SPACE WESTERN: Spurs Jackson in "Outlaws of Mars"

You just can't get enough of Space Western Comics...

...so here's another tale from #42, featuring the return of Queen Thula and the Martians!

Politics is the same, no matter what planet you're on...
While the writer is unknown, the artist is Stan Jackson, who did almost all the stories (both Spurs' and his Space Vigilantes' solo tales).

SPACE WESTERN: Spurs Jackson in "Sun Masters"

Once more we return to the really weird pages of Space Western Comics, where both stagecoaches and spacecraft are accepted forms of transportation!

We don't know who the writer was, but Stan Campbell did both pencils and inks on the art.

SPACE WESTERN: "Hank Roper and the Riddle of Skull Valley"

One of Spurs Jackson's Space Vigilantes gets a solo tale...

...in Charlton's Space Western Comics #42 (1952).

Good thing there were enough aliens to go around...

Let's just say scientific accuracy was not a priority to the writers of this book.
While we don't know who the writer was, the art was by Stan Campbell, who did most of the stories in Space Western.
Both of Spurs' aides, Hank and Strong Bow, had solo backup stories during the title's run.
They didn't always fight interplanetary invaders, there were Commie spies to be dealt with as well!
We'll be presenting more of these solo tales during the lead-up to the opening of the summer flick Cowboys & Aliens.

SPACE WESTERN: Spurs Jackson in "Death from U-235"

As we promised earlier,  here's another exciting, never-reprinted adventure featuring cowboys and aliens from Space Western Comics #40.

Ah, for the days when a cowboy's devotion to the good 'ol USA overrode living in luxury on another world with a beautiful space princess...
(Never thought you'd read that sentence on the 'Net in 2011, eh?)
Don't worry, owlhoot.
There's lots more space-spanning, six-shooting action to come, so keep us bookmarked!

SPACE WESTERN: Spurs Jackson in "Saucer Men"

Isn't it amazing how these guys take the whole idea of outer-space aliens in stride?
Long before Cowboys and Aliens (either the movie or graphic novel), the concept of buckaroos going hand-to-hand with invaders from the stars was a part of sci-fi and comics history.

Almost 60 years ago, Charlton introduced Space Western Comics in October, 1952 starting at #40.  Though the numbering was a continuation of "parent" title Cowboy Western Comics, none of the previous strips were carried over or revamped, as often happened when comic titles were altered.
Instead, a new series, set in the present, was launched starring Spurs Jackson who was both a ranch owner and electronics expert!
He was also a Federal government subcontractor, so when he needed backup, the military tended to come a-running (and a-shooting).  Good thing, since his ranch became a magnet for alien invaders during the series' run.
The so-called "Space Vigilantes" consisted of Spurs' ranch hands including Hank Roper and Strong Bow, both of whom had backup strips in the book where they also displayed their solo alien-buttkicking talents.
An infrequent supporting cast member was Queen Thula of Mars, whom Spurs met in the story above.
Whenever a tale took place on Mars, or Spurs needed some really advanced tech, she appeared and livened up the usually all-male ensemble considerably.
BTW, if you think that this short story covers a helluva lot of ground in just eight pages, you'd be right.
Today this tale alone would be a six-issue miniseries (with a couple of tie-ins to other titles)
It shouldn't surprise you to learn the writer who penned it was Walter Gibson, aka Maxwell Grant, scripter of the pulp hero The Shadow, who wrote two complete novels a month about the character for a decade!
If there was anyone who knew how to cram a narrative with both plot and action, it was him!
Besides aliens from a number of worlds, Spurs and friends battled Commie spies (Hey, it was 1952! "Reds" were EVERYWHERE!), ancient Aztecs, and space-going Nazis!
It was weird!
It was wild!
Sometimes it was dumb!
But it was never dull!
And it only lasted six issues.
After #45, the title reverted to Cowboy Western Comics, and Spurs put in a final appearance in a one-page filler.
After that, he was just a footnote in comics history texts.
Until now.
We'll be re-presenting Spurs' never-reprinted battle against Those Who Threaten the American Way of Life.

Space Western Comics Cover Gallery

Long before Cowboys & Aliens, there was...Space Western Comics!

Here's a few of the covers from that weird Western series!

Look for the adventures behind the covers next week...

THE LONE RANGER: THE MOVIE Conclusion! (Plus BONUS!)

When Last We Left Our Heroes...

The Lone Ranger and Tonto discover Kilgore's reason for provoking war with the Indians; the mountain on the Indians' reservation is rich with silver!

The Masked Man and his Indian partner have prepared a trap to keep Kilgore and the duped townspeople from a pitched battle with the Indians...without anyone else getting killed...hopefully...

Thank you for participating in this history-making multi-blog graphic novel presentation!

If you're a late arrival to the party, no problem!

The first two parts were at Secret Sanctum of Captain Video™

Part One is HERE

Part Two is HERE

The middle two parts were at Hero & Heroine Histories™

Part Three is HERE

and Part Four is HERE

Special "Thank You" Bonus for our faithful fans:
The 1949 b/w pilot for  
The Lone Ranger
HERE!
One condition!
You have to go read all the other parts of the story before watching the pilot!
(It's the way The Lone Ranger and Tonto would want you do it!)