by John | Nov 26, 2019 | Uncategorized
(Left to right) Jack Enyart , John Lustig, Shelagh Lustig, Kay Enyart during a meal in L.A. last year.
I recently learned that my pal and sometimes co-conspirator in silliness Jack Enyart died. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on Oct. 13.
A writer, artist and occasional actor-performer, Jack had a long career in comics (Disney, Warner-DC, Marvel); cartooning (Penthouse, Playgirl among others) and animation (DuckTales, Fraggle Rock and many others.)
I’d known Jack for a dozen or more years and for the last several I’d gotten to know him better because we had been working—on and off—on a pet project that we were hoping to turn into an animated series, It’s Always Bucky. As an offshoot of that project, red-headed Bucky had numerous appearances in Last Kiss comics.
Jack and I came close to getting an animated deal a couple of times, but after awhile the project became secondary to me. What was more important was the pleasure of working with Jack and getting to know him better.
Jack was—for lack of a better term—a character. Charming, quick-witted, always upbeat and very funny. I will miss him and his stories!
If you’re interested in knowing more, there’s a nice remembrance of Jack on Mark Evanier’s site. Plus here a link to a great video interview with Jack.
Transcript:
SCENE: Bucky smiles. In the background we see his dog—and a lot of broccoli.
BUCKY: I’m thankful for the people who love me…Mom, dad and my dog! I know my dog loves me…’cause he always eats my broccoli!
1942 Art: Lou Fine Re-Creation: Diego Jourdan Pereira
In Loving Memory of Jack Enyart,
Bucky’s Alter Ego & Co-creator
DJP.lk74A
↓ TranscriptSCENE: Bucky smiles. In the background we see his dog---and a lot of broccoli.
BUCKY: I’m thankful for the people who love me...Mom, dad and my dog! I know my dog loves me...’cause he always eats my broccoli!
1942 Art: Lou Fine Re-Creation: Diego Jourdan Pereira
In Loving Memory of Jack Enyart,
Bucky’s Alter Ego & Co-creator
DJP.lk74A
by John | Nov 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
Suggestive? You bet?
Art by “Chasal” (Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani) from “My Silent Love” in First Kiss #21, July 1961.
Transcript:
SCENE: Man talking to smiling woman.
MAN: Darn it! I’m dumping you! Try not to look so happy!
1961 Art: “Chasal” (Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani)
Foreground Color: Allen Freeman
21.3.3.4
Art by “Chasal” (Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani) from “My Silent Love” in First Kiss #21, July 1961.
↓ TranscriptSCENE: Man talking to smiling woman.
MAN: Darn it! I’m dumping you! Try not to look so happy!
1961 Art: “Chasal” (Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani)
Foreground Color: Allen Freeman
21.3.3.4
Art by "Chasal" (Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani) from "My Silent Love" in First Kiss #21, July 1961.
by John | Nov 21, 2019 | Uncategorized
More Last Kiss fun from Black Lightning creator Tony Isabella!
Art by Art Saaf & Mike Peppe from the story “Kiss and Run” in NEW ROMANCES #14, 1952.
Transcript:
CAPTION: It’s only Jasper’s first day at Randy’s Home Fashions, but he’s already had his face slapped 13 times…
SOUND EFFECT: Whack!
MAN: Allow me to ASSURE you, dear lady…the carpet does, indeed, match the DRAPES!
1952 Art: Art Saaf & Mike Peppe
Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
Guest Writer: Tony Isabella
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Art by Art Saaf & Mike Peppe from the story “Kiss and Run” in NEW ROMANCES #14, 1952.
↓ TranscriptCAPTION: It's only Jasper's first day at Randy's Home Fashions, but he's already had his face slapped 13 times...
SOUND EFFECT: Whack!
MAN: Allow me to ASSURE you, dear lady...the carpet does, indeed, match the DRAPES!
1952 Art: Art Saaf & Mike Peppe
Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
Guest Writer: Tony Isabella
DJP.lk316
Art by Art Saaf & Mike Peppe from the story "Kiss and Run" in NEW ROMANCES #14, 1952.
by John | Nov 19, 2019 | Uncategorized
I suspect this guy has totally killed the moment—and possibly the relationship.
By the way, I absolutely love this art by Dick Giordano. But then I could say that about virtually any art by Giordano. I’ll admit that I’m particularly fond of Dick’s romance art.
Years ago, I interviewed Dick about his romance work. To illustrate the interview, Dick kindly loaned me a huge pile of black and white photostats of his Charlton romance covers. This image is from one of the scans of that art
Art by Dick Giordano from Teen-Age Love #37, May 1964.
Transcript:
SCENE: Woman and man embracing—probably about to kiss.
WOMAN: Will it scare you if I say…I love you?
MAN: Not as much as if you say you’re pregnant!
1964 Art: Dick Giordano Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
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Art by Dick Giordano from Teen-Age Love #37, May 1964.
↓ TranscriptSCENE: Woman and man embracing---probably about to kiss.
WOMAN: Will it scare you if I say...I love you?
MAN: Not as much as if you say you’re pregnant!
1964 Art: Dick Giordano Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
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Art by Dick Giordano from Teen-Age Love #37, May 1964.
by John | Nov 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
Here’s the first of two Tony Isabella-written comics (both hilarious!) that I’m running this week. The second will appear this Friday.
I mention this because the last time I ran two of Tony’s comics—instead of the usual one-a-week—I had a reader ask about my health. I appreciated that. And it was understandable. After all, when I announced Tony’s Last Kiss involvement back in mid-Sept., I also made a vague announcement about my having some health issues. And I explained that Tony was helping out because of this.
So, let me re-assure everyone that I’m doing okay. While I haven’t wanted to get into medical details (maybe later), I’m not suffering from anything life-threatening. And I’m probably doing slightly better than when I brought Tony into the Last Kiss fold.
The fact that I’m using one, two, three or none of Tony’s gags in any given week has nothing to do with the ups or downs of my health.
Plus, I’m totally enjoying Tony’s take on Last Kiss. While he’s embracing the spirit of what I’ve done over the last couple of decades, he’s also bring his own unique approach. And I think that just makes Last Kiss stronger and better.
Art by John Tartaglione from the story “My Confidence Man” in FIRST KISS #5, 1958.
Transcript:
SCENE: Man and woman kissing.
MAN (thinks): Now that I finally have a girlfriend…I wonder if my hand will go back to its normal size.
1958 Art: John Tartaglione Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
Guest Writer: Tony Isabella
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Art by John Tartaglione from the story “My Confidence Man” in FIRST KISS #5, 1958.
↓ TranscriptSCENE: Man and woman kissing.
MAN (thinks): Now that I finally have a girlfriend...I wonder if my hand will go back to its normal size.
1958 Art: John Tartaglione Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
Guest Writer: Tony Isabella
DJP.lk367
Art by John Tartaglione from the story "My Confidence Man" in FIRST KISS #5, 1958.
