Number 418


Toth's Thunder


The headline of this posting has a double meaning; not only am I showing you a 12-page Johnny Thunder story from All American Western #108, 1949, but an opinion piece artist Alex Toth wrote 30 years later for Philippine Comics Revue Magazine #1. Never one to hide his displeasure, Toth rumbles forth like a force of nature with his views on the then-current state of comic book art.

The Johnny Thunder story was penciled by Toth, inked by Frank Giacoia and written by Robert Kanigher. In the postwar era, one of my favorite periods from the history of comics, there was a lot of talent. Toth had major talent and was also working with some gifted contemporaries at DC Comics. In 1979 when Toth threw down lightning bolts and shook the firmament with his thunderous opinions, you know he knew what he was talking about.