Out of This World – The Covers
2011 was the beginning of me getting serious about remastering covers by stripping away most, if not all, of the original trade dress and re-creating it as vector art, and then doing new colour versions.
At first, because there was considerable pushback from conservative fans, I did homages to the published covers as well as the new versions I was more interested in. That continued for a while until I decided that I didn’t want to do the homages anymore and the naysayers had adjusted to new takes on vintage material.
Overall, this anthology series from Charlton Comics was a good run of covers to work on as it was a nice variety of artists, each with their strengths. I know I’d do some quite different now, but they succeeded in bringing a focus to the beginning of a rewarding path I’m happy to be on.
This omnibus post was created in 2025 to replace the individual posts for each cover.
Colour and re-created trade dress by me.
No. 1, Aug 1956 – Bill Molno & Vince Alascia
Ham-radio-operating dino dogs mess with air traffic control. In the 1950s, they thought this would be a pressing problem in the future.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 2, Dec 1956 – Bill Molno & Vince Alascia
Before inkjets and laser printers we had to go to extremes to get a decent printout.
As published. Sorry, haven’t found a scan of the original art yet.
No. 3, Mar 1957 – Steve Ditko
It seems that in the 1950s there was an inordinate fear of giant hands appearing in unlikely places. Case in point: while mountain climbing or spelunking.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 4, Jun 1957 – Steve Ditko
Ditko can fascinate and freak you out at the same time, and it started long before his run on Dr. Strange.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 5, Sep 1957 – Steve Ditko
Nothing ruins a day of scuba diving like coming upon a giant sea serpent.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 6, Nov 1957 – Steve Ditko
Out of body? Out of this world? Dead? Alive?
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 7, Feb 1958 – Steve Ditko
When Ditko draws, it’s superfluous to label it strange, different and unusual.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 8, May 1958 – Maurice Whitman
When the Almighty gets bored, he swats at us like we’re mosquitoes.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 9, Aug 1958 – Pat Masulli & Rocco Mastroserio
Even in the 1950s, time management was stressful.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 10, Oct 1958 – Charles Nicholas & Vince Alascia
I like this cover. Just a little scene in an artist’s studio. Someone needs painting lessons, and perhaps an exorcism.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 11, Jan 1959 – Steve Ditko
Ditko returns with this iconic cover. Earth had to do something about being mooned.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 12, Mar 1959 – Steve Ditko
I felt bad for 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.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 13, May 1959 – Charles Nicholas & Vince Alascia
In a switch from previous covers, the layout 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?
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 14, Jul 1959 – Dick Giordano
Giordano is one of my primary influences as a comic book artist. I only met him once at the San Diego Comicon in 1989, but back when I was a teenager in the early 80s writing letters to Batman comics, he was their editor, and he took the time to write a couple of short notes back to me.
What we see less of these days is his earlier work at Charlton Comics.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 15, Oct 1959 – Bill Molno & Vince Alascia
The Ovoid – a big stiff – came to kill, but who knows about Xondu?
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
No. 16, Dec 1959 – Steve Ditko
We conclude the run with a Ditko cover, 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.
As published.
Original art scan from Heritage Auctions.
Art made production ready.
Homage colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
New colour version.
Re-created trade dress added.
Related
The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman – The Covers
Two of the most-popular shows and stars in the mid-70s with young people meant that their shows were heavily licensed, including comics from Charlton publications. Colour and packaging by Scott Dutton.
Outlaws of the West – The Covers
Outlaws of the West was typical of the books companies like Charlton put out to satisfy readers’ passion for the old west.
Outer Space – The Covers
JFK's The New Frontier. The US was about to enter its golden age – as brief as it was. Colour by Scott Dutton.
Korg 70,000 BC – The Covers by Pat Boyette
Some great painted covers are rescued from the ignominy of bad production and printing. New packaging by Scott Dutton.