I’m beginning to like a lot of stories in this anthology. Here’s my comments on each story.
The Shield in “The Mines of Zongarr:” As usual, Irv Novick’s inks have a way of defining conflict and action with bold lines. Harry Shorten’s script fails to let skeptical readers such as myself know where The Shield’s secret laboratory is and how it got on that island (?), but all was forgiven when The Shield cleverly turned the tables on the terrorists and literally hoist them on their own petard.
The Comet in “The Pawn of ‘Satan:’” The Comet is my favorite superhero in this comic because he has a clear vulnerability which counters his most powerful ability. In this story, he also becomes remarkably susceptible to hypnotism which is intriguing, even if it isn’t consistent with what we know about hypnosis today. And, I love the continuity in The Comet stories. This is quite entertaining.
Press Guardian in “The Return of Von Leo:” The Press Guardian story is also a continuation with the return of the presumably drowned villain from the last story. In this one, there are lots of people killed by the villain, not close-up graphics but an abstract one-panel disaster. This depiction of a fatal tragedy probably wouldn’t have made it in the code era. The continuity continues into the next story since our “Green Hornet” wannabe’ has let his secret identity be discovered and the final panel promises complications.
Fu Chang, International Detective in “The Drug Slaves of Ghor:” Outside of the bogus Charlie Chan-style faux-Confucian saying at the close, this is an interesting stylized story. A mysterious Chinese drug works faster than heroine to create both an addiction and enslavement to the evil slave master, Ghor. The villain’s name was amusing to me because it preceded a series of novels set on a planet called Gor in which bondage played a major role. I still like the magic chess pieces gimmick. I’d like to see the individual pieces used more tactically, but I still enjoy the stories.
Sergeant Boyle in “Escape from Germany:” Although this reminds me of the juvenile war stories like the Dave Dawson adventure series by R. Sydney Bowen (R. Sidney Bowen on the covers) that I used to pick up in second-hand stores (aka thrift stores), auctions, and rummage sales as an elementary school, junior high school student, these stories feel somewhat thrown together. Action seems rather abrupt and inexplicable in some of the stories. There seem to be more color and graphic problems in this feature above other features in Pep Comics. For example, the prescient fashion decision to have one yellow boot and one red boot in the middle left-hand panel of page 34 on our PDF and the swastika on the blimp in the middle right-hand panel of our page 36 that disappears in the last two panels. But what can I say? I seriously doubt the possibility of even taking out WWI bi-planes with hand grenades, much less the squadron of, presumably Eindeckers pictured here, but it’s a clever schtick that made me smile. And, the repartee at the conclusion is a cute joke.
Text Feature: “The Border Patrol:” If this incident truly occurred as written (and it is published as fact rather than fiction), it is truly remarkable. A lot of red flags went up on my “propaganda meter,” but even so, this is an intriguing view of history that is interesting for more than the incident described.
The Midshipman in “The Sub Formula Spies:” This very Cold War feature offers nice variety to the issue with its stories based on a naval cadet/midshipman. I read the feature eagerly when I consume these anthology comics, but this particular story has far too many coincidences and not enough consequences for me. I find it hard to conceive of an admiral entrusted with national security secrets trusting them to a mere student, regardless of circumstances. And, while our hero is obstructed from going after the spies, we don’t really see the appropriate consequences and, as a result, another coincidence with the availability of a plane becomes involved. Just say’n'…
The Rocket and the Queen of Diamonds: Although the actual conversations are shorter and more stilted than I would have expected from Manley Wade Wellman, I can well see the late folklorist crafting this plot and having his script edited and simplified by Wood or one of the staff writers. This one really has that John Carter feel to it. It’s really my favorite of the three stories from this feature I’ve read.
Kayo Ward: This feature is a simple, fast-moving sports story. It reminds me of Wilfred McCormick’s Bronc Burnett series of baseball, football, and maybe one basketball novels for young boys in the late ‘40s and ‘50s. This story has it all, fight-fixing, kidnapping, heroics, and a possibly adrenalin-enhanced knock-out of an ending.
Bentley of Scotland Yard: I certainly don’t know if this was initially scripted by Manley Wade Wellman but it could have been. It’s the best of these stories that I’ve read (though why the wheelchair-bound retired officer was driving in one scene, I don’t know) and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Link to the book:
Pep Comics 03
