The Big Little Book Space Ghost

Among the most cherished items in my collection are my Big Little Books bought for me when I was a tyro, before really I had any sense of what comics were too much. I got into heroes by way of TV cartoons, especially those delightful and evocative Hanna-Barbera cartoons. My favorite was always Space Ghost, and so it's not surprise that the BLB starring Space Ghost, Jan, Jayce, and Blip is one of those I collected up and kept hold of.

The story for "The Sorceress of Cyba-3", perhaps the longest in Space Ghost lore aside from the origin written by Joe Kelly for DC, was penned by Don R. Christensen. The artwork was rendered not by the great Alex Toth who designed the Space Ghost universe, but by Gold Key journeyman Don Spiegle who delivered handsome and sleek artwork very much in the spirit of Toth. Spiegle was the artist who drew the lone Space Ghost comic for Gold Key and handled the character in other Gold Key venues.

As can be seen in the wonderful original artwork below, Spiegle was at the top of this game designing this Space Ghost adventure. These are not all of the pages by any means, but as many as I found roaming the wilds of the internet. Some are just gorgeous! Especially keen are those few which show Space Ghost in his invisible mode, and how Spiegle's art is different to reflect that. The art is in story order.

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The House Of Horrors!

Memory is a slippery thing these days, but if mine can be trusted then the first time I ran across the artistry of the late Herb Trimpe was inside the vintage Big Little Book starring the Fantastic Four titled "The House of Horrors".

Marvel Comics was swelling up and the FF were on ABC television in a series which did a remarkably good job of translating the comics to screen. I didn't quite realize that because I was just into the cartoon as a kid with the comics still in my future. But I did pick up this Big Little Book tie-in which was ghosted by Herb Trimpe along with some re-used artwork by Jack "King" Kirby. Longtime Marvel artist John Verpoorten handled the inks.

To get a good look at this classic, check this out.

For a look at some of the dandy Trimpe artwork look below.

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Frankenstein Junior!

What an utter delight is Frankenstein Jr.. The character is a wackadoodle blend of classic monsters, run-amok sci-fi, Japanese anime, and the  totally ironic and self-aware campy super-heroics which dotted the 60's pop culture landscape. A lot of the memorable trends of the era find a blithe fusion with this vintage cartoon.

Bracketed by another cartoon superhero concept, The Impossibles,  Frankenstein Jr. had a remarkable pace for a cartoon of this type and also featured many memorable images. The sight of Franky with Buzz atop his shoulder rocketing out of the mountain lab is a keeper.

I recently pulled the trigger and picked up the dvd of the series, afraid that these might someday go off the market and I'd regret not having them. Lots of great childhood memories watching this wild series. 

Franky didn't really have much penetration into the broader cultural market aside from the durable cartoon show, but has managed a couple of clever comics appearances. Gold Key made a one-shot in 1967 which along with the one-shot Space Ghost introduced the trend to comics.

Many decades later Archie Comics knocked out an issue of Hanna-Barbera Presents which showcased the giant superhero alongside his Impossible cast mates. This cover is  a fun one since it clearly pays homage to the classic Fantastic Four #1.

One of my personal favorite Franky items is the Big Little Book featuring the big guy. I've owned since I was a tyke and loved every single-page panel of it then and now.

Ted Cassidy, famous for his spin as Lurch on the Addams Family, added a great quality to Frankenstein Jr., making the character distinctive in the Hanna-Barbera universe which sad to say could get a bit familiar with the stalwart voice actors it used and used again -- all good, but all the same.

Enough of this though, I need to watch a few episodes.

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Big Little Books!

The gallery above feature images of books I bought when a mere tyke and which I still have. They are wonderful little packages of entertainment, an irresistible blend of image and text for any comic book reader.

If I had more money, I'd collect early versions of these. My local store has a hefty collection, and I've been tempted more than a little by some choice items featuring The Phantom and other vintage stars. But my pocketbook is far too slight to really get into that arena.

The Big Little Book is a slight step toward respectability, away from the ghetto alleys of comics and toward the enlightened broad avenues "real" books, books sans pictures.

Frankly I've always preferred my books illustrated, it gives them a zest they lack otherwise, they seem so dour and undifferentiated otherwise.

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