Superboy #168

Superboy #168 (On Sale: July 7, 1970) has another of my favorite Neal Adams' covers. Just beautiful.

We begin with "Leave Us... or We Perish" by Frank Robbins, Bob Brown and Murphy Anderson.

The back-up Superboy story must have been in inventory for a few years. "The Negative Boy of Steel" is by Arnold Drake who was fired in 1968, Al Plastino who was also fired in 1968 and Mike Esposito. Except for a Superman's Wedding Album pin-up in 1996, this is Al Plastino's last work for DC.

Al Plastino's earliest comic work was as an assitant to Bill Everett working on Sub-Mariner for Timely Comics and his first credited work was the cover of Novelty Press' Blue Bolt Comics #9 in 1943.

In 1948 Plastino showed samples of his work to editors at DC and began a 20-year stint on the Superman family of books. At first he was required to mimic Wayne Boring's style but as time went on he was allowed to draw like Al Plastino. The worked on Superman, Superboy, and Lois Lane. With Otto Binder he co-created Supergirl and The Legion of Super-Heroes.

Plastino also drew the Superman newspaper strip in the late 60s and the Batman strip from 1966-1972. When DC ousted him from their books in 1968 Al Plastino also took over the Ferd'nand newspaper strip which he drew until he retired in 1989. In 1983 he drew the Sunday episodes of Nancy after Ernie Bushmiller died and he also drew a year's worth of Peanuts strips in the early 1980s to be used if Charles Schulz became ill. I don't think those will ever see the light of day, but it does make for an interesting trivia question, "Who besides Charles Schulz drew an entire year's worth of Peanuts strips?"

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #115

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #115 (On Sale: September 18, 1969) has a cover by Bob Oksner.

This issue we have "The Kook with the Cuckoo Clock, " "Dog Tired," "Extra – Special Delivery" and "The Jerry Tree." All are by Arnold Drake and Bob Oksner.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Windy and Willy #2

Windy and Willy #2 (On Sale: May 20, 1969) has a cover by Bob Oksner.

"The Two Astro-Nuts" is of course a reprint from Many Loves of Dobie Gillis #25 by Arnold Drake and Bob Oksner. They have renamed the characters and touched up the artwork to be more modern and to avoid copyright infringement.

Edited by Dick Giordano.

Stanley and His Monster #112

Stanley and His Monster #112 (On Sale: August 27, 1968) has a cover by Bob Oksner and Tex Blaisdell on this, its final issue.

We begin with "Like Father, Like Son?" and "Painting the Town, Red" both by persons unknown. We end with "All Kinds of Spot" written by Stanley creator Arnold Drake and drawn by Henry Scarpelli, which was reprinted in Best of DC #49.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Doom Patrol #121

Doom Patrol #121 (On Sale: July 16, 1968) has a very dramatic Joe Orlando cover that says it all: "Is this the Beginning or the End of the Doom Patrol?" For many years this was the end, as in a startling final issue, Doom Patrol creator Arnold Drake kills them all!

In "The Death of the Doom Patrol?," by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani, the Doom Patrol is destroyed. Striking back at all her former allies, Madame Rouge returns and apparently destroys the Brotherhood of Evil. She then launches a series of devastating attacks against the Doom Patrol in their own headquarters. To safeguard innocent bystanders, the team retreats to an island base prepared by the Chief for emergencies, unaware that they are being tracked by Madame Rouge and her new ally, Captain Zahl, an ex-Nazi foe of the Chief.

Immobilizing the three heroes, Zahl issues an ultimatum: either they allow him to blow up the island and destroy them, or he will cause a similar blast to destroy a tiny fishing village of fourteen inhabitants. The Doom Patrol members heroically vote to sacrifice themselves, and Zahl detonates the island over Madame Rouge's protests. The world mourns the loss of the Doom Patrol, and Steve Dayton vows to find and destroy the murderers of his wife.

Talk about an ending! From day one the Doom Patrol was Arnold Drake's baby and when the book ended he took his baby with it. Elasti-Girl, Negative Man and the Chief all die in this issue. Robotman, the Brain and Monsieur Mallah all appear to die as well, but survive as revealed in Showcase #94 (1977) and New Teen Titans #14 (1981). It appears that this ground-breaking issue has never been reprinted.

In a 1999 interview with Katherine Keller (no relation to me), Arnold Drake spoke of his beloved Doom Patrol:

Murray Boltinoff the editor, came to me one day, or I went to him one day and he said, "We're having a lot of trouble with My Greatest Adventure, it's starting to lay an egg. The era of the superhero has taken over completely. My Greatest Adventure has ordinary heroes. We need some kind of superhero to punch it up." So I said okay, went out and came back a couple of hours later with the basic idea about the man in the wheelchair who is the great brain, and runs this group of superheroes who hate being superheroes. That was the new aspect. That was the thing that made Doom Patrol different, these people hated being superheroes. And they were a little bit self-pitying, just a little bit, and the chief was constantly telling them, "Stop crying in your beer." That made them something that wasn't around at the time.

I enjoyed that experience, not only because it was a fresh idea, but also because I did 48 issues, and this gave me a chance to develop the characters and to get into ever more complex relationships, and so on. That's why I really liked it, because I controlled it. I could make it do what I wanted it to do. In most magazine houses, I would write a character for 3-4 issues, then somebody else would come in and write it. And then someone else would come in, and that's grown even worse today, it's even more so today. The result is there's no real continuity, everybody's making up his own little universe. Everybody's got his own Batman or his own Superman. And I think that probably weakened it, made them less real.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Stanley and His Monster #111

Stanley and His Monster #111 (On Sale: June 25, 1968) has a cover by Bob Oksner.

This issue begins with "Film Flam Man" drawn by Bob Oksner and Tex Blaisdell, which is followed by "Badtime Story" drawn by Henry Scarpelli. We end with "Superhulk" drawn by Bob Oksner and Tex Blaisdell. I have no writing credits for these stories, but would be surprised if they were not written by Arnold Drake, though they may not be. In Comic Book Artist #1, Joe Orlando talked extensively about getting the Stanley book...

One of the first books I got to edit was Stanley and His Monster and in the beginning, I decided to change it into three short stories instead of one issue-length story, after I read a few issues. I realized that it took 24 pages to get one joke. So I made up my mind that it was going to be three eight-pagers with good premises ending up with a good payoff to a good joke. I wanted to use Arnold Drake because I understood that Arnold made considerable contributions to the development of that book and I felt I owed him-but I was told that he was in Europe.

I waited as my deadline got closer and closer and it led to my famous fight up there with Arnold that kind of made my reputation as a character. Arnold returned to the States-I had never met him-but when I did, he came across as a pushy guy who acted like he owned the place. He was friends with all the staff, and on a first name basis with the publisher. I was really pissed by this time as I had only three weeks to the deadline and I didn't have a script which I had to get to an artist. I kept sending telegrams to Arnold, but I never got answers.

When I complained, I was told, "No, no. You have to wait for Arnold." So when he walked into my office, I tried not to insult him, but I did premise the idea of doing three short stories that would speed up the creative process and give me the opportunity to divide the scripts among three artists, so I would have my chance to make my deadline. We argued and he pointed his finger at me and said, "I say that it's going to be one 24-page story!"

I looked at him and said, "You're really saying that?" And he said, "Absolutely!" I said, "You know that I am the editor." And he said, "And I don't care who you are- you don't know who I am." I said, "Okay. Arnold Drake, go fuck yourself because you're off the book." Arnold was taken aback. "You're telling me I'm fired? You know, I'm going to the Publisher! I've been here for twenty years!" So Arnold stormed into the Publisher's office...

So, Arnold storms down to the Publisher's office and I was called in. The Publisher is sitting there with his advisers who were the print buyers, distribution reps, and the V.P. was there. All eyes were upon me and I was on the spot. I knew that if I did not impress (Irwin) Donenfeld this time, I was through. Arnold was sitting there with his arms crossed and a smug smile across his face with his hat on. He always wore his hat in the office (I think it was because he had a bald spot). Donenfeld looked at me and said, "Joe, did you tell Arnold to go fuck himself?"

I said that I did and he said, "Well, I don't think that kind of language should be used in an office. It's terrible, deplorable and you should apologize to Arnold." I said, "Well, did Arnold tell you the reasons why I got so angry?" I told them and when my explanation didn't go over too well, he said, "You work that out with Arnold." And that told me right away that I couldn't fire the guy.

I said, "With all due respect, I will apologize to Arnold if he takes his hat off." I went on to say that because in a million years I would never walk into your office with a hat on my head. I would have it in my hand. Some giggling started and Arnold made a lame joke that he had the hat on because he was Jewish, but then came the silence. Arnold looked at the Publisher and said, "Irwin, do you want me to take my hat off?" Irwin said, "Take your hat off." And I said, "I apologize for telling you to go fuck yourself, Arnold."

I knew that I had made a hit with Irwin because that night I had a date with a really gorgeous lady. I was trying to impress her, and we were sitting in this restaurant and the waiter comes over with a bottle of champagne and says, "Mr. Orlando, we are honored to have a famous cartoonist like yourself eat here. The champagne is compliments of the house." Even I was impressed, then I looked across the way from where we were sitting and there was Irwin in a booth. He winked and gave me the high sign. The lady did not see this-she was very impressed.

My guess is that if Arnold wrote the stories int e first Orlando issue, he might have also wrote these, but you never know. By the way, you gotta love the kind of interviews the guys at Twomorrows do on a regular basis.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Challengers of the Unknown #63

Challengers of the Unknown #63 (On Sale: June 4, 1968) has a cover by Bob Brown. The coloring is pretty awful on this one, but the art by Brown is rather nice.

Inside we have "None Shall Escape the Walking Evil" by Arnold Drake, Bob Brown and Jack Abel. Count Karnak of the Legion of the Weird restored Mistress Wycker to life. She then promises to make another effort to join the Legion by killing the Challengers. The other Legion members offer their help including Kaftu who summon Tukamenon, a giant mummy pledged to his service.

Tukamenon attacks the Challs while Kaftu uses a magic jewel to blind Red's brother Tino Manarry. The team escapes and rushes Tino to the hospital. Tino's blindness can only be cured with a transplant, so Red donates an eye. While Red and Tino recover Tukamenon attacks again.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Doom Patrol #120

Doom Patrol #120 (On Sale: May 16, 1968) has an oddly ineffective cover by Jack Sparling.

"The Rage of the Wrecker" is by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. When satellites begin disappearing from Earth-orbit, the Doom Patrol investigates and battles the Wrecker, who is out to destroy all modern technology by means of ray bombardments from a space base. When Robotman's mechanical body is destroyed as well, the Chief transplants his brain into a series of specialized robot bodies, enabling him to accompany Negative Man into space to defeat the villain.

Meanwhile, out for a night on the town, Mento, Elasti-Girl, Gar Logan, and Gar's girlfriend Jillian Jackson become involved in a brawl at a discotheque, with humorous results.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #107

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #107 (On Sale: May 2, 1968) has a cover by Bob Oksner.

Inside we have "The Great Cross-Country Tour -- and What Made the Country Cross," which is most likely the work of Arnold Drake and Bob Oksner.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Stanley and His Monster #110

Stanley and His Monster #110 (On Sale: April 23, 1968) has a cover by Bob Oksner where in this, their second outing, the pair have a brand new logo presented in a faux Archie style.

Inside we have Stanley and his Monster in "Carnival Caper" drawn by Bob Oksner, "Camp Cru-M-Bee's Pet Dog... Spot" by Arnold Drake and Winslow Mortimer (reprinted in Best Of DC #37) and "Music, Monster, Please" also drawn by Bob Oksner.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Challengers of the Unknown #62

Challengers of the Unknown #62 (On Sale: April 2, 1968) has a Bob Brown cover.

The issue begins with "The Legion of the Weird" by Arnold Drake and Bob Brown. Ace is the victim of a voodoo spell conjured by Mistress Wycker, a sorceress petitioning to join a group of evil magicians. While Ace fights to stay alive, Rocky's grandmother provides a clue to stopping the spell. The other Challengers gather the necessary materials to construct a geechy bag, then they withstand several attacks to reach the sorceress. With Rocky's help, Ace throws the bag into the face of Wycker. The spell is broken, Ace regains his strength, and Mistress Wycker melts.

The back-up Challs story, "Me -- the Walking Nightmare," is also by Arnold Drake and Bob Brown. Red continues to tell his story about what happened after he was presumed dead. After consuming Multi-Man's liquid light formula, Red became a sea monster. Beach bum Herbert Pike caught him and convinces Red to become a side-show attraction.

When police begin to question him about a murder, Red changes form and flees with Pike. Pike brings him to an island and wants Red to take the form of the island god Seekeenakee. Red initially refuses. However when Pike attacks a girl named Tiana, Red becomes Seekeenakee and chases Pike away. After Tiana is accidentally killed, Red remains in his form as Seekeenakee and becomes the leader of the islanders.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Plastic Man #10

Plastic Man #10 (On Sale: March 21, 1968) has a cover by Jack Sparling, a new logo and a death sentence in this its last issue.

"The Terrible Plastic Twin" is by Arnold Drake and Jack Sparling (I don't know what the insides looked like, but Sparling did a bang-up job with Plas on that cover). When Gordy is injured in an explosion Plastic Man donates his blood for a life-saving transfusion. The blood saves Gordy, but also gives him Plastic Man's powers. Gordy then tries to become a super-hero and show Plas how to fight crime. Instead, Plastic Man has to work extra hard to protect Gordy from getting into trouble. After Plas defeats killer doll-maker Marcel Mannequin at Madame DeLute's high society party, Gordy realizes that Plastic Man's methods, though unconventional, are effective.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Doom Patrol #119

Doom Patrol #119 (On Sale: March 21, 1968) has what I think is a very cool cover by Bob Brown. That 60s psychedelic vibe is flying high at DC this month!

"In the Shadow of the Great Guru" is by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. The Yaramishi Rama Yogi, a mystic guru, transforms Robotman into an ardent pacifist who refuses to use violence for any reason. When the Doom Patrol investigates, the guru captures Negative Man and Elasti-Girl and inflicts them with unreasoning fear and hatred, respectively, which he can trigger in them at a given posthypnotic signal. The team members almost destroy each other before overcoming the Guru's power over them and battling him and his followers to a standstill.

The villain's true plot, however, succeeds. While the Doom Patrol is occupied with his machinations, he is able to undo the Chief's rehabilitation of Madame Rouge, who disappears and becomes a villainess in her own right, swearing to destroy the Chief.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #106

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #106 (On Sale: March 7, 1968) has a nice Bob Oksner cover.

I know nothing about "The Cockeyed Private Eye" that is inside this book, but most likely it was written by the late, great Arnold Drake and drawn by the late, great Bob Oksner. Most likely.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Stanley and His Monster #109

Stanley and His Monster #109 (On Sale: February 22, 1968) features a Bob Oskner cover and is the first issue of this book, which takes over the numbering of The Fox and the Crow where Stanley and his Monster had been appearing for the past few years. This is also the only issue to use this horror-themed logo.

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Infinity" is by Arnold Drake, Bob Oksner and Tex Blaisdell.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Challengers of the Unknown #61

Challengers of the Unknown #61 (On Sale: February 1, 1968) features a poorly colored cover by Bob Brown. I think it is interesting, the John Buscema vibe the Professor Chang character gives off on this cover. I'm not in any way suggesting that Buscema had anything to do with it, just that DC was really trying to get a Marvel-look to some of the covers they were producing.

"The Robot Hounds of Chang" is by Arnold Drake and Bob Brown. After a series of heists involving robots, the Challengers trace the thefts to Professor Chang, an inventor on a a remote island. The team is captured shortly after landing and forced to endure a chase across the island pursued by Chang's robotic creatures. Ace eventually disables the robot brain powering the robots. Chang himself is dragged into the ocean when one of the powerless robots falls from the sky.

The back-up story is "The Chall Without a Memory" and is by the same team of Arnold Drake and Bob Brown. Red tells the other Challengers the story concerning events that happened to him following his apparent death. Instead of killing him, the explosion Red set off knocked him into the air where he eventually fell to Earth and got amnesia. Soldiers found him and locked him in prison, but Red managed to escape. He earns money by gambling, but still could not remember anything about his previous life.

Eventually he remembered Vaniki Island where the League of Challenger-Haters was incarcerated. He traveled to the island and was tricked by Multi-Man into creating a dose of liquid light which the villain needed to shapeshift. Red saw through Multi-Man's lies and swallowed the formula himself. The chemicals allowed him to shapeshift, but drove him mad. He then left the island.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Doom Patrol #118

Doom Patrol #118 (On Sale: January 18, 1968) sports a Bob Brown cover.

"Videx Monarch of Light" is by the usual team of Arnod Drake and Bruno Premiani. The Brain threatens to have his newest accomplice, Videx, a villain with amazing powers over light, destroy the Doom Patrol unless they surrender Madame Rouge. Although Negative Man is gravely injured in the struggle, the Doom Patrol, with the help of Beast Boy, manages to overcome Videx, using an old anti-invisibility ray designed by the Chief.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Plastic Man #9

Plastic Man #9 (On Sale: January 16, 1968) features another cover by Jack Sparling (was there an editor at this time that Sparling was not working for?)

"Joe, the Killer Pro" is by Arnold Drake and Jack Sparling. After Plastic Man foils several assassinations, Mr. Thisbey, head of an organization of assassins hires Killer Joe to go after Plas. First Joe tries to frame Plastic Man for murder, but fails. Joe then abandons subtlety and tries to kill Plas using several different strategies. Plastic Man outwits the killer saving his own life and exposing Thisbey is the process. Both the assassin and his boss are then taken to prison.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #105

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #105 (On Sale: January 4, 1968) features a cover attributed to Bob Oksner, but the Superman figure looks like an old Wayne Boring figure to me.

"Superman Meets Jerry" is by Arnold Drake and Bob Oksner. I didn't read any of these Jerry Lewis issues, with the singular exception of the issue where Jerry met the Flash. Looking back on it now that seems rather strange as I remember re-reading that issue over and over, so I must have really thought it was funny. You would think that would have moved me to purchase more issues, but, for some reason, it did not.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Fox and the Crow #108

Fox and the Crow #108 (On Sale: December 26, 1967) features another Stanley and his Monster cover by Winslow Mortimer. This is this title's swan song.

"The Monster of City Hall" by Arnold Drake and Winslow Mortimer and featuring Stanley and his Monster begins the issue.

It is followed by "Surprise Package" and three other untitled and uncreadited Fox and the Crow stories.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.