Rocket's Blast Comicollector
Zine | |
---|---|
Title: | Rocket's Blast Comicollector |
Publisher: | Science Fiction and Comics Association (1964–1974) James Van Hise (1974–1981) New Media Publishing (1981-1983) James Van Hise (2002–2003) |
Editor(s): | G.B. Love (1964–1974) James Van Hise (1974–1982; 2002–2003) |
Type: | adzine |
Date(s): | April 1964-1982, 2002-03 |
Medium: | |
Size: | 18/2 x 11" (magazine) |
Fandom: | comics, science fiction |
Language: | English |
External Links: | see more at Wikipedia |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Rocket's Blast Comicollector is a zine with a focus on comic book collecting, which later expanded to include science fiction media. It was published monthly/bimonthly from 1964 to 1974, after which things became more erratic and the zine folded in 1983. Another four issues were released in an attempt to revive the zine in 2002-2003.
In the (first) editor's own words:
The RB*CC is primarily an "ad zine", not an "article zine" (The Golden Age is our regular article zine). In order for an ad zine to serve its purpose it must come out as regularly and as often as possible. A good article zine takes a great deal of time (not only to gather material) but to prepare it for publication. Therefore it is not possible for the RB*CC to be both. Even if it were possible to prepare the articles and art on a six week schedule (WHICH IT IS NOT) there certainly is not that much good material around. HOWEVER, the RB*CC will continue to contain as much non-ad material (columns, cover repros, etc) as space and time permits. I am sure that with writers like Gambaccini, Harner and Sueling (not to mention others) writing for each issue, you won't become bored."IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL READERS" - G.B. Love - RB*CC #36
About
In 1964, "The Comicollector" (edited by Jerry Bails) and "The Rocket's Blast" (edited by G.B. Love) merged to form The Rocket's Blast and the Comicollector under the editorship of G.B. Love. For the new zine, numbering started at Issue 29, continuing on from the numbering for The Rocket's Blast. By issue #51, the name had been shortened to Rocket's Blast Comicollector, or RBCC.
The RBCC was vital to early comic collectors in the early 60s-70s; before the prevalence of comic shops it was the only way for fans to collect back issues and buy and sell comics and fanzines.
Before The Buyer's Guide (now known as Comic Buyer's Guide), there was the RBCC. The Rocket's Blast Comicollector (aka RC-CC) was the largest and most influential adzine, and frequently the only avenue for fans to buy and sell comic books and fanzines during the 60's. But it was produced in a slap-dash fashion, All-typography RBCC 50 cover by John Fantucchio complete with typos, crossed-out misspellings, upside down ad reproductions and generally poor production values. I don't wish to denigrate Editor/Publisher G.B. Love's early efforts as he was a truly amazing individual, practically jump-starting 60's fandom by producing the RBCC on time, every month, despite being afflicted with severe cerebral palsy. Love could not use his hands and typed whole issues with a pencil eraser to hit the keys! [1]
Most importantly, it was also the best venue for fans to interact and discover they weren't alone.
In 1966, three years after I read my first comic, I discovered there were other fans like me. My awakening to all of this was an adzine/fanzine called Rocket’s Blast Comicollector. The magazine was originally two separate fan publications that began in 1961, “The Rocket’s Blast” (from G.B. Love) and “The Comicollector” (started by Jerry Bails). In 1964, they merged, with Love as publisher and editor.I don’t know how I heard of RBCC in the first place (likely through an ad in a comic) but when the issue, #45, arrived I was amazed. It was a ditto and photo-offset publication featuring approximately 90 pages stapled together. The front cover was a tribute to two Golden Age heroes from Hillman Publications, Nightmare and Sleepy, drawn by then-fan Richard Buckler.
And, inside the issue… well… for me, it was the equivalent of what it must be like for a comics fan walking into the San Diego Comic-Con today for the first time. This was an exciting, crowded world full of dealers, publishers of other fanzines, and fans who wrote articles about comics’ four-color history.
The zine was the early publisher of various future professional comics artists, including Richard Corben, Don Newton, Howard Keltner, Don Rosa, Rich Buckler and others. It, along with Alter Ego, was also considered the start of comics fandom in the U.S. and inspired others, such as Alan Austin in the U.K., to start their own adzines.
RBCC was an adzine not just for comics - it also advertised fanzines. From Issue #63, it provided advertising for Love's zine reprint business, The Olde Fanzine Shoppe. Love's enterprise was frequently the best way to obtain copies of comics (and other) fanzines with new zines being published at a rapidly increasing rate in the late sixties. The section also provides insight into comic zine fandom of the time.
Subpages for Rocket's Blast Comicollector:
Reviews and Reactions
One of the longer running “zines” was Rocket’s Blast Comicollector. This unofficial fanzine ran from 1964 to 1983, almost 20 years! During that time it connected comic collectors with regular articles, advertisements, and classifieds for exchanging back issues. The zine contained news and regular review articles discussing all corners of the budding comic industry. Apart from the fan community this magazine fostered, it also provided amateur artists and writers the opportunity to break into the comic book publishing industry. Within its pages, you’ll find many household names who went on to produce great works at the House of Ideas, Distinguished Competition, and other publications.
Long before he began drawing Disney Duck stories, I knew and loved Don’s work as a columnist and cartoonist in fanzines like RBCC (Rocket’s Blast Comic Collector), where his regular feature “Information Center,” sample page above, was a great compendium of things Don liked and collected, including old comics, but also detailed indexes of TV shows like Star Trek and The Avengers (Steed and Mrs. Peel), classic movies, pulp magazines, and all sorts of fannish culture. At a time long before the internet, it was information we fans could all use, and Don’s entertaining way of presenting it, writing with great personality and including many of his unique drawings, made it a must-read for me. I learned many things from his column! And as you can see above, he was already drawing Uncle Scrooge there from time to time.
Some of the more popular zines left behind the mimeograph machines and graduated to color covers and crisp, inky-black interiors printed via photo offset. We eventually took the plunge and subscribed to Rockets Blast/Comicollector (affectionately and mercifully shortened to RBCC) with issue #64 and kept that sub running until the magazine folded around issue #150. The Comics Buyer’s Guide, a newspaper-format news and advertising zine, made the RBCC obsolete, and added the aura of a weekly newspaper devoted solely to comics news and ads.In turn, the Internet made CBG obsolete, even after it switched from newspaper to magazine. (The late Bill Schelly’s excellent book, The Golden Age of Comics Fandom, chronicles this era much better than this very condensed version of mine. Look for the second edition published by Hamster Press, the one with the Michael T. Gilbert “green” cover. You can find it on eBay.)But the fanzines created something else. By offering this forum for comics fans in the United States (and elsewhere in the world), they started something much bigger: A community. And the next logical step for that community was to meet in person.
The Rocket's Blast and The Comicollector (#29-50)[6]
Issue #29
April 1964. 66 pages, print run: 350. Editor and publisher: GB Love; chief artists: Buddy Saunders and Raymond Miller. Published monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Buddy Saunders featuring Daredevil.
- "Pocket Size Comics" by Raymond Miller - article
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner III - review of Drunkard's Walk by Fredrick Pohl
- Piece on the waning popularity of Batman by Rick Weingroff
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "A Word from the New Editor of Comicollector" by G.B. Love
- Blue Streak and Doctor Medusa by Ronn Foss - article
- "Black Fury" pinup by Biljo White
- "Professional Ponderings" by Bernie Bubnis
- "Spotlight on the Pros" by Bernie Bubnis - regular article; this issue covers The DC Group
- Letters column (including a missive by Texas Trio member Larry Herndon)
- Classified comic book ads.
- Fanzine ads: Hero #4 and The Comic Hero #2
Issue #30
May 1964. 71 pages, print run: 400. Published monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Buddy Saunders featuring Blackhawk
- Notice by GB Love to attend Bernie Bubnis' Comic Fan Convention in July
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "The Newsboy Legion and The Guardian" pinup by Buddy Saunders
- "Spotlight on the Pros" by Bernie Bubnis - Marvel and Gold Key
- Air Fighters Comics tracing by Raymond Miller - art
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner - President Fu Manchu by Sax Rohmer
- "Captain Marvel - Has He Returned from Limbo?"by Don Fowler (aka Buddy Saunders) - article on Captain Marvel
- "Professional Ponderings" by Bernie Bubnis
- "The 1963 Alley Tally" by Ronn Foss - report on the winners of the 1963 Alley Award.
- "On the Drawing Board" - latest news courtesy of The Comic Reader
- "Captain America, The Greatest Original Revival of All Time" by Ronn Foss - article on Captain America
- "The Dealer and the Collector" by Phil Seuling
- "The Twister" pinup by Biljo White
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives by Larry Herndon, Jerry Bails, Andrew Fraknoi, Ed Lahmann and Paul Thompson Jr.)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Fighting Hero Comics #10
Issue #31
June 1964.
Contents: 74 pages, print run: 400. Published monthly.
- Front cover by Ronn Foss - Joe Kubert's "Kenton of the Star Patrol"
- "A Gallery of Heroes frm Wings Comics by Bill Spicer - illustrations, including The Parachute Patrol, Captain Wings, and others
- "Spotlight on the Pros" by Bernie Bubnis - Steve Ditko
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner - Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
- Wonder Comics #1 tracing by Raymond Miller - art
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love
- "Lash Lightning" pinup by Biljo White
- "A Reflection from the Past" by Ed Lahmann
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Ron Fradkin, Ray Bartel, Jerry Bails, George R.R. Martin, Ed Lahmann, Steve Perrin and Dennis Richard)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Down Under #1, Komix Illustrated #12, Comic Caper #2, Fantasy Hero #3, The Comic Journal #1, Comic Hero #2
- ad for Argosy (pulp magazine)
Issue #32
June/July 1964. 78 pages, Print run: 400. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Raymond Miller, featuring U.S. Jones and "Joy Holiday", mascot of The Comicollector created by Ronn Foss.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "The Horn of Plenty" by Raymond Miller - article on comics published from 1940-1943
- "Metamorphosis or Darkness" by Howard Waldrop - article about The Shadow
- Quicksilver pin-up by Buddy Saunders
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love - includes an explanation for going bi-monthly and thanks to Julius Schwartz for a plug given for RBCC in a JLA comic.
- Magno Hall of Fame pinup by Biljo White
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Doug Potter, Paul Gambaccini, Ronn Foss, Tom Lauria and Bill Spicer)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Action Hero #3, Batmania #1, Comic Favourite #3, Fantastic #5, Fantasy Heroes Hangout, Fantasy Illustrated #2, Fighting Hero #12, Flare Comics #1, House of Heroes #1, Mask & Cape #3 and #4, Men of Mystery #1, Rocket's Blast Special #4, Star #1, The Comic Hero #2, The Comic Journal #1, The Comic World #6 and Thuria #1.
Issue #33
August/September 1964. 84 pages, print run: 625. Editor and Publisher: G.B. Love. Staff: Raymond Miller, Rick Weingroff, Paul Gambaccini, Ronn Foss, Biljo White, Howard Keltner, Bob Harner, Bill Spicer, Bernie Bubnis, Buddy Saunders, Kent Russell, Larry Herndon, Dave Bibby and Sherman Howard. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover: Blue Beetle by Raymond Miller
- "Gambaccini in Wonderland" by Paul Gambaccini on his visit to the MAD Magazine offices.
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner - Limbo by Bernard Wolfe.
- Cover tracing of Daredevil #26 by Chuck Rogers - illustration
- Cartoons by Bill Regier & Chuck Moss.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Wizard of the Wireless” by Mike Friedrich, will full-page illo by Ronn Foss.
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling - First installment
- “The Birth of the Comic Book" by Lee Whittlesey.
- "Green Hornet" pinup by Biljo White.
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including a missive from George R. R. Martin).
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Rocket's Blast Special #1, Fantasy Illustrated #2.
Issue #34
November/December 1964. 66 pages, print run: 650. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by unknown - Yank and Doodle comic reproduction
- "Spotlight on the Pros #6: Carmine Infantino" by Bernie Bubnis.
- "The Birth of the Comic Book" by Lee Whittlesey.
- "The Best of S-F" by Bob Harner III.
- "Whiz Comics" by G.B. Love.
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love - - explanation of the confusion re issue numbers.
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Alan Simons, Vincent C Stuart II, Bob Harner III, Richard M Reich, Paul McSpadden, George R. R. Martin, Bob Malisani, and Ron Fradkin)
- Green Hornet Hall of Fame full page pin-up by Biljo White
- "Joy Holiday" illo by Ronn Foss
- classified comic book ads
- fanzine ads: Rocket's Blast Special #1, Fantasy Illustrated #2, and more
Issue #35
January 1965. 78 pages, print run 675. Editor and Publisher: G.B. Love. Staff: Raymond Miller, Paul Gambaccini, Ronn Foss, Howard Keltner, Bob Harner, Bernie Bubnis, Kent Russell, Dave Bibby, Bob Malisani, Phil Seuling and Sherman Howard. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Ronn Foss of The Phantom and Joy Holiday.
- "Golden Age Heroes - Capsule History" by Raymond Miller - new article series, first edition featuring "The Original Hawkman"
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Paul Gambaccini - regular comic news column, with Paul Gambaccini replacing Rick Weingroff as of this issue.
- "The Destroyer" sketch by Parley Holman
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Behind the Cover of Daredevil #3" by Raymond Miller
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner - review of The Unknown short story collection edited by D.R. Benson.
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love
- "Plastic Man" by Dave Bibby
- "Is It True Blonds Have More Fun? or Alterations Don't Make Changes" by Ronn Foss - article on then-Phantom artist Bill Ligante swiping Alex Raymond (this article prompted a reply from Gold Key editor Bill Harris).
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Bill Spicer, Paul Thompson, Brian Yates, Lee Whittlesey, Ronn Foss, Paul McSpadden, and Ken Ahlstrand)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego, Amra, Comic Favourite #3, Fantasy Illustrated, Flame On!, ODD #6 & #7, Sanctum #1, Slam Bang! and the Slam Bang! Special, Star-Studded Comics, Super Heroes Anonymous #1 and The Foob #1 (Marv Wolfman's first comic).
Issue #36
February 1965. 84 pages, print run: 725. Published bi-monthly. Editor and Publisher: G.B. Love. Staff: Paul Gambaccini, Howard Keltner, Dave Bibby, Bob Harner, Phil Seuling, Ronn Foss, Raymond Miller, Bob Malisani, Sherman Howard, Kent Russell. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Howard Keltner - The Hangman
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Paul Gambaccini - regular comic news column
- "The Best of SF" by Bob Harner - review
- "A Scene from the Golden Age" #1 by Raymond Miller - Nedor Publications' Black Terror
- The Comicollector hostess Joy Holiday - one page of drawings by Ronn Foss.
- "Golden Age Heroes - Capsule History" by Raymond Miller and G.B. Love - "Catman and Kitten"
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #8, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. (comic strip book), Rocket's Blast Special #1
Issue #37
March 1965. 74 pages, print run 725. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover: The Green Mask
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #2" - reprint from Captain Aero Comics
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "The Torch-Submariner Battle Issue and the Fantastic Four Annual #1: A Comparison" by Carole Seuling
- "Golden Age Heroes - Capsule History" by Raymond Miller and G.B. Love - "Wildcat"
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from George R. R. Martin, Ron Fradkin, Rick Weingroff, Sol Davidson, and Ronn Foss)
- New ad rates announced (full page $3.50).
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #8 (full page), Amra, Epic Comics #1 & #2, Fandom Presents #1, Fantasy Illustrated #3 (double page), Masquerader #6, ODD #9, Rocket's Blast and The Comicollector Annual, Star-Studded Comics #7 (double page, includes the story "Powerman" by George R.R. Martin), Super Adventures #2, The Golden Age #1, The Schwartz Index, Voice of Comicdom #4 (full page spirit duplicator produced).
Issue #38
April 1965. 42 pages, print run: 775. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by unknown - Captain Courageous
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #3" - reprint from "The Zebra” from Green Hornet Comics.
- "This 'n' That" column by Paul Gambaccini.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "The Best of S-F" by Robert Harner - reviews
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love
- "Golden Age Heroes - Capsule History" by Raymond Miller and G.B. Love - "Sandman"
- Seuling's Corner by Phil Seuling.
- Blasts from the Readers - LOCs (including missives from Kent Russell, Brian Yates, Dave Johnson, and Bill Spicer)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #8, Flare Comics, Rocket's Blast Special #5
Issue #39
June 1965. 70 pages, print run: 750. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Buddy Saunders - The Incredible Hulk
- “Special Editorial" by GB Love about Stan Lee turning down Love's request for the MMMS's mailing list.
- Bulletin from Pat Masulli of Charlton requesting new fandom writers for Charlton
- "Supersnipe" by Tom Fagan - article on Koppy McFad, the "Boy with the most comic books in America"
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #4" - reprint from Magno & Davey
- America's Greatest Comics #6 cover reprint.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Tom Christopher, Charles R Sexton, Ronn Foss, Marvin Wolfman, Joe Molenda Jr, and Brian Yates)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #7, Comic Favorite/Ultimania, Comic Feature #2, Cooper's Hobby Bulletin, FOOB #2, Intrigue #1, Komikollector, ODD #10, Sanctum #2, Slam Bang! #4, Star-Studded Comics #7, and Super Adventures #3.
Issue #40
July 1965. 68 pages, print run: 775. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover art by Biljo White - Ghost Rider
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #5" - reprints from Prize Comics
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- Reprint of a June 7, 1965 LA Times newspaper article about collecting old comics with photos of Rick Durell, Burt Blum of the Cherokee Bookshop, and artist Jerry Kay.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love
- Captain Aero #8 cover reproduction
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from F. James Mohl, Brian Yates (mentions Jim Halperin in letter), and Guy H. Lillian III)
- Ad for
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Action Hero #4, Alter Ego #5, Bullseye #3, Cyclops #1, Gore Creatures, Magnum Opus #1, Review #1, Rocket's Blast Special #1, Slam Bang! #4, Spectre #5, Stories of Suspense #1, The Guidebook to Comics Fandom.
Issue #41
October 1965. 84 pages, print run: 775. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover art by Rich Buckler - Al Camy's Black Hood
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Four" by Raymond Miller - Comic Checklist - Marvel Mystery #26-29
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #6" - reprints from Bulletman
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Don Dagenais, Roy Thomas, Lee Goodman, Bernie Bubnis [who explains he dropped out of fandom for a while], Charles R Sexton, Jerry Lehrer, and Paul Thompson [GB mentions his Cerebral Palsy in response to Thompson's complaints about lack of hand lettering in RBCC])
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Comic Forum #1, Comic Vendor #1, Fantasy Fandom Crossroads #2, Fantasy Illustrated #4, Incognito #3, Komix Heroz of the Future #7, Makudan #1, Sanctum #3, Showcase to Fandom, The Eye, The Guidebook to Comics Fandom, Web Spinner.
Issue #42
November 1965. 82 pages, print run: 800.
Contents:
- Front cover art by Bob Kane, traced by Raymond Miller - Batman, 25 Years Ago
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #7" - reprint of a Flagman splash page.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love - announces forthcoming The Great Comic Book Heroes book from Jules Feiffer.
- "This 'N' That" by Louis Black
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Candid Comments" by Calvin Castine
- "Four" by Raymond Miller - a detailed index of Golden Age Captain America #15-18
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Paul Bakulski, Leroy S Blair, Robert Malisani, Doug Potter, Alan Frugis, and Wayne Cauley Jr.)
- "Marvel and DC" by Rick Weingroff - article on the differences between the "Big Two".
- classified comic book ads
- fan club ad: The International Comic Art Society
- zine ads: Argosy Comic Book Price Guide, Comic Cuts #1, Comic Vendor #1, Comic-Mania, Cooper's Hero Hobby #3, Fantasy Illustrated #4, Flare Comics #2, Komix Heroz of the Future #7, Men of Mystery #2, Rocket's Blast Special #6, Star-Studded Comics #7, The Cartoonist #1, The Comic Reader, The Guidebook to Comics Fandom, The Meteor, Vanguard.
Issue #43
January 1966. 130 pages, print run: 845. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Steve Sabo - Captain Marvel and Mr. Mind
- "Dull, Drab, and Dreary" by Calvin Castine - column
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #8" - reprint of a Yellowjacket splash page.
- "Hawkman" by Tom Fagan, art by Raymond Miller - article on DC Comics' Hawkman.
- "A Word from the Editor" by G.B. Love - mentions seeing the first episode of the Batman TV show.
- "This 'N' That" by Louis Black
- "Salvaran of the Apes" by Greg Gabbard - fiction? (Planet of the Apes)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Action Hero #7 & #8, Bombshell #1, Comic Examiner #1, Comic Vendor #2, Comiclub, Erb-Dom, Fantasy Illustrated #4, Masked Identity, ODD #11, Sonic, Star-Studded Comics #7, Superhero #4, The Cartoonist #1, The Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook #1, Trident #1, Trumpet #3 (included an 8-page insert sample), Wow #1 and Zenith #4.
Issue #44
April 1966. 132 pages, print run: ?. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by John G. Fantucchio -The Fighting Yank
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Sick's[7] Stein Sez!" by Calvin Castine - opinion column
- "Scenes from the Golden Age #8" - reprints from the Hit Comics anthology.
- Short piece on Ditko quitting Marvel
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #8, Bombshell #2, Comet #2, Eccentric #1 & #2, Fandom's Special #3, Fantasy Illustrated #5, Golden Age #1 & #2, Heroes Illustrated #2, The Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook, Masquerader #6, Oparian #1, RBCC Annual, Rocket's Blast Special #5 & #6, Secret Agent #1, Spa Fon #2, Spectre #7, #8, & #9, Star-Studded Comics #8, The Eye #1, The Wizard of Venus, Vanguard #1.
Issue #45
June 1966. 88 pages, print run: 900. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Rich Buckler - Nightmare and Sleepy
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Sniper's Nest" by Tom Fagan
- "Four" by Raymond Miller - four consecutive issues of a Golden Age title.
- "This 'N' That" by Louis Black
- Article about comics collector Harold Scarlett/Gene Arnold[8] (reprinted from the Houston Post)
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Roy Thomas and Mke Raub)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #5, #6, #7, & #8, Amra, Bombshell #3, Comiclub News #3 & #4, Fanmag Illustrated #1, Fantasy Illustrated #5, Fighting Hero Comics, Golden Age #1 & #2, The Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook #1 & #2, Inside Info (pamphlet), Masquerader #6, Rocket's Blast Special #5 & #6, RBCC Annual #1, Star-Studded Comics #8, The Cartoonist, The Incas Times, The World of Foss (unpublished?), The Eye #1, Trumpet #4 and Wow #2.
Issue #46
August 1966. 92 pages, print count: 1000. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by R.A.M. - Mr. Justice
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Rick's Picks" by Rick Weingroff - reviews
- "Sniper's Nest" by Tom Fagan
- "Planet Comics" by Raymond Miller - article about the Planet Comics publisher.
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including a missive from Gordon Flagg Jr)
- classified comic book ads, including Edwin Aprill Jr.’s reprints of Buck Rogers, the Spirit, and Skyroads.
- zine ads: Alter Ego #5 & #8, Bombshell #4 & #5, Duel Identity #2 & #3, Earthquake Comics #1, Eccentric #2, Fanac (Dave Johnson; unpublished?), Fanmag Illustrated #2, Fantasy Illustrated #5, Fan Scene, Golden Age #2, Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook #2, Intrigue #1, Lux #1, Masquerader #6, Pow Pop Art #4 & #5 Rocket’s Blast Special #6, RBCC Annual #1, Slam-Bang! #4 & #5, Sonic #2, Star-Studded Comics #9, Super Hero #4 & #5, Super Spoof Comics #1, The Comic Examiner #1, #2 & #3, The Marvel Gazette, The Second Heroic Age.
Issue #47
September or October 1966. 84 pages, print run: 1000. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Buddy Saunders; The Spirit.
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Seuling's Corner" by Phil Seuling
- "Interview with Harvey Kurtzman" by Alan Hewetson.
- "There Were These Monsters, SEE?" by Jim Jones - article on Frankenstein in the comics
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives by Roy Thomas, Irene Vartanoff, and Mike Rau).
- Buddy Saunders full page back issues for sale ad offering "Free Marvel Mini-Books with purchase."
- classified comic book ads, including the first ad from then 14-year-old Bob Beerbohm, who would go on to become a lifelong comic dealer and a preeminent expert on pre-Golden Age comics.
- zines ads: All Stars #1, Alter Ego #8, Blood And Thunder #5 & #6, Bombshell Ama-Zine, Earthquake Comics #1, Fanmag Illustrated #3, Fantasy Illustrated #6, Fan Scene, Fighting Hero Comics Special Edition #1, Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook #2, Marvel Mania, Masquerader #6, Pow Comics #8, Rocket’s Blast Special #6, Super Spoof Comics #1, The Comic Vendor #3, The Marvel Index, The Man From C.O.U.S.I.N. #1, Tint (formerly Slam-Bang!), Witzend #1 (then called Et Cetera).
Issue #48
November 1966. 84 pages, circulation over 1,050. Published bi-monthly.
The Editor's Note included the following explanation for the lateness of this issue, plus the success of various ads place in Marvel Comics:
We are late in getting this issue out because of the extraamount of ads and also due to the fine response of our ads in the Marvel comics.
...
I know most of you are interested in the results we are getting from the marvel ads because of its importance in the growth of fandom. Our ad appeared in 13 comics in October (and will be in 13 in Nov.) As of the end of the 4th week our ad has been out, We have received 155 ordered for the Handbook. It is too early to tell how many will eventually join fandom, but it should be at least 40%. Therefore, making an educated guess, our two-month ad should pull in around 300 orders, which in turn should produce at least 100 new collectors for comicdom. If this proves to be the case, I, for one, will be well satisfied with the ad results and will almost surely run the same ad at least twice a year.IMPORTANT EDITOR'S NOTE - G.B. Love - RBCC #48
Contents:
- Front cover by Earl Blair - Captain Marvel
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "The Oddity Page" by Raymond Miller
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including a missive from Gordon Flagg Jr)
- classified comic book ads
- zine ads: Alter Ego #8, Amazing Masters Presentations, Bombshell Ama-Zine #5, Comic Feature #5, Comic Lore #1, Dolfin Comics #1, Fanmag Illustrated #3, Fantasy Illustrated #6, Gosh Wow #1, Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook #2, Saturday's World #1, Sonic #2, Star-Studded Comics #6 & #10, The Eye #1, The Symbol #1 Tint (formerly Slam-Bang!), Vanguard #1, Witzend #1
Issue #49
January or February 1967. 132 pages, print run: 1,150. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Front cover by Raymond Miller - Supersnipe
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "The Oddity Page" by Raymond Miller
- "The Comics" by Sgt. Sanderson Vanderbilt - article reprinted from YANK Vol 4 #23 (1945) about Kid Eternity and the "wartime publishing bonanza"
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Larry Herndon and Gordon Flagg Jr)
- classified comic book ads
- ad for The 1967 Houston Comic Convention.
- zine ads: Alter Ego #8, Armageddon #1, Bombshell #6, Comic Book #2, Comic Lore, Comiclub #8, Crypt #2, Earthquake Comics #1, Fan Scene #1, Fantasy Illustrated #6, Fighting Hero Comics Special Edition #1, Heroes Illustrated #2, Heroic #1, Incognito #1, June 25, 1876 — Custer’s Last Stand, Lux, Master of Light #1, Men of Mystery #4, Pow Comics #10 & #11, Rocket’s Blast Special #1 & #6, Saturday’s World #1 & #2, Star-Studded Comics #7, Super Spoof Comics #1, The Comic Examiner #4, The Eye #1, The Irving Forbush Gazette #1 & #2, The Illustrated Marvel Handbook & Checklist, The Man From C.O.U.S.I.N. #1, The Marvel Index, The Panelologist #1 (Jerry Bails), Tint (Formerly Slam-Bang!) , Weirdom #10, Witzend #1 & #2, Wonderment #1 & #2, Ymir Vol. 2, #1.
Issue #50
February or March 1967. 96 pages, print run: 1125. Published bi-monthly.
Contents:
- Cover art by John G. Fantucchio
- “Namor … the Seaweed Man” by Jim Jones.
- a full page ad (on page 2) for comics offered for sale by Buddy Saunders (Lone Star Comics)
- "Ego One" by George Henderson - article on Canadian comics fandom
- "Rocketeer Gossip" by Rick Weingroff - regular comic news column
- "Viking Presents" by George Henderson - opinion piece
- John Clute Explains The Merry Marvel Marching Society" by John Clute - article on Stan Lee's Merry Marvel Marching Society fanclub.
- "The Oddity Page" by Raymond Miller
- "Blasts from the Readers" - LOCs (including missives from Roy Thomas, Charles Wooley, and Mike Raub)
- classified comic book ads.
- zine ads: Amazing Masters Presentations #3, Bombshell #6, Comic Celler #2, Comic Lore, Erb-Dom #19, Fandom's Special #3, Fantasy Forum #1 & #2, Fantasy Illustrated #7, Fighting Hero Comics Special Edition #1, Heroes Hangout #4, Illustrated Comic Collectors Handbook #2, June 25, 1876 — Custer’s Last Stand, Marvel Mania #5, On The Drawing Board #7-10, Pow Comics #15, Rocket's Blast Special #1 & #7, Sonic #2, The Comic Reader #42 & #46, The Graphic Art Collector #3 & #4, The Illustrated Marvel Handbook & Checklist, The Irving Forbush Gazette #1 & #2, The Panelologist #1 The Symbol #8, UNO #1 (unpublished?)
Rocket's Blast and The Comicollector Annual (1964)
1964 58 pages. "PAGES FROM THE PAST - Inside, Reprints From Early RB/CC Issues!"
Contents:
- Front cover by Ronn Foss
- Dr. Strange pin-up by Ken Dixon, likely from THE COMICOLLECTOR.
- “The Captain America Story” by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #13.
- An article about Lev Gleason’s ”Daredevil" written/illustrated by Rick Durell from ROCKET’S BLAST #15.
- “The Frantic Four” by Ronn Foss from THE COMICOLLECTOR #7.
- Mystery Men Comics #31 cover tracing by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #18.
- Thrilling Comics #22 tracing by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #27.
- Green Lama Pin-Up by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #20.
- "Human Torch" article written/illustrated by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #18.
- “Graham Crackers” by Ron Graham, writing about Frankenstein (Prize Comics) from THE COMICOLLECTOR #4.
- Hall of Fame pin-up of the Ray by Raymond Miller from THE COMICOLLECTOR.
- Hall of Fame Special: Some of the Old Timely Gang by Raymond Miller from THE COMICOLLECTOR.
- “What Happened to the Shield and Black Hood" by Rick Weingroff from ROCKET’S BLAST #23.
- "SPOTLIGHT ON THE PROS: #1 — Joe Giella" by Bernie Bubnis from ROCKET’S BLAST #24.
- "The Late and Great Captain Flag" written/illoed by Howard Keltner from ROCKET’S BLAST #16.
- "Capt. Marvel vs. Spy Smasher" article by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #26.
- “The Best of the Holidays” by Ronn Foss, from THE COMICOLLECTOR #8 and #10, and #11.
- Hall of Fame #8: The Black Hood by Raymond Miller, from THE COMICOLLECTOR #8
- "Seduction of the Innocent" article by Paul Gambaccini from ROCKET’S BLAST #27.
- "The Original Shield with Dusty" written/illustrated by Howard Keltner from ROCKET’S BLAST #21.
- "ROCKET'S BLAST PIN-UP #2” of Nightmare and Sleepy pin-up by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #23.
- "ROCKET'S BLAST PIN-UP #3" of Black Angel Pin-up by Raymond Miller from ROCKET’S BLAST #24.
- Cover of ROCKET’S BLAST #26 by Buddy Saunders.
- Cover of ROCKET’S BLAST #27 by Howard Keltner.
References
- ^ John G Fantucchio, Comic Fanzine Artist, Fandom Illustrator, Archived version
- ^ "13 COVERS: A Groovy Salute to the Classic Mag ROCKET’S BLAST COMICOLLECTOR" by Peter Bosch, 13th Dimension.Com (Jun 25/22) (via Wayback Jun 10/23)
- ^ "Adventures In Comic Collecting: Rocket’s Blast Comicollector 139- The Star Wars Issue" Drunk Wooky [2002] (via Wayback Mar 13/22)
- ^ "Praise of Don Rosa" at Todd's Blog [Jun 5/08] (via Wayback Dec 5/22)
- ^ "My Life in Comics: Part 3—The Fanzine and Convention Years" innocent-bystander.com [Apr 7/21] (via Wayback Jun 22/28)
- ^ Zine details provided by ComicBookRealm.com (via Wayback May 14/24), Mycomicship.com (via Wayback Dec 11/23) and the Poopsheet Foundation (via Wayback Oct 2/23)
- ^ At this time, Calvin Castine was also writing for SICK! magazine, hence the identifier.
- ^ The entry for ComicBookRealm.com and MyComicShop.com lists the fan as Harold Scarlett. The Poop Foundation entry lists him as Gene Arnold.