Strange Sports Stories

(DC, 1973-1974)
DC

After a double-tryout in Brave and the Bold, Strange Sports Stories became a feature in its own right in this series of the early 1970s. At a time when the comics market was glutted with mystery/horror comics, this title was a breath of fresh air. Its stories combined sports and the supernatural in a mix that avoided most of the clichés found in competing offerings.

The inspiration behind many of the stories here seemed to be early colonial fiction. “To Beat the Devil” told of how a baseball team used the letter of the rule book to outsmart Satan, in a move reminiscent of The Devil and Daniel Webster. Similarly, “A Tall Tale of Tenpins” drew on the Rip Van Winkle legend to tell how Rip’s latter-day ancestor learned to bowl perfect games, courtesy of the same “wee people” who ensorceled Rip Van Winkle.

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#1

Oct 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Frank Robbins · A: Bob Oksner, Curt Swan, Dick Giordano

6 copies from $3.81
#2

Dec 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Dennis O’Neil, Frank Robbins · A: Curt Swan, Dick Giordano, Irv Novick, Murphy Anderson

Bob Rozakis L.O.C.

4 copies from $1.75
#3

Feb 1974

Cover: $0.20

W: Elliot S! Maggin, Frank Robbins · A: Curt Swan, Dick Giordano

7 copies from $2.75
#4

Apr 1974

Cover: $0.20

W: Cary Bates, Dennis O’Neil · A: Dick Giordano, Irv Novick, John Rosenberger

7 copies from $2.88
#5

Jun 1974

Cover: $0.20

W: Frank Robbins · A: John Rosenberger, Irv Novick, Frank McLaughlin

Bob Rozakis L.O.C.; Carl Gafford L.O.C.

5 copies from $2.00
#6

Aug 1974

Cover: $0.20

W: Elliot S! Maggin, Martin Pasko · A: John Rosenberger

Carl Gafford L.O.C.

7 copies from $2.50