The Tippy P.A.L. Club

The Tippy P.A,L, Club was similar to Archie's reporter cards. VERY similar. In fact, everything about TIPPY was similar to Archie, right down to the folks behind the scenes. Published by Tower with former Archie editor Harry Shorten at the top and former Jughead artist Samm Schwartz  as editor, the art, although uncredited, is largely by moonlighting Archie illustrators. According to legend, inkers penciled and pencilers inked so as to keep the Archie folks from finding out!

8 Tracks in Your Car

Seen on Facebook. The 8 Track cartridge had been introduced a couple of years earlier but only caught on when Ford began installing players in the new '66 models at the end of '65. The format died off after ten years or so, replaced first by cassette players and later by CD players.. 

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom

I have no idea what kind of schedule Gold Key had this title on. Sometimes it was bi-monthly, other times quarterly. In 1966, only three issues were actually released. Although not known for their superhero titles, this Western series (that's Western Publishing, not cowboys), is well-remembered and has been revived several times.

Any Wednesday

Based on a popular Broadway play, ANY WEDNESDAY starred Jane Fonda at her most vivacious and was a well-received and well-reviewed adult comedy hit in '66.

The Beach Boys-Good Vibrations

This was the game changer. This was the single where Brian Wilson developed a style that had little in common with his band's traditional surf music and everything in common with where music would head for the next few years. "Good Vibrations" influenced The Beatles and the world and is still remembered today as the amazing song it is.

El Dorado Trailer

By '66, John Wayne had transcended being a "cowboy star" and had become the number one box office attraction in the country. The Duke's films in this period were often epics filled with old friends and up and coming stars. Such was EL DORADO, spotlighting Wayne with Robert Mitchum. The veterans included Arthur Hunnicut and Paul Fix. Newcomers were James Caan. Ed Asner and Christopher George. The film was written by sci-fi legend Leigh Brackett who would go on to write THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and it was directed by Howard Hawks who also gave the world the screwball comedy classic, BRINGING UP BABY.

Bat Stuff # 40

The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.

On today's date in '66, THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. made its debut on NBC. The magazine above debuted in newsstands a few months later. Although much campier than its male counterpart, the series acquired some loyal fans for itself and star Stefanie Powers who would go on to much TV success.

Barbie's Cousin, Francie

Bat Stuff # 39

Weird

WEIRD was a '66 magazine designed to cash in on the success of Warren's CREEPY and EERIE titles by taking things a step or two further as far as violence, blood, torture and dismemberment. At least that's the direction in which these mags went. In the beginning, they were partly made up of pre-code reprints from bottom-of-the-barrell horror comics. Although the stories have a certain kitsch value in retrospect, the covers were often quite well done in this early stage.

Captain Celluloid Vs the Film Pirates

CAPTAIN CELLULOID VS THE FILM PIRATES was a fan project from '66 made by film buffs, for film buffs, about film buffs, all set up in the form of a tribute to the adventure serials of the thirties, forties and early fiifties. The poster  (adapted for this later DVD cover) is by noted illustrator Gray Morrow, subject of our sister blog, SHADES OF GRAY.

Little Dot

Along with superheroes, I was still reading the Harvey Comics I'd grown up with in '66. One of my favorites had always been LITTLE DOT. I never realized at the time just how cheerfully OCD she was! I actually went through a phase where I drew dots on everything I owned. Ruined many a future collectible that way. :(

The Who-Can't Explain