Graphic Classics: Rafael Sabatini/ 141 pgs. & $11.95 from Eureka Productions/various artists and writers/sold at comics shops and www.graphicclassics.com

Once a celebrated author, Rafael Sabatini is virtually unknown today. Even his tales of the pirate Captain Blood, 'immortalized' in motion pictures by actor Errol Flynn, are slipping into obscurity. If nothing else, Sabatini is proof positive that fame is fleeting.

The 13th volume in the Graphic Classics series of literature adapted into comics is proof that it shouldn't be fleeting. Sabatini wrote high adventure, supernatural, and other genres
tales in novels, short stories, and poetry. They are deserving of praise.

My favorite art in this collection is by Gerry Alanguilan. The best story is every story; Sabatini was talented, and these terse adaptations of his work are entertaining and worth
your attention.

The entire Graphic Classics series is strongly recommended. MV

Superman Family #173 [1975]/50 pgs. DC Comics/various artists and writers/sold at comics shops and on-line auctions.

They were different.

In general, comic books predating the 1980s were story rather than character driven, and were created for an audience of young readers around the age of ten. Indeed, Superman
Family almost seems silly compared to today's character driven, hard-edged, and even grim titles.

Reading an issue for the first time in thirty years was refreshing.

"Superman's pal" Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl, Lois Lane and Superdog are the featured cast. Inside, Jimmy becomes a superhero, Supergirl marries the man who destroyed her home planet, Suberdog saves Superboy, and Lois Lane becomes a series of super-bugs. No one is killed, no one is a drug addict, and life doesn't stink. No kidding.

Couldn't we get a few optimistic titles back on today's market? Pretty please!

Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection (OCC) Hall of Fame member E. Nelson Bridwell and OCC Associate Kurt Schaffenberger produced the Lois Lane "Super Bug" story. Recommended. MV

Order you copy of the all-Vance horror paperback Apocris 1 at http://www.lighthousemediaone.co.uk/FutureProjects.html

Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to fourcolorcommentary.blogspot.com/