The Lost Heroes of Gold Key

[@jamessimms3449]

These characters are pretty influential when you think about it. Jim Shooter knew what he was doing when he used them for Valiant. I was waiting for a video on these guys.

[@robertfourhell2746]

yes Jim Shooter did a really good job, it was perfect

[@astrozombiac3535]

Those are comic book covers? They look more like pulp magazine covers and the interior artwork is unlike anything marvel or DC we're doing at the time. Fantastic stuff. It's always a good day when fizzpop uploads a new video.

[@richmcgee434]

Yeah, the line was really a standout from the DC/Marvel stuff of its day.

[@thegunslinger8806]

Well what are comics if not pulps with images?

[@queenannsrevenge100]

That was the hallmark of the Gold Key books - it's actually what attracted me to them when I was a kid. I enjoyed GK because everyone else was into DC and Marvel - it was something all my own.

[@nealbradleigh5069]

@@thegunslinger8806 Evolution. From the pulps and newspaper comics (through reprint licensing) the vomits evolved

[@MichaelRBrown-lh6kn]

Gold Key did painted covers on their none cartoon comics to set them apart. They did painted covers on Tarzan, Brothers of the Spear, Outer Limits, Boris Karloff, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and the like

[@philmfan]

As a little kid in the 60s, Gold Key comics grabbed my attention more than the popular superhero comics of Marvel and DC. Seeing them in later years always sparks intense flashbacks. My favorites were Dr. Solar (I was crazy for anything atomic and he had that visor!) , The Phantom (the skull ring!), and Magnus (his white go-go boots… wait… I guess it was the robot designs). Their covers really sparked my imagination, they seemed more “real“ than the others on the rack and really made me wonder what was going on inside. They were like sci-fi book covers (I may be mistaken but one of the Solar covers shown here looked like it was done by Richard Powers) and movie posters. I even remember the price increase! I was shocked! I didn’t know yet that prices could change. “What?! FIFTEEN cents?!!” Three cent increase is a lot of money when you’re trying to stretch your 50 cents per week comic book and candy budget at the corner carryout. Made it harder to buy an occasional Top Flite Space Master kite.

[@andresschiffino1262]

If nothing else, they had amazing painted covers. Paintings like these were more common for the black and white magazines like Warren Publishing and Marvel's Curtis magazine imprint. That made their comics rather unique.

[@n2bfw884]

I wonder where they all ended up.

[@gsentinel4821]

I concur, I was thinking the same thing.

[@jmen4ever257]

VERY rarely would they have a drawn cover, until the last years, and they were pretty crummy covers.

[@Ease54]

I didn't appreciate them at the time, but now I think they were brilliant! Hope they survived somewhere.

[@totalweirdo3378]

The painter is named George Wilson, He painted fantastic covers that often eclipsed the interior artwork.

[@misterray818]

My first introduction to many of these characters were through Valiant Comics back in the 1990's. (Still love the Turok video games to this day. I'm 41 now and was between 15-17yo when they released). However it did cause me to go to my local comic/hobby shop in the day and find out that these characters were far older than I though they origionally were. Glad you mentioned this line. Gold Key had a bigger impact than most people think they actually did

[@Lazrael32]

It's really sad what happened to Valiant. They had a really good go in the start. the speculator market just utterly destroyed all their potential.

[@benjaminshahoulian5838]

@@Lazrael32 they fired jim shooter and sold the company to a video game publisher who wanted to use the characters for games, werent even interested in comics.

[@Lazrael32]

@@benjaminshahoulian5838 yeah but they went after the speculator market against shooters advice. Which damaged the company. Then they fired him and sold it.

[@harpindawg7456]

When I was a kid, the spinner rack at the local Woolworth's (the only store close enough for me to walk to) had only Gold Key comics. I bought Dr. Solar, Mighty Samson and Tarzan, when I had money, but my hands-down favorite was Magnus. This was over fifty years ago, and now I see the situation in Magnus coming true. I can't help but notice the similarity of Magnus' upbringing and training and that of Doc Savage. Even after I could lay hands on the coveted Big Two comics, I still had a soft spot for Gold Key. The painted covers were absolutely beautiful. I still have most of them.

[@diddymuck]

Don't forget Space Family Robinson, apparent inspiration for Lost in Space (though completely different in style and characterization) and Kona of Monster Isle, a prehistoric muscleman who aided a scientific crew and even learned to fly a plane.

[@FizzFop1]

I didn't research Space Family Robinson...I just assumed it was based on the TV show. I need to look more into this. Thanks diddymuck!

[@markthompson9754]

@@FizzFop1 They came out simultaneously. I think the two legal teams worked a deal out of court wherein Gold Key got the rights to publish Lost in Space.

[@passage9993]

Everyone -wrong. Simply, gold key wanted rights to do a comic on the series, couldn't get it. So they invented their own loosely based on the tv show

[@jmen4ever257]

@@passage9993 I have space family Robinson 1. The date inside is 1962, three years before the tv show. They had published 15 issues by the time the first tv episode aired. Neither the comic or show have a thing to do with the other, completely different Robinsons.

[@darkwood777]

I had Space Family Robinson comics. I remember the giant mosquito episode especially. This was well before Lost in Space, and I think it was spun off of Disney's popular Swiss Family Robinson movie of 1960 or 61.

[@chrischreative2245]

“Magnus most importantly was taught to think for himself.” Yup, that’s becoming more of a superpower month by month. Might have to seek Magnus first issue out. Cool.

[@TJ52359]

almost Daily....

[@jeffsuter344]

Dark Horse put together 3 compilation books of the Manning run on Magnus.

[@geoffshaw346]

I just did,on a comics online site.Russ Manning's art from the first issue on is stunning.

[@MrFluffykat]

Let me guess....you're a libertarian

[@Lazrael32]

@@MrFluffykat what do you have against librarians?

[@emilywhitfield2780]

I love Gold Key comics!! Magnus, Robot Fighter, Doctor Solar, and The Occult Files of Dr Spektor and UFO Flying Saucers were my favorites!!

[@davidlafleche1142]

Gold Key published "Lost in Space" in 1962. And, wouldn't you know it! Irwin Allen produced the pilot episode for the TV series "Lost in Space," and sold it to CBS. Gold Key sued, but Irwin Allen won the case. I've always wondered about that.

[@majorneptunejr]

@@davidlafleche1142 It was called "Space Family Robinson". This was the title that Irwin Allen wanted to use but did not have the rights to. Gold Key threaten to sue for the similarity to their comic. But since they also published the comic "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", an agreement was made. The comic book title was changed to "Space Family Robinson: Lost in Space" to take advantage of the shows success.

[@comicbookninja5268]

I wish these characters were part of the Valiant Universe again. A Turok movie needs to happen asap.

[@gladiusdei]

There was a Turok movie. I just saw it. It’s animated.

[@DukeCityExplorer]

Gold Key is definitely underrated. Awesome cover artwork as well...

[@majorneptunejr]

Their cover art was outstanding. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the art on the inside. Especially the ones based on TV shows.

[@MrTimelord77]

Once again you have given life to heroes of a barren wasteland. I hope that these heroes will rise again and show modern heroes something special.

[@crashdive100]

The unbelievably prolific George Wilson's cover art contributed to the success of Gold Key's books much like James Bama did for Doc Savage. The M.A.R.S. Patrol books had covers that look like movie posters. I liked the Gold Key comics but I used to drool over that cover art, Magnus Robot Fighter in particular. I was an illustrator for 20 years and marveled at the design and composition Wilson put into them. How could anybody look at those covers and not want to know what was going on inside?

[@FizzFop1]

Hey crashdive100! Those painted covers are amazing. I need to look up more on George Wilson.

[@the60skid48]

George Wilson (2 August 1921 - 7 December 1998) was the unsung hero of Gold Key. You saw those covers and you wanted that book.

[@n2bfw884]

They are excellent! Bama's Doc Savage covers really inspired my imagination when I was too young to read.

[@danrazART]

Yes! Like Alex Ross before Alex Ross! 😂

[@WalterDWormack214]

Turok was a very popular Nintendo 64 videogame!

[@richmcgee434]

Wow, when I was young I grabbed every Gold Key book I could get my hands on. Loved those things, but they were very hard to come by compared to the stuff from the Big Two so I hardly ever managed to find enough issues of any one book to really understand the characters. Always felt like I was looking through a peephole at a much broader story, the mystery of which just made them more appealing to me.

[@jasontoddman7265]

I had the same experiences. I only missed occasional issues fortunately but I was devastated whenever I did.

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

Good way to express it. They seemed like one off magazines rather than comics like Spiderman. But that was because of how they were distributed. Learned a lot in this video!

[@markshulusky6680]

Reading GOLD KEY was always a strange, disconnected experience. Many of the books had no letters page or creator credits. It was very mysterious.

[@hotroddave7597]

Right

[@gigangreg7837]

I'm honestly surprised the Tiger Girl stuff never caught on The name is a little bog standard and the costume is a little too garish, but there's a ton of interesting concepts and character dynamics that would be immensely fun to explore A combative romantic tension between TG and Savage, INFAMY agents (perhaps could be retooled as something just as striking but less cartoonishly sinister like INFINITY), Titan's unrequited affection for TG, her circus buddies as a supporting cast in general, there's a lot going on that's ripe for exploration

[@majorneptunejr]

I would love to have copy of Tiger Girl. To have a copy of the only issue would be something.

[@collenrung5009]

Definitely! As long as it isn't woke movement.

[@majorneptunejr]

I was one of the few people that was actually collecting Gold Key comics while everyone else was collecting Marvel and D.C.. I never have followed trends. Magnus Robot Fighter was one of my favorite comics growing up. The future society with the robots were a bit eerie .

[@jmen4ever257]

Aside from the classics line GK were the first comics i coughed up the than big three cents more for. After mid 1969, they axed their adventure line, than lost the rights to Tarzan and korak.

[@collenrung5009]

I'm glad you're not into following trends. The world needs more like you Star Commander!

[@solomonallen3524]

Every thing you said is 1000% correct Hollywood is missing out on these great characters and stories. 👏👍

[@trevormoffat4054]

I had a few of these in the early 80’s when I was a kid. Tragg, Mighty Samson, but my favourite was Turok. It was difficult to get much media with dinosaurs in those days (believe it or not), and Turok was a very unique and interesting story with loads of epic dinosaur encounters. Good times!

[@lazer-ape]

what an unexpected treat! thanks for covering the gold key line fizz, magnus and solar are among my favorite comic heroes of all time. I swear you're just about the only channel I know that pays these older characters the respect and appreciation they deserve. I also have to agree with you in regards to magnus, I've been itching for a magnus adaption of any kind for years now. I suppose the closest we'll ever get is the old will smith adaption of i robot.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Lazer Ape! Maybe if more people see this video...or maybe the right person sees it...it might inspire someone to take the chance to make a film adaptation.

[@Trollificusv2]

Oh yeah, Magnus Robot FIghter. Couldn't even remember the publusher (I thought maybe Charlton). I dunno about an adaptation...hopefully they'd changte the "sleeveless tunic/boots/no pants" costume design lol. But then, it's 2022, so they might do a live action just _because_ of that outfit! Always loved Manning's clean style, for a time it was the best art in the business, I thought, and very futuristic lol (Man, I was like 8 or 9, what did I know?)

[@winstonblakely3846]

As a self publish artist I had the pleasure of working with gold key comics on an original title called grim ghost stories it was a one shot deal but I did enjoy that experience of Seeing the book in my hands when it was printed. Your awareness of the superhero genre becoming stale are true . The new Batman movie is not a spectacular film it is just Okay and nothing more than that. I wish you were a publisher so a lot of the community here could submit their stories to you and we could talk about them on this channel. Turok is another example of increasing a superhero cinematic universe with diversity and you nailed it right on the head wouldn’t it be nice to see Dr. Spector as a HBOMAX show. All of your videos give me that thrill of being a comic book junkie once again and I look forward to the next video and may be some of the ideas that I have mentioned here could be worked on in the community of artists that self publish their work. Thanks for the great memories and information.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Winston! What issue did you work on? When I was a kid and early collector, Grimm Ghost Stories was one of the few Gold Key titles I had. I've been doing some research on horror titles. I would love to include your work in the video.

[@winstonblakely3846]

@@FizzFop1 I wrote a story called Tower of vengeance it was about a haunted lighthouse and three smugglers who had to stay there one night. I don’t remember the issue number but I’ve seen it online also years later I was a background inker for Valiant Comics in the 90s and I did inking on secondary figures on titles like Eternal warrior and bloodshot and sometimes solar man of the atom.

[@winstonblakely3846]

@@FizzFop1 grim ghost stories issue number 59 you will see the captain of the lighthouse and the three smugglers on the cover it has a green background and that was done in 1982. Somewhere in my comic collection I still have a copy or two of this book. If I remember correctly Jack Sparling did the interiors for my 6 to 8 page story.

[@FizzFop1]

@@winstonblakely3846 I will look for that issue Winston! Thanks for letting me know.

[@Skravage2]

Thank you for another well made video. Your videos are always so informative. I love learning about different eras of comics & pulps.

[@darrylwiggins1156]

This really brings me back.I used to buy these comics in a three pack at the local candy store and supermarket for 50 cent! Wow, Doctor Solar.Thanks.

[@glennhendrickson7993]

I bought the 3 packs too ,i was a magnus/dr spector fan

[@joegilbert8010]

Those packs were always my reward as a kid if I was a good boy while grocery shopping w mom! I had a box full of Gold Key! My favs where Turok, Magnus, Star Trek!

[@sneakyskunk1]

Oh thank goodness you are back! I have missed you so.

[@firetop-cn8vb]

I agree

[@alfredMonty]

Thank you for another video. You may want to look up a DVD called "Turok: Son of Stone." It is an origin story that I assume they'd hoped would sell well enough to warrant a series of DVDs.

[@alancline2810]

Nice to see the comics of my youth. Always enjoyed Magus and Turok. Really liked the Tarzan series because you always got a lesson in the ape language he spoke on the rear inside cover.

[@vicplahamos1488]

BACK IN THE 1960 S I USE TO READ THEM. THEY WERW OKAY. NOW I MISS THEM.

[@marionlawless]

Loved all of the painted covers!

[@leonbeale5431]

These were my first comics when I was a kid in the 1960's and started a lifelong passion for comics. As a young kid the coloured art on the Hanna Barbara books popped and I was hooked. Also the wonderful photo covers of my favourite TV shows and hinted covers sealed the deal. I spent at least 30 years obtaining a full collection of every title in high grade. I also have most marvel/DC since the silver age, but my heart lies with the Gold Key. I simply don't care what they are worth but I can say they will be the last books I part with once sell off my collection. Them and the Harvey collection.

[@ibexuniverse8179]

My birthday is tomorrow and a new Fizzfop video is the perfect present! Your videos are always interesting, easily one of the most underrated channels on yt

[@FizzFop1]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ibex Universe!!! I hope you are spending the day with someone special.

[@mecahhannah]

Magnus robot fighter sounds really cool

[@collectionfanatic]

Glad you're back again. Your videos are always fun to watch.

[@thegunslinger8806]

I think a lot of these characters are great, I think the post apocalypse N'york story would be cool with all the nuclear panic going on, Turok is a video game that needs to come back and Doctor Specter is perfect to compete with Constantine.

[@riifraff4828]

My brother gave me a shopping bag with some of those and #1 Conan about 1972. Best gift EVER started my love of reading.

[@dennisanderson3895]

You suggestion regarding Doctor Spektor and Lakota reminded me: A HS friend of mine (RIP) and his SO wrote several horror novels focused on native folklore and legend. [So MANY of my books have been packed in storage for so long, I cannot just now recall their joint penname, his birth name was Fast Walker, and Boyd Dolash - a strong, loving and kind human.] One book's plot revolved around a young Lakota man whose young sister was assaulted and raped by outsiders during a "pow-wow festival" for which general public were welcome to visit (and some gawk, I expect). In his anger and frustration with "ordinary LE efforts," he employs a ritual from the wealth of knowledge his grandfather had taught him. But he was something of a "sorcerer's apprentice": Once he had unleashed the vengeful spirit to punish those involved, he discovers he *cannot* control it, and the spirit craves more... :-O THAT would be a heck of a film! If duel rights were secured, and the scripted worked correctly, the story of the novel with Dr. Spektor and Lakota arriving to aid in the developing spirit-world issue could work well.

[@FizzFop1]

That would make a great story line Dennis. It could be awesome.

[@franciscoassisgiocondo5932]

What MARVELOUS MAGAZINES !!!! HAIL POP ART !!!! ILOVE IT. A BIG HUG FROM BRAZIL (South America).

[@vincentfranklin17]

Hey, Fizz Fopp! Hope hope things are going well for you. Great video! I heard of Gold Key's superhero comics, but I've only seen pictures of them. I'm more familiar with their Disney and Hanna-Barbera comics. This was very informative. Thanks!

[@FizzFop1]

You should check them out Vincent. I picked up a small stack dirt cheap at one of my local comic shops. Most of them only cost me $2 each.

[@catyear75]

When I was a kid , Gold Key comics were sold at Woolworth 5&10 stores. I loved getting them - they were so different from Marvel and DC ( which I also loved at the time ) How I miss the 5&10 !!

[@gigangreg7837]

One great addition Valiant did for Turok; it's not enough that it's Native Americans vs dinosaurs, but now it's Native Americans vs CYBORG dinosaurs Like, hello? That's perfect?

[@FizzFop1]

Cyborg Dinosaurs???!!!! Holy Moly Batman!!!!!!

[@TabooX1984]

Valiant had alot of really good ideas that didn't seem to pan out. The Harbingers were a nice twist on the X-Men. Eventually they would get caught by Harada's "Egg Breakers" (???) and then what? The Visitor was a cool concept, that was (I think) short-lived by design. H.A.R.D. Corps could have been AWESOME as more of an event based line. I didn't really like Shadowman. He was too isolated. Geomancer was more of a supporting character that shouldn't have gotten his own book. Eternal Warrior had some serious potential but was kinda diluted by his brothers. Magnus and Rai were also interesting but being set in the future kinda made them victims of the present which kinda limited their potential and made time travel (Ivar) more of a necessity than an eventful storytelling tool. I should stop here. My post is too long and kinda rantish. 👍

[@jwrush]

Lots of inspirations for Steve Gerber, looks like, too. Names that end in -ar, pulp barbarians in a post apocalyptic setting.

[@freedommgtow4996]

Your research is amazing. Thank You for the lesson.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Freedom GGTOW! Thank you for your support!

[@jasonGamesMaster]

As a huge fan of Valiant (both 90s and modern) I have a love for these characters but only recently have had a chance to read some of the originals. The Dynamite stuff is good, but like many of their stories, both crossovers kind of fizzle at the end. The Dark Horse books are also good, in my opinion. Thanks for this. As soon as I saw it I was ready to go. I think I'm going to pull out those 90s Valiant issues this weekend :D

[@ClintLowe]

The Valiant stuff is so good. Dinesh revealed on FB that Shooter was helping them get Magnus, Turok, and Solar for the 2012 reboot but opted to sell to Dynamite for "business reasons".

[@jasonGamesMaster]

@@ClintLowe Facinating. It's a shame, but I understand that Valiant is now and was even more so then a very small player in a very risky business

[@grahamturner1290]

A scholarly exposition! Thanks! 👍

[@deathmetalbard]

I loved the turok games so seeing turok getting a good revival would be killer.

[@the60skid48]

You forgot to mention the uniqueness of Gold Key covers being painted. The great George Wilson comes to mind.

[@vonVile]

Turok did get a video game. Acclaim Comics, which was Valient, owns the Gold Key characters. They tried to bring their universe to movies with the Vin Diesel movie Bloodshot with others in the pipeline, but it bombed. I would love to see a video on the Archie Comics superheroes. I remember the 90s revamped DC Comics version under their Impact imprint, but would like to know about the originals.

[@glennbishopbishthemagish]

I remember DC messed up the MLJ (Archie) super hero's. There weak point has always been writing.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi vonVile, I did an MLJ/Archie heroes video a few years back.

[@jasonGamesMaster]

Just a point of clarification, Valiant never owned Turok, Solar, etc. They leased them. When Valiant folded Acclaim bought them (they were a high profile video game company at this time) and Acclaim rebooted EVERYTHING. That is the version of Turok used in the game. Not long after that the lease expired which is why the Dark Horse and Dynamite books exist.

[@miggypeso909]

@@glennbishopbishthemagish DCs weak point is the writing? Dark Knight Returns,Kingdom Come,Watchmen? Plus the hundreds of great runs on everything from the Doom Patrol to Batman? You’re kidding right?

[@jasonGamesMaster]

@@miggypeso909 I mean most of those were just a couple of writers. They seem hit or miss to me as well. Mind you Marvel hasn't really been good in decades either...

[@ronaldwalton9378]

Hey FizzPop! Thank you for the wonderful memories of 1965 when my Grandfather would buy me all the Gold Key comics I could get. Turok Son Of Stone and Magnus Robot Fighter were my favorites. These characters would make some awesome movies. Ron from Melbourne Fl.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Ron! Thank you for your support! That sounds like an awesome memory.

[@tazzahmed511]

WOW!! You never disappoint!! Love watching your vidz. I read Star Trek/ Solar Man and few other Gold Key line comics. Am a sucker for Golden Age Comics. Love them! Some of them are tongue an cheek fun. And your right, Hollywood needs a change. And these Pulp characters are perfect and right timing. keep on pumping out top stuff Fizz Pop!!👊🙏

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks Tazz! I appreciate your support.

[@calvinkatt662]

I didn't have many Gold Key comics when I was a kid. One issue each of Star Trek, Turok, Dr. Spektor, Lost in Space and Grimm's Ghost Stories. I wish I had seen more issues of Dr. Spektor as I really liked that one.

[@brycemcgovern2278]

Glad to see you making videos again ☺️

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Bryce! I'm always working on videos...I just can't get them finished. I got four partially edited. I have scripts for two more. I have a list of other ideas. I just have to get videos finished.

[@DanielJKoubleRenegadeNation]

I forgot how amazing Gold Key cover art was. Some of the best looking comic covers out there.

[@a.champagne6238]

I would purchase frameable art prints of some of their covers.

[@FizzFop1]

I bought those comic book covers on wooden plaques for my comic book room...they're all DC and Marvel...I would love to get some of those plaques with GK covers on them.

[@Demonstryke13]

This was really fun. I was first introduced to Magnus and Solar through Valiant, and yeah that's how I became a fan originally, plus my dad enjoyed reading about Magnus: Robot Fighter back when he was younger. As I watched this my head was trying to make a new shared universe concept with all these guys (Within reason). Frankly I wish Valiant took advantage of a lot of these concepts, something like M.A.R.S. Patrol would have been neat now that I think about it, but either way they'd be great stand alone stories too. My favorite is easily Magnus: Robot Fighter, but I admit as I watched this I developed an odd fondness for Tiger Girl!!!

[@michaelvirok6372]

Shooter had plans to do MARS Patrol during his Dark Horse run, I seem to remember reading. A shame that Dark Horse didn't promote his line. From back to the painted covers to the continuity he was so famous for creating in any of his runs.

[@briansmart8644]

I think golden key cover art was some of the best for the time. DC used the concept of doc spector for Constantine.

[@contrabandresearch8409]

I really like Gold Key stuff. They have that late 50s, early 60s line style and those beautiful painted covers.

[@joelake7986]

I definitely read some of the Magnus comics. It always bothered me that he was always punching what looked like steel robots with his bare hands. I realized even as a kid not only how painful that would be, but also how damaging it would be to the bones. I think it's something most people wouldn't even try once, and surely not twice. Usually when I bought Gold Key though, it was a movie or TV show tie-in. I think they even had one for the Beatles' Yellow Submarine film (which I wish I still had).

[@FizzFop1]

I forgot to put in the Yellow Submarine Comic cover. I found it after I made the graphic...forgot to go back and add it. That's a book I need to get my hands on.

[@Trollificusv2]

What do you mean "Wouldn't try once"? I was pretty convinced it was a matter of how you made your knife-hand...do it right, and oila! "Steel-crushing strength!". I DID eventually figure it out. You had to have the super robot training for it to really work. I was sad. And bruise-handed.

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

Remember, Magnus has "steel-smashing strength!" (Maybe he used the Robotics Force.....)

[@NeedMorePlebs]

in the valiant version they reveal he is the son of 2 humans with super powers. his father had super strength. he was born in modern day and taken to the future by dr solar when he was a baby and given to the benevolent robot A1 to be raised and trained as mankinds champion against the rebelling robots that gained sentience. he was never told where he was really from or who his parents were.

[@marvelpg]

I had some of these...the photo covers were really cool especially the Star Trek ones. Magnus and Mighty Samson were great !

[@dennisanderson3895]

The Whitman-Gold Key-Dell triad was a far better line than many assumed. [The same can be said of Charlton, who put a title "Doomsday+1" illustrated by then unknown named John Byrne.] One thing I loved about many of their books was the painted covers. Gorgeous work! Granted, a lot of the interior art was not "I'm doing my best effort," although I suspect that reflected the likely smaller pay scale. But the work was competent and acceptable. (Also: I read in article once that while no explanation for Turok and pal to be in the SW, wherein they became trapped in the sunken, mixed prehistoric valley, their attire and customs as plains natives was accurately represented. So, for the early 60s, that's pretty cool.)

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Dennis, thanks for watching. I love Doomsday+1. That was an awesome comic. Come to think of it...I still need to pick up the first issue. Maybe I should do a video on that?

[@mindgasm2]

Loved all these and Charlton comics, especially tigerman

[@Enshohma]

Controversial opinion incoming but Gold Key had the best cover art of all the comic publishers back in the day, regardless if 1960s Marvel had the more historically iconic ones. The choice to go with beautifully rendered paintings over the usual inks helped immensely.

[@FizzFop1]

I don't think that's too controversial statement to say Enshohma. Those covers are beautiful.

[@jimgillespie6109]

Nice video. Like you, I avoided most GK books back in the day. It took Shooter's Valiant to get me to appreciate them.

[@ghazzter]

That beat you used for the introduction for The Owl, slaps.

[@FizzFop1]

Slaps? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? You crazy kids and your slang.

[@ghazzter]

@@FizzFop1 its a good thing. Sorry, its a hiphop term

[@yellowmartian]

My favorite KZbin content creator returns! Edit: after watching the video, I 100% agree that the superhero genre is stale. I can't stand Marvel since Endgame. Phase 4? more like phase bore. I'd love a Turok movie or series and a Magnus series.

[@Spiritof_76]

Being a big fan of dinosaurs as a kid, I read the heck out of Turok, Son of Stone.

[@CaptainXJ]

@19:00 not me, I'm loving them more than ever. Each their own I suppose. The Batman is the first non animated version I have liked in a while.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

*To

[@bishopman2308]

As a kid in the 70's, I'd always get Magnus, Robot Fighter when I could find them on spinner racks.

[@thedreadtyger]

back in the Back When, I was a fan of Magnus and (just a little less) of Solar. I was always a fan of the Ghost who Walks*. The Phantom movie wasn't nearly as good as the Shadow movie back in the late 90s early 00s, but I was glad to go see both. this was a good episode. thanks.

[@earlerb4907]

I had a lot of Gold Key comics when I was a kid. My grandmother would buy a comic book, likely a Gold Key when we went grocery shopping. I had the 3 for 49 cents bundles, a great deal for a kid in the 70's. Thanks for the memories, reading theses comics made our childhoods awesome!

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Earl. Thanks for watching. Looking back, I wish I bought more Gold Key in those bags.

[@joegilbert8010]

Awesome! I just commented somewhere above that I would get a bundle at the grocery store as a ‘reward’ for being good. Always great books in those packs.

[@TheBlindDyslexic]

Yes, I remember a few of these due to Bagged version. Had one or two of Lost in Space, had one of Battle of the Planets (thinking the First issue). But I would be picking them up randomly. It wouldn't be until the late 70s, early 80s that I'd start actually collecting comics (mainly the Marvel and DC line). Then restart again around the late 80s with Mainly Marvel and a handful of off-brand lines like Boneyard, Image, etc.

[@empyreanvole]

That Battle of the Planets book (might be) worth money, Ive been searching for it for years.

[@johnathonf1]

This brings back fond memories!! Thank you for this upload!

[@springheeledjackofthegurdi2117]

Great work, I was introduced to the line through valiant's rather meta reboot and the N64 game for Turok, some books in the line I've heard are public domain (the captain marvel kind where you can get away with it as long as you don't use the book title and other trademarks) will you cover the dell heroes next or the Harvey comics superheroes to keep with the channel's Wally Wood and Ernie Colon appreciation?

[@GrymsArchive]

Got these for free way back when... Grew up about a block away from GOLD KEY's publishing house: Western Printing in Poughkeepsie NY. The guys on the loading docks (rail) used to give me and my 2 friends a bunch every week if I remember rightly. Great times! My FAV? Magnus The Robot Fighter!

[@glennbishopbishthemagish]

Gold Key and Dell were rare at stores, as was the Charlton line and the MLJ super hero line. I remember when I was growing up in the Chicago south side, few stores had them. DC and Marvel over took most of the comic book racks. I also liked the Fly and the Shield from MLJ, and still consider both DC and Marvel as poorly written. I consider DC in the 50's and the 60's to be their best writing time. Great video, I saw a few comics I used to own.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Glenn. Back in the 1960s, DC owned their own distributing house. They were the largest comic distributor in the 50s and 60s. They also handled Marvel and Archie. They throttled them. They would only allow so many of their new titles to hit the comic racks per month. Charlton and Gold Key did their own distributing as well, but their reach was no where near what DC was.

[@glennbishopbishthemagish]

@@FizzFop1 I really liked Magnus Robot Fighter from gold key, and most of the other super hero's over the DC and Marvel lines. I also remember when comic books were a dime and then went to 12 cents, then to 15 cents. Once they went to 15 cents, the writing started to become weak. Russ Manning who drew Tarzan, DC re-printed the Russ Manning newspaper strips in large annuals and book form. Russ Manning did Magnus robot fighter and for a short time John Carter of Mars for DC, in a comic called Weird Worlds, Russ Manning was my fav artist. John Carter and Tarzan ended up at Marvel and DC went for this homemade hero called "Iron Wolf" for Weird Worlds. That was where DC and the weak writing and bad art started to show, and the end of me collecting comics. DC and Marvel had the same problem, they had a lot of hero's, but have "no idea" how to write good stories, anymore. The writing and art turned cheap.

[@FizzFop1]

@@glennbishopbishthemagish I've been meaning to get some Weird Worlds with John Carter. I looked up Manning's artwork and he was extremely talented. I definitely want to look up his work. I blame college writing courses for the bad writing. The way they teach beats imagination out of young writers.

[@glennbishopbishthemagish]

@@FizzFop1 I think your right, a lot of pulp writers never went to collage. Also I think Russ Manning is an under rated artist like Doug Wiley was. Also "The Phantom" was way ahead and way cooler than batman. I used to have a lot of gold key Phantoms and the paper backed books. He made it to a movie that had good actors and bad writing, and one poor serial. The writing in Hollywood is just as bad as the DC and Marvel Universe is, both yesterday and today.

[@JohnnyElRed]

Honestly, there are many minor comic universes and characters that companies that want their chance to build their own cinematic universe DC or Marvel style could buy. Zenescope with all the intricate details of their Grimm Fairy Tales universe. Dinamite with their constant crossovers of classic properties like Red Sonja, Vampirella and John Carter. Gold Key is probably one of the most unexpected, but I really like the Doctor Spektor idea, and the Lakota Rainflower character seems to have an interesting design at least

[@Trollificusv2]

Huh. You are assuming the media companies actually give a sh*t about creativity and entertaining people, which I don't see much evidence of. They mostly seem motivated by taking something that (mostly male) geeks used to love, and ruining it. NOT "expanding the fan base to be more inclusive", but ruining the properties. I can't look at Dr. Who or The Last Jedi and think there's any other motivation. These Gold Key and Charlton are and were too small-time to bother to destroy. Which is good, I guess, but I got no hopes for a good re-boot or live-action cinema version.

[@the_weed_in_your_garden9319]

These characters don't fit the minority or diversity standards today. The only time they care about native Americans is during some pipeline protests. Comic book characters now have to be gay, trans and black female.

[@masterpainter72]

I remember the 1980s Whitman run,in fact I had a plastic bag of Doctor Solar,Bugs Bunny and Space Family Robinson-Lost In Space...

[@jessewilley531]

Dude, you left of one of the COOLEST facts about those Gold Key Buck Rogers comics. Gold Key had a notoriously long run time between purchasing stories and publication. So while the comics hit stands in 1979, they were written in 1978. Thus the issues J.M. DeMatteis did of Buck Rogers were actually the first comic book scripts he ever sold-- not DC's Weird War Tales #70 as most guides tell you. (Granted DeMatteis has disowned said stories... and can get away with it because he was not credited.)

[@FizzFop1]

That's really interesting Jesse. I did not come across that when I was doing my research.

[@jessewilley531]

@@FizzFop1 Well, again, he wasn't credited and the only reason I know was I used to write for the late lamented Collector Times, I got my info from the man himself.

[@whatwouldwesleycook9759]

Turok Son of Stone was always one of my favorites! My Dad owned a barber shop and I was allowed to buy the comics for the shop.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Wesley! Thanks for watching...funny, I had a conversation with someone the other day about comics at barbershops. This person was from California and I'm from Ohio. Both of our barbers had the policy that you could take a comic if you left a comic. Did your Dad have that policy? Was that a thing?

[@kenshirolucario2836]

You have a point on the representation of native americans, this also applies to any minroty. As the media and the woke attempts is rather insulting. Thanks for video! This an inspiration

[@jimmymelendez1836]

And what the are you talking about? Your as ignorant as he is.

[@daviddavid5880]

Those covers are seriously awesome. I so want to read these now.

[@vijeomasher9154]

Also, I saw a video about an old superhero getting animated with a very small budget and production. Atlas, Man of Might. Did you read his book back then? The animation reminded of your old videos when you used 3D models. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5a6fH15f9Ggjsk

[@FizzFop1]

I have not seen Atlas, Man of Might. I need to look him up.

[@vaasnaad]

Man, this takes me back! I had Star Trek and a bunch of Loony Tunes from Gold Key!

[@ScottSerkland]

Awesome Video! Good news! Gold Key Comics are coming back. We recently interviewed the new owners and talked about some of their plans to roll out the new wave of Gold Key Comics. If you're interested here is the link to the interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIeUqYePlq-ke8U

[@FizzFop1]

WHAT!!!!!!! I will check out your link! Thanks for posting!

[@J.Tower11]

As always, some of the best content on the web. Kudos to you, FF. Cheers.

[@baldeagle5297]

I loved Magnus and Doctor Solar as a kid. Turok was pretty good too. There was a character, I don't know if it was Gold Key, about an Incan. If anyone remembers it I would love to find out who it was.

[@FizzFop1]

Incan? Hhhhhmmmmmm.

[@baldeagle5297]

@@FizzFop1 The one thing I remember most clearly is he would chant something like this; " Inca, Inca Sun God Inca Give us light, give us life."

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Outstanding research and presentation. Love me some GK comics. Magnus would be perfect to ressurect on film.

[@vijeomasher9154]

Wow, another great video! My first encounter with Gold Key heroes was a free comic I got from Dark Horse featuring Dr. Solar and Magnus. I found their stories intriguing at the time. Is Gold Key Turok the same man in those video games back then? I am not so sure. Dr. Spektor reminds me of Mandrake the Magician with Lothar as a woman. Pretty neat concept. I am most interested on Tiger Girl. Jerry Spiegel wrote her? A band of circus heroes sound like a fun concept. I thank you for work. I learn a lot about old superheroes from your videos and I hope you continue doing so. Take care.

[@richmcgee434]

It's the same Turok character throughout, but the video game re-imagines a lot of his details. The original is just what he appears to be - a sort of generic (I don't think they ever say what culture he's from) pre-Columbian Native American who encounters dinosaurs and other prehistoric remnants in an isolated part of North America.

[@michaelstethem739]

Funny that you've mentioned video games. Turok had a series of video games in late 90s to early 2000s.

[@sharoneiff3626]

I am your oldest viewer at 72 so I was in prime comic collecting age when most of these comics were new. I started collecting Turock in the late 50s and through back issue comic stores eventually built up a complete set at a nickel to 10 cents a piece. I still have a complete set of Magnus comics. But I found most of the rest of the Gold Key hero comics to be boring, poorly written and only adequately drawn so their appeal quickly faded. I hate to rain on your parade because I can see your enthusiasm but I thought you mightbe interested in a view from a contemporary of Gold Keys golden age but there it is.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi sharon! Thanks for watching! I was a kid back in the 70s, and I didn't like Gold Key. I had a few books, but I didn't really follow what they published. Yes, a lot of their books are stiff...especially comparing them to Marvel at the time. I think I'm more impressed with the concepts than the individual stories and art.

[@michealperez1863]

Turok has some very popular videogames since the 1990s.

[@zeroher0876]

Dr. Spektor I can totally see as a new somewhat Nightstalker style TV Show. Would love to see some of these characters renewed.

[@gilrivera1813]

Missed you Darrin, Great video as usual man. I love seeing a new FizzFop video notification on my feed. Thanks again. 👊

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks Gil!

[@jonathansweet7205]

I loved the Magnus robot fighter...great comic

[@kafan439]

Such a great video. Like one huge, connecting, knowledge bomb. As an early fan with a willing mom taking me to conventions and exploring comic stores in downtown Chicago, I remember going through myriad comics boxes and coming across a number of the Gold Key hero titles. I was blown away by those painterly, paperback-type covers, but at the time was discouraged by the difference of the interior art from the covers. Seeing all the sample story pages you show here I now realize how beautiful ALL of it was (Dan Spiegle and Russ Manning, what was wrong with me back then?!). It's never too late to give those collections and books another try. I feel bad I waited this long but at lleast there's another untouched treasure-trove of books out there to enjoy. 🙂Your videos are so nostalgic and enlightening. Thank you! 🙏

[@jameslazaridis4180]

Wow gold key heroes are very interesting. And they look marvellous

[@ZOMb2010]

Great video..incredible art ..especially the Covers .. Thank you

[@m9squirrels282]

The art on those Dr. Solar issues is awesome. In general Gold Key had really nice covers

[@derekseven1647]

Gold key is amazing. I own quite a few copies as a collector myself. these are amazing.

[@michaeldiaz9999]

I'd like to see a series or movie about Dr. Spektor myself. He is the one that stood out at me the most.

[@MarkMeans]

I always look forward to your videos and this one didn't disappoint. Like you, I thought the Gold Key line was crap when I was younger. Today, though, I think I'd be interested in quite a few of these titles. I don't read many modern comics, so going back and trying to fill out a collection of some of these titles could be a lot of fun. Great video as always!

[@radiopal0911]

Wow, the nostalgia... so strong that I can smell the paper. I wish I had my copies... but alas, when I went to college.... my parents threw them all out. LOL. Still love my parents though. ;)

[@bdg77]

Excellent! I remember many of these. Especially Magnus and Turok! Thanks!

[@xaayer]

Sorry that my initial comment was so short but I'm a big fan of the Owl. His comics were interesting to me and I'm so happy with you are still uploading. I always love your videos. Your final comments about the super hero movies is spot on. I loved No Way Home but it wasn't because of the current characters, instead I was just excited to see Tobey and Willem. The Batman was okay but felt it took too long to get anywhere. The most recent Dr. Strange movie felt like a mess...