Random Reads: "The Man Who Cheated Destiny" by Klein, Von Eeden, and Simons

Dig it, Groove-ophiles! Here's a rare script by ace letterer Todd Klein for Secrets of Haunted House #25 (March 1980), "The Man Who Cheated Destiny!" Another cool and rare thing about this story is that Haunted House's host Destiny plays an active role. Also, it's got fabamundo art by Trevor Von Eeden and Dave Simons. What's not to love?

Random Reads: "Primate Patrol" by Kashdan, Landgraf, and Simons

Check it out, Groove-ophiles! Is it any wonder that during the Groovy Age, DC's line of war mags were among their best sellers? I mean, editors like Paul Levitz knew how to get four dimes out of our pockets with the ease of a practiced pickpocket! A Jim Starlin cover featuring armed gorillas dressed in tattered Nazi uniforms? Take my money, DC! George Kashdan's story is kinda cool, too, with it's sci-fi, Planet of the Apes inspired plot (did the folks behind the new POTA flicks read this comic? Hmmm?), but it's the art on "Primate Patrol" that Ol' Groove really digs. Yers trooly always thought that Ken Landgraf and Dave Simons (together or separately) were excellent artists with style that really appealed to me. After you get finished staring at the captivating Jim Starlin cover, flip it back and enjoy this treat from Weird War Tales #89 (April 1980)!

Our Pal Sal: "Sound of the Silencer" by Evanier, S. Buscema, and Simons

What it is, Groove-ophiles! As hard as it is to believe, Captain America's pal, the Falcon, was around for about a decade before he ever got a solo story (outside a rare Cap-less ish of the Star Spangled Avenger's own title). To rectify that sorry sitch, Mark Evanier wrote a cool story for Marvel Premiere #49 (May 1979) that allowed Sam Wilson to strut his stuff and called it "Sound of the Silencer" (methinks Mark might be a Simon and Garfunkel fan). The story was drawn by, of course!, Our Pal Sal Buscema with inks/finishes by a young and oh-so-talented Dave Simons (R.I.P.) on one of his earliest pro jobs. Teen Groove thought Sal and Dave meshed quite well, with Sal's action-packed pencil-power coming through loud and clear. Still think that's the truth! It ain't a classic by any stretch, but it is a fun diversion--complete with a hoot of a Frank Miller/Klaus Janson cover. Check it out, baby!

Remember When...Hawkman's History Could Be Summarized in Four Pages?

What's happening, Groove-ophiles! Here's a short and sweet trip down memory lane. Long before infinite 52 week long identity invasion crises took over the majority of DC's output, Hawkman was one of their coolest, if more under-appreciated, characters. Over a quarter century of "house cleaning" has made Hawkman's history denser and more complicated than War and Peace translated into Klingon pig-Latin, but back during the Groovy Age Katar Hol's whole history could be summed up in 4 succinct pages--and that's no jive! Here your proof, provided by Bob Rozakis, Ed Barretto, and Dave Simons from World's Finest #261 (November 1979)...