1970s African-American Romance Comic Book Story + History Detectives Reminder!

My History Detectives segment airs tonight on PBS at 8pm EST/7pm CT! Since it is about the 1950 comic book Negro Romance, I thought I would post today on a 1970s story depicting African-American characters. This one is called "Make-Believe Romance" and is from Girls' Love Stories #169 (May 1972). The Grand Comics Database has it listed as being a retitled reprint, penciled and inked by Vince Colletta with retouched hairstyles to provide diversity. A very likely scenario, but at this time I do not know exactly where the story may have originally appeared or what it originally looked like. Until that little mystery is solved, enjoy the 1970s version!!!

Rumors constantly fly around the office. Gary and Lucy are in love! In actuality, Gary Walker is Lucy Weston's handsome boss, and there is not an ounce of romance between them... or so they think!


Lucy and Gary try hard to ignore the whispers heard 'round the water-cooler that they are an item. Everyone believes it to be so, except for Gary and Lucy! Frequently the two discuss the hassling they endure by fellow office mates.


The two distinctly not lovebirds come to the conclusion that it is probably their fault that everyone thinks they are an item. But, despite the fact they are always in the company of one another during work hours, they maintain that they are just really good friends.


However, whenever Lucy goes out on dates, she ends up wishing the guy was as compatible with her as Gary. And when she comes home from her dates, she dreams that someday she will find a man like Gary.


The gossip at work progressively worsens. Gary and Lucy decide to not even to fight it anymore as it would be futile. Lucy consults with her best friend, who also has her doubts about Lucy and Gary's platonic relationship.


One day while at work, Lucy is invited to the charity ball by the head manager. She agrees to go, gets gussied up, and is hopeful she will meet someone. Lo and behold! Who does she notice from across the room? Why, Gary of course! Out of the office and away from all the pressure, the two quickly see each other in a new light.


What a relief it must have been for them -- and for their nosy co-workers! I hope you enjoyed, and if you have time this evening be sure to catch me on the History Detectives!

History Detectives on PBS

Tonight 8pm EST/7pm CT
Be sure to check your local listings!

Your Poll Pick - John Romita!

Thanks to all who participated in the latest poll! Thirty-six percent of readers wanted to see a sequential story by John Romita! No stranger to romance, Romita drew love stories for Atlas in the early days of the genre, as well as many of DC's romance stories and covers throughout the 1950s and into the '60s. Today, please enjoy a Marvel romance story illustrated by Romita -- "I Dream of Romance!" originally published in My Love #1 (September 1969) and reprinted (as shown here) in Our Love Story #13 (October 1971).


Val is a dedicated young woman -- always striving to better herself through work and study. Unlike everyone around her, Val has no one to depend on but herself, therefore necessitating the utmost in self-discipline. As such, romance is only a distant dream for Val.


One evening Val goes to a babysitting gig for a family she has not met before. She relieves the housekeeper from the day shift and after putting the baby down for the night, attempts to study. Val finds herself distracted by a photograph on a nearby table of the baby's father. Soon, all she can think of is the man in the picture -- handsome yes, but the husband of someone else and therefore forbidden. Soon, Val dozes off and her waking fantasy melts into a warm and thrilling dream.


But in a surprise twist, it wasn't entirely a dream! Val wakes up to find herself actually kissing the mystery man from the photo. She runs out of the house, devastated to have lip-locked with another woman's husband.


Out of shame, Val decides she must skip town. As she makes her getaway, the mystery man chases after her, begging her to stop. Finally he catches up to her and apologizes for kissing her while she was watching his -- wait for it -- nephew!!! You can now breathe a big sigh of relief! Our sweet Val is not a home-wrecker and dreams do come true as it turns out!

Thanks again for participating in the poll! Ya'll selected one of the best floating head drawers out there! Have a most wonderful weekend!

Guy's Point of View Week - Return to My Heart!

Welcome to the first full story of "Guy's Point of View Week" here at Sequential Crush! "Return to My Heart!" originally appeared in Falling in Love #51 (June 1962). The reprint version (below) was published in Young Love #70 (September/October 1968).

"Return to My Heart!" is a story of a forbidden love -- between teacher and student. While not an entirely unusual storyline in romance comics, this one is different because it is told from the perspective of the male teacher and not the female student.


Mr. Forrest, a handsome English teacher is smitten with senior student, Celia Ames. He deals with his interest in her by trying to avoid her at all costs outside of the classroom...


...and inside the classroom, by reprimanding her. When ultimately confronted by Celia about his apparent dislike for her, he keeps his feelings for her inside; brushing his harshness off as a method of classroom control.


Mr. Forrest is not only the English teacher, but the drama coach as well. During practice one afternoon, Mr. Forrest does the unthinkable. He steps in for leading man -- Johnny, and shows him how the scene ought to be played. The rest of the class erupts in applause after the passionate kiss between Mr. Forrest and Celia. In return for their enthusiasm, the embarrassed Mr. Forrest gruffly demands that everyone memorizes their lines perfectly by the following Monday.


Following their very public kiss, the rest of the term flies by for Mr. Forrest. The end of the school year brings a graduation dance and Mr. Forrest is asked to be a chaperone. His evening of being an observer seems to going well until he catches a glimpse of Celia dancing with Johnny. His eyes lock with Celia's. She makes her way over to Mr. Forrest and asks him to dance with her since she will be leaving for college soon and won't see him again. Mr. Forrest hides his feelings for her and tells her to keep dancing with Johnny. With imagery so akin to the ladies of romance comics, Mr. Forrest lies awake night after night, thinking of his former pupil.

And here you thought only
the girls cried themselves to sleep!

Time goes on (as it tends to do) and after the passing of four years, Mr. Forrest decides to give it another shot at being a graduation dance chaperone. Suddenly, a tender gloved hand reaches out and it is no other than Celia, requesting a dance once again. This time, Mr. Forrest gives in and love washes over the happy (and age-appropriate) couple.


Though the script on this story sounds very similar to stories that are narrated from female character's perspectives, I think it is still pretty interesting reading a story from a male character's point of view. What do you think? Do you like the male perspective in the romance comics or do you prefer the more traditional female narrator?

Be sure to tune in the rest of the week for more examples of the
"guy's point of view" here on Sequential Crush!!!

No Need for Words

Once in a blue moon, a love story comes along that is so powerful and so heart wrenching, it needs no words.

This reprinted story, "Summer Love" as seen here from Girls' Love Stories #155 (November 1970) is such a story. The tale first appeared in Heart Throbs #63 (December/January 1960) and was originally titled, "I Know My Love."

Penciled by John Romita and inked by Bernard Sachs, this story is unusual due to its lack of text -- a rather uncommon occurrence in the normally text-heavy romance comics. It seems to be about "the one that got away," but I would love to hear your interpretation of the story!!!

I know it is a DC comic,
but take a go at it Marvel style -- what's the plot?