Love (or lack thereof) in El Barrio - Young Romance's "The Wall Between Us"

"The Wall Between Us"
Young Romance #175 (October 1971)
Pencils: Art Saaf, Inks: Vince Colletta

This evening's story, "The Wall Between Us" from Young Romance #175 (October 1971) is a romance tale filled with rejection and confusion for leading lady, Ruth Hagan who works as a social worker in "El Barrio." In an effort to help the (in her eyes) downtrodden Ramirez family, Ruth takes a special interest in the family's handsome son, Carlos. Carlos, however, wants nothing to do with Ruth and her charitable ways.


In an effort to forget about Carlos and his disdain for her profession, Ruth calls up her boyfriend, Win, to hang out. While Win kisses her, all Ruth can think about is Carlos. Win senses her distance and inquires as to its source. She tries to brush it off as a problem with a "client," but Win knows that she is referring to Carlos -- he has obviously come up before in their conversations. Win makes his feelings about Carlos heard loud and clear when he says, "He's just like the rest -- they're lazy trouble-makers..." Ruth sticks up for Carlos and contends that he only needs to be given a chance.


In an effort to patch things up with Carlos, Ruth heads back to his neighborhood. She offers him some money as a "loan" -- worsening the situation.


It becomes apparent in a dream sequence that not only does Ruth want to help Carlos; she wants him to view her as worthy of his affection.


Not one to give up, Ruth attempts to make her dream a reality. The next day, she ambushes Carlos in his apartment lobby and declares her undying love for him. He basically tells her to scram, but she continues to go on and on that her love is there for the taking. Carlos has a different take on her declaration of adoration...


Carlos tells Ruth to get on with her life -- he has found work and he plans to move on with his. Ruth unenthusiastically goes back to Win who tries to make her forget about Carlos. But Ruth can't forget and when Carlos calls a few months later to invite her to a celebratory party, she jumps at the chance to see him again. Literally, she jumps on Carlos, and wraps her arms around him as she exalts, "Oh, Carlos! It's been so long! I knew you wouldn't forget me! Say you love me!" But Carlos doesn't love her -- still. He invited her to the party in hopes that she would help celebrate in his success. With a friendly peck on the cheek, Carlos leaves Ruth with the following advice:

"Hold out your hand to my people, Ruth.
That's all they ask, really. Goodbye -- and good luck!"

Confused and alone, Ruth stands on the stoop of the Ramirez family's building. Suddenly, Win drives up and offers not only a ride, but an explanation. It was he who gave Carlos a job in an effort to pull him away from Ruth. Only, Win wasn't expecting Carlos to excel and he also wasn't expecting to find himself realizing what a "bigoted fool" he had been.


And as a random officer of the law looks on, Win and Ruth reconnect and revel in the gift that Carlos Ramirez gave them -- the gift of love.


Though I appreciate "The Wall Between Us" and its attempt to include diversity and an admirable (and rare) Hispanic character, I am not sure about the story's effectiveness in conveying racial tensions of mid-century America. Carlos seems to be more of a catalyst for a convenient happy ending between Ruth and Win than a primary focus. Stories such as "Black + White = Heartbreak!" and "Full Hands - Empty Heart!" in my opinion, were more effective in eliciting the heart-wrenching emotions associated with love and loss. I would really like to hear your thoughts, though -- were you moved by "The Wall Between Us," or not so much? Please share!

Brad and Maria - From Different Sides of the Tracks in "Strangers in Love!"

Cover art: Don Heck/Dick Giordono
Young Romance #171
(April/May 1971)

I purchased this issue of Young Romance on Ebay last spring, primarily because the cover is just so cool! I just sort of assumed the corresponding interior story, "Strangers in Love!" would be an original '70s story. As it turns out, it is a retouched reprint (pencils by John Romita). Unfortunately, I do not have the original story, so I can't tell you if it is similar in plot or not. But, I just had to share this one not only for the groovy cover, but because it appears that leading lady Maria, and her family are Hispanic. Diverse characters (being few and far between in romance comics) are always exciting!


Maria decides to take a break from her urban life, and goes to visit her Aunt and Uncle. Though the change of scenery is nice, her extended family still lives on the "wrong side of the tracks." This fact comes to the forefront when Maria meets Brad, a handsome and wealthy local. The differences between them have no bearing on their attraction, and the two spend a lovely afternoon smooching and getting to know one another.


Brad takes Maria home to meet his elderly uncle Josh -- Brad's legal guardian since early childhood. Brad warns Maria that his uncle is intimidating, but nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, Uncle Josh's reaction to Maria does not help put her at ease in Brad's wealthy and unfamiliar surroundings, but Brad's goodnight kiss assures her all will work out for the best.


Giddy with love, Maria eagerly tells her aunt and uncle about her new found romance. Sadly, her relatives are just as uptight about the relationship as Brad's uncle.


Ignoring those around them, Brad and Maria continue to date and fall madly in love. Brad ultimately pops the question, to which Maria says "Yes." Uncle Josh gives a resounding "No." He has already arranged a future wife for Brad, and it isn't Maria. Uncle Josh goes on to tell Brad that if he chooses to go through with his marriage to Maria, he will be cut out of his will.

You may notice that in a few panels Maria was
mistakenly not recolored for this reprint -- Oops!

Seeing as Brad has lived a life of luxury and never had to work, he doubts his abilities to support Maria without his uncle's help. Ultimately, Brad decides to call the engagement off.

Devastated, Maria tries to forget about Brad, but she can't stop thinking about how it was prejudice that ripped them apart. Or was it? Did Brad just not love her enough?

Just as the swirling questions and doubts cloud her mind, Brad comes up to Maria and declares that he cannot live without her and that nothing matters -- except for their love. Maria knows that is all true, but she wonders if Brad can handle living a life that he is unaccustomed to.


In an unexpected turn of events, Uncle Josh's chauffeur comes to Maria's house and announces to Brad that his uncle has passed away. In a last act of compassion, Uncle Josh scribbled a note to Brad accepting the marriage. And just like that, Brad and Maria are given the Happily Ever After they so deserve!


Love between boy and girl from opposite sides of the tracks was a common theme in the romance comics. In "Strangers in Love!" Maria and Brad's geographical relation to one another is used not only to denote social class, but ethnicity as well. I am guessing that the original printing of this story involved just a class division between the characters and that Maria was added in the '70s for diversification. If and when I do find the original story, I will be sure to let you all know!

Time Travel Tuesdays - "Rancho of Golden Dreams" Cowgirl Romances #2 (1950)

It's that time again, Time Travel Tuesday! Today's story, "Rancho of Golden Dreams" is from the Fiction House publication, Cowgirl Romances #2 (1950). It is currently National Hispanic Heritage Month, so this epic romance tale set in "Old California" is quite fitting. One of the few representations of Hispanics in romance comics, this story is less about leading lady Dolores and her search for romance and more about her quest to save her father's estate. The story (credited to Augustine Martinez) is a little intricate, so here it is in its entirety -- courtesy of the Digital Comic Museum!

Click to enlarge!

I have a few other stories for Hispanic Heritage Month planned, so be sure to check back through October!

Black History Month at Sequential Crush!

Friends! February is a very special month! Not only does it contain the lovely Valentine's Day holiday, it is also Black History Month! I have acquired a number of issues since last February with stories of African-American characters, and I can't wait to share them with you. This is especially exciting for me, because I am doing some long-term research on the portrayal of racial integration and diversity in romance comics and you, fair reader, will get a preview of that research! In anticipation for what I hope will be a stimulating month at Sequential Crush, below are a few links to posts from February of last year!

♥♥♥

The saga of Margo and Chuck
Black + White = Heartbreak!
Parts one and two

The kiss-less romance,
Marvel's "I Failed at Love!"


Out of This World also did a great series
on African-American characters in comics
including the interracial romance,
"Full Hands, Empty Heart"

♥♥♥

Looking forward to seeing you around this month!

Part II: Black + White = Heartbreak!

Welcome back for a second installment on the fate of lovers Margo and Chuck! We left off with a cliff hanger of a story. Margo and Chuck. Lovers from different racial backgrounds, united in their deep and undying love for one another. Friends since childhood, these two lovers had to make a choice -- stay around their friends and families who demand they part ways, or stay together and leave everything and everyone they have ever known behind.


At the end of the sequential story in Girls' Love Stories #163 (November 1971), readers were ask to send in their version of the fate of Margo and Chuck for cash prizes. The above solicitation appeared in Girls' Love Stories #165 in January of 1972, letting readers know they could still enter into the contest.

As I mentioned in the first part of the Margo-Chuck saga, I don't have the issues that contain the readers' entries, issues #166 (February 1972) and #167 (March 1972). Lucky for us though, the ever so kind Gene Kehoe -- editor of It's A Fanzine, has #167 and was so very gracious to send me a scan of the contest page. As we move on to the second wave of fan endings, lets give a mighty round of applause for Gene!!! Hooray!!!


How do you feel about how it ended? Though I probably would have gone for a more thrilling and dramatic ending, I think DC did a nice job of acting as a catalyst for cultural change; even if it was just in the form of something so seemingly "frivolous" as a romance comic book!

Black + White = Heartbreak!

I was going to wait on posting this very important story, "Black + White = Heartbreak!" from Girls' Love Stories #163 (November 1971) until a later date, but fellow romance comic blogger KB did a post yesterday at Out of This World that has encouraged me to post this story now instead of later.

The story KB covered, "Full Hands Empty Heart!" from Young Romance #194 (July/August 1973) tells the story of the love between a young African-American nurse and a white doctor. At the end of his post, KB posed the question:

Were there any earlier inter-racial kisses, romances, or relationships, especially between an African American and a Caucasian, anywhere in comics before this?

To that I can say a resounding yes! Though I do not know if "Black + White = Heartbreak!" is the first interracial relationship in the entirety of the comics medium, it does predate "Full Hands Empty Heart!"

In this Girls' Love Stories feature, we meet the fathers of our two main characters Chuck and Margo. After working together during World War Two, the two men decide to continue their relationship as civilians by starting an auto dealership together.


Not only are the two men business partners, but friends that share the most joyous of life's occasions.


As their two small children grew up into good looking teenagers, and then into thoughtful young adults, it was only natural for handsome Chuck and beautiful Margo to fall in love. Their life-long friendship blossomed into romance and the only thing that kept them apart was their attendance at different colleges. When reunited during summer vacation however, they make their love known to the world.


But the world wasn't understanding. At first it was merely strangers that would ridicule and shun Chuck and Margo.


Eventually though, friends turned into strangers with cold shoulders and icy glares.


Even the young couple's parents can't accept their love for one another.


Chuck announces their plans for marriage, completely shocking both of their parents -- and Margo! They decide to set out right away to look for a place to live, so that they can get married before the fall semester starts. During their apartment search, they are continually harassed by folks who are opposed to their relationship. They are subject to discrimination by landlords who will not rent them an apartment, and Chuck and Margo eventually have to consider settling on a complete dive.


As the lovebirds go to tell their parents they have found a place and are going to get married right away, they overhear their fathers -- who were once the best of friends -- arguing. Margo and Chuck can't bear the strain they have put on their loved ones and Chuck proposes going away to a place that will accept them and their love.

That is where our story ends though. For this pressing topic, DC decided to let the readers decide the fate of Chuck and Margo by holding a contest for the best story resolution.


I am sorry to inform you all that as of yet, I have been unable to track down the issues with the reader responses! Like I mentioned, I was going to save this one (until I had the issues with the responses) but given KB's timely post, I decided to just go ahead and share it. I am going to look high and low for these issues. It may take me a while to find them, but when I do, I will be sure to share! It will be interesting to see the endings fabricated by readers of the time, especially taking into consideration that interracial marriage had only been legal in all states since the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision that knocked out restrictions on marriage hinged on race.

When we remember what the Civil Rights Movement entailed, I think we often think of the struggles endured by separate groups of people. "Black + White = Heartbreak!" reminds us of the battle fought by those that believed that people of different races could bring their love for one another into fruition, and have it be accepted and welcomed by society.