In today’s bleak, cynical, seen-it-all world, the above “suicide” sequence might seem ho-hum, but trust me: At the time it was pretty controversial and impactful.
This issue is about a kid who can’t die. After he shoots himself, this happens:
It’s turned the kid into a bit of a brat.
The resolution is pretty cool, but I’m not going to spoil it for you. The kid is never seen again (missed opportunity!), so this tale doesn’t matter much. But it’s a great read.
Plus: A cameo by Oliver and Hardy.
I remember this issue, a spinner rack pick at the drugstore for me. The whole idea of exploring the “downside” of immortality really was an interesting take. Plus, as a young reader, I was just starting to understand the different visual styles being used by inkers, and I was fascinated by the way the inker was able to copy Bob Layton’s Iron Man armor style.
I miss spinner racks–the days when people bought comics simply to read them, not for investment and not as rabid collectors. When I would buy comics on sight, just because I liked the cover or was curious about the character–because a comic was a quarter not five bucks.