Showing posts with label CHARLTON COMICS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CHARLTON COMICS. Show all posts

Sunday, August 10, 2025

ITEM # 0070A Planet of the Apes Magazine # 1 – 29 (1974-1977)

Planet of the Apes Comic

The first original Planet of the Apes comic begins here, marking a landmark moment in the franchise’s history. Written by Doug Moench, this debut dives headfirst into themes of segregation, bigotry, and violence, delivering a gripping narrative that reflects the social tensions mirrored in the original films.

Beyond its original storyline, this issue also launches the adaptation of the very first Planet of the Apes movie, allowing fans to relive the groundbreaking film in illustrated form while expanding the universe with fresh characters and conflicts.

With its blend of social commentary and sci-fi adventure, this comic set the tone for a series that would explore the depths of ape and human relations, cementing itself as a must-read for both long-time fans and newcomers to the saga.

Friday, August 8, 2025

ITEM # 0003A ATOMIC MOUSE - COLLECTION OF 50 COMICS

Created by writer-artist Al Fago, the funny-animal superhero Atomic Mouse debuted in Charlton Comics' Atomic Mouse #1 (cover-dated March 1953). The series ran 52 issues through cover-date February 1963, with the Grand Comics Database noting, "Overstreet has listed #53-54, but there is no evidence they actually exist." From 1961 to 1962, Charlton published an additional five issues, vol. 2, #11-16, containing reprinted material and used as promotional giveaways. Another reprint issue, Atomic Mouse vol. 3, #1 (Dec. 1984) followed, as did a three-issue fourth volume (#10-12, Sept. 1985 – January 1986). Writer Mike Curtis and penciler Charles Ettinger revamped the character in Shanda Fantasy Arts' SFA's Atomic Mouse, which ran for three issues published from 2001 to 2004. The same publisher issues the one-shot publication SFA's Atomic Mouse vs. Power Jack in 2009. Fago went on to create Atomic Rabbit (a.k.a. Atomic Bunny) and Atom the Cat.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

ITEM # Beyond the Grave #1 – 17

Ghosts, witches, and demons dominate the pages of this series. Its stories are quite charming and usually ironic. For instance, a coven of witches and warlocks finds out that there is more to their sacrificial victim than they bargained for. A sickly old man finds the ideal place to die, and an overly curious writer discovers that a creepy castle is not abandoned after all. Though many of the tales may seem clichéd, the stories are always entertaining, classic, and in a horrifying sort of way, wholesome.


ITEM # Yang #1 – 17 (1973-1986)


Overview of "Yang" from Charlton Comics

"Yang" is a martial arts-themed comic series published by Charlton Comics in the 1970s, created by writer Joe Gill and artist Warren Sattler. The series emerged during the height of the 1970s martial arts craze, influenced by popular culture phenomena like the TV show Kung Fu and Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon

 Story and Main Character

The protagonist, whose real name is not Yang, adopts the name as a symbol of light, warmth, and righteousness. His journey begins with tragedy: after his father's assassination, Yang is forced to seek vengeance. He is soon captured and enslaved, sent to America to work on the railroads, and must use his martial arts skills to fight for justice and the oppressed. His adventures are marked by hardship, naiveté, and a relentless pursuit of justice, often falling victim to deception but always persevering

 Series Details

Original Run:13 issues (1973–1977)
Spin-off:House of Yang (6 issues, 1975–1976), featuring a related martial artist who is Yang’s cousin
Creative Team:Joe Gill (writer), Warren Sattler (artist), with Sanho Kim illustrating the spin-off
- **Setting:** The stories are set around the turn of the 20th century, blending martial arts action with Western and adventure elements

Themes and Style

"Yang" is emblematic of Charlton’s unique place in comics history-a publisher known for being different from the industry giants. The comic’s style is straightforward and action-packed, with simple, sometimes derivative storytelling. The art, while not always polished, captures the kinetic energy of martial arts and the drama of Yang’s journey

Legacy

While "Yang" was not a critical darling and is sometimes remembered for its naïve protagonist and basic plots, it holds a nostalgic place for fans of Charlton Comics and 1970s martial arts pop culture. The series lasted long enough to spawn a spin-off and has been collected and reprinted in recent years, attesting to its enduring cult appeal

 Notable Points

Martial Arts Craze "Yang" was a direct product of the 1970s fascination with martial arts, reflecting broader trends in comics and entertainment at the time
Cultural Representation:The series featured Asian protagonists and settings, rare for American comics of its era, though often filtered through Western perspectives.
Collectibility: Original issues and recent collected editions are sought after by fans of vintage comics and martial arts stories

In summary, "Yang" stands out as one of Charlton Comics’ memorable contributions, blending martial arts action with themes of justice and perseverance, and remains a unique artifact of its time
Issue #14 does exist but it is a reprint of issue #1, it is the return of Yang after a nine year hiatus.

Monday, March 24, 2025

ITEM # Submarine Attack ( 1958 ) 45 COMICS


ITEM # Valley of the Dinosaurs #1 – 11 (1975-1976)

While exploring an uncharted leg of the Amazon River, Professor John Butler and his family are suddenly caught in a giant whirlpool and cast away into a mysterious prehistoric valley. Saved and befriended by a caveman family, the Butlers try to survive in their strange new surroundings. Charlton’s adaptation of the 1970s Hanna Barbera’s Valley of the Dinosaurs mimics the simple art and stories of the Saturday morning cartoon on which it is based. The stories are heavy on family togetherness and goofy, cartoonish dinosaurs. Later issues feature some extremely early work by John Byrne.


ITEM # Teen Confessions ( 1959 ) 40 comics


ITEM # Teen-Age Love ( 1958 ) 40 comics


ITEM # Texas Rangers in Action ( 1956 ) 50 comics


ITEM # Timmy the Timid Ghost ( 1956 ) 40 comics


ITEM # U.S. Air Force Comics ( 1958 ) 35 comics


ITEM # Unusual Tales ( 1955 ) 45 comics


ITEM # Wyatt Earp Frontier Marshal ( 1956 ) 60 comics


Saturday, March 22, 2025

ITEM # Doomsday + 1 #1 – 12 (1975-1979)


Early John Byrne art applied to the time-honored cliché of astronauts returning to a post-nuclear-devastated Earth and fighting assorted mutants, monsters, and aliens. Joe Gill wrote the early issues, with Byrne taking over later. Issues #7–12 reprint the original series, and new stories can be found in #4–5 of the Charlton house fanzine Charlton Bullseye.