Vol. 1 Fawcett Comics debuted
Strange Suspense Stories in June 1952, featuring artwork by (among others)
George Evans and
Sheldon Moldoff. The title ran for five issues under Fawcett. In 1954–55, Charlton acquired a stable of comic book properties from
Fawcett Publications, which was shutting down its comics division. Charlton continued publishing two of Fawcett's horror books—
This Magazine Is Haunted and
Strange Suspense Stories, initially using unpublished material from Fawcett's inventory. In a quirk common to the publisher, Charlton's
Strange Suspense Stories started not with issue #6 (continuing the Fawcett numbering) nor with issue #1, but with issue #16, continuing the numbering of a cancelled
crime/
horror series,
Lawbreakers Suspense Stories, which itself had continued the numbering of the crime comic
Lawbreakers. Both of those earlier titles were decidedly pre-
Comics Code books, featuring murders, gruesome covers, and scantily-clad women. Artistic chores were then handed to
Steve Ditko, whose moody, individualistic touch came to dominate Charlton's supernatural line. Charlton's
Strange Suspense Stories ran seven issues to #22 (Nov. 1954) before being temporarily retitled
This is Suspense! After four issues under that name, the title reverted to
Strange Suspense Stories, picking up with issue #27 (Oct. 1955). Artwork from
Strange Suspense Stories was used as inspiration for artist
Roy Lichtenstein's 1965/1966
Brushstroke series, including
Brushstroke and
Big Painting No. 6. The panels in question came from the story "The Painting", with art by
Dick Giordano, in issue #72 (Oct. 1964). As the industry moved into the
Silver Age, Charlton shifted
Strange Suspense Stories to a more heroic vein, reprinting short
Captain Atom adventures beginning with issue #75 (June 1965). With issue #78 (Dec. 1965), Charlton renamed the title
Captain Atom. The Captain Atom title lasted until issue #89 (Dec. 1967) before being cancelled.
Vol. 2 In Oct. 1967, Charlton revived the title for another run, this time with a more straight-ahead horror focus. Stories were written by
Steve Skeates and
Denny O'Neil, and the book was edited by Sal Gentile.
Strange Suspense Stories vol. 2 lasted nine issues until Sept. 1969. == References ==