Print

[nick caputo]

What better time them summers end to take a look at an unusual 1960s Marvel Annual?

http://nick-caputo.blogspot.com/

Nick C,

[jimmm kelly]

I know that you say in your blog these comics were for girls--and I'm sure that was the cover story--they probably did sell to little girls in high numbers. But when I started to look at these comics a few years ago it dawned on me that this is the kind of stuff that men would like--maybe more than girls, even. Given the association between Timely/Marvel and men's magazines, I wonder . . .

Of course, not for boys, so much. As a teen, in the '70s I would often buy Archie comics for the pics of Betty and Veronica in their bikinis, but it would never occur to me to buy these comics. But for a slightly older crowd of readers, I'm sure those men immediately understood the value in these funny books. Especially with the paper dolls--it's the perfect excuse to show women in their underwear. And all approved by the Comics Code. No need for brown paper bags.

[nick caputo]

Hi Jimmm,

I'm sure the depiction of girls in their undergarments would have been appreciated by a male teenage audience, much as Betty and Veronica were, but it was all done innocently enough by those involved, and was under the radar of most teenage boys that might be persuaded to spend 12 cents on these comics. As I noted, its likely some boys did take notice of them in their sisters or cousins collections, but many of us didn't have a clue that the images in those comics were of a more purient bent than those that appeared in our super hero, mystery, war or western fare.       

[jimmm kelly]

Yes, having been a teen myself at one time, I know that it's true they didn't read these particular comics in high numbers. But it occurs to me that older males would not have had those same inhibitions and could have thumbed through these comics and realized what a gold mine of good girl art was inside. So I still think it's a viable theory that men in their twenties, thirties or even older would be finding these comics. We just never knew about them.

I don't know if my theory is correct, but it is amusing. There's a great movie called LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND, starring John Hurt and Jason Priestley. Not exactly the same thing, but it makes you think that maybe the people watching teen movies or reading comic books were not always the people you would assume.

[narfstar]

I like to read teen fiction both GA and new. Tom Corbett, Bomba, Rick Brant, etc are fun to read. I think that is the reason I enjoy them. They have good characters and good stories and are fun to read. I prefer not to have foul language and sex scenes in my reading. Teen books are often very exciting. One of the best books I have read is IF WE SURVIVE by Alexander Klaven. I will admit as a teenage boy that I found Betty and Veronica very pleasing to the eye.