Young Love #123
Published and © by DC, January 1977
Title: “Love is the Answer!”
Synopsis: A Vietnam veteran returns home with a secret – drug addiction! Will his lady love stand by her man?
Writer: George Kashdan
Penciler: Win Mortimer
Inker: Henry Scarpelli
Review: As a kid, this reviewer avoided romance comics like the plague. While still not a favorite, books like Young Love #123 are thoroughly enjoyable as relics of their time. George Kashdan’s script is loaded with ’70s stereotypes. Win Mortimer’s art is stylish, though a bit dated.
•••
Title: “How We Met”
Synopsis: It takes a high-school Halloween party to make Joan realize boy-next-door Rog might be worth a second look.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Michael Netzer (as Michael Nasser)
Review: A one-page wonder with Mike Nasser drawing young lovers dressed in groovy costumes. You could do worse!
•••
Title: “The Lost Love”
Synopsis: Robin thinks her estranged lover is a bookworm – but it turns out he was writing the book on love!
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciler: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Review: The team behind Lady Cop (see review) tries romance without the cops and robbers. Adequate, though a little daft.
•••
Title: “20 Miles to Heart Break, Part II”
Synopsis: A runaway takes a walk on love’s wild side, hooking up with a Latin lover … who is in a band!
Writer: Barbara Friedlander
Penciler: Alex Toth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Review: This comic was heading for a C+ grade until the always-excellent Alex Toth showed up. Bring on the next issue!
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Cool factor: Alex Toth : )
Not-so-cool factor: Vince Colletta : (
Notable: Also includes an uncredited frontispiece featuring an awful poem titled “You’re Young and You’re in Love,” along with illustrated horoscope and fashion features with art by Elizabeth Safian-Berube (as “Elizabeth.”) … “20 Miles to Heart Break, Part II” is reprinted from 1970’s Secret Hearts #141.
Character quotable: “I didn’t mind at all as asked me to be his partner for dance after dance …” – Joan, about to get her groove on with the suddenly exciting Rog
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Oct. 2, 2010.
