ASH/HCC: CSS #31 - Dichotomous Duo

[Dave Van Domelen]

     (I wrote a later author's note for the web version, here it is for those
mainly reading on Usenet.)
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     Later Addendum: A bit more meta, here's the initial publication history
of the characters.
     Freaky Stories #3, January 1967 - Untitled 8-page story featuring the
story condensed into five panels here, although the first four panels were
taken care of in a page and a half, with the rest of the story focusing on
the fight against MegaAgraCo.  While Freaky Stories was cancelled with #5,
too-late-to-save-it reader response to Flower Power was very positive, so a
decision was made to give the character her own title.  But she'd need a
straight man, and the decision was made to test the waters again with a guest
appearance.
     Brightsword Annual #1, May 1967 - The lead story was Darkshield's big
attack on the Golden Gate Bridge.  Flower Power and newly-created Union Label
show up about halfway through, fighting Darkshield's minions around town, and
make it to the climactic battle just in time to tip the balance.  The Freaky
Stories #3 story is reprinted as a backup, with the new title, "How the
Flower got her Power!"  A one-page feature gave Union Label's origin, pretty
similar to the five panels here.  The other main backup was a reprinted
Golden Age Lady Lawful story involving the Golden Gate Bridge, with an
appended editorial note to the effect that it sure was a tempting target.  A
two-page-spread history of the Golden Gate Bridge was also included, although
there were later accusations it was simply cribbed from a tourist brochure
one of the editors had grabbed while visiting San Francisco.

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