Sunday, 27 September 2026

The DC Lucky Bag - September 1976.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 
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Colin Jones recently pointed out in the comments section that pub landlord and Philosopher Supreme Al Murray once declared that DC don't care about us.

But do we care about DC?

Here's where we find out.

Limited Collectors' Edition #C-47, Superman

As you would expect, Superman's not failed to notice that the country he lives in is 200 years old

However, much of the book is composed of reprints from the 1940s and 50s and we kick off with a short tale in which the man of steel uses a time projector to watch men called Tomahawk and Dan Hunter have their first encounter with George Washington.

That's followed by stories bearing such diverse titles as Adventure in New York!, The Magic Tomahawk!, The First Sub and Frontier Theater!

There's also a tale in which George Washington's men suffer through Valley Forge.

Then, Tomahawk and Dan Hunter are back. And, this time, they discover a friend has joined the British army, meaning they must engage in a battle of wits with him! Of course, they could just join the British army too and avoid such unpleasantness but that doesn't seem to have occurred to them.

We also encounter a bonus feature that showcases a newspaper from that war. One which covers various events from the conflict, including its conclusion.

There's also a Map of the Battle of Bunker Hill, a feature that tells us Who Were the Hessians and a page dedicated to the Presidents of the United States.

Limited Collectors' Edition #C-46, Justice League of America

But it's not just Supes who's landed a Limited Collectors' Edition. So have his friends at the Justice League.

Not for them concerns about the Bicentennial. Instead, they kick off with a 24-page epic titled Decoy Missions of the Justice League! followed by The JLA on TV, The Deadly Dreams of Doctor Destiny! and a whole host of short features, puzzles and pin-ups.

Needless to say, most of this content is reprinted from the 1960s.

Swamp Thing #24, final issue

Can it be? Can the Swamp Thing have reached his final issue?

Yes he can and, judging by that cover, he gets a smack in the chops while he's at it.

I have read this book and I would tell you what happens in it but I can't recall anything that happens in it.

Obviously, there's a yellow man who likes wearing purple and he's got it in for our hero.

I do, however, know the story's called The Earth Below and is brought to us by the talents of David Anthony Kraft, Gerry Conway and Ernie Chan.

Starfire #1

Swamp Thing may be saying goodbye to the world but Starfire's saying hello to it, as issue #1 of her comic introduces us to a plot in which 
she escapes from someone called the Mygorg, learns to fight, frees some slaves and starts building an army!

This busy woman's brought to us by David Michelinie and Mike Vosburg and is not to be confused with a whole slew of other comicbook characters who bear the same name.

Ragman #1

And another new book arrives in our lives. This time, with a memorable cover by Joe Kubert, while Robert Kanigher, Kubert and the Redondo Studio unveil an adventure that reveals The Origin of the Tatterdemalion.

The Joker #9, final issue

The Joker, meanwhile, has already reached the end of his road and the last issue of his book sees the clown prince of crime confront 
the feline femme of felony when each of them foolishly attempts to kidnap the same movie star.

Green Lantern #90

This may not be a new comic but it has returned, following a four-year absence.

And it does so explosively when a nuclear test reveals a long-buried spaceship, causing our heroes to attempt the liberation of an alien from his captors.

But can it be that all is not as it seems?

And will the two men stand around having an argument about it that reflects their different outlooks on life?

Freedom Fighters #4

I know little of the contents of this one but I do know that, thanks to Martin Pasko and Ramona Fradon, Wonder Woman helps the Freedom Fighters clear their name.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

In terms of covers, DC really loved purples & greens, didn't it? Superman's Bicentennial backdrop shield resembles Cap A's original shield, but with more stars. Was Cap's older, as there were fewer states, then? Or, maybe Doc Erskine & the boys were nostalgic, for an even earlier America!

Phillip

Anonymous said...

Bunker Hill. You just dont hear about Bunker Hill anymore. We used to hear about Archie Bunker though in the 1970s.

Funniest show ever? Idk… but it has to be close.

Know what else is funny? Bunker Hill was fought on Breed’s Hill.