JCP Features #1
Published by JC and © by JC and Red Circle, December 1981
Title: “The T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Chronicles”
Synopsis: After several years in mothballs, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents program is reinstated – just in time to thwart an alien invasion.
Writer (plot): Lou Manna and Pat Gabriele
Writers (script): Chris Adames, Kevin Duane, Gabriele and Richard Lynn
Pencilers: Manna and Mark Texeira
Inkers: Gabriele and Texeira
Review: This is an odd publication: The first half is above average for a fanzine but falls short as a professional product. The story is hard to follow and the artists are still trying to escape the yoke of their influences. Still, it’s good to see the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents again.
•••
Title: “The Hide-Out”
Synopsis: Robbers hiding out on a rainy rooftop soon find themselves in jail thanks to the Fly.
Writers: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Artists: Simon and Kirby
Review: Those influences mentioned above? Jack Kirby is one them. The King’s professional polish doesn’t do the lead feature any favors.
•••
Title: “Life’s Not Like a Comic Book!”
Synopsis: A former cop dawns a black hood as he attempts to save a model who witnessed a mob hit.
Writer (plot): Gray Morrow
Penciler: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Review: Another huge influence on the lead story? That’d be Neal Adams, who delivers his usual masterful work on this reprint.
Grade (for the entire issue): B-
Second opinion: “Characterization is thin to nonexistent and the storyline is a hopeless muddle.” – Lawrence Stewart, It’s a Fanzine #16, August 1982 … “All told, a nice package.” – The New Issue Club Express #110, March 1982
Cool factor: Welcome back, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.
Not-so-cool factor: The switching off of creative roles on the lead story further undermines the consistency of the art.
Notable: The Fly story is reprinted from 1959’s The Double Life of Private Strong #1, while the Black Hood story was first published in 1979’s Archie’s Super Hero Comics Digest Magazine #2.
Character quotable: “Heroes are for comic books! This is real life.” – Black Hood, umm, hero?
A word from the publisher: “The industry is carefully watching JC Comics, not just for all the favorite heroes we’re bringing back, but to see if a comic-book line can actually now be supported via the direct-sales method.” – John Carbonaro, in the introduction to this issue
Editor’s note: This review was written Sept. 8, 2025.
