Alter Ego #101 May 2011 (magazine review).
Exploring the 2011 issue of Alter Ego, the cover features heroes that aren’t immediately recognizable. One might wonder, who is Victor Fox and why should we be wary of him? This issue of Alter Ego aims to enlighten us.
ictor Fox, owner of the Fox Feature Syndicate, recognized the lucrative potential of superhero comics in 1941, following Superman’s success. He introduced his own superhero, Wonder Man, in Wonder Comics. This issue includes a reprint from Xero #8 (1961) by Richard Kyle, detailing the history of Fox.
Fox encountered legal issues with Wonder Man, illustrated by Will Eisner, due to its resemblance to Superman. We’ll delve into that more later. Some Fox characters, like the Green Mask and the Flame, achieved moderate success, but it was the Blue Beetle and the Phantom Lady who endured, transitioning to other comic book companies. Kyle’s piece also highlights the comic books’ advertisements featuring nearly impossible token collections.
The article revisits National Periodicals’ lawsuit against Victor Fox for Wonder Man’s similarities to Superman, predating their legal battle with Fawcett. Writer Ken Quattro had access to the court transcripts, offering enlightening details on the case’s key points and timeline. Fox lost the lawsuit, with Wonder Man deemed more similar to Superman than Captain Marvel was. The article also mentions Batman and Robin copycats, though no lawsuits were filed, leading one to ponder if there were simply too many to sue.
Additionally, the issue features part one of an interview with comic book artist/writer Jack Mendelsohn by Jim Amash, shedding light on Mendelsohn’s encounters throughout his career.
The ‘Mr. Monster’ segment includes Will Eisner discussing the significance of a good letterer, specifically his own, Abe Kanegson, who disappeared after four years. Intriguingly, the following issue reveals Kanegson was found much later.
The Fawcett Collectors section features June Swayze recounting her husband Marc’s career. Marc worked from home, drawing all night while June kept him company, until their children came along.
C.C. Beck contributes a thought-provoking piece on comic book writing, emphasizing that artists are more interested in what needs to be visually represented in the panel rather than excessive text. It’s a reminder that comic book writers are compensated for plot and dialogue, not word count, similar to film scripting’s balance of dialogue and visual needs.
This issue of Alter Ego offers a plethora of insights and reflections, making it a surprisingly thought-provoking read.
GF Willmetts
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $10.95 (US). ISSN: 1932-6890. Direct from them, you can get it digitally for $ 4.99 (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_55&products_id=972
