“Big” John Buscema basks in the spotlight of CBC #43, with a one-on-one interview with the legendary artist conducted by editor Jon B. Cooke — where the Marvel stalwart reveals the moment when comics broke his heart — plus a in-depth biographical essay on the artist along with a gallery of his fabled behind-the-original-art pages amazing “warm up” artwork. We examine the tragic fate of prolific ’70s/’80s Marvel scripter Bill Mantlo, co-creator of Rocket Raccoon and Cloak and Dagger. Also, the fascinating, inside tale of Eastern Color Printing, earliest publisher of American comic books, the first collaboration in an occasional series by historian/researcher Shaun Clancy and Jon B. Cooke. There’s also part two of our lively Shary Flenniken interview, creator of Trots ’n’ Bonnie, about her charming cartooning for National Lampoon. Ted Jalbert talks with Ivan Katz about life with his dad, Jack Katz, and we include Steven Fears’ interview with the great (and underrated) cartoonist Ric Estrada about his varied career, as well as a look at Bazooka Joe comics… and Hembeck, too!
