Time Travel Tuesdays - Miss America Romance Comic Featurette by Mart Nodell!

Today's Time Travel post is a very special one! June has been a big month for the Green Lantern! Even though the film didn't perform as well as expected and DC decided to go with the story of Hal Jordan, the hoopla surrounding the movie still made me really proud of my grandfather -- the creator of the original Golden Age Green Lantern!

Me and my grandparents,
Marty and Carrie Nodell in 1988

Not only did my grandfather draw superhero comics, he dabbled in other comic book genres, including romance! The following little featurette "Charm Corner" is from Miss America v7#33 [66] (April 1950), an issue in which he also served as Art Associate.

Prepare yourself to learn some charm and etiquette...
from my grandpa!

Pretty cute, huh?! I especially like the battling teeth! This issue is definitely on my want list, but for now, these scans of "Charm Corner" are courtesy of Dr. Michael J. Vassallo of the Timely-Atlas-Comics Blog! For more information on the history of the Green Lantern, check out this month's issue of Alter Ego wholly dedicated to the character!

Romance Under the Covers - Patsy Walker #122 (August 1965)

I don't read many new comic books, but while at the comic book store last week I decided to pick a few up. I ended up buying the first and second issues of Marvel Divas, mostly to check out what all the commotion has been about the past couple of months. I was pleasantly surprised with the first two issues... they were rather amusing and with Patsy Walker as one of the main characters, I am intrigued enough to pick up the third issue when it comes out.

Marvel Divas version of Patsy Walker

Patsy has changed quite a bit through the years, going from a feature in the romance magazine, Miss America to teen-humor comic star to Hellcat in Avengers and now Divas. One thing that hasn't changed is her status as a stunning redhead!

Miss Walker has been the star of various titles, most of which are considered teen-humor. Her solo title which ran from 1945 to 1965 changed throughout the course of its run, with the later issues resembling romance comics. Some may not consider Patsy Walker a romance comic, but it seems to have all the necessary requirements -- fashion, romance, and tears! With the later issues (like the one I am reviewing here) I tend to err on the side of romance.

Issue #122 is the third to last issue in the series. Although the storyline was nearing a close at this point, I still had no trouble delving in and becoming familiar with the characters. Truth be told, I primarily picked it up because I love the cover!


The issue has one 18 page story, "No Greater Love!" with art and story by Al Hartley. In it, Patsy's boyfriend Buzz is back stateside in the hospital after being wounded in Vietnam. Patsy is torn up because she didn't know he was fighting in the war. Instead, she figured he had run off with another girl and hadn't bothered to contact her. As it turns out though, his letters were just delayed.


Thing is, Patsy never wrote him since she didn't even know he had left the country. She feels guilty about this and the fact that she dated other guys while Buzz was away (since she thought he was two-timing her), makes her feel even more guilty. When she visits Buzz at the hospital it seems as if he has been changed by the war. Not only does he bear outward scars, but the scars on his psyche are evident as well. Patsy is determined to figure out why Buzz is acting so strangely, while Hedy (Patsy's roommate) tries to explain that it is probably just from "battle fatigue."

The girls decide to have Buzz over for dinner at their place. He explains to Patsy, Hedy and Nan (Buzz's nurse and their girlfriend) that he is being sent back to Vietnam for another year. Hedy and Nan go off, leaving the young couple to discuss their future. It turns out not to be such a bright one for Patsy -- as Buzz reveals that he is no longer in love with her.


As Buzz leaves, Hedy confronts him wanting to know what was up with his "cock-and-bull story" about not loving Patsy anymore. He replies tersely, as he only wants to protect Patsy in the end -- in case something terrible happens to him in Vietnam.


Although a bit slow in the beginning, the story picks up towards the middle and is quite enjoyable. I definitely was on the edge of my seat when I finished, and I am anxious to read how the whole thing pans out with Buzz.

It is obvious from reading just this one issue that fashion is one of the predominant underlying themes of Patsy Walker. Readers were encouraged to send in their fashion designs, making for a colorful array of changing outfits for the characters. As someone who was constantly designing and drawing outfits when I was little girl -- I can see how Marvel's approach would have really invested the reader and encouraged them to pick up the book time after time.

I do find it interesting that the fashions in this issue lean more towards the fashions of the early 1960s (fitted top, cinched waist and full or A-line skirt) rather than transitioning into the more "mod" style of the mid-sixties. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the readers designing the outfits were going off of what was around them (mothers, classmates, etc.), and not necessary the British youthquake movement or haute couture styles.


Though maybe not my most favorite art, I did like the story of this issue. Though not a typical romance comic, it does fit rather nicely into the genre. Besides the story and a letters page, it was also was packed with fun fashion extras such as the above pin-up page and a couple pages of "heavenly hairdos," also designed by readers. In the future I will definitely be looking for more Patsy Walker!

Back from Comic-Con International!

Good evening! I have returned from San Diego! I got back home late last night, and jetted off to work early this morning. This is the first chance I have had to do a recap of the convention and to sit down and really think about all the exciting things that I did and saw! I wish I had taken more pictures, but my camera batteries kept dying and frankly I am not that good of a photographer, so it's probably just as well!

The trip out there was easy as could be! We were supposed to make three transfers, but our first flight was canceled and we were put on a more direct route -- which put us in San Diego earlier than we were originally going to be. The airline serendipitously put us in first class for the "inconvenience."

After getting settled at our hotel, we made our way to the con. I always think that walking up to the convention center for the first day of a show is super exciting. The anticipation was no less in San Diego.

View from the Trolley platform on the first day of the show

Between staying at our table in the Small Press area, going to panels and walking the floor to do some shopping, I saw a ton of familiar faces and met some really amazing new people. Everyone was really receptive to Sequential Crush and to my presentation on romance artists which I gave at the Comics Arts Conference (CAC). Presenting next to me at the CAC was the very knowledgeable Jarett Kobek who also shares an interest in later era of romance comics. He was super cool and really had some interesting takes on the more psychedelic Charlton romance books, especially those containing the character Jonnie L♥ve. I wish I had had more time to talk with him and his equally cool friend Elly -- as it was truly bizarre to meet someone else with such close interests to my own. Hopefully I will see them again at a convention in the future! If his schedule allows, Jarett might be doing a guest blog here at Sequential Crush in the near future, which would be really great!

Cover of the booklet I handed out during my presentation

In addition to the little presentation I gave, I also was on a panel concerning the effects of a college education on comic book careers. The consensus from most of the artists (and myself) was that college (and/or art school) is not necessary for pursuing a career in the industry. As the only non-artist on the panel, I recommended getting a formal education for the life experience and the mentoring opportunities it opens up -- but ultimately talent, drive, passion and professionalism are the factors that will seal the deal. I think someone may have filmed it. I will post the panel video if that was the case.

It seems that every year the dealer's section of the San Diego show gets smaller and smaller. There really weren't too many romance comics to be found. I am almost positive that I bought the majority of the moderately priced romance books from the '60s and '70s that were in good condition! Many of the dealer's romance books were either way overpriced or in terrible shape. I did score a nice lot of Charlton's from Motor City Comics who were kind enough to give me a really great deal. I highly recommend them for all your romance comic needs! In total I bought 33 romance comics including a Patsy Walker, a Modeling With Millie, two gothic/horror romance comics, lots of DC romance books and an Adventure Comics "Special All-Romance Issue" starring Supergirl!

Back at the hotel, looking over my loot from Preview Night

Some of the other highlights of the convention included: attending a panel by Trina Robbins on her new book The Brinkley Girls and speaking with her afterwards about romance comics; visiting with Michelle Nolan -- author of Love on the Racks and romance comic book aficionado while digging through long boxes; and talking with Shelly Moldoff and Paul Norris's son on the way to my presentation. I was a little too exhausted from flying and the time change to party too much in the evenings, but spending some time in the Gaslamp Quarter was a refreshing change from the too-quiet town I live in now. With much excitement I descended on the Urban Outfitters...and look what I found!

A romance comics t-shirt!
If it hadn't been for the goofy striped arms I would have bought it!

Overall I had a lot of fun, even though the time there just flew by! It wasn't the best convention for purchasing romance comics, but all the amazing people I met and spoke with made up for that! I hope to make it back next year!

Promoting Super Human Resources in the Small Press area and
enjoying romance comics at the same time!