Expert: Justin Case - 8/17/2009

Question
QUESTION:
I have been looking for years - and spending too much money buying the wrong comics - for a comic I purchased on a summer vacation long ago...a particularly good vacation enjoyed with family now deceased.

Info: If I remember correctly, we are talking about the early 1970s - summer. Most likely either August 1971 or August 1972 (which means the comic had an October date on the cover?).  However, it could be as early as 1970, or as late as 73-74; however, the most likely dates are 71 or 72.

Based on the story type, I am thinking it may have been a scifi anthology type comic. However, I have ordered, for example, all the From Beyond the Unknown and Strange Adventures comics from that time period, and none of them are the right ones.  Keep in mind it could be a "superhero" (DC?) line, either a main story (unlikely) or possibly a reprint filler story after the main one.  Or, a "DC special" comic or one of Marvel's reprint lines of 50s-60s comics?

The panel I remember was that a character of the story, or the narrator, was describing his society of the future and/or his planet. The thing he was describing was that they were able to mass produce cyborg workers on an assembly line (or something like that - almost 40 years ago, this memory is).

What I do remember is that the cyborgs were depicted as green and faceless - looking remarkably like the Mad Thinker's android of Fantastic Four 71 (vol. 1 - old comic). That's the clearest memory of the comic - showing the faceless green cyborgs being mass produced. That's something I'm reasonably definite about.

Again, it seems to have been a scifi type story - whether from an anthology comic..I don't know - less likely, but still possible, is a story line from a "superhero" line (probably DC), or maybe an "extra" story at the end of a regular superhero comic (i.e., a reprinted story).

It's possible that the years are wrong, but based on family vacation history, 71 or 72 are the most likely years (70 and 73 being outside possibilties). Hopefully, this was a comic on the newstands then - and not a used comic that I bought from someone. Let's assume it was on the newstands at that time.

Storyline may have been of the "Earth for Sale" variety - but the comic is NOT the From Beyond the Unknown (which I have) which has the "Earth for Sale" story of the swindler being himself swindled by aliens (and which shows robot workers on an assembly line). That comic I have and it is not the right one - although one story line may have been copied from another.

Again, the clearest and most definitiive info is of the green cyborgs...

Note: this was not a "monster tale" featuring the cyborgs - it was a scifi tale in which the cyborgs were featured only in that one panel..but that's the only panel I clearly remember..my favorite one...

This has been driving me nuts for years trying to find this comic, any info is appreciated.  This is been an "ongoing project" for years, it would be great to finally have resolution.

If the comic exists, it is within a particular time frame (early 70s) and within a seasonal time frame (summer vacation time).  So, there *is* some focus, but can't quite put my finger on it....

ANSWER: Carl -

Thanks so much for the detailed description.  I have looked high and low and asked individuals at my local comic shop (the most knowledgeable comic professionals in the world!) and here are my best guesses.

I've been in the same situation myself and know how frustrating such a search can be.  With over 5,000 comics in my collection it can be a real pain to go through issue after issue and find out that you have the wrong series or that the story is a back-up 'filler' in another issue.  Like you I have fond memories of sitting in the back of my family's station wagon totally engrossed in one of the comics that my parents had purchased that came in those old packs of 3!

I will keep looking for you as I've 'caught the scent' now, but here are some suggestions I found out during my search:

Is it possible the issue might be one of the World's Finest issues?  I know in one of the issues with Superman and Green Arrow there was a story entitled "World of Faceless Slaves" that depicts the slaves with white faces on the cover but the inside might be different.

Check out some of the Weird War series that DC put together and see if one of those storylines might ring a bell.  You can do that at www.comicspriceguide.com

Also see if any of the Tales of the Green Lantern Corps stories (which began as a back up series in Green Lantern comics after a successful miniseries) might have what you're looking for.

The Guardians of the Galaxy in Green Lantern comics originally used a race of androids called the Manhunters to patrol the galaxy.  Their faces are generally depicted as blue though color variations are possible, do you think any of the stories about them might be what you're after?

Also DC comics had a line of books entitled From Beyond the Unknown that ran from 1969 from 1973 that contained anthology (sci-fi) stories that sound similar to the one you describe that might contain the story you're looking for and one of those might have it.

Give those a shot and I will keep looking and let you know what I find out.

Thanks!

Deran

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for that info.  I've more or less exhausted the "From Beyond the Unknown" series.  I do not think some of the other cited stories are the right ones, but if you find anything out, I'd appreciate you letting me know (do you have access to my email as well?).

I am sort of torn between thinking this story was from an early Marvel line (Strange Tales, Tales to Astonish) reprinted in the 1970s or a DC comic.  If the former, it is difficult to ascertain what it is, as I've contact people who have many Marvel reprints from the early 1970s (although, of course, not all), and they say the story is NOT there.

On the other hand, I am running out of DC comics from the right time frame (summer, early 70s) that seem appropriate.

This search has been going on for many years, so any "breakthrough" would be useful.

ANSWER: Hi Carl -

I don't have access to your e-mail, but can post follow up replies on AllExperts that should send you an e-mail alert.

I've got six individuals at my local comic store researching the question for you, it's become a quest in my hometown as well!

I know exactly how you feel, I undertook a similar search myself and the comic ended up coming from an independent publisher (and my mother sold the issue in a garage sale!!!)

I'll keep on it and post a follow up on the AllExperts website when or if I find something.  One of the people at my local shop is a genius at finding such things from even more obscure references so, here's hoping!

Thanks!

Detective Deran

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks - as long as I get an update in my email when something is posted here, then that will be OK.
I appreciate your help, and the other people involved.  The only thing I can say is that I am reasonably certain the comic was on the newstands in the summer (e.g., August) - almost certainly early 1970s.  The main thing that I remember - and I would love to see it again - is the panel showing the green cyborgs being produced off the assembly line.

Note that since this is likely a reprint - if someone finds the story in the original comic - that would be great too.  Reprint or original, it would be great to finally see that story again.

Answer
You bet -

A lot of speculative fiction like that was 'hot' in the early 1970s so that time period makes sense to me.  

One thought just occurred, is it possible the issue could have been part of the Micronauts series?  The series was hot in the seventies and featured all types of cyborgs before they got immensely popular in the media.  Just a guess, I dunno.

One of the guys at the comic store has a mega collection of reprints and that is sort of his thing, so, if anyone can figure it out, he's the guy.  

Do you recall anything about the art that might tip you off as to the artist?  For example Jack Kirby often draws his characters with black dust like particles around them (look at Black Bolt's headpiece) that are called Kirby Dots.

Jim Lee generally has very wide eyes on his characters, Ron Lim has very expressive faces etc.  Sometimes if you are to a point where you can recognize individual styles it can help you track down a specific issue, but that is often a long shot.

D. -