Maui Mighty Comics!

Although that singular focus has shifted over the many years of this blog, I began it with a special emphasis on Charlton Comics. The defunct publisher created some of my all-time favorite characters as evidenced by my "nom de electron". Mort Todd among others attempted a revival of sorts of Charlton with the Charlton Neo brand. That project always seemed to be waiting for the next thing and as far as I can tell didn't live up to promises, though they did produce some tasty comics which hearkened back to Charlton's heyday. The final E-Man stories by the late Nick Cuti and the great Joe Staton were published by Charlton Neo. Now Charlton Neo has risen up with a rebranding as "#1 Comics". The first publication titled Maui Mighty Comics is a charity tie-in for the Maui which as suffered deadly wildfire damage of late, and it reprints many stories from the Charlton Neo run. 

"The Dream Weaver" by Roger McKenzie and Steven Butler features Mr. Mixit, a hero who is created as an homage to Steve Ditko. Mr. Mixit is a blend of various classic Ditko hero looks with Blue Beetle's general shape and costume design, Spider-Man's crazy poses, Captain Atom's chest symbol, Doctor Strange's cape details, and the Creeper's signature shaggy cape-piece. 

This story is reprinted from 2017's Charlton Arrow #1 from Charlton Neo.

"Captain Mercury" is a polished re-colored reprint of "The Mercury Man" by Joe Gill and Rocke Mastroserio from the pages of Charlton's Space Adventures #44 from way back in 1962. The new colors help make the hero pop as he encounters mankind for the first time. The wing-eared alien comes to Earth to find that humanity is about to destroy itself with deadly nuclear weapons. He intervenes. If you'd like to read the original check out this link. 

"Ms. Molecule" is by Renee King Thompson and Sandy Carruthers and this story is reprinted from Charlton Neo's Unusual Suspense from 2015. Ms. Molecule is really Maxi Molin, a graduate student in the sciences who during a treatment to shrink a cancer is herself given the power to shrink. With the help of Dr. Spaulding and technician Oliver, she helps people with strange medical problems and animals like the horse in this adventure which takes her to the Kentucky Derby. 

"Yang - The Sea of Blood" is by Roger McKenzie and artist Ben Torres and is a reprint from 2016's Charlton Arrow #5. It's 1895 and we meet Yin Li, the man known as "Yang" or the "Light" as he prepares to return to China aboard the clipper ship Sattler. But the warlord Chao Ku gets word and transforms himself into a dragon. We learn a secret of Chao Ku's daughter who is the Ying to his Yang. There's a confrontation and an explosion and this might be Yang's final adventure. 

Yang by Joe Gill and artist Warren Sattler and its spin-off House of Yang by artist Sanho Kim were remarkable if relatively brief additions to the Kung-Fu craze of the 70's. 

There is also a one-page Nature Boy gag strip by Gary McGinnis and artist Mort Todd. I wonder why Nature Boy gets no respect. 

Oh, that's why. Never mind. 

This second Mr. Mixit story titled "Reflection" is by the McKenzie and Butler team for Charlton Arrow #2 from 2016. Our hero is learning to use his new powers gained when a box of comic books exploded in the basement of Mr. Oktid's comic shop, and he stops a crime and saves a kid before changing back to his nerdy self. But the cliffhanger portends great danger four our hero. 

Part of me wants #1 Comics to succeed, though I am sad that Charlton Neo is now a memory. Good luck to Mort Todd and the gang. And good luck to the folks in Maui who are recovering from the deadly disaster. For more on that check out this link. 

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Favorite Comic Artist Countdown #59 - Warren Sattler!

Warren Sattler was a mainstay at Charlton Comics in the Bronze Age, a master of the western genre, he was tapped to bring those skills to Yang, the really only sort of legitimate tie-in to the vintage TV show Kung Fu. Sattler's style was warm and comfortable with lush soft lines which blended with the colors to create a delightfully attractive whole. Sattler's compositions were always clear and reading a comic drawn by him and likely written by the inimitable Joe Gill was a comfortable treat, easy to get down and delicious all the way. He did some really fine work for National Lampoon later too, bringing a soft style to some sharp satire. Sattler moved away from comic books and into newspaper strips before and after his turn at Charlton, but it will always be those handsome Billy the Kid and Yang comics which linger in my memory.

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Dojo Classics - House Of Yang #6

Warren Sattler
House of Yang Volume 2, Number 6 is dated June, 1976 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The action-filled cover is painted by Warren Sattler, and Warren Sattler also stepped up and did the artwork on the inside of this comic. Joe Gill wrote the story as always.  Note that the price jumped to thirty cents this month.

"The Shogun of Karu Island" begins when Sun Yang's ship is battling a typhoon and wrecks on the breakers of Karu Island. The survivors get ashore and are immediately taken prisoner by the Japanese warriors in service to the Samurai lord Jimurai. The Samurai warrior Yatsu is in charge of the prisoners. Sun Yang joins the many other slaves who have been captured over the years and they are made to work for their Japanese masters. Prince Yoku of the Japanese royal house is due to arrive anytime and Jimurai wishes to prepare, so he and his daughter do just that. When the Prince does arrive in a great ship, an entertainment is planned with Sun Yang battling Yatsu as the main event. Jimuarai's daughter goes to see Sun Yang and expresses her regret, but Sun Yang says for her to not shed tears for him. The battle begins and Sun Yang at first plays possum, but then reveals his considerable skill and goes toe to toe with the Samurai ultimately defeating him and using the fire from a broken lantern to distract for his escape. He heads to the slave houses and frees his fellow prisoners. They sneak to the Prince's ship and swiftly take the unsuspecting guards down and take control of the ship. As they move out into the open sea, free men at last, the two Samurai, Yatsu and Jimurai take dramatic steps to regain their lost honor and the two men commit ritual suicide next to one another. The final panel shows the ship heading into the rising sun and announces that this is "The End!"

"House of Yang" offers up two letters from a couple of fans remarking on the second issue of the comic. One letter is extremely nitpicky about perceived errors in the artwork and the other is quite pleased with it. The editors defend Sanho Kim's work as stylistic and praise him robustly as uniquely qualified to undertake the artwork on such a project.


This story was reprinted by Australian publisher Gredown in 1976.

This is the last story of the Yang universe that has ever been published. There was some hint in the regular Yang series that Yang himself was headed back to Shanghai for a reunion with his cousin Sun Yang, but alas it will never be. Sun Yang heads home at the end of this story but as far as we know, Yang is not there to greet him.

It's interesting that Joe Gill, the writer for all the Yang stories is joined by Warren Sattler, the artist on the main Yang comic for this final story of the House of Yang. Sattler's style is appealing and warm, and while not much like Sanho Kim's still tells a period story quite successfully. There are signs in this one that it was produced somewhat swiftly, so Sattler is to given some slack for that.

The end of the runs of both Yang and House of Yang really end a period of creativity at Charlton under George Wildman's tenure. The following month will see, apart from the ghost books and the other genre titles only licensed material from Charlton. The "superhero" movement which sparked both Yang and E-Man has run its course. The talent at Charlton will focus their efforts on licenses for Six-Million Dollar Man, Space:1999, Bionic Woman, Emergency, and such for the next year or so.

Sadly, the final days of Charlton were on the way. Though the company would linger for another decade, it can be argued that the saga of the House of Yang (as related in both Yang and House of Yang) was a worthy addition to Charlton's martial arts heritage and the last great original story in the Charlton universe.

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Dojo Classics - Yang #13

Yang Volume 4, Number 13 is dated May, 1976 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The action-filled cover is painted by Warren Sattler, and Sattler also did the artwork on the inside of the comic. Joe Gill wrote the story.  Note that price jumped to thirty cents this issue.

"Death Wears White" picks up the story of Yang almost immediately after the events of the previous issue, and Yang is in the town of Dawson, Alaska and still facing off against the corrupt financier Simon Wicks who is offering a bounty on Yang's head. Yang has successfully protected the Tlingit gold mine by putting the title to the mine in the name of the chief Ahak. But Wicks plots against Ahak and lures him into a saloon. Yang hears yelling and comes to the saloon to find a man named Smitty dead on the floor with Ahak's knife in his body and Wicks and his men declaring that Ahak is the murderer. Chief Ahak denies the charge and Yang battles the thugs and he and Ahak escape into the cold snowy night. The two men get supplies at the Tlingit village and head off into the wilderness to elude capture. Wicks does send men to find them, but Yang is able to fend them off and sends them back minus resources. Wicks then contacts the local Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman named Corporal Pierre Duvall. Doing his duty, he strikes off to find the two fugitives.

"Die in Dawson" begins when Duvall finds Yang, and he raises his rifle to fire but is only doing so to protect Yang from an attacking wolf. The fair-minded Mounties hears the story of Yang and Ahak and agrees to a bit of trickery to find out the truth. He cuffs the two men, but does not lock their cuffs and takes them back to Dawson. The two prisoners are put into the storerooms owned by Wicks and then Ahak pretends to suggest to Yang that he might buy his freedom if he signed over the mine to Wicks. Wicks overhears and attempts to make the trade, but is overheard by Duvall who attempts to arrest the corrupt businessman. A fight breaks out and Yang battles Wicks and his men ultimately setting fire to the building. With Duvall and Ahak he defeats the criminals and get their unconscious bodies out of the fire. Duvall plans to take the men in for trial as Yang announces his heart yearns to return to Shanghai. As he turns to head home, his thoughts turn to the beautiful but deadly Yin Li and he muses why there must be evil at all in the world.

"The Drinking Partner" is a one-page text tale of Yang as he made his way into a small Western town seeking a drink of water. He goes into the local saloon to get a drink but faces a threat almost instantly. He fights off the angry cowboy and his fighting skill impresses the cowboys who offer him a drink. He takes his empty glass and heads to the horse trough, preferring that company.


And that wraps up the Yang story as we know it. This final issue by Gill and Sattler shows off the remarkable consistency in the series. These two reliable talents have been on hand for each and every issue, and offered up a solid entertainment month in and month out. Yang clearly found an audience, though not a sufficient one to last indefinitely. The first issue cost twenty cents and this final one cost thirty cents, that alone points to the relative longevity of the series. The series would be revived in 1986 during Charlton's final throes, but those issues (already showcased in these reports) would only offer up reprints of the series.

It's unfortunate that we never got to see Yang get to Shanghai for his reunion with with his cousin Sun Yang, but it would make a great sequel some day. As for Sun Yang, his final adventure comes up the following month, and is the subject of the final Yang Report, and as it turns out both Gill and Sattler are on hand for the occasion.

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Dojo Classics - House Of Yang #5

House of Yang Volume 2, Number 5 is dated April, 1976 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The dynamic cover was painted by Warren Sattler, who is the regular artist on the companion comic Yang. The interior artwork is by Demetrio Gomez Sanchez with the final two pages produced by Franc Fuentes Man. The script was supplied by the always reliable Joe Gill.

"A Poisoned Pearl" begins in the South China sea where Eva Ku learns of fabulous pearls. She plots with her henchman Ni-Shan to take the native divers into slavery and force them to get more pearls for her. Ni-Shan and his pirates do just that but encounter Sun Yang who battles them fiercely before being struck down from behind. He is tied up to a mast and presented to Eva Ku who immediately demonstrates her dual nature by demanding he be taken down and she herself cares for her enemy. But after a firm but eventful kiss between the two she again changes, but Sun Yang plans to leave but he is stopped by the wily Ni-Shan who is waiting for him. Again Sun Yang is tied to the mast and tormented, yet again Eva Ku sends out mixed messages when she punished Ni-Shan for abusing Sun Yang.

"Death Lies Deep" begins as Sun Yang and Eva Ku dive together into the shark infested waters to get the pearls themselves. Sun Yang battles a giant shark to save Eva Ku, and the pair make another dive, both protecting the other divers and making sure the pearls are delivered. A fracture develops between Eva Ku and Ni-Shan though over the division of the pearls. Sun Yang is still fending off sharks to protect the native divers and returns in time to see Ni-Shan turn on his pirate queen taking both her and Sun Yang prisoner in a giant net. As the pair are to be tossed to the sharks, all of which have been brought to a frenzy with chopped up fish, Sun Yang tackles Ni-Shan and the duo fall into the sea. Sun Yang is able to battle his toothy attackers but Ni-Shan is not so lucky. Returning to the junk, Eva Ku and Sun Yang discuss the split on the pearls and Sun Yang demands his part be given to the native divers.


"The Victims" is a two-page text piece which discusses the history of seal fishing in Alaska and how it has become a managed industry in more recent years after a free-for-all in the early days.


This issue was reprinted in 1976 by Gredown, an Australian publisher, which offers up a very dynamic variation on the original Sattler watercolor cover art.

The change in art styles in this issue is abrupt. Demetrio is a fine artist, and the storytelling in this one only breaks down in a few spots. The final pages by Fuentes Man fit right in and if he hadn't signed them, I doubt most folks would notice the change. These two Spanish artists are solid talents and worthy replacements for a man like Sanho Kim, but clearly some of the special magic which made House of Yang so different is missing.

Here is a link to see more of Demetrio's work on some Charlton romance stories.

Ni-Shan is a very nasty villain and frankly I wasn't a bit surprised he turned on Eva Ku. She doesn't deserve loyalty, the way she changes her mercurial mind about Sun Yang. If I worked for her, it would drive me crazy. The Yin-Yang dynamic is firmly established here, as clearly as in any previous issue.

There is one more issue of this run to come. Stay tuned.

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Dojo Classics - Yang #12

Yang Volume 4, Number 12 is dated March, 1976 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The dynamic cover is painted by Warren Sattler, and Sattler also did the artwork on the inside of the comic. Joe Gill wrote the story.

"1000 Ways to Die!" begins with Yang in the rough and tumble Alaskan town of Skagway during the height of the 1890's gold rush. He sees an old miner named Lucky Jim Brady struck down from behind by a club on orders from Simon Wicks, and moves to intercede, and is told by a lovely young woman named Anne Reese to take the injured miner to her father, Dr.Amos Reese will help him. Another man called Race Cochran offers to take Brady can be taken to the local hotel and gambling hall called the "Heavenly Rest" run by a woman named Briscoe. Later when Dr.Reese arrives the pair claim that Brady was never there and when Yang objects a fight breaks out. Yang and the Reeses escape, but they need money so Yang returns to the Heavenly Rest and gambles, but uses his substantial skills to overcome the cheating used to fleece the local miners. After winning substantial sums Yang takes a horse and leaves after setting the Heavenly Rest on fire. He and the Reeses then head north to Dawson, Alaska as Dr.Reese helps the Tlingit Indians and looks for his brother, a missionary who was lost also helping the Tlingit.

"Klondike Fever" begins in Dawson as Yang and Anne Reese getting supplies are confronted by thieves and Yang is forced to shoot the pair with a gun he found during the fight. After getting what they need in town the trio learn of an injured man in the Tlingit camp. They discover it is Reese's brother and some quick surgery allows the removal of a bullet which was keeping the poor man paralyzed. As he recovers, Yang organizes nightly gold hunting operations disguised as fishing to fool the locals and after sufficient gold is found he heads to Dawson to the one honest banker to deposit it on behalf of the Reeses and the Tlingit. Killers hired by Cochran though intercept and after a ferocious battle Yang is finally able to accomplish his task and safely deposit the gold. The story ends as Yang runs across the unscrupulous Simon Wicks who struck the miner starting the story and dispatches his gunman and punches the evil man. Yang leaves Dawson with thoughts of his homeland and the House of Yang on his mind.

"Apache Justice", a two-page text tale, reveals how Yang while traveling a barren desert survives and is found by Apaches and put him through a Gauntlet to prove his mettle. He of course survives and wins their respect.


This comic was reprinted by the Australian publisher K.G.Murray under the title of "Martial Arts" along with other non-Charlton material. The Sattler cover is given a dramatic treatment.

This is another completely solid issue with complex characters and a plot which twists and turns very neatly in its short space. The greed of the Alaskan rush is on terrible display and the men and women involved must face that with different degrees of discipline and dignity. Yang never loses his, though he does resort to using a weapon several times in this story. He's used them before, but he seems all too ready to do so here. Gill might be suggesting something about how Yang is changing in the world he finds himself in, but I doubt it.

More to come as we arrive at the final issue of Yang.

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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.

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Dojo Classics - Yang #11

Yang Volume 4, Number 11 is dated January, 1976 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The action-filled cover is painted by Warren Sattler, and Sattler also did the artwork on the inside of the comic. Joe Gill wrote the script.

"The Killer King" begins in San Francisco where Yang the Avenger is being pursued by many killers. He slips into the bay and is rescued by a cabin boy aboard a ship which turns out to be headed to Alaska. Yang is kidnapped and dumped into the hold along with a crowd of men eager to get to Alaska and find their fortunes. Captain Mehn, the skipper of the ship puts Yang to work, but plans to kill him when Yang overhears the Captain's plans to shake down his passengers. Yang is tied and thrown overboard into the cold Bering Sea around the Aleutian Islands. Yang gets free and swims to a volcanic island filled with seals. He realize he must be in the Pribilof Islands when a boat appears with Russians who have come to club the seals to death for their fur. They are led by a Cossack named Colonel Igor Yugarov who wants kill Yang but Yang is knocked out instead by a Mongol named Woni. Yang is then taken to the leader named Prince Nimoff, and Nimoff's daugher Princess Karen pleads for Yang's life. Yang is put behind bars where he informs Karen of Yugarov's seal hunting.

"One Last Victim" begins as Yuarov overhears Yang tell Princess Karen of his activities and he plans to release Yang and kill Karen and tell Nimoff that Yang killed her. But Yang attacks Yugarov and the pair get to Nimoff first informing him of Yugarov's treachery. Nimoff, Karen and Yang escape and contact Woni before Yugarov can implement his plan to blow up Nimoff and his daughter. They escape to the sea in a boat and are pursued by Yugarov and his men. Yang slips into the cold sea and tips over the pursuing boat, then he attacks Yugarov and throws him into the sea where he is attacked and killed by a ferocious Leopard Seal. As the story ends, Yang plans to find his way to Nome, Alaska.

"Yin-Yang Mail" offers up two letters. One is from an academic who adds more detail to the Yin-Yang myth which informs the series and the other is from a fan who suggests a super-foe for Yang simply named "Yin". The editors tell the latter that Yin Li already fills that role.


This issue was reprinted in 1977 under the Modern Comics label.

Yet another solid issue, filled with action and a very wide-ranging setting this time. In the space of a single issue we travel from the bays of San Francisco to the the wilds of the Aleutians. Yang's personality seems fully developed at this point and Gill and Sattler seem completely comfortable with the characters and the setting. The stories are vivid, and they offer up a broad spectrum of characters.

The world of Yang (called "the Avenger" over and over again in this issue) is one filled with random and often cruel violence. It makes Yang's own character very important. While it's a bit thin to imagine the slaughter of seals having much impact in the rugged world of the 19th Century, it does contrast neatly with the more placid aspects of Yang's outlook on life.

There is more to come.

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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.

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Dojo Classics - Yang #10

Yang Volume 3, Number 10 is dated November, 1975 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The colorful nigh-expressionistic cover is painted by Warren Sattler, and Sattler also did the artwork on the inside of the comic. Joe Gill wrote the script.

After a brief summary of the life of Chung Hui, who we know better as Yang, Part One "Partners in Evil" begins with our hero trying to return to San Francisco to perhaps head back to China, where his thoughts have turned to his cousin Sun Yang. He is attacked by Apache John and his partner who wears a badge. He fends off these attacks and escapes on horseback while the man behind the attacks reveals himself as Yang's old enemy Captain Keegan. His plan is to let Yang find Yin Li and let one of them eliminate the other. Yang does find Yin Li, the daughter of the man who killed Yang's father, but not before discovering Keegan's opium shipments. He kills one of Keegan's men and then boards the Shanghai junk which holds Yin Li. They exchange words, and Yin Li threatens Yang with a gun. Meanwhile Captain Keegan and his crew board the junk, killing Yin Li's man. Their attack allows Yang to escape Yin Li's gun and he fights the new enemy.

Part Two "The Target" showcases this battle between Yang and Keegan as the corrupt Captain is kicked overboard. But Yin Li's man Han knocks Yang out and Yang is tied up and whipped by Han for Yin Li's pleasure. But in a moment of doubt she releases prisoner and Yang jumps overboard. He encounters Keegan's small boat and tips it making Keegan fall into the bay. But despite his desire to do so, he spares Keegan's life, but Yang himself is again knocked out with a belay pin by Keegan's men. Keegan thinks Yin Li will try to save Yang and hopes to kill them both when she does so. He hires a killer named Durango to do just that. Yin Li arrives to do just as Keegan predicts and he adds her to his collection of prisoners. Durango moves to fulfill his bargain, but Yang uses the unloaded gun he is provided to defeat his new enemy by crashing it against his skull. A previously arranged explosion by Yin Li's men gives the pair the chance to defeat their foe and after giving Keegan a swift kick to the face, Yang then jumps out of the window as Yin Li shoots after him. He looks back at the junk with regret as the story ends.

"Yin-Yang Mail" offers up three letters, one an erudite analysis of the Yin-Yang symbol and philosophy and the others more typical letters of general praise for the comic. One letter though does say that Yin Li is in too many issues of the comic, and it's pointed out that George Wildman, the editor thought the same thing and had the comic change up the scenario some in recent issues.


This comic was reprinted in 1977 under the Modern Comics label.

This is another solid issue of Yang, and after a few issues where Yin Li has been largely absent, seeing her again was a real treat. The conflict between her and Yang seemed to have a bit more spark this time, as both have largely given in to the inevitable nature of their love-hate relationship. Captain Keegan is a dandy villain, and good here.

The series really has found its balance now and is delivering solid entertainment. There is a small mention of the companion comic House of Yang, but there must have been some slips in editiorial as the references point to an upcoming series, not one already on the stands.

More to come.

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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.

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Dojo Classics - Yang #9

Warren Sattler

Yang Volume 3, Number 9 is dated September, 1975 and was published by Charlton Publications Inc. The editor is George Wildman. The cover is painted by Warren Sattler, and Sattler also did the artwork on the inside of the comic. Joe Gill wrote the script.

"Brides for Sale" begins with Yang helping a young blonde woman who is being attacked by Commanches. He fends off the attackers, takes a horse and the two of them ride back to her camp, despite her protests to the contrary. The men of the camp shoot back at the Commanches, saving Yang and the woman, but quickly Yang and the woman are punished for bringing the danger back to camp. Brother James, a seemingly religious leader has them whipped and forces Yang to become a servant in the camp.

Yang quickly learns the women are being held against their will, having been tricked into coming West to find husbands and success they are beaten and live in fear. He uses the chances he has to train the women in Kung Fu, and they prove to be quick learners. Eventually they reach the town of Gutter Gulch where Brother James hopes to sell the women to the many unscrupulous men who live there.

Knowing their time is almost up, the women disguise themselves as "The Masked Furies" to begin Part II. They attack the men and take shelter in an old mine. Yang though goes to learn what's happening and gets captured. The woman he saved to begin with named Trudi Weiser goes into town as a decoy and succeeds along with the other Furies in freeing Yang. A battle ensues and the corrupt men of the town are defeated and Brother James last trick, a gun in his Bible proves ineffective. Yang leaves the women in charge of their fates and along with the good folks of Gutter Gulch, hopefully they will build good lives. Yang walks into the sunset.

"Yin-Yang Mail" lives up to its name for the first time. It features two letters, one to the editors by a young man which has mostly praise for the comic and another addressed to Yin Li from a young woman who wonders why Yin is so often found in the role of the baddie in the stories and hopes she will mend her ways.


This is a solid, exceedingly well-paced issue. The religious fanatic Brother James is a despicable type and revealed to be a hypocrite. The women this time are all good and Yang helps them, a big change for the series where women are often untrustworthy. The one fault in the story is the speed with which the Furies learn Kung Fu, but that's unavoidable. It often seems in these types of stories that years of training can be transferred in a few days, and that's ludicrous. But this isn't the only time that flaw as been seen in a story, comic book or otherwise.

The team of Gill and Sattler continue to impress. This issue of Yang makes mention of Sun Yang and hints that Yang will head back East to find him. The new series House of Yang is given a plug.

More on that "new" spin-off next time.

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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.

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