Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Imitation of Batman!!

I am always amazed by how wearable many of the fashions of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" tend to look. Though this Jay Scott Pike edition from Heart Throbs #111 (December 1966/January 1967) asks readers if they are "prepared to super-swing to the maddening pace of the sizzling sixties?" I would be more than happy to wear any of these ensembles in the 21st century!

It isn't every day that a romance comic
fashion spread evokes a superhero!

Thanks to all who have visited the Sequential Crush Facebook Fan Page and if you haven't yet, be sure to stop by and "Like!" We would love to have you! I am also on Twitter, if that is more your speed! I hope your week is off to a good start!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - I'm Back!

"Mad Mad Modes for Moderns"
Girls Love Stories #141
(February 1969)

Hello! I'm back! Still recovering from the move and adjusting to my new home, but I have missed you all and discussing romance comics a ton -- so I am happy to get things back off the ground! Today I have for you a Jay Scott Pike illustrated "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" featuring the timeless midi-skirt! Though I am not the biggest fan of Pike's romance work, I do think he managed to lend an air of grace to the pages of the comics. What do you think about Pike's romance comic art? I am curious to know!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Hair Rollers!

Being a naturally curly girl, I have never had to fuss with hair rollers -- then again how many modern girls do? This "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" spread from Young Love #60 (March/April 1960) with art by Jay Scott Pike gives a few tutorials for some kicky 'dos!

Happy Monday!
Here's to a great week!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - The Scene is NOW! + New Poll

Here's to starting the week off right with a gorgeous edition of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Falling in Love #98 (April 1968) by Jay Scott Pike!


On another note, I would love to get some input from you fair reader! Please check out the sidebar for a new poll! I want to know -- which of the following artists would you like to see a story from at the end of the month?

♥ Tony Abruzzo ♥

♥ Ric Estrada ♥

♥ Creig Flessel ♥

♥ José Luis García-López ♥

♥ Frank Langford ♥

♥ John Romita ♥

You have until April 26th to vote!

The Bechdel Test as Applied to Romance Comics!

It isn't a surprise that most dialogue in romance comics is, well, about romance! Boys, marriage and all things courtship usually dominate the panels of our beloved genre! The following two panels from the story, "The Only Girl for Him!" from Secret Hearts #149 (January 1971) serve as good examples of pretty typical romance comic dialogue.

If one looks hard enough, however, there are the occasional panels in romance comics that feature young women talking about things other than romance! But I must admit, these types of panels that pass what is known as the Bechdel Test are in the minority. Most commonly used in film criticism, the Bechdel Test first appeared in a 1985 comic strip by Alison Bechdel titled, "The Rule." The three main qualifiers to see if movies (or in our case, romance comic book panels) pass this test are:

1.) There must be at least two female characters
2.) These two characters must talk to each other
3.) Discussion must center around something other than men

The following panels are ones that I have selected because I feel they fit the terms of the Bechdel Test. Though it is expected by their very nature that romance stories center around the discussion of romantic partners, these panels show that careers, familial relations and cultural issues were not only on the minds of the characters, but on the minds of the creators -- who recognized that these issues were relevant in the lives of their readers.

"Love Against Time"

Young Love #54 (March/April 1966)
Pencils: Tony Abruzzo, Inks: Bernard Sachs

"Rendevous on Cloud 9" [sic]
Career Girl Romances #47 (October 1968)

"Love Can't Happen Here"
Romantic Story #99 (March 1969)
Pencils and Inks: Ernesto R. Garcia

"Abandoned!"
Girls' Love Stories #146 (October 1969)
Pencils: Tony Abruzzo

"My Double Love!"
Girls' Love Stories #148 (January 1970)
Pencils: Ric Estrada, Inks: Vince Colletta

"The Loneliest Girl in Town!"
Girls' Romances #150 (July 1970)
Pencils: Jack Sparling, Inks: Vince Colletta

"All About Holly!"
Heart Throbs #139 (March 1972)

"The Price is Right!"
Young Romance #182 (May 1972)
Script: Irene Vartanoff, Pencils and Inks: Jack Abel

"Give Him Back"
Heart Throbs #141 (May 1972)
Pencils: Mike Sekowsky

"Take an Order, Darling"

Just Married #76 (April 1971)

"The Awakening of Nancy Turner"
My Love #11 (May 1971)

"Once Upon a Time... in My Heart!"
Our Love Story #21 (February 1973)
Script: Joy Jackson, Pencils: Jim Mooney, Inks: Ernie Chua

"Journey to Love!"
Secret Hearts #148 (December 1970)
Pencils by Jay Scott Pike

"A Little Kiss for Big Sister!"
Young Love #84 (January/February 1971)
Pencils: Art Saaf

Now, I am aware that three of these panels do mention men (a father, a male professor and Elton John) but I included them because I felt the males were not necessarily the point of the conversation. Even though this exercise holds these mid-century romance comic book characters up to a 1980s and later standard, it turned out to be an interesting challenge and one that proves that romance comics aren't just all fluff and talk of dating and marriage!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Keepin' Warm and Groovy in Knits!

Knits were very popular in the '60s and '70s, as evidenced by this edition of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Girls' Romances #130 (January 1968) by Jay Scott Pike and this later fashion spread from Seventeen magazine from February 1970. As a knitter myself (not a very good one mind you), I would love to find the time and know-how to recreate one of Pike's illustrations!

Well friends -- big changes are on the horizon for this lady blogger, so this may be the last post for a little while. My boyfriend, Justin has been hired by LEGO® and he will be moving to Denmark this winter! Once I find a job over there, I will join him, but that could take up to a year. Tomorrow I will be moving up to Michigan to live with family while I work towards immigrating to one of the happiest countries in the world! Hooray!

I am pretty sure I would sell my soul
for the dress with the green top and the
multi-color zig-zag bottom!!!

During this transition, I will probably be offline for a week or so. Hopefully it won't be too much longer than that, because I know I will be itchin' to get back to writing about romance comics! I have lots of great posts coming up for this winter, so please check back!

Have a great beginning of December!
See you soon!!!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Not Just for the Ladies!

One of the things I have always found fascinating about romance comics is that they were designed to be consumed by a female audience and were almost always presented from the perspective of young women -- and yet for the most part, the creative process was carried out by men.

With the exception of columnists Marc and Paul, romance comic stories and featurettes were primarily told from the point of view of the female characters and presented the hottest fashions, advice and trends for young women.

Not this week!

Today marks the start of the first theme week at Sequential Crush, and as you may have guessed by now, the next few days will be all about romance from the "Guy's Point of View!" So sit back, enjoy, and let's get things started with the second page of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Girls' Romances #145 depicting the most handsome fashions of December 1969!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Swimsuits!

In honor of the scorching summer sun, I present these festive swimsuits from Falling in Love #100 (July 1968) by Jay Scott Pike - master of the female form!

They sure don't make swimsuits
like these anymore!

Pike's way of positioning his characters' bodies in this edition of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" is reminiscent of his pin-up work. Not one for a static presentation, Pike took full advantage of the fashions depicted, gravity, and ship accoutrements!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Monday - Nightgowns!

Drifting off to sleep in one of these ethereal nightgowns by Jay Scott Pike sounds really good right about now on this Monday evening!

Young Love #70

(September/October 1965)

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Monday - Fashions for the Workplace

After enjoying a lovely long holiday weekend such as this one, it tends to be hard to go back to work. I know I would be a little more motivated to go into the office tomorrow if I had one of these looks from Secret Hearts #140 (December 1969) by Jay Scott Pike to wear!

Here's to hoping you had a nice weekend as well!

Squirrely Love Stories

Today is March 20th -- the first official day of spring! Things are lookin' up! The sun is starting to shine again, the flowers are coming up and little creatures are starting to populate the land once more -- including my personal favorite, squirrels!!!

I started noticing in the romance stories that squirrels pop up in lots of panels, especially scenes taking place in a park. With over 278 species of squirrel in the world, no wonder these cute little guys got face time in the romance comics!

One of the earliest sightings of a squirrel in a romance comic
(well, by me at least) occurred in 1959:

"And Then I Found You!"

Originally from My Own Romance #71 (September 1959)

Reprinted in My Love #10 (March 1971)

Even the great Jack Kirby got in on the action!

"He Never Even Noticed!"
(the squirrels that is!)
Originally from Teen-Age Romance #86 (March 1962)
Reprinted in My Love #10 (March 1971)


Jay Scott Pike's version. Cute, huh?

"Take Me Back"
Young Romance #151 (December/January 1967)


I knew he looked like a dealer!

"One Love Too Many!"
Falling in Love #107 (May 1969)


Squirrel or very tiny Ewok? You decide:

"Just No Good"
Young Romance #166 (June/July 1970)


Beware! They are always watching!

"Man-Stealer"
Young Love #90 (December 1971)

The squirrels portrayed in the above stories all play pretty minor roles in the plot. For your reading pleasure however, I present to you one that elevates the furry little mammals to the next level -- "For Your Sake, Darling!" Masterfully drawn by Frank Langford, this story from Young Romance #174 (September 1971) is sure to get you in the mood for spring!

Some people meet their soul mate through mutual friends. Others meet their lover via shared interests. And others still, meet through squirrels!!!

Leah and Jim get to know each other better by meeting in the park the next afternoon for lunch with their squirrel buddy, Butch.


Butch the squirrel oversees the arrangement or further dates for the dashing Jim and the very insecure, but beautiful Leah.


After a few more dates, Jim brings Leah to a party and introduces her to one of his good friends, Ann. While in the powder room, Leah becomes the subject of ridicule by another woman, Libby. The incident in the powder room furthers her insecurities about being with Jim and Leah decides it is best to end it with him, though she holds on to a glimmer of hope that he will chase after her regardless. He doesn't though, and Leah is left alone. Well, not entirely alone -- Butch the squirrel is always there for her!


Jim's friend Anne sets Leah straight though and lets her know that Libby was jilted and jealous and that Leah should try to get Jim back. Leah takes her advice, and waits in the park for days. Finally, Jim arrives and uses Butch once again to break the ice. All is forgiven, and the lovers embrace as Butch the matchmaking squirrel looks on. Awww! Isn't that a sweet and beautifully illustrated story?

Happy Spring everyone!!!

Fashion Files - The Space Age!

Ahoy, fellow 21st century space travelers! When blasting off into orbit (AKA the dating scene) it is important to look ones best.

If you are uncomfortable wearing ruffles, chains, midriffs or silk shorts ensembles however, then perhaps the future is not for you!

But if those styles do float your boat (or moon rover) then perhaps you should take a look at the Pucci-inspired fashions highlighted by Jay Scott Pike in Secret Hearts #143 (April 1970). They're outta sight!

Beware the lurking astronauts!