The Gallery of Regrettable Fashion AKA Your Next Halloween Costume!

Halloween is rapidly approaching! Still looking for that perfect costume? Well look no further than the pages of '60s and '70s romance comics! While most of the fashion choices in the romance books are quite lovely, here are a few that are just a tad off the mark but may be perfect for that costume party you're obliged to attend!

Whoa! That outfit is quite the statement, isn't it?

"I'll Be a Modern Wife"
Pencils and Inks: Luis Avila
Just Married #61
(November 1968)

In his defense, he is a rockstar...

"Forbidden Romance"
Pencils and Inks: Tony Abruzzo
Secret Hearts #137 (July 1969)

Immediately following the
mysterious disappearance of the local zoo's tiger...

"Love is a Game... for Two!"

Girls' Romances #145
(December 1969)

Romance character or lost super-heroine from the DC universe?

"Beggar for Love"
Girls' Romances #146
(January 1970)

Ah, the rebelliousness of youth -- flip-flops and ponchos.

"Love a la Mode"
Pencils: George Tuska, Inks: Vince Colletta
Girls' Love Stories #160
(July 1971)

She stands out?

"Cage of Love"
Pencils and Inks: John Rosenberger
Young Romance #173
(August 1971)

"Please, Joe -- please! Take off that ridiculous
sweater vest before kissing me!"

"Too Easy to Love"
Heart Throbs #134
(October 1971)

Gratuitous hot pants!

"The Facts of Life"
Young Romance #178
(January 1972)

"Welcome to Planet X-72,
you will be given your uniform shortly!"

"Never Give up on Love!"
Pencils: Don Perlin, Inks: Vincent Alascia
Romantic Story #118
(April 1972)

"I said I wouldn't blame you for walking out on me!
...but, I do blame you for that outfit."

"...the Man in my Life!"
Pencils: John Romita (Retouched Reprint)
Girls' Love Stories #170
(June 1972)

My thoughts exactly...

"First Date"
Falling in Love #142
(August/September 1973)

Too bad his date can't
say the same about him...

"Like Love"
Pencils and Inks: Enrique Nieto
For Lovers Only #82
(December 1975)

♥♥♥

Mother's Day with Girls' Romances - Love Letters

Most love letters are between sweethearts, but some, are between mother and child. Today's special Mother's Day story, "Love Letters" from Girls' Romances #159 (September 1971) is a tearjerker -- so go round up some tissues! Lovely art courtesy of John Rosenberger and Tony DeZuniga!*


This touching story of love and loss opens with a young woman lying on her bed reading a stack of letters, the first of which reads:

Dearest darling daughter,

I asked your father to withhold these letters until you were old enough to understand. How I wanted to be here, but these words must be my voice. You know me from my photographs, but I must tell you what was in my mind. I have so much to say, and so little time -- that is why I pour out my soul to you in these...

It is through these narrative letters of a mother's short life in which the rest of the story unfolds.


A proud set of parents to a bride-to-be go over last minute details, but an unexpected phone call puts an end to their joy and shatters their world. They receive the life-altering news from the doctor that their beloved daughter Nancy has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and only has a short time left to live.


Nancy takes the news far better than her parents, but she is still all too aware that her sentence is terminal and hence, tries to break things off with her betrothed, Johnny. He insists that they can still "squeeze a lifetime of happiness" into the time she has left, but Nancy can't bear to make him suffer through the ordeal.


Nancy goes to bed that night devastated -- not only for her own life, but for Johnny's. In the morning she finds Johnny asleep on the couch, as he was unable to make it home due to the stress of the prior evening's events. She heads down the stairs to him and in a romantic embrace, the young couple decides to go through with their marriage. They know it will be tough, but they also know that being apart would be tougher. Sadly, Nancy's parents don't see the silver lining and feel that Johnny is marrying her out of pity. Nancy can only say that maybe someday they will understand. Despite their disapproval, the wedding ensues.


Nancy and Johnny do all the things newlyweds do, despite the sadness that looms just over their heads.

It wasn't false gaiety, but genuine fun. Each minute was an eternity to be enjoyed and savored, each second hoarded for its happiness. The future we pushed from our minds. We promised never to talk about it... but the shadow was always there in our own, our very own, little temporary world.

As the newlyweds attempt to have as normal of a marriage as possible despite the ticking clock, they soon find themselves welcoming an infant into the world. Nancy grows weaker throughout the pregnancy, but gives birth to a healthy baby girl.


After the delivery, Nancy grows weaker still. She feels her time drawing to a close and hands the baby to Johnny to hold so that she can finish composing the last of her letters to their daughter. Nancy's parents finally understand why she was so set on marrying Johnny -- to give him a child through which her memory and love would live on. And so, one life ends and another begins. Their child grows into a beautiful young woman and upon reading her mother's letters, knows that she is watched over and loved.

I shall never see you grow up, share the joys and heartaches of your childhood... but God is good and kind in his infinite wisdom... and I shall be near you eternally...

"The story you'll never forget" indeed!

To all the mothers out there -- to those that are still with us,
and to those whose memories we cherish...
Happy Mother's Day!

♥♥♥

*Identification of the artists on this one has proved tricky! See comments below!

A Tale of Forbidden Romance! - "Veil of Love" Young Love #104 (June/July 1973)

If there was a contest for most bizarre romance comic book cover scenarios, the cover of Young Love #104 (June/July 1973) would certainly be a top contender.

As it would be unfair to taunt you with merely the house ad and subsequent cover image, I am happy to present the issue's feature story, "Veil of Love" from none other than Robert Kanigher, John Rosenberger and Vince Colletta!*

Lee, a former soldier who served in the "murderous jungles of Nam..." has a difficult time readjusting to civilian life in every aspect -- romance not excluded.


Despite frequent dates with gorgeous women, Lee is never able to fill the void.

That all changes when one night, Lee takes his motorcycle out for a ride in the country to get some air. He comes across a lovely young woman in a white bathing suit swimming. Intrigue instantly washes over him.


In attempt to find the mystery girl, Lee checks into the Lone Lake lodge where he believes she is staying. The next morning in the dining room Lee spots her, but she coolly rebuffs his attempts at small talk with complete and utter silence. Suzan Dale, the hotel's receptionist takes an instant liking to Lee. She cannot seem to get his attention though, for he is on a mission to capture the heart of mysterious Theresa Brand.

After the unsuccessful encounter in the dining room, Lee goes for a walk. He stumbles upon a man attacking Theresa and quickly steps in to take him down. A fight ensues and Lee puts the guy in a choke hold, nearly killing him with his bare hands. Theresa insists Lee stop -- which he does before going further into the woods to be alone.


After sitting on a log for hours, Lee is suddenly pounded on the head from behind with a tree limb by the guy who attacked Theresa earlier. As he swings at Lee he yells, "You caught me by surprise before -- I'll crack your skull wide open -- tough guy!" Theresa appears and fends off the guy and comforts the bleeding Lee. Theresa tells him that she is a nurse and will take him to the infirmary for a checkup. Lee's admiration for Theresa is only increased by her kind and caring attention to his wounds. Before the day ends, Lee tells Theresa he is in love with her. Silently, she walks away.


The next day Lee drops by the dining room to find Theresa. Suzan lets him know that Theresa skipped breakfast and was down at the lake swimming. Lee quickly changes into his swim trunks and heads on down to the lake. Once Lee arrives, he realizes he is on the wrong side of the lake and decides to take a short cut by diving and swimming out to her rather than walk around the long way. Lee misjudges the dive, and winds up caught at the bottom of the lake in a mass of thick weeds. As he struggles to free himself, Theresa swims down to help. Things look grim, but Theresa eventually frees Lee and brings him to shore.


Thankful and even more in love than ever, Lee tries to convince Theresa that his rescue was a miracle and therefore they belong together. She tells him to rest and meet her at the park bench at noon.


Lee complies with Theresa's request and meets her as instructed -- only to find out that she is Sister Theresa! Now, I know you saw that coming, but for Lee, Theresa's reveal comes as quite a shock!

Quietly and with a gentle, "God bless you..." Theresa walks off into her new life. Lee sits on the bench for what seems like an eternity, alone in his confusion. Somberly, Suzan appears to comfort Lee in his time of need.

Despite the slightly humorous cover, the 18-page "Veil of Love" is actually quite a sad and tender story. Both Lee and Theresa were looking for a connection. For him -- an emotional one, and for her-- something divine. The young nun seemed to have found her peace, but only one's imagination can determine whether Lee discovered his.

*The creative team that would later go on to create the equally as unusual romance story, Lady Cop!

Romance Under the Covers - Love Stories #147 (November 1972)

When DC's Heart Throbs called it quits in October of 1972 with issue #146, the short lived series Love Stories swooped in and picked up where it left off. Starting with issue #147 (November 1972) Love Stories followed the formula of most other romance comics of the time -- a few sequential stories, a contest or two, a primarily text-based featurette, and an advice column.



The first story, "I Loved a Drop-Out" (illustrated by Tony DeZuniga) is equal parts romance story and medical drama. Madly in love, Christopher and Sybil must face the wrath of parents with high expectations. Chris is "hair-brained" and "idealistic" according to his doctor father, from whom he is supposed to take over a successful practice. Chris has other plans, and above all -- wants to do something meaningful with his life. Sybil is completely supportive of her fiance's decision, but her parents? Well, they are none too pleased.


Sybil starts to have doubts about Christopher's search for meaning when he is unable to find work. The lovers' parents don't help the situation any, but the couple stands by one another, as so beautifully demonstrated in the following panel.


One morning, Chris surprises Sybil with the news that he has taken a volunteer job as an orderly at the Neighborhood Free Clinic. Though a tad worried about their future, Sybil enjoys watching how elated Chris becomes when interacting with patients.


His talents not unrecognized to him, Chris hatches a plan to infiltrate his father's pricey practice with patients from the free clinic. In exchange for his father's pro bono work, Chris promises to go back to school, so that he really can make a difference.


"I Loved a Drop-Out is one of the more interesting stories in the issue. The title itself promises a certain degree of subversiveness, but the story turns out to be quite compliant with social norms and expectations. The story is also notable for the fact that Sybil hardly has a role in it, other than acting as Chris's support system. The story would have turned out mostly the same had she not been in it at all, but then it hardly would be a romance story -- now would it?!

Many of the romance comic contests are neat, but this one may take the cake. The "Make Me a Star" contest promised to turn one lucky reader's real life love story into a sequential piece fit for Love Stories. How cool would that have been, to have you and your special someone's likeness in a romance comic? Pretty cool, if you ask me!


The second story in Love Stories #147, "Pity Her but Love Me" (penciled by John Rosenberger) is a classic in DC's "pity" sub-genre involving beautifully angelic girls in wheelchairs, and the dark haired hussies who try to steal their men.


The story opens with Paul boldly smooching his mistress -- Wendy, while waiting for his betrothed, Robin. While rushing over to the car to meet them, Robin is struck by another car.


Paralyzed from the waist down, Robin maintains a cheery disposition; all the while oblivious to Paul and Wendy's terrible secret. Paul promises they can tell Robin when she is on the mend. Wendy feels jilted because despite Paul's claims that he will break it off with Robin, he continues to say things to Wendy like, "We've just got to be patient for a few more days," and "It's just a matter of time, honey!"


Months go by, and still Robin is paralyzed -- as is Paul's ability to choose to commit. When Robin tells Paul that she doesn't want the fact that she is a "cripple" to tie him down, a spark of hope is ignited in Wendy.


Wendy's small sliver of hope is quickly destroyed when Paul tells her that he can learn to love Robin again. The betrayed mistress demands that Paul tell Robin the truth, and the readers are left with a cliff-hanger! But not just any cliff-hanger... a contest for the best ending, worth five bucks! Fond of contests such as these, DC knew reader participation would surely ensure repeat customers and brand loyalty.


A reprieve from sequential stories is taken with the text featurette, "Ten Things You Should Know About Boys." The most important thing I learned from this is that, boys are "human beings, after all." Phew! Good to know!


The last story of Love Stories #147, "No Wedding for Me!" is about practical Ivy, and her wealth-driven boyfriend, Larry. Not satisfied working an average 9 to 5 with average wages, Larry gets wrapped up in one get rich quick scheme after another.


None of Larry's exploits seem to work out and they all require him to leave town and Ivy for months on end. Ivy is warned/wooed by her handsome friend Edwin of Larry's flightiness, but she just doesn't want to listen.


Larry's real estate deal in the Bahamas goes sour, and he winds up working in a shoe store. He quits that steady job however, when he is promised he will strike it rich selling uranium shares. Once again, he quits his job and leaves Ivy behind. Once again, the deal falls through. He comes back home and gets another job at a used car lot, which is quickly supplanted by a yearning to work at a boat factory. Ivy can't take any more and sets him free to chart his course.


After going their separate ways, Ivy begins to date her friend Edwin seriously, and eventually they become engaged. Ivy however, cannot forget her love for Larry. She seeks him out at the used car lot where he happens to work again. Despite her attempts to get him out of her mind, she succumbs to a marriage proposal and admits in the end that she is merely a fool for love.


As we saw a few posts back, a romance comic would not be complete without an advice column. Love Stories not only took over the numbering of Heart Throbs, but it also inherited Heart Throbs columnist, Donna Fayne to help readers solve their romantic woes.


All in all, not a bad issue. Not terribly memorable either, but important for the fact it was the first issue of the new title. The awesome cover doesn't hurt either, when ranking this issue's greatness factor. Throughout the summer I will post on the five remaining issues.

That's all from me for now! I am going to be gone for a bit on vacation -- road trip style. Perhaps I will find a few romance comics scattered throughout the rust belt? We can only hope! Have a wonderful Fourth of July, everybody!!! See you soon!

Palisades Amusement Park's Miss American Teen-Ager Contest

This gorgeous summer-like weather of late has had me thinking of all the fun activities that go along with the season. There is always swimming or barbecues, but nothing says summer quite like a trip to an amusement park! When I was little we would always go to Six Flag's Great America in Illinois, but perhaps some of you who grew up on the east coast visited the legendary Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey? The park closed in 1971, but prior to its closing, a popular program run by the park was the Miss American Teen-Ager pageant.

Started in 1960, the contest was open to young women ages 13 to 17. The winner received a bevy of awesome prizes -- some of which are listed on this entry form that appeared in Falling in Love #100 (July 1968).


DC often ran advertisements for the amusement park and frequently provided cut-out coupons for the park in their comic books. DC's involvement with the park didn't end there, however. The July 1968 issue of Girls' Romances (#134) featured the three page story, "Princess -- American Style" about Miss American Teen-Ager winner, Michele Patrick as interpreted by John Rosenberger.

Wow! A $5,000 wardrobe? That is the equivalent of over $30,000 today! That would buy a whole lot of clothes!!! But that wasn't all for the lucky winner...

How exciting it must have been to be Miss American Teen-Ager! They even sang a song to you during the pageant! Sleestak over at Lady, That's My Skull posted on this story a few years ago and received a bunch of really great comments from ladies who had been involved in the contest at various points during its run. Be sure to read them!

Have a great weekend!!!