Charlton artist ID

[benday-dot]

I've been checking out some early 60's era Charlton comics lately. Most are of the sci-fi/fantasy persuasion. There is a particular unidentified artist on these anthology books who seems rather ubiquitous. GCD doesn't acknowledge him either. I don't recall Mr.Anonymous here because of his brilliance with pencil. I've scanned in a few pages from Space Wars 16 to give but few examples of this artists contribution to the Charlton catalogue. Of course Charlton didn't exactly build their reputation by the lucrative possibilities they offerered their artists. Hack work often resulted. Lack of creditations also resulted. Others on this forum know infinitely more about Charlton than me (are you out there Lone Ranger?) and I thought someone might be able to fill in my blanks about this and other issues.

BTW... the cover on Space Wars 16 is a real gem. Giant Serpents in space eating candy planets... Doesn't get much better.

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/1426/400/1426_4_016.jpg

Here is the artwork by Charlton's shy artist... nothing like Commies in space recruiting primitive natives to help build the glorious Soviet Empire. Wrong on just too many levels to enumerate. If you are still alive unknown artist... sorry for trying to out you.

[Lone Ranger]

This is from a rather interesting era at Charlton, b-d. IMHO, this time period was the nadir of the Charlton (ahem) empire.

If we were to round up the usual suspects, I'd have to say it was either the Charles Nicholas/Vincent Alascia team or Bill Molno.

Nicholas Alascia usually signed their work as such, but I am not sure if that was the case in the early 60s. If there are other stories signed by them, I'd rule them out.

This seems to be a bit too unrefined for them - the jawlines are a bit too squared and not much texture, so I'd vote Bill Molno, as it looks like other work that I have seen credited to him.

I must admit that I am not terribly familiar with his work or this period of Charlton as I tend to focus more on the 50s, late 60s, 70s and 80s.

I've always loved that cover.

[MichikoS]

b-d, it looks like Bill Molno art to me. His work was particularly ubiquitous in space and western titles from 1960-62 at Charlton. The strong, somewhat exaggerated facial features of the dark-haired character clinches it for me. I'd be interested in the opinions of other Charlton aficionados, especially Scott Shaw.

Before looking at the pages, I thought it would be Bill Draut, since he was all over the place at Charlton during the early '60s, but I think not. I'm sticking with Molno.

The cover to Space War #16 is by Dick Giordano, no question.

Michi

[Rob Allen]

Another possibility is Tony Tallarico, with or without his frequent ghost penciller, Bill Fraccio. I know that team did the pre-Ditko Blue Beetle; do you have any of those issues to compare with this?

[Lone Ranger]

b-d, it looks like Bill Molno art to me.

I feel better about my take now that Michi has added his opinion, as he knows his Charlton. That's two votes for Bill Molno.

As Michi said, Molno was very prolific Charlton contributor during the early 60s.

Giordano did some really nice covers during this period.

[Rob Allen]

I should have checked before posting - Who's Who doesn't list Tallarico or Fraccio in Space War at all. The only artists listed for the title in 1962 are Vince Alascia, Vince Colletta, Rocco Mastroserio, Frank Mclaughlin and Bill Molno.

After taking a quick look at some Molno art, I agree that the pages b-d posted look like Molno's work.

[benday-dot]

Many thanks to a crackerjack trio of responses, namely Lone Ranger, Michi and Rob... Charlton experts all, for coming through on this artist id. I don't have computer access at my work so I didn't get to thank you until this evening here in Halifax.

It must be Bill Molno... three "lifelines", as it were, agree on this point. LR your clue to look for signed work by Charles Nicholas/Vincent Alascia proved apt... another story in Space War 16 is signed by the pair and as you suggest it rules out them out as the creative team... its stylistically different.

Definitely, as was suggested, a nadir in Charlton output. Not that I have much to compare... but I do love some of the 70's productions which comes across as a renaissance for the company... just marvelous Ditko and Sutton stuff in particular.

And thanks Michi for the added bonus of identifying the Giordano cover for me. The linework matches the corresponding story of the interior, certainly making it the highlight of Space War#16.

[Lone Ranger]

I don't have computer access at my work so I didn't get to thank you until this evening here in Halifax.


Do you live in Halifax b-d?

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I lived there for 4 years (1995-99) - went to law school and did an MPA at Dal.

There's a lot of great stuff to be found in those Charlton mags - I always pick them up whenever I see one for the right price.

[benday-dot]

Do you live in Halifax b-d?


Yes I do... born and raised actually. I graduated from Dal as well a few years before you would have... not Law, but I know that part of the Campus quite well.

The old 'Fax is not exactly a comic book mecca of the world. Still good old Strange Adventures keeps me going. Anyway... ebay is the great equalizer for comic enthusiasts these days!

Glad I found CBR, nearly a year ago now, to meet fellow fans and alumni alike.

[Scott Shaw!]

I agree that it's Bill Molno's pencil art, but I think he was inked here by Vince Alascia. I think that Molno's inking elsewhere is so sloppy that he makes Jack Sparling's inks seem positively crisp. Alascia's inking may be stiff and wooden, but it has a clarity that Molno's lacks.

Aloha,

Scott!

[benday-dot]

I agree that it's Bill Molno's pencil art, but I think he was inked here by Vince Alascia. I think that Molno's inking elsewhere is so sloppy that he makes Jack Sparling's inks seem positively crisp. Alascia's inking may be stiff and wooden, but it has a clarity that Molno's lacks.

Aloha,

Scott!

Many thanks Scott for the additional information. Poor Bill Molno and all your sloppy weirdness... I love ye anyway.

[T GUy]

Scott Molno's inking elsewhere is so sloppy that he makes Jack Sparling's inks seem positively crisp.

I hope that you are not implying that Sparling's inking is sloppy.

[Lone Ranger]

The old 'Fax is not exactly a comic book mecca of the world. Still good old Strange Adventures keeps me going. Anyway... ebay is the great equalizer for comic enthusiasts these days!


You are quite right - I found it to be pretty weak when I first moved there (I had only lived in Toronto and Montreal prior to Halifax), but I was delighted to find Strange Adventures. I made pilgrimmages there anytime I needed a boost and always came away happy.

I made my first on-line comic book purchases while I was in Halifax, but that was near the end of my stay. I only registered on eBay in the summer of '99, after I had returned to Upper Canada for good.

[Lone Ranger]

Poor Bill Molno and all your sloppy weirdness... I love ye anyway.

There is so much to love in Charlton comics - each issue has a fun surprise.

It's hard not to love them - it's like rooting for the underdog.