adamstrange Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Not quite what most regard as typical pre-hero, but it has Kirby and Ditko art---that makes it pre-hero for me. Angelo Hey Angelo, nice book! Actually the Kirby/Ditko World of Fantasy (as well as Strange Worlds) are very much Pre-Hero Atlas books (although decidedly sci-fi as opposed to Pre-hero giant monster). I think they don't carry the weight of the others because their particular series were cancelled. Enjoy!!! --Steve I think I'm more with Watcher on this one, though it is admittedly a gray area. With regards to publisher they need to be considered Marvels because they were published at the same time as TTA, TOS, etc. Second, there was a mix of monsters and sci-fi until Marvel shifted over to nearly all monsters. Take a look at the issues in the WoF title that Watcher posted from and there are a couple monster covers. Or consider TOS 2 which is classic Ditko sci-fi. I find them as interesting as the 6 main titles as their interiors are usually fairly similar with lots of Kirby, Ditko, Heck with occasional guest shots by Heath, Sinnott etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlasFan Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I would say with certainty that Strange Worlds and the Ditko/Kirby issues of World of Fantasy are definitely "pre-hero". I would not limit the term "pre-hero" to just monster covers or to just issues of the "BIG 4" before their respective heroes took over the books. The term "pre-hero" means to me any late 50s/early 60s Atlas fantasy books with stories by Kirby/Ditko or Heck. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Not quite what most regard as typical pre-hero, but it has Kirby and Ditko art---that makes it pre-hero for me. Angelo Hey Angelo, nice book! Actually the Kirby/Ditko World of Fantasy (as well as Strange Worlds) are very much Pre-Hero Atlas books (although decidedly sci-fi as opposed to Pre-hero giant monster). I think they don't carry the weight of the others because their particular series were cancelled. Enjoy!!! --Steve I think I'm more with Watcher on this one, though it is admittedly a gray area. With regards to publisher they need to be considered Marvels because they were published at the same time as TTA, TOS, etc. Second, there was a mix of monsters and sci-fi until Marvel shifted over to nearly all monsters. Take a look at the issues in the WoF title that Watcher posted from and there are a couple monster covers. Or consider TOS 2 which is classic Ditko sci-fi. I find them as interesting as the 6 main titles as their interiors are usually fairly similar with lots of Kirby, Ditko, Heck with occasional guest shots by Heath, Sinnott etc. I was agreeing with him as well, just pointing out that these don't get the attention they probably deserve because they were cancelled, whereas the ongoing series eventually spawned hero books. I typed it out too fast without being very clear. I think these are great books, they just get overlooked by a lot of collectors. But they are as legitimately "pre-hero" as the other 6. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netpooch Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I think these are great books, they just get overlooked by a lot of collectors. But they are as legitimately "pre-hero" as the other 6. Steve On that, I am in complete agreement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monstro Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWatcher Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I think these are great books, they just get overlooked by a lot of collectors. But they are as legitimately "pre-hero" as the other 6. Steve On that, I am in complete agreement. I sound like a broken record, but those are some sweet books Angelo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodan57 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Actually the Kirby/Ditko World of Fantasy (as well as Strange Worlds) are very much Pre-Hero Atlas books (although decidedly sci-fi as opposed to Pre-hero giant monster). I think they don't carry the weight of the others because their particular series were cancelled. Enjoy!!! --Steve I like the older Atlas titles, but collecting Marvel for me begins when Atlas became "the company with no name" after the 1957 Atlas implosion. This period is signifcant for not only the folding of so many comic book titles but also for the death of Maneely and the arrival of Kirby, Ditko and Heck. You can witness Marvel arising out of the ashes of Atlas. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) Actually the Kirby/Ditko World of Fantasy (as well as Strange Worlds) are very much Pre-Hero Atlas books (although decidedly sci-fi as opposed to Pre-hero giant monster). I think they don't carry the weight of the others because their particular series were cancelled. Enjoy!!! --Steve I like the older Atlas titles, but collecting Marvel for me begins when Atlas became "the company with no name" after the 1957 Atlas implosion. This period is signifcant for not only the folding of so many comic book titles but also for the death of Maneely and the arrival of Kirby, Ditko and Heck. You can witness Marvel arising out of the ashes of Atlas. Dennis Yes, those are great points. It's sad that Maneely had to die in order for Kirby and Ditko to get more work, which ultimately helped launch the Marvel Universe as we know it. here's one of his covers I love, from 1956 Edited July 11, 2007 by Rhino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Gotta keep this thread alive.... This is probably my favorite Pre-Hero story in terms of the number and quality of the monsters in the story -- about a comic book artist who draws monster comics and the monsters come to life! If OA of this story ever hits the market I'm gonna have to mortage my house.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAP Freak Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 X looks like Fin Fang Foom well the face does... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastExchange-migratio Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 (edited) Edited August 23, 2007 by CarolinaComix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastExchange-migratio Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 (edited) I love books that have stamps on the cover. To me they are more valuable. Edited August 23, 2007 by CarolinaComix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blind Owl Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Just reading some comments on this thread. I have to agree that World of Fantasy is a great series and should be included as the real beginnings of the pre-hero Marvel age. This series basically ended when TTA & TOS started, so in my minds eye it was sort of replaced by them. The fact that this title did not last and introduce any Super-Hereos is why it doesn't get the respect it deserves. It was a great series!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Just reading some comments on this thread. I have to agree that World of Fantasy is a great series and should be included as the real beginnings of the pre-hero Marvel age. This series basically ended when TTA & TOS started, so in my minds eye it was sort of replaced by them. The fact that this title did not last and introduce any Super-Hereos is why it doesn't get the respect it deserves. It was a great series!!!! You are absolutely correct. Same goes for Strange Worlds. (thumbs u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastExchange-migratio Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 (edited) Rhino how many copies of TOS #8 do you have? Edited August 23, 2007 by CarolinaComix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWatcher Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Hey, sweet pre-heores you got there (thumbs u That TOS 19 has the biggest word balloon I've ever seen on a cover Angelo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlasFan Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Hey, remember gang, the pre-hero era doesn't end immediately after the heroes took over the books. TOS, TTA, ST, and JIM still had fantastic Ditko and Heck back-up stories for about a year into the hero's run -- well into late 1963. JIM had non-Thor fantasy stories up to 99, TOS up to 48, TTA up to 51, and ST up to 113. These are truly the most overlooked issues. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRaven Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAP Freak Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Splash Page to the backup story of TTA 51: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Rhino how many copies of TOS #8 do you have? Not nearly enough.... That TOS 19 is a great book -- excellent monster plant cover! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...