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| Jack Sparling |
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| Jack Sparling |
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| Jack Sparling |
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| Jack Sparling |
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| Jack Sparling |
It's been a while since I last compiled one of these comic book cover galleries, but I thought it was time to showcase the 5-issue, bi-monthly
Bionic Woman series published by Charlton Comics back in 1977-78.
Because Charlton comics had spotty distribution in my area in the 70s, I never saw any of these issues on the stands - and, to be honest, I probably wouldn't have bought them if I had. I enjoyed the show on TV, but I don't think I would have wanted to carry a
Bionic Woman comic up to the counter of my local general store. I took enough crap from people about buying comics as it was; I sure didn't need to be accused of buying a
girl's comic on top of everything else.
It wasn't easy being a geeky kid in the 1970s....
"It wasn't easy being a geeky kid in the 1970s...."
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! I could go on an hour-long rant about how everything I liked in the 1970s was considered so un-cool and now that the sci-fi/fantasy/monster/comics genres themselves are apparently considered "cool", I can't stand anything being made (LoTR & The Hobbit excepted). Frustrating.
Part of that is the change in the genre.
DeleteThe Space 1970 Genre Chris covers had some very interesting and intriguing SF concepts- even if often not well made. Part of that was the networks thought a lot of these too cerebral- and dumbed them down. That didn't stop me from liking them though. More modern stories just don't cut it. I couldn't have cared less whether the cylons killed off the remaining people in the BSG remake or not for example.
I was never a big fan of either of the bionic shows- the spy motif was a turnoff for me-but I was fascinated by the part cyborg theme and there were enough non-spy stories to keep me interested. Like how to have all that superior technology but not adopt a "I'm the Bionic Woman and You're Not" smug attitude. I still have about a dozen or episodes from each .
I second that amen. I was a total space geek or nerd and loved all the subjects that Chris talks about here. I estimate I am about two years younger than him. But even though all this was mass marketed and available on broadcast TV, it mostly was looked at as uncool (except maybe Steve Austin in elementary school). There was no ComicCon comparable to what there is today. Nerds were lonely and alone. I guess that is why they invented the internet?! Anyway, our generation kinda missed the boat but we have people like Chris that make superior blogs like this that tell us that we too are not alone.
DeleteInteresting... I don't recall ever seeing The Bionic Woman comics, but I have several of The Six Million Dollar Man ones. Interestingly, there's one issue of TSMDM that has a nearly identical cover to the second one depicted here, where Jamie is fighting the shark. In the other case, Steve is confronting an alligator, but it's an extremely similar concept. Coincidence? I'm willing to bet not...
ReplyDeleteThat 4th cover, despite it being attributed to Jack Sparling, has Steve Ditko's style written all over it.
ReplyDeleteThat was my first thought, but while the layout certainly looks like Ditko, those inks don't. Maybe he did a breakdown/layout and Sparling inked it?
DeleteWas Ditko even doing any work for Charlton by '77? I can't remember off the top of my head.
Looks nothing like Ditko's or his splayed-finger style.
ReplyDeleteBionic Woman is a great show. I'm watching reruns now that some cable channel is playing them. Much better than $6 Million Dollar Man thanks to more appealing lead actor.