REACH FOR HAPPINESS Episode 8

Welcome back to romance comics' longest-running soap opera...

You'll note a change as of this issue.

The page after the splash (which also doubles as the cover) now features a cast listing along with the usual "What Happened Before".

But, you, dear reader, will have to wait until next week's installment to hear what Ray will say to the man who will marry his One True Love!

Next Week...

Dinner and a movie...with Batman and Robin???
(Hey, it was 1967! Those guys were everywhere!)
We can guarantee that...

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

(Oh, you've heard that, eh?)

This chapter of "Reach for Happiness" from Secret Hearts #117 (1967) was written by Jack Miller, with a splash by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer with the remainder of the story something of a mish-mash with layouts and pencils by several different people including John Rosenberger, Jim Mooney and Gene Colan with primary inks by Tom Palmer and additional inks by a couple of others I can't identify right off.

And now a word from out sponsor...

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YOUNG ROMANCE "I Love You, Frank Gerard"

You think "mansplaining" is a new phenomenon?

Hardly.

It was happening at least as far back as 1948, when this tale appeared!

This never-reprinted story of business, love, and the business of love is from Prize's Young Romance #4 (1948).

Layouts by Jack Kirby, pencils by Jerry Robinson & Mort Meskin, inks by Joe Simon.

The writer is unknown, but believed to be Simon and/or Kirby.

Next week:

The Return of Reach for Happiness...

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

(Oh, you've heard that, eh?)

And now a word from out sponsor...

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True Love Comics Tales™

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MODERN LOVE "Love Story to End ALL Love Stories!"

Sometimes comics pros are their own harshest critics...

...as this tale from EC's Modern Love #8 (1950) demonstrates!

Notes: "T. Tot" is a fictional character whose name is based on "Tiny Tot Comics, Inc", one of the shell company name used by EC for several of its' titles including Modern Love).

The man with glasses is based on EC Comics publisher/story co-writer Bill Gaines.

The other sycophant is based on editor/co-writer/illustrator Al Feldstein

 Notes: "Wolf Comics" is based on Fox Comics, who actually put romance titles out before EC (along with crime comics like the titles on the wall)...

Notes: Comics in those days were only 10 cents each, so the "two dollars and thirty cents for twenty-three comics" is accurate!
And, at that point, 20% of all comics were romance titles including hybrids like Golden West Love, Wartime Romances and Love Mystery!
The publisher in Panel 2, "Love" Greasin, is based on rival publisher Lev Gleason, who, like EC, published crime and romance comics.

Notes: "Jack Lyman" (the tall one) is Joe Simon and "Joe Curry" (guy with the cigar) is Jack Kirby, the actual creators of the romance comics genre.

Guess few people wrote in since "The Love Story to End All Love Stories" was the final story in the final issue of Modern Love.

EC cancelled all it's titles except horror, crime, and sci-fi, but adding two humor titles, MAD and PANIC in 1952.

When the "Seduction of the Innocent" witch hunt drove many comics publishers out of business in the mid 1950s, EC cancelled everything but MAD (which was rebooted as a b/w magazine and continues to this day) and launched a new line of "picto-fiction" adult-oriented b/w magazines including the romance-themed Confessions Illustrated, which lasted only two issues.

Next week:

We haven't decided yet what it'll be, but we can guarantee that...

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

True Love Comics Tales™

Comics Collectibles Shop

REACH FOR HAPPINESS Episode 7 Part 2

When Last We Left Danville Corners...

Karen, hoping to forget her troubles, goes to the movies, where she discovers a revival of a flick starring her dead husband is playing.

Afterwards, she's given a lift by her friends' teenage son, Richie, and his girlfriend, Joanie, who inform her they're eloping, and need her as a witness for the wedding!

When they stop at a gas station, Karen calls Richie's parents, Lila and Roger, and gives them the teens' destination, where the parents prevent the wedding.

Karen is driven home by Roger, and...

Yet another player has re-entered the Game of Love!

Be back next month as we continue romance comics' longest-running soap opera!

Next Week...

We haven't decided yet what it'll be, but we can guarantee that...

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

(Oh, you've heard that, eh)

BTW: This chapter of "Reach for Happiness" from Secret Hearts #116 (1966) was written by Jack Miller, with a cover by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer with the remainder of the story something of a mish-mash with layouts and pencils by several different people including John Rosenberger, Jim Mooney and Gene Colan with primary inks by Tom Palmer and additional inks by a couple of others I can't identify right off.

And now a word from out sponsor...

Check out the

True Love Comics Tales™

Comics Collectibles Shop

REACH FOR HAPPINESS Episode 7

Welcome back to romance comics' longest-running soap opera...

BTW, though this Gene Colan-Tom Palmer illustrated splash is lovely, it has nothing to do with the story,

Nor is the red-headed girl Karen's sister, Peggy (who's black-haired).

It looks more like Rita, Karen's nemesis for Dr. Greg's affections!

Ah, well, on with the synopsis and today's installment...

 

At any rate, teen-age love's trials and travails are temporarily put aside as...

Next Week...

Sisters Reunite!
We can guarantee that...

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

(Oh, you've heard that, eh?)

BTW: This chapter of "Reach for Happiness" from Secret Hearts #116 (1966) was written by Jack Miller, with a splash by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer with the remainder of the story something of a mish-mash with layouts and pencils by several different people including John Rosenberger, Jim Mooney and Gene Colan with primary inks by Tom Palmer and additional inks by a couple of others I can't identify right off.

And now a word from out sponsor...

Check out the

True Love Comics Tales™

Comics Collectibles Shop