Thursday, October 31, 2013

Episode #286: Superman Comic Book Cover Dated September 1962: Action Comics #292!

Action Comics 292!


Download Episode 286!

ACTION COMICS 292, September 1962, was published around July 26, 1962. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. The editor was Mort Weisinger, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein.

- The 14 page Superman story was titled WHEN SUPERMAN DEFENDED HIS ARCH-ENEMY. No writer was credited,  but the artist was Al Plastino. This story has been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III.

- The 11 page Supergirl story was titled, THE SUPER-STEED OF STEEL, written by Leo Dorfman and drawn by Jim Mooney. This story has been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERGIRL vol. II.

Elsewhere in DC Comics, 28 titles carried the September or September/October 1962 cover date.

Next Episode: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOK COVER DATED NOVEMBER 1959 PART I: WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 105!

In 2 Weeks: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOK COVER DATED NOVEMBER 1959 PART II: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 13!

In 3 Weeks: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED OCTOBER 1962 PART I: SUPERMAN 156!

In 1 Month: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED OCTOBER 1962 PART II: ACTION COMICS 293!

I also update the story of Al Plastino's art for the SUPERMAN 170 story, SUPERMAN'S MISSION FOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY, which he had intended to be donated to the JFK Presidential Library, but instead recently surfaced for auction.

Superman Homepage writer Adam Dechanel is the writer and co-director of a play that will be performed during the holiday season in London. Go to http://thejunglebook.eu/ for more information. A video trailer can be found here.


The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of the following:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !
- COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Episode 285 Part II: Superman Family Comic Book Cover Dated October 1959: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #40!

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen 40!



Download Episode 285 Part II!

SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 40, October 1959, was published around August 20, 1959. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of a dime. The editor was Mort Weisinger, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye, featuring the issue's first of three stories. All three 9 page stories were drawn by the same art team of penciller Curt Swan and inker John Forte, and have been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III.

- THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF JIMMY OLSEN was written by Otto Binder.

- JIMMY OLSEN, SUPERGIRL'S PAL was also written by Otto Binder, and reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERGIRL vol. I.

- JIMMY OLSEN, JUVENILE DELINQUENT was written by Robert Bernstein.

Also highlighted in this episode are the issue's ads and other features, including the letter column JIMMY OLSEN'S PEN-PALS.

Elsewhere in DC Comics, 32 titles carried the October or October/November 1959 cover date, thanks to the website MIKE'S AMAZING WORLD OF DC COMICS. These titles were highlighted at the end of Episode 198, for the week of Wednesday September 28, 2011.

Next Episode: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED SEPTEMBER 1962: ACTION COMICS 292!

In 2 Weeks: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOK COVER DATED NOVEMBER 1959 PART I: WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 105!

In 3 Weeks: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOK COVER DATED NOVEMBER 1959 PART II: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 13!

Adam Dechanel, writer for the SUPERMAN HOMEPAGE, is also writer and co-producer of THE JUNGLE BOOK, a play that will be performed at The Lion & The Unicorn Theatre in London, England from December 13, 2013 through January 14, 2014. If you are going to be in Great Britain during this time, and would be interested in attending this play, call 08444-771-000. To learn more about the production go to http://www.thejunglebook.eu/.


Finally, Al Plastino posted a picture of himself on facebook recently, holding his original art for the story, SUPERMAN'S MISSION FOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY. This story was scheduled to be published during the month of November 1963, but was pulled from the publication schedule after his assassination. It would later be published in SUPERMAN 170, which was covered back in Episode 49, December 10, 2008. He had meant for his original art for the story to be donated to the JFK Presidential Library, but recently discovered that it was up for auction. After checking with the JFK Library, which could not find any record that the art had ever been donated to the Library, Mr. Plastino tried to get the art back from Heritage Auction. According to Mr. Plastino, they informed him that he no longer had rights to the art, and would not reveal the identity of the art's consignor. 

A spokesman for Heritage Auction replied to someone's facebook post, stating that the art had first been sold at a Sothby's auction in 1993. The consignor Heritage was working with had an excellent track record with them,, and they had no reason to doubt that he had the right to sell the art. The spokesman also explained that the picture showing Mr. Plastino holding the art for the title page was taken at the New York ComiCon. A Heritage employee was talking with Mr. Plastino, and he wanted to look at it, and another Heritage employee took the picture.

If Mr. Plastino is unable to get his art back, let's hope whoever buys the art will honor his original wishes for the original pages and donate them to the JFK Presidential Library.

I covered his life and career in Episode 157 and blog.

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of the following:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !
- COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Episode #285 Part I: Superman Family Comic Book Cover Dated October 1959: Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane#12!

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane 12!


Download Episode 285 Part I!

SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 12, October 1959, was published on August 11, 1959. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 10¢. The editor was Mort Weisinger, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye, featuring the issue's second of three stories. The stories in this issue have been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN FAMILY vol. III. The writer for all three stories was Robert Bernstein, according to the Grand Comic Book DatabaseMike's Amazing World Of DC Comics does not list a writer.

- THE MERMAID FROM METROPOLIS (9 pgs.), The artist was iconic Lois Lane artist Kurt Schaffenberger. This story was also reprinted in LOIS LANE ANNUAL 1 and SHOWCASE PRESENTS: AQUAMAN vol. I.

- THE GIRL ATLAS (8 pgs.), was also drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger.

- LOIS LANE LOVES CLARK KENT (9 pgs.), was drawn by Al Plastino.

This episode also highlights the ads and other features in this issue, including the LETTERS FOR LOIS column.

Because this is the first of two episodes covering the Superman Family issues cover dated October 1959, the other DC titles which carried the same cover date will be covered at the end of next episode.

Next Episode: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOK COVER DATED OCTOBER 1959 PART II: SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 40!

In 2 Weeks: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED SEPTEMBER 1962: ACTION COMICS 292!

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of the following:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !
- COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Episode #284: Superman Comic Books Cover Dated August 1962: Superman #155 & Action Comics #291

Superman 155 & Action Comics 291!



Download Episode 284!

SUPERMAN 155, August 1962, was published around June 21, 1962. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. The editor was Mort Weisinger, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and, according to Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics, inked by Sheldon Moldoff, featuring the issue's second and final story. According to the Grand Comic Book Database, it lists the inker as John Forte. Both stories in this issue have been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III.

The first story in this issue was divided into two parts:

- SUPERMAN UNDER THE GREEN SUN (9 pgs.), written by Bill Finger according to SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III and the Grand Comic Book Database (which credits Finger as the writer of both parts of this story). Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics and The Comic Book Database lists the writer as Edmond Hamilton. ComicbookDB also credits Mort Weisinger as co-writer for both parts of this story.

- The 8 page Part II was titled The Blind Superman, written by Jerry Siegel, according to SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III. Because of the disagreement about the writer credit for this story, I did not count this story toward Jerry Siegel's total silver age comic book story writing credit. Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics did not list a writer. The art team was penciller Wayne Boring and inker Stan Kaye.

- THE DOWNFALL OF SUPERMAN (8 pgs.), was written by Jerry Siegel, according to SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III and the Grand Comic Book Database. This story was Siegel's 42nd Superman story, and his 114th overall for the era. Curt Swan was the penciller and George Klein was the inker.

ACTION COMICS 291, August 1962, was published on June 28, 1962. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. Mort Weisinger was the editor, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye. This cover also served as the cover for SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III, where it was reprinted.

- The 12 page Superman story was titled THE NEW SUPERMAN, written by Robert Bernstein and drawn by Al Plastino.

- The 12 page Supergirl story was titled THE BRIDE OF MR. MXYZPTLK, written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Jim Mooney, and was reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERGIRL vol. II. This story was Siegel's 73rd silver age Superman Family story, and his 115th overall for the era.

Elsewhere in DC Comics, 30 titles carried the August or August/September 1962 cover date.

Because of my changing work schedule, I'm going to change my episode schedule. In order to cut down on the prep time for each episode, for now, I will cover only one comic book issue per episode. For months with more than one Superman title, I will cover the other Superman title for that particular month in the next episode.

Next Episode: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED OCTOBER 1959 PART I: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 12!

In 2 weeks: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED OCTOBER 1959 PART II: SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 40!

In 3 Weeks: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED SEPTEMBER 1962: ACTION COMICS 292!

In 4 Weeks: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOK COVER DATED NOVEMBER 1959: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 13!

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of the following:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !
- COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!