John Buscema Tales LOVE DIARY "Not Meant for Love"

Once he was no longer constrained by Atlas Comics' tight graphic formatting...

...artist John Buscema was able to indulge his storytelling instincts, making any tale he illustrated, even one as well-written as this, better!

Written by Dorothy Woolfolk, who later became the "womens' comics" editor at DC (including romance and superheroine titles), this never-reprinted story from Orbit's Love Diary #13 (1951) is a classic example of what a romance comic was in the genre's prime!

Next Week, a 1960s story from John Buscema!

Witness his artistic evolution decade by decade!

You'll Cry Your Eyes Out If You Miss It!

And now a Word from Our Sponsor...

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Big John Buscema

Comics and Drawings
A combination of complete checklist of Buscema's comic and magazine work and a heavily-illustrated catalog of a 2009 Italian museum exhibition of his work!

GIRLS' LOVE STORIES "Make-Believe Romance" & YOUNG ROMANCE "Romance That Never Was!"

This month is dedicated to a Bronze Age experiment by DC Comics!

This tale from DC's Girls' Love Story #169 (1972) is an example of that multi-issue project.

Keep in mind that Marvel had done at least one romance story with Black protagonists several years earlier...

...and you might think "Hey, better late than never!"

But, you might not be aware of one big difference!

The Marvel story, though somewhat heavy-handed, was an original!

This tale was a modified reprint!

We've talked about how Silver Age publishers (including both Marvel and DC)would take older romance stories, modify the clothing and hairstyles and re-present them behind a new lead story to fill out a comic's page count as shown HERE and HERE!
DC editor Dorothy Wollfolk believed they could do something similar, but change more than just garb and hair!
Here's the original version of "Make-Believe Romance" from DC's Young Romance #149 (1967)...

...which was apparently a "nerds in love" tale!

You'll note the script (by an unknown author) wasn't modified at all.

We're also not sure of the penciler, but the inking (and retouching for the reprint) are by Vince Colletta.

BTW, the story was reprinted (and retitled as "I Wanted Someone Just Like Him") with the usual (non-ethnic) clothing and hairstyle alterations one more time in DC's Young Love #111 (1974).

Next week:
Another Example of the Fascinating Attempt by DC to be More Inclusive...
You'll Cry Your Eyes Out if You Miss It!
(Oh, you've heard that, eh?)
And now a word from out sponsor...
Visit our

Negro Romance

Comic Collectibles Store
featuring the cover art from all four HTF issues on kool kollectibles!

Beach Read MYSTERY OF THE MISSING BRIDE "Chapter 4: Truths Revealed"

When Last We Left Our Heroine...

...as members of the Langfrey family die right and left, Laura Chandler best friend of Bettina Langfrey, the first victim, tries to solve the mystery behind the murders!

We hope you've enjoyed our re-presentation of this never-reprinted book-length, multi-chapter Gothic novel from DC's Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1 (1971) by Dorothy Woolfolk, Ethan Mordden, and Tony DiZuniga!

Next Wednesday:

We Resume Our Weekly Publication Schedule with Another Tale of ♥True Love♥!

You'll Cry Your Eyes Out If You Miss It!

Please Support True Love Comics Tales

Visit Amazon and Order...

Gothic Tales of Haunted Love

Beach Read MYSTERY OF THE MISSING BRIDE "Chapter 3: Locked Room"

There are questions aplenty that require answers!

Perhaps they can be found in...

...or will there simply be more unanswered questions?

Uh oh...
Be here TOMORROW for the finale of this never-reprinted book-length, multi-chapter Gothic novel from DC's Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1 (1971) by Dorothy Woolfolk, Ethan Mordden, and Tony DiZuniga!

You'll Cry Your Eyes Out If You Miss It!

Please Support True Love Comics Tales

Visit Amazon and Order...

Gothic Tales of Haunted Love

Beach Read MYSTERY OF THE MISSING BRIDE "Chapter 2: Death at Langfrey Leap..."

When Last We Left Our Heroine, Laura...

...so, I guess the intruder we saw in Laura's room while she was sleeping was a harmless "red herring"?

Or...was (s)he?

No one's there?
Are we sure?
Be here TOMORROW for the continuation of this never-reprinted book-length, multi-chapter Gothic novel from DC's Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1 (1971) by Dorothy Woolfolk, Ethan Mordden, and Tony DiZuniga!

You'll Cry Your Eyes Out If You Miss It!

Please Support True Love Comics Tales

Visit Amazon and Order...

Gothic Tales of Haunted Love