Posted By Dan Greenfield on Aug 15, 2024 | 20 comments

Retiring Back Issue editor Michael Eury wants to go shopping…

By MICHAEL EURY

After 21 years of editing TwoMorrows Publications’ Eisner Award-winning Back Issue, I will be retiring on August 30, 2024, leaving the magazine in the capable and enthusiastic hands of new editor Roger Ash.

Having had my head burrowed into Bronze Age comics for such a long period, I can’t step away without sharing with 13th Dimension — and hopefully a few decision-makers at DC — my TOP 13 DC FACSIMILE EDITIONS WE’D LIKE TO SEE — RANKED, all from the 1970s!

I’ve omitted most first issues from the list, as they may very well be slated for future facsimiles, to instead focus on Bronze Age books that every fan should have the opportunity to read — in their original format:

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13. Adventure Comics #431 (Feb. 1974). Michael Fleisher (with Russell Carley) and Jim Aparo’s envelope-pushing “Wrath of the Spectre” run begins here! Under editor Joe Orlando’s guidance, the Ghostly Guardian becomes an executioner of criminals, yet Aparo’s clever off-panel depictions of violence allow Fleisher’s brutal script to remain tethered to the approval of the Comics Code. Plus, there’s an Alex Toth-drawn short story in the issue!

Dan adds: This is the third time we’ve done a DC column like this the last couple years. Anthony Durso and I have each written one — links at the bottom — but it’s always great to get another voice, especially one of Michael’s stature. So I’m gonna chime in on his picks. This is an excellent choice. DC’s not doing much with the Spectre right now that I’m aware of, but when he inevitably returns, this would be a good one to put out there. (He does not appear to be in Jeff Lemire’s forthcoming Justice Society lineup.)

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12. New Gods #1 (Feb.-Mar. 1971). Jack Kirby’s legendary 1970 jump from Marvel to DC Comics may technically have started in the pages of Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen, but THIS comic was really the “big bang” from which the King’s Fourth World sprang.

A variant edition branded as Showcase #94 — this issue’s originally intended home — would be a welcome bonus.

Dan adds: Yeah, I can’t believe this hasn’t already happened. And I love the variant idea! Good on ya, Michael!

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11. Tarzan #207 (Apr. 1972). DC’s publicity department pounded the war drums when touting battle artist Joe Kubert’s graphic adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Lord of the Jungle, and rightly so, as Kubert — as adapter/artist/editor — helped popularize the character for a new generation. This inaugural DC issue also features a John Carter, Warlord of Mars backup by Marv Wolfman and Murphy Anderson. While this DC-produced material has been reprinted in other publishers’ Tarzan compilations, the historical significance of this comic as both a DC and Tarzan collectible makes it worthy of a facsimile. 

Dan: Fabulous Kubert work. The stumbling block here is that pesky Tarzan license.

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10. The Shadow #1 (Oct.-Nov. 1973). Like Tarzan, this is a licensed title, but with superstars Denny O’Neil and Michael Kaluta at the helm, DC’s The Shadow introduces the  legendary pulp hero to a 1970s audience while elevating comics storytelling to a new high. This is such an influential issue in DC’s Bronze Age library that it warrants an agreement with Shadow licensor Condé Nast for a first issue facsimile (plus at least one additional title — keep reading).

Dan adds: What he said.

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9. Batman #253 (Nov. 1973). This beautifully executed issue pairing the Darknight Detective with his inspiration, the Shadow, has never received a widespread reprinting since Batman’s co-star is a licensed character. The underappreciated Irv Novick (inked by Dick Giordano) delivers one of his finest Batman art jobs with this landmark story pairing these dark knights for the first time. (A sequel appeared a year later in Batman #259.)

Dan adds: Yep, that old licensing bugaboo. But DC at least has a recent history with the Shadow when he was at Dynamite. Either way, a landmark issue — even if I actually prefer that Batman #259 sequel!

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8. Shazam! #8 (Dec. 1973). While Shazam! #1 is the no-brainer key issue most would expect as a DC facsimile (and yes, I hope it’s on the publisher’s list), this issue also deserves wider exposure. Shazam! #8 was a special edition in DC’s popular 100 Page Super Spectacular format (we’re waiting for Super Spec facsimiles, DC), a valuable primer to the lore of the Original Captain Marvel as the issue reprints the origins of the Marvel Family — even Mr. Tawky Tawny the talking tiger! — under a delightful C. C. Beck cover.

Dan adds: Michael brings up a really good point: DC has not been doing 100-page (or 80-page) Facsimile Editions. The highest page counts have been 64, and those typically list around $6.99, meaning this would probably be in the $10 range. Is that a price that would frighten some buyers off? Not sure. But DC does have a history of re-printing 100-pagers (granted it’s been a long time) and they’ve introduced Treasury Editions at $14.99. So, anything’s possible and I think fans would love to see it.

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7. The Brave and the Bold #111 (Feb.-Mar. 1974). This offbeat pairing of Batman and the Joker is billed as “the strangest team-up in history,” and at the time of its publication that might very well have been true! It’s a significant issue as an early entry in the Bronze Age reintroduction of a homicidal Joker and a superb showcase for the team of writer Bob Haney and artist Jim Aparo, then DC’s top-selling Batman creators. 

Dan adds: Strangely, DC has done only a couple of Facsimiles featuring the Joker, which is, well, insane considering he’s pretty much a franchise unto himself now. We haven’t even gotten Detective Comics #168, the Red Hood story. But there is a movie out this fall that could engender Oscar buzz and next year is the Clown Prince of Crime’s 85th anniversary, so…

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6. All-Star Comics #58 (Jan.-Feb. 1976). From writer/editor Gerry Conway’s corner, this revival of the Justice Society of America elevates the Golden Age team from Bronze Age guest-stars status to headliners. The infusion of young characters in the forms of Robin, the recently revived Star-Spangled Kid, and Power Girl, introduced in this issue as the Earth-Two counterpart to Earth-One’s Supergirl, begins a tradition of character legacy that has become a JSA staple. Plus, it’s inked by Wally Wood and has this dynamite Mike Grell cover!

Dan adds: DC does a lot of Golden Age Facsimiles, so a Bronze/Golden FE is perfect, especially with that new Justice Society book in the offing.

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5. Justice League of America #144 (July 1977). In the mid-1970s, writer Steve Englehart was recruited by DC to enliven the JLA. Of his engaging run, Issue #144 stands out for its novelty in presenting a Justice League that might’ve been, with everyone from the Challengers of the Unknown to Congorilla to the Blackhawks (and more) being part of the prototype team alongside traditional JLAers. Longtime JLA artist Dick Dillin is in fine form handling this expanded-length story featuring dozens of characters.

Dan adds: Interesting concept and a kinda-sorta tour of DC history. Love Michael’s idea. Have a hunch it’s not on DC’s radar. But you can dream!

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4. Detective Comics #457 (Mar. 1976). Writer Denny O’Neil and artist Dick Giordano (assisted on backgrounds by Terry Austin) blew away Bronze Age readers with their powerful retelling of Batman’s origin, titled “There Is No Hope in Crime Alley!” While the story’s introduction of Crime Alley resident angel Leslie Thompkins to the Bat-mythos makes this issue noteworthy, it’s Giordano’s unmatchable rendition of Batman that helps this issue rise to the top tier of 1970s Batman tales.

And for fun, writer Bob Rozakis and artist Kurt Schaffenberger’s Elongated Man backup turns the Stretchable Sleuth’s wife Sue Dibny into the Elongated Woman! If that doesn’t deserve a toast of Gingold, what does?

Dan adds: It’s amazing we haven’t gotten this one yet. Total slam dunk. Especially given that DC puts out a lot of Batman Facsimiles.

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3. Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #197 (Sept. 1973). Before he got you excited about the X-Men, artist Dave Cockrum — with writer Cary Bates — reinvigorated the Legion of Super-Heroes, after originally apprenticing with Murphy Anderson and co-producing a few Legion backups. With this issue the Legion takes over the title, eventually squeezing the Boy of Steel out of the mag that bore his name. Timber Wolf makes a snarling comeback, and Cockrum’s art is breathtaking!

Dan adds: This era of the Legion is included in the first wave of the new DC Finest line of books — and this image is on the cover. We haven’t had a Legion Facsimile yet; this would be a good place to start.

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2. Swamp Thing #7 (Nov.-Dec. 1973). “Night of the Bat,” one of the best Batman stories of the Bronze Age, wasn’t even published in a Batman comic! In his tale, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson’s muck monster’s journeys take him to Gotham City and his first meeting with the Caped Crusader. And then there’s Bernie’s mile-long Bat-cape! Fans born too late to have read this story as a standalone issue deserve a Swamp Thing #7 Facsimile Edition — and so do the rest of us anxious to relive this classic in its original format.

Dan adds: Tremendous story and a noir satire, to boot. (Swampy dons a fedora and trench coat in the big city.) Definitely one to reprint.

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1. Superman #233 (Jan. 1971). This one tops my list because it’s a key issue that’s criminally overdue for a Facsimile. (Should’ve been one of the very first DC Facsimiles, if you ask me.) “Kryptonite Nevermore” is one of the most iconic Superman covers of all time — AND it’s drawn by Neal Adams. Meanwhile, inside the comic: Superman eats kryptonite! Clark Kent, TV newsman! The Swanderson art team at its best! Writer Denny O’Neil’s “experiment,” as he called it, to update Superman may have been short-lived, but this premiere installment is about as exciting an issue as any Superman fan could ever hope for.

Dan adds: I’m calling this now: It’s coming. I don’t have any intel on it but this is as close to a sure bet as I can think of. With James Gunn’s movie — and so much riding on it — coming in 2015, we’re gonna see a ton of Superman material. There are precious few Superman Facsimiles and the folks who make these decisions love Neal Adams — and his cover here is one of the most iconic shots of the Man of Steel. Just imagine how this would look as a foil variant — and a sketch variant! A mortal lock.

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MORE

— 13 DC FACSIMILE EDITIONS We’d Like to See. Click here.

— 13 FACSIMILE EDITIONS We’re Surprised DC COMICS Hasn’t Published Yet — RANKED. Click here.

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Michael Eury is the Eisner-winning editor of Back Issue and RetroFan magazines.