The Al Williamson Reader #[nn]

(2008)

Contents (Table of Contents)

table of contents / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Letters:

typeset

Indexer Notes

This page lists the original source for each of the stories in this volume. Art collaborators for each story are also listed.

Co-Conspirators (Table of Contents)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Greg Theakston

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed)

Inks:

Frank Frazetta (signed)

Letters:

typeset

Content Information

Synopsis:

Introduction is accompanied by photographs and illustrations.

The Last Three Dimes (Table of Contents)

Crime Casebook / comic story / 3 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Rafael Astarita

Inks:

Rafael Astarita

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Larry Day

Reprints:

• from Wonder Comics (Standard, 1944 series) #20 (October 1948) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Credits and introduction list this story as penciled by Al Williamson and inked by Frank Frazetta. However, Robert Barrett reports that Frank Frazetta denied that he or Al Williamson worked on this story, and that it was the work of Rafael Astarita. (GCD mailing list 5 August 2010).

The erroneous Williamson-Frazetta credits can also be found in The Fleagles (Pure Imagination, 2011) and Steve Ringgenberg's Al Williamson biography in The EC Comics Library #3 - 50 Girls 50 And Other Stories (Fantagraphics, 2012 series), though Ringgenberg, alerted to the error by Roger Hill, tried to correct the credits before publication. (Ringgenberg via the GCD Error Tracker.)

Death in Deep Space! (Table of Contents)

Space Ace / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed)

Inks:

Wally Wood

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Space Ace; Dalla; Flor; Benton Thorpe

Synopsis:

Space Ace sets out to collect the reward for finding missing scientist Benton Thorpe, but instead finds a woman drifting in space. He rescues Dalla and hears her tell how her ship was invaded by aliens and Thorpe was captured. He follows her ship to Titan, but Dalla's story was all just part of a trap planned by Flor to capture him. Flor, the leader of the space pirates, intends to get revenge on Space Ace for tricking her in a previous scheme.

Reprints:

• from Jet (Magazine Enterprises, 1950 series) #4 [A-1 #38] (1951) [black-and-white reprint]

Chief Victorio's Last Stand! (Table of Contents)

Chief Victorio / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed)

Inks:

Al Williamson; Frank Frazetta

Letters:

?

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Chief Victorio's Apache Massacre (Avon, 1951 series) #[nn] (1951) [black-and-white reprint]

Sunny's Sunday (Table of Contents)

Heroic True Life Story / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Frank Frazetta ?; Al Williamson ? (signed)

Inks:

Frank Frazetta ?; Al Williamson ? (signed)

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Charles "Sonny" Kimball, Jr.

Synopsis:

Tells how a 10-year old boy saved a young friend from drowning.

Reprints:

• from New Heroic Comics (Eastern Color, 1946 series) #65 (March 1951) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

"Sunny's Sunday" is the story title, but the boy's name is "Sonny".

The index for the original story lists Frank Frazetta as the penciller. The story itself is signed by Al Williamson. The credits listed in this issue indicate "with Frank Frazetta" rather than breaking down the credits for pencils/inks as done with some of the other stories.

The Ugly Duckling Bandit (Table of Contents)

John Wayne / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Frank Frazetta ?; Al Williamson ? (signed) [as A.W.]

Inks:

Frank Frazetta ?; Al Williamson ? (signed) [as A.W.]

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

John Wayne; Bonanza Bill; Nathaniel Hilton; Uncle Ben; Doctor Coe; Preacher Brown

Synopsis:

When Bonanza Bill discovers a buried fortune, he relates the tale of Nathaniel Hilton. Orphan Nathaniel was raised by a cruel uncle. One day an 'accident' with a branding iron severely scarred his face. Unable to get an honest job due to his appearance, he turned to crime. Trying to flee a posse after pulling his latest job, he seemed doomed to die in the desert but was rescued by an Indian. He left the loot buried in the desert because he finally found friendship living with the Indian tribe.

Reprints:

• from John Wayne Adventure Comics (Toby, 1949 series) #8 (May 1951) [black-and-white reprint with certain panels omitted to reduce page count from 9 to 8 pages]

Indexer Notes

The credits page lists "with Frank Frazetta" for the art.

The Return of the Werewolf (Table of Contents)

comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Richard Hughes ?

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed) [as Harold Williams]

Inks:

Harold LeDoux

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Dave; Ginny; Dr. Parker

Synopsis:

Dave is unable to afford a normal fur coat for his fiance, so he brings Ginny a wolf skin as a gag. However, that night a werewolf enters Ginny's house, looking for his pelt.

Reprints:

• from Out of the Night (American Comics Group, 1952 series) #1 (February-March 1952) [black-and-white reprint]

Drum of Doom (Table of Contents)

comic story / 5 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Richard Hughes ?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

King Ward

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Annette; Fred Taylor (Annette's manager)

Synopsis:

Annette and Fred travel to Haiti to observe a native dance that she can use in her stage act. They offer to pay for the drum used in the native dance, but the old witch doctor warns them to go away. However, the witch doctor's son overhears their request and brings them the drum in exchange for money. When Annette starts dancing on the drum, zombies start leaving their graves and begin moving toward the drum.

Reprints:

• from Out of the Night (American Comics Group, 1952 series) #2 (April-May 1952) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Contents page does not list any credits for this story. Credits listed here are taken from sequence of original story.

The Flapping Head (Table of Contents)

comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Harry Harrison

Inks:

Al Williamson

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Bud; Sally; Silvana

Synopsis:

With his job of restoring an old European castle almost complete, Bud brings Sally there to marry her and honeymoon in the castle. The ominous ramblings of an old woman are ignored until Sally sees a flying head one night.

Reprints:

• from Forbidden Worlds (American Comics Group, 1951 series) #6 (May-June 1952) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Art credits in this issue differ from credits listed in original story.

The Phantom Fliers (Table of Contents)

comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Richard Hughes ?

Pencils:

Al Williamson; Frank Frazetta

Inks:

Al Williamson; Frank Frazetta

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Bill Chalmers; Nurse Nora Bentley; Werner Borth; Nakamoto; Zukoff

Synopsis:

Bill's job of flying a rebuilt World War II fighter plane from Assam, India to Karachi is routine until he has engine trouble. He contemplates bailing out over the harsh mountain terrain until he spots a squadron of old planes signaling him to land at an uncharted airfield. Before Bill can explain his situation, the other fliers assume he is a new recruit sent to join them. He soon discovers that the other fliers are dead men condemned to relive the pattern of sadistic missions. Only he and Nora are really alive.

Reprints:

• from Out of the Night (American Comics Group, 1952 series) #4 (August-September 1952) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

This issue provides no credits for this story. The credits listed here are from the index of the original story.

The Vicious Space Pirates (Table of Contents)

Captain Comet, Space Pilot / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed)

Inks:

Frank Frazetta (signed)

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Captain Comet; Captain Kidd; Captain Hughes

Synopsis:

Captain Kidd, leader of a band of space pirates, abducts Captain Comet and brings him to his base on the planetoid Xenor.

Reprints:

• from Danger Is Our Business! (Toby, 1953 series) #1 ([December] 1953) [black-and-white reprint]

The Iron Shirt (Table of Contents)

American Eagle / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

John Severin

Letters:

?

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Prize Comics Western (Prize, 1948 series) #v14#4 (113) (September-October 1955) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

This issue credits Williamson with the pencils and Severin with the inks.

Mississippi Card Sharps (Table of Contents)

American Eagle / comic story / 5 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

John Severin

Letters:

?

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Prize Comics Western (Prize, 1948 series) #v14#4 (113) (September-October 1955) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

This issue credits Williamson as the penciler and Severin as the inker for this story.

The Captain's Last Command (Table of Contents)

comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson ?

Inks:

?

Letters:

?

Job Number:

J270

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Battlefront (Marvel, 1952 series) #40 (May 1956) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

This issue lists no credits for this story.

Menace from the Stars! (Table of Contents)

comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed)

Inks:

Ralph Mayo

Letters:

?

Job Number:

J-934

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Mystery Tales (Marvel, 1952 series) #44 (August 1956) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Inker Credits from The Art of Al Williamson (Blue Dolphin Enterprises, 1983 series) #[nn] (1983).

The Secret of the Haunted House (Table of Contents)

comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Ralph Mayo

Letters:

?

Job Number:

L690

Content Information

Synopsis:

A young girl discovers the secret of a haunted house's reputation is that it is a way station for time travelers

Reprints:

• from World of Mystery (Marvel, 1956 series) #6 (April 1957) [black-and-white reprint]

The Last Great Council (Table of Contents)

Cheyenne Kid / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Angelo Torres

Letters:

?

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Cheyenne Kid (Charlton, 1957 series) #10 (December 1957) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Part 1 of the 3 part story of Custer's last stand.

The Trap (Table of Contents)

Cheyenne Kid / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Angelo Torres

Letters:

?

Job Number:

S2452

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Cheyenne Kid (Charlton, 1957 series) #10 (December 1957) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Part 2 of the story of Custer's last stand.

The Battle of Little Bighorn (Table of Contents)

Cheyenne Kid / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Angelo Torres

Letters:

?

Job Number:

S2453

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Cheyenne Kid (Charlton, 1957 series) #10 (December 1957) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Conclusion of the story of Custer's last stand.

The Drum Beats at Midnight! (Table of Contents)

Jann of the Jungle / comic story / 5 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Don Rico

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Ralph Mayo

Letters:

?

Job Number:

L942

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Jann of the Jungle (Marvel, 1955 series) #17 (June 1957) [black-and-white reprint]

The Quiet Stranger (Table of Contents)

Tex Ritter / comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed) [as Smithfield Cobb]

Inks:

Al Williamson (signed) [as Smithfield Cobb]

Letters:

?

Job Number:

S2592

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Tex Ritter Western (Charlton, 1954 series) #39 (January 1958) [black-and-white reprint]

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents)

illustration / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

?

Letters:

typeset

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Cracked (Major Publications, 1958 series) #1 (February / March 1958) [black-and-white subscription advertisement reprint]

The Law West of the Pecos (Table of Contents)

Cheyenne Kid / comic story / 14 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Angelo Torres

Letters:

?

Job Number:

2822

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Cheyenne Kid (Charlton, 1957 series) #12 (June 1958) [black-and-white reprint]

Prepaid Reward (Table of Contents)

comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Angelo Torres

Letters:

?

Job Number:

S3152

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Cheyenne Kid (Charlton, 1957 series) #12 (June 1958) [black-and-white reprint]

Beware the Future! (Table of Contents)

comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Inks:

Al Williamson

Letters:

?

Job Number:

T-111

Content Information

Characters:

Luther Zorn; Emma Zorn

Synopsis:

A physicist invents a time machine, but when it shows an idyllic future it causes people to lose their motivation to improve the world.

Reprints:

• from World of Fantasy (Marvel, 1956 series) #16 (February 1959) [black-and-white reprint]

Indexer Notes

Narrated in the first person.

Thumbs Down! (Table of Contents)

comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Anne T. Murphy

Pencils:

Al Williamson (signed)

Inks:

Al Williamson (signed)

Letters:

Ben Oda

Content Information

Characters:

Aglio; Bracchus; Cassius

Synopsis:

Aglio, favored gladiator of Mithras, has an agreement with Bracchus that he will have his freedom if he loses his match with Cassius. However, when the time comes, Bracchus gives the death sign. Eventually, Bracchus arranges Cassius' death as well. Then while Bracchus is reviewing the arena the night before the next big event, lions are released into the arena with him. Bracchus sees a figure in his box and pleads for help while attempting to pull himself up. However, he sees Cassius' ghost giving him the thumbs down sign.

Reprints:

• from Creepy (Warren, 1964 series) #6 (December 1965) [black-and-white reprint]

Al Williamson Portfolio (Table of Contents)

illustration / 8.5 pages (report information)

Credits

Pencils:

Al Williamson

Content Information

Reprints:

• from Squa Tront (Jerry Weist, 1967 series) #2 (September 1968)

Indexer Notes

Sketches by Williamson.