Let's fast forward to today. I've a question and a proposition.

PROPOSITION: What non-comic book property, old or new, would you like to see brought into comics? Please note that I am not specifying that it be done by Mr. Byrne (although who would say no to such a property?) The only restriction is that you leave out the most popular properties that have already hit the comic market (e.g., those noted below - Star Trek or Star Wars.)

The difference is that, as noted, Gold Key brought a LOT of properties into one or two issue series. If you're a fan of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" or "Gilligan's Island", bring 'em up. Even though they did have their extremely short runs, those are fine.

For myself, I think it's low hanging fruit - but I'd love a treatment of "The Orville." I would want Mr. McFarlane involved, even if he's not writing every (or any) issue.

QUESTION: What property has had the most different publishers? I know that Tarzan has been around, as has Star Trek, but I'm not sure which has been offered by the most different publishers. I suspect it's Star Trek, but I'd love to see discussion on this topic.

About properties that have had the most publishers: Good question! I suspect it is likely Tarzan of Star Trek, as you mention. Dracula in various forms has been published by many companies, too.

As for what non-comic book property I'd want to see adapted to comics... I think most of what I would want to see has been adapted at one point or another. Still, I just thought of one that might be interesting: "The Goonies." There's several fun adventures the kids could get wrapped up in for a regular series.

If you were to select something less handled, that'd be fine; as noted, there've been a LOT of properties that were pretty short runs.

So if you liked Disney's "Atlantis" or "I, Frankenstein", go for it. But go ahead and mention what you like. I'm easy. I make single digit addition look difficult. ;)

Goonies!, that's a goodin' Matt!

I'm thinking Flash Gordon has probably been around the block with a few publishers.

He's been published by Marvel, DC, numerous small publishers, Golden Age publishers...but he's never really been done right!

Well, I was just given the SHOWCASE PRESENTS edition (that I didn't even know existed) for my birthday, where DC reprints the entire 8-issue run of the B&W magazine Marvel produced in the 70's (which I knew existed but never saw).  I see that John Buscema did the first issue (which seems just about perfect!), inked by Tony DeZuniga, who did the full art on most of the rest (and he's not bad himself).

Such a classic and important character--you'd think there would be long runs done by top talent--like Neal Adams (who did ONE pin-up in my volume).  Rich Buckler would have been perfect too, but he only did a couple of covers of the color comic (though apparently he did layouts for the final issue--which I need to track down).  A John Byrne version would be great!  Or Perez or Alan Davis or...quite a few other masters!  Chaykin (of the 70's) would have worked for me too!

THE SHADOW has fared somewhat better, often under Chaykin, but we also have the Kaluta version (which was about as perfect as perfect can be).  And Sienkiewicz, Baker, and (one issue?) Marshall Rogers all got their shot.  I even liked Frank Robbins' version (that sort of alternated with Kaluta's at the time).  Dynamite is mostly going the "messy noir" route right now with him, and even that seems not too bad (at least it's a a good try), but I wouldn't mind some "names" on the book.

Referencing another thread, I would LOVE to see Jerry Ordway do a run on Doc...and even the Shadow too!

But I look forward to reading my DOC SAVAGE birthday present.  That one 50-page mini-graphic novel by Doug Moench, John Buscema, and Tony DeZuniga may be the only really good comic book version of Doc I ever get.

And we could just invent other versions of how our Marvel favorites would have looked had they appeared on 70's era television. How would TV have treated Tony Stark and Iron Man? (Automan, anyone?) Machine Man? The Eternals? We could negotiate some of those nifty-keen crossovers with Dynamite and other publishers to have David team up with Steve Austin, Jamie Somers, and maybe even fight Bigfoot... He could slip into a parallel reality where he must fight alongside the rebels looking to take down the reptilian aliens who have taken over the Earth in another Kenneth Johnson series, "V!" 

That would be a fun title to conjure with on a monthly basis... 

Brian H. - I like it. The Hulk's TV show was different enough from the regular comic (or even Rampaging Hulk) that it could be a lot of fun! And I'm still interested in the next team up that never occurred. After Daredevil and Thor, the Green Goliath was supposed to appear with his cousin Jennifer - the Savage She-Hulk!

And the Hulk and the Greatest American Hero? You ain't well - I love the idea! Just the thought of Bill Maxwell dealing with Jack McGee brings a smile to my face - and how to keep Mr. McGee off Ralph's trail as well!

Eric J. - Doc Savage has seen a lot of action, but I wouldn't mind seeing him in a good comic treatment. But quite frankly, I'd rather see him in a good TV or movie treatment. I think he got one movie, and I wasn't impressed.