I think all fans should, now and then, take some time to learn a little comic book history. After all, today’s industry and creators wouldn’t be here without the creators and comic books that came before them. And there is no better place than TwoMorrows Publishing, which offers something for everyone.
I want to start with Back Issue 162, which primarily covers Bronze Age comics. One of the magazine’s many strengths is that each issue is themed. With this one being “Back Issue Goes MAD!” The issue ranges widely, covering everything from Michael Allred’s Madman to Batman: Mad Love, along with a playful survey of MAD‑inspired superhero spoofs, the Mad Hatter, Madballs, and more.
Its real spark comes from the stellar roster of creators—Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Gerry Conway, Doug Moench, Mike W. Barr, Jeph Loeb, and others—whose insights give the retrospectives real weight. And with Allred’s vibrant cover leading the charge, the whole package feels bold, quirky, and irresistibly fun. Last year, Roger Ash assumed the editorial duties from the original editor, Michael Eury, and has been doing an excellent job with the magazine.
Next up is editor Jon B. Cooke’s Comic Book Creator 41, which he has been editing for many years. The lead feature is Len Wein, from his earliest days at DC to the creation of Swamp Thing and Wolverine to his subsequent successes. The issue features a rare 1994 interview with Wein from a late-night radio show. It examines in detail the life of a comic book writer and looks at his editorial stints at Marvel and DC, the latter of which he worked with Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons to help facilitate Watchmen.
There’s also an interview with Jay Scott Pike about his creation of Dolphin (and co-creation of Jann of the Jungle) and his long career as a DC romance artist, and his subsequent gig as a pin-up artist. Plus: “The Death Of Will Eisner’s P*S”, the sad demise of the Army’s Preventive Maintenance magazine! Part two of our Steve Willis profile! And Shaun Clancy reveals the saga of Adrian Lopez’s Harpoon/Apple Pie humor mags! Featuring a spectacular Frank Cho cover, and edited by Jon B. Cooke!
A relatively new addition to TwoMorrow’s Cryptology, edited by Peter Normanton. The magazine is a sharp, stylish guide to vintage horror and eerie pop‑culture oddities. It charts the rise of “creep culture” through pre‑Code horror comics, classic monster films, and rare collectibles like banned trading cards and model kits. Designed to “satiate your sinister side,” it highlights both the genre’s defining moments and its delightfully campy curiosities.
The latest issue, six, is zombies—and nothing but zombies! As usual, it has something for almost every type of fan. There’s fresh (or is that moldy?) looks at classic movies like Night of the Living Dead and White Zombie. And even modern “classics”, like Shaun of the Dead. You might be surprised that zombies appeared in comics in the early years of the Golden Age!
One thing I wish for over the years is more collections of Marvel’s Atlas years. While Fantagraphics has released some Atlas volumes over the past couple of years, I would like more. This issue covers the eleven-issue run of Menace from the early 1950s, which is available to fans. Still, it leaves you wanting more of these Atlas titles—especially from the pre-Code era.
I started things off with Back Issue, and that is where I am going to end it with Back Issue 163—the Monkeying Around issue. Featuring your simian favorites, including Gorilla Grodd, Gorilla-Man, King Kong, Angel and the Ape, and more monkey business. With the work of Carmine Infantino, John Broome, Cary Bates, Gerry Conway, Mark Waid, Steve Englehart, Sal Buscema, Don Simpson, Phil Foglio, Howard Chaykin, Philip Bond, and others. Gorilla Grodd cover by Arthur Adams!
Again, you get an in-depth background with all the pieces. Even something like Angel and the Ape, which hasn’t been seen in the pages of DC for a while. Being a big, old Grodd fan—I’m impressed with how writer John Kirk pulls his history together. As always, this is one magazine that never disappoints!
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