Are you a fan of Rom, Space Knight? If so, here’s a whole blog for fans of Rom, Space Knight.

http://romspaceknightart.blogspot.com/

Here’s a fun blog about British comics featuring examples of Dr Who comics and even Harry Secombe comics (for you Goon Show fans).

http://britishcomicart.blogspot.com/

While we’re in England, let’s not forget to check out Frank Bellamy, one of my favorite British comics artists.

http://frankbellamy.blogspot.com/

Finally today, here’s much more information about Nukla than you really need.

http://ripjaggerdojo.blogspot.com/2012/03/going-nukla.html

Numerous politicians have lain accusations on their opponents, for things they themselves could be burned on. For example, Newt Gingrich questioning the honesty and integrity of others, and calling others liars — prosecuting President Bill Clinton for an adulterous act, while he (and numerous other Republicans who joined with Gingrich, it was later found out) was engaged in the same thing, at that very same time. Or his giving speeches on the Moral Decay of America, to right-wing Christian political organizations, then within hours, telling his wife he was leaving her and their children for his latest mistress, saying he was above the need to follow the words in his speeches — that they were for the rest of America, while he was superior to such limitations…

Above, Newt Gingrich’s likely previous incarnation on this Earth, the thoroughly arrogant, corrupt, and reknowned liar, James G. Blaine, finds the table turned on himself after laying failed accusations upon his opponent Grover Cleveland, in He Instituted the Ordeal — Can He Stand It Himself?, by cartoonist Bernhard Gillam, published on the rear cover of the August 12th, 1884 issue of Puck magazine.

Click on the above picture, to view a larger, more detailed version, and to read the captions inside the cartoon.

Doug Wheeler

ElectionComics NYPuck

April Fool’s day is fast approaching. If you’re one of those who purchases gag gifts for April Fool’s Day, might I suggest THE OFFICIAL BARF BOOK. Quite frankly, it was all I could do not to gag just going though it…and I WROTE IT!

Well, not exactly. THE OFFICIAL BARF BOOK is Craig Yoe’s follow-up to his astonishingly successful OFFICIAL FART BOOK of a couple years back. This time, Craig recruited a bunch of folks to help put it together. I’m credited in a dozen chapters and contributed to a couple more. Also involved were my lovely wife Rene, longtime Net friend Lisa Mynx, former DC writer/editor Jack C. Harris, illustrators Vince Musacchia and Greg Oakes, fellow I.T.C.H. member David B. and a host of others.

Greg Oakes did the art for my biggest contribution, ROCK AND ROLL HEAVIN’, an irreverent section on rock stars who…well…choked to death on vomit. See below for a sample.

From the publisher:

All in all, THE OFFICIAL BARF BOOK is a surprisingly educational book filled with historical tidbits and trivia, but also with enough gross limericks, cartoons and illustrations to turn even the strongest stomachs. I dare you to try reading it without at least coming close to adding your own chapter. “Urp!”


Did I mention it comes with free plastic throw-up attached to the cover? Talk about a major selling point! Oh and if you think THIS one was bad, wait until you see what next year’s follow-up is going to be!

Here, however, we see the opening pages of several sections in this disgusting-but hilarious and educational!- book that were written by yours truly.

Some marvelous illustrations in the rock section, all by Greg Oakes, with whom I have since become friends online!

This section below was probably the hardest to write as I had to watch a LOT of applicable scenes from various films to determine the most…the best…the…well…Yuck!

THE OFFICIAL BARF BOOK really is the perfect April Fool’s Day gift. And it’s cheap, too! Still time to get it by April 1st if you order today!

For today’s Women’s History Month posting, our selected cartoons all purport to show the future results should women be granted equal rights. Such cartoons — drawn by men — were often used to express anti-suffrage viewpoints.

The above cartoon posits that gaining the same rights as men had, would result in women sinking — in imitation — to the moral character of men. Why Not Go the Limit?, by Harry Grant Dart, was published March 18th, 1908, in Puck magazine.

Click on the above & below pictures, to view the cartoons in detail, and read the text inside them.

An Event of the Near Future, below, by Godwin M. Sheppard, takes the same theme still further, showing the start of the feminization of men, left to gawk wonderingly, outside the entrance of a Women Only club. (Loose page) from an unidentified 1890′s issue of Puck.

Next, the rise of women turns the feminization of men complete, in a wedding of the future In the Year 2001. Published originally in the New York World, this was scanned from a contemporary reprinting of it in the April 27th, 1895 issue of the New York City magazine, The Standard.

We end with a previously shown 1913 pro-Women’s Suffrage cartoon by Harrison Cady, published in Life magazine. Barred Out depicts the utopia that would result when women gain the vote, outlawing saloons, salacious theatre, red light districts, and seedy hotels. Women, concerned with the welfare of the family, would be certain to instead support the construction of libraries, schools, and public playgrounds!

Doug Wheeler

NYPuck NYLife NYStandard

Go here to take a look at the first issue of the UK comic, Rocket, from 1956, “the first space age weekly!”

http://theyellowedpages.blogspot.com/2012/03/rocket-issue-1-21st-april-1956.html

I just found out Frank Godwin drew a few Wonder Woman stories in the forties. Here he is on more familiar ground with King Arthur and His Knights.

http://goldenagecomicbookstories.blogspot.com/2012/03/frank-godwin-1889-1959-king-arthur-and.html

Have I plugged this great screwball comics site before? If so, it’s worth plugging again.

http://screwballcomics.blogspot.com/

Finally, here’s a selection of Neal Adams’ amazing bat-splashes from the seventies. Does it get any better than these?

http://diversionsofthegroovykind.blogspot.com/2012/03/making-splash-neal-adams-batman.html

Just a quickie Cartoons Magazine extract today, as the March 1912 issue had only one page concerning Presidential Candidate Woodrow Wilson, and I swiped the top half of that page for this past Tuesday’s posting. Both of the above cartoons focus on a comment Wilson made concerning U.S. history, that was unappreciated at the time (but apparently had little long-term impact, as I’ve been unable to find precisely what the comment was).

If Columbus Had Landed in New Jersey, left, above, is by artist Thomas Aloysius Dorgan (popularly known as “TAD“) of the New York Evening Journal; while the above right cartoon, Pandora’s Box, is by editorial cartoonist Rollin Kirby.

Click on the above picture, to view the cartoons in detail, and read their text.

Doug Wheeler

ElectionComics NativeAmericanHistory

Above, plate 3 from the 1900 published collection of Homer Davenport‘s cartoon series, The Dollar or the Man?. Titled “Honor Among Thieves. Just the difference of a suit of clothes.”

Depicted is a group of common muggers, surrendering to what they recognize as bigger thieves — Wall Street financiers, plus Mark Hanna (far right, wearing pants checkered with $ signs). Ohio Senator, and Republican National Chairman, Hanna combined the attributes of current political figures John Boehner & Karl Rove, selling influence to monopoly interests, and bringing massive unregulated cash into election campaigns.

Click on the above picture to view a larger, more detailed version.

To find previous postings in the Wall Street Frauds Make Wonderful Cartoons series, click here series.

Doug Wheeler

financial reform

Last Tuesday we spotlighted Superman. Can Batman be far behind?

One of the world’s finest friendships in comics (pun intended), the partnership of Superman and Batman is unbeatable. Superman can fly, bend steel in his bare hands, outrun a locomotive, etc. While Batman is as strong as a really strong guy, can lift several pounds, and can jump as high as a regular person. What a team!

Both Batman and Superman had great TV shows too. But when it comes to theme songs (the focus of our Tuesday get-togethers, after all) Batman wins hands down!

This week we’re sharing two versions of the immortal theme from Batman’s 1966 TV series. One with video, one without. Compare and contrast.

Click the link below to enjoy a version of the Batman theme by Maxwell Davis.

Batman Theme - Maxwell Davis

Then click here to watch a truly Bat-tacular video!

For today’s extract from Cartoons Magazine, and Women’s History Month, we examine how the March 1912 issue looked at women. Over half of Cartoons Magazine issues have a page or two of Women’s Suffrage cartoons. Naturally, since I wanted a few pages worth, the March 1912 issue doesn’t follow this pattern. March 1912 contains only the above (anti-)Suffrage cartoon — Mr. Wilson is Lucky He is Not a Candidate Twelve or Sixteen Years From Now, depicts Presidential Candidate Woodrow Wilson, being evaluated by a cadre of future women voters. The artist’s guess of 12 to 16 years, was slightly long — Women would gain the right to vote in eight years — 1920 — the last year of Wilson second term.

Click on the above & below pictures, to view the cartoons in detail, and read their captions.

Beneath, what the March issue gave more page space to — the frivolity of female fashion. This includes The New Spring Hats, by Charles “Bart” Bartholomew.

Next, a female college student, debating, “I just can’t make up my mind whether to go in for athletics, dress, or equal rights.” By James H. Donahey, in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Finally, unsatisfied with March’s meager pickings as a sufficient post for Women’s History Month, I decided to cheat, and raid next month’s issue! Below, from issue four, April 1912, are two pages of cartoons on the struggle for Women’s Suffrage, in Illinois, Ohio, and New York. These include a second J.H. Donahey cartoon, and one cartoon each by Harry J. Westerman of the Ohio State Journal, and a pre-Barney Google Billy DeBeck, working for the Youngstown Telegram.

Doug Wheeler

ElectionComics Charles Lewis Bartholomew

No matter which side you take, here’s Stan Lee’s fascinating deposition from 2010 in the Kirby family vs. Marvel trial.

http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2012/03/marvel-v-kirby-full-deposition-of-stan.html

The future history of comics will be digital and one of the pioneers is Mark Waid who offers a free digital dowload here.

http://markwaid.com/?p=695

I recently posted some panels comparing the original FF # 1 with the partially redrawn reprint. Here, Ferran Delgado shows each version in its entirety.

http://ferrandelgado.blogspot.com/2012/03/comparativa-entre-las-trece-primeras.html

Finally, some Al Williamson Flash Gordon goodness posted last month but just noticed today!

http://thewarriorscomicbookden.blogspot.com/2012/02/flash-gordon-1-flash-gordon-and-mole.html