anthology
In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors.
In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically categ ...
comic book
A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...
series published by
Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics was an American comic book publishing company that existed from 1945 to 1986, having begun under a different name: T.W.O. Charles Company, in 1940. It was based in Derby, Connecticut. The comic-book line was a division of Charlton ...
from 1971 to 1984 (though it was primarily a
reprint
A reprint is a re-publication of material that has already been previously published. The term ''reprint'' is used with slightly different meanings in several fields.
Academic publishing
In academic publishing, offprints, sometimes also known a ...
title from 1978 onward). The book was "hosted" by Impy, a pint-sized
ghost
A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...
dressed in an all-white
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
costume. With issue #21, the book's host became Baron Weirwulf (who first appeared in ''
Ghost Manor
''Ghost Manor'' is a horror video game that was released by Xonox in 1983 for the Atari 2600 and VIC-20. It was generally packaged in a double ended cartridge and a cassette tape along with one of three other games in an effort to appeal to ...
'' #19, published in July 1974). From that point forward, ''Haunted'''s title was changed to ''Baron Weirwulf's Haunted Library'' (though it was still known as ''Haunted'' in the indicia).
''Haunted'' was part of a wave of new horror and suspense comics published by Charlton during this period. Its sister titles, with many of the same creators, were the Charlton anthologies '' The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves'' (with host Dr. M. T. Graves), ''
Ghostly Tales
''Ghostly Tales'' was a horror-suspense anthology comic book series published by Charlton Comics from 1966 to 1984 (though it was primarily a reprint title from 1978 onward). The book was "hosted" by Mr. L. Dedd (later changed to I. M. Dedd), a m ...
'' (with host Mr. L. Dedd, later I. M. Dedd), ''
Ghost Manor
''Ghost Manor'' is a horror video game that was released by Xonox in 1983 for the Atari 2600 and VIC-20. It was generally packaged in a double ended cartridge and a cassette tape along with one of three other games in an effort to appeal to ...
'' (with host Mr. Bones), ''
Ghostly Haunts
''Ghostly Haunts'' was an American horror-suspense anthology comic book series published by Charlton Comics from 1971 to 1978. The book was "hosted" by Winnie the Witch, a " moddish" blue-skinned witch.
''Ghostly Haunts'' was part of a wave of ne ...
'' (with host Winnie the Witch), and ''
Scary Tales
"Scary Tales" refers to several different versions of a Halloween-themed compilation of Walt Disney shorts, as well as an alternate and condensed version of "Disney's Halloween Treat" (1982) by the same name or derivation debuting in different ye ...
'' (with host Countess R. H. Von Bludd).
Publication history
''Haunted'' was published bimonthly; with issue #35 (April 1978), it became primarily a reprint title, republishing material from its own archives as well as those of its sister titles (even covers from the latter years of ''Haunted'' were often taken from interior art from the reprinted stories). ''Haunted'' went on a publishing hiatus between issues #15 and #16, which lasted from November 1973 to June 1974; suffered another hiatus between issues #31 and #32 (January–October 1977); and underwent a final hiatus between issues #51 and #52 (October 1980–December 1981). Altogether, ''Haunted'' published 75 issues — with only the first 34 being primarily original material.
Regular contributors to ''Haunted'' included
Jack Abel
Jack Abel (July 15, 1927 – March 6, 1996) at the Lambiek Comiclopedia. November 24, 2009. was an United States of Amer ...
,
Vince Alascia
Vincent Alascia (January 14, 1914 – September 3, 1998), at the
Pat Boyette
Aaron P. "Pat" Boyette (July 27, 1923 – January 14, 2000) was an American broadcasting personality and news producer, and later a comic book artist best known for two decades of work for Charlton Comics, where he co-created the character the Pe ...
,
Nicola Cuti
Nicola Cuti (October 29, 1944 – February 21, 2020), known as Nick Cuti, was an American artist and comic book writer-editor, science-fiction novelist; he was the co-creator of ''E-Man'' (with artist Joe Staton) and Moonchild, Captain Cosmos, a ...
,
Steve Ditko
Stephen John Ditko Page contains two reproductions from school yearbooks. A 1943 Garfield Junior High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen Ditko". A 1945 Johnstown High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen J. Ditko" under extracurricular act ...
Wayne Howard
Wayne Wright Howard (March 29, 1949 – December 9, 2007) was an African-American comic book artist. He is best known for his 1970s work at Charlton Comics, where he became American comic books' first series creator known to be credited on cov ...
,
Pete Morisi
Peter A. Morisi (January 7, 1928 – October 12, 2003),Peter A. Morisi Social Security Number 076-20-5 ...
,
Don Newton
Don Newton (November 12, 1934 – August 19, 1984) was an American comics artist. During his career, he worked for a number of comic book publishers including Charlton Comics, DC Comics, and Marvel Comics. He is best known for his work on The Phan ...
,
Charles Nicholas
"Charles Nicholas" is the pseudonymous house name of three early creators of American comic books for the Fox Feature Syndicate and Fox Comics: Chuck Cuidera (1915–2001), Jack Kirby (1917–1994), and Charles Wojtkoski (1921–1985). The name o ...
, Enrique Nieto,
Joe Staton
Joe Staton ( born January 19, 1948) is an American comics artist and writer. He co-created the Bronze Age Huntress (Helena Wayne), as well as the third Huntress (Helena Bertinelli), Kilowog and the Omega Men for DC Comics. He was the artist of t ...
,
Tom Sutton
Thomas F. Sutton (April 15, 1937 – May 1, 2002)
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school in 1955, and worked on art projects while stationed at Fort D.A. Russell (Wyoming), Fort Francis E. Warren, near Laramie, Wyom ...
, and
Tony Tallarico
Anthony F. Tallarico (September 20, 1933 – January 6, 2022) was an American comic book artist, and children's book illustrator and author. Often paired in a team with his generally uncredited penciler, Bill Fraccio, Tallarico drew primarily fo ...
(as Tony Williamsune). ''Haunted'' was primarily edited by
George Wildman
George Wildman (July 31, 1927 – May 22, 2016) was an American cartoonist most noted for his work in the comic books industry. From 1971 until 1985 he was a top editor at Charlton Comics, where he also became the long-time regular artist on ...
, who took over the title from Sal Gentile with issue #8 (October 1972), and helmed the book until its cancellation with issue #75 (Sept. 1984).
American horror comics in general were in decline in the early 1980s, and Charlton in particular was suffering financially. In the fall of 1984, Charlton suspended publication, and ''Haunted'' ended its run along with the rest of the company's remaining titles."Charlton Comics Suspends Publication", ''The Comics Journal'' #94 (Oct. 1984), p. 18.