Tuesday Team-Up: Kid Colt and Night Rider

What's happening, Groove-ophiles! Ol' Groove's tryin' out another new semi-regular feature on ya--Tuesday Team-Up! From time to time I'm gonna hit ya with an oddball or rarely-seen team-up from the Groovy Age. First up is Kid Colt and Night Rider (really Ghost Rider, but the powers-that-were decided to change the name--temporarily--to keep fans from confusing the Old West Carter Slade version with the motorcycle ridin' Groovy Age version) from Giant-Size Kid Colt #3 (April 1975). Writer Gary Friedrich and artists Dick Ayers and Vince Colletta were no strangers to Marvel cowboys--heck, Dick Ayers helped create the original Ghost Rider (and several later versions, as well), so this titanic team-up was definitely in good hands. Get ready to slap leather as you face a..."Death Duel with Dack Derringer!"

Secret Origins: Luke Malone, Manhunter

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! It's been a while since we stalked the streets of San Francisco with Atlas/Seaboard's Luke Malone, Manhunter. Ever wonder what would make a guy like Malone quit the police force to become a P.I.? Well, wonder no more, baby! Ol' Groove's got the skinny for ya, straight from Police Action #2 (January 1975). Writer Gary Friedrich, creator/penciler Mike Ploog, and inker Frank Springer answer all of your questions as they ask..."Whatever Happened to Luke Malone?!"

12 Days of Christmas: "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Christmas Eve 2009 is here, Groove-ophiles! Ol' Groove is truly thankful that you've taken time to stop by DotGK today. I hope you enjoy your time here. The gift I'm unwrapping today is (according to my research) the only non-Jim Steranko S.H.I.E.L.D. story to ever be reprinted. Originally published in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #10 (December 1968), "Twas the Night Before Christmas" achieved immortality with it's inclusion in December 1975's Marvel Treasury Edition #8, one of three tabloid-sized Giant Super-Hero Holiday Grab Bags the House of Ideas produced during the mid-70s.

Besides its Christmas-tinged plot, this particular Fury outing is pretty far-out in its own right. While Jim Steranko (rightfully) nabs all the accolades for making S.H.I.E.L.D. cool, the dependable Frank Springer, with inks by EC legend Johnny Craig, gives an extra-groovy account of himself with his Steranko-inspired machinery, effects, and layouts. It's also the third appearance of the evil Hate Monger. Aaaand, as a bonus, approximately two pages (all of one and parts of two more) were penciled by none other than Barry (Windsor-) Smith(Can ya spot 'em?)! This little-seen gem is a gift that keeps on giving, baby!

See ya right back here bright and early Christmas morning for our extra-special Christmas Day extravaganza!