Charlton
The Four Blue Beetles
The Blue Beetle is one of the earliest costumed adventurers appearing in American comics. He debuted in 1939 in Mystery Men Comics No. 1, published by Fox Publications. Over the years he would evolve and become completely different characters as he was passed from publisher to publisher.
Korg 70,000 BC Covers by Pat Boyette
I was really jazzed when I came across the scans for the complete series of Korg 70,000 BC covers done by Pat Boyette. In comparison to how they were printed back in the 70s, the scans of Boyette's paintings were bright, crisp and colourful.
The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman by Charlton Comics
First published in 1972, Cyborg by Martin Caidin chronicled the story of astronaut and test pilot Steve Austin who crashes during a flight and suffers catastrophic injuries. Drawing upon the emerging science of bionics, Caidin has Austin rebuilt with mechanical parts that give him superior physical abilities. He's soon tasked as an operative working for a shadowy agency in the US government.
Ghostly Tales No. 76 Cover by Jim Aparo
By the time of this cover, dated November 1969, artist Jim Aparo was transitioning away from Charlton and over to DC Comics where he would put his mark first on Aquaman with writer Steve Skeates, and then on Batman in The Brave & the Bold with writer Bob Haney.
Fightin' Army No. 140 Cover by Tom Sutton
Tom Sutton was a madman with brush, pen and ink during his time at Charlton Comics. Take this cover from 1979 as an example. Is there anything more that could be added?
Valley of the Dinosaurs No. 1 - The Remastering
It's a logical next step in the Valley of the Dinosaurs project that I would turn to the stories after completing restoration and remastering on the covers. While I have scans of the lineart for many of the 11-issue run, scans for issue No. 1 don't appear to be out there. So a good chunk of the remastering for this story involved extracting the lineart from the published comic and retouching printing flaws.
Valley of the Dinosaurs – The Covers by Fred Himes
1974 was the prehistoric year for Saturday morning TV shows on the three major American networks. NBC debuted the live-action The Land of the Lost which would live the longest at three seasons, ABC had the live-action Korg 70,000 BC which survived one season, and CBS green-lit the animated Valley of the Dinosaurs which also lasted a single season.
Valley of the Dinosaurs No. 1 Cover by Fred Himes
When you have no original art to work with, there are various methods you can use to create new lineart. The simplest is to use digital production techniques to delete the colour blocks and leave the black & white art behind. That worked quite well here.
Valley of the Dinosaurs No. 9 Cover by Fred Himes
Valley of the Dinosaurs enjoyed a longish run for a licenced book, totalling 11 issues, and this for being published after the animated series had been cancelled. Himes turns in his usual clearly-constructed illustration here.
Valley of the Dinosaurs No. 5 Cover by Fred Himes
Here's another of Fred Himes' great covers for Charlton Comics' licenced version of Valley of the Dinosaurs.
Ghostly Tales No. 97 Cover by Steve Ditko
When Steve Ditko wasn't at DC or Marvel, he could often be found working for Charlton Comics. This wonderfully-designed cover is from 1972.
Valley of the Dinosaurs No. 2 Cover by Fred Himes
1974 was the prehistoric year for Saturday morning TV shows on the three major American networks. NBC debuted the live-action The Land of the Lost which would live the longest at three seasons, ABC had the live-action Korg 70,000 BC which survived one season, and CBS green-lit the animated Valley of the Dinosaurs which also lasted a single season.
Vengeance Squad No. 5 Cover by Pete Morisi
From 1976, Vengeance Squad was a Mission: Impossible-style trio of operatives in crime-fighting adventures. Beginning with issue No. 2, it was drawn by veteran artist Pete Morisi, who by this point in his career was drawing in a highly-stylised and simplified art style.
Fightin' Marines No. 110 Cover by Pat Boyette
From April 1973, another great example of Pat Boyette's clear, simple and powerful drawing style with a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero and a US Grumman F4F Wildcat flying over a US aircraft carrier under attack.
Flash Gordon No. 15 Cover by Pat Boyette
Flash Gordon was created by Alex Raymond. It first appeared in newspapers in early 1934, and was a competitor to Buck Rogers which pre-dated it by a few years.
Flash has been adapted to serials, movies and comic books, and is one of the enduring characters of its era.
The Phantom No. 57 Cover by Pat Boyette
Charlton Comics produced some good The Phantom comics, usually assigning one of their better artists to it. After Jim Aparo left for DC Comics, Pat Boyette stepped in and added his clear rendering and unique design style to the deep woods adventurer.
Jungle Jim No. 24 Cover by Pat Boyette
Jungle Jim was a comic strip created by Alex Raymond and Don Moore, debuting in 1934 as a safari-suit-wearing adventurer. He crossed over into serials, movies, television and comic books. Charlton had the comic book license in 1969/70, producing issue nos. 22–28, continuing Dell Comics' numbering.
Blue Beetle No. 5 (1965) Cover by Fraccio & Giordano
From March/April 1965, Bill Fraccio and Dick Giordano deliver a combative cover for Charlton Comics' Blue Beetle No. 5. I'd be worried about giant-sized chess pieces threatening a princess, too.
Charlton Bullseye featuring The Blue Beetle
Charlton Bullseye was a late entry with new content from Charlton Comics. Unlike the previous Bullseye – started as a fanzine in the 1970s – the second volume was an anthology which gave new talent a chance to be published. It ran for 10 issues before it was cancelled.
Blue Beetle Returns by Bob Layton
Bob Layton posted a recent convention sketch of Steve Ditko's Blue Beetle. He captured Ted Kord's exuberance and I thought it'd make a good cover.
Outlaws of the West No. 17 Cover by Rocco Mastroserio
From November 1958, a dynamic illustration by Rocco Mastroserio for Charlton Comics.
Outlaws of the West No. 11 Cover by Maurice Whitman
From July 1957, a great illustration of an evil man laughing at the law by Maurice Whitman.
Outer Space No. 22 Cover by Nicholas & Alascia
From Charlton Comics in May 1959, tourism in the solar system is about to boom by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and Vince Alascia.
Outer Space No. 21 Cover by Steve Ditko
From Charlton Comics in March 1959, even in the frontiers of outer space, law and order will be maintained.
Charlton Comics A. Machine Typeface
Back in the late 1950s Charlton Comics thought they'd save some time and money by outfitting a variable typewriter – a Vari-Typer, which was large enough to hold a page of comic art – with a custom typeface which mimicked the hand lettering used in comics for captions and word balloons.
Attack No. 60 Cover by Sam Glanzman
From Charlton Comics in November 1959, this cover was a composite of panels from the stories inside. One piece was by Sam Glanzman, and the other I haven't been able to identify.
Outer Space No. 18 Cover by Masulli & Mastroserio
From Charlton Comics in August 1958, a great example of the fear prevalent in pop science fiction of the day.There you are steering your way through interstellar space, and all of a sudden, a big freaking hand. All aboard!
Read more
The Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves No. 7 Cover by Rocco Mastroserio
From Charlton Comics in July 1968, Rocco Mastroserio takes a page from Steve Ditko's visual language. Don't help the guy, doc. Just let him drift off into the netherworld.
Outer Space No. 19 Cover by Rocco Mastroserio
From Charlton Comics in October 1958, Rocco Mastroserio illustrates a more aggressive idea of what space exploration can be. Thrusting into the void, vapourising a threat and worshipping the glowing bean stalk. All hail the bean stalk!
Space Adventures No. 23 Cover by Nicholas & Alascia
In May 1958 the US was still reeling from the kick in the rockets Sputnik gave them in October 1957. Suddenly, space was the first priority.
Outlaws of the West No. 15 Cover by Nicholas & Alascia
I really like the composition of this cover by Charles Nicholas and Vincent Alascia, and thought it could be something more than what it was. As published, you don't get the feel of the canyons or the atmosphere of the old west, and the title is slapped on with a different colour behind it.
Outer Space No. 17 Cover by Rocco Mastroserio
May 1958 saw the debut of Charlton Comics Outer Space with the company's consistently-odd numbering. Here's the cover by Rocco Mastroserio for that first issue, Vol. 3 No. 17.
Outlaws of the West No. 13 Cover by Rocco Mastroserio
Rocco Mastroserio was a mainstay at Charlton Comics in the 50s and 60s. In a style similar to colleague Dick Giordano's - but more organic than Giordano's commercial slickness – he produced many memorable pieces. This superb illustration is from December 1957.
Space Adventures No. 8 Cover by Jim Aparo
Jim Aparo is better known for his runs on DC's The Brave & the Bold, Aquaman and The Spectre, but he had a successful period at Charlton before he went to DC. Here's one from July 1969.
Attack No. 55 Cover by Dick Giordano
For my American friends on Memorial Day weekend, up this time is the cover of Attack No. 55 from December 1958 drawn by Dick Giordano. Minor restoration with clean-up and new colour.
Blue Beetle No. 1 (1964) Cover
The second Blue Beetle was given his powers by the spirit of a Pharaoh through the blue beetle scarab, appearing in ten issues of his own magazine beginning in 1964. He wasn't a hit and was supplanted by the third Beetle Ted Kord in 1966, created by Steve Ditko.
Outer Space No. 20 Cover by Dick Giordano
One of my favourite Dick Giordano Charlton covers is this issue from 1958. The machinery is reminiscent of Wally Wood's, and the astronaut figure is classic Giordano. I sometimes think the alien is saying, "I will name him George, and I will hug him, and pet him…"
Son of Vulcan No. 51 by Kaler, Fraccio & Tallarico
Son of Vulcan was Charlton Comics' answer to Marvel Comics' Thor, God of Thunder (and rock'n'roll). Johnny Mann received powers and weapons from Vulcan, and made an eternal enemy of the god of war, Mars.
Captain Atom No. 90 (1967) Cover by Steve Ditko
With this cover for the unpublished Captain Atom No. 90, the art by Steve Ditko is in very good condition, but the logos are in poor condition. Pieces are missing, some are damaged, and there are dropouts of fine lines from the production process. Another one Charlton left unpublished, to be later included in The Charlton Bullseye, Volume 1, Nos. 1 and 2. Also collected by DC in The Action Heroes Archive 2.
Blue Beetle No. 6 (1967) Cover by Steve Ditko
Blue Beetle No. 6 never saw print as a comic. Why Charlton would leave a full comic sitting on the shelf is beyond me. It eventually surfaced in CPL No. 9/10 (aka The Charlton Portfolio), and DC included it in the The Action Heroes Archive 2.
Charlton Comics Cavalcade Weekly
As Charlton Comics' managing editor in the 1960s, Dick Giordano put together the Action Heroes line with talents that included Joe Gill, Steve Ditko, Pete Morisi, Pat Boyette, Frank Mclaughlin and others. Charlton was petering out in the mid 80s, so DC bought the rights to those characters and presented them to Giordano – now DC's executive editor – as a gift.
Out of This World No. 16 Cover by Steve Ditko
We conclude the Out of This World run with another Steve Ditko cover. No. 16 from December 1959, does indeed have Ditko art on it, but it was made from interior panels by Charlton Comics' production staff as a cost-saving measure. No new art, no new fee paid to Ditko.
Out of This World No. 15 Cover by Molno & Alascia
The Ovoid – a big stiff – came to kill, but who knows about Xondu? Bill Molno returns to the cover of Out of This World after starting off the series with Nos. 1 and 2. Inked by Vince Alascia. October 1959, Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 13 Cover by Nicholas & Alascia
In a switch from previous covers, Charles Nicholas and Vince Alascia show three of the issue's stories, a device used on the next two covers as well. Who knows who lives at 33 Oak Street? And will they mow their lawn more often? May 1959, Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 12 Cover by Steve Ditko
I felt bad for Steve Ditko on this one. His invaders from the Earth's core are about to be crushed by a tan starburst. Maybe it was intended to float over the diver's head. March 1959, Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 11 Cover by Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko returns to Out of This World with this iconic cover for the January 1959 issue. Earth had to do something about being mooned. Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 10 Cover by Nicholas & Alascia
I like this cover. Just a little scene in an artist's studio. Someone needs painting lessons, and perhaps an exorcism. October 1958, Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 9 Cover by Masulli & Mastroserio
The next Out of This World cover. Even in the 1950s, time management was stressful. August 1958, Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 8 Cover by Maurice Whitman
Continuing the Out of This World cover series. When the Almighty gets bored, he swats at us like we're mosquitoes. May 1958, Charlton Comics.
Out of This World No. 7 Cover by Steve Ditko
When Steve Ditko draws, it's superfluous to label it strange, different and unusual. February 1958, Charlton Comics.