The Lost Heroes of Skywald

[@pyrobob5724]

Some of the art in these is absolutely gorgeous.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Pyrobob 5! Check out the archive I mention at the end of this video...there was too many images to choose from. The artwork and stories are amazing. There's week's worth of work there going through them all.

[@jamessimms3449]

The seventies had some pretty cool stories. That was right around the time comics were getting darker. I think we rather owe it to these writers for paving the way for stories like Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns, as well as reviving bloodier characters like Conan the Barbarian (a personal favorite of mine). Plus, a motorcyclist with a flamethrower is pretty sweet. Groove on.

[@noman6041]

I remember reading these stories growing up in the 70's. Beautiful artwork,. I was also a big reader of the Warren's 'Eerie' and 'Creepy'. It really is too bad that Butterfly never got a chance to 'take off' and be published elsewhere and become a big name. Great video!!

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks for watching No Man! I didn't know anything about Skywald before researching this video. Now, I am in love with them and wished they had survived.

[@blackphoenix77]

Butterfly could've been something if she'd been given the chance to.... spread her wings. 😉

[@FizzFop1]

Who knows BP...she might fly again.

[@danebarrett237]

Ad a kid, I loved All comics. But it was always the smaller outlaws that had my heart. Atlas, Charlton and Skywald were absolutely the best.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Dane! I don't know why, but I love these small lines too. Charlton , Atlas, and Tower...love them. I think I got into that back in the direct sales wave of the early 80s with First Comics, Americomics, Eagle, Capital, and so on. Something about those companies always excited me.

[@danebarrett237]

Fizz... I was buying these things right off the spinner racks. I'd buy marvel and DC (my dad always bought me Superman) but my true love was saved for Charlton... Capt. Atom, Blue Beetle, the Question... Thunder Agents... Skywald's color books (loved Jack Katz on Zangar)... All that crazy junk!!!

[@Targisvear]

"had some farout superheroes. They never stood a chance!", lol.

[@FizzFop1]

I had to put on my 1970s guy voice for that one!

[@Targisvear]

@@FizzFop1 You did it good, but the text itself was so funny with the paradox too lol.

[@lexgil6520]

Yikes. Business is business, but the way the big two handled their smaller competitors was icky, to say the least. Great content.

[@Tsukiakari-qb3tk]

amazing art, i really like the concept of the butterfly

[@FizzFop1]

I know! The whole line was amazing.

[@Tsukiakari-qb3tk]

@@FizzFop1 do you know who currently owns the line?

[@midnightmosesuk]

I love the art in these comics, especially as I'm more of a horror fan than a comic fan (dare I say it!)

[@FizzFop1]

Me too..midnightmosesuk! I couldn't start to give the quality of work justice in this video. Check out the archive I mention at the end of this video.

[@johngoras73]

You may dig my animation.(or not.) It's kind of Tombs of the Blind Dead meets John Woo.....or something like that kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3iWiIqtbMh_fsU

[@michaeltuz608]

I haven't looked at my Skywald comics for a _long_ time. Greatly enjoyed their color reprint books, and then the black and white titles which were a nice, slightly more adult change from Marvel and DC...smething I was ready for as I was in high school when these titles were launched. Gary Friedrich was a huge talent, one who could create stories that simultaneously felt familiar yet fresh and new. I never before knew the origin of the name Skywald! Thank you so much for that bit of trivia! Time to dig out my copies of _Hellrider..._

[@windlesSpice]

Great video. I've been collecting comics since 1990 and never heard of this line. Whenever I think I've seen it all I learn just how much cool stuff is still out there.

[@ninjaturtlefan2003]

I remember coming across these two through a public domain superhero wiki. Had no idea they were linked to such a unique history!

[@chimera916]

The Butterfly is very hot

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Beautiful doc.

[@macsnafu]

The Butterfly reminds me of Black Orchid, with her mysterious origin.

[@FizzFop1]

I haven't looked into Black Orchid--but a number of people have made that comment.

[@johnryder1713]

You weren't lying when you said its the kinda artwork you don't see anymore

[@cyclone927]

I LOOOVEEE your videos man, I have learn so much about history from you. The art on this books is aaaamazing.

[@FizzFop1]

Thank You Versace Pancakes!!! The artwork blows away almost anything coming out today. The thing I really love is the different styles of artwork. Everything looks the same to me today.

[@redvitaminblue]

Good Lord, those pencils and inks are gorgeous in black & white.

[@resistancepublishing]

Wow some of those horror comics art was awesome

[@astrofist]

I love the motorcycle riding superheroes... Kamen Rider premiered spring of 71, Hell Rider fall 71, (modern) Ghost Rider 72, and even Cap was crossing the country on his bike around this time period....so cool...great episode too. Thanks

[@siamiam]

if Marvel ever bought out these characters , hell rider could make a new captain america replacement- U.S. Agent or something like him, ex solider with an enhanced body because of a experimental drug

[@FizzFop1]

Hi siamiam! I have no idea what the status of ownership for these characters are...they could be in public domain since Skywald went out of business 45 years ago. I don't know if the trademarks or copyrights have been maintained? If not, someone should jump on them and create some new stories using these characters.

[@awesomeatronik]

Wow another great video keep them coming and i will watch. I am definitely going to be checking out that archive. To me it seems like this brand had a huge influence on the supernatural side of marvel comics as well as a huge influence for the character of storm. Thanks alot for creating a fun and informative channel that looks at the history of my favorite people...SuperHeroes!

[@gilrivera1813]

Love the content Darrin, more please. 😀 I hope you are healthy and doing well.

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks Gil! I'm hoping my health situation is behind me. I'm not fully recovered-but I get better every week. Doctor's tell me I have a great attitude and I'm way ahead of usual recovery time tables.

[@rob-brown]

another amazing video! 1970s horror comics are the best! edit: oh and the music in this vid is top notch!

[@Blofeld001]

Their comics look amazing.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Shane, Thanks for watching! Amazing! I know right? Check out the archive. I left the link in the description box. I couldn't come close to putting everything in this video.

[@sneakyskunk1]

I am going to read that entire archive. That is an incredible piece of information, and I thank you for providing it.

[@FizzFop1]

I was reading it for weeks! Use the link in the description box to connect.

[@catmandude1800]

Loved the early Boris Vallejo covers. Good times!

[@andreworr4307]

Loved the art quality in those old b+w horror comics plus when I was at school all my British marvel comics were b+w reprints as well (they were also a strange shape being a lot wider than they were tall,ah,the British comic scene in the 70's very strange !

[@noman6041]

Just checked out the link for the Warren magazines..WOW!!! I know what i'm gonna be doing with all my free time!!!

[@99Michael]

Thanks for the work you're doing. I remember as a kid coming across some B&W horror comics at the Boy's Club. Wow my, Jimmy Olsen comic didn't stand a chance after that.

[@FizzFop1]

You walked into the Boy's Club a boy...and came out horror nerd for life. Good call.

[@darkadmiralmarchhare1132]

Haven’t been getting notifications. So I re-subscribed and have been bingeing the videos. Enjoying the heck out of them

[@FizzFop1]

AHOY Dark Admiral March Hare! Long time no see!

[@gnayr1305]

Another fine video. Great job! I love Western comics from the 70’s & 80’s. The Bravados found a home in my collection some time ago. It was nice to see them make a cameo in the video. A future topic could be all of the Marvel/Atlas Westerns: Kid Colt Outlaw, Rawhide Kid, Two-Gun Kid, Outlaw Kid, Reno Jones, Gunhawks, Gun-Slinger (Tex Dawson), Night Rider (Ghost Rider), Red Wolf, Ringo Kid, Western Kid and Wyatt Earp.

[@FizzFop1]

I not sure when I got it...but I found a Sundance Kid comic in my collection. Shame they filled the book with reprints because the color comic's lone original stories were superb.

[@dravenvandross8281]

Awesome stuff man this is why I like your channel so much learning about obscured comic book companies and heroes I never even heard of this company SKYWALD so thank you for this video.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi DV! That's why I make these videos. I always loved hearing about these lines and reading their books. In the case of Skywald they produced some really amazing stuff. Most people today don't even know they existed.

[@daleanderson1727]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this and thanks for the link. I love Archive!

[@richardbuchko4910]

I picked up all the Gwandanaland Comics reprints of these. They only did the B&W because the color comics are not public domain, but still - MY SHELF IS SAGGING!

[@slasher0630]

I love this stuff. Dude seriously thank u for making videos on these characters and publications.

[@NIDELLANEUM]

4:15 AM. Cannot sleep. I see you posted a couple videos recently. I enjoyed watching this. It is nice to learn about those comic book companies who tried to make it in the market well after the Golden Age

[@FizzFop1]

Glad you liked it NIDELLANEUM! I suffer from many things-including insomnia--here on KZbin there's Lucid Dream Music-some of it in 8 hour lengths...I put it down low and it puts me to sleep. Hope that helps.

[@NIDELLANEUM]

@@FizzFop1 thank you for the tip. I will try it. I hope you can feel happy and restes

[@jessmccart3937]

I found only 1 Skywald publication in the 70s a Jungle Adventures I wish I could have found some of the magazines I was a big fan of the Warren magazines.

[@thegunslinger8806]

Great art, all of it very pulp and almost porn film like lol but I'm also laughing at the skywald self portrait with the voodoo doll, that was the most 70's thing I've ever seen.

[@FizzFop1]

It was a Blast from the Past Player Juan!

[@superby1]

I loved the video and was interested in reading these titles...then you provided the free link to read them. Thank you so much!

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks for watching Jose! I hope you enjoy those books as much as I did.

[@SiresFire]

If Hell-Rider and Butterfly are truly public domain, I am honestly shocked no one has jumped at the opportunity to bring them to modern media.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi WorthySire! Thanks for watching! I don't know their status. A couple years back, someone was reprinting Skywald horror stories in magazine form. I don't know what their legal claim is. Skywald has been dead for 45 years-I have no idea who is the legal owner at this point.

[@SiresFire]

@@FizzFop1 Google seems to think that because Skywald did not copyright their books properly, they have entered the public domain already. Which of is why I am surprised.

[@cabronmalisimo]

Been reading comics for 35+ still TIL, thank you for this...

[@FizzFop1]

My pleasure Nemo!

[@helious5056]

I always loved hell raider but I never really looked into skywalds other stuff but now after seeing some of that art I am definitely going to at some point. Also I am working on learning how to draw so maybe in the near future you may be hearing about a comic I do or something. Also great video as always my friend.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi holozlaer 235! Thank you for your support. I'm working on my drawing too. Making a graphic novel has always been on my bucket list. I have scripts for some short anthology horror stories...and I'm working on a script featuring the golden age DareDevil. I was a better artist at 18 than I am at 52, but I'm getting there. Hope to show people something in the next few months.

[@helious5056]

@@FizzFop1 oh no way. I'm actually working on a comic with the golden age deardevil aswell alongside some other golden age characters and one time traveling silver age hero and a platinum age heroin. If you think about it deardevil is Batman with the sarcasm and humor of Spiderman and a more messed up a traumatic backstory to boot

[@caesarmendez6782]

I remember only the Psycho b&w magazine & a couple of The Heap stories one which was his final one-? After many wild adventures The Heap finally makes it home to his human parents who recognize The Heap as their once human long lost son & they settle down together happily-ever-after.

[@timmarshall2062]

another awesome show thank you

[@kevinclark8356]

I'm surprised that no one has tried to reprint these, I'll buy them. Horror comic magazines are my jam.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Kevin! Thanks for watching! Check out that archive I mention at the tail end of this video. Almost the entire Skywald line is there for reading. I tell you, I fell in love with these books. The art and stories were amazing.

[@GuyEndore]

Amazing!

[@mangamegs]

Comics had soul back then pun totally intended.

[@rustyvonhammerdown9054]

Wow! Thank you so much for this. I was completely unaware of these titles. They seem like a killer mix of Warren and the seventies Atlas titles. I definitely need to nab some of these.

[@travishiltz4750]

This stuff is amazing. Never even heard of these guys. Probably, because I was never a big horror guy,. Same reason I never read much Warren stuff till years later. Interesting mix of characters.

[@RacsoHillgreen]

Very interesting, as always! Thanks a lot!

[@hydrolito]

Lothar a prince of 7 African tribes was in Mandrake the magician in 1934 by King Features. He had powers of super strength, super speed and invulnerability to fire, lightning bolts, magic bolts and weapons of man in 1934. He was also in Mandrake the Magician movies and in Defenders of the earth cartoon series.

[@mikedestazador5116]

Kick ass video, I hope you can continue putting out more videos more.often

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Mike, I'm going to try. My goal is to get at least one video out a month. The problem is how deep do I go? Sometimes I start doing research and reading and the next thing I know months have gone by.

[@mikedestazador5116]

@@FizzFop1 definitely I get it, I certainly love a ll the info on the last episode of the green hornet I washed it 3 times just to appreciate everything so yes if it takes more time to go really deep I do understand

[@riftwytch]

I had the Heap comic; I think a friend gave it to me, I don't remember buying it. At the time I had bee readung Swamp Thing, so it must have been sitting around someone's house before it was given to me.

[@michaelgarcia5493]

Love this art work in these comics

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Michael, check out the link for the Skywald archive. The books are amazing. It's a level of quality that makes current books shameful in comparison.

[@ComicCollectorGeek]

Nice..I'm still searching for a copy of Psycho 2.

[@gagecrawley6223]

As a superhero and horror fan, these magazines are perfect for me! I even have the issue of Psycho where the Heap appears. These magazines are the bomb! And I think I will check out that archive. One horror magazine issue I wanna get is Creepy #7. That one looks awesome!

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Gage! I had a misspelling on the video-I posted a link to the archive in the description box!

[@ricklogan7889]

I would like to examine that Archive. Thank You for that Information.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Rick! Thanks for watching! Use the link in the description box...I forgot to add an "s" at the end of the one I put at the end of the video! Great stuff there. Weeks of reading!

[@ricklogan7889]

@@FizzFop1 Thanks.

[@SaintNicholasOfficial]

I’m...A BIG fan and I have a request can you do a video on The Spirit I want to know more about him or the shadow

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Skit Snake Gutowski! Thanks for watching! You're the second or third person who has asked for a Spirit or a Shadow video...It sounds like a trend.

[@SaintNicholasOfficial]

Thank you

[@chimera916]

Thank you for the video!

[@juandiegotorres9632]

I would love to use the butterfly! She's public Domain Right?

[@FizzFop1]

I believe she is. I know that someone out there is reprinting some Skywald Comics...but I don't know what their legal claim is.

[@TallshrewFishing]

Always interesting, informative and well made. Thanks.

[@yuristoppa4975]

Man, I just love your channel, great content!

[@jaredgarcia8638]

Ill be honest, i trust you more than the public domain wiki with these obscure characters

[@JamesBurrTV]

I thought I was fairly well informed about comics but even though I knew who Brodsky et al were (obvioulsy!) I've never heard of this comics line. Some great art here. Will definitely check out the archive, even though I hate reading electronically.

[@FizzFop1]

I have to admit I thought I wouldn't like reading electronically...but it's getting easier and easier.

[@catyear75]

That’s One Bad A$$ Chopper !

[@FizzFop1]

Yes it is!

[@robert_bbiii]

Only reason I knew these was a copy of a book Encyclopedia of Super Heroes that had the Hell Rider cover. as one of the color images. There was also one for Super villians. Done on the 80's

[@mikepratt6481]

I had the Heroes Encyclopedia! That's when I realized AC's FEMFORCE were a lot of PD characters!

[@janetbailey3804]

GEE, I WISHED I HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE GET THESE COMICS AND MAGAZINES, MAGAZINES I WAS ABLE TO GET A FEW BUT NEVER KNEW THEY PUBLISHED COMICS, LOVED THEIR MAGAZINES AND YES THEY ARE A LOT LIKE WARREN MAGAZINES!!!GARY BAILEY KING OF DARKNESS

[@RileyHell]

Just finished watching all of your videos. Great stuff! I'd like to know more about you though. Why the name FizzFop1? Why do you like these retro comics so much? Where are you from? Its just nice to get to know the creator of the content a little bit haha

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Superhero Sinema Scoop! Thanks for watching! I had a Tee Shirt business briefly and that was the name...A Fizzle is a medieval term for a well dressed dandy and a Fop was a Victorian term for a well dressed dandy...hence the name FizzFop. I got into golden age comics when I was a kid. I was on vacation in Tennessee and I got a horrible case of "chiggers" which is a little insect that burrows under the skin. While I was in misery and unable to do anything, my Mom went shopping. I asked her to get me some comics -she did, but she also brought me Crawford's Encyclopedia of Comics. I knew Marvel, DC, and Charlton...but this book opened up a whole new world. I read about Fox, Quality, and Fawcett. I just sort of got sucked in. That's my story.

[@dyscotopia]

I remember seeing and browsing some of these horror titles as a tyke. I remember the Heap as being a less genteel Swamp Thing. That magazine size really gives the visual room to breathe and there's something about the format that I miss. Illustrated narratives feel more like art books than just more water in the content firehose. Also, marvel and DC can just gtfo over their unsavory practices

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I did a video comic retrospective on Butterfly before I changed my channel's name.

[@FizzFop1]

She's an awesome character. Someone should revive her.

[@minhdangvlogs]

Heap: hi Man thing and Swamp thing: papa

[@springheeledjackofthegurdi2117]

Never seen such short time between uploads I feel spoilt, skywald did one more superhero book, it was a fantastic four style team of scientific adventurers, also speaking third party publishers marvel and dc culuded to bankrupt, do you think you will ever do a video on Jim shooter and the companies he started like valiant, defiant or broadwalk?

[@FizzFop1]

What was the name of that superhero team? I didn't see that in the Skywald archive. I need to look into that. I hadn't thought about Shooter's universes. Maybe I should?

[@springheeledjackofthegurdi2117]

@@FizzFop1 sadly I've lost the page that featured info on them, theres a chance they could have been from another pre direct market mag company as it used the same skywald style of painted covers, sorry for lack of info I'm trying to refind but I haven found it so far

[@jimdotbeep]

You should make a playlist for your Lost Heroes of the *Bronze* Age videos.

[@FizzFop1]

That's a great idea Jim Dot Beep! Think I will do that tonight after work!

[@morganhanam9522]

wow, this is like discovering an alternate reality comics world; never heard of these guys at all. The art and such is so good, and such close ties to marvel. Thank-you! (out of curiousity - were some of those panels penned by Esteban Maroto? perhaps really early work?)

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Morgan! Thanks for watching! Skywald is under most comic fans radar. It's a shame they couldn't last. I'm not totally familar with Maroto's work. I don't know his career timeline. Skywald ran from 1971 to 1975 if that helps. Check out the online archive. The stuff there is well worth the time to look through.

[@jamesfletcher3720]

No Moroto in any Skywald title, many more Spanish artists from the SI agency appeared though, Ramon Torrents and Fernando Fernandez were probably the best known from SI to show up their pages.

[@Bucky749]

You can pick up reprints of skywalds comics from amazon .com pretty cheep Incase som people prefer physical comics instead of digital .

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Bucky749! The online Skywald archive is free! Great stuff there...weeks of reading.

[@nighttigercomics7323]

Another awesome video!

[@chadefita]

i'm bend watching your take on lost heroes from the past. pretty awesome so far. I believe you could do something about Jack Cole's Midnight, what do you think?

[@edward2962]

Awesome!

[@HepCatJack]

Demona's costume was turned white and it became Dagger's costume from the Cloak & Dagger series of Marvel.

[@FizzFop1]

Oh wow! I did not catch that! Good call!

[@frankjosephjaeger2675]

Man Captain America got nothing on Hell Rider, Holy Shit It's mean Ghost Riders + Captain America = Hell-Rider That Make Sense 🤔

[@TheTimeshadows]

Have you already covered the b/w, Sabre, title/graphic novel by the writer of Killraven?

[@FizzFop1]

I loved Sabre--shame that character fell off the planet.

[@hadensasser4937]

What music did you use for the beginning and ending of this video? It kicks ass!!!

[@jamesedwardclard]

love your videos

[@FizzFop1]

Thanks James!

[@billminnich3898]

Isn't that more like the LATE, LATE Silver Age?

[@thomasdeja523]

So this....cannibal werewolf...does he eat other werewolves?

[@FizzFop1]

Funny, when I came across that,I asked myself the same thing. lol

[@parkeranimations3671]

Are the skywalk characters like Demona, Heap, Hell Rider, Butterfly and Lady Satan in the public domain?

[@FizzFop1]

Hi Parker Animations! Thanks for watching! As far as I know, no one has revived these characters. That could mean that the characters are still under copyright protection. There was a company reprinting some of the horror stories a few years ago-but I don't know what their claim on Skywald is.

[@Melvinshermen]

Great

[@Bucky749]

I'll have a new video up either later today or early tomorrow a review of skywald's scream v.3 I gave you a shout out . Have a nice day .

[@MadMan3498]

I knows it’s free on the internet but it would be nice to get these collected in print. I wonder who currently owns the Skywald license if anyone.

[@FizzFop1]

Hey Mad Man, there's someone out there reprinting some of the stories in a magazine format. I don't know their claim to ownership or if these are in Public Domain. I've seen the magazine in comic shops from time to time. I did talk to someone who currently works for a major publisher. He saw this video and began researching ownership of these characters and stories. So who knows? We might see Skywald in some sort of volume collection!

[@Melvinshermen]

Screw it Now i want the brady bunch horror movie

[@markshulusky6680]

I love these cheap, obvious, colorful (fun!) story ideas. Atlas (the anti-Marvel revenge company) had another winner, DEVILINA, she was the sister of Satan and deserved better than that b&w mags two issue stand.

[@GleeChan]

Speaking of Jungle heroes, I'm wondering if you're going to get around to covering Rulah?

[@FizzFop1]

Hi CL! I've been thinking about doing a top 10 jungle goddess or Sheena video. I haven't really done the research on jungle characters yet-so it's still a ways off.

[@Melvinshermen]

Also do tom corbett space cadet The history of that one is stranger people say the idea come from robert a heinlein book call space Cadet But that who creator tom corbett space cadet have this idea before the book

[@stillbuyvhs]

That massive push Marvel & DC put out might’ve hurt themselves in the long run. If you put out a ton of titles, there’s a good chance you’ll get a ton of returns. You don’t want returns; it hurts your bottom line. Your distributors & retailers don’t want returns; they’d rather sell books at a profit. Marvel & DC’s action might’ve made the direct market their only option going forward.

[@FizzFop1]

It was all part of their stop Atlas comics plan. They took a real low percentage of the sale to flood the market and both Marvel and DC was screwed for the next five years. I think the distributors got stuck with a lot of comics because a few years later a lot of bagged comic bundles hit drugstores.

[@jamesfletcher3720]

Skywald were always held up as being poor imitations of the Warren comic-magazines but the Skywald stories were way more out-there and unique, when it came to Warren with the exception of a very few scripts it was usually re-treads of the hokey EC springboards, fine up to a point but hardly original. Skywald set a bench mark for illustrated horror stories that has yet to be bettered. R.I.P Archaic Al.

[@FizzFop1]

Hi James, when I first started reading them, I thought they were just copying Warren....I was wrong. I think they had their own take on horror and did a much better job at it. Shame it got dismissed only as a Warren copy.

[@jamesfletcher3720]

@@FizzFop1 Yes indeed. However Skywald does have a massive cult following and rightly so. There have been a couple of books celebrating them as trail blazing horror exponents which are well worth looking into. I consider myself lucky to have a complete run of Horror-Mood mags and frequently revisit them. Great video by the way.

[@r0kus]

_Where's Skywaldo?_ was my favorite. 🤓

[@FizzFop1]

Ha, made me laugh!

[@raymacgyv5408]

Just curious are any of these comics public domain? I think hell rider is but are any others?

[@FizzFop1]

Someone is reprinting these stories. I don't know their legal claim on them. I imagine that these characters are in public domain.

[@Melvinshermen]

And also just do a other John w campbell jr story damm it

[@EWH3]

👍

[@RodrigoGonzalez-tf9cj]

Algo sabia de esta editorial y el concepto de hell raider era interesante, con un muy buen dibujo pero el guion no era el mejor.