R. I. P STEVE DITKO

Steve Ditko was one of the first comic book artist whose style I recognized without looking at the credits. Ditko's characters had skinny heads that were flat on the top. I first became aware of his name in a paperback collection of early Spider-Man stories.

Ditko helped create many famous characters for Marvel (Spider-Man & Dr. Strange), Charlton (Captain Atom & The Question) and D.C (The Creeper, Hawk & Dove, Shade the Changing Man). He also helped revived the Blue Beetle in the Silver Age (at Charlton) and even worked on two issues of Dell's Get Smart comic book.

Charlton reprinted this 50s sci-fi anthology after the success of Star Wars

from a Dell Get Smart comic book

As I've gotten older, I have issues with Ditko's Ayn Rand-fueled beliefs and his reclusive nature. Yet his work and contribution to the industry should not be overlooked on this account. He used the same storytelling ability on Max & 99's task of chewing licorice gumballs as he did Spider-Man trying to extricated himself from under a fallen piece of machinery. That is why he will be missed.
 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

WHERE I'VE BEEN AND WHO I'VE BEEN WITH

As you've noticed, my post have been sporadic of late. First off, I've had my gall bladder taken out about a month ago. What has taken much of my time has been a writing project, inspired by a story I've written about in a much earlier post here and on the original blog. The story takes place in the early part of 1966, during the hight of Batmania. As I write my story and do research, I've been absorbing the pop culture of that era.

So I've been listening to:

The Beach Boys

The Yardbirds

Simon & Garfunkel

Wilson Picket (that guitar player looks familiar)

Roger Miller

Gary Lewis & the Playboys

The Lovin Spoonful

Sonny & Cher

The Supremes

The Animals

Stevie Wonder

Bob Dylan

James Brown

The Kinks

Sam The Sham & the Pharaohs

The Rolling Stones

Four Tops

The Hollies

The Byrds

Marvin

Herman

Paul Revere & the Raiders

The Who

Smokey

The Mamas & Papas

The Pretty Things

Young Rascals

last but certainly not least, The Beatles

And I've been watching:

Laredo

Wild Wild West

The Addams Family

The Munsters

F Troop

Green Acres

Beverly Hillbillies

Get Smart

Man from UNCLE

and Batman, of course.

I'm both listening and watching:

Dean Martin

Hopefully I can come up with some more post in the future.

LAUREL & YANNI

ARE MR. A-G & CHEEKY CHARLIE THE FOUR SQUARE MAN RELATED?

Hi, this is Jeff, Dedinova's nice "twin brother"! I mentioned on the podcast that I was doing research on a novel that will take place in the Spring of 1966. While looking through the old Springfield Daily News issues on microfilm at the Springfield-Greene County Library Center, I discovered an advertising character called Mr. AG (pictured above). I've been told A-G stands for Associate Grocery, which I believe is now known as Associate Wholesale Grocery.


After seeing this character, I tried to find pictures of him on the Internet, but couldn't remember the company name. I really thought it was Mr. A-P (A & P was in Springfield in 1966). I decided to Google a description of the character. Something like "grocery store - cartoon - advertising - big ears - pencil behind ear."

Low and behold, Google gave me pictures of a doppelganger known as Cheeky Charlie the Four Square Man (above). He has been used by the Four Square Supermarket chain of New Zealand since the 40s. As you notice, they look quite a bit alike. I wonder if they are cousins, clones or was Mr. A-G a rip off that disappeared after a lawsuit from the New Zealanders. Who knows.