Comic Books From November 1974

By the end of 1974, I was pretty much into my comic book habit. This was not a passing fancy but a commitment. I was at the spinner rack with whatever spare change I had to buy my new comics from DC. 

Here is a sample of some titles that were on sale fifty years ago.

Action Comics #444 was not a good time to be a super hero. Green Lantern is dead and Superman killed him?

What the hell?  

OK, Superman did not kill Green Lantern and Green Lantern isn't dead.   

Maybe Black Canary is not so lucky? 

"Tell Green Arrow that Black Canary is dead and we did it slow!"

What the hell, man! I'm only 11 years old! That's some cruel shit to pull on a kid like me! 

Spoiler: Black Canary is NOT dead!

Back to the cover of Action #444 and notice the price is 25 cents! 

Just the previous month, comics were 20 cents! 

What the hell, man! I'm only 11 years old! That's a whole extra nickel!

Costing a bit more was DC's line of 100 page spectaculars. 

Detective Comics #445 presents the 2nd chapter of the "Bat-Murderer" storyline where Batman has been framed for the murder of Talia A Ghul.  

It was Len Wein's last writing for DC before moving over to Marvel to write Spider-Man. Len would return to DC in 1978 to write for Batman again.  

DC's hot artist of 1974 was Mike Grell. Besides his work on the Green Arrow back up in Action Comics and the Legion of Super Heroes in Superboy, editors would plug Grell in wherever they could and here he winds up drawing a new solo adventure of Robin, the Teen Wonder

In between these 2 new stories, this issue of Detective features an eclectic mix of reprints. Being a young reader and new to DC, these 100 page issues provided an excellent and cost effective way to learn more about DC's history.  This issue  featured Star Hawkins (Private Eye....in the FUTURE!), Roy Raymond (he would solve mysteries on his TV show),  Elongated Man (pliable super sleuth) and from the Golden Age of comics,   Doctor Mid-Nite.   

Also in the 100 page format was Superman Family. Prior to 1974, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Supergirl had their own solo titles.  Jimmy's title was changed to Superman Family and these solo stars had to share rotating space in the new lead feature while anchoring a mix of reprints.   

I remember this issue for that provocative Lois Lane cover.

What the hell, man! I'm only 11 years old! I'm too young to notice these things. 

Wonder Woman #216 was part of the series where various members of the Justice League were monitoring Wonder Woman after she had a crisis of confidence and... it was a whole thing. (I'm not sure that storyline has aged well.)   

And hubba hubba, get a load of that gorgeous Black Canary and....

What the hell, man! I'm only 11 years old! I should not be noticing that she's hot! 

Well, that's gotta be worth an extra nickel.