Irma Kruhl > Richard WillisMarch 30, 2025 at 10:05am
Thank you Richard. Work has kept me super-busy for months, free time at a minumum--so yes, it's been a while. I just happened to check in the other day and saw the Legion/Adventure era posts (my absolute favorite Legion era), so I couldn't resist chiming in.
I'm surprised--and glad!--I still remembered my password here!
As I follow Musk's recent business challenges, I am reminded of the late Colonel Harland Sanders. As he was known to be politically conservative (though, allegedly, pro-Civil Rights), George Wallace approached the KFC founder and registered trademark as a possible running mate. I know, how strange is that? That would be like Donald Trump becoming president. Anyway, Sanders turned him down, supposedly saying something like, "how would that help sell chicken?"
THE MARVEL AGE OF COMICS: 1961-1978 by Roy Thomas:
I always enjoy reading Roy Thomas's introductions to Marvel Masterworks. He never fails to provide behind-the-scenes insight into the origins of whichever series is under discussion. They have moved beyond his era by this point, but I always thought that, collected, his introductions would make a decent "History of Marvl Comics" book. that is essentially what this is. I buy some many archival comic book collections that, some years ago, I stopped buying strictly textual treatments. The Marvel Age of Comicsis text, but it is profusely illustrated and is written by Roy Thomas. It is well worth the (half) price I paid for it, but it would be a bargain at full price as well. I also bought...
WATCHMEN 12-VOLUME HC SLIPCASE: I didn't even know this 2016 set existed. I probably didn't pay too much attention to it when it was solicited and immediately forgot about it, but for half price I couldn't pass it up. Each larger-than-comic-book-size issue is hardcover, and the entire set is slipcased. It had never even been opened. Plus I has a coupon for 10% off my entire purchase, so I made out like a bandit.
I finished reading the Thomas book today. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting the kind in-depth, behind-the-scenes analysis on display in his "Marvel Masterworks" introductions, but this is purely for Muggles/Mundanes. I can honestly say there wasn't anything in this book I didn't know. There was very little text at all, frankly. Each section (of three) had a brief overview. Beyond that, the book is mostly a profusely illustrated history of Marvel Comics from 1961 through 1978. (I did read all the captions.) the three sections are:
The World Would Never Be the Same Again!: The First Wave - 1961-1964
Make Mine Marvel!: The Marvel Universe - 1964-1970
Marvel - Phase Two: The Bronze Age - 1970-1978
Having said all that, though, it is what it is, and if you're looking for a book about Marvel Comics that is mostly pictures, then this is the book for you.
Why does Dobie Gillis’ hair change from blond to brown on the show and in the comics? See below.
Max Shulman, a humorist, wrote The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (a short story collection) and Rally Round the Flag Boys, among other things.
The first movie adaptation was The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953), starring Bobby Van as Dobie. I don’t recommend it, except that it co-stars Debbie Reynolds and Bob Fosse, both of whom are always enjoyable.
The next was the movie version of (the non-Dobie) Rally ‘Round the Flag Boys (1958), which starred Paul Newman and, in supporting roles, Dwayne Hickman and Tuesday Weld.
When casting the TV show The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, which debuted in 1959:
Despite being cast as a 17-year-old, Hickman was 24 when he starred in the pilot in the summer of 1958 (Tuesday Weld was 15, playing 17-year-old Thalia). Because Hickman had appeared for several years on The Bob Cummings Show as Chuck, he was required by Shulman and CBS to bleach his dark brown hair blond for the role of Dobie to distance himself from that character in the public's (and the sponsors') minds. By the second season, however, Hickman was permitted to return to his natural hair color, after he had complained to the producers that the constant bleaching required to keep his low crew cut hairstyle blond was causing his scalp to break out.
(I had forgotten and thought it was because of his character in Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys.)
Replies
Thank you Richard. Work has kept me super-busy for months, free time at a minumum--so yes, it's been a while. I just happened to check in the other day and saw the Legion/Adventure era posts (my absolute favorite Legion era), so I couldn't resist chiming in.
I'm surprised--and glad!--I still remembered my password here!
I cleaned up at HPB yesterday.
THE MARVEL AGE OF COMICS: 1961-1978 by Roy Thomas:
I always enjoy reading Roy Thomas's introductions to Marvel Masterworks. He never fails to provide behind-the-scenes insight into the origins of whichever series is under discussion. They have moved beyond his era by this point, but I always thought that, collected, his introductions would make a decent "History of Marvl Comics" book. that is essentially what this is. I buy some many archival comic book collections that, some years ago, I stopped buying strictly textual treatments. The Marvel Age of Comics is text, but it is profusely illustrated and is written by Roy Thomas. It is well worth the (half) price I paid for it, but it would be a bargain at full price as well. I also bought...
WATCHMEN 12-VOLUME HC SLIPCASE: I didn't even know this 2016 set existed. I probably didn't pay too much attention to it when it was solicited and immediately forgot about it, but for half price I couldn't pass it up. Each larger-than-comic-book-size issue is hardcover, and the entire set is slipcased. It had never even been opened. Plus I has a coupon for 10% off my entire purchase, so I made out like a bandit.
I finished reading the Thomas book today. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting the kind in-depth, behind-the-scenes analysis on display in his "Marvel Masterworks" introductions, but this is purely for Muggles/Mundanes. I can honestly say there wasn't anything in this book I didn't know. There was very little text at all, frankly. Each section (of three) had a brief overview. Beyond that, the book is mostly a profusely illustrated history of Marvel Comics from 1961 through 1978. (I did read all the captions.) the three sections are:
Having said all that, though, it is what it is, and if you're looking for a book about Marvel Comics that is mostly pictures, then this is the book for you.
Especially if you can find it at half price.
Robert McGinnis, legendary poster and cover artist, dead at 99
(Not Just Movie Posters)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Was the First Modern Comic Book Adaptation
(The article actually is about changes movies make or don’t make adapting comics in general)
ARTICLE
Noticed some Martian soda yesterday:
A Movie Baby Shower for Franklin Richards?
STORY
Why does Dobie Gillis’ hair change from blond to brown on the show and in the comics? See below.
Max Shulman, a humorist, wrote The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (a short story collection) and Rally Round the Flag Boys, among other things.
The first movie adaptation was The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953), starring Bobby Van as Dobie. I don’t recommend it, except that it co-stars Debbie Reynolds and Bob Fosse, both of whom are always enjoyable.
The next was the movie version of (the non-Dobie) Rally ‘Round the Flag Boys (1958), which starred Paul Newman and, in supporting roles, Dwayne Hickman and Tuesday Weld.
When casting the TV show The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, which debuted in 1959:
Despite being cast as a 17-year-old, Hickman was 24 when he starred in the pilot in the summer of 1958 (Tuesday Weld was 15, playing 17-year-old Thalia). Because Hickman had appeared for several years on The Bob Cummings Show as Chuck, he was required by Shulman and CBS to bleach his dark brown hair blond for the role of Dobie to distance himself from that character in the public's (and the sponsors') minds. By the second season, however, Hickman was permitted to return to his natural hair color, after he had complained to the producers that the constant bleaching required to keep his low crew cut hairstyle blond was causing his scalp to break out.
(I had forgotten and thought it was because of his character in Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys.)
If, like me, you loved The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis as a kid, I recommend this Wiki article which has a lot of interesting information:
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis - Wikipedia
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