Sequential Crush - Best of 2012!

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your continued support, readership, and friendship! This year has been a tad on the difficult side, but i am really excited to see what 2013 holds, and I hope you will continue to join me! But, before we head into 2013, I just want to share a few of my favorite posts from 2012! I would love to hear what some of yours were, as well!

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 Happy 2013!!!

1.) Archaeology, Human Sacrifice, Romance - Charlton's Zany Love Story "Xtachoa's Bride" 2.) Selling Romance - Pursettes Tampon Ads 3.) Sex! Readers Write for Advice on More Than Just Romance! 4.) Romance Comics Depicted in Romance Comics!  5.) The Recurring Characters of the DC Romance Comics!  6.) Romance Comic Villains Extraordinaire - Mothers! Young Romance's "My Mother... My Rival!"   7.) Groovy Art! Enrique Montserrat's "The Look of Love!" - My Love #12 (July 1971) 8.) Women of the Romance Comics - Elizabeth Berube! 9.) 1970s Danish Romance Comics 10.) Whap! Pow! Splat! - The Guy Fights of Charlton Romance Comics! 11.) Call Me Maybe - Telephones in Romance Comics! 12.) Sailboats in the Ghetto - "A World Apart" - DC's Cautionary Tale about Racial Prejudice 

As Told To: Stan Lee - Birthday Edition!

 

Let's all send our best wishes to Stan Lee who is celebrating his 90th birthday today! A staple of the comic book industry, Stan continues to delight fans all over the world while acting as one of the most enthusiastic and beloved spokesmen for the medium. Luckily for us romance fans, Stan wrote countless romance stories over the years!

Not long ago, Stan told me one of his favorite anecdotes from his time writing the Marvel-age romance stories.* As the story goes, Stan wanted it known that he penned the romance tales despite their confessional tone. He didn't want to ruin the illusion that they were stories straight from the hearts of the heroines, so he gave the stories the now famous credit line, "As Told to: Stan Lee."** With those few simple words, Stan appeared to be an impartial witness to their sorrow -- while simultaneously giving himself writing credits! Pretty ingenious! I have read the line about a million times now, but it still gives me a little chuckle to picture a charming leisure-suited Stan interviewing heartbroken bell-bottom clad beauties!

Happiest of birthday wishes, Stan!

*Information taken from my correspondence with Stan Lee (June 2012).
**"As Narrated to: Stan Lee" was also another one of Stan's signatures in the 1960s and '70s romance comics.

Happy Holidays!

 "The Perfect Gift"
Pencils: John Rosenberger

Falling in Love #128

(January 1972)

I have been relaxing pretty hard the past few days (Oops! But, I guess thats what the holidays are for, right?!) so I just wanted to pop in today and say a quick hello and a very Merry Christmas and very Happy Holidays to you all! I'll be back later in the week with some more (and more substantial at that!) romance comic book goodness! Until then, enjoy all the love and warmth of the season! 

It's a Trap!

 "The Tender Trap"

Pencils and Inks: Torre Repriso 

Just Married #95 (June 1973)

With the sad news of late, I figured we could all use a laugh right about now. Be well, friends. 

 

Happy Hanukkah from Charlton!

  "David and Eileen, Part II - Too Many In-Laws" 

Pencils: A. Martinez, Inks: J. Zuniga

Just Married #94 (May 1973)

While DC and Marvel made efforts at portraying racial diversity in the '70s, Charlton went a different route -- religious diversity. For nine issues of Just Married, readers were treated to the trials and tribulations of David and Eileen -- interfaith newlyweds. As far as I know, the series contains the only references to Judaism in romance comics, and one of the only two instances of recurring characters in the Charlton romances -- the other, Jonnie Love of course! Happy Hanukkah my friends!  

Call Me Maybe - Telephones in Romance Comics!

If romance comics could talk! 

"Telephone Hour" from the 1963

film Bye Bye Birdie

I am sure like me, many of you are reliant upon text messaging, Facebook, and email to communicate with friends and family. But, I am sure many of you can also remember (as I can) a time not so long ago when the land-based telephone was the number one device used to keep in touch. I feel like I was constantly on the phone as a teen! Though I hardly remember now what all that chatting was about, it clearly served a purpose to me and my friends. And you bettcha -- most of the time our phone conversations revolved around gossip, who was cute, and who was even more cute. Seeing as our beloved romance comics took place when telephones were the most high-tech devices in most people's lives, it is no surprise that they figure pretty prominently in the stories. Below are just a few examples for you of telephones delivering news both good and bad!

"Happily Ever After!"

Pencils: Mike Sekowsky 

Young Love #63 (September/October 1967)
 

"Mismatch"

Pencils and Inks: Ernesto R. Garcia

Sweethearts #98 (June 1968)

 "Letter to a Lost Love!"

Pencils and Inks: John Romita

Girls' Romances #136 (October 1968)

"No More Kid's Kisses"

Teen Confessions #76 (October 1972)

"When I Really Fall in Love!"
Inks: Vince Colletta
Falling in Love #138 (November/December 1972)


"He's Hers, But -- I Want Him!"
Pencils: Gene Colan, Inks: Dick Ayers
Our Love Story # 21 (February 1973)

 "Ask Him What He Thinks of Me!"

Pencils: Creig Flessel

Young Romance #196 (November/December 1973)

"Leaving on a Jet Plane!"

Pencils: Jack Katz, Inks: Frank Giacoia

My Love #30 (September 1974)

Gee, never has an inanimate object caused so much drama!

Romance in Fashion - Style Au Go Go

"Romance in Fashion"

Heart Throbs #98 (October/November 1965)

Well, I tried! I tried to stop myself from sharing with you fine folks another fashion related piece from a romance comic, but in the end I just couldn't help it! So, here you are with some "style... au go go" from Heart Throbs #98 (October/November 1965). Not only are the reader-generated fashions tops, the layout (from an artist that has had me stumped for some time now) is pretty great as well! I guess I won't be too hard on myself though. I just really love the fashion of the '60s and '70s and I love sharing with you what I love! And on that note -- enjoy!!!