Retro Fan #29 November 2023 (magazine review).
Retro Fan offers valuable insight into early Americana that might be unfamiliar to the UK audience. For instance, “Beany And Cecil,” follows the adventures of a boy and a seasick-prone sea serpent, transitioning from puppetry to animation.
Scott Shaw’s article primarily focuses on animator/creator Bob Clampett’s challenges breaking into the nascent TV industry during the 1950s, and the hurdles he faced securing funding before ultimately winning accolades for his show. Recently, our Channel 82 has aired some Roy Rogers films, introducing me to his partner/wife Dale Evans. Theresa Kaminski provides a detailed account of Evans’s cinematic journey, highlighting her popularity, which rivaled her husband’s.
Scott Saavedra delves into the life of Charles Atlas, originally named Angelo Siciliano (1892-1972), illuminating his dynamic tension muscle-building technique and its prolific advertisement across comic books. I was surprised by the plethora of muscle-building courses available and how frequently the Atlas advertisement was revised over time.
Mark Voger’s exploration of quirky ’60s robots features a few cyborgs, such as Doom Patrol’s Robotman and the Daleks. Reflecting on this, notable omissions include Robert the Robot from ‘Fireball XL5’, the Recorder from ‘The Mighty Thor’, and characters from ‘Doctor Who’ and the British ‘Avengers’.
Shaun Clancy’s interview with actor/voice impersonator Alan Young (1919-2016) was enlightening. Beyond Young’s memorable portrayal of Wilbur Post in ‘Mr. Ed’, I was unaware that he voiced Scrooge McDuck, though I don’t recall seeing those cartoons in the UK.
Ian Millsted examines UK annuals of American TV shows, pointing out occasional costume inaccuracies. For instance, ‘Star Trek’ illustrations, crafted by Spanish artists with limited access to show stills, mistakenly depicted the Enterprise using rockets. He mentions the ‘Hawaii 5-0’ comic strip in ‘TV Action’, and I eagerly anticipate a sequel covering UK series annuals introduced to the US.
Michael Eury shares his fleeting experience driving a DeLorean. Personally, I would’ve enjoyed a deeper dive into his interactions with the vehicle’s iconic gull-wing doors.
Will Murray’s account of ‘Miami Vice’ differed from my brief encounter with the show, which seemed filled with pregnant pauses and sparse dialogue. Instead, I leaned more towards the ‘Fastlane’ TV series, boasting a similar undercover cop premise but with greater depth and action.
Lastly, Andy Mangels analyses the ‘Super Powers’ era of DC characters on TV. I was unaware of the rarity and appeal of the Cyborg toy, and I hope Mangels expands on other superhero figures. I recall my excitement upon discovering Marvel’s Deathlok and Black Bolt toys a few years back. Delving into the article reveals a strategic collaboration between TV, Kenner, and DC Comics to appeal to a younger demographic. This strategy likely influenced Cyborg’s inclusion in the new JLA films.
In conclusion, although I might come across as overly critical, it’s primarily because Retro Fan resonates deeply, evoking memories and stimulating thought. After all, who doesn’t relish a trip down memory lane?
GF Willmetts
October 2023
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page magazine. Price: $10.95. (US). ISSN: 2576-7224. Direct from them, you can get it for $10.95 (US))
check out website: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_152&products_id=1702
