Until one day my boyfriend Bill suggested that I take another look: "They're all full of best men."
That was our word for gay romantic partners.
I wasn't convinced. "No way. Harveys are lots better." I picked up the first on the pile. "Abbot and Costello? My Grandma talked about them -- they were on tv like a thousand years ago."
"The big guy has to rescue the little guy all the time."
A same-sex rescue was our main test of whether two guys were friends or "best men."
"What about Timmy the Timid Ghost? It's stupid!"
It was a blatant knock-off of Harvey's Casper the Friendly Ghost. There was even a tough derby-wearing ghost, Manny, a blatant knock-off of Harvey's Spooky the Tuff Little Ghost
"Do Casper and Spooky live together?" Bill asked pointedly.
No. Casper lived with his uncles, and Spooky lived alone. Their paths rarely crossed in the vast Enchanted Forest.
Domesticity -- male characters living together -- was our second test of best men!
It was a blatant knock-off of Harvey's Casper the Friendly Ghost. There was even a tough derby-wearing ghost, Manny, a blatant knock-off of Harvey's Spooky the Tuff Little Ghost
"Do Casper and Spooky live together?" Bill asked pointedly.
No. Casper lived with his uncles, and Spooky lived alone. Their paths rarely crossed in the vast Enchanted Forest.
Domesticity -- male characters living together -- was our second test of best men!
The only original characters made no sense, like Surf n' Wheels: good surfers vs. evil motorcyclists in one issue, then crime fighting surfer-motorcyclists in the next.
But Bill pointed out that they had their shirts off for about half of every issue, more than you ever got with Harveys.
Beefcake -- guys taking their shirts off, or even better, wearing only underwear or swimsuits -- was our third test!
But Bill pointed out that they had their shirts off for about half of every issue, more than you ever got with Harveys.
Beefcake -- guys taking their shirts off, or even better, wearing only underwear or swimsuits -- was our third test!
Bill pointed out that some Charlton titles, like Hercules, Jungle Jim, and Robin Hood, were even more beefcake-heavy than the Gold Keys.
Beefcake, same-sex rescues, and domesticity. What else could you ask for in a comic book?
Competent stories, interesting artwork, and dialogue that made sense. I still didn't like Charlton.
Beefcake, same-sex rescues, and domesticity. What else could you ask for in a comic book?
Competent stories, interesting artwork, and dialogue that made sense. I still didn't like Charlton.
Whatever happened to Charlton? I know Harvey is still around; they just go by Archie Comics, now. In fact, their Sonic has the honor of being a Gannon-BANNED!: Yeah, plenty of people think of Eggman as Robotnik.
ReplyDeleteI guess they also realized their flagship series is more recognizable than the witch's love interest.
Harvey has gone bankrupt and sold off its comics properties, mostly to Marvel. Charlton sold some of its properties to DC and closed down in 1986.
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