Remembering Artist Jay Scott Pike

Remembering artist Jay Scott Pike on his birthday (September 6, 1924 - September 13, 2015), who drew many romance comics for DC, and here are two of the groovier ones from Secret Hearts (#129 and #130, from July and September, 1968), part of the Reach For Happiness serial that ran from #110 to #138, featuring the adventures of Karen Wilder Sommers in Hollywood.

The Secret Hearts Of Don Heck

Scandals and shocks galore for Secret Hearts, the downside of love, as shown in these two covers by Don Heck (#146 of September, 1970 and #152 of June, 1971) from the series that ran for 153 issues from September-October, 1949 to July, 1971.

Secret Love Of Young Hearts

One doesn't think of reoccurring characters in romance comics, nor of stories that crossover titles, but, for the trials and tribulations of young socialite Melanie Winters, and her ill fated romance with Juan Ricco/Perez, as told by Barbara Friedlander, Alex Toth and Vince Colletta....it took four issues in two titles to tell the story of "20 Miles To Heartbreak"!

Here are the covers mostly by Dick Giordano! (with Secret Hearts #141 by Bill Draut and Vince Colletta)

Young Love #78 (Jan-Feb, 1970)/Secret Hearts #141 (January, 1970)

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Secret Hearts #142 (March, 1970)/Young Love #79 (Mar-Apr, 1970)

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First, Melanie starts her story by secretly being in love with stepfather, and running away from home.  As she flees, she's picked up by Juan, whom people would not approve of (and as a fight breaks out as they dance, she flees again, and is hit by a car!).  Recovering, Melanie finds that Juan was arrested for causing her accident, but Melanie's estranged sister returns, getting Juan freed (to see the shock of Melanie's mom when Melanie hugs Juan).  Then, realizing he is a pawn Melanie is using against her mom, Juan takes off as Melanie's sister announces her own upcoming wedding!

So much drama for eight pages an issue, but great Alex Toth art, even if heavily inked by Vince Colletta (and the four part story is reprinted over Young Love #122 to #125...).

Have A Super DC Giant Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day with this cover from Super DC Giant #S-17 from September-October, 1970 by artist Nick Cardy.



This issue has reprinted stories from Secret Hearts #38 (February-March, 1957), Girls' Romances #107 (March, 1965), Girls' Love Stories #106 (October, 1964), Secret Hearts #40 (June-July, 1957), Secret Hearts #39 (April-May, 1957), Secret Hearts #45 (February, 1958),  and Secret Hearts #41 (August, 1957)....

...all great little romance reads for lonely hearts!