Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 11!

Thunderbolt #60 is dated November, 1967. The new team is in place. Pat Boyette produced the cover image and there's also a new logo for this final issue of the series. It is noted in the letters page that the cover features fewer captions and more action. "When Flies the Dragon" (Special Case Number 0011 for this report's purposes) is written by Sergius O'Shaugnessy (Denny O'Neil moonlighting at Charlton under a pseudonym) with artwork by Pat Boyette. Dick Giordano is listed as the editor. 

The story begins with a quote from the Chinese sage "I Ching" who is shown on the splash page alongside T-Bolt and his opponent. I get the sense that he is the narrator of sorts for the story. The tale begins in an airplane headed from New York for Australia where Peter Cannon is going for a writing job. He is seated to next to an obnoxious "lady's foundation garment" salesman when the plane is suddenly hijacked and they are flown to a remote location in the Australian bush country. There the passengers encounter The Dragon Master who informs them they are all hostages pending the payment of one million dollars and a hydrogen bomb. The unfortunate salesman gets lippy with the Dragon Master who uses his flame-jet gun to slay him. Peter and the rest are taken to a dungeon where Peter becomes Thunderbolt. He slips into the compound and defeats many of the Dragon Master's men before overhearing a radio message directed to New York, a Fu Street, and specifically a place called the "Rooms of Mist". T-Bolt overpowers the operator and sends an S.O.S. He is then confronted by the Dragon Master himself but escapes the fury of his Dragon Gun. An airplane hears the plea for help and wings its way to assist. 

The sound of the coming plane makes the Dragon Master flee in a helicopter as his henchmen scatter. Later in the safety of his hotel room Peter calls Tabu and tells him of his suspicions about Chinatown and the "Rooms of the Mist". Peter returns home to find Tabu missing and a note saying that he had investigated the clue. Peter surmises Tabu has been captured and becomes Thunderbolt again to save him going into Chinatown. He finds Fu Street and soon finds Tabu and his captors and quickly defeats them. Confronting Dragon Master again he and Tabu are captured and imprisoned in a steam room. T-Bolt uses his great will to tear loose steel struts and uses them to bash open the door. He and Tabu escape and T-Bolt races to the roof to confront the Dragon Master again who is once again escaping in a helicopter. T-Bolt breaks loose a television antennae and blocks the rotors, also causing a leak of fuel. Furious the Dragon Master tries to use his Dragon Gun but forgets the fuel and he and his pilot are caught in a fiery explosion. Later Peter and Tabu discuss the case and remember a cryptic comment made by the Dragon Master of one other he'd met who impressed him, and Peter wonders when if ever he might meet this other person similar to himself. "Thunderbolts" offers up six letters this time in a much smaller font that typically used. Two of the letters are filled with praise for the new Boyette artwork and look forward to the changes. Two letters express extreme disappointment that P.A.M. was leaving his creation. One writer gets confused and thinks that O'Shaugnessy had written the previous issue. And one writer wants the Sentinels replaced. Which the editors say they have all ready done.

"The Prankster" is written by Sergius O'Shaugnessy and drawn by Jim Aparo. The editor again is Dick Giordano. Set in the future city of Ultropolis, the Prankster is the enemy of an oppressive state and the the tale begins with him interfering with an execution using a hot air balloon to rescue the unfortunate prisoner. The balloon is high-tech though and moves very quickly. The Prankster leaves the prisoner in the balloon, instructing him how to land it and jumps out, to encounter and defeat two soldiers with laughing gas before making his escape. In the palace of the Tyrant Bane, a Captain Ludovic Wratt makes his report but instead of getting aid from the leader is forced to beg forgiveness from a robotic computer with which Bane has a fetish. Meanwhile the Prankster slips into the underground of the city to meet Hiram Grave a scientist who gives him the technology he uses to battle the government which has outlawed "love, laughter, art...everything that lends dignity to human beings". Grave gives the Prankster a new device, a magic flute but we do not see its secret. The scene shifts to the streets again where a girl has been caught by the police spraying graffiti and the Prankster disguised as an old man intervenes. The story ends as the police hold the girl and the Prankster at gunpoint. The next chapter is advertised as "The Vengeance of Wratt" but it never is fated to appear. 

Once again the great "Action-Heroes? We Got 'Em!!!" ad appears that closes the book on Thunderbolt at Charlton. This is the end of T-Bolt and the end of the Action-Heroes as well. Despite the teases in both the Thunderbolt and Prankster stories we never find out what will happen. The Prankster was a series with potential and Aparo's artwork was typically excellent. The Thunderbolt series under O'Neil was going to be more problematic. Peter changes under O'Neil, becoming more alienated from his role as Thunderbolt. Whereas Morisi has Cannon show reluctance to don the garb, there was never any doubt both Peter and T-Bolt were the same man. With O'Neil there seems to be the idea planted that Peter hates T-Bolt and wants to reject utterly what he represents. It's a more extreme treatment of the ideas that Morisi dealt with more quietly. But it is a treatment that will ultimately require a change of premise. 

But as it turns out it was a moot point. Thunderbolt was a distinctive series, guided by its creator Morisi and assisted mostly by Boyette, the series offered a hero filled mostly with calm, who spoke quietly but always came through. That's a neat counterpoint to the bombast that dominated Marvel at the time. Of all the Action-Heroes T-Bolt has been spared the changes at DC, because of the undeniable fact that Morisi created and maintained some degree of control of the character. Thunderbolt is still what Morisi wanted him to be for the most part, and that's no small accomplishment in the world of comics. 

No more Thunderbolt to come. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 10!

Thunderbolt #59 is dated September 1967. The cover for this issue is by Pete Morisi under his P.A.M. pseudonym and it's the last work he did for Charlton directly on Thunderbolt. With this issue the art chores are given to Pat Boyette who filled in on an issue previously and who does both the drawing and writing on this last-minute fill-in issue. 

"Assassins" is the title of this story. (And while the official special case numbers for the stories gets dropped, I will still use them as markers for the remaining T-Bolt stories.) The tale begins with an introduction to the Hooded One who we see sans his hood for the first time. His scarred face is nonetheless still obscured by a wide-brimmed hat. The setting is Morley's Wax Museum in London, England and after Mr.Morley closes up he is assaulted by the Hooded One and an accomplice who steal three wax dummies and then burn down the museum to cover their crime. The pair take the dummies into the depths of underground London as the Hooded One plots his revenge. (Note: Pages 1 and 2 are flipped in this book. I'll have to be honest and say that I don't think it really impacts the story all that much.) Meanwhile Peter Cannon and Tabu are aboard the S.S.Manson heading from American to England and Tabu is a little seasick. Peter is coming to London on a writing assignment. The scene shifts back to the underground lair of the Hooded One where he has returned to his familiar robes and we see that his stolen wax dummies resemble a 30's gangster, an ancient sword-wielding warrior, and the Minotaur. He claims to be able to bring these dummies to life to bring about his revenge on T-Bolt. As Peter and Tabu check into their hotel suddenly the gangster dummy of Machine Gun O'Brien attacks with his tommy gun and only Peter's quick reflexes save the day as he knocks the dummy's head off, and they discover their attacker is wax. The Hooded One is keeping track of this attack in a mysterious pool and immediately dispatches Barbo the Deadly, the ancient warrior. Peter and Tabu prepare to go to see the sights of London, but while Peter plans on Tower Bridge, Tabu wants to check out the Purple Panic, a mod hangout. Tabu suggests that T-Bolts costume will fit in well with the mod fashions of the day. Nonetheless Peter wears an overcoat and they go to enjoy the music of The Scorpions at the Purple Panic. While there Barbo attacks but is quickly defeated by T-Bolt who disassembles the dummy. The Hooded One is furious and sends his henchman to lure T-Bolt to his lair and the prepares the Minotaur dummy. Despite knowing it's a trap T-Bolt and Tabu head into the lair and T-Bolt finds himself battling the Minotaur, but using a torch he melts the monstrous opponent, as the Hooded One escapes vowing to get his revenge another time. Back at the Crown Hotel, Tabu begins to record the adventure, but Peter stops him saying it's too absurd. And Tabu agrees that no editor will touch such a lame story, but then Peter asks him if he's ever heard of a guy named "Dick Giordano". 

"Thunderbolts" offers up three fan letters. One is full of praise for the book though the static nature of the covers is bothersome, another offers to buy back issues of Charlton if other fans will send lists, and the third really likes T-Bolt and will fight to defend his honor as an exciting and original character. An editor's note confirms that P.A.M. is no longer working on Thunderbolt due to time constraints for such a long regular story, though there is indications that he will be working on westerns in the future. Pat Boyette is announced as the new artist and praised for the speedy way he turned around the current issue. Sergius O'Shaugnessy is announced as the new regular scripter for the title. 

The Sensational Sentinels begin their final installment titled "Night of Doom" with Crunch (Brute) Wilson on the verge of pushing a button that will destory the minds of Cindy (Mentalia) Carson and Rick (Helio) Strong. The story is written by Sergius O'Shaugnessy (Denny O'Neil's pseudonym) and drawn by Sam Grainger. Dick Giordano is listed as editor. Before Crunch can push the button though, Rick draws the Mind-Bender into revealing his plot and his past. He says that the minds of Rick and Cindy will be put into two more Titan androids and they will be under his control. With these soldiers and more like them he will gain great riches. He indicates that he was a research scientist who during a "brain wave" experiment was struck by electricity and given great mental powers. While the Mind-Bender has been talking though, Rick has spotted one of Brute's power gloves and has been using his flying pack to gain leverage to reach it. With the glove on, he damages Mind-Bender's machine and he and Cindy get free. Crunch comes to his senses and the trio battle the Mind-Bender who tries to escape. Helio flies and tries to stop him, but they fight with Mind-Bender ultimately losing his balance and falling to his apparent doom. The lab begins to burn and the Sentinels leave through a hole Brute broke open using an inert Titan. The trio escape and wile Crunch wants to go get coffee, Rick and Cindy walk off together leaving him alone and brooding. This will presumably be picked up next issue, but there will not be another Sentinels story.

The book closes with the great "Action-Heroes? We Got'em!!!" house ad featuring Thunderbolt, Peacemaker, Blue Beetle, Judomaster, and Captain Atom. This might just be my favorite house ad of all time. Surprisingly solid issue given the last-minute nature of the production. Thunderbolt nears its end of course despite noble efforts of Giordano and company, the whole Action-Hero line will soon disappear. This story by Boyette has a neat self-consciousness about it giving the tale a bit more whimsy and humor than usual. The Hooded One's London henchman makes quite a few jokes about his role and then Peter's final snippet about Giordano really breaks the fourth wall. This is also reinforced by a fake "memo" used at the beginning of the story from Giordano. So I guess "Dick Giordano" is a character now in the Charlton universe, just like Stan and Jack and the Bullpenners are in the Marvel Universe. 

 One more Thunderbolt issue to go. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 09!

Thunderbolt #58 is dated July 1967. Pete Morisi under his pseudonym of P.A.M. back for what will be his final full issue of the character he created. He is listed as the creator, writer and artist of the lead story and he did the cover too. Special Case Number 0009 from T-Bolt's Personal Files is titled "Encore: The Hooded One". 

It begins as do most T-Bolt tales in the secluded mansion Peter Cannon has outside New York City. He and Tabu are boxing and discussing the world. Specifically Tabu brings up the disappearance of a young woman in the Himalayas who was searching for the grave of her father killed during WWII. It turns out that Peter has all ready gotten plane reservations to take them to the Himalayas to search for the girl who turns out to be the daughter of the pilot who crashed his plane next to the lamasery and in which were found an unexploded bomb which was carried away by the man who would one day become the Hooded One. His face was destroyed by his good deed and he was to be rewarded with access to the Ancient Scrolls until the deeds of Peter's parents superseded his claim. His bitterness has made him T-Bolt's most tenacious enemy. Peter and Tabu get to the lamasery and quickly arrange to travel into the mountains to the Cave of the Peaks, the hideout of the Hooded One. Arriving there, Peter becomes Thunderbolt and leaves Tabu in the cavern as he travels deeper into the cave finding again the entrance to a hidden valley filled with all things that have lived including prehistoric dinosaurs. He eludes a Pteranodon and battles a pair of lions before finding a fortress wall. He enters and finds prehistoric dwarves all too ready to fight him. He is about to invoke his mantra to inspire his will when a stone axe knocks him out. He awakes in a room with Lori Carson, the girl they've come to rescue. Soon enough the pair find themselves in an arena where the Hooded One presides as leader of the dwarves. He condemns to the beast of the arena demanding revenge on Thunderbolt and the daughter of the man he holds responsible for his suffering. A giant gorilla appears and T-Bolt must muster all his will to defeat it which he does. Then dispatching the dwarves, he and Carson escape from the fortress. The are assaulted by deadly army ants, but leap into the river to escape and then T-Bolt is able to use the river to escape the valley and the dinosaurs carrying Carson to safety. In the lamasery Lori meets Peter Cannon and Tabu and wishes to thank the man who saved her. They say they came to assist her and she insists on returning with them, saying they are now responsible for her according to ancient traditions. Peter scoffs, but Tabu says it might be so and the story ends as the trio fly back to America. 

"Thunderbolts" offers up three letters this time. One writer praises the odd nature of Thunderbolt's stories, and rejects the critics who want more action at the expense of the characterization between Peter and Tabu. The Sentinels get praise but generally it seems folks want more T-Bolt and fewer pages dedicated to the trio. Dick Giordano indicates the shorter T-Bolt stories have more to do with P.A.M.'s deadline woes than a desire to increase the Sentinels exposure. A new cover design is announced and perhaps a new logo to boot. 

The Sensational Sentinels return in a story titled "Into the Lair of the...Mind-Bender!". The story features artwork by Sam Grainger, but writing this time is by Sergius O'Shaughnessy a pseudonym for Denny O'Neil. The story picks up with Sarge Steel arresting the trio for spying, saying that Dr.Kolotov who gave them their powers was a Soviet agent. But Steel's aggressive nature and his attempt to shoot the trio in an alley convince them he is being controlled and Mentalia uses her ESP powers to overcome him. Then Brute and Mentalia are attacked by a hotdog vendor who they realize must be the Mind-Bender. They repel the attack but he escapes. They then take both Sarge Steel and Rick Strong, also known as Helio to the hospital where the reports are good for both that they will recover. Then Crunch Wilson and Cindy Carson resume their roles as two-thirds of the Protesters, a singing group and try to perform. But they are attacked by a very hostile crowd clearly under the sway of the Mind-Bender. Helio returns just in time to save them using his flying belt and the trio escape. Later that evening Helio gets a call from Crunch and goes to the location only to find that he and Mentalia are taken prisoner by Brute who is under the power of the Mind-Bender. As the story closes, Helio and Mentalia are strapped to tables while Brute pushes a button which will kill them. 

This issue is one of two that my beloved grandmother got me when I was a mere youth. It was my first exposure to P.A.M. and I immediately fell in love with the spare and romantic style of the artist. This is sadly Morisi's last Thunderbolt adventure. He will turn up again on the cover of the next issue, but deadlines apparently were too much for the full-time policeman and so his hero gets turned over to the capable hands of Pat Boyette full time. This is a solid adventure, a few additional pages making a big difference in the apparent scope of the struggle. But there is alas no real solution to the Hooded One's threat.

This issue was reprinted under the Modern imprint in the late 70's. 

 More Thunderbolt to come. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 08

Thunderbolt #57 is dated May 1967. This issue is different from those that have come before because Pat Boyette is on hand for the storytelling this time handling both the writing and the artwork. There is a memo from Dick Giordano the editor indicating that the story is developed from notes provided by Tabu. In fact the story is told from Tabu's point of view, an immediate change of style. The cover is by Boyette too. 

"Face of the Dragon" (though this is Special Case #0008 there is no mention of this on the splash page) begins with an enigmatic figure standing motionless in the snow. Tabu and Peter Cannon look out into the snowy night and discuss a feeling that Peter has that a mighty evil is brewing. They make note that the man outside has not moved for an hour and they go to investigate and find him nearly frozen and in his hand a defaced stone griffin. The man, an oriental giant, is sent to the hospital and they discuss the meaning of the griffin and since a griffin represents a new-comer and the mutilation indicates a crime, they conclude that an invasion is imminent in the land they come from in the Himalayas. They fly together to the ancient land and after arriving find a massive exodus of people fleeing their homeland. The flee a warlord who reputedly has the face of a dragon. Peter and Tabu contract with a British pilot to fly them over the area and they parachute into the very heart of the warlord's territory. They are immediately set upon by a large gang of thugs and taken before the warlord. In a throne room they wait before an empty seat before in a wisp of smoke the dragon-headed warlord appears. Peter vows to defeat him but the warlord is undeterred and casts his hand creating a vapor that sends the pair of heroes into a hallucination. They awake in the mud of a lower chamber. The warlord appears and asks again if they are impressed, but Peter indicates that no man with a mask will frighten him. He accuses the warlord of being a fake, and attacks, but the warlord disappears in a cloud of smoke. Then a mass of stones is dropped on the pair. Peter then takes a moment to become Thunderbolt; and he and Tabu begin their escape but find themselves under attack by arrows. Taking cover in a stone niche, they are in a trapdoor and are flipped back into the throne room filled with thugs and the dragon-headed warlord. He orders them executed and to impress everyone conjures up snakes. Thunderbolt takes one of the snakes in hand and causes it to evaporate. Then T-Bolt unleashes a power he's never used before and his face becomes drawn under the mental strain. There appears in the throne room a giant dragon who tears through the building and the men. They all flee in terror. After they go, the dragon disappears and T-Bolt reveals that though it was real while he maintained his concentration, it was only the product of his mind nonetheless. The pair leave in triumph while on the ground behind them is a dragon mask forgotten and left behind. 

"Thunderbolts" features one letter this month, a lengthy one that touches on several points. There's a desire expressed for more exciting covers and maybe that Steve Ditko should take over the covers for Charlton. We learn that the covers for Thunderbolt are rather generic because they have to be produced before the comic is actually drawn. The formulaic nature of the T-Bolt stories is commented on. Giordano takes issue with the cover comment, since he indicates he's been responsible for most if not all of Charlton's covers for many years. nearly 500 by his count. The titles he doesn't have cover control on are Captain Atom, Peacemaker, and Thunderbolt. Also there is desire expressed for letter writers to direct their missives to specific titles and not just to Charlton in general. 

The Sensational Sentinels appear again in a story titled "If This Be Triumph!". The story is plotted by D.C.Glanzman and the script and the art are by Sam Grainger. Lettering is by A.Machine. The story begins soon after the battle from the previous issue where we find Brute, Mentalia, and Helio in their apartment recovering. Brute apparently survived the fall from the roller coaster by landing in some water. Rick still has amnesia. The android Titan breaks into the apartment to continue the battle and he and Brute exchange blows, with Titan eventually flinging Brute toward a window. But Mentalia exerts her thoughts and is able to stop Brute in mid-air revealing for the first time not only an ability for telepathy but telekinesis as well. The Titan captures Mentalia and climbs down the building with her in tow. Brute follows using his great hand strength to grip the bricks on the side of the building. He and Titan again mix it up until Brute realizes that he was granted great strength over other men and not androids, so he changes tactics and uses a light pole to attack Titan to great effect. Then Brute leaps to attack Titan and Mentalia adds her telekinetic might to the thrust and they severely damage the android who ultimately collapses. Returning to their apartment the find Rick still confused but just they are dealing with what that means for the team Sarge Steel appears and announces that the Mind-Bender and Titan were creations of the C.I.A. and that Dr.Kolotov who gave them their powers was a Soviet spy. As the story ends, he is taking the team into custody in order for them to make statements.

 

This issue was reprinted in the later 70's under the Modern imprint. This comic was my first exposure to Thunderbolt. It was given to me by my maternal grandmother. Where she found them, I'll never know, but it opened a world up to me that I had missed. I was just a bit too young for the Action-Heroes. They were wrapping up just as I was getting into comics, so it was only in back issues that I found and enjoyed them. That said, finding T-Bolt first in the hands of Pat Boyette really changes your understanding of the character. The struggle of conscience is less pronounced in this story. Peter is more than willing to fight, though he does express a desire for peace there's no sense he's reluctant to press the battle that presents itself. Also the opening scenes with the frozen messenger are outstanding drama and highly mysterious, a classic Boyette moment. I can see that people might be upset that T-Bolt breaks out a new "power" in this one, something it seems most men can't do. But although he suggests it's more, hypnosis can explain it all for those reluctant to go further. With the past filled with ancient mummies and whatnot, such a power is not out of context, but is different for our hero. 

 More Thunderbolt to come as Pete Morisi returns.

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 07!

Thunderbolt #56 is dated February 1967. Once again, the feature is credited as created, written, and dawn by Pete Morisi under his P.A.M. pseudonym. Morisi did the cover too as he has done all the covers for the series so far. Special Case Number 0007 from T-Bolt's Personal Files is titled "Beware...The Cobra". 

It begins in Peter Cannon's secluded mansion outside New York City where Peter and Tabu are sparring in judo. After the bout, they again talk about Peter's responsiblity as Thunderbolt to his fellow man with Tabu urging him to take a greater role. Tabu also asks about the nature of Peter's power which Cannon explains as tapping into that unexplored reserved that all human beings have. He is vague and says the way it's tapped must remain a secret. The origin of "Thunderbolt's Personal Files" is revealed as Tabu announces that he has been recording Thunderbolt's adventures. What follows is a two-page review of the previous issues with a panel devoted to each of the previous six cases. The scene shifts to the waterfront area where a mysterious bearded man named Cobra meets with some eccentric looking types and conducts a slave auction, offering up men who are compelled to follow orders because they've been given some drug derived from cobra venom. The Cobra makes one hundred thousand dollars from the auction and has his henchmen go out into the city to get more potential slaves. What follows is a wave of kidnappings that terroize the city and attract the attention of Peter and Tabu. Again Peter is reluctant to investigate until Tabu tells him that one man who has disappeared is a surgeon who is the only man able to cure a young girl currently waiting for the operation. She has only a day left to live. With that deadline facing him Peter becomes Thunderbolt and heads through his hidden tunnels into the heart of the city. He leaps about on rooftops for a time looking for clues. He at last finds an area that seems suspicious and investigates further finding the prisoners and the Cobra and his men. He attacks but the Cobra shoots him with darts coated with the drug and has him tied up. While he is bound, the Cobra unleashes a real cobra into a room with T-Bolt who uses his teeth to subdue the deadly serpent. Shocked the Cobra attempts to cajole the Thunderbolt into being his partner but a punch sends him falling and he lands on the fangs of the dead cobra, and is killed. Tabu and Peter discuss the case later and Peter urges Tabu to end the installment with "The End", but Tabu insists on "To be continued". 

 

"Thunderbolts" offers up four letters from fans. There is praise for The Sentinels save for one writer who wants them replaced with Nightshade. It's noted that a number of fans have become writers for Charlton in recent months and that is encouraged. One writer apparently knows the identity of P.A.M. and uses his name in the letter though Dick Giordano edits it out. Speculation about P.A.M.'s job though is erroneous. The new Blue Beetle book is announced as well as a new showcase-type book which certainly must be Charlton Premiere though the title is not mentioned. It is also announced that the next issue of Thunderbolt will be by Pat Boyette, filling in for Morisi. 

The Sensational Sentinels return in a story titled "Where Walks...The Titan!" written by Gary Friedrich and drawn by Sam Grainger. Dick Giordano is listed as editor. This story is advertised as "Another Cataclysmic Charlton Classic", a bit of a stretch even for a diehard like me. The story begins with Ed Sullivan introducing the Protesters who sing a fairly lame song about being in jail and throwing a pie in the warden's face. They are nonetheless mobbed by girl fans. Their manager the Colonel is happy and takes them out to eat, but they bicker as usual. Meanwhile at Coney Island a young boy (who looks like Billy from the last few issues) and his grandmother find themselves in harm's way when an orange giant appears demanding to know the whereabouts of the Sentinels. The man who calls himself Titan begins to wreak havoc in the park. TV news informs the Sentinels who don their garb and head on over to face the threat. Helio flies up but he is unable to control his flight and Titan smacks him hard to the ground. Mentalia finds that as with the Mind-Bender's robot she is unable to effect this Titan with her ESP. That leave Brute to confront the foe and they have a knockdown dragout fight for a few pages until finally Titan throws Brute from the top of the roller coaster. In the last panel Helio awakes but apparently is suffering from amnesia. The story ends at this point. I liked the idea that the comic is developed from the records kept by Tabu. This gives a neat meta-fictional twist to the proceedings, not unlike the mechanism used by Arthur Conan Doyle with Watson and Sherlock Holmes. It's a clever bit. The story though, like last issue felt a bit rushed. With a lot of page count used in reprise, this left precious little time for the story unfold. It's not really clear how Thunderbolt found the Cobra, he just sort of does it.

One neat thing though is a panel by Morisi showing Thunderbolt biting the cobra which is clearly a swipe/homage to Bill Everett's Amazing-Man cover from Centaur Comics. Thunderbolt is clearly inspired by Amazing-Man in many ways, though perhaps streamlined a bit for the 60's, and it's nice that Morisi pays tribute to his inspiration. Here's some more information about Amazing-Man. 

More Thunderbolt to come. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 06!

Thunderbolt #55 is dated December 1966. Again, the entire Thunderbolt story is written and drawn by P.A.M. the pseudonym of Peter Morisi. Special Case Number 0006 from T-Bolt's Personal Files is titled "Where Stalks the Mummy?". 

The story begins with Peter Cannon and Tabu playing basketball and once again discussing Peter's role as Thunderbolt, and Peter repeats that he is reluctant to involve himself in a world filled with greed and hate and violence. The scene shifts to Egypt and an archeological dig where Professor Hugo Drummond and his team unearth a sarcophagus with an undisturbed mummy inside. Drummond only wants the mummy for his work, rejecting the other riches and has the mummy shipped to his castle-like armory in America. He begins a series of experiments searching for the gift of immortality the ancient Egyptians have possibly hidden in the mummy. He uses technology to connect himself mentally to the mummy and a merging takes place with the mind of Drummond and the mind of the slave who was mummified blending. It is primarily Drummond's consciousness though that now animates the mummified body. He then uses his new-found power to kidnap his former colleagues and begin a crime wave of terror. 

Tabu and Peter Cannon read of these events, the crimes carried in many newspapers it seems. And Tabu convinces Peter once again that he has a responsibility to become Thunderbolt to help his fellow man. Peter though reveals that his reluctance comes from his desire to work peacefully and not through violence, but he ultimately accepts that he must. He follows the clues to Drummond's castle and finds the kidnapped archeologists and Drummond in his mummy form. Drummond is just about to kill the men in his gas chamber when T-Bolt appears and breaks the glass of the chamber freeing the men. Thunderbolt then pursues Drummond into the basement of his castle but is under surveillance by camera as he does so. Drummond unleashes a fully-grown tiger on T-Bolt and it takes all of T-Bolt's skill to defeat and possibly slay the man-killer. Thunderbolt then confronts the mummified Drummond and they fight, with Drummond finally falling from the parapet of the castle. The castle then catches fire as T-Bolt leaves. Later no sign of Drummond is found as Tabu and Peter discuss the case in his secluded mansion and they note that Drummond's human body is now under observation though it seems in a vegetative state. They wonder if such a thing as the mummy could exist, but ultimately are forced to accept that such superior beings as the mummy and Thunderbolt himself exist. 

The Sensational Sentinels return in a story titled "Beware...The Menacing Mind-Bender!". The story is edited by Dick Giordano, written by Gary Friedrich, and drawn by Sam Grainger. The story begins with the trio trying on their new uniforms and arguing incessantly all the while, especially Crunch Wilson know as Brute and Rick Strong known as Helio. Cindy Carson known as Mentalia tries to keep the peace as much as she can. Ultimately they head into public and endure the stares of the crowd each harboring secret thoughts. Rich wonders what money can be made in addition to the good they can do, Cindy only wants to help her fellow man, and Crunch is reluctant and looks forward to his pro football contract. They see a purse-snatching and intercede, but their inexperience comes into play as Helio smacks into a street sign and Brute crashes through a brick wall. They get arrested but are bailed out by their manager "Colonel" Juniper Julep who wants them to appear as the folk singing act "The Protesters" on the Ed Sullivan Show. He says they can wear masks on stage to protect their identities. Meanwhile the leaders of the world are undergoing changes in attitude which result in war being declared between Russia and the United States. The Sentinels get a message from the late Dr.Kolotov (who gave them their powers) by way of his grandson Billy and they learn that he feared one former colleague known as the Mind-Bender. No sooner do they learn this than they are attacked themselves by a robot sent by the the Mind-Bender and after a brief struggle they send the machine out the window, but out of the ruined machine a warning from the Mind-Bender erupts and the Sentinels brace for more attacks. 

"Thunderbolts" features four letters from fans. Among the concerns are a desire to see Blue Beetle again and the new Ditko version of the hero then appearing in Captain Atom is promoted. One writer thinks P.A.M. is a woman and is corrected. There are a number of requests for original artwork, but Dick Giordano says that selling this material is not possible. As he puts it "For reasons too lengthy to go into in this space, we MUST keep all of it! It is carefully stored and indexed, and it is necessary to our operation that we maintain this procedure." Given the haphazard way the artwork was ultimately treated, with much of it forgotten and destroyed carelessly, this is painful to read today.

 And that wraps another issue. This particular issue of T-Bolt seemed the most formulaic yet. The threat was defined, T-Bolt reluctantly goes to fight it and is triumphant but broods. Maybe it's the loss of pages, but the ending seemed a bit abrupt without an interesting twist. The villain was a nice one though and seemed poised for a return at some point. The Sentinels story was full of plot for such a small tale, but still the incessant bickering among the team does get tiresome very swiftly. 

 More Thumderbolt to come.

 NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 05!

Thunderbolt #54 is dated October 1966. Again, Pete Morisi using his pseudonym P.A.M. is responsible for the story and art for most of the issue including the cover. Special Case Number 0005 from T-Bolt's Personal Files is titled "This One's for Tabu!". 

The story begins in Peter Cannon's secluded mansion where he and friend Tabu are discussing the Peter's role as Thunderbolt and the current whereabouts of the Hooded One. Peter is still reluctant to become T-Bolt. The two get into the boxing ring yet again and spar but Tabu using Savate knocks Peter onto the canvas for a change. But before Peter can retaliate Tabu collapses. A doctor then informs Peter that Tabu has contracted African Tryanosomiasis better known as "Sleeping Sickness". The doctor regrets that there is no cure. But Peter knows of one from his days in the Himalayas and immediately takes a trip back to the land that gave birth to Thunderbolt. He consults the High Abbot of the lamasery and discovers that the plants he needs have been destroyed by the winter snows. But then Peter remembers the "Cave of the Peaks" a dangerous location where the Mongols patrol, but where all things exist. He immediately heads off on horseback to find it. He is confronted by Mongols and his horse is killed by gunshots. But when the Mongols attack in close quarters Peter overcomes them and they then tell him of the location of the Cave of the Peaks. He again rides into the snow and eventually discovers the cave. Inside he changes his wet clothes but finds only his Thunderbolt costume which Tabu persistently packs in his supplies. Putting it on he explores the cave and finds dinosaurs frozen in ice. 

He is then confronted by the Hooded One and the pair exchange threats. Put Peter leaves the Hooded One and explores the cave further and discovers an opening into a hidden jungle region seemingly from the prehistoric past. He starts his search for the plants he needs and encounters many types of dinosaurs even getting charged by a Styrachosurus (a one-horned dinosaur similar to the more famous Triceratops). He avoids the beast which gets its horn stuck in a tree. Taking to the trees, Thunderbolt explores the jungle further before he is struck down by tiny arrows fired by pygmy warriors. Using his vast will power he overcomes the effects of the arrows and charges into his small attackers overcoming them when they suddenly run away. The reason is all too obvious as a Tyrannosaurus Rex appears. T-Bolt takes a spear and launches it puncturing the beast on its nose. It dies and the pygmy warriors are impressed enough to help T-Bolt find the plant he needs. Quickly he retraces his steps and is soon flying back to America. At the hospital he arrives with only an hour to spare as the cure awakes Tabu. Peter tells a grateful Tabu that he only went on this quest so that they could have a return boxing match and Peter could repay Tabu for his kick to the head.

 

"Behold...The Sentinels" is a new back up feature created and written by Gary Frierich and drawn by Sam Grainger. The story begins in a smoke-filled Greenwich Village nightclub where a trio of folk singers called "The Protesters" are performing. They are Rick Strong, a 21-year old college graduate, Cindy Carson, a 19-year old beauty with a future in Hollywood, and Crunch Carson a beefy fellow with a potential future as a professional football player. After the performance in their dressing room they are arguing with Rick indicating that unless they find some financial success relatively soon he might have to take a job as a teacher. The keep bickering for some time when a small boy opens the door and asks them to come see his uncle Mr.Jones their landlord. The go to see him and he reveals that his real name is Kolotov and he's an exiled Russian opposed to Communism. To that end he has invented some great weapons that he wants to share with the trio, who he has been watching for two years preparing for this moment. He gives Rick a power pack that straps to his back which will make him lighter than air and he dubs him "Helio:, he gives Cindy a headband which will give her ESP and dubs her "Mentalia", and finally he gives Crunch a pair of gloves which will make him super-strong and he dubs him "Brute". Crunch demonstrates the power of the gloves by punching through a solid oak door. Kolotov makes the trio swear a pledge to use the devices only to combat evil and promptly dies. The three agree to stay together and become Sentinels of Justice. 

"Thunderbolts" is the name of the letters page and this time offers up four letters. The lackluster cover design of Charlton books is mentioned. One fan thinks that P.A.M. is actually editor Pat Masulli, but is disabused of that notion. One fan regrets that P.A.M. has left the westerns and Dick Giordano, the editor who did these pages informs us that P.A.M. does comics part time only. The Sentinels back-up feature is mentioned and a new policy is announced that all of Charlton's Action-Hero books will feature back-ups and fans should certainly let editorial know what works and what doesn't. And that wraps another Thunderbolt issue. 

With this installment the book is fully ripened. The T-Bolt adventure is a dense one filled with good action, and the concern Peter has for Tabu gives us an insight into this aloof hero. The addition of the Sentinels completes what will be the format of the book for several months. I found the bickering between the trio a bit hard to take since it had so little background to support it as relevant characterization. It seemed forced like Friedrich wanted to ape the Marvel style which was becoming dominate in the comics of the time. Mighty Comics was the worst offender of this habit of creating bickering heroes, but sadly losing the deep context which made it work so well for Marvel. The Sentinels is a very Marvel-feeling strip, especially with Grainger's artwork. I really like Grainger though I know many folks don't. He's got a lively line and there's a real energy to his work. The strip is a very neat visual counterpoint to the more austere Thunderbolt lead. 

 More Thunderbolt to come.

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post.  

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 04!

Thunderbolt #53 is dated August 1966. This is one of two Thunderbolt appearances this month, the only time this happened in a single month I believe. The work as usual is by Pete Morisi under his famous pseudonym of P.A.M. 

Special Case Number 0004 from T-Bolt's Personal Files is titled "Enter...The Tong". The story begins at midnight in a secret lair in the countryside. Criminal types have gathered together as a bizarre ceremony begins around an Oriential-style idol of evil. Dancers appear and the ritual rises in pitch until all within the chamber are chanting "All hail the Tong!" over and over. The idol slips away into the floor and out of flames appears a white-haired Asian man who commands all to be silent. He is The Tong, also the name of the organization. He identifies a traitor in their midst and quickly shoots him and order him disposed of. The Tong then introduces his greatest weapon, a giant armored tank with a drill on its nose which will plow through the earth. With this weapon he declares the Tong will rule. The scene shifts to the secluded mansion of Peter Cannon where Peter is training. He gets a call from the police who indicate that the man they had inside The Tong has been found shot and is currently in a coma. They want expert advice from Peter who is a famous writer and expert on things Asian. He identifies a symbol they found tatooed on their man's wrist as a Tong symbol, and Peter informs the Police about the old Tongs and how they rose to power originally as vigilante groups but became criminal organizations, and that a story persists that they will rise again. Peter leaves the meeting saddened by mankind and the way in which people cannot find ways to live peacefully. But he also realizes that Tabu is his conscience and that maybe he's too hard. 

"Raymond the Rain Maker" is a one-page text story about a drought which brings the skeptical leaders to consult Professor Raymond Raney who claims to have Jiburo indian spells to make it rain. He wants one million dollars to create four days of rain and does so, but the leaders refuse to pay him. He then creates a deluge and demands ten million to make it stop. They pay him and he heads off to Mexico to use the money to help the Jiburo indians. 

The Thunderbolt story continues as The Tong plan their attacks on the city using their drill to rob banks. A crime wave strikes the city and Tabu convinces a reluctant Peter to become Thunderbolt again. He does and stalks across the dark cityscape until he finds the thugs of the Tong and attacks. He intentionally allows himself to be captured so he will be taken to The Tong. The Tong is pleased and orders Thunderbolt to battle two giant Sumo wrestlers. Calling upon his mantra and will T-Bolt is able to at last defeat the giants and turns his attack on the criminals of the Tong. The Tong sees this and climbs into the armored drill and attempts to drive T-Bolt into the ground, but the drill gets out of control and digs ever deeper into the earth until it at last bursts through into the sea. The Tong is seemingly trapped in his own invention. The police arrive to mop the criminals alerted to the location by the policeman who has wakened from his coma. It is discovered that leader The Tong was an orphan who sought revenge when his innocent parents were killed during the Tong wars. His life a crime a response to that senseless death. Tabu points out how similar the Tong's tragedy was to Peter's but that they responded to the circumstances differently. 

"Thunderbolts" is the debut installment of the Thunderbolt letters page. There are four letters, most all praising the new comic. Some want to know when Sarge Steel will be seen again, and at least one writer points out how much better T-Bolt is than the usual Charlton material. There is a comment from the editor (Dick Giordano) about those who want Charlton to be just like Marvel and DC, but he promises that the Charlton heroic universe will be different still. 

"Captain Atom's Secret" is a two-page feature by Frank McLaughlin which talks about Cap's origin and also the nature of atomic theory and how the modern world is dealing with the benefits of that new power. There is a panel devoted to cross-promoting Captain Atom's new magazine too.

 Thunderbolt also shows up in this month's Judomaster comic. Issue #90 dated August 1966 features a two-page Thunderbolt piece by Morisi titled "The Roof of the World - Where Thunderbolt Was Born". It tells of T-Bolt's origin and speaks of the nature of his power. There is a panel promoting his comic.

 

The series Thunderbolt seems well established creatively by this point. While Morisi takes care each month to reintroduce the hero, each month this has diminished in the time it takes from the main story. Peter Cannon and Tabu have an established relationship and that combination offers up a neat variation on the classic hero. Under Morisi, Thunderbolt looks like no other comic on the stands at the time and the atmosphere and mood are rich with a distinctive pulp flavor. Morisi's style can be somewhat static, making the captions filled with words almost at times read like an illustrated story rather than a comic book. Nonetheless it is a compelling read. 

 More Thunderbolt to come. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 03!

Thunderbolt #52 is dated June 1966. It again features artwork by Pete Morisi, then going under his famous pseudonym of P.A.M. He is also credited as the creator and the writer of this comic. In addition, he did the cover of course. 

Special Case Number 0003 from T-Bolt's Personal Files is titled "Gore the Man-Ape". After a brief two-panel reprise of T-Bolt's origin the story begins with a newsboy announcing the disappearance of some scientists. A quick cut to the secluded mansion owned by Peter Cannon and we find Peter and Tabu discussing the case. During a brisk boxing bout, they debate whether Peter should again don his Thunderbolt togs and check into the situation. Peter declines and knocks Tabu down in the process. Afterwords Peter sets off alone in a launch for a vacation on the ocean. The scene shifts to a remote island where a ship is delivering three people to a man named Eric Gore. These are the missing scientists who mistakenly believe they are to assist Gore in his work, but find themselves prisoners instead. Gore demonstrates the futility of escape by showing that he has a small army of apes to do his bidding and that he controls the apes so completely because he himself has an ape's hand. Peter Cannon meanwhile finds himself in a storm and has to make an emergency landing on the very same island. He is going about making preparations for his unexpected stay when a gorilla named Gon-Da knocks him out from behind. He awakes in the headquarters of Eric Gore and is told pretty much that he too is a prisoner. Gore explains how he was working on some advanced skin-grafting techniques when an explosion left him without a left hand. He found in his exploded lab an expiring ape and he uses that ape's paw to replace his own missing mitt. 

That graft changes Gore, giving him more ferocious thoughts and drives him to create his lair in this remote island and plot to get power for himself. His changed nature though makes him an acceptable leader for the apes on the island and he finds he has his own savage army of loyal followers. "July 27th" tells of an animal trainer in a circus who has a precognitive dream about losing control of his animals and coming under their control. He convinces his wife they need to leave the circus and do so. But the mysterious dream ended with the date July 27. Later it is revealed that the circus burned to the ground on that very date. Gore then goes on to explain that he is using the skills of the kidnapped scientists to further his scheme to use germ warfare to conquer all of mankind. He demonstrates the lethal nature of his weapons. Peter attacks the madman and runs out of the compound. Gore does not pursue him, rather he plots to kill the captured scientists who have refused to aid him in his schemes. Peter runs back to the beach and finds an emergency kit that Tabu had prepared for him and in it he finds his Thunderbolt costume. He puts it on and goes to rescue the scientists held by Gore. He finds the scientists in an arena where the mad Gore plans to unleash his apes on them. As the apes attack, Thunderbolt appears and takes up the challenge of the arena. Using his skills and training Thunderbolt battles the apes and then confronts Gore who goes back on his bargain that a victory would buy their freedom. This causes his apes to turn on him, and he escapes. T-Bolt tells the scientists to go to the beach and his boat which is stranded on the reef while he pursues Gore. In a final showdown T-Bolt confronts Gore who has gotten to a shock gun which he uses on the hero. Reaching down to his core, Thunderbolt is able to overcome the power of the weapon and he knocks out Gore. A fire erupts in the lab and Gon-Da the ape goes in and rescues one of the men. It turns out to be Thunderbolt he saves just as the lab explodes. Leaving the apes behind on the island T-Bolt returns to his boat and he and the scientists leave the island. Back in his mansion he discusses the events with Tabu before settling down to watch a movie which Tabu suggests must deal with "oriental royalty and adventure". The movie is King Kong. 

"Judomaster's Self-Defense" is a three-page feature narrated by Judomaster. It is written and drawn by Frank McLaughlin and focuses on "Ouchigari" an inside leg reap and "Tomoenage" a stomach throw. 

Great issue of Thunderbolt. Eric Gore is a worthy opponent, and it takes all of T-Bolts effort to defeat him. This half-man/half-beast is well presented by Morisi, and the notion that the ape's paw makes him savage is an interesting notion, though the story itself seems to suggest that Gore's savagery has less to do with his ape qualities and more to do with his human ones. The nature of Tabu gets more defined too as he seems clearly at this point to be Peter Cannon's conscience, encouraging the reluctant man to take up the role of hero and do good for his fellow men. I overlooked this Judomaster installment when I did my overview of that series, and I'm happy to correct that now. Thunderbolt and Judomaster both feature one another in their books during this summer of 1965, a neat bit of cross promotion. 

 More Thunderbolt to come. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post. 

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Thunderbolt - Special Case Number 002!

The second issue of Thunderbolt is actually numbered #51. It's Volume 3 of the title formerly known as Son of Vulcan which itself had been known for most of its run as Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds. That the former title was Son of Vulcan is indicated in the indicia, not always something that happened. The book is dated March-April 1966. The story and art are by Thunderbolt's creator Pete Morisi at this time operating under the pseudonym P.A.M. Special Case Number 0002 from Thunderbolt's Personal Files is titled "The Evil that is Evila!". 

After a one-page reprise of T-Bolt's origin, the story begins properly in the Himalayas in the lamasery where Peter Cannon was trained. The Hooded One is being chastised and cast out of the lamasery because of his criminal behavior. As he leaves, he reflects how he had originally earned the right to study the Ancient Scrolls for an act of heroism where he carried an unexploded bomb from a crashed aircraft away. He was severely injured, losing part of his face which is the reason he hides it behind the hood. He also indicates that he had begun some limited study of the Ancient Scrolls before Cannon supplanted him. The Hooded One returns to his Ice Cave, a weird place filled with frozen dinosaurs in the bowels of an extinct volcano. There he plots and plans to revive the Princess Evila, sorceress of the Nile. Meanwhile at a museum far away Professor Henry Karl has called in two experts to help him to identify a sarcophagus recently uncovered in Luxor. The two experts are Peter Cannon and Dan Garrett (also known as the Blue Beetle). They identify the inhabitant of the sarcophagus as Princess Evila. After they leave Karl is overcome by a mental attack from the Hooded One who steals his will. He orders Karl to use a rare poition in a vial in the sarcophagus to revive Princess Evila. The black-haired beauty does indeed revive and she takes over the mind of Karl herself and they disappear. Peter Cannon and Tabu read of this odd occurrence and plan to call the police to inquire. 

The story is interrupted at this point by a one-page text piece titled "Physalia Physalis" which tells the story of giant twenty-foot Portuguese Man-of-War which threaten an island. The threat is forestalled by killing the vegetation which has triggered the monsters. 

In a boxing bout Peter and Tabu debate what they should do. They realize that the Hooded One might be involved given his access to the Ancient Scrolls. Meanwhile Evila has assembled a small army of thugs and criminals and they begin a massive crime wave. Peter Cannon is reluctant to leave his reclusive life to fight, but ultimately is convinced by Tabu and Thunderbolt runs into the fray though the mansion's secret passageways. Heading into the city T-Bolt finds plenty of criminal activity and using his physical skills puts some of it down. But one thug escapes and he follows finding Princess Evila's lair where he sees her take the thug who has just returned and steal his mind. Thunderbolt tears into the mob of criminals and fights using his skills to the utmost. Chasing Evila he pursues her through many traps including "Darts of Death", "Spears of Flame", and "Daggers of Doom". Confronting her, she hits a switch releasing a hidden panel that drops T-Bolt into the water below where he is confronted with a crocodile. He subdues the crocodile and swims back to confront Evila again. They lock eyes and wills but it is Thunderbolt who ultimately wins, breaking Evila who ages dramatically and becomes again a mere mummy. Finding Professor Karl, the two men take the mummy and leave just as a bomb destroys the hidden headquarters. The newspapers the next day trumpet Thunderbolt's victory. In his Ice Cave the Hooded One vows to threaten Thunderbolt again. At the mansion Peter and Tabu discuss the case and speculate whether Evila will ever return and Tabu points out that her name spelled backwards is perhaps a bad omen. The final panel is a question mark. 

"The Atmosphere" is a three-page piece by Bill Fracchio and Tony Tallarico on the wonders of the Earth's atmosphere and man's limited efforts to travel beyond it in jets and spacecraft.

This is a solid issue of Thunderbolt, really playing to the strip's strengths of atmosphere and mood. Morisi's artwork is scrumptious, though I will admit his storytelling falls short a time or two. The Hooded One is more properly established as a nemesis and the modus operandi of T-Bolt is well fixed. I like especially his reluctance to jump into costume. The unwillingness to leave the relative comfort to fight is an honest and natural feeling, though not something often explored in superhero comics. Peter just wants a quiet life, and that's something I can identify with all too well. The guest-appearance by Dan Garrett is a good touch, and gives the Charlton heroes a broader sense of place. One thing that is both a strength and a weakness of the Charlton books is their distinctive characters. There is no such thing as a house style at Charlton, so the books tend to live in their own little "microverses". There was not much crossover stuff done, but a small example like this is the kind of mixing I prefer, understated. 

More Thunderbolt to come. 

NOTE: This is a Dojo Revised Classic Post.  

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