Monday, February 27, 2012

Captain Marvel Jr #85 (CMJ's Nemesis) May 1950

CMJ's Nemesis (10 pp)

In this story the character Fate is similar to a later character put out by Harvey Comics (1957) called the Man in Black called Fate. CMJ is able to overcome his fate because good triumphs over evil every time. Freddy final remark, "Well, folks, good will always triumph over evil! Not even Fate can change that!" Black DeJohn is a good comic book megalomanic. Art by Bud Thompson.











Monday, February 20, 2012

Captain Marvel Jr #84 (The Man Who Destroyed Friction) April 1950

The theme of this story is that greed corrupts an otherwise honest inventor, Mr Philpott. With his friction nullifier Philpott wants to create his own  electrical monopoly.  In conclusion, to this Otto Binder scripted yarn, the Evening Star newspaper notes, "Philpott had a good thing--until he made an evil thing out of it! Greed was his downfall!"
This time around Freddy's escape from his bonds is actually quite plausible. Freddy realizes the ropes are slippery because of no friction and is able to free his gag and call for CMJ. Very effective art by Bud Thompson.









Monday, February 13, 2012

Captain Marvel Jr #84 (CMJ and His Aromatic Adventure) April 1950

This is a nice animal-related tale that shows a much feared small animal in a positive light. Animal stories were a popular genre within the CMJ canon. Once again Otto Binder provides a script that brings the Boy in Blue into a down-to-earth, very normal (non-cosmic) situation the young readers can relate to. Art by Joe Certa.







Monday, February 6, 2012

Captain Marvel Jr #84 (The Boy Healine Hunter) April 1950

This is another CMJ helping a young boy story. It shows the Blue Boy, like an older brother, trying to get an impetuous young lad realize his limitations. This very Earth-bound tale is such a contrast to the previous Earth-shattering story. Perhaps the World's Mightiest Boy has learned his own lesson from the previous story and is passing it on to another. It does show the story-telling versatility of Otto Binder. Art by Joe Certa.