by John | Mar 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone. And Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary to my personal leprechaun—not a lepre-can’t—Shelagh!
Many thanks to my pal Mike Pascale for the idea that sparked this gag as well as the awesome St. Pat’s makeover from the original art.
Original Vintage Art & Text

Inked by Dick Giordano. From the story “My Foolish Heart” in FIRST KISS #21, 1961. Curious to see more? Click the link to read the entire vintage comic book.
Transcript:
SCENE: In the foreground an upset young woman is holding her hands to each side of her face. In the background (in a thought balloon), a leprechaun (or a man dressed as a leprechaun) is running away towards a boat.
WOMAN: At first I felt so lucky!
WOMAN: I was dating a real LEPRECHAUN!!!
WOMAN: Sure, I was disappointed…he never gave me a pot o’gold! or any magic wishes!
WOMAN: But no orgasms? That was a problem!!!
WOMAN: Then he left me and I realized the truth!
WOMAN: I’d been LEPRE-CONNED!
1961 Inks: Dick Giordano
New Color: Allen Freeman
Lepre-Artist: Mike Pascale
Lepre-Writer: John Lustig
21.5.2.5-6_StPatricksDay_2022_MP
↓ TranscriptSCENE: In the foreground an upset young woman is holding her hands to each side of her face. In the background (in a thought balloon), a leprechaun (or a man dressed as a leprechaun) is running away towards a boat.
WOMAN: At first I felt so lucky!
WOMAN: I was dating a real LEPRECHAUN!!!
WOMAN: Sure, I was disappointed...he never gave me a pot o’gold! or any magic wishes!
WOMAN: But no orgasms? That was a problem!!!
WOMAN: Then he left me and I realized the truth!
WOMAN: I’d been LEPRE-CONNED!
1961 Inks: Dick Giordano
New Color: Allen Freeman
Lepre-Artist: Mike Pascale
Lepre-Writer: John Lustig
21.5.2.5-6_StPatricksDay_2022_MP
by John | Feb 20, 2022 | Uncategorized
This is about 180 degrees away from what I was originally planning to do for President’s Day. I thought I’d feature an inspiring quote about leadership or courage or patriotism or some such. But for some reason I kept coming back to this quote by Abe Lincoln that doesn’t seem to fit any of my expected categories at all.
But we live in difficult times. Depression and anger are rampant. So I thought something clearly and strongly upbeat might be more appropriate. And maybe looking for good things does have something to do with leadership, courage and maybe even patriotism after all.
Transcript:
SCENE: A rose garden.
CAPTION: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns…or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
–Abraham Lincoln
Adapted from a photo by Heidi Kaden
heidi-kaden-tHplJOPwsmI
↓ TranscriptSCENE: A rose garden.
CAPTION: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns...or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
--Abraham Lincoln
Adapted from a photo by Heidi Kaden
heidi-kaden-tHplJOPwsmI
by John | Feb 13, 2022 | Uncategorized
Happy Valentine’s Day from me, Tony Isabella & Allen Freeman!
By the way, have you ever wanted to meet Last Kiss contributor (and all-around swell guy) Tony Isabella? Then you’re in luck. Tony will be a guest at Pensacon (Feb. 18-20.) So drop by Tony’s Artist Alley table and tell him how much you enjoy his work. Rumor has it that he’s written a few thousand other brilliant comics besides Last Kiss!
Original Vintage Art & Text

Art by Vince Colletta from the story “Lucky Liz” in FIRST KISS #9, 1959. (The rest of this comic isn’t online. So there’s no link this time.)
Transcript:
MAN: We have to do something different for Valentine’s Day.
WOMAN: But it’s our tradition to cosplay as Cupid…
WOMAN: …and shoot love-arrows at people.
MAN: That got a little out of hand last year.
WOMAN: Pshaw! That woman is barely limping now.
1959 Art: Vince Colletta Character Color: Allen Freeman
Writer: Tony Isabella
9.4.7.2
↓ TranscriptMAN: We have to do something different for Valentine’s Day.
WOMAN: But it’s our tradition to cosplay as Cupid...
WOMAN: ...and shoot love-arrows at people.
MAN: That got a little out of hand last year.
WOMAN: Pshaw! That woman is barely limping now.
1959 Art: Vince Colletta Character Color: Allen Freeman
Writer: Tony Isabella
9.4.7.2
by John | Feb 10, 2022 | Uncategorized
Happy Valentine’s weekend!
Many thanks to manly and mischievous Mike Pascale for the crazy Cupid gag and art changes! We’ll have another Valentine’s treat on Monday—this one by Tony Isabella!
Original Vintage Art & Text

Art by Vince Colletta Studio from the story “Condemned” in FIRST KISS #40, 1965. Curious to see more? Click the link to read the entire vintage comic book.
Transcript:
SCENE: A female nurse (or doctor) in medical scrubs and a mask is holding a newly born, winged Cupid. In the background the mother of the baby is lying in bed, sweating profusely.
NURSE/DOCTOR: You gave birth to…Cupid?!
MOTHER: You think that’s amazing? imagine passing Those $#@&! wings!
1965 Art: Vince Colletta Color: Allen Freeman
Way-Out, Winged Wackiness: Mike Pascale
40.3.2.4
↓ TranscriptSCENE: A female nurse (or doctor) in medical scrubs and a mask is holding a newly born, winged Cupid. In the background the mother of the baby is lying in bed, sweating profusely.
NURSE/DOCTOR: You gave birth to…Cupid?!
MOTHER: You think that’s amazing? imagine passing Those $#@&! wings!
1965 Art: Vince Colletta Color: Allen Freeman
Way-Out, Winged Wackiness: Mike Pascale
40.3.2.4
by John | Dec 30, 2021 | Uncategorized
Happy New Year!
Original Vintage Art & Text

Pencils (and possibly inks) by Gill Fox in a story from Torchy #4, May 1950. Quality Comics.Curious about the original vintage comic book? Click the link to read the entire issue for free.
Transcript:
TORCHY: New Year’s Resolution #1: No more sex with strangers. #2: Always introduce myself first. #3: Never use my real name.
1950 Pencils: Gill Fox Dialogue & Art Renovation: John Lustig
Torchy 4-20-8
↓ TranscriptTORCHY: New Year’s Resolution #1: No more sex with strangers. #2: Always introduce myself first. #3: Never use my real name.
1950 Pencils: Gill Fox Dialogue & Art Renovation: John Lustig
Torchy 4-20-8