Point Five's Golden Age Nook!

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 21, 2012 8:20 AM

Yet another beautiful book. I am currently reading, "Foul Play!" by Grant Geissman. I just finished the section on Jack Kamen, which led off with a full page of that cover!

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

pwog wrote:

Yet another beautiful book. I am currently reading, "Foul Play!" by Grant Geissman. I just finished the section on Jack Kamen, which led off with a full page of that cover!

Jack Kamen did some great work for EC, especially towards the end of some of the sci-fi and horror runs. As with Johnny Craig, his work isn't flashy but still has a lot of impact. (Makes you think, it's a measure of how deep EC's bench was that collectors never considered him one of the stars.)

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 21, 2012 10:00 AM

Point Five wrote:

[
Jack Kamen did some great work for EC, especially towards the end of some of the sci-fi and horror runs. As with Johnny Craig, his work isn't flashy but still has a lot of impact. (Makes you think, it's a measure of how deep EC's bench was that collectors never considered him one of the stars.)

Exactly. From what I have read Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein were pretty unique in the comics business; at Feldstein's insistence Gaines would pay the artists when they delivered their completed assignments. Also, they didn't force a "house style" and let their artists use their own "voice", as well as assigning jobs according to the artist's strength i.e. Wood with Sci-Fi, Ingels with horror.

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

On we go with Shock Suspenstories #11, another of my faves. Great Wood story where a young soldier returning from war is horrified to find racial prejudice in his idyllic hometown; for me it's among the best EC stories on prejudice, and there were quite a few.

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 22, 2012 10:22 AM

Point Five wrote:

On we go with Shock Suspenstories #11, another of my faves. Great Wood story where a young soldier returning from war is horrified to find racial prejudice in his idyllic hometown; for me it's among the best EC stories on prejudice, and there were quite a few.

I have read that story and yes, I agree, it is a good one. Again, nice book.

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

Shock Suspenstories #12... classic 'junkie' cover by Al Feldstein. Seeing this one in the OS Guide used to freak me out a bit as a kid... and to tell the truth, it still kinda does. Intense...

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 23, 2012 4:19 PM

It is a brutal cover. The scratching across his chest creeps me out...

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

Here are the last of my Shocks. (I'm missing #13-16 but looking through all these again makes me want to get them!)

Shock #17... a really dumb feature story nearly redeemed by its matching George Evans cover. The highlight of this issue is Reed Crandall's "In Character", where actor Bela Kardiff (i.e. Bela Lugosi/Boris Karloff) takes revenge on the studio moguls who got rich off his career, then discarded him.

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 25, 2012 12:37 PM

Point Five wrote:

Here are the last of my Shocks. (I'm missing #13-16 but looking through all these again makes me want to get them!)

Shock #17... a really dumb feature story nearly redeemed by its matching George Evans cover. The highlight of this issue is Reed Crandall's "In Character", where actor Bela Kardiff (i.e. Bela Lugosi/Boris Karloff) takes revenge on the studio moguls who got rich off his career, then discarded him.

Wow! I don't remember that cover. I like it a lot - great colors. I hope to see your Shocks #13-16 soon. :sinister:

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

pwog wrote:

Wow! I don't remember that cover. I like it a lot - great colors. I hope to see your Shocks #13-16 soon. :sinister:

Don't tempt me. :lol:

At the least I'll probably want the Frazetta/Williamson issue (#13) one of these days...

Just received my Ten-Cent Plague book in the mail, BTW... looks like a fun read. :righton:

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 7:02 AM

Point Five wrote:

Just received my Ten-Cent Plague book in the mail, BTW... looks like a fun read. :righton:

Enjoy the book. It was fascinating. We've come a long way since then, but the censorship pros are still out there. Let me know what you think.

I am just about finished with "Foul Play" by Grant Geissman; another good read focusing on the individual EC artists.

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

Here's Shock #18, the final issue. Really cool George Evans cover. I love the coloring and the composition... this would be a fun one to own in high grade someday.

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 10:41 AM

Point Five wrote:

Here's Shock #18, the final issue. Really cool George Evans cover. I love the coloring and the composition... this would be a fun one to own in high grade someday.

Yup, funny enough in "Foul Play", the section on George Evans opens with a detail of this cover. You obviously have a good EC eye Jon. :righton:

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

pwog wrote:

You obviously have a good EC eye Jon. :righton:

Thanks!

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

Next up will be a small handful of the sci-fi books. Unfortunately I've sold most of them by now, but still have a few keepers. Here's Weird Fantasy #6... trimmed edges (ouch), but a nice reader copy. Great cover by Feldstein. (Love the robot doggie!)

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 4:30 PM

Point Five wrote:

Next up will be a small handful of the sci-fi books. Unfortunately I've sold most of them by now, but still have a few keepers. Here's Weird Fantasy #6... trimmed edges (ouch), but a nice reader copy. Great cover by Feldstein. (Love the robot doggie!)

That's awesome! I really like Feldstein's robot covers. I really want Weird Science #14 (3) - love that cover. :applause:

BTW - did you see this? http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5800737&nt=2&fpart=1

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

pwog wrote:

BTW - did you see this? http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5800737&nt=2&fpart=1

I can't even look at them. It's like staring into the sun. :shock:

Mac Man · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 8:13 PM

I'm surprised you hadn't been on the 10 Cent Plague, especially since you were the one to turn me on to Men of Tomorrow. Between those two books alone, one can certainly get a solid overview of the Golden Age.

Keep 'em coming! The books are looking great!

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 8:16 PM

Mac Man wrote:

I'm surprised you hadn't been on the 10 Cent Plague, especially since you were the one to turn me on to Men of Tomorrow. Between those two books alone, one can certainly get a solid overview of the Golden Age.

Keep 'em coming! The books are looking great!

Men of tomorrow? First I've heard of that one. Do tell?

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

pwog wrote:

Mac Man wrote:

I'm surprised you hadn't been on the 10 Cent Plague, especially since you were the one to turn me on to Men of Tomorrow. Between those two books alone, one can certainly get a solid overview of the Golden Age.

Keep 'em coming! The books are looking great!

Men of tomorrow? First I've heard of that one. Do tell?

Oh boy, you need this one. My favorite book on the history of comics. It's kind of a social history of the roots of comics, a la Ken Burns documentaries, with special emphasis on Siegel and Shuster and the battles over Superman.

http://www.amazon.com/Men-Tomorrow-Geek ... rard+jones

I'm about 35 pages into 10 Cent Plague so far. In broad strokes there is some overlap with the Men of Tomorrow material, but the details and the interviews/quotes from the creators are terrific. I'm enjoying it immensely. :righton:

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 8:43 PM

Point Five wrote:

pwog wrote:

Mac Man wrote:

I'm surprised you hadn't been on the 10 Cent Plague, especially since you were the one to turn me on to Men of Tomorrow. Between those two books alone, one can certainly get a solid overview of the Golden Age.

Keep 'em coming! The books are looking great!

Men of tomorrow? First I've heard of that one. Do tell?

Oh boy, you need this one. My favorite book on the history of comics. It's kind of a social history of the roots of comics, a la Ken Burns documentaries, with special emphasis on Siegel and Shuster and the battles over Superman.

http://www.amazon.com/Men-Tomorrow-Geek ... rard+jones

I'm about 35 pages into 10 Cent Plague so far. In broad strokes there is some overlap with the Men of Tomorrow material, but the details and the interviews/quotes from the creators are terrific. I'm enjoying it immensely. :righton:

I'm glad you are enjoying 10 Cent Plague. Now, I'm off to Amazon to buy another book... :yipeeeee:

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 26, 2012 8:48 PM

Point Five wrote:

pwog wrote:

BTW - did you see this? http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5800737&nt=2&fpart=1

I can't even look at them. It's like staring into the sun. :shock:

I know. I can't even imagine. :((

Wow! I just checked back and they're sold!

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

pwog wrote:

Point Five wrote:

pwog wrote:

BTW - did you see this? http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5800737&nt=2&fpart=1

I can't even look at them. It's like staring into the sun. :shock:

I know. I can't even imagine. :((

Wow! I just checked back and they're sold!

Yep... looks like Richard Evans of Bedrock City picked up the lot. He's a dealer, so I assume he'll break them up to resell.

Photobucket seems to be down for maintenance, so I'm not having any luck posting images. I'll try again later or tomorrow.

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

OK, images are back, so onward! Here come my last few ECs.

I love the last 6-8 issues of the Weird Fantasy/Weird Science runs in particular... you get incredible Al Williamson art in each, more Ray Bradbury stories, and in general the stories and art were really at their peak. This is Weird Fantasy #20, an issue it took me ages to track down before I could locate comics through the internet. Awesome cover and interior art.

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 27, 2012 1:37 PM

Point Five wrote:

OK, images are back, so onward! Here come my last few ECs.

I love the last 6-8 issues of the Weird Fantasy/Weird Science runs in particular... you get incredible Al Williamson art in each, more Ray Bradbury stories, and in general the stories and art were really at their peak. This is Weird Fantasy #20, an issue it took me ages to track down before I could locate comics through the internet. Awesome cover and interior art.

Nice book. I really like the EC "weird" titles cover art. I have always been a sci-fi/fantasy buff and I am really drawn to those covers. I have also been checking out the Incredible Science Fiction and Fiction House's Planet books as well.

Mac Man · **Posted:** Jun 27, 2012 11:03 PM

pwog wrote:

Point Five wrote:

pwog wrote:

Mac Man wrote:

I'm surprised you hadn't been on the 10 Cent Plague, especially since you were the one to turn me on to Men of Tomorrow. Between those two books alone, one can certainly get a solid overview of the Golden Age.

Keep 'em coming! The books are looking great!

Men of tomorrow? First I've heard of that one. Do tell?

Oh boy, you need this one. My favorite book on the history of comics. It's kind of a social history of the roots of comics, a la Ken Burns documentaries, with special emphasis on Siegel and Shuster and the battles over Superman.

http://www.amazon.com/Men-Tomorrow-Geek ... rard+jones

I'm about 35 pages into 10 Cent Plague so far. In broad strokes there is some overlap with the Men of Tomorrow material, but the details and the interviews/quotes from the creators are terrific. I'm enjoying it immensely. :righton:

I'm glad you are enjoying 10 Cent Plague. Now, I'm off to Amazon to buy another book... :yipeeeee:

Oh yeah, Jones is mandatory reading for GA fans. Absolutely solid stuff.

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 28, 2012 1:51 PM

Mac Man wrote:

pwog wrote:

Point Five wrote:

pwog wrote:

Mac Man wrote:

I'm surprised you hadn't been on the 10 Cent Plague, especially since you were the one to turn me on to Men of Tomorrow. Between those two books alone, one can certainly get a solid overview of the Golden Age.

Keep 'em coming! The books are looking great!

Men of tomorrow? First I've heard of that one. Do tell?

Oh boy, you need this one. My favorite book on the history of comics. It's kind of a social history of the roots of comics, a la Ken Burns documentaries, with special emphasis on Siegel and Shuster and the battles over Superman.

http://www.amazon.com/Men-Tomorrow-Geek ... rard+jones

I'm about 35 pages into 10 Cent Plague so far. In broad strokes there is some overlap with the Men of Tomorrow material, but the details and the interviews/quotes from the creators are terrific. I'm enjoying it immensely. :righton:

I'm glad you are enjoying 10 Cent Plague. Now, I'm off to Amazon to buy another book... :yipeeeee:

Oh yeah, Jones is mandatory reading for GA fans. Absolutely solid stuff.

UPS just delivered the book. I'll start on it as soon as I finish "Foul Play".

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

The Mac Man speaketh truth!

Here's Weird Fantasy #21. Just an incredible issue, cover-to-cover! You get everything in this one... a scorcher of a Williamson/Frazetta cover, one of the best Ray Bradbury adaptations, and top-notch art on all four stories. One of my favorite ECs of all time.

(As an aside, this is a really pretty copy, but unfortunately I think mostly of my own stupidity when I look at it, because it survived as a sharp mid-grade until 1998, when I managed to give it a bottom spine split within a day of owning it. :doh:

One of those 'doh!' moments you always remember. Oh well!)

pwog · **Posted:** Jun 28, 2012 2:13 PM

Point Five wrote:

The Mac Man speaketh truth!

Here's Weird Fantasy #21. Just an incredible issue, cover-to-cover! You get everything in this one... a scorcher of a Williamson/Frazetta cover, one of the best Ray Bradbury adaptations, and top-notch art on all four stories. One of my favorite ECs of all time.

(As an aside, this is a really pretty copy, but unfortunately I think mostly of my own stupidity when I look at it, because it survived as a sharp mid-grade until 1998, when I managed to give it a bottom spine split within a day of owning it. :doh:

One of those 'doh!' moments you always remember. Oh well!)

Yet another on my list of wants. This book looks great! Besides, from that angle the spine split can't be seen... :winkgrin:

How long have you been collecting ECs? Did you find most at comic shops? Cons? Online?

Point Five · **Joined:** Sep 21, 2009 10:03 AM **Posts:** 918

Thanks! Yeah, luckily the spine split is discreet at least.

I mostly collected ECs in the mid-to-late 90s. The Gladstone reprints in the early 90s were really what got me started. When I began looking, I hit comic shops all over NYC and Boston and was basically happy to find anything at all. Towards the end of the 90s, Metropolis (where the WF #21 is from) and comic cons were my main sources. I've since sold most of them off, but occasionally still nab one here and there, largely on ebay.

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Point Five's Golden Age Nook!

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