The Boys from Derby: "Who Will Wear the Crown?" by Gill (?) and Himes

HooOOOW's it shakin', Groove-ophiles! Here's a ghostly classic from (where else) Charlton's Ghostly Haunts #23 (January 1972) by Joe Gill (probably) and Fred Himes (definitely)! This story makes Ol' Groove think of some little event that was in the news lately, but he can't quite put his finger on it...

Funny Stuff: "Love Is a Dandy!" by Skeates, Ditko, and Wood

Crazy story. Check. Gorgeous art. Check. Sight gags that make you chuckle. Check. Pretty girls. Check. Yep, it's a PLOP! story by Steve Skeates, Steve Ditko, and Wally Wood. From PLOP! #16 (May 1975), here's "Love Is a Dandy!"

Black and White Wednesday: "Eye of Newt, Toe of Frog" by Conway and Brunner

Happy 69th Birthday, Frank Brunner! All of Groove-dom knows that Fearless Frank is one of Ol' Groove's fave Groovy Age artists (and what a pleasure it was to get to shake his hand at the Cincy Comic Expo a couple years ago). His slick, organic style just oozes power, beauty and cosmic wonder! Always did and always will! For proof, just check out his first published Warren job from Vampirella #10 (December 1970), "Eye of Newt, Toe of Frog" written by none other than Gerry Conway!

Thanks again for all the cool comics, Mr. Brunner--and many, many more happy b-days to ya!

Black and White Wednesday: Bernie Wrightson...Original Art from the Swamp

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! It's October, so it's time to start getting ready for Hooooowl-oween! One of the high-points of the Groovy Age for Ol' Groove (and many other citizens of Groove City) was Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson's Swamp Thing. The creature-who-was-Alec Holland was so cool. Strong and silent. Brilliant but misunderstood. And slimy. Kids love slime! Anyway, howzabout we take a look at some of the Master of the Macabre's original Swamp Thing art--including some pencil roughs! Yep, Ol' Groove has done some early trick-or-treating on the 'Net, and you, you lucky Groove-ophile, get to share in the goodies! Here we gooooooo...

DC Special Series #2/Original Swamp Thing Saga

DC Special Series #14/Original Swamp Thing Saga

The Boys from Derby: "The Grass Is Always Greener" by Pellowski and Vosburg

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Here's a charmingly wacky fear-fable from Creepy Things #3 (September 1975)! "The Grass Is Always Greener" was written by Mike Pellowski and illustrated by Mike (Starfire) Vosburg! T'was the cover story--and what a cover Tom Sutton provided for that particular ish (my scans are from the Modern Comics reprint, you'll note)!

 If you'd like to see what the charming and generous Mr. V. is up to these days, check out his blog, his website, and (if you haven't already) track down his Mad Mummy series (available via Comixology)! You'll be sooooooo glad ya did!

Were-Week! Groovy Age Gold: "Poor Mr. Watkins" by Lee and Roth

Here's a Golden Age howler for ya from Stan Lee and Werner Roth, Groove-ophiles! Originally presented in Menace #1 (cover-dated March1953), "Poor Mr. Watkins" was reprinted in yet another first ish--Vault of Evil #1! Check it ow-ow-owOOOOOOOT!!

Black and White Wednesday: "Growing Pains" by Toomey and Zeck

What it is, Groove-ophiles! Today's tale, written by Bob Toomey, is a weeeeeeeeird one. Dunno if his kids or grandkids had given him a rough night's sleep or what--or maybe he'd been inspired by that Bugs Bunny episode with the midget bank robber posing as a baby. Still, artist Mike Zeck comes through like a champ with lovely, tasteful art and gorgeous gray tones. From Eerie #108 (cover-dated January 1980), prepare to suffer from..."Growing Pains"!