Proof that 'Teen Love Stories' was written and edited by a bunch of old men.

( Teen Love Stores Magazine# 2, 1967)

If it is 1967 and you have trouble telling the Beatles apart you probably shouldn't be working on a love stories magazine for girls.

Also, put out that cigar, smoking will eventually be found to cause cancer.

More Vietnam-Time Romance.

"Second Choice!"
Heart Throb

DC Comics

Cover Art by Nick Cardy
Story Art by Tony Arbuzzo
Number 121
1969

Once again we have a story in which the Vietnam War plays somewhat of a role. In this case, it allows for a convenient set-up where we can find a newly married man raising another man's baby without implying anything improper on anyone's part.

Okay, so convenient may be a bit of an exaggeration. The whole set up is terribly contrived and seems wholly unnecessary. But we are talking about the moral standards of the 'Code' and not necessarily a reflection of reality. I mean surely my parents weren't the only young teens driven down South for a quickie wedding in the late 1960's.

With Second Choice! we enter a story already underway. In a scene played out a thousand times before, Jim walks in on his girlfriend Amy in the arms of another man. The arms of a good friend.

Jim, though madly in love with Amy, is a complete gentleman about the situation and even acts as the Best Man in the wedding. But don't worry, give him a chance, he will eventually show his true colors and like all men reveal himself to be the tool he really is.

Now, of course, things get complicated. Serving together, Billy is a constant reminder to Jim of the woman he loves and the life that would have been his.

And then tragedy strikes.

Wounded himself, Jim is soon home. And thrown together by circumstance, it is only a matter of time before the feelings Amy felt for Jim before meeting Billy start to come back.

It only takes 3 months of marriage before the reality of having a baby really starts to sink in for Jim.

And raising someone else's baby at that.

Eventually the sleep deprivation has Jim cracking up.

And when you are THAT tired, not to mention badly in need of a quick tumble in the back room of a Thom McAn, you are bound to act like a jackass.

What a tool.

Of course, everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves.

It is hard to believe it took Jim that long to figure it out. Maybe that war wound was a head injury.

Jonnie Love - Sexiest Man Alive?

"The Town that Forgot Love"
Charlton Comics
Teen-Age Love
Number 94
1973

There can be no doubt the women love an artist. Whether a man can paint, sculpt or string a coherent sentence together, we find it irresistible. But sometime around the age of 32 a whole new world of sexy opens up - a man who knows how to fix things. And there is nothing hotter!

About this time conversations start to change from "And then he sketched me in charcoals while I slept." to "Afterwards he fixed that toilet downstairs that kept running."

Now men, don't be foolish enough to make the assumption that you can, if nothing else, skate by on good-looks and talent all your life. At some point you WILL be asked to install a ceiling fan. And if you know how to snake a drain or switch out an alternator! OMG are you getting lucky tonight!

With that said, we come to Jonnie Love.

Everyone's favorite stray, Jonnie is adabtable as well as bearded. And he has learned a great deal on the lonely road. A lot more than just that there are alternatives to washing dishes to get a free meal. Yep, a lot more.

In The Town that Forgot Love, Jonnie's never ending drive home brings him to yet another town in need of his help.

White - Jonnie's favorite kind of trash!



He says "family" but I think it's a Social Security check.



See! Women of all ages just really like Jonnie Love.



Wait! Who's seducing who here?

Fix up the place? Jonnie, Bonnie is only a teenager, you're pulling out the big guns for the wrong woman!.



Oh, Bonnie, where to begin?



Oh, except for the time where the disapproval of my principle and my parents had me running away for, like, twenty years.



Jonnie, this is kind of private. Can you and creepy green sweater guy give them some room?

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Outlaw Girl!

Like your romance with more cowboy hat? Make sure to check out ...



As I get a chance to guest blog on

Once Upon a Time in the West in Comics!

The most EXCITING Hump Day ever!

"Never Forget Me"
Charlton Comics
Teen-Age Love

Cover and story art by José Luis Garcia-Lopez

Number 93
1973

Don't let the awkward shoulder massage on the cover fool you, this is the most action packed Jonnie Love story to date!

In Never Forget Me we catch up with Jonnie Love on his ceaseless journey home - this time in sunny Acapulco! Damn, that boy needs a compass.

Long trips give a person time to reflect. Time to reflect on their past, their present and their future. And Jonnie Love's own reflections only help solidify he desire to return home. Nothing can stop him.

For Jonnie Love women are trouble. And when his thoughts turn in the direction of Diane it is enough to distract him from possible death by vehicular homicide.

Did Jonnie Love just curse?

After the initial road rage subsides, Jonnie goes to see if he can help.

"She's a girl!" What gave it away Jonnie? I'm going to guess her huge rack.

Not sure if he actually believes all Diane's drama, Jonnie still throws her on the back of his bike and takes off. But it isn't long before he realizes Diane is not exaggerating.

Wow, that's a huge step up from a thug wearing a Nazi helmet.

Once it appears they are in the clean, Diane's hunger apparently overcomes her and she begs to stop.

Thank God that King Kastle Hamburgers (Home of Hamburger) was there.

Jonnie, of course, is no fool. And realizing that women can't be trusted, he watches Diane's every move.

"I'm just a dizzy blonde, Jonnie!" He's heard that one too many times.

Back out on the road, soon the Mercedes of death is hot on their heels!

Squirrel! (Make sure to check out Sequential Crush on Squirrels in romance comics!)

Death or capture seem the only alternatives but Jonnie Love is more than just acquainted with the art of running way. And knowing where you're running to is half the battle.

Like he said, nothing was going to stop him from getting home this time. Not even a beautiful woman with more than enough money in diamonds to buy him another outfit.