Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Robbin
 

http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2016/06/...-robbins.html#

As a kid I had a handful of comics featuring the work of illustrator Frank Robbins. And I hated it.

I was stupid.

Like Alex Toth, Milton Caniff and other genius artists that make their work look deceptively simple, Frank Robbins’ work was bold and electric.

This story, which appeared on the Comic Art Fans site courtesy of it’s owner, Paul Handler, is a previously unpublished anti-drug story featuring Batman and Robin and was illustrated by Robbins and written by Denny O’Neil (who’s anti-drug issue of Green Lantern/Green Arrow #85 wouldn’t see print until the following year). It would have also beat Marvel’s Spider-Man anti-drug arc by Stan Lee and Gil Kane to print presumably as well.

I’ve reached out to Mr. O’Neil and will update with any further information.

Enjoy! And don’t fry your brains!


Panels on link above.

Link doesn't seem to work now but it's on this site, also.

http://www.comicartfans.com/searchre...rank%20Robbins

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

Thanks for posting. I breezed by this info on Facebook last night, but now that I stop and look, it's a sweet find. Saved the pages to my HD just in case.

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

I did the same thing. Gonna color the pages in PS when I have time.

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

Like you, I really disliked Frank Robbins' art while growing up. But after reading so much praise for his work in Back Issue and the like, I gave his stuff another chance as an adult. And I still don't like it! :D

Toth, however, is a god. Loved his stuff as a kid and still love it now.

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

:lol: That's part of the article I cut and pasted. But I agree. Robbins' art sucks but he is a good writer.

This reminds me of when I picked up this issue in a bargain bin back in the 70's for 50 cents. Cool Adams cover but when I got home I seriously wanted my 50 cents back. The interior sucked.

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psg8kgbyug.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps25cfqat3.jpg

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

I'll give you $2 for it. Quadruple your investment!

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

I would but since Adams colored it; I think I will hold on to it. :)

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

Here's where we'll agree to disagree. I LOVE Frank Robbins artwork.

His work had style. I prefer style to the more realistic renderings of a Neal Adams and more modern artists like John Cassaday and the like. Robbin's work was uniquely individual and, while not at all Kirby-like, shared some of the King's dynamism. And look at how he places those blacks. Perfection! I loved him on the Invaders, Captain America, the Human Fly and, to a lesser degree, Batman (which I wasn't buying too often way back when).

I don't think he was especially suited to super hero comics, despite my affection for his contributions in that genre. Look up some of his Johnny Hazard strips; they're things of beauty. Here's a result from a super quick Google search:

http://www.thrillmer.com/comics/jhaz021355.jpg

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

That I will agree with and what you posted suits his style. It sort of looks like Caniff art.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...6af62e8f6f.jpg

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

Yup! Robbins (and pretty much all of the cartoonists from his era) was heavily influenced by Caniff. And I mean that in a good way.

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

The examples I've seen of Robbins' newspaper work far outstrips his superhero work. (Just because The Invaders is set in WWII doesn't mean you have to draw everyone in a swastika pose.) And as mrhan points out, he was a pretty good writer (and co-creator of Man-Bat). Most of my recent comic purchases has been early Bronze Age stuff I missed the first time around, and I was pleasantly surprised by his writing in Detective. I still hate his comics art, though!

I have two oversized collection of the earliest Terry and the Pirates strips that I've been meaning to read forever. It was such a hugely influential strip - not just in comics, but in movies, tv, and fiction as well - yet remains one of those those works that more people today know of than know firsthand.

Re: Read An Unpublished BATMAN Anti-Drug Story From 1970 By Denny O’Neil and Frank Ro
 

That would be my critique, Robbins' style seemed far more suited to newspaper strips than comic books.