March From Defeat in Yaffa comics

This is the cover to Page Publications' digest-sized World War Library #14:

This is Chatto's rendition of the cover to MV Features' Action War Picture Library #18:

 as

This issue was recycled as War in the Jungle #4:

I expect more editions of this story to turn up.

Pit of Evil #10

Gredown's Pit of Evil #10 was published c.mid/late 1978:

This cover was recycled a few years later on Eternal Hell:

The image appears to be loosely based on the splash page for the second story Walk the Edge of Darkness:

Curiously, the first story The Ghoul is titled Susanne The Ghoul on the cover.

The inner front cover has a list of contents:

Note the issue is incorrectly designated No. 11. 

The decorative illustrated border of the contents page is as per Gredowns of this period however it does not have excerpts from the stories as per earlier issues such as Tales of Horror #1.

The contents of this issue are indexed on AusReprints.

Tales of Horror #1

Gredown's Terror of Horror #1 was published c.June 1975:

The cover by Phil Belbin is partially based on interior art from the lead and cover story The Devil's Lies:

The contents of this issue are fully indexed on AusReprints. Indeed, they are listed on the inner front cover of this issue:

The images associated with each title are excerpts from the related stories. Curiously, There's Life in the Old Girl Yet! is titled The Witch's Spell on this contents page. I am unaware of this story being titled The Witch's Spell elsewhere.

The art on the surrounding the border of this page appears in other Gredown issues of this era. I don't have information on the artist.

Giant Superman Album: Where did that Superman cover image originally appear...?

Here's something I think will fascinate collectors of KG Murray comics. This panel appears in the tabloid-sized Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man:

It's an auspicious moment for superhero fans in general, but it's also of note for readers of the Giant Superman Album series- the Superman figure was modified for use on a few issues of this series, beginning with Giant Superman Album #33:

It also appeared on the covers of Giant Superman Album #35, #38 and #40.

There was a tradition of such Australian made covers in the 1970's - an image of Superman would be pulled from an issue originally published by DC Comics and used to introduce the contents of the issues via panels related to some of the stories contained within. All of these Superman images have been identified over the years, and are catalogued on AusReprints. However, this image has proved particularly elusive, and its source been bugging me for years, so you can imagine I'm quite chuffed to have solved this mystery.

It begs another question - if KG Murray had access to this image, does this mean they also had rights to the Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man issue? Presumably so. It's a shame a local edition of this issue doesn't exist. If it did, it might have been a regular-sized issue printed in black and white, like the Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk published by Federal.

Batman #105: The Australian and UK editions

KG Murray's Batman #105 was published c.February 1959:

The contents are indexed on AusReprints.

Of interest here is the UK edition of this issue:

The issues are identical - the stories, the filler strips, and the advertisements, including the Australian address for the Rocket Stamps collection on the inner rear cover - are indistinguishable from one another. 

The only difference is the cover price, and the fact that the cover of the UK edition has been cropped along the right hand side. The UK edition is also a bit brighter, but this may be due to exposure to light on my Australian edition.

Considering the cover to Batman and Robin #1

KG Murray's Batman and Robin #1 was published in September 1976:

The cover image by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson did not originally appear on a DC Comics cover. It was a centrefold pinup in Batman #181:

This image is one of the most iconic images of Batman and Robin from the 1960's, and has been used and adapted in a variety of forms, for example, on posters, postcards and games and other related promotional items.

It was adapted as a painting, credited to Wallace Fax, on the cover of Limited Collectors' Edition #C-44:

Note the difference in the cape between the pinup and the painted version. This version of the image also appeared in a black and white pencil and ink rendition the inside cover:

Batman and Robin #1 was on the stands within six months of Limited Collectors' Edition #C-44, and there is another connection between the two issues -they both include the story Paint a Picture of Peril! However, there are some differences between the two printings of the story which leads me to think the connection between the two issues is likely coincidental rather than direct.

Consider also this inhouse Murray advertisement:

This image is from Blazing Tales of the Old West from September 1981, a year or so after the Batman and Robin series ceased publication. However it does provide evidence that Murray had access to original image, complete with the Batman shadow in the background.

A curious thing about this image is that many of its adaptations opt to use the Batman figure but omit the Robin figure. Apart from the Limited Collectors' Edition #C-44 above, consider the following examples:

Batman merchandise infringement warning in Toys and Novelties, 15 April 1976 

Batman robot packaging, Japan 

Corgi Batmobile underside

In this context, it is rather ironic that whilst Robin appears on the cover of the first issue of Murray's new Batman and Robin series, Robin does not appear in the issue - indeed, he does not appear on another cover of this series until #16, a few issues before the end of the series - and the title on the spine of Batman and Robin #1 is "Batman No. 1".

I am unaware of any other comic book apart from Murray's Batman and Robin #1 to use the pinup image as a cover feature, apart from a run of issues of DC Comics' Detective Comics beginning in 1968 which used the two figures either side of the logo:

I expect to find the pinup image was used on the cover of an international edition somewhere at some point. TBA.

Federal Comics' Comicpack #2

Some years ago I posted on a Federal Comics comic pack. I have come across another sealed one with a different design:

The issues in this pack are The Avengers #2, The Defenders #7, The Mighty Thor #9, Conan the Barbarian #9 and The Invincible Iron Man #12.

All of these issues date to late 1985 - indeed three of them appear to be from December 1985, which suggests it was released early or mid-1986. The Avengers issue has a newsagency marking on the cover, so it's a safe assumption these are unsold issues repackaged. It also suggests this pack was released after the one I previously posted.

Again, I don't have any other information about these packs, such as who put them together or how they were distributed, and I'm curious to know if there are any other variations of such packages. TBA.

Joker #10

Joker #10 is a digest-sized Page Publications issue with a cover signed by Keith Chatto:

This issue is not a comic book but rather a collection of gag cartoons with a few 'girlie' pics as they were known in the day. Here's a sample two-page spread:

There are also two single-page text pieces which I assume are included for the issue to qualify as a certain type of periodical for distribution or other arcane reasons - someone more knowledgeable on these matters can chime in and educate me.

The 56 pages in this issue contain a vast variety of artists, and some of them have quite an attractive style, but I know little about them, and I haven't gone down that particular rabbit hole with the few samples of copies like this issue which I own. I see many of them in my rounds but I only pick up copies with covers by Chatto. 

Having said that, if this wasn't by Chatto I think I might have been interested in it for the references to the classic adult Australian tv shows Number 96 and The Box, and presumably a reference to Never on Sunday.

I have a few more such issues to present in future posts.

Superman Super Library #39

 KG Murray's Superman Super Library #39 was published c.August 1967:

As per the established pattern for this series, the cover is drawn from the splash page to the lead story:

Also as per the established pattern, the stories in this issue are reformatted for the digest-sized edition and recycled from previously published KG Murray issues. The three stories in this issue are as follows:

The Girls in Superman's Life!, originally published in Superman #78, September-October 1952, previously published in Super Adventure Comic #47.

Superman's Super Hold-Up!, originally published in World's Finest Comics #59, July 1952, and previously published in Super Adventure Comic #42.

Superman's Secret Workshop, originally published in Superman #81, March-April 1953, and previously published in Super Adventure Comic #46.

A one -page Casey the Cop filler strip appears on the inside rear cover which originally appeared in Superboy #109, December 1963. I have not identified an earlier printing of this in a KG Murray comic.

The date code on the rear cover advertisement is KGMSSL867. My copy is also stamped 22 SEP 1967.

Dating Terror Tales Album #13

This is the cover to my copy of Terror Tales Album #13:

If you look closely right between the eyes of the axe you can see it is date stamped 7 APR 1980. This publication date was reinforced by another copy I was privy to which had a 7 written on the cover.

This morning I spotted a copy of this issue listed on eBay which includes a closeup of the rear cover:

As you can see this appears to have two dates - a 7 circled, denoting July as the final on-sale date, and 21/3, presumably the on-sale date. This date is over two weeks earlier than the date on my copy. I assume this difference relates to a lag in distribution and newsagency processing.

I guess this means that even verified dates of such Australian reprint comics must, to some degree, always be deemed contingent on further information or data. It doesn't mean I'll stop trying to get this right, but it does remind me once again of the essentially Sisyphean nature of this project.

And so, to work.

Superboy #130

 KG Murray's Superboy #130 was published c.December 1959:

The cover is from DC Comics' Superboy #69:

There are two main features in this issue:

How Superboy Learned to Fly!, originally published in Superboy #69, December 1958.

This story was subsequently recycled by KG Murray in Tip Top Comic Monthly #9; Colossal Comic #50; and Giant Superboy Album #1, courtesy of Superboy Annual #1.

The Great Superboy Doublecross!, originally published in Adventure Comics #263, August 1959 

This issue also contains two full-page filler strips: Little Pete from Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #29, June 1958 and Peter Puptent Explorer from Showcase #21, July-August 1959, which was also subsequently recycled by KG Murray in Colossal Comic #36.

A UK variant of this issue was also published.

This is the final issue of KG Murray's Superboy series.

Update 19 September 2024: As James has pointed out there is a UK Superboy #131, so it's quite possible there is an Australian edition too.

Summer Love

KG Murray's digest-sized Summer Love was published c.1982/83:

The stories:

Puppy Love!, originally published in Love and Romance #14, September 1973

Unloved!, originally published in Love and Romance #21, March 1975

The Perfect Date!, originally published in Teen Confessions #85, September 1974

Older Than I Look, originally published in My Only Love #2, September 1975

Do's and Don'ts of Dating, original publication unidentified 

I think all of these stories were previously published in other KG Murray comics, and I have identified the following: Puppy Love in Romantic Dreams Library #26; Unloved! in All Love Romantic Stories #20; and Older Thank I Look in Young Love #35.

This issue is one of a handful of such digest-sized romance issues published by KG Murray C.1982-83 such as Secrets of Young Brides and Summer Magic!. I note that unlike these two samples, Summer Love does not have the Murray Romance Library imprint.

Update 13 June 2024:. I was unaware that Do's and Don'ts of Dating is the title of a series of vignettes appearing in DC Comics. The instalment in the issue begins "Look, There's Carrie!", originally appearing in Young Romance #182, May 1972, and previously published by KG Murray in Heart to Heart Romance Library #174 and Heart to Heart Romance Library #190.

Update 27 June 2024: Kudos to Marcus Brazil for identifying the source of the cover image, Secret Romance #37: 

Marcus says he suspects Murray only had access to the cover, not the original painted art, hence the cropping to eliminate the various trade dress elements. 

Superboy #117

KG Murray's Superboy #117 was published c.November 1958:

The cover is from DC Comics' Superboy #61:

The main features:

The School for Superboys, originally published in Superboy #61, December 1957

The Luxury Limousine of Space!, originally published in Mystery In Space #45, August 1958

The Trial of Superboy, originally published in Superboy #63, March 1958 

This issue also contains three filler strips: a two-page Warden Willis feature from Mr. District Attorney #64, July-August 1958; and the single-page fillers Tricksy from Superman #119, February 1958 and Chief Hot Foot from Tomahawk #48, May 1957.

The three main features and the Warden Willis filler were recycled in Colossal Comic #34. The Luxury Limousine of space was reprinted in Super Heroes Album #5. The Trial of Superboy was reprinted in Giant Superboy Album #13.

There is also a UK variant of this issue.

Super Adventure Comic #104

KG Murray's Super Adventure Comic #104 was published c.February 1959:

The cover is unsigned but it looks like the work of Hart Amos.

The main features:

The Outlaw Who Played Batman, originally published in Detective Comics #232, June 1956

Second Warning!, originally published in Tales of the Unexpected #13, May 1957

The Super-Sergeant, originally published in Superman #122, July 1958 

This issue also contains a single-page Little Pete filler strip originally published in Action Comics #242, July 1958 - and I'm pretty sure this is not the reason this issue is collectible today.

Super Adventure Comic #87

 KG Murray's Super Adventure Comic #87 was published c.September 1957:

The cover is from DC Comics' World's Finest Comics #88:

The main stories:

Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes!, originally published in World's Finest Comics #88, May-June 1957

A Job for Super-Dog, originally published in Superboy #56, April 1957

The Junior Newsreelers!, originally published in Adventure Comics #206, November 1954 

Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes! has been reprinted a number of times by DC, and appeared in KG Murray's Giant Superman and Batman Album #1 and Colossal Comic #28. 

A Job for Super-Dog was reprinted in Tip Top Comic Monthly #3.

This issue includes two filler-strips: Lionel and his Friends from Superboy #55, March 1957; and Warden Willis from Detective Comics #242, April 1957.

There is a UK variant:

This cover scan is from AusReprints. I prefer the darker hues of the Australian print.

Superman's Supacomic #5

Superman's Supacomic #5 was published c.September 1959:

The cover is modified from DC Comics' Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #11: 

Apart from the speech balloon being omitted for the sake of the 100 Pages! blurb, the tree on the right hand side was replaced by scrub and ferns.

The main features:

The Leopard Girl of the Jungle!, originally published in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #11, August 1959

The MC of the Midnight Scare Theatre, originally published in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #38, July 1959 

Superman's Mystery Song!, originally published in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #9, May 1959

The Secret of the Fantastic Weapons, originally published in Detective Comics #263, January 1959

The Cry-Baby of Metropolis!,originally published in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #10, July 1959

Superman's Super-Rival!, originally published in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #37, June 1959

The Most Hated Girl in Metropolis!, originally published in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #9, May 1959

The Town That Hated Superman!, originally published in Superman #130, July 1959

The Ugly Superman, originally published in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #8, April 1959

Super-Senor's Pal!, originally published in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #36, April 1959

Many of these stories were subsequently reprinted in other KG Murray issues, generally as a consequence of DC reprints in Annuals and 80-Page Giants. The Secret of the Fantastic Weapons and The MC of the Midnight Scare Theatre were selectively recycled in Colossal Comic #50.

This issue also contains a two-page Warden Willis filler strip from Detective Comics #269, July 1959.

After this issue the series was retitled Superman Supacomic. This coincided with the demise of the Superman series.

 

Super Adventure Comic #113

KG Murray's Super Adventure Comic #113 was published c.November 1959:

The cover is from DC Comics' World's Finest Comics #103:

The main features:

The Secret of the Sorcerer's Treasure, originally published in World's Finest Comics #103, August 1959 

Master of Doom!, originally published in Mystery in Space #4, October-November 1951 

This issue also contains a two-page Moolah the Mystic filler strip originally appearing in House of Secrets #22, July 1959, and a single page Casey the Cop feature originally appearing in Mr. District Attorney #57, May-June 1957.

Super Adventure Comic #99

KG Murray's Super Adventure Comic #99 was published c.September 1958:

The cover is from DC Comics' Action Comics #241:

There are two main features in this issue:

The Super Key to Fort Superman, originally published in Action Comics #241, June 1958 

The Two Worlds of Superboy, originally published in Adventure Comics #218, November 1955 

The inner front cover carries a full-page Tricksy filler strip originally published in Superman #121, May 1958, whilst the rear inner cover carries a full-page Fingerprint Curios! strip originally published in Gang Busters #33, April-May 1953.

The Super Key to Fort Superman appears to have been deemed the canonical beginning of the Silver Age Superman by DC Comics - it is the first story appearing in the recently published Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus #1, and was also the opening story in Showcase Presents: Superman #1. Oddly enough, both of these editions elect to feature cover art from Action Comics #242. 

The Super Key to Fort Superman also appeared in Australia in Giant Superman Album #2. The Two Worlds of Superboy also appeared in Giant Superboy Album #6.

There is also a UK variant of Super Adventure Comic #99.

Superman Supacomic #38

Superman Supacomic #38 was published c.October 1962:

The cover is from DC Comics' Superman #153:

The main contents:

The Town of Supermen!, originally published in Superman #153, May 1962

The Case of the Super-Looney Lawyer!, originally published in Adventure Comics #296, May 1962 

The Super-Practical Joker!, originally published in Action Comics #289, June 1962

The Condemned Batman, originally published in Detective Comics #301, March 1962

Murder in Skyland!, originally published in Detective Comics #303, May 1962

The Boy Who Was Robin, originally published in Batman #148, June 1962

Lana Lang, Superboy's Sister!, originally published in Adventure Comics #297, June 1962

The Secret Life of Krypto!, originally published in Superboy #97, June 1962 

The Town of Supermen! also appeared in Giant Lois Lane Album #9 courtesy of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #104.

This issue includes a full-page Strange Laws filler strip from Detective Comics #301.

The advertiser's date code on the inner front cover is SS 10 62.

Batman #111: The KG Murray edition

KG Murray's Batman #111 was published c.September 1959:

The cover is slightly modified from DC's Batman #124: 

The main contents:

The Mystery Seeds From Space, originally published in Batman #124, June 1959 

The Curse of the Wizard's Arrow!, originally published in Adventure Comics #261, June 1959   

The Invisible Batman, Detective Comics #199, September 1953 

This issue also contains two full=page filler strips: Shorty from All-American Men of War #16, December 1954; and Moolah the Mystic from House of Mystery #87, June 1959

All of these features, apart from Shorty, were later recycled by KG Murray in Colossal Comic #36.

The Invisible Batman was also reprinted in Giant Batman Album #8, courtesy of 80 Page Giant Magazine #5, December 1964, and also in Super Adventure Comic [UK] #50 and, presumably, in Super Adventure Comic #50.

The advertiser's date code on the inner rear cover is BM.9.59.