tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post2152209490569305985..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: What's So Golden About... Captain America Comics 5?Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-30432179783181082512013-05-05T11:42:32.417-05:002013-05-05T11:42:32.417-05:00I've been a little MIA lately, due to a puzzli...I've been a little MIA lately, due to a puzzlingly busy period.<br /><br />Count me in for the Pro-Golden Age group. Golden and silver age reprints were just as much a part of the bronze age to me as the bronze stuff. This was mainly due to DC's 100 Page Super Spectaculars. They really were spectacular. Thanks to them, I was developing a keen sense of history in the fourth grade.<br /><br />I always thought Marvel was amazingly stingy with their golden age material in the 70's, compared to DC. <br /><br />The reprints inspired me to hunt down silver age back issues whenever we hit a town with a comics shop (golden agers were too expensive, and rare to boot. IT used to be a special thrill just to see one).<br /><br />S & K were great at Timely, but really hit their stride at DC. THe dynamism in Manhunter, Boy Commandos, Newsboy Legion, and Sandman & Sandy was miles beyond anyone else back then (especially at DC).<br /><br />Nice review today Doug. I really enjoyed this one.<br /><br />James ChattertonUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576083934906136102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-68276487869940134602013-05-04T04:31:56.053-05:002013-05-04T04:31:56.053-05:00Those ruggedly reprinted Cap stories in Fantasy Ma...Those ruggedly reprinted Cap stories in Fantasy Masterpieces were totally awesome at the time! There was vigor and violence and recklessness to the action that was just not part of the slightly more cerebral Marvel stories of the Silver Age. When Golden Age Cap punched you, you stayed punched!<br /><br />Rip OffRip Jaggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09936426877024852134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-15535889208785050012013-05-04T00:35:56.666-05:002013-05-04T00:35:56.666-05:00It should be noted that at some point, likely in t...It should be noted that at some point, likely in the Bronze Age, it was revealed that the Golden Age Ringmaster was the father of the later Ringmaster who made his debut in an early issue of the Hulk (issue 3, I think). Gotta admit, my favorite Ringmaster story was in Howard the Duck -- not only amusing but perhaps the only one, at least up to that point, to treat the Ringmaster with a bit of sympathy, albeit while exposing what a pathetic wretch he is. Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-17408484650071241192013-05-03T21:45:03.202-05:002013-05-03T21:45:03.202-05:00Well considering Cap was created in the Golden Age...Well considering Cap was created in the Golden Age, I guess he's an appropriate topic in a Bronze Age blog (or any Age for that matter!).<br /><br />Even though some elements of this story are too politically incorrect for modern readers, this still looks like a good issue. Like Bruce said, I never knew the Ringmaster was around that long. I noticed that some elements of the Golden Age made it to the Bronze Age such as the Ringmaster and the Human Torch; even though the characters were different, the superhero element was the same. Seems like authors are never above resurrecting their creations.<br /><br /><br />- Mike 'don't get me started on Mandrake and Lothar' from Trinidad & Tobago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-41165783111062473352013-05-03T17:43:10.361-05:002013-05-03T17:43:10.361-05:00I never minded Golden Age reprints in the comics. ...I never minded Golden Age reprints in the comics. Before I became a Marvel Zombie (tm), I read DC, often buying the big issues with the multiple reprints. I actually thought that stuff was cool, just as I enjoyed watching The Three Stooges and The Marx Brothers and old horror movies on TV.William Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07896164917625191919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-622633877631756012013-05-03T15:25:35.674-05:002013-05-03T15:25:35.674-05:00Doug, I wouldn't mind some discussions of Gold...Doug, I wouldn't mind some discussions of Golden Age stuff occasionally. There's actually quite a bit of good material there: I only have to mention Eisner's Spirit to stress that point. I know it's subject to what you and Karen have in your collections, but I'd wouldn't mind also seeing some coverage of Jack Cole's Plastic Man, or anything drawn by Reed Crandall or Lou Fine.<br /><br />By the way, it's interesting that the quality of Kirby's art in this story was mentioned by several commenters above. I think it's important to note Simon's influence here - he and Kirby collaborated on both the writing and art chores as far as I know, and I always thought Kirby's art looked best when he was working with Simon (I remember really enjyoing their GA Newsboy Legion, Sandman and Manhunter stories that DC reprinted in the '70s).Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-30571253497716074422013-05-03T13:20:40.182-05:002013-05-03T13:20:40.182-05:00I had no idea the Ringmaster had been around that ...I had no idea the Ringmaster had been around that long!<br /><br />Normally, while I can appreciate Golden Age stories for their historical significance, I'm not a huge fan. They're often too crude and simplistic for my liking. However, this Captain America story looks pretty good. Even at this stage, Kirby is clearly a notch above.<br /><br />Brucenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-54770776853916955402013-05-03T13:03:55.718-05:002013-05-03T13:03:55.718-05:00Whaaat?!
Blogging about Golden Age tales on a Br...Whaaat?! <br />Blogging about Golden Age tales on a Bronze Age blog? Sacrilege!<br /><br />Just kidding, I picked up a tpb of some of these Cap stories a while back. They're interesting, if more than a bit racist at times against the Japanese. A product of their times to be sure, but still worth a read. My college degree was in history, so these stories work for me on multiple levels. <br /><br />J.A. Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15800901321134394272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-85802765148978745342013-05-03T11:18:19.459-05:002013-05-03T11:18:19.459-05:00This is great timing! I just picked up Marvel Visi...This is great timing! I just picked up Marvel Visionaries, Jack Kirby Vol. 2-- inside is Captain America #1 where Cap fights the Red Skull. I really enjoyed the story and art--it has energy and spunkiness and character. Thanks for the review, and I'd love to see more of all the ones you mentioned, including Archie.<br /><br />There's another Golden Age story in that volume: The Vision, from 1941. His look is somewhat like the more familiar Avengers Vision, with a bald head, long yellow cape with the big collar, glowing eyes, and mostly green outfit. He's a dark, mysterious character who appears and disappears in a puff of smoke. The Kirby dynamism is there in these old stories, but with more curvy, less blocky look. Garettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-34172404009376219372013-05-03T10:11:25.210-05:002013-05-03T10:11:25.210-05:00I have to say I really like the art here! The layo...I have to say I really like the art here! The layouts are clever, the images are quite dynamic and the way Cap is constantly breaking through the borders of the panels is neat. It really looks years ahead of its time. Frankly it is better than some Silver Age stuff.<br /><br />But is this Simon or Kirby? Didn't Simon draw as well? Is it both? The style is much different from the blockier style Kirby used later that I'm familiar with. Then again, this is 20 years before the Silver Age too. A lot can change.<br /><br />Can anybody provide some insight on who in Simon & Kirby was doing what regarding the art?Inkstained Wretchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-63331655447859827212013-05-03T09:59:56.948-05:002013-05-03T09:59:56.948-05:00Archie would be GREAT!Archie would be GREAT!Doc Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783244633195233970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-31818419455131476822013-05-03T09:32:19.599-05:002013-05-03T09:32:19.599-05:00Sounds like we have a fan -- in both Matts!
As a ...Sounds like we have a fan -- in both Matts!<br /><br />As a kid I generally turned up my nose at the Golden Age reprints for many of the same reasons you cite, Mr. Celis. But as I said in the post, I think with maturity and a broader appreciation of the history this bears another look on my part.<br /><br />So I'd like some feedback from our readers -- what do you think? Would you mind fare like today's every so often (I'm talking 3-4 times a year maybe)? I have some Archie from the very early 1950's, a hardcover of Simon & Kirby's Newsboy Legion, some DC hero stuff, and a facsimile of Marvel Comics #1. Plus, as stated a smattering of reprints found in Silver and Bronze Age comics.<br /><br />Please let me know. Like a lot of things around here, if it doesn't stick, we'll move on!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-73814786646613595192013-05-03T09:27:09.849-05:002013-05-03T09:27:09.849-05:00I enjoy the straightforward, fast-paced action of ...I enjoy the straightforward, fast-paced action of Golden Age comics. Granted, many of then are poorly drawn and badly written, but there are many gems. The sheer output of the industry at the time necessitated printing almost any old crap, but when you get some Simon-Kirby, Eisner, and so on, you're usually in for fun. Even a 2nd-tier character like Sandman became great in the hands of Simon & Kirby. Nowadays this 12-page story would probably last 6 leaden issues. <br /><br />Thank goodness for Archives and Masterworks keepingthis stuff alive. And I never thought I'd see the original Daredevil collected!Doc Savagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783244633195233970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-38910307698009353592013-05-03T06:35:23.094-05:002013-05-03T06:35:23.094-05:00I think commenting on Golden Age stuff is fair on ...I think commenting on Golden Age stuff is fair on a Bronze Age blog. The BA is when you had guys like Roy Thomas bringing some of that stuff back into play. MattComixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14015552734150732758noreply@blogger.com