Space Family Robinson Archives
Space Family Robinson was an original science-fiction comic book series published by Gold Key Comics. It predates the Lost in Space TV series. The story was likely inspired by the success of the Disney film `Swiss Family Robinson'. The comic features the adventures of the eponymous nuclear family, whose space station is blown off course (more than once) leading them to be 'Lost in Space'. And yes, the Lost in Space TV program was likely inspired by this comic book. Space Family Robinson was published as a total of 59 issues, from 1962 to 1982. The first issue was published in December 1962. With issue #15 (January, 1966), the "Lost in Space" title was added to the cover. The title was cancelled with #36 (October, 1969). It would then be brought back in October, 1973, in part due to the popularity of Star Trek. At this point, all issues between #37 and #44 had the tag "On Space Station One" added as well. The title was again cancelled with #54 (December, 1977) (with #49 being a reprint of #38). A further new story was published in Gold Key Champion #1 (1978). In 1981, the title was revived as a reprint title for issues #55-59 (1981-82) under the "Whitman Comics" line. The comic was created by writer Del Connell and artist Dan Spiegle[1]. Gaylord Du Bois became the sole writer of Space Family Robinson once he began chronicling the Robinsons' adventures with Peril on Planet Four in issue #8. He had already begun the Captain Venture second feature beginning with Situation Survival in issue #6. As was typical of Gold Key's adventure comics, all cover-art was painted, most often by George Wilson. In the comic, the Robinsons were: scientist father Craig, scientist mother June, early teens Tim (son) and Tam (daughter), along with pets Clancy (dog) and Yakker (parrot). They lived in "Space Station One", a spacious moving craft with hydroponic gardens, observatory, and 2 small shuttle craft ("Spacemobiles"). In the second issue, a cosmic storm deposited them far from Earth and they have adventures while they try to work their way home. A backup series, entitled Captain Venture and the Land Beneath the Sea, ran through issues #6-36 (1964-69). Gold Key would publish 2 reprint issues in 1968/69. For some years the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide has a notion that the series was created by famed Disney comic book artist/writer Carl Barks. In fact Barks did suggest a Swiss Family Robinson in space comic to his editor Chase Craig in about 1960 but nothing came of it and the subsequent series was originated by people who hadn't heard of Barks' concept (which would have been more adventure oriented).
Volume 1 collects the Gold Key comic book issues #1 to #7, from 1962-1964

7x10, 224 full color pages, hardcover. ... $49.99.

Dark Shadows
Hermes Press proudly announces the complete reprint of Gold Key Comics’ television tie-in of the legendary supernatural suspense series Dark Shadows in a series of five hardcover volumes. The forerunner to today’s immensely popular vampire-themed television programs and theatrical films, Dark Shadows still garners serious attention as one of the most memorable TV shows of the last forty years. As anticipation builds after director Tim Burton’s announcement at Comic-Con International 2009 that his next project would be a big-screen remake of Dark Shadows — starring Johnny Depp in the role of reluctant vampire Barnabas Collins — the time seems perfect to reprint the full run of 35 Gold Key comic books based on the show, first published from 1968 to 1976. The comic books to be collected in Hermes Press’ completely digitally restored series present archetypal tales of vampires, werewolves, and the supernatural. The stories contained in the collection are thoughtful and beautifully crafted; they are the perfect companion for fans of the show, but they stand on their own as fine examples of compelling and effective comic book storytelling. Hermes Press’ reprint of the complete Dark Shadows presents the work of Silver Age comic book writers such as Donald Arneson and Arnold Drake. Drake, one of the industry’s most highly regarded writers, was responsible for the creation of the Doom Patrol and Deadman. Artist Joe Certa, an experienced comic book veteran, was responsible for the artwork on the complete run of the Dark Shadows series. Certa, whose career spanned over forty years, worked for almost every comic book publisher in the business and is best known for co-creating and providing art for J’onn J’onzz, The Martian Manhunter. Each volume will be supplemented with poster art, pin-ups, and documentary material from the show, as well as, essays about the history of Dark Shadows and other aspects of the show.
Volume 3 reprints Issues 15-21. 7x10, 224 full color pages, hardcover. ... $49.99.