The Worlds Greatest Wha...? Hold On a Sec!

[johnmiic]

I just picked up the latest copy of Back Issue, (No. 25/Dec 2007 - Cover story - Iron Man of the 1980's). On page 67 there is an article about a DC newspaper strip and an interview with DC's Paul Levitz. The strip was called, The Worlds Greatest Superheroes! Now doesn't that ring a bell!?!?!?!

I recall Marty Abrams at Megocon stating that Mego created the brand, Worlds Greatest Superheroes and then the lawyers for the comic book companies came in and basically said hand over that brand name or else. No-where in the article does it mention the inspiration for the strip's title, which is curious because the strip started as a vehicle for the JLA and second TwoMorrows Publishing prints this magazine and Benjamin's Mego book, Worlds Greatest Toys. Am I making a connection that is not there? Is this no big deal? Have most of you heard of the old newspaper strip and the whole story is no surprise?

[The Toyroom]

Is this no big deal? Have most of you heard of thei old newspaper strip and the whole story is no surprise?

I remember the strip..I recall George Tuska art but I can't say for certain...

[palitoy]

I have a collection of those somewhere, by the time the strip came out, Mego had most likwly turned over "Superhero" to Marvel and DC.

[Earth 2 Chris]

DC coined the term in ads for the Justice League and later used it on the masthead on JLA issues during the 60s. So Mego didn't invent this phrase. They may have thought they did, but I doubt it.

Chris

[johnmiic]

DC coined the term in ads for the Justice League and later used it on the masthead on JLA issues during the 60s. So Mego didn't invent this phrase. They may have thought they did, but I doubt it.

Chris

That seems different from what Marty said at Megocon. He seemed to say that phrase was his invention and tho the lawyers demanded the brand back they didn't cite, as example, that they had used it on thier own comic book covers prior to Mego making the toys. But I guess it wouldn't be the first time Marty's memory was sketchy.

[The Toyroom]

Yeah DC used it first...long before Mego "thought" of it:



This one is from Nov. 1965.

[Earth 2 Chris]

That seems different from what Marty said at Megocon. He seemed to say that phrase was his invention and tho the lawyers demanded the brand back they didn't cite, as example, that they had used it on thier own comic book covers prior to Mego making the toys. But I guess it wouldn't be the first time Marty's memory was sketchy.

I could be wrong, but I believe Benjamin's "World's Greatest Toys" book mentions that Stan Weston came up with the name for WGSH when he pitched it. Weston was familiar with the characters, so he probably knew of the "WGSH" phrase from the comics. I think the book also mentioned he was thinking of the "World's Finest" comics series.

Marty's memory may be a bit jumbled, or maybe he thought of the name independent of DC and/or Weston. Either way, DC used it first as far I know.

Chris

[drmego]

DC used the phrase in '65 - but did not TRADEMARK it like they did with Superman,
Justice League of America, etc. Marty filed the copyright and trademark forms
with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office - which could have awarded Mego
the trademark - which is why DC and Marvel's lawyers strong-armed him to
sign it over.

[johnmiic]

Thanks Doc, Toyroom and Earth2Chris! You guys are da best!

[Action Martin]

The World's Greatest Super-Heroes newspaper strip was DC's answer to Marvel's success with newspaper strips featuring Spider-Man, Hulk, Conan, and Howard the Duck. WGSH started out featuring the Justice League of America for a couple of storylines then morphed into a Superman solo series and remained that way until it was finally cancelled.

[samurainoir]

I used to love the WGSH comic strip with all the DC Heroes. I was actually kind of dissappointed when all the other JLA members dissappeared and it became World's Greatest Super-Heroes feturing Superman.