Unusual Tales - Oggo The Thinker

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Oggo The Thinker" is a 5-page story from Charlton's MYSTERIES OF UNEXPLORED WORLDS #11 [1959], drawn by J. Kodti, whose work looks remarkably similar to Steve Ditko's work of the era, so I've decided to include it in this series. It's an amusing trifle about a sensitive young caveman who who dreams of more than the hunting that consumes the life of the men of his era. A couple of really good panels, Kodti especially does good with the despair Oggo feels in a few panels, as well as the look of pleasure as he contemplates what would be his final invention.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
New publication #16: SIXTEEN now available
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
Back issues and subscriptions available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
CREEPER hardcover available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

   

--Link-- TV source for early Ditko story

Thanks to Michael Main in the comments for  "A Hole In His Head" from BLACK MAGIC #27 [v4n3], here's a link to "And Adam Begot", a 1951 episode of the TV show LIGHTS OUT from which the writer of the comic story seemed to have drawn more than a little inspiration (ie, he lifted it wholesale). It was apparently based on a 1939 radio play.

Unusual Tales - From Out Of The Depths

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"From Out Of The Depths" is a 5-page story from Charlton's THIS MAGAZINE IS HAUNTED #14 [1957]. Some very nice spooky imagery in this short fantasy story set in Mexico, this one is high up there on my list of favourite 1950s Ditko.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
New publication #16: SIXTEEN now available
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
Back issues and subscriptions available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
Two DITKO OMNIBUS hardcover available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

  

 

Unusual Tales - Far Away Voices

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Far Away Voices" is a 5-page story from Charlton's OUTER SPACE #20 [1958], kind of a silly trifle about a man who invents a superior hearing aid, only to find out that it's picking up some strange messages. Nothing too special in the artwork in this one, but there is a good Ditko bird in there.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
New publication #16: SIXTEEN now available
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
Back issues and subscriptions available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
CREEPER hardcover available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

    

Unusual Tales - Deep In The Mountains

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Deep In The Mountains" is a 5-page story from Charlton's UNUSUAL TALES #11 [1958], where a writer thinks back on the fantastic events he witnessed in the Italian mountains and formed the basis of his novel. A story that definitely lives up to the title of the book, several good Ditko faces.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
New publication #16: SIXTEEN now available
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
Back issues and subscriptions available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
CREEPER hardcover available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

     

Unusual Tales - Cure-All

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Cure-All" is a 6-page story from Charlton's OUT OF THIS WORLD #7 [1958], about a small town in Holland where a doctor introduces an amazing medical robot, but among the miracle cures a local doctor notices some mysterious deaths. Odd story, especially the ending as you'll see.  A few really good Ditko images, especially the graveyard scene and the images of the characters reflected in the robot on page 4.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
New publication #16: SIXTEEN now available
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
Back issues and subscriptions available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
CREEPER hardcover available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

      

Unusual Tales - And The Fear Grew

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"And The Fear Grew" is a 5-page story from Charlton's TALES OF THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER #7 [1958]. A little fantasy story set in Australia, where a rancher finds a strange creature which seems to bring him some bad luck. Very odd and engaging story, though with a pretty cliche view of Australia (lots of boomerangs), couple of really nice bits of Ditko artwork, especially in the mysterious creature.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
Upcoming publication #17: SEVENTEEN coming soon
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
Back issues and subscriptions available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
DITKO OMNIBUS hardcovers available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen

   

Unusual Tales - Charmed, I'm Sure

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Charmed, I'm Sure" is a 5-page story from Charlton's UNUSUAL TALES #11 [1958], about an idealistic young man named John Cable who admires Abe Lincoln but can't get his own political career going until he gets an odd good luck charm.  Decent little story, Ditko always does the "despondent" look needed for the first half nicely, especially the first panel of page 2.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work
Over 1500 pages of Ditko available
Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA
#87 and lots of back issues available
Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications
CREEPER hardcover available from DC
Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from
Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen