The Comics Journal #39
A sharp, early look at Marvel’s Machine Man, Spider-Woman, and Devil Dinosaur from Kim Thompson, who calls out familial tropes and Kirby’s bold reinventions, while Gene Phillips critiques a pricey Superboy issue and J. Dawson dissects the recycled beats in Showcase #101—this 1978 issue of The Comics Journal offers incisive, no-nonsense commentary from three key voices, with Joe Staton’s dynamic cover capturing the era’s underground comics energy.
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Thompson reviews the first issues of Machine Man, Spider-Woman and Devil Dinosaur: "Spider-Woman: incest in the Marvel Family;" "From Dinosaurs to Robots, Kirby Strikes Out Again." Philips reviews All-New Collectors' Edition #C-55 Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes: "An Overpriced Underachievement." Dawson reviews Showcase #101- "Reviving Cliches."
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).