Lady and the Von Tramp

Lady and the Von Tramp

Today's Last Kiss comic

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

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↓ 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

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Are You Perfect?

Are You Perfect?

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

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↓ 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

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Lover Confusion

Lover Confusion

Art by Dick Giordano from the cover of Secrets of Young Brides #40, Dec. 1963.

 

Transcript:

SCENE: Woman holding cigarette is talking to a man who has one hand on the doorknob of a door and the other is holding a lit pipe. He appears angry and ready to leave.

WOMAN: Did I have sex with your best friend? I’m not sure! Which one is he?

1963 Art: Dick Giordano Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira

Art by Dick Giordano from the cover of Secrets of Young Brides #40, Dec. 1963.

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↓ Transcript
SCENE: Woman holding cigarette is talking to a man who has one hand on the doorknob of a door and the other is holding a lit pipe. He appears angry and ready to leave.

WOMAN: Did I have sex with your best friend? I’m not sure! Which one is he?

1963 Art: Dick Giordano Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira

Art by Dick Giordano from the cover of Secrets of Young Brides #40, Dec. 1963.

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Love? Scary Stuff!

Love? Scary Stuff!

Sex is one thing. But love? That can change everything!

Art attributed to Matt Baker from the story “Dungaree Doll” reprinted in First Love Illustrated #89, 1962.

 

Transcript:

MAN: I’m afraid I might…love you!

WOMAN: That’s…scary! ‘cause I might love you too!

Artist unknown, but may be Matt Baker Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira

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↓ Transcript
MAN: I’m afraid I might...love you!

WOMAN: That’s...scary! ‘cause I might love you too!

Artist unknown, but may be Matt Baker Color: Diego Jourdan Pereira

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Welcome to Romanceville

Welcome to Romanceville

Here’s the original art—or at least a portion of it. I grabbed panels for today’s Last Kiss from different pages of the story “Jealousy.” I think the two panels below are the only panels that I used that are both consecutive and from the same page.

Art by Vince Colletta Studio from the story “Jealousy” in First Kiss #14, May 1960.

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