Follies of the Mad Men #107

[From Playboy for October 1969.]

You know, even in 1969, despite the prevalence of hype connected with "flower power," I don't think anyone was going to believe that automobiles were pro-nature. And aren't flowers kind of a sissy image for a muscle car anyhow?

Posted By: Paul - Wed Jun 02, 2010 - Comments (7)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Nature, 1960s, Cars

Space Secretary

Isn't it a shame that bright young ambitious girls today, who might wish to serve their nation's astronautics corps, can no longer dream of becoming--SPACE SECRETARIES!?!

[Click on any of these images to enlarge.]

Posted By: Paul - Tue May 04, 2010 - Comments (12)
Category: Stereotypes and Cliches, Work and Vocational Training, Space Travel, 1960s, Women

Follies of the Mad Men #101

Why can't SpongeBob be as upfront about his nicotine addiction as Fred and Barney? (Note: I created this post prior to its release days ago--and then Boing-Boing scooped me! Oh, well, great minds and all that...)

Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 30, 2010 - Comments (4)
Category: Addictions, Tobacco and Smoking, Cartoons, 1960s

Herbie

When I learned that the fabled exploits of Herbie Popnecker were finally going to be reprinted, I rushed to place my order for the first two volumes, and was not dissatisfied.

But somehow, I neglected to order the concluding third volume for almost a year. It arrived this week, bringing more pure comics weirdness. It's hard to convey the essence of Herbie, but just check out the sloppy scan below.




Herbie goes time-traveling to the era of the Pilgrims and meets--Beatnik Indians!

Think of the brain that could conceive of Beatnik Indians--and stand in awe! (Click image to enlarge.)

Posted By: Paul - Mon Apr 12, 2010 - Comments (3)
Category: Comics, Pop Art, Surrealism, 1960s

Hot Stuff and Old Forky

As we observed in this prior post on Harvey Comics, the stories told about Richie Rich, Casper and the gang were frequently weirder than any Grant Morrison or Warren Ellis tale. Here's one from Devil Kids Starring Hot Stuff, Volume 1, Number 6, May 1963, that illustrates my point. You can read the entire five-page story at the end, but I've included some single panels to make my points.

First, we learn that Cupid inhabits the same universe as Hot Stuff and friends. Nothing like mixing your mythologies up. In any case, Cupid hexes Hot Stuff's trident--or phallic symbol--known as "Old Forky," to become gay.



Gay anthropomorphic trident on display.



Unwanted Public Display of Affection.



Hot Stuff's gay trident attracts unwanted queer suitors.



Including a giant grape wearing an extremely fetching hair ribbon and spats.



But Cupid realizes his error and undoes his spell, whereupon all is "he-man" regular again. Even though Old Forky's first action upon reverting was to impale Hot Stuff's butt.

They just don't write 'em like this any more.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 02, 2010 - Comments (2)
Category: Sexuality, Comics, Fantasy, Writers, 1960s, LGBT, Curses

Reparata and the Delrons

Were the entire 1960's totally weird? You be the judge.

More on Reparata here.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 25, 2010 - Comments (13)
Category: Music, Psychedelic, 1960s

Forgotten Wham-O Toy:  the Limbo Kit

Yes, once there was a dance (or game, or contest) stupider than the macarena: the limbo. An excuse for uptight suburbanites to get loose. And, in 1961, Wham-O made a kit to facilitate doing the limbo. Read about it here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 01, 2010 - Comments (5)
Category: Toys, 1960s, Dance

Follies of the Mad Men #90

Is it smart to emphasize to parents, the toy-buyers, how goddamn noisy your products are?

Posted By: Paul - Sat Feb 27, 2010 - Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Toys, 1960s

Follies of the Mad Men #89

This detergent turns ragamuffins into altar boys.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 23, 2010 - Comments (2)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Hygiene, 1960s

Out of This World

Posted By: Paul - Fri Feb 19, 2010 - Comments (13)
Category: Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, 1960s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows