MIGHTY COMICS GROUP - INTRODUCING THE FLY GIRL !!!

Fly Girl, aka Kim Brand, first appeared in Adventures of the Fly #13-#30. From there she went on to co-star in Fly Man #33-#39 (with some cameos in-between) & The Mighty Crusaders #1-#7 (origin story in #7) and then into the eighties in Blue Ribbon Comics #13 (primarily starring Thunder Bunny), The Fly #1-#3 (only cameo appearances in the rest of the series), and Might Crusaders #1-#7 in the sixties and the eighties. Oddly enough, she also showed up in few issues of Archie's Laugh Comics (#136, #139 & #143.) 

Splash page from The Fly #5!

After the Fly rescued Kim Brand, when she fell out of a hotel window, she fell in love with her savior. Then an enemy of the Fly sought to defeat the hero by arranging two simultaneous crimes, judging that the hero could not be in two places at once, so Turan, emissary of the Fly People appeared to Kim and offered to grant her a Fly Ring too, thus transforming her into Fly Girl (in Adventures of the Fly #13 & 14.)

Adventures of the Fly #13
"The Lady and the Monster" 
After actress Kim Brand notes that the aliens in her debut picture are imaginary, the Fly takes her to see a real inhabitant of Saturn. Professor Jahke's robot has all the powers and characteristics of a Saturnian. The brute falls in love with Kim and abducts her, but dies of a broken heart.
Written by Robert Bernstein with John Rosenberger art (Fly Girl creators.)

Adventures of the Fly #14
"Menace of the Metal Monster"
Origin of Fly Girl.
Written by Robert Bernstein with John Rosenberger art. 

Adventures of the Fly #30

"One Minute to Doom"
While Kim Brand is waiting for Tommy Troy in his office, a gang of crooks break in. They hold Kim hostage while they wait for Troy to show up in order to kill him. Kim must get a message to Tommy without the crooks knowing it and without changing to Fly Girl.
Written by Robert Bernstein with John (NoMan) Guinta art. 

Fly Man #34
""Fly Man's Treasonous Team-Mates"
While on vacation in Africa, Fly-Man and his teammates route an elephant rampage and get taken prisoner by the Destructor. As the Detructor loots a city, Fly Girl tries to stop him. Then, the Hangman shows up to lend Fly Girl a hand.
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.

Fly Man #35
"Phantasmon the Terrible"
After the alien Phantasmon captures Fly-Man and Fly Girl, he and his three henchmen Sorro, Disastro and the Crumbler attempt to conquer the earth! 
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
 

Fly Man #39
"Beware the Blockbuster"
Fly-Man battles Blockbuster, who is intent on destroying property and knows that Fly-Man is really Thomas Troy. 
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.

The Mighty Crusaders #1
"The Mighty Crusaders Vs. The Brain Emperor" 
During the official formation of the Mighty Crusaders, the heroes are attacked by five aliens and their leader, The Brain Emperor.
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman & Frank Giacoia art. 

The Mighty Crusaders #2
"Mighty Crusaders Battle Inferno, the Destroyer"
The Crusaders learn that a giant space drill is headed for earth, but are unable to stop it. At the last second, the drill is destroyed by the villainous Inferno. 
Written by Jerry Siegel with Mike Sekowsky & Paul Reinman art.  

The Mighty Crusaders #7
"The Origin of Fly Girl"
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.  

The Fly #1
"Return of the Sinister Spider"
After years of retirement, the magic finally returns to Thomas' ring and he assumes the identity of the Fly again. Kim, though is reluctant to take on her powers again. Fly tracks the Spider down, but he is shot by the Spider.
Written by Rich Buckler & Jack C. Harris (plot) with Jim (Legion of Super Heroes) Sherman art.  
Stunning Jim Steranko cover! 

The Fly #2
"A Woman's Place"
Fly Girl contemplates whether or not to join Thomas in becoming superheroes again. Later, she saves her producer from a mafia boss as Fly-Girl and decides to relaunch her crime-fighting career.
Written by Rich Buckler & Stan Timmons with Adrian Gonzales & Ricardo Villagran art.  
Even sweeter Jim Steranko cover! 

Back cover to issue #3!

The Fly #3
"Who is the Monster?"
Kim Brand is working on a movie about Pascal, an old foe of the Fly's. But the movie is being sabotaged by someone. In addition, a wife of one of the stuntmen on the set is being abused by her husband.
Written by Jack C. Harris with Steve Ditko art inked by Bill (Spyman) Draut & Rich (Demon Hunter) Buckler.
"Faithfully Yours"
Kim Brand is hunted by a jealous stalker after he sees Kim dating Thomas.
Written by Rich Buckler & Stan Timmons with Steve Ditko & Alan Kupperberg art.
Fantastic Rudy Nebres cover.

The Fly #5
"The Fly"
As two crooked scientists try to claim the invention, moneys and recognition of a third scientist, they leave a trail of death behind them. When Tom Troy starts investigating too closely, they frame him for jury tampering.
After announcing she's fallen in love with someone else, Kim Brand gets an amicable send-off in two pages. \
Script/art by Steve Ditko with dialogue by Robin Snyder. 
Great Ditko & Nebres cover.  
 

Mighty Crusaders #1
"Prologue"
As the Brain Emperor begins a plan to eliminate Earth's heroes, the 2nd Shield, the Fly, Fly Girl and Jaguar cross paths, thanks to General Ranse Smith. The original Shield stops a jewel heist, and the Black Hood rides his bike to a spot designated by the Comet.
Written by Rich Bucker with art by Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia.

Mighty Crusaders #2
"Atlantis Rising"
As the Web, Jaguar, the Fly, Fly Girl, and the Shield defeat Eterno's gigantic androids, the Black Hood, the original Shield and the Comet take the battle to the Brain Emperor's satellite. The Mighty Crusaders are attacked and defeated by the Malevolent Legion of Juggernauts.
Parts 2 & 3 continued from issue #1.

Written by Rich Bucker with art by Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia

Mighty Crusaders #5
"Sacrifice Play"
As the Brain Emperor begins a plan to eliminate Earth's heroes, the 2nd Shield, the Fly, Fly Girl and Jaguar cross paths, thanks to General Ranse Smith. The original Shield stops a jewel heist, and the Black Hood rides his bike to a spot designated by the Comet. 
Written by Cary Burkett with Adrain Gonzales, Rich Buckler & Tony deZuniga art.

Throughout the years, these comics have been great high camp and full of super hero action. I trust you've enjoyed them as much as I have.

 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Illo from Steve Butler!

ARCHIE'S SPECTACULAR - SUPER HERO COMICS DIGEST !!!

In what looked like another Archie comics book, came our beloved Mighty Comics Super Heroes.In digest format, Archie reprinted Golden & Silver Age stories featuring the Black Hood, the Jaguar, Lancelot Strong, the Shield, Hangman, The Fox, The Fly and the Web. Not to mention the supernatural stories. 

Not the Ironfirst we usually think of!

Striking Rudy Nebres cover!

Hope you remember Steve Ditko worked on the Fly title!

It was fabulous to have all this in a single publication. Not to mention all the fabulous talent contained inside. Jerry (Super Green Beret) Siegel, Paul (The Web) Reinman, Joe (Bullseye) Simon, Jack (New Gods) Kirby, Gray (Space: 1999) Morrow, Neal (Deadman) Adams, Dick (Stephanie Starr) Giordano, Marv Channing, Al (Girl from U.N.C.L.E.) McWilliams, Jesse (Tarzan) Santos and John (NoMan) Guinta!

Archie's Super Hero Special #1
"The Nightmare World of the Skull"
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.  
Reprint from Mighty Comics #47.
"The Monster Mouse"
Written by Robert Bernstein with art by John Rosenberger.

Reprinted from Adventures of the Jaguar #1.
"Marco's Eyes"
Script/art by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.
Reprinted from The Fly #2.
"Black Fog"
Written by T. Casey Brennan with Gray Morrow art.

Although not super hero, work mentioning for the Morrow art.
Reprinted in Red Circle Sorcery #6.
"Meet Lancelot Strong, the Man with the Double Life"
"the Double Life of Lancelot Strong"  
"Spawn of the X-World"
"Mystery of the Vanished Wreckage"
Script/art by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.
Reprinted from The Double Life of Lancelot Strong #1.
"Essays in the Supernatural Familiars"
Written by Phil Seuling with Gray Morrow art.
Reprinted from Chilling Adventures in Sorcery #3.
"The Web Versus the Flipper"
Written by Jerry Siegel with art by Paul Reinman. 
Reprinted from Mighty Comics #46.
"Essays in the Supernatural Werewolfs"
Written by Marv Channing with Gray Morrow art.
Reprinted from Red Circle Sorcery #6.

Archie's Super Hero Comics Digest #2
"Kip-you're a good cop..."
Traces the Black Hood line back through history and the various crime fighters in the Burland line. Heavy Metal, in the July 1979 (Vol. 3, #3) issue, printed a re-worked version of the story, featuring a female protagonist, Stingaree.
Script/art by Gray Morrow.
"The Menace of the Micro Men"
Script/art by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.
Reprinted from The Double Life of Private Strong #1
"The Lady and the Monster"
Introduces Kim Brand (later Fly-Girl.)
Reprinted from Adventures of the Fly #13.
"The Ultimate Power"
By Wally Wood!
Reprinted in Basically Strange #1.
"The Death Ray from Space"
Written by Robert Bernstein with art by John Rosenberger.

Reprinted from Adventures of the Jaguar #5.
"The Nine Lives of Falsehood"
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
Reprinted from Mighty Comics #45.
"Black Hood Hits a Sour Note"
Written by Marv Channing with art by Al McWilliams.
Reprinted in Black Hood #1.
"Uglyman's Ugliest Plot"
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
Reprinted from Mighty Comics #40.
"Time Twist"
In order to escape rioting peasants, a vampire and his scientist travel 500 years into the future in a time machine.
Written by Tom DeFalco with art by Chic Stone.
Reprinted in The Fly #8
"The Gasser Attacks"
Written by Jerry Siegle with Paul Reinman art.
Reprinted from Mighty Comics #49.
"Life's Not Like a Comic Book"
Script/art by Gray Morrow & Neal Adams with inks by Dick Giordano.
Reprinted in JCP Features the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1.
"The Ultimate Spies"
Script/art by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.
Reprinted from The Double Life of Private Strong #2.
"The Beast in the Forest"
Written by Tom DeFalco with Jesse Santos art.

"The Fly Meets Cat Girl"
Written by Robert Bernstein with John Giunta art.
Reprinted from Adventures of the Fly #9.
"It's Murder to Beat the Odds"
Written by Marv Channing with art by Al McWilliams.
Reprinted in Blue Ribbon #8.

Here's the reworked Black Hood story from Heavy Metal!

 

I mean, how can you pass by all this super hero & supernatural adventure? Where are you going to find all this fun under one title. I loved those digest editions! They're fantastic, but easily overlooked.

Live Large My Freinds!

Thank You!

Always loved this Texeira cover!

Cat Girl rescued by The Fly!

 

MIGHTY COMICS GROUP BRINGS US - THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS !!!

The Mighty Crusaders, published by Mighty Comics Group (Archie Comics) brought together their super heroes into a powerful crime fighting team. Jerry Siegel penned the scripts, Paul Reinman & Mike Sekowsky, the art with Joe Giella & Frank Giacoia handling the inking.

The Shield, Black Hood (my personal favorite Crusader), The Comet, Fly Man & Fly Girl were the super heroes to band into the new team (first appearance in Fly Man #31). The Archie series mixed typical superhero fare with high camp. They had me hooked with a team book, I've always enjoyed the team books.

Panels from the first issue!

 

The Mighty Crusaders #1
During the official formation of the Mighty Crusaders, the heroes are attacked by five aliens and their leader, The Brain Emperor.
The Eraser comes out of retirement to finish a job he thought he'd completed years ago: the elimination of the Shield. This story reveals that the current Shield is really the son of the original Shield.

The Mighty Crusaders #2
The Mighty Crusaders learn that a giant space drill is headed for earth, but are unable to stop it. At the last second, the drill is destroyed by the villainous Inferno.
After saving the earth, Inferno takes it over, with a willing populace. Fly Girl leaves the Crusaders and joins up with Inferno only to learn about his true malevolence.
The origin of the Comet.  

The Mighty Crusaders #3
After battling evil duplicates of themselves, the Mighty Crusaders attempt to defeat the Deathless Smiler, even as one of them is suspected of being a traitor.
Origin of Fly Man, which explains his metamorphosis from Fly into Fly Man. It also accounts for his new size changing abilities. 

The Mighty Crusaders #4
The formation of the Mighty Crusaders inspires other heroes to come out of retirement and petition for membership.
Features a revival of over a dozen MLJ super characters. The story is told in 4 parts. 

The Mighty Crusaders #5
The Mighty Crusaders and two new super teams called the Ultra Men and the Terrific Three battle the Nameless One and his agents codenamed D.E.M.O.N. The Spider learns that the Nameless One has captured all of the heroes and invades his headquarters determined to kill the heroes himself. But the Spider inadvertently frees the heroes from their peril.
The spy group "A.U.N.T.I.E." is a parody of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. Three part story. 
 

The Mighty Crusaders #6
The Mighty Crusaders bungle up training and stakeouts for the CIA, FBI, the Secret Service and local police.
The Mighty Crusaders are captured by the Maestro and subjected to some dangerous tests. Finally, after passing the tests, the Maestro offers the Crusaders positions in his organization called T.R.I.U.M.P.H. 

The Mighty Crusaders #7
Steel Sterling battles a man capable of creating monsters.
This is a continuation of the first part of the reprint in Fly Man #39.
The Black Hood and The Shield battle a giant named Hammerhead.
The origin of Fly Girl as Metal Witch attacks.

More recently came the Mighty Crusaders: Origin Of A Super Team trade paperback. 

First issue from the marvelous eighties series!

In the eighties, the Mighty Crusaders launched as a new series under Rich Buckler's watch. All in all, this is a classic team book which can be thoroughly enjoyed by lovers of the genre. Fun times! 

I've always loved the team book, one of the earliest I remember enjoying, when it originally came out, was The Avengers #27. Great stuff! 
 

They still did it right in the eighties, how can you go wrong with covers by Toth, Infantino & Nino & Sternako?

Illustration by the great Irv Novick!

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Another Rudy Nebres illustration!

Later came Liefeld!

The eighties saw the release of some action figures!