One Panel #458: Swing Session

From Swing Sisson: "Acid and Extortion" by Phil Martin, Feature Comics #57 (November 1941)

Quality's Feature Comics hits #50 and my conclusion is that it really needs more superheroes than just Doll Man and Captain America riff Rusty Ryan. Case in point, in the previous issue it introduced Swing Sisson, an adventurer BAND LEADER who solves crimes in and around the swingin' bandstand environment. I'm not saying that never happened in movies (though usually, they were musicals), but would you believe they published almost 100 Swing Sisson stories between 1941 and 1950? I don't know how popular he was, or if Quality just needed filler, but wow. That's a long run for a character you've never heard of and who seems to spend his time in a world that feels pretty limited, plot-wise.

The "Ace of the Bandstand" joined other non-costumed Feature stars like Tarzan/Mowgli rip-off Samar, Zero Ghost Detective, sailor Dusty Dane (for whom this is the last issue), Reynolds of the Mounted Police, counterspy Bruce Blackburn, cowboy the Fargo Kid, and aviator ace Spin Shaw. Hey, maybe Dane will leave his spot to someone cool. (Spoiler: He doesn't.)

Comments

MikeS said…
Wonder of Dusty Dane was the brother of Darrel Dane? :D
Siskoid said…
Someone like Roy Thomas probably decided he was.