Ghost Rider: The complete Federal Comics cover gallery

Here's a cover gallery of my complete run of Federal Comics' Ghost Rider:

Ghost Rider #1, c.June 1984 

Ghost Rider #2, c.September 1984 

Ghost Rider #3, c.January 1985 

Ghost Rider #4, c.January 1985 

Ghost Rider #5, c.March 1985 

Ghost Rider #6, c.June 1985

The dates are based on the data to hand. Surprisingly, two issues - Ghost Rider #'s 3 and 4 - appear to have been published in the same month. This may be unlikely, and I don't recall this phenomenon in any other Federal series, but given that's what my data suggests, I'm running with it pending further information.

The Federal Comics series follows the Yaffa/Page Publications Ghost Rider series published in Australia 1977-1982. Ghost Rider also appeared briefly as a backup feature in Newton Comics' Dr Strange series.

Super Powers: The complete Federal Comics cover gallery

Here's a cover gallery of my complete run of Federal Comics' Super Powers:

 Super Powers #[1/NN], c.November 1984 

 Super Powers #2, c.January 1985 

 Super Powers #3, c.March 1985 

 Super Powers #4, c.June 1985 

 Super Powers #5, c.July 1985 

Super Powers #6, c.September 1985 

This series of Australian editions are closely aligned with the 1984 DC Comics editions in terms of issue numbers, covers and main feature contents. The exceptions are the first issue which is unnumbered and #6 which is based on the first issue of the 1985 series.

Unlike the random selection of backup features in Vigilante each issue contains an Aquaman backup story, originally published in Adventure Comics and Action Comics c.1980/81.

I'm confident the dates ascribed are accurate, give or take a month.

According to my records I first acquired an issue of this series in 2008 as part of a job lot of some dozen comics. The issue which completed the run turned up over 10 years later - not because these issues are especially scarce, but simply because I deemed them Polyfilla. 

Vigilante: The complete Federal Comics cover gallery

Here's a cover gallery of my complete run of Federal Comics' Vigilante:

 Vigilante #1, c.August 1984

 Vigilante #2, c.November 1984

 Vigilante #3, c.January 1985

 Vigilante #4, c.February 1985

 Vigilante #5, c.May 1985

 Vigilante #6, c.June 1985

 Vigilante #7, c.August 1985

 Vigilante #8, c.December 1985

 Vigilante #9, c.January 1986

Vigilante #10, c.March 1986

Vigilante #1 is an 84-page black and white issue, and the rest are 36-page full-colour issues.

I'm pretty sure the dates above are accurate - at least within a month, give or take - but are open to correction pending further data.

I mentioned in passing a couple of days ago my surprise at finding a Jim Steranko Superman feature lurking as a backup feature in Vigilante #4. It turns out each of these issues includes an unexpected non-Vigilante related feature. There's some fillers from New Talent Showcase; a Mr. and Mrs. Superman instalment which didn't make the cut for the Murray compilation; and, maybe most interestingly, three instalments of the Whatever Happened to... JSA series from DC Comics Presents featuring The Crimson Avenger, The Sandman, and Sandy, The Golden Boy. It's a shame these were relegated to such obscurity rather than being repurposed for a dedicated JSA-themed Murray issue c.1982... but I digress...

Federal Comics' A Salute to Superman: FCO

Federal Comics' A Salute to Superman was published c.November 1984:

The cover and contents originally appeared in DC comics' Superman #400:

Superman #400 is fondly regarded by fans. If you Google it you'll find a number of blog posts and reviews extolling its virtues. Even Brian Michael Bendis ("This is literally one of the greatest comic books that has ever been made...") and Dan Jurgens vouch for it. And if all that doesn't convince you I'd suggest a cursory glance at the credits on the cover will likely reassure you of the attractions in this issue.

I find the muted tones on the Federal Comics cover more appealing than the original edition - the yellows are deep and rich rather than popping luridly. That's just me. Unfortunately that's the only case I can make for the Australian edition.

Superman #400 contains a 7-part Superman saga titled The Living Legends of Superman, written by Elliott S! Maggin, with each chapter illustrated by a different artist, and each chapter is separated by single-page pinup illustrations by various artists. The issue also contains a 10-page story titled The Exile at the End of Eternity, written and illustrated by Jim Steranko in a series of five two-page spreads. The issue also begins with an introduction by Ray Bradbury titled A Salute to Superman.

The title of the Federal Comics edition is lifted from this essay, but there's nothing else in terms of added value. Indeed, the 32-page issue is entirely comprised of the main feature The Living Legends of Superman, which omits the Mike Kaluta chapter, and also omits some of the opening chapter by Joe Orlando. Needless to say none of the pinups are included, nor is the Steranko piece.

I wasn't aware of the background to this issue when I first read it back in the mid-1980's. I picked it up on a whim from a secondhand bookshop in the city to read on the bus on my way to La Trobe University. I enjoyed it on its merits, especially the bit in which Frank Miller draws the George Reeves Superman. But now that I know better...

Some of the other features from Superman #400 were published elsewhere by Federal Comics. If you're looking for The Exile at the End of Eternity it's lurking as the backup feature in Vigilante #4, and it is thankfully reprinted not only complete but the two-page spreads are intact and in colour (a black and white edition might have been nice but it would be churlish to complain all things considered). I'm also sure I've seen some of the pinups in other Federal editions. In my mind's eye I can see a black and white print of the Moebius pinup for one, but I will need to go excavating to find this and any others.

So I reckon this Federal Comics edition is only worth chasing if you like the cover, otherwise I'd file under For Completists Only.

Dating Tip Top Comic Monthly #114

Planet Comics' Tip Top Comic Monthly #114 was published c.October 1974:

It is, of course, the classic Neal Adams cover from Batman #251:

There are two longform features in this issue:

The Joker's Five-Way Revenge!, originally published in Batman #251, September 1973 

The Shrike Strikes at Night! [Part 1]/Part 2/Part 3: Hawkman #11, December-January 1966

The Joker's Five-Way Revenge! was also published by Murray in Batman  Album #47.

This issue also includes a single-page filler feature, the Science Says You're Wrong If You Believe That-- instalment previously published in Strange Adventures #100, January 1959.

There are also in-house advertisements for Bumper Western Comic, Supergirl, Super Adventure Comic and World's Finest Comic.

AusReprints dates this issue November 1974. This is in part based on the Mitchell Library stamp 6/12/74, and partly on the orderly monthly periodicity established for this and the other monthly KG Murray/Planet Comics series over a long period of time. These are good reasons.

However I think this issue was more likely to have been on the stands October 1974, for a few reasons.

Firstly, my copy has a pencilled date 1/75 on the cover. The rule of thumb for these newsagency dates is a three month lead. 

Secondly, the preceding issue - Tip Top Comic Monthly #113 - appears to have been published September 1974, not October 1974. This issue is the first 25c cover-priced issue in the series. According to AusReprints, the 25c monthly issues likely first appeared in September 1974. This is the case for Wonder Comic Monthly #113 and World's Finest Comic Monthly #113 (Superman Supacomic is a different case altogether having increased to 25c a couple of years earlier, and other series such as All Star Adventure Comic, All Favourites Comic and Super Adventure Comic were not monthly periodicals). Also, Tip Top Comic Monthly #113 has a Mitchell Library stamp dated 23/9/74, which means it was on the stands before this date. If we assume the series was published monthly, then Tip Top Comic Monthly #114 would have been scheduled no later than October 1974.

Thirdly... Many years ago I purchased a short run of this series from a collector who dated many of his comics as he purchased them fresh off the stands. Two consecutive issues of this series from mid-1974 are dated to the last few days in consecutive months. Now, this is not conclusive evidence of release dates - he could have been late to the party both times - but if we assume the data is broadly accurate, it could place Tip Top Comic Monthly #114 to the last week or so of October 1974, which is pretty close to November 1974 and hence the early December 1974 Mitchell Library stamp.

These arguments may not be conclusive in isolation but I think the weight of evidence points towards an October 1974 release for this issue moreso than November 1974. 

All Star Adventure Comic #56

KG Murray's All Star Adventure Comic #56 was published c.April 1969:

The cover art is from the splash page to Die, Spectre--Again!, originally published in The Spectre #2:

The image on the cover is modified with elements rearranged and some line art extension.

The stories:

Die Spectre - - Again!, originally published in The Spectre #2, January-February 1968 

And Hellgrammite is his Name!, originally published in The Brave and the Bold #80, October-November 1968 

Lois Lane's Childhood!, originally published in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #26, July 1961 

The Duplicate Superman!, originally published in Action Comics #222, November 1956 

The print of Lois Lane's Childhood! is related to the DC Comics' reprint in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #85 which, as per the GCD listing, omits the middle tier on the last page. The complete story was previously published by KG Murray in Super Adventure Comic #8. The version in this issue is also subject to many instances of art extension.

The Duplicate Superman! version in this issue is from Superman #204 in which the Q-Bomb is rechristened the C-Bomb. The original version was published earlier by KG Murray in Superman #116.

This issue contains two stories illustrated by Neal Adams for which he drew covers, so it's a shame that neither cover was used. However, I do prize the homegrown covers on Australian editions.  

This issue includes in-house advertisements for Super Adventure Comic, Superman's Supacomic, Tip Top, Blackhawk, World's Finest Comic and Lot o' Fun! Comic.

The advertiser's date code on the rear cover is KGM AS 469 which serves as a proxy cover date.

The Man-Thing: The complete Yaffa cover gallery

Here's a cover gallery of my complete run of Page Publications' The Man-Thing:

 The Man-Thing #1, c.February 1978

 The Man-Thing #2, c.February 1979

 The Man-Thing #3, c.July 1980

 The Man-Thing #4, c.November 1980

The Man-Thing #5, c.May 1981

 The Man-Thing #6, c.September 1981

The Man-Thing #7, c.February 1982

The Man-Thing #8, c.mid-1982

The dates above are based on available data and are accurate - certainly within a month. The date for #8 is a guesstimate pending further data.

The first two issues and the final issue are regular-sized editions, the rest are digest-sized - #'s 6 and 7 are 'tall' digest editions.

#8 is a reprint of #1, complete with the First Issue banner.

Yaffa published at least two retitled editions of the above issues. Man-Thing #2 was recycled as Swamp Creature and Man-Thing #3 was recycled as Monster of the Swamp.

Dracula Lives! The complete Yaffa cover gallery

Here's a cover gallery of my complete run of Page Publications' Dracula Lives!:

 

Dracula Lives! #1, 1978

 Dracula Lives! #2, c.June 1979 

 Dracula Lives! #3, c.December 1979 

 Dracula Lives! #4, c.January 1980 

Dracula Lives! #NN, c. 1982 

These are the five issues of this series I have seen. It is possible more exist.

As per The Rampaging Hulk, the dates ascribed are my guesstimates based on the available information, and are open to correction as more information comes to hand. 

Note the dates are closely aligned with the dates for The Rampaging Hulk. The Rampaging Hulk #3 and Dracula Lives! #3 are dated 1979 in the indicia, however each copy has 4 handwritten on the cver. On first blush this would suggest a January 1979 publication date, which would place each issue before the #2 issue of the respective series. So, it is possible these issues were on the stands January 1980.

These issues are based on the first four issues of Marvel Comics' Dracula Lives! series.

Dracula Lives! #NN recycles Dracula Lives! #4.

The Rampaging Hulk: The complete Yaffa cover gallery

Here's a cover gallery of my complete run of Page Publications' The Rampaging Hulk:

The Rampaging Hulk #1, 1978 

 The Rampaging Hulk #2, c.June 1979 

 The Rampaging Hulk #3, c.December 1979 

 The Rampaging Hulk #NN, c.February 1982 

These are the only four issues of this series I have seen. It is possible there are more numbered or  unnumbered issues.

The dates ascribed are my best guesstimates based on the limited information available and will be amended as more information comes to hand.

These issues are based on the first three issues of Marvel Comics' The Rampaging Hulk series.

The Rampaging Hulk #NN recycles The Rampaging Hulk #3 with some minor differences.

Range War Westerns #3, Gunslinger Western #2, Badman Western Library #4 and The Fastest Gun in Cheyenne!

The cover of Page Publications' Range War Westerns #3 is by Keith Chatto:

This issue is indexed on AusReprints. It was also issued under another Chatto cover as Gunslinger Western #2:

The lead story in these issues is The Fastest Gun in Cheyenne!, originally published in Western Gunfighters #25. It is also the lead story in Page Publications' Badman Western Library #4:

I initially assumed thought this was another reprint of the two issues above, however the rest of the contents differ. 

And the moustachioed hombres differ too. Just saying.

Update 5 January 2024: Western Trail Picture Library #4 is an earlier edition of Badman Western Library #4 under a Chatto cover: