Running from 1969 through 1974, the TV series Room 222 was set in an inner-city school. Lead African American characters in the series were played by actors Lloyd Haynes (as Pete Dixon) and Denise Nicholas (as Liz McIntyre). The comic book series ran 4 issues, from January 1970 through January 1971, but issue 4 was simply a reprint of issue 1. There are two stories in issue 4, both with art by Jack Sparling. Below are six pages from the second story, "Tarnished Star", in which an athlete just about blows his chance to get into college by letting his grades go to pieces, but the teacher helps turn things around at the last minute. This series is one of a number published by Dell that brought African American characters into mainstream comics, TV and movie adaptations being one of their specialties.
Man, this post brought back memories not only of the show but also of Dell tv "adaptations." Also, I may be wrong, but from the 3rd and 4th pages that you posted, I suspect that the artist was actually Frank Springer and not Jack Sparling. Both artists are should have greater recogntion and are two of the best things about the Dell comics of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: Thanks for your input. Regarding the art, I simply quoted the Grand Comics database on this matter, but it looks as though they also have been having some discussion as to who the artist is on this one.
ReplyDelete