by John | Sep 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
I’m exceedingly happy and proud to present the first Last Kiss comic written by my pal (and comic book legend!) Tony Isabella. I’ll be featuring Tony’s work about once a week for the next few weeks—and possibly longer if I can get him to do more!
Tony has been working in the comics industry since 1972, first as an editorial assistant at Marvel, but went on to write brilliantly for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Topps, Comico…oh, heck. Name a good comics company and chances are Tony wrote or edited for it. Among his creations are Black Lightning (DC’s first African America superhero,) Misty Knight and Tigra.
As to why I’ve asked Tony to contribute:
—I knew Tony would do a great job and I’m always looking for ways to expand the content and approach to Last Kiss and make it more fun.
—I’ve been struggling with a health issue for awhile and I’ve had to rely on re-runs of old Last Kisses a bit more than I’d like. I want to stress that I’m not dealing with anything life threatening. But I do go through periods when I have pain and fatigue problems that limit how much I can work. So having Tony contribute will let me keep to the same publication schedule with fewer reprints while I recover. And there’s the added bonus of having a new, fresh creative input and getting to work with someone I admire!
—Even after I do get the health issue resolved, I’ve got some book projects that have been on the back burner for way too long. So getting some help and eventually getting ahead on Last Kiss will let me finally get to those!
Original 1958 art and text:
Art by John Tartaglione from the story “To Stella with Love” from First Kiss #3, 1958.
Transcript:
SCENE: A man and a woman kissing.
CAPTION: Walt Disney’s Dating Etiquette
CAPTION: When reenacting the dinner scene from Lady and the Tramp, hold the kiss just long enough to savor the remaining sauce on your date’s lips!
CAPTION: If either of you burps, you’ve linguine too long!
1955 Art: John Tartaglione Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
Guest Writer: Tony Isabella
DJP.lk334
↓ TranscriptSCENE: A man and a woman kissing.
CAPTION: Walt Disney’s Dating Etiquette
CAPTION: When reenacting the dinner scene from Lady and the Tramp, hold the kiss just long enough to savor the remaining sauce on your date’s lips!
CAPTION: If either of you burps, you’ve linguine too long!
1955 Art: John Tartaglione Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
Guest Writer: Tony Isabella
DJP.lk334
by John | Sep 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
Art by Vince Colletta Studio from the story “Surprise Party” in FIRST KISS #40, 1965.
Transcript:
WOMAN IN NIGHTGOWN: I’m not a sex goddess…yet! But I’m working undercover…as a junior assistant bed pal!
1965 Art: Vince Colletta Studio Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
DJP.lk208
↓ TranscriptWOMAN IN NIGHTGOWN: I’m not a sex goddess...yet! But I’m working undercover...as a junior assistant bed pal!
1965 Art: Vince Colletta Studio Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira
DJP.lk208
by John | Sep 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
Art by Vince Colletta Studio from the story “The Gay Deception” in FIRST KISS #8, 1959.
Transcript:
WOMAN WITH A COMPACT PUTTING ON LIPSTICK: Being me takes forever…but I’m worth it!
1959 Art: Vince Colletta Studio Character Color: Allen Freeman
8.1.6.2
↓ TranscriptWOMAN WITH A COMPACT PUTTING ON LIPSTICK: Being me takes forever...but I’m worth it!
1959 Art: Vince Colletta Studio Character Color: Allen Freeman
8.1.6.2
by John | Sep 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
Art by Matt Baker from Canteen Kate #2, Aug. 1952.
Transcript:
WOMAN: I’m looking for the world’s sexiest man! Are you him? Oddly, most men say “yes!”
1952 Art: Matt Baker Re-Creation: Kirsten Wilson
KW.lk2
↓ TranscriptWOMAN: I’m looking for the world’s sexiest man! Are you him? Oddly, most men say “yes!”
1952 Art: Matt Baker Re-Creation: Kirsten Wilson
KW.lk2
by John | Sep 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
Art by the Vince Colletta Studio from the story “The Barren Years” Page 5 in First Kiss #32, June 1963.
Art by the Vince Colletta Studio from the story “The Barren Years” Top of Page 6 in First Kiss #32, June 1963.
Transcript:
CAPTION: Do you have a super power? And, if so, what is it?
Super strength, super speed, the ability to see through women’s clothing…they’re all so common! So obvious! But what if your power is more obscure? For instance…
SCENE, Panel 1: A man and a woman are in their bathing suits next to a swimming pool. The man grasps the woman’s shoulder.
MAN: It’s your lucky day, doll! Your dreamboat just sailed into port! And I’m ready to drop my anchor!
WOMAN (thinking): Ugh! It’s Hal! The other girls warned me…but I never dreamed it would be this bad! I don’t want to be rude, but…
SCENE, Panel 2: Woman pushes man into the swimming pool.
WOMAN: Shove off, sailor!
MAN (thinking): <Groan!> Whatever my secret power is…it’s not super popularity! Why can’t I ever get
a date?
CAPTION: So goes the latest heartbreaking saga of Major Halitosis…the hero without a clue!
Stay tuned for the next exciting adventure…“If This Breath Mint Be Mine!”
Art by the Vince Colletta Studio
32.3.5
↓ TranscriptCAPTION: Do you have a super power? And, if so, what is it?
Super strength, super speed, the ability to see through women’s clothing…they’re all so common! So obvious! But what if your power is more obscure? For instance…
SCENE, Panel 1: A man and a woman are in their bathing suits next to a swimming pool. The man grasps the woman's shoulder.
MAN: It's your lucky day, doll! Your dreamboat just sailed into port! And I’m ready to drop my anchor!
WOMAN (thinking): Ugh! It’s Hal! The other girls warned me…but I never dreamed it would be this bad! I don’t want to be rude, but…
SCENE, Panel 2: Woman pushes man into the swimming pool.
WOMAN: Shove off, sailor!
MAN (thinking): <Groan!> Whatever my secret power is…it’s not super popularity! Why can’t I ever get
a date?
CAPTION: So goes the latest heartbreaking saga of Major Halitosis…the hero without a clue!
Stay tuned for the next exciting adventure...“If This Breath Mint Be Mine!”
Art by the Vince Colletta Studio
32.3.5
