Watch out – here come the dinosaurs! This month, Martin Gray joins Paul to discuss the classic DC Special #27 from 1977 – Danger: Dinosaurs at Large! by the awesome team of Bob Rozakis, Rich Buckler, and Joe Rubinstein. Starring Captain Comet and Tommy Tomorrow vs. Chronos and Tyranno Rex! Who? Well, you’ll just have to listen to find out! Also – careful where you step – you never know what these dinos leave behind!
Check out Martin’s blog at https://dangermart.blog/
This month’s instocktrades.com selections:
https://www.instocktrades.com/products/mar257222/dc-finest-science-fiction-the-gorilla-world-tp
https://www.instocktrades.com/products/may257251/dc-finest-hawkman-wings-across-time-tp
For more info on Tommy Tomorrow, check out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Tomorrow
https://www.toonopedia.com/tomorrow.htm
https://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/character.php?page=appearances&characterid=123
Have a question or comment? Have a specific issue you love and want to talk to us about it? Have a favorite issue and want to be a guest?
- E-mail us at dcspecialcast@gmail.com
- Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/dcspecialcast.bsky.social
Subscribe to DC SpecialCast:
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dc-specialcast/id1781264740
- Don’t use Apple Podcasts? Use this link for your podcast catcher: http://feeds.feedburner.com/dcspecialcast
- Also available on Spotify, Audible, and Amazon Music
This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:
- Fire & Water website: https://fireandwaterpodcast.com
- Fire & Water Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
- Fire & Water on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fwpodcasts.bsky.social
- Fire & Water Podcast Network on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fwpodcasts
“Cloud Dancer ” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
1 before we even start CAPtain comet AND Martin gray? DEEP!
2 The DAREDEVIL Bad guy Gladiator had been around for ages by 77. so that MAY BE the why they changed GLadiator
3 But there may another reason. In the 70s EVERY FREAKING fanzine article said “ya know the novel gladIATOR Inspired SUPERMAN
4 My favrorite thing about the Secret Socitey was in #2 GRod lists all the alien invasions comet stopped. HAL JORDAN DID’NT KNOW?!
5. IN SSOV they make it clear the JLA REALLY DOES’NT WANT CC
Another one of those specials that I never had but always wanted, because I do recall seeing it in house ads – it just never showed up at any of my local spinner racks. Not only was I a big dinosaur kid (although, who wasn’t?) but I also loved Captain Comet based on the 2 or 3 issues of Secret Society of Supervillains that I owned. Back then I always wondered why he wasn’t a bigger deal, and yes, why he wasn’t a member of the Justice League. I thought he was so damn cool.
And based on your gallery post, a further regret at never having this issue is the art: I’m also a fan of Buckler’s, and Rubinstein’s inks make it all look so lovely.
Speaking of lovely art, it’s great that you got to meet JLGL (PBHN) and snap a photo with him. We really have to treasure these opportunities to meet these creators while they’re still around.
Another great show, Paul. Martin Gray is an international treasure and always welcome on any F&W Podcast. I like dinosaurs, but not quite as much as intelligent gorillas. Yes, I am the target demographic that Julie Schwartz had in mind.
I’ve never read this comic, but I knew Captain Comet quite well from SSOSV. In fact, at age 6 or so, I think I thought that he was a villain who turned over a leaf due to his involvement in that title. It would be interesting to see someone at DC build on his membership in the Justice Alliance (introduced in the recent New History of the DC Universe), a team that existed “between the JSA and the JLA” that also included Prince Ra-Man, Automan, Tiger Man, and everybody’s favorite golden ape Congorilla. I have also enjoyed Captain Comet’s recent guest appearances in Mark Waid’s Action Comics.
It’s cool to see your meeting w/ JLGL (PBHN). He was very kind and gracious a few years ago when I met him. I think I am one of the few fans who have asked him to sign a copy of Doctor Strangefate from the Amalgam Universe.
Another great show, Paul. Martin Gray is an international treasure and always welcome on any F&W Podcast. I like dinosaurs, but not quite as much as intelligent gorillas. Yes, I am the target demographic that Julie Schwartz had in mind.
I’ve never read this comic, but I knew Captain Comet quite well from SSOSV. In fact, at age 6 or so, I think I thought that he was a villain who turned over a leaf due to his involvement in that title. It would be interesting to see someone at DC build on his membership in the Justice Alliance (introduced in the recent New History of the DC Universe), a team that existed “between the JSA and the JLA” that also included Prince Ra-Man, Automan, Tiger Man, and everybody’s favorite golden ape Congorilla. I have also enjoyed Captain Comet’s recent guest appearances in Mark Waid’s Action Comics.
It’s cool to see your meeting w/ JLGL (PBHN). He was very kind and gracious a few years ago when I met him. I think I am one of the few fans who have asked him to sign a copy of Doctor Strangefate from the Amalgam Universe.
Note to Martin re: getting a “Robbie”: Start watching MASH!
I was never a dinosaur kid, so I’m sure this issue would not have resonated with me if I saw it on the newsstand. I admire DC’s willingness to let Captain Comet lead the story, since he was never a big seller.
For whatever reason, when I think of Tommy Tomorrow, I don’t think of any comic he’s ever been in. Rather, his appearance in a Hembeck special, where he commiserates with the Martian Manhunter about their perennial “back-up feature” status. As a kid, I was tickled at the notion of some characters being “stars” and others being background players, like they were actors.
Looking forward to next month! I can guarantee one of the segments is going to be awesome.
This comic proves that the dinosaurs were destroyed by a comet, CAPTAIN COMET!
I’m fairly certain Danger: Dinosaurs at Large is an actual alert in most major cities in the DCU. My only question is how seriously the citizens take it. Do they take it like a midwestern tornado warning and seek shelter and hunker down until the all clear? Or do they treat like a nor’easter in New England and ignore it at their own peril! Either way I’m sure there are always a few people who panic, run to the store and by 5 gallons of milk and 12 loaves of bread.
This was a great episode about a great comic. I will buy a comic with a Dino on the cover over an ape on the cover anyday. Who doesn’t like dinosaurs? Well, maybe people who’ve had their arms bitten off by them.
You will have a new listener as the ice-man as we call my brother ask me to down load your podcast
On to his I phone along with peace bound and down and the monitor tapes he’s very interested the Wonder Woman podcast.
Another great episode: look forward to what’s next it’s to bad there was never a dc special hosted by Vincent price and Jonah hex what book and team up that would have bin .
Here’s a secret question for you and your original partner if you ask to him what celebrity and dc character would team for their own dc special ?
The ice man my brother says Arthur Lowe (from dads army ) and chop chop (from black hawks )
‘Howard Chaykin was the Tom King of his generation’ … as a huge fan of Chaykin and a strong dis-liker of King, this felt like a shiv in the ribs!
What I liked about Twilight was that Chaykin took very little known space characters (for that time) – Tommy Tomorrow, Star Rovers, Space Cabbie – and put them in a dystopian future. Even Brent is there! Definitely worth a read.
As for this episode, fun issue. Feels like DC wanted Comet to be something given the SSOSV starring role and this dinosaur issue. He never quite made it did he. So much fun. Who knew Chronos could be such a wily villain!
Wonderful episode, Paul. Always a delight to hear Martin Gray talk about collecting comics as a kid.
I went through an SSoSV/Captain Comet phase when I first shipped off to college back in 1988. I couldn’t handle all the many changes my life had been through and hit the back issue bins to fill a hole in my soul. That’s when I got this thoroughly enjoyable issue. I was low-key rooting for Comet’s JLA membership, even though I already knew it would never happen. He does show up in at least one JLA pinup that I can think of.
“GREEN ARROW WITHOUT A BEARD??… WHY?” That’s a childhood comic for me. What Rob Kelly would classify as a mountain comic. I read and re-read and read again in the back of my parents 1977 Vista Cruiser station wagon as we moved from Texas to upstate New York. Loved this issue and I think this is when I fell in love with Black Canary. Why did he shave it? To disguise himself as a guard. Did it work? No. But because of this cover I always thought it was a much bigger deal than it was.
Oh my word, Chuck, thank you – the last mystery of the Seventies solved! I must seek this issue out.
Fun fact: Green Arrow used his Razor Arrow* to shave his beard in that story…
*The “Razor Arrow” was actually one of the few regular arrows Green Arrow carried in his quiver, which had a regular arrowhead, though it was razor-sharp…
Brilliant! And terrifying.
Fun show, Paul and Martin! I remember seeing this cover in ads but really had no idea what it was about, other than Captain Comet fighting dinosaurs. Heck, I thought the purple clad guys at the cover’s bottom were two of the Challengers of the Unknown, Ace and Rocky! It sounds like a fun story, and I applaud DC for trying to do something with these older characters and also appeal to the general “kids love dinosaurs” rule. In the late 70s/early 80s, Mego did a promotion/contest where they had free posters in stores to promote their World’s Greatest Super Heroes line. Superman, Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman were shown fighting dinosaurs, probably because Mego had already cut all the villains out of the line by this point! I guess you could retcon that the events of those posters take place during THIS special!
Speaking of toys, yes, I have that talking Batman alarm clock! I still have the one from my childhood, even though Batman and Robin went silent decades ago. Cindy and I also have a couple of the Super Babies dolls, Superman and Wonder Woman. These dolls, and their placement in ads in DC books led to the creation of the Super Jrs. merchandising push, which resulted in a comic that was first printed in foreign markets, and then finally in a DC digeest in the 80s here in the US.
I also see my beloved Batman: From Alfred to Zowie book there too! Great stuff!
Fun show, Gentlemen.
Uncle Martin, I do not believe Tyrano Rex made another appearance in DC Comics. Though Neal Adams may have ran with the idea in his Continuity Comics MS. MYSTIC title, in which the controversial heroine discovered a land of anthropomorphic intelligent dinosaurs ruled by an intelligent T-Rex named… well, “T-Rex”… (MS. MYSTIC DEATHWATCH 2000 #2, June 1993)
Oh, and Neal Adams originally drew the Superman head swiped on the last page for the “Justice For All Includes Children” PSA #2…
The Paul Levitz and Bob Rozakis caricatures were illustrated by MAD MAGAZINE cartoonist Dave Manak in 1976. They were originally created for issue 13 of THE AMAZING WORLD OF DC COMICS fanzine, in a feature titled “Inside the Amazing World”, which was essentially a rundown of the fanzine’s staff. The feature also included caricatures by Mr. Manak of Carl Gafford, E. Nelson Bridwell, Jack C. Harris, Anthony Tollin, John Workman, Steve Mitchell, and Shelly Eiber. I’ll post these caricatures on Bluesky so you can have a look, and discover that both caricatures were reversed in “The Story Behind the Story”…
More wonky anatomy can be seen in panel 3 of page 19, where it appears Chronos’ left leg was overextended so it would not be obscured by the word balloon. The only other instance I know of involving a left-leg extension to make room for text was the famous “Kryptonite Nevermore” cover for SUPERMAN #233…
I wonder if this story had taken place between SECRET SOCIETY OF SUPER-VILLAINS #5 and #6, though it was released between #6 and #7…
Super insights and comments as ever, Isamu, thanks! I wonder what Neal said to Rich, because he certainly will have said something. Maybe they were pals.
I wonder if the left leg on Superman #233 is one of the reasons Neal Adams hated the image; it’s funny, I’d never even noticed the wonkiness!
I’ve never read a Ms Mystic, all I’ve seen is that cover with her standing in front of our big blue marble.
Neal Adams pointed out the wonkiness as one of the reasons in this 13th Dimension interview: https://13thdimension.com/neal-adams-month-why-telos-5-is-better-than-superman-233/
I’ve posted the Ms. Mystic T-Rex page on Bluesky, so now you can say that you’ve seen two things…
My Dad collected Ms. Mystic and all of the Continuity Comics titles mostly for the Neal Adams (and Adams-esque artwork), though he did admit he liked only a few of the stories.
I remember seeing some of the Continuity Comics in my Dad’s collection, but he never let me look at them, telling me I had to wait until I was older. Having discovered them as I sorted through Dad’s personal effects, I discovered that many issues tended to have more graphic, “blood and gore” violence than other super-hero comics of its time (though definitely mild compared to comics today). What’s funny is that many of these graphically violent comics included a full page advert for Continuity Comics titles with the header, “Your kids can’t read television”…
Thanks Isamu, it was the 13th Dimension piece that told me Adams wasn’t a fan of his work there.
Ta for the look at Ms Mystic’s Dino-Man!
I was six years old when this comic came out. I guess I was lured in by the dinosaurs when this special came out. At that point, I rarely bought comics that didn’t feature a hero I wasn’t already familiar with, and I didn’t know anyone in this issue. I was already watching Godzilla movies on Saturday morning. DC must have still thought Dinosaurs or Dragons had some life in them. I’m kind-of going by the Superman/Batman/ jigsaw puzzle that showed them fighting a fire-breathing dinosaur. Since Jaws was still popular, DC also did a Superman vs Shark jigsaw puzzle. It is still one of my favorite Superman images. Just a thought on what might have been going on with DC marketing. I don’t have any inside information.
Gorillas were probably more in the zeitgeist than dinosaurs at the time due to the 1976 King Kong movie. Superheroes vs Super Gorillas was my gateway drug. It was one of my first comics purchases after I discovered reruns of the Batman TV series. What kid didn’t want to see Batman fight a giant gorilla? Anyway, that comic was my discovery of Superman and the Flash. I became a fan of both.
The Batman baby doll and alarm clock were available in either the JC Penny, Sears, or Speigel Christmas catalogs. My mom got both for me, and that was where she got a lot of my Batman stuff. Oh, that alarm clock went off at almost any time…except for whatever time it was set for. I think it helped developed preparedness since it always went off when I wasn’t expecting it. Don’t get the wrong idea…I loved it and still have it.
Weirdly, the Batman Simplicity Pattern costume only had a hood and didn’t have a mask, just like the Baby Doll. My mom sewed a mask on my hood, so it looked a little more comic accurate (ha, ha, ha, yeah right) and a little less like the baby doll costume.
Long time listener, first time commenting before the next episode is released!
What a fun episode! It was like a fun Venn diagram of interests for me in one comic book. Here we have Captain Comet (who I enjoyed in SSOSV), dinosaurs, Chronos (one of my favorite Silver Age villains), and Tommy Tomorrow. I was first introduced to Tommy Tomorrow from the reprinted story in Superman Family where Tommy met Supergirl in the 21st Century; a fun story which I hope you’ll cover in the possibly-upcoming Superman Family Podcast?
Anyway, I want to give a shout-out to Bob Rozakis, who seemed to carve out his own little corner of the DCUniverse to play in. With SSOSV, the Freedom Fighters, the Teen Titans, the Air Wave backups in Action Comics, and the mini-mini-series in Detective Comics which introduced the Calculator, Bob Rozakis was one of my favorite creators at DC back in the day. His stories were always fun and your recaps of his stories here and in the Batman Family Podcast only help to increase my fondness for his stories.
That said, I want to bring attention to a little side project Bob Rozakis had. In 2011, Rozakis released The Secret History of AA Comics, an alternate Earth project which looked at an alternative development for the Silver Age for All-American Comics. In our Earth-Prime continuity, All-American Comics became absorbed into DC Comics. But in TSHAAC, All-American Comics stood on its own and that changed everything. Not only does the book describe some of the behind the scenes machinations in the AA offices, it also describes what the Silver Age looked like when the AA heroes were reintroduced to a modern audience. The detail involved made me wonder if Rozakis has been coming up with a proposal for a new alternate earth for a JLA/JSA crossover. Definitely worth checking out! Anyone curious should go here (https://www.lulu.com/shop/bob-rozakis/the-secret-history-of-aa-comics/paperback/product-18735491.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawN_iJhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMdUhPcWM4MHl4NmVhTTBac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkwdxrbAWz1gIyKbC49w09q72CkmFrEuZjZ4pki8Cx_LqQEGOZc0h3x-G2mm_aem_4RbMTcm9Vu7ibAR9r_kx5g&page=1&pageSize=4). I really enjoyed it!
Oh, and one last thing…
I think that one reason that Captain Comet was passed up for JLA membership was his costume choice of tighty whiteys on the outside of his jumpsuit. Plus they had lightning bolts on them! Holy awkward fashion statement, Batman!
Thank you for the great episode and podcast. I look forward to future episodes!
Thanks for honouring us with your debut comment, Sphinx, sounds like we’re of a similar generation. So, if you were to do one of these shows, what DC Special would you pick?
I remember reading a few articles about Bob’s AA project, now, where was that? CBR when it was decent? Maybe your actual Bleeding Cool.
If I were running the JLA righty whities would be compulsory… well, unless a reallllly scary menace was due.
I believe we are of the same generation! I’m old enough to have been able to have purchased many of the DC Special series issues when they were first released.
As for which DC Special I would pick, how can I choose just one? I mean, of the issues that haven’t been covered,…
1) The original Swamp Thing Saga series issues were my intro to the great Len Wein/Bernie Wrightson series. So foundational for what would come later and an absolute delight. And there are 3 issues to choose from!
2) Wanted! The World’s Most Dangerous Villains! 2 issues to choose from, and the pilot issues for one of my favorite reprint series of the 70s. E. Nelson Bridwell knew his costumed villains and helped future DC writers tap into DC’s long history.
3) The Viking Prince issue. Just look at that cover! Absolutely gorgeous! ‘Nuff said!
4) World’s Finest Comics Digest just to be able to talk about the Composite Superman.
5) Batman vs The Incredible Hulk, just to be able to talk about this delightful DC/Marvel crossover (which I think is my most favorite of the crossovers).
So, yeah… I don’t know.
Oh, and Bob’s AA project was covered in Alter Ego #79 according to this post on FB (https://www.facebook.com/groups/jsa.international/posts/466426593776797/&ved=2ahUKEwjOu6LFku6QAxWtKlkFHQCME0IQFnoECDoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1mEGeOyfaNM0fXoXi808DM). Maybe that’s what you were thinking of?
Excellent selection, if I could have just one of these it would be Wanted, I had a few issues as a kid and loved the series. What a treat when the hardback collection of all nine issues came out a few years ago, with a bonus never-published ‘tenth’ issue.
I feel like Wanted was super-useful for Roy Thomas because some of the villains that were featured in Wanted later appeared in the All-Star Squadron. And the Signalman, who was featured in one of the best JLA/JSA crossovers, must’ve gotten a boost after his appearance in Wanted.
Did that collection include the two DC Specials?
Great show, Paul and Martin – although, I was really expecting more sports talk from you, Martin!
I’d never seen or heard of this special before, so it was fun to see it on DC Ultra so I could read it. Such an odd story. The Dinosaur man wearing a leotard and seemingly jazzercising when Comet and the scientist come upon him was certainly an interesting choice. And those pages you posted of Captain Comet and Chronos look just like Gil Kane’s work from the poses to the up-nose shot. The only thing missing was lips in the dinosaur! All in all, a fun show as always.
Cheers Brett, I’m saving all my sporty chat for Fantastic Pour!
Hi Paul – Forgive the late comment, but I’m playing catch-up on some podcasts and figured it made more sense to leave this note here. I just finished the excellent DC SPECIALCAST episode all about ENEMY ACE with your guest Captain Entropy. I absolutely loved the discussion! As always, The Captain brings such enthusiasm and sharp commentary, and his military insight was fascinating!
It was so exciting to hear you spotlight such a beloved (and often overlooked) character like Enemy Ace. I missed him growing up, but after hearing so many fans rave about the stories, I picked up the SHOWCASE PRESENTS: ENEMY ACE volume when it came out (some 17 years ago now?!?!?). OMGosh, those stories are phenomenal! First, you’ve got Robert Kanigher’s compelling war narratives, always a treat (which you saw for yourselves when you read some of these stories for this episode). Second, since it’s a SHOWCASE PRESENTS edition, you get Joe Kubert’s stunning artwork in black and white, which really lets you focus on his exquisite linework. Just wow!
I also perked up when you mentioned Balloon Buster (that name is basically my Pavlovian dinner bell). Not sure if you knew, but he actually became a semi-recurring foe for Enemy Ace! They clashed in STAR-SPANGLED WAR STORIES #181–183 (1972) and again in UNKNOWN SOLDIER #262–267 (1982). We touched on some of that in the Balloon Buster WHO’S THAT? episode back in 2021. Such fantastic comics!
Also, you mentioned the 2008 mini-series, THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT. I just want to plug for that series as I adored it! It was a large scale team-up of war comics characters, dinosaurs, and time travel. Loads of fun!
Right now, I’m working my way through your SECRET ORIGINS OF SUPER-HEROES episode and loving your and Brento3000’s discussion of the Doctor Fate story. The good Doctor is a longtime favorite of mine, so this one’s a real treat.
Thanks again for the fantastic conversations!
Sincerely,
The Irredeemable Shag
The ONLY host on the Fire & Water Podcast Network who has yet to appear on this show.
Thanks Shag 🙁
That’s not fair, Martin! You know I adore you! I’m still catching up! I’ll get to your episode soon. You know me, I’m always worth the wait.
So true!