Wednesday, March 21, 2007

40 Years Ago Today From DC Comics -- Wonder Woman #170

Wonder Woman #170 (On Sale: March 21, 1967) says, "It's Purple Gorilla Time!!!" Cover by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. In the 1960s if DC Comics was known for one thing, it was covers featuring purple gorillas. Apparently they sold very well, because DC never passed up an opportunity to have a purple ape cavorting on a cover.

Inside this issue we have "The Haunted Amazon" by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. When Steve Trevor goes missing after a plane crash he is presumed dead. While Wonder Woman mourns Steve's loss, Dr. Psycho uses his skills as a plastic surgeon to give criminal Pete Slote Steve's face. When the Amazon later encounters Slote, she is unable to stop him because his face reminds her of her dead boyfriend. After failing, Wonder Woman vows to give up her costume and return to Paradise Island.

The backup story is actually the cover story "Wonder Woman -- Gorilla" and is once again by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. Three alien gorillas land on Paradise Island. Wonder Woman meets them and asks them to leave, fearing that their presence will break Aphrodite's law against man setting foot on the island. The gorillas refuse to leave, and the leader wishes to make Wonder Woman his queen. Man, I hate when that happens! This story was reprinted in DC Special #16.

Edited by Robert Kanigher.

No comments: