Favourite Comics: Challengers of the Unknown #74 - Neal Adams, George Tuska, Bernie Wrightson

The Challengers of the Unknown (created by Dave Wood and Jack Kirby ) had their own title which ran for an impressive 77 issues (1958-1970) following their test run which began in Showcase# 6 (February 1957). Despite the titles relatively long run this was a comic that I was unaware of and my introduction to the team would have to wait until issue 79, when the title was re-launched as a short lived all-reprint comic in 1973. It wouldn’t be until 1977 when DC rebooted the title under the stewardship of Gerry Conway and hot artist Mike Nasser when I would become a fan of the team. Although this new series did not last long it whetted my appetite for the team and in 1981, I eventually tracked down my first “Challengers” back issue, the above #74 (1970) featuring art by Neal Adams, George Tuska, Bernie Wrightson and Henry Boltinoff !!!! Below are a few pages from this excellent issue.

As can be seen from the above splash page and cover, Deadman guested in issue 74, an occult story drawn half and half by Tuska and Neal Adams who, at that point, was the only artist who got to draw Boston Brand. Although Adams and Tuska's styles would not be considered compatible, as a fan of both artists I loved this issue even although Tuska's pages had a touch of "Scooby Doo" about them compared to Adams realistic style.

As was the norm for many DC titles at this time (1970) most issues feature a one page humour strip by the great Henry Boltinoff.

An to round of this excellent comic, DC added a one page tale by Bernie Wrightson.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Henry Boltinoff

Back in the mid 1960’s to the early 1970’s the name of Henry Boltinoff (1914-2001) was synonymous with DC comics, and yet many comic readers of the time may not remember his work at all despite his gag strips appearing in most DC titles at some point during this time period (in fact Boltinoff drew for National/DC from the 1940’s). Boltinoff created numerous characters including Super-Turtle( above), Freddie the Frogman , Abdul the fire eater, Billy, Homer, Doctor Rockets and Doctor Floogle amongst literally 100’s of other half and full-page gag cartoons. Most of his characters bore little to no relevance to the actual comic they appeared in for example Freddie the Frogman didn’t appear in Aquaman however, "Super-Turtle" did seem to appear more regularly in Superman titles. Henry's clean line and silly stories may be dated by today’s standards, but I always enjoyed them as a kid / young teenager, and I have held on to many DC comic titles that were of little interest to me simply because they contained a Boltinoff gag strip. I hope you enjoy some of these fun gag strips from another time.

Around 1965 most of Boltinoff’s strips were discontinued and were replaced the by the “Cap’s Hobby Center” strip which was obviously aimed at tying in with some of DC’ advertisers that sold hobby kits. Later, the strip would be renamed “Cap’s Hobby Hints” where readers could earn $5 (and the original art) by sending in their hobby hints.

The excellent "Mikes Amazing World of Comics" has a fantastic selection of Henry's strips.