Following on the heels of the great 80-page annuals of the 1960s, these new comics featured mostly re-printings of vintage stories, although blended both old and new.
Before the days of DC's line of Archives hardcovers and thick Showcase black-and-white collections, these thick 1970s comics were the cheapest, easiest way to see stories from the Gold and Silver Age of Comics.
I still have vivid memories of picking up a Justice Page 100-pager that I picked up on summer vacation and read over and over again. These comics helped me fall in love with the whole history of the medium. As a kid, I wanted to see what my heroes were up to before I came on board - before I was even born. As an adult, I love seeing the classic work of all the great creative minds who wrote and drew these stories.
If you remember these books, too, or just want to read about them, I highly recommend Back Issue #81, which you can order here.
Meanwhile, today we launch our own look back with the first of several cover galleries spotlighting those "spectacular" comics.
