Super Friends Special #1 (1981)

Super Friends Special #1 (1981)
"The Mystery of the Missing Monkey!"
"Warhead Strikes at Gotham"
Writer - E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller - Ramona Fradon
Inkers - Bob Smith & Vince Colletta
Letterers - Ben Oda & Milt Snapinn
Colorists - Adrienne Roy & Jerry Serpe
Editor - Julius Schwartz

On this week's Weird Science DC Comics Podcast, Reggie and I discuss the DC Explosion/Implosion on our new segment Weird Comics History.  One of the things we talk about is the various lines of comics DC put out during the mid-to-late 70's, including their Fantasy-Adventure line (featuring Warlord among others) as well as one we'll be covering today, the DC-TV Comics line.

DC-TV featured four series which, as the name implied, were adaptations from television properties.  They would include Shazam! which ran from 1974-1976 on CBS, Isis from the The Secrets of Isis which ran from 1975-1977 on CBS, Welcome Back, Kotter (?!?) which ran from 1975-1979 on ABC, and the series we'll be touching on today, the Super Friends, which had a couple of iterations during the 1970's on ABC.

The DC-TV Comics Lineup

Today's issue is actually a collected edition of two post-Implosion Super Friends issues [Super Friends #19 (April, 1979) and Super Friends #36 (Sepember, 1980)] that was released in 1981 along with a dozen "activity" style pages.  There was no cover price on this one, so I assume it was assembled as some sort of giveaway, or as perhaps a pack-in.

Now, let's take a look at this DC-TV oddity, and see what's what!

--

"The Mystery of the Missing Monkey!"

Our first story opens with Aquaman training Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna how to use their powers underwater.  When a shark approaches, Zan takes the form of a wave and Jayna takes the form of a Remora, they both take a "free ride" on the shark to shore.

Ashore, the Batmobile pulls up to bring them back to the Hall of Justice, where Gleek has been left in charge.  At the Hall, the three are surprised to find that Gleek is missing.  Jayna takes the form of a bloodhound, and immediately picks up the scent of bananas.

Later, the Super Friends put their heads together and come to the conclusion that the culprit must be Wilson Gable, the Menagerie Man!  Moments later, the Friends receive a distress call from Commissioner Gordon who informs them that the Kangaroo Disco has been overrun with... well, Kangaroos.  The team heads out and finds that The Menagerie Man has employed Kangaroos to mug all the patrons of the Discotheque... filling their pouches with jewels and purses, natch.

After dispatching the terrible 'Roos, the Super Friends try to determine the Zoo-Man's next move.  We also observe a brief vignette showing that Menagerie Man is in fact holding our Gleek hostage.  Gleek doesn't seem to mind, however, as he will do just about anything for a banana.

Back with the Friends, they figure their best bet to catch the crook is to go to the auto show.  I guess they're hedging their bets, and hoping that all of the animal-named cars would be a draw.  They are of course, absolutely right.  After the Wonder Twins take the forms of a Rhinoceros and... a sheet of ice (?), Menagerie Man enters on a cougar-powered chariot.

In the ensuing ruckus, Gleek is attempting to pinch wallets.  He is grabbed be an off-panel character.  Later on at their hideout, Menagerie Man and Gleek are checking out their take.  Menagerie Man opines that a pinched diamond necklace feels cold and wet... why, ice is cold and wet!  Wouldn'tcha know it, Zan took the form of ice-diamonds, and Jayna took the form of... well, Gleek.  The Super Friends enter and Menagerie Man is neutralized.

The story ends with a cute bit showing that Gleek is now something of a master thief, having stolen items from all of his Super Friend... friends.

"Warhead Strikes at Gotham"

Our next tale opens with Plastic Man and Woozy Winks getting the skinny on Rupert C. Hall, the devastating Warhead!  He is believed to be robbing military bases, and Police Chief Branner thinks S.T.A.R. Labs may be among his next targets.

Plas decides the best way to deal with such a threat is to infiltrate Warhead's gang in his alter-ego of Eel O'Brien.  We get a brief glimpse of Warhead and Company at their hideout.  Among Warhead's men is some schmo called Matches Malone... hmm...

O'Brien gets some intel from a stoolie about Warhead, and learns that the Gotham Armory is his next target.  Plas makes sure to be on the scene, in the shape of a red and yellow tank.  Just as he's about to get the drop on the villain, Plas receives one helluva kick to the mush from Robin, the Boy Wonder!  Grayson claims that it was an accident, and in the confusion... Warhead escapes.

After meeting with the stoolie again, Plastic Man learns that the next target is the Gotham Navy Yard.  Just as Plastic Man is about to capture Warhead this time, he finds himself on the losing end of both Wonder Woman's lasso and Aquaman's head and torso!  The gang escapes once more.

Another day, another raid.  Plastic Man head to the Gotham Air Base.  He lures Warhead and Company in, posing as a heavyset pilot.  They open-fire, and the bullets bounce off.  All appears to be going according to plan when a tremendous gust of wind sends Plastic Man airborne.  Oops!  Upon seeing the ensuing fracas, Superman used his... super-breath, and accidentally blew Plastic Man... away.  Superman is the only Super Friend to actually apologize to Plas.  Heckuva guy, that CK.

Finally, Warhead launches his plot to raid S.T.A.R. Labs in search of their Anti-Superman-Weapon.  Wait, what?  Anti-Superman? Weapon?  Why in the hell?  Okay... moving on.  Eel O'Brien bumps into that schlub Matches Malone... and the two share their secret identities.

The two interlopers join up and take down Warhead from the inside.  Plastic Man takes the form of a gigantic bowling ball, and runs down Warhead's toadies.  Batman calls in the Super Friends, and it's academic from that point.

Following the "One Minute War", Plas and the Gang shake hands... all the while Plastic Man knows he could have taken care of Warhead quicker and cleaner had the Super Friends kept their damn noses out of it.

--

Not really a whole lot to say about this one.  I didn't really enjoy it, but I can't honestly rank it any lower than "fine".  I didn't actually grow up with the Super Friends, as I was born just a hair too late.  I suppose if they were more a part of my early childhood this one would have resonated with me.

The writing and art were competent, and the stories were light and fun.  I cannot figure out why DC chose to collect these two stories in this issue.  The first tale felt like more of an introduction to the Wonder Twins, and they hardly even show up for the Plastic Man story.  I would figure they would want to focus more on the main cast rather than side characters for a collection such as this.

If you grew up on Super Friends, you'll likely enjoy this... if not, I think I can safely say you'll be fine passing on this one.

While on the subject of the Super Friends, I would be remiss not to mention that our great pals over at DC in the 80's are currently holding an art contest featuring the Super Friends.  Just complete the image below... and click on it for complete contest details!

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Super Friends Special Fun Section:

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Interesting Only Ads:

Superman (vol.3) #51 (2016)

Superman (vol.3) #51 (June, 2016)
"The Final Days of Superman, Part 1: This Mortal Coil"
Story & Words - Peter J. Tomasi
Art & Color - Mikel Janin
Letterer - Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor - Andrew Marino
Group Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $3.99

I know I try to keep this blog fairly steeped in DC Comics history, only visiting contemporary stories when they actually move me to do so.  I'm pleased to say this is happening a little more often of late.  DC is really firing on all cylinders, at least in as far as the books that I'm reading.  I thought for certain that once the Rebirth announcements happened, we would be entering into something of a lame-duck period until the re-whatever-it's-gonna-be was put in place.  I can say with a modicum of certainty that this is not the case (again, at least in the books I'm following).  This issue of Superman was an unexpected delight, and I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on it.  By the way... don't look now, but... I think that's a triangle number under the logo.   I'll concede that I'm perhaps a bit more giddy over that than I should be.

Since this is a new-one, I'll keep my comments somewhat brief lest I spoil too much.

--

We open with the troubling realization that Superman is dying.  He is at the Fortress, and is putting himself through some vigorous tests.  He thinks back to all of the recent events that led him here, including the Kryptonite vault from Savage Dawn, the Darkseid War, and even his battle with Rao (so I guess Justice League of America is in continuity after all!).

Superman bids Krypto farewell and heads out saving many a distressed citizen along the way.  He lands in Smallville at the Lang home where he finds Lana attending to some yard work.  The two reconnect, and share a touching moment on the swings.

Clark takes Lana to his parents' grave site and fills her in on his current mortality-related issues.  He asks that she bury him alongside his folks.

Back in Metropolis Superman reconnects with Lois Lane.  He picks her up at her apartment and takes her for a flight.  He tells her he wants her to tell the world the story of his life, both as Clark Kent and as Superman.

Intermittently throughout this issue we observe snippets related to the upcoming Gene Luen Yang series New Super-Man featuring the character of Kenan Kong.  We don't get much, but I am fairly intrigued by what we did get.

--

Now, where has this guy been?  For much of the past half-decade I have been aggressively opposed to accepting this Superman.  He would never be my post-Crisis Clark Kent, and ever since Convergence I'd been waiting for the real-steel-deal to retake his proper place in the DC Universe... and now, the New-52 CK is finally acting like the man he was born to become... right as we're learning he may not escape this story line with his life.  Crazy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this issue.  It really made me feel something for this version of Superman.  I can literally count on my hand how many times I'd been emotionally invested in Superman since Flashpoint, however, and this is a testament to the talents of Peter J. Tomasi and Mikel Janin... I now actually care about this character.  A wonderful issue, words and art alike, from first-page to last.  I anxiously await what's to come, and I cannot believe I'm actually somewhat fearful and upset that this (fake, bogus, imposter) Superman may actually die.

If we really are replacing the new with the old, I must admit... it is kind of bittersweet.  Comics generations seem to move faster than "real" generations, so I think I can comfortably say that... if new CK is bound for the ground, a generation of (DC) Comics fans are losing their Superman... that doesn't make me nearly as happy as I thought it would.  I remember when the announcement of the New-52 occurred, and message boards were filled with folks celebrating that the old characters were being written out, and mocking those of us who were upset by it.  We were the old guard, that needed to go... and yet, here we are.  I can't celebrate this character's passing (if that even what we're in for), even if only for the retribution of the thing.  If this is/was your Superman, you had a good one.  After reading this issue, I'll miss him too.

Oh, and did I mention... triangle numbering???  Definitely recommended.

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Interesting Ads:

Not quite Batman v Joker in NASCAR on TBS, but what can ya do?

Man are contemporary ads lame...

1st Issue Special #10 (1976)

1st Issue Special #10 (January, 1976)
"We're the Outsiders"
By: Joe Simon, Jerry Grandenetti, & Creig Flessel
Cover Price: $0.25

While I can't say I bought this one off the racks (I wasn't even a gleam when this hit the stands), I can say I paid cover price for it... so that's something, right?  I gotta admit, I snagged this one thinking it had some sort of connection to... well, the Outsiders... like, of the "Batman and..." variety.  Even though I knew that was an 80's concept, I still thought there may be a connection.  Spoiler Alert: Nope.

I remember being confused after buying this one.  It says "1st Issue Special" on top, yet I never thought that was actually the name of the series.  I thought for sure the title of the book was "Outsiders", and that this was simply the first issue.  So, how can an issue be both a "first" and "#10 in a series"?

Well, during the mid 1970's it appeared as though DC was trying to eat their cake and have it too, in publishing an anthology series wherein every issue is a "#1"... sounds a lot like the contemporary market there, no?  1st Issue Special would last 13 issues, and may be best remembered as the series that introduced Mike Grell's Warlord to the world (in issue #8, Nov-75).

DC would revisit the title of Outsiders in 1983, however, it would prove to be a much different (and more successful) venture featuring more traditional superhero fare.

--

Several odd characters are huddled around a television set.  On screen, there is a newscaster reporting on a "freak" that is currently terrorizing the town of Lynnville.  The newsman goes on to stoke the flames of the impending riot by stating that the towns citizenry is currently assembling to commit a "final assault" on the creature.  Operation: Rescue commences.  Our team of Outsiders intends to intervene and save the poor misfit.  Johnny, Ronnie, Mary, and Doc hop onto Larry's body-cart, and they are off!

Upon reaching town, they find a young bulbous-headed boy named Billy being beaten down by several townsfolk.  The Outsiders sing a little rescue tune (seriously), even the playing field, and ultimately rescue the boy.

Perhaps in a commentary on perception, Mighty Mary is able to get the drop on a few yokels by luring them to her by showing them her pretty face.  When they get close enough, she pounces and grabs them with her large rippling scale-covered muscles.

The team reconvenes once they appear to be out of danger, and they take the opportunity to share their origin stories with us... the reader.  No seriously, Hairy Larry wants to tell us what's up.

Thanks for lookin' out, Larry!

Our first story is of Johnny, the reptilian character.  Several years back, fisherman Ahab Smith got a nibble on what he thought to be a pretty interesting catch.  He took the lizard-child to a Hospital to get checked out.

A while later, Doctor Goodie is called into a dark examination room.  Another Doctor is observing the lizard-boy, and decides that he must end its suffering... and wields a large butcher's knife to do the deed.  Goodie and this bespectacled prick enter a struggle, which Goodie loses.  The Doc is about to carve up Johnny, when the lizard hisses at him and (maybe?) pokes him with his forked tongue, knocking him out.  Dr. Goodie wraps the critter in a blanket and runs out of the hospital.

Our next story features Batman and Robin as they catch some crooks with delicious Hostess Fru... oh, wait.  That's just an ad... we'll discuss that one later.

Our real second story is for the rescue-ee, Billy.  You see, he lived with his father who ran a tailor shop.  One night (perhaps this very night), two mooks broke in and attempted to hold-up the joint.  Billy's doddering daddy, Old Man Lundy, tells them he has nothing.  They see a poorly hidden trap door in the floor, and head over to see what he's hiding.  Lundy protests... so they kill him.

Making their way down to the lower level, the creeps find Billy and his amazing dome looking back at them.  Billy, not meaning any harm introduces himself and slowly approaches.  One thug whacks him in the head with a piece of lumber, which doesn't appear to affect our Billy.

WOK!  THUD!

The thugs retreat back up the ladder, and Billy curiously follows.  The men panic and toss a kerosene lamp at the boy, which causes the entire shop to go up in flames.  Billy emerges from the fire, only to find himself surrounded by townies, who all takes turns introducing the boy to several blunt instruments in attempt to run him out of town.

Our third story is another Doctor Goodie tale.  This time, in spaaaaace!!!  Goodie is headed toward Venus on a super-secret mission when he becomes abducted by aliens (or maybe just Venus natives, who knows?)  Two years go by, and Goodie is still missing (I wonder what became of the lizard-boy during this time?).  His craft finally reappears.  He is taken to a medical facility and it is determined that he had been in suspended animation.  They also advise him that there'd been some alterations made to his previously gorgeous face... he looks like one of them shrunken apple heads (see below).

Our fourth and final story... is yet another Doctor Goodie story.  They must have had big plans for him.  Anyways... he's back to being his devastatingly handsome self, and is once more practicing medicine.  All of the women who make his acquaintance seem to fawn over him.

He excuses himself, and heads to his private quarters located twenty-stories (!) below the hospital proper.

Always loved these cross-section pictures we'd sometimes get back in the day

When he arrives, he removes his mask, revealing his shrunken-apple head and meets with his team, now featuring Billy as a full-fledged member.  They gather once more around the television set, and find that yet freak (this one flaming!) is terrorizing a town called Luckless.  The Outsiders must enact Operation: Rescue once again!

--

This was a harmless little tale in one of the more twisted neighborhoods of the DC Universe.  Makes me wonder if this band of characters is still out there somewhere... likely trying to scrounge up the cash to afford a lawyer to go after Batman for taking their team name.

Truth be told, not much to this one.  We observe the team's initial outing, we learn their mission statement, and get a bit of insight as to their origins.  We don't get the origins of the Amazing Ronnie nor Mighty Mary, perhaps those were being saved for the hopeful launch of the series proper.  I suppose I'd be somewhat remiss not to sorta-kinda compare this to the Doom Patrol, and perhaps even Marvel's X-Men.  There is a text piece included written by Allan Asherman (which I will pop in below) discussing how people are different, and how we should all strive to be accepting of one another.  So, I suppose at its core, The Outsiders is a commentary on discrimination predicated on ones appearance.  Okay, I guess I can dig that.  I've read enough comics featuring heroes sworn to protect a "world that fears and hates them", that this resonates in me a bit.

These Outsiders would, to my knowledge only make one more appearance... over thirty years later in a single panel of an issue of Superman (from that odd era where Superman didn't even appear in his own books).

From Superman #692 (November, 2009) - Words: James Robinson/Art: Fernando Dagnino
Love their designation "FIS10"... I now get that reference!

Worth seeking out?  Well, if you come across it for two-bits... sure.  Otherwise, I think I can safely say this is not required reading.

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Interesting Ads:

Ol' Doc Scary feels your pain, lady!

Never knew there was a DC version of the Bible...
Gotta wonder if it was affected during Crisis? 

Toldja we had Hostess!
Batman is so badass he knocks dudes out while they're driving!

Okay, gotta find these before December.

I don't think I've ever seen a doctor with a dragon tattoo on his chest.
Might wanna check his credentials

A. Leading Authority is one of my top-ten authors!
I think this is how Batman got his start 

No... Maybe this is how Batman got his start

T'was a simpler time.

I can't picture Randy Savage saying "Sink your teeth into a Slim Jim!"
I don't get the werewolf reference either... maybe it's their taste for blood 'n metal?