Unexplored Worlds!

This month the focus is on two heroes who shared the pages of Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds. This was a long-running series from Charlton which had focused on science fiction and weird tales of all kinds. In the push to create new superheroes its pages became host first to Son of Vulcan and later Thunderbolt. 

Son of Vulcan was similar in theme to Marvel's Thor or the even earlier Captain Marvel from Fawcett. A lame reporter named Johnny Mann could transform into the Son of Vulcan and use a range of weapons and powers from the Greek god pantheon. He didn't prove to be a long-term success. 

He was replaced by Peter Cannon...The Thunderbolt, a series by Pete Morisi which was inspired by Bill Everett's Amazing Man and visually by Lev Gleason's Daredevil. Thunderbolt was more successful than Son of Vulcan, but even he failed to find lasting success when the entire Action Hero line was dropped. 

Speaking of Daredevil, there will be a few posts which feature this Golden Age crime buster.

I'll also reach back and take a glimpse at two superhero attempts from Charlton from the 1950's. Jerry Siegel created to heroes, Mr. Muscles and Nature Boy. The latter is famous because his comic featured some early work by none other than John Buscema. 

And finally, in lieu of the fact there is no direct Steve Ditko content this month, I plan to look at a comic which was inspired by four of Ditko's creations (Captain Atom, The Question, the New Blue Beetle and Nightshade), the wildly famous and successful Watchmen. (Don't fret Ditko fans, the great man's work will show up like gangbusters in October and November will be filled with his efforts.) 

That's a peek at what's coming to the Dojo in September. Lots and lots of fisticuffs and more than a smidge of heavy drama. Expect a few surprises along the way as well. 

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