Dog Days

I'm seriously looking into finding lots more of these Cuti/Staton stories from the Charlton era of comics. The other one I found and posted (here) was an instant favorite of mine. This one is another instant fave.
Both have anthropomorphic characters, and both lend a sense of irony to the otherwise tired genre of fantasy-horror.

Will the team of Cuti+Staton surpass my admiration of Binder+Beck?? Who knows? But I'd say all bets are off at this point. And, yeah, if you're not a fan of the Otto Binder and C.C. Beck collaborations, this probly ain't your cup o' tea; go read MAUS or WATCHMEN again.

As for me, I absolutely love comics that take things to an extreme level. Regardless of whether it's fantasy, horror, sci-fi, romance, humor, superheroes, or whatever. But y'all should know by now (I've only been blogging for, like, four freakin' years) that I love things that are fun and slightly insane.

by Nicola Cuti and Joe Staton
from MIDNIGHT TALES #9, October 1974






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GAME PRESERVE by CUTI and STATON

"Professor Coffin was one of the last titles to be printed by Charlton Comics. It was basically another horror anthology title, but with all-new stories. The book sported a framing device in the form of the title character's misadventures with his niece Arachne, specifically their encounters with the supernatural. Prof. Cyrus Coffin was a character who first appeared in Charlton's Midnight Tales title.
Prof. Coffin lasted only three issues; this was part of a 'last gasp' before the Charlton company went out of business completely. Consequently, this is one of the smaller-print-run titles that are difficult and expensive to locate now. (Not that you'd want to.)" --- POP-CULT dot COM

Thank you, Pop-Cult dot Com for that. I hate having to explain things that have already been explained. It is just so much easier to do the 'copy/paste' thingy.
With that in mind, here's one of those stories that the previously quoted website claimed that weren't worth tracking down. I disagree. This story here is one of the wackiest sci-fi-horror-romance genre-benders I've seen in my life.

by Nick Cuti and Joe Staton
from PROF. COFFIN #21, February 1986







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Alex Toth Draws Animals

Two comic legends got together once, and this was the result. A classic short morality tale disguised as science fiction fantasy. This story wouldn't be out of place if adapted as a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episode. Originally buried in the back of Adventure Comics behind a classic Spectre story, it was subsequently shelved and never seen again (allegedly, it was reprinted only once). Amazingly, it ranks on most reader's top 10 lists as one of the greatest short stories in comics. No small feat when you consider the millions of comic stories that have been published.
This story has been dissected, critiqued, examined, and reviewed by numerous other comic bloggers; I really don't have anything to say about it that hasn't already been said dozens of times before, so I'll let y'all form your own opinion.

by Shelly Mayer and Alex Toth
from ADVENTURE COMICS #431, January 1974









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KING OF THE SNAKE MEN

Honestly, I'm not sure if this was done by the same Bruce Timm that we all are familiar with from his work on various DC/WARNER cartoons, but if it is, this has to be one of his earliest professional art projects. I'm pretty sure it's the same awesome Stan Sakai who did the lettering.

Regardless, this is a worthwhile trip down memory lane (for me anyway).

© 1985 MATTEL INC.










This first panel reminds me of PEARLS BEFORE SWINE for some reason.







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CHIMERA by P. Craig Russell

Most definitely a man that shouldn't need an introduction to serious students (or even just fans) of really good comic art, P. Craig Russell has been churning out masterful work since 1972.

The intro to this wordless piece says that it was done all in pencil (which proves that when you're this good, you don't need an inker. TAKE THAT, all you guys working with Photoshop!).

from ECLIPSE, THE MAGAZINE #1, May 1981












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13 Days Of Xmas #4: My Bizarre Christmas Adventure

This here is a very strange one. I honestly have no idea where they were trying to go with this story. It has the feel of a TWILIGHT ZONE episode, and it's just as strange.
But I like it, and you should too.


by Steve Perry and Rick Veitch
from AMAZING ADVENTURE (oneshot) 1988






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