...is revealed in this book by Douglas Wolk...
He stated...
"...if there existed, say, an intricately interconnected, occasionally extraordinary 2,700-volume roman-fleuve concerning the nursing staff at a particular hospital over six decades—or a half-million-page comics epic about the same subject—and it had become a touchstone of contemporary culture, I bet I’d be interested in that too.
"...if there existed, say, an intricately interconnected, occasionally extraordinary 2,700-volume roman-fleuve concerning the nursing staff at a particular hospital over six decades—or a half-million-page comics epic about the same subject—and it had become a touchstone of contemporary culture, I bet I’d be interested in that too.
Around the beginning of Marvel, there was a moment where things could have gone that way.
In the fall of 1961, Martin Goodman’s comics line started putting a little logo on its covers: “M C,” which might have stood for Marvel Comics.
The first series to bear that logo on its debut issue, two months before Fantastic Four #1, was Linda Carter, Student Nurse..."
This Linda Carter.
In the fall of 1961, Martin Goodman’s comics line started putting a little logo on its covers: “M C,” which might have stood for Marvel Comics.
The first series to bear that logo on its debut issue, two months before Fantastic Four #1, was Linda Carter, Student Nurse..."
No, not that Lynda (with a "y") Carter!
Co-created by writer Stan Lee and artist Al Hartley, she was one of the "comedy career girl" titles popular at that point in time.
Others included Tessie the Typist and Millie the Model.
Here's her never-reprinted premiere, setting up the premise and establishing an ensemble of characters...
Others included Tessie the Typist and Millie the Model.
Here's her never-reprinted premiere, setting up the premise and establishing an ensemble of characters...
This Stan Lee-scripted and Al Hartley-illustrated story (which makes no medical sense whatsoever) reads a lot like the other "career woman" strips, including Mille the Model, with a lovely, but slightly-ditzy lead character, a beautiful (but nasty) rival who continually-attempts to undermine the protagonist, a handsome guy both the protagonist and antagonist lust for, and assorted comedy-relief associates!
So why does Polk consider her the linchpin of Marvel fiction?
Again, in his own words...
"Still, I think of (Linda Carter: Student Nurse), rather than Fantastic Four, as being where the collective Marvel story really begins, for three reasons.
So why does Polk consider her the linchpin of Marvel fiction?
Again, in his own words...
"Still, I think of (Linda Carter: Student Nurse), rather than Fantastic Four, as being where the collective Marvel story really begins, for three reasons.
The first is that it was part of Marvel’s first shared-universe, multiple-series crossover, which was published immediately after Fantastic Four #1—and didn’t involve any superheroes."
I'd add that this was the first crossover between non-superhero characters who would also later appear within the Marvel Multiverse!
Curious?
I'd add that this was the first crossover between non-superhero characters who would also later appear within the Marvel Multiverse!
Curious?
Well, that's why you should be here...
NEXT FRIDAY
...to see what the heck he's talking about...and what the other two reasons are!
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