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Flash, , & Dr. Fate TM & © DC ; other art © Estate of . Best The of MoreFabulous Features fromthe Legendary ComicsFanzine of VOLUME 2 the1960s-70s “More of the Best” – Introduction by ...... 4

“The SECOND Best of Alter Ego” – Introduction by ...... 5 The Interview ...... 6 Jon B. Cooke’s e-conversation with the founder of the first super-hero . The Naming of Alter-Ego, 1961 ...... 18 Jerry Bails on how The JLA Subscriber concept became… something else. Alter-Ego #1-3: The Issues...... 19 How the “Ditto Masters of the Universe” gave birth to “purple” prose… and pictures. The Comicollector—The Companion to Alter-Ego ...... 44 The coming of comic ’s first adzine—with features intended for A/E! Alter-Ego #4: Jerry Bails’ Photo-Offset Finale...... 55 Alter Ego #5-6: The Ronn Foss Issues ...... 61 Alter Ego #7-9: The Roy Thomas Fan Issues ...... 87 The Alter Ego #10 That Almost Was ...... 124 Alter Ego #10: The First “Pro” Issue ...... 138 Alter Ego #11: The Issue ...... 154

Afterword by Roy Thomas & Bill Schelly ...... 159

[Special thanks to Shane Foley for the “Table of Contents” illo above—and for his drawings of Alter & Captain Ego, created by Biljo White. The Captain Ego figure is based on a Major Victory drawing by Biljo in Marvel’s The #16 (May 1977); the Alter drawing is based on art by Biljo in Alter Ego [Vol. 1] #7. Table of contents art © 2013 Shane Foley; Alter & Captain Ego TM & © 2013 Roy Thomas & Bill Schelly.]

3 An Alter Ego Extra! The Jerry Bails Interview A Candid Conversation With “The Father Of Comics Fandom” About His Life And Passion

“The Good Doctor” Introduction by Interviewer Jon B. Cooke We all have our heroes, whether the four-color, fictional crime-fighting type or the variety of champion composed of real flesh and blood. Me, as I grew into my teenage years, I was inspired less by spandex-attired do-gooders and more by the icons who toiled behind the scenes at drawing boards and on typewriters. I particularly admired those who effectively shared with me stories about hope, redemption, and fortitude in the guise of comic books, or were just plain hon- est about the world. , , , , , , R. Crumb, and—especially— were cre- ators who always seemed authentic in their self- expression, and they rarely appeared to condescend. I felt respected and was treated to expert and excellent storytelling. To these heroes, I was grateful. My interests as a teen and young adult expanded beyond the comic book universes and (partly due to Kirby’s “” stories in — don’t ask; long story!) I developed an avid interest in his- tory and journalism, two subjects I majored in while attend- All-Star Light, All-Star Bright, ing college. Strange fellow that I was, I nurtured an obsession First All-Star I See Tonight… with bibliographies and indexes and documentation of exhaus- Jerry Gwin Bails in 2003 (middle)—interviewer Jon B. Cooke ( tive research. Well-sourced tomes with extensively laid-out right)—and E.E. Hibbard’s cover for All- #6 (Aug.-Sept. footnotes and references spoke to me, expressing that the 1941), which Jerry said was the very first issue he ever saw of what author held a respect for readers, telling us, “Hey, come and became his favorite all-time comic book. By the late 1950s he had amassed a complete collection of the title’s 57 Golden Age issues— find out what I learned! Here’s the route….” It spoke to me of including bound volumes containing the 30+ issues authored by the joy of learning and how joy can be cultivated only if it is Justice Society of America co-creator Gardner F. . All-Star was, shared. of course, the 1940s precursor of of America, the By the grace of God (and an association with John Morrow mag whose debut inspired Jerry to launch the heroic-comics fanzine and TwoMorrows Publishing), I was able to meld my passion Alter-Ego in early 1961. Thanks to Jean Bails and Jon B. Cooke, for funnybooks and their creators with my love of history and respectively, for the photos; cover image retrieved from the . [Cover © 2013 DC Comics.] journalism into magazine, a place I hoped to express my peculiar mania to a wider audience. My goal with the periodical was to focus on the artist and not so much Then came the doctor. Now, I never met Jerry Bails in the artifact, with CBA’s tagline boasting, “Price Guide Never person, but long before we corresponded by e-mail, I felt I Included,” because I loathed the crass money aspect of the knew the man, that we were kindred, that he was one of “my hobby. kind.” While I can’t remember when exactly Roy Thomas The blessings continued as CBA attracted some attention and introduced the doctor to me and an entire generation of I was able to interact with many of my real-life comic book comics fans—no doubt there was repeated mention in RT’s heroes. I recall with vivid appreciation, for instance, sitting legendary letters pages—Jerry’s name captivated me with an down in an exhibit hall with Joe Kubert, who, despite my pes- almost mythical power. I knew he had started Alter-Ego and tering questions, gave me his full attention and respect, helmed the Who’s Who of American Comic Books, and thoughtfully sharing answers and making me, a nobody schlub because of those achievements, he had to be a guy who was annoying one of sequential art’s greatest creators, feel like a completely dedicated to the folks behind the stories and not Somebody. For Joe and most of these guys, my hero worship so much the characters they created—a devotion to the artist only grew…. behind the artifact, if you will.

6 Soon after launching CBA, I did get in contact with Jerry Subj: Part One of interview and—good gravy!—Dr. Bails expressed to me that, after read- Date: 2/3/2005 5:18:58 PM Eastern Standard ing my humble rag, he felt that we were kindred spirits! From: Jerry Bails Imagine your hero telling you that! Heavens to Betsy, was that To: Jon B. Cooke a rush! We always kept in touch, Jerry and I, and he was generous Jon, in offering access to his Who’s Who database and always Here are my responses to your first several questions. answering my questions. We even planned an exhaustive Perhaps you should see them. You may want to reshape your multi-part interview, to be conducted via e-mail, which would remaining questions or send me off on a different tack. I can span his entire life in minute detail. I wanted, y’see, to give provide some scans as indicated herein. Jerry back, if but a fraction, the same respect and attention he Bestest, had given to recognize the achievements of many, many hith- Jerry erto unknown comics creators. I also yearned to know what made this analytical guy, this scientist, this professor, love the 1) Where are you originally from, Jerry, and can you give wacky world of comic books so much…. us an idea of when you were ? So we started with an intensive discussion of his childhood (which you will find below), and plans were to periodically I’m of the generation of kids that were known as focus on different aspects of his development and career in “Depression Babies.” I was born at the height of the Great fandom. To my great regret, Jerry and I never finished the Depression in 1933. It is interesting to note that the comic interview beyond what is here. Somehow the aughts got away book in its “modern” pamphlet format was also a Depression from me and I became less and less involved in the study of Baby. Comic books and I grew up together. I was there comics. Somehow real life intruded on my hero worship. when first became popular. I was wearing a Somehow I neglected to be grateful. Superman sweatshirt for a family photo taken in 1940. My But—thank you, Bill Schelly and RT!—at least we can read mom was pregnant that year with the youngest of my two about Dr. Jerry Bails’ youth in his own words, in a proper brothers. [Want a photo?] forum, told to a proper audience. The Good Doctor remains a I grew up in the “Heart of America”! That’s what they hero with me, standing shoulder to shoulder with other giants called my hometown of Kansas City, which is really two in the field, and I’ll forever be appreciative for our acquain- cities straddling the -Kansas state line. I lived on tance. Thanks, Jerry. Kith and kin, you and I…. the Missouri side, and we liked to tease about the small hick town only a stone’s throw away. The border there was a Jon B. Cooke hotly contested area in President Truman’s youth, with mem- Oct. 31, 2011 ories of the Civil War breaking out on that border, but it was pretty tame by my time. ***** As a young driver, I frequently found that my favorite places to dance and park with my girl friend were on the Kansas side of Stateline. That was the name of a street that bore no reminder of the raiding parties that flourished there nearly a hundred years earlier. It was just a nice dark street

Super-Exposure? (Far Left:) A few years ago, following Jerry’s passing, his wife Jean sent Bill Schelly and Roy Thomas CDs containing scans of many of the photos he’d saved over the years. Among them—and the nearest thing we can locate to the “Superman sweatshirt” pic he offered to send to interviewer Cooke in 2005—is this circa-1940 image. According to Jean, it shows Jerry, his younger brother Joe, and a female relative known as Choppy, who “took care of the boys when Jerry’s mom was working a tem- porary part-time job as bookkeeper for a Unity church and also when Vessie was in the hospital for Jack’s birth…. Jerry said his mom scolded Choppy—gently, though—for having the photo taken of Jerry wearing a shirt with a hole in it…. Either the photo is so overexposed that any ID of the Man of washed out, or as a kid he imagined the super-hero to be dressed in a sweatshirt and the color of it was not important…. Still, he said this was his Superman shirt. I didn’t argue, but I probably did look confused when he said it.”

(Near left:) Like many boys his age, Jerry no doubt pictured himself as looking like this dramatic pose (inked by Paul Cassidy), as per the cover of Superman #6 (Sept.-Oct. 1940). Thanks to the GCD. [© 2013 DC Comics.]

7 An Alter Ego Extra! The Naming Of Alter-Ego, 1961 by Jerry G. Bails [reprinted from Alter Ego, Vol. 3, #25 (2003)

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the years, from time to time I’ve asked Jerry how and why he came up with the name Alter-Ego when casting about for the title of a full-fledged fanzine, as opposed to the original JLA Subscriber newsletter he had planned. But he’s never had much to say about his thought processes at the time [February 1961]. So I tried again, in earnest, while surreptitiously preparing this issue’s contents, and this time I was rewarded by the following.... —Roy.]

I don’t recall considering any options. We had discussed something I think we called a newsletter, but when “alter- ego” came to me, I thought how well it fit not only our mutual interests but also our dual identities as civilians and fans. It was as if we were donning our costumes and flying out the window. It referred as much to us as fans as it did to our all-consuming interest in cos- tumed heroes and in the people who created them. I suspect that the name itself triggered more possibilities, which you have so clearly real- ized. I’ve always loved any story that deals with or hidden identities, even badly executed movies. There is something deeply primal for me in the notion that I am two people: , the civilian who presents a public persona that meets all the acceptable criteria of civil society, and my secret self that worries not what people think of me, but who is inner-directed and willing to correct injustice when I see it. I think small children have a sense of /injustice that they develop but cannot act upon until they have been - oughly socialized. By then, it is too late. They are “Clark The Alter-Ego Has Landed! Kent.” (Left:) Although no photos exist of Jerry Bails’ visit to the DC offices in February of 1961, he dropped by a second time “circa 1971”—at which I would love to see a psychological study of those of us time his picture was taken with editor (center) and artist who have loved costumed heroes for as long as we can (on left). remember and those who profess to hate the genre while extolling the virtues of the medium of comics. I suspect that (Right:) The flip cover of Alter Ego, Vol. 3, #25 (June 2003), heralded a there is something fundamentally different about the two celebration of Jerry Bails’ 70th birthday, a tribute of which he himself groups. Our group seems to remain in touch with the feeling knew nothing until he received a copy of the issue by Express Mail. A/E of the child that knows two selves. The other seems to want associate editor Bill Schelly drew this portrait of Jerry, while editor Roy to put one of these selves away. It has nothing to do with Thomas selected (and layout man Chris Day arranged) the framing art intellectual ability, level of creativity, ideological orientation, montage, which featured every single Golden Age Justice Society member, plus , Sandy the Golden Boy, and Doiby Dickles, all taken or emotional stability, but there must be something different from actual 1940s comics. [JSA heroes art © 2013 DC Comics; about our brains that shows up somewhere else. It has to be portrait © 2013 Bill Schelly.] correlated with some other behavioral characteristics, but damned if I know what they are. Oh, and just for the record: The thank-you note that Jerry wrote to editor I would be disappointed to learn that our lifelong interest Julius Schwartz and writer on Feb. 12, 1961, after spending was just an accidental circumstance of what happened at cer- time with them, surely the first occasion on which the new fanzine’s name tain stages in our lives. That wouldn’t explain to me why we was ever written down, was reprinted as part of “The Alter Ego Story” in didn’t put away this flight of fancy like other comics readers Best of, Vol. 1… while the letter in which he first mentioned the name to Roy Thomas, a day or three later, was also quoted therein. In both did. The concept of the avenging hero is as instances, Jerry originally spelled it “Alter-ego,” but “ego” was capital- vibrant and vital to me at seventy as it was ized by the time the fanzine materialized in March. (It was 1963 A/E when I was seven. I wish I understood why. editor Ronn Foss who dropped the hyphen from the title.)

18 An Alter Ego Extra! Alter-Ego #1-3: The Spirit Duplicator Issues

Jerry G. Bails published and edited the first three issues of colors—purple, blue, red, yellow, and green, as well as black— Alter-Ego, with Roy Thomas as contributor and titular “co-edi- is a tribute to the sheer cussed labor that Bails invested in it. tor”—first from 14242 Dale, 23, Michigan (in those Yellow (or, more accurately, “brownish-yellow”) masters were pre-ZIP Code days), then from 1710 Kenwood Drive in subur- available in South Africa, but how Jerry got hold of one we’ll ban Inkster, Michigan, while he was an associate professor of never know; this was before he was in touch with South African natural science at in Detroit. comics fan John Wright. They were printed using a “spirit duplicator,” also called a The first three issues were produced on a roughly quarterly “ditto machine,” in which text was typed (or artwork traced) schedule. Issue #1 was dated “Spring 1961” and was mailed onto a “ditto master” from which could be run off up to 300 and postmarked in late March… #2 was for “Summer 1961”… copies of purple (not black) and #3 was dated “Fall 1961.” linework. This was an Seen at left, from top to bottom, are the covers of the first instrument favored by high three issues. #1 & #2 were traced (with a bit of editing) onto a schools and colleges at the ditto master by Jerry Bails from freehand drawings by Roy time; the device itself was Thomas, while #3 was rendered entirely by Jerry, utilizing (and less expensive than a probably tracing) various figures of -related art machine, from 1940s comics. which however had the The first volume of this Best of Alter Ego series, which is still advantage of more available from TwoMorrows Publishing at www.twomorrows.com, copies per master—and in gave a separate, detailed rundown of each individual issue… as black, rather than purple. well as reprinting from #1-3 Jerry’s initial editorial and the Ditto masters rendering “On the Drawing Board” news section, his Secret Code Chart, black and other colors were a study of JSA foe The Wizard, Roy’s “The Reincarnation of The also available for a spirit Spectre” (part 1), a crossword “puzzle tree,” a smattering of early letters to A/E, articles on the Golden and Silver Age [Art © 2013 Roy Thomas.] duplicator, but had the dis- tinct disadvantage of yield- Green Lanterns, Linda Rahm’s parodic letter to a fannish ex- ing fewer copies—perhaps boyfriend, and a sampling of panels from the three chapters of 100 or 150 as opposed to Roy’s “Bestest League of America” parody—all material pro- 300 before the type or art- duced by Jerry and/or Roy, except for the letter spoof written by work had to be transferred Roy’s then-girlfriend. laboriously by hand to a So, this time around, we’re content to offer you the above brand new ditto master. minimum amount of orientation concerning issues #1-3 and let (When one considers the you plunge ahead, beginning with some of the “best of the rest” trouble involved, the fact of those formative, spirit-duplicator-produced that the cover of Alter-Ego issues.... #1 contains no less than six

Ditto Masters Of The Universe Seen at left is a vintage A.B. Dick spirit duplicator—though

[Spectre TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] probably of the “crank” style rather than the even more primi- tive type on which Jerry Bails evidently printed Alter-Ego #1-2 and then advertised for sale in issue #1 of his adzine The Comicollector (Sept. 1961—see p. 44). That machine was pur- chased by Bernie Bubnis, a young fan remembered today for organizing the very convention in July of 1964, in . In 2012 Bernie recalled: “The chance to actu- ally print [the first issue of Comic Heroes Revisited] on the same duplicator that printed Alter-Ego was too enticing to ignore. This printer’s karma would surely rub off on my fanzine. [But] by the time [it] reached me in Farmingdale, Long Island, it appeared that someone neglected to box it and just put a stamp on its metal exterior. Two pieces of cardboard accompanied [it], but they rested next to it on my doorstep…. “This thing sucked. After affixing the master to the drum, you manually ‘pushed’ it along its bed to imprint onto paper. Popeye’s forearm would not have been sufficient. Soon after, I bought my own crank-operated spirit duplicator. Cost me an astounding $130, but it sure helped the rest of my short fanzine-producing career. I attribute most of my later success in life to lessons learned in those early days of fandom. Like for instance: Never buy a spirit duplicator for $25 when an early copy of Captain

[Heroes & villains TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] America is selling for the same price.”

19 From Alter-Ego #1: “Merciful Minerva” The Story of by Jerry Bails

Wonder Woman is the only member of the current Justice When Wonder Woman first came to the man’s world, she League of America who was a regular, fighting member of the assumed an alter-ego. She posed as , a meek, original Justice Society of America. She made her debut in All- bespectacled WAC, who served as a secretary to an Army offi- Star Comics #8 (December-January, 1941-42) in a bonus, 9- cer, a Col. Darnell, who, unlike , loved the mild- page featurette, which followed the regular JSA adventure. mannered Diana. Of course, neither man knew that both girls This featurette tells of how Steve Trevor, a U.S. Army were one and the same person. Intelligence officer, was injured when his plane crash-landed Wonder Woman also served for a brief spell as a nurse on on Paradise Island, the secret home of the legendary Amazons. the front lines during the war. It was at that time that she met [ED. NOTE: The current legend has it that no man has ever, or Hawkman and , and was asked by Hawkman to serve can ever, set foot on Paradise Island or the Amazons would as secretary to the newly formed Justice Battalion, a group lose their immortality and special powers. This was not so in composed of the members of the JSA acting under the direct the old days.] orders of the War Department. (All-Star Comics #11, June-July, Steve was nursed back to full vigor by the beautiful Princess 1942). From this time on, Wonder Woman served as secretary Diana. Diana, having never seen a man before (except in her of the JSA. mother’s Magic Sphere), naturally falls in love with this exqui- In All-Star Comics #13 (October-November, 1942), the site specimen of manhood. She then earns the right to return Amazon Princess was rocketed out into space along with other with him to the man’s world as Wonder Woman—a new cham- members of the JSA. Her individual landed on , pion to do battle against the forces of hate and oppression and she helped the winged women of this planet to overthrow which, in those early days of World War II, threatened to the harsh rule of their male masters, and to set up a new socie- destroy America—”the last citadel of democracy, and of equal ty based on love and charity. However, the lovely Amazon had rights for women.” to return to Venus on several later occasions to help keep the This first story, in narrative form, reveals many of the secrets Venusian men in their place. After Wonder Woman and the of the Amazons—a race of Wonder Women from Ancient members of the JSA managed to get back to Earth, the male Greece. So long as Queen Hippolyte retains the Magic Girdle, members voted to make Wonder Woman their fifth honorary and the Amazons remain on Paradise Island, Aphrodite, the member, and like Superman, , , and Green Goddess of Love, grants them the power of Eternal Life. With Lantern before her, she appeared in a magazine all of her own. the Magic Sphere, a gift from , the Goddess of Wisdom, Wonder Woman #1 was dated Summer, 1942. the Amazons can study the past, the present, and even, at The Amazon Princess was the fastest rising new star in the times, forecast the future. All of these gifts become the heritage D.C. firmament. She was soon to appear in still another D.C. of the young Princess Diana; however, this first story does not book, a new 15¢ anthology starring Flash, Green Lantern, and reveal the secret of Diana’s birth on the island of manless Wonder Woman— Comic Cavalcade (#1, Winter, 1943). This Amazons. giant comic The secret of Diana’s birth was told in the first issue of starred the same Sensation Comics (January, 1942). [ED NOTE: Wonder three super- Woman was the headline feature in Sensation Comics until heroes until the issue #106.] Here is how this bit of “parthenogenesis” was middle of 1948, achieved. It seems that Queen Hippolyte was lonely, quite nat- when many of urally, and prayed to Aphrodite for comfort. The Goddess of the formerly bril- Love, who should have known better, answered the good liant stars of the Queen’s prayer in a wholly unimaginative way—she turned the comics began nearest statue of stone into the vibrant body of a female child, possess- I’ve Got A Secret ing (potentially, at 2013 Editors’ Note: When this first Alter-Ego hero-history ran in least) the beauty of issue #1 (a few pages after its first villain-history—see next art Aphrodite herself, the spot), there was no accompanying illustration. However, there had wisdom of Athena, the been a drawing showing Wonder Woman earlier in the issue, since strength of , Jerry, in conjunction with the first installment of the advance-news and the speed of feature “On the Drawing Board,” had traced an early proof of the Mercury. Thus, cover of the Secret Origins special which would be on sale 2½ Princess Diana was months later. Thanks to Doc Boucher for the scan of that cover as it [© 2013 DC Comics.] conceived. appeared in A/E #1 in 1961.

20 From Alter-Ego #1: BESTEST LEAGUE OF AMERICA – PART ONE 2013 INTRODUCTION: At the time of Jerry Bails’ passing in November 2006, Roy Thomas, the official “co-editor” of the March 1961 Alter-Ego #1, had long since forgotten that, in addition to having on 1-26-61 sent Jerry a synopsis of his proposed “Justice League” parody “Bestest League of America,” he had also, three weeks later, sent Jerry the BLA drawing reproduced below. In early 2007 Roy was startled to discover, among other posthumous papers that Jerry’s wife Jean graciously sent him, an inked-and- colored illo Roy had prepared of the group’s seven regular members.

Until he saw that sketch for the first time in 46 years, he had long wondered if perhaps at some stage he had mailed Jerry the original art of the 5-page BLA chapter he’d completed by early February—not too likely, since the art on those poster-paper pages was 18” by 13”—and yet, one would assume Jerry would’ve wanted to see some visuals related to the story he proposed to begin serializing in the new fanzine’s first issue. [© 2013 Roy Thomas]

1 The fact that the reverse side of the poster-paper sketch is on plain old garden-variety 8 ⁄2" x 11" typing paper. On receiv- dated “2-16-61” indicates it was done right after Jerry ing them, in addition to everything else he was doing, Jerry returned to Detroit by mid-February from his New York trip traced that quintet of pages (and the cover) onto ditto masters. and wrote asking Roy to get to work on the first chapter of (The BLA drawing Jerry traced as the [color!] cover of A/E #1 “BLA” for Alter-Ego #1. If Jerry ever saw the original “twice- was originally intended simply to be the internal “cover” of up” version of those five pages before they were reprinted in the BLA material, and Roy was surprised at his decision to use Bill Schelly’s 1997 Hamster Press book Fandom’s Finest it to front the entire issue.) Comics, this book’s editors have never found any reference to that fact in the surviving correspondence. The following five pages re-present both 1961 renditions of “Bestest League,” Part One, in a format which necessitates As recounted by Roy in the “Alter Ego Story” he wrote circa either turning this book sideways, or else lying on your elbow early 1965 after perusing various letters exchanged between while reading it. The original “twice-up,” RT-penciled-inked- himself and Jerry, he immediately set to work redrawing and-lettered art is printed on the left side of each ensuing “Bestest League of America,” Part One—not on ditto (spirit page; the JGB-traced (and slightly edited) spirit-duplicator duplicator) masters, with which he was totally unfamiliar, but version done for Alter-Ego #1 is printed on the right.

22 #1) Spirit duplicator (ditto) version, Feb. - March 1961 ( Alter-Ego “Twice-up” inked version, “Twice-up” Dec. 1960 - Jan. 1961

23 An Alter Ego Extra! A Couple Of Lads Get Together And Now For Something Jerry (in checkered shirt) visiting fellow fan/friend Completely Different—Sort Of! Al Dellinges in California Years after Jerry did his own spring 1961 reprinting of circa 1978-80. Jerry Alter-Ego #1 (minus the “BLA” installment)—and since Roy always felt that Al strong- Thomas had long since abandoned his own 1965 plans for a ly resembled movie star Alan Ladd. Lying on the photo-offset collection of The Bestest of Alter Ego #1-3—a table is a very nice copy northern California fan-friend of Bails’ named Al Dellinges of All-Star Comics #27. was given Jerry’s permission in 1988 to do a re-publication of Thanks to Jean Bails. the fanzine’s first three issues.

Since the new edition was done in photo offset, Dellinges retyped all the articles and traced the relatively few illustra- tions with his own embellishments; those that were based on an Wizard and a Green Lantern were reproduced in the previous Best of volume. He chose to re-interpret all three “Bestest League” chapters by doing his own artwork to go with Thomas’ . The result was virtual- ly a new work, and an interesting one in its own right—and indeed, in the first chapter, five pages were expanded into six, the final one of which is seen below.

Good—Better—Bestest (Left:) The sixth page of Al Dellinges’ 1988 artwork for “Bestest League of America,” Part 1, from his photo-offset quasi-reprinting of the 1961 Alter-Ego #1. [Art © 2013 Al Dellinges; script © 2013 Roy Thomas.]

(Above:) In between those two versions, new pro writer , with the blessing of his long- time friend Roy T., utilized the BLA in a new story in the Charlton humor comic Go-Go #5 (Feb. 1967), with art by Richard “Grass” Green. Splash page repro’d from RT’s bound volume, with slight loss of art and text at right. In 1962 Green had briefly been slated to co-publish & co-edit Alter Ego with Ronn Foss; the pair had shared credit on the cover of A/E #4, and in ‘63 Green had collaborated with Thomas in #6 on “Bestest League of America Meets... Da Frantic Four.” [© 2013 the respective copyright holders.]

28 From Alter-Ego #2: “Hail, Hail, The Gang’s All Here!” Part I – The All-Winners Squad by Roy Thomas

A recent issue of the fanzine Xero spotlighted an excellent arti- simply, “All-Winners”—a smaller reproduction of the title logo cle by Don Thompson of Cleveland, Ohio, on the subject of the on the cover. The pikers didn’t even bother to have an artist Timely group of comic books, whose mainstays were the scribble in “Squad” underneath! The lead splash itself, done by & , Sub-Mariner, and Captain America & a fairly good though unidentified artist who drew the whole . Fortunately for those others of us who like to write arti- story, pictures the seven Squadders standing about in various cles about comic-book heroes, Don left uncovered a few items poses of horror as people fall dying all about them. In the mid- of interest to fans. One of the most important of these, I dle of this scene is the supposed “dwarf,” looking properly believe, is the All-Winner Squad, an apparently stillborn JSA- fierce. Sort of gives you a hint that this is to be a kind of grue- type group consisting of the five above-named heroes plus a some tale, doesn’t it? couple of minor ones, Miss America and the . As the story opens, it seems that Captain America has sum- The reason I say that this super-squadron was stillborn is that, moned the other members because, in a raid on the hideout of a as far as I have been able to ascertain, All-Winners #21 is the lovely but lethal villainess named Madame , he and his only comic in which this group ever appeared. Of course, I’ve boy-partner Bucky have discovered that the fair maiden and her heard that an early issue or two of that magazine featured a 2- ruthless gang are about to team up with the dwarf, who is called page written featurette about a bunch of heroes, and everybody “Future Man” in the story. You see, Future Man has come in a knows there was a lot of crossing-over (such as the Torch- ship from 1,000,000 A.D. to wipe out all present-day human life fights); but those don’t really count as far as a real JSA- so that his people can escape the dying Earth of their era by like group goes. Therefore, it is possible to give a pretty accu- migrating back in time. Cap and Bucky were doing a good job rate portrait of this great if extremely short-lived organization by of mopping up Madame Death’s gang when Future Man, who poring over this one issue, published for Winter of 1946-47; had evidently been reading Dr. Mid-Nite stories on the side, and, happily, in reading it I discovered that it can hold its own tossed a “Dark-bomb” on the floor, blinding our heroes. with most issues of All-Star and even today’s Justice League of Naturally, all the crooks escaped in the dwarf’s rocket. America. The cover, reproduced elsewhere in this issue, boasted that it contained “a complete full-length mystery thriller,” which is fairly accurate, as the story ran over 40 pages. The title given on the cover was “The Riddle of the Demented Dwarf,” which real- ly didn’t fit too well, as the villain was four feet tall if he was an inch, and no more demented than the average comic-book vil- lain for my money. The reason they called him demented, I sup- pose, is that he wanted to kill everybody on Earth, but I think “anti-social” would have been a better description. At any rate, the first page of the real story, like that of many Justice Society adventures, features an entirely different and more appropriate title, “ from the Future World.” Evidently, though, the publishers of All-Winners were either lazy or extremely parsimonious, as the masthead of the story reads

Win-Win With All Winners! 2013 Editors’ Note: This image of the Jerry Bails-traced cover of All Winners Comics #21 which appeared in A/E #2, when compared with the printed cover of the 1946-47 mag, will reveal how hard he worked on those early spirit-duplicator issues. Not only did he carefully trace (some- how) the black line art of the cover of the slightly incomplete comic used by Roy Thomas to write the article—Jerry even added color! Five decades ago, before the hues had faded as ditto copies are wont to do, the Torches were rapturously red, the villain’s cloak gangrenously green, with plenty of blue and yellow on Captain America and The Whizzer. This required no less than five ditto masters—and a lot of man-hours. Although he flawlessly traced the title logo, Jerry decided to leave off the issue’s cover blurb. At this stage, neither he nor Roy knew the Squad had also been featured in All Winners #19. [All Winners Squad characters TM & © 2013 Marvel Characters, Inc.]

30 From Alter-Ego #2: “Bestest League of America,” Part 2 – by Roy Thomas

33 From Alter-Ego #2: Hawkman, Winged Wonder [by Jerry G. Bails (unsigned) & Douglas Marden]

In this issue of Alter-Ego we are happy to feature drawings of A WORD ABOUT JOE KUBERT. the Hawkman as he appeared over the years in . Joe, like so many other artists in the business, attended the According to our best sources, the Hawkman was first drawn High School of Music and Art in New York. That was in in 1940 by an artist named Neville, but the job was soon taken 1940. Less than a year later, at the age of fourteen, he got his over by , who signed his work “Shelly.” first job working for comic books. When he was sixteen, he Shelly, whose art first really captured the spirit of the moved with his parents to , which has been his Hawkman, handled this assignment until 1945, when the very home state ever since. The only time in the past twenty years youthful but very talented Joe Kubert took over. The several that Joe has not spent drawing and producing comics was the changes in Hawkman’s headgear probably reflect the several time he spent in Germany as the guest of the U.S. Army. changes in the editorial staff at DC Comics. Kubert fans will always remember the all-too-brief existence of Joe’s own creation, Tor, the hunter, who appeared in 1953 in A WORD ABOUT THE CREATOR. 1,000,000 Years Ago. The Hawkman was created by author Gardner F. Fox. Gar, as he is known affec- tionately to his friends, also created the Justice Society of America, the original Flash, , and , and in collaboration with editor Julius Schwartz, is now giving us the Justice League of America and the new Hawkman and . Gar has a B.A. degree in history and English, and an LL.B. Degree, but he gave up the practice of law many years ago in favor of writing. In addition to putting out a comic story or two a week, he writes histori- cal novels under a variety of pseudonyms. One of his latest on the stands in paperback form is Veronica’s Veil by Jefferson Cooper. His real name is “owned” by Gold Metal and Crest Books, so he writes under a variety of names for the other houses (Pocketbooks Inc., Popular Library, Signet, Monarch, and ). Most of his novels are historical, with an occasional suspense or modern-day background thrown in. Here are the titles of some of his more recent works: Lover in Iron, The Sword, Borgia , and Barbary Slave.

News-Beak 2013 Editors’ Note: For A/E #2, Jerry Bails painstakingly drew six Hawkman heads, in the styles of artists Dennis Neville, Sheldon “Shelly” Moldoff, and Joe Kubert, to show the evolution (or devolution) of the hero’s headgear between Flash Comics #1 and its last few issues when his helmet had become merely a cowl—plus a drawing of Hawkman as revived just as that issue of A/E was going to “press.” This study foreshadowed the artistic analyses that would be a staple of comics from that day to this. [Hawkman TM & © 2013 DC Comics.]

36 A Synopsis of the First Hawkman Story, Which Appeared in Flash Comics #1, Jan., 1940 (by courtesy of Douglas Marden)

The story opens in the weapon-lined library of Carter Hall, research scientist and wealthy collector of ancient weapons. Carter notices a strange package on the table near him. He guesses that it is another addition for his weapons collec- tion that has just arrived from his friend in Egypt. He hasti- ly opens the strange gift. The package contains an Egyptian knife made of glass. It was once used to offer sacrifices to the . The knife emits a strange glow which causes Carter to fall into a deep sleep. A shapes itself in Carter’s subconscious… Never Say Never, Neville! He finds himself in ancient Egypt in the body of a Prince 2013 Editors’ Note: The first-ever reprint- Khufu, who is being held captive by the high priest, Hath- ing of Hawkman’s origin came in DC’s Set. tabloid-sized Famous First Edition “Vol. 2, The priest addresses the prince, telling him that he will be No. F-8 (Aug.-Sept 1975), which reprinted Inside, Hastor gazes beaten until he reveals the whereabouts of a girl named the entirety of Flash Comics #1 (Jan. 1940), upon his creation, a fan- thirteen years after A/E #2 retold the story tastic dynamo which he Shiera, but Prince Khufu refuses to say. He would rather die and Jerry Bails rendered an approximation than let his beloved Shiera be sacrificed to the gods. of Hawkman’s helmet as drawn by original is using to make the city With a surge of strength, the prince breaks away from his artist Dennis Neville. Script by Gardner do his bidding. At this captors, and uses a chariot to escape into the desert, where he Fox. This splash, of course, was not in A/E moment, a appears returns to the arms of his loved one. V1 #2. [© 2013 DC Comics.] at the window…. It is Unfortunately, Prince Khufu has been followed by the high Hawkman! priest and his temple guards. The prince makes a valiant effort Hastor, who in reality is the reincarnation of Hath-Set, mis- to save Shiera, but he is outnumbered. They are both captured takes the Winged Wonder for the God Anubis, and tries to blast and returned to the temple of the feared Anubis, the Hawk- him out of the air by electricity from his dynamo. This fails, God, where they are to be sacrificed. With his last breath, however, due to the fact that the costume that Hawkman wears Prince Khufu vows that he and Shiera will live again, and that is partly of ninth metal, and repels the electrical charge. he will kill the evil Hath-Set. Hawkman swoops down and smashes the dynamo with the At this point the dream comes to an end, and Carter awak- quarter-staff which he is carrying. When he is finished, Hastor ens. He leaves the house the next day for a short walk. As he has escaped. passes a subway, he sees people running out, screaming about Hastor, who now realizes that Hawkman is really the reincar- the rails and train turning blue and then bursting into flames. nation of Prince Khufu, guesses that Shiera must be alive, too, Carter races down into the subway to see the cause of the and summons her through Anubis. , and accidentally bumps into a girl. By some weird trick When Hawkman returns home, he finds Shiera gone and of fate, the girl is the reincarnation of Shiera. Together they immediately suspects Hastor. The Winged Wonder then takes look at the subway rails to see that they are being flooded by a cross-bow and a cloak of ninth metal with him as he returns millions of volts of electricity. The people in the trains have to Hastor’s house. been burned to cinders. Only a dynamo could have done this, Meanwhile, Hastor has prepared Shiera for sacrifice to the Carter concludes. God Anubis. He is just about to destroy her with a of With Shiera, he then returns home; and on the way he relates electricity when Hawkman appears just in time. The Feathered the incredible story of his dream. Fury drops the cloak of ninth metal over Shiera, protecting her Upon reaching home, he goes to his laboratory where he from the electrical charge. Then Hawkman turns his full constructs a dynamo-detector. Shortly he emerges from his vengeance on Hastor, killing him with a shaft from the ancient room clad in the guise of the ancient Hawk-God, Anubis. He cross-bow. is now Hawkman, Peril of the Night. His powers are derived This time it is Prince Khufu who has won, and has slain the from his discovery of the secret of the ages, ninth metal, which evil priest of Anubis, and it is the dying Hastor who has sworn repels electricity and defies the pull of gravity. vengeance. Hawkman goes forth into the night until he reaches a deso- Hawkman flies home with Shiera in his arms. At of late house just beyond the city limits. It is the home of Dr. his first adventure, the Winged Wonder looks Hastor, where Hawkman’s instruments have revealed that a out over the night sky, sure that he has not seen gigantic dynamo is in use. the last of Hastor. THE END.

37 From Alter-Ego #3: A Message From The Editor [by Jerry G. Bails –untitled in original fanzine]

Dear Reader: As a result of the plug Alter-Ego received in JLA #8, the demand for A-E now exceeds the supply. While I will explore the possibilities of increasing the print run, I must advise all read- ers that I will honor requests for A-E #4 in the following order: (1) Contributors (as defined below), (2) Faneds (with whom I have trade agreements), (3) Creators of the comics (who bother to write me even once), and (4) Paying readers. Those in the last category who order too late to receive issue #4 will be among the first to receive #5. Sorry, no subscriptions can be accepted. Only orders for the next issue will be honored. The single copy price for A-E #4 is 50¢ in coins or stamps. (No checks or money orders, please.) Collector’s copies mailed in a special envelope are 10¢ extra. I regret to announce that A-E #1 and #2 are sold out. Perhaps at some future time I’ll reprint some of the more popular features “My Salad Days, When from these issues. I Was Green In Judgment” Because of the huge volume of our mail, it is not possible for 2013 Editors’ Note: If this illo looks familiar, it’s because our first Roy Thomas or me to answer personally all the letters that we Best of volume contained Al Dellinges’ pen-and-ink redrawing of receive. We will acknowledge the more interesting and informa- Jerry Bails’ ditto-tracing of this Paul Reinman Green Lantern panel. tive letters, all specific trade offers, and contributions (as defined This time, we’re using Jerry’s pointing out the mistake he lettered into below); however, unsolicited materials (drawings, articles, comics, GL’s oath as an excuse to reprint the original Reinman/Bails fanzine etc.) can not be returned unless they are accompanied by sufficient art. Incidentally, the entire area of the lantern’s aura was colored return postage. green in V1#3. Jerry’s GL article was reprinted in , Vol. From now on, “On the Drawing Board” will be published (on A/E Best of roughly a monthly schedule) as a separate newsletter. The current 1, while the original 1961 fanzine also featured a recap of the hero’s release (#5) is now available in return for a stamped, self- origin by fan George Paul, which has not been reprinted in either vol- addressed envelope. Send your requests to me, not Roy. ume. [Green Lantern TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] The next issue of The Comicollector (A-E’S companion devoted to swaps and sales announcements) will be ready soon. If you are not already entitled to a copy, you may order one for 20¢. You are also welcome to advertise; the rate is $1.00 per quarter-page or fraction thereof. Free ad space can be arranged in return for the loan of pre-1948 costumed-hero comics at the rate of 40 words per comic. Send me a list of the comics (including issue numbers) that you are willing to loan. Remittance (cash or comic loan) should accompany a double-spaced copy of the ad as it is to appear. A-E is published on an irregular schedule, which means that there’s no sense in asking me when you can expect the next issue. I just don’t know. I will get each issue ready as fast as I can, but it takes lots and lots of time, a commodity that I don’t have a great deal of. If you would like to see A-E published more regularly, volunteer for a job on the staff. I need good typists, artists, and proof-readers. I also need someone to help me with production and circulation; this has to be someone who lives in or about Detroit and can spend about one afternoon or evening each week with me in my basement office. Anyone who materially assists me in publishing either of my fanzines, or who has material published in A-E, or who is specifical- ly charged to gather information for me on past, present, or future events in the comics will be counted as a CONTRIBUTOR, on an issue-by-issue basis, and will be entitled to special privileges. In closing, I would like to say that I am sorry that space limitations crowded out Roy Thomas’ excellent review of the new comic Magic Agent. It is, however, scheduled for issue #2 of The Comicollector.

Best regards, JERRY BAILS (Publishing Editor) 1710 Kenwood Dr. Inkster, Michigan

P.S.: The statement of Green Lantern’s “second” oath which accompanies the Paul Reinman illustration in this issue contains an error. “Blackest” should read “brightest.” [2013 Editors’ Note: In the actual A/E V1#3, the above page came after, not before, the “Bestest League of America” segment which here follows it. Once again, please turn the book sideways to read the final mind-numbing BLA chapter.]

40 An Alter Ego Extra! The Comicollector –“The Companion To Alter-Ego” The Coming Of Comic Book Fandom’s First Adzine

Once Jerry Bails’ creative and entrepreneurial juices started flowing in early 1961, they just wouldn’t quit. Having founded the first regularly published fanzine devoted to comic book costumed heroes, he quickly realized that many of the “for sale” and “wanted” ads for which he was selling and trading space in early issues of Alter-Ego were becoming dated while sit- ting around waiting for the next quarterly issue to be published. As he told Bill Schelly for the latter’s 1995 historical study of Comic Fandom: “My initial conception of Alter-Ego turned out to be unrealistic. I wanted well-researched articles and features, comic strips, news, and ads. Each of these features demanded different deadlines.” Besides, a timely “adzine” might even furnish him with a modest profit to help support his interests, which were turning more and more toward data-collecting.

Thus, with a cover date of September ‘61 (but clearly on sale in August—see next page), Bails launched The Comicollector (“The Companion to Alter-Ego”), the first comic book adzine—not that ads related to comic strips or related items would be turned away. Below, from Schelly’s Comic Fandom Archive collection, is its very first spirit-duplicated page—which even managed to squeeze in its first paid ad!

Artis Gratis By The Comicollector #2, Jerry had decided to add a few visuals to his new adzine, so that issue sported a Thomas cartoon featuring the Bestest League and the Thing—a nice full-page render- ing of two JSAers by fan Raymond Miller (above)—and a cartoon by Robert Hopkins (below), a new English-teacher friend of Roy’s who would, a year or three later, write an article on for A/E #8. [Dr. Mid-Nite & Atom TM & © 2013 DC Comics; other cartoon © 2013 R. Hopkins.]

44 An Alter Ego Extra! Jerry Bails & – 1961

2013 Editors’ Note: Within a few days of picking up The #1 (yes, the first issue officially had a “The” in the title) at a Missouri newsstand in late July or early August of 1961, new college grad Roy Thomas wrote a two-page review of it, intended for inclusion in Alter-Ego. However, Jerry (who may or may not have asked for the review) chose instead to include it in the first issue of The Comicollector, which, though dated Sept. ‘61, appeared in August. Roy’s review was reprinted in full in the previous Best of Alter Ego volume.

From the very beginning, Jerry had sent copies of each issue of his fanzines to every pro whose address he could get hold of, though whether he’d sent Timely editor Stan Lee any- thing prior to the release of FF #1 isn’t known. That company wouldn’t be called “Marvel” again till 1963; in fact, at this stage, Lee was using the stationery of the parent company, , which pub- lished numerous types of magazines besides comics. On Aug. 29, 1961, he sent Jerry the following letter, which is probably the first time Stan Lee had ever typed (or even heard) the name “Roy Thomas”:

Stan The Man & Roy The Boy— Together Again For The First Time!

2013 Editors’ Note: (Far Left:) The beginning of Roy Thomas’ two-page review (Stan Lee called it a “critique”) of The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. 1961), from The Comicollector #1 (Sept. 1961), as retyped by Jerry Bails, who added an asterisked footnote mentioning that Lee “was formerly an editor of the Timely group of comics, which featured the original Human Torch.” Few readers of FF #1—and certainly not Roy—would have known that fact.

(Above:) Stan Lee in a 1960s photo; retrieved by Danny Fingeroth from the Stan Lee Archives at the University of Wyoming for his and Roy’s book The Stan Lee Universe (TwoMorrows, 2011).

46 An Alter Ego Extra! Time–And The Comicollector –March On!

With issue #2 (dated “Jan. 1962,” Along with any slight income derived Society” stories. In exchange, he offered whether published then or in the preced- from CC, the adzine gave Jerry an addi- payment, generous trades, and/or adver- ing December), the masthead of The tional stage from which to solicit infor- tising space in CC. He finished off that Comicollector announced a circulation mation. For instance, page 2 of the sec- page by hawking for sale his own old of over 500 copies—while Alter-Ego #2 ond issue featured his “Wanted!” ad ditto machine—”the one used on the first had reached at least 300 people, though seeking (1) the fabric version of the orig- two issues of Alter-Ego”—for the munifi- #3 might have had a higher circulation. inal JJSA badge (which had replaced the cent sum of $35. Eventually he apparent- The first page of CC #2 included a dead- metal badge due to wartime restrictions; ly yook $25 for it, see note on p. 19. line schedule for issues #3 through #8 (2) “any membership certificate of the A second (and, as it happened, final) (the latter due for “December 1, JJSA picturing Mr. Terrific and Wildcat review by Thomas, intended for a quar- 1962”—Bails was clearly thinking (1945)”; (3) original DC splash or cover terly A/E, wound up in CC #2: a look at ahead!). By now, he was accepting, even art; and (4) information of which artists the American Comics Group’s Magic encouraging, subscriptions to the besides Arthur Peddy, Bernard Sachs, Agent #1, which wasn’t destined to meet bimonthly zine: 6 issues for the princely and may have contributed with quite as much success as did price of $1, with a single-copy price of to the last ten Golden Age “Justice Fantastic Four…. 20¢.

It would seem that yet another comic company has followed appears on the Schaffenberger cover.) the lead of by throwing its own super-hero His origin, by the way—the second of the three stories in the into the proverbial ring. Published by the American Comics magazine—is perhaps the weakest link in the magic agent Group (which previously has had few “regulars” except the chain. It seems that, in early 1944, some of the Germans knew “Spirit of Frankenstein” feature some years back in Adventures that D-Day was coming and were going to move some forces into the Unknown and the short-lived Atomic Sub mag), this from Transylvania to Normandy just in case that was where it new comic is not generally on a par with Justice League and would occur. To prevent this movement of Nazi troops, John The Fantastic Four, but it has some noteworthy aspects which Force—then just a normal top secret agent with an eye patch will bear watching in future months. but no trench coat—was sent to Transylvania to stir up the Entitled Magic Agent (or, if you believe the cover, Calling underground there, thus making it necessary for the German John Force—Magic Agent), it concerns the adventures of troops to stay where they were to maintain order. “America’s top secret operative,” a character who would fit Captured by the Nazis (along with most of the underground) into that rare category of a super-hero without a distinctive and imprisoned in the haunted Castle of Cagliostro, Force was costume. awakened by four great Taking his cue (perhaps coincidentally) from the post-World “sorcerers of the past”— War II character Radar, John Force is an otherwise normal Cagliostro, Merlin, human being with a number of powers. (Also, like Radar, Nostradamus, and believe it he evidently wears a trench coat even in 100+ degree weather, or not, Houdini—and was even though he doesn’t have any clever device such as turning it inside-out to change into a secret identity, not having one A Magic Gent to change into.) 2013 Editors’ Note: (Above) The title/byline and a For added effect, our black-haired (or, on Roy Thomas drawing (based on either the Kurt the cover, brown-haired) hero wears a patch Schaffenberger cover or art from the Paul Reinman/ interiors), from CC #2. Roy over one eye. How he acquired this patch is never figured out how to trace art from comic books not mentioned in the comic, but he has without leaving pencil lines or dents on the mags, so obviously worn it a long time, as he sports all his drawings for the fanzines were done freehand— it in the origin story, which takes place in as if you wouldn’t have noticed that! the latter part of World War II. (He was (Right:) The cover of Magic Agent #1 (Jan.-Feb. America’s top secret operative then, too, it 1962), courtesy of the Grand Comics Database. This seems, so he must be a lot older than he art, of course, did not appear in CC #2. [© 2013 the respective copyright holders.]

48 An Alter Ego Extra! “Did Want To Join Batman?” MIKE TUOHEY On Being An Eyewitness–And A Helping Hand–To Comic Fandom History

2013 EDITORS’ INTRO: In the early 1960s, young Detroit comics fan Mike Tuohey became Jerry Bails’ first on-the-spot assistant and general aide-de-camp. Half a century later, we’re honored that he’s shared his fond memories at length for the first time ever. Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute! What you can do or think you can—Begin it!

–Goethe. It was in late April 1961 that Jerry Bails invited me to visit him at 14242 Dale, when I summoned the courage to call him after reading a letter from him which editor Julie Schwartz had printed in The Brave and the Bold (the second Hawkman try-out). I wanted to see a copy of All-Star Comics, my mind aglow with the revelation that super- heroes existed that I had never seen before. Jerry said he was publishing a comic book fan magazine—“fanzine”—and he sent me an abbreviated copy (sans the BLA adventure) of Alter-Ego #1, which arrived May 1, 1961 (I wrote the date in pencil on the back cover), two days before my 13th birthday. I’m pretty sure it was the following Saturday, May 6, when my mother drove me that first time from my own house in Detroit to the Dale Street address some five miles away, where I met Jerry Bails and his mother. Tuohey Can Play At That Game! Jerry was tall, slim, angular, and energetic, with (Left:) Mike Tuohey, probably a year or so before he assisted Jerry Bails in mailing brush-cut hair, sharp features, and clear blue eyes. out early copies of his fanzines. He’s holding Monogram’s 1/48-scale Space Taxi, He was 26 years old, already a college professor of manufactured from a design by rocketeer Willy Ley in 1959. (Right:) A photo of Mike at the 1997 Fandom Reunion Luncheon in Chicago, with Natural History at Monteith College, part of the original ditto master of the cover of Alter-Ego #3, which Jerry gave him in the Wayne State University in downtown Detroit. early 1960s—and which he gifted to Jerry’s widow Jean at the July 2011 San Diego The first thing I did was dig into some issues of Comic-Con. Mike writes, “It’s such a beautiful work. You can see Jerry’s pencil All-Star Comics, and Jerry showed me his bound strokes, and how he used a softer reddish pencil to do the shading against the green editions of issues 1-24 that he had obtained from ditto ink backing.” Photos courtesy of Mike Tuohey. Gardner Fox. I took home with me a copy of All-Star Comics #37, fea- Alter-Ego’s basement publishing set-up was Jerry’s huge turing the story about the Injustice Gang of the World. But metal desk, file cabinets, a separate stand that held the type- that was only the beginning of the comic book wonders that writer from which came pages of Alter-Ego 1, 2, and 3, Jerry shared with me that day and in the visits that followed: Comicollector 1-6, as well as On the Drawing Board/The and Captain Flash and Thrills of Comic Reader 1-25, The Index to All-Star Comics (both Tomorrow featuring Stuntman. original and revised), Secrets behind All-Star Comics, and The Authoritative Index to DC Comics by Howard Keltner I rode my bike on Saturdays to work with Jerry and to and Jerry. read or return more of his old comic books (More Fun with There were other tables against the walls that held all the Spectre, Adventure with the , #17, manner of office supplies: a scale to weigh mail, postage Sub-Mariner #34) during that summer of 1961 after the trip stamps, sponges for wetting the postage (really beat licking doubled (11 miles one-way) when he moved Alter-Ego head- hundreds of 3-cent stamps), staplers, manila envelopes, bull- quarters to the basement of 1700 Kenwood Drive in Inkster, dog clips, carbon paper, and various reams of 8½” by 11” Michigan, sometime in June. 51 involved in all this while he was in college, or he would never have finished his Ph.D. Jerry moved to 17645 Gaylord in May 1961, and he managed to hurt his back during the move. Even so, in the new headquarters in the basement at Gaylord (4½ miles from my house, making it easier for me to bicycle to), things really began to mushroom, includ- ing Jerry finally allowing me to work on the ditto masters myself. Jerry was virtually exploding with new ideas and new projects. He had begun photographing first-issue covers, a huge undertaking by itself, and he was put- ting together monthly On the Drawing Board/, one or two pages which he decided must be separated from Alter-Ego and The Comicollector because of the timeliness of the infor- mation. Jerry was also hard at work on his Index to All-Star Comics and, of course, Alter-Ego #4. Plans for Jerry to transition his fanzine publications Everything Old Is New Again (with the exception of The Comic Reader) to other On July 23, 2011, at the “Meet and Greet” party held in conjunction with the hands were taking shape, and he was working out “50th-anniversary of comics fandom” celebration at the San Diego Comic- details with Ronn Foss to take over Alter-Ego and The Con, Mike presented his pristine original copy of the March 1961 Alter-Ego #1 Comicollector. to Roy Thomas. That’s Xero publishers/editors Dick & Pat Lupoff in between the pair; veteran writer & editor can be seen behind the Lupoffs. Roy was joyfully astounded by Mike’s generosity. Still is. Photo by I mastered an illustration/tracing of the Spectre on Jackie Estrada, organizer with Bill Schelly of the fandom event. an ad for Masquerader #1 in The Comicollector #6; I felt the page needed some kind of picture. After all, explained that the female psychiatrist, who hesitates to super-hero drawings were what it was all about. Jerry felt reveal to the guy his other personality, for fear of further that it was paid advertising and that had not trauma, eventually becomes a love interest. I thought this an requested and probably shouldn’t have special attention like interesting twist, in which the girlfriend knows the secret that, but I thought it looked cool, and Jerry agreed to let it identity while the hero does not. stand. I desperately wanted to contribute to A-E, and since I Roy Thomas came to Detroit to visit Jerry sometime in couldn’t draw, I wrote an article based on one of the comic 1962 or 1963, and we went to a showing of a couple of books Jerry lent me: “The Legend of the .” Jerry let episodes of the old Batman serial at a local theatre. While I me type the article and master the illustration/tracing of the was always at ease with Jerry, I got the feeling Roy couldn’t Heap for Comicollector #6. wait for me to go home so that he and Jerry could spend For a time in 1962, I took over the mailing of On the time without a little kid around. I can’t really blame him. I Drawing Board (renamed The Comic Reader with issue #8, was a little kid. I realize now that Jerry was a 28-year-old March 18, 1961), and fans began sending the self-addressed, grown man and I was a 14-year-old boy, but Jerry always stamped envelopes directly to me. I mailed out Comic treated me as an equal. Readers #11 (July 26, 1961), #12 (Aug. 20, 1962), and #13 (Nov. 8, 1962). I must say, I grew tired of the task fairly Jerry was a salesman, a teacher, a facilitator. In this one quickly, and Jerry re-assumed the mailing before passing it hobby of his, he was a shining example that the individual on to Glen Johnson with issue #26. I also handled the sales can make a difference; can nudge the universe to realign of some of his comic books (with the letters pages missing) itself; can the world. and his first-issue photographs, which he had parceled into By passing along his projects, by involving everyone he what we called “packets” and advertised in The Comic found who had an interest in the same things, Jerry empow- Reader. ered them to uncover their own skills and allowed himself to Jerry told me about an idea he had for a super-hero, dig into other aspects of this hobby that held fascination and involving a fellow who goes to a female psychologist with a rewards for him. sleep deprivation problem. During the course of his therapy, Jerry has been referred to as the “Father of Comic Book under hypnosis, the psychiatrist finds out about this guy’s Fandom,” and what a good father does is enable his children alter ego, a night-prowling mystery man who fights crime: a to be productive. He gives them a chance to get involved separate personality that the fellow is unaware of, except and to make and share something that’s uniquely that he wakes each morning more exhausted than when he their own. To me, this was Jerry’s overwhelming went to bed, with unexplained cuts and bruises. Jerry contribution to comic book fandom.

54 An Alter Ego Extra! Alter-Ego #4: Jerry Bails’ Photo-Offset Finale

By mid-1962, Jerry Bails was publishing three fanzines: “Jerry was running a Alter Ego, The Comicollector, and The Comic Reader (former- ‘draw ’ con- ly On the Drawing Board), the last one containing news of test and had selected upcoming pro comics and developments in fandom. In TCR my drawing as the win- #12 (dated Aug. 20) Jerry made a momentous announcement: ner. Then he asked me “Alter-Ego #4, which I hope will be my finest ... will be my to do a cover to . last! Other demands upon my time make it impossible for me It needed more than the to continue as the publishing editor of Alter-Ego and The same Alley Oop figure. Comicollector.” Grass sketched a cover In his editorial “A Parting Shot,” the first item from that with various comic issue reprinted herein, Jerry explained developments in greater book heroes in stars detail and named Ronn Foss of Suisun, California, as his suc- alongside. While I did cessor on both fanzines. (Bails continued publishing The the actual artwork, I Comic Reader for another year.) When you read about the wanted to acknowledge various projects Jerry wanted to pursue, all of them of impor- Grass’ layout, and also tance to comics fans, one can understand why he decided to to bring him to the attention of fandom in step down. But he was going out at the top, having decided to [Alley Oop TM & © 2013 UFS, Inc.; The move on from spirit duplicator to the superior process of a big way. Jerry told TM & © Archie Comic Publications, “photo offset,” which would not only allow much better repro- me he was going photo Inc.; Human Torch TM & © 2013 Marvel offset and printing 1,000 Characters, Inc.; other heroes TM & © duction (and the use of photographs and actual images from 2013 DC Comics.] the comic books themselves) but would enable him to print an copies.” infinite number of copies, as opposed to the maximum of 250 For their 50¢, readers got an excellent 34-page fanzine. In to 300 that one could get from the best ditto master. Volume 1, we reprinted “MLJ Leads the Way” by Howard In his last issue as editor of A/E, Bails rounded up features Keltner (which would win an for 1962), the from some of the most knowledgeable fans of the day. report on the 1961 Alley Awards by Roy Thomas, a letter from The cover was signed by fan-artists Ronn Foss and Grass veteran pro artist Paul Reinman, and an iconic Jack Kirby Green (who were close friends), but the printed artwork is drawing of the Thing holding up a sign that proclaimed: “Buy entirely a Foss effort. In the early 1990s, Ronn elucidated: Alter-Ego—or else!” This time, we offer two more excellent items by top fan writers. The first is “The Superman before the Time of Superman….. ‘Maximo,’” an article on one of the very few original charac- ters created for the Big Little Book format. In later life, Ed was a member of Mensa International, which probably explains his attraction to a hero who used his super-mental powers to achieve great feats; but see the note beneath the BLB art spot on p. 58 for a major correction to his article. The second is L. L. Simpson’s “Hall of Infamy” column about two of the nastiest villains of the Golden Age of Comics: The Claw and Iron Jaw (he spells it “Ironjaw”) from Silver Streak Comics and Daredevil Battles Hitler. The two illustra- tions are “swiped by the editor,” by Bails’ own admission; his odd signature may be meant as the initials of “Robert Lindsay,” one of the pseudonyms he used over the years in let- ters to comics editors. Few realize that Jerry possessed a cer- tain amount of art talent and could ably handle an ink pen and brush. In retrospect, it’s odd to think that Jerry Bails, who con- ceived Alter-Ego, only published and edited four issues, over a Breakfast Serial period of roughly 21 months in 1961 and 1962. On the other Future editor/publisher Ronn Foss got into the spirit of his hand, his for the magazine was so powerful that it new situation by delivering several nicely shaded drawings inspired others to pick up the torch and continue it, for Ron Haydock’s piece on the 1943 Batman movie serial while he turned his attention to the project that from Columbia. Above is his title drawing. [Batman & became his life’s work in the medium: the Who’s Robin TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] Who of American Comic Books.

55 From Alter-Ego #4: A Parting Shot (An Editorial)

As most of you know by now, this issue is my last as publisher and editor of Alter- Ego. Ronn Foss is succeeding me; he and his cohorts in California already have the next issue in The issue’s contents page illo was provided by Harry Thomas (no relation to Roy). [Green Lantern & Flash TM & © the works. I know a 2013 DC Comics.] bit about what they are planning, and I am truly excited about the articles, features, It would be worth your time to send me a list of the titles you stories, and art that will appear on the pages of this fanzine. are willing to loan me. (Caution: I can only use mint covers.) You can bet that Alter-Ego will continue to set the pace, featur- There is still another project that I need time to work on. I ing fandom’s top artists and writers in a high-quality bimonth- am engaged in collecting data on artists and writers, and all ly publication. Yes, I said “bimonthly,” and I advise you to costumed-hero comics published before 1948. With a big assist subscribe now if you don’t want to miss an issue. (See page 3 from Howard Keltner I hope to publish a big index to DC titles for details.) before too long. Interested? Some of you may wonder why I am retiring as the publish- And then, of course, I’d like to have more time to contribute ing editor of a successful fanzine (the print run for this issue: to many of the new fanzines on comics that have recently hit 1000). The answer is simple; I’ve got dozens of other fannish my mailbox. (Do you know that at this writing I’ve received projects that I need time to work on. For one thing, I’ve got no less than 6 such fanzines? A year ago Alter-Ego had no nearly one hundred rare comics from the forties that I pur- competition in this field.) All of these new have some- chased in the last year and which I haven’t had time to read thing of interest; many have original ideas; some have excel- yet, and I anticipate many more as I continue to build my col- lent art; a few have good stories; and at least one has mastered lection of early super-doers. Dealers and collectors please note: the ditto machine. While encouraging them all to set their edi- I always have money for items on my want list (predominantly torial standards higher and strive for better reproduction, I pre-1948 DC comics but also many non-DCs featuring super- wish all six of these faneds and any others who enter the field doer origins and cross-overs). the very success I have enjoyed—the support of fandom. (For Another reason I need time—I want to complete my project plugs see page 22.) of photographing the covers of the first issues of all comics Let me take this opportunity to thank all of my friends in magazines published before 1948. (Over 100 photographed so fandom for their encouragement, contributions, and kind com- far.) I can still use a lot of help on this project. I offer free ments. I would like very much to receive a letter of comment advertising space in The Comic Reader (which I will still pub- from each and every reader of this issue (no matter when it lish), original JLA art by and Bernard Sachs, may be written). The best letters will be forwarded to Ronn for or enlargements of your favorite comic prints for the loan of publication. first issues that I need. For that matter, I’m looking for any issues that introduce a new costumed hero as the cover-feature. Jerry G. Bails * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALTER-EGO proudly presents its imitators: MASQUERADER (Mike Vosburg, 3040 Avalon, Pontiac, Michigan) THE COMIC FAN (Buddy Saunders, 1605 Joyce, Arlington 2, Texas) COMIC HEROES REVISITED (Bernie Bubnis Jr., 65 Walnut Ave., East Farmington, New York) SPOTLITE (Parley Holman, 3715 S. 3100 East, Salt Lake City 9, Utah) KOMIX ILLUSTRATED (Billy J. White, 407 Sandra, Columbia, Missouri) HEADLINE (, 7014 Roberts Ct., University City 30, Missouri) FAN TO FAN (Robert Butts, 719 Pierce St., South Bend, ) COMIC HEROES UNLIMITED (G.B. Love, 9875 S.W. 212 St., Miami 57, Florida) THE COMIX (John Wright, P.O. Box 1277, Port Elizabeth, South Africa) THE COMIC WORLD (Robert Jennings, 3819 Chambers Dr., Nashville 11,Tennessee) SUPER-HERO (Mike Tuohey, 16857 Sunderland, Detroit 19, Michigan) For information about any of these comic fanzines, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the fan publisher. 56 From Alter-Ego #4:

Before I go into the story of Maximo, the amazing superman, let with Erwin L. Hess taking over me first tell about the type of book he appeared in, the Big Little the art in the second story. Fig. 1 Book. The Big Little Books were published at Racine, depicts our hero as he was done Wisconsin, by the Whitman Publishing Company. These books by Henry E. Vallely. Vallely was were about three and three-fourths inches wide by four and one- very adept at using simple lines half inches high, and held about four hundred and thirty pages of to illustrate his ideas. This is a alternating story and art, with credits, contents page and three or very difficult technique and not four pages of ads also included. The Big Little Books were the nearly as easy as it looks. Vallely true forerunners of the present day comic book. They made their also did several other Better Little appearance in the early thirties and reached their peak about 1939 Books, among which was the and 1940. By this time these books were now called the Better Lone Ranger. I personally liked Little Books and some of them even contained pictures that his artwork. It was light and would move when the pages were flipped rapidly. Certain vari- breezy and very easy to look at. I ants of the Better Little Book contained pictures with word bal- will go into Erwin Hess’ style and loons in true comic-book style, although all that I have seen were interpretation of Maximo a little To The ! later, as I now want to tell how in black and white. I still have the first Big Little Book I even 2013 Editors’ Note: Ed received. The title is Billy the Kid, and it has some very beautiful the story of our hero started. Mr. Lahmann’s 1962 drawing of artwork by Hal Arbo of the W Lazy 5 Ranch. The story was by Hess and his efforts belong to Maximo, based on artwork by Leon Morgan. This book was copyrighted 1936. Most of the Big another story. I will say this much Henry E. Vallely. [Art © 2013 Little Books contained features from the newspaper comic strips of Mr. Hess, his style was very estate of Ed Lahmann.] but several original features appeared also, especially westerns. different from that of Mr. Vallely. This then brings us to the feature I would like to tell of here, Our story begins on a rustic country lane where the only traces Maximo, the amazing superman. of civilization are a railroad crossing, the distant sound of a train, The best way I think to introduce you to Maximo is to repeat and an onrushing automobile. The car being driven by a young here the prologue that appeared before his story in both Better woman charges ahead as if it were a wild loosed upon the Little Books in which he appeared. serenity about it. The ever-moving obstacle of the train seems as “WHAT IS A SUPERMAN?...... A superman is a human the protector of the peace and in its course will blot out this being who has greater powers than the normal person—physical, usurper. The timing is perfect, the result is there transfixed, noth- mental, or possibly supernatural. From ancient times the idea of a ing can stop what is about to happen. superman has fascinated people, capturing the imagination. Maximo Miller, out for a brisk walk and dressed as a matter of Hercules was a superman capable of great feats of strength. The fact in his hiking togs, also happens to be in this same road and is knights of King Arthur were supermen of a kind, and so were to the events taking place. He shouts, nobody hears. He Robin and Richard the Lion-Hearted. of every age signals, nobody sees. Maximo steels himself for this coming and every land tell of supermen, who crash. His mind is straining, saying, had great power and led charmed lives. stop! Every fiber of his body is on . The great superman of American stories He puts his hand before his eyes and is Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack, then a sharp pain in his head, a snap whose deeds were marvelous in the somewhere inside his , and a feel- extreme. The hero of this story, Maximo ing of great exhilaration comes over Miller, is a new kind of superman. He is him. He looks up and the train is pass- gifted with a superbrain which he learns ing. When it has cleared the crossing he how to use to do things which no other sees something that is most unbeliev- man can do. And that makes the tale.” able. The car is hanging suspended in This is the prologue as it appeared. the air about three feet above the Now, into my recollection of Maximo, ground, its wheels spinning and smoke the amazing superman…. pouring from the exhaust. Then a feel- The Collegian And The Crook ing of relaxation comes over Maximo The story of Maximo was authored 2013 Editors’ Note: Prof. Arvid and Watts Garvin, as re- and the car settles to the earth. As the by R.R. Winterbotham and the art was rendered by Ed Lahman for A/E #4. [Art © 2013 estate of by Henry E. Vallely in the first story, Ed Lahmann.] car touches the wheels bite in and it

57 From Alter-Ego #4: Hall Of Infamy by L.L. Simpson

Welcome, fellow lovers of villainy, to the cob-webbed Huge in size—he made King Kong seem like a school- corridors of my memory, where lurk the greatest evil- boy—the Claw was oriental in appearance with slanted doers ever to spice up the pages of a comic book. I eyes, yellow skin, heavy bushy eyebrows, fanglike teeth, speak not of today’s weak-sister villains, but of the and long slender (claw-like) fingers. He usually wore a colossal super-criminals of yesteryear, who would steal black skullcap and red robe. Soon after landing on Earth pennies from a blind man or commit murder with equal he learned that he could control his growth; he could ease. I have in mind such notorious fellows as the origi- become mountain-sized, man-sized, or mouse-sized, and nal Two-Face, the , the Hun, Sivana, Capt. Nazi, all within seconds. But this was the least of his powers; Wave, the , Solomon Grundy, and his greatest power lay in his cruel, brilliant mind. With two others I’d like to recall for you—The Claw and science unknown to Earthmen, he could design awesome Ironjaw. These two master villains were both the special war machines and produce deadly gases. Naturally, with creations of Comic House, who published Silver Streak, powers like these, he set his eyes on global conquest. Daredevil, and Boy Comics. His first step was to enslave local natives with a mad- The Claw was one of the few villains to star in his own dream machine. By a process known as “acclimation,” feature-strip. He was even cover-featured on the very the natives became addicted to the ecstatic dreams first issue of Silver Streak Comics (December, 1939). He induced by the machine. Only by loyally serving the was also featured in Daredevil Comics and a special one- Claw could the subjects be assured of blissful sleep. The shot, Daredevil Battles Hitler (July, 1941). According to disloyal suffered the torments of agonizing nightmares. a later retelling of his origin, the Claw came to Earth With his slave army, the Claw built a large war base and from a distant planet and set up a base of operations in set out to conquer America, a feat which he obviously the mountains of Tibet. (Originally, it was the island of never accomplished. One of the least prepared of all Ricca in the mid-Pacific.) In any case, he was one of the nations for war (at that time), the U.S.A. had mighty first space creatures to descend upon comicdom with evil industries and huge natural resources that the Claw want- aims. ed to control. He attempted to hypnotize America’s lead- ers, he immobilized great cities with sleeping gas fogs, and he tunneled into Alcatraz to recruit the convicts, all in an attempt to conquer America; but always he failed. Always, men and women of skill and courage appeared to smash his evil schemes. One of these heroes was a young fellow in a colorful black and scarlet costume named Daredevil! Daredevil fought the Claw many times, always winning each battle (naturally). Daredevil even won a feature-strip of his own and then turned his attention to other villains. From that point on, the Claw’s own strip became a secondary feature, and in the mid-forties, the Claw was finally assassinated (Daredevil #32). In the late forties, howev- er, the Claw showed signs of new life. He attempted a comeback—this time in Rocky X (a secondary feature in Boy Comics). He attacked Earth with a fleet of rocket- ships, but again he failed, and once again he was dropped from the comics.

In the fantastic world of the comics, the Earth can match Space evil for evil, and even the evil Claw had his earthly counterpart. This was Ironjaw—arrogant, cruel, and completely evil. In appearance, he was a hulking giant with a blond crewcut, hard pig-like eyes, coarse 2013 Editors’ Note: The Claw, as rendered by Jerry Bails. Maybe evil features, and an ugly metal jaw. The metal jaw the initials represent “Robert Lindsay” or another of his many pseudonyms. [Claw TM & © 2013 the respective copyright holders.]

59 From Alter Ego #5:

I’m here to welcome you to the pages At any rate, within this world of Alter of this issue of Alter Ego; your world Ego, you will find not only currently and mine. By your, I mean just that. popular comic book heroes, but also Your interest and enthusiasm is what those of the Silver Screen (no relation to keeps Comic Hero fandom (pro as well TV) and books other than the serio- as amateur) alive and flourishing. comic. By simply glancing at the oppos- Certainly, without the combined popular ing page or leafing through this issue, demand of everyone concerned with you’ll understand far better than I could adventure heroes, there would be none. explain, so I’ll not preview more. Someone somewhere sometime ago (I My point is that Alter Ego is your won’t say who for fear of being contest- magazine—by many of you, for all of ed, and the point, per se, is relatively you. If you like what you see, let me insignificant) conceived a fictitious hero know. If you don’t see what you like, and/or heroine, which has evolved into then you’re reading the wrong zine, or what we know today as the excitement I’ve failed somewhere along the line— of adventure characters, sometimes A Photo-Offset Baton by all means, let me know, too. In order apparently unlimited as we mortals are, 2013 Editors’ Note: The photo of Ronn Foss that to achieve the finest possible publication but nonetheless they never cease to accompanied his first editorial was reprinted in our with the best efforts there are to be amaze us and stir our spirit. Perhaps it first Best of volume. The above pic, not from A/E #5, found among fandom, I respectfully represents a symbolic “passing of the [Alter-Ego] has always been the heritage of man to request that you write the individual torch” from Jerry (at left) to Ronn. Although the directly whose particular work you like; dream of what he doesn’t ordinarily do, photo is dated “1964,” it may well have been taken tho I too want to hear your views of the but would perhaps like to—danger, some time earlier, as Ronn is holding a copy of thrills, action … and anything and Jerry’s A/E #4, which was published for the fall of material contained herein, for the pur- everything the mind can imagine. If so, ’62. Apparently, the hyphen in Jerry’s original pose of retaining the contributors you then we are part of this heritage. As fanzine title fell off while JGB was handing it Ronn! prefer. Following each article is the active fans of adventure, it is not only Photo courtesy of Bill Schelly. address of its author or artist—by corre- our privilege, but I feel, our responsibili- sponding with him directly, he will get ty to maintain this undefineable drive and determination the full benefit of your appreciation for his work… or your (I toward more and better adventure heroes… further exploration hope) considered criticism. Most assuredly, I want your over- and explanation of its wondrous history, and most important, all opinion of AE; what you like best—and least. As is the continued exposure in the future. policy with most fanzines, those letters of interest to all read- Perhaps at this point I’d best stop and offer the specific defi- ers will be printed in the following issue. nition of Alter Ego’s repertoire. Although this issue has taken more time than was scheduled As the title implies, the pages contained herein deal with and is consequently late, I am pleased to be able to announce individuals of dual-identities. Whereas this generally infers a that AE-6 will be early. At this writing, I have over half the being involved, this mask isn’t necessarily always mate- total material on hand. The next issue will be dated June, but rial or physical. In fact, a character needn’t even have two will in all probability be in the mails late April or early May. personalities to gain interest from readers. (Example: Here’s to many more to come. , Blackhawk, Fantastic Four.) In the foregoing, I’ve Very Sincerely, tried to stress adventure hero; which is to say, not Bound For Oblivion? only comic charac- 2013 Editors’ Note: As it happened, Ronn, like Jerry Bails and ters, but also those Roy Thomas, was a devotee of Joe Kubert’s renditions of from books, motion Hawkman—both in the 1940s and the early ’60s—so when it pictures, and the appeared for a time as if the revival version of the Winged trusty, unfortunate- Wonder wasn’t ever going to be awarded his own title, Ronn drew this vision of that hero joining the original (then, the only) ly rusty old radio— Captain Marvel in limbo—perhaps forever! Who would’ve sus- Yes, there is a pected that, along with an eventual Hawkman title, even the Captain Silver of World’s Mightiest Mortal would return—in a DC mag! [Hawkman the Seahound. & hero TM & © 2013 DC Comics.]

62 From Alter Ego #5:

When it was suggested that I write on the subject of Fandom from the viewpoint of why a fan stayed on in Fandom, it seemed like it would be an easy job. After all, I have been active in the Whirl of Fandom for over ten years, and I’ve pub- lished fanzines, written articles, and corresponded; been active in clubs and even on a Worldcon Committee, among other things. But looking deeper into the subject, it appears that it will take quite a few words to cover the apparent contradictions that would be involved if I sought to define the term. In this way it’s like (with or without the hyphen): it’s probably impossible to make up a definition that everyone would accept. Fandom Is As Fandom Does The main element of science fiction is, I believe, individuali- 2013 Editors’ Note: This article is basically a re-run of an article ty. Like science fiction, some people are attracted towards from a science-fiction fanzine, with a few words changed (with the Fandom because they “like a story.” Undoubtedly, some fans permission of author Stan Woolston, who is not known to have been would be happy with any sort of tale, or perhaps other sorts a comics fan per se), because A/E #5-6 editor/publisher Ronn Foss have become boring to them. Others may be attracted because felt it was equally applicable to comics fandom. The latter wrote in of the art element, and both art and Fandom can attract people a note at the end of the piece that it was “reprinted (with minor because they are interested in this. One of the things that is revisions due to application) from Escape #1, a West Coast zine edited by Ron Haydock and Larry Byrd, with permission of the found so often in fanzines is opinion articles; and so self- copyright owner. The author publishes his own reviewzine, Science expression is but another reason for being active. However, I Fiction Parade, and welcomes comment on the foregoing. Write: believe that socializing—to be part of a group of people with Stan Woolston, 12832 Westlake St., Garden Grove, Calif. The interests similar to one’s own—is the greatest attraction for accompanying illustration is an adaptation of the original as done gaining and retaining the attention of the fan. by Charlie Scarborough, by yours truly.” [Art © 2013 estate of Ronn You will note an omission above: I’ve not mentioned the Foss.] element of ego-boosting; or just plain “ego-boo.” This may be very important for the newer fan, but I would say that socializ- ability to make decisions instead of going immediately into all ing—not only with other fans, but professionals as well—is a of these things, his interest can be sustained for a long time. more fundamental appeal. I hinted above that many fans have a certain type of mental Any person is naturally going to try to get more out of outlook. Many seem to be more willing than the average per- things which he has found interesting in the past, and so a cer- son to look at the world as much more than merely a series of tain process of growth begins with some of the readers. They emotional problems that control his life. The idea of adopting may see a letter in a magazine, or an advertisement, and write the “scientific method”—of looking at new ideas and process- for a feeling of contact with others to locate additional reading es as related to a method of finding answers, by looking for matter. It doesn’t take long for the feeling of companionship causes and testing whether a possible solution will work—may to involve him in correspondence and then the whole plenum be included. This is, I’m sure you’ll agree, just a few degrees of fanac—getting fanzines, writing for them, and in general above the idea “sock him in the nose” as the popular way to becoming a part of a growing circle of various fan interests. “solve” a problem. Setting up a theory and then testing it Projects widen the number of contacts, or perhaps the publish- means seeing the universe as more than just chaos, and I ing bug may bite. What is important is that there is a wide believe more fans follow this method than any other people. variety of things a fan can do, and it all depends on the indi- Modern life seems closely related to engineering and sci- viduality of each fan on exactly what he does. Each new con- ence, and with someone who is science-oriented it is easier to tact may suggest another activity, and if the fan develops the see changes as logical developments instead of things to be

63 From Alter Ego #5:

67 68 From Alter Ego #5:

When Alter Ego first appeared, a skeptical reviewer in ture heroes deserving of attention. I remember in particu- one of those “established” science fiction fanzines offered lar exciting adventures of Jack Armstrong, Hop Harrigan his opinion that a fanzine devoted to costumed heroes (from the pages of All-American Comics), Terry and the would soon run out of material, fans would lose interest, Pirates, Tom Mix, and . Surely, somewhere and the zine would die an early death. Well, that was two the original scripts for these famous radio shows exist. years ago. Today, Alter Ego is probably the most widely Perhaps someone even has access to transcriptions or tape circulated fanzine on six continents, and its distribution is recordings of the more exciting episodes. I’m sure many still growing. And as for material, we have only just older fans remember when Batman and Robin guest- scratched the surface of the great wealth of material on starred on the Superman radio show. They may even costumed heroes. Just let me suggest to you some of the recall the famous mystery thriller, “The Snow Man of many possible topics for articles. Hopefully, maybe I can Lake Placid,” on the Jack Armstrong program; but how persuade you to research one of these topics and come up many remember the story revealing that Britt Reid ( with an article. In this matter, I would be more than The ) was the son of Dan Reid, the nephew happy to help in any way I can to locate material or assist and frequent companion of the Lone Ranger? I for one in preparing an article for publication. would love to relive the exciting moments of these Of course, there is the article dealing with the history “breakfast-food operas” in the pages of Alter Ego. So, if of a strip, comic magazine, publishing group, or an indi- you are one of those lucky people that have access to vidual pro. However, there are many unique ways to records of these great adventures of the air waves, take approach these subjects. For example, an article could pen in hand and give us a feature article. compare similar strips. Roy Thomas once suggested “The Cult of Mercury” as the title for a study of and Perhaps the radio chapter-plays were written on the all his imitators. Then, an article could easily be written wind and survive only in our memories, but this is not so which focuses on a villain or villains of a popular strip. with the great adventure strips of the newspapers. Maybe (I’ve promised myself that one day soon I’ll write the you are one of those many dozens of fans who have a col- second part of my Green Lantern article, which would tell lection of the famous strips: , The , Buck the story of the original GL’s greatest enemies as seen Rogers, , , Mandrake the through the eyes of his side-kick, Doiby Dickles—and by Magician, Superman, Batman, or The Lone Ranger. If so, golly I will.) A third theme for an article might be a then why not share your enjoyment of these renowned study of the problems of identifying and distinguishing strips with the many hundreds of fans, new and old, who pencil artists and . I intend to use these pages read Alter Ego? Just a few of the things I’d like to know myself to comment on my eighteen-year study of art are: (1) What great artists and writers handled these styles, and I’d enjoy hearing from other fen on the sub- strips over the years? (2) What newspapers carried them? ject. (3) When and how were interesting supporting characters But let’s not forget that the comic book is not the only introduced into the strips? Can you answer these ques- medium in which the costumed hero has appeared. tions? If so, how about preparing an article? Remember the great radio serials of the ’40s? There were Of course, comic books, radio, and newspapers were Superman, Capt. Midnight, , Green Hornet, only a few of the many media in which the costumed hero The Lone Ranger, and a variety of non-costumed adven- appeared. Fortunately, Ron Haydock has recalled for

77 Alter Ego is fortunate in having acquired, via a time-warp, the introduction to a three-volume work of liter- From Alter Ego #6: ary criticism written in the year 5263 A.D. by .I. Brrz of the University of Texarkana. They are written in the super-standardized language of the 53rd century, but are here presented in definitive transla- tion by Roy Thomas, with an assist from Linda Rahm. Introduction To The Rise Of The Twentieth-Century Epic New Light On Schwartz’s Justice League Of America by X.I. Brrz, Ph.D.

Having withstood the ravages of time and cosmic catastrophe, a believe that civiliza- small handful of literary works remain from the first three millennia tion in the twentieth A.D. One of these, the classic Schwartzian epic Justice League of century produced not America, stands out head and shoulders above all the others and, as one or two or perhaps is well known, has inspired volume upon weighty volume of com- even three such clas- ment since its rediscovery only a little over a century ago in the sics? basement of a ruin in the center of this continent once known as Volume I of this America. work, then, discusses These commentators and critics have been in agreement on virtu- these historical prob- ally nothing about this epic except, of course, the undeniable fact lems. Volume II ana- that it must be ranked with Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey as one of the lyzes the work itself in great works of antiquity. Those scholars who have attempted to rel- its various aspects, but egate it to a position inferior to the surviving anonymous play most especially as it Hamlet have long since been conclusively shown to be lacking in reflects life in that critical faculty. long-ago time. Some It is not the place of an introduction to go deeply into the subject preliminary work has of a three-volume work, but a few highlights may be pointed out to been done on this the general reader who is interested in obtaining a liberal education period in the field of in the classics. anthropology2 and First of all, of course, there arises unavoidably in any study of archaeology3, but our one extant nearly-complete piece of twentieth-century literature results have thus far Just A League Of Americans 2013 Editors’ Note: what is known as the “Schwartzian question.” Was the Julius been discouragingly No illustratons appeared with “Schwartzian Epic” in Schwartz mentioned as being “editor” (a still confusing and small. Alter Ego [Vol. 1] #6, but since its 1963 untranslatable term) of the epic a real person? Is there any plausi- Primary among these 1 publication, the time machine operated by bility to the view of Professor Urgiz that Schwartz is but a com- amazing disclosures, of Dr. Elbert Wonmug and his associate A. posite representing a large number of persons who may have kept course, is the method of Oop has brought back this image of one of the epic alive and in the process of growth over a period of many writing itself. The com- the pages of the epic extant in the 53rd years? bination of pictures and century—apparently from a coverless copy New light—or perhaps new darkness—has been thrown on the cartouches (twentieth- of Justice League of America #19 (May problem since Professor Urgiz’s early work by the discovery in century term: word bal- ’63). Thanks to David P. Greenawalt for 5248 of a part of one of the missing pages, a printed one containing loons) suggests a short- his arduous efforts at restoration. [© 2013 personal correspondence from various parts of the planet Earth, lived return to the hiero- DC Comics.] which seems to give credence to the view that this work was actual- glyphics of the early ly the effort of many superior minds. Unless this page is a clever Egyptians. Except on a fragmentary page of correspondence, forgery, Justice League of America stands as the only epic work in lower-case letters are all but unknown. A long-since-lost rule of the history of the Earth to be written by an academy of literary grammar seems to have dictated, moreover, that all proper names geniuses, thereby truly deserving the title of “world epic.” be written with boldface letters. Also, the period—which appears The few remaining scraps of this page also present a question as in earlier and later extant writings—seems to have been com- to the previously supposed uniqueness of the epic. Scholars have pletely ignored in favor of the more artistic exclamation point. identified allusions to other epics (twentieth-century term: issues) Or perhaps, as Professor Urgiz theorizes, it may simply be that of a related nature, generally reputed to have been as excellent as twentieth-century man was in such a state of constant excitement the surviving one. Would it not indeed be wonderful to be able to that only the exclamatory sentence would fill his needs.

1See his Prolegomena to the Study of the Schwartzian Epic, pp. 310 ff. 2See Anvlix, Georr Y., Life in the Twentieth-Century As Gleaned from a Perusal of Old Chewing-Gum Wrappers: An Interpretation. 3The classic work in this field is still Prof. Zorig’s monograph, “The Striped Tubes: What Was In Them?,” the results of which are inconclusive due to the archaeolo- gist’s inability to decide between “tiger oil” and “zebra fat.”

82 From Alter Ego #6:

Each year the Academy of Comic Book Arts and Sciences con- well as our number-one choice in book-length stories, “The Planet ducts a continent-wide poll to determine “The Best Comic Book of That Came to a Standstill,” a well-conceived space epic revealing the Year.” This year the title goes to the Fantastic Four. In the how the Justice League learned of the existence of Adam Strange. short space of just one year, the super-talented team at Marvel This story had many outstanding qualities, but most important, it Comics, headed by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, managed to make possessed the one attribute that is essential to the success of an The Fantastic Four the number-one favorite of more fans than adventure strip—viz., continuity. Continuity is, in fact, a character- both the Justice League of America and The Flash combined. Stan istic feature of all Gardner’s strips. By bridging the gaps within and Jack, with a half-century experience in the business between and between his stories, Gardner has succeeded in creating a fanta- them, accomplished this feat by giving adventure-hero fans just sy-world populated by adventurous heroes and colorful villains what they wanted in the way of colorful heroes and villains, two- that not only survive from issue to issue, but promise to outlive us fisted action and adventure, and off-beat plots and dialogue; not to all. Mark my words, Gardner is creating the classics of tomorrow. mention a snappy letter department and pin-up page. The Fantastic The next category, “Best Pencil Artist,” is a little more specific Four also edged out The Justice League as fandom’s favorite than last year’s corresponding category, but the Alley Trophy goes adventure-hero group, and contributed “The Best Villain of the once again to that superb artitst, . Carmine’s Year” – The Sub-Mariner, and “The Best Supporting Character” work continues to improve year after year. He has been winning (i.e., a character not having his own title strip) – the Thing. So our awards for years now, and it looks like he’ll go right on. His work congratulations and the Academy’s special award trophy, The is appreciated by fans, fellow artists, and by the hardest of all to Golden Alley, go to Stan and Jack, and to , and all please, his editor. It should be a real inspiration to all aspiring illus- the others on the Marvel team. trators to look back over Carmine’s career and watch his climb This is the first year that the Academy has offered a specific from strips like the Patrol and of 1947 to The award for “The Best Editor of a Comics Group,” and the award Flash and Adam Strange of today. It will take some doing to unseat couldn’t go to a more deserving gentleman, one of fandom’s Carmine as fandom’s favorite pencil artist. favorites, Julius Schwartz, a DC editor since 1944, and the man The next Alley Award trophy goes to the talented artist whose most responsible for the strip development, story ideas, plotting, final choices can “make or break” a strip—the inker—and fan- and final approval of scripts and art for The Justice League of dom’s choice of “The Best Inker” is none other than that of America, Flash, , Green Lantern, The Atom, and pen and brush, . Murphy wins the award not , as well as many issues of DC’s two “try-out” only for his fine inking of Adam Strange and many Flash tales, but magazines, Brave and Bold and . All eight of these titles also for his inking of the JLA covers, and the Atomic Knight were among the Top Ten Comics selected by fandom in the 1962 series, both of which he pencils as well. While Murphy is a young Poll. This is an accomplishment deserving of fandom’s highest man, he has been a pro for quite a few years. Comic art collectors Award, the Golden Alley. proudly display his work in the of the ’40s, and the “The Best Script Writer” is also a new category this year, but syndicated Buck Rogers strip from the early ’50s. over the years it will bring recognition to the industry’s finest writ- I have already mentioned the fact that Hawkman was selected as ers. It is most appropriate that the first Award trophy should go to fandom’s favorite hero, but it should be pointed out that he polled Gardner F. Fox, who may well may have written more scripts for more votes than both the second and third place winners, Flash and the comics in the last Green Lantern. Guest appearances of the Feathered Fury with the quarter of a century Atom are fine, but fans won’t be satisfied until Hawkman and his than any other writer; lovely wife, Hawkgirl, have a book of their own, or are made the and without a doubt, he cover-features of a monthly like Strange Adventures. has created some of the Sub-Mariner is another excellent revival of an old favorite that most memorable. In fans want to see in a strip of his own. Prince Namor, The Sub- 1962, he gave us fan- Mariner, polled more votes for “Best Villain” than all his competi- dom’s most beloved tors combined, and his revival story was ranked second among the hero, Hawkman, as book-length stories of the year. Perhaps, after Namor’s appearance Where, Indeed? 2013 Editors’ Note: Stan Lee’s hand-scrawled note to Academy secretary (and results reporter) Jerry Bails, on receiving the notice that Fantastic Four had won the “Best Comic Book of the Year” Alley award. He didn’t bother to object to the fact that “Spider-Man” was spelled “Spiderman” all through the article—maybe because in those early days it sometimes got lettered that way even in ! Retrieved from the Stan Lee Archives at the University of Wyoming (Laramie) by Danny Fingeroth for his and Roy’s TwoMorrows tome The Stan Lee Universe, but not included therein. Incidentally, none of the images accompanying this reprinting of Jerry’s announcement/analysis of the 1962 Alleys was run in the original A/E #6, which was unillustrated. We have not reprinted here the actual list of awards, which was seen in Best of, Vol. 1 . [Art on stationery © 2013 Marvel Characters, Inc.]

84 in the Fantastic Four Annual, the art appear idiotic by comparison. Marvel Comics Group will be National made the decision not to ready to try him out on his own. try to hold their aging readers with In the category of “Best these strips, and as a result, lost Supporting Character,” The Thing what could have been a substan- took first place, although many tial number of life-long readers. fans feel that he is the star of The One would think that National Fantastic Four. The idea of a hero would wake up to the fact that it is with a monstrous appearance and a Articles Of Faith failing to a large and stable temper to match seems to have 2013 Editors’ Note: The four winners of Alleys for best fanzine arti- audience of older readers who grown on fans, but any attempt to cles in 1961-62. were brought up on Wonder (Left, l. to r.:) Jerry Bails, Howard Keltner, and Roy Thomas (plus imitate him would meet with a very Woman and Batman, and who this volume’s co-editor, Bill Schelly) the evening before the Fandom cool reception. By the way of his Reunion Luncheon at the 1997 Chicago Comic-Con. Bill was one would in time take to comics entanglement with the Yancy Street of the organizers of that landmark event. again if they found their old Gang and his blind girlfriend, The (Right:) Richard Kyle circa 1961, in a pic printed in Bill’s book favorites being treated in a mature Thing added real depth to The Founders of Comic Fandom. fashion. It is time that all con- Fantastic Four, and it is clear that Incidentally, the four Alley-winning articles have all been cerned, including the CCA, recog- fen would enjoy seeing him in solo reprinted, between Best of A/E (Vol. 1), Alter Ego #101, and the nize the existence of adult comic action. 1970 Arlington House hardcover All in Color for a Dime, the latter readers. Give us an adult version edited by Dick Lupoff & Don Thompson and back in print from “The Origin of Spiderman,” the of Batman and Wonder Woman; it Krause Publications. try-out story for a brand new cos- won’t hurt the kids to read adult tumed hero from the Marvel Comics Group, took first place as comics any more that it does for them to see “adult” westerns on “The Best Short Story” over such notable stories as “Earth’s First TV. Green Lantern” (second place), and “Superman under a Green Almost every comic magazine was listed for improvement by Sun” (third place). On the basis of fandom’s warm response to more than one fan. However, notably absent from this list was The Spiderman, author Stan Lee and artist are now pre- Flash. The Scarlet , it would seem, deserves a special senting The Amazing Spiderman in a book of his own. We can award for the most gregarious and extroverted hero of all time. expect this colorful and mysterious hero to challenge all of the old Have you ever stopped to count all the costumed heroes and vil- favorites in future popularity polls. lains that have appeared in action with or against him in just the “The Best Cover of the Year” was created by Joe Kubert—a last couple of years? Try it sometime when you have about an hour Hawkman cover, naturally. You just can’t escape the fact that the to spare. fans want Hawkman. I was eleven years old when Kubert first Once again this year fans selected The Spectre as the strip they drew Hawkman, and it was one of his early Hawkman covers for would most like to see revived. This is a very curious result, no the old Flash Comics (early 1945) that converted me into a life- doubt indicating that fans liked Roy Thomas’ revival version of time student and lover of comic art. I suspect the same thing is ’s old hero, and want to see more of the mysterious happening today to eleven-year-olds everywhere. hero with occult powers. Fortunately, they now have one in the I now come to the Special character of Dr. Strange, another Division, “The Comic Book creation of Stan Lee and Steve Most in Need of Ditko. If my suspicions are cor- Improvement”—not a very rect, fans are going to clamor for cherished or euphonious title, more and longer stories of this but still more accurate than last new master of . It year’s title, “Worst Comic.” looks like DC missed the boat by Clearly, fans aren’t interested not responding to our plea last in the worst title; they would- year for the revival of The n’t even bother to read what Spectre. they considered the worst. However, among those they The Presentation read, they can surely pick the Of The Silver Alleys one that disappointed them the It was the decision of the Alley most – the one they would like Awards Committee to award two most to see improved. Last Silver Alley Trophies this year; year it was Wonder Woman; one for the year 1961, and one for this year it is Batman. In both 1962. cases, I think fandom laments The award for 1961 goes to Roy the fact that these strips, which Thomas for his hilarious comic were among the more mature …And They Felt Ditto About Ditko! strip parody, “The Bestest League 2013 Editors’ Note: This original 1960s drawing done especially adventure-hero strips in the early for The Comic Reader shows the bond that existed between of America” (Alter Ego #1-3), and forties, are now aimed at the artist/co-creator Steve Ditko and his fans during that period… for his two-part story, “The youngest comic readers; conse- though he only ever attended one comics convention (the very first, Reincarnation of the Spectre” quently the stories, characters, and held in 1964). [Spider-Man & Dr. Strange TM & © 2013 Marvel (Alter Ego #1-2), both of which Characters, Inc.]

85 An Alter Ego Extra!

Alter Ego #7-9: The Roy Thomas Fan Issues

Roy Thomas’ tenure at the helm of Alter Ego is amply documented; but less well known are the odd circumstances under which he became its editor/publisher, after a year (and two issues) of having no close connection with the fanzine he’d help launch in 1961. During the summer of 1963, after publish- ing A/E #5, Ronn Foss asked fellow fan- artist Bill J. (Biljo) White if he’d like to take over the reins of that zine, plus The Comicollector and The Comic Reader, an offer accepted by Biljo (as we tend to refer to him nowadays, though in those days he was always just “Bill” in person or in letters). A fireman in Columbia, Missouri, White was already the publisher of a popular ditto’d fanzine titled devoted to [Blackhawk TM & © 2013 DC Comics—ditto.] Komix Illustrated, [ TM & © 2013 DC Comics—now.] original ama-strips.

2013 Editors’ Note: (Above:) Circa May of 1963, Ronn Foss (on left) and Biljo White look over Ronn’s original (Above:) A/E’s only wraparound cover. All three covers on this layouts for A/E #5 with daughter page were drawn by Biljo White. [Heroes TM & © 2013 the respec- Sunday White looking on. Photo by tive trademark & copyright holders.] wife Ruthie White. (Right:) Foss’ interpretation of his passing the torch of A/E and CC to White—and to Roy Thomas, who was never actually in any room with those two friends at the same time—was seen in RF’s final issue of The Comicollector (#12, Sept.-Oct. ’63). A miniaturized Joy Holiday Although it would take Foss another six months to finally (the Foss-designed mascot of both publish A/E #6, Biljo White lost no time in announcing the zines) stands on the table at left; note prospective changeover—in a special three-page ditto’d the Alley Award statuette at upper announcement, seen on the next page…. right. [Art © 2013 estate of Ronn Foss.]

87 At any rate, somehow—and how, no one precisely remem- bered years later—things soon got flipped around, with RT assuming publishing and editing duties, and BJW on board as chief artist (with the formal title of “art editor”) months before A/E #7 went to press. The editors of this volume sus- pect that White quickly found the duties involved in putting out The Comicollector so time-consuming that he felt he couldn’t also handle Alter Ego. Thomas was less than eager to take over the latter; but when “Captain Biljo” backed out, “Corporal Roy” felt he had little choice but to step up to the plate, since he’d been Jerry Bails’ official co- editor/contributing editor on the earliest issues. White drew—and provided color overlays for—the covers of A/E #7-9, the last three “amateur” issues. As fate would have it, though, Biljo bowed out of CC, as well, after only three issues. (Seen at right is his cover for his final issue (#15, March 1964); note that, at this stage, the adzine was combined with The Comic Reader, though it would soon become a separate publication again.) CC, after all, was mostly drudge-work—keeping subscription lists, typing ads, collating, and mailing—a poor vehicle for one with White’s creative abilities. He left it to a fellow fan to pick up the pieces; Gordon B. Love merged The Comicollector with his own fanzine Rocket’s Blast to become the long-running RB-CC, fandom’s foremost adzine for at least a decade.

It’s probable that the only item on which White actually began work that would wind up in A/E #7 was the 7-page “Alter and Captain Ego” super-hero comics story he wrote and drew, which was reprinted in full in Best of, Vol. 1. (The BJW Captain Ego art below is from an ad in #7 announcing the never-published Alter Ego Comics, a related project of Thomas’ that was to have featured [Batman TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] ama-hero stories and/or art by White, Thomas, Foss, , and others.) city-employee newspaper. The shadowy figure of Ego and his name/logo (both rendered backward) were taped to the back- Another piece that may have once been intended for a White side of a sheet containing the rest of the illo and logo. run on A/E was an earlier, non-super-hero effort he called Whether Biljo renamed the character in the 1960s or circa “Alter and His Ego.” Circa 2000, he sent Roy Thomas both it 2000 is unknown. and a similar “see-thru cartoon” of “See-Thru Sam” that he’d The two pages were done years earlier as art editor of the Columbia, Missouri, intended to be printed on opposite sides of a single sheet of paper. Thus, when the page was held up to the light, the reader would see the spec- tral figure of Ego peeping through, eager to foul up Alter’s date. A/E lay- out man Christopher Day painstakingly combined the images here in 2003 for A/E #33. [© 2013 Estate of Biljo White.] [Captain Ego TM & © 2013 Roy Thomas & Bill Schelly; character created by Biljo White.] 89 From Alter Ego #8:

2013 Editors’ Note: White’s rendering of conflicted pacifist Dick Amber with JSA guest stars Mr. Terrific and Wildcat, from All-Star Comics #24 (1945). The original artist had been Martin Naydel. The masthead drawing for this arti- cle was printed in Best of, Vol. 1; the article itself dealt with the two “Conscience” issues, #22 & #24. [Heroes TM & © 2013 DC Comics.]

From Alter Ego #9:

2013 Editors’ Note: Biljo’s title logo and art for the “Them Justice Guys” entry that dealt with the two Injustice Society stories, in All-Star #37 & 41 (1947 & ’48)—and two of his other three art spots done to accompany it, all based on Irwin Hasen art. A fourth drawing, in the style of Carmine Infantino, appeared in Best of, Vol. 1. [Heroes & villains TM & © 2013 DC Comics.]

Now, on to a few of the previously uncollected treasures (whether unalloyed or gilded) from Alter Ego #7-9, in the years 1964 and 1965….

93 [Artwork accompanying this article © 2013 Estate of E. From Alter Ego #7: Nelson Bridwell. The Thing and the TM & © 2013 Marvel Characters, Inc.; Eclipse TM & © 2013 DC Comics.]

E. Nelson Bridwell, 1971. Article and art by E. Nelson Bridwell Photo by Mike Zeck; thanks to Pedro Angosto. The current fad for monsters as super-heroes in comic-books may be friends. Together they battled and killed the monster Humbaba. said to have started with the appearance of The Thing in the first issue Then the goddess Ishtar tried to seduce Gilgamesh, who upbraided of The Fantastic Four. her with reminders of her past misdeeds. (Remind anybody of early With the success of that magazine, Lee and Kirby immediately imi- “Blackhawk” stories?) In vengeance, tated themselves and came up with The Incredible Hulk, whose spotty Ishtar got her father Anu to send the career seems at present to be on the uphill grade once again. And the Bull of Heaven (a storm spirit). But trend has spread; witness The (), and . Enkidu killed it and hurled its thigh at Yet these are but the latest embellishments on a tradition as old as Ishtar’s face, which shows a certain lack history. of common sense. For this the gods caused him to sicken One of the earliest works of literature which we possess—though and die. This scared the devil out of in somewhat fragmentary form—is The Epic of Gilgamesh, which Gilgamesh, who had never before was to Sumer and Babylonia what The stopped wrestling long enough to recall Iliad and The Odyssey were to Greece. that he was a mortal, even if he was the It treats of Gilgamesh—two-thirds god world’s mightiest one. The rest of the and one-third man, with superhuman size Epic tells of Gilgamesh’s fruitless search and strength, the ruler of Uruk (or for immortality, and includes the story Erech)—one of the first of Utnapishtim, the Babylonian Noah, known “super-heroes.” the only human in ancient His arrogance became Mesopotamian myth who ever gained unbearable to his sub- eternal life. jects, for he could take whatever he wanted The Greek pantheon, as well, had its ugly gods. Chief of these was with impunity. (And Hephaestus, the lame smith-god, whom the Romans identified with what he wanted was for the men to go . In Book XVIII of The Iliad, Homer tells how his mother, hunting with him when they had other Hera, hurled him from Olympus because he was born lame. Though things to do—and for the women to fill his ugly, Hephaestus forged objects of great beauty, and was eventually insatiable desire.) reinstated to his rightful status. So the people prayed to the goddess Aruru to create a man to match More easily comparable to today’s omnipotent uglies was Pan. In Gilgamesh and keep him busy. Aruru therefore made a man from the Homeric Hymn to Pan, an anonymous poem of perhaps the fifth clay—Enkidu. century B.C., it is related that when his mother beheld her child— And here, in a tale over 4,000 years old, we meet our first monster horned, goat-footed, and bearded—she fled in terror. But his father, super-hero! , was pleased, and took the infant to Olympus, where he Enkidu had shaggy hair that covered his entire body. The hair on delighted all the immortals; hence they called him Pan, meaning “all.” his head was long like that of a woman. Furthermore, he is represent- Pan grew up to be a lusty god; but ed in the art of the times with the and tail of a bull (see picture; his aspect was hardly the kind to the horns were a symbol of divinity). All in all, he looked rather like a inspire a maiden’s dreams. The premature Greek satyr. nymph Syrinx, as Ovid tells us in his He grazed with gazelles and drank with wild asses (like a forerun- Metamorphoses, fled from his ner of Mowgli and Tarzan), and he loved to foil hunters by filling advances. Finding her way blocked their pits and tearing up their traps. by a stream, she prayed to be rescued Finally one unhappy hunter complained to Gilgamesh, who sent from the famed fate worse than death. him back with a temple woman; for, even then, Beauty could tame the And, just when Pan thought he had Beast. She disrobed before Enkidu, who was filled with ardor and her, he found himself clutching a made love to her for a week, which certainly ought to classify him as handful of reeds, out of which he a super-hero. made the first Pan-pipes, called At the end of this time Enkidu tried to return to his animal friends, “syrinx” after the nymph. but they avoided him. He had become a man and was no longer one of them. The Polyphemus, who Bowing to the fait accompli, he clothed himself and went to Uruk, appears most notably in The Odyssey, hardly seems a likely hero; yet where he challenged Gilgamesh. They wrestled furiously, and finally he is one of our “tragic monsters.” Theocritus, in his eleventh Idyll, Enkidu forced Gilgamesh down. But (like Robin Hood after him) tells of his love for the sea-nymph Galatea. Though he doted on her Gilgamesh immediately liked his adversary, and they became fast beauty, she scorned his ugliness. Later, when she fell in love with a

94 From Alter Ego #8:

History has proven whenever liberty is smoth- ered and men lie crushed beneath oppression, there always arises a man to defend the helpless, liberate the enslaved, and crush the tyrant. Such a man is BLACKHAWK!” In 1939 the Germans pushed through , only to be slowed at the gates of Warsaw by the small but valiant Polish Air Force. Captain von Tepp, Nazi air ace, led his infamous Butcher Squadron against the outnumbered Poles. The latter were shortly defeated and their last remaining planes shot down. The skillful of that final Polish fighter managed to land his machine near a farmhouse. As he ran for cover, von Tepp attempted to bomb him; however, the bomb hit the house instead, killing—by one of those amazing comic-book coincidences—the pilot’s brother and sister, who lived there. The saddened avia- tor swore to avenge their deaths and walked away without a backward glance. Soon a number of armed, dark-clad men call- ing themselves “Blackhawks” began popping up throughout , always searching for von Tepp. At this time he was in a chateau some- where in the north of , preparing to exe- cute an English nurse who had refused to reveal where certain medical supplies were hidden. Just before she was to be shot, the mysterious figure known only as “Blackhawk” entered the courtyard and ordered her would-be execution- ers to surrender. As Blackhawk’s uniformed [Blackhawk TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] men materialized on the wall around the plaza, von Tepp tried to escape, but was tripped by the nurse. Soon arriving at a secret island base somewhere in the Atlantic, Blackhawk explained to von Tepp that he was the Polish pilot who had escaped him and challenged the German ace to an aerial duel in an attempt to avenge the deaths of his brother and sister. Secretly, von Tepp managed to loosen the gas valve on Blackhawk’s craft. Just an insurance move, you understand. As the world’s greatest pilot and a member of the master race to boot, he knew he couldn’t lose, but why take a chance? In the midst of the battle Blackhawk realized what von Tepp had done and unhesitatingly did a back flip, ramming his plane into that of the German. Both of them survived the resulting crash to earth in good health, though, and Blackhawk had to polish von Tepp off with a gun. The nameless nurse aided the wounded avenger but was soon sent back to England: “Ours is a mission of justice and death, while yours is one of mercy and healing.” Thus Blackhawk was first introduced in #1, dated August 1941. The rest of the comic consisted of war stories, featuring such characters as the Death Patrol (an unproclaimed parody of the Blackhawks), Yankee Eagle, the Sniper, and others. Despite this wealth of heroes, however, Blackhawk was always cover-featured, as he proved the most popular of the lot by far. In Military #2 the Blackhawks for the first time utilized the revamped Grumman Skyrockets which were several years later to be replaced by streamlined jets. They rescued a cowardly English pilot who was showing an extremely white feather in a dogfight over the English Channel and took him to their island, where he stayed until he later proved himself a hero by saving Blackhawk, getting himself gallantly killed in the process. The item of greatest importance in this issue was the introduction of the individual members of Blackhawk’s great fighting team. The first story had been anything but definite as to the exact number and origin of the Blackhawks.*

*Elaboration in late-forties issues of Blackhawk depicted the leader as an American pilot rejected by the RAF and therefore forming his own little air force of similarly frustrated warriors; but this was merely a rabbit pulled from a convenient hat, as it would obviously be unpatriotic to have the leader be anything but an American, you know.

96 From Alter Ego #9:

As many of you already know, since the last issue of Alter Ego so much of my sup- I have, in my own small way, “gone pro”—having written and posed “spare time 2013 Editors’ Note: 1965 photo of RT sold to Charlton Publishing Company one script each for Son of and money,” I gener- taken by St. Louis roommate and high Vulcan and and being currently at work on more ally find it impossi- school friend Albert “Bud” Tindall, then a scripts for the same two heroes. ble to confirm orders, fellow high school teacher, and today a In honor of the occasion, I have decorated (if that is the cor- etc. If you wish your successful (if semi-retired) attorney. rect word) this page with the above photograph of ye editor hard order confirmed, it at work researching his next script (I’m the one between the would be best to include a postcard in your letter. I may miss remodeled models). After all, Blue Beetle in his alter ego is an answering a few of these, too, but I do try, so help me Alley. archeologist, so anyone who writes his adventures should at least be able to count to Carbon 14. * * * Writing the Charlton scripts has thus far been an almost A small dispute seems to have arisen in regard to Blijo entirely pleasurable task, which I look on as being as much a White’s character Captain Ego in AE-7. About two years ago hobby as a job—albeit a grueling hobby, requiring long hours of David Kaler sent Bill a script for a hero called the . There slaving over a hot typewriter while sandwiching work on Alter are a number of similarities between the two characters, at least Ego in the interim. It has, however, given me an excuse to do in origin, which may indicate that Bill was unconsciously influ- some long-intended re-reading in such things as Homer’s Iliad enced to some extent by the Gypsy script in doing his Captain (my favorite work of literature after Yeats’ play “On Baile’s Ego strip for AE-7. There are no hard feelings on either side in Strand”) and ancient Egyptian religion (which I would now be this matter, since the characters are quite different except in ori- studying at the University of Chicago if I had several thousand gin; however, both Bill and I thought that Dave, a talented spare dollars). scripter, deserved at least a portion of the credit for the success When these issues come out in a few months, I would appre- of Ego. Bill himself is too busy at present to continue the series, ciate any comments (pro or con) which you might have on the but I’d like to close this column by printing a teaser panel sent stories. I tried, as I imagine most comics writers do, to steer a me by Sam Grainger, a professional commercial middle course between what I thought was salable and what I artist and newcomer to fandom who wishes to illo myself wanted to see in this second heroic age of comics. And a future Ego strip. And who could have refused? if a few of you think you spot traces of one of your favorite heroes or villains of yester- year peeping through now and then, don’t be too sure that your senses are deceiving you. After all, we’re all the products of our environments—and my early environment included a ferocious number of comic books. Heh heh heh.

* * * Two items scheduled for this issue are noticeably absent: the completion of ’s “Supermen South” and Ronn Foss’ “Warrior of Llarn.” Fred was sending the 2013 Editors’ Note: The Sam Grainger draw- article in three installments—and only the ing that appeared on #9’s editorial page first two arrived in time for publication. It showed Biljo White’s hero Captain Ego is hoped that “Warrior” (scripted by ye edi- knocking down Roy T’s door; it was printed in tor and based loosely on the Ace novel by Best of, Vol. 1. The Grainger/Ego illo at left Gardner Fox) will see print in AE-10, where accompanied an ad for the adzine RB-CC, it will dovetail nicely with the by-mail elsewhere in that 1965 issue. Balloon & let- interview with the creator of Flash, tering by RT. [Captain Ego & Tigris TM & © 2013 Roy Thomas & Bill Schelly; created by Biljo Hawkman, and the JSA. White.] And, speaking of problems, this brings me to a minor but troublesome matter which has arisen of late. Because of my various fan and pro activities which take up

102 From Alter Ego #9:

space nor the knowledge to write a full history of each character, from his origin story down through the years to the present. Imagine that you are walking through the streets of downtown Mexico City and you stop at one of the newsstands which abound at almost every street corner. This is what you’d find right now. * * * * * * * * * * * As I said, a very few Mexican hero comics are stylistic copies of their US counterparts. In sup- port of my aforementioned theory that independent Mexican comics survive because they are more closely attuned to the Mexican [2013 EDITORS’ NOTE: All art accompanying this article © 2013 the respective copyright holders.] cultural heritage and daily life, I note that there are only two such In the first part of this article were discussed Mexican comic- pseudo-American comics being published today. These are books which reprinted U.S. super-hero stories, as well as origi- both published by La Prensa, on a monthly schedule, at $1.00 nal Mexican comics which utilized characters from the (one peso—about 8¢) per copy, containing 24 pages, not American magazines (e.g., Blackhawk). counting covers. Actually, the bulk of Mexican super-herodom consists of the The only one of these two which can be unequivocally con- comics in the first of these classes. Virtually every super-hero sidered a super-hero comic is Relámpago el Ser Increible (or, and science-fiction/fantasy comic being published today by in English, Lightning the Incredible Being). This comic is DC and Gold , not to mention several of Marvel’s best and exactly one year old as these lines are written, the first issue such Dell titles as there are, appears on the Mexican news- being dated July 1964, so perhaps it would not be out of place stands. With this horde of relatively cheap reprint material to cover the origin story in some detail…. available to readers, the chances of producing a significant “The story of this extraordinary being begins in the laborato- number of entirely original, financially successful super-hero ry of the notable scientist Dr. Van Hackett,” we translate from comics must be fairly slim.* the Spanish, “hidden in the high mountains of the Atlantic Such do exist, however, ranging from stylistic copies of the coast”(which should place it in the state of Veracruz, if it’s not American magazines to those containing stories based much a completely mythical setting). In this lab Dr. Hackett is put- more closely upon Mexican customs and daily life. Frankly, I ting the finishing touches on an experiment which will “have suspect that the latter factor is one primary reason why inde- revolutionized every concept of medicine.” pendent Mexican comics do exist: being more Mexican in their To his two assistants—his pretty 24-year-old daughter Linda cultural background, dialogue, setting, etc., they appeal more and young Rod Hanelson (who bears a striking resemblance to to the reader as “realistic” stories, just as we American readers Elvis Presley)—he demonstrates that he has kept a rabbit’s praise the Marvel comics for their “more natural” American heart beating artificially for ten days, and that other parts of dialogue. his equipment will restore other organs to functioning status: This, then, is a coverage of the super-hero comic books fea- “I’m almost sure that I could revive a corpse.” Rod has his turing entirely original characters to be found on Mexican doubts that such a revived being would still be human, and the newsstands today. And, while disliking to be a spoilsport, I’m doctor admits, “It will live electrically, and I don’t see how it afraid I’ll have to emphasize that “today.” While I intend to go will be capable of having sentiments and passions.” into as much detail as seems advisable, I have neither the They are soon to find out, though. Leaving the laboratory to

* If the reader doubts the veracity of this statement, let him consider what happened to the Australian comics industry—John Ryan will recount the story of the rise and fall of the Aussie super-heroes in a near-future AE. 103 From Alter Ego #9:

I was “born,” you figure which sat might say, on a late- motionless and winter day in 1942. unliving behind the (In Star Spangled nearby screen and Comics #7, to be which had not been exact.) [Robotman TM & © 2013 DC Comics.] disturbed by the The earliest mem- criminals, who had ory I have is one of light—a stray beam of sunlight which had thought it nothing but a statue and who had fled in disgust at drifted through the window of Bob Crane’s laboratory and had the thought of gaining nothing from their dirty work. fallen upon my ocular lens. This activated my electronic And now I stood alone in the laboratory, just beginning to heart—and I lived. recover from the effects of the delicate operation which Chuck My first inclination, of course, was to move, to get up from had performed. Chuck—but where was Chuck? the steel chair on which I sat. I was vaguely aware of being Almost in a daze, I rushed to the door and retrieved the numb and somewhat stiff; and, in my confused state, I fancied morning paper lying outside. Completely unaware of the naturally enough that I had been asleep. frightened newsboy rushing away as my metal hand clutched It was only with the first squeaking of my knees that I began the paper, I scanned a headline that made my oil run cold. to become aware of the true state of things. Looking down to Chuck—had been accused of my murder! But then, after all, locate the of the irksome sound, I beheld—feet and legs hadn’t Bob Crane’s lifeless body been found in my lab, with of metal! In fact, my entire body was constructed of a light my assistant standing over it? blue steel-like metal which clanked as I stepped awkwardly Determined to help Chuck before it was too late, I rushed from the low platform on which I had awakened. “Have I into the streets of the city. A traffic-hardened taxi driver pan- gone mad?” I wondered for an instant. “Or am I still dream- icked and stepped on the gas as I approached. Without even ing—?” thinking of why he was afraid or of what I was doing, I over- Then I remembered. took his cab easily and hopped into the front seat. Only the The events of the previous night flooded in upon me now: I, clanging of metal when the cabbie slammed a wrench against Bob Crane, wealthy young scientist, pursuing my life’s work my head reminded me of my fearsome appearance. in the lab attached to my palatial residence. Chuck Grayson, After one more encounter—with two policemen who emp- my lifelong friend and assistant, working busily with me to tied their pistols at me—I returned in stealth to my lab. To my perfect a mechanical robot which would look and act like a amazement I had discovered that I was now invulnerable to human being. A forgotten date with my fiancée, Joan Carter— small-arms fire, “just like the Superman we read about in the of which I had been abruptly reminded by an insistent doorbell funnies!” followed by a stinging slap and the screech of automobile Quickly fashioning a false face and false hands of flesh-like tires. material and wearing them over my metallic parts, I donned a And then, only minutes after Joan had left, three men—one suit and visited Chuck in jail. To the I used the fictitious of them called “Flip”—bursting in with drawn pistols. name “Paul Dennis.” Revealing myself to my elated friend, I Harshly impatient questions about my “valuable new inven- vowed to clear him by locating the real murderer and left—to tion.” One of the trio heading for the screen which shielded a attend my own funeral! section of the lab. My instinctive, protective lunge toward the At the graveyard I met the weeping Joan Carter (the only armed crook—and then my own outcry of pain mingled with person present besides a minister—I was evidently not a popu- the smell of gunsmoke as I fell. Then—nothing, until— lar soul as Bob Crane). Probably because I unconsciously “Bob—Bob—speak to me. It’s Chuck. Are you all right?” reminded Joan of her late fiancé, she expressed a desire to see Unable to move, I had looked up into the anxious eyes of me again. Chuck Grayson, himself still stunned by a blow from the butt Leaving Joan at her doorstep, I proceeded to search for a of a pistol. We had exchanged hurried words, each of us real- hood called “Flip”—and of course I soon found him and izing fully that my only chance for life lay in having my cleared Chuck’s good name. However, I chose to tell no one human brain transplanted at once into the skull of the metallic else that the awesome Robotman was “Paul Dennis’; only

109 113 From Alter Ego #9:

SATIRE DEPT. (Notification for the Benefit of Those Who Wouldn’t Recognize It Otherwise Division): As the best-selling comics fanzine in the world, Alter Ego naturally receives a great deal of mail—and ye editor wouldn’t have it any other way. In recent months a number of readers seem to have run out of prose comments on comics and their creators and have taken to utilizing poetry to express their thoughts on the world of the super-hero. Because it is thought that some of these contribu- tions may be of interest to those of AE’s readers who know an iamb from an Atom, a few of them are reprinted below. We call them:

A TREASURY OF MORTAL VERSES

The first of these was submitted by Carl Sandbug of Chicago; we don’t know, but we sus- pect that he may be one of fandom’s famed “Chicago hoods,” which include Alex Almaraz and Billy Placzek. At any rate, here is his free-verse letter of comment, which he calls:

“National” Comics Factory for the World, Hero-Maker, Producer of Panels, Player with Word-Balloons and the Nation’s One-Company Paper Shortage, Stormy, husky, affluent, Company of the Full Pockets: They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen Diana Prince told she had a father. And they tell me you are wordy and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the evil scientist talk his head off and go free to talk again. And they tell me you are artless and my reply is: On the faces of women and children I have seen not the slightest vestige of recognizably human expression. And having answered so I turn once more to those who sneer at this my company, and I give them back the sneer and say to them: Come and show me another company with hooded head singing so proud to be alive and wealthy and strong and cunning. Flinging gosh-wow curses amid the toil of fighting foe after fancy foe, here is a scarlet speedster drawn vivid against a dwarf-high skyline; Fierce as a dinosaur with tongue lapping for anachronistic dog-faces, cunning as a Bosch ace still fighting the Allies after fifty years; Mask-wearing, Zooming, Hiding a secret identity, Smiling, Talking, running around, re-talking, Under the same old masthead, blurred ink all over his mouth, laughing with gigantic capped white teeth, Under the terrible burden of newsstand sales laughing as an Infantino-drawn man laughs, Laughing even as an ignorant Amazon laughs who thinks she had a father, Bragging and laughing that under his glove is a six-inch-high Power Ring, and in his pocket a piece of red which catches on fire when out of water for an hour unless freed by a male with a faulty responsometer during an eclipse. Laughing! Laughing the stormy, husky, affluent laughter of Middle-Age, capeless, air-conditioned, proud to be Comics Factory, Hero-Maker, Producer of Panels, Player with Word-Balloons and One-Company Paper Shortage for the Nation. (NOTE: Don’t laugh, Stan. Next letter he said he was going to defend you!)

114 From Alter Ego #9: 2013 EDITORS’ NOTE: This footnoted article was headed by the title art and logo at left, pasted up by Roy Thomas, using a figure from Hubert Rogers’ cover for the science-fiction pulp Astounding Science Fiction (Oct. 1939)—and, even more astoundingly, a Green Lantern figure which was actually cut out of a page of Mike Sekowsky/Bernard Sachs original art from an issue of Justice League of America given to Thomas by DC editor Julius Schwartz. Of course, access to a good or Photostat machine was difficult for the average person in 1965, but RT still considers it one of his worst youthful follies—on both an artistic and a financial level. [Astounding art © 2013 the respective copyright holders; GL art © 2013 DC Comics.] Alas, neither of the editors has any knowledge of Shel Kagan’s later doings—although that name did pop up as an editor in issues of National Geographic only a few years ago. Do you think maybe…?

All of this is by way of introducing a series of science-fiction novels, now about thirty years old, which (as an additional reason for this article) would have made a magnificent comic-book (or -strip) series. The visual possibilities, the colorful characters and variety of weird beings, the sweep of galaxy-wide adventure—great hile science-fiction no longer enjoys the flush times W enough in prose—would have been classic under the knowl- comicwise that it did during the 1950s, still a large percent- edgeable pen of a true master of panel art. As it is, there are age of today’s comics are concerned with s-f themes. A very a number of parallels that can be drawn between this series common figure is the scientist-hero, and two very popular and several currently popular ones. This is the story of—the and closely-related origin motifs are those of the experiment- Lensmen. gone-wrong and of the accident-with-radioactivity, as witness Doctor Solar, the Metal Men, and a good number of Stan I. Lee’s abundant . Many other super-hero comics have close connections with science-fiction either in conception or realization. The power Two thousand million or so years ago, two galax- of Green Lantern was bestowed on him by a stranded and ies were colliding; or, rather, were passing through dying spaceman and many of his adventures take place on each other. other worlds; Hawkman, too, has been transformed from a So begins Triplanetary, the first volume of E.E. (Doc) reincarnated Egyptian into an interstellar policeman. And, of Smith’s six-volume Lensmen series. The opening chapters course, Superman’s birth on and his subsequent of this first novel detail the encounter between two super- journey through space are the classic examples of science- races—the Eddorians and the Arisians, each from one of the fiction in panel form; even the original explanation for his two colliding universes. The Eddorians, “intolerant, domi- “flying”—the lighter gravity of Earth—is straight out of an neering, rapacious, insatiable, cold, callous and brutal,” are astrophysics textbook.* planning the conquest of our space-time continuum, which Probably justifiably, Julius Schwartz denies any real they have just recently entered. The Arisians, kindly yet dependence on science-fiction prose. However, he does powerful guardians of our Milky Way star system, discover point out the large number of comic writers who have also the interlopers when Enphilistor, a young Arisian, stumbles worked in the science-fiction field: Alfred Bester and Otto (if that is the right word, since they are all pure mentalities) Binder, to name just two. on an Eddorian war conference. Lightly parrying a destruc- As both a science-fiction reader and a comics fan, I can’t tive thrust of Eddorian mental energy, Enphilistor calls for help thinking that there is a distinct relationship between the help. two genres. It’s not so much that one owes any particular debt to the other, but rather that they share a common body of ideas—a pool, as it were, out of which authors and illus- A grave, deeply resonant pseudo-voice filled the trators draw (pun intended) their story lines and graphic con- Eddorians’ minds; each perceived in three-dimen- cepts. sional fidelity an aged, white-bearded human face. “We, the Elders of Arisia in fusion, are here.” * It is perhaps this matter of science-fiction, as much as any other single factor, which elucidates the basic difference between Superman and his accused imitator, Captain Marvel. The World’s Mightiest Mortal was based entirely on fantasy—magic, if you will—while the Man of Steel was a product of elementary-level science-fiction. —RT. 119 An Alter Ego Extra! Crudzine Steve Gerber & “Comic Heroes Of Past, Pressent, Future, And Others!!”

In 1964, perhaps a year before he “turned pro,” Roy Thomas impishly birthed the notion of producing a one-shot parody publication. Crudzine #1-and-only would take aim at all the truly awful, badly-illustrated, and sub-literate comics fanzines that had sprung up in the preceding few years. The term “crudzine” was indeed in use at that time as a dismissal of, obviously, a “cruddy fanzine.” Crudzine would be printed on a spirit duplicator (not that that, in and of itself, was anything to be ashamed of), would have spectacularly lousy production stan- dards (and spelling), would be studded with art spots and comic strips that would give the word “amateur” a bad name, would have its pages stapled partly upside- down and out of order, and would consist entirely of wretchedly written, ill- (or un-)researched articles with atrocious sentence structure and worse punctuation. As a final fillip, one-syllable words would be divided at the end of a line. All of these things were in evidence in the “crudzines” of the day—although they weren’t always all on view in the same publication. Roy, then a high school English teacher in Arnold, Missouri, enlisted his younger St. Louis friend Steve Gerber (then in high school in suburban University City) and several of the latter’s teen friends to contribute. A blast was to be had by all. However, as Roy first got busier and busier with Alter Ego itself, began writing long-distance for Charlton, and then abruptly got the call from “Superman” line editor to move to New York City, he reluctantly turned the entire 2013 EDITORS’ NOTE: This quarter-page ad for project over to Steve and his buddies (Bruce Carlin, Steve Grant, and Allen Crudzine #1 appeared in Alter Ego #9—which may Goffstein). The U-City boys ran with it—and how! have come out after the spirit-duplicator mag did! Crudzine was, in one sense, like The Comicollector and On the Drawing Roy Thomas’ advertised “Interview with Stan Lee’s Board/The Comic Reader, a spinoff of Alter Ego—but this time of Roy Thomas’ Third Cousin”—conceived long before RT had met A/E, not Jerry Bails’. And, just so that nobody could miss the point, it was decid- or gone to work at Marvel, remember—was never ed the Crudzine logo would be a send-up of A/E’s own. written. The Gerber-and- company Crudzine hit the U.S. mails sometime in 1965, perhaps after Roy had departed for the Big Apple. Its highlights included a two-page “Complete History” of Batman, a Justice League of America checklist (with some truly hilarious one-sentence summaries of issues’ stories), and, perhaps best of all, the SG-written-and-drawn “The Green Rabbit,” a takeoff on ama-hero strips of the period. (Any resemblance to Steve’s later work on the feature he co-created, or on Man-Thing, The Unknown, et al., is strictly coincidental.) Crudzine ended with Steve’s basically serious admonition to all fanzine editors: “IF YOUR ZINE LOOKS ANYTHING, REPEAT—ANYTHING—like the magazine you have just read… BURN ALL COPIES AND DESTROY THE MASTERS!” And apparently most people did—’cause copies of Crudzine #1 are roughly as rare as those of the 1961 Alter-Ego #1!

For a several-page, illustrated article dis- cussing Crudzine in more detail, see Alter Ego #95 (July 2010).

2013 Editors’ Note: Steve Gerber, some years later, ponders the cover he drew for Crudzine (or should we call it Crud Zine?) #1. And yes, Virginia, the rest of the issue was printed upside-down from the cover. [© 2013 Estate of Steve Gerber.]

123 An Alter Ego Extra! The #10 That Almost Was

The Story Behind The Never-Published Issue Of A/E, Vol. 1 by Roy Thomas

A funny thing happened on the way to Alter Ego, Vol. 1, #10. Next up, as per the ad in #9, was to be the third and final part of I became a professional comic book writer and editor. Fred Patten’s “Supermen South” study of the It happened in three stages in 1965, while issue #9 was in the then being published in Mexico. (Fred would finally publish it in a final stages of preparation and printing. In late winter or very early fanzine in the 1970s. His entire lengthy article, plus added material spring of that year, while teaching high school in the St. Louis area, on the mid-1960s Mexican “” comic, was gathered with I sold two super-hero scripts to Charlton via mail; by year’s end, beaucoup illustrations in A/E Vol. 3, #43—but, while it is certainly they would be published in the final issues of the mid-1960s incar- of ample quality for inclusion in any “best of” volume, it is not nations of and Blue Beetle. Also early in '65, I reprinted herein. Its magazine version, however, is still in print.) received a letter from DC editor Mort Weisinger offering me a job “The Cult of Mercury” was in the process, presumably, of being as his assistant on the seven Superman/-starring titles. written by Derrill Rothermich, who had co-authored the Turning my back on a graduate fellowship under which I would “Blackhawk” history in #8. It would have covered the Golden Age have studied foreign relations at George Washington University in likes of , Silver Streak, Quicksilver, The Whizzer, et al. the nation’s capital, I accepted his offer and in late June I flew to Perhaps because my circumstances changed and A/E #10 became New York City. As it turned out, before mid-July I wound up work- officially delayed, Derrill never delivered any of the article to me, ing for Stan Lee at Marvel Comics. to the best of my recollection. When I left Missouri, not only was the entirety of A/E #9 in . I was thrilled that Don Thompson, whose nostalgic the hands of a St. Louis County printer (who did a mediocre job on it after I made the mistake of paying him in advance), but the 10th issue was well under way and had been announced at 48 pages, the same length as the previous edition. Its promised contents, as revealed in the first Best of volume and in the #9 house ad printed on the facing page of this book: The cover had already been drawn by future Charlton and Marvel artist Sam Grainger, utilizing the Ronn Foss mask logo that Biljo White and I had kept for #7-9. Sam’s illustration art depicted Golden/Silver Age writer Gardner F. Fox and four of his co-creations: the Silver Age Flash and Hawkman, Dr. Fate, and Alan Morgan, hero of Fox’s 1964 Ace paperback novel Warrior of Llarn. (Sam had misunderstood my instructions and had drawn the Silver Age Flash instead of the Golden Age speedster—not that Fox shouldn’t rightfully be considered co- creator of the 1956 incarnation, as well. Sam cheerfully volun- teered to draw a Jay Garrick/Flash figure I could paste over that of /Flash; and he would have, if that cover had been used for the tenth issue. For this book, Sam having sadly passed away in 1990, Australian fan/artist Shane Foley traced/redrew one Flash into the other and sent us the results digitally, so that no pasting needed to be involved. Layout supervisor David P. Greenawalt has added the text for the cover blurb at lower right. The resultant cover is reproduced at right—as it would’ve been seen had it been printed in late 1965 or ’66 as originally planned, except for the lack of color. The art portion of Grainger’s work, as adjusted by Foley, became the cover of this publication.) The cover feature was to be a by-mail interview with Gardner Fox (see a more photographic drawing of him on p. 29). The writer had consented to my inter- viewing him via that method while I still lived in Missouri, but I don’t believe I ever got around to sending him any questions before my plans abruptly changed and A/E [Flash, Hawkman, Fate & TM Dr. & © 2013 DC Comics; other art © 2013 Estate of Sam Grainger.] #10 got delayed. Sam Grainger 124 128 129 An Alter Ego Extra!

Alter Ego #10 - The First “Pro” Issue

Much of the story of how the tenth issue of Alter Ego was form; most of he art had been utilized in a different format eventually published was told, to the best of Roy’s ability to (and with considerably different verbiage) in Joe’s color remember it, in Best of, Vol. 1, so by and large, below, we’ll Tor comics for DC in the ’70s. This coup led to Mark’s try to add information he and Bill didn’t have room for in being listed as an “assistant editor.” The circumstances 1997. around John Benson’s groundbreaking interview with And those memories, as Roy admits, are far less sharp would-be comics industry escapee (and very definite than those concerning Modeling with Millie #44 (the first innovator and entrepreneur) Gil Kane, which became the Marvel comic he dialogued) or Conan the Barbarian #1. cover feature and lead piece in the issue, were related in Why? Simply because the preparation was all done, in detail in Vol. 1 of this series. Roy got informal permission fits and starts and little pieces, in the space in between the from Topps Chewing Gum (i.e., its young exec and former demands of being an associate editor and writer for Stan RT roommate Len Brown probably cleared it verbally with Lee at Marvel Comics. his superior, Woody Gelman) to reprint from black-&-white Roy has only the foggiest recollection of how Stan and Photostats, with no money changing hands, two Wally Marvel production manager Sol Wood-drawn parodies of pro heroes Brodsky became, at least for a brief that Topps had test-marketed circa ’67 time, his “silent partners” in the (with one script each by Len and enterprise—though he’s positive it was Roy)… while Stan’s idea as a business proposition, administrator Len Darvin was happy to and that Sol was rung in mostly scribe an article about the Code because he was there (although Sol (another freebie). Roy’s Coney Island became quite enthusiastic about the poker host turned over project). Under these circumstances, photos from his 1969 New York Comic it no longer made much sense to uti- Art Convention for Roy to add alleged- lize the fan-material originally ly humorous word balloons to; Phil planned for issue #10 (although Roy even wrote a few words about the con would’ve wanted to run many if not all (promotion for the ’70 one, don’t you of those pieces at some later stage). know). Roy doesn’t recall quite how his He’s pretty sure it was Marvel underground friend Trina Sam Rosen whom Sol assigned to Robbins came to suggest the Steranko- adapt Ronn Foss’ A/E logo into the related riff on the “Paul-McCartney-Is- version still in use more than four Dead” rumor then making the rounds, decades later (but as to how Sam was but it was probably her idea, just as he paid—or if he was paid—Roy has no wrote in 1969; the two of them still memory; Sol sadly died in 1984, and The cover of Alter Ego #10 (1970), with art by giggle about it occasionally when they Gil Kane framing a caricature of Kane by Stan’s steel-trap memory is no better run into each other at the San Diego . It was printed far bigger, of on this subject than it is on who inked Comic-Con. What course, in Vol. 1 of this series. [Caricature © Fantastic Four #1). Roy can only 2013 Marie Severin; Green Lantern TM & © 2013 thought of it, they never asked. assume that each man became a one- DC Comics; Captain Marvel TM & © 2013 Marvel Marie Severin was asked by Roy if third partner, though he doubts that Characters, Inc.; other art © 2013 Estate of Gil she’d draw a caricature of Gil for the anything ever got put down in writing Kane.] cover—and, again, Roy’s not sure if she before Stan decided to withdraw his received, or wanted, remuneration. She participation, well in advance of the beginnings of real took to the task with apparent relish, and Gil himself was so preparation of the issue. taken with it that he obtained the original from her. It hung Roy recalls Mark Hanerfeld acquiring the never-printed in his home for the rest of his life. Gil was only too happy samples of Joe Kubert’s 1960s Tor as to draw a frame for it, consisting of a mix of DC, Marvel, Photostats, as well as Joe’s permission to publish them— and generic heroes—plus his own hero, from the graphic and we are eternally grateful to Joe, a year before he novel His Name Is… Savage, which he then intended to be passed away in 2012, for permission to reprint them in this his ticket out of what he felt was the comic-book ghetto. book in the same size and format that we did more than That last part didn’t work out—but of course Gil is now forty years ago, so that they can be seen in their original honored, and was honored late in his lifetime, as one of the

138 From Alter Ego #10:

The Help 2013 Editors’ Note: A/E #10’s two assistant editors. (Above:) Mark Hanerfeld, fan and sometime DC editorial assistant; 1965 photo from the files of Jerry G. Bails. (Below:) Tom Fagan, fan-writer and host of Rutland, Vermont, Halloween parties. Thanks to Al Bradford. These photos were not in A/E #10

Sol Brodsky designed and probably even pasted up the inventive #10 contents page, utilizing art and photos from the body of the issue. Nice job, huh? [Hulk & Captain America art © 2013 Marvel Characters; parody art © 2013 Topps Chewing Gum, Inc.; Tor art © 2013 Estate of Joe Kubert.]

141 From Alter Ego #10: You know the line. I mean the one about how comic books can’t really be art because so many people are involved in the produc- tion of the thing. And how there are different pencilers, and inkers, and , and how most of the stories are written by other people anyhow? Yeah, you know the line! You almost always get it from the ones who like their opinions ready-made and pre- digested (although, at times, I have gotten it from people who should have known better.) Whenever I get any of these people, I usually sit them down in a nice comfortable chair, and hit them with something I call…

Joe Kubert. Photo not in A/E #10. [All art accompanying this article © 2013 Estate of Joe Kubert.] Joe of Estate 2013 © article this accompanying art [All

Generally, it starts with my quietly explaining to them that bled for story’s sake, the strip had an air of reality about it that just because more than one person is involved in the creation grew out of the powerfully-drawn characters and settings. of a work of art doesn’t mean that work (be it literature, paint- Even though later issues occasionally employed the writing ing, or whatever) is any less valid as “art.” After all, didn’t talents of Bob Bernstein and inking talents of Bob Bean, the many of the great painters of the Renaissance have their assis- strip still bore the distinctive stamp of a Joe Kubert creation: tants help in finishing-up those slightly less important details the product of one man’s thought and imagination. of a painting? And furthermore, is not the subject matter of By the time I’ve finished haranguing my poor victim with many of those great paintings drawn directly from the mythol- words (and illustrations, if I have my copies of the magazines ogy of the ancient Greek and Roman storytellers? As old handy), he is customarily ready to grudgingly admit that, yes, axioms die hard, this bit of analogizing usually leaves the poor some comic books can be art. No mean accomplishment, I victim flustered, especially if he’s never really given those assure you. But chances are, if you’re reading this, you axioms a second, or perhaps even first, thought. That’s when I already know all that because you already are a comics fan. hit them with the clincher. I double back to their original qual- However, if you’re a new fan, you may not have heard of, let ifications and tell them all about Tor. alone actually seen Tor. Well, let’s remedy that situation here It goes something like this: Back around 1953, there was and now! this enterprising comics group called the St. John Publishing Co., whose publisher, Archer St. John, had the foresight and In a way, we’ll begin at the end, with a “new” Tor story. On daring to allow an artist to edit, write, pencil, letter, ink, color, the next six pages are printed an unfinished two weeks’ worth and even own the rights to his own character. Why, the artist of an unsold Tor newspaper strip, which was written by even got to share in the magazine’s profits! Unheard of! The Carmine Infantino and illustrated by Joe Kubert, circa 1959. comic book was called Tor, and the artist was Joe Kubert. Tor The comic book followed the adventures of mature Tor; the was a caveman adventure strip set in the world of one million strip harks back to his childhood… years ago, and although the ecological balance was a bit jum- 142 143 From Alter Ego #10:

It was who first made the Great Discovery. the mind-rending artwork and script of S.H.I.E.L.D. #3 (“Dark She’s a funny girl, is Trina. An underground cartoonist, a Moon Rise, Hell Hound Kill!”—which many devotees consid- sometime seamstress, a maker of weird and wonderful cookies er his finest hour), and was swiftly and surreptitiously replaced from arcane, occult recipes. by a second artist, who has actually done all artwork attributed A few years ago I’d have written her off as a kook. Now’s to Steranko since that time. The cause of the Jaunty One’s she just good people. untimely demise was a severe puncture of the right forearm by Anyway, we were sitting around rapping one night not long an errant Eversharp. ago—she, I, my omnipresent wife Jeanie, and (yes, More strangely still, there is even evidence to suggest that the one who writes that crazy Buck Rogers stuff)—when sud- the real Steranko had premonitions of disaster—that he fore- denly Trina said it. saw that he was not long for this mortal coil. “Jim Steranko is dead due to acute lead poisoning in his Consider for a moment, if you will, S.H.I.E.L.D. #3. right forearm—and I can prove it!” In that issue—Jim’s last, according to the Trina Thesis— Simonesque sounds of silence resounded through my living there is a singular obsession with death, tombstones, and room. A mote of dust crashed loudly into a scatter pillow. graveyards. “R.I.P.!” screams the stone on the cover, and And then, as we three sat mesmerized, Trina unfurled her “R.I.P.!” echoes an almost identical stone in the final panel of case with the aid of my dog-eared bound volumes of Marvel the tale. Comics. An airtight case, I might add. An all but irrefutable Consider also the myriad other references to death and to line of inductive reasoning. things dead in that story. The murder with which the magazine For some time, it seems, in between chronicling the often opens, splashed in living black-and-white across two pages; amorous escapades of “Panthea the Beast-Girl” for Gothic the movie stars with whom Jim has peopled the book, some of Blimp Works, Trina had been copiously poring over the collect- them deceased (and waiting for Jim to join them?); the sup- ed comic book works of one Jim Steranko. Hardly a life’s posed ghost with whom duels; the rusty, cob- work, inasmuch as Jim has (had?) built his monolithic reputa- webbed armor, a relic of a bygone age, which almost dispatch- tion on the merest handful of panel-art masterpieces. es the indestructible agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.; even the climax, in And slowly—inescapably, she likes to put it—there had which it is revealed that the true villains are a crew of unre- dawned upon her the staggering conclusion that the award- generate Nazis, last remnants of a dead Reich. winning super-artist of S.H.I.E.L.D. was no longer with us—or The most telling clue of all concerning Steranko’s imminent with anybody, for that matter. demise is a name which pops abruptly in and out of the story The internal evidence to support the Trina Thesis was mas- on page 4. Nick Fury states that he has come to Ravenlock sive—and impressive. because of the death of an old army buddy, one “Ken Astor.” And Ken Astor spelled sideways is—Steranko. According to it, Jim Steranko perished soon after completing And yet, all this seems flimsy enough—until one realizes

151 An Alter Ego Extra! Alter Ego #11 – The Mike Friedrich Issue

In his editorial on the first page of Alter Ego and ’s discussion of the latter’s #11, Mike Friedrich—comic-book writer and “highly spiritual approach to drawing and sto- editor, and by then also the publisher of rytelling” translated all that well into print. Star*Reach Publications and its small line of That’s as may be, but Mike was still one of the “ground-level” comics between mainstream first people on this side of the Atlantic to con- and underground—says that it was more Roy duct an interview with that artistic genius. The Thomas’ issue than his. That might be true in decades since have borne eloquent witness to terms of the number of pages it contained Mike’s estimate of Giraud’s stature in the graph- devoted to Roy’s interview with artist/writer ic arts, as Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier as opposed to Mike’s with French arranged in the 1980s and ’90s for much of his cartoonist Jean Giraud (22 vs. 7), but the fact work, both the Western Lt. Blueberry (done as remains that, without both Mike’s initial impe- “Gir”) and the science-fantasy (as “Moebius”) tus and his stated desire to become A/E’s fourth to be published by Marvel for an American publisher/editor, the issue would never have audience, and for Moebius and Stan Lee to col- happened. laborate on a classic graphic Or at least, Roy feels, it wouldn’t have hap- novel. Giraud passed away in 2012. pened till at least 1986, the year in which his The cover of A/E #11 consisted of a Morever, since the artwork and writings of second three-year contract with DC Comics caricature of Sub-Mariner creator Sub-Mariner/Amazing-Man creator Bill Everett came to an end and he became, at age 45, for Bill Everett drawn by Marie have also come in for increased and well- the first time in his life, that most tenuous of Severin—surrounded by a frame deserved critical attention in the 21st century, at life-forms: a professional freelance writer. drawn by Everett. [Caricature © 2013 least partly because of a combination of cover- That was the year, after all, when Roy and Marie Severin; Sub-Mariner, , & Venus age in Alter Ego, Vol. 3, and in hardcover books TM & © 2013 Marvel Characters, Inc.; wife Dann got together with a new Chicago other art © 2013 Estate of Bill Everett.] edited by Blake Bell, that makes A/E #11 a bit of company called First Comics and turned out, a landmark in more ways than one. (Though with artist Ron Harris, a four-issue comic book series called— Roy has never totally resolved in his own mind the question of Alter Ego. whether he interviewed Bill circa 1970, as he believes, or in Since additional details regarding how and why A/E V1#11 1972. He’d give more credence to the later date, which he cited got published in 1978 are fiendishly vague in the minds of both in his 1978 editorial, but that would set it much closer to the gents, suffice it to say that Roy dug out his transcription of the date of Bill’s death in February 1973, and he feels their talk Everett interview (done for him by Don & ), came rather earlier than that.) and Mike did As an additional if minor milestone for #11, there’s Mike’s the rest, though use, in his interview with Giraud, of the abbreviation “A/E” for “Roy Thomas “Alter Ego,” which had previously only been used once—on the and Mike contents page of #10 (see p. 141). This usage, which splits the Friedrich” were difference between the fanzine’s original hyphenated name and listed—by Mike, the two-word version amended by Ronn Foss with issue #5, generously—as would be re-introduced by editor Jon B. Cooke in 1998, when co-editors in the Alter Ego (in a “Vol. 2”) resurfaced after twenty years to indicia. become a separate-cover “rider” to the first five issues of his In the notes TwoMorrows magazine Comic Book Artist. This time around, he wrote for Roy took a liking to that slash… and “A/E” it has been ever Best of, Vol. 1, since. Mike said he Although destined to be the final issue of A/E’s initial incar- didn’t think the nation, that single splendiferous definitely-1970s issue means majority of his that, from 1961 through the present, This photo of Mike Friedrich (times 2), taken by there has never been a decade in which San Diego Comic-Con co-founder , was a comics-related magazine titled Alter snapped on the California coast in 1978, and Ego did not play a part. appeared on the inside back cover of A/E #11, And Roy is determined to accompanying an ad for back issues of keep that streak going for Star*Reach comics. [© 2013 the respective copy- some time to come.... right holders.]

154 From Alter Ego #11:

2013 Editors’ Note: Jean-Giraud (Moebius) around the time of this interview. This photo was not in A/E #11. Giraud passed away in 2012.

Monday, November 1st, 1977. “All Saints Day” in France is has a mind as agile as his artwork. Mal’s tape recorder cap- a holiday, so the Parisian streets are lacking their usual bustle. tured most of it for you (though some is missing, including Londoner Mal Burns and a friend of a friend of his, more of our conversation about America). Dominique Gaillard, and myself are taking the train out of Most of the recorded questions are asked by Mal, who is the town to visit Jean Giraud. While passing the row of auto one who has transcribed and edited the interview into its pres- plants I’m trying to remember the first time we’d met: New ent form. Mal has printed this interview in his British maga- York some five years previous, when we’d shared a coffee shop zine Graphixus and we thank him for permission to use it here. table with a number of other comics people. All I can recall is Thanks, too, to Jean-Pierre Dionnet, who arranged the meet- that at the time I knew his name and had glanced at his work ing, and again, to Dominique Gaillard for her invaluable on “Lt. Blueberry.” The conversation had been distant, per- assistance and company. —MF haps strained. Now Giraud’s become the famous “Moebius,” seen first in ALTER EGO: [Previous to the point where this dialogue L’Echo des Savanes and Metal Hurlant, then more recently in begins, we have been looking at the latest issue of Brainstorm translation in Heavy Metal. His “Blueberry” is now much Comix – in particular, the emotional impact of Steve more familiar (and exciting). Perhaps more than any single Berridge’s “Sonny” strip and then Tony Scofield’s “City European comics artist, this guy’s bridging the gap across the Tale”….] Atlantic, making the world that much smaller. What kind of person was I going to meet? What does one say? JEAN GIRAUD: It is very typical, you know—after all this We get off about 60 km outside Paris and he’s there to greet time. The detail is very small. It conveys the kind of vision us—in a bright (if faded) red American college jacket. He’s that goes right back to the Aztec cultures, people who take clear-headed, instantly cordial and open. All worries evapo- mushrooms, Mexican mushrooms, they all get the same kind rate. In fact, he appears more nervous than we are, perhaps of vision. This scientist has recently discovered it—a special due to having to speak in English (in which he is reasonably way in which the eye views things that is not present in our fluent, if not confident). Fortunately, Dominique is with us to [normal] vision, but that things like mushrooms can bring out. translate and interpret when necessary, so even this problem is quickly erased. A/E: Do mushrooms and similar catalysts help you much in We meet his very young son (the kind with searchlight bea- your work? Some of the images do suggest so. cons in his eyes), who’s fascinated by the foreigners. Then we settle down to talking, whereupon we discover that “Moebius” GIRAUD: Well, I’ve taken mushrooms, yes, but I did not

155 TwoMorrows Publishing $1995 Raleigh, North Carolina In The US

More Of The Best Of Alter Ego, The Legendary Comics Fanzine! ISBN 978-1-60549-048-9 This sequel to Alter Ego: The Best of the Legendary Comics Fanzine presents more fantastic features from the fabled mag begun in 1961 by Jerry Bails & Roy Thomas—covering undiscovered gems from all 11 original issues published between 1961 and 1978! Editors Roy Thomas and Bill Schelly uncover never-revealed secrets about the first super-hero fanzine ever published, with vintage articles about Tor, Hawkman, the Spectre, Blackhawk, the ISBN-13: 978-1605490489 Justice League of America, the All Winners Squad, Robotman, Wonder Woman, the Heap, the Lensmen/Green Lantern connection, and so much more! Plus rarely-seen comics stories by Joe Kubert (a gorgeous, unsold “Tor” ISBN-10: 1605490482 5 1 9 9 5 newspaper strip), Ronn Foss (“The Eclipse”), and Roy Thomas and Sam Grainger (adapting Gardner Fox’s novel “Warrior of Llarn”), as well as Roy’s entire “Bestest League of America” parody, collected for the first time ever! There’s even a never-before-reprinted 1977 interview with Jean Giraud (“Moebius”), plus special sections on Bails’ adzine The Comicollector and on “the A/E #10 that almost was”! It’s all behind a classic cover of Gardner Fox and 9 781605 490489 his greatest creations by then-future Marvel artist Sam Grainger! Justice League of America, Justice Society of America, Blackhawk, Marvel Family are TM & © DC Comics. Tor is TM & © Joe Kubert. All other characters are TM & © their respective owners.