Tom Sutton was a vastly under-rated comic book artist, largely due to his disinterest in superheroes. He is probably best remembered for his work in the horror comics. The Great Monster Magazines (2008) by Robert Michael “Bobb” Carter says of Sutton: “Tom Sutton was an artist with an enjoyable, original, and idiosyncratic style…” His contributions to Sword & Sorcery include first Warren strips “Thane Part 3″ Barbarian of Fear” (Creepy #27, June 1969), “Avenged by Aurora” (Vampirella #5, June 1970), “The Vorpal Sword” (Eerie #29, September 1970), “Musical Chairs” (Eerie #43, November 1972) followed by Charlton strips “The Tower Maiden” (Midnight Tales #4, July 1973). He penciled a few strips for Skywald at this time. For Marvel, he inked Gil Kane’s “The Hour of the Dragon” in Giant-Size Conan #1 (September 1974). Tom’s masterpiece is the greatest and strangest S&S influenced comics, “The Future Chronicles” for Planet of the Apes Magazine #12-29 (September 1975-February 1977). While most of the POTA material was either adaptation or retread, Sutton’s Future Chronicles is a master achievement separate from any franchising.
