Alter Ego # 197 January 2026 (magazine review)
The main section of this edition of ‘Alter Ego’ is devoted to Hillman Comics, although its owner, Alex Hillman, saw it as a means to fund his other projects which didn’t have the same staying power. Writer Mark Carlson-Ghost goes over the history of the company. Airboy was the most consistent character across the years and, although not stated, I think was the inspiration for the tragic Jetboy in the opening ‘Wild Cards’ book. The Heap was another of their characters and you can trace the source of Swamp Thing and Man-Thing to this creature. Hillman was never seen as a super-hero company but there was quite a diversity in their material. A lot of its artists and writers who started there also went onto work at the Big Two. That’s not to stay they were a good company. Carlson-Ghost points out a couple times where they were part of an enclave restricting sales from other companies and Hillman, himself, a bit of a bully.
Michael T. Gilbert’s ‘Mr. Monster’ looks the various inventive logos for ‘Lady Luck’ as composed by Klaus Nordling from 1942-46.
Lastly, the ‘Fawcett Collector’ continues its part two of Captain Marvel’s one-shot wrongdoers as detailed by writer Carl Lani’Keha Shinyama. Looking at them, they had interesting powers but likely to only repeat themselves had they returned. Mr. Power could only gain strength if he was hit, so when he wasn’t and resorted to hitting himself, he dispensed and lost his power. One you know such a character’s weakness, easily beaten. In contrast, the Surrealistic Imp just wanted to have fun and probably a forerunner to not only Mr. Mxyzplik but probably the latter Impossible Man.
Don’t be put off by the shortness of this review. Much of this issue is devoted to Hillman’s Comics which gives a lot of insight into what was going on there from the 1940s-50s.
GF Willmetts
April 2026
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $10.95 (US). ISSN: 1932-6890. Direct from them, you can get it for (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_55&products_id=1834&zenid=5253ae6fb6d9cd951e0dbb633e68315f
