Sometimes characterized as a science-fiction anthology comic, Marvel definitely had horror on their minds when they suddenly changed Cap's title to
CAPTAIN AMERICA'S WEIRD TALES, a title likely lifted from the pulp magazine of the same name. The stories shown here of the only two published -- from issue #74, October 1949 and #75, February 1950 -- were definitely intended to scare the reader.
You may notice that a title on the first page of each issue reads: "Editorial Consultant: Jean Thompson, M.D., Psychiatrist, Child Guidance Bureau; Board of Education, New York City." During this period, it seems, Dr. Thompson was sent every issue of a Marvel comic before it was printed to review and deem it acceptable reading matter. A letter in Marvel's AMAZING MYSTERIES #32 (May 1949) explains further:
Ironically, this foreshadows the appearance just a few years later of another child psychologist who would take a much harsher stand on all this nonsense going on in comic books.
NOTE: Only a partial scan for #74 and ads are removed in #75.
CAPTAIN AMERICA'S WEIRD TALES #74 (October 1949)
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| Cover art by Marty Nodell. |
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| Unknown writer and artist. |
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| Unknown writer and artist. |
CAPTAIN AMERICA'S WEIRD TALES #75 (February 1950)
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| Cover art by Gene Colan. |
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| Script: ? - Art: Gene Colan. |
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| Script: ? - Art: Bill Molno? |
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| Script: ? - Art: ? |
Curious to see Cap's comic give over to horror and mystery. Many years later Tales of Suspense will give over to Cap as the superheroes return to prominence. Has anyone counted how many times the Red Skull has "died"?
ReplyDeleteHe seems to keep turning up like a bad penny, as they say.
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