BRONZE AGE FANTASTIC FIRST: Monster Hunters #1
Charlton, August 1975
Cover uncredited
Title: “Introduction”
Synopsis: Series host Colonel Whiteshroud explains the Monster Hunters Club to the visiting Countess Von Bludd.
Writer: Nicola Cuti
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Staton
Review: Much like the debut issue of sister series Scary Tales, Monster Hunters #1 begins with a striking cover then heads downhill. This introduction is a bit better because of the hosts’ flirty interaction and the series’ potentially fun monster-hunting concept – but it still lacks any real spark.
Title: “The Boar’s Head Beast”
Synopsis: A series of wells and tunnels gives a satanic chimera free reign to terrorize the tiny town ofBoar’s Head.
Writer: Nicola Cuti
Penciler: Wayne Howard
Inker: Howard
Review: This story is serviceable, as is Wayne Howard’s cartoony art – with the notable exception of his extremely goofy monster design.
Title: “The Long Sleep”
Synopsis: A tired old man, unwanted and unloved, finds escape from his nightmares in the comfort of death.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Uncredited
Inker: Uncredited
Review: This one-pager is just depressing, not scary. But the uncredited art is rather nice.
Title: “The Sea – Its Givings … and Takings!”
Synopsis: A greedy man looks to profit off a beached mermaid’s suffering – and ends up on the receiving end of sorrow.
Writer: Joe Molloy
Penciler: Peter A. Morisi (as PAM)
Inker: Morisi
Review: This script offers little more than a saw-it-coming twist, but the art, by Peter “PAM” Morisi, is simple but striking.
Title: “Hoax”
Synopsis: Following a career chasing down false leads, a monster hunter comes face to face with “Nessie.”
Writer: Nicola Cuti (as Nick Cuti)
Penciler: Paul Kirchner
Inker: Kirchner
Review: As with the previous story, this one offers little more than an obvious twist, but the art isn’t as strong.
Grade (for the whole issue): C+
Cool factor: The painted cover … the “All New” tag kicker … the production quality of toilet paper … for whatever reason, Charlton horror comics are almost always cooler than they are good.
Character quotable: “It was slightly bigger than a man with a boar’s head and a lion’s body. Tentacles grew from its sides and its eyes were like two glowing beacons.” — Inspector Clive, describing one truly silly-looking monster.
Copyright ©2014 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl takes a look at a Bronze Age Fantastic First.
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BRONZE AGE FANTASTIC FIRST: Monster Hunters #1
Charlton, August 1975
Cover uncredited
Title: “Introduction”
Synopsis: Series host Colonel Whiteshroud explains the Monster Hunters Club to the visiting Countess Von Bludd.
Writer: Nicola Cuti
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Staton
Review: Much like the debut issue of sister series Scary Tales, Monster Hunters #1 begins with a striking cover then heads downhill. This introduction is a bit better because of the hosts’ flirty interaction and the series’ potentially fun monster-hunting concept – but it still lacks any real spark.
Title: “The Boar’s Head Beast”
Synopsis: A series of wells and tunnels gives a satanic chimera free reign to terrorize the tiny town ofBoar’s Head.
Writer: Nicola Cuti
Penciler: Wayne Howard
Inker: Howard
Review: This story is serviceable, as is Wayne Howard’s cartoony art – with the notable exception of his extremely goofy monster design.
Title: “The Long Sleep”
Synopsis: A tired old man, unwanted and unloved, finds escape from his nightmares in the comfort of death.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Uncredited
Inker: Uncredited
Review: This one-pager is just depressing, not scary. But the uncredited art is rather nice.
Title: “The Sea – Its Givings … and Takings!”
Synopsis: A greedy man looks to profit off a beached mermaid’s suffering – and ends up on the receiving end of sorrow.
Writer: Joe Molloy
Penciler: Peter A. Morisi (as PAM)
Inker: Morisi
Review: This script offers little more than a saw-it-coming twist, but the art, by Peter “PAM” Morisi, is simple but striking.
Title: “Hoax”
Synopsis: Following a career chasing down false leads, a monster hunter comes face to face with “Nessie.”
Writer: Nicola Cuti (as Nick Cuti)
Penciler: Paul Kirchner
Inker: Kirchner
Review: As with the previous story, this one offers little more than an obvious twist, but the art isn’t as strong.
Grade (for the whole issue): C+
Cool factor: The painted cover … the “All New” tag kicker … the production quality of toilet paper … for whatever reason, Charlton horror comics are almost always cooler than they are good.
Character quotable: “It was slightly bigger than a man with a boar’s head and a lion’s body. Tentacles grew from its sides and its eyes were like two glowing beacons.” — Inspector Clive, describing one truly silly-looking monster.
Copyright ©2014 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl takes a look at a Bronze Age Fantastic First.
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
