THE CHARLTON ARROW #2 : out now!

The second issue of THE CHARLTON ARROW is out and shipping now, and dare I say we've even outdone our our debut ish? Perhaps!
A little background on the Arrow for those that don't know: a little over a year ago, frustrated with the total lack of Charlton pages on Facebook, I took it upon myself to create a group on FB where fans of Charlton could gather and discuss our love of the long defunct comics company. Little did I know that not just the readers but the pros, including many Charlton alumni, would be joining up as well, to talk of their own memories of Charlton, and to engage in friendly discourse.
It seemed inevitable, then, that some sort of zine or comic would spring forth as a way to further celebrate our beloved long-gone comics company. Not just a tribute, but a sort of revamp and revival, with some classic reprints, and all new stories.
The outpouring of seasoned vets and newcomers alike to be a part of this has been astounding, and all contributing pro bono, for the sheer love of Charlton. And the results have been spectacular. In Fact, in the months to come we are expanding to no less than FIVE titles (of which you can be assured I will keep you in loop about, friends!).
The first issue was a great success and is already on it's second printing. This second issue promises to be no less amazing.
To start, the first couple hundred orders (TCA is available by mail-order or at conventions only for now) get this amazing new exclusive poster by JOE STATON.

FRANK McLAUGHLIN graciously supplied a wraparound inside front and back cover of the Action heroes:

There are columns and editorials by yours truly, ol' FESTER, and our publisher MORT TODD, as well as a letters page.

And, of course, the comics stories. RON FORTIER and GARY KATO open the issue with an all new MR JIGSAW adventure.

 From there we get a preview story of another Charlton based title, CLASSIC HOT RODS AND RACING CARS COMICS, by Jack Keller, shot from the original silver plates, with new colors by Todd.

We follow that up with the return of horror host Mr. Bones, who relates to us an all-new tale of lycanthropy from writer STEVE SKEATES, and artists HOWARD BENDER AND NEIL VOKES.
  

 The big news with this issue is the presentation of the previously unpublished Peacmaker story (told in two parts, and concluded next ish) by the late PAT BOYETTE. Published here (and in color!) for the first time ever, and with the blessings of Mr. Boyette's daughter, Melissa.

Continuing, there's MORT TODD'S parody of The Sentinels, The Barely Sentients. A friendly jab at not only the original characters, but of a certain *other* comics company as well.

And finally,rounding out the issue, ROGER McKENZIE and SANDY CARRUTHERS continue our story of Boyette's Spookman.

A fine issue, indeed, we think you'll agree. For more information or to order your copy (as well as the first issue, and the trading cards!) please visit the website here: THE CHARLTON ARROW 
And be sure to visit us on Facebook here: The Charlton Arrow on Facebook

CHARLTON BULLSEYE (comic) #3, Sept. 1981

There's a lot of death in this one. Somebody dies in ALL FOUR stories in this issue. Probably not planned that way when assembling the book, but that's how it turned out.
The first story (and cover feature) is a finely crafted sword and sorcery tale written and illustrated by Ian Carr, who displays a level of scripting and art that could have been easily in one of the Big Two, but he chose to go with Charlton. Kudos to Carr.
"Mission" by Michael Grace is a pretty standard yet enjoyable 3 pager, followed by "Cavern Of The Brain-Eaters" by Gary Wray, which although a nice tale isan obvious knock of in both story and art style of Basil Wolverton.
Of real interest here is Ron Fortier and Gary kato's "Duel In The Stars". A bit cliched, perhaps, but a hell of a lot of fun!
Fortier and Kato would go on to have the cover feature on SCARY TALES #38, with the character Mr. Jigsaw, a character the duo still publish via their own Redbud Studio.

you can find Redbud on facebook HERE and their webpage HERE.