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

Betty and Veronica #202


Archie Comics - 1972
    

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!

Betty and Veronica #204


Archie Comics - 1972
    

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

Betty and Veronica #197


Archie Comics - 1972
    

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!

Midnight Tales


Wayne Howard - 1972
    Professor Cyrus Coffin and his niece Arachne tell and learn mysterious stories.Originally published as eighteen single issues by Charlton Comics Group from 1972-1976.

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

Betty and Veronica #194


Archie Comics - 1972
    

Look Who's Here! (Family Circus, #11)


Bil Keane - 1972
    A cartoon collection from the warm-hearted, hilarious Family Circus.

Filipino Food


Ed Badajos - 1972
    Along with the work of Ron Cobb, Dan O'Neill, and Robert Crumb, Ed Badajos' graphic novel provided a commentary on what was going on. But its message transcends the period, speaking of basic essential questions of life

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