Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 16 to 23 of 23
  1. #16
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    late 1956


    "The Batwoman" makes her debut in DETECTIVE COMICS 233 (July 1956), on sale May 1956. In reality a former circus performer, now rich thanks to the will of a wealthy uncle, Kathy Kane becomes a caped crimefighter in Gotham City. [D.C./National]


    ☞ Charlton publishes the 1st issue of TALES OF THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER (August 1956), at newsstands June 1956. The mystery anthology is hosted by the eponymous Mysterious Traveler, a mystery man in hat and trench coat much like the Phantom Stranger. The title lasts for 13 issues, the final unlucky issue (June 1959) on sale April 1959.

    Flashback facts: THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER anthology was broadcast on radio by Mutual, from December 5th, 1943, until September 16th, 1952. As Charlton doesn't acknowledge the radio series in their comic book, it seems that they haven't licensed the name--probably assuming the Mysterious Traveler to be in the public domain.

    Flash forward: Two more issues, 14 and 15, were published by Charlton in 1985.


    ☞ June 1956 sees the 1st issue of YELLOW CLAW (October 1956), which ends with issue 4 (April 1957). Not to be confused with the Claw created by Jack Cole for Lev Gleason comics, 1st appearing in SILVER STREAK COMICS 1 (December 1939) and subsequently in DAREDEVIL COMICS. The Yellow Claw is not as monstrous as the Claw, but still an odious Fu Manchu style stereotype, he will later become part of the Marvel Universe. [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]


    The Flash (Barry Allen) debuts in SHOWCASE No. 4 (September-October 1956), at newsstands July 1956. He also appears in Nos. 8, 13 and 14 before winning his own title.

    Flash facts: SHOWCASE is launched as a try-out magazine, with the National Comics editors taking turns introducing their own concepts. This issue is given over to Julius Schwartz who uses the opportunity to revive the Flash, but in the form of the more modern police scientist, Barry Allen. As a comic book fan who reads the old FLASH COMICS, when Barry gets his speed powers he naturally names himself after the Jay Garrick super-hero in those old comics. This issue is sometimes used to indicate the beginning of the so-called "Silver Age." [D.C./National]


    ☞ August 1956, PLASTIC MAN 64 (November 1956) is the last issue of Jack Cole's Pliable Policeman published by Quality. BLACKHAWK 107 (December 1956) is the last Quality issue of that title, yet National Comics (D.C) picks up publishing the comic without missing a beat as of 108 (January 1957). They also continue G.I. COMBAT, HEART THROBS and even ROBIN HOOD. And although National introduces Elastic Lad in 1958 and Elongated Man in 1960, Plas is left in limbo.


    "Aquaman's Undersea Partner" introduces a heroic octopus as Arthur Curry's eager sidekick--later to be named Topo--in ADVENTURE COMICS 229 (October 1956), on sale at the end of August 1956. [D.C./National]


    ☞ Created by Dave Wood and Jack Kirby, the Challengers of the Unknown get their 1st try-out in SHOWCASE 6 (January-February 1957), at newsstands November 1956. Prof Haley, Rocky Davis, Red Ryan and Ace Morgan, after surviving an airplane crash that should have killed them, believe they are living on borrowed time. The Challs have no super-powers to speak of, but there are certain similarities between them and the later Fantastic Four, another Kirby co-creation. [D.C./National]

  2. #17
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    early 1957


    ☞ January 1957, "Superman's Neighbors" establishes that Clark Kent lives at 344 Clinton Street, SUPERMAN 112 (March 1957).

    Flash forward: This address is revived in 1971 and beyond.


    "Lucy and Superman," an episode of I LOVE LUCY, first airs on January 14th, 1957. When Lucy wants to surprise Little Ricky by having Superman show up for his birthday party, she dresses as the Man of Steel herself, but then the real Superman arrives at the party.


    ☞ At newsstands April 1957 is the last issue of MARVEL TALES--No. 159 (August 1957).

    Flashback fact: The 1st issue in this run is MARVEL COMICS (October 1939), on sale at the end of August 1939--the comic that started it all.


    ☞ Starting May 1957, having been BLACK CAT COMICS and BLACK CAT MYSTERY, the title is now called BLACK CAT MYSTIC as of issue 58 (July-September 1957) through to the last issue 62 (March 1958). Featuring work by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, issues 58 and 59 present the Mystic as a ghostly sage named Mr. Zimmer, who seems to be Jewish.

    Flash forward: Seeming to have nine lives, BLACK CAT returns from the grave in 1962; however, the return is brief, only 3 issues, and all the stories are reprints of Black Cat adventures. [Harvey]


    ☞ May 1957, "The Club of Heroes" meet Superman and Batman in WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 89 (July-August 1957)--this is a follow-up to "The Batmen of All Nations" in DETECTIVE COMICS 215 (January 1955). [D.C./National]


    Lois Lane appears in SHOWCASE 9 (July-August 1957), on sale May 1957, and 10 (September-October 1957), on sale July 1957, prior to securing her own title--SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE. [D.C./National]


    THE LONE RANGER T.V. series starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, which made its debut on September 15th, 1949, goes off the air with its final episode on June 6th, 1957. [Apex Film Corp., American Broadcasting Company]


    ☞ June 1957, Ajax acquires Cosmo Cat and gives him his own book, SUPER-CAT beginning with issue 1 (August 1957) and ending with issue 4 (May 1958); however, Cosmo only appears on the covers of issue 1 and 2, not inside; issues 3 and 4 have new stories of the costumed kitten. This is one of the last titles published by Ajax-Farrell as that publishing house closes up shop.


    ☞ At newsstands June 1957 is TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED 16 (August 1957) and among the stories is "The Magic Hammer" (writer unknown) with art by Jack Kirby, in which Gerald Barnes discovers Thor's hammer and uses it for his own selfish ends before the thunder god himself shows up to reclaim Mjölnir. Kirby draws the hammer exactly as he would later for the Marvel Comics version. [D.C./National]


    ☞ Behind the Scenes: In June 1957, the major magazine distributor, American News Company goes out of business. As this is the distributor of Atlas Comics at the time [what had been Timely and would be Marvel], Martin Goodman is left hanging. He has to go to Independent News, owned by National Periodical Publications (D.C.), to get them to distribute his comics. They do, but with the stipulation that he may only publish eight titles per month (a limitation that is later relaxed in the 1960s).

  3. #18
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    late 1957


    ☞ Summer 1957*, cover dated September 1956 but on sale nearly a year later is the belated DAREDEVIL COMICS 134 featuring the Little Wise Guys, which is the very last comic published by Lev Gleason.

    Flashback facts: Not to be confused with the later Marvel super-hero, the boomerang throwing Daredevil (alias Bart Hill) debuts in SILVER STREAK COMICS 6 (September 1940) and soon finds an enemy in the Claw. They take their fight to DAREDEVIL BATTLES HITLER (July 1941) which becomes DAREDEVIL COMICS the next issue. Issue 13 (October 1942) introduces the Little Wise Guys, a kid gang, with Daredevil acting as their guardian. The Little Wise Guys prove more popular than Daredevil himself and he leaves his own title as of issue 70 (January 1951).

    *(According to Mike's Amazing World.)


    ☞ Beginning July 1957, Harvey publishes MAN IN BLACK 1 (September 1957) - 4 (March 1958). The Man in Black is a kind of Phantom Stranger/Destiny figure who tells the stories of his subjects, but then also intervenes in their lives. In addition, the Weaver has her own feature in the book--essentially a female counterpart of the Man in Black, she's like one of the Fates weaving the outcome of her players.


    ☞ July 1957, Harvey launches the short-lived anthology (only 6 issues), ALARMING TALES. The 1st ish (September 1957) includes "The Last Enemy" by Jack Kirby (story and art). Kirby identifies this as a prototype for his KAMANDI, THE LAST BOY ON EARTH. A time traveller visits the year 2514, where anthropomorphic animals rule the Earth.


    ☞ Just as the Phantom was the 1st guest star in HARVEY COMICS HITS, he's also the 1st star of the relaunched title, HARVEY HITS (September 1957), at newsstands July 1957. Subsequent issues of HARVEY HITS to feature the Phantom are 6, 12, 26, 36, 44, 48.


    ☞ After Professor Milo gives Batman a fear of bats, Bruce Wayne adopts the new crimefighting identity of Starman in DETECTIVE COMICS 247 (September 1957), on sale July 1957. This is the 1st appearance of the Professor.

    Flash forward: In the James Robinson STARMAN title (1994 - 2001), this basic idea is revamped for "the Starman of 1951." [D.C./National]


    HOT STUFF, THE LITTLE DEVIL No. 1 (October 1957) sets fire to the newsstand August 1957--it's the diabolic debut of the diapered demon. Better yet, No. 3 (February 1958) launches the career of Stumbo the Giant (a prototype giant appears in the previous issue) and all those in Tiny Town rejoice. [Harvey]


    ☞ Only 2 issues of DO YOU BELIEVE IN NIGHTMARES are published by St. John--issue 1 (November 1957), on sale August 1957, and issue 2 (January-February 1958), on sale November 1957. The anthology features art by Steve Ditko and Dick Ayers.

    Behind the scenes: The legend goes that Al Fago, an editor at Charlton who had just left that company, took these stories and sold them to St. John. T'is an unholy bargain as St. John meets its demise thereafter.


    ☞ As of August 1957, Charlton's TOM CAT puts on a red cape and becomes ATOM THE CAT with issue 9 (October 1957). The title ends at issue 17 (August 1959). It seems Charlton has a lot of faith in anything "atom-ic."


    ☞ Magazine Enterprises' MIGHTY ATOM 1 (November 1957) - 3 (March 1958) reprints stories from their 1946 title THE PIXIES. The creation of Vin Sullivan, Magazine Enterprises soon goes out of business in 1958.


    ☞ The 1st episode of Walt Disney's ZORRO, starring Guy William, airs on October 10th, 1957.


    ☞ The Caped Crusader becomes a "Super-Batman" when he meets the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh in BATMAN 113 (February 1958), on sale December 1957.

    Flash forward: In Grant Morrison's Batman comics (of the early 2000s), this experience is classified in the Black Casebook. [D.C./National]


    ☞ On sale at the end of 1957, Dell FOUR COLOR 882 publishes the 1st issue adapting Walt Disney's ZORRO starring Guy Williams.

    Flashback Facts: In the 1950s, prior to the Disney version of the masked swordsman, FOUR COLOR publishes five Zorro issues--425 (out August 1952), 497 (out August 1953), 538 (out January 1954), 574 (out June 1954) and 617 (out January 1955).

    Flash forward: The next FOUR COLOR issues to star Walt's Disney's Zorro are 920 (in April 1958), 933 (in July 1958), 960 (in October 1958), 976 (in February 1959),1003 (in May 1959) and 1037 (in August 1959). There having been seven of the Disney Zorros in FOUR COLOR, when Don Diego finally gets his own comic book, WALT DISNEY'S ZORRO starts at 8 (December 1959 - February 1960).

  4. #19
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    early 1958


    ☞ At some point in 1958*: Accepted (a short-lived publishing house) puts out one issue of BLUE BOLT (no cover date), which is all reprints. They also put out WHITE RIDER AND SUPER HORSE issues 5 and 6 reprinted from Novelty Press's BLUE BOLT 1940 series and the Star Publications 1950 reprint title also called WHITE RIDER AND SUPER HORSE.

    *(I haven't found specific on sale dates.)


    ☞ At some point in 1958*: I.W. Publishing/Super Comics reprints the 1954 SUPER-BRAT [Toby Press] in six issues, numbered 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10. They also publish THE HUMAN FLY No. 1, which consists of reprints from Fox's BLUE BEETLE comic--contains no actual Human Fly--a second issue [numbered 10] comes out in 1963 from the same outfit, with more BLUE BEETLE reprints from Fox. And I.W. Publishing/Super Comics puts out PEE-WEE PIXIES No.1 (featuring the Mighty Atom) which reprints the contents of THE PIXIES 3 (Summer 1947) [Magazine Enterprises]--second issue [numbered 8] reprints the contents of THE PIXIES 4 (1947), which was already reprinted in MIGHTY ATOM No. 1 (November 1957) [Magazine Enterprises]. I.W/Super Comics seems to mainly reprint existing material, they go out of business in 1964

    *(I haven't found specific on sale dates.)


    ☞ The 1st issue of SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE (March-April 1958) is on sale January 1958. [D.C./National]


    ☞ The 1st issue of the magazine FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND is at newsstands February 1958. It's the first magazine title from Warren Publishing, which will put out many more magazines with comics content in the 1960s and 1970s--magazines like CREEPY, EERIE and VAMPIRELLA.


    ☞ Available February 1958 is the 1st ish of CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN (April-May 1958). [D.C./National]


    ☞ February 1958, "The Legion of Super-Heroes" invite Superboy to join their club in the future, in ADVENTURE COMICS 247 (April 1958)--Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy make their 1st appearances here. [D.C./National]


    ☞ Out March 1958, WONDER WOMAN gets a new look thanks to new artists Ross Andru and Mike Esposito, in issue 98 (May 1958). [D.C./National]


    ☞ Jimmy (Jack Larson) and Lois (Noel Neill) finally get to fly just like Superman (George Reeves) on the final episode of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, airing April 28th, 1958.


    ☞ The Man of Steel encounters Brainiac for the 1st time and discovers the Bottle City of Kandor, in ACTION COMICS 242 (July 1958), on sale May 1958. [D.C./National]


    ☞ SHOWCASE 15 (July-August 1958) introduces Rick Star the Space Ranger. Set in the 22nd century, no one except Rick's girl friend, Myra Mason, and his alien pal, Cryll (a shape shifter), know that he's also the Space Ranger, champion of the solar system. [D.C./National]

  5. #20
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    late 1958


    ☞ Summer 1958, after a brief hiatus, the former ATOMIC RABBIT returns as ATOMIC BUNNY No. 12 (August 1958). The name change brings other cosmetic changes to the super-hare-o--the initials A. R. on his chest become A. B. and his fur turns from black to grey. [Charlton]


    ☞ June 4th, 1958, THE LONE RANGER AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD opens in theatres, the 2nd movie starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as the Lone Ranger and Tonto, from their popular T.V. series, which ends a year prior to this date (but survives in reruns).


    ☞ Jimmy rubs a magic totem and wishes for a "Supergirl" in SUPERMAN 123 (August 1958), coming up June 1958.

    Flash forward: Although there are many Superwomen and Supergirls in the comics before this issue, this one is commonly thought to be the prototype for the Girl of Steel who arrives shortly thereafter. [D.C./National]


    ☞ June 1958, THE FRIENDLY GHOST, CASPER gets a new No. 1 (August 1958).

    Behind the scenes: July 27th, 1958, Paramount sells the rights to most of their Famous Studio cartoon stars, including Casper and Little Audrey, to Harvey Comics. These cartoons are repackaged, with some new production, for T.V. as Harvey-Toons. And the Jack-in-the-Box logo for Harvey becomes engrained in the minds of little children (like me).


    ☞ The 1st ish of COSMO THE MERRY MARTIAN (September 1958) launches July 1958; there are 6 issues. Cosmo and his pal Orbi set out from Mars for Earth. Their space odyssey takes them to the Moon (where they meet the Moonlings), Venus and Jupiter. They are soon joined by Cosmo's sweetheart Astra, Orbi's dog Jojo, and the scientist Professor Thimk. Issue 6 (October 1959), out August 1959, has them defeat Dr. Beatnik's plan to invade Earth and at the end, Cosmo and the gang intend to land on Earth for a visit. But this never happens.

    Flash forward: In 2009, the Merry Martian finally does land on Earth, in ARCHIE & FRIENDS 137 (January 2010) and 138 (February 2010). [Archie]


    ☞ July 1958, Olsen becomes "The Elastic Lad" for the 1st time in SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 31 (September 1958). [D.C./National]


    ☞ Sometime in August, two Bizarro creatures debut, but which can claim to be Bizarro No. 1? In the SUPERMAN newspaper strip, writer Alvin Schwartz introduces the weird opposite of Superman, beginning August 25th, 1958. However, in SUPERBOY 68 (October 1958), on sale August 21st, 1958, writer Otto Binder has the Boy of Steel going up against his Bizarro opposite.

    Flash forward: Bizarro Superman becomes so popular that there's even a Bizarro World, which has its own feature in ADVENTURE COMICS 285 (June 1961) - 299 (August 1962).


    ☞ September 8th, 1958, the SKY MASTERS newspaper strip blasts off. A realistic sci-fi adventure, the strip takes advantage of the new interest in space travel after the launch of Sputnik the year before. [Distributed by George Matthew Adams Service]

    Behind the scenes: Editor Jack Schiff, at National Periodicals (D.C.) is asked for a science fiction comic strip. Dave Wood and Jack Kirby already have an unsold strip called SPACE BUSTERS, but Schiff is not satisfied and gets them to produce what becomes SKY MASTERS. Dick Wood, Dave's brother also contributes to the writing, while Wally Wood (unrelated) is brought in to ink, given his talent for outer space scenes. However, there is a dispute over what percentage and how much Schiff and the others should get for the strip. Schiff believes he's owed more. As a result, there's legal action against Kirby, who is left to pay out of pocket and is ultimately forced to quit National. And that's how Jack Kirby arrives at Atlas Comics (which becomes Marvel Comics).


    ☞ September 1958, SHOWCASE 17 (November-December 1958) presents Adam Strange. A "Man of Two Worlds," Strange is transported instantly from Earth to Rann (in the Alpha-Centauri system) via Zeta Beam. There, he is a hero to the people and he is in love with the beautiful Alanna. Adam's time on Rann is brief, so on Earth, where he's an archaeologist, he must search for the next Zeta Beam, somewhere in the southern hemisphere, to return to Rann and Alanna.[D.C./National]


    ☞ September 1958, Atlas launches 3 new anthologies: STRANGE WORLDS (December 1958)--which only goes for five issues--and the long running TALES OF SUSPENSE (January 1959) and TALES TO ASTONISH (January 1959). WORLDS and early issues of ASTONISH employ the first person narration, like that of MY GREATEST ADVENTURE from their Distinguished Competitor.


    SUPERMOUSE, THE BIG CHEESE 45 (Fall 1958), published by Standard, is the final issue.

    Flashback fact: Supermouse is one of the publisher's longest running characters (beginning in 1942) with the title SUPERMOUSE having its start in 1948.

    Flash forward to doom: Variously known as Standard or Pines or Nedor or Better, the publisher becomes defunct by the middle of 1959.


    ☞ October 1958, Herbie Popnecker makes his 1st appearance in FORBIDDEN WORLDS 73 (December 1958), published by the American Comics Group. Herbie next shows up in FORBIDDEN WORLDS 94 (March-April 1961). The seeming antithesis of a super-hero--he's rotund and bespectacled with a bland personality, initially never wearing a gaudy costume (simple white shirt, black tie, blue trousers), always sucking on lollipops--yet Herbie is one of the most compelling characters of the super set. His innumerable powers derive from those lollipops and his genetic superiority.

    Flash forward: The so called "Fat Fury" does eventually get his own title, HERBIE with issue 1 (April-May 1964)--and he acquires a "Fat Fury" super-hero costume in HERBIE 8 (March 1965).


    ☞ Coming out at the end of November 1958, "The Green Arrow's" First Case" gives Oliver Queen a new origin story as he flashes back to when he was marooned on an island and had to master the bow for his survival, in ADVENTURE COMICS 256 (January 1959).

    Flashback fact: Previously, Oliver Queen and Roy Harper become Green Arrow and Speedy together--"The Birth of the Battling Bowmen," MORE FUN COMICS 89 (March 1943). Now that Oliver has his own separate origin, Roy gets his next in "The World's Worst Archer," ADVENTURE COMICS 262 (July 1959). [D.C./National]


    ☞ At the end of 1958, after a number of trials in SHOWCASE, the 1st issue of THE FLASH 105 (February-March 1959) appears on newsstands.

    Flashback fact: The issue is numbered 105 because it assumes the numbering of FLASH COMICS which ends with 104 (February 1949) ten years earlier. [D.C./National]

  6. #21
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    early 1959


    ☞ February 1959, WONDER WOMAN 105 (April 1959) gives a new "Secret Origin", which includes details of her young life as Wonder Girl, to be further explored in future issues.

    Flash forward: In so-called "Impossible Tales," Wonder Woman will end up having adventures with younger versions of herself, as Wonder Tot and Wonder Girl. This screwy state of affairs will confuse the creators of the Teen Titans, when they make Wonder Girl one of the Titans. Yet she can't be Princess Diana--so Who is Wonder Girl? [D.C./National]


    "The Rock of Easy Co" is the initial prototype of Sgt. Rock, appearing in OUR ARMY AT WAR 81 (April 1959), on sale February 1959. [D.C./National]


    ☞ Hero of the 21st century Space Planeteers, Tommy Tomorrow ends his run in ACTION COMICS 251 (April 1959), out February 1959.

    Flashback facts: Tommy makes his debut in REAL FACT COMICS 6 (January-February 1946), although in that story the year is 1960. His continuous run in ACTION COMICS begins with issue 127 (December 1948). [D.C./National]


    ☞ HOUSE OF MYSTERY 85 (April 1959) features "Stone Sentinels of Giant Island" by Jack Kirby, at newsstands February 1959 [D.C./National]. TALES TO ASTONISH 5 (September 1959) features "I Was Trapped by the Things on Easter Island" (plot and script presumably by Stan Lee and Larry) with art by Jack Kirby and Christopher Rule, on sale May 1959 [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]. Both these stories show Kirby's stone giants that look like the statues on Easter Island--this same idea shows up in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY 83, the first story of the Mighty Thor, "The Stone Men from Saturn" by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott, on sale June 1962 [Timely/Atlas/Marvel].


    Supergirl arrives on Earth and meets her cousin, Superman, in ACTION COMICS 252 (May 1959), available March 1959. This launches the Supergirl back-up series in ACTION that continues well into the 1960s. [D.C./National]


    ☞ March 1959, "Batman Meets Bat-Mite" for the first time in DETECTIVE COMICS 267 (May 1959). [D.C./National]


    "How Aquaman Got His Powers" tells a new origin story for the Sea King in ADVENTURE COMICS 260 (May 1959). This story replaces Aquaman's previous origin in MORE FUN COMICS 73 (November 1941), his debut issue. [D.C./National]


    ☞ April 1959, STRANGE TALES 70 (August 1959) includes "A Giant Walks the Earth" by unconfirmed writers (but possibly Stan Lee, plot, and his brother Larry Lieber, script) with art by Jack Kirby and Christopher Rule, which Lee and Kirby identify as a prototype for Giant Man and Hank Pym. [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]


    ☞ Archie publishes the 1st issue of THE DOUBLE LIFE OF PRIVATE STRONG (June 1959), featuring the Shield by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, on sale April 1959. A private in the U.S. Army, Lance Strong discovers that he has super-powers as a result of his father experimenting on him when he was a boy. Simon & Kirby also introduce the Fly (Tommy Troy) in a 2 page story. The second issue (August 1959) is also the last issue and again includes a 2 page Fly story.

    Behind the scenes: The comic is discontinued when Archie gets a letter from Superman (or rather the lawyers for National Periodicals) claiming that this Shield guy is too much like the Man of Steel. Since Red Circle brings back Lancelot Strong in the 1980s, I'm assuming Supes and Lance signed some sort of peace accord at the U. N.

    Flashback facts: The original Shield, Joe Higgins, makes his debut in the inaugural issue of PEP COMICS (January 1940), on sale November 1939. He's one of the first patriotic super-heroes in comics--appearing before Simon & Kirby's Captain America. And he's a big hit for the publisher then called M.L.J. Magazines [the initials derive from the first names of the publishers--Maurice Coyne, Louis Silberkleit, John L. Goldwater]. The super-hero earns a spin-off quarterly, SHIELD-WIZARD COMICS (shared with another M.L.J. super-hero, the Wizard)--and the Shield takes on a young sidekick, Dusty the Boy Detective. Of course, once Archie Andrews is introduced in PEP COMICS 22 (December 1941), the Riverdale teen and his gang become more popular than the super-heroes--so much so that M.L.J. becomes Archie Comics.


    ☞ At newsstands May 1959, the 1st issue of THE FLY (August 1959) goes on sale. Tommy Troy uses a ring to give him insect powers. Joe Simon, who created the character, claims that Marvel's Spider-Man is inspired by the Fly.

    Flash forward: Through various title changes, this comic will reach issue 50 (October 1967)--then called MIGHTY COMICS. [Archie]


    ☞ May 1959, FOUR COLOR 1006 presents Hercules, based on the movie starring Steve Reeves, with sword and sandal art by John Buscema. An Italian production, the movie is released in Italy in 1958, as LE FATICHE DI ERCOLE. In the U.S.A., as HERCULES, it is not released until July 22nd, 1959.


    ☞ Masked vigilante Nighthawk (Hannibal Hawkes) makes his last appearance in WESTERN COMICS 76 (July-August 1959), available May 1959.

    Flashback fact: Nighthawk stars in WESTERN for most of its run, debuting in issue 5 (September-October 1948). [D.C./National]

  7. #22
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    late 1959


    ARCHIE'S MADHOUSE is another title like all those others that hopes to repeat the success of MAD (Ajax had its own MADHOUSE, in 1957, but that only lasted 3 issues). The 1st issue (September 1959) goes on sale June 1959. Early issues star the Riverdale gang, but the series soon features horror and then super-hero parodies--including Captain Sprocket.


    ☞ June 1959, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD 25 (August-September 1959) is the 1st of a 3 issue try-out for the Suicide Squad, led by Rick Flag. This seems to be the 1st issue to change the format of the title--previously it features period adventures. Now it's a try-out mag; however, the 2 issues before this are all Viking Prince--one could argue, those are try-outs, too.

    Flash forward: The Suicide Squad in its first incarnation is a group of normal non-powered heroes, but in the second incarnation, in 1987, the team is mainly made up of super-villains. [D.C./National]


    ☞ After his try-outs in SHOWCASE, Space Ranger (Rick Starr) takes up residence in TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED for the next 5 years, as of issue 40 (August 1959), on sale June 1959. [D.C./National]


    ☞ Hal Jordan becomes the Green Lantern in SHOWCASE 22 (September-October 1959), on sale in the summer of 1959. A test pilot, Jordan is given a power ring by the dying alien Abin Sur, along with a power battery to recharge the ring. The origins of the ring and battery of power are revealed in subsequent stories. This is the 1st of 3 try-out issues before the launch of the new GREEN LANTERN title in 1960.

    Behind the scenes: Artist Gil Kane models Hal Jordan on movie star Paul Newman.[D.C./National]


    ☞ Although SPACE WAR seems a lot like all the other space anthologies, many of the stories seem to be connected in the same futuristic world, where the Space Patrol is engaged in skirmishes in the solar system. The 1st issue (October 1959) comes out August 1959; runs for 27 issues. [Charlton]


    ☞ A stowaway aboard Superbaby's rocketship is "The Super-Monkey from Krypton," in SUPERBOY 76 (October 1959), available August 1959. Later to be named "Beppo," if this Primate of Tomorrow arrives on Earth at the very same time as Kal-El, I think that gives him equal standing with Superman vis a vis later arrivals from Krypton. [D.C./National]


    ☞ On sale October 1959, STRANGE TALES 73 (February 1960) features "Grottu, King of the Insects" by uncertain writers (possibly Stan Lee, plot, and Larry Lieber, script) with art by Jack Kirby and Bill Everett--Kirby identifies this tale as a prototype for Ant-Man (Hank Pym). The issue also features "I Was Captured by the Mole Men" (again possibly written by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber) which seems a prototype for Mole Man's appearance in FANTASTIC FOUR No. 1 (November 1961). [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]


    "Meet Kid Flash" in THE FLASH (December 1959-January 1960), at newsstands October 1959. Wally West gains his speed powers for the 1st time and assumes the identity of Kid Flash. [D.C./National]


    ☞ October 1959, The Legion of Super-Heroes make their second appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS 267 (December 1959). [D.C./National]


    WALT DISNEY'S ZORRO begins its run at issue 8 (December 1959 - February 1960), at newsstands November 1959. The title lasts until issue 15 (September - November 1961). [Dell]


    ☞ THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD 28 (February-March 1959) introduces the Justice League of America--on sale at the end of 1959--featuring the Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Batman, Superman and Snapper Carr.

    Behind the scenes: Maybe Snapper is not a full member (it's debatable)--the teen is modelled after Kookie (Edd Byrnes) from the T.V. show 77 SUNSET STRIP (1958 - 64). Editor Julius Schwartz chooses to revive the Justice Society of America, but decides that "League" sounds better than "Society." This is the 1st of 3 issues, before the team gain their own book.

    Flash forward: The 1st issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (October-November) goes on sale August 1960. [D.C./National]


    ☞ "The Kid from Atlantis" introduces Aquaman's new partner, Aqualad in ADVENTURE COMICS 269 (February 1960), on sale at the very end of 1959. [D.C./National]

  8. #23
    Retired
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    18,747

    Default

    The demise of comics publishers in:

    1950

    • Novelty Press
    • Temerson
    • D.S. Publishing

    1951

    • Fox

    1952

    • Nation-Wide (starts 1950)

    1953

    • Star Publications
    • Fawcett
    • Hillman

    1954

    • Fiction House
    • Youthful
    • Comic Media (starts 1950)

    1955

    • Orbit
    • Toby
    • E.C. (as a regular comic book publisher)
    • Story Comics (starts 1951)
    • Mainline (starts 1954)

    1956

    • Avon
    • Quality
    • Lev Gleason
    • Premier Magazines (starts 1954)
    • Eastern Color (the oldest comic book publisher, starts 1933)
    • Superior (Canadian, starts 1945 publishing new material but by the 1950s they mainly republish American titles for the Canadian market)

    1957

    • Ajax-Farrell
    • St. John

    1958

    • Magazine Enterprises
    • Accepted (starts 1958)

    1959

    • Standard/Pines

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •