D2-021 Robb and Bey's Wonders of Mongo (1-Oct-1956 to 24-Dec-1956)

Writer: Harvey Kurtzman
Art: Dan Barry

Summary:Washed ashore on a desert beach on Mongo after his adventure on ‘E-Z Island’ (read D2-020 Kozy and Skurvy's Island), Flash is saved by two travelling entertainers/tricksters in possession of Dr. Zarkov’s gun, stolen from a trader in the Market of Kolugi Tribesmen.

Determined to pick up the trail of his lost friends at the notoriously lawless gathering, Flash disguises himself as a local entertainer and infiltrates the market with his new friends, only to find that Zarkov has become a warlord...

(Source of summary: www.ipcomics.net)

   

It's from Emile's e-collection. All credits go to her & "Allen Lane" who scanned it.

More about →

The Evil Cornucopia

Knocking out story #3 from the June 1953 issue of Adventures into Darkness #10, featuring nice Toth-esque art that I'm sure someone else can (and will) properly identify for us. Also today we've included a one page bonus and cool vintage ad, and with one more tale to go to fully wrap up this great AiD issue, we've somehow made July 2010 an all Standard Comics Issue Month! Want another entire month from a single publisher? Let us know your thoughts...

More about →

Number 780


The long and short of Rackman


Rackman,* who appeared for a short time in Airboy Comics, had a tricky secret. He was a dwarf standing on a rack which he wore under his trouser legs. He could make the rack go up and down, increasing or decreasing his height. No elevator shoes for Rackman. The story doesn't explain that this rack system would be akin to walking on stilts, and trying to look taller while walking around would give one herky-jerky movements, at least. Perhaps Rackman, who shared this secret with his family, all dwarfs, had the trick down pretty well after years of practice.

The artwork is by Bernard Sachs and Carmine Infantino; it's from Airboy Comics Volume 4 Number 4, 1947:









*Yes, I'm aware of modern slang usage of the word "rack" and what a "rackman" would be.

More about →

D2-020 Kozy and Skurvy's E-Z Island (11-Jun-1956 to 29-Sep-1956)

Writer: Harvey Kurtzman
Art: Dan Barry

Summary: As Ming’s forces flee into neutral Mongo territory where they cannot be pursued by Prince Barin’s forces (read D2019 Kag the Conqueror), Flash, Dale and Dr. Zarkov agree to act as spies and infiltrate the lawless isle of Merca in the zone to gain intelligence about Ming’s movements.

Setting off on the long journey in the guise of local fishermen, the trio is overcome by a freak storm during which Flash is swept overboard and subsequently washed ashore on a strange, drifting island...

(Source of summary: www.ipcomics.net)

 

It's from Emile's e-collection. All credits go to her & original scanning person.

More about →

Number 779

The little girl who always laughed

A classic by John Stanley, originally from Little Lulu #21, reprinted in the Dell Giant, Little Lulu and Alvin Storytelling Time, from 1959.

I can't give the deep insight that Frank Young of the Stanley Stories blog gives to John Stanley's stories, but what I've determined from this tale are the debilitating effects of low self-esteem, looksism, and the psychologically healing powers of rhinoplasty. If you're in this situation and need it, I suggest you contact your local medical association for a good plastic surgeon. Do not attempt this at home.

Today is the fourth anniversary of this blog. Who'da thunk it? Knowing and understanding my own short attention span, when I started this endeavor in 2006 I had no idea I'd still be at it by now.

More about →

The Man Who Could Not Die!

Depending on your frame of mind when you read "The Man Who Could Not Die!", this could possibly be the funniest story ever posted here at THOIA, or most pathetic. I mean, can you imagine the level of mindbreaking frustration for poor Mike Kyle as time and time again he... well... let's not spoil the fun now and jump the gun, eh?

From the June 1953 issue of Adventures into Darkness #10.

Bonus Text Story!

More about →

Your Kids Could Be Zombies

Now that is a very strange ad.

More about →