Best of
Comics
1972
Buddha, Vol. 1: Kapilavastu
Osamu Tezuka - 1972
Tezuka evidences his profound grasp of the subject by contextualizing the Buddha’s ideas; the emphasis is on movement, action, emotion, and conflict as the prince Siddhartha runs away from home, travels across India, and questions Hindu practices such as ascetic self-mutilation and caste oppression. Rather than recommend resignation and impassivity, Tezuka’s Buddha predicates enlightenment upon recognizing the interconnectedness of life, having compassion for the suffering, and ordering one’s life sensibly. Philosophical segments are threaded into interpersonal situations with ground-breaking visual dynamism by an artist who makes sure never to lose his readers’ attention.Tezuka himself was a humanist rather than a Buddhist, and his magnum opus is not an attempt at propaganda. Hermann Hesse’s novel or Bertolucci’s film is comparable in this regard; in fact, Tezuka’s approach is slightly irreverent in that it incorporates something that Western commentators often eschew, namely, humor.
Pogo: We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us
Walt Kelly - 1972
Book by Kelly, Walt
Fontaine Fox's Toonerville Trolley
Fontaine Fox - 1972
For more than 40 years his Toonerville Trolley cartoons were syndicated across the country. Dealing with everyday things and ordinary people, they recorded an era. They did so with broad humor and with a marvelous cast of characters who became household names. The most celebrated was the careening Trolley itself, with its Skipper. There were also the Powerful Katrinka; the Terrible Tempered Mr. Bang; Mickey (himself) McGuire; Taeny Tomkins, the World's Smallest Football Player; and many more
Swamp Thing (1972-1976) #1
Len Wein - 1972
E., who wants the formula. Shortly thereafter, a humanoid plant being rises from the swamp--the Swamp Thing!
Wonder Woman: A Ms. Book
William Moulton Marston - 1972
She also edited and introduced this deluxe edition reprinting Wonder Woman stories from the 1940s, by the original team of William Moulton Marston and Harry Peters. In it, she makes the case that Marston, a renowned psychologist, wove strong proto-feminist messages into those early stories in an effort to make Wonder Woman a role model for stronger, more assertive girls and young women.If the political message doesn’t appeal, Steinem’s choice of stories is still first rate. Starting with Wonder Woman’s origin story from All-Star Comics #8 and Sensation Comics #1, she shows the Amazon Warrior squaring off against classic enemies like Mars and Dr. Psycho, teaming up with comic-relief sidekick Etta Candy, and rescuing her hapless paramour, Steve Trevor. All feature the odd but compulsively-readable artwork of Harry Peters, and benefit from excellent reproduction and printing quality.A unique 70s artifact, the Wonder Woman book is fairly hard to come by and commands a premium from collectors. Bibliophiles should note that the trade paperback from Holt, Reinhardt and Winston is the true first edition, and the hardcover from Bonanza/Crown Books is a reissue.— Rob Salkowitz
Battlelines
Hans-Georg Rauch - 1972
The present series deals with war, politics and international...These sharp and imaginative drawings of Hans-Georg Rauch combine the art and linear verve of Saul Steinberg, the absorbing phantasm of M. C. Escher, and the political sting of David Levine. In all its elements, Battle Lines is a triumph for the brilliant satirist..
Phantom-The Amazing Island ( Indrajal Comics No. 166 )
Lee Falk - 1972
166
Samurai Executioner, Vol. 1: When the Demon Knife Weeps
Kazuo Koike - 1972
It's true! Few know of this precursor to the legendary ronin saga, but before Koike and Kojima created Itto Ogami, they created Kubikiri Asa, better known to Lone Wolf readers as Decapitator Asaemon. He was the equal to Itto, bearer of the sword Onibocho, the man charged with the duty of testing the swords for the shogun. Shogun Executioner is based on the decapitator himself, in life before his fatal duel with Lone Wolf. Expect the same legendary drama, frantic action, and stoic samurai stature, combined with the exemplary art and storytelling that made Lone Wolf and Cub one of the most popular and influential comic books in the world!
Phantom-The Black Gold Pirates ( Indrajal Comics No. 157 )
Lee Falk - 1972
157
Phanton-Jumba the Giant Elephent ( Indrajal Comics No. 152 )
Lee Falk - 1972
152
Look Who's Here! (Family Circus, #11)
Bil Keane - 1972
A cartoon collection from the warm-hearted, hilarious Family Circus.
Mandrake-The Flying Saucers ( Indrajal Comics No. 155 )
Lee Falk - 1972
155
Corn Fed Comics #1
Kim Deitch - 1972
Contains the stories "Madam Fatal Persues the Cryonic Kidnappers," "Venusian Vermin!", "The Photo Finish!", and "Cult of the Clown."
Scooby-Doo... Where Are You! Issue 10
Mark Evanier - 1972
THE GHOSTS OF GRIMSTONE CASTLE
Mandrake-The Money Lenders ( Indrajal Comics No. 158 )
Lee Falk - 1972
158