"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!

P.C. HAMERLINCK reveals the secret—often bitter—early-1970s combat by correspondence between SHAZAM! artist (and Captain Marvel co-creator) C.C. BECK and DC editor JULIUS SCHWARTZ! It’ll take more than one magic word to avoid a head-on collision between these two titanic talents! Plus, more FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), MICHAEL T. GILBERT in Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt, and more! With an unused SHAZAM cover by C.C. BECK! Edited by ROY THOMAS.

It's the Golden Girls of James Bond, in a secret agent dossier on Goldfinger’s Shirley Eaton, Thunderball’s Martine Beswick, Live and Let Die’s Gloria Hendry, The Living Daylights’ Maryam d’Abo, and Miss Moneypenney herself, Lois Maxwell! Then, here we come, walking down the street – with Herbie J Pilato and The Monkees. Our doctor's prescription is “You are gonna have fun!” especially with our feature on Doctor Demento. Plus, we step into The Little Shop of Horrors—and look, up in the sky! Professor Larry Maslon tugs on Superman’s cape (the Broadway Superman, that is)! Featuring columns by Mark Voger, Will Murray, Scott Saavedra, Andy Mangels, Scott Shaw! and more! Edited by Ed Catto.