Five Highlights From The Comics Journal #41

THE COMICS JOURNAL #41 (August 1978)

Executive Editor/Art Director: Gary Groth

Editor/Circulation Director: Kim Thompson 

1. MARILYN BETHKE WATCH:

"I entered the world of comics and fandom as an adult and found only a handful of good writers in the industry. Steve Gerber is one of those, and he is one of the only comic book writers who sees the medium through the eyes of an adult, and who doesn't suffer from the arrested creative development that afflicts most other 'grown ups' in the industry."

This is a change of pace piece from Bethke, as it's both personal memoir and career overview of Steve Gerber's first run at Marvel.

(She quotes a fan letter from future comics writer J. Marc De Matteis to conclude her article. Perfect.)

2. STEVE GERBER INTERROGATED... INTERVIEWED BY GARY GROTH

The above banner headline pretty much says it all about one of my favorite Gary Groth interviews. This serves as a sequel, of sorts, to the earlier Gil Kane interview (TCJ #38). Below is a choice quote about violence in media:

3. STAN SAKAI (USAGI YOJIMBO) FAN ART, DATED 1972!

4. UNDERGROUND COMIX BY BILL SHERMAN 

Bill Sherman reviews a rare Canadian underground comix entry, although it's theme of funny animals was pretty common at the time. Canadian underground legends George Metzger, Rand Holmes, and Brent Boates contribute to...

                                GCD

5. SUSPENDED ANIMATION BY JIM KORKIS

Jim Korkis (August 15, 1950-July 28, 2023) cartoonbrew

Five Highlights from The Comics Journal #38

Joe Sinardi "Hollywood" spot illustration

THE COMICS JOURNAL #38 (FEBRUARY 1978)

1. NEWSWATCH:

It's rare to get a capsule history of the early days of comics growing in to more adult (although maybe not so mature, yet) content...

Howard Chaykin was a standout in this early phase of graphic novel history with two books announced here, and contributions to a third:

images from GCD

image from isfdb.org

Two other early graphic novels are also mentioned:

images from GCD

Just like MAD earlier, the immediate impact of HEAVY METAL spawned numerous imitators. Two of which are mentioned above:

images from GCD

GASM is the unlikely place to find early Ben Katchor

HOT STUF' was published by Sal Quartuccio who is still publishing art books

2. REVIEW by Marilyn Bethke:

The prototypical TCJ writer makes her first appearance...

3. ASTERIX FEATURE ARTICLE:

Dwight R. Decker compiles an astonishing in-depth analysis of Asterix up to Rene Goscinny's then recent passing. Asterix had not yet been published in the U.S., and had only been translated into English in the UK market.

current U.S. publisher

4. GIL KANE INTERVIEW conducted by

Gary Groth:

The seminal interview with the outspoken and well spoken veteran cartoonist...

5. THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER OF JACK KATZ:

Bill Sherman delivers a clearly written summary and analysis of the first six issues of THE FIRST KINGDOM. This was the suprise of the issue, nice companion piece to the likewise exhaustive ASTERIX piece.

In the tradition of THE COMICS JOURNAL advertising the books they review:

still in print!

Five Highlights from The Comics Journal #37

THE COMICS JOURNAL #37 (DECEMBER 1977)

The future is now, as THE COMICS JOURNAL switched from an adzine tabloid to an article-driven magazine-sized format that continues to this day (although, as a supplement to it's current website incarnation). The biggest news for the future of Fantagraphics was Kim Thompson coming on board as Associate Editor:

NEWSWATCH: Paving the way for Kim Thompson was Michael Catron being hired by DC Comics...

REVIEWS: 

Kim Thompson's first credited contributions to TCJ are the above two reviews.

Han Solo and Chewbacca illustration by Judith Hunt

ADVERTISEMENT: Future Fantagraphics staffer Tom Mason and his fanzine RADION turns up here...

UNDERGROUND COMICS:

Bill Sherman examines DUTCH TREAT an underground with a very early English-language appearance by Joost Swarte, and two long forgotten favorites: Evert Geradts and Peter Pontiac!

image from GCD

FANDOM REVIEW:

Doug Fratz and his review of all these obscure small press comics is invaluable to anyone researching them. Matt Howarth (Howski Graphix Studios), Artie Romero, Brad Foster, and Jamie Alder all had a lot of alternative comics publishing ahead of them (and that Gary Groth fella published a few more zines, as well)...

Five Highlights from THE NEW NOSTALGIA JOURNAL 30

THE NEW NOSTALGIA JOURNAL #30 (NOVEMBER 1976)

Gary Groth's THE EDITOR'S BALLOON: Continuing his discussion of writing about comics from the last issue Groth nails the description of bad fan writing that still holds true in the social media age, "Writing about comics is an activity seductive to buffs, fanatics, apologists, and publicists, all of whom do not address themselves to the successes and failures of the medium. Rather, they deal with their personal cravings, idiosyncratic obsessions, and childhood memories. The questions of content, value, story, and weight are left unanswered, so the estheticians, theorists, and other squares who would elevate the medium to an artform with all the heavy questions, obligations, and standards that go with their point of view dry up because their voices are not heard." ( page 2)

Subscription page detail from The TCJ Archive

FAN ART: I think this Green Arrow/Black Canary drawing is by Joe Zabel, who went on to draw AMERICAN SPLENDOR in the 80s. (page 3)

TNJ MEMOS: Lambs Lead to Slaughter Department, Part two: Abel Mills joins Alan Friedman as Editorial Assistant on TNJ and SOUNDS FINE. (page 4)

View this comic on comicbookplus.com

JACK KIRBY INTERVIEW, PART ONE: Not the greatest Kirby interview, however his opinion on EC Comics is definitely worth reading. Also a Kirby sketch from Gary Groth's collection graces the cover. (page 21-22)

Undated recent photo of Artie Romero

Comixjoint gives us an array of REALM 6 covers

TNJ LISTINGS: Very early fanzines by Larry Blake, Jim Pack, and Tim Corrigan are included, they became prominent small press publishers in the 80s. On the underground spectrum of fanzines: Artie Romero's REALM #6. (page 31)

Five Highlights from THE NEW NOSTALGIA JOURNAL 29

Image from TCJ Archive

THE NEW NOSTALGIA JOURNAL (October 1976)

John Benson fanzine from 1975 (an example of what Groth is speaking to below)

(Image from EC Comics Wiki)

THE EDITOR'S BALLOON: Gary Groth talks about what he looks for in writing on comics in fanzines: "The second faction is primarily concerned with comics as art, and write with that in mind. Their work is scarcer, probably due to the fact that there are so few comics works that can stand up to the demands of art, and for the most part they don't write about less accomplished comics creators. They write with posterity in mind, are interested in a story's feeling, it's implications and texture as opposed to how it is being received in the marketplace, or whether or not it is trendy. They are particularly interested in the artist's technique, the relationship between writer and artist, storytelling structures, and theories. Their work is absorbing to say the least. Among this group are Fred Patten, John Benson, Richard Kyle, and James Denney (who writes too rarely on comics)." (pages 2 and 6)

Alan Freedman pictured after his tenure as assistant editor on The Journal

(Image from GCD)

Lost in the mists of time: "TNJ now has an assistant editor: Alan Freedman, a comics and science fiction fan, joins the TNJ staff with this issue. Alan is working with us on the day to day hustle and bustle of putting out TNJ (and SOUNDS FINE). Alan has already proven himself to be of great help, and we're very happy to welcome him aboard." (page 4)

An undated photo of John Adkins Richardson 

(Image from siue.edu)

TNJ LETTERS: Illustrator and scholar John Adkins Richardson and future TCJ columnist Bill Sherman. (page 8)

A recent collection of "Inside Woody Allen"

(Image from Abrams)

NEWSWATCH debuts: News from Marvel (Midas, The Million Dollar Mouse and Super Rabbit the Marvel Bunny are announced), DC (Jim Shooter leaves for Marvel), Charlton (Temporarily suspends publishing), and King Features Syndicate ("Inside Woody Allen" comic strip debuts). (page 14)

Howard Chaykin created this poster for the 1976 San Diego Comic Con

(Image from Sotheby's)

Frank Catalano's FUTURESCOPE: "Film Notes" sidebar details advance information on upcoming STAR WARS movie. (page 22)

Five Highlights from THE NEW NOSTALGIA JOURNAL 28

image

 THE NEW NOSTALGIA JOURNAL 28 (September 1976)

image

Advertisement by Joel Milke selling Basil Wolverton original art, and HEEBIE JEEBIE FUNNIES small press comic with art by Milke, Doug Hansen, George Erling, Jay Lynch, Rick Griffin, Gary Hallgren, and Larry Todd. [page 16]

Carter Scholz recent photo

Carter Scholz "Exploring Ellison" reviewing no less than three of Harlan Ellison's books: DEATHBIRD STORIES, APPROACHING OBLIVION, and LOVE AIN'T NOTHING BUT LOVE MISSPELLED. [page 28-29]

Doug Fratz fondly remembers "The Decker Era" and Dwight Decker's "faan" fiction of 1969-71. Dwight Decker was a future Managing Editor of THE COMICS JOURNAL. [page 36]

 "TNJ Letters" starts a longstanding tradition of angry LOC from comics professionals, the honor going to then Star Reach publisher Mike Friedrich. Richard Morrissey is another name people might recognize from this first Journal battlefield, I mean letter column. [page 8 10]

image

Bud Plant watch: "New for August" listings include AMERICAN SPLENDOR 1, METAL HURLANT 6 with new Corben, ILLUSTRATED FICTION 3: CHANDLER by Steranko (also lists a deluxe 8 1/2 x 11 edition), DOGMAN and ZOMIX (two UK underground comix), Frank Thorne Red Sonja poster, and sale item TANTE LENY 20 (Dutch underground). [page 9]