Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jan 17, 2024 | 9 comments

Scott and Dan hit up the comics racks from 46 years ago…

This week for RETRO HOT PICKS, Scott Tipton and I are selecting comics that came out the week of Jan. 17, 1978.

Last time for RETRO HOT PICKS, it was the week of Jan. 10, 1988. 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. 14 and Jan. 20.)

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So, let’s set the scene: The major story in the United States was fugitive serial killer Ted Bundy’s heinous rampage at Florida State University’s Chi Omega sorority house in Tallahassee, where in the early morning of Jan. 15, he attacked four women, killing two. He also broke into a basement apartment eight blocks away and assaulted a fifth woman. Bundy, who was on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, was not immediately identified as the suspect. He would elude capture until February, when he was finally apprehended in a dramatic roadside clash with a Pensacola police officer.

Jimmy Carter was president and things were relatively quiet in Washington. On Jan. 19, Carter appointed William Webster director of the FBI; he would be confirmed the following month and serve until 1987, when he would become head of the CIA. He’s the only person to have held both positions. (He later served as chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council under three presidents.)

The Sex Pistols’ relativelty brief, notorious, and spectacularly influential career came to an end when the band’s tumultuous January U.S. tour ended prematurely. The band played what became their final concert Jan. 14, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, closing with the Stooges’ No Fun. Days later, the band announced its breakup.

The Pistols, of course, were not a hit band in the U.S. and were widely derided as a danger to the youth of America. Player’s Baby Come Back — not exactly God Save the Queen — topped the Billboard 100 this week. Meanwhile Disco Fever had conquered America — the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack hit No. 1, where it would stay for a total of 24 consecutive weeks.

On Jan. 15, the Dallas Cowboys — remember when they used to win? — defeated the Denver Broncos, 27-10 in Super Bowl XII. The game had two notable distinctions: It was the first Super Bowl played indoors — at the Louisiana Superdome — and the first I watched beginning to end. I’d been a casual football fan for a few years but something clicked for me when I was 10 and I really fell in love with the sport late in the 1977 season. (I’m a Dolphins fan, but I was rooting for the Broncos in this one. I got all caught up in the Orange Crush mania. Oh, well.)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind was the No. 1 movie at the box office. Super Bowl XII was the Nielsens leader for its week; the most popular regular shows at the time were Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley.

Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated…

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Dan Greenfield, editor, 13th Dimension

Batman Family #17, DC. Batman Family’s Dollar Comics era starts off with a bang, with Batman himself now joining the festivities. The main events are interconnected stories featuring the Darknight Detective teamed with Robin (by Gerry Conway and Jim Aparo) while Batgirl, Batwoman and the Huntress join forces (by Bob Rozakis and penciller Don Heck). It’s also the first meeting between Earth-One Batman and Earth-Two Huntress and there are appearances by Poison Ivy and both Earth-One and Earth-Two Catwoman. All for a buck! Plus: Michael Golden on a Man-Bat/Demon team-up written by Rozakis.

Scott adds: That glamour-shot close-up of Man-Bat is hilarious.

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Power Man #50, Marvel. Also known unofficially as Power Man and Iron Fist #1, or Power Man and Iron Fist #50! Danny Rand joins Luke Cage as the co-star of one of the 1970s’ most beloved books. Cover by Dave Cockrum, interiors by John Byrne. Written by Chris Claremont.

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The X-Men #110, Marvel. Some classic All-New All-Different X-Men, courtesy of Claremont, Tony DeZuniga and Cockrum.

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Devil Dinosaur #1, Marvel. Kirby’s kinda-sorta answer to his own Kamandi at DC debuts! The big fuchsia fella flopped at the start but is now more popular than ever.

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Showcase #99, DC. The third part of Paul Levitz and Joe Staton’s Power Girl trilogy, Kara Zor-L’s first solo adventure. A must-read for PeeGee fans.

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind ’78 #1, Warren. Little secret: Always liked this movie but didn’t love it. When it came out, I wanted Pew! Pew! Pew! and instead got Matt Hooper going insane amid really unsettling circumstances. Fantastic finale, however.

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Scott Tipton, contributor-at-large, 13th Dimension

Aquaman #61, DC. I confess, I’m kinda low-key obsessed with Kobra. A Kirby creation, Lord Naga premiered in the ’70s at DC to wild promotion, and promptly failed and disappeared.

Dan adds: Co-starring Batman and Green Lantern! The story was written by David Michelinie and illustrated by Don Newton and Bob McLeod. (Cover by Jim Aparo.) Pretty sure this is the first time Newton drew Batman professionally.

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The Avengers #170, Marvel. It really did feel like Wonder Man’s only purpose in the ’70s was to take a whoopin’ on Avengers covers.

Dan: Yep, but it’s a great one by penciller George Perez, who also did the interiors.

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The Defenders #58, Marvel. If I saw Devil-Slayer featured prominently on a Defenders cover, it was my cue to keep on spinning that rack.

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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.

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Primary comics sources: Mike’s Amazing World of Comics, the Grand Comics Database.