The 40 Years of Comics Project Friday Magazine 29: Eerie #109, February 1980

Since I've been doing some investigation of pre-Code horror, I thought I'd have a look at some of the horror magazine I picked up back when I got my Heavy Metal collection. At the time I thought that the HMs and the undergrounds in that purchase were the real treasures, and treasures they certainly are. But my unfamiliarity with the Warren magazines led me to overlook them, and that's a mistake.

When thinking about the tradition of EC horror comics, it is a tradition on two fronts. The first, of course, is the stories. They are, for the most part, amazing - artists and writers at the top of their games. The second front is the role it played in the crackdowns on comics in the 50s - EC becomes a metonym for the lost potential of the genre after the creation of the Comics Code. When I read Bruce Jones' series Twisted Tales a while ago, I saw him as one carrying on the tradition of these experimental tales of fear. But I neglected to note at that time that the Warren magazines of the 60s and 70s were also bearers of that torch. Mr. Jones, of course, contributes to these magazines before taking his tales to Pacific. Though they lose something in the black and white format (I've never been one of those fans who prefers B&W over colour. They both have their pros and cons.), the style is there, as is the desire to shock and amuse.

This was one of the first Eeries I've ever read, and it was okay. None of the stories wowed me. But the quality was certainly high enough that I can see why these mags are so revered. One thing that they add to the tradition, and perhaps this is inherited by Bruce Jones' later series, is women in varying states of undress. The EC comics got away with a lot in terms of their portrayals of women, but at least the ladies were clothed. The Warren magazines seem to want to equate horror and nudity, which is a strange connection to make (Eros and Thanatos, perhaps?). The question, I suppose, is does the tradition benefit from this addition?

Onward.

The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1177: Action Comics #484, June 1978

Have to say I'm becoming quite taken with Action Comics. I think we're going to stick with it a little while. I'm in the process of tracking down Marv Wolfman's run on the title, but we'll be reading stuff from throughout the recent history of the run, though not quite into New 52 or Rebirth territory.

This is a great story, the story of the original Superman (at this pre-Crisis moment still living on Earth-2) and his wedding to Lois Lane. I always thought that what happened to them in Infinite Crisis was absolutely criminal, and I'll admit that it's what turned me off of Geoff Johns's writing. Taking away a happy ending from the original superhero is almost as bad an idea as joining the DC and Watchmen universes....oh, yeah.

Today's issue also gives us an interesting interpretation of what Clark would be like if his super side was sublimated. He's far less unassuming in this version of himself, channeling his innate desire to do right into his reporting, becoming something of a newsman action hero. This is the Clark that Lois falls in love with, and it's actually quite heart-wrenching when she realizes she's been right about Clark being Superman all along, and thinks that when his mind is healed, he won't want her for a wife anymore. Superman, of course, does the exact right thing, and joins with her in a Kryptonian ceremony.

Also, can I just say, Lois is looking absolutely smoking on that cover. Well done, Mr. Garcia-Lopez.

More to come...

The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 830: Wonder Woman #213, August-September 1974

Sooo.....I saw Wonder Woman today.

It was glorious. I had some doubts about Gal Gadot in that role, especially not having seen her in Batman v Superman appearance. But she's Wonder Woman. Simple as that. Go see it. You won't be sorry.

So of course I'm going to read a Wonder Woman comic today. This is the oldest one in my collection. I actually have very few Wonder Woman comics, I'm ashamed to admit, though I've had numerous runs on her title recommended to me by numerous friends.

Today's comic is a report by the Flash on a mission Wonder Woman performs in order to rejoin the Justice League. I don't know what the circumstances behind her leaving the JLA were (perhaps that weird, de-powered phase she went through), but this is the only time I've ever heard of someone having to prove themselves in order to rejoin. The most troubling bit is that the Flash is actually invisibly watching her the entire time, and doesn't think to lend a hand at all. Though, as we find out later in the issue, he wouldn't have been able to anyway. The world is enshrouded with a pacifism ray, ceasing all war and violence. Though it sounds wonderful, the problem is that people are no longer able to stand up against natural disasters. No violent action whatsoever is allowed by the ray, except in the case of Wonder Woman and two random strangers who, due to freak circumstances, are rendered immune.

There's a nice moment in this comic that I found resonated into the new filmic version of the character. Invited to a council meeting to decide what to do about the worldwide pacifism epidemic, Diana slips out (in my mind, shaking her head) and decides that she can take care of this herself, rather that sitting around and waiting for a bunch of men to debate plans of action. Which, of course, she does.

I'm thinking a week of Wonder Woman is in order, in celebration of this too-long coming movie.

To be continued.