Coming Up: "The Best of Simon & Kirby's Mainline Comics" Collects Duo's 1950s Multi-Genre Work


Out next summer, this will be a nice addition to the growing library of books focused on the pioneering work of Marvel Universe co-creator Jack Kirby.

Details from TwoMorrows Publishing:

THE BEST OF SIMON & KIRBY’S MAINLINE COMICS by JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY

Introduction by JOHN MORROW

In 1954, industry legends JOE SIMON and JACK KIRBY founded MAINLINE PUBLICATIONS to publish their own comics during that turbulent era in comics history. The four titles—BULLSEYE, FOXHOLE, POLICE TRAP, and IN LOVE—looked to build off their reputation as hit makers in the Western, War, Crime, and Romance genres, but the 1950s backlash against comics killed any chance at success, and Mainline closed its doors just two years later. For the first time, TwoMorrows Publishing is compiling the best of Simon & Kirby’s Mainline comics work, including all of the stories with S&K art, as well as key tales with contributions by MORT MESKIN and others. After the company’s dissolution, their partnership ended with Simon leaving comics for advertising, and Kirby taking unused Mainline concepts to both DC and Marvel. This collection bridges the gap between Simon & Kirby’s peak with their 1950s romance comics, and the lows that led to Kirby’s resurgence with CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN and the early MARVEL UNIVERSE. With loving art restoration by CHRIS FAMA, and an historical overview by JOHN MORROW to put it all into perspective, the BEST OF SIMON & KIRBY’S MAINLINE COMICS presents some of the final, and finest, work Joe and Jack ever produced.

SHIPS SUMMER 2023!

256-page COLOR HARDCOVER • $49.95 • (Digital Edition) $15.99 

Panels

Upcoming Mags Put Spotlight on Bronze Age Batman Artists Neal Adams and Irv Novick

Bronze Age Batman fans (like me) will want to check out these upcoming mags from TwoMorrows Publishing. Order here.

BACK ISSUE #143
A special tribute issue to NEAL ADAMS (1941–2022), celebrating his Bronze Age DC Comics contributions! In-depth Batman and Superman interviews, ‘Green Lantern/Green Arrow’—Fifty Years Later, Neal Adams—Under the Radar, Continuity Associates, a ‘Rough Stuff’ pencil art gallery, Power Records, and more! Re-presenting Adams’ iconic cover art to BATMAN #227. (Plus: See ALTER EGO #181!)
(84-page FULL-COLOR magazine) $10.95

ALTER EGO #181
Special NEAL ADAMS ISSUE, featuring in-depth interviews with Neal by HOWARD CHAYKIN, BRYAN STROUD, and RICHARD ARNDT. Also: a “lost” ADAMS BRAVE & THE BOLD COVER with Batman and Green Arrow, and unseen Adams art and artifacts. Plus FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), MICHAEL T. GILBERT in Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt, and more! Edited by ROY THOMAS. (Plus: See BACK ISSUE #143!)
(84-page FULL-COLOR magazine) $10.95
(Digital Edition) $4.99 • Ships April 2023

ALTER EGO #183
Golden/Silver/Bronze Age artist IRV NOVICK (Shield, Steel Sterling, Batman, The Flash, and DC war stories) is immortalized by JOHN COATES and DEWEY CASSELL. Interviews with Irv and family members, tributes by DENNY O’NEIL, MARK EVANIER, and PAUL LEVITZ, Irv’s involvement with painter ROY LICHTENSTEIN (who used Novick’s work in his paintings), Mr. Monster, FCA, and more!
(84-page FULL-COLOR magazine) $10.95
(Digital Edition) $4.99 • Ships Aug. 2023

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Panels

Hot Trax '72: Mott the Hoople! Lobo! Grand Funk Railroad! More!

New songs on the charts 50 years ago this week.

Mott the Hoople - All the Young Dudes

Lobo - I'd Love You to Want Me

Grand Funk Railroad - Rock and Roll Soul

Wayne Newton - Can't You Hear the Song

Ocean - One More Chance

Cashman and West - American City Suite

Casey Kelly - Poor Boy