South African Comic Books: July 2013

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Atlas Publications Prentverhale

A range of reprint comic books, printed by Atlas Publications between 1960-1962 under the banner "Prentverhale" (Picture Stories).

Detective 1: "Die Tronk op Wiele" - possibly "The Prison on Wheels from DC Comics' Gangbusters 54 from 1954. Both Covers:

Detective 2: "Die Speurder en die Breinmasjien" - possibly "The Brain Swindlers" from DC Comics' Gangbusters 65 from 1958. Both Covers:

Detective 3: "Die Geheim van die Verdwynende Jag" - possibly "The Riddle of the Vanishing Yacht" from DC Comics' Gangbusters 67 from 1958. Both Covers:

Splash Page of the Original DC Comics Story:

Detective 4: "Die Gevangene in Sel nr. 6" - possibly "The Convict in Cell 6" from DC Comics' Gangbusters 66 from 1958. This issue also publishes a story titled "Die Krismisvader Speurder" which is possibly "Santa Claus Sleuth" from DC Comics' Gangbuster 67 (see above) from 1958. Both Covers:

Romance 1: "Haar Huweliksdag" cover and DC Comics' Original Splash Page image from Secret Hearts 53 (1959):

Romance 2: "Blik op die Liefde" - unsure origin:

Romance 3: "Wanneer Johan Huis toe kom!" - possibly "When Johnny comes Home" from DC Comics' Falling in Love 29 from 1959. This issue also publishes a story titled "Te Mooi om te bemin" which is possibly "Too beautiful to love" from DC Comics' Secret Hearts 68 from 1960.Both Covers:

DC Comics' cover of Secret Hearts 68 from 1960:

Romance 4: "Kroon van Verdriet". Cover and DC Comics' Original Cover of Girls' Love Stories 80 from 1961:

This issue also publishes a story titled "Kroon van Verdriet" which is possibly "Heartbreak Crown" from DC Comics' Girls' Love Stories 34 from 1955. Cover:

Western 1: "Die Held van die Woeste Weste" - unsure origin:

Western 2: "Bont Hans: Baas Spoorsnyer - Skurke in die Bosveld" - unsure origin.

Western 3: Many thanks to Koos Papenfus for these pictures of issue 3: Blits De Wet: "Die Spieel van die Dood!" (Johnny Thunder: "The Glass Doom").Cover and DC Comics' original cover of All-Star Western 114 from 1960:

Splash Page featuring the story "Fourie van die Vyfde Ruitery: Onheil verskuil in 'n Rooihuid-foto!" (Foley of the Fighting Fifth: "The Menace of the Indian Photograph"):

Mimosa Batman 21

This is Batman 21, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1961.

Possibly as a money-saving exercise, these comics followed the Newsprint Series (see link below), as being printed in Digest-Sized.

It reprints the cover and the following story from DC Comics' Batman 134 (1960):
"The Rainbow Creature"
Also reprinted is this story from DC Comics' Batman 135 (1960):
"The Return of the Second Batman and Robin Team"
Also reprinted is this story from DC Comics' Batman 134 (1960):
"The Deadly Dummy"
Also reprinted is this story from DC Comics' Batman 100 (1956):
"Batmantown, U.S.A."
32 pages, glossy colour cover, black-and-white newsprint interior pages.
These titles were printed in a smaller size (187x131mm) compared to the original DC Comics title.
The printing reproduction from the original was very good quality.

Here is the cover of issue 21 and DC Comics' Original cover:

House ads for All-Star Western and Western Picture Library:

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Supercomix Superboy Series

A series of Supercomix Superboy covers from 1984. Original DC Comics issue number in brackets:

1 (10); 2 (22); 3 (23); 4 (26); 5 (27); 6 (28):

BP Uncle Scrooge 43

Many thanks to Sven Barsby for this comic book. BP Service Stations distributed a line of Walt Disney reprint comics in South Africa in the early 1960s. This was around the same time as Mimosa Comics and Atlas Publications were producing reprints.

It was printed by SA Litho Co (the same company printing Mimosa Comics) in Cape Town, in 1963. As with the early Mimosa Newsprint stock titles, these titles were printed in smaller size (166x241mm) compared with the original title.

32 Pages, full colour, glossy cover, excellent print quality.

Cover and Gold Key's original cover of Uncle Scrooge 43 from 1963:

Ad for Disneykins figures promotion with Preema Coffee and Lyons Tea:

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Supercomix Spiderman 26 (Second Series 1978)

This is Supercomix Spiderman 26, published by Republican Press in 1982.

Cover of issue 26 and Marvel Comics' original cover of The Amazing Spider-Man 171 from 1977:

Kenny Rogers Poster:

Mimosa Batman 20

This is Batman 20, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1960.

Possibly as a money-saving exercise, these comics followed the Newsprint Series (see link below), as being printed in Digest-Sized.

The cover image is taken from splash page from this issue's third story.
It reprints the the following story from DC Comics' Batman 133 (1960):
"Crimes of the Kite-Man"
Also reprinted is this story from DC Comics' Batman 135 (1960):
"Crimes of the Wheel"
Also reprinted is this story from DC Comics' Batman 134 (1960):
"Batman's Secret Enemy"
24 pages, glossy colour cover, black-and-white newsprint interior pages.
These titles were printed in a smaller size (162x115mm) compared to the original DC Comics title.
The printing reproduction from the original was very good quality.

Here is the cover of issue 20:

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Supercomix Spiderman 24 (Second Series 1978)

This is Supercomix Spiderman 24, published by Republican Press in 1982.

Cover of issue 24 and Marvel Comics' original cover of The Amazing Spider-Man 169 from 1977:

Dog Detachment Poster and Rear of Poster:

Mimosa Metal Men Series

These are a series of covers reprinted by Mimosa in 1963-1964. DC Comics' original issue number in brackets:

1 (1); 2 (2); 3 (3); 4 (4):

Mimosa My Greatest Adventure 1

This is My Greatest Adventure 1, published by Mimosa (SA Magazine Co) +/- 1963-1964.
It reprints the cover and story from DC Comics' My Greatest Adventure 81 (1963):
"The Nightmare Maker!"

32 pages, glossy colour cover, black and white newsprint interior.

Here is the cover of issue 1 and DC Comics' original cover: