Falling in Love #121, DC Comics, February 1971
Ahh, my favorite post of the year because I get to say, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. I hope your day/year/life is filled with love.
I honestly spend too much time on this post every year. There are so many eras and angles to choose from and it seems like I explore every one of them before picking my book..
I’ve chosen a book that has been in queue for the Valentine’s spotlight for a while. I present this week’s Undervalued Spotlight as Falling in Love #121.
Charlton Romance books are my collecting preference but even I must concede the draw of the big DC romance titles like Falling in Love.
DC Romance books are actually tough to get especially anything post 1970. There is quite a strong collecting community for these issues.
For these comics the covers are the biggest draws and I can’t think of many romance covers as hip, cool and eye catching. Falling in Love #121 has a fantastic cover!
I’m always trying to find some extra value with my picks so I thought you’d like the 1st story. Love me Today, Forget me Tomorrow is an 8 pager that tells the story of how a girl named Alice gave up her promotion and her feminist beliefs to ensure that her boyfriend advances in her place.
That story tells me two things. First, it speaks to the power of love, which is what this post is celebrating. Second, it tells you who was writing these things back in the day.
All well rounded comic collections should have shining examples of the Romance genre, Falling in Love #121 will do just nicely.
This is the comic that will always be missing if you are lucky enough to find someone with a selection of DC Romance from the era.
Believe it or not the last CGC recorded sale was almost 6 years ago.
Hey if anyone finds a high grade copy, I’m interested!
The 46th Overstreet price break for this book is $15/$22/$28 in the 8.0/9.0/9.2 grade splits.
Reasons to buy this comic book as an investment.
- Stunning cover
- Insultingly cheap in the Guide
- 1970s DC Romance books are very collectible
Hey Walt
Any idea who drew that cover? Sadly the DC Database is lacing that bit of info, but my best bet would be Tony DeZuniga.It also has a touch of Esteban Maroto. Any guesses anybody?
Agreed, Walt!
Mel, might be either of those, or maybe Nestor Redondo?
Hey Mel, the grand comics database seems to think it’s DeZuniga though there is a question mark beside his name.
Do you own the comic Walt? Perhaps you could take a look at the credits, but it probably won’t say.
It’s funny, all three of the above-mentioned artists, along with the great Alfredo Alcala, were in that wave of talent from the Philippines in the early ’70s, every one a gem. I think, upon reflection, I would put my money on DeZuniga for that cover. For sheer artistry, dive into any one of Alcala’s inks over Buscema on Conan, or one of Maroto’s weird fantasies from Warren. These guys changed the landscape as much as a Wrightson of Kaluta or Windsor-Smith.
I may be wrong but I think it is Gray Morrow!
By Jove, I think he’s got it! Gray Morrow is one that hadn’t even occurred to me. I guess I was thinking De Zuniga or Maroto because of that fine line, but Morrow certainly fits the bill. I wish the databases were more helpful on this one.
Taschen’s The Bronze Age Of DC Comics page 79 identifies this cover’s artist as Tony DeZuniga.
Thanks for that Scott. I guess I should have more faith in my instincts.
Like I said, I may be wrong.It is one of those hard to peg covers!