Blue Ribbon Comics: Difference between revisions

|title image = Blue Ribbon Comics 1.jpg

|image imagesize = Blue Ribbon Comics 1.jpg200

|subcat sort =MLJ Blue Ribbon Comics

'''''Blue Ribbon Comics''''' is the name of two [[United States|American]] [[comic book]] anthology series, the first published by the [[Archie Comics]] predecessor [[Archie Comics|MLJ Magazines Inc.]], commonly known as MLJ Comics, duringfrom the1939 1930sto and1942, 1940s period known asduring the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]],. andThe revival was the second comic published in the 1980s by Archie Comics under the [[Red Circle Comics|Red Circle]] and [[Archie Adventure Series]] banners.

=== Volume 1 (1940 - 19421940–1942): MLJ ===

The first series of ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' #1-221–22 (Nov. 1939 -– March 1942) was a 64-page anthology comic published by MLJ Magazines Inc., commonly known as MLJ Comics, the precursor to what would become the publisher [[Archie Comics]]. Issues #9-189–18 and #22 were cover-titled ''Blue Ribbon Mystery Comics''. The series was edited by [[Harry Shorten]].<ref>Shorten in the 1960s was publisher of [[Tower Comics]] and also a comics writer, credited with creating MLJ/Archie characters the [[HoodBlack (Archie Comics)|Hood]] and the [[Shield (Archie Comics)]]. He maintained his links with MLJ/Archie, whose ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' #12 (Sept. 1984) contained a story starring Tower property the [[T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents]] after Tower ceased publication.</ref>

The first title published by MLJ, ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' initially ran a mixture of content, in the manner of most early comic books. These included the [[science-fiction]] feature "Dan Hastings" (#1-21–2), [[crime comics|crime]], short [[humor]] fillers, and adventure tales such as, from issue #1, "Burk of the Briny" in #1 and Cliff Thorndyke's [[Africa]]n adventure "Village of Missing Men". "[[Rang-Aa-Tang the Wonder Dog]]", the tales of an intelligent dog in the [[Rin Tin Tin]] vein, written by Joe Blair and primarily drawn by Ed Smalle, was the only feature to appear in every issue. Another, "Corporal Collins, Infantryman", a [[war comics|war]] feature drawn by [[Charles Biro]], about a U.S. soldier stranded in [[France]] when [[World War II]] breaks out<ref>an almost identical premise to a later MLJ character, "Sergeant Boyle" in ''[[Pep Comics]]'', who was stranded in [[England]] at the start of the war</ref> was in every issue but the first. As all comic books did through the early 1960s, to satisfy [[U.S. Postal Service]] requirements for magazine rates, ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' also contained text stories, sometimes about characters from the comics features, such as the titular cowboy Buck Stacey.

With the exception of a reprinted ''[[Little Nemo]]'' newspaper comic strip story by [[Winsor McCay]] in #1, all stories in the comic were new. Reader participation was encouraged; in issue #3 (Jan. 1940) MLJ offered $5 for the prize letter of the month and $1 for 10 runners-up, and issue #4 (June 1940) introduced the [[Rang-Aa-Tang the Wonder Dog|Rang-a-Tang Club]], boasting its own registered [[veterinarian]] to answer questions on dog health and training.

Future [[Plastic Man]] creator [[Jack Cole (artist)|Jack Cole]], then working for the [[Harry "A" Chesler]] studio, wrote and drew a number of one off-humor strips in the first issue: "Hold That Line", "Ima Slooth", "Foxy Grandpa" and "King Kole's Kourt." Issue #2 (Dec. 1940) had his "Knight Off". He additionally provided two "Crime on the Run" strips, subtitled "True Stories of Crime", in #1 and #3, and "Devils of the Deep", a two-part adventure in #2-32–3. [[Will Eisner]], future creator of the [[Spirit (comics)|Spirit]], produced a single humor strip, "Boodini the Great" in issue #1.<ref name=gcd>[http://www.comics.org/series/124/ ''Blue Ribbon Comics'', Archie, MLJ imprint, 1939 Series] at the [[Grand Comics Database]].</ref>

By issue #4, however, MLJ replaced the humor strips with more adventure and crime stories, and introduced [[fantasy]]-[[adventure]] characters such as the [[mythological]] Hercules in modern-day [[United States|America]] (#4-84–8); the [[Doc Savage]]-like [[Doc Strong]] by Sam Cooper, set on a desolate Earth 100 years in the future soon after [[World War II]] had ended (#4-124–12); and the [[Green Falcon]], a medieval adventurer whose feature was drawn by one of very few women then working in the comics, Ramone Patenaude (#4-154–15).<ref>Davin, Eric Leif. ''Partners in Wonder: Women and the Birth of Science Fiction, 1926-19651926–1965'', p. 172</ref> Two long-running features were "Loop Logan, Air Ace", about an American pilot in WWII prior to U.S. involvement (#4-204–20),<ref>echoing "Corporal Collins, Infantryman" and other MLJ characters: "Sergeant Boyle" in [[Pep Comics]] and "Wings Johnson of Air Patrol" in [[Top-Notch Comics]]</ref> and "Ty-Gor, Son of the Jungle", drawn by [[Mort Meskin]], about a jungle boy taken to America (#4-204–20).<ref name=gcd />

The first superhero introduced to ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' was in the two-issue feature "[[Bob Phantom]], the Scourge of the Underground" (#2-32–3), with early work by artist [[Irv Novick]]. Bob Phantom moved to ''Pep Comics'' and was shortly followed by the [[Fox (comics)|Fox]] (#4-224–22), a costumed adventure hero created by writer Joe Blair and artist [[Irwin Hasen]] who would return during the 1960s in several Archie comics series. Next was [[Mr. Justice (Archie Comics)|Mr. Justice]] (#9-229–22), a ghostly superhero also created by writer Blair although mainly scripted by Charles Biro with artist Sam Cooper. [[Inferno the Flame-Breather]], originally a supporting character seen in [[Shield (Archie Comics)|Steel Sterling]] tales in ''[[Pep Comics]]'', was given his own feature by writer Blair and artist [[Paul Reinman]] (#13-1913–19). The patriotically themed [[Captain Flag]], created by Blair and artist Lin Streeter in #16 (Sept. 1941), completed the ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' superhero cluster. Mr. Justice was the cover feature from his debut in #9 (Feb. 1941), then shared the cover with Captain Flag from #16-1816–18, and took over from #19 (Dec. 1941) until the end of the title's run.

''Blue Ribbon Comics'' #21 (Feb. 1942) introduced a new direction, advertising on the cover '' 'new sensational true life features' '', with an inside-front cover editorial explaining the title would now mix superhero and adventure stories with real-life tales: '' 'Just as many thrills, just as much red-blooded reading pleasure' ''. The last two issues had features on the life of [[Galileo]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], and [[Beethoven]], and a tale about [[malaria]] in [[Cuba]]. Incongruously, MLJ also introduced a short [[horror fiction|horror story]] feature, "Tales from the Witches Cauldron" (#20-2220–22) at this time. Despite the change of direction, ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' ended with issue #22 (March 1942).

* "Rang-A-Tang the Wonder Dog" -– (#1-221–22) titled "with Richy the Amazing Boy" from #6

* "Dan Hastings" -– science fiction adventure (#1-21–2)

* "Buck Stacey" -– cowboy story (#1-21–2)

* "Sugar, Honey and Huggin" -– [[funnycartoon animal]] (#1-31–3)

* "Scoop Cody, Ace Reporter" -– detective story (#2-32–3)

* "Bob Phantom, the Scourge of the Underground" -– superhero (#2-32–3)

* "Devils of the Deep" -– marine adventure strip (#2-32–3)

* "Secret Assignments" -– spy strip (#2-32–3)

* "Silver Fox" -– police strip (#2-42–4)

* "Corporal Collins, Infantryman" -– war strip (#2-222–22)

* "Hercules" -– superhero (#4-84–8)

* "Gypsy Johnson, adventurer" -– adventure strip (#4-84–8)

* "The Fox" -– superhero (#4-224–22)

* "Ty-Gor, Son of the Jungle" -– jungle boy, sometimes in city (#4-204–20)

* "Doc Strong" -– [[Doc Savage]]-type science fiction character (#4-124–12)

* "Loop Logan, Air Ace" -– war adventure (#4-204–20)

* "The Green Falcon" -– medieval knight (#4-154–15)

* "Mr Justice" -– superhero (#9-229–22)

* "Steve Stacey, Sky Detective" -– action/detective series (#9-129–12)

* "Penny Parker" -– action/detective series (#13-1513–15)

* "Inferno the Flame-Breather" -– superhero (#13-1913–19)

* "[[Captain Flag]]" -– superhero (#16-2216–22)

=== Volume 2 (1983 - 19851983–1985): Archie Comics ===

| title = Blue Ribbon Comics vol 2

| image = Blue Ribbon Comics 2 1.jpg

| imagesize = 200

| caption = {{Descript-cvr|Blue Ribbon Comics|2|1|Nov 1983}}| Artart by= [[Steve Ditko]] & [[Rudy Nebres]].}}

| schedule = Monthly

| format = standard

| ongoing = Y

| genre = [[superhero]]

| publisher = [[Red Circle Comics]] (issues #1-41–4)<br /> [[Archie Comics]] (issues #5-145–14)

| date = November [[1983 in comics|1983]] -– December [[1984 in comics|1984]]

| issues = 14

| main_char_team = [[The Fly (Archie Comics)|The Fly]]<br />[[Shield (Archie Comics)|The Shield]]<br />Mr. Justice<br />The Fly and [[Flygirl (Archie Comics)|Flygirl]]<br />[[Jaguar (Archie Comics)|Jaguar]]<br />[[Black Hood]]

| writers = [[Joe Simon]], Robin Snyder, [[Bill DuBay]], [[Rich Buckler]], Stan Timmons, [[Martin L. Greim]], [[Paul Kupperberg]]

| artists= = [[Jack Kirby]], [[Trevor Von Eeden]], [[Gray Morrow]], [[Steve Ditko]], [[Martin L. Greim]], [[Pat Boyette]]

| pencillers= = [[Trevor Von Eeden]], [[Dick Ayers]]

| inkers = [[Alex Niño]], [[Tony DeZuniga]]

| letterers =

| colorists =

| editors = = [[Rich Buckler]]

| subcat =Red CircleArchie Comics

|subcat sort =Archie AdventureBlue Ribbon Comics

''Blue Ribbon Comics'' vol. 2 published a combination of new and reprinted work featuring a variety of Archie superheroes. Reprints including [[Joe Simon]] and [[Jack Kirby]] stories from ''[[The Fly (Archie Comics)|Adventures of the Fly]]'' #1-21–2 (Aug-SeptAug–Sept. 1959), and Simon/Kirby [[Shield (Archie Comics)|Lancelot Strong: Shield]] stories primarily from ''The Double Life of Private Strong'' #1 (June 1959).

However, the second volume largely comprised new stories of previous MLJ/Archie characters: a Mr. Justice origin story by writers Robin Snyder, who also provided a ''Blue Ribbon Comics'' checklist over various issues of the comic's run, and [[Bill Dubay]], with art by [[Trevor Von Eeden]] and [[Alex Niño]] in issue #2 (Dec. 1983). An origin for Steel Sterling followed, in issue #3 (Dec. 1983), leading into a backup feature in another Archie title, ''The Shield''. There were also two new stories of The Fly and [[Flygirl (Archie Comics)|Flygirl]], featuring [[Jaguar (Archie Comics)|Jaguar]], by writers [[Rich Buckler]] and Stan Timmons, with art by [[Trevor Von Eeden]] in #4 (Jan. 1984), and a two-part Fox story by Buckler and Timmons, with art by [[Dick Ayers]] and [[Tony DeZuniga]], in #6-76–7 (March–April 1984). A revival of [[Black Hood]] by [[Gray Morrow]] took up issue #8 (May 1984).<ref name=gcd2>[http://www.comics.org/series/2731/ ''Blue Ribbon Comics'', Archie, Red Circle / Archie Adventure Series imprint, 1983 Series] at the Grand Comics Database</ref>

As well as revivals of MLJ/Archie inventory characters, volume two introduced the underwater adventures of "Agents of Atantis" in #9 (June 1984). On the [[Comic book letters page|letters page]] of issue #10 (July 1984), Buckler signaled another editorial change, to "more lighthearted stories", with more Simon/Kirby reprints from the early 1960s ''Adventures of the Fly'', followed by a reprint in issue #11 (August 1984) of a [[Black Hood]] story from ''Archie Superhero Special Digest Magazine'' #2 (Aug. 1979), originally written for the unpublished ''Black Hood'' #1. The story had already been reprinted in ''[[JC Comics]]'' #1 (1981). [[John Carbonaro]] appears to have bought the work from Archie to publish in JC, then paid Archie to reprint the tale in Archie/Red Circle Comics.<ref>Interview with Carbonaro in Cooke, John B., ''The Thunder Agents Companion'' (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2005) pp. 113-117113–117. {{ISBN |1-893905-43-8}}</ref>

[[St. John Publications]] produced six issues of an umbrella series, ''Blue Ribbon'' comics, that featured highly disparate contents each issue. It was published from late 1948 to mid-1949, with only issue #4-54–5 given [[cover dates]] (June & Aug. 1949) but postal [[indicia (publishing)|indicia]] given as February to August 1949. The series starred the movie studio [[Terry Toons]]' [[funnytalking animals in fiction|talking animal]] characters [[Heckle and Jeckle]] in issues #1 & 3; the [[romance comics|romance]]-themed ''Diary Secrets'' in issues #2, 4 & 5 (the last two fully titled ''Teen-Age Diary Secrets''), and, in the final issue, the funny talking-animal feature "Dinky", starring [[Dinky Duck]].<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/12454/ ''Blue Ribbon Comics'', St. John, 1949 Series] at the Grand Comics Database</ref>

* Overstreet,Robert M., ed. ''Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'', 38th Edition (Gemstone Publishing, 2008) {{ISBN |978-0-375-72239-4}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130522131818/http://www.mightycrusaders.net/redcircleindex.htm Red Circle Comics Index] at the Mighty Crusaders Encyclopedia

[[Category:19831942 comiccomics debutsendings]]

[[Category:Comics1983 anthologiescomics debuts]]