Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1969 – Issue 16 – Grasp of the Black Hand

This story follows Issue 15 (and its B-Story) relatively soon thereafter, but how much time has passed or the exact date is not stated but it is definitely still winter in New York.

Cover: Our team caught in a massive clawed black hand (it is symbolism) with the cityscape in the background  The bottom is emblazoned with “How will our brave teens escape the Grasp of the Black Hand!?”

Opening page:  Three vampire-like creatures and six wolfmen charging out of the panel.  A city street behind them.  “What have our teen heroes gotten themselves into?  Turn the page to find out!”

Queen Magic, A Supervillain of the 1960s

Ron Randall is an experienced comic book artist who I first met back in Portland (OR) at the occasional Portland comic book shows which I used to haunt when I lived in the Pacific Northwest.  He is a skilled artist who has worked across the spectrum of comic books including Justice League International, Star Trek and more.  But he is (perhaps) most well known as the creator of Trekker, the story of Mercy StClair a trekker (a sanctioned bounty hunter) in the future which he is still creating (and you can support via his Patreon).

When I knew him, Randall was consistently willing to pass on his hard won experience in the industry in the form of advice to new artists.  I am glad to know that he is still doing well and creating things that he loves.

He did a piece of art for me, many years ago, of my Shadowrun character Rebel Belle, which is now included with this post.  More recently, he did one of the Empress for me.

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 15, B-Story – Shopping

A B-Story is a short filler story to complete a comic, this is the one in the back of Issue 15 and follows some undisclosed amount of time after that story.

Opening page:  The team in civilian clothes, Roboto thoroughly wrapped up with scarf and hat, wandering through an international Christmas market in New York City as snow falls and there is an additional person with them, Vulpix’ slightly younger cousin!  “How did we get here, turn the page to find out, dear reader.”

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 15 – Double Feature

Sometime after Issue 14, maybe a few weeks, maybe a few months, time is strange in the comics.

Cover:  A man in a tacky suit with a bow tie and a woman in a formal black dress pulling back the curtains on a movie screen showing our heroes scattered and unconscious. “Welcome to your defeat, heroes!” they say in unison.

Opening page:  Vulpix and Shadowfist in considerably fancier clothes than normal in front of a mirror.  “I am not sure if this jive is my scene,” says Shadowfist.  “It’s not mine either but if it keeps my uncle off my back for the next few weeks it is worth it, yes?” replies Vulpix.

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 14 – Part 2: Miami Fright

This is the second half of Issue 14 with our young heroes on the way to Miami . . . by dirigible.

Cover: A Question Mark divides the cover, on one side is Leonard, the airship, being attacked by sky-squids, the other side is a man in a black trenchcoat and broadbrimmed hat with Kirby dots spilling out from under the brim, a blue-skinned woman with gills in her neck wearing a white bikini and a disreputable thuggish man in a monks habit.  Across the bottom is “New Challenges for our Young Heroes!”

Opening page of Part Two:  Leonard high over the Atlantic coast, Vulpix talking on her belt radio, “But Uncle, we are on a case.  I don’t want to go to a stuffy gala.”  The rest of the team stands by.

Superheroes of the 1960s – Hexygon, the Black Cat Kid

Or, in this case, a supervillain, Hexygon, the Black Cat Kid, sidekick to Queen Magic, who is one of the major players in the New York underworld hoping to come out on top in the aftermath of the disappearance of the “Napoleon of Crime”, Mr. Magister.  In my current Masks game, she is mostly going by the name of the Black Cat Kid, and makes an appearance in Issue 4 and leaves a stuffed cat for Shadowfist in Issue 9 (and is very helpful in Issue 11, but not as her usual self).

Hexygon’s powers are enhanced speed and agility paired with bad luck generation (“black cat”) and a collection of throwing hexes, flash, shocks, smoke, and just hard rubber.   She is interested in learning magic but her training in that has just started.

Hexy is positive and upbeat, a very silver age character, just because she is a villain it does not mean she cannot be friendly!  She is happy to taunt and distract people in combat, relying on her acrobatics and the bad luck she imposed on her enemies, but she has no real wish to hurt anyone as long as they are not trying to hurt her or Queen Magic.  As they tend to specialize in thefts, there is no percentage in causing harm or wanton destruction, they just want to get in, get what they need, and get out.

The art is, of course, by the ridiculously talented Karl Kesel and David Hahn back their current Impossible Jones Kickstarter!

Notes:  Hexy was first created for a Necessary Evil campaign where she was lost in time since 1967.  Unfortunately, the Situation of 2020 put that game on infinite hiatus but playing Hexy reawoke my deep love of superheroes and superheroic RPGs and thus lead directly to my Masks – Once Upon a Time in 1967 campaign.

And, yes, really the whole post is just justification for showing off the amazing art of Hexy!

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 14 – Part 1: Squids and Candy

Picking up directly after Issue 13 with the dirigible Leonard calling for help!

Cover: A Question Mark divides the cover, on one side is Leonard, the airship, being attacked by sky-squids, the other side will be revealed later!  Across the bottom is “New Challenges for our Young Heroes!”

Opening page:  Leonard high over New York being attacked by three sky-squid!  “I am under attack!  I am under attack!” he broadcasts.

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 13 – The Darkness in the Light

 

Picking up directly after Issue 12, with our heroes still on Jaiipuur at the party celebrating their victory over the Gosovians.

Cover: The high spire of Jaaipuur illuminated against a dark background.  Shadowfist and 808 are super imposed in the front of it, Shadowfist’s hands on 808’s shoulders, “Your perfect wold is a lie!” she says.  808 looks shocked.   Across the bottom, “Will our young heroes survive the revelations within?!”

Opening page:  The high spire (again) with character’s face’s in circles showing where there are:

• 808, top of the Tower “Blithely enjoying the party in his honor.”
• Horizon, top of the tower, balcony, “Brooding over the damage he may have caused.”
• Roboto, top of the tower, “Not sure where everyone else is.”
• Shadowfist, basement, “Horrifed by what she learned.”
• Vulpix, ???, “Where is Vulpix?”

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Christmas Special – Riddles and Snowmen

 

This story is in canon but out of continuity, the most recent Issue was 12, but this story does not directly connect with it or Issue 13.

Cover: TIC Superheroic Christmas Special 1968!  80-Page Giant!  The cover art shows all of the heroes in ranks, some with hats, singing Christmas Carols.  Circles around the edge have team names: Heroes Inc, the New Atlantians, the LA Stars, Freedom Five and more!

Opening page:  A list of stories with the faces of the team members next to the team name.

Superheroes – Once upon a Time in 1968 – Issue 12 – The Road to Jaiipuur

Picking up right after Issue 11, with our heroes back on Earth, briefly

Cover: The team fighting a group of soldiers in vaguely (but not really) Eastern European uniforms with automatic weapons as Roboto tears the turret off of a tank, in the background a burning derigible fall from sky among tall slender buildings.  “It is WAR!  Are our young heroes ready?”

Opening page: The heroes in Vulpix’s swinging pad.  “How can I get back to Jaiipuur!?  My world is in danger!” says 808 hammering his fist on a table.  The rest of the team looks concerned.