One of the real thrills buying original comic art is buying pages from when I was a kid and I actually read comic books (I still read some now, but not much mainstream), but I vividly remember this page by Jim Aparo (pencils, inks and letters) from Brave and the Bold #112-- it was my first introduction to Mister Miracle!
I love Aparo's work from this period (1972/73) when he was inking his own work-- full of texture and mood, unlike his more modern stuff that I found flat with nowhere near the mood or details.
This was one of the first comic books I bought off the newsstand next to my Elementary School.
Early 1970s Batman from Adams, Aparo, et al. was Batman gold, perfectly restoring the blend of the superhero with serious mystery, crime and Gothic themes. Arguably published Batman at his best.
As much as I love the Golden Age I have to agree. All of the elements really came together in those early Bronze stories-- nice mix of themes and a Batman who was on the grim side when he had to be but never with his friends and not to he point of alienating everyone.
Perhaps off-topic, but I recently bought a takeaway coffee that came in a very 60s TV and comics retro cup! A "Truly Eco Cup" from "FPO: Food Packaging Online".
Therin of Andor wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 8:29 pm
Perhaps off-topic, but I recently bought a takeaway coffee that came in a very 60s TV and comics retro cup!
I chased down a nice copy of this CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN for many years. I remember seeing them advertised back when I was a kid but I never came across any. COF had some great covers including The Green Hornet, Star Trek and of course this amazing Cesar Romero almost all Batman special issue.
I don't know why it's so hard to find these in nice shape, but they're rare indeed. If anyone is interested RoboPicto.com (Disclosure this is my sons' vintage comic business) at last check had a copy that I would have bought if I hadn't just found one. I think they might have the Green Hornet too. Not cheap but both were nice.
AndyFish wrote: ↑Wed Nov 19, 2025 9:35 am
I chased down a nice copy of this CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN for many years. I remember seeing them advertised back when I was a kid but I never came across any. COF had some great covers including The Green Hornet, Star Trek and of course this amazing Cesar Romero almost all Batman special issue.
I don't know why it's so hard to find these in nice shape, but they're rare indeed. If anyone is interested RoboPicto.com (Disclosure this is my sons' vintage comic business) at last check had a copy that I would have bought if I hadn't just found one. I think they might have the Green Hornet too. Not cheap but both were nice.
Loved those COF covers. The RoboPicto.com looks great too!
