This volume , The Charlton Years: Volume One, contains art mostly by Jim Aparo, but also includes a story each by Frank McLaughlin, Pat Boyette, and Bill Lignante. The scripts are largely written by Dick Wood, with an exception of a tale by Bill Harris.There is also an introduction by Christopher Irving, while providing some nice background information, it doesn't really expound on much more than any Charlton/Phantom fan would already know.
A few discrepancies occur within the book,most notably the attribution of Steve Skeates as the writer for the story "The Phantom's Death" in issue #33. I personally asked Steve about this story not long ago and he had this to say: "My name has somehow been connected with The Phantom for some time now! The thing is, I never did write a Phantom story!....much as I would have liked to!". Perhaps this is an oversight that Hermes Press can correct with later pressings.
The book itself is a sturdy hardcover, with a dust sleeve. The full color cover of the actual book is the same image as the jacket (the cover of issue #38)--a nice touch that's a bit different than many other collections that tend to leave the binding a single color with just the title printed on it.The pages are printed on a nice slick/glossy paper stock.
Weighing in at a hefty 224 pages, the volume covers Charlton's first foray into the adventures of The Phantom, reprinting their first issue (#30) and continues up to issue #38, for a total of nine issues (sans any text stories and non-Phantom back up stories.)
With a cover price of $49.99, the book seems a bit expensive, but with a little digging around you can find a new copy for much less. I was able to find a new/mint copy for around $25 on Amazon--a price much better suited to my wallet.
Hermes Press website can be found here: http://www.hermespress.com/
These are on my radar, but money limitations make me wince when I see them. Alas, eventually perhaps.
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sadly, due to the digital corrections some of the nuances that made Charlton, well..Charlton, are gone. I would have much preferred a reproduction approach similar to Craig Yoes's Ditko reprints, but still it's worth seeking out. The next two volumes are on pre-order for under 20 dollars, and that is definitely something I can get behind.
ReplyDeleteHave them all and they are awesome. Also, there is no reason to pay the listed price. They can be found for as little as 50% quite easily.
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