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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Thursday, June 9, 2005
We continue our celebration of Superman's first appearance in print at his ten-year anniversary: ACTION COMICS #121 [June, 1948]. The somewhat sparse cover was pencilled by Wayne Boring and inked by Stan Kaye. They also drew "Superman Vs. Atlas," the issue's 12-page lead feature. Whitney Ellsworth was credited as editor here, but the actual editor was probably Jack Schiff.
The GRAND COMICS DATABASE [www.comics.org] hasn't identified the writer of "Superman Vs. Atlas." To the best of my knowledge, the story hasn't been reprinted, but, thanks to Michael Fleisher's THE GREAT SUPERMAN BOOK [Warner Books; 1978], I can tell you what transpired in the tale.
SHARP, WILLIAM. A racketeer and confidence man who passes off a sideshow strong man as the legendary Atlas - and then stages a cunningly rigged super-strength competition in which Atlas appears to be mightier than Superman - as part of an elaborate scheme to establish Atlas as the world's mightiest mortal so that Sharp can launch a lucrative racket selling his victims "protection" from Atlas. The strong man, who is only an innocent dupe in the scheme, helps Superman apprehend the crafty Sharp.
In those days before Superman could punch it out with super-heroes from Marvel, Image, and other publishers, he sometimes went a few rounds with various mythological heroes. The "Atlas" of this story was a human of above-average might, but, in the 1960s, Supes would find himself duking it out with the "real" Atlas, Hercules, and Zha-Vam the Invincible, who possessed a virtual smorgasbord of godly powers.
ACTION COMICS was still a 52-page magazine at this point, so this issue had room for adventures starring Congo Bill, Zatara the Magician, and the Vigilante.
Have a spare $760 lying around? That's what a near-mint copy of ACTION COMICS #121 will cost you according to the latest edition of the OFFICIAL OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE. A quick check of eBay showed no completed or ongoing auctions for the issue, so, if you *do* have a spare $760 lying around, you might want to think about sending it my way to pay for "protection" from my own fearful strength. I take checks, money orders, and PayPal.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 06/08/2005 | 06/09/2005 | 06/10/2005 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
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