Red Sonja (Wendy Pini) on Mike Douglas 7/28/77

Back in 1977, before Elfquest had yet to appear, Wendy Pini made a name for herself portraying Red Sonja at comics conventions. Comic book impresario Phil Seuling was booked to appear on the July 28 episode of the Philadelphia-based Mike Douglas Show to promote his summer convention in that city. Phil was also asked to bring along "a superhero." Everybody at the network naturally assumed there'd be some guy dressed up as Superman or Batman. It wasn't Batman who strode out on stage...
#elfquest #comics #indiecomics #comicbooks #comicscreators #elf #elves #scifi #artist #wendypini #richardpini #darkhorsecomics #dccomics #marvelcomics #graphicnovels

[@wadebarnett2542]

Ah, Wendy and her great...'70s hair. WOW!

[@ElfQuest-Official]

That was Wendy's hair - PLUS two wigs!

[@kayfey9544]

I always love seeing history but sadden that attitudes barely change on the topic. But surprised that Jamie Farr was such a comic nerd! This makes me happy! And Wendy Pini looks absolutely stunning!

[@RukoHanaji]

Unfortunately Wertham's influence still lingers.

[@seanhardy5340]

Jamie knew Plasticman's origin better than the "expert" guest!

[@paulfini402]

Fantastic video clip of some true comic fans.... and Wendy Pini as Red Sonja!

[@Madbandit77]

Awesome. Phil was one of the voice actors on Ralph Bakshi's "Fritz The Cat". Jamie, before "M.A.S.H.", worked on Bakshi's "Heavy Traffic".

[@zoso73]

3:42 "this is worth $1,500" 'oooh'. That's gotta be a $50,000 book today, minimum.

[@Madbandit77]

Wendy looked so cute!!!

[@bobbuethe1477]

Phil Seuling sold me my first two Golden Age comic books for $3 in 1971, a World's Finest Comics and a Star Spangled Comics from 1949. Almost a year after this was aired, I met Wendy Pini in the first and only convention costume contest I ever entered. She was not costumed as Red Sonja, but as an elf from the Ralph Bakshi movie, Wizards. I was the Human Bomb from the Freedom Fighters comic book. Unfortunately, the only photos I have are on slides, which I can't scan.

[@InHypnoticTrance]

Slide scanners are pretty cheap or you can have someone do it for you as a service. There are photo shops that will do it. You could be the king of /r/oldschoolcool on Reddit.

[@Knightfall.]

need to see

[@MichaelKerr71]

Oh man I love this!! Thanks for posting this Richard!!!

[@artboston4787]

That Superman #1 was worth $1500. I think it has since appreciated in value.

[@KCComics]

+art Boston $68,500.00 at 5.0 in CGC format on eBay -- go figure. However the superman masterpiece edition goes for around $400.00 and Batman masterpiece edition in CGC goes for around $1,000.00 on eBay. I do not have wonder woman although. BTW: Both have all the original ads, that`s why they go for bigger dollars as opposed to reprints without them or newer ads.

[@artboston4787]

+sɔıɯoɔ ɔ&ʞ That 5.0 is a restored copy. A CGC 4.0 blue label sold in January 2016 for $295k. A 5.0 unrestored will likely sell for $400-$500k. This particular copy probably has restoration now as most do. Many years ago it was considered a good thing to preserve vintage comics with resto. Today it's frowned upon.

[@haileyshannon7548]

The reason is because they were printed and sold cheaply and often kids threw them away or gave them to their friends after they read them or their parents threw them out which is why mint copies of Batman #1 and Superman #1 and such are so valuable.

[@maynardsmoreland]

I could probably discuss comic books with Jamie Farr for hours.

[@AngusTCat]

Fantastic. I was a kid collecting comics when this was aired. I remember Shazam No1. I bought it at a comic convention in Miami. What a shame that most of the comics shown here are now so valuable and expensive to buy they're wrapped up in plastic or sealed. I'm glad there are reprints that enable people to enjoy reading the stories.

[@ronehill]

Amazing Phil Seuling interview, he is a hero of ours here at JHU Comic Books (the old gang from Jim Hanley's Universe)...Wendy is the best bonus!

[@MattHawes]

Thanks for sharing this with us, Mr. Pini! It is greatly appreciated!

[@joneshugh]

Go Jamie Farr!! Y tell 'em.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

After reading a biography of Phil, I understood the comprehensive genius of this man that left earth all too soon. Wish I could have met him. I attended the first comic book convention in the bay area and I always thought it was invented by the guys that ran best of two worlds. Great upload 👍♥️

[@krantzbucks]

It's strange to see that copy of Superman #1 being handled like that, and just one of many comics in a stack.

[@buffalobraves9]

No mylar, no backer boards, no comic book bags, no top loaders, nothing was around in 1977 for protection of comic books, baseball cards, programs etc.

[@zoso73]

@buffalobraves9 Poly bags were around in 1977, and they weren't cheap. But there were no boards or mylars. I cringed the way the Superman 1 was handled.

[@emerpus01]

I couldn’t hear well but it sounded like there were gasps in the audience, like they might have broken out into applause, knowing even then the significance of that 40 year old comic.

[@IsiahAllison]

My girl Wendy Pini rocks as Red Sonja.

[@ivyjuju65]

thank you so much mr pini! i have loved comics my whole life and EQ was my absolute favorite! you and wendy actually autographed #20 for me but my ex-husband stole my collection. i can't tell you how much i miss them! this video made me remember my 9yr old self, who never played with dolls but had a batman and robin and told herself stories of her life with them before she fell asleep each nite! all my love to skywise and the cubs.

[@Kondrad]

wendy should have had more air time

[@jmack0013]

Amazing! Thanks Richard.

[@chycho]

Thank you for sharing.

[@superheropow1]

Too fun- thanks for posting :)

[@Envi270]

a superman issue 1 sold not long back for 1.5 mil

[@haileyshannon7548]

Yes, movie directors DO study comics to understand framing and what to focus on in a story. That's why they draw storyboards, too.

[@ladiesman7275]

All those comics in his hands together are worth millions now 🤑💰

[@2OldGeeksTalking]

Still watching in 2023.

[@ww8251]

Jamie Farr needs to be in the next Shazam movie.

[@artboston4787]

Who would've known that corporal Max Klinger was such a comic book nerd! Nice!

[@RockandrollNegro]

Thank goodness he brought out Wendy Pini and not Heidi Saha.

[@sandradearing604]

that was great!!!

[@6stardanes]

Very cool to see :)

[@demetriusdillard2863]

Fantastic!

[@Madbandit77]

Word.

[@XanArt21]

What a fox!

[@thebod1]

3:34 Superman #1 (in the condition it is in) sold for 2.3 million in January 2024.

[@HM2SGT]

Elfmom for 20 seconds beginning @ 9:25 😸

[@lieutenantkettch]

Did Wendy Pini ever work on the Red Sonja books I wonder? Had no idea she was hot back in the day. Nor did I know that Corporal Klinger (Jaime Farr) was a comic book geek.

[@raydeen1]

That Jamie Farr can sure fake a laugh, can't he? Hahhahaha....yeah, sure Jamie.