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 primarily as a means to fund his other projects, which didn’t have the same staying power. Writer Mark Carlson-Ghost explores the history of the company in detail. Airboy was the most consistent character across the years and, although not stated, I suspect it 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 roots of both Swamp Thing and Man-Thing back to this creature.
Hillman was never regarded as a superhero company, but there was considerable diversity in its material. Many of its artists and writers who started there went on to work at the Big Two. That’s not to say they were a good company. Carlson-Ghost points out several instances where they were part of an enclave restricting sales from other companies, and Hillman himself comes across as something of a bully.
Michael T. Gilbert’s ‘Mr. Monster’ looks at the various inventive logos for Lady Luck, as designed by Klaus Nordling between 1942 and 1946.
Lastly, the ‘Fawcett Collector’ continues with 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 would likely only have repeated themselves had they returned. Mr Power, for instance, could only gain strength if he was hit, so when he wasn’t and resorted to hitting himself, he expended and lost his power. Once you know such a character’s weakness, they’re easily beaten. In contrast, the Surrealistic Imp just wanted to have fun and was probably a forerunner not only to Mr Mxyzptlk but also to the later Impossible Man.
Don’t be put off by the shortness of this review. Much of this issue is devoted to Hillman Comics, offering plenty of insight into what was going on there from the 1940s to the 1950s.
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
