Emergency! Emergency!

Charlton's 1976 runs of Emergency reminds me of a time, not all that long ago when. E.M.T.'s as we call them in America (Emergency Medical Technician) were not a commonplace in society. It's quite normal now to hear the sirens and if in traffic pull out of the way to let a vehicle pass which is responding to some medical situation. I've had them at my house more than once to help with some of my late wife's emergencies. But there was a time when they didn't exist. When such dire events were handled by the cops or ambulance crews alone. Emergency the TV show documents the invention of the concept in a fictional setting. 

The magazines were written by Charlton staff such as the always ready Joe Gill and Nicola Cuti and the artwork came from Continuity Associates, a gang of up-and-coming artists also known as the "Crusty Bunkers" under the guidance of Neal Adams and Charlton veteran and former editor of the beloved "Action Heroes" line-up -- Dick Giordano. The fourth issue of the magazine was more of a Charlton in-house affair with Jack Sparling pitching in. The covers of the last two issues were painted by Earl Norem. 

The comic books were handled by completely different talent from inside Charlton's ranks.

The debut issue of the comic was and maybe still is quite collectible because it was drawn by the soon-to-be star John Byrne. Joe Staton supplied the cover for this debut effort. 

Joe Staton did the cover for the second issue well, but Byrne was gone and by the third issue both were replaced by Jack Sparling among others.

These tales of Rampart General and the two fireman who became medically competent before our eyes are a pure example of the type of TV one could rely upon in the 70's. The shows have more than a little rust on them these days, at least in my opinion, but not unlike other shows from Jack Webb's operation, showcased to some extent the workaday worlds of those we now call "First Responders".

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