The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure production drawing

This may appear very faint on your computer, so feel free to click the pic to get the real deal version. No extra charge, although gratuities are greatly appreciated.

This is a production drawing from The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure tv series that aired in 1967. I picked up a bunch of these, along with some cels from the same show, and the lot is amongst some of my most favoritest stuff. I think it's just the fact that it's the Atom... on a tv series... in 1967. I do love my history.

This one in particular is exceptional because... well, he's on a cat. Big ol fluffy one. I don't know if he's waking cat up, or putting cat to sleep. Perhaps he's preparing to challenge the 8 second mark of cat riding without getting thrown.

Feel free to throw in your thoughts on what exactly is transpiring here.

Justice League tv pilot continued...

Who says Ray and J'Onn never hung out?!

I was going to post something else today, but all of this Martian Manhunter business, and the lack of interaction between himself and the Atom got me thinking about the pilot.
This pilot. And what could have been.

I had posted a photo I had from this gem a few months ago, which can be found here free of charge.
And here's another beauty (although it came without the helpful arrows and names which I've included for your ease). Would you just look at them.
Obviously a great deal of work was put into crafting the perfect, versatile Atom costume in case it ever became the Justice League of American Gladiators.

As I type this on going tribute to the cold-war friendship that has gone on between The Atom and The Martian Manhunter in an attempt to not only save one (and one who's not far behind I'm sure) and urge those in power to develop a kinship between these two, I must admit... this pilot and any evidence of it probably doesn't help.
But look at them (not a photo I own, courtesy of BeyondHollywood.com).

They're destined for greatness together.

DC on TV Ad!

On September 9, 1967 tv viewers were treated to the premiere of The Superman - Aquaman Hour of Adventure! It was a 60 minute program broken into 6 minute adventures featuring the heroes of DC. As you may have guessed by either the name of the show or this ad here, Superman and Aquaman were the big draws.

But we're here for the guest stars, aren't we?
The Atom and Hawkman (as their heads can be seen betwixt sweet art and words) were rotating regulars on the show as were The Flash and Teen Titans, and my favorite part of the whole thing is the beautiful cels it has provided. I've posted one so far, which can be seen here.

You've probably got some questions you'd like to ask. Check out the FAQ first:

FAQ
Q:Why is the Atom the only one who's head isn't basically facing front?
A: Good question. Part of the contract involving The Atom and Hawkman was that when they appeared on a page/screen together, one of them had to be on-the-border-of-lovingly staring at the other. I believe this to be an attempt to cash in on the success of the Batman/Robin relationship.

Q: Who is the most badass mother on that ad?
A: Well, that's simple. It's quite obvious the one not to trifle with is Storm, Aquaman's sea horse! Storm the time bomb can be spotted often sporting that look. Just back off a bit. For another example, visit Rob Kelly's aquaman shrine.
Tick, tick, tick...

Incidentally, Storm and Imp (Aqualad's ride) are by far my two favorites things on the ad!

No more questions.

I'll ignore the photos on the bottom of the ad for now. Click to get an all up in yo grill version.

Justice League tv pilot 1997

Recently I was engaged in a conversation regarding the wonder that is the potential upcoming JLA film, which will almost certainly be sans Atom, and it led to this.

For starters, holy crap. Actually, for starters let me say that the scanner isn't working because children thought it would make a nice seat, so when someone plasters their logo or whatever across something, it's going to stay there unless I can find a better picture online.

Now, holy crap.

I purchased this here photo from the 1997 Justice League tv pilot, for obvious reasons. That's not the new American Gladiator... that's Ray Palmer.

Anyone who's ever even seen the cover of a JLA comic... or any comic for that matter, can tell what a treat this thing is just by the pictures. But it really needs to be seen for the full effect.

I unfortunately do not own that photo there, but it needed to be put up. There are your heroes. That's Guy Gardner donning the blue GL suit. Don't tell me no, it is. I don't care what his outfit, hair style, or attitude is like.

This show was based on something along the lines of everyday folk trying to lead their everyday lives whilst performing superhero duties. Sure, that's been done. And well. But here...

The Atom, portrayed by the Cryptkeeper John Kassir, is generally thought of as having an above average intelligence, and a slight gift with technology. His whole super hero dealio is based on that. In this show, aside from having the worst costume to ever be put on a living thing in the history of mankind and a wee paunch to boot, he's a middling science teacher who cannot repair everyday appliances.

And J'onn J'onzz (not pictured there), portrayed by a fairly capable actor in David Ogden Stiers, is rotund.

It never aired in America (what!) but if you're hungry enough, you can score yourself a copy.

And you're hungry. It's your civic duty.