Reading Room 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY "Norton of New York 2040 A.D." Conclusion

When Last We Left Comics Fanboy Norton in the New York City of 2040...

After a disappointing interactive experience at the Comicsville amusement facility, Norton heads home...

Can a comics fanboy save the Earth?

Be here Next Week to find out!

At the time (1975), writer/penciler Jack Kirby was heavily-criticized for much of his output after returing to Marvel.

The audience wanted more Marvel continuity-oriented material, considering his Captain America and Black Panther series to be too drastic a change in their creative direction and new projects like Eternals, Devil Dinosaur, and 2001 (which didn't tie-in to the Marvel Universe) to be eccentric failures.

Kirby ended up integrating some series into the MU, introducing S.H.I.E.L.D. into The Eternals and creating X-51 (originally called "Mister Machine", but altered to "Machine Man" when Ideal Toys claimed trademark infrigement.) in the final three issues of 2001.

Marvel brought Devil Dinosaur into conflict with Godzilla, then made him a member of Fallen Angels.

Ironically, Kirby's work from this period is now lauded as exciting, innovative, and even astoundingly-creative and is almost all back in print (except for 2001, due to licensing problems!)

Reading Room 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY "Norton of New York 2040 A.D." Part 1

Jack "King" Kirby presented the idea of an interactive comics-themed amusement park 39 years ago...

...in this never-reprinted tale from Marvel's 2001: A Space Odyssey #5 (1977).

And kids today wonder why we still call him "The King".

BTW, at the time, letters columns and fanzines (we didn't have blogs and message boards back then) complained Kirby was mocking comics fans!

The story continues tomorrow as fanboy Norton makes a fateful choice!

Written and penciled by Kirby, inked by Mike Royer, this highly-imaginative series based on the concepts presented in the landmark Stanley Kubrick/Arthur C Clarke cinematic collaboration and goes off in directions that only Kirby could conceive.

Reading Room SUPERSNIPE "Strong Medicine" Conclusion

When Last We Left the Kid With the Most Comic Books in America...

Attending a local carnival with his friend Roxy Adams: Girl Guerilla, SuperSnipe is tricked by look-alike Duper Dan into impersonating the midget performer on stage to give the criminal carny an unbreakable alibi while he commits a robbery.

But Roxy smells a rat...

Note that SuperSnipe finally wears an actual costume rather than his grandfather's woolen long-johns and father's lodge cape.

But, ironically, because this was the final issue of his series, he never got to wear it again!

Written and illustrated by George Marcoux, this never-reprinted story from SuperSnipe Comics V5N1 (1949) marked the character's final appearance in his own strip, though he also popped up in his secret identity of Koppy McFad in the other stories starring his supporting cast.

Reading Room SUPERSNIPE "Strong Medicine" Part 1

With San Diego Comic Con well under way, let's look at the original fanboy...

..in his final adventure!

What will Roxy discover?

Be Here TOMORROW for the startling climax featuring Super vs Duper!

Written and illustrated by George Marcoux, this story from SuperSnipe Comics V5N1 (1949) marked the character's final appearance in his own strip, though he also appeared in his secret identity of Koppy McFad in the other stories in this issue starring his supporting cast.

Reading Room: SUPERSNIPE "Halloween" Conclusion

When Last We Left the Kid with the Most Comic Books in America...

...Koppy (SuperSnipe) McFad (wearing his original costume), celebrates Halloween by trick-or-treating with his friends Herlock Domes and Roxy, and ends up at the Van Welty mansion where the trio inadvertently helps an assassination attempt on the mansion's rich owner.

When news reports about the police suspecting the costumed kids reach Koppy and Herlock, they investigate in an attempt to clear themselves, discovering the "policeman" who tricked them was a fraud in a rented costume!
After the costume store owner gives them the name of the man who rented the police uniform, the now-plainclothes heroes go in search of the criminal...

Usually, SuperSnipe triumphs despite his rather "Inspector Clouseau"-type antics, but this time he not only figures out the clues (with a couple of handy coincidences), but deliberately puts himself in danger to keep the criminals in the store until the police arrive!

He may not have super powers, but SuperSnipe proves himself to be a real hero...

Story and art for this tale from SuperSnipe Comics V2N12 (1945) by George Marcoux, who did all the "SuperSnipe Universe" strips himself!

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Reading Room: SUPERSNIPE "Halloween" Part 2

When Last We Left the Kid with the Most Comic Books in America...

...Koppy (SuperSnipe) McFad (wearing his original costume), celebrates Halloween by trick-or-treating with his friends Herlock Domes and Roxy, and ends up at the Van Welty mansion where the trio inadvertently helps an assassination attempt on the mansion's rich owner.

Discovering that they aided and abbetted a felony, Koppy and Herlock calmly assess the situation...

This tale of terror and trick-or-treat concludes tomorrow...

Story and art for this tale from SuperSnipe Comics V2N12 (1945) by George Marcoux, who did all the "SuperSnipe Universe" strips himself!

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