RetroFan Review: Issue 38 features BOTNS-era TV

It's been a while since I looked at my favorite mag, TwoMorrows' RetroFan, here on the site. Well, for a while I didn't get any issues because distribution issues caused by distributor Diamond's bankruptcy led to a bottleneck. So later, I got 3 issues in what seemed like rapid succession! I am now catching up and will share my thoughts over the next week or so. Spoiler: I love the magazine.

Longtime Editor in Chief Michael Eury has retired, and while I have seen some copy editing errors pop up in this mag and in Back Issue (the other publication Eury helmed), the direction of RetroFan is steady as she goes, and I haven't noticed any changes in direction. There are a few new contributors lately, and that's probably unrelated, but I enjoy the new writers being added to the mix.

There are two BOTNS-era TV subjects on the cover of issue 38, which devotes space to a variety of topics rather than spotlighting one. My favorite contributor may be Andy Mangels, and he delivers another epic animation history here, this one a look at Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Many articles in the magazine rely on past interviews and previously published material, but Mangels conducted a handful of new interviews with animators like Larry Houston, and he synthesizes that material well with other sources. It's a tremendous look at the series, a piece that I wish were around when Mike and I discussed it on the podcast.

Will Murray's story on The Mod Squad, a series we have not covered on BOTNS, is another winner. This series doesn't get a lot of attention today, so it's nice to see an in-depth treatment of it. Murray doesn't discuss a lot of individual episodes in detail--he mentions some notable ones but doesn't focus much on that--but he covers the entire production history, ratings rising and falling, and reunion/revival attempts. It certainly makes me more curious about exploring a series I haven't seen much. Aspire TV showed reruns a while ago, and it is on DVD, so at least it's out there.

One other cartoon we love around here is The Flintstones, and Scott Shaw! looks at the various animators and writers who worked on the original series. I enjoyed the array of capsule biographies, but it may be more than many need. It's well done, just surprisingly lengthy.

One hidden gem of the Sixties is Julie Newmar's sitcom My Living Doll, and Lee Weinsten tells us about it in this June issue. I was glad to snap up the DVD set that came out in 2012. It was called, with optimism, "Volume 1," but it appears half of the series is still lost. Anything with Newmar is welcome in this or any other magazine!

I laughed out loud reading Scott Saadevra's history of Mr. Potato Head, and Mark Voger's offbeat profile of Jesus Christ Superstar is another compelling piece. Issue 38 is a well-rounded, entertaining effort as usual, but the highlight by far is Spidey.

RetroFan #37

TwoMorrows Publishing seems to have had some issues of late, what with losing Barnes and Noble as an outlet and the bankruptcy of Diamond distributors, but I am glad to be one of the supporters of my favorite magazine, RetroFan. I'm a little late with this peek at issue 37 (cover-dated March 2025), but here it is anyway (The company has experienced publication delays since the Diamond situation, but it seems to be about to release mags again soon).

The editorial switch at RetroFan (Michael Eury retired) has been a smooth transition, and the latest issue is another great effort. Here are a few highlights for BOTNS fans:

The cover story is about TV staple The Jetsons, which I remember as a weekday rerun but was of course originally a Sixties program. Will Murray's article does get into the Eighties revival and movie. For me, it just feels like the show was always on at one time or another, whether weekend mornings or weekday afternoons.

On the heels of Mark Arnold's previous look at real rock bands on Saturday mornings, Andy Mangels covers fictional rock bands. Mangels' work is always a highlight, and here he discusses not only famous bands like The Banana Splits, but lesser-known outfits like The Nutty Squirrels.

It's not directly TV, but Scott Shaw! writes about the life and times of prolific toy producer Marvin Glass. What Saturday morning back in the day was complete without a toy ad or two?

Speaking of commercials, Scott Saavedra delivers a funny story about various retro kitchen gadgets, and of course he talks about this one:

Dan Murphy contributes a somewhat offbeat piece, a history of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling focusing on the 1980s era. It's not my favorite piece of Eighties pro wrestling, but the subject matter fits well with the magazine.

You get all this and more (Speaking of commercials again...) in issue 37. It comes, as always, with my strong recommendation!

RetroFan #36 is another strong issue

I gave the mag some mild criticism last time out, but I did renew my print subscription, and, let me tell you, folks, that's putting my money where my mouth is because that is no small investment. Issue 36 with cover gal Stefanie Powers is a solid issue that gives me my money's worth.

The mag is always going to rely on a mixture of repurposed material, but this issue is better about not overdirecting readers to other sources.  The Powers feature draws from a 2011 interview Mark Voger did with the actress, which could be a disappointment considering she is around and doing press now. However, Voger blends that material with other info to create a fine piece. I enjoy his capsule descriptions of 10 prominent Girl from UNCLE episodes, a sidebar that adds entertainment and value to the profile of Powers.

Scott Saavedra's section on TV catchphrases is one of the lighter pieces in the mag, for sure (And the publication itself is not exactly Foreign Affairs), but his entertaining layout/design enhances it, and his text adds enough tidbits to make the story a plus.

RetroFan goes outside its usual lineup to provide an article on Battle of the Planets. Contributor Jason Hoifus lays out the convoluted history of the show in entertaining fashion and with a compelling angle: He focuses on the involvement of multiple creators involved with Hanna Barbera.

Rick Goldschmidt, leading Rankin Bass historian, offers a Christmas piece each year, and this time it examines Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. This one does reference a lot of the author's other works, but he provides a lot of information, does some myth busting, and gives a fine overview of the beloved special just in time for Christmas (Hey, just because you are reading this after the holiday doesn't mean I didn't read it before the holiday).

Now let's get to my favorite stories in issue 36. Will Murray talks about two "one-season TV wonders," Coronet Blue and T.H.E. Cat. Much like last issue's The Name of the Game profile, this story takes a lesser-known topic and tells me things I didn't know. Excellent work, and I want to see more of this kind of thing in the magazine, much as we love seeing stuff about the old favorites.

One standout of each issue is the illustrations, and this article is a great example. Numerous cool pics accompany Murray's text. We see comic book covers, 1960s merch, publicity photos, and an excerpt from a vintage TV Guide. You're always gonna get interesting visuals in a TwoMorrows publication.

While I am talking interesting visuals, Andy Mangels' fantastic and comprehensive (as can be) look at advertising of Saturday morning network programming continues in #36 with ads from 1975-1977. Some of these I have seen or have elsewhere, but seeing them all in one spot is a delight and a great way to consider the history of Saturday morning TV. I only wish they gave the feature more pages and made every ad a full-page reproduction!

Finally, I want to highlight two features relevant to recent episodes of the podcast. A "Retro Sports" piece covers the career of Chuck Connors, who was nominated for a Batty for Outstanding Male Actor due to his work in The Rifleman (And note that the episode we discussed did win a Batty in Season 11). Scott Shaw! takes on SCTV, which is a huge subject, but he does it justice and adds some personal memories of working with castmembers on various projects.

It's great reading again from RetroFan, with the usual visual appeal. This issue is highly recommended!

RetroFan has an outstanding article on a lesser-seen TV show of the 1970s

Whaddya know? I got my new RetroFan mag last week and realized I never commented on the last one. In this look at the previous RetroFan magazine, number 35 if you're scoring at home, I am going to present some mild criticism--a rare occasion in these reviews! It remains my toppermost of the poppermost favorite mag, and I am about to renew my print mail subscription, in fact.

First I must spotlight one of the best pieces I have seen in RetroFan: Robert Greenberger's in-depth look at The Name of the Game, a Universal "wheel" show that aired on NBC 1968 to 1971.  You get info on the series' genesis, behind-the-scenes stories, and all kinds of info that will make you wish the scrapped DVD release had come to fruition. The program aired on Cozi years back but has not had much of a rerun footprint. Greenberger has had a long and varied career in entertainment and especially comic books, and I hope he is a regular author in these pages. 

While the subject matter in the rest of the issue is varied and compelling, I did get a nagging sense that more than usual was promotional in nature or directing us to other material. The magazine always gives helpful in-text references to other issues--editor's notes that say, for example, see issue #4 for a look at the topic just mentioned--but something about the stories this time out got me a bit. 

Mark Arnold's story on rock bands in TV cartoons is amusing but often feels like a promo for his book on the subject, and Herbie J. Pilato's "Christmas TV Memories" is a mere page taken from one of his own books. I like the work of both authors and think maybe this is an editorial thing.

Elsewhere, Will Murray writes about his time on the set of Evil Dead II years ago, and Mark Voger writes about John Astin, drawing on several interviews he did with the actor in the past. Now, I realize with this subject matter--old-school all the way--we aren't gonna get new interviews with many of these stars, but I do want to point out that much of the material in each issue is authors drawing on previously published work. It's usually quite successful. It does, however, make pieces like Greenberger's stand out even more.

I enjoyed the thorough look at Space Ghost and the story on coffee advertising, of all things, and I always appreciate a look at the TV show Isis. The latter is another repurposing of old interviews, and I just point that out hoping RetroFan maintains a balance and continues to present such material in fresh and interesting ways!

My Blake's 7 Collection

All of this is courtesy of Laurie! She even took the picture.

The Programme Guide book by is largely plot summaries and other information like that, which were more valuable back in the publication year of 1982, but it also has a great section of interviews. I think subsequent books have made use of that material.

I plan to dive into the two Marvel UK magazines, which she just got me, in another post. They are fantastic and well worth seeking out. I haven't yet read the two Trevor Hoyle novels, and the Critical Guide is something I picked up at a used book store to add to the collection but haven't dug into at this time. Perhaps if/when we get the Blu-Rays and start a rewatch...

And here is the awesome shirt Mike got Laurie:

Missing: Action figures...because there AREN'T any!

RetroFan Magazine brings it

The latest RetroFan is another interesting blend of topics. I recently read that longtime TwoMorrows editor Michael Eury is retiring, and I hope the magazine continues on the same course without him.

The cover story spotlights CHiPs, and how can you not appreciate an article that includes a nice big photo of our guy Robert Pine? Herbie Pilato seems to be a regular contributor now, and this is a good overview of the series even if its list of standout episodes somehow lacks "Roller Disco."

Oh, and I want this toy pictured in the story (Thanks to swfigures.com for the pic):

Mark Voger's feature on Tiny Tim includes a lot of info beyond the famous Tonight Show wedding. Though Tim was not as much an icon in the BOTNS era as in the Sixties, he was a common cultural reference who grew up in the Seventies/Eighties, and I think this piece is of interest to all of us! Voger strikes a nice balance between trying to capture the weird appeal of the persona and the man as an individual.

I really like Scott Shaw!'s column this week, a personal remembrance of John Candy. Shaw! worked with the late actor on the NBC toon Camp Candy, and I enjoy the details of his own experiences combined with an overview of Candy's career.

The other big story that is relevant to the world of BOTNS is Andy Mangels's deep dive into the Plastic Man cartoon. It's frustrating that so much of the animated Plas remains unavailable, though some of the ABC show did make its way to DVD years ago. Mangels does a great job laying out the history of the character in cartoon form.

There's more, including features on Steve Reeves, Remo Williams, and Weird-Ohs model kits, and it's the usual solid effort from everyone involved. As always, I recommend it!

A look at Retro Fan #33

Yes, it's time again to discuss the latest installment of my favorite magazine, RetroFan from TwoMorrows. Not all the articles in this one do it for me, but the variety of topics is cool, and there is one excellent piece that I think will be of particular interest to BOTNS fans. The overall package is always worth it to me.

The cover story is a feature on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman by noted vintage TV author Herbie J. Pilato. TwoMorrows has talked about the origins of the former (the novel Cyborg) before, but this is a nice dual show-ography adapted from one of Pilato's books.

My favorite article this time out is Will Murray's look at the TV Western craze of the 1950s. The story goes beyond the basic facts in many places, like pointing out that the quiz show scandals that took so many programs off the air helped pave the way for the Western glut on broadcast TV in 1958. There is one odd passage (an editing mistake) that makes it seem like Bonanza debuted in 1964, but otherwise it's a great overview. I like that Murray does not focus only on shows like Bonanza and Gunsmoke but mentions lesser-known oaters and features quotes from the likes of Dale Robertson (Tales of Wells Fargo). As is standard for the mag, it features great illustrations like old comic book covers and trading cards.

Mark Voger remains a favorite contributor, and this month he examines the movie icons of the 1940s taking on the Axis powers during the war. He includes Sherlock Holmes, The Three Stooges, Donald Duck, and more!

There are features on Hot Wheels and Hostess snack cakes, and I learned a lot from the history of the Modesty Blaise comic strip. Scott Shaw! has mined a lot of gold out of San Diego-centric topics, and this issue has his story on the origins of the San Diego Chicken (One of the stars, natch, of The Baseball Bunch).

Andy Mangels delivers yet again with his Saturday morning column. Issue 33 has his overview of The Fantastic Four in TV cartoons, and, yes, he explores Herbie and Fred and Barney Meet the Thing.

It's another winning issue from RetroFan and is highly recommended.

Checking in again with RetroFan

 It's been a while since I reported on RetroFan magazine, available here, so let's take a look at the latest issue, which happens to have a few features with direct ties to recent BOTNS episodes. As always, the whole package is a great read, but this issue's (May 2024, #32) topic selection is a bit more esoteric than usual.

The cover feature on David Cassidy is a good read, delving into the more complicated parts of the actor's legacy. Mark Voger covers his whole career in brief but with clarity, touching on the 1970s NBC misfire David Cassidy Man Undercover.

Andy Mangels' column is always a treat, and his in-depth look at Thundarr the Barbarian is a highlight of the issue. I only wish it had been around when Mike and I talked about the show on the pod!

One of the more unusual pieces is the "Retro Music" look at Sonny and Cher, whose variety show we covered last seasonwhose variety show we covered last season. Paula Finn focuses on a personal encounter she had with the duo as a starstruck teen in 1967!

Other pieces aren't as directly related to BOTNS, but the Mighty Mouse article is very good, and I enjoy the Retro Travel feature, which goes to Roswell, New Mexico this issue.

I expect the next issue, with a bionic cover duo, to arrive in a couple of weeks, and I look forward to it as always. I get no compensation for plugging the mag, but especially now that it is not going to be sold at Barnes and Noble anymore (Publisher decision in response to changes in B&N rates and policies, I gather), I like to do what I can to make people aware of it.

Infinity: The Magazine Beyond Imagination is a slick, entertaining read

I have seen Infinity many times on the magazine shelves at Barnes & Noble. After the demise of so many other periodicals in the Entertainment section, it stands out even more for several reasons: It always has a cool cover, its glossy, slick look pops, and it's really expensive!

In fairness, the $12 cover price is because it's an import. It's only 4.5 quid in the UK! As so many of our domestically produced mags have faded, these Brit mags take up more space on the rack, but they often look great. Infinity is no exception, but I wonder if the cover space is designed with regards to the international market. It seems like the more Britcentric subjects get blurbs while the more "universal" (That is, stuff that we Yanks know and like) get the big pics!

That's fine with me. I finally purchased an issue a few weeks ago, and I admit it was almost by accident. I went out of my way to go to a store to get a baseball magazine, and a week after its newsstand date, it wasn't there. Couple that aggravation with a gift card in my pocket, and, folks, there was no chance I was leaving that building without buying something. So after years of admiring it, I finally picked up Infinity, in this case issue 68. It's likely several months behind, but, you know, import and all. Besides, it's not like it dates; this is a magazine about sci-fi/fantasy/genre nostalgia!

I was pleased with the mag. It's attractive in its design and loaded with great pics, and I am not saying that only because of the one of Sherry Jackson's Star Trek appearance on page 13. There is a nice mix of vintage publicity photos and shots of memorabilia. The articles are relatively short but impactful. A fanatic of cover subject Superman: The Movie might not learn a whole lot, but author Ernie Magnotta gives an excellent summary of the film's production and also includes interviews with stars Valerie Perrine and Jeff East. In a similar vein, John Martin's look at the career of Bruce Lee packs a lot into 6 pic-filled pages.

TV fans like us might enjoy the profile of Roddy McDowall, though, sadly, it doesn't mention his role as the Devil on Fantasy Island--a missed opportunity for a mag like this! There is an interesting choice of interview subject in stuntman Tony Brubaker, who doubled Mr. T on The A-Team. I am not so sure that the reports of strife between T and George Peppard are as overblown as Brubaker asserts, but I like hearing from him.

Those Britcentric pieces are cool, too. There are spotlights on Bob Monkhouse and a spectacular feature on the comic annuals of Stamford Pemberton Publishing, including books on the likes of Vega$ and Kojak.

The price is high, but I plan to keep an eye on this one now that I know it's so entertaining. I see digital copies are available, too, and I bet this looks good on a tablet. I recommend Infinity for fans of retro-focused magazines!

RetroFan is still bringing it!

It's been a while since I shared my enthusiastic praise (without compensation and with all sincerity) for TwoMorrows' RetroFan magazine, so let me check in with a few words about the current March 2024 issue.

Cover girl Elizabeth Montgomery headlines this #31, with a big story by biographer and noted classic TV author Herbie J. Pilato. He shares the story of his own personal relationship with the actress and also provides an overview of her career that includes her later appearances in many TV movies.

Mark Voger is one of my favorite regular contributors, and in this issue he discusses the history of Howdy Doody, and he does cover the lesser-known revival from 1976.

Now, here is what really blows me away: Andy Mangels' "Retro Saturday Morning" department focuses on two of the live-action efforts of D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions. One is a show I have always wanted to see, the body-switching comedy Big John, Little John with Robbie Rist and the great Herb Edelman. The Region 2 DVD is probably all we are ever gonna get unless some kind soul uploads more episodes than the few already online.

The other is one one of the most obscure programs we have devoted a podcast episode to: Run, Joe, Run! Hey, I appreciate a Bewitched article even if it isn't one of my personal favorites, but I get a warm feeling inside when my favorite magazine digs deeper for something like this 1974-1976 program. Click here for our take on the work of Heinrich of Midvale, but do read Mangels' great feature.

Elsewhere, Scott Shaw! explores the history of Alvin and the Chipmunks, focusing on the Sixties' iteration of the cartoon. In it he asks a vital question: Where the heck is THAT show on DVD? It received a few minimal releases, but we want more!

I enjoyed the look at Peter Gunn and the "Retro Toys" focus on girder and panel building sets. There's even more than that, like a profile of Time After Time, which at first seemed like a departure for the magazine but fit in quite well.

The magazine never disappoints, and I recommend it as much as ever even if I don't always talk about it here!

Starsky and Hutch and 227 in "TV Guide" Fall previews

I didn't post these when we did the respective episodes a few weeks ago, so here is your chance to check out the TV Guide Fall Preview issue glances at Starsky and Hutch (the 1975 issue) and 227 (the 1985 issue).

One thing that stands out is the lack of respect for Starsky and Hutch, which may indicate they didn't think much of it or its prospects for lasting. It ended up having a substantial impact even beyond the surface of its solid 4-year run, yet it gets barely a half-page here. And that picture they chose!

Also note Jackee is not in that cast photo for 227 but Alaina Reed is.

RetroFan magazine #26 looks at "Super Friends," "All in the Family," and more

The current issue of RetroFan from TwoMorrows Publishing dives into the tangled history of the Super Friends franchise. You may wonder, how can Super Friends, of all shows, be a complicated history? Well, just trust me, it is. We got into a bit of it on our episode, but Andy Mangels does a great job of laying out the early production history of the series.

I say "early" history because this piece is only the first part of a four-parter! Next ish brings the awesome Challenge of the Super Friends incarnation.

The other major BOTNS-adjacent piece is the long profile of Mr. T. The man has had a fascinating life outside of The A-Team, and the article hits many of the highlights. However, though it makes extensive use of T's 1984 autobiography, I believe it avoids the part where the star basically admits to killing people when he needed to do so. There may be some doubt about the veracity of T's book, but the guy has some tales to tell.

There is also a good history of The Avengers (the TV show, that is) with a profile of the almost-original Emma Peel, Elizabeth Shepherd. An article on Cheryl Miller delves into the TV show Daktari. There is even a section on Nutopia, the nation crated by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I enjoyed the story on Mexican monster movies, which touched on the Santo films.

Maybe my favorite part of RetroFan #26 is the summary of All in the Family collectibles. That's right--AITF. In 2023, it might be difficult to think of the show as a merchandising bonanza, but as the Joey Stivic doll indicates, the megahit did spawn many items. Richard Kolkman describes the t-shirts, the campaign buttons (Archie Bunker for President), the board games, and more in a fun story with some great illustrations.

Material from the Sixties, Seventies, Eighties: A good mix of subject matter in this issue of RetroFan, all presented in the usual appealing package. As always, the magazine earns my highest recommendation!

Remind Magazine's Where Are They Now special issue

Just before the holidays, I snagged another special edition of Remind magazine, a budget magazine designed for the older and nostalgic among us. This one is devoted to "Where Are They Now?" a feature that often attracts interest. The Sports Illustrated WATN issues used to excite me each year. Most of the people featured in this Remind haven't exactly gone away, and these are bite-size profiles lacking depth, but it's interesting to see the latest info.

To be honest, the biggest apppeal of the feature is the quick glance at the ages of all the stars. Shelley Fabares is 78! Maureen McCormick is 66! Justin Timberlake is 41!

Wait, Justin Tim--Oh, yes, they have some Nineties stars in there, too.

It's all fluff, yes, but entertaining fluff, and the Time Capsule feature focusing on 1983 is cool You also get the usual mix of trivia (1960s child stars!), puzzles, and random cartoons like a 1971 Hi and Lois, all on (let's face it) cheap newsprint.

The big story for me is in the Erik Estrada (he's 73!) story: A note that Marie Osmond admitted in a TV interview a few years ago that she briefly dated Erik! Hey, that makes me want to watch this again!

It's all well worth a buck or so, and you may not find it anymore, but I thought it was worth mentioning even though I misplaced it for 3 months delayed production of this post.

RetroFan #25 is even more BOTNS-era-centric than usual

The March 2023 issue of RetroFan from TwoMorrows gets my usual strong recommendation, but this time out the issue is even more BONTS-era-centric than recent ones. The mix of articles offers a bit more thematic diversity while offering lots of Seventies and Eighties material.

Cover girl Lynda Day-George (and I noted a few weeks ago how impressive it was the mag put her at 76 on the cover and not her in, say, 1976) is the subject of the main article, and it's pleasant if not revealing. Perhaps she is saving some stuff for her memoir that is in the works, but she doesn't have to have a ton of specific memories to share about much of her resume, though she seems like a great person.

Much better is the profile on WKRP by Scott Shaw!, a story that delves into the origin of the series and has interesting commentary on why it didn't last more than 4 seasons (time slot changes didn't help). The bits on the series' casting were most interesting to me, but this was a fun story overall given that we have not yet talked about WKRP on the podcast.

I totally want the toy mentioned in the article, by the way! I found a pic on Worthpoint:

Andy Mangels' column on Saturday morning TV is always a highlight, and the only disappointment this time is that he does not continue his look at comic book ads promoting network cartoon lineups. His look at The New Adventures of Superman is entertaining, though. The man has found many uses for the interviews he did with Filmation's Lou Scheimer for a book years ago! 

Next month begins a 4-part (!) series by Mangels on various incarnations of Super Friends, and I am not sure I really want 4 issues to be consumed with that. Oh, who am I kidding, I will eat that up. I just hope he gets back to those sweet comic book ad scans.

I really like the detailed piece by Shaqui Le Vesconte on Space: 1999, even if I have a grudge against the series dating back to my childhood (a story I think I told on the podcast before and will again someday). The section on commercial jingles is amusing and covers some material from our era. As an example:

A different but worthwhile story covers Rambo in all his forms--movie, cartoon, lunchbox (!), and more. Don Vaughan's story features an interview with the author of the original novel, David Morrell, and that writer has keen insights into the character's history. One part is a little odd: Vaughan mentions a prominent fan fiction series, and Morrell is quoted as saying in a matter-of-fact way that he threatened to shut him down using any means necessary if he threatened his copyright. It's a weird note in a pleasant story that surprises me with the subject matter.

That's a lot of BOTNS-era content, and you also get a story on the Fleischer Superman cartoons and more. My absolute favorite in the whole issue is Mark Voger's history of Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis comic books, a fascinating piece of DC history.

It's another fun-filled issue of RetroFan, and I have been seeing it again in stores. I'm a subscriber, natch, but if you see it in the wild, I suggest you check it out!

RetroFan has an interesting mix in its latest issue

Longtime readers of this site will not be surprised that I was delighted by the latest issue of RetroFan magazine from TwoMorrows, nor by my disclaimer that I am not compensated in any way for my review. I kind of wish I were; it's an expensive publication. Yet every couple of months, it satisfies with its mix of pop culture, and while it leans 50s/60s, it often has something of interest for us 70s/80s kids.

The January 2023 issue features talented writer Mark Voger's look at Leave It to Beaver plus Lost in Space co-stars Angela Cartwright and Bill Mumy in a cover story, but in a more BOTNS-era-centric piece, the mag looks at Wesley Eure from Land of the Lost. My favorite story in this edition is the comprehensive history of Underdog, a toon I watched quite a bit growing up. I believe my first exposure to it was on WNEP's Hatchy Milatchy!

Rankin-Bass historian Rick Goldschmidt contributes a story about The Little Drummer Boy--not my favorite of the studio's Christmas specials, but this article makes me want to revisit it.

There is a small piece on Cabbage Patch Kids. Scott Shaw! does a lot of pieces centered on 1960s California surf culture, which is not really in my wheelhouse, but he makes them entertaining. I love the spread spotlighting bizarre gifts from 1960s mail-order catalogs.

OK, I said my favorite story was the Underdog profile. Well, my favorite thing in this issue, period, is the first in a series by Andy Mangels presenting, in chronological order, the Saturday morning TV ads that appeared in comic books. This time takes us from 1962-1969, and I only wish the reproductions were a little bigger, but this is a gem!

RetroFan brings it with a great article on "Shadow Chasers"

I was way behind on my magazines and didn't get to RetroFan for a while this time around, but the current issue, #23, is one of the best ones of the year. It also has more 1970s and 1980s TV material than the previous edition.

The most remarkable feature is the story on the short-lived ABC TV series Shadow Chasers. Editor in Chief Michael Eury's opening column mentions that this show was a new one even to him, a confessed TV junkie. Author Jeffrey S. Miller  talks to creator Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V) and gets the scoop on the interesting blend of paranormal thrills and comedy.

Andy Mangels' extensive piece on Flash Gordon covers the Filmation cartoons (and also mentions The Man Who Hated Laughter!), and the production thereof is an interesting story. Eury's history of Colorforms is another standout piece, loaded with illustrations and culminating in a glorious two-page spread that features a ton of licensed sets the company put out over the years, from The A-Team to Wonder Woman.

All this, plus the history of M&Ms, Yellow Submarine, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Will Murray's look at The Prisoner (which does not spoil the finale). This issue connected with me big time, and I give it a stronger recommendation than even my usual strong recommendation!

Remind magazine's '70s Super Heroes edition

Remind magazine is a breezy read devoted to nostalgia. celebrities, and puzzles--lots and lots of puzzles. It's a fun mag that my mom often sends me after she finishes it. A couple weeks ago at a Dollar Tree, I spotted a special edition, and let me tell you, for a dollar--ooh, wait, no, now it's $1.25--this is well worth it.

The Lynda Carter Wonder Woman cover alone deserves a look-see, and inside you get short profiles on a lot of expected subjects like The Six Million Dollar Man and The Incredible Hulk. Yet there are are also short pieces on short-lived programs like Gemini Man and Street Hawk. 

There's a section on cartoons like Dynomutt, and the mag also goes back a little bit longer to talk about the George Reeves Superman show and the 1950s Sheena program.

It's all pretty lightweight, and the sparse text is supplemented by tons of trivia features and puzzles--oh, yeah, there be puzzles--crosswords, sudokus, word searches, and more! There are also "Time Capsule" pages that offer snapshots of a given year like 1978. Add vintage cartoon strips and panels and print advertisements, and you get a pretty cool little package of nostalgia well worth the cover price. This is apparently a unique version the magazine produced for Dollar Tree, and I'd get other editions if they popped up.

RetroFan is back with a Summer-themed issue (Hey, it's still Summer!)

I think this was meant to come out just a tad earlier, but there's no reason we can't enjoy the new RetroFan magazine at the end of meteorological Summer. This issue is a little light on 1970s/1980s TV content, but Andy Mangels' column covers that realm with a big piece on Zorro cartoons from Filmation.

The main story is on the 1960s beach movies, and there is a long article on car-themed cartoon magazines of the Sixties that sounds a little esoteric even for me but is quite entertaining. I really like the history of The Wild Wild West and the accompanying profile of Michael Dunn (Dr. Loveless). 

Elsewhere in the issue, Will Murray takes a look at the Masters of the Universe franchise, giving Filmation even more love. The Norman Lear interview is repurposed from a book and, sadly, does not touch on the fuller Learverse concept Mike and I have dreamed ab--uh, discussed on the podcast.

RetroFan is published by TwoMorrows I have no affiliation with them other than being a happy subscriber!

RetroFan's July issue is outstanding!

Hey, just because I didn't get around to writing about the latest RetroFan yet doesn't mean it isn't awesome. In fact, this is one of my favorite episodes in some time. In addition to a cover story on Julie Newmar's Catwoman, there is all kinds of great stuff for us lovers of 1970s and 1980s TV.

For starters, how about a big article on BOTNS favorite Search? Yes, the short-lived Burgess Meredith/Hugh O'Brian/Doug McClure/Tony Franciosa adventure show gets a nice write-up by Bob Greenberger. In addition to the production details, there is interesting info about the resurrection of the program on DVD and the cult status it achieved.

The mag's lead piece is a surprisingly comprehensive (not that I am complaining) history of Fruity Pebbles commercials by Scott Shaw!, who was the campaign's creative director for years. The stories and goodies like original concept art make this a tremendous piece.

Elsewhere, there are articles about Tarzan and Astro Boy cartoons and one about The Untouchables. There's a non-TV-related feature about the 1977 Soviet Expo that really captures the atmosphere of the event and the era.

Again, I assure you I am just a contented subscriber. In fact, I have to admit, 10.95 per issue is a lot for a magazine, but RetroFan delivers each month with its combination of fun articles, attractive design, and superb subject matter. I think the new issue is coming any day now, so I figured I'd better talk about #21 now!

Two from TwoMorrows Publishing

Two new publications arrived here from the great folks at TwoMorrows Publishing, and each has my strong recommendation. The latest issue of RetroFan is low on material with a direct connection to BOTNS-era TV, but it is still a lot of fun. Andy Mangels' story on The Lone Ranger covers his Filmation cartoon as well as the character's other media incarnations, and that is the most relevant for our purposes.

However, there is plenty of other entertaining stuff, like the bio of cover boy Sergio Aragones, the piece on mail-order contests, Moe Howard, the origins of G.I. Joe (the toy line), and much more! It's another fun effort with a lot of good stuff.

Next up, a book I pre-ordered a looong time ago because I was excited as soon as I learned about it, yet I haven't dived into it yet. Why? I want to set time aside to savor it. It's a book that I could have requested be written: American TV Comic Books.

I tell you, the book is in my hands now (making it tough to type), and it is gorgeous. The TwoMorrows books combine superb info and writing with awesome visual design. 

I just turned to a random page (Well, not totally random; I went to the back to get a page from the BOTNS era) and found a look at the Charlton Emergency! series. There is so much cool stuff in here and plenty of pictures. The book is structured kind of like an encyclopedia, with individual entries arranged chronologically instead of alphabetically.

Now that I open the book again, I gotta forget my "find perfect time to savor this" strategy and start reading it!