WFMU's Beware of the Blog

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"Juke Box Comics" - One Last Wallow

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to the stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.  In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony."

William Henry Channing

"We are the music-makers, / And we are the dreamers of dreams, / Wandering by lone sea-breakers, / And sitting by desolate streams; / World-losers and world-forsakers, / On whom the pale moon gleams: / Yet we are the movers and shakers / Of the world forever, it seems."

Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy

"A man is like a phonograph with half-a-dozen records. You soon get tired of them all; and yet you have to sit at table whilst he reels them off to every new visitor."

George Bernard Shaw

{ Drew Dobbs / aka "Listener Mindwrecker" } : What an irony that when I first began to blog here (in January 2009) I had just completed a move across country that required leaving behind three-quarters of my record collection, so that I began to run out of amazing material rather more quickly than I would have liked, and eventually switched over altogether into this comic book-related series. Thanks again to Otis Fodder, who ushered me into the honorable position of bi-weekly blogging at BOTB. It IS often all in who you know. This will apparently be the next-to-last post of mine here and so I'm going to pour a lot into these last two (or perhaps I'll squeeze in an extra one), as far as content. Since I am always prepping future blog posts well in advance, there is a pile of sort-of-related things left to present here, and it will be a little bit of a jumble sale.

Today, we'll be going through the rest of the six-issue run of "Juke Box Comics" (we have presented some bits from the first two issues here before) from the late 1940s and combing out the best from those lovely books, as well as one small piece in a similar vein from "True Comics" #75.

A lot of fun stuff awaits -- right after the jump!

"Lucky Fights It Through" and Other Romantic Encounters

"When Joey put that trumpet to his lips, he blew against the walls of love and hate and every personal feeling I had for him ... And my heart came tumbling down!"

--- And from another story:

"Lucky Jordan was a tophand cowpuncher. He knew steers and horses. He knew the tricks of sticking on a wild bronc's arching back, the loop of a lariat in midair, the thrill of diving towards the curving horns of a brahma bull inside the rodeo arena. But there were some things Lucky didn't know. On the subject of women, he wasn't so wise. So this is Lucky's story and it opens on the graze ground of his little mill iron ranch, over a branding iron fire ... "

Yessir, romance is in the air today at BOTB's Comic Supplement!  We're back with a passel of cool stories and art, including work by two giants in the comic book field: Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Kirby!

Let's learn a few love tricks from the true-life entanglements and foibles presented in our tales today - join us right after the jump!

Silly Pilly vs. Mighty Bear

"Hello boys and girls and dads and mothers!  Here is a book full of the funniest people I know:

Mr. Wheatley Whale --- he's forty yards long, he weighs 80,000 pounds, he's good-hearted, but he's always getting mixed up.

Then there's Brumas --- the fattest, funniest little bear you ever saw.

Judy, That's Me! --- a little girl who helps Mr. whale out when he gets in trouble.

Silly Pilly --- who's so silly! He does all the silly things you DON'T do, because you know better.  

Then there are all sorts of puzzles and games and jokes and things we like to do and say and think about.

Will you write to me and tell me what you like best about our first book and tell me what you'd like in the next book?         

Best wishes to you from your friend,        Frank Luther."

Thus reads the introductory page from the one and only issue of Frank Luther's Silly Pilly Comics, and if that doesn't whet your appetite for a look at more, well...um...y'know, I can't really blame you! 

Francis Luther Crow, aka Frank Luther, nearly forgotten now, was one of the kings of the 78 rpm-records-for-kids market for many years in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. Besides being an ordained minister, country music artist, radio and television personality (he was even covered by Negativland!),  he also had his own one-shot comic book as well, which brings us to that half of today's post. 

We'll examine the entire issue of Silly Pilly (what a name!), as well as a crazy little story from Mighty Bear #14, so hang on to your hats and dive with us into the wackiness that is today's WFMU Comic Supplement -- right after the jump!

The Five-String Mob Vs. the Monster of Loch Trevor

Today we present another large dose of Jack Kirby magic, deep in the middle of the fantastic Fourth World saga, where we remembered a story with a slightly musical edge.

There are loads of guest stars and a tangled plot-line weaving into and out of today's tale, but you can also enjoy it simply as a nutty installment of Jimmy Olsen from December 1971, when Kirby was trying out four books worth of wild concepts, with no end in sight.

Long-hairs, rock music and youth culture usually get a poor treatment in comic books, and I wish I could say that Mr. Kirby treated "hippie" culture any better (since it was pretty moribund and co-opted at this time, it is a very moot point) than his peers, but he did give it a good try. His books certainly went much further out beyond the more common stereotypes to become nearly psychedelic on their own.

In this week's presentation we'll also briefly notice some "real" people used as models for Kirby characters, to whit: six comic book fans whom he was friendly with, and silent-movie-era actor James Finlayson (?!).

So strap in and join us after the jump for this extra-wild ride in the latest installment of the WFMU Comic Supplement!

The Many Dangers of Television

That piece of talking furniture over there;  you think it is a passive, entertaining friend. But is it really as innocent as it looks? 

Today we bring you five cautionary tales to help prepare you for the horrors and mind-bending strangeness that could issue from your television at any time, and not the ones coming from your satellite hookup. No, that thing has come unplugged, what you are seeing is issuing from somewhere else, perhaps even from your own mind. But who can tell?

We here at the WFMU Comic Supplement worry enough about the dangers of unbridled radio listening, but we also keep an eye on what's happening on 'telly', and what we see there isn't good. In fact, it is downright terrifying.

And, on the artistic side, we are VERY pleased to welcome comic book creative genius JACK KIRBY to the blog today, in two different tales.  We've been searching high and low for stories of his to present here, and this week we realized that we actually had two in our files that would be appropriate, so, one of our favorite storytellers is the guest of honor today, along with a couple of other fine artists.

Put down that remote control for a bit, and join us for this highly educational post - right after the jump!

Red Buttons and the Acrimony of Hilarity by Kliph Nesteroff

 "Television has never seen anything like the turnover of personnel on The Red Buttons Show. The writers, directors, producers and supporting players come and go so fast the star can't learn their names before they head for the exit." - Voice of Broadway, April 8, 1954 

"Mel Brooks, signed just a week ago as writer-director of The Red Buttons Show, has resigned." - Variety, September 30, 1954 

In the spring of 1952 NBC had a reputation as the domain of sketch comedy. The Texaco Star Theater starring Milton Berle popularized televised sketch, The Colgate Comedy Hour with Martin & Lewis amplified it, and Your Show of Shows introduced us to the work of Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. NBC's sketch comedy programs had something for each demographic, showcasing both lowbrow and highbrow styles, enjoying ratings dominance and critical acclaim. Competitor CBS was desperate to emulate NBC's success and in October 1952 attempted to do so by investing in a comedian named Red Buttons. His moniker fit his burlesque roots where it was common for nouns like Rags or Peanuts to be used as first names, an offshoot of burlesque strippers who also used strange pseudonyms.

The Red Buttons Show had an enormously popular first season on CBS and Buttons was hailed as "the comedy find of the year." But the second season was so disastrous that chroniclers called it the most severe fall from grace in comedy history. The Red Buttons Show was praised after its first several episodes, but press coverage soon changed from one of critical elation to a marveling at the chaos behind the scenes. “The first year Buttons was a major sensation,” wrote Colliers magazine. “The second year he went right down the tubes.” 

Success ruined Buttons as he destroyed his own show. His ego and anxiety expanded and his agitation was taken out on his employees. The slightest thing could set him off and his secretary was terrified of him. "Red scares me Monday [broadcast] nights," she said. "He doesn't make sense." He routinely fired employees after only a few weeks on the job. Variety called Red Buttons the only TV star with "more writers than scripts." The employees he retained often quit on their own, unable to handle the volatile, irrational atmosphere. He screamed at future legends like Larry Gelbart, Neil Simon and Mel Brooks, telling them to fuck right off. They did. By 1954 there were few comedy writers left who hadn't had some sort of terrible experience with The Red Buttons Show. Octogenarian comedian Bobby Ramsen says, "He fired all the people who later became the icons of American comedy. Red had different writers every week. 'They're not sending me out naked again! This is the worst crap I have ever seen!' God, he was terrible. Buttons became a monster."

The Story of Xavier Cugat & Other Super-Friends

 


"A caressing, torchy voice that enchants even the most hardened theater-goer, plus an astonishing beauty, make gorgeous Lena Horne one of the most exciting blues singers of our time. Her haunting style of singing has lifted this Brooklyn girl to the top of the nation's outstanding entertainers."

We missed a post due to illness here at the WFMU Comic Supplement, but we're back with a vengeance this week with all true-life stories of famous music and entertainment stars of yesteryear, as depicted oh-so-realistically in comic books of their day.

We've got six whole life stories to learn about so let's get right down to it; come and join us for non-fictional fun right after the jump!

"Barbie the Nightclub Singer" and Other Dabblings in High Art

"It was OUR SONG Roger's and mine ... the love song that formed the background of our romance ... THE THEME THAT BROKE MY HEART.

It's all over and done ... and I NEVER think of Roger anymore ... never, except when I hear THE SONG they're playing ... it was 'OUR SONG' then ... the theme they were playing that first night right here when Mark introduced me to ROGER MELTON."

Thus begins the heaviest of our four light tales today. And in the others we will visit The Archies as they try to rehearse, take in Barbie and Ken at their hit nightclub act, and learn about how taking up accordion can change your life forever!

A frothy mix of comics madness featuring humor, romance, adventure and accordions - all to be savored right here at the WFMU Comic Supplement - right after the jump!

"The Stranger in Studio X!"

 

"It was the weirdest fifteen minutes that anyone at radio station WBOR ever remembered. The spine tingling series of misadventures, which made that night so memorable, began exactly at midnight, on an otherwise routine evening . . . And there were those who saw the occurrences of the next quarter hour the sort of eerie puzzle to which no man would ever find an answer. Those never-to-be-forgotten moments of bewilderment and fear started in the middle of Dawn Creighton's popular disc jockey program . . . Started, in fact, at the very moment the door to Creighton's broadcasting booth opened , and in walked . . . "The Stranger in Studio X!"

As you can see, we'll be back in the radio studio for another storyline today, as well as experiencing some raw terror as provided by a television set (big surprise there!),  a violin-playing clown, and a radio.

So snuggle in close and let's explore today's menu of four short stories dating from 1947 to 1952, all pre-comics-code stuff this time, nice and raw! 

Plunge into another exciting installment of the WFMU Comic Supplement, right after the jump!

Dog, Moose and Squirrel Versus Everyone

 
Come in and join us for a spooky champagne jam to ring in the year with your pals Rocky, Bullwinkle and Scooby Doo - right after the jump!

"Station G.H.O.S.T!"

"How many times have you seen a ghost story on television? Did it leave you frightened, fearful
that ghosts really exist? Of course it didn't . . . Yet, could you really be sure? Perhaps this tale will change your mind, for you are about to witness the real-life results of the spine-chilling stories told on . . . Station G.H.O.S.T!"

Another excerpt from today's selections:

"Roger Dorn loved beautiful music - - but not when the hands that played it were those of a man he had murdered!"

Ok, well,  there's also this to look forward to on our banquet today:

"It was a novel idea . . . This dance on the large native drum! Patrons crowded the exclusive New York night club to see the famous Annette perform! But as the exotic dancer's feet began tapping out a rhythmic tattoo, strange things commenced happening . . .Horrible, unearthly things! And the giant Haitian tom-tom became a drum of doom!"

Yes, as you can see, we have four stories from the dark side of music and entertainment today, including a dance of doom to go with that drum of doom, either way there's plenty of accursed doom to go around for everyone in our bounty of comic book sickness this week at the WFMU Comic Supplement!  Take your seat and dig in -  right after the jump!

Rabbits, Pussycats, and Dreamy Romance

"The jam session was like a strange, new world to me! The savage, rhythmic beat of the drums had us all in a dreamy hypnotic trance! But the beating of my heart rose above the drums as Guy's arm stole around me!"

(from "My Jazz-Time Romance")

Today we have a pretty varied assortment of treats for you, everything from some pretty silly funny-animal and kid's comics, to a very wordy adult romance book; and all dealing with some facet of music or other. Stay tuned after the JUMP for four short stories sure to make you bop!

"Death Song" and Other Delights (1940 - 1953)

"The desire to gain retribution is one of the strongest of human passions,  actually capable of transcending the grave itself! As it did when Henri Marleau heard a murdered man play his ... Death Song!"

Teaser #2:

"Dr. Hormone, world's greatest scientist, goes to Washington to defend his country against imminent invasion by Nazia. With him are his his granddaughter, Jane, and his bodyguard - the Five Fleamen."

Just two samples of some of the timeless prose that we have to serve you today in the WFMU Comic Supplement!  We will kick off with two short pre-comics-code horror tales from the early 1950s, and then hop in the WABAC machine to visit early 1941 and some very peculiar characters from the title Popular Comics.

Feast your eyes on some choice four-color madness, right after the jump!

"Music Master" The Sound-Powered Crimefighter / Part Two of Two

"Yeow! He's no ordinary fiddler! He knows the destructive power of certain musical notes!"

Today brings us back to a peculiar super-hero who operated from 1942 to 1945, and was handled by such great talents as Bill Everett and Jimmy Thompson. Due to the application of a strange Egyptian flute, he can use any sound vibration (and particularly musical vibrations) to travel at the speed of sound to the scene of crime and nefarious activity, and also occasionally fashion weapons from sound.  His first 14 stories were covered in a previous post here: http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2014/08/the-adventures-of-music-master-1942-1945.html and now we'll be looking over the final five stories (there are actually six, but one is not available), beginning in September 1944.

Join us for the finale of this oddball character from the Golden Age - right after the jump!

A Record-Breaking Affair (Redux) June 1952

"Sally loved working in a radio station, and she loved Hugh Clancy, the stations leading disc jockey, until that fateful day when her hopes for a career and a beautiful romance crashed and shattered at her feet..."

You'll thrill, you'll cry, you'll rock to the beat of today's two nutty music-influenced comic book tales. We'll prove again that radio and romance don't mix!

Well, I goofed up last time and didn't get my post for the blog completed on schedule, so here we go with another try!

First up, we'll warm up with a short tale of the Vigilante from December 1950, which involves a "ballad about an imaginary buckaroo" and the radio broadcasts thereof, followed by a romance tale based at a radio station, along with all of the heartache that that naturally entails!  

Some very tight and slick 1950s comic book art on display this week - right after the jump!

Imps, Pixies and Surrealism (1947-48)

Today brings one of my annual preparing-for-vacation-trip posts, with a dash of comics for kids (we'll get back to the second part of our Music Master series next time). First, some Pixies, from their fourth comic book, issued in 1947. This one caught my eye recently because of a mention I read about a scene from this book that was censored in a later reprinting. Well, that had to be something worth a look, and we'll see a couple of highlights from this odd comic book to open our post, followed by a really nutty Captain Marvel story from 1948 that also tickled my fancy. Just some light reading today, to break up the 'harder' stuff that I have lined up for future posts.  Join me for some surrealism and insect fun after the jump!

The Adventures of 'Music Master', 1942-1945 - Part One

"Flung into a series of amazing adventures by his impetuous nature, and intense hatred of injustice, John Wallace finds himself the possessor of the wonderful Pipes of Death and becomes the Music Master, matching long forgotten secrets of the ancients against the marvels of modern science..."

So begins the nearly three year run of a character high on the list of "Most Oddball and Bizarre" comic book characters from the Golden Age, our pal the Music Master, who needs only a note of music, or at least a burst of sound approximating a musical note, to perform strange and fantastic feats. Even though studying weirdo comic book character ideas is a long-time obsession of mine, I had only recently learned about this fella while trolling through old issues of Famous Funnies, one of the early magazines published in the comic magazine format. In the later issues of FF they began to introduce original in-house characters (in addition to their standard fare of newspaper strip reprints), and also promote new ones from their sister magazine Reg'lar Fellers Heroic Comics. In one of these colorful in-house ads I noticed a new character being promoted named 'Music Master', who sounded like a shoe-in for a WFMU blog post, or at least worth a closer look. Luckily, these magazines are in public domain, so I downloaded the entire run of Music Man stories to study.

In his first yarn our protagonist is quickly stabbed in the chest and mortally wounded with a violin bow. Well, now, this had me going right off! I certainly haven't seen any comic book crooks deal out violence that way before. Thanks to the musical ministrations of Antonini the famed violin maker he is not only revived (using an 'ancient Egyptian instrument') but his body has become "...attuned to the frequency of musical sound waves, and that he can identify himself with any musical note so that his body will react and cling to the waves of sound, and he will be transported with the speed of sound to the source of the music.". As time passes the writer of the series, Stephen A. Douglas, also the editor of the magazine, develops many more unusual things to do with hero 'John Wallace's' audio-based powers, often venturing into surreal territory.

While not one of the most amazingly weird hero characters from the early 1940s (and there are a lot of VERY strange concepts that were tried), he has his moments, along with some lovely art here and there by various hands. Come along and join our long-haired composer/player/super-hero as he battles crime right after the jump!

"Tee & Vee Crosley in Television-Land Comics" (1951)

"In the following pages,  you will learn of the exciting adventures of two typical American youngsters, TEE and VEE CROSLEY in "Television-Land". We hope you will enjoy them but only as a prelude to the even more exciting and fascinating adventures you will enjoy when you have Crosley Television and Crosley Kitchen Appliances."

Indeed - what red-blooded American youngster could resist that pitch? Thus begins today's comic book excavation into a particularly dark and strange corner of 'corporate' comics, usually free magazines designed to instruct or sell products or both. This book is a really messed-up example of this type of advertising and goes deeper in the confidence in its own power of persuasion than anyone who reads it now will believe. The pitch within is not just HARD sell - it goes many an extra mile to hammer its points home over and over in the context of a cute funny animal kiddie comic book world populated with an excess of appliances and characters obsessed with gadgets and features of same.

Herein is a confusing mixture - were the children this was apparently aimed at really expected to be interested in the relentless intrusions of Crosley products for their post-war suburban home? Enough that they would nag Mom and Pop about said merchandise, using the comic book as a spiced-up candy-coated catalog / script to convince them and soften them up to the virtues of all things CROSLEY? It is indeed a very sick and desperate ploy, and one which I doubt really worked very well. On the plus side, though, the art and package itself is professional and attractive, clearly by a studio that already knew how to produce slick kiddie comics; and the interactive 'game / toy' feature pages are particularly well-done and look like they would be a lot of fun to actually cut out and assemble and play with.

Come along with Tee and Vee, our brother and sister protagonists, as they explore the excitement (and not in a dream sequence, either!) of the magical world built by Crosley. It's all right after the jump!

A Trio of 1940s True-Life Musical Comic Book Stories

Todays Comic Supplement spotlights three now-obscure 1940s entertainers, as depicted in the magazines Doc Savage ( v.2 #4, June 1943), Picture News ( #10, February 1947), and Melody Lane ( #01, Feb-Mar 1950).

The personalities we will learn about are Fanny Brice, Margaret Whiting and Johnny Desmond. These gripping TRUE comics are unrated and absolutely REAL, so get set for a thrill-packed comic book read - right after the jump!