BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH'S BREATHTAKING GORBLIMEY PRESS CATALOGUE !!!

"...being a retrospective of one year's dauntless activities at the wonderful Gorblimey Press."  

One of my prized comic book collectibles is the magazine-sized Barry Windsor-Smith's Gorblimey Press Catalogue, from 1976. It's twenty three pages of simply amazing artwork! Needless to say, this was his own publishing company.

Gorblimey Press Catalogue 1975-76
Contents page.
1976.
Fine art prints and an article by Barry Windsor-Smith.
23 Pages.

His incredible piece, Britannia, was used as the frontispiece for The Gorblimey Press Catalogue 1975-1976. A slightly different version was used in a Gorblimey Press ad in the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #7 in 1977.

If you go to his web site, BarryWindsor-Smith.com, some of the prints are still available for sale! The catalogue can be found online as well, although it can be pricey! I was fortunate to find mine at a local comic book store at an affordable price. It was also the first time I'd even seen a physical copy of one before. 

The Barry Smith's Tuppenny Conan illustration, from the catalogue, was used as the front and back covers of the Marvel Comics Treasury Edition #4. My all time favorite of the treasury editions. 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Although not in this publication, the cover to Star*Reach #7 was a piece from Gorblimey Press.

CAPTAIN ATOM HEEDS AN ANCIENT SOS FROM OUTER SPACE !!!

Charlton Comics' marvelous superhero Captain Atom was created by the prolific writer Joe Gill and legendary artist/co-writer Steve Ditko, first appearing in Space Adventures #33. Captain Atom was created for Charlton Comics, later acquired by DC Comics and revised for their post-Crisis continuity.

In 2011, they relaunched its superhero comics and restarted the histories of some characters from scratch, including Captain Atom, giving him a new origin, appearance and slightly altered powers. He was the inspiration for the character Doctor Manhattan, featured in the miniseries and later, the live-action film adaptation, Watchmen.

Captain Atom #88  The Ravage of Ronthor!
"Ravage of Ronthor"
Captain Atom answers a centuries old SOS from Ronthor, an uninhabited world endangered by giant insects. 
Written by David A. Kaler (Ghostly Tales) with cover & interior art by Steve Ditko (Mr. A) & Frank McLaughlin (Judomaster).
Letters page replies by Dick Giordano (Sarge Steel).
Origin of Nightshade, continued from last issue, written by Kaler with art by Jim Aparo (Thane Of Bagarth). This was concluded in the next issue of Captain Atom, which unfortunately was the last issue of this series.

This issue's Captain Atom story was reprinted in DC Comics The Action Heroes Archive Volume 2. I highly recommend the nice hardcover collection. The coloring is not messed with as it was in the Conan hardcover reprints. 

If you are inclined to see the Watchmen movie, I would highly recommend the Director's Cut. It's fleshed out the movie quite nicely, much better than the movie theater version.

The two last appearances of Captain Atom in Charlton Comics. The first cover is the last issue of the current series I've been featuring on this blog and the second cover is Charlton Bullseye #7 with Captain Atom brought to us by Dan Reed & Benjamin Smith. From there, he showed up in AC Comics prior to ultimately landing at DC Comics. 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Couldn't resist showing these interior pages off, from this issue of Captain Atom, especially since we recently lost the Man from U.N.C.L.E. Robert Vaughn. So sad!

Above, I've included two interior advertising pages from Captain Atom #88 and, at least for me, a rarely seen drawing of Captain Atom by Steve Ditko! Still love the older costume!

FLASH GORDON ATTEMPTS TO FLEE SUPERNATURAL FORCES !!!

In the grand scheme of things, there was no greater science-fiction hero than Flash Gordon, created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond.

With the Gold Key series, Carlos Garzon came on board. He was an assistant to Al Williamson, who helped to redefine Flash Gordon in the comic books. Garzon was a highly talented transplant from Bogata as was the legendary Williamson. Garzon assisted on Secret Agent X-9 in the late sixties and moved to the U.S. in the early seventies. From there he worked with Warren and Gold Key.

Flash Gordon #27
"The Enchanted City Part 1"
Exploring the far reaches of Mongo, Flash, Dale and Dr. Zarkov spot a roving enemy ship streaking through the distant sky, which soon vanishes. 
Written by Gary Poole with art by Carlos Garzon.
"The Enchanted City Part 2"
Brought by supernatural forces to the mystical city of Illusia, Flash and Dale attempt to flee, only to face certain death at the clawed hands of a grotesque and evil ogre. 
Written by Gary Poole with art by Carlos Garzon.

This issue was also published under the Whitman imprint.

Finally, this issue was the last issue to be reprinted in the marvelous Dark Horse fine slipcased, hardcover edition of Flash Gordon Comic-Book Archives Volume 4. But don't despair, there was another great volume to follow.

Garzon later teamed up with Al Williamson on the Marvel Comics adaptation of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi as well as some other Star Wars projects. 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Ad for the short lived Black Hole series. Unfortunately, the last, the fourth issue is quite hard to come by.