Reprints of 1970s material in the 1990s gave us second-hand Sword & Sorcery. Avalon Communications, a Canadian company, published two issues of Barbarians in 1998. This comic scavenged its contents from Charlton and Warren, even its covers were not new. The first issue bore a Tony deZuniga image swiped from a Frazetta painting and the second had some repurposed Tom Sutton art from The Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves #60 (December 1976). The interest in cheap S&S comics may have been spurred by the popularity of Sam Raimi’s Hercules, The Legendary Journeys and Xena, Warrior Princess. ACG also reprinted Sam Glanzman’s Hercules comics from Charlton that year.
Issue One
“The Guardian Spiders” was written by an unknown author but had art by Jeff Jones. It appeared in The Charlton Bullseye #1 (January-February 1975). Damara of Arcadia and her barbarian beau, Balor, go to a cave where emeralds have been hidden. They are protected by giant spiders. Balor uses the stones as a prism to ward off the arachnids.
“The Great Battles of History: Shiraz” was Mike Kaluta’s earliest comic art. It appeared in Flash Gordon #18 (January 1970). The comic was written by Raymond Marais. Five short pages tells of the battle between Tamerlane and Shah Mansur in 1393.
“Who” was written by Nick Cuti and drawn by Joe Staton. It appeared in Midnight Tales #5 (September 1973). This comic was a parody of S&SÂ with Keen the Barbarian who cries over his broken sword. The comic had a fairly obvious swipe from Marvel’s “Spell of the Dragon”, an original Brak the Barbarian story done in comics.
The next two comic both appeared in Midnight Tales #16 (January 1976).
“Oberyll” was written and drawn by Wayne Howard. Harpies from a volcano are taking people from the village. Oberyll is chosen to deal with the threat. He learns that the volcano is going to explode, but when he returns the villagers stone him before he can warn them.
“Ambia!” was written and drawn by Wayne Howard. Zagga and his goblin horde threaten Queen Ambia’s pleasant kingdom. The queen herself must deal with the troublesome troll.
Issue Two
The next three comics all came from Midnight Tales #11 (February 1975). This single issue of Midnight Tales was a Sword & Sorcery-filled comic-fest.
“Orion” was written by Nick Cuti and drawn by Don Newton. The gamekeeper Orion goes hunting but he doesn’t realize he is about to fall prey to a vengeful goddess.
“The Oracle” was written and drawn by Wayne Howard. Leah has the gift of prophecy. When Menelaus falls for her, she denies him. She thinks he is committing suicide but he is just cliff diving. They end up together and leah can see they will be happy.
“Jason” was written by Nick Cuti and drawn by Joe Staton. Jason does battle with a giant with a thousand eyes. At the end, he meets the the progeny of the titan. He hopes Homer never writes about this adventure.
“To Kill a God” was written and drawn by Wally Wood. It appeared in Vampirella #12 (July 1971). Wally has Marcus Anthony and Cleopatra meet and fall in love. Marcus attacks the god Anubis, resulting in werewolves attacking them. Having been bitten, they move to what will become Transylvania. Cleopatra runs around topless through the whole thing.
I can remember when I saw these comics back in the day, being disappointed they were reprints. That reaction may not have been universal. Newer Sword & Sorcery fans may have missed these comics. Younger purchasers might not even have known that there were non-Marvel/Conan works out there. It was a good introduction to the S&S that appeared in Charlton Comics, and who can complain about Wally Wood?
That last piece seems oddly out of place in that it is the earliest and from a Warren magazine. But it is also quite appropriate because Wayne Howard is so clearly a Wood clone. It does suggest what later issues might have contained if ACG had continued the title. More Warren stuff, perhaps even some DC?
