Planet Comics #1: The One-Eyed Monsters of Mars

Published: January 1940
Cover Art: Lou Fine
Story Art: Dick Briefer

The One-Eyed Monsters of Mars is the origin story of Flint Baker who takes over his deceased father's Mars Rocket project. Not much else is given about Flint's background.

Lou Fine produced an epic cover and Dick Briefer's art deco story work is pretty cool. To me the rocket and all of the other vehicles appear to be made of cast iron. Maybe it's just the art deco look.

The plot takes a Dirty Dozen turn when Flint conscripts three men on death row to be his crew. The plot then takes another turn when New York Globe journalist Mimi Wilson is found stowed away in the provisions room and of course it takes very little work to convince Flint to keep her on board. After all without the obligatory helpless yet resourceful hottie, who would they have to rescue?




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Captain Science: Tracking The Flying Saucers

Published: November 1950
Pencils: Gustav Schrotter 
Inks: Gustav Schrotter

This story features the first appearance and origin of Captain Science the alter ego of Gordon Dan and his teen sidekick Rip Gary. Tracking The Flying Saucers is a simple introduction of Captain Science and his future nemesis an alien race bent on destroying the universe. Gordon Dane uses a virtual reality type gadget to witness the horrors of the Rak. As you read page five keep in mind this issue was published just five years after the end of the Holocaust.

This story like many Sci Fi tales of the era takes place in New Mexico but the abundance of Saguaro would lead an informed reader to believe that Gordon and Rip are camping in the Rincon Mountains east of Tucson or based on the natural spires, maybe Monument Valley. Then again Saguaro do not grow there either.

Tracking The Flying Saucers art work is very good for the era and like I said the story is just a simple intro to the main characters but still entertaining.













Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars - Full Movie




Theatrical release poster


Directors: Ford Beebe, Robert F. Hill, Frederick Stephani
Writters: Ray Trampe, Norman S. Hall, Wyndham Gittens, Herbert Dalmas, Alex Raymond

Starring: Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles B. Middleton, Frank Shannon, Beatrice Roberts

Cinematographer: Jerome Ash

Released: March 21, 1938
 When a mysterious beam of light starts disrupting and destroying the Earth's atmosphere, Flash Gordon (Larry "Buster" Crabbe), Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon), and Dale Arden (Jean Rogers) - accidentally accompanied by wisecracking reporter Happy Hapgood (Donald Kerr) - swing into action in Zarkov's rocketship, believing that it could be coming from the planet Mongo. Once in space, however, they discover that the ray is originating from Mars.




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Action Comics #1: Superman's first appearance

Published: June 1938
Cover Art: Joe Shuster

In Action Comics number one Superman only appears in the first 13 pages. Does anyone know what stories are contained in pages 14 through 64 of action comics number one? Does anyone care? Here for your enjoyment are the pages that count. 
































The Store No Superman Fanatic Can Skip 
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The Reign of the Superman

Published: January 1933
Story: Jerry Siegel
Illustrations: Joe Shuster 

The Reign of the Superman is the brain child of two teenagers who created not only one of the most enduring characters of the twentieth century but also in these eight pages some of the all time great premises for many a sci-fi story line. 

A magic elixir gives a down and out man named Bill Dun telepathic powers that he in turn uses for criminal deeds and as the effects of the drug take over his mind he sets his sites on world domination. 

Believe it or not, Superman started out more like Lex Luthor than Kal-El. 

Enjoy The Reign of the Superman:






 













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