The art for this story is by Dan Spiegle, who was able to capture the epic feel and grand, alien vistas required for this title very nicely. I love how his panels capture great, big swaths of land without looking cramped or busy. Space. The man was all about big sky and space; and he had a knack for making future space craft believable into the bargain.
You know what else is cool? The flying, three-toothed manta-rays, or Ma-aks as the natives call them. There is something crazy nasty about them - the way they wrap themselves around a spacecraft and apply their “stingers.” George Wilson painted cover. Gaylord DuBois script. All in all, a darned good deal.
This is from Space Family Robinson Lost In Space No. 17, July, 1966. All scans are from my own comic. Just click the image for the big picture.
You know what else is cool? The flying, three-toothed manta-rays, or Ma-aks as the natives call them. There is something crazy nasty about them - the way they wrap themselves around a spacecraft and apply their “stingers.” George Wilson painted cover. Gaylord DuBois script. All in all, a darned good deal.
This is from Space Family Robinson Lost In Space No. 17, July, 1966. All scans are from my own comic. Just click the image for the big picture.
A love a letters page from an old comic. You can sense from this page the sort of serious reader support this title received. Space Family Robinson had a 52 issue run, from 1962 until 1984. Not to shabby.
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16 comments:
Dan Spiegle ! I had completely forgotten about this great artist, Mykal. I was a big fan of his later work, during the Indy Publisher boom of the mid-to-late 1980's (Crossfire in particular). And besides sweeping vistas and cool thunderbird creatures, he really knows how to capture beautiful WOMEN !
Lysdexicuss: You have an excellent point, my friend. Did you catch a glimpse of June, the "scientist wife and mother"? Spiegle certainly never let us forget she was a woman, too, did he? For the second half of the story, he dresses her in a sheer little number that just fits her to a T! -- Mykal
Neat-o! My favorite image? The creatures diving into the sea.
I always wondered why the characters were...not quite the same as on the LIS TV series. Do you know why? Which came first? Huh?
- signed,
curious
ps -gracias for the post
Apocolyte: The Gold Key comic came way first. Comic started in 1962 - TV show in 1965. Dig this:
"The Lost in Space TV series was originally named Space Family Robinson. Allen was apparently unaware of the Gold Key comic of the same name and similar theme. His series was, as was the comic, a space version of "Swiss Family Robinson" hence the title similarity. Gold Key Comics had the opportunity to sue Allen's production company and the 20th Century Fox studio for copyright infringement but as Allen was expected to win the rights to other Gold Key licenses and had already produced their Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea series, a deal was arranged. Not only was the name changed to Lost in Space but two extra characters, Doctor Zachary Smith, and the Robot, were added to ensure a greater difference between the comic and series. Narration in several Lost in Space episodes also mentioned the comic. Allen later went on to produce Gold Key's The Time Tunnel in 1966, and Land of the Giants in 1968."
That comes from the sometimes usefull, Wikipedia.
Gold Key rules! -- Mykal
it's. Just. So. PRETTY.
Aaron: Well put! -- Mykal
Ive got a stack of these Gold Key Space Family Robinson issues sitting right alongside a neat stack of Gold Key Star Trek issues.
Fun stuff all around!
Chuck: Absolutely! More to come from both titles, for sure! -- Mykal
Wonderful stuff! I always assumed this was a license from the TV show as well, one that just took liberties with the source material. Thanks for clearing that up!
Doug: Yeah, Space Family Robinson kind of creeps up on you, at least it did me. I find the stories in the comic so much better than the TV show. Spiegle's artwork really has moments of wonder as well. Thanks! -- Mykal
space planets always seemed so clean back then. it seems like you could eat off the ground.
Keith: yep, that's how they made planets back then. -- Mykal
I like both the Dynamins (I love non-humanoid aliens) and the Green People (their hair especially). The aerial dog-fighting between their ships and the mantas was pretty cool/using the retro burst as an offensive weapon--very believable.
best,
r/e
R/E: I know, that dogfight was awesome. I think Spiegle was at his best in panels like that. Believable, like you say. -- Mykal
trying to catch up Mykal and pleased to find this, i always loved Space Family Robinson. don't even talk about the tv show! THE PAIN, THE PAIN!!!...
Prof. Yes, I like that comic, too. there's more where that came from, as they say. Stay tuned. I know what you mean about the TV show, even though I used to watch it as a kid. Still, the comic is much better. Thanks for reading! -- Mykal
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