Charlton Spotlight Magazine (Argo Press/2000)

Charlton Comics were published as more as an afterthought than a thought out project just to keep the companies printing presses rolling. Despite this and the meanness of the owners paying possibly the lowest rates in the industry) and using poor quality paper Charlton managed to produce some wonderful comics over the years.

From around 1946 to 1985 (albeit with a wee bit of a gap at the end, Charlton published thousands of comics ranging from horror and mystery through westerns, war comics, cartoons, adventure and even a smattering of superheroes. The latter proved the inspiration for the Watchmen possibly the best read comic in history.

 

So a fanzine was more than welcome. Sadly it seems to be no more after two decades of erratic publishing.

Charlton Spotlight gives us insights and interviews with various artists writers and editors across the years of Charlton. They also take a look at the various spin offs into other companies.

 

For those of you who are fans of Doomsday +1 the "lost" or unpublished story sees the light of day in Charlton Spotlight #8. I lied this series which lasted just 6 issues though was revived and republished to reach #12. The next issue was produced but sadly never published as the series was cancelled.

I always thought it had the feel of one of those cartoon we used to have at teatime after school or on a Saturday morning. Those were the days....

 

There's quite a lot of material in the early issues about Pat Boyette who was responsible for Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt which was one hero that DC didn't end up with and has adventures with Dynamite these days. Pat "moonlighted" for Charlton as his employment as police officer forbade a second job!

 

But of course there's plenty more of great comics to be found in Charlton's inventory including plenty of Steve Ditko's non-superhero work in their horror comics line.

 



Frankly there's something for everyone. Just keep an eye out. There's some gems to be found.

 



 

 



 



There were just 9 issues of this great mag which are well worth collecting. Some creators are still at work on mags like Forbidden Gallery (ACP Comics) and The Creeps (Warrant Publishing) so pick these up if you get a chance!