Garth: Book One The Cloud of Balthus

Garth was a muscle-bound British superhero who travelled in time to fight the villains of many ages, usually managing an affair with a buxom beauty en route.

The first of a pair of large format compilations of Garth comics, published by Titan Books in the 1980s (the strip originally appeared in the Daily Mirror newspaper from the 40s onwards).

This selection is from the early 70s with typically varied content: Sundance (military history); the title story itself (sci-fi); Orb of Trimandias (historical drama) and Wolfman of Ausensee (horror).

This era was the high water mark of the strip, as it featured the superb, photo-realistic illustration of the late, great Frank Bellamy (q.v. Dan Dare, Thunderbirds), one of the best artists this country has ever produced. Also contains a brief comic strip history and a checklist for collectors.

Garth was created in response to America's publishing phenomenon Superman and debuted in the Daily Mirror on Saturday, July 24th 1943, the creation of Steve Dowling and BBC producer Gordon Boshell. His comic strip page mates at that time were regular features Buck Ryan, Belinda Blue Eyes, Just Jake and the irrepressible, morale-boosting glamour-puss Jane.

Author: Jim Edgar
Artist: Frank Bellamy
Publisher: Titan Books, 1985 First Edition
Number of pages: 96
Format: Soft Cover; Black & White illustrations
Size: 9" x 11" (225mm x 270mm)
ISBN: 9780907610342 090761034X
Condition: NM - Near Mint
Code: GARTHBALTHUS1