ALTER EGO #199

Alter Ego #199 collects a revealing (and often bitter) slice of comic history from P.C. Hamerlinck’s explorations into the behind-the-scenes skirmishes of the early 1970s between SHAZAM! artist (and Captain Marvel co-creator) C.C. Beck and DC editor Julius Schwartz. This issue presents a candid, long form look at their correspondence and clashes, revealing how two towering talents navigated editorial policy, publishing markets, and creative vision. Intertwined with this core feature are the FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) spotlight features and Michael T. Gilbert’s contributions in Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt, offering a broader portrait of the era’s fan culture and revival efforts. A bonus inclusion includes an unused SHAZAM cover by Beck, complementing Roy Thomas’s deft editorial framing. Edited by Roy Thomas, Alter Ego #199 preserves a pivotal chapter in comic-book history and invites readers to reassess the interactions between creators, editors, and iconic characters.