Quimby all the way back to Circe's lab before overtaking him. (Makes one wonder just how fleet of foot that little shrimp Quimby is. After all, he's been running around all day...toting a large amount of pork...and <i>still </i>manages to outrun two regular crimefighters!)<br />
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In any event, Sniffer charges in as Circe is delivering her manifesto about the mission to turn all men into pigs...oh yeah, and she <i>totally </i>has no idea what happened to Gage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg874WdztjNDmFRYifjMMKGGK4zc-f7QKOc79Cji9x9ojBezbVajI07pJrgxOwFtKg0olR8iAaZw3AwjQvEv1jmrMZoCs_zbFrlnYm9Dt6Vp3SKLwaUP97BJcztF4lS3vmCIcLPWOiX6y4/s1600/super+engaged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="564" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg874WdztjNDmFRYifjMMKGGK4zc-f7QKOc79Cji9x9ojBezbVajI07pJrgxOwFtKg0olR8iAaZw3AwjQvEv1jmrMZoCs_zbFrlnYm9Dt6Vp3SKLwaUP97BJcztF4lS3vmCIcLPWOiX6y4/s400/super+engaged.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight looks <i>super </i>engaged here, doesn't he?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite getting the drop on her and being armed himself, Sniffer somehow manages to not subdue or shoot the deranged vixen...and even manages to get himself stuck with her porcine transformation serum, and then somehow locked in the cage with Doc and Gabby! (Yeah...real helpful there Sniffter.)<br />
<br />
Quimby--who's suddenly reappeared--explains it's getting harder and harder for him to locate meat sources. It's so bad, he pleads, that he had to "risk" swiping his most recent haul from the Kirkey Packing Plant.<br />
<br />
At this point, Midnight--who for some inexplicable reason was never locked up or shot or injected by Circe despite all the time she's had him down in her basement laboratory, abruptly decides he's got more important things to do than stop this mad scientist or free any of his caged roommates.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESFiV6G3eXRYgyK5oVtqvwBfmnWAmni-S2No04nT7Qu60GQlF7D87zIe_PSXlv72fsREXW1v04BAI3uLnVMh-RDPtPW1UHM_I8tsG67stGEWNii2S-2LHo1TXU_pvIq7GFzW2XtY-QLk/s1600/gotta+beat+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="623" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESFiV6G3eXRYgyK5oVtqvwBfmnWAmni-S2No04nT7Qu60GQlF7D87zIe_PSXlv72fsREXW1v04BAI3uLnVMh-RDPtPW1UHM_I8tsG67stGEWNii2S-2LHo1TXU_pvIq7GFzW2XtY-QLk/s400/gotta+beat+it.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Meanwhile, a distraught Hotfoot decides he can wait no longer for his master and sets out to find Sniffer Snoop. Apparently, the bear cub follows his scent because suddenly <i>el oso blanco</i> arrives at Circe's Lab, where the aforementioned ne'er-do-weller is given to a surprising (and, frankly, kind of unbelievable) fit of panic at his sight!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8awGJMW3sypvTFOT8L6WUy44jwKzuciewSHrRBYoTxMe7nzN9ITl6fOQNxCNBawL5HOFgb1A2l0t99Lb_lE-5RadwH3_KoWFiiao_3GpMWImrVeyu85sK9Uh6Gxqx56KW5Z2UuI5tpY/s1600/panic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="418" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8awGJMW3sypvTFOT8L6WUy44jwKzuciewSHrRBYoTxMe7nzN9ITl6fOQNxCNBawL5HOFgb1A2l0t99Lb_lE-5RadwH3_KoWFiiao_3GpMWImrVeyu85sK9Uh6Gxqx56KW5Z2UuI5tpY/s400/panic.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Circe recovers pretty quick, though. Grabbing the nearest needle, she decides she'll just turn Hotfoot into a pig too. Unfortunately for her, in the melee she gets confused and injects him with the antidote. When Hotfoot, then pursues his piglike master and roomies, the little bear's bites transfer the antidote to them and everyone is returned to normal. (Yeah...because that's how medicine works.)<br />
<br />
While Wackey and the others are busy cornering Circe, Midnight is crashing through an office window over at the Kirkey Packing Plant. Just before he does so, Gustavson treats us to an omniscient narrator view of the office interior, explaining just <i>who </i>was behind the fatal attack on Gage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEch2uS26PY4gVtqUf4xx7v-sxKtY8EpevurMzRvGmJpB1eJrGOM3K0Bq3M4iPquRE4rX6LIu-xP9AfQb-DLPdEqLt5nXcXTkpIFEk1VPKFe_ztfTTcyicANI_Ce8wpjaEj1HRS9UCorM/s1600/crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="803" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEch2uS26PY4gVtqUf4xx7v-sxKtY8EpevurMzRvGmJpB1eJrGOM3K0Bq3M4iPquRE4rX6LIu-xP9AfQb-DLPdEqLt5nXcXTkpIFEk1VPKFe_ztfTTcyicANI_Ce8wpjaEj1HRS9UCorM/s400/crash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While delivering his standard beating of the bad guys, Midnight lets Kirkey know that he's owed an extra blow or two for the blackjack slug he gave Midnight back at Dr. Gage's home. Bereft of his muscle, Kirkey promptly surrenders and begins spilling the beans on all his criminal activities. After acknowledging that he clubbed Midnight, the packing plant impresario admits to following Gage to the home of the late vet's lab assistant, where he knocked Gage unconscious and left him in a freezer to die of hypothermia. Suddenly putting two and two together, Midnight leaves Kirkey with the cops and rushes back to Circe's lab.<br />
<br />
Upon arrival, he finds all his buddies are back to looking like regular ole hominids. A broken Circe is crying about how she still loves Jim, and it was only her grief that drove her mad. "If only he were still alive!"<br />
<br />
This our cue for the improbable wrap-up scene as Doc Wackey announces that Gage <i>is </i>alive. "He just needed a little reviving!"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyeRanTdm6aufDRyKUmgQGEbH8SHYRyy9gBoUhaN-t5yj7UiHvY_MsMDBM6Da0wA_-eUZ7VPOUICLzawu9v7xixW18bNtq-p92OUU6YqpKbHHU-rXfUHM1EeBnMZQdSQYlNqLjxU7F30/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="708" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyeRanTdm6aufDRyKUmgQGEbH8SHYRyy9gBoUhaN-t5yj7UiHvY_MsMDBM6Da0wA_-eUZ7VPOUICLzawu9v7xixW18bNtq-p92OUU6YqpKbHHU-rXfUHM1EeBnMZQdSQYlNqLjxU7F30/s400/final.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a lot of words you could use to describe a story like this<br />
but I don't think "simple" is one of them, Midnight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-31652061376786002992020-04-30T10:53:00.000-05:002020-04-30T10:53:09.680-05:00April Special: Marvel's Razorback<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHbxo24PqoBwa4_IB7FVrUWnf65q9OALSbwQPH_GjZYCDohCUReA5aux0iVKBkuY1SW4D1OiZXL2DJl3CtiJaoxBwxgelkCAgSDJIPbu3AmJ3Gju2EWQC5c_wZNlSAPX8oQRNbJXP14w/s1600/razorback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHbxo24PqoBwa4_IB7FVrUWnf65q9OALSbwQPH_GjZYCDohCUReA5aux0iVKBkuY1SW4D1OiZXL2DJl3CtiJaoxBwxgelkCAgSDJIPbu3AmJ3Gju2EWQC5c_wZNlSAPX8oQRNbJXP14w/s640/razorback.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Overview</h3>
Whenever you see one of those lists of "lamest superheroes" there's a <i>really </i>good chance that somewhere on there you'll find Buford T. Hollis AKA The Razorback. That's a shame. Being an Arkie myself, I've always had a fond spot for the Razorback because of his name (if nothing else). However, I don't think that's all there is to commend him.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm403FQXtBcUenfbBAgNk1eoy-9dt_F2kDUDMsLZ0HA0ptPpT94cpOq0DV1GJpugNF_b-Nbygx7Ktu-xshHwd2WoAnPf8CuQpDN8eKmAuRYMAGzmpfGTCOj-0mi2zP3_AbRKxBVsOfKWs/s1600/gilgamesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="529" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm403FQXtBcUenfbBAgNk1eoy-9dt_F2kDUDMsLZ0HA0ptPpT94cpOq0DV1GJpugNF_b-Nbygx7Ktu-xshHwd2WoAnPf8CuQpDN8eKmAuRYMAGzmpfGTCOj-0mi2zP3_AbRKxBVsOfKWs/s200/gilgamesh.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilgamesh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When it comes to costume looks, I understand that mileage varies, but to me Razorback always had an appealing look just because it was so...bizarrely different. Marvel briefly attempted something similar with Gilgamesh...but who are we kiddin'? That lame allusive bull-head ain't got nothin' on Buford's glorious man-beast headgear!<br />
<br />
Aside from his fetching headdress, I thought the Razorback had a good color scheme. I tend to like heroes in green anyways (e.g., Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Fire, Mantis, Gamora, Drax, etc.) but the green and brown bespeak a earthy sorta guy. If a dude named Buford became a superhero, I'd <i>totally </i>expect him to have a costume that made great use of camo color combinations.<br />
<br />
So with all these positives, what's not to like about Razorback? Well...his one mind-boggling failure is his powerset. Now with a name (and look) like what we see above, what would you expect? A guy with super-strength...maybe a super-tough hide. Somebody along the lines of Power-Man...or maybe Wolverine <i>sans </i>the claws and adamantium skeleton? That would be logical. That would make sense with his name....but no.<br />
<br />
Razorback's mutant power was...the ability to drive any kind of vehicle. [crickets] Yep. You read that right. Now, in fairness...prior to the manifestation of his mutant power, Buford was already an all-star athlete. So, he's got some pretty solid physical strength and endurance...it's just not superhuman. Fair enough. That basically puts him in the class of guys like Hawkeye, the Punisher, etc. (though probably <i>sans </i>the combat training of those guys.)<br />
<br />
Since <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/razorback/4005-6057/"><i>ComicVine </i></a>lists no creator(s) for the Razorback, I can only assume that credit for his being is due to everyone on the credits line of his inaugural appearance (summarized below). If that is correct, then Buford T. Hollis' four daddies are: Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema, Mike Esposito, and Archie Goodwin. Additionally, two (presumably) ladies also appear on the byline, but their last names are not given. (I wouldn't want to be in the HR meeting discussing this one after the fact). Can anybody out there help me with the identification of Annette K. and Janice C. ?<br />
<br />
Anywho, I like the Razorback...and I hope you will too. Read on for my synopsis of his first appearance, and some Razorback fan art by my kids.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
First Appearance</h3>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIFWSUCLwZeg7ZD9Zx8yXaIbheWXHCvPj0eE0XURintBKydQFOTviBvacZZvAlGXXEm-sWpQAZ5QXnq8MY0UsSmOsoIZWyn5o96F80i0ORZqBRLJxs8nnh_hvzYachyphenhyphenJ0O-E8kjXLSYw/s1600/Razorback+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1006" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIFWSUCLwZeg7ZD9Zx8yXaIbheWXHCvPj0eE0XURintBKydQFOTviBvacZZvAlGXXEm-sWpQAZ5QXnq8MY0UsSmOsoIZWyn5o96F80i0ORZqBRLJxs8nnh_hvzYachyphenhyphenJ0O-E8kjXLSYw/s640/Razorback+1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
The inaugural appearance of the Razorback was in <i>The Spectacular Spider-Man #13 </i>(DEC 1977). [Interestingly, this makes the Razorback and I <i>almost </i>the same age. Doubly-interesting because I grew up only an hour from the Razorback's supposed place of origin (i.e., Texarkana, AR).]<br />
<br />
This issue opens with Spidey picking himself up off the ground in a trash-strewn alley. Apparently, he was blasted out there during a confrontation with <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/brother-power/4005-34906/">Brother Power</a> and <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/sha-shan/4005-17635/">Sister Sun</a> (in the previous issue).<br />
<br />
Stilled addled, when his Spider-sense starts tingling the Wall Crawler assumes Brother Power has followed him into the alley to finish him off. Rather than waiting for his vision to clear, Spidey decides to get the drop on this attacker by throwing the first punch. Unfortunately, as he discovers, this "somebody big" <i>isn't</i> Brother Power!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ss4JXykaEvar_9qNALzpAlgsxmy5YzOFC5IxSekWE08ky0d5zokKS6i8KizC3dhiqRdQdLll8kEH6nJMWRIxmAXphjchAJ1fqgAIdSl2cAiR0juCIXvOfe4W7b4wqfjMsdYkpM0kxMQ/s1600/not+who+you+think.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="461" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ss4JXykaEvar_9qNALzpAlgsxmy5YzOFC5IxSekWE08ky0d5zokKS6i8KizC3dhiqRdQdLll8kEH6nJMWRIxmAXphjchAJ1fqgAIdSl2cAiR0juCIXvOfe4W7b4wqfjMsdYkpM0kxMQ/s400/not+who+you+think.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thus, the Razorback is<br />
introduced (in truly painful<br />
hackneyed "Trucker lingo.")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Razorback grabs the web-head by his noggin and hurls him across the alley. Sailing through the air, Spidey grabs hold of a light post, using it and his momentum to swing back and plant a crushing blow into Razorback's chest. This is enough to launch the porcine paladin through the front window of Brother Power's restaurant.<br />
<br />
The Wall Crawler follows, intending to finish off Razorback quickly so he can, "get back upstairs" to "save Flash." (I guess Flash Thompson got himself in a some sort of a jam in the previous issue.) When Spider-Man takes hold of his still prone foe, we're introduced to another little trick of the Razorback<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ae57RaMuZufPTNNFNS1IYet2-CFmSLTMBZQoFmCV5BFJZ7sGhhfPaxE1iV34z6q7uzJoNjcFXnOQzm6NxUqqpMpE33heXIFodx5abhreVihQSUmY09F9mV_S1eQI-VOKP_8tGPM9rOM/s1600/electric+mane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="601" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ae57RaMuZufPTNNFNS1IYet2-CFmSLTMBZQoFmCV5BFJZ7sGhhfPaxE1iV34z6q7uzJoNjcFXnOQzm6NxUqqpMpE33heXIFodx5abhreVihQSUmY09F9mV_S1eQI-VOKP_8tGPM9rOM/s400/electric+mane.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course he has an electric mane.. You know, just like the<br />
native razorback?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the Spider is twitching and writhing on the floor to shake off the effects of the shock, his sparring opponent suddenly gets all chummy. First we learn that he built his electrified mane out of spare radio parts. Razorback opines, "if that don't prove I belong in the big times, ain't nuthin' will!" (I don't know, pal. That seems like kind of a low bar to decide you're ready to tangle with the likes of Dr. Doom, Thanos, et. al. but whatever)<br />
<br />
Razorback tells Spidey he, "don't hold no grudges" since he understands that, "all you eastern superhero types always stomp each other by way o' introduction!" With that, the hogshead hero extends a hand to help Spidey up off the floor, while--for reasons that utterly escape me--revealing his real name is Buford T. Hollis from Texarkana, AR.<br />
<br />
Okay, so...it's a weird introduction. But rather than being gracious, the webhead gets simultaneously self-righteous <i>and </i>self-centered, accusing Razorback of "pick[ing] a fight just to get to know me!" (Apparently, getting tazed by the electric mane cause Spidey to forget that <i>he </i>threw the opening punch of this little tussle.)<br />
<br />
After his atypically <i>un-</i>heroic outburst, Spidey charges upstairs to find a beaten and addled (but still breathing) Flash Thompson. Flash explains that while Brother Power was using his head as punching bag, he and Sha Shan (Sister Sun) suddenly stopped cold--like they were listening to a voice from elsewhere--before suddenly fleeing.<br />
<br />
Spider-Man starts to question Flash further, but that is cut short by the sight of Brother Power's sedan laying rubber on the street. Just as he's about to web after the car, Spidey is stopped by a big gloved hand attached to an even bigger fella. Again, Spidey initially reacts with jerkishness, calling Razorback an, "overgrown corn-fed hayseed" before shutting up long enough for RB to explain, "I'm just tryin' to save ya a trip -- sort of by way o' apologizin'!" (Again...not really sure what Razorback is needing to apologize <i>for </i>here.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, the Master of Taxidermy explains that he's placed a tracer on Brother Power's car. Without bothering to issue his own (more warranted) apology, Spidey finally admits, "not bad at all, Tusks" before changing the subject by asking why Razorback is after Brother Power. The Swooieee Sentinel merely repeats his earlier ambiguous claim that, "it's family business."<br />
<br />
Spider-Man let's the whole question of motivation drop as quickly as it arose when Flash Thompson comes running up demanding to be included if the two animal-themed adventurers are "going after Sha Shan." Amazingly, Spider-Man says, "Why not?...Three can afford the cab fare easier than one!" (What?! This dude was just near-unconscious in an upstairs room, but sure let the un-powered civilian tag along for a confrontation with a super-villain?!) As it turns out, the trio will get to save their cab fare 'cause RB has some wheels of his own.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4xmrKQB74YyIkPrVlMj8NIRPxNY0WkFSReZf9dTHJtiOSj2OBZfceJuFde5NnsNLhRFpvfQR2kAj2AE9HqJL7uNDcOhAOduU6sB0xBPRSPiE7mneREGH8aq-aN6KYWiUMTKVRf7_0WU/s1600/big+pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="896" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4xmrKQB74YyIkPrVlMj8NIRPxNY0WkFSReZf9dTHJtiOSj2OBZfceJuFde5NnsNLhRFpvfQR2kAj2AE9HqJL7uNDcOhAOduU6sB0xBPRSPiE7mneREGH8aq-aN6KYWiUMTKVRf7_0WU/s400/big+pig.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a grain combine had a secret love child with a Peterbilt...<br />
and it was one ugly baby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They rollout in the "fastest semi-rig north, east, south, or west of T-City, Arkansas" (by the way, as a native of the area, I don't believe I <i>ever </i>heard <i>anyone </i>refer to Texarkana as "T-City") in pursuit of Brother Power. Oh and, just because, we're treated to a panel of the Big Pig popping a wheelie!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, north of the city, Brother Power & Sister Sun arrive at a fancy schmancy Croton-on-the-Hudson estate. As they enter, an underling informs them that their superior (as yet unidentified) is awaiting to personally express his displeasure at their performance.<br />
<br />
Though Brother Power starts to accuse the underling of scheming against him, that's cut short when the Big Bad reveals himself and condemns Brother Power for having defied his orders not to utilize his superhuman powers in public. And that Big Bad is none other than...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnvxh0sl-0EwgVWG92xyYmuTArLU39GyI5fHRwRTcttDz4A_ThfEEOnPiIxwlAwItroA_r2oSbMSacJGLkUFKo5xHQVy_vPeocsC22KSJ_P5aMC5z0gtsYJvOa9obemHOsdhe2qu7CxQ/s1600/hate+monger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="903" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnvxh0sl-0EwgVWG92xyYmuTArLU39GyI5fHRwRTcttDz4A_ThfEEOnPiIxwlAwItroA_r2oSbMSacJGLkUFKo5xHQVy_vPeocsC22KSJ_P5aMC5z0gtsYJvOa9obemHOsdhe2qu7CxQ/s400/hate+monger.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Am I the only one who found it super-corny that the Hate-Monger had<br />
a giant "H" on his chest?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Despite Brother Power's braggadocio, a quick pimp power blast from the Hate Monger puts the little underling back in his place. Then, to twist the knife a bit more, the ol' Violent Violet informs BP that not <i>only </i>did he violate the first rule of <strike>Fight Club</strike> the Legion of Light, he also managed to lead "outsiders" to their little retreat. Quicker than a knife fight in a phone booth, Brother Power is back to grovelling and begging the Hate Monger to, "let me do penance by destroying these interlopers!"<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, said interlopers are...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oRlWcrD5ULE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oRlWcrD5ULE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
No...not <i>those </i>guys. <i>These </i> guys:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwM2VXut1cyGkb4iPuss3qIvgreY6nk0PNO6PZ2tqYu5Rz4WwQ3ZvFepJt8Fo4R4nLjAEot8AjAzPbW5c66y_DR5CbdtMLkPWtgwakm6lNX0jD9nlT4NRi1Bsznr9SkeqB2Qcxrd6FxM/s1600/big+ol+pickup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="901" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwM2VXut1cyGkb4iPuss3qIvgreY6nk0PNO6PZ2tqYu5Rz4WwQ3ZvFepJt8Fo4R4nLjAEot8AjAzPbW5c66y_DR5CbdtMLkPWtgwakm6lNX0jD9nlT4NRi1Bsznr9SkeqB2Qcxrd6FxM/s400/big+ol+pickup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We find out that the picture of the runaway taped to the dash is of Razorback's sister, one Bobbie Sue (because <i>of course </i>that's her name). So Bobbie Sue--we'll just call her B.S. for short😏--joined up with Brother Power's cult and was brainwashed into cutting all ties with her family. (Cult brainwashing stories were <i>all over </i>the news<i> </i>in the 70s and 80s.) By the time he found out where they'd stashed his little sister, the Legion of Light was gone--and they'd taken their little B.S. with them! (See what I did there?)<br />
<br />
Buford, being the rational chap he was, "figgered" that since he had some big muscles, had a knack for building things, and "had stopped a gang of radio rustlers smugglin' hot CB equipment across state lines," he could just put on a hogs head and track his sister down. (No, I'm not making up that part about the radio rustlers. That is <i>actually </i>in the comic.)<br />
<br />
Having finished his rather weird origin story, Razorback gives Flash an opening to explain the back story of himself, Sha Shan, and the Legion. We learn that Sha was the daughter of a reclusive Vietnamese mystic. One day her pops summoned Sha and told her, "there is a precarious balance on earth between good and evil." Dear ol' dad goes on to explain that a Lord of Darkness has descended to earth and chosen a mortal as his emissary of hate. For some unexplained reason, however, this emissary has been given power that he won't actually be able to <i>use </i>unless joined to one of purity and innocence. And...you guessed it...Sha Shan "has" to be the one to marry this dweeb of darkness in order to preserve the all-important balance. Oh and by the way, Sha Shan's dad tells her he doesn't have long to live. Well Brother Power (the aforementioned dweeb) shows up, marries Sha, and they flee just before the temple is destroyed in the last bombing of the Vietnam War.<br />
<br />
About the time Flash's story ends, the Big Pig rolls to a stop on a hill overlooking the Hate-Monger's hacienda.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZM2b7sITOQ94ZzG7_jZ-02z15NufmSUHbQP8W-6tNxpu31NGxvzbMZPNA5g8Hx5R3-fIxfgOnwhh8l5sp7qLwQIKySLYrpn7H5G2kr05wFzwd6WTHzHXb7arJaEnWaJ54aQB85noO6Q/s1600/stealthy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="903" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZM2b7sITOQ94ZzG7_jZ-02z15NufmSUHbQP8W-6tNxpu31NGxvzbMZPNA5g8Hx5R3-fIxfgOnwhh8l5sp7qLwQIKySLYrpn7H5G2kr05wFzwd6WTHzHXb7arJaEnWaJ54aQB85noO6Q/s400/stealthy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't seem like a sufficiently stealthy approach to me. You?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Spidey pretty quickly reins in Razorback's enthusiasm to charge in (metaphorical) guns blazing by reminding him, "we're on private property now--and the Legion hasn't broken any laws!" (Well...except for that part where they had Flash tied up in a room above a restaurant beating the crap out of him, but...little details I guess.)<br />
<br />
Spidey manages to walk across a remarkably low-hanging telephone line in what looks like broad daylight without being seen by <i>any </i>of the confessedly beefed up security.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_ATUcVFe34287_cAa_0vgWmk7YPkDKaQDTPvzrOuW3DpOh4iVc3JeK0KoQ6kn06nsWCPzw8kFuEklJ6-2_gwUD2_PimPS1WRbHlBAqMhwc8os0ySfu7FtcqaZ6R4cCcNvlqmf7y3zO0/s1600/daylight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_ATUcVFe34287_cAa_0vgWmk7YPkDKaQDTPvzrOuW3DpOh4iVc3JeK0KoQ6kn06nsWCPzw8kFuEklJ6-2_gwUD2_PimPS1WRbHlBAqMhwc8os0ySfu7FtcqaZ6R4cCcNvlqmf7y3zO0/s400/daylight.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe his words are nicer,<br />
but Spidey's still <i>thinking </i><br />
self-righteously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Arriving outside a upper-floor window, Spidey is shocked to see the Brother Power and Sister Sun in the same room with the supposedly-dead Hate-Monger!<br />
<br />
HM spouts the standard bad guy pablum about how the Legion's "gullible" followers will see his appearance at a planned rally the following day as, "the greatest manifestation of the power of the light! But they...will learn that it is really the power of hate...and swiftly feel just how great that power truly is!"<br />
<br />
Deciding hanging out with a wanted criminal--even a dead one--is sufficient evidence against the Legion of Light, Spidey tries to make his way back to Razorback and Flash. Unfortunately for the Wall Crawler, a searing jolt of electricity runs down the "telephone" line shocking the arachnid and sending him crashing through the roof and into a shed adjacent to the main house.<br />
<br />
Back on the hillside, Flash and Razorback witness a bright flash of light and conclude their pal has gotten in trouble and needs some back-up. Unfortunately for the not-quite-dynamic duo, they're almost immediately surrounded by a legion of club-wielding legionnaires.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OUnxTw__i7SMP_82D3xVnwnhx3ILkim3KwpV8t8zbshwVZImpn7ojGX-s5gsYFJyO46z5VzDF3qEt1NlAV6YhiwQeZ8AMNucYSEl6gfm3ElU_0qdu-J3Nav6gLodmf3XWOv9qx-NZvk/s1600/optimism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="899" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OUnxTw__i7SMP_82D3xVnwnhx3ILkim3KwpV8t8zbshwVZImpn7ojGX-s5gsYFJyO46z5VzDF3qEt1NlAV6YhiwQeZ8AMNucYSEl6gfm3ElU_0qdu-J3Nav6gLodmf3XWOv9qx-NZvk/s400/optimism.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This odds are lookin' pretty lopsided to me, but ya gotta admire the Pork<br />
Protector's moxie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back at the shed, Spider-Man finds himself in pitch darkness (which is odd, since it sure looks like it's daytime outside and he <i>did </i>fall straight through the roof--I mean, wouldn't you expect <i>some </i>sunlight would make it through? But I digress.) That doesn't last long, however, as the lights suddenly flick on to reveal Brother Power and Sister Sun in a joint attack on the Webslinger! They reveal that everything Spidey overheard was part of an elaborate trap using decoys. All the while, BP and SS were waiting in the shed for him to come crashing through the roof so they could blast him with their light powers. (😔 Ahhhh. Okay. And <i>how </i>did Hate-Monger know <i>precisely </i>the route that Spidey would take retreating from the house? In order to work properly this "plan" seems to require a Calvinist God-level of foreknowledge. I wasn't aware that the HM supposedly had that ability.)<br />
<br />
Up on the hillside, Flash and Buford (more accurately--Buford) are giving the Legion of Light storm-troopers the ol' what-for. Between his electric mane and fisticuffs, Razorbacks got bodies hittin' the floor (well, okay, the <i>ground</i>) right and left. His fighting frenzy is momentarily stayed, however, when he spots his missing little sister, Bobbie Sue. This turns out to be a bad life decision.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBB6milyHKBr1qwovstbOiNwgT8AYF2nOmVQ2XGVbExLcO28EeaBqFIkNHTXPUmuI-PFwK3PurF8qemrK5GH8YXg1L4yYeHdMPi-uBlaTstIS650OEfdyiV2A35jBDQGqhbvh7fyp0PQ/s1600/bad+choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBB6milyHKBr1qwovstbOiNwgT8AYF2nOmVQ2XGVbExLcO28EeaBqFIkNHTXPUmuI-PFwK3PurF8qemrK5GH8YXg1L4yYeHdMPi-uBlaTstIS650OEfdyiV2A35jBDQGqhbvh7fyp0PQ/s400/bad+choice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our next panels are a series of head shots of the Hate-Monger. He's thanking Spider-Man and his (perhaps less-than-amazing) friends for attacking his residence so directly. By doing this, HM says, they've played into his hands. Now even more people will tune in to watch his televised rally because they'll just be curious to know, "what manner of organization inspires such horrible acts of mindless violence!"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD36sbKDZT_yNzBDkoXZbJU88QQBhLn9AONG6Erai_xXy2Wdoxb77GJAqVeo08RQ3Tn7zGmI3oNagSLvxoR0BB6j6D7cFccq18eQwpt7hDmJTSIzfZZH61yk3k_OxjDMRK3nBF0tjTyQU/s1600/closing+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="902" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD36sbKDZT_yNzBDkoXZbJU88QQBhLn9AONG6Erai_xXy2Wdoxb77GJAqVeo08RQ3Tn7zGmI3oNagSLvxoR0BB6j6D7cFccq18eQwpt7hDmJTSIzfZZH61yk3k_OxjDMRK3nBF0tjTyQU/s400/closing+panel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/The-Spectacular-Spider-Man-1976/Issue-13?id=18949#18"></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Gallery of Original Work</h3>
Finally, I decided this month to invite my kids to draw their own Razorbacks. Two took me up on it. Both really enjoy drawing and one is on a kick about wanting to become a comic book artist in adulthood.<br />
<br />
Being a good Arkie, my daughter decided Razorback needed a proper color upgrade. 😊<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa1hXSkAY8NnBuFFj94TaN_Fcg9JL5G9pmAQuSh4C6Z0tF8mzQy6xBpOnGOcZFDu9TnVsjzh7WcQEqlVICNhEeeA8MWj5d6TEhESwUut354PmqvcELy3Di0K6gFs93qvcQ-HOiDS1oZY/s1600/Sadie%2527s+Razorback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa1hXSkAY8NnBuFFj94TaN_Fcg9JL5G9pmAQuSh4C6Z0tF8mzQy6xBpOnGOcZFDu9TnVsjzh7WcQEqlVICNhEeeA8MWj5d6TEhESwUut354PmqvcELy3Di0K6gFs93qvcQ-HOiDS1oZY/s640/Sadie%2527s+Razorback.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">3/31/2020</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My son's Razorback is apparently full of a righteous anger to see justice done!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RbKD1CdIb4J7acBMWh9wHmuwWyr2o_4ba7r83X9ZM5ZRURP9CpzLjUYd3sHHUa8lR_X1VoSrjfVvZNi6NtzOVqOPcC1jO-w7akBiLcqPmKpfVhEoAgoVnRmWTaWcnhBElZ4g2gEZJ80/s1600/Siah%2527s+Razorback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1343" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RbKD1CdIb4J7acBMWh9wHmuwWyr2o_4ba7r83X9ZM5ZRURP9CpzLjUYd3sHHUa8lR_X1VoSrjfVvZNi6NtzOVqOPcC1jO-w7akBiLcqPmKpfVhEoAgoVnRmWTaWcnhBElZ4g2gEZJ80/s640/Siah%2527s+Razorback.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">3/31/2020</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-63534445483338850882020-04-27T12:00:00.000-05:002020-04-27T13:17:47.483-05:00A Pig in a Poke (part 1) -- Smash Comics #66 (AUG 1946)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd49iCZ-nK3-r_fnYavLtNew2YLiDkrE93U7MeynUyUtf79XsYc7JZc5DpCKUE9lKMT7oVh_0NPiqIWyhr6n_sRqxbdRrKLqXBlCuK-2jQAOTpricGEPBwTwT2rbowD80PkITVqmfcy8/s1600/66+splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1139" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd49iCZ-nK3-r_fnYavLtNew2YLiDkrE93U7MeynUyUtf79XsYc7JZc5DpCKUE9lKMT7oVh_0NPiqIWyhr6n_sRqxbdRrKLqXBlCuK-2jQAOTpricGEPBwTwT2rbowD80PkITVqmfcy8/s640/66+splash.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The origin of the expression 'pig in a poke' comes from the 1500s, when a “poke” was a sack, and merchants would sell piglets in pokes, often sight unseen. When an unsuspecting buyer got his poke home and went to release the piglet, a chicken, duck, goose, or some other animal less valuable than a pig would come out of the bundle instead. The advice being given is “don’t buy anything until you have seen it.” <a href="https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/pig-in-a-poke/">(gingersoftware.com</a>)</blockquote>
<div class="g" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; width: 600px;">
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The expression strikes me as very appropriate for the Midnight feature from August 1946. As the story opens, Dave Clark is strolling past the offices of his (apparently) old friend, veterinarian Jim Gage. He decides to drop in for a visit--just in time to see the Doc manhandling a thug whom he'd caught, "prowling around my office."<br />
<div>
Squealing Like a Stuck Pig<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GsWx7hSd3MznvA0hsPLLDJun1ME32xjjS5o1YgpAJPyB_k7IWkd0OU4zOAP0xJNP7EswxwRIc0rAp8DJehK98iscIzxxxRaQm2HpkriiMdEw1uPraBK36kMSPr0jz3jHQNg2AJWkL-A/s1600/1st+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="391" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GsWx7hSd3MznvA0hsPLLDJun1ME32xjjS5o1YgpAJPyB_k7IWkd0OU4zOAP0xJNP7EswxwRIc0rAp8DJehK98iscIzxxxRaQm2HpkriiMdEw1uPraBK36kMSPr0jz3jHQNg2AJWkL-A/s400/1st+page.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
As the ne'er-do-well is running away he ominously shouts, "Kirkey'll take care 'o you!" When Dave asks what this is all about, Gage dismisses it as not "worth the trouble of asking." The good doctor then quickly pivots the conversation by saying he has a very important announcement that Dave can make on air, if he likes.<br />
<br />
Gage claims he's discovered a surefire method for detecting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichinosis">trichinosis </a>in pigs. Dave says that's "terrific," and we're treated to a couple of PSA style panels where Gage and Clark more-or-less break the fourth wall to tell us about the importance of government meat inspectors. This whole conversation is interrupted, however, by a sudden phone call.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxwV4ZYkeGhdZZCEO4hYNxd0wFAbLEc6EeWcd1a2S1FjwciEDgxftF_iVcLWhe-Dgsd_DrSWb_zv_ga7ayBhJyN6XGNMLGeP9xCKBX_3aalt39tKSTBYwhP8ehZwsqGitSmFjOrhjXyY/s1600/phone+call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxwV4ZYkeGhdZZCEO4hYNxd0wFAbLEc6EeWcd1a2S1FjwciEDgxftF_iVcLWhe-Dgsd_DrSWb_zv_ga7ayBhJyN6XGNMLGeP9xCKBX_3aalt39tKSTBYwhP8ehZwsqGitSmFjOrhjXyY/s400/phone+call.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dave offers some tongue-in-cheek condolence to Gage for the loss of his, "best girl." Gage responds that it's worse than that: She was his best <i>lab assistant! </i>Dave smoothly segues into an exit by acknowledging there's little he can do to help his friend solve the new assistant vacancy...but he'll be sure to broadcast the Gage discovery. With that, he's out the door.<br />
<br />
Just outside, however, Dave notes that the thug who'd been casing Gage's office earlier has returned--with a gun! Quickly donning his mask, our hero decides to pick up with would-be assassin where Gage left off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis85nHB9saAKXPzps_ZkpxESikyu0H18-19zlxC6-UzYvp8lefh2VuY_E3pf4M9IgoL22lTsHv81amm4bYFQj2XTrdMRv214wRad4xGzhZg_TVQT0M8lFQZKzFXxshLZtT95HKuLyee1Y/s1600/action+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="619" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis85nHB9saAKXPzps_ZkpxESikyu0H18-19zlxC6-UzYvp8lefh2VuY_E3pf4M9IgoL22lTsHv81amm4bYFQj2XTrdMRv214wRad4xGzhZg_TVQT0M8lFQZKzFXxshLZtT95HKuLyee1Y/s400/action+scene.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
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Unfortunately, Midnight's opponent has an accomplice waiting across the street in a car. While our boy is distracted beating his brown-suited yegg to a pulp, his wingman approaches and clubs the blue paladin unconscious. By the time Midnight wakes, both assailants are gone. He takes a quick peek in the window, sees Gage is fine and busy with something--and decides there's, "no sense in worrying him with all this." [Yes. You read that right. Midnight decides that the guy who was apparently the intended target of a murder doesn't need to at least be warned that a dude showed up outside his office with a handgun to plug him!?] Instead, he just takes off his domino mask and heads home.<br />
<br />
Back at the Case de Clark (y amigos), Dave decides he really just needs a little meal to clear his head. Alas, Sniffer has already wiped out all the roast beef. After breaking up yet another near-fisticuffs between Wackey and original Snoop Dog, Dave volunteers to head out and buy, "a flock of pork chops" as it's almost dinner time.<br />
<br />
Poor Dave can't seem to get a break, though. At one butcher shop after another he keeps hearing the same story: "Sorry, but the guy who was in here just before you bought up every piece of hog meat in the store!" After about seven shops, Dave finally spots the pork-laden purchaser and tries to corner the guy to get some answers as to what the heck he's doing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8N1zoqyxwey0TuLeLIAZ1NppKBA4WewSKi_5Bbci9eCX1aX-dPOcsm3ue0fnjTxY5Ohr1lTRCc9IUaV5ko63scUIeymvhtRceSUs1T8gG5IWt_fMBszxYzfzyz9XvQY_y-P4I_PnURo/s1600/mystery+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8N1zoqyxwey0TuLeLIAZ1NppKBA4WewSKi_5Bbci9eCX1aX-dPOcsm3ue0fnjTxY5Ohr1lTRCc9IUaV5ko63scUIeymvhtRceSUs1T8gG5IWt_fMBszxYzfzyz9XvQY_y-P4I_PnURo/s400/mystery+guy.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<br />
Who <i>is </i>this mystery man?<br />
<i>Why </i>is he gathering all the pork in Big City?<br />
Come back next week for the answers to these (and other) questions!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-43886048789896189582020-04-20T12:00:00.000-05:002020-04-20T12:00:02.249-05:00Killer Looks (Part 2) -- Smash Comics #65 (JUN 1946)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When we left Midnight <a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2020/04/killer-looks-part-1-smash-comics-65-jun.html">last week</a>, our hero had just captured the fleeing Cyanide Cindy after her failed attempt to threaten her way to the Kandle Beauty Lotion Contest crown.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO5ftL-H5U3DdbipCEyibhx0iJQ_y_so-1nkD7N_7-iKmiHfMUuY8vvP-2QuzqVdCtZcWbZVA7Wx1oeFDTkSoVrg8ZfWmC5KWhMw1lHMANZNl1yBbbPfhNSNTIefZPoVD2nQPuhVDLPw/s1600/synopsis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="1100" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO5ftL-H5U3DdbipCEyibhx0iJQ_y_so-1nkD7N_7-iKmiHfMUuY8vvP-2QuzqVdCtZcWbZVA7Wx1oeFDTkSoVrg8ZfWmC5KWhMw1lHMANZNl1yBbbPfhNSNTIefZPoVD2nQPuhVDLPw/s640/synopsis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Having learned that his contestants were...ahh...<i>motivated </i>to not put their proverbial best feet forward, Kandle is persuaded to restart the contest. Though radio announcer Dave Clark has mysteriously disappeared, Midnight offers to pinch hit for him.<br />
<br />
When word of the soon-to-be reprised contest gets out, Dame Kandle storms off proclaiming, "John Kandle doesn't know I'm here! Wait'll I ask him about these contest kiddies! The worm!"<br />
<br />
Fifteen minutes later, the allotted prep time has come and gone but now both Mr. Kandle <i>and </i>Sniffer Snoop are missing! Midnight tells Mr. Perkins (the only remaining contest judge) to stay on site, and our hero makes a bee-line for a nearby tavern where he's sure he'll find the absent assessors of allurement.<br />
<br />
He arrives to find a panicked Hotfoot "yipe-ing" and to see Cyanide Cindy and Lefty forcing some poor sap into a car. (You'd think they would've been handed over to the cops following their earlier assault with a deadly weapon and intimidation, but I guess not?!) So, naturally, Midnight has to subdue them a <i>second </i>time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_V3FP1nhJSLOFQir-OcE1nWyr7PFO4I1PpeUEn4-scrhSqEFIYB4eTityjUcl02_GgJZGC8XaeD0ekk2ySAsqqS5rKB3zArde8pTOljJziLtzSV9zGjURCCwgt-IJZjLhefzwXTO4k0/s1600/nonpowered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="505" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_V3FP1nhJSLOFQir-OcE1nWyr7PFO4I1PpeUEn4-scrhSqEFIYB4eTityjUcl02_GgJZGC8XaeD0ekk2ySAsqqS5rKB3zArde8pTOljJziLtzSV9zGjURCCwgt-IJZjLhefzwXTO4k0/s400/nonpowered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another scene of the "non-powered" Midnight punching a dude hard<br />
enough to knock the door off a 1940s sedan. 😕</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After quickly trussing up Cindy, we learn that her would-be victim was Sniffer Snoop. Sniffer informs Midnight that he was heading to the tavern with Kandle when the magnate suddenly disappeared. A moment later, Sniff Dogg says he heard a groan from the bushes, but before he could investigate he was seized by Cindy and Lefty. He leads Midnight to the scene of the crime where our hero discovers Kandle's corpse!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIGOQmJPZZxOeVXR5r5X1QvuZOv8O7nPrjzXf-FYfYe-xGb4isjuNwZPKkQkOJGMqou8UPhdlkArAecdtscgd-Q8HSo8PdjRzwlpfLPBkaKOt9YDrpbYg0YyEMSACngQRBAjR9iLE9aQ/s1600/murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIGOQmJPZZxOeVXR5r5X1QvuZOv8O7nPrjzXf-FYfYe-xGb4isjuNwZPKkQkOJGMqou8UPhdlkArAecdtscgd-Q8HSo8PdjRzwlpfLPBkaKOt9YDrpbYg0YyEMSACngQRBAjR9iLE9aQ/s400/murder.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
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Sniffer races back to the contest fetches Perkins, Gabby, Wackey, and Mrs. Kandle. Then...the wild speculation starts. Sniffer is sure the "gangster woman" is guilty. Cindy protests that she's, "not strong enough to kill a man with a rabbit punch!" Though not necessarily on-board with Sniffer, Midnight notes that he's experienced Cindy's <i>delicate </i>fist one or twice...and it's plenty lethal!<br />
<br />
Gabby interjects that <i>obviously </i>Mrs. Kandle is guilty party! "You should've heard the threats she made against her husband!" Midnight looks Dame Kandle over, pronouncing her "...just about strong enough to kill a man that way, too!" At this, the emotionally-distraught widow faints.<br />
<br />
Mr. Perkins sweeps his erstwhile employer's widow up in his arms and begins carrying her to a first aid station. While Gabby and Sniffer are still busy arguing over which woman is the murderer, Midnight (in his best Columbo impression) asks Perkins, "Isn't Mrs. Kandle a bit heavy for you?" <br />
<br />
When the slight man explains that adrenaline fuelled chivalry must've given him a momentary burst of strength, Midnight asks if Perkins might not mind rolling up his sleeves and showing off his <a href="https://www.coachmag.co.uk/lifestyle/4511/ectomorph-endomorph-or-mesomorph-what-is-your-body-type">ectomorphic</a> frame. And then comes our "Big Reveal!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLrxcR55VwfAsRg2CU6iYQPGjyDguqha6fO_09BCap_f6w70Uq009A2CUsXsrFS3_HeqGqiDOrJb3TwmyJBi5RNJ2LYMCSfZ5VP1LQ-xiJ-FnWkwvrd-Sc-uGvW-nIl-ZL17_JrHkYl8/s1600/big+reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="1108" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLrxcR55VwfAsRg2CU6iYQPGjyDguqha6fO_09BCap_f6w70Uq009A2CUsXsrFS3_HeqGqiDOrJb3TwmyJBi5RNJ2LYMCSfZ5VP1LQ-xiJ-FnWkwvrd-Sc-uGvW-nIl-ZL17_JrHkYl8/s400/big+reveal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxri1IZ7NX205mcZuo6N4ZZczOejdnqkX9Hqcq0UXtFwRnrsJj1cLtXGH1Wuyl1vF24oDXs0-O5yriUxRI-yB0dIkmvp9KiZV3rZC3pVdfNqdOlA0U4HYcQ4sLirUN-LuOZRnlml88ahc/s1600/wrap+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="1093" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxri1IZ7NX205mcZuo6N4ZZczOejdnqkX9Hqcq0UXtFwRnrsJj1cLtXGH1Wuyl1vF24oDXs0-O5yriUxRI-yB0dIkmvp9KiZV3rZC3pVdfNqdOlA0U4HYcQ4sLirUN-LuOZRnlml88ahc/s400/wrap+up.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-25405196707689101092020-04-13T12:24:00.000-05:002020-04-13T12:24:33.004-05:00Killer Looks (Part 1) -- Smash Comics #65 (JUN 1946)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoutdRtwy1BXYp4gBSWd_pph8et4kZ8IgngyBH6aX4LfNP4G0f6Ry5s6sz0xZlK0Ntdjm0jWMQ_2Rko_4TvV5DpXkJjunjTrWIcpLCkJxwHzGVvqWVoV78RFjPdy2FUkzARzl2ei8H0g/s1600/SMASH+65+SPLASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1171" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoutdRtwy1BXYp4gBSWd_pph8et4kZ8IgngyBH6aX4LfNP4G0f6Ry5s6sz0xZlK0Ntdjm0jWMQ_2Rko_4TvV5DpXkJjunjTrWIcpLCkJxwHzGVvqWVoV78RFjPdy2FUkzARzl2ei8H0g/s640/SMASH+65+SPLASH.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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This week's story, again, presents us with a femme fatale. In this case, her name is Cyanide Cindy! (I like it.) As per usual with Midnight's female villains, I'm expecting this story to be a little more interesting than the last couple.</div>
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As the story begins, Wackey and Gab are curious where Dave is heading off to. He informs them he's broadcasting a beauty contest at Center Park. Wackey and Gab recall Sniffer having said something about being a "fine judge of feminine pulchritude," and decide to tag along to see what stupid thing Sniffer will do there. (Sure, guys. <i>That's </i>why you wanted to go to the women-in-swimsuits competition.😏) Upon arrival at Central Park--lo, and behold!--Sniffer <i>actually is </i>a judge! When he disavows Wackey and Gab to contest sponsor John Kandle, the latter orders their unceremonious bouncing from the judges' area.</div>
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The disgruntled duo settle into seats amongst the general audience. Gabby grouses, "Someday I'm going to eat that turkey buzzard raw!" A middle-aged woman in the crowd overhears the threat and chimes in, "If you're talking about my husband, John Kandle, I may cook him for you! Imagine such goings-on just to sell his beauty lotions!" </div>
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This budding discourse is interrupted, however, when Dave Clark announces, "the cream of American womanhood!" Apparently, the cream left something to be desired.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMWzNFZH9Eoz7LB2mWm5DFbwqtAGeGtxPxCiYX3xPQJKGxV5qxiKP47A02ilbekuJh3V66lh2xDmTIZQfyLE6hjf8tfIF32X5CBM7iX2OoHbqDGVdA_VXHgkNMBvYcSue2z0stbsgUwI/s1600/beauties+too.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="504" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMWzNFZH9Eoz7LB2mWm5DFbwqtAGeGtxPxCiYX3xPQJKGxV5qxiKP47A02ilbekuJh3V66lh2xDmTIZQfyLE6hjf8tfIF32X5CBM7iX2OoHbqDGVdA_VXHgkNMBvYcSue2z0stbsgUwI/s400/beauties+too.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Incensed, Mr. Kandle decides someone has plotted to sabotage Kandle's Beauty Lotion with this farce. He demands an explanation from one of his employees named Perkins. (I can only assume Perkins is a right-hand man or something.) Wackey and Gabby are having a ROTFLOL moment, whilst Dame Kandle seems suspiciously pleased by the goings on.<br />
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<div>
Though initially wanting to call the whole thing off believing, "if pictures of these women get into the papers my business will be ruined!" Perkins persuades him that he must name a winner if for no other reason than prestige. "People expect you to come through every time!" (Yeah...I'm not really following the logic on that argument either.)</div>
<div>
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<div>
Despite the lack of any real logic in Perkins' argument, Mr. Kandle is nevertheless on the verge of naming one of the contestants the winner, when a last-minute mystery contestant shows up.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMzCdzYY5OUDmyZpYl_U85-xpTXEsmcRPaaz9-7WWKRblrVEQa3feR8wnyK-S8flzElReR4SevEq640Y2c1xd8CDHp57P6eoRjBZuCJFUtFiX6992vThU1Cqizi1bBiKVvcqJFEAO4PI/s1600/last+minute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMzCdzYY5OUDmyZpYl_U85-xpTXEsmcRPaaz9-7WWKRblrVEQa3feR8wnyK-S8flzElReR4SevEq640Y2c1xd8CDHp57P6eoRjBZuCJFUtFiX6992vThU1Cqizi1bBiKVvcqJFEAO4PI/s400/last+minute.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
While the disparate reactions of Wackey, Gabby, and Mrs. Kandle are pretty much what you'd expect. </div>
<div>
<br />
Sniffer has a (shocking!) attack of conscience and protests to Kandle that he has his principles and won't be changing his vote. "After all, beauty is only skin deep!" While the two judges are busy debating the ontological nature of beauty, the last-minute contestant decides to take a more direct approach. She tells a guy named Lefty to, "toss me my rod." (<i>Rod </i>was just a term for a handgun back in the day. Get your mind outta the gutter.) About this time, Midnight realizes why the mystery contestant looks so familiar. She's a notorious (though previously unseen) criminal named Cyanide Cindy!<br />
<br />
Quick as a whip, our boy Midnight pieces together that, "Those [other] contestants look like dishrags because Cindy persuaded them in her own sweet way!" The next thing you know, the femme fatale has a gun at the back of Sniffer's head.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBb_gMm_jbpT_D2c-2K31PxvtP-XEDnY6wGBbq533xUD5xcjszGolmim2gRr0uXid2cWhqQCrPSlWkASgOIpljnRTdCigaY4qTh7DxX4_RCWLztlnAput-YvOuRoBjt8DykSsyvgoWhI/s1600/still+questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="454" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBb_gMm_jbpT_D2c-2K31PxvtP-XEDnY6wGBbq533xUD5xcjszGolmim2gRr0uXid2cWhqQCrPSlWkASgOIpljnRTdCigaY4qTh7DxX4_RCWLztlnAput-YvOuRoBjt8DykSsyvgoWhI/s400/still+questions.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At this point, I'm wondering, "<i>Why </i>all<br />
this rigamarole to win a beauty contest?<br />
Is there a big cash prize? Is Cindy insanely<br />
insecure?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
About this time, Midnight comes out from behind the curtain telling Cindy to, "Drop that heater!" She, of course, takes a shot at him at near point-blank range...but somehow utterly fails to hit him, whilst our azure-hued avenger deftly kicks the gun out of her hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0kKkSYQ8eHmQfiUwFEThqik70LZdQN1x_WqH_zUgLXwJxlv7PwabNB45ZQfLDQOIJUkLnNj0Hb2vNBuiyLI5QzEpI4uwrxVAw587exrequ48X1B1bD5TbRu7PmpxyoCvc30XldvzOCc/s1600/smooth+operator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0kKkSYQ8eHmQfiUwFEThqik70LZdQN1x_WqH_zUgLXwJxlv7PwabNB45ZQfLDQOIJUkLnNj0Hb2vNBuiyLI5QzEpI4uwrxVAw587exrequ48X1B1bD5TbRu7PmpxyoCvc30XldvzOCc/s400/smooth+operator.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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For good measure, Midnight goes on to deck Cindy's henchman (Lefty), who <i>also </i> is armed...and <i>also </i>fails to get a bullet within three miles of our hero, despite firing at point blank range. (A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, these guys would've made great imperial storm troopers.) </div>
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Cindy tries to make a break for it, while our hero was dispatching Lefty...but no such luck for the beastly beauty.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGtMsbfOEx1ppuxT_UVaHw7b0ejVDf4LTsEv4tlPQjWQW6HqMSP7BLpEbJwaQTvz996YPbfOYHfGRxv74_atG8wlcTbO78JwI0oJo9czVYVX4QwwtuozCgYZvGYVeajRQL3v_8WFrOyQ/s1600/interesting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="529" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGtMsbfOEx1ppuxT_UVaHw7b0ejVDf4LTsEv4tlPQjWQW6HqMSP7BLpEbJwaQTvz996YPbfOYHfGRxv74_atG8wlcTbO78JwI0oJo9czVYVX4QwwtuozCgYZvGYVeajRQL3v_8WFrOyQ/s400/interesting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Every time I meet you?!" Cindy sure sounds like she's tangled with our<br />
hero before, but I can't seem to find when/where. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Join us next week as we wrap up this crazy caper!</div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-42683638664707296502020-04-06T11:43:00.000-05:002020-04-06T11:43:46.180-05:00Kings Are Wild (Part 2)-- Smash Comics #64 (APR 1946)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2020/03/kings-are-wild-part-1-smash-comics-64.html">Last week</a>, we left an unconscious Midnight seemingly doomed to a watery grave. Meanwhile, his laundryman-killer went about his way delivering wetwash to the Vaporian Consul's office.<br />
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At the consulate, a servant woman meets him at the door asks if he's heard that, "Everyone is looking for King Zoris." The laundryman simply mumbles to himself: "Not everybody."<br />
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In the front parlor of the Consulate, Sniffer has arrived with <em>his </em>"King Zoris" (and the king's remarkably thuggish-looking "prime minister"). After being left unattended, Sniffer begins proclaiming at the top of his lungs, "Consul! I've brought King Zoris!" Hotfoot growls at a curtain...and is, of course, ignored. The error of that oversight becomes apparent too late.<br />
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A <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gat">gat</a> appears in the folds of the curtain. A shot rings out and the would-be king is cut down! The "prime minister" hurls back the curtain, but finds only an empty hallway.<br />
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Back in the servants' quarters, the gunshot terrifies the maid. Yet one suspects <i>that </i>shock pales in comparison to the sight of a dashing, azure-bedecked man emerging from her laundry bag! It seems Midnight was stirred to consciousness by the gunplay.<br />
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Still a bit addled, Midnight begins wandering through the Consulate. He eventually stumbles into the erstwhile "king's" companions, and both assume the other was guilty of slingin' lead.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-SL7OXIfDHRijYlKEPVo59VRtMG4BK-OIWwYfWueYdYzcdMFUACInL87PFcSlR3ZXAgxXNQpaiUgybo7pkPG0LifCsSDnlvBJn4Fg1as_VapMThXZ5N0md6Wbv6SrYb2a2edfeIhz8E/s1600/super+saiyan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="697" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-SL7OXIfDHRijYlKEPVo59VRtMG4BK-OIWwYfWueYdYzcdMFUACInL87PFcSlR3ZXAgxXNQpaiUgybo7pkPG0LifCsSDnlvBJn4Fg1as_VapMThXZ5N0md6Wbv6SrYb2a2edfeIhz8E/s400/super+saiyan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Midnight goes Super-Saiyan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Back in the front room, Doc and Gabby arrive claiming they found King Zoris, Sniffer protests that's absurd because <i>he </i>already found Zoris before the king was cut down in a vicious act of regicide. Midnight waltzes in--apparently it didn't take him too long to dispatch his sparring partners--and starts asking questions when he hears Gabby's claim.<br />
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Midnight immediately recognizes this latest pretender as none other than Donald Larkinfoot, Shakespearean actor. Donald doesn't put up much of a protest, however. You see, Hotfoot starts growling at the curtain again, and Midnight immediately recognizes it's hiding a killer. He lands a couple haymakers into the scarlet mass, before dragging an assassin from its velvety folds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMWBdqDldC7rYRJ06JLz31zEG8Nyfrs69AI4JFdxOsHu284uFB5U4yU5SdcBwxm99YVVny3GHkqs3gSPQcCxb21mE9eJByRiw9F83jIGlwobSLZbolDlCnEnYpH3V2mXw_LgyEVJza-c/s1600/assassin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="488" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMWBdqDldC7rYRJ06JLz31zEG8Nyfrs69AI4JFdxOsHu284uFB5U4yU5SdcBwxm99YVVny3GHkqs3gSPQcCxb21mE9eJByRiw9F83jIGlwobSLZbolDlCnEnYpH3V2mXw_LgyEVJza-c/s400/assassin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At this point, Donald decides things have gotten waaaay too real...and that taking a job with a road company will be easier on his life expectancy.<br />
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The threat subdued, Midnight tosses the killer's gun to Wackey and tells him to, "keep an eye on this collection of fakes!" Sniffer is sent to find the Consul and get him to a hospital. Midnight begins questioning the various actors in this evening's stolen identity case. When he asks the hoods what made them think they could pass off their ugly partner as a king, one of them retorts that everything would've worked fine and they would've beaten Midnight senseless, "if you hadn't laid it on our chins with that heavy ring."<br />
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Taking a quick glance at his hand, Midnight races back to the servants' quarters. He asks the maid what she knows about the laundryman, and is told he's "inefficient and insulting." On top of it all, the fool dropped off Midnight in a laundry bag instead of the Consulate's wet-wash! In fact, she's just called him and demanded that he correct his mistake. <br />
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When the laundryman arrives, we finally get our big reveal:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi5N5-TyABoKic5BmQmy4PzFWtZyb4IotCirmAkLKb2vjKxE7Ppakw-6TwBdYEvgGXYLUomnsLemOICqDtmWrloNkS4A4GlJkpsVM7bBQTJN27e9g6kY0eVUgSLpqqvHZ78s8esaK1TY/s1600/reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="497" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi5N5-TyABoKic5BmQmy4PzFWtZyb4IotCirmAkLKb2vjKxE7Ppakw-6TwBdYEvgGXYLUomnsLemOICqDtmWrloNkS4A4GlJkpsVM7bBQTJN27e9g6kY0eVUgSLpqqvHZ78s8esaK1TY/s400/reveal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Exposed, Zoris initially pulls a saber from under his coat and makes the ill-considered attempt to skewer our hero. After easily kicking the sword away, Midnight delivers a quick one-two to the royal schnoze, before frog marching him back to the front parlor.<br />
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In the meantime, Sniffer has returned with the Vaporian Consul and it's time for the final story wrap-up. At this point, Zoris finally opens up about his motives. Apparently, the king didn't want to retain the throne with its inherent dangers from anarchists and assassins. He just wanted to stay in his humble laundromat.<br />
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In a final frustrating twist, a breaking radio bulleting reports that a recount of the Vaporian plebiscite has shown there was an error on the first count. In fact, the people do NOT want Zoris back. They have elected to form a Republic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3XndWhWBWNsBdKDVSzkAKMMCOI9POwRvMThXVay_Vc9mkoO10fEkQv8BqQ3IxpXZmX0N6SHlDegEJHMHGFYkJIcS4fO9hR3R5aXrrCzeK-RmNv798S7tHDXio3e9TJcmCm0GOYMmcUY/s1600/a+kick+in+the+pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="491" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3XndWhWBWNsBdKDVSzkAKMMCOI9POwRvMThXVay_Vc9mkoO10fEkQv8BqQ3IxpXZmX0N6SHlDegEJHMHGFYkJIcS4fO9hR3R5aXrrCzeK-RmNv798S7tHDXio3e9TJcmCm0GOYMmcUY/s400/a+kick+in+the+pants.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Dean Martin would say, "Ain't that a kick in the head?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-70070375033430157342020-03-31T12:04:00.000-05:002020-04-02T10:28:19.710-05:00March Special: Conway & Heck's Commander Steel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDtfjBjr13wpHvXaPNonsq9vSwP4m8gxUBbKU0P_WvCTn65S_t4KNYlKcB4xeddhBpSHW_-lPbk8xfz-QRwrwODnTst-2kFtc86bYTs_qQ1FhIJVOzMVTSTb47TvJr_6zS-FOfgKlbKg/s1600/commander+steel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDtfjBjr13wpHvXaPNonsq9vSwP4m8gxUBbKU0P_WvCTn65S_t4KNYlKcB4xeddhBpSHW_-lPbk8xfz-QRwrwODnTst-2kFtc86bYTs_qQ1FhIJVOzMVTSTb47TvJr_6zS-FOfgKlbKg/s640/commander+steel.jpg" width="280" /></a>The original Steel (Henry "Hank" Heywood, Sr.) was a Princeton biology major who decided to join the U.S. Marines following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. This sparked a long-running feud with Hank's then-girlfriend, a woman named Gloria Giles. She dumped him over what she perceived as Hank's warmongering. This particular relationship was complicated by the fact that Hank's then-boss, Dr. Gilbert Giles, was Gloria's father. Prior to joining the Marines, Hank had been assisting Dr. Giles in his efforts to develop "a special bioretardant formula." (<a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/commander-steel/4005-23481/"><i>ComicVine</i></a>)<br />
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Anyway, sometime after joining up with "The Corps," Heywood was on guard duty for a military base when it was attacked by Nazi saboteurs. Hank was horribly maimed in an explosion. Realizing he had little prospect of recovery (or even survival) he volunteered to be a human guinea pig for Dr. Giles' experiments. And so, Henry Heywood came to be the recipient of a largely steel skeleton (to replace bones pulped in the explosion), micromotors through his joints to facilitate the movement of his now much heavier limbs, an artificial replacement for his lungs (greatly increasing their capacity), and finally a sub-dermal layer of steel alloy that essentially made his skin near-unbreakable.<br />
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If this whole schpiel sounds familiar, I suspect it's no coincidence that the super-heroic Hank Heywood appeared four years after the very successful Lee Majors television show, <i>The Six Million Dollar Man </i>(1973-1978).<br />
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As alluded to above, the bio of this character is complicated by the increasingly-common phenomenon of there being <i>multiple </i>versions of Commander Steel. Apparently, in their editorial wisdom, someone at DC decided that wasn't enough confusion and so they've had these various characters adopt a similarly diverse range of names: Steel, Commander Steel, Citizen Steel, Captain Steel, and maybe even more that I don't know about.<br />
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Without getting into all the subsequent iterations, I want to briefly say a little about why I prefer the name Commander Steel. First, in the original appearance of Hank Heywood, Sr. (which is reviewed below) he is simply referred to as "Steel, the indestructible man." I don't want to use the unqualified name Steel because it breeds unnecessary confusion with a DC's 1990 <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/steel/4005-2031/">John Henry Irons</a> character. (For the sake of clarity, Heywood did not <i>technically </i>become <i>Commander </i>Steel until gaining a commission after his first mission with the All-Star Squadron. (<a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/commander-steel/4005-23481/"><i>ComicVine</i></a>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvwUH3KaaEEpEoQgNC2-YoyYnGjX-tM59eQVSmF9f5wgbAfoYgEK1zzOHZ6W4FUA3KGGSvjiZHDZ-VvO3NycJeQNbfYsLz7U-iGC4A9Y3pMg8ovxCLLRekdg2xomKVLLnsRpgIand_54/s1600/commission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="577" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvwUH3KaaEEpEoQgNC2-YoyYnGjX-tM59eQVSmF9f5wgbAfoYgEK1zzOHZ6W4FUA3KGGSvjiZHDZ-VvO3NycJeQNbfYsLz7U-iGC4A9Y3pMg8ovxCLLRekdg2xomKVLLnsRpgIand_54/s400/commission.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Second, Captain Steel--especially when considered in light of his patriotic color scheme--makes our man, Hank, look even more like a Captain America wannabe.<br />
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Third, there's only about a bazillion "Captain Somebody or others" out there. For these three reasons, then, I think Commander Steel is best name to use.<br />
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After being introduced in his own title Steel experienced a pretty unceremonious cancellation as part of the DC Implosion. He resurfaced in the pages of Jerry Ordway's <i>All-Star Squadron</i>. (Incidentally, as the above the pic suggests, it was in the pages of <i>All-Star </i>that "Steel the Indestructible Man" experienced his first major rebranding, as "Commander Steel.")<br />
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Commander Steel's First Appearance: <i>Steel, the Indestructible Man #1 </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN4fPekZ-QDDgXa14MpM3VTo64ZupBH7IubWzupCZIH3v_n1zF8YWwdX_Bi7noL2TWaZHreo2r3x96JhnXptlyig-KhlRonla2mJcXLFrnfUlLb8Qr8lBw5akRfsbZvoki4nhN_eys8I/s1600/Steel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></h4>
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We begin with young Hank Heywood accompanying his mentor, Prof. Gilbert Giles, to a medical conference in Nazi-occupied Munich. When the professor claims Heywood has developed a "biological retardent" that enables the surgical replacement of damaged limbs and organs, the incredulous and xenophobic German scientists heckle the duo off-stage. There is, however, one exception to this arrogant dismissal. A curiously cold and ominous-looking fellow named Baron Todlich comments to an aide that he believes Giles' claim. "He may," the Baron goes on, "prove useful to us when we make our--<i>visit</i>--to America."</div>
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On their way out of the lecture hall, Hank and Prof. Giles spy two Nazis harassing an elderly Jewish man. In a <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/prolepsis">prolepsis </a>of his heroism, Hank intervenes to take the old man's side. When the Nazis (temporarily) flee, the old man warns Hank that they will return with friends and kill him unless he flees now. Fearing for the life of the elderly Prof. Giles, Hank and his mentor depart. </div>
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Back in America, what should have been a joyous reunion with a daughter and fiancee is cut short when Gloria gives Hank news of the German invasion of Poland. This is the final straw for Heywood who stalks off to join the military, deaf to the protests and pleas of Gloria and her father.</div>
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Hank goes off and endures "six weeks of Hell" through Marine basic training. Gloria then shows up at (apparently) his first duty posting to wildly misrepresent his words and issue a psycho-girlfriend ultimatum.</div>
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As Gloria speeds off, Hank concludes (for some bizarre reason) that, "she didn't mean it." Meanwhile off the shore of Long Island, a dude in garish yellow and violet garb emblazoned with swastikas rides a torpedo to shore. Emerging from the surf the corporeal defiance of the color wheel is met by three dudes in regular garb who, little surprise, are undercover saboteurs. It turns out that the mystery chap goes by the name of Baron Death. Hitler and Goring have dispatched him to deliver a cache of experimental machine guns for the sleeper cell to utilize against the American military machine.</div>
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With Gloria gone, Hank's original plans for the evening are shot. What's a love-lorn marine to do? Why, get smashed at the bar with his buddies of course! Pleasantly buzzed and on his way back to base, Hank spies shadows near the base perimeter. When he investigates, of course, he winds up in a open-air bar fight with our previously introduced saboteurs. (No explanation is given for 1. why Hank's alone on this walk back, 2. How he's so alert and sharp-eyed when he's supposed to be drunk, or 3. Why a drunken marine is so easily beating the crap out of no less than three trained saboteurs...<i>Semper Fi </i>I guess.)</div>
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Anyhoo, in the midst of this donnybrook somebody stumbles into the plunger attached to the dynamite the saboteurs have placed to blow up the base ammo dump. When the responding marines get to the explosion site they find naught but 3 corpses...and a fourth as good as. As our ole buddy Hank lays on the ground moaning, barely clinging to life, one of his especially sensitive brothers in arms comments, "He may be breathin' now Fred, but the way he's been hit, if he ain't dead by morning--he's sure gonna <i>wish </i>he was!" (Gee...thanks for that, marine. That really helped. 😒)</div>
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When the heavily bandaged Hank regains consciousness days later in a marine hospital, he overhears an emotion-laden conversation between Gloria and her father. Dr. Giles informs her that Hank's condition is extremely serious: third degree burns over most of his body, multiple shattered bones, and a destroyed lung. To her credit, Gloria feels terrible about the last words she spoke to Hank, and she genuinely seems remorseful. </div>
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After Gloria flees the room overcome with emotion, Hank shocks his mentor by speaking. Hank begs the doc to test their biological retardant process on him. Giles protests that it would be too risky, but Hank prevails with the argument that his life is essentially over otherwise. There's, literally, nothing for him to lose in trying the procedure. This, then gives us the comic book version of the Six Million Dollar Man intro.</div>
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Following the surgeries, Giles and Heywood discover that Hank is now capable of <i>far </i>more than he ever was before. Unfortunately--and in a surprisingly insightful critique of government--Hank notes that the marines, "like all bureaucracies, hate to update their files." Hanks confides to Gloria that due to having a recorded 'medical disability,' even if the U.S. went to war in Europe, he would be restricted to desk-jockey service. Of course, Gloria is overjoyed by this news--Hank, not so much. When he evidences insufficient agreement with her position, Gloria reverts back to huffy girlfriend mode and stomps off. (So much for that remorse, I guess.) </div>
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Later, Hank decides that if the marines aren't going to take advantage of all he has to offer, he'll just have to find an alternative way to contribute. Laboring in secret, he constructs a costume for himself, until finally...</div>
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Talking to himself (apparently) the newly-christened Steel announces the practical benefits of his colorful steel alloy uniform: given his already abnormally-strong replacement skin, it will be just enough to make him effectively bullet proof. As good as this effective invulnerability, super-strength, super-speed, and super-endurance are...our boy Hank decides he still needs a little something more. Soooo...he jumps out he window and races to the Westchester Federal Armory, which he promptly raids for rifles, pistols and machine guns. (Now, call me crazy, but this seems <i>really </i>out-of-character for Hank Heywood as he's been developed thus far. Hank is supposed to be this idealistic, straight-shooting, patriotic chap. Now he's engaging in larceny?!)</div>
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As Hank's preparing to flee the scene with his ill-gotten loot, he hears "something from the fence area...the sound of metal shears." You guess it, dear reader, it just so happens that an second set of saboteurs under the direction of our ole buddy Baron Death have been assigned to steal American weapons from the Westchester Armory. (You know...the thing that Steel <i>just </i>did!) Needless to say, the Ratzis are somewhat befuddled when they arrive at the weapon storage area only to find the lock already crumpled and the door ajar. About this time, our hero appears on the roof of the building to offer the saboteurs the opportunity to come along quietly...though he expresses the earnest desire that they choose to "get rough" instead.<i></i></div>
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Of course the Nazis unload with machine gun and small arms fire that merely bounces of our hero's frame. Steel decides to lead them on a little game of cat-and-mouse, which the Nazis (for really improbable reasons) oblige. Ostensibly, the argument of their leader (Otto) is that the group should split up and capture Steel because Baron Death, "will wish to examine this man whose body deflects bullets so easily." Okay, that makes some sense...but left curiously <i>unanswered</i> is any actual plan for precisely <i>how</i> they'll capture Steel. Apparently their gunfire can't hurt him so...what? They're gonna beat him up? And somehow subdue Steel and haul him out of there before armory personnel track down the location of this gunfire? </div>
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Steel comes crashing through a wall to take out the first Nazi, who calls him "ein Juggernaut!" (Meanwhile...somewhere over at Marvel, Stan Lee is checking with legal to see if there are any options.) Our boys chunks this fifth columnist into the base's chain-link fence hard enough to "embed" him. (Now that's pretty hard, my friend!)<br />
<br />
A second Nazi--who supposedly is much-less concerned about delivering Steel to Baron Death alive--is thoughtful enough to pretentiously proclaim his intentions prior to spraying the air with machine gun bullets. As Hank plants the base of his attacker's skull into the pavement, he announces that "nobody kills the indestructible man!"<br />
<br />
As the final "Ratzi" tries to flee, Steel takes the unconscious body of his last attacker and hurls him like a bowling ball into his retreating comrade. About this time, the base MPs finally get the spotlights trained on the right area only to find a bunch of unconscious bad guys. When one badge-heavy chap comments, though there's no immediate sight of the person responsible for stopping these guys he'll soon be caught because, "this base is sealed up tighter'n a drum." A second soldier--apparently a bit more in touch reality--opines that anybody who could pull of this kinda destruction "ain't gonna be stopped by this man's army." (Yeah...that, <i>and </i>the fact that no less than five unauthorized personnel got <i>into </i>the base this night kinda puts the lie to that whole, "this base is sealed tighter than a drum" claim.)<br />
<br />
From a safe distance, Commander Steel observes the soldiers rounding up the saboteurs. We're then treated to a collapsed timeline as Hank Heywood records the events of the following week in his personal journal...and setting the reader up for what to expect next from this patriotic hero.<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-51338680669727021842020-03-30T11:53:00.000-05:002020-03-30T17:32:23.564-05:00Kings Are Wild (Part 1)-- Smash Comics #64 (APR 1946)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV86BFrrvCtwhRtMKTcLYbbQDIyH1leM6jggPOjasImIwDMuaW_iq6MEmgjYAp3r3gjC8nXKozy5hoiP6Ls4dUQxkiNoLjMv1fQfMeSCU-0_kc3_pJSgVlNzHPRRG3TN65xsFrSO_3MRA/s1600/Midnight+64+splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV86BFrrvCtwhRtMKTcLYbbQDIyH1leM6jggPOjasImIwDMuaW_iq6MEmgjYAp3r3gjC8nXKozy5hoiP6Ls4dUQxkiNoLjMv1fQfMeSCU-0_kc3_pJSgVlNzHPRRG3TN65xsFrSO_3MRA/s640/Midnight+64+splash.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
Despite nice artwork, I was a little disappointed by this story as it seems to be a rehash of the mistaken identity gag from the previous issue. As this one begins, radio announcer Dave Clark is informing the public that, "the people of the Kingdom of Vaporia have voted to restore King Zoris to the throne!" The only problem is--no one knows what became of Zoris! He disappeared after the Germans invaded (and apparently conquered?) his country in 1940. <br />
<br />
Predictably, Sniffer claims to be an expert in locating missing royalty. Just as predictably, Gabby retorts that Sniffer, "couldn't find a king in a pinochle deck!" Sniffer storms out in a huff, intent on proving his simian critic wrong. Following Sniffer's departure, Doc convinces Gabby that <em>they, </em>too, ought to go on the hunt for Zoris. <br />
<br />
(There's no surprise here. It's the standard formula for bickering among Midnight's entourage. What <em>did </em>stand out to me was the civic interpretation being given, via Doc Wackey, to WWII. To me, this sounds a lot more like <a href="http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4943/">Woodrow Wilson's justification</a> for <em>WWI </em>than it does WWII.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTlZi7KyoATCOIHeSwL1iI-t-lrVRTEUeHat3ymA_9LkJsJFOJwSZhCgZpVQIuDLlwAbiMT27t5h-6KhDPTJONH_oBGG0P_L-LjX-NiYlFaUikmXhXmAOdqNAlwul7d2ssFVAcxXo-TI/s1600/WWII+rationale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="263" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTlZi7KyoATCOIHeSwL1iI-t-lrVRTEUeHat3ymA_9LkJsJFOJwSZhCgZpVQIuDLlwAbiMT27t5h-6KhDPTJONH_oBGG0P_L-LjX-NiYlFaUikmXhXmAOdqNAlwul7d2ssFVAcxXo-TI/s400/WWII+rationale.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
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While Doc's civic-minded appeal doesn't sway Gabby, the announcement that Midnight will conduct his own search persuades the monk to join the hunt. So...once again, our heroes's efforts to locate a missing person are divided into three independent streams: (1) Sniffer and Hotfoot, (2) Doc and Gabby, (3) Midnight.<br />
<br />
Sniffer and Hotfoot are aimlessly wandering down the sidewalk when a sedan with some rather mobster-looking types roll up and ask for directions to the Vaporian Consul's office. A distressed-looking passenger in the car is crying about how he "doesn't wanna be a king!" This elicits a pistol-whipping that knocks the "king" unconscious. The driver tells Sniffer not to worry--"His majesty just hates going back to work."<br />
<br />
Rather than raising any suspicions on the part of the self-anointed "world's greatest detective," Sniffer announces, "Your Majesty, I've found you." He then squeezes into the car and volunteers to personally lead the entourage to the Consul's office.<br />
<br />
Simultaneously in another part of town, Doc and Wackey witness a recently-fired actor emerging from the theatre-house still decked out in kingly costume. Noticing nothing other than the guy's clothes, Wackey just strolls up and asks, "Are you the King of Vaporia?" [Because...sure, <em>that's </em>the most-logical conclusion Mr. man-of-science.] Given his dearth of cash-flow, the opportunistic thespian immediately seizes upon this as an opportunity for his "next meal ticket," and proclaims that, "of course" he is "the King of Vaporia!"<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the solo Midnight has opted to begin his search for Zoris in Big City's Vaporian enclave. He stops at a non-descript laundry (that, surprisingly, is opened at midnight?!) and asks the proprietor if he has any information on the whereabouts of the missing king. The cagey shop-owner, however, proves unhelpful, only telling our hero, "you could find King Zoris if you really wanted to." Intent on doing just that, the blue bastion of justice heads for the door when suddenly:<br />
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The shop-owner next gives our hero a "parting gift," shovels his unconscious form into a laundry bag, and dumps him off a pier on the way to deliver the Vaporian Consul's wet wash.<br />
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IS THIS THE END OF BIG CITY'S SENTINEL OF JUSTICE?! Come back next week to find out!<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-91336785129904898412020-03-23T12:01:00.000-05:002020-03-23T12:01:10.866-05:00The Case of the Ex-Explorer (Part 2) -- Smash Comics #63 (FEB 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOapENqC6NdxOU6mRi2CsMXSfLSL0ylQpk7zNweo8ZZcJzf11W8r9ing1eTCQ6b5Rx7vUoWv9qoUb8MIl4NmiLKmtQLKUw4IWaMm9MAI5n0xsOuuWWvZUSlKxs_A463Vw8o03O-gGpZPo/s1600/Midnight+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="616" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOapENqC6NdxOU6mRi2CsMXSfLSL0ylQpk7zNweo8ZZcJzf11W8r9ing1eTCQ6b5Rx7vUoWv9qoUb8MIl4NmiLKmtQLKUw4IWaMm9MAI5n0xsOuuWWvZUSlKxs_A463Vw8o03O-gGpZPo/s640/Midnight+0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sentiments exactly!</td></tr>
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While Prentice is busy haranguing his stereotyped allies, Midnight
and his pals have followed the Rollo gang to the late Catlett's home.
Inside, Ziggy questions the <i>other </i>fake Catlett before pronouncing
his rival's story a serendipity. Now that the story is out of
Catlett's return, anyone who finds the gang at his estate will simply
assume they're invited guests. (A tale which will, of course, be
confirmed by Ziggy's own "Catlett"). On top of all this, Ziggy will
send <i>his </i>Catlett down to WXBZ to collect on the exorbitant salary promise. To close the loop, he locks the <i>other </i>Catlett
in a room...telling his captive this will only last until such time as
"we can figure out a nasty way to bump you off!" The henchmen are
standing around praising Zig's "genius," when Midnight suddenly appears
through an opened window! <br />
<br />
Midnight announces to
"Catlett" no longer has any reason to fear these hoods, when Ziggy
interrupts to inform him that he's misunderstood the situation.
Catlett, Ziggy claims, has actually hired the Rollo gang as bodyguards.
Though bewildered and suspicious--and perhaps distracted by the "panda"
who keeps chewing at his leg--Midnight is hesitant to press further
when "Catlett" himself confirms the story.<br />
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<br />
The crooks
seem on the verge of getting away with it when Midnight's investigative
instincts are arrested by cries for help and pounding coming from a
nearby door. When Midnight opens the door he finds our <i>other </i>"Catlett" fighting for his life against the oncoming spears of the previously introduced "Congo savages."<br />
<br />
[Now, in addition to the ethnic and linguistic stereotyping...there's also in the issue of plot problems here. I suppose it's <i>possible </i>to
argue that these guys left their previous digs (which were presumably
somewhere on the premises of ZKQ--or perhaps in the home of the ZKQ
owner?) and have trekked to Catlett's old home where they stumbled upon <i>a </i>Catlett in the random room they broke into. Of course, this must've taken place sometime <i>after </i>Ziggy locked the second Catlett up...that, or Rollo is a singularly <i>un</i>observant fellow. That...or this is just a giant, gaping plot hole.]<br />
<br />
True
to form, our boy in blue charges right into the fray, busting the lead
Congoman right in the nose. Next thing you know, a trio of Eskimos come
barrelling in from a side door. When one of these interlopers tries to
spear "Catlett's" "panda", the intrepid explorer plants the business
end of his double-barrel right in the Inuit's eyeballs and orders him to
release the bear. Recognizing a strangely familiar voice (and not a
little suspicious of the fact that the panda's black comes off when
touched) Gabby yanks "Catlett's" beard to reveal that he is, in fact, Sniffer Snoop! As frequent readers will expect,
Sniffer claims that though he really <i>was </i>an explorer, since
Wackey and Gabby kept "slandering" him, he decided to, "help out in the
guise of a man with a--er--greater reputation."<br />
<br />
Sniffer's deception exposed, the would-be Eskimo assassin announces his satisfaction that, "Catlett plenty dead!" About this time, Prentice emerges with the other "Catlett" screaming that he's "very much alive!" <br />
<br />
Midnight, however, operates on the once-bitten-twice-shy principle. He asks Prentice, "Are you sure...?" Without warning, our hero snatches the fake beard off the <i>second </i>"Catlett," exposing him as just a Ziggy Rollo underling. This second imposter exposed, Prentice hastily (and suspiciously) departs for a broadcast--not even bothering to return for his filched wallet! Still a bit befuddled regarding all the goings-on of the evening, Midnight's attention is piqued by something in Prentice's abandoned pocket book. <br />
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Assigning Doc and Sniffer to contact the cops for help hauling the Rollo gang downtown, Midnight remains in the Catlett home far into the night pondering over and scrawling on the paper. At last, he has a "eureka!" moment which leads him to throughout the house accessing a series of secret panels, until:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtXVMqvJazjkKTlgQnYjcNdt0cPKAEN8TSdxTa6JPkhGLfuaoOXBrG4Vtc8klSD61MjnGSlujbtUn-ogAKLKztpdE7FgvO1GqPXeq-S4sEAKg92NA5Ciw3hLkvPMjOQJkorwj24KHBBI/s1600/finally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="784" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtXVMqvJazjkKTlgQnYjcNdt0cPKAEN8TSdxTa6JPkhGLfuaoOXBrG4Vtc8klSD61MjnGSlujbtUn-ogAKLKztpdE7FgvO1GqPXeq-S4sEAKg92NA5Ciw3hLkvPMjOQJkorwj24KHBBI/s400/finally.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Later--after a mid-broadcast arrest of Prentice--Wackey asks a question that gives us the low-down on just what Midnight found in that wallet and how it wound up leading to the real Catlett.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNDux2pyhGLPhXEbfyyiePJxZcWunUZQkCAOswSeKGZQEi6HfoawNfzI_Dzygn_OP6PdR3oXoRz8zBz3wJSgSiHP1mcmKhRoG3iLeboktellAPxg2MYsSQZAEto2GR9XrpRaCmjNopAc/s1600/low+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="1115" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNDux2pyhGLPhXEbfyyiePJxZcWunUZQkCAOswSeKGZQEi6HfoawNfzI_Dzygn_OP6PdR3oXoRz8zBz3wJSgSiHP1mcmKhRoG3iLeboktellAPxg2MYsSQZAEto2GR9XrpRaCmjNopAc/s400/low+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-70371794416958691272020-03-16T11:57:00.003-05:002020-03-16T11:57:44.180-05:00The Case of the Ex-Explorer (Part 1) -- Smash Comics #63 (FEB 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxvPRQowXeTeYg4bljTJgmNlrXCbdgf6dyyVgAHDbmO6z7w4Sxn0H6jKfc5gR_eN0fVYZ0_MrZOkvR0ENOCUAxEkHD3PR85sSNLCUAkTDEkzqnXz4Q4mVozmKGfeH6QSIGshW9yjF-pw/s1600/SMASH+63B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1159" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxvPRQowXeTeYg4bljTJgmNlrXCbdgf6dyyVgAHDbmO6z7w4Sxn0H6jKfc5gR_eN0fVYZ0_MrZOkvR0ENOCUAxEkHD3PR85sSNLCUAkTDEkzqnXz4Q4mVozmKGfeH6QSIGshW9yjF-pw/s640/SMASH+63B.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=1530&page=3"><i>Smash Comics #63 </i>(FEB 1945)</a><br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The story begins with Dave Clark's curiously still-unnamed boss at the radio station, which seems to <i>constantly </i>change names. (In this issue, it's WXBZ.) Mr. [insert authoritative sounding name] is irrationally ranting as per the stereotype of bosses in this time. He charges in on Dave as the latter is wrapping up a children's program.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3nEQgLHbXzHBOWgNhGd_Q085RmX0SbZ8Q7VgpFwswjeQfsTrBOHjpNnERm9g9lOg36bqrHNexw2SPrx8tskGZKssi9lLv-4tWzp_rmlBol0oZQLr10GR4uRlSS04m9Dk6JWOADP4BkY/s1600/cutestuff+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="560" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3nEQgLHbXzHBOWgNhGd_Q085RmX0SbZ8Q7VgpFwswjeQfsTrBOHjpNnERm9g9lOg36bqrHNexw2SPrx8tskGZKssi9lLv-4tWzp_rmlBol0oZQLr10GR4uRlSS04m9Dk6JWOADP4BkY/s400/cutestuff+kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice name and all...but is it just me, or are those two on the right about<br />
to throw hands?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mr. I'm-so-furious-I-gotta-carry-my-billy-club-to-talk (yes, really) is upset because WXBZ is getting beaten in the ratings by ZKQ. The boss-man in his infinite managerial wisdom has decided (this week) that the reason his station is performing second-best is its lack of a bona fide explorer on the air. <br />
<br />
While complaining that the kids' shows are, "a drug on the radio market" he blurts out that he'd be willing to pay $50,000 as a signing bonus for a real explorer, and after that the fella could "name his own salary!" About this time, Mr. I'm-a-brave-manager takes a breath, allowing Dave to inform him that they are still on-air. Throughout Big City, all manner of radio listeners react to the boss-man's ill-considered announcement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0uXAESlVUnTA4c4M4fJz_CAMt6FnMROrFZU5DIhegqLiZkzAwYXkxN2jLwMJYhy9Y3dn3tr780hE-mmiMkmFdCnUWp9zecEmZGBrkM19ShyphenhyphenvtCd1HJEOOBj8MT5BdaeotHwkqzjYr0k/s1600/ill+considered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1114" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0uXAESlVUnTA4c4M4fJz_CAMt6FnMROrFZU5DIhegqLiZkzAwYXkxN2jLwMJYhy9Y3dn3tr780hE-mmiMkmFdCnUWp9zecEmZGBrkM19ShyphenhyphenvtCd1HJEOOBj8MT5BdaeotHwkqzjYr0k/s400/ill+considered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Meanwhile, Dave commiserates with Wackey and Gabby over his predicament. There just aren't many real explorers left, and the only one he knows of--one, "Prentice"--is already under contract with ZKQ. While bemoaning the untimely death of Prentice's assistant, J. C. Catlett--who otherwise would've been a good option--the phone rings.<br />
<br />
The voice on the other end of the line claims to be the supposedly-deceased Catlett. The famed ex-explorer relates that he had only faked his death in order to enjoy retirement, but the irresistible lure of $50K has drawn him back into the public spotlight. Catlett agrees to come over for a talk, but before he arrives Dave produces an old photo of Catlett, "just in case some phony's trying to horn in." Wackey, for his part, assures Dave that, having gone on some expeditions in his younger days, he'll have no trouble recognizing whether this is the <i>real </i>J. C. Catlett.<br />
<br />
When the door bell rings, Dave and Wackey both seem pretty well convinced that they're dealing with the real McCoy. Only Gabby registers any hesitancy...and then, only within his own private thoughts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDp8sGLQlqesx7fCdjMklFn89HkRX-OrN-fQYNNg3bjdgvQUnlyAbhkmhvC1BfdyMbGMydr1o8s2uZT6SYc8ZE1D726evZh57royWBsrC_rGYj0JQ6XY7nQaJTfCOCLzMZB46ljbG71c/s1600/master+of+disguise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="1120" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDp8sGLQlqesx7fCdjMklFn89HkRX-OrN-fQYNNg3bjdgvQUnlyAbhkmhvC1BfdyMbGMydr1o8s2uZT6SYc8ZE1D726evZh57royWBsrC_rGYj0JQ6XY7nQaJTfCOCLzMZB46ljbG71c/s400/master+of+disguise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah...nothing suspicious here. I'm <i>sure</i> this is the real J. C. Catlett.😏 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While this front-porch negotiating is going on, some thugs (presumably members of the previously introduced Ziggy Rollo gang) arrive on the scene with their own Catlett imposter. Taking umbrage at having been beaten to the punch, the gangsters and seize both "Catlett" and his pet "panda," tossing them into an awaiting car. <br />
<br />
While Dave is on the phone telling his boss that he's now locked down "the real Catlett" for WXBZ, Gabby informs his pal that...uh...some guys are shoving your explorer into a car. Quickly changing into his costume (which effectively means, he put on his domino mask and fedora) Midnight dashes out the front door and hails a conveniently waiting cab to follow the abductors' car.<br />
<br />
Back at WXBZ, Boss I'm-really-bitter-I-didn't-get-the-job-as-the-Monopoly-Man has called up his counterpart at ZKQ to talk trash. (Because...I guess that's how businessmen established dominance in the 1940s?!)<br />
<br />
No sooner do they get off the phone than the ZKQ Honcho turns to <i>his </i>explorer, Prentice (who, conveniently just happens to be standing around the office in his safari gear, rifle in hand) demanding to know how his rival can have Catlett, when Prentice had previously given assurance of his erstwhile partner's death. At this point, it begins to become clear why there are conflicting stories regarding exactly <i>where </i>and <i>when </i>Catlett died.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL_OMq9Q3m1P8u8mXU2ARjn8SYdfk6kV7eSL_x13xyMhOJRlcrzoH3KGpqWaRqCuGF5FCAP8U3cbYjDL1B7Ggf9GazRO-6iqtXg4LM1VJlL_Yhhhk8IR2xzhTTxjgOGHOOKAhmEyhxaI/s1600/when+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="602" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL_OMq9Q3m1P8u8mXU2ARjn8SYdfk6kV7eSL_x13xyMhOJRlcrzoH3KGpqWaRqCuGF5FCAP8U3cbYjDL1B7Ggf9GazRO-6iqtXg4LM1VJlL_Yhhhk8IR2xzhTTxjgOGHOOKAhmEyhxaI/s400/when+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdVVp4Jk4u-96P5Pb4SxAjn_9h25IMkeVYX7whyphenhyphenmHlxZd_ES-sO1ARrKzIQaVKhWONmIYkCDsnVVOnq7rMlBTyAOr2EAHOq2oYLG7bUJfTGq3ry-eyQhMNJ_VkhC-Nw_DjAYrnw9KEq0/s1600/when+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="513" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdVVp4Jk4u-96P5Pb4SxAjn_9h25IMkeVYX7whyphenhyphenmHlxZd_ES-sO1ARrKzIQaVKhWONmIYkCDsnVVOnq7rMlBTyAOr2EAHOq2oYLG7bUJfTGq3ry-eyQhMNJ_VkhC-Nw_DjAYrnw9KEq0/s400/when+2.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No question these panels wouldn't be drawn today...or at least, wouldn't be<br />
in <i>this</i> way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Come back next week to find out how this crazy tale wraps up!<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-21724041353692843882020-03-09T13:30:00.000-05:002020-03-09T13:30:36.404-05:00The Siren's Song at Midnight -- Smash Comics #62 (DEC 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTtdq2J3v7ZvEC9Mo7X9HPJByLgj1tDVmpKyTVXL9ZDXy83EmFbITiaDE8nMzuhBBrPWnnsPlrEFpkLU_D4VHOmu_z8b3Q7YSZsIfcWtWdEUCbdkIvFev4UMLONqLlneLxkCVMtoHaPU/s1600/62+SPLASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTtdq2J3v7ZvEC9Mo7X9HPJByLgj1tDVmpKyTVXL9ZDXy83EmFbITiaDE8nMzuhBBrPWnnsPlrEFpkLU_D4VHOmu_z8b3Q7YSZsIfcWtWdEUCbdkIvFev4UMLONqLlneLxkCVMtoHaPU/s640/62+SPLASH.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=1654&page=3"><i>Smash Comics #62 </i>(DEC 1945)</a><br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right off the bat, this splash page has me hooked. For one thing, I think that Midnight's best villains have tended to be women. Remember the air world and <a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2018/07/midnight-vs-bullets-balow-pt-2-smash.html">Queen Robustia</a>? How about the would be mob boss, <a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2019/11/midnight-vs-deadly-damsel-darla-dee.html">Darla Dee</a>? Going waay back--and even though she wasn't really a <i>villain</i>--we might think of his encounter with the <a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2017/12/born-on-bayou-midnights-social.html">White Queen</a>. This Lorelei chick looks to be a similarly impressive <i>femme fatale</i>. (Plus, I've <i>always </i>liked the name Lorelei!) Anyway...let's get back to <i>this </i>story, dear reader.<br />
<br />
The story opens with Wackey and Sniffer at home, both independently swooning over pictures of a woman in the newspaper and proclaiming their undying love for this gal they've never met. (Three guesses who this Cindy Crawford of 1945 might be.) Meanwhile, Gabby is having a grand laugh at the histrionics of both men (but especially, of course, at Sniffer Snoop).<br />
<br />
Mad with middle-age hormones, Sniffers charges out the door towards the Four Spades Club (where the Lorelei works as a dancer). Wackey is hot on his heels, in order to "protect the Lorelei." Gabby is trotting alongside, so as to ensure he doesn't miss any especially public humiliations of his pals.<br />
<br />
At the club, Wackey and Sniffer's constant professions of undying love for the Lorelei ignite the murderous jealousy of fellow admirer, Gory Groggins. While he's busy threatening to fit the two for cement shoes, Gabby remains unaffected by her wiley <i>homo sapien </i>charms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Foxa-k28iqAZVdo28u-19kn_dwMkADWp08SRxPuH8h59HpKd4LUbJaQwpPYeIOE_fCowMbBhrcjnC0BnbOZr64pYh7UmntRtkV2iAKzBY0wC4dUgfDR1dXC2m6XQErBWozrUYtrNOY/s1600/wiley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Foxa-k28iqAZVdo28u-19kn_dwMkADWp08SRxPuH8h59HpKd4LUbJaQwpPYeIOE_fCowMbBhrcjnC0BnbOZr64pYh7UmntRtkV2iAKzBY0wC4dUgfDR1dXC2m6XQErBWozrUYtrNOY/s400/wiley.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<br />
When Midnight appears, Gabby mistakenly assumes there will now be at least one sane man up in the club. No sooner does he show up, however, than even our paladin of justice seems entranced by the twirling figure of the Lorelei.<br />
<br />
True, Midnight does momentarily snap out of his hormonal fog when the aforementioned Gory Goggins pulls a gun, threatening to kill Sniffer and Wackey if either of them take another step towards the Lorelei. Big City's premier hero is moving in to seize Goggins' gat when the master of ceremonies takes center stage with the Lorelei at his side. The emcee raises a hand for silence and proclaims, "a very important announcement."<br />
<br />
As it turns out, his big announcement is that the Lorelei has consented to become his wife. Naturally, this encites a murderous rage in the other men present who immediately charge the couple. Midnight, despite initially appearing more perplexed (that the Lorelei would marry such a homely fellow) than bewitched, suddenly disappears. We're left to surmise that he has joined in the parade of men vying for the voluptuous beauty's attention.<br />
<br />
Gabby's left with no one but Hotfoot (which fact he is none too pleased about) when a gunshot rings out. Gab fears the worst has finally happened: someone's been killed over this crazy love <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/dodecahedron">dodecahedron</a>.<br />
<br />
A moment later, the lights in the club suddenly go out and a <i>second </i>gunshot resounds. When the lights come back, Gabby spies Sniffer holding his smoking firearm and standing over the dead body of the erstwhile emcee. <br />
<br />
After a quick choking attack on Sniffer (I guess to demonstrate his bona fides) Wackey releases his rival to "comfort" the Lorelei. For her part, she's mourning the burden of being so beautiful that men kill each other over her.<br />
<br />
About this time, Gory Goggins comes charging in threatening to kill Wackey (and maybe even the Lorelei?) for "makin' time behind my back!" Hot on Gory's heels, Midnight seems to have assumed Goggins was behind the gunshot. After decking this issue's requisite mobster, he asks who killed "the squid." (Wow, Midnight...that's kind of...insensitive.) Despite Gabby's certainty that Sniffer's to blame, Midnight's not buyin' it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgferbxHAC32mHMThP6YdPrAchFcF-h2p0c0z152WBOIuYPNP-C8S_D1jtKOFeTIhgyEJl22YVQuo4zN-YJCzQwdAsOW_Rabq1W4sVvHYZL-rtldYmRhvwhhfGQvnb691M4x4r0kEIocCo/s1600/not+buying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgferbxHAC32mHMThP6YdPrAchFcF-h2p0c0z152WBOIuYPNP-C8S_D1jtKOFeTIhgyEJl22YVQuo4zN-YJCzQwdAsOW_Rabq1W4sVvHYZL-rtldYmRhvwhhfGQvnb691M4x4r0kEIocCo/s400/not+buying.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
In any event, Gabby notes that there were <i>two </i>shots. Sniffer claims his was an accidental fire that hit the light (i.e., the first shot). Next, Gab asks Doc if <i>he </i>was the one who bumped off the competition. (Geez, Gabby--way to assume the worst of your buddies!)<br />
<br />
While admitting that he wouldn't necessarily be above killing, "for love" Doc insists that he couldn't be responsible because he had no gun.<br />
<br />
(Here we have a brief "action discursus" where Goggins revives and tries to plant a pistol on Wackey. Midnight catches him and again knocks the macguffin mobster out cold--or so we're led to believe).<br />
<br />
Despite being 0-2 at this point does nothing to blunt Gabby's instinct to speculate on who the killer might be. He notes that if Sniffer lacked the aim to hit the broadside of a barn, and Wackey was sans the means to kill anybody, then that "just leaves Gory and the Lorelei" (I admit, I'm not seeing how that follows when there was apparently a nightclub full of guys there at the old Three Spades...but whatever!)<br />
<br />
He concludes the Lorelei couldn't have done it 'cause her...umm...wardrobe...lacked any where to...uh...hide the weapon. Gab even sorta' kinda' asks Midnight if <i>he </i>might've danced a bit too close to the flame. Our boy in blue retorts--not at all suspiciously--that, "I was too busy...looking for something!" (Oh! Okay. I guess that settles that.)<br />
<br />
When all is said and done, Gab comes to the conclusion that since all the other suspects have been eliminated, Gory must be the killer. Unfortunately for the cause of justice, however, ol' Groggins seems to have an iron jaw. When they turn to seize his (presumptively unconscious frame) they find that Gory has roused himself and fled! Midnight pursues him to the rooftop where Gory takes two shots at Midnight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qOPr4uX3SphHhvMLqcoL8E0HYlJJ_UjiAkrworNBDwXIz2l-fMaRE7TV5TL1B4RRGTTk9iacoky1WkzrxH1rkKAvpJHs7pP6V5EF6l8ricIouIRGV2Kjg2C8ZOhv80m7RkhRZezQ0QM/s1600/math.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="530" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qOPr4uX3SphHhvMLqcoL8E0HYlJJ_UjiAkrworNBDwXIz2l-fMaRE7TV5TL1B4RRGTTk9iacoky1WkzrxH1rkKAvpJHs7pP6V5EF6l8ricIouIRGV2Kjg2C8ZOhv80m7RkhRZezQ0QM/s400/math.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not following this math. Gory took one shot that killed the emcee. <br />
Two more at Midnight during the pursuit. That's only three shots<br />
How is our hero so <i>certain </i>Gory's out of bullets? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Gory peaks his head through the window (I guess to gloat over Midnight's corpse) our boy slams the window frame on his head, and then tosses in an extra slug to the face for good measure. Amazingly, not even this knocks the concrete-skulled bad guy out.<br />
<br />
Hauling him back downstairs, Midnight notices Gory has <i>three </i>guns--one more than he's ever been known to carry. Gory asks what difference that makes. He killed "the squid," because he was gonna marry the Lorelei and that's that.<br />
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When they meet up with the others, Gabby says it's too bad the Lorelei isn't here to see the mystery cleared up. Midnight asks where she's gone and finds out that the vixen, "went home to rest up." Our boy leaves Groggins in the hands of his buddies and takes off after the Lorelei. And then comes our final page "big reveal."<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-56919242715924814462020-03-02T10:07:00.000-06:002020-03-02T10:07:17.571-06:00Midnight's Freaky Friday -- Smash Comics #61 (OCT 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbkio3YwIZPJqRdfAofrSF6nK8Ik2CHvbs86_zYAwm5AtfwbxIhb8-OmvHCWdH-DEaib6iQTKMuiaQgg0ZdgJyu8e8F_wtrOkrN-1ZvJFtgzX-y1B_XOHFV4Max6emIqd43ZXfcWJBH4/s1600/61+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbkio3YwIZPJqRdfAofrSF6nK8Ik2CHvbs86_zYAwm5AtfwbxIhb8-OmvHCWdH-DEaib6iQTKMuiaQgg0ZdgJyu8e8F_wtrOkrN-1ZvJFtgzX-y1B_XOHFV4Max6emIqd43ZXfcWJBH4/s640/61+b.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=1529&page=3"><i>Smash Comics #61 </i>(OCT 1945)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The splash page of the October 1945 Midnight adventure signals, right off the bat, that this story will be an example of the mind-switching trope in storytelling (e.g., <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0322330/">Freaky Friday</a>)<br />
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We begin with Wackey and Gabby walking home from the grocery store on a nice, sunny day. Suddenly, they're accosted by yet another old scientist friend of Wackey's. (<i>How many</i> of these guys are there?) In this case, the mortarboard-wearing Professor Padsel claims to have invented the proverbial "revolutionary machine."<br />
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Despite the plethora of weirdo inventions Wackey <i>himself </i>has produced over the years, for some reason he and Gab decide that Padsel's claim sounds more than a little bonkers. Sensing their disbelief, Padsel invites them to come to his laboratory that evening to witness the truth of his claims. They politely inform the good professor that they...ummm...have...to...go...stand over there. After extricating themselves from the awkward sidewalk encounter, they head home and Gabby immediately makes the mistake of telling Sniffer everything that happened. (Since <i>when </i>are Gabby and Sniffer "pals" who sit around talkin' about how their days went?!")<br />
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Sniffer decides that Padsel's claims mark the professor off as a clear and present danger. He announces that <i>he'll </i>be attending Padsel's test. Doc and Gabby decide they'd better tag along to keep Sniffer from creating a problem if nothing else. Outside the doors of Padsel's (surprisingly spacious) home, Wackey makes one last plea to do the sane thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxqTJrmhxDStQSUHy7zv_pUElBWCaiFfmjOnaVlGxhDCGgObOTXaWhTSIbTMsDz2PSWCO_QXdc3zQIqQbWGVe6t_6xjx3LlNT5O4IBz9VbRCtjbsixxh75kyo22P6gnQh2f3zAGd4_Cw/s1600/sane+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="453" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxqTJrmhxDStQSUHy7zv_pUElBWCaiFfmjOnaVlGxhDCGgObOTXaWhTSIbTMsDz2PSWCO_QXdc3zQIqQbWGVe6t_6xjx3LlNT5O4IBz9VbRCtjbsixxh75kyo22P6gnQh2f3zAGd4_Cw/s400/sane+thing.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
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As soon as they enter the house, Sniffer wastes no time informing the Padsel that his claims smack of "charlatanism." Predictably, this does not endear our pretentious detective with his host. (Apparently, Sniffer's copy of <i>How to Win Friends and Influence People </i>had not yet arrived.) The next thing you know, everybody is yucking it up and mocking Padsel's process. To his credit, the Prof challenges them all to put their money where their mouths are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN52IuxR8Ru0OBCMkUKdr6o4oA1RXJhtn0MqXqosx87HA-XJbnNojMzjBFd0hQMRC_T-_NwZlzxdxLB2ZgASEvulR7GrWgwTJQl5IffU4WUvqFml36yn7YvSqevMcb13Bb5rQ6XQrDVM/s1600/put+the+money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="665" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvN52IuxR8Ru0OBCMkUKdr6o4oA1RXJhtn0MqXqosx87HA-XJbnNojMzjBFd0hQMRC_T-_NwZlzxdxLB2ZgASEvulR7GrWgwTJQl5IffU4WUvqFml36yn7YvSqevMcb13Bb5rQ6XQrDVM/s400/put+the+money.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Illogically confident that there's <i>no way </i>Padsel's invention could actually work, the quartet submit. Of course...it <i>does </i>work. Yet the gilding of scientific achievement suddenly loses its luster when our heroes ask Padsel to reverse the procedure.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZQr5hMMFN4WNtiy21f9PggP9prF7J_R-_V5UXQG6-3V0S6AGjdZ37UoIPULkM0b_jTWhkkOjCkESnE9Nod5_LJGaEDWuXiT1baTVzDj_1PygpBI1fYFVEt0loUI4qz-e_wBJjmkDSxs/s1600/why+should+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZQr5hMMFN4WNtiy21f9PggP9prF7J_R-_V5UXQG6-3V0S6AGjdZ37UoIPULkM0b_jTWhkkOjCkESnE9Nod5_LJGaEDWuXiT1baTVzDj_1PygpBI1fYFVEt0loUI4qz-e_wBJjmkDSxs/s400/why+should+I.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta say...I've got a lot of sympathy for Padsel.<br />
They had this coming.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After some their initial demands and implied threats prove ineffectual, Sniffer/Wackey seizes the long gun and decides that a threat at gunpoint will be the most effective resolution to the current predicament. Unfortunately, our perturbed foursome failed to notice that the doors in Padsel's labs were unusually thick and heavy. The Professor merely flees through a doorway and slams the steel behind himself. After confirming via dangerous experimentation that the door is, in fact, too strong to be pierced by the long gun, Midnight's entourage finally accepts that they'll have to call in the Man himself for aid.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf2-RyvtKk9olijsA8grKJWi1VZiUfSuorOG_A0FtkD2u5LbvFblGU9zRmB3s7TV9Y4nbVYa-tFwZF8TAgdz5pxckuOkuNR6XO7jfr0JcBeCNvrxTIdhfmO_s1adnzuR_EqVXkrn_ZU0/s1600/the+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="485" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf2-RyvtKk9olijsA8grKJWi1VZiUfSuorOG_A0FtkD2u5LbvFblGU9zRmB3s7TV9Y4nbVYa-tFwZF8TAgdz5pxckuOkuNR6XO7jfr0JcBeCNvrxTIdhfmO_s1adnzuR_EqVXkrn_ZU0/s400/the+man.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, deep within the recesses of Padsel Manor, our mortarboarded maestro is entertaining dreams of scientific and financial stardom. Yet his <i>true </i>desire, it turns out, is to win the love of one Belinda. With this particular turn of thought, however, Padsel's mood transitions from celebratory to melancholy. Despairing of their difference in age and of his own dearth of physique and glamor, Padsel has no idea what to do...until he spies a certain set of callers at the door.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIupXoO1JXthtwtTG8jW5_1nkCk2N-Wd3j12Bq3vtNAfYH0jc9yqFvgKpkMGmr0RShaA4QrCd97CeZVCW8xi1u-YLj-swIOELy4XoE8IkvOjey8K2LoMIbzTqs3T8CZl-aC4BQWe7vK6o/s1600/callers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="518" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIupXoO1JXthtwtTG8jW5_1nkCk2N-Wd3j12Bq3vtNAfYH0jc9yqFvgKpkMGmr0RShaA4QrCd97CeZVCW8xi1u-YLj-swIOELy4XoE8IkvOjey8K2LoMIbzTqs3T8CZl-aC4BQWe7vK6o/s400/callers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Upon entering Padsel Manor (I guess they must've broken in?!) Wackey/Sniffer is showing Midnight the transference machine, when the Professor comes racing in and throws his hands on one of the machine's rods. Midnight is suddenly--and inexplicably--<i>unable </i>to let go of his end of the rod. He and Padsel immediately go narcoleptic and when they awaken...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW_mENKuFQS4N0raWA-I0knRcMLcDC_bOz2gEuJwS2sexhfbhhYKJIhwwJCK9-iKOZ_-5Vld5FlHHbsxzYz8LV1Nn2xEqahk_wcSoahRi5iXZ-iYIUThxDa3_eo6UN4mp2kX1ytRPEQ8/s1600/look+now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW_mENKuFQS4N0raWA-I0knRcMLcDC_bOz2gEuJwS2sexhfbhhYKJIhwwJCK9-iKOZ_-5Vld5FlHHbsxzYz8LV1Nn2xEqahk_wcSoahRi5iXZ-iYIUThxDa3_eo6UN4mp2kX1ytRPEQ8/s400/look+now.jpg" width="365" /></a></div>
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Of course our now-rebodied (as opposed to disembodied) hero attempts to pursue his corpus thief, but alas! Midnight's body is simply too superlative. The Prof escapes and the newly geriatric Midnight announces that the first thing they'll have to find the professor. (Did that <i>really </i>need to be said out loud?)<br />
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Back on the streets of Big City, the Bedouin souls of our heroes are arrested by a breaking radio broadcast -- Midnight has been arrested at the home of a Mr. Colin Marsey for the strangling death of a young man who was visiting Colin's daughter, Belinda!! (This, of course, heightens the drama of Midnight's Freaky Friday, as it calls into question whether he will ever get his own "Resurrection Sunday"!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFahIpwT_NZqAA24PY4g8JfremRtym4WCdR7yy424Y3E2_0Bygv2-CC9yrGVHDYYreAUhp0YspBcWkUL_J_p_-3CzXWU2b_31t1ixjgizDOFlyzDiTwyE0nBjwulApxTjwrSPmC0zphs0/s1600/resurrection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="681" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFahIpwT_NZqAA24PY4g8JfremRtym4WCdR7yy424Y3E2_0Bygv2-CC9yrGVHDYYreAUhp0YspBcWkUL_J_p_-3CzXWU2b_31t1ixjgizDOFlyzDiTwyE0nBjwulApxTjwrSPmC0zphs0/s400/resurrection.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Arriving at the Marsey home near-breathless, our heroes protest when responding Officer Clancey declares, "It's a simple case! Midnight did it!" Midnight/Padsel insists he didn't do any such thing and that Clancey ought to know better. When the befuddled officer asks who this weird old man is--and why he thinks he's being accused--Padsel/Midnight claims that <i>he </i>is Midnight. The red-faced Clancey decides our hero is being a "wiseguy," and goes to breathing out threats.<br />
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After a few panels devoted to the predictable chaotic cloud of counter-accusations and protests, Clancey finally tells Midnight that if this was some kind of lame strategy on his part to try and escape blame, it's a wasted effort. The pseudo Midnight nonchalantly says he's a little more confident in his chances...and then (hurls one cop into another two before beating a hasty retreat?!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4knMsq7ihk8oJpDM4qAK1O_UVk81aC1_9P0uFfWN4sgx4HscmwgUAf_uWlZINJaQ_g-Y4IMGEcp38_VOlWhjs-3s3xkIU4klb7Si9pmZGURW3kmWJIs9rQVKRhST4lRruYv0LZC5nuA/s1600/hasty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1139" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4knMsq7ihk8oJpDM4qAK1O_UVk81aC1_9P0uFfWN4sgx4HscmwgUAf_uWlZINJaQ_g-Y4IMGEcp38_VOlWhjs-3s3xkIU4klb7Si9pmZGURW3kmWJIs9rQVKRhST4lRruYv0LZC5nuA/s400/hasty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The depths of Big City PD ineptitude have apparently yet to be plumbed;<br />
and the notion of a bottom grows more implausible day by day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Meanwhile, Padsel/Midnight checks the young man's corpse and finds that he bears the marks of having be attacked by someone wearing a heavy ring. Since Midnight (or rather, his <i>body</i>) never wore such a ring, he concludes that <i>everyone </i>has been looking in the wrong direction for the killer.<br />
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About this time, Daddy Marsey shows up introducing himself to Padsel/Midnight. When our hero notices bits of skin under Mr. Marsey's nails--(is that a thing people just "notice" while shaking hands?!)--he orders the remainder of the justice entourage to, "grab him!" Under interrogation, Marsey confesses that he killed George (at least the young dead guy finally gets a name) because, "he was no good and wouldn't stay away from Belinda...I was afraid she'd marry him!" <br />
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About this time, pseudo-Midnight shows up at Belinda's side proclaiming the cops morons and informing the debutante that he's here to take her away. Given the there's already one dead paramour on her living room carpet, and her dad just got arrested for his murder, it's understandable that she's rather put-off by pseudo-Midnight's priorities at such a moment.<br />
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Distracted by his failed romantic overtures, pseudo-Midnight doesn't see the lamp Gabby/Hotfoot hurls at his noggin to knock him cold. While their quarry is now easily handled, our heroes still have to get him back to Padsel Manor somehow. Cue the insanely non-professional standards of the Big City P.D.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekdRMra0PRJNCYjPlzL_bC0hXH8WzXpF56uOo8mYFM-uMB2Kmp1m2fkKZX9T_7gKUrBvTTPBWgJop7y40pAPJMb5hYdIW_EcUONEjqsDFAXy6Z0uqsSRNDHHtHs939-g0v47U2BBvagE/s1600/is+that+legal+clancey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekdRMra0PRJNCYjPlzL_bC0hXH8WzXpF56uOo8mYFM-uMB2Kmp1m2fkKZX9T_7gKUrBvTTPBWgJop7y40pAPJMb5hYdIW_EcUONEjqsDFAXy6Z0uqsSRNDHHtHs939-g0v47U2BBvagE/s400/is+that+legal+clancey.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that legal, Clancey? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Back in the lab, all it takes is the business end of Sniffer's shot-gun planted in his back to persuade pseudo-Midnight that living in his old body would be preferable to dying in Midnight's. He switches everyone back to their appropriate bodies and we end with the obligatory (not all that funny) closing panel.<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-28458279917116841692020-02-29T19:54:00.000-06:002020-02-29T19:54:21.158-06:00Febuary Special: Iger & Crandall's Firebrand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGzvr9uehCS22Cxjeuch07I_niB-tEVqh6dQzwOak25rNpFA-JpVIhYsY-wCgOs_g18X_9k4wC0U9KPne_SCtpfhjpSImTYD_UkyClFEsHOgOsqFkExBcRNXSruPbnY_AXTtkwW0A4tg/s1600/firebrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGzvr9uehCS22Cxjeuch07I_niB-tEVqh6dQzwOak25rNpFA-JpVIhYsY-wCgOs_g18X_9k4wC0U9KPne_SCtpfhjpSImTYD_UkyClFEsHOgOsqFkExBcRNXSruPbnY_AXTtkwW0A4tg/s640/firebrand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Created by S. M. Iger and Reed Crandall for Quality Comics, Rod Reilly was the first of four costumed heroes to go by the moniker Firebrand. (The remaining three were all produced by DC long after the Quality properties were acquired by National).<br />
<br />
<br />
Son of millionaire steel tycoon Ed "Emerald" Reilly, Rod fit snugly into the "bored playboy" trope of superhero origins. He just "decided" that he wanted to become a crime fighter, so he started training under the tutelage of his eventual sidekick, ex-prize boxer Slugger Dunn.<br />
<br />
My initial impression of Firebrand was that he was a fists-and-mask-only sort of guy. However, his <a href="https://pdsh.fandom.com/wiki/Firebrand_(Quality)?mobile-app=false">entry </a>at <i>Public Domain Superheroes, </i>informed me that Firebrand also exhibited lariat skills and even used vacuum cups (a la Midnight?) in some of his adventures.<br />
<br />
Firebrand's agility (as witnessed by his tightrope walking skills) and facility with the lariat are hard to explain given the premise of his being trained by Slugger Dunn. I wouldn't think that's a typical skill set for the ring. For his own part, Reilly's a wealthy playboy. How much cattle-roping do you suppose he's done up to this point in his life? <br />
<br />
In his initial incarnation, Firebrand had a publishing life of roughly a year (<i>Police Comics #1-#13</i>). After Quality went belly up, and sold its properties to DC (roughly 1956), the Firebrand went into literary storage until being revived in the pages of <i>Freedom Fighters #10 </i>(OCT 1977).<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[NOTE: Though, technically, Reilly re-appeared in <i>Freedom Fighters #10, </i>it was not until <i>Freedom Fighters #12 </i>that his identity was revealed.] </blockquote>
According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebrand_(DC_Comics)"><i>Wikipedia</i> </a>there were plans to have Firebrand killed off in the pages of <i>Freedom Fighters</i>, but the title was cancelled prior to that happening. (A story subsequently published in the <i>Cancelled Comics Cavalcade </i>showed Firebrand dying in battle with a villain named the Silver Ghost).<br />
<br />
By the<i> </i>early 80s, DC had decided to let Rod Reilly live...but he wasn't going to continue as Firebrand. Rather, in the pages of the <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/all-star-squadron-1-the-world-on-fire/4000-21477/"><i>The All-Star Squadron #1 </i>(SEP 1981)</a><i> </i>it was retconned that Rod had been injured during the Pearl Harbor attack, thus requiring the ending of his superhero career. The very same issue introduced Danette Reilly (Rod's younger sister) who--conveniently enough--acquired fire-based powers and took up his mantle as the new Firebrand.<br />
<br />
Having completed that quick tour through the publishing history of the original Firebrand, let's take a closer look at his inaugural appearance. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Firebrand's First Appearance: <i>Police Comics #1 </i></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpmzXBITc68AknPuSFg3HSIsi2xnQq4QF_-rRuOZ6JdC3WtUX2SyvAToyupXtO6qukVOg8lIwcMD_uZVa1q6GpbJlIma2JDDOIDLTtodrfxXG4OYmPsdrlEtcSw3EKR3AJxQecPw7lb0/s1600/firebrand+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpmzXBITc68AknPuSFg3HSIsi2xnQq4QF_-rRuOZ6JdC3WtUX2SyvAToyupXtO6qukVOg8lIwcMD_uZVa1q6GpbJlIma2JDDOIDLTtodrfxXG4OYmPsdrlEtcSw3EKR3AJxQecPw7lb0/s400/firebrand+1.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=12277&page=3"><i>Police Comics #1 </i>(AUG 1941)</a><br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The basic contours of Rod Reilly's character and supporting cast appear from the very beginning. The opening splash page introduces us not only to the millionaire-playboy-turned-superhero, but also to his sidekick (Slugger Dunn), father ("Emerald" Ed Reilly), and fiancee (Joan Rogers).<br />
<br />
The story proper opens with some really stunning artwork (especially for the era) depicting assassinations of New York City window cleaners and steeplejacks. ()<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEEtjhuQNVsyNamYMSwr41Q1bgAC0tbqyfqemr4l35zPLApGASwxwVeiMPhgfF9jbyvVenzWcVzM6e3fvkbfVlA-vH4XasWRgLTBzp89710Yil-zoVpxn5qw1ljPGqXC1ZOqeZwhC7G4/s1600/stunning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="766" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEEtjhuQNVsyNamYMSwr41Q1bgAC0tbqyfqemr4l35zPLApGASwxwVeiMPhgfF9jbyvVenzWcVzM6e3fvkbfVlA-vH4XasWRgLTBzp89710Yil-zoVpxn5qw1ljPGqXC1ZOqeZwhC7G4/s400/stunning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've heard Reed Crandall's name praised as among the greats of Golden
Age <br />
artists, but this is my first exposure to his work. I now
appreciate what<br />
all the buzz is about.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We quickly learn that these are part of a protection racket.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on a nearby penthouse terrace, we're introduced to Rod Reilly. Reilly is kicked back in a wicker chair enjoying an (apparently adult) beverage and waxing philosophical with his butler/pal Slugger Dunn about how a man should live a life of excitement rather than boredom. <br />
<br />
Slugger replies that the nearby steeplejack who's being taken as the exemplar of "excitement" would envy Rod if he knew the wealthy scion was actually the Firebrand. (And here, I assumed he's just envy the fact that Reilly was wealthy enough to spend the middle of the workday sipping mojitos on a penthouse rooftop.)<br />
<br />
As it turns out, Rod seems to be admiring said steeplejack just as he's cut down by an assassin's bullet. Dashing inside, Rod reemerges moments later all garbed-up at Firebrand and showing off his mad skills.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5rgCSFC3_M-QiDsTG7uMEcVdoMlWZ3-I_pbwevHp-7MTwZoeUZFhZVjpiZS8YVE1wn5DFofPDb-dVEMhY0WpPJOWenZ0Dxct5j7cKIkqPA8PTng95ov6TkRnbiG2ElL5h6XKUXviPIg/s1600/mad+skills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="1150" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5rgCSFC3_M-QiDsTG7uMEcVdoMlWZ3-I_pbwevHp-7MTwZoeUZFhZVjpiZS8YVE1wn5DFofPDb-dVEMhY0WpPJOWenZ0Dxct5j7cKIkqPA8PTng95ov6TkRnbiG2ElL5h6XKUXviPIg/s400/mad+skills.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Firebrand storms the two shooters and with naught but his fisticuffs he disarms the two would-be killers. In the melee, a rifle goes off unexpectedly fatally wounding on of the thugs. Firebrand essentially tells the guy, "Hey buddy, you're about to meet your Maker anyway. You might as well tell me why you're trying to assassinate a steeplejack." Curiously, however, the bad guy doesn't find that argument too persuasive.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2TOOHhNN0fzvp_IBeZIdwu502rdD-nKUTZXWsUnyXljgethi78ydPWxYCZ_9NhojPQuKJI3oDv0aIybkKzc0xoUXPl3a9YRGZueR5SIOgNsEvuuXUfWI8sXwsTFnufGB1Qa-b9Ssfb4/s1600/die+and+talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="393" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2TOOHhNN0fzvp_IBeZIdwu502rdD-nKUTZXWsUnyXljgethi78ydPWxYCZ_9NhojPQuKJI3oDv0aIybkKzc0xoUXPl3a9YRGZueR5SIOgNsEvuuXUfWI8sXwsTFnufGB1Qa-b9Ssfb4/s400/die+and+talk.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you not understand the consequences of that <br />
sucking chest wound, pal? This isn't an "either...or"<br />
situation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Slugger begs Firebrand for permission to loosen up the other thug's tongue with, "the right that flattened Tiger Malloy." It's unclear whether or not Slugger <i>did </i>get to rough the guy up in off-panel action, but in any case they get no additional information. Things are cut short by the sounds of approaching police sirens. The coppers have been called out in response to the "criminal" Firebrand, "assaulting two men on rooftop."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhcMLWf9E6161LXuLhOWSCiXWTNn1wDTtb9t7NxBpqPZHWchlMzGSp6kudc7LZY6eOcyNfTt3u75FP3shRfoT83MXmVKI_dTmido6uaKEHAFnSybJX0nZi0WOVrEtJ6z5Y5e-pvy3pu4/s1600/firebrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhcMLWf9E6161LXuLhOWSCiXWTNn1wDTtb9t7NxBpqPZHWchlMzGSp6kudc7LZY6eOcyNfTt3u75FP3shRfoT83MXmVKI_dTmido6uaKEHAFnSybJX0nZi0WOVrEtJ6z5Y5e-pvy3pu4/s400/firebrand.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Rod and Slugger narrowly escape in their trim black coupe, "amid a hail of police [bullets]." At the station house, the surviving thug claims he and pal Dave, "see dis guy Firebrand shootin' a window washer." Since this only confirms what the cops already suspect about Firebrand, the chief issues a shoot on sight order.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the next few panels round out our character introductions. En route to a war relief ball, we're introduced to Rod's "plus one" (Joan Rogers) as well as his parents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jawCWB6ZbiSVqfgsYlUleHZIV1gu9rcG65S_y-aRcO-9FaU7Ulo4doNWCJ6hPvTVigAZmV9hVFa7cnQ1SCUjqzNN307YlZBgIoCrCvG3CqBQEUugcH9WoleYLhT_zX1EFd8I_b8vU3o/s1600/joan+and+rod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="441" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jawCWB6ZbiSVqfgsYlUleHZIV1gu9rcG65S_y-aRcO-9FaU7Ulo4doNWCJ6hPvTVigAZmV9hVFa7cnQ1SCUjqzNN307YlZBgIoCrCvG3CqBQEUugcH9WoleYLhT_zX1EFd8I_b8vU3o/s400/joan+and+rod.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At the party we learn a couple of things. First, Rod Reilly is a play-ah!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6MPf565hStuAMWxPJxHxml2Qsc8O6Tr3-BwAINcZwWXfnJ9uH2LJg4lmIzTfC7ycpZqTHsuKZLrmek2K4WY_Wi1zOsNomonRBkOaPLBxElq10V_BNTudgsShFb63WC_IHXx4c8XQddQ/s1600/Joan+no+happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6MPf565hStuAMWxPJxHxml2Qsc8O6Tr3-BwAINcZwWXfnJ9uH2LJg4lmIzTfC7ycpZqTHsuKZLrmek2K4WY_Wi1zOsNomonRBkOaPLBxElq10V_BNTudgsShFb63WC_IHXx4c8XQddQ/s400/Joan+no+happy.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rod ought to be careful. Joan looks like she could go<br />
all "Red Sonja" at any moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Second, we learn that a Baron Von Hanson and one of his dining companions, Sylvester Cole, look a bit too suspicious. Rod decides to do a little snooping and overhears the Baron lamenting that his wallet--containing the combination to his safe--has been stolen. The Baron ominously warns Cole that, "if anyone learns that...we're through!"<br />
<br />
Reilly checks in with Slugger who just happened to witness one Dippy Dolan (a pickpocket) slipping out of the soiree only moments ago. On a hunch, Rod has Slugger drive him to Dolan's best-known hangout where he purchases the Baron's wallet and its contents for a mere $50. Though the reader is not shown what Rod discovers inside the wallet, presumably it must be good because the next panel our boy is all suited up as Firebrand hollerin' at Slugger to get him to the Emperor Building, fast!<br />
<br />
After being spotted by an eagle-eyed traffic cop en route, Firebrand realizes he'll have to work fast. Leaping from the car in front of the Emperor Building, he scales the side using the handy-dandy suction cups that every crime-fighter keeps in his vehicle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtLTCvsNx8_0HYc7dXIW3q2YXSFYLqk95sIWT36B5_XkVJzw8kgD4RUFYflAZpBFwRm7oLBBK4XslcV4NyXKgYqYKzBhp4t6YsyY8I7-EEZ9xpxh79xDPJ9NB-pCeve-V1brchtYI3W4/s1600/scaling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtLTCvsNx8_0HYc7dXIW3q2YXSFYLqk95sIWT36B5_XkVJzw8kgD4RUFYflAZpBFwRm7oLBBK4XslcV4NyXKgYqYKzBhp4t6YsyY8I7-EEZ9xpxh79xDPJ9NB-pCeve-V1brchtYI3W4/s400/scaling.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<br />
After using the freshly-purchased combination to open the safe, Firebrand discovers hundreds of diamonds! (Admittedly, however, I'm not sure what we're supposed to see as so nefarious. So far as I know, owning diamonds wasn't illegal in 1941...but I'm pretty sure that breaking and entering was.) The drama heightens when the safe door suddenly and inexplicably slams shut, trapping our hero inside the vault!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Sylvester Cole and his cronies show up to retrieve the diamonds. Since the Baron had "lost" his combination, Cole & co. have brought along their handy dandy acetylene torch to cut through the steel door. Imagine their surprise, then...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tutiH8UdlrYjV-Tp8Lj-7rxaWxp8ZxHn2TeJAyTGOz-71q8O-7UQSMX0nRuOeI9wWhLb1wXf_jaWFq9SgGR6RAH-MUNgZTTerWPb9x1jthNwd6OjKI8P07DS68atAIfh9SaGzVr4RKE/s1600/surprise%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="454" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tutiH8UdlrYjV-Tp8Lj-7rxaWxp8ZxHn2TeJAyTGOz-71q8O-7UQSMX0nRuOeI9wWhLb1wXf_jaWFq9SgGR6RAH-MUNgZTTerWPb9x1jthNwd6OjKI8P07DS68atAIfh9SaGzVr4RKE/s400/surprise%2521.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
<br />
Firebrand is single-handedly whipping the dog poo out of Cole and his boys when Slugger shows up in the doorway to check on his boss.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Yyx-4efKWxlM6EU0UzmpBqhvmh1PF-7EcOK9NnCsHaba9SbKgUjNU5UVpQmZvm8IhyS2wF1AE8nCQOoKzKbf30jpdCBhc0GcWcchB51bMovJvrYSHy5vVrVUfa3R44xuGAu7msPEiiU/s1600/slugger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Yyx-4efKWxlM6EU0UzmpBqhvmh1PF-7EcOK9NnCsHaba9SbKgUjNU5UVpQmZvm8IhyS2wF1AE8nCQOoKzKbf30jpdCBhc0GcWcchB51bMovJvrYSHy5vVrVUfa3R44xuGAu7msPEiiU/s400/slugger.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We, then, get a sudden information dump from Firebrand laying out exactly what criminal activities the Baron and Cole are engaged in. (There's no real explanation, however, of <i>how </i>Firebrand has figured this out.) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK3z0W8HFWomRaZXfGdwyM81QEumU7P9tPsfUdRnwIPSc2szg-ODKuZszHijmAPsz5smn-HnIcSh8EgAiSXSv8xqz5eikSoRF886WKlGhlYj_EFSrnKuHrnu2Zi42qWkvAul1ThpLo4c/s1600/explanation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="804" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFK3z0W8HFWomRaZXfGdwyM81QEumU7P9tPsfUdRnwIPSc2szg-ODKuZszHijmAPsz5smn-HnIcSh8EgAiSXSv8xqz5eikSoRF886WKlGhlYj_EFSrnKuHrnu2Zi42qWkvAul1ThpLo4c/s400/explanation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
About this time, the Baron--still sporting his formal top hat--shows up with <i>his </i>cronies and yet another donnybrook ensues. This time, our old buddy Slugger takes an unplanned nap thanks to the Baron pistol-whipping him about the noggin. Von Hanson flees to the elevator, but Firebrand rappels down the outside of the Emperor Building, dropping onto his quarry as the Baron exits the building. Our man then proceeds to "pummel him unmercifully."<br />
<br />
The final wrap-up page contains a bizarre couple of panels. Slugger shows up toting two bagfuls of diamonds from the vault (again, isn't this technically <i>theft</i>?) just in time to warn Firebrand about (a new danger unrelated to the story?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDi2YE5od1IYYE39VGB1R4-a-XpyYl4OtuHtOzTEPiEovJ5pByGKdEH6_TQI11mOO0S7bljooxPTk2F8wJIOYBVQExscYR9n4pPN0oYTb8LiTd4Y-Er9P4o9kot-c_HXU75LYmajZuN0/s1600/unrelated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="804" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDi2YE5od1IYYE39VGB1R4-a-XpyYl4OtuHtOzTEPiEovJ5pByGKdEH6_TQI11mOO0S7bljooxPTk2F8wJIOYBVQExscYR9n4pPN0oYTb8LiTd4Y-Er9P4o9kot-c_HXU75LYmajZuN0/s400/unrelated.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What in the fat world is this?! My first thought was a lingering Cole or<br />
Von Hanson henchman...but there's nothing in the follow-up to suggest that.<br />
It feels more like somebody said, "Crandall! We need two more panels<br />
of ACTION!" What the heck?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Having safely dodged the car, neither of our heroes check on the driver (who you gotta believe got pretty banged up in that wreck). Rather, the sound of approaching police sirens is taken as the signal to snap-up the unconscious Baron toss him in their car and head back to the society soiree.<br />
<br />
Reilly--apparently--changes back into his formal evening attire en route and walks the now-conscious and terrified Baron in counseling him to flee America on the next available plane lest the Firebrand "liquidate" him. <br />
<br />
While you might be tempted to think Reilly is posing as nothing more than the proverbial "good Samaritan" to the Baron, but this panel strongly suggests there's something more manipulative behind Rod's "rescue" of Von Hanson.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyE3tO_0MO7MHP5PP0_B3q66_Ht9vb-gk5lHmGu6uhwlXGhHdyBmI5OQxaySymdKi-JYnwLm8bwnKLvJ8L_XL-4yQczUQbctA1ZFFQdaBO-dlZDw7tDg9CDg0r0FyBetwZCNqzmalKi8/s1600/rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="693" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyE3tO_0MO7MHP5PP0_B3q66_Ht9vb-gk5lHmGu6uhwlXGhHdyBmI5OQxaySymdKi-JYnwLm8bwnKLvJ8L_XL-4yQczUQbctA1ZFFQdaBO-dlZDw7tDg9CDg0r0FyBetwZCNqzmalKi8/s400/rescue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Back at the Baron's Emperor Building office, the cops show up and find the unconscious Cole and a burning firebrand.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-42086392313259433042020-02-24T10:20:00.000-06:002020-02-24T10:20:28.667-06:00Borgias in the Big City -- Midnight in Smash Comics #60 (AUG 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlRs2bv8pfa6Xz0rmZjtqE7C5RKAkHs616jeMKtk2rR0sRXzJbqcDS_yjomCfqlC0fLGGSERrfuNU_m3lNNV8oq3cTtXDIrlOef3iJoS8oHRtj8p60GzDDAL6tZF9qVvGHUUbVlJDMsw/s1600/Smash+60+splash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1157" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlRs2bv8pfa6Xz0rmZjtqE7C5RKAkHs616jeMKtk2rR0sRXzJbqcDS_yjomCfqlC0fLGGSERrfuNU_m3lNNV8oq3cTtXDIrlOef3iJoS8oHRtj8p60GzDDAL6tZF9qVvGHUUbVlJDMsw/s640/Smash+60+splash.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=777&page=3"><i>Smash Comics #60 </i>(AUG 1945)</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The eerie looking splash page leaves you with the impression this case will require Midnight to investigate the deaths of two famous radio stars.<br />
<br />
We begin inside the offices of (UXAM?) radio, where a leisurely Dave Clark is enduring a harangue from his boss on how the station, "needs some publicity!" Dave points out that they're <i>already </i>the most popular station in the country thanks to signature stars: the Swooner and the Thrush. The boss man can't be bothered by such facts, however. He's certain that unless the station comes up with some new marketing gimmick, the public will soon forget all about these two. Dave promises he'll take care of everything. Moments later, Dave spots the two typically-squabbling stars in an amorous embrace. He asks what's going on, and is told that the duo is "in love!" And with this, Dave has his "hook."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTx0iYhDOjIjAi_F5acP23WS2oU5qroHhZs-aebT5w2P5_dkH7BcVx66EJdFPCT8lckIWl9dKha48wWJheOVja6cwigB7PynU7iu-YLjauPjcZ1X01m5r5UpsXJafk7VoMvL_tKp_gAg/s1600/the+hook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="309" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTx0iYhDOjIjAi_F5acP23WS2oU5qroHhZs-aebT5w2P5_dkH7BcVx66EJdFPCT8lckIWl9dKha48wWJheOVja6cwigB7PynU7iu-YLjauPjcZ1X01m5r5UpsXJafk7VoMvL_tKp_gAg/s400/the+hook.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
Dave pitches the idea of a studio wedding, replete with big name bands and a syrupy love duet sung betwixt the two love-birds. The boss loves it...though the couple, themselves, aren't so sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcRKf5ZJLmE2gJkU2PSUKCBRzkXdOpBB47X-9ZlXcM4yHAkIO1uEa6u7Lllghlcj9L_tebVgdLNTpWoqay4RsyKPMLyFN1cm3892EXlb8QaTtE_zzEo8nvvH77X7gGpfRrf7CbyuFzXc/s1600/other+plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="610" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcRKf5ZJLmE2gJkU2PSUKCBRzkXdOpBB47X-9ZlXcM4yHAkIO1uEa6u7Lllghlcj9L_tebVgdLNTpWoqay4RsyKPMLyFN1cm3892EXlb8QaTtE_zzEo8nvvH77X7gGpfRrf7CbyuFzXc/s400/other+plans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yet misgivings are not restricted merely to the ceremonial of the wedding. The Thrush's publicity agent shows up and makes known his vociferous opposition to her marrying away at all! Nevertheless, he gets rolled like a marble and it's full-steam ahead for the studio wedding extravaganza! When the news breaks the public responds, for the most part, exactly as Dave had predicted....with two notable exceptions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pU7tUmacGsSqhP5f49vYwMVPYjIHCqaMrViWDENVKC32tVSKO1G9mh4GzNo-IKvE5OF4_hGkibSZxy203zPvJbXAFmxUPaofvmg885uG4rmITEemJYQN7E-GhzZbMoExl_B9b_xisKY/s1600/two+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pU7tUmacGsSqhP5f49vYwMVPYjIHCqaMrViWDENVKC32tVSKO1G9mh4GzNo-IKvE5OF4_hGkibSZxy203zPvJbXAFmxUPaofvmg885uG4rmITEemJYQN7E-GhzZbMoExl_B9b_xisKY/s400/two+b.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud35wfXDEGvaFwRnkPBzpbdz6g4b6clblGD9TBTAWdjYkzntzIztzjhyXTeh69Nqk0kuAxAZMfReWA9wkLbP505KHIxu4tb4O9BqQTnqZOb2F35YT6R_2ebdLiGjkLD-o2MQRsuVDPCw/s1600/two+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="631" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud35wfXDEGvaFwRnkPBzpbdz6g4b6clblGD9TBTAWdjYkzntzIztzjhyXTeh69Nqk0kuAxAZMfReWA9wkLbP505KHIxu4tb4O9BqQTnqZOb2F35YT6R_2ebdLiGjkLD-o2MQRsuVDPCw/s400/two+a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
On the evening of the big event, the theatre house is packed. The Swooner begins to sing when he's inexplicably attacked by Hotfoot. When the Swooner labels his furried tormentor an "awful beast," Sniffer jumps in threatening a little gun play.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BQ8D7ZkcWbYAjsHyXFV6g4iYAF086HZVm8uUN7Dsp2aVjp2iuDA7lI2-lPt_wXhpFtMwUY2NoZnkGrayGBz-avExOuPkAtpi8LFcELiNGkwZdFnGyb6MfW_xafynHaH_CtCKz7ifnf0/s1600/no+overkill+at+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="779" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BQ8D7ZkcWbYAjsHyXFV6g4iYAF086HZVm8uUN7Dsp2aVjp2iuDA7lI2-lPt_wXhpFtMwUY2NoZnkGrayGBz-avExOuPkAtpi8LFcELiNGkwZdFnGyb6MfW_xafynHaH_CtCKz7ifnf0/s400/no+overkill+at+all.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threatening to shoot a man during a live broadcast for insulting your bear?<br />
Nah, Sniffer. That doesn't sound like overkill to me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While Dave is being incomprehensibly nonchalant about his housemate planting a long-gun into another guy's neck, here comes the crotchety old uncle and the mystery woman both more-than-willing to kill someone to prevent this wedding.<br />
<br />
Though you never really see what happens with these two, they're apparently quite ineffectual as the next panel features the minister pronouncing the Swooner and the Thrush, "husband and wife." Later when the happy couple enters their awaiting car to be whisked off to their honeymoon, they find a box of sandwiches thoughtfully left for them to snack on. Unfortunately...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdiV2OQLSzJX5E6SQr5aqZwx39-mO0iBqd3ZjZHkmMrzGuiPzrBT155871b1CRV3b3TE__rZbH0wGZOnpjfCU8dmBUmk3nG9tQlk8_6SRxeOvMXXKS8DLx36eH3HvQ0j-aZSfVUaud8s/s1600/unfortunately.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="673" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdiV2OQLSzJX5E6SQr5aqZwx39-mO0iBqd3ZjZHkmMrzGuiPzrBT155871b1CRV3b3TE__rZbH0wGZOnpjfCU8dmBUmk3nG9tQlk8_6SRxeOvMXXKS8DLx36eH3HvQ0j-aZSfVUaud8s/s400/unfortunately.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, I'll admit it. I did NOT see that coming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next we get some text-light scenes of Dave swinging into action as Midnight. And--in case you were getting bored with Midnight as just a plain-jane-vanilla-masked-detective-skilled-at-fisticuffs...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSnuno0P-5CEYsbVt9p2P4hL14M5_6olQAVFurQmpVDekgGL7n9-eAvOuuoqhx5R2nlKrqCCvYApmKJpWh2eYfMzKl5ken73p95B1qsWz85Y3xrbvHUUccLfE1I0eKvOLh22XK7QzIxM/s1600/more+powers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="758" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSnuno0P-5CEYsbVt9p2P4hL14M5_6olQAVFurQmpVDekgGL7n9-eAvOuuoqhx5R2nlKrqCCvYApmKJpWh2eYfMzKl5ken73p95B1qsWz85Y3xrbvHUUccLfE1I0eKvOLh22XK7QzIxM/s400/more+powers.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight: man of uncommon courage and inhuman olfactory prowess</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Both the old uncle and the young woman show up outside and make laudatory statements regarding the double-homicide. Sniffer immediately decides the woman is guilty. Midnight opts to pursue the old man, who's hopped into a waiting car and headed off to his old spooky-looking domicile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfu_Jpg-BicQQc3RK0jhpdFfdOQzvpUYVJ9MUHjL-wLoxaw0jnuwzjo0oYZKNFVw3ozAQv124yoN_ndOBen_WlDForLLuKG5axCOX520qwNipRET4JR3S-Gfjn4q8TuQrjkXjekrZ24k/s1600/domicile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfu_Jpg-BicQQc3RK0jhpdFfdOQzvpUYVJ9MUHjL-wLoxaw0jnuwzjo0oYZKNFVw3ozAQv124yoN_ndOBen_WlDForLLuKG5axCOX520qwNipRET4JR3S-Gfjn4q8TuQrjkXjekrZ24k/s400/domicile.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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<br />
When he tries knocking on the front door, a sword of Damocles booby trap nearly skewers our hero. Plan B, then is a Spiderman-esque scaling the side of the building to bust in through a window (no mean feat in a business suit and brogues).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY5NUvjyZ0zofQcZgVOYlq1rvb83f7jurXtBRwi8Jln851BOA0jX4d9PcgzjU9wGVi5Mi5fd9wHCWe7uhKKWGrr2lA2_IFPloHDUD5n1ubcR6rdc9JWTSzjnzJjHtxcrLe4ClHbwc1H8/s1600/damocles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="905" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY5NUvjyZ0zofQcZgVOYlq1rvb83f7jurXtBRwi8Jln851BOA0jX4d9PcgzjU9wGVi5Mi5fd9wHCWe7uhKKWGrr2lA2_IFPloHDUD5n1ubcR6rdc9JWTSzjnzJjHtxcrLe4ClHbwc1H8/s400/damocles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Midnight busts in on the pistol-packing old cuss, just as Gabby enters from another direction announcing that, "the rest of the gang is downstairs." When the disgruntled uncle-d takes a pot shot at the monk, Midnight makes his move.<br />
<br />
Once disarmed, the old man seems suddenly grieved at his niece's death. Midnight notes that her assumption of room temperature didn't seem to bother the guy too much earlier. While this is kind of an obvious point and one you'd think we'd get more pursuit of, our hero immediately follows up with the odd-sounding question: "Have you any other relatives?"<br />
<br />
As it turns out, he old guy did. There was a nephew on his wife's side named Marvin. We're left to surmise that there must've been a little familial animosity there, however, for while the Thrush was welcomed at her uncle's home, Marvin never was.<br />
<br />
When Hotfoot begins growling at a curtain, that's all it takes for the defender of Big City to wrap this whole caper up. A quick right to the drapes and that's all she wrote.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTyYZHQ4VGuMR8SbIj4yjCy9Dd5HoTDADkSDKI6vapJ3jK6PjrO4VRxOLcfx4OGBaoI5htfnvoej4dPcNui8SHDNyji7cjyNNgNO2lAdSgiEfI-td4Por4ViVqo-ZLDla9vM77japaik/s1600/right+to+the+drapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="1117" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTyYZHQ4VGuMR8SbIj4yjCy9Dd5HoTDADkSDKI6vapJ3jK6PjrO4VRxOLcfx4OGBaoI5htfnvoej4dPcNui8SHDNyji7cjyNNgNO2lAdSgiEfI-td4Por4ViVqo-ZLDla9vM77japaik/s400/right+to+the+drapes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the final page we get a surprisingly solid wrap-up of how Midnight figured this out, as well as some good news--though the Swooner was cut down by the death sandwich, it turned out that the Thrush didn't eat enough for it to be fatal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFT_J_RIIwsVp-Qp4GxaSh7Dmqa99PXSlIZ8i26Wx8RLGpNms2nkCdFcheSOVWGaDID_YPE7jMFQbKsjgOZj63qhKU86c89QJv4v1pCe0TtqYLd8XVUwklmfsEeSgDkiPoEompzV46lSc/s1600/final+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1173" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFT_J_RIIwsVp-Qp4GxaSh7Dmqa99PXSlIZ8i26Wx8RLGpNms2nkCdFcheSOVWGaDID_YPE7jMFQbKsjgOZj63qhKU86c89QJv4v1pCe0TtqYLd8XVUwklmfsEeSgDkiPoEompzV46lSc/s400/final+page.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-20666198610752698152020-02-20T00:00:00.000-06:002020-02-20T00:00:02.541-06:003rd Annual State of the Blog Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 id="docs-internal-guid-70481d5f-7fff-f111-ec8d-cb1b90ded5ef" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;">
Year 3: the rear-view mirror</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Social media strategy 2.0</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Revamping the blog's social media marketing was one of those plans that just never happened. That was partially a function of time constraints, but I think the even greater contributor was the lingering feeling that I just didn't have a first vision for where I wanted the blog to go. I'm just not sure that one <i>can </i>effectively advertise a product or service in this type situation. (More on that below...)<br />
<br />
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Post planning cycles</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Last year, I endeavored to monitor individual post page-views, with the thought that I would put out more content that was similar to the most popular posts. This seems like common-sense marketing, right? Well...it turned out that wasn't as great a plan as it sounded. The undeniable trend of views/interactions went <i>down </i>after this change. Perhaps the two events are unrelated. The correlation may not represent causation...but it clearly didn't represent salvation either. <br />
<br />
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Growth in blogging network</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One positive that emerged over the previous year was the expansion of my blogging network. Over the last twelve months the good folks at: <i><a href="http://fourcolormedmon.blogspot.com/">The Four Color Media Monitor</a>, </i>and<i> </i><i><a href="https://www.chrisisoninfiniteearths.com/">Chris is on Infinite Earths</a> </i>have joined last year's blogging buddy <i><a href="https://peerlesspower.blogspot.com/">The Peerless Power of Comics</a>. </i>I sincerely thank all three of you, and in the upcoming year I aim to--in some small way--give something back.</div>
<br />
<h2 id="docs-internal-guid-70481d5f-7fff-f111-ec8d-cb1b90ded5ef" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;">
Year 4: the crystal ball</h2>
<h3 id="docs-internal-guid-70481d5f-7fff-f111-ec8d-cb1b90ded5ef" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;">
Clean up the link lists</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
As I've done the last few years, I'll be giving the blog a face-lift with the new year. I intend for this to roll out in the following sequence: <br />
<ol>
<li><i>move all link lists to one side of the blog.</i> (probably the left sidebar)</li>
<li><i>drop the popular posts gadget in the side bar and leave it in the footer.</i></li>
<li><i>drop the followers widget.</i> Despite having people who regularly read the blog, in three years I've had not one person sign up as a follower through this widget. I'm befuddled at why this is the case since so many other blogs seem to have followers signed up and displayed through this widget. I don't know if I'm just not marketing the site in the right way or what...but in any case, I'm dropping this widget unless and until I have a better idea of how to effectively deploy it.</li>
<li><i>drop the reactions widget. </i>Much like the followers widget, this one just hasn't seen much use. It's just cluttering the blog, so it's gone.</li>
<li><i>organize webcomic links. </i>I intend to keep the "Virtual Spinner Rack" for ongoing webcomics (defined as titles which have made a new post within the past year). In addition, however, I'm going to add a "Virtual Long Box" that will feature discontinued webcomics (defined as having last posted over a year ago). There's some good comics that, unfortunately, have lain dormant for years. That doesn't mean they aren't worth reading. (I hope also that if you're aware of any other webcomics you think deserve to be listed here that you'll drop me an email or a comment or something and let me know about them!)</li>
<li><i>repeal and replace the "Character & Team Blogs".</i> A lot of the blogs currently listed are not being updated and I fear that the good stuff is getting easily lost amidst all stale content. Instead, I intend to replace these categories with a single "My Favorite Comic Blogs" list that will be composed of stuff that maintains at least a once-a-year posting. (That seems like a more than reasonable standard.) </li>
</ol>
<h3 id="docs-internal-guid-70481d5f-7fff-f111-ec8d-cb1b90ded5ef" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;">
Tighten-down the focus even more</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
The successes and failures of the past year have left with me with the renewed conviction that my focus has been too diffuse. Though a lifelong comic fan, I simply don't have the breadth and depth of knowledge to provide the type of entertaining and informative commentary I'd like over the generic category of "obscure super characters." Consequently, moving forward I will return to a more tightened focus. The short term plan will be to concentrate on finishing out the series I've been writing on the Golden Age appearances of Midnight. Based on the progress I've made thus far, my assumption is that this may take up the full year.<br />
<br />
That being said, I <i>do </i>want to preserve the option to stretch out into some other characters. Consequently, once a month I will do a one-off post on some other character. When the Midnight series ends, I'll look back on the stats for those various one-offs to determine who the <i>next </i>focus character will be. <br />
<h3 id="docs-internal-guid-70481d5f-7fff-f111-ec8d-cb1b90ded5ef" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;">
Face-lift the blog to reflect the tightened focus </h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
In light of the tightened topical focus this year, I'm refreshing the look of the blog by populating the side bars and margins with some of my favorite Midnight images. <br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="docs-internal-guid-70481d5f-7fff-f111-ec8d-cb1b90ded5ef" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;">
Get around to monetizing the blog</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
When I started this blog, I had hopes of eventually making some money (however little) from it. In that time, I've brainstormed and discarded a number of ideas. This year I want to finally get around to setting up the necessary accounts to start putting some ads into the blog. <i></i><i>However, </i>I definitely <i>don't </i>want to bog the site down with ads. Thus, here's my open call to you, dear reader. If you find anything about the structure of the ads annoying or distracting from your reading experience, please let me know. I want to keep this a hassle-free (and hopefully fun) place to learn about oft-forgotten characters.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Average 600 views per month </h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
A final goal I've set for the blog in the next year is to average 600 views / month. Based on recent performance, this should be very doable. Part of the reason for setting a specific number out is to give me objective measures on whether the blog is moving in the right direction or not. I'm pledging now, to track this and honestly report (at least, as best as I can based on the analytics I'm getting) on the blog's performance. <br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Conclusion</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After three years of blogging, in many ways I've come full-circle. I sincerely want to thank <i>all </i>my readers. You guys are great! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-5255645502955546422020-02-17T11:10:00.000-06:002020-02-17T11:11:12.614-06:00Two Drink Minimum -- Midnight in Smash Comics #59 (JUN 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The opening splash page for the Midnight feature in June 1945 must've left its original readers with the thought, "Well, it finally happened. Sniffer pushed them one time too many and Wackey has snapped!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk2nLUcxmwVqUbH1ihLeb9pRpw7RDhwNLPe8b5HEHka4-lwswmR5CKEhqWngX2qnBBSj0DpKeaoIlbPeX6G5EoXztyLFeKM-hVc1s_VdBFRvQsi-H-P0uU__IDKzdiCd75n_Fn0EOxMA/s1600/snapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1015" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk2nLUcxmwVqUbH1ihLeb9pRpw7RDhwNLPe8b5HEHka4-lwswmR5CKEhqWngX2qnBBSj0DpKeaoIlbPeX6G5EoXztyLFeKM-hVc1s_VdBFRvQsi-H-P0uU__IDKzdiCd75n_Fn0EOxMA/s640/snapped.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digitalcomicmuseum.com/preview/index.php?did=4764&page=3"><i>Smash Comics #59 </i>(JUN 1945)</a><br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's a pretty jarring cognitive lurch, then, when you go from Sniffer being chased by a cleaver-wielding Doc Wackey, to Midnight beatin' the snot out of some guy named "Knife" who's in the employ of the improbably named "Monk Simian."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHG4ZBB9E8v8yFEW9V8LYewGU1sWqJnOgI0pu_y75QtkA-uAWCnLYytc9o1IGX8OqP4MKsyPG4CxoTpRFWwO9TAbk5fBlLPryPmoMNENlfq1_cuyccFf9c1NeAnvma4hJr72J2_AmM0M/s1600/no+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHG4ZBB9E8v8yFEW9V8LYewGU1sWqJnOgI0pu_y75QtkA-uAWCnLYytc9o1IGX8OqP4MKsyPG4CxoTpRFWwO9TAbk5fBlLPryPmoMNENlfq1_cuyccFf9c1NeAnvma4hJr72J2_AmM0M/s400/no+way.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
<br />
Being the hero that he is, Midnight can't bring himself to "finish off" Knife. Instead, he leaves the mobster unconscious and heads out musing about how in the world he might get the goods on Simian, thereby clearing up "half the unsolved crimes in...town!" When Midnight finally reaches his home, he finds his front door locked!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTkGpMNHVqgit6bG0HJjwGWtlAX42Ib5t3G_4v4cNyZgwtg6QaNPV0hG-LZCc1aPPx7AmNwFEb2a8iPx1W3DcFSiCQZfGh0oW5hcnaYLQccOR82xevsYKiS3yfhjFPK5EU24VE2LSKpc/s1600/dont+ask+questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="328" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTkGpMNHVqgit6bG0HJjwGWtlAX42Ib5t3G_4v4cNyZgwtg6QaNPV0hG-LZCc1aPPx7AmNwFEb2a8iPx1W3DcFSiCQZfGh0oW5hcnaYLQccOR82xevsYKiS3yfhjFPK5EU24VE2LSKpc/s400/dont+ask+questions.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess Midnight's completely given up on the dream <br />
of maintaining a "secret" identity anymore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When the door is finally opened by a shuddering Sniffer Snoop, the feature splash page finally makes sense. Apparently Sniffer slammed a door while Doc Wackey was in the midst of delicate chemical measurements. This caused half Wackey's glassware to tumble off the shelves and shatter. Turns out Doc was pretty attached to that glassware because its destruction really elicits some bloodthirstiness!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIWLALvV2UOajdfyOJohFHuU0byQZ2h8qMgE20fF3-e7PoGiqRKQB3upANeLfeg0ldcgAxF-lSkCr-YzgHvlFRidcKCrbXJRpmL8nslFP8zbnArzJ53uGtKi-GjyOsEUFNj4uwuWWHkE/s1600/bloodthirsty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="243" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIWLALvV2UOajdfyOJohFHuU0byQZ2h8qMgE20fF3-e7PoGiqRKQB3upANeLfeg0ldcgAxF-lSkCr-YzgHvlFRidcKCrbXJRpmL8nslFP8zbnArzJ53uGtKi-GjyOsEUFNj4uwuWWHkE/s400/bloodthirsty.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
<br />
Midnight tells Wackey to calm the heck down. He, too, has had an exhausting day. By way of making small talk, our fedora-ed fighter asks Wackey just exactly what the "greatest discovery" du jour is, and learns:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56bETpNkwQzYI9nkXiFX22csS_VW63mYcvhnOlqLkClgFFaiwbuEzvbXBF6pbg7MbYDIs4Q886jG8IJ7TqjAOgZFMUvNq7hRB_ZWa0wjxZBTUd5woIV5d9qCQtUbdcLwLGcRWCywZGGM/s1600/du+jour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="566" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56bETpNkwQzYI9nkXiFX22csS_VW63mYcvhnOlqLkClgFFaiwbuEzvbXBF6pbg7MbYDIs4Q886jG8IJ7TqjAOgZFMUvNq7hRB_ZWa0wjxZBTUd5woIV5d9qCQtUbdcLwLGcRWCywZGGM/s320/du+jour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In contrast to Wackey's own perception of the practical value of his super-sleep drug, Midnight excitedly announces<i> this</i> is the solution to his Monk Simian trouble. He'll slip Simian a roofie, sending him into a death-like sleep. With their feared boss "dead," Monk's underlings will then be persuaded to squeal on him. (I know...seems like a convoluted plan to me too...but, hey, it was the Golden Age of comics.) Midnight heads out to "collect" (i.e., kidnap?) Simian, and bring him in for (a highly illegal) dosing. Wackey agrees, and announces that he'll be making a special delivery of his super-vitamin to Mayor Glibb. (Apparently, the Mayor has grown too lethargic to run for office.) <br />
Of course, you <i>know </i>it's not gonna be that simple. On the next page, Wackey clues us in on what to expect with this rather flippant rebuff to Gabby's eminently sensible suggestion.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVmq0Th4vcm2NOJ3UcXN7inFa5Grl4ZXZBblMQ4m-IZr0LCZjv_47xwQH7AXdO4d3CK87TlT2jHJU0RS5_g3jAnovBpBZWkhUkuGx5du7Xbetq4DuUmnjy7DRPPDExAsVJyy_x7cuasI/s1600/good+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVmq0Th4vcm2NOJ3UcXN7inFa5Grl4ZXZBblMQ4m-IZr0LCZjv_47xwQH7AXdO4d3CK87TlT2jHJU0RS5_g3jAnovBpBZWkhUkuGx5du7Xbetq4DuUmnjy7DRPPDExAsVJyy_x7cuasI/s320/good+idea.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because it takes soooo long to make a label</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As a frequent reader would likely expect, no sooner have Wackey and Gabby left the room than Sniffer Snoop enters and feigns incredulity at Wackey's inventions, while nevertheless messing around with the bottles. Realizing he's now no longer sure which was placed where, the original Snoop Dog decides now is a fine time for he and Hotfoot to take a walk in the park.<br />
<br />
On the next page, we've got, at best, a bad sequencing of story panels. Immediately after seeing Sniffer mix up the <i>two different </i>bottles in Wackey's lab, we arrive at the hideout of Monk Simian where the boss' doormen (?!) receive Midnight with a surprising degree of formality, prior to our hero busting in some doors and heads and forcing the contents of one of Wackey's bottles down ole' Monk's gullet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkVxYWEx_RRTQmdPKTEHJRqT8uW3J3XvVjgs5COE4Ylqwys1F10ITqUMxV-4VQ19wqIN8oWLHy_xzPxQVPF0C7-c8Y_klYEN_N6kTmOWuwyR8Skx9sFyVVyWTJNVXml3bGFTaORroJT8/s1600/plot+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="596" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkVxYWEx_RRTQmdPKTEHJRqT8uW3J3XvVjgs5COE4Ylqwys1F10ITqUMxV-4VQ19wqIN8oWLHy_xzPxQVPF0C7-c8Y_klYEN_N6kTmOWuwyR8Skx9sFyVVyWTJNVXml3bGFTaORroJT8/s400/plot+hole.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. Remember, Midnight said he was going out to "collect Monk and <i><br />bring him in</i> for dosing."<br />
2. Remember, also, that Sniffer <i>just </i>mixed up two bottles back at Wackey's lab. <br />
If Midnight got this bottle <i>before </i>Sniffer's mix-up--which the panel order seems <br />
to suggest--everything should be good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm sure you can anticipate where this is going.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI574X4vTODODcHtfi_2UAx5iYH-7FBtrlcUKOmIkudQc99GyfX5rBPJofk6HIJYNEyhgrC7T9eZzIlf6pDmkGoKVeEGFNNHqVcfR_AU7l2c0Wd1u7WF9AqkpyGro34c3wvbYO0Il-T3k/s1600/very+next+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="576" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI574X4vTODODcHtfi_2UAx5iYH-7FBtrlcUKOmIkudQc99GyfX5rBPJofk6HIJYNEyhgrC7T9eZzIlf6pDmkGoKVeEGFNNHqVcfR_AU7l2c0Wd1u7WF9AqkpyGro34c3wvbYO0Il-T3k/s400/very+next+page.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
(Now, I suppose it's <i>possible </i>that we're supposed to read the story as saying Midnight left Wackey's lab, then Sniffer came and switched the bottles, and <i>then--</i>in off-panel action--Midnight returned and took the wrong bottle. If that is the argument...it's pretty lame in my opinion. Like I said, <i>at best</i>, this is a case of bad panel sequencing.) About this time, it dawns on Midnight what Wackey must be giving Mayor Glibb and he races out to try to stop him. Unfortunately, our hero arrives too late.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HF4j5jqc80PayqzLpqtQ7ukLp7eMPsmrnOlrsukk2uawv_uBQiqhKsoOkJXXv8mOY4zoOnX4iv0rBGI_rcmOOmD0f1VLw56He5FwWLFcyoybFMAoblitI1z9GdkgnaEGXhB1LuAjMWQ/s1600/why+not.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="958" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HF4j5jqc80PayqzLpqtQ7ukLp7eMPsmrnOlrsukk2uawv_uBQiqhKsoOkJXXv8mOY4zoOnX4iv0rBGI_rcmOOmD0f1VLw56He5FwWLFcyoybFMAoblitI1z9GdkgnaEGXhB1LuAjMWQ/s400/why+not.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While the ominously-named Drs. Slasher and Carver, argue over what has killed the mayor--and therefore over which of his vital organs they're going to remove first--Midnight spirits away the unconscious Mayor Glibb. Midnight decides to stash the mayor in his apartment. It's not so much that this idea is crazy, but his rationale is...well...you see:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKbR7ZAIsfYntQQnJDFtT7qMRos9TYD4BJZyr_AM2DgwmYHsZTbRlbdnnh9pixagqrtzM1747KRf-226frzj8ttvcWjEy1Sej2J7fGZMCGHCcqRhro9MccdhFNz7nZBNx1vXr76uSvnY/s1600/say+what.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKbR7ZAIsfYntQQnJDFtT7qMRos9TYD4BJZyr_AM2DgwmYHsZTbRlbdnnh9pixagqrtzM1747KRf-226frzj8ttvcWjEy1Sej2J7fGZMCGHCcqRhro9MccdhFNz7nZBNx1vXr76uSvnY/s400/say+what.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah...<i>nobody </i>will suspect a thing. 😏<br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ten minutes later, Sniffer Snoop, still trying to evade his roommates, sneaks into Dave's bedroom thinking he and Hotfoot will hide out until they have a better idea of the reaction to his bottle mix-up. When he spots Mayor Glibb in Dave's bed, Sniffer concludes that this must be the infamous Monk Simian. (Does it strike you as a bit implausible that even someone as annoying as Sniffer <i>wouldn't </i>recognize the Mayor?) Concluding that it'll still be a good idea to allow Wackey some cool-down time, Sniffer decides he <i>will </i>hideout in Dave's bedroom. However, in order to make sure this "gangster" doesn't wake up and start trashing the place, Sniff will give him <i>another </i>dosing! Of course, since Sniffer <i>has </i>switched the bottles; then what he actually gives Glibb is super-vitamin! The Mayor wakes, wonders where he is, and then storms back down to the police station to get his revenge on Wackey and Gabby.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xj2P0rePzUtJ0sUNTtJ1w7cHTxlOlUUu3GMH7Mybkm8wuXpEfFFSm8Y31QbNRLsONo8BOaXjuF-JWFV10Nh6-q9kfPzs6XM4LTl4KTWA-yy0txpL6FpF4K9k_tr0W_QLUPIoEKwvcrQ/s1600/a+mayor+scorned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="575" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xj2P0rePzUtJ0sUNTtJ1w7cHTxlOlUUu3GMH7Mybkm8wuXpEfFFSm8Y31QbNRLsONo8BOaXjuF-JWFV10Nh6-q9kfPzs6XM4LTl4KTWA-yy0txpL6FpF4K9k_tr0W_QLUPIoEKwvcrQ/s400/a+mayor+scorned.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While Midnight's busy trying to save Wackey and Gab from the Mayor, he stumbles across a newsboy announcing the latest: Monk Simian has messed around and gotten himself shot, and this has (for some unexplained reason) prompted a spate of confessions from his underlings. <br />
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Midnight's (uncharacteristic) complaint over a lack of credit, prompts Sniffer to issue his own protest against the injustice of him not receiving credit for discovering, "the super vitamin was an antidote for the super sleep drug." Wackey, of course, quickly connects the dots...and promptly agrees that Sniffer <i>does </i>deserve the credit...which closes the circle and brings us back to our opening splash page.<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-65975346405609519312020-02-10T11:02:00.000-06:002020-02-10T11:02:05.806-06:00Left Crying at the Altar: Leir's 10th and Final Appearance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-3yEpUcVj-WjCtBpVUsGRONbm6HDdEG3B03ReoVIMLEXV4pw38MgteZT37Ty8t3uId6zbDrmj9PJXVrN8-GF6G4X-YCwXJ4HvgPlWYqB9Wn-776H66wjiJOHbXRgkBTA26urbYAufVU/s1600/thor+426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-3yEpUcVj-WjCtBpVUsGRONbm6HDdEG3B03ReoVIMLEXV4pw38MgteZT37Ty8t3uId6zbDrmj9PJXVrN8-GF6G4X-YCwXJ4HvgPlWYqB9Wn-776H66wjiJOHbXRgkBTA26urbYAufVU/s640/thor+426.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-mighty-thor-426-aftermath/4000-33442/"><i>The Mighty Thor #426 </i>(NOV 1990)</a><br />
<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></b><br />
<br />
In my last post, I wrote of the way that Leir's most recent story arc, which began with his effort to marry Lady Sif (way back in Thor #....) got more or less leap-frogged. We wound up in the previous issue with Sif finally seeing Thor (her beloved and the only real reason she'd been entertaining Leir's advances in the first place) and immediately engaging in some good ole' Asgardian lip-wrestling. <br />
<br />
I can only suspect that someone at Marvel back in the day noticed this and said, "Y'know...we really need a better resolution than just Leir slinking off like the band nerd who got rejected by the head cheerleader who'd been stringing him along, only to surprise him in front of the whole school by saying, "Later nerd! I'm going to prom with the quarterback!" And so...as the cover of <i>#426 </i>suggests, we finally get some resolution here.<br />
<br />
Having defeated Ymir and Surtur and forestalled Ragnarok, Asgardians are due for a little downtime.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy8gg0H8sPM8AOxCBjY_s8c3XvbwkTzowc_tWpehB0l8YQd4FNoCOh2w3mGyRQ_M7hUVvK7u8C-qY0ARKmMWAy0C6yWNy6KmuoGT2lEJWkyDjWp8RVxuB2x_R9OV0R04SPql28ZjQ980/s1600/leir+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="838" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy8gg0H8sPM8AOxCBjY_s8c3XvbwkTzowc_tWpehB0l8YQd4FNoCOh2w3mGyRQ_M7hUVvK7u8C-qY0ARKmMWAy0C6yWNy6KmuoGT2lEJWkyDjWp8RVxuB2x_R9OV0R04SPql28ZjQ980/s400/leir+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Odin, like any old man, chooses to take a nap. (Sorry...I guess I should call it an <i>Odin-Nap</i>).<br />
<br />
We get a bit of a political plot twist next. In Odin's absence, the
Father of Asgard will not be leaving Balder the Brave in charge, but
instead...Heimdall!! Perhaps this is appropriate, since the first
action of Asgard's interim liege lord is to rebuild the Rainbow Bridge.<br />
<br />
In the midst of such multi-hued reverie, Hercules informs Thor that he's going to make a quick round of the Asgardian ladies before heading to Olympus for his own homecoming. Thor muses about how he's always all alone, but his cognitive pity party is interrupted by...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3YanjgxK4_Dfq0Ihyjrji514i70hMYyjwoIdAu_QEjx3KCSerfzEBmmViLjyNbNgI7a5KTqPmIDx48xGQstGdWTS1FxGMjVmbesBMhIfpeeyZPwhl_tFmW7flr-HP9n58EONPCD-r34/s1600/leir+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="847" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3YanjgxK4_Dfq0Ihyjrji514i70hMYyjwoIdAu_QEjx3KCSerfzEBmmViLjyNbNgI7a5KTqPmIDx48xGQstGdWTS1FxGMjVmbesBMhIfpeeyZPwhl_tFmW7flr-HP9n58EONPCD-r34/s400/leir+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Having announced his intentions, Leir proceeds without further ado.<br />
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<br />
In response to Thor's natural question: "Ummm...why're you hurling lightning bolts at me, again?" Leir provides a quick run down of how they got to this moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfhSWFmqTvt3UpFjE8CNKwwDcj9Q5HYHVDzKFzdloYSodUVnNafG3IfBPFA_3bfZfp1h4jfnIMh_4zKR_Si2pB-jlyBiHN90xxB6inX2ix-GPSitrm1LcvFWFvFYdHhl2sUdmszN8EUg/s1600/leir+4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="412" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfhSWFmqTvt3UpFjE8CNKwwDcj9Q5HYHVDzKFzdloYSodUVnNafG3IfBPFA_3bfZfp1h4jfnIMh_4zKR_Si2pB-jlyBiHN90xxB6inX2ix-GPSitrm1LcvFWFvFYdHhl2sUdmszN8EUg/s400/leir+4.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<br />
First of all, I went back and re-read <i>The Mighty Thor #417 </i>(MAY 1990) wherein the attempted wooing of Lady Sif began. There is<i> nothing</i> in there about Leir having to "defeat a champion of Sif's choice." In fact, what <i>is </i>there is this little announcement:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrQhrKFfQKnS_nHBgoKwd78wNTQdYj5e0JrEnNV2_m-ajUJOe3CYm7LqEJN37fVeJ6b9qAZUXcClstyE9Q53FOg-m_VlrRWEhf7Y7hptn96GUGX5jK2YiOnY0eKr1K5c1iEe3l7Bx5Ys/s1600/announcement.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="258" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrQhrKFfQKnS_nHBgoKwd78wNTQdYj5e0JrEnNV2_m-ajUJOe3CYm7LqEJN37fVeJ6b9qAZUXcClstyE9Q53FOg-m_VlrRWEhf7Y7hptn96GUGX5jK2YiOnY0eKr1K5c1iEe3l7Bx5Ys/s400/announcement.jpg" title="" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Lady Sif has accepted [Leir's] chivalrous <br />
proposal!" (Does that sound like she's putting any <br />
conditions on the acceptance?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we have a pretty blatant plot hole here, created (I assume) to prevent acknowledging that Sif has straight up <i>used </i>Leir for over half a year of publication. Hold onto your seat, though, because the humiliation of Avalon's premiere warrior is just beginning. <br />
<br />
Now, understandably, Thor's still pretty ticked at being attacked while standing by a rainbow bridge, minding his own business. I think we can <i>all </i>understand Thor's desire to take Leir down a peg or two. His next statement, however, is...well... You decide.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheG9xOuYRreVY3o1pmObv2_ApCbn64Cwq6IYWTrW8d-LXhP5Z4H0GrPdT7-oEYxfLkjiJubrH2tGf3_LczZtT30jdP_aFTy3NgJFMyGWoesCot43ilv8YQasqCmoS5ORmpicceWjhUjkc/s1600/leir+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="415" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheG9xOuYRreVY3o1pmObv2_ApCbn64Cwq6IYWTrW8d-LXhP5Z4H0GrPdT7-oEYxfLkjiJubrH2tGf3_LczZtT30jdP_aFTy3NgJFMyGWoesCot43ilv8YQasqCmoS5ORmpicceWjhUjkc/s400/leir+5.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"thy <i>foul and loathsome</i> touch"?! Really, Thor? I mean...the guy <i>did </i>just <br />
help save Asgard from destruction, <i>after </i>the good Lady strung him along<br />
under false pretenses. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Despite Thor's unbecoming trash talk--Remember, Goldlilocks, this guy <i>did </i>just help you fight off a fire demon and an ice giant--he will not be the one to face Leir in combat. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50MAiPCtMhvpGIRnWqPAn4lmKDrEocXOOnnqeIGEL-YkXJi7YkQFPojXy3UJHkqdQFntlG5iGgwSjWDFHknYiMKz758PEFxlHCWS8Bwgv5vnMjxDo6aDTH2Iu7wvgPItWKBwJ_sdV5Kg/s1600/leir+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50MAiPCtMhvpGIRnWqPAn4lmKDrEocXOOnnqeIGEL-YkXJi7YkQFPojXy3UJHkqdQFntlG5iGgwSjWDFHknYiMKz758PEFxlHCWS8Bwgv5vnMjxDo6aDTH2Iu7wvgPItWKBwJ_sdV5Kg/s400/leir+6.jpg" width="398" /> </a></div>
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Instead, Sif herself is going to add injury to insult.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI-idbf3JIFdm1M4Im30hH_NELUBHXzZSLKxitGzCcodvSQPweodcQw0jlbMEt5Wx2x5rXC0vvZSFoFNF8MOgJX3wrh1oUNmzj8pHRdsKlrZbBGfJXplo-qC5ta8lVqO0GE32capkUTI/s1600/leir+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="855" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI-idbf3JIFdm1M4Im30hH_NELUBHXzZSLKxitGzCcodvSQPweodcQw0jlbMEt5Wx2x5rXC0vvZSFoFNF8MOgJX3wrh1oUNmzj8pHRdsKlrZbBGfJXplo-qC5ta8lVqO0GE32capkUTI/s400/leir+7.jpg" width="263" /> </a></div>
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An an observer, I'm <i>really </i>beginning to feel sympathy for Leir. The dude has done everything that was asked of him, and his reward is getting slandered, beat up, and now mocked <i>by his wing man!?</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0wVRhqSE3kDHThaqcBuREGGPADH2ixGVPGLl-okuRADRREmPOSOS8Yyh0ISyic4tLr-FkMuRbHsUuuXMMuMdL6nf0q7VjVZIvTAX3hAT3oHQZHHufGsXP-lC03ZBbNSJmvEGYEAVWKE/s1600/leir+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="849" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0wVRhqSE3kDHThaqcBuREGGPADH2ixGVPGLl-okuRADRREmPOSOS8Yyh0ISyic4tLr-FkMuRbHsUuuXMMuMdL6nf0q7VjVZIvTAX3hAT3oHQZHHufGsXP-lC03ZBbNSJmvEGYEAVWKE/s400/leir+8.jpg" width="270" /> </a></div>
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And with that, Leir (lord of lightning and god of the spear) vanished from the Marvel universe. Despite his arrogance, Leir still proved himself a loyal hero. He deserved a better send-off than this.<br />
<br />
[SIDENOTE: Reviewing <a href="http://www.supermegamonkey.net/chronocomic/entries/warlock_and_the_infinity_watch.shtml"><i>Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1 </i>(FEB 1992)</a>, I was reminded that yet <i>another </i>of my favorite Marvel characters also tried to wed Sif. What was the deal? Is she that irresistable?]<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xNWX1-1V4zX36WxgpNy2DkzDSFPhKbbk5GQBH869BiYaS30biPmwq8aUbsVNb9BhSzufaWSafoppH_Fftc0lBI7CO-t-0b6EnOPBDFAmnA5vjA8a54eKkrzwxj5vPUAZpg-qGbHYk2g/s1600/et+tu+warlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="963" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xNWX1-1V4zX36WxgpNy2DkzDSFPhKbbk5GQBH869BiYaS30biPmwq8aUbsVNb9BhSzufaWSafoppH_Fftc0lBI7CO-t-0b6EnOPBDFAmnA5vjA8a54eKkrzwxj5vPUAZpg-qGbHYk2g/s320/et+tu+warlock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">et tu, Warlock?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-58969046967685286742020-02-03T11:35:00.000-06:002020-02-03T11:35:52.202-06:00Another Midnight Feature...Or Is It? (part 2) -- Smash Comics #58 (APR 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z_B3E3eTIEBzmReeeITGbzF8rX4QZgCV1M1z6W7V6x28WKsRJcmNx1khwRvNmrj0DIzlndqVsXEUxSpE0zCQIPMafryT8lahyphenhyphenfkJGBIEwdEvxN5ewRCU6BjBCDMGhP0Fy_KioluZENY/s1600/man+in+blue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="399" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z_B3E3eTIEBzmReeeITGbzF8rX4QZgCV1M1z6W7V6x28WKsRJcmNx1khwRvNmrj0DIzlndqVsXEUxSpE0zCQIPMafryT8lahyphenhyphenfkJGBIEwdEvxN5ewRCU6BjBCDMGhP0Fy_KioluZENY/s640/man+in+blue.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<br />
Last <a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2020/01/another-midnight-featureor-is-it-part-1.html">week </a>we left a hypnotized Midnight backed up against a wall by machine-gun toting gangster, Vince McGonigle. But before we find out what happens to our titular hero...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoO0seGSK01jEe7QtpJ4utfRdCMFtCURrv3KWVrCUqrulOVMiE_oEupU0GA_2viMszi8IAavK9fIO-pCkYuCZ0aAz8tas-O_6dF64upCFgZWIrOvUOpGgVxZaMmZSTEclBvGiVrl200g/s1600/gabby+frees+himself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1122" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoO0seGSK01jEe7QtpJ4utfRdCMFtCURrv3KWVrCUqrulOVMiE_oEupU0GA_2viMszi8IAavK9fIO-pCkYuCZ0aAz8tas-O_6dF64upCFgZWIrOvUOpGgVxZaMmZSTEclBvGiVrl200g/s400/gabby+frees+himself.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once Gabby frees himself, he races to the McGonigle gang's warehouse hangout. Despite the fact that it seems to destroy the in-story timeline, Gabby arrives just as his pals are about to get aerated by lead. At the last possible moment, some random henchman convinces Vince to halt the execution, in favor of a "better idea."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSxi5H3bAf7dZQ-NuPNzR31ugk5i4T_ryHwhW3QmXYOixlcsodhMnKsl1tkdjTqhNkMq44kD0PVqmcBrN5jvzS2n8SC-fMxRQRj9DevKuPvCo6wlTTdypsndzAxb9bi9LiGgx24iCWK0/s1600/a+better+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSxi5H3bAf7dZQ-NuPNzR31ugk5i4T_ryHwhW3QmXYOixlcsodhMnKsl1tkdjTqhNkMq44kD0PVqmcBrN5jvzS2n8SC-fMxRQRj9DevKuPvCo6wlTTdypsndzAxb9bi9LiGgx24iCWK0/s400/a+better+idea.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comic gangsters: icons of best management practices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Gabby is mortified when he realizes what his pals can be persuaded to do in their hypnotized state. Then, he realizes that since <i>anyone </i>can influence Midnight now...he (Gabby) could just order him to mop up the McGonigle gang. However, a moment's reflection gives him pause.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02RFfgDnho_5hOAt8F7y94qwtY3NcJzBOejCrHTbaVGDIUXMUAQI60qHCzFJrkJ6com313qaNWqsdLv3YY_e4Iitdkk55-T9qUPgdXcLith-yIhrhp_PL5_8d2ajAcU9QRpH_-5df7JU/s1600/hard+core+gabby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="1138" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02RFfgDnho_5hOAt8F7y94qwtY3NcJzBOejCrHTbaVGDIUXMUAQI60qHCzFJrkJ6com313qaNWqsdLv3YY_e4Iitdkk55-T9qUPgdXcLith-yIhrhp_PL5_8d2ajAcU9QRpH_-5df7JU/s400/hard+core+gabby.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess the moral of this story is: don't be an annoying houseguest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately, things don't work out at Gab is expecting. Rather than attacking his captors, Sniffer takes a swing at the man in blue, himself!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z_B3E3eTIEBzmReeeITGbzF8rX4QZgCV1M1z6W7V6x28WKsRJcmNx1khwRvNmrj0DIzlndqVsXEUxSpE0zCQIPMafryT8lahyphenhyphenfkJGBIEwdEvxN5ewRCU6BjBCDMGhP0Fy_KioluZENY/s1600/man+in+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="399" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z_B3E3eTIEBzmReeeITGbzF8rX4QZgCV1M1z6W7V6x28WKsRJcmNx1khwRvNmrj0DIzlndqVsXEUxSpE0zCQIPMafryT8lahyphenhyphenfkJGBIEwdEvxN5ewRCU6BjBCDMGhP0Fy_KioluZENY/s400/man+in+blue.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
Apparently, shortly after drawing this panel...somebody notified the creatives-in-charge they were running out of room. You turn the page and all sort of plot holes and discrepancies explode. After Gabby's <i>second </i>order to Sniffer, the clueless detective suddenly turns and starts fighting the actual gangsters. (No explanation on why that didn't work the first time.) Next Wackey--for absolutely no explicable reason--snaps out of his hypnotic trance and then rouses Midnight by pulling his best "Dr. Phil."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXvYJa55NbtnCakHGd43CLi9KY-RkI-r57ELYYpAN4ZmjyvrJiY0D-rHurSC3YZnzZREkLBAA4Cikop5g8QphF4sRyYN9ETVN5_Tbohx5ZBwxx7shfeGlw8AYB974qywaky5nh3RY-po/s1600/dr+phil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="577" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXvYJa55NbtnCakHGd43CLi9KY-RkI-r57ELYYpAN4ZmjyvrJiY0D-rHurSC3YZnzZREkLBAA4Cikop5g8QphF4sRyYN9ETVN5_Tbohx5ZBwxx7shfeGlw8AYB974qywaky5nh3RY-po/s400/dr+phil.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep...that looks clinically sound.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Of course, once he comes to himself Midnight enters the fray alongside Sniffer. Unfortunately, when our hero tells the Snoopster to "wake up!" the latter does so, and promptly reverts to his standard cowardly self. Of course, that doesn't change the outcome. Midnight mops the warehouse floor with McGonigle and his crew.<br />
<br />
And we wrap up with the standard (lame) effort at humor.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbTwwqnWfP6LhTx1vDQiOyZU65u74Hi0JO-Rkyh_vDPCKTppyI1UEFLBuJ72OJakEOq78Y_YGAk-eMmEl0Yhh8ouusMU6XaA-pvwxWGFwpU5MCrYdzx3tvYTMTuXjoLyO865OJqrNiXs/s1600/lame+humor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1135" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbTwwqnWfP6LhTx1vDQiOyZU65u74Hi0JO-Rkyh_vDPCKTppyI1UEFLBuJ72OJakEOq78Y_YGAk-eMmEl0Yhh8ouusMU6XaA-pvwxWGFwpU5MCrYdzx3tvYTMTuXjoLyO865OJqrNiXs/s400/lame+humor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaaaand, it's a swing and a miss!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-78885828325074958972020-01-27T12:19:00.008-06:002020-01-27T12:19:48.171-06:00Another Midnight Feature...Or Is It? (part 1) -- Smash Comics #58 (APR 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZJXr9TYVU9iGGbfR0Z5Ub33sNPuOpjTSJTdaE8fm4iyw4JhmfgmdFt2Kqu-WsQF3zBXkzYas2lLlQa3JoakHMtCNfx6HEbfgVbI5otcNFisoHkIuEZbINZLmiCJFzKUsJbSiSz5C48E/s1600/Smash+Comics+58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1103" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZJXr9TYVU9iGGbfR0Z5Ub33sNPuOpjTSJTdaE8fm4iyw4JhmfgmdFt2Kqu-WsQF3zBXkzYas2lLlQa3JoakHMtCNfx6HEbfgVbI5otcNFisoHkIuEZbINZLmiCJFzKUsJbSiSz5C48E/s640/Smash+Comics+58.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I gotta give it to Gustavson (or whoever wrote this) the feature splash page <i>is </i>intriguing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The main story begins--as the last several have--in Dave Clark's home, where the insufferable Sniffer Snoop actually asks a good question!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5QvzWQ7fx8ufZoULYBBQcCg6RV9cllmOcg9LmDSoPoqswbp2TrO3qjFyZtDLg427IWDkCrYaM3pBwdW-eE7nf5fFjKp7I3grbDmXIt1qJ7rWZZRLK5imJpVfOxtVGioQiiMZgeTJyAU/s1600/good+question.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5QvzWQ7fx8ufZoULYBBQcCg6RV9cllmOcg9LmDSoPoqswbp2TrO3qjFyZtDLg427IWDkCrYaM3pBwdW-eE7nf5fFjKp7I3grbDmXIt1qJ7rWZZRLK5imJpVfOxtVGioQiiMZgeTJyAU/s400/good+question.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show of hands -- Who else has been wondering <br />
the same thing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dave goes on to "explain" that one Vince McGonigle has been bragging about having a "sure-fire way" to kill Midnight. Dave's staying in costume because he wants to be ready for anything. When Sniffer goes off on his typical monologue about how <i>he </i>could protect Dave, collar McGoniglce, etc., a frustrated Gabby storms off to see what Doc Wackey's up to. Our monk friend finds the inventor putting the finishing touches on yet another "greatest and most useful invention." This turns out to be not much more than two mirrors, with flashing lights, attached to the ends of a fan.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hyphenhyphenIL_zd2uR3fsC-xXfUNj42Mtwt5yUHwbyX07rRmrBmLr2_X8w8DBcujacjuAsG-pfUxM1azTYUJGwcQ-PvQWaag0dL3aHOHS_CJ_p6DVLyZWl_P3xV-zKbYRIlJwFFuZOYimisIobU/s1600/ta+da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="834" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hyphenhyphenIL_zd2uR3fsC-xXfUNj42Mtwt5yUHwbyX07rRmrBmLr2_X8w8DBcujacjuAsG-pfUxM1azTYUJGwcQ-PvQWaag0dL3aHOHS_CJ_p6DVLyZWl_P3xV-zKbYRIlJwFFuZOYimisIobU/s400/ta+da.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta Daa--...wait...what?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Eager to put Sniffer in his place, the two summon the still-pontificating "detective" into the room, ostensibly to check the balance on the mirrors. Of course, Sniffer's immediately hypnotized, at which point Gab and Wackey exact their revenge. They make Sniffer act like a dog...and seem to have designs on making him pose as an old woman. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfof8aHA230f6P0yO78BExI-9bbF-fivNtxig3cU5hRwb3uCz_5wdMhW2vZtAUHV6uqjLO-YwufcD40eVTo_AsItaGpI78FydkIYKjqF-OFHtTR0Hvo_H5sVxkQ2_nbdlhPi1NXPGUWU/s1600/like+a+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="583" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfof8aHA230f6P0yO78BExI-9bbF-fivNtxig3cU5hRwb3uCz_5wdMhW2vZtAUHV6uqjLO-YwufcD40eVTo_AsItaGpI78FydkIYKjqF-OFHtTR0Hvo_H5sVxkQ2_nbdlhPi1NXPGUWU/s400/like+a+dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Gabby dashes off to get the old dress, while Wackey--inexplicably--decides that maybe one of the mirrors <i>is </i>out
of line and he should check it. Naturally, he too is hypnotized.
Midnight comes into the room a moment later to check on everyone
and...well, you can guess what happens. Gabby returns to find both his pals (and Sniffer) out of it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITi7fqQR4KmSmUq6mG9rGqZqWTJ1C7sGb0_AxrjM0qCeZBk9Gw1QqWersDwhCPmN7qNB_JywwhPHLzbfFwaqguDYow64e7ZHCAsPH05FpcA6M-ZowhSqa_0T9IoNg54Xi1RqgspfgUV8/s1600/jupiter+pluvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITi7fqQR4KmSmUq6mG9rGqZqWTJ1C7sGb0_AxrjM0qCeZBk9Gw1QqWersDwhCPmN7qNB_JywwhPHLzbfFwaqguDYow64e7ZHCAsPH05FpcA6M-ZowhSqa_0T9IoNg54Xi1RqgspfgUV8/s400/jupiter+pluvius.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To my recollection, this is the first instance<br />
of Gabby have a signature tag line. In earlier<br />
stories, Midnight used the phrase, "Red Fire!" <br />
a lot, but we haven't seen it in quite some time.<br />
I'll be curious to see how many more times<br />
<i>Jupiter Pluvius! </i>crops up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Meanwhile, in the secret hideout of Vince McGonigle we finally learn the specifics of his "sure fire" tactic for killing Midnight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LllqahZ8-OuRO8TBDB1eMelhed0-0RD1iN9bCqUQHAOTGqOZ5u1BJRu8EaYllKuH26CZICqPGqgzwHFZEEern_hWp9fksdr_vCmxe7xeXezrwT3YprDw_gjqGxMsBuZhGr-KOaeekEQ/s1600/sure+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1119" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LllqahZ8-OuRO8TBDB1eMelhed0-0RD1iN9bCqUQHAOTGqOZ5u1BJRu8EaYllKuH26CZICqPGqgzwHFZEEern_hWp9fksdr_vCmxe7xeXezrwT3YprDw_gjqGxMsBuZhGr-KOaeekEQ/s400/sure+fire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In what is a glaring plot hole (given the earlier explanation that Dave was sitting around in his Midnight outfit so that McGonigle <i>wouldn't </i>realize Dave Clark was Midnight<i>.</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i85FyPIxP90DTMrPwcvi-teE5g0qR0FRgyr4zHiuCQyJfUOL7USsQy337kJEWGkXkNHCmR-JFaM1WRV__XS-z6bJQGSwZzqSW88dZqzIsIUcTfH7lS_xOvIG_ENh3ms3U6hPYPj1GvA/s1600/reason+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="446" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i85FyPIxP90DTMrPwcvi-teE5g0qR0FRgyr4zHiuCQyJfUOL7USsQy337kJEWGkXkNHCmR-JFaM1WRV__XS-z6bJQGSwZzqSW88dZqzIsIUcTfH7lS_xOvIG_ENh3ms3U6hPYPj1GvA/s400/reason+1.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pg. 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yet here we find an anxiety-ridden Gabby <i>still in the room </i>(seemingly shortly after discovering his pals are hypnotized) and who should suddenly come through the window?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU84NIqOmAgy9__s5k0jodiWwPt_2j1XTxiJ9Gbp7Zwjl4Ar2AyJJ5u4MkdrumSZY4CWYGhzPJfBC11GlvhvYUaMaOCenslAaoTH19DE0ymBn-rQNgmy7Sb-KusXRB3tK9-0Ea674BI0/s1600/who+should+appear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU84NIqOmAgy9__s5k0jodiWwPt_2j1XTxiJ9Gbp7Zwjl4Ar2AyJJ5u4MkdrumSZY4CWYGhzPJfBC11GlvhvYUaMaOCenslAaoTH19DE0ymBn-rQNgmy7Sb-KusXRB3tK9-0Ea674BI0/s400/who+should+appear.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pg. 8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
(Sooooo...I guess Midnight's civilian identity isn't all that "secret" after all?)<br />
<br />
Anyhoo...once McGonigle's gang are inside, they praise Bixby for having (they assume) given Midnight the evil eye, "right through the window." For unexplained reasons, the crooks decide it "ain't safe" to kill Midnight and his pals here in the apartment of Dave Clark. Instead, Bixby orders the hypnotized trio to start walking to an as-yet undisclosed location where the <i>coup de grace</i> will be delivered.<br />
<br />
Since Gabby remain unhypnotized--and is breathing out threats (however ineffective)--the crooks toss him in a footlocker. McGonigle decides not to kill the simian sidekick because, "somebody's gotta tell around that it was me that was too tough for Midnight..."<br />
<br />
On the way to the appointed execution, we get the in-story rationale for Midnight's eventual triumph.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf7GAKU23hWEaQuLS4qhmIkTfhbN_p4PVyBzrlVuWzpM1eX-v2XFejr_qWxaYwUxRpGdp3Ccl4EkL22LJLZZ54WQerl3Vp1sodzFdxa-okMUg_qhoOZt5ygQw1EFdHDtkM0GBmlmbLw0/s1600/rationale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="813" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf7GAKU23hWEaQuLS4qhmIkTfhbN_p4PVyBzrlVuWzpM1eX-v2XFejr_qWxaYwUxRpGdp3Ccl4EkL22LJLZZ54WQerl3Vp1sodzFdxa-okMUg_qhoOZt5ygQw1EFdHDtkM0GBmlmbLw0/s400/rationale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Arriving at what appears to be a non-descript warehouse, McGonigle directs his prey down into the basement and backs our heroes up against a wall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m1nIQab8AavToc8mkUEoDpfcRO7A57FGUOgMVhX-fE9fi3UXofHKcY00T5uF0_s42pICwFjtBMkFir-dUqziI1KiqHom7EyueB_NYoFGmy2xopEP8QsjjQNAzAPcAVKUpHJLcsJtmV8/s1600/dramatic+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="519" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m1nIQab8AavToc8mkUEoDpfcRO7A57FGUOgMVhX-fE9fi3UXofHKcY00T5uF0_s42pICwFjtBMkFir-dUqziI1KiqHom7EyueB_NYoFGmy2xopEP8QsjjQNAzAPcAVKUpHJLcsJtmV8/s400/dramatic+image.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this it for beloved Midnight?!<br />
Is Big City to be plunged into an unchecked reign of terror?!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-79752866463849980242020-01-20T12:00:00.000-06:002020-01-20T12:00:02.098-06:00Resist Ragnarok Like There's No Such Thing as a Broken Heart: Leir's 9th appearance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yMVjuLAT3u2pSgkk3u59Owxv3C9PLNpoL_lN5u5N9kF9IdtgcuIIx77immtHa8DR4Kc_gnuBOhq_YNdn94u-7OrIwNX47tyQ-Q5MMnORHFrb0iPKq4g-NEcfORqOnpxAbosyBDEiOqw/s1600/leir+5a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yMVjuLAT3u2pSgkk3u59Owxv3C9PLNpoL_lN5u5N9kF9IdtgcuIIx77immtHa8DR4Kc_gnuBOhq_YNdn94u-7OrIwNX47tyQ-Q5MMnORHFrb0iPKq4g-NEcfORqOnpxAbosyBDEiOqw/s640/leir+5a.jpg" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.supermegamonkey.net/chronocomic/entries/thor_425.shtml"><i>The Mighty Thor #425 </i>(OCT 1990)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Today we come to the ninth appearance of Leir in the Marvel canon. Not surprisingly, once again we find our crimson-maned champion within the pages of <i>The Mighty Thor. </i>This particular issue tries to wrap up a number of threads. First, we see the resolution of the impending threat of Ragnarok. Ragnarok was supposed to be the final battle between the powerful Elementals Surtur (the Fire Demon) and his counterpart Ymir (the Frost Giant). In previous issues is was revealed that Odin had possessed Surtur the
Fire Demon in an attempt to use his power to forestall the prophesied
End. As this story begins, the two Elementals are engaged in a ruinous battle in Asgard.<br />
<br />
<i></i>
Meanwhile, Thor, Hercules, and Eric Masterson are wrapping up a cosmic sojourn in which they witnessed the birth of a new celestial, met the High Evolutionary's New Immortals, saw Hercules "restored", the High Evolutionary made comatose, and Thor and Eric finally separated. After everyone has said their obligatory goodbyes, the poignant moment is interrupted by a dimensional warp out of which comes Lady Sif, Caber, and our man in Avalon--Leir!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4t5rgVJUJCNajwQllXTnaDJmy91tLEzyu_gwtRnFu2qnO3ZNqBX7Pe_LvQ_pz4szlP02hcWHvB68XRXmUit-4rX0al5k1HczDOBFPLnnjwdCol2-pcBVaTCUiCRfcuKXjyn393BBFtk/s1600/leir+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="844" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4t5rgVJUJCNajwQllXTnaDJmy91tLEzyu_gwtRnFu2qnO3ZNqBX7Pe_LvQ_pz4szlP02hcWHvB68XRXmUit-4rX0al5k1HczDOBFPLnnjwdCol2-pcBVaTCUiCRfcuKXjyn393BBFtk/s400/leir+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After updating Thor on the current threat to Asgard, Sif and the Celts transport Thor & co. back to the Realm Eternal.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy7suyXX5_cOVtYnZ-ofQLhZ09M937bH0oTWSZn15mjupuLU8x1W1GF9TtUsY2UhiZWhgGpP27hpPx1FLTP7XiASvfbw1NA8YLj4Dyz14d_2HElmO0JiawP_Q35gXY-1dVz4SRTgAjOk/s1600/leir+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="841" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy7suyXX5_cOVtYnZ-ofQLhZ09M937bH0oTWSZn15mjupuLU8x1W1GF9TtUsY2UhiZWhgGpP27hpPx1FLTP7XiASvfbw1NA8YLj4Dyz14d_2HElmO0JiawP_Q35gXY-1dVz4SRTgAjOk/s400/leir+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While the Asgardians fight a futile rear-guard action to save their home, the Vizier tells Thor the last remaining hope--isn't there always just "one last chance"?--to save Asgard will be for the Prince of Asgard to retrieve the Twilight Sword from the Dimension of Death.<br />
<br />
Naturally, the attempt to do so will threaten Thor's very life, but he doesn't hesitate to go. At this point we have the dramatic "I'm going off to war" scene between Thor and Lady Sif. Given their passionate kiss and Leir's obvious distaste for the spectacle, I can only assume that the good Lady finally admitted to Leir that she'd just been using him all along and wouldn't really marry him. (Regardless of how arrogant Leir can be at times, ya gotta feel some sympathy for the guy here. He basically went on an inter-dimensional jaunt and got roped into fighting Elementals for a girl who dropped him like a hot potato for her old flame.)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkVPReGbc_K0oR3u7XzTJZY8HO8icByexVFwG83NWcIcaOPmmNC1ZMvTzUshcL17jLe12NYFuEeUvXGkmFsquGn-2YzkZhPZ7geSfOUTAYPNVTVSUw4PBEqFbuZMLCMuYR7xHVZUaIYc/s1600/leir+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="557" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkVPReGbc_K0oR3u7XzTJZY8HO8icByexVFwG83NWcIcaOPmmNC1ZMvTzUshcL17jLe12NYFuEeUvXGkmFsquGn-2YzkZhPZ7geSfOUTAYPNVTVSUw4PBEqFbuZMLCMuYR7xHVZUaIYc/s400/leir+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not cool, Sif...not cool at all.<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After breaking the seal between his lips and Sif's, Thor heads into the Dimension of Death where he promptly gets old and has to fight a bunch of bat demons...or something. Meanwhile, back in Asgard, Leir doesn't get much opportunity to lick his emotional wounds. Fortunately for him, Leir is more 1930s alpha male than 2000+ hipster. Does he sit around crying in his mead? Heck no! He picks himself up, dusts himself off, and jumps right into the middle of life-threatening battle!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUzLGsV8C06sIK-4tQw0WCa2PyIf85VMDhWofiLNVGyGSzcIoI6B83SUrYocJ4krnwFINGROljjHBVn_C-GoQVBaAmjdHcVjJliBETl6rSywrAhK1R3ni0PipxbGdjn8p-E55zGBW2q8/s1600/leir+4a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="850" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUzLGsV8C06sIK-4tQw0WCa2PyIf85VMDhWofiLNVGyGSzcIoI6B83SUrYocJ4krnwFINGROljjHBVn_C-GoQVBaAmjdHcVjJliBETl6rSywrAhK1R3ni0PipxbGdjn8p-E55zGBW2q8/s400/leir+4a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdVvqaMd4Hpsc7K_qF7OmuPIW30OWWgxTUoDStEV4LHA-86mRgK5f8JW-oDLLcI0OnkcAixL8UOpOMq4jSd2ul0l-cvtGZvF3HN4PbJ2tELMlnpy-ZtXyNOdskFcQqG07PWZYxs8LJ7w/s1600/leir+4b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="838" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdVvqaMd4Hpsc7K_qF7OmuPIW30OWWgxTUoDStEV4LHA-86mRgK5f8JW-oDLLcI0OnkcAixL8UOpOMq4jSd2ul0l-cvtGZvF3HN4PbJ2tELMlnpy-ZtXyNOdskFcQqG07PWZYxs8LJ7w/s400/leir+4b.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This page gave me an epiphany about why Leir may not have caught on.<br />
Essentially, he was Hercules' classic character, mixed with Thor's power, <br />
a few extra inches, and a handlebar moustache. I guess it made sense <br />
when Marvel was trying to "mature" Hercules.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Despite their bold (or foolhardy?) actions, fortunately for Herc and Leir <i>someone </i>on the battlefield had the sense to recognize, "the better part of valor."<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxmKLMYlbgeM59cKfMwTYmT6Ud4VWyvuTEBPelLo2kq5CbOBSGpWbQyBpT3V-hr71ACx3Qc0IIHE5frD15TP4-Rp6SnTrVESyPHtsCEULlFDdSnXfYt7HnBWI5kWrdvYkx1fWu-sMY-M/s1600/leir+5b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="844" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxmKLMYlbgeM59cKfMwTYmT6Ud4VWyvuTEBPelLo2kq5CbOBSGpWbQyBpT3V-hr71ACx3Qc0IIHE5frD15TP4-Rp6SnTrVESyPHtsCEULlFDdSnXfYt7HnBWI5kWrdvYkx1fWu-sMY-M/s400/leir+5b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While Caber's busy keeping his buddy alive, Thor triumphs over the Death Dimension's bat demons thanks to the timely assistance of mere mortal Eric Masterson. (I know...don't ask questions, just go with it.)<br />
<br />
Thor and Eric successfully retrieve the Twilight Sword and return to Asgard. The Sword turns out to be little more than a macguffin, as it really isn't the mechanism for defeating Ymir and Surtur that we've been led to expect (but I won't spoil that aspect of the story for you, in case you want to <a href="https://comiconlinefree.com/thor-1966/issue-425/full">read it</a> yourself).<br />
<br />
Everything wraps up nice and tidy, complete with the obligatory celebration panel.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmZx9t1B41cHKjH6pO1mByCbxkJpyQH4c9RqARdacQuqyBv5xowxJc4sYwK-WxNoi11W5IGK90cHXE1gcC6wj9HpHcFsjil6ICNLZv2ImlA9U7j9Xuzvv3Ca4ybSSWLA989Iry0VWtRc/s1600/leir+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="846" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmZx9t1B41cHKjH6pO1mByCbxkJpyQH4c9RqARdacQuqyBv5xowxJc4sYwK-WxNoi11W5IGK90cHXE1gcC6wj9HpHcFsjil6ICNLZv2ImlA9U7j9Xuzvv3Ca4ybSSWLA989Iry0VWtRc/s400/leir+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
(On a side note: I think this was a missed opportunity to make the otherwise annoying Eric Masterson a compelling and sympathetic character. Allowing Eric to die in order for Thor to complete his mission would've made a nice wrap-up...but that's a topic for another day).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958068928733702400.post-10591689267886632362020-01-13T12:01:00.000-06:002020-01-15T23:19:28.514-06:00The Death of a Dummy (part 2) -- Smash Comics #57 (FEB 1945)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last <a href="https://springroadsuperheroreview.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-death-of-dummy-part-1-smash-comics.html">week</a>, we were introduced to Egbert the Dummy. Today, we conclude the story of Egbert's thrilling adventures with Midnight, champion of Big City justice.<br />
<br />
Assuming himself secure in his hideout, crime boss Killer Kride is laying
into his lieutenants. This comes as quite a shock to the duo, who anticipated being praised for bumping off
snitch Iggy the Pig. They learn Kride wasn't ready for Iggy to be killed because "the Pig" was the only person who had the list of Kride's
safe deposit boxes. Though Kride's organization had
millions of dollars of stolen loot, now no one knows where it is!<br />
<br />
Wackey and Gabby first discover that Egbert has been stolen, and then, that
their supposedly "one-of-a-kind" dummy was anything but! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivemMGHJQ1ouK-qh0boCGsY5CE4kHZUx4BeHSkrAIUxIhLVQVuG51ObaPKK9EKZ5z4ZrMi7xz0XmRxFxdJ3CaaqrywoYlheOm7rcaXLDp3IiDj5r0rCfOIDrz5ZnfKhusVBB2IkpyQsQ/s1600/fast+and+loose.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1166" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivemMGHJQ1ouK-qh0boCGsY5CE4kHZUx4BeHSkrAIUxIhLVQVuG51ObaPKK9EKZ5z4ZrMi7xz0XmRxFxdJ3CaaqrywoYlheOm7rcaXLDp3IiDj5r0rCfOIDrz5ZnfKhusVBB2IkpyQsQ/s400/fast+and+loose.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess the Hero's Code is like the Pirate's Code?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Midnight
arrives outside Kride's hideout to the sounds of the latter's continued ranting. Midnight demands the list of safety deposit boxes,
and Kride (predictably) orders his thugs to, "take him!" The <i>pro forma </i>fight ensues wherein Midnight--despite being both outnumbered and
out-gunned--easily wins. Kride pleads that if Midnight wants
to beat the truth out of somebody, he ought to start with the henchmen. Ever so slowly,
our hero begins to piece together what must've happened:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v_wz4kJKsvQhngKxrd2o7HC4if4KCbOhNim0o0lk2es35uiMpya0ADsVcIpNpib_Avx67fyYZV6jNG2PNIcOdaEAILHMlYDNipEWser5WQISKgkNNXRsVPlyXtHgewRifaph1KGAqNc/s1600/light+bulb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="781" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v_wz4kJKsvQhngKxrd2o7HC4if4KCbOhNim0o0lk2es35uiMpya0ADsVcIpNpib_Avx67fyYZV6jNG2PNIcOdaEAILHMlYDNipEWser5WQISKgkNNXRsVPlyXtHgewRifaph1KGAqNc/s400/light+bulb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After
dropping the henchmen off with the local cops and essentially
saying, "Lock these guys up, and I'll tell you why later!" Midnight
hauls Kride back to Dave Clark's apartment, where our hero searches in vain for his pals. This quest is interrupted by a phone call from Gabby begging Midnight to come bail them out of jail! With Midnight momentarily distracted, Kride tries to make a break for it out a nearby window. This is a mistake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NknCbnOvpDcBv1iPt12FIgpQ6rUXE0mqxfjczRrvjfArm9zeFLILYH22eZ-ZIyw86N7NnMMVeitPz0KPaoLZLcKbDjloH85a-3Swvgcbc5-7NO9_8aIBmpfUTR7e1CPdsR_PLrOs4WI/s1600/sock+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="306" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NknCbnOvpDcBv1iPt12FIgpQ6rUXE0mqxfjczRrvjfArm9zeFLILYH22eZ-ZIyw86N7NnMMVeitPz0KPaoLZLcKbDjloH85a-3Swvgcbc5-7NO9_8aIBmpfUTR7e1CPdsR_PLrOs4WI/s640/sock+em.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
Midnight next hauls the now-unconscious Kride down to the police station with the intentions of: (A) dropping off the crime boss with the cops, and (B) finding out where Sniffer Snoop had placed the body of Iggy the Pig and finally locating the safe deposit box list.<br />
<br />
As soon as Midnight enters the station, however, a bevy of cops spot him and assume he's just, "another wize guy with a dummy!" (No word on why none of Big City's finest seem to recognize Midnight at point blank range.) Apparently, the Big City PD rank-and-file took pranking pretty seriously, because it looks like every cop in the precinct bum rushed our hero! Once things settle down, one apologetic flat foot offers this explanation for their behavior:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6-uSOagHCeZTXiSEqCXT_M4eYDA0SO230By4bpvxNxy7kC7cSdcxUqP2snzlsymutyIwm81M6bHqgjDoNRSsz2taivNKklHzQf-cAE0d-o_KUHwQGHNU_TyT1DrlmBP0T_n1wKzic38/s1600/explanation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="1154" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6-uSOagHCeZTXiSEqCXT_M4eYDA0SO230By4bpvxNxy7kC7cSdcxUqP2snzlsymutyIwm81M6bHqgjDoNRSsz2taivNKklHzQf-cAE0d-o_KUHwQGHNU_TyT1DrlmBP0T_n1wKzic38/s400/explanation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After being showed the stockpile of "dummies," everyone (except, of course, Midnight) is shocked to learn that one is the actual corpse of Iggy "The Pig" Ratso (yes, we finally learn Iggy's last name on the last page).<br />
<br />
We end with the cops making a gentlemanly agreement with Midnight to bury the story about how a precinct full of law-officers couldn't tell the difference between a corpse and a dummy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczfhTci8cT99vQFG6ZvNLMSUx6DAcZX9mDbpTyimkrNZz0hr3vwYCx9lbHj3tB3J_QJGZM-bAArv6YghBcuw33873B6Bj8Wh9GUMLH4CWYvk-gpyDEnoo1h2GkrNsupDJlWfNHTGAW30/s1600/bury+the+leade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="394" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczfhTci8cT99vQFG6ZvNLMSUx6DAcZX9mDbpTyimkrNZz0hr3vwYCx9lbHj3tB3J_QJGZM-bAArv6YghBcuw33873B6Bj8Wh9GUMLH4CWYvk-gpyDEnoo1h2GkrNsupDJlWfNHTGAW30/s400/bury+the+leade.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168683269565450013noreply@blogger.com0