Scott and Dan hit up the comics racks from 54 years ago…
This week for RETRO HOT PICKS, Scott Tipton and I are selecting comics that came out the week of Jan. 24, 1970.
Last time for RETRO HOT PICKS, it was the week of Jan. 17, 1978. Click here to check it out.
(Keep in mind that comics came out on multiple days, so these are technically the comics that went on sale between Jan. 21 and Jan. 27.)
Bigfoot, as captured on camera in 1967.
So, let’s set the scene: Since we do so many of these RETRO HOT PICKS columns about the ’70s, you’d think Bigfoot would have popped up by now. And here he is!
On Jan. 27, a guy in Washington state named Joe Metlow, a mining prospector, claimed that he had seen Bigfoot in northern Stevens County. He said he’d reveal the location in exchange for a “suitable” payout. Within three days, 50 bounty hunters descended on Colville, Washington, in search of Sasquatch, by plane, helicopter and on foot. Metlow rejected all offers, including one for $55,000 (equivalent to $434,820.36 in 2024.) The hunters ultimately gave up and it was branded a hoax. But, hey, just because they didn’t find him doesn’t mean he wasn’t out there.
Bigfoot, as captured on camera in 1976.
On a much more sober note, Republican Richard Nixon was in the White House and this week it came to light that his recent nominee to the Supreme Court, G. Harrold Carswell, in 1948 declared “I yield to no man… in the firm, vigorous belief in the principles of white supremacy.” Carswell’s nomination was rejected by the U.S. Senate in April.
South of the Border, meanwhile, Mexico on Jan. 23 began development of Cancun as a major tourist destination. Obnoxious spring break would never be the same.
Good time to be a movie fan: Topping the box office this week was one of my all-time favorite movies — a TOP 13 selection for sure (if I ever made such a list): Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which was released the previous fall. Another choice was the most unique of James Bond films — On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, starring George Lazenby in his only appearance as 007. I’ve been listening to the soundtrack a lot lately, as it happens.
On Jan. 25, meanwhile, MASH, directed by Robert Altman and starring Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould, premiered in New York ahead of a national release in March. The film was based on the 1968 Richard Hooker bestseller and would inspire the much more popular and beloved TV show.
On Jan. 27, the MPAA’s rating system continued to evolve, with “M” becoming “GP,” which would later be renamed “PG.”
My Sweet Charlie, a television drama set against the Civil Rights Movement starring Patty Duke and Al Freeman Jr., was the top-rated show in the Nielsens. Duke would win an Emmy for her performance. Marcus Welby, MD, which had debuted in September, and Gunsmoke were among the most popular regular shows of the time.
Speaking of Butch Cassidy, B.J. Thomas’ Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was the No. 1 single in America. Other Billboard leaders included the Jackson 5’s I Want You Back at No. 3, and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love at No. 5.
Meanwhile, the utterly brilliant Someday We’ll Be Together — billed as the Supremes but actually Diana Ross solo — was at No. 4. Ross’ final performance with the Supremes was Jan. 14 in Las Vegas.
The top-selling album was the Beatles’ Abbey Road, which may very well be their very best. Behind the scenes, however, the band was dissolving, with its final recording session, for Let It Be, earlier in the month.
At the same time, yet another bastion of the 1960s was falling apart, outside of public view: Simon & Garfunkel on Jan. 26 released their last album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, one of the best-selling, most critically acclaimed LPs of all time. Their final concert (apart from reunions) would be in the summer.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down…
—
Dan Greenfield, editor, 13th Dimension
Detective Comics #397, DC. Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams’ second outing was a riff on Citizen Kane, as DC’s Lennon and McCartney doubled down on the Gothic horror elements they explored two issues earlier, in Detective Comics #395. (I once interviewed Adams about this ish. Click here to see what he had to say.)
Scott adds: This was another one that appeared as only a cover in my childhood copy of Batman: From the ’30s to the ’70s, and kinda haunted me. One of these days I’ll find this comic at a con and find out what the hell is going on.
—
The Brady Bunch #2, Dell. The classic family sitcom was in its first season and Dell wasted no time grinding out a comics series, with art by Jose Delbo. This was the second of only two issues and I get why. The show, which I dearly love for all its nonsensical plotlines and tropes, just wasn’t very good in its first year and often a bore. I mean, these kids are so far from getting to Hawaii, y’know?
—
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father #2, Dell. Same as the first sentence above, only with art by Carl Pfeufer. I dug this show too as Little Dan but I remember none of it save the awesome theme song by Harry Nilsson.
—
Hanna-Barbera: The Banana Splits #2, Gold Key. A Saturday morning staple. Had I seen the comic then, I would have asked for it.
—
The Mod Squad #5 and Room 222 #2, Dell. Two more to finish out the theme. (By the way, go check out 13th Dimension contributor Peter Bosch’s book American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, published by TwoMorrows. It’s superb!)
—
The Amazing Spider-Man #83, Marvel. This is one of those weeks where there were no Marvel releases, so Scott and I are picking a few from earlier in the month, the notion being they were still on sale. Anyway, this the debut of the Schemer, aka Kingpin’s son, Richard Fisk. Also, Flash Thompson gets shipped to Vietnam and Gwen Stacy gets hurt in a traffic accident. All by Stan Lee, John Romita and Mike Esposito. Part of the greatest run of Spidey stories, stretching into Gerry Conway’s tenure, which would begin with Issue #111.
—
Scott Tipton, contributor-at-large, 13th Dimension
Action Comics #386, DC. These kinds of covers were a lot funnier when I was 11 years old…
—
Thor #174, Marvel. “The Challenge of the Crypto-Man!” Don’t let him sell you any bitcoin!
—
World’s Finest Comics #192, DC. Never trust a military dude with a monocle.
Dan adds: Ever.
—
The Incredible Hulk #126, Marvel. Not to be confused with Nightcrawler.
—
MORE
— RETRO HOT PICKS! On Sale The Week of Jan. 10 — in 1988! Click here.
— RETRO HOT PICKS! On Sale The Week of Jan. 3 — in 1967! Click here.
—
Primary comics sources: Mike’s Amazing World of Comics, the Grand Comics Database.
January 25, 2024
If you eve get to see “Courtship Of Eddie’s Father,” do it! It was a sweet (what would have later been called a “dramedy”) with the feel of reality and wonderful performances!
January 25, 2024
Oh Dell yeah.
January 26, 2024
I had that Batman Detective Comics story, but it was in an Australian reprint, “Batman and Robin #1” (released October 1976) which also included the stories “Midnight Doom-Boy” (a Batgirl story), and “The Case of the Gigantic Gamble” – a straight-ahead crime story. I actually still have it, minus the cover, and the first page.
I did also used to watch the Banana Splits and Room 222.
ps, do you think Bob Marley stole from the Banana Splits theme for his song Buffalo Soldiers? (the yo, yo, yo part in the middle). Sounds very similar to me, and the Banana Splits theme came out first.
January 26, 2024
There’s a lot of speculation about the songs but no evidence that connects them. Google it and you’ll see.