The Grooviest Covers of All Time: The Black Panther Prowls the Marvel Universe

Can you dig it, Groove-ophiles! Today's the day The Black Panther's solo flick hits screens around the U.S. and Ol' Groove is soooo looking forward to seeing it! While we're passing time until showtime, though, whaddya say we dig on a truckload of Ol' Groove's fave Groovy Age covers featuring the Black Panther? Not just covers from Prince T'Challa's own series, but from all over the Marvel Universe? That'll allow us to get to se the Panther envisioned not only by Jack Kirby and Rich Buckler, but also the Brothers Buscema, Barry Windsor-Smith, John Byrne, George Perez, Frank Miller, Jim Starlin, Gil Kane and so many more. Sounds like a plan, huh? Then let's prowl!

Groovy Christmases Past: 1980 PLUS! Groove's Christmas PRESENT(s)!

Merrrrrrrrry Christmaaaaas, Groove-ophiles! Happy Holidays, happy Monday, just happy day! It's Christmas Day, and Ol' Groove knows that most of ya wanna spend time with the family (and your new presents if you weren't too naughty this year), so I'm gonna try to keep this post kinda short. Christmas 1980. The end of the Groovy Age. Teen Groove found lots of good stuff that December, although I didn't have as much money to spend on comics as I had in the past. Wonder why? (Cough, cough--GIRLS--cough!) And, it's not a sad time, even though we were saying goodbye to our beloved Groovy Age. Why? Well, if you were like me, I didn't realize it was the end of the Groovy Age, for one thing. For another, the 1980s turned out to be pretty (dare I say it? I dare!) awesome!! Check out these classics, baby. And for the record, the last comic Teen Groove bought during the Groovy age? Spider-Woman #37!

 Another biggie on Ol' Groove's "greatest comics ever" list! Wow! Even The Shadow's creator Walter Gibson got into this one! (Oh, and this is another one I found on the way to Grandma's house! Man, I'm glad we visited her for Christmas!)

 Why didn't this mag last longer? Great sci-fi short shockers in every ish!

 The end of Roger Stern and John Byrne's magnificent run.

 Frank Miller in total control (and Bullseye's not)!

 Both Gene Colan and Howard Chaykin provide art for this ish!

Hey, War Machine fans--it's Rhodey's origin!

 Came out December 2...

 Came out December 30!

 John Byrne's last ish!

 Marv Wolfman and George Perez were making DC Marvel-ous (though Curt Swan drew this ish)!

Annnd, in case you're wondering (and even if you're not--sorry!), here's what Ol' Groove found under his tree this year...

Yep, I think I was good! When I was a kid I dreamed of my favorite comics being bound into book form. Dreams do come true! Oh, but it's not all tpbs...

Merry Christmas, Groove-ophiles! We're gonna go into "reprint" or "rerun", if you prefer, mode for the rest of the week. Hope you enjoy the upcoming Groovy Posts of Christmas Past! Happy ho, ho, ho to y'all!