Thirty-one years ago, I took over the writing chores of the syndicated World’s Greatest Superheroes Starring Superman newspaper strip syndicated by the Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate from then writer Paul Levitz, who himself followed Martin Pasko. Beginning this weekend, I’ll post one week’s worth of the WGSH strip every … Superman Saturday (or Sunday)!
The Week of January 11, 1982 Art by: George Tuska and Vince Colletta Lettering by: Gaspar SaladinoSuperman, World’s Greatest Superheroes, and all related characters and elements © DC Comics
Click on image to enlarge!
Tags: Chricago Tribune Syndicate, Gaspar Saladino, George Tuska, Superman, Vince Colletta, Wonder Woman, World's Greatest Superheroes
Wow…never saw these before. Thanks for posting. It’s interesting that Tuska’s Man of Steel looks a bit like Henry Cavill.
I thought it was about time to get some more of it out there. If memory serves me–and there’s no evidence it ever has–the only run of the WGSH strip that has ever been reprinted is the first story line by Pasko, Tuska & Colletta in a paperback collection from Tor in 1982.
I can’t even tell you how disappointed I was as a kid that our area newspaper didn’t carry the strip. I’m pretty sure I even wrote in requesting it. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing!
Paul, Did you also write a Wonder Woman strip briefly? I seem to recall the Amazing Amazon battling a woman with steel fists(?).
No Bronze Age WW strip that I recall, but we did feature guest-stars in WGSH, and there was a WW continuity and which featured a female villain, but while I’d have to take a look to verify the steel fists, it does sound about right.
I bet you’re right. I know I still have the clipping my mom kept in an old sketchbook. I’ll have to do some digging when I get home.Thanks for the response!
Tuska and Colletta collaborations really meshed, both in this daily strip and in the comic stories they drew together. I read an entry in Vince’s wikipedia page written by some creepy person that hinted otherwise which is sad because these two created some outstanding art. George Tuska was a master of creating Runyonesque characters and Vince Colletta’s Wonder Woman was sexy as hell, no matter who penciled her.
From purely an artistic viewpoint, World’s Greatest Superheroes was the best that one could find in a newspaper.
Hi Paul!!! Thanks a lot for posting this strips. I remember that in Colombia, the Sunday strip ran from 1979 to 1981 and the dailies where published from 1979 to 1986 in a newspaper called “El Espectador”. It was a wonderfull time, just after “Superman The Movie” was premiered in Colombia, and the Man of Steel was everywhere: Tuesdays showed you the George Reeves TV series and the Filmation Cartoons. Every Saturday morning there was a brand new episode of “Superfriends” and the comics were easily avaliable every week.
I still own two issues of the Colombian edition of “Superman” comics that reprinted a two part story of “World’s finest” featuring Superman and Batman against a new incarnation of Composite Superman, pencilled by George Tuska. There was something kinetic and unique in his take of Superman. In that time, many artists tried to follow the steps of Curt Swan or Garcia Lopez in the style, but George’s artwork was top notch. Thanks for sharing all this memories.
Wow…this is great. I have been searching long and hard for the second arc of this strip (the story after Vandal Savage). Is there any chance you might have access to those? I wish some company would reprint these officially…
Hi…these are great to see…do you happen to know if the second arc to this comic strip has ever been available for sharing? I have the Vandal Savage storyline but have been searching in vain for the following story…Thanks for all your talent!
Paul. as far as I know, other than the first arc, none of the rest of the strip has been reprinted.
Hi Paul
Try this page http://bobmitchellinthe21stcentury.wordpress.com/…, under the tag “justice league of america newspaper strip”…the owner of the site reprinted the series from the very first strip, both dailies and sundays, up to august or september 1980 in 171 chapters with great reproductions..,
Ricardo
Thanks, Ricardo!
Thanks for posting these Mr. Kupperberg. I read these everyday when I was growing up. Matter of fact, I made a scrapbook of clippings of 3 stories in 1981-82 back then that I still have. The last of the 3 being the Lady Steel arc that you recently finished posting. Found this blog doing a google search. And looking forward to the future new (old) stories I haven’t read in over 30 years.
Sincerely,
Timothy B.,
Lansing, Michigan
Glad you’re enjoying them. I’m also rereading them as I post them, so it’s been quite an experience for me as well. I remember writing the strip…I just don’t remember exactly WHAT I wrote. Like, right now, at the beginning of this new story line, I’m thinking, “The Joker? Versus Superman? Really? Wonder what I did with that…?”
Timothy,
I also began to read the WGSH early in 1980 but managed to get lots of strips trough the web, the fact is I am missing many from september 81 to 01/09/82…you mentioned ro have clippings from that period..is there any way you could share them ?
Thanks
Ricardo
Here is a link to the the first story that I scanned and posted, from June 22 to Oct. 25, 1981. Will post the other one at a later date.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/l.....871532943/
Dear Timothy:
What can I say ! A big, huge THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With this and the next post and this wonderful blog by Kupperberg this collection will be completed !
What can I do for you in response to you kind gesture ? I have all the strips from the very first WGSH up to 03/31/80 in digital form and from april 1981 to the one you sent scanned and printed…please if you are interested send me your answer to my private mail address “nandinricardo@hotmail.com” …
Ricardo
Here finally is a link to the 2nd story below. An earlier story with The Joker. From October 26, 1981 to January 8, 1982.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/l.....077307156/
Guys, let’s share scans of the non-Kupperberg stories and see if we can approximate the awesome quality that Paul has been sharing each week with us. Rather than burden Paul’s blog, I’ve created a Yahoo group for us to discuss and share. Come join, and spread the word:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/.....perheroes/
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