Welcome to the Goldcomics.com Forums: Blue Ribbon #12

Looking at the first 8 issues of Blue Ribbon Comics and the issues that came after issue #9, one can see what the difference a strong lead feature can make in a title. Despite the appearances of Bob Phantom in issues 2 & 3 and the later Corporal Collins stories, those eight issues as a whole come off as somewhat lacklustre when compared to what MLJ was putting out in its other three anthology titles, not to mention what practically everyone else was putting out at the time. After the introduction of Mr. Justice and a title change (on the cover at least) to Blue Ribbon Mystery Comics in issue #9, things really started happening. By the time Blue Ribbon #12 (cover dated May, 1941) hit the stands in March of that year, it was about to begin to hit its stride. But how good was it? Well if you could get past that great cover by Mr. Sam Cooper, here's what you would find:

MR. JUSTICE; The book gets off to a great start as Mr. Justice investigates a series of murders invoving a crooked spiritualist who manages to summon some evil spirits to do his bidding. Sam Cooper (art) and Joe Blair (story) manage to really capture quite a bit of the Universal horror atmosphere in this story. Watch for a scene where Mr. Justice (in his mortal form) gets the third degree from the authorities.

RANG-A-TANG; For the next tale, Rang-A-Tang and his masters - Hy Speed and Richy Waters - go to a circus to make a movie only to find themselves investigating a series of murders at the circus. Joe Blair and Ed Smalle deliver the goods on this little mystery.

THE FOX; Here Paul Paxton is assigned to photograph a collection of emeralds only to find himself - as the Fox - trying to capture the gangster responsible for the murder of the gem collection's owner. This story was the final story of the Fox to be drawn by his creator, Irwin Hasen. But this wouldn't be the last we hear from Mr. Hasen as those who seen his later work on such strips as Green Lantern, Wildcat, The Justice Society of America, and his later work on Dondi will testifiy to.

STEVE STACEY; For his final appearance, we get the second part of his adventure as he tries to break up a fifth collunm ring that stole a Flying Fortress.

CORPORAL COLLINS; Here Corporal Collins and Slapsie are assigned to North Africa only to find themselves trying to find water for an Allied base. But in this wild tale by Charles Biro, they find that they have to go past an Italian regiment to do it.

TY-GOR, SON OF THE TIGER; Here we find Ty-Gor running afoul of the truant officer only to get involved with a crook who was trying to fish for some ill-gotten gains. Mort Meskin delivers on the artwork in this tongue-in-cheek adventure.

DOC STRONG; For his final appearance, Doc Strong and his crew finally suceed in defeating Ritter and his barbarian horde.

LOOP LOGAN; Here Loop Logan and Clatra are forced to land in the desert, only to find themselves having to go against an Italian regiment. An OK story.

THE GREEN FALCON; Harry Shorten and Ramona Plantenaude continue last issue's adventure as the Green Falcon and his men pull off a sea victory against an attacking Spanish fleet.

Although a few of the stories come off as somewhat lacklustre, Blue Ribbon #12 as a whole showed that things were at least starting to get better. And with the additions of Inferno in issue #13 and Captain Flag in issue #16, the quality of the book would take a major quantum leap forward.

Shawn, keep up the good work and KEEP 'EM FLYING!!!!

Edited by kelso (Sat Jan 28 2006 01:51 AM)