Roger Wilco #1

Roger Wilco (February 1992) #1 is based on the thrilling "Space Quest" computer games from Sierra Online or so the cover claims. I have never played any of the games and I really do not want to after reading this issue. Humor and science fiction are mixed in a not too subtle way. I do like the cover and interior art by John Shaw, who was also the writer, but not enough to get any more issues in the series.

Halloween Countdown 2009 Day 24: Adventure Comics #431 and #436

The cover of Adventure Comics (February 1974) was done by Jim Aparo, who also penciled the featured story titled "The Wrath of...the Spectre". The back up story is "Is a Snerl Human?" with art by Alex Toth. Interesting ads include Daisy B-B Gun with kid reading comic book in classroom, Charles Atlas, Monster Size Monsters, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer giant size comic, Pop-O-Matic Games (Headache, Trouble, Pop-Cheks, Bingo and Pop-Dog), Super-Hero Stick-Ons (fourteen for two dollars), Super Spectacular issues of Batman #254 and Witching Hour #38, See-Action Football Game and Another Adventure with the Ready Rangers (promoting the new Ready Ranger Mobile Field Pack). This issue does feature a half page subscription ad along with "Behind the Scenes at the DC Comic World" talking about the comicmobile. The letters page, called "Dateline: Adventure", is included in the back.




Jim Aparo was also the cover artist on Adventure Comics #436 (December 1974). He also did the artwork for "The Gasmen and the Spectre" story. Mike Grell did the artwork for the Aquaman story titled "The King is Dead; Long Live the King". Interesting ads include DC Comics titles for twenty cents, authentic Superman costume for only $6.98, Saturday morning on CBS two page spread (Shazam, Partridge Family 2200 AD, Valley of the Dinosaurs, Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine, Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Comedy Show and U.S. of Archie), DC Comics titles with 100 pages for sixty cents, giant editions of Ghosts and Batman, Monster Size Monsters (featuring Frankenstein and Bones the skelton) and Monogram's Big Wheels/Big Deal contest. A letters page is included in the back of this issue.

My Oldest Comic Book: Adventure Comics #97

Adventure Comics #97 (April/May 1945) is the oldest comic book in my collection. The copy I have was bought about twenty years ago at a local thrift store for $5.00. The store owner wrote a note saying that it was a 1944 issue. This DC Comic from the Golden Age features the Sandman in "No Curtains For Cupid!", the Shining Knight in "Barbs of Chivalry!", Genius Jones in "The Club That Wasn't There!", Starman in "Stolen Glory!", a half page comic strip titled "Gags Giggles 'N Groans" and Mike Gibbs Guerrilla in "The Life of Riley!".

Ads include Private Jones on the back of a captured Japanese soldier promoting Eveready Batteries, Adventures of "R.C." and Quickie in "Circus Terror!" to promote Royal Crown Cola (there is a drawing of Duncan Renaldo at the end of the ad from the movie, The Cisco Kid Returns), a Wheaties New Library of Sports centerfold ad, a half ad for a real U.S. Army plastic helmet and Volto From Mars promoting GrapeNuts Flakes (the bottom has "Tune in Hop Harrigan Blue Network Mon. thru Fri.").

A text story titled "Mad Money" by Eddie Bell can be found after the Starman feature and is continued on the back cover, which I don't have.



Here is the cover of Adventure Comics #97:


Here is my coverless copy of Adventure Comics #97 (there is a tear at the top):