The Scorpion-Ed Kressy-1939

There have, of course, been several comics characters--both good and bad--called the Scorpion. This super sleuth from the early days is probably the first in that long line.

An Old Man-Pat Boyette-1976

Innovative layouts and concepts aren't what one expects to find at Charlton but if one looks hard enough, they are there to be found, as seen here in this George Wildman/Pat Boyette tale form Charlton's second renaissance era of the 1970s. 

Larry Leopard-Arnold Drake-1952

The legally required text pages in comic books are often ignored and with good reason. They're usually uncredited throwaways just to fulfill the postage rate laws and were sometimes even repeated. From time to time, though, one finds one signed by Stan Lee or Mickey Spillane or other interesting folks. This is the first one I've seen signed by Arnold Drake who went on to create Deadman and the Doom Patrol.

Prejudice-Challenger Comics-1946

The number of negative stereotype Asian caricatures in American comic books before, during, and after World War II was staggering. Here we see a rare, realistic (but for the extreme coloring) depiction of Japanese-Americans in an exciting, uncommon indictment of prejudice.

Strangers on Satellite C-John Belcastro-1953

A fairly standard us against them kind of space tale here but with some above average art by "Johnny Bell" aka John Belcastro. Like many '50s comics artists, he had attended the Hogarth School. After the Code came in, he moved briefly into newspaper strips before becoming a commercial artist.

Zippo-Clue Comics-1944

In a way, the early Iron Man stories were reminiscent of Zippo in the way that Shellhead would pop skates out of his metal boots and go zipping down the road.

Miss Bikini Luv-Jim Aparo-1967

I can't believe it's been 6 years since we ran an episode of Miss Bikini Luv! Let's rectify that now with another early Jim Aparo masterpiece of Good Girl silliness. Aparo

 is sadly long gone but the character recently made a bit of a comeback in THE CHARLTON ARROW.