Comics legend Jack Kirby created a number of memorable characters for both Marvel and DC. However, one of his largely forgotten creations made an unexpected appearance in a new role in Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #4.
Written by Joanne Starer and illustrated by Natacha Bustos, the comic finds Fire and Ice at odds with one another. Previous issues found Ice making an honest effort to start a normal life for herself in Smallville. Fire, by contrast, longs to regain the celebrity status she enjoyed as a Justice League member. This leads Martha Kent to try to get the gal pals talking again by taking them to a drag brunch event.
Goody Rickles hosts Smallville’s drag brunch
Coincidentally, the theme for that day’s show is superheroes. Also coincidentally, the emcee, who goes by the unlikely name of Goody Rickles, is dressed up as Fire. Goody’s distinct round glasses and surly persona suggest that they are the same character Jack Kirby created in 1971.
Goody Rickles, explained
Goody Rickles first appeared in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #139. A researcher employed by media mogul Morgan Edge, Goody was the spitting image of famed insult comic Don Rickles. Fearful that the clumsy doppelganger might somehow ruin his efforts to hire Don Rickles, Edge humors Goody’s request to be given a shot at television reporting to get him out of the office.
This got Goody into Superman‘s hair, as he was sent to investigate a UFO landing while wearing a super-suit. Goody accidentally helps Superman defeat the alien invaders in a slapstick fight sequence. He also jinxes Morgan Edge’s efforts to get Don Rickles under contract.
According to Jack Kirby’s assistant Mark Evanier, Goody Rickles was born of the idea of having Don Rickles insult Superman. However, DC Comics publisher Carmine Infantino would only agree to the idea if it was part of a big promotional event. This led Jack Kirby to create Goody Rickles to justify a two-part story, with an approved Don Rickles cameo.
The real Don Rickles was reportedly as dumbfounded by his comics debut as most Superman readers. As a result, Goody Rickles vanished until reemerging in the new Fire and Ice comic. It remains to be seen, however, if the comic will explain how Goody wound up hosting the only drag show in Smallville.
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #4 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
