E-Dispatches Exclusive #3: The Groovy Agent Raps About The Heap #1

What's happening, comix fans? Yeah, it's none other than the Groovy Agent providing a gargantuan guest-post for my main man Jonathan "A" Gilbert's E-Dispatches from the Great White North! Jazzy Jon has asked Ol' Groove to rap with ya about one of his all-time favorite weird heroes, Skywald Publication's The Heap. Now, since Ol' Groove's mind works in such mysterious ways that even he doesn't understand himself, I thought it would be cool to make this post a cross-over between E-DftGWN and my own far-out (if I do have to say so) blog Diversions of the Groovy Kind. What inspired such a brain-blasting plan? Well, the fact that Skywald actually introduced their version of The Heap in their black and white (pre-) horror-mood mag Psycho #2 helped. Jon wanted me to focus on The Heap's color comicbook debut, The Heap #1 (July 1971), so I thought I'd do the Psycho debut as today's Black and White Wednesday post. So you can double your Heap pleasure by clicking here after you finish blowing your mind with this particular post. Comprende? Whew! Enough explanation, let's get on to diggin' The Heap #1!

The Heap was originally created back during the Golden Age for Hillman's Airboy Comics. The character really seemed to grab a lot of fans, so the original Heap developed a cult following that kept him--er--it a veritable legend for those fans hip enough to dig into their comicbook history. What fanned the flame for slimy superheroes? Inquiring minds would like to know! All I know is that in late 1970, the fledgling Skywald Publications created their own version of The Heap, while almost simultaneously Marvel unleashed Man-Thing and DC allowed Swamp Thing to shamble into the spinner-racks. Whatever the reason, Skywald updated The Heap's origin and brought him--er--it kicking and screaming into the scintillating 70s. Somebody at Skywald thought fandom would dig a Heap color comic, so they gathered together the high-quality creative team of Bob Kanigher, Tom Sutton, and Jack Abel and turned 'em loose. Kanigher, Sutton, and Abel, in turn, tweaked The Heap's origin from Psycho #2 a bit, plus they gave him--er--it a makeover, no doubt so he'd pass the Comics Code--and have a better shot of passing for something heroic and sympathetic, 'cause, man, the b&w version (by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito) was uglyyyyyy...

Enough talk. Here is The Heap #1 and "Shadows of Satan!"


As you can see, Kanigher's story for The Heap #1 is an engaging mish-mash of lots of horror cliches: the good-man-turned-monster, a blind girl, the mad scientist (a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein, no less!), the ghostly/demonic villain; it's all there, but it's written in such a way that pathos verily drips from the pages, sucking you in and making you really feel our horrible hero's pain and anguish. Personally it hits the same kind of buttons for Ol' Groove that DC's Swamp Thing hit--and that's a good thing. The bad thing is that the color Heap comic only lasted for this one ish, so we never get to see what Kanigher, Sutton, and Abel had planned for the future. All I know is that the last page really, really grabbed me, and I'd have definitely scarfed up future issues of Skywald's Heap!

Volume Four, Number One

Yes, I am back. I am really, really, really back this time. Promise.

So, why "Vol. 4", you ask? Well, I could say that it has been so long since I've written an "E-Dispatches" that I've forgotten what number I was at (and was just to darn lazy to look it up.). Truth be told though since the last installment of this column I have moved.

Yup! That's right, folks! The Jazzy One has finally managed to flee the purgatory known as Port Stanley Ontario Canada (with purgatory in this case meaning "a place without a comics shop") and has put down roots in the exciting, thriving metropolis of Waterloo, Ontario Canada (a place with lots of comics shops and a couple or three famous comics creators). So I figured as a move such as the one I made often results in a new perspective on life why not reflect that in E-Dispatches by starting with a new "number one".

Now, how exactly this will transfer into the body-proper of this column I can't say as yet; mainly because, well, I don't quite know myself. I can though promise that in the coming installments of "E-Dispatches" it will be an interesting adventure for both you and me. I hope everyone will stick around for the ride.

Now, before I sign off I have some house cleaning issues-for lack of a better term-that I want to cover.

First, yes; I will be wrapping up the whole "MLJ/Red Circle" serial (and also eventually expanding it into book form) soon. It has to be honest dragged on longer than I had originally planned it to and while the response to it has been fantastic and much appreciated I do want to move on to new stuff in this new volume of "E-Dispatches". So look for that to wind up in the not to distant future.

Next-and just as important-is the subject of deadlines. For the time being this column will be appearing on an irregular basis until I get into a regular writing routine. I've only been in Waterloo now for less than a week-arriving Sunday November 29th 2009-and while I am pretty much settled into my new digs now I still have to find some paying writing gigs to put food on the plate and a roof over my head. So until that happens I am going to be putting my non-paying endeavors (which includes "E-Dispatches from the Great White North!") in the "whenever I have a spare moment" file. That means also that I won't be putting the same amount of research into this column for the next little while that I normally do. Instead I will be taking a more chatty, informal approach much like I am doing here or in my personal emails to all my favourite pals and gals.

Another thing I intend to do here for a couple installments is twist the arm of a few of my friends to see if they'd be interested in writing a guest installment or two of "E-Dispatches". Lucky Lloyd? Sir Steve? PDR, Mr. Mike R.? Richard V.? Any takers? Offer's open, people. And maybe, just maybe, I could get my webmaster to find a public domain comic or two and post it here for everyone to read (with of course a brief into to it by yours truly). Sky's the limit actually so we'll just see what happens over the next few weeks. Suggestions are welcomed and needed.

Now, next, to the future once I am back on track. First, as said earlier I will be wrapping up the "MLJ/RED CIRCLE" serial though as yet I can't say when. Also too I will be reviewing a comic that was sent to me by my buddies at Star_Verse while I was in mid-move. I have read it and loved it though and strongly recommend anything published by Star_Verse as just plain fun comics reading.

Besides those two things I am not quite sure what I will be doing as yet once I get settled into a routine. I can say though I will be doing more "E-Dispatches Exclusives" down the line so if you read this other than at http://edispatchesfromthegreatwhitenorth.blogspot.com be sure to visit that website from time to time to see what is happening.

So I guess that's it, Super-Folks. Questions, comments, statements, pan mail, everything that you can imagine is definitely welcome in my email mailbox so feel free to contact me at... JonAllanGilbert@yahoo.ca .

I'm done. Time to go look for some paying work. See everyone soon.

Volume Three, Number Thirty

I'm back! That's right; after a much longer than planned hiatus E-Dispatches from the Great White North has finally returned. One of these days I'll sit down and tell you all about what kept me away for so long but in the meantime let's return to...

EVERYTHING'S SUPERHEROES!

A

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

OF

THE

MLJ MAGAZINES/ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS

SUPERHERO LINES!

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Part Eighteen

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The second "Red Circle Comics Group" to hit the comics shops was "The Fly". Rather than revive the Mighty Comics Group version of the character-which in many folks' eyes was a poor man's version of Ant-Man/Giant-Man-the powers that be at Archie Comic Publications decided to bring back the earlier version minus the size changing abilities. The first issue of "The Fly" was cover-dated May 1983 and the comic lasted for nine issues (with the final issue cover-dated October 1984). While the artwork was wonderfully rendered by the legendary Steve Ditko and was an excellent example of his Randian Objectivist Libertarian philosophy the fist eight issues of "The Fly" were a disorganized mess and had little to do with either the early 1960s version of The Fly or the character that was appearing in "The Mighty Crusaders". The ninth issue was a vast improvement-though Ditko's artwork and point of view were definitely missed-for those readers who were fans of comics continuity however the writing was already on the wall and the attempt to revitalize the title was too little, too late.

The third title to appear under the Red Circle imprint was completely opposite in its approach to continuity than was "The Fly". "Lancelot Strong, The Shield" (#1 June 1983) began strong with close tie-ins with the Red Circle universe generally and the version of the character who was a member of The Mighty Crusaders. Issue number two was equally strong but with the third issue-there was a major change in the whole concept. Not only was the title changed to "Shield-Steel Sterling" (with the latter, which was the backup feature in the previous two issues, now sharing the title billing) but Lance Strong was killed off leaving the whole mag in the hands of Steel Sterling. This drastic change was enacted by long time comics writer Robert Kanigher who for the remaining four issues (now titled "Steel Sterling" beginning with issue number four) wrong the most convoluted, heavy-handed tales to appear under the Red Circle imprint. Kanigher's approach to Steel Sterling was actually not a surprise to those who had followed his career. While he wrote excellent comics stories in the 1940s and 1950s plus created some great characters over the years-most notably The Metal Men-by the 1970s Kanigher seemed to be going through the motions as a comics writer telling predictable, contrived stories that paled in comparison to what he had done before. By the time he got his hands on "Steel Sterling" in the early 1980s he work can only be summed up as a disgusting mess so when "Steel Sterling" the title died after issue number seven (July 1984) even the most die-hard fans of the original "Man of Steel" were not saddened by the comic's departure.

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NEXT: More disappointments from Red Circle Comics Group!

Volume Three, Number Twenty-nine

While things are still quite busy here at "The Gilbert Homestead" what with developing material for Red Lion Publications
( http://redlionpublications.blogspot.com ), researching a couple of books and looking for a penciler to work on the revival of my "Mister Chameleon" series ( http://misterchameleon.blogspot.com ) I'm taking a few minutes away from that insanity to share with you a comic that crossed my desk a few weeks back.

By the way, I'm not quite sure when I'll be returning to writing this column on a regular basis-I am currently looking at some time around the middle of May-but while you wait why not visit the two blogs my buddy The Groovy Agent is scribing. They can be found at http://diversionsofthegroovykind.blogspot.com and http://blindedmewithcomics.blogspot.com . But don't go there yet. First take a few minutes to read what I have to say about the comic I got.

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IN FLESH AND SPIRIT NO. 1 Winter, 2009. Published by Overtone Comics. Suggested for mature readers. Full color cover with 24 inside black & white pages. $3.50 U.S. Written and edited by Baron Misuraca, art by David G. Williams, grey tones by Jarreau Wimberly, lettering by Karen Levin and Baron Misuraca and color cover by Alex Horley.Website found at www.vasaria.com .

I usually don't review comics for mature readers but to be honest I can't for the life of me see why this comic is labeled as such. Don't get me wrong. It ain't something you'd send out to members of The Mickey Mouse Fan Club by any stretch of the imagination. It isn't though what I would regard as a mature title and actually I've seen more blood and guts on such TV shows as "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Battlestar Galactica". So if you can handle shows like that you should easily be able to handle this comic. 'Nuff said on that subject.

According to the press release that accompanied this issue IN FLESH AND SPIRIT is about the origin and adventures of a vampired named Baron Misuraca who came into being in the 14th-century and continues to live today. If that name sounds familiar it should as Baron Misuraca is the writer and editor of this comic as well as a member of the goth band Vasaria.

If you are like me and are somewhat indifferent to the whole goth thing don't allow that to stop you from picking up this comic as it is quite a good read. While mention is made of the good Baron being a member of the above-mentioned goth band basically what IN FLESH AND SPIRIT is is a well-written vampire tale (with an excellent cover by DC/HEAVY METAL/VAMPIRELLA artist Alex Horley).

If I were to have one complaint about his comic-besides of course that it is printed on that darn glossy paper that I absolutely hate-it's that the dialogue needs some work. If anything this comic is a prime example of why, with a few exceptions, a writer should always have an editor.

Despite that though this is none the less a good comic and worth picking up if you see it on the stands at your local comics shop. Basically, it's an enjoyable read and that's all one can ask for, eh.

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That's pretty much it, folks. If you are following this column at www.jazmaonline.com/edispatch be sure to occasionally visit http://dispatchesfromthegreatwhitenorth.blogspot.com where you will not only find this column but some great links and installments of E-Dispatches that are exclusive to that blog site. I'll be back soon. Promise.

I'M ON VACATION!

Some "vacation"! Things have gotten so busy these days at Red Lion Publications that I reluctantly have to take a brief break from the "fun stuff" I do such as writing this blog.

Not to worry, though. This break will only be short-lived and within three or four weeks I'll be back. Meanwhile, if you want to find out what's going on at Red Lion Publications feel free to visit http://redlionpublications.blogspot.com and while you are waiting for me to come back here and want some entertaining reading you can visit The Groovy Agent's blog at http://diversionsofthegroovykind.blogspot.com or any of the other blogs I've set up links for down the right hand side.

Have fun reading folks and I'll be back in a few weeks.

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Jonathan "A" Gilbert

E-Dispatches Exclusive #2

Lake Erie's Secret Legend

Over the years I have worked as a reporter, columnist and feature writer for a number of newspapers including The Lake Erie Beacon which is published in Port Stanley Ontario, Canada. In September 2004 I wrote for that paper an article about South Shore Bessy, a rather mysterious creature that can best be described as Lake Erie's version of The Loc Ness Monster. As a change of pace from the usual comics fare I write for this blog I thought I'd reprint it here.

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Loc Ness in Scotland has "Nessie", British Columbia's Okanagan Lake has "Ogopogo" and Lake Erie has "South Bay Bessie".

"South Bay Bessie"? Yes. While the other two mystery creatures are known to the general public few are aware that Lake Erie is one of 200 lakes world wide that are purported to be home to some sort of aquatic monster. While no pictures of Bessie have ever been taken those who claim to have seen the creature-also called The Lake Erie Chomper and LEM (Lake Erie Monster)-have stated that is 9 to 12 meters long, serpentine in appearance and that its body is as round as a bowling ball.

The earliest reported sighting of Bessie was in 1793 when the captain of a sloop named "Felicity" reported having seen a 17 foot snake like beast rise from the waters while he was shooting ducks near Middle Bass Island, Ohio. Sightings continued through the 19th and 20th centuries with many of them made by police officers, ship captains and firefighters. There was even a claim of the beast being captured. In a 1931 New York Times report two fishermen are said to have crated up a 20 foot long serpent in the Sandusky Ohio area. The pair said that when the monster reared its head they beat it senseless and towed it to shore. No attempt was ever made to follow up on this report and it has never been discovered what, if anything the two captured. It is doubted though that it was Bessie as there have been numerous sightings since 1931.

Marine biologists suggest that what people are actually seeing is a giant sturgeon. According though to Akron Ohio resident Rich Le Monica, who makes it his hobby to study "Bessie" reports, it couldn't have been a sturgeon as they are bottom dwellers and lack a neck to lift out of the water as the creatures that have been reportedly sighted are said to have done. Other possible suggestions as to the true nature of Bessie include it being a giant lamprey and a bowfin.

But whatever the creature may in fact be reports of sightings don't subside after experts in aquatic life weigh in on the subject. In the early 1990s Bessie was especially busy making appearances resulting not in in the Beacon newspaper published out of Port Clinton Ohio running a "Name the Lake Erie Monster" contest (out of which the creature gained its South Bay Bessie name) but also saw Ohio marina owner Tom Solbery Sr. and other businessmen offer a $150,000 reward for the live capture of Bessie. Eventually the sightings-which were even reported in the American national media-died down and the reward was quietly dropped. Solbery Sr. though has said that if anyone was to capture Bessie live he would seriously consider giving the person a six figure sum for the beast.

While the majority of the Bessie sightings have been on the Ohio side of Lake Erie, Canada has not escaped a possible visit by the lake monster. In July 2001 near a pump house off the shore of a Port Dover Ontario beach three people were attacked and bitten by a mysterious creature. Though no one saw what bit the swimmers medical staff who treated the victims were certain, because of the nature of the bite, that it wasn't anything like a snapping turtle, walleye, goby or muskellunge fish. To this day no one has found a reasonable answer as to what bit the people but some people have pointed the finger at Bessie as the possible attacker.

Bessie has been rather quiet this year with only one reported sighting. On July 2 four people who were on the beach of Madison Township Park in Lake County Ohio during the night said they saw something travel past the shore which was 30 to 40 feet long, dark green or black and had humps. Exactly what these and other people have seen over the centuries is wide open to speculation. Some have simply brushed Bessie off as being a fairy tale. Others believe a giant serpent actually exists in Lake Erie while still others are trying to find some explanation based on current knowledge of marine life. Probably the truth lies somewhere in the middle but whatever it is that people have been seeing in Lake Erie it adds an air of mystery to a body of water that people thought they were familiar with.

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I hope you found the above piece an enjoyable read. It's been suggested to me by a couple of readers that my E-Dispatches Exclusive blogs be about subjects other than comics. What do the rest of you think? You can let me know by commenting at the end of this piece or by emailing me at JonAllanGilbert@yahoo.ca . And while I wait to hear back from you on this next time out I'll be returning to my regular column and continue with my overview of the MLJ Magazines/Archie Comic Publications superhero lines. Oh. And don't forget to visit http://diversionsofthegroovykind.blogspot.com and read what my buddy The Groovy Agent has to say about comics of the 1970s.

Volume Three, Number Twenty-eight

EVERYTHING'S SUPERHEROES!

A

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

OF

THE

MLJ MAGAZINES/ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS

SUPERHERO LINES!

----------

Part Seventeen

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_______________________________________________________________

1980s RED CIRCLE COMICS GROUP: With the advent of the direct sales market Dick Goldwater and Michael Silberkleit--who had become co-publishers of Archie Comic Publications in early January 1983--decided that the time was right for them to return to publishing superhero comics. With Richard Buckler as editor and Dick Goldwater as editor-in-chief Archie Comic Publications made plans to release a number of comics under the company's 1970s Red Circle Comics Group imprint.

Red Circle's first title made its debut in early 1983. All-New Adventures of The Mighty Crusaders (cover-dated March, 1983, and later undergoing a title change to simply Mighty Crusaders) was not only a revival of the Mighty Comics Group's 1960s superhero team of the same name, but was also meant to be the line's flagship title around which all other Red Circle Comics Group publications would spring.

Lasting until September, 1985, the quality of this comics' material was all over the place with some stories being of high caliber--such as "The Trial of The Shield" in issue number 9--and other tales being of, shall we say, less than stellar quality (with issue number 11's "And Two Shall Fall In Battle..." being a prime example). As well, the continuity of All-New Adventures of the Mighty Crusaders/The Mighty Crusaders was for the most part hit and miss. In fact, this and poor quality material was a problem that ran through much of the 1980s Red Circle Comics Group line as we will discover next time out.

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NEXT: THE RETURN OF THE FLY.