Number 914


Subby nontraditional


I've got some Sub-Mariner stories here that probably aren't what you think of when you think of this classic character.

First we've got a version attributed by the Grand Comics Database to Al Gabriele, from Sub-Mariner #31, 1949. This is a very wacky story, close to the end of Sub-Mariner's 1940s run. Second we have a version by Bob Powell from 1954's Human Torch #36. This could be an inventory story, in case regular Subby artist Bill Everett was late or missed a deadline. As much as I normally like Powell, his visualization of the character seems wrong.

Finally, the Sub-Mariner that isn't. This Tony Mortellaro-drawn story looks like Namor. It's from issue #1 of Adventures Into Mystery, 1956, produced during a period when Sub-Mariner was in limbo. His comic had been canceled, and he was still five years away from being revived in Fantastic Four.

Scans for these stories are provided by Pappy friend-contributors John Kaminsky and Jim Sharpe. Thanks, guys!

Number 471


Happy Valentine's Day


Did you buy your sweetie a big box of chocolates, take her to a movie, dinner, dancing? Well, I did none of those things, but I want to share some love and romance with you, my beloved readers. Here's my big old heart for you!

And since there are no love comics to speak of in the magnificent Pappy library, I'm giving you some non-traditional love stories. You didn't think I was going soft, did you?

"It Happened On Valentine's Eve" is a spooky ghost story from The Beyond #4, 1951.

"A Bridegroom For Jenny" is from Adventures Into The Unknown #107, April 1959, written by Richard E. Hughes under a pen-name, drawn by John Rosenberger (uncredited) and attributed to the apparent inker, Jon Diehl.

"The Honeymooners" aren't Ralph and Alice Kramden. The story is drawn by Tony Mortellaro, and originally appeared in Atlas Comics' Mystic #21 (not #12, as some dyslexic lettered on the splash panel). I scanned it from its Marvel Comics reprint appearance in Vault Of Evil #16, December 1974.

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