Description

Basil Wolverton’s Fantastic Fables                         Comics Lot
Featuring a nightmarish wraparound cover on issue #1 that only Basil Wolverton could conjure up! (see 4th scan) 
Editor: John Weeks
Covers by: Basil Wolverton & Chris Chalenor

Basil Wolverton’s distinctive style, a bizarre combination of the grotesque and whimsical made him one of the most polarizing artists in comic history, but gained a strong cult following among comics fans at the same time. The man is notorious for his unforgettable depictions of wacky, grotesque and ugly people. His artwork has often been described as “spaghetti and meatballs”, while he referred to himself as a “producer of preposterous pictures of peculiar people who prowl this perplexing planet”. Yet he didn’t just draw “ugly”. His seemingly disgusting and repulsive illustrations still illuminate a certain fun and charm. Naturally his style suited comedy and horror the best. His career spanned myriad companies and genres. He created humorous comics like ‘Powerhouse Pepper’ (1942-1952), visualized the previously invisible character Lena Hyena for Al Capp’s ‘Li’l Abner’ and designed the hideous woman on the cover of Mad Magazine’s 11th issue, arguably the most iconic cover in its history. Wolverton drew various chilling one-shot horror stories for comic books like Mystic, Journey Into Unknown Worlds, Adventures Into Terror, Weird Tales of the Future and Weird Mysteries. He also proved he had more up his sleeve than shock and shlock alone. The artist illustrated various chapters of The Old Testament. While not all people may like his aesthetic view, few can deny that Wolverton had a highly original, unique and instantly recognizable style which still influences artists today. He remains the godfather of all “gross-out” cartoonists and was a significant influence on Robert Crumb and other underground comic artists in the 1960s.

This title presents some of Wolverton’s stories that epitomized the pulp science fiction milieu, replete with bug-eyed monsters and solidly rendered spaceships. Also featured is an informative essay and interview with Wolverton about his career by Bill Spicer, and a wraparound cover for the first issue.

And now, Dark Horse Comics presents, “Basil Wolverton’s Fantastic Fables”. From the hilariously slapstick to the eerily macabre, Fantastic Fables showcases one of comics’ most original storytellers. Wolverton’s weird and wonderful creations have fascinated and delighted readers since the late 1920s.

Basil Wolverton’s Fantastic Fables Comics Lot Includes:

Basil Wolverton’s Fantastic Fables Issue #1 – October 1993

“Meteor Morgan”   6 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

Meteor Morgan and Jolok fight Martian thieves who want to steal the mail on a rocket from Mars to Earth.

“Spacehawk”   8 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

Spacehawk prevents an “enemy” ship carrying midget submarines from sinking an American ship carrying a cargo of Red Cross supplies.

“Biographically Basil”   13 pages
Writer: Bill Spicer
Artist: Basil Wolverton

An essay and interview about Wolverton’s career with Bill Spicer followed by an artwork gallery from Wolverton’s classic Apocalypse series, an assortment of art illustrations depicting the biblical end of the world.

“Jumpin’ Jupiter”   4 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

Jumpin’ Jupiter lands on a planet where it is forbidden to laugh.

“Rocket Rider and His Interplanetary Ferry”
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

Rocket Rider is veering dangerous close to a planet. A group of rich corporate men are unsatisfied with how much they are making per year, so they are brain storming how to produce more breakfast food.
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Basil Wolverton’s Fantastic Fables Issue #2 – December 1993

“Milt Archer”   5 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

During a journey in a space ship back to earth, Milt Archer is ambushed by man. The two brawl it out and end up crash landing their ship on the surface of the moon.

“Shock Shannon”   7 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

In the middle of a nuclear apocalypse, a young couple climb aboard an experimental rocket ship to attempt to escape. A strange man follows them on board and a fight breaks out. Distracted by the fight, the controls are left unattended to and the rocket ship leaves the atmosphere. It later crashes on the moon, leaving the couple stranded. After wandering for a while, they are approached by flying saucers.

“Spacehawk”   8 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

Spacehawk detects suspicious activity on a snowy mountain top. He investigates and discovers a small cabin. At first, he is welcomed warmly, but when a strange man peeks up through a hidden vent, things change and he gets kicked out. The original man proceeds to shoot Spacehawk in the back as he skis away. He goes to investigate the corpse and is ambushed by Spacehawk. Spacehawk uses the opportunity to escape. He returns later in the evening to discover a full-on enemy base. He infiltrates it as enemy bomber planes begin taking off from a hidden cargo bay. Spacehawk reboards his ship and destroys the enemy bomber planes, and then returns and kills the original man. Spacehawk destroys the hidden base after and flies off into space.

‘Spacehawks”   11 pages
Writer: Basil Wolverton
Artist: Basil Wolverton

Two men known as the Patrolmen are captured and kidnapped by a group of space pirates. They fight back and end up taking over the space pirates’ ship. While in the pirate ship, they are attacked by another group and end up crash landing. They fight off a large opponent that boards their ship, and then fly back to their headquarters. They receive an urgent mission at headquarters and head out on a new adventure.
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Comics lot contains: Basil Wolverton’s Fantastic Fables (1993) Issues #1-2.  Dark Horse Comics

Comics are bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

All First Printings
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date: 1993
Format per comic: BW, 32 pages, Comic, 10.25″ x 6.5″ 
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: Comics 1,2 are in Very Fine to Very Fine + condition.  Beautiful Set!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Basil Wolverton and/or Science Fiction collector / enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Recommended.

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