The Steel Claw from Valiant (1962-1973) V1 - V5. Compiled and edited by H. C.

 

The Steel Claw

Publication information

Publisher: IPC Magazines/ Quality Comics/Wildstorm (DC Comics)

First appearance: Valiant #1 (October 6, 1962)

Artist : Jesús Blasco

Writer :  Ken Bulmer

The Steel Claw is the definitive centerpiece of the 1960s British adventure comic Valiant, published by Fleetway Publications. Making its debut in the very first issue 

on October 6, 1962, the strip ran continuously for over a decade, anchoring 

the weekly anthology and becoming one of the most successful and 

syndicated British comic creations of all time.

Within the pages of Valiant, the character underwent a dramatic evolution 

that mirrored the changing pop-culture landscape of the 1960s and 70s.

The Era of Villainy (1962–1963)

When the strip launched in Valiant #1, Louis Crandell was not a hero. He was a bitter, brilliant assistant to the scientist Professor Barringer. After a lab explosion fused a nuclear grid shock through his prosthetic metal hand, Crandell discovered he could turn invisible for short bursts—except for his steel claw.Driven mad by the power, he used his invisibility to terrorize Britain.

In his early Valiant appearances, he was a genuine, high-stakes supervillain, threatening to destroy cities, extorting governments, and matching wits with the military.

The Secret Agent Era (1963–1965)

Recognizing the character's massive popularity, the creators initiated a redemption arc. Crandell's insanity wore off, and remorseful for his crimes, he offered his unique stealth 

abilities to the British Government.He was recruited into the Shadow Squad, a highly classified espionage unit run by a commander known as "The Chief."This era shifted The Steel Claw

 into a gritty, Cold War spy thriller, highly influenced by the surging global popularity

 of James Bond. Crandell traveled the world fighting megalomaniacs, rogue states, and alien threats.

The Superhero Transformation (1966–1967)

By the mid-1960s, the American "superhero boom" (led by Marvel Comics and the Batman TV show) hit the UK. Valiant adapted by transforming Crandell once again.He donned a sleek, grid-patterned superhero costume.His famous steel claw was upgraded into a modular weapon, capable of firing lethal electrical blasts, knockout gas, and sleep rays, or even detaching to act independently.

The Freelance & Detective Era (1967–1975)

When the superhero craze faded, the strip pivoted into an action-detective format. Crandell left the government to become a freelance investigator and adventurer. This era featured some of his most bizarre and sci-fi-heavy storylines, including the famous "Reign of the Brain" arc, where he fought a giant, disembodied alien brain that took over Britain.

The End of the Valiant Run

The original weekly strip finally concluded in Valiant in 1973, though Crandell continued to appear in Valiant Annuals and holiday specials until 1975, right before Valiant 

merged with Battle Picture Weekly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Steel_Claw_(comics)

https://theslingsandarrows.com/the-steel-claw-invisible-man/

5 volumes totaling more than a thousand pages

Compiled and edited by H. C. 

We thank H. C. for his courtesy in offering our reader 

this magnificent compilation.

Marines Attack #01 - #09 (1964 -1966) [Charlton Comics Collection] Complete Series

 

Marines Attack (1964 series)

Published in English (United States) United States

Publisher: Charlton

Series Monthly Timeline

Publication Dates: August 1964 - February-March 1966

Number of Issues Published: 9 (#1 - #9)

Color: color

Dimensions: standard Silver Age US

Paper Stock: glossy cover; newsprint interior

Binding: saddle-stitched

Publishing Format: was ongoing

Publication Type: magazine

Authors:

Script:

Sam Glanzman ?

Pencils & Inks:

Sam Glanzman (signed as S-J-G)

List of Charlton Comics publications and links

https://old-fashionedcomics.blogspot.com/p/this-is-list-

of-charlton-comics.html

The Black Archer from Tiger and Hurricane (1966 - 1967) - Compiled and edited by H. C.

 The notion of a modern-day Robin Hood type of character isn't new to comics. DC Comics' Green Arrow has been around in one form or another since 1941, (and is now the star of the Arrow TV series) and Marvel's Hawkeye debuted in 1964. With the issue dated 2nd July 1966, Tiger and Hurricane introduced their own version, - The Black Archer.

To be frank, The Black Archer wasn't a very memorable character, but I thought its novelty might interest some of you. Above is the origin story, illustrated by the great Eric Bradbury. 

I only have sporadic issues of Tiger from this period but by the 19th November 1966 issue, The Black Archer had a different artist. The following three pages look like the work of Sandy James to me...

You'll also note that the character has moved away from his original urban vigilante theme into a more fantastic vein, fighting bizarre villains. This was undoubtedly inspired by the success of the Batman TV series. By January 1967, The Black Archer was facing a very peculiar looking character called The Remover...

By now, the artwork was by John Gillatt, another of Fleetway's many top illustrators. Tiger's rotating cover strips meant that it appeared on the front page on at least one occasion (issue dated 18th February 1967)...

As you can see, the scripts were not great, but it was a quirky strip and it featured some very nice artwork so it deserves to be remembered for that at least. If you're interested in seeking it out, The Black Archer ran in Tiger and Hurricane from 2nd July 1966 to 7th October 1967.

https://lewstringer.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-black-archer-1966-67.html?m=1

NOTE: 

There was a 7 pages text story with some drawings in the Tiger Annual 1968 and, in
 1985, 2 adventures were reprinted in the Eagle Picture Library. (Luis Miguel)

 183 Pages

Compiled and edited by H. C. 

We thank H. C. for his courtesy in offering our reader 

this magnificent compilation.

The Iron Corporal #23 - #25 (1985 - 1986) Complete series [Charlton Comics Collection]

 (1985 series)

Published in English (United States) United States

Publisher: Charlton

Details by Issue

Series Monthly Timeline

Publication Dates: October 1985 - February 1986

Number of Issues Published: 3 (#23 - #25)

Color: color

Dimensions: standard Modern Age US

Paper Stock: glossy cover; newsprint interior

Binding: saddle-stitched

Publishing Format: was ongoing series

Publication Type: magazine

Tracking:

numbering continues from Army War Heroes (Charlton, 1963 series) #22

Note:

The Army War Heroes Series continues, including appearances of The Iron Corporal who eventually starred in his own series with Issue #23 in 1985

Script: Will Franz (signed)

Pencils: Sam Glanzman

Inks: Sam Glanzman

Colors: Wendy Fiore

Letters: Sam Glanzman

Courtesy of Jens Terje

List of Charlton Comics publications and links

https://old-fashionedcomics.blogspot.com/p/this-is-list-of-charlton-comics.html

The Shrinker from Buster (1962) - Compiled and edited by H. C.

Created by Mike Western, with Carlos Cruz taking over the art from

 the second story onwards. 

The Shrinker starred in five lenghthy adventures in Buster - The Shrinker, 

Return of the Shrinker, The Shrinker's Revenge, The Voyage of the Shrinker, 

The Shrinker in Space - between December 1962 and January 1965. 

Some of the stories were later reprinted in Valiant between 

March 1968 and January 1970.

Base of Operations: Island off the coast of Ireland

First Appearance: Buster (Sth December 1962)

Powers/Abilities: Capek had a device able to shrink any living thing.

History: 

Capek was an evil scientist who had invented a ray machine capable of 

shrinking all living things. Using this he intended to blackmail Britain 

(and probably other countries) for large ransoms. 

He was opposed by Squadron

Leader Flint and Sergeant Slake of the RAF who had accidentally 

landed on Capek's island lair. Even reduced to minute size, t

hey managed to defeat the evil mastermind.

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/shrinker.htm 

 200 Pages

Compiled and edited by H. C. 

We thank H. C. for his courtesy in offering our reader 

this magnificent compilation.

Valley of the Giants from Valiant (1974) - Compiled and edited by H. C.

 

Valley of the Giants

From the Pages of Valiant

Published: 25 May to 10 August 1974

Inspired by the fantastic novel of Arthur Conan Doyle, 

The Lost World which has many adaptations 

in comics and movies.

Artist: Eric Bradbury

On an expedition to Brazil explorer Brett Mason, his family 
and scientist Doctor José Yarga become trapped 

in a strange volcanic valley where dinosaurs still live..

Translated in French in Tipi N° 49 - 50 (nov.1979 - feb. 1980)

  27 Pages

Compiled and edited by H. C. 

We thank H. C. for his courtesy in offering our reader 

this magnificent compilation.