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In the last few days, the world has been rocked by the news that Oasis are to return. Frankly, with both Gallaghers still knocking out records on a regular basis, I never really felt like the band had gone away.
But the Mancunian mayhem-meisters are not the only thing returning in our lives. So is the feature in which the first person to comment below gets to decide the topic of the day.
That topic could encompass anything from the entire realm of human experience - or even from far beyond it. Therefore, make sure to rush in and register your talking point before someone beats you to it.
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Comic Double Acts
Double acts - Greater than the sum of their parts, or merely a hindrance to the junior cog in their wheels?
Alpha Flight was topical last week, so...
First double act? Byrne/Claremont.
Because of the X-Men (also, Iron Fist, Star-Lord, etc), John Byrne & Chris Claremont seem hip-joined. Nevertheless, according to Byrne, 85% of their X-Men run's success was down to him, not Chris Claremont!
My first Byrne/Claremont? Spidey & Captain Britain Team-up, in Super Spidey & CB # 248 (November, 1977.)
My first non-Byrne Chris Claremont story? ( Later in November '77) a quality Captain Marvel story, in 'MWOM' , finished by Claremont, ending with “Fawn”, Rick's ideal woman (from his unconscious), getting blasted by the Supremor, and perishing (although not really alive) in his arms. That Chris Claremont story didn't feature John Byrne, at all, yet was still a great story. (Admittedly, Terry Austin did the inks!)
Next was Christmas 1977. Claremont wrote the 1978 'Captain Britain Annual', & Power Man in 1978's 'Mighty World of Marvel' Annual. John Byrne's art didn't feature in either Claremont production, yet both were still great stuff.
In all three stories, Claremont's distinctive “voice-over”/inner monolgue/intrusive narrator, made the story. In fact, Claremont's words figured prominently in much (although by no means all) of Marvel's best 1970s stuff, to me. As a kid, that narrative voice almost became internalized!
In 1979's 'Mighty World of Marvel' Annual, Claremont wrote Daredevil vs the Submariner/Black Panther/Mindmaster (U.S. DD Annual # 4). Again, great without Byrne. Better yet, that terrific Blade story (in 'Savage Action'), in which our vampire-hunter believes, by accident, he's killed Josie Harper, shattering his self-image (one of Claremont's best!) Yet again, no Byrne art.
Ms.Marvel - another solo Claremont success (also one Spidey?Ms.M Team-up, with Byrne?) And, Savage Action's 'Lethal Ladies' tales, also spring to mind.
So Chris Claremont's stories – enhanced by his narrative voice – were good, even before their famous X-Men double act - Claremont & Byrne. Nevertheless, boy, were that pair good together, in my first Byrne/Claremont X-Men - issue #112!
John Byrne without Claremont, though – how did that pan out? To me, Byrne's Fantastic Four's Spinx vs Galactus (issue # 212) was absolutely terrific (Marv Wolfman – writer.) Nevertheless, the ending (issue # 213) fell flat. Byrne's Avengers Nefaria work was absolutely top-notch – at least equal to the X-Men – outstanding (Jim Shooter penned it.) Spidey/Hulk/Woodgod (Bill Mantlo?) – okay, but battles too brief; massive double-page splash unnecessary. According to Byrne, artists are more important than writers. Yes...but...
Do double-acts need each other? Claremont was fine previously; Byrne was hit & miss afterwards. Yet, post-X-Men, the pair rarely reached the same heights.
Do double-acts depend on the pairing or an interest/feeling for particular characters?
Sal Buscema & Ernie Chua/Chan were outstanding on the Hulk, but Ernie Chua/Chan was poor with Colan on Daredevil. On various space sagas & the X-Men, Terry Austin was great, but Dominic Fortune wasn't his bag.
What about character double-acts? DD & Black Widow/Cap & Falcon/Power Man & Iron Fist/ Captain Marvel & Rick Jones/Hulk & Crackerjack Jackson/Jim Wilson, etc? Are superheroes better solo, or as double acts?
Do double-acts need friction? On Fawn's behalf, Captain Marvel & Rick's fight to the death was separated by the cyborg, Rambu ( Juliet's separation of Shang-Chi & The Cat's fight was more terminal!) Claremont & Byrne being separated, would the X-Men have worked, without friction? To start with, yes – but the title deteriorated, over time.
After 'The Two Ronnies', Ronnie Corbett struck out on his own, with 'SORRY!' Prior to that, Ronnie Barker did 'Porridge'. Both seemed affable fellows, however.
SO, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON DOUBLE-ACTS?
ANY DOUBLE-ACTS YOU LIKE!
Phillip
Lee and Kirby - no doubt.
CH
There are also pencils/inks double acts. While everyone else is screaming Kirby & Sinnott, I'm voting for the nostalgic simplicity of Kirby & Stine in early X-Men, Avengers and FF comics.
For character pairings, how about Cobra & Mr Hyde? Hard to think of a less likely couple. They must have nothing in common.
And what about comedy double acts that haven’t yet come together and probably never will? I'd pay to see Charlie Horse and Michael Portillo sharing a sofa on Gogglebox and being forced to watch Naked Attraction.
Stine —> Stone
Greatest comedy double-act ever was Laurel & Hardy but Trump & JD Vance come a close second.
Everyone (in the UK) fondly remembers Morecambe & Wise but my parents didn't like them so we didn't watch them. I must admit M & W's appeal is a bit of a mystery to me too - the famous Andre Previn sketch (the right notes but not necessarily in the right order) is allegedly the funniest thing they ever did and an absolute classic of British comedy. Really?
The best sitcom double-act is without a doubt Harold & Albert Steptoe and I'd even say Steptoe & Son is the greatest sitcom ever. It was pure genius how every episode was basically a dialogue between just two people with no other regular characters at all in the entire series. The radio adaptations of Steptoe & Son are all available on BBC Sounds and I listen to them regularly. The writers of Steptoe & Son were Ray Galton & Alan Simpson, another kind of double-act, who were also Tony Hancock's writers before he ditched them and began his spiral downwards to eventual suicide.
On the subject of Tony Hancock - all the radio episodes of Hancock's Half Hour from 1954-59 are also available on BBC Sounds and they regularly feature Sid James and Kenneth Williams before their Carry On fame (Hatti Jaques was a cast member too in series 4 and 5) so you could count THEM as a sort of double-act too because Sid James and Kenneth Williams were the core of the Carry On films and it didn't feel like a proper Carry On if at least one of them wasn't in it!
On a different matter - the so-called "supermoon" tonight looked like every other moon and I didn't see any partial eclipse either. How typical - we get clear skies over Britain for once but there's nothing to see.
Phillip, the first Chris Claremont (non-Byrne) story that I can definitely remember reading was Captain Britain's origin from CB No.1 in October 1976 and my first Byrne/Claremont story was, as for you, the Spidey/CB team-up in SSM & CB which was probably also the first time I ever saw Byrne's art (I wasn't a fan initially but I grew to appreciate his art later in Uncanny X-Men).
However, at that time I'd have agreed with Byrne that the artist was more important than the writer as I didn't really care about the writer back then but the artist was very important to me.
dangermash, I love the Kirby / Stone combo too (don’t forget, Chic also inked Jack on some early Captain America stories in TALES OF SUSPENSE). But I can’t deny I do love all those Kirby/Sinnott FF’s.
b.t.
Stone or Sinnott? Whatever, everyone knows Kirby's best inker was Mike Royer.
Also, I'm going to dispute Lee and Kirby as a great partnership. I see people regularly say in comic threads that Kirby was great but his stuff needed Lee's touch to really work. But I don't see it. As a kid it was the striking visuals that pulled me into Thor, not Lee's "I say thee nay" type faux-classicism.
And Kirby's solo DC stuff from the 70s was better. There, I said it.
What about Rene Goscinny & Albert Uderzo? They were pretty good together.
Moore & Gibbons? Perhaps they didn't do a lot together, but still - 'Chrono-Cops', Superman annual #11, Watchmen, and The Spirit: New Adventures #1... thats a pretty impressive record if we're talking quality over quantity.
Carlos Sampayo & Jose Munoz
https://www.josemunozdessins.com/en/fumetti.php
Dare I suggest Don McGregor & Gene Colan? In the 80s I mean (before anyone mentions Amazing Adventures #26!)
I have a bit of a soft spot for Ragamuffins, Nathaniel Dusk, and their Black Panther series... but going for Dauntless Don with anyone might be a sign thats its late, and I should stop for now.
Phillip, I'll give it some thought and get back to you on Claremont & Byrne.
-sean
Sorry, I haven't replied to comments; but - as they were in the wee hours - I was tucked up in bed, by that time!
On the subject of John Byrne (without Claremont) I can't believe I forgot Byrne's outstanding Captain America run (slapping my forehead with palm of hand! ) Thinking about Sean's putting Mike Royer ahead of Chic Stone (regarding which, I concur), reminded me of Kirby & Royer's Black Panther # 9, involving a large, pink antagonist. That, in turn, reminded me of Byrne's non-Claremont Antman tale, with another large, pink antagonist - Cross! A reasonable, non-Claremont tale. Also, Byrne's Avengers run with Michelinie was okay/pretty good - but Michelinie having replaced Shooter, false notes started to sound, almost immediately. Shooter's outstanding era was over.
Maybe if Michelinie & Byrne's Avengers run had followed a lesser writer, the contrast wouldn't have been so great.
Dangermash - Regarding Hyde & the Cobra - yes, I should have thought of that! It's a rich seam to mine! I suppose there's also the Executioner & the Enchantress. Plus, to a lesser extent (because only occasional), Mentallo & the Fixer; the Beetle & the Gladiator; Stegron & the Lizard, etc.
For a superhero double-act, Daredevil & the Black Panther worked well, on several occasions, being on a par. Other superhero fights were so regular, they almost felt like double-acts, too - the Hulk vs the Thing, & Iron Man vs Subby, for example.
Colin - My Moon-gazing had limited success too, but for different reasons. The August full-moon's best, what with my cameras' limited low-light capability. Last night, when the Moon rose, it was too dark for great success.
Phillip
Regarding creators - Colan & Palmer is an obvious double-act I forgot.
Phillip
Phillip, I'm glad you mentioned The Two Ronnies at the end of your question otherwise I'd have thought the discussion was confined only to writer/artist double-acts but even so, every other comment is sticking to that category so I'll have to think of some other examples of double-acts:
Starsky & Hutch
Cagney & lacey
Tom & Jerry
Shaggy & Scooby
The Doctor & Sarah-Jane Smith (or any other companion obviously)
David Owen & David Steel
Larry Grayson & Isla St Clair
Chas & Dave
Burke & Hare (I'm getting desperate)
Anne Diamond & Nick Whats-his-name from TV-am (I'm getting really desperate)
Colin - Dempsey & Makepeace, Bodie & Doyle, Cannon & Ball, Little & Large - there's millions of them!
Phillip
Sapphire and Steel
Steed and Peel
Sonny and Cher
Chad and Jeremy
Abbott and Costello
Sanford and Son
Betty and Veronica
Angel and The Ape
Bacon and Eggs
Peanut Butter and Jelly
b.t.
Frank Robbins and profound hurt.
Don Heck and Profound Hurt (as we rolled out of the Silver Age.
Let's have some comic specifics please, folks! Thus we can zero in on them, for discussion! ; )
Phillip
Charlie Brown and Linus
Linus & his blanket = double act.
Phillip
Getting back to comics, in the early/mid 80s Alans Moore and Davis felt like our Claremont/Byrne when they were simultaneously creating Marvelman, Captain Britain and DR & Quinch for Quality (Warrior), Marvel UK and IPC (2000AD). Marv Wolfman and George Perez formed a dynamic duo on Teen Titans before creating Crisis and several other limited series.
Of course the greatest double act was Keegan and Brooking.
DW
Good shoot on those Cap strips - I'd forgotten them. And I've just remembered there were some Thor strips too.
DW - I picked up a couple of TT's in the 1990s, for a bargain price. In Byrne & Claremont's X-Men, you got 'strong' female characters (supposedly.) Didn't Wolfman & Perez take it one step further, with Deathstroke's tactical instructor being a woman, who taught him to 'think in circles', rather than in a linear way? Marvel never had a woman mentoring a man (?) I could be wrong (?)
Phillip
I woyld add Denny O'Neill and Neal Adams to that list. And Conway and John Romita.
Phillip, I stopped reading by then but arguably the strongest three characters (Raven, Wondergirl and Starfire) were female. I think Wolfman and Perez had a reasonably high bar for those type of comics, at the time.
DW
Dennis the Menace and Walter the Softie. Meant for each other.
You know… lacking an objective set of parameters you could basically say “Stan Lee and… Kirby, Ditko, Heck, Colan, Romita, Buscemas, Trimpe, Steranko… and anyone else in the silver age who drew for him.
CH
Phillip and DW : I never got into NEW TEEN TITANS — no particular reason, it just didn’t appeal to me so I never read more than a few scattered issues — but I think Wolfman and Colan made an excellent “double act” team on TOMB OF DRACULA.
McScotty: my favorite AMAZING SPIDER-MAN team was Conway and Andru. Did Conway and Romita do many issues together?
b.t.
b.t. - Yeah, as regards TT's, I only got a couple, too!
Strange about Gerry Conway's reputation, as a writer. Were I to list my memorable/great stories, vast numbers of them are Gerry Conway stories. Yet, as a writer, Conway isn't a top figure who immediately springs to mind. This is grossly unfair, somehow. This is because - I think - Conway wrote so much different stuff, for so many titles ( simultaneously, sometimes!) Whereas, to establish a writer as a "great" author, they're normally associated with a particular title/run, during a specific era - e.g. Chris Claremont's X-Men; Jim Starlin's Adam Warlock; Jim Shooter's Avengers - etc (same with Moore & Davis?)
Phillip
Phillip, thanks for the topic. I think others have already mentioned all the double acts I would have nominated.
Conway was prolific and made his imprint on so many titles. But he and apparently John Romita made the lazy decision to kill Gwen and replace her with the self annointed ditz Mary Ann.
Interestingly i read a reprint I just bought at the LCBS of Spidey and FF ridding him of the black symbiotic uniform from 39 years ago. Mary Jane recounts all the highlights of her life and Peter is in there. But disappointingly- bizarrely no mention of Gwen and Goblin given she knows Peter = Spidey now.
If Gwen was based on Stan's wife, who could have inspired MJ?
Phillip
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