Dojo Classics - Hercules #13

Hercules #13 is the last original issue of the run from Charlton. The comic is dated September 1969. The cover is by Sam Glanzman, the guy who has done all the covers for the series. The comic is edited by Sal Gentile.

The lead story of Hercules is untitled this time out unless you use the title on the cover "Hercules Wears the Armor of the Gods". It was written by Joe Gill and illustrated by Sam Glanzman. It begins with a symbolic splash page showing Hercules and Mars fighting with Zeus and Hera looking on. The story begins in Greece with Hercules being hassled by some soldiers who clearly don't seem to know who he is. The battle is one whe Mars hurls his war hammer to Earth literally zapping Hercules. The soldiers run off and Mars materializes and faces off against Hercules. They wrestle and fight for a time after Zeus gives the okay and then Mars offers Hercules a free punch at his jaw. Hercules takes advantage and knocks the War God out. Hera is unhappy but Zeus tells her to be quiet about it, though she doesn't comply. Diana the goddess of the hunt agrees with Zeus and tells Hera so. Later she appears at the camp of Hercules where he's eating some captured game and takes him by means of riding a moonbeam to Olympus for another feast among the gods. But quickly a fight between Hercules and Mars erupts ending with Mars throwing Hercules out of Olympus down through some clouds. Zeus intervenes though and brings the Man God back to Olympus. He then arranges for Hercules to get some of the armor of the gods manufactured by Vulcan. With his new gear Hercules is able to withstand the attacks of Mars and in fact Mars breaks his sword against the body of Hecules, specifically his face. This stops the fight and Hercules gives back his godly armor and returns to Earth await the day he will be among the gods of Olympus permanently. The story ends with Hercules sitting contented around his humble campfire.

"Mountain Man Morgan in New War Dance" is yet another tall tale of the giant who helped build the railroads. This one is pretty imaginative, and has Morgan get his friends the Indians to literally war dance on the stones that form the rockbed for the railroad. Their dancing breaks up the stones so the rails will seat properly. Morgan meanwhile shattes boulders to help supply stone. The Indians seem quite happy about this solution and indicate at the end of the story they want some payment for their work for new wigwams.

Thane of Bagarth is titled "Chapter Thirteen: Revenge" and is written by Steve Skeates and illustrated by Sanho Kim. The story begins with the Time Traveler who is lost in a dark cave. He finds himself in the dream of Hrothelac, the banished Thane of Bagarth and the two meet. Then another green four-armed monster attacks and Hrothelac kills it. Then just as quickly as he arrived the Time Traveler disappears. Hrothelac is then told by a voice that he must battle more monsters and such before he can have his revenge. The scene shifts to the Celts battling against invading Vikings and losing. The final shift in scene for the series features the Time Traveler again and this time he finds himself trillion of miles away from Earth opn another planet in another galaxy, and he is most confused. The next chapter is supposed to feature Eowanda, but it will never be.

"Letters to the Editor -- Hercules" features three letters this time, one by Tony Isabella. One compliments the series to date, while Isabella runs down several series he's following from Charlton. The editors even note that they cut his letter down quite a bit. Their response to him indicates the future of Charlton as they say that superheroes have seen their day for the time being but that war, romance, and westerns are the consistent sellers for the company.

This final Hercules issue is a very different experience from the debut issue two years earlier. Most dramatically is the shift in the classical myth approach taken early on. The stories have gotten more and more modern in their feel and character as the series has developed, and that seems to be the result of clear editorial mandate. The artwork of Sam Glanzman has really undergone a transformation with this final issue really opening up in terms of layout design. Much is done with words indicating mood and emotion and the layouts seem to thematically inform the work itself such as the use of a peace symbol to frame the moments when Hercules gets his armor.


This series is one of my childhood delights. I've not read these issues through probably since I first got them before these reviews, though I've taken them out many times and read an issue here and there. The confused saga of Bagarth is sad really given the immense promise of the scenario initiated by Steve Skeates early on. A sequel to Beowulf is a clever notion, but it becomes a bit of mush as the series introduces odd elements of sci-fi and seems to become bogged down in its own misguided plot.

It's clear that once they finished the Twelve Labors the staff of Charlton really didn't know what to do with Hercules. The last several issues have been mostly stories about dinner parties and sibling strife. Surely if the series had continued they would've shifted the story line forward, but we'll never know.


As I've noted the series has been reprinted many times by ACG/Avalon. I even found a "new" reprint version of the series a few weeks ago I didn't know about. These stories have a real modern feel to them that stands out from much of the material Charlton produced at the time. They are at once timeless and of their time.

UPDATE: I've enjoyed this review series, and I hope it has given at least some insight into this most peculiar series. I'm eager to get my mitts on the new reprint archive volume from Dark Horse out this week at your local retailer.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - Hercules #12

Hercules #12 is dated July 1969. The cover is another excellent one by Sam Glanzman, and the issue is again edited by Sal Gentile.

The Hercules story this time is titled "The Wrath of the Gods" and it was written by Joe Gill and illustrated by Sam Glanzman. As this story opens, Hercules has completed his Twelve Labors (though we've only seen eleven in the series to date) and he is demanding that he be elevated to Olympus. Mars takes objection but is chastened by Zeus with a burst of fire. Hera shows up and suggests a banquet in the honor of Hercules and she goes to Earth and personally invites the Man God who is of course suspicious but accepts anyway when Zeus speaks up. Hercules then dashes off to cleanse himself in a bath for the feast then awaits his ride, the Chariot of Apollo shows up and takes him to Olympus. At the feast Hercules is invited to tell the tale of his Twelve Labors which he does though he gets the order of their accomplishment different than what we've seen in the series so far. His story though proves somewhat dull to the guests who nod off, then Mars in a rage calls Hercules a liar for claiming to have done such great things. Hercules in respect for his host ignores this challenge, but finally Mars splashes him with wine and even Zeus wonders why his son won't retaliate, then he gives them express permission to battle and the fight is on. The battle through the castle of the gods and then Mars uses his godly powers to hit Hercules with a lightning bolt. Hercules is stunned and despairs since he doesn't have such powers. Then Zeus gives him such power and he throws a bolt back at Mars stunning him. The two lock up in a show of strength that causes havoc on Earth until finally Mars lands a blow to Hercules that sends him flying down through the clouds out of Olympus itself. Hercules lands on Earth and remarks about what a grand party it was and how he'll have to stay longer next time.

"Man Mountain Morgan in Tough Tommy Turner" offers up another prose tall tale of the giant who assisted the railroads. This time there's a ruffian named Tommy Turner and his gang who are stealing supplies. Morgan goes to find them, and using a special sound sends their horses running. He then bundles the wagons together and drags the stolen supplies back to the railroad camp, and then turns the thieves over to the law.

Thane of Bagarth is titled "Chapter Twelve: Melting in the Dark" and it was written by Steve Skeates and illustrated by Sanho Kim. It begins with the "dead" body of Hrothelac, the banished Thane of Bagarth in the Celtic village. But in another world, a dream world Hrothelac is awake and full armored. He is told by a voice that he must seek out strange creatures and battle to gain his revenge. A giant green four-armed monster stalks from the shadows and Hrothelac battles it finally slaying it with a thrown sword. Meanwhile the Celts are amazed that the dead body of Hrothelac is moving in the real world. At this moment a warning comes that Vikings are invading the village and the Celts rise to the defense. The scene changes to a misty nowhere in which the Time Traveler is once again flying to a new location in time and space, finding himself in front of a cave and a sorceress, but before the sorceress can strike him with a spell he disappears again. The last scene show Eowanda, the current Thane of Bagarth plotting in his castle.

"Letters to the Editor -- Hercules" offers up two letters this time. One talks extensively about the defunct Action Hero line and how they should be broght back. The editors agree but say that's the way of publishing. They repeat a claim made in many letters pages that Hercules is selling very well and in fact seems to do better each month. The second letter speculate on why Hera hates Hercules so. Also included on this page is a neat design by Steve Ditko featuring both the new Blue Beetle and the redesined Captain Atom.

The series reaches its climax of sorts with this issue. The Labors are done, and though the Augean Stables is not shown in the series it is mentioned here when Hercules relates his experiences. The new pattern in the series seems to be to pit Hercules against Mars each issue. Their enmity has been growing steadily and this issue seems to be all about that struggle between these two sons of Zeus. Glanzman's artwork continues to loosen with more experimentation in layout each issue. The Thane of Bagarth storyline is becoming more and more fantastical as the Time Traveler jets all over and the dream battles of Hrothelac at least get our hero up and moving. He's been remarkably passive during the series.


This issue has been reprinted a few times I think by ACG/Avalon. For sure it was reprinted in Hercules #1 and I think it also was reprinted in Tales of the Man-God Hercules #1. The Hercules versus Mars stories are good for this since they are self-contained for the most part unlike the Twelve Labors. The Thane of Bagarth story has not been reprinted to my knowledge.

One more to come.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - Hercules #11

Hercules #11 is dated May 1969. It features one of Sam Glanzman's best covers for the series. The comic was edited by Sal Gentile.

The lead Hercules story is titled "The Trophy Hunter" and it's divided into two parts. The story was written by Joe Gill and illustrated by Sam Glanzman. The first part opens with Hercules knocking out some nameless opponent and deals with a ploy of Hera's to lure Hercules to Olympus to embarass him. She invites him and he's so overcome with pride he beats his chest creating an avalanche. His response to this is "Aww, I done it again!". Hera and all the gods of Olympus look forward to the feast celebrating Hercules and even Zeus seems fooled by Hera's plot. Zeus sends Apollo on his chariot to fetch the Man-God who suffers as they pass the sun. In Olympus he bows to Zeus and gets into a contest of grips with Mars that creates a thunderstorm on Earth. During the meal Hera uses her magic to make Hercules clumsy and then pretends to be a serving girl to make him look boorish and rude. Mars and Hercules face off and Hercules lands a solid punch on the War God who responds by sending Hercules back to Earth to face his cousin King Eurystheus for his next labor.

Part II is titled "The Prey" and it begins with view of the mountains between Arcadia and Achaia where stands a robust and magnificent Hind. Hercules comes from the shadows to leap on the giant deer but it escapes and the chase continues out of the mountains into the desert where the stifling heat causes Hercules to collapse. The Hind though returns to the Man God and uses it hooves to dig up water for the man chasing it. Hercules then uses his rope to snare the Hind and eventually subdues it. He carries it to the court of King Eurystheus but then unleashes it allowing it escape. He has done what was asked and no more. If Hera wants the beast, then it will have to captured again.

"Mountain Man Morgan -- Tame The Tracks" offers up another text story, a tall tale about the railroad and the giant Morgan's efforts to help it succeed. In this story he has to tear up some tracks and replace them so that the two ends will meet. He does so, once again saving the railroad from ruin.

Thane of Bagarth undergoes a big change this time. The story is again written by Steve Skeates but the art this time is taken on by Sanho Kim. The tale is titled "Chapter Eleven: Beowulf's Decision" and opens in the year 2174 where the Time Traveler's daughter and her boyfriend find his notes and debate how best to rebuild his machine and hopefully save him. There is a brief glimpse of the Time Traveler before the scene shifts to the still unconscious Hrothelac, the banished Thane of Bagarth who is being tended in a Celtic village. The scene shifts again to the Land of the Geats where the current Thane of Bagarth the treacherous Eowanda plots to take over the warriors of Beowulf and perhaps takes Beowulf's place entirely. Beowulf fearing Eowanda's ambition leads his troops into battle despite his age and illness. As they head to battle, Beowulf's man Eadstan with the serf girl Freahulf ride back to the Land of the Geats but encounter a Swede who is dispatched by Eadstan. Back in the Celtic village Hrothelac has a dream in which he battles Eowanda, Beowulf, and Eadstan. As he battles in his dreams he gets out of bed and collapses. The Celts tending him annnounce that he is dead.

"Letters to the Editor -- Hercules" features three letters this time, and all of them talk not only about Herc but about other cancelled Charlton comics. There seems to be a great demand to bring back the Action Heroes. One letter writer complains again about Herc's "oriental" look but the editors say it's what Sam Glanzman wants and that's it. On a sad note, the death of Rocke Mastroserio in February 1968 is noted.

This issue of Hercules continues the changes in the series. The artwork by Glanzman on the lead feature gets more and more experimental as he plays with panel design and even changes up his style within the story. It's really quite attractive. One new trick is using words like "Anger" and such to surround characters as they argue, an attempt to heighten I suppose the emotional impact of the stories. This apparently will be the last of the Hercules stories to deal with his Twelve Labors despite the fact he's only done eleven of them. The cleaning of the Augean Stables I guess wasn't considered dramatic enough for a comic presentation. The storyline will shift a bit next time.


This comic was mostly reprinted in Modern Comics Hercules #11.

More to come.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - House Of Yang #4

House of Yang Volume 2, Number 4 is dated February, 1976 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The dynamic cover was painted by Sanho Kim who is also the artist on the interior pages as well for this one final time. The script was supplied by the always reliable Joe Gill.

"Killers from the North" begins with Sun Yang leaving the House of Yang to head North to face the Golden Horde of the Mogul Shah Tabar. Shah Tabar is a ferocious enemy as is his daughter Yiza who rides with his soldiers into battle. Sun Yang finds villagers afraid of the invaders and agrees to stay and help them. He organizes the women and begins to train them as the Mongols continue to head South terrorizing and pillaging as they come. Yiza in particular seems eager to pierce the very heart of China. Time passes and Sun Yang continues to train the villagers. He learns of an attack nearby and when he investigates he is attacked by Yiza who finds her match in Sun Yang. He is struck down by her soldiers and taken to the court of Shah Tabar.

"The Last Great Mogul" opens with Sun Yang battling Shah Tabar's top warrior who he defeats. Shah Tabar then gives him the bargain of taking Yiza's hand in marriage or seeing the village destroyed. Sun agrees to marry Yiza. The villagers hear of Sun Yang's capture and plot to free him. The women will enter the camp and provide a distraction while the rest then attack and rescue Sun Yang. The Mongols are surpised by the skills of the village women and the attack is successful. Sun Yang blocks up a cannon which is being deployed and its explosion rocks through the camp fatally injuring Yiza. The Mongols retreat and Sun Yang holds Yiza in his arms as she dies. He turns and heads back South to the House of Yang.

"Yin Vs. Yang" is a text piece which tells the untold story of Sun Yang just after he first left the House of Yang and confronted the warlord Chan Tai and his Samurai bodyguard Hioto. Hioto is quite skilled but Sun Yang is even more so and during their lethal struggle, an errant knife thrown by Hioto strikes and kills Chan Tai.


This issue was reprinted in 1976 by Australian publisher Gredown in House of Yang #1.

This sadly is the final issue of House of Yang produced by Sanho Kim. It's another gorgeous effort, rich with authenticity and excitement. Getting Sun Yang mixed up with Mongols is a nice trick, offering up a savage contrast to his more pacific philosophy. Despite my initial doubts, Yiza turns out to be a compelling character and I was a bit sad she was killed off at the end. Her ferocious nature would've made her a nice ongoing counterpoint to Sun, not unlike Eva Ku.

House of Yang for four brief issues offered up some simply outstanding martial arts action. The run is not over by any means, but the loss of Sanho Kim on upcoming issues does hurt the overall tone of the series. It's a sad first sign of the beginning of the end of the Yang saga.

More to come later.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - House Of Yang #3

House of Yang Volume 1, Number 3 is dated December, 1975 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The beautiful cover was painted by Sanho Kim who is also the artist on the interior pages as well. The script was supplied by Joe Gill.

"Hunters of the Sun" begins with the arrival of former Japanese military man Colonel Yagatsu and his two female Ninzas on the Nipponese freighter of pirate queen Eva Ku. They plot together to kill Sun Yang, enemy of both. Sun Yang meanwhile is training at the House of Yang, refining his martial arts skills. He learns of Yagatsu's return as a civilian spy and heads to see him because of his cruel plan to corner the rice markets of China, bringing out suffering and hunger. He infiltrates Eva Ku's compound and sneaks into a meeting between her and Yagatsu by pretending to deliver rice and confronts the pair. Yagatsu has his Ninzas attack Suy Yang and he fends them off, but his lack of desire to kill his enemy causes him to become their prisoner. As they try to kill Sun Yang, Eva Ku has a change of heart and turns on her new allies, saving Sun.

"House of Yang" is a two-page letters page section with spot illustrations from previous issues. It offers up two letters of comment, both very complimentary to the new comic and both offering high praise for Sanho Kim's distinctive take on the setting and characters. His aborted project "Wrong Country" is mentioned by the editors.

"The Plunderer" begins as Sun Yang is being tortured by the two Ninzas with braided, barbed whips, but Sun is able to twist and get free. His hand bound he battles against to the twin Ninzas and Colonel Yagatsu, knocking them all out. He then yells to the many desperate men in the sampans around the freighter that the rice there and in the warehouses is free to any who got to get it. This causes a sufficient distraction that Sun is able to escape the freighter and seek help. Meanwhile Eva Ku is finding herself under attack from her Japanese allies, but she is saved when Sun Yang returns and sends both Ninzas and Yagatsu unceremoniously into the bay. Eva Ku turns on Sun Yang though and he flips her into the bay too. She vows revenge, but he seems unconcerned for the moment. Later at the House of Yang he indicates he can deal with Eva Ku in the future.


This is a solid issue, as the premise which works so effectively in the Yang comic finds expression here. Eva Ku reappears inexplicably healthy with dark hair this time, and her feud with Sun Yang is lively and on display. The reappearance of Colonel Yagatsu was a surprise, especially in his civilian dress. The "Ninzas" as they are called are beautiful additions to the lore and offer up some really great baddies for Sun to battle. He's been taking on over-sized macho warriors to this point, and this pair of deadly lovelies is a nice change of pace.


This issue was reprinted in Gredown's House of Yang #1 in 1976.

Another top-notch outing for all concerned beneath one of Charlton's most elegant and beautiful comic book covers. Outstanding!

More to come.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - House Of Yang #2

Sanho Kim 

House of Yang Volume 1, Number 2 is dated October, 1975 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The cover was painted by Sanho Kim who is also the artist on the interior pages as well. The script was supplied by Joe Gill. 

Part One "The Invaders" begins with Sun Yang in the North of China studying with I-Ho-Ch'uan (The Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists)when the much more modern Japanese army invades. He fights against these invaders, specifically one particular Colonel whose horse he steals. Sun rides into the country to a village where the Feast of the Dragon is about to be celebrated with a parade. Sun has word of the parade leaked to the approaching Japanese army knowing they will choose that time to attack. They do, and the villagers are prepared. The Japanese counter with a gunboat coming up the river and Sun Yang commandeers a sampan loaded with gunpowder to blow up the threatening craft. But he is taken prisoner and presented to the very colonel whose horse he had stolen earlier. The Colonel has his Sumo wrestler Kajo throw Sun into a cell next to a girl named Yaku and her father.

Part Two "To Die with Dignity..." begins with Sun Yang being pitted against the giant Sumo Kajo. The two wrestle until the Colonel gives Kajo a sword but honor demands that Sun Yang receive one too. The two opponents battle furiously until Sun is able to defeat Kajo with a kick and a savage punch to the face. The Colonel then threatens them all with a pistol but Yaku blinds him and Sun knocks it out of his hand, throwing the Colonel into Kojo. Taking the sword Sun Yang, Yaku and her father escape the compound, but not before taking advantage of some conveniently placed gunpowder to blow up a significant portion of the facility. Yaku expresses love for Sun Yang, but he leaves with her father remarking that he belongs to all of China.

"House of Yang" offers up two letters on the debut issue, both complimentary and both surprised at the fresh setting of China as opposed to the American West. Both express interest in Eva Ku, and anticipate seeing her again despite her apparent demise in the debut. The editors suggest her survival might well be in the cards.



This issue was reprinted in 1978 under the Modern Comics logo and in 1976 by Australian publisher Gredown.

This issue features one of my favorite Charlton covers. Sanho Kim's portrait of Sun Yang with the threatening Japanese soldiers behind him is striking, and the restrained color palette reinforces the subtle impact.

This is a solid issue with great action, all wonderfully choreographed by Sanho Kim. The plot moves briskly and the action is all out. The characterization is subtle and in service to the plot at all times. If any criticism can lodged at this outstanding comic, it's that Yaku might need another scene to develop her personality. There is a hint that she might return in the letters pages, but none in the story itself.

We return to the adventures of Yang himself next time. More to come.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - House Of Yang #1

Sanho Kim 

House of Yang Volume 1, Number 1 is dated July, 1975 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The cover was painted by Sanho Kim who is also the artist on the interiors. The script was supplied by Joe Gill. Kim was the artist originally intended to launch Charlton's martial arts series, but thanks to the vagaries of the postal service, that work was lost for a time and the saga of Yang was quickly developed by Gill and Warren Sattler and hit the stands. Now Kim has been tapped to do the spin-off of the successful series.



"Empress of Evil" begins in the 1890's in China. We learn that in addition to his son Yang, Chung Yuan also tutored Sun Yang, a nephew in the ways of Yin and Yang, pressing both boys to follow the good path of Yang. Sun Yang is gone when Chao Ku was killed by order of Chao Ku and Yang was captured and taken to America. Eva Ku, blonde and beautiful but deadly woman takes control of Chao Ku's estate. She and her consort Nevil Pryce know of Sun Yang's existence, but do not fear him since he is likely to be killed fighting Chinese warlords in the North.


The scene shifts to the court of warlord Yat Po who has captured the black-haired Sun Yang, but who escapes and attacks the warlord. After a furious battle, Sun Yang escapes but the rumour is that he has killed Yat Po. He heads back to the estate of his Uncle after an absence of four years. He is suspicious of new cargo sheds on the estate and takes caution, entering through a secret passage hidden in a well. But Eva Ku knows of this secret passage and is waiting for the surprised Sun Yang when he emerges from the secret door. She confronts the hero and tries to seduce him with herself and threats. She reveals she is the half-sister of Yin Li, the nemesis of Yang in America. But Sun rejects her and she has her giant bodyguard Suto attack him. After a ferocious battle, Sun Yang defeats him but is caught off guard by Eva Ku's blow dart disguised as a cigarette holder.


"A Breath of Death" begins as Sun is struck by the dart. Pryce thinks Sun is dead, but Eva Ku says that is not so but that he must be gotten rid of. Sun Yang is taken to a cell where water rains down upon him. Bound he is certain to die, but Chung Yuan's clerk shows up and gives him a knife. Using the knife he escapes the trap and gets updated on the doings around the estate and of the fate of Chung Yuan and his son Yang. Sun then decides to attack the source of Eva Ku's power, her trade in opium and plots to attack her junk. He does so, confronts Eva Ku stopping her from shooting him by knocking her out. A battle ensues and Pryce tries to use the deck gun to sink the sampan which brought Sun Yang out to the junk. But Sun jams the gun and it explodes destroying the junk in a furious fire. Sun Yang escapes and regrets the seeming deaths of his foes.



"Welcome to the House of Yang" is a text piece which talks about Charlton's first martial arts hero Judomaster by Frank McLaughlin and then discusses the success of Yang.

Sanho Kim's special qualifications as a native of Korea and a skilled martial artist himself are put forth and the some hints about Sun Yang's adventures against the more modern Japanese in the next issue is teased.




This story has been reprinted thrice that I know of. Once in 1978 under the Modern Comics logo, again in Australia under the Gredown label, and yet again in the United States and Canada under the Avalon (ACG) banner.

The formula which worked so effectively in Yang is reproduced here almost exactly, save for the setting. Sun is the good hero and male and Eva is the evil villain and female. It's a basic format that stood Yang in good stead, but was already becoming tedious. This series was published in the off months of the bimonthly Yang comic, so Charlton was delivering martial arts action each and every month.

This series seems more authentic than the original Yang, and that's of course because of the immense talent and special circumstances of its artist Sanho Kim. Kim was the best choice for a series like this than anyone then working in comics. The way some reviews have read, it's House of Yang which seems to be considered the primary entry by Charlton in the martial arts genre at this time. The series sure seems to have been reprinted more often.

More to come as we return to the original Yang next week.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - Yang #7

Yang Volume 3, Number 7 is dated April, 1975 and was published by Charlton Publications, Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The cover is a beautiful painting by Warren Sattler, the artist on the interior of the comic too. The script is supplied by Joe Gill.

The story "Queen of Evil" begins in Chinatown with Chao Ku, Yang's enemy, issuing a bounty on Yang for $50,000 dollars. He also comments that while he wanted a son, his lovely Yin Li's evil is all he could've hoped for. Yin Li and a one-eyed assassin find Yang at a temple and get the drop on him. The hog-tie the hero and carry him through the street to Chao Ku. But Yang when confronted by a swordsman ready to take his head, is able to have the blade cut his bonds instead and gets hold of the massive sword and throws into the body of Chao Ku, killng the the slaver and opium overlord. Chao Ku's body is pinned into his chair and Yin Li overcome with grief and anger attacks Yang but gets caught by him and they go to the basement together where she tries to trick him with a basket of cobras. Yang throws the cobra on the henchmen, evades Yin Li's poison ring one more time and jumps out the window. He picks up a rifle and shoots a guard and then makes good his escape from the compound.
Chao Ku's body is laid out and then Yin Li takes charge. Her first act is to poison Huk Hui a ruthless killer she does not trust. She orders Captain Keegan to bring in the myriad creatures he's brought from Borneo and elsewhere. Meanwhile Yang is being hunted by hounds.

"The Valley of 1000 Deaths" begins as the hounds are replaced by cheetahs who Yang can only evade by running them into a cactus field. Momentarily safe from the hunters Yang ponders his situation being hunted by Yin Li's men. Meanwhile Yin Li continues to solidify her position by killing off more untrustworthy men. She hires three Apache Indians led by Three Arrows to hunt down Yang. These killers though relentless hunters are nonetheless dispatched quickly by Yang when he kicks two of them from a high cliff. He then runs to confront Yin Li, but she is prepared and he is taken prisoner and put into a cage with ferocious Komodo Dragons. Chained Yang is helpless but he soon breaks a chain and battles the giant lizards, and eventually they threaten Yin Li too. Yang sweeps up his beloved and they fight off the dragons, Yin Li shooting her pistol to assist their escape. Outside they share anther kiss before Yang leaves and Yin Li leads her killers in another direction.

"Yin-Yang Mail" features two letters one being somewhat critical of Yang for being too like other martial arts heroes in other comics and the second wanting Charlton to do away with some of its romance books to make room for Sanho Kim's Wrong Country feature. The editors reject both opinions.

This issue has not been reprinted to my knowledge.

This was my very first issue of Yang, and it's a dynamite example of this series. Warren Sattler's artwork always reliable and his wonderfully atmospheric cover for this issue might the best the series ever enjoyed. The death of Chao Ku was a good move for the series, clearing the way for desperately needed character development,but it's strange how this killing of Chao Ku by Yang is so similar to a scene from the previous issue where Chao Ku's fate was left open somewhat. There's no doubt in this issue that Yang kills him though.

In fact Yang is quite bloodthirsty in the series. He shoots a rifle this issue and kills a guard, and just a few issues back he killed a man with a pistol. He also kills the two apaches and various of Yin Li's guards this issue. Yin Li too is given two scenes which serve only to show how ruthless this new "Queen of Evil" will be. This is a surprisingly rugged series when it comes to violence, though Sattler's warm and inviting art style masks over much of that lethal mayhem.

We've moved into the second half of the original Yang run and the series has been solid but a bit static. With the death of Chao Ku, hopefully things will open up a bit.

Much more to come.

Rip Off

Sanho Kim's Wrong Country!

Before Yang there was Wrong Country. In an singular example of catching a trend before it really caught fire, Charlton commissioned notable Korean artist Sanho Kim to create his own very legit martial arts comic saga. He did just that in the story of a misplaced  Korean master of Tae Kwon Do in the Old West titled Wrong Country. The first part of Wrong Country was written and fully drawn before it was entrusted to the sprawling mail services which were the arteries of publication in those halcyon pre-internet days. And for a time it was lost in that abyss. Having made room for the title on its publishing schedule and not wanting to miss a beat in that relentless process (for Charlton it was publish or die almost) the editors decided to enlist Charlton iron man writer Joe Gill to whip up an alternative and then got reliable Warren Sattler to draw it. The result was Yang.   Later Sanho Kim was put to work on a Yang spin-off titled House of Yang, but more on in later posts.

Wrong Country did eventually emerge from the depths of the postal depths, too later to be fitted into its original publishing slot, so this remarkable piece of art languished. It languished until some few years later when the CPL Gang, a clutch of Charlton fans led by Boy Layton and numbering among their ranks such talents as Roger Stern, John Byrne, and Duffy Vohland expressed a desire to include the unlucky story in a special "Kung-Fu" edition of their fanzine Charlton Bullseye. They got that permission and so belatedly Wrong Country found an audience at last, if an extremely limited one.

Here are a few pages of the glory that Sanho Kim wrought. He is a remarkable artist who pioneered early "graphic novels" and worked for Marvel, celebrated in his own land but alas still little known these days in this country.

To read the complete first part of Sanho Kim's Wrong Country check out this exceedingly groovy link. Special shout out to Dojo reader Russ for reminding me of Wrong Country and its singular role in the development of Yang, one of my favorite Charlton comics.

Rip Off

Dojo Classics - Charlton's E-Man #5

E-Man Volume 2, Number 5 is dated November 1974 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. Joe Staton did the cover artwork.

"The City Swallower" is written by Nicola Cuti and drawn by Joe Staton. The tale begins on the crowded summer beach of Coney Island where Nova Kane is bringing E-Man his first taste of ice cream. She trips over a concrete sand castle that turns out to be E-Man who abandoned sand as a substance because kids kept knocking him over. After a refreshing dip in the ocean (conveniently de-polluted by E-Man) Nova goes to get another ice cream. Almost at once E-Man spies a beautiful girl wearing odd clothing and peculiar goggles. He follows this siren into the sea but in following her goes through a weird barrier and finds himself in another dimension fill with floating cities connected by fragile roadways. He follows the girl and introduces himself to her and her friend. The girl's name is Heidi and her friend is a small man named Peter Bolo. After Heidi leaves, Peter reveals to E-Man that he adores Heidi but she has many many boyfriends and has no time for him. He introduces E-Man to his world filled with floating cities connected but not united where the citizens flit from town to town. But there is a threat and it is named Norwol.


An alarm sounds and an incredibly huge creature appears named Norwol which swims slowly in the space between cities and then leisurely chooses one of the cities to consume utterly in its vast maw. E-Man flies out to intercept the city-killer and despite making himself into a rocket harpoon is unable to affect the monster. He is dazed but is rescued by Heidi and Peter in an air-car. Peter then reveals his plan to unite the cities into one vast structure called "Uni-City" to the leaders of the cities, but they reject him because of the relative lack of power they will suffer and a lack of raw materials to make the connections secure. The Norwol reappears and threatens Heidi who has gone off sky-skiing with her other boyfriend Rog who abandons her when the monster threatens. Peter and E-Man fly an air-car to her rescue
and then E-Man bravely attacks Norwol again. His attacks are puny then he makes the tactical decision to allow himself to be swallowed by the monster. Inside the creatures vast mouth he makes his way to its heart and despite coming under attack by giant white antibodies which behave like leeches, he is able to fire a burst of energy into Norwol's heart killing the monster.

E-Man escapes the dead beast through a tear duct and finds that Heidi has turned her attentions to Peter. Before leaving E-Man reveals to Peter that the largley unused roads connecting the cities would be useful material to make the "Uni-City" structure. Heidi then leads E-Man to the barrier between dimensions and he returns home. When he emerges from the ocean along Coney Island, Heidi gives him a kiss of farewell which Nova returning with ice cream sees. She smacks E-Man with the ice cream leaving our hero to explain his adventure to a disbelieving Nova.

To read this story in its original form see this groovy link.

"E-Mail" offers up to letters of comment, both complimentary to the series. One writer promotes his own hero "Cog Man" and the other brags on Charlton's subscription service which both cheap and great for the collector since the issues are delivered flat.


Liberty Belle stars in the next story titled "Freedom Star". It is written by Joe Gill with Steve Ditko supplying the artwork. The story begins in the modeling agency of Caroline Dean who rejects an offer from the local mob to become her partners. She kicks the mobster out of her place helped by her beautiful but capable models. Caroline then gets a call from the President who orders her to go to Cape Kennedy where she is to uncover a threat to Skylab III. Donning her costume Caroline becomes Liberty Belle and heads to the Cape arriving in her special jet. She introduces herself to the powers that be and goes to inspect the three astronauts headed in launch area. She realizes one of them is a Soviet spy named Kalovsky and after a very brief stuggle she knocks him out. She then takes his place on the rocket and joins the surprised team on their way to Skylab III. Once on the Skylab she reveals that an attack of Space Pirates is imminent. But the story ends on that cliffhanger with a request for fans to let the editors know if they want more Liberty Belle. To my knowledge this story is it.

To read this story in its original form see this groovy link.


The lead E-Man story has been reprinted once in 1985 by First Comics and most recently in E-Man - The Early Years.

This is a brisk sci-fi adventure tale told a by the ever-increasingly confident team of Cuti and Staton. The characters of E-Man and Nova are well established and the introduction of new elements is handled deftly leaving plenty of room for some outrageous action. We even get a wild full-page splash featuring the monster Norwol.

The anti-establishment thematic strain in the book also reasserts itself in that the political leaders of the flying cities seemed more concerned about their individual power than the welfare of the populations they seemingly protect. It's a grim reminder of how power sometimes works, and sadly reminds me of modern headlines too.


The character "Heidi" I believe might have been inspired by Heidi Saha the lovely young girl who was promoted by Warren Publications and wowed comics fandom with her provocative portrayals of Vampirella at comic conventions.

The Liberty Belle story has some "hip" elements but is a chaotic micro-adventure. I appreciate the talents of both Gill and Ditko, but it's no wonder she never appeared again despite her charming mini-skirt costume.


The month though was not over for E-Man. In Ghost Manor Volume 4, Number 21 dated November 1974, E-Man gets his first cameo. It comes in a story titled "Death in a Darkroom" written by Nicola Cuti and featuring Steve Ditko artwork. E-Man makes his "appearance" as part of a float in a parade which is being photographed by the story's protagonist. Blue Beetle and Captain Atom make one-panel cameos also.

Steve Ditko

Then the story turns as the photographer finds he has actually photographed a murder committed by an old man. He finds that his lens has crystal ball characteristics which have shown him murdering his own nagging wife in the future. As the story ends, he wonders what took him so long.
It's been a big month for E-Man. What does he do next? He goes to Disneyworld! More next time.

Rip Off

Sword's Edge!

This is a 1973 independent project I knew nothing about until I was researching Sanho Kim for the recent Yang Reports. These images rescued from an ebay listing for the book look utterly fascinating. Apparently this seems to be the first part of an epic tale, but it is the only chapter I've found any evidence of. This is first-rate Sanho Kim, in a somewhat more adult mode. Here's a review of the book. Beautiful, the kind of thing more than worthy of a reprint by someone somewhere. Here the Grand Comic Book Database gives more details about the book and confirms there was only this one volume.

UPDATE: I just ordered one of these. Hopefully it will show up in the next few weeks and I can offer up a fuller review.









Rip Off