From the November 1953 issue of Plastic Man #43
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Evil Terror?
Thought you logged onto the wrong blog today, didn’t ya? I am of course not one to delve too deeply into superhero territory around here, though some of you that have been with me for a while now may remember that I posted a wild Bill Everett Submariner story back in May (HERE.) Anyway, this Plastic Man story is essential here at THOIA today precisely for the fact that Plas and Woozy come face to face with a venomous vampire. It’s loads of fun, mildly spooky, real nice art (by Al Luster?) and hey, maybe some of you Hero Haters might be shocked to discover that you’re not so hateful after all… but I bet some of you will still gripe and complain anyway.
From the November 1953 issue of Plastic Man #43
From the November 1953 issue of Plastic Man #43
Hey!,not all terrors are evil!i find this title offensive!(just plas--i mean playing around.).Honestly,i really enjoyed the story,the only thing i can see anyone complaining about is that it wasn't drawn by Cole(though thats like blaming Byrnes run on FF not being Kirby),but it was still excellent,and i actually was surprised by the ending,i thought Gahoul was a red-herring,or that the end would reveal Dronga was innocent,but was still a vampire.For the record,i should also point out that despite PLASTIC MAN's reputation as a humor strip,it could actually get pretty disturbing and creepy at times in it's over the top violence and constant murders and odd transformations,if i had a scanner,i'd send in this completely F-ed up story involving a living brain which turns it's new(crippled)body into a giant that walks on it's hands(!!!)and this other one involving a mind-controlled Plastic Man that you just have to read to believe.
ReplyDeleteNo one in their right mind should ever complain about a Golden Age Plastic Man story! Great choice!!
ReplyDeleteIt is possible to debunk Plastic Man's ability to catch the criminal on the last page with basic math. Ruins everything.
ReplyDeleteThe only panel that looks like Luster to me is the top of page six. I know the wrong inker can change most anything, but even these oddly layered compositions--with the action nearly always regulated to the mid-distance and cluttered into the lower halves of otherwise nearly empty panels containing very little side-to-side motion--doesn't feel like Al. Not that I'm some kind of expert (except in simple math).
what the fortress keeper said! and a completely appropriate choice as well.
ReplyDeleteThat was a fun one. And "Rising Gorge"? Heh.
ReplyDeleteWOW THIS WAS GREAT! NEVER READ MUCH GOLDEN ERA PLASTIC MAN, OR MODERN ERA FOR THAT MATTER BUT THIS WAS A BLAST AND VERY VERY FUNNY. BUT I THOUGHT JACK COLE DID ALL THE PLASTIC MAN STORIES?
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE SPICY WAX MUSEUM POSTER TOO!
Another winner. Now I know where the old Scooby Doo cartoons got their formula!
ReplyDeleteThe art in this one was really amazing, but I would've enjoyed the tale more if it hadn't been for Woozy, the annoying, useless and stereotypical comic relief sidekick. God, how I wished the vampire would've killed him!
ReplyDeleteown this issue too, the monster of flame story is also really good, but to goblin plastic man without woozy is like abbot without costello.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you mention Al Luster, but as far as I know, Luster never worked as one of Cole's "ghosts." In fact, I think the only reason this resembles Luster's work is because whoever the artist might be in this case is attempting to ape Cole's style. That's the the thing about "ghosts." Even if their attempts approximating an artist's style falls short, it helps mask their own to a great degree. Unless one is really familiar with the "ghost's" own work (for instance, Al Wiseman ghosting for Hank Ketcham), it's a tough go.
ReplyDeleteAnd after all that, if you think I'm gonna make my own guess, you're nuts.
>And after all that, if you think I'm gonna make my own guess, you're nuts.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I only said Al Luster because that's what it says on GCD. But as proven lately they're not always the most reliable source.
I'm thrilled everyone enjoyed today's Plastic Man story. I've come to the conclusion lately that what THOIA could use occasionally is a few laughs, and not just in the comment sections. And laughs are exactly what you're getting again tomorrow with yet another horror parody, this time from the always excellent Hy Fleishman. Plus: Kyle Sims writes in with a review of Knott's Scary Farm's Halloween Haunt for 2008, and more!
Don't miss it!