Alter Ego #95 July 2010 (magazine review).
With a cover by Marie Severin, this has to be issue of ‘Alter Ego’ which looks at her most famous contribution to the Marvel stable, ‘Not Brand Echh!’. Originally devised by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas and Mike Friedrich, Roy as its editor fills in all the gaps. His and Friedrich’s plan was to spoof the competition a’la ‘Mad’ but went with Stan Lee to spoof their own creations first before anyone else did and do it better.
The complete ‘Not Brand Echh!’ volume only came out last year but in many ways, this issue of ‘Alter Ego’ is probably the best companion to have to it as Roy Thomas looks at all the stories in its 13 issue run. Rather interestingly, # 7 had the lowest sales figures but he says the distributors seeing the Stuporman spoof thought it might have messed with their DC Comics distribution. I do have to say that this is one of my favourite covers, mostly for the fact that every creature from Kreepton had a cape, including the fish. Sheer magic and Severin at her best.
A 1977 interview with Marie Severin is a joy because she casually examines the comicbook industry at that time, the lack of good letterers and her own position as a multi-tasker in every part of the industry. When you bear in mind that after EC Comics, Severin was at Timely/Marvel for the rest of her long career speaks well for her talents. You’ve also got to love a gal who can draw the Incredible Hulk with a black eye.
In contrast, the third part of an interview with DC editor George Kashdan shows some of the more nebulous goings-on and on amongst the editors there. From a modern day perspective, I doubt if such things would be allowed today and certainly create a lot more fuss.
Michael T. Gilbert aka Mr. Monster is in the second part of an article on EC Comics where headline titles are repeated for different stories.
With early issues like this, I’m only picking on the significant subjects but even a decade down the line, this ‘Back Issue’ should have enough features to make it worth your time acquiring a copy.
GF Willmetts
August 2020
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $ 7.95 (US). ISSN: 1932-6890. Direct from them, you can get it for $ 4.77 (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_55&products_id=879&zenid=9022ffc62c893501059188a86db8a116
