Other Comics

Haunted #1 – 75 (Charlton) (1971-1984)

Comic Books Library
by Comic Books Library August 06, 2025
Haunted #1 – 75 (Charlton) (1971-1984)


Haunted #1–75 (Charlton Comics, 1971–1984)

🕾️ Genre

Horror / Supernatural / Suspense Anthology
Haunted fits snugly within the golden age of horror comics, offering a chilling blend of supernatural suspense, gothic horror, and psychological terror. The anthology format allowed a wide range of horror subgenres—ranging from ghost stories and haunted houses to cursed objects and ghastly moral tales.

🎭 Main Characters

While Haunted was primarily an anthology without recurring protagonists, it was “hosted” by ghostly narrators that became its central icons:

  • Impy: A mischievous, sometimes sinister spectral host who introduced and concluded many tales.

  • Baron Weirwulf (later issues): A creepy, Dracula-like figure who served as the book’s narrator after issue #21. He also appeared in other Charlton horror titles.

These eerie hosts served to frame each issue’s stories and provide moral commentary or ironic twists.

✍️ Writer

Numerous writers contributed to the series, some of whom were Charlton mainstays:

  • Joe Gill – Prolific and versatile, Gill wrote countless scripts across genres for Charlton and was a major contributor to Haunted.

  • Nick Cuti – Known for adding a mix of satire and social commentary into his horror scripts.

🎹 Artist

Haunted featured a rotating roster of notable Charlton artists, many of whom later gained fame elsewhere:

  • Steve Ditko – Co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, Ditko brought a surreal, sometimes unsettling tone to his art.

  • Tom Sutton – Known for his grotesque and expressive horror art.

  • Pat Boyette – Delivered moody, gothic visuals that matched the eerie tone of the stories.

  • Wayne Howard – Charlton’s first African-American artist, who created and penciled many memorable horror tales.

🧑‍đŸ’Œ Editor Details

  • George Wildman – Longtime editor at Charlton, Wildman was instrumental in sustaining the horror line throughout the 1970s.

  • Nicola Cuti – Occasionally took editorial duties and infused fresh ideas into scripts and artwork.

đŸ·️ Publisher and Brand

  • Publisher: Charlton Comics

  • Brand Line: Charlton Horror (No imprint like DC's Vertigo; Charlton published under its main label)

📆 Release Year

  • Debut Issue: Haunted #1 released in September 1971

  • Final Issue: Haunted #75 published in May 1984

📖 Brief Plot Summary

As a horror anthology, Haunted told standalone tales in each issue. Readers were transported into gothic mansions, cursed relics, vengeful spirits, and doomed destinies. Most stories focused on morality tales—where characters who committed evil deeds would be punished through ghostly or supernatural means. The tone shifted from psychological horror to campy fun depending on the issue, but the constant was an eerie twist ending. 💀

📚 Notable Arcs or Storylines

Though not serialized in the traditional sense, certain issues stood out:

  • Baron Weirwulf’s Tales (Post-Issue #21): These hosted stories added a Hammer Horror vibe, blending gothic horror with a distinct 70s flair.

  • Reprinted Stories (1980s): Later issues reprinted material from Ghost Manor and Ghostly Tales, giving readers access to earlier, classic Charlton horror.

  • Ditko’s Psychological Pieces: Stories like “The King Is Dead” or “Revenge of the Living Corpse” showcased Ditko’s bizarre layouts and moral commentary.

🧠 Fan Theories or Interpretations

🔼 Haunted has inspired several fan interpretations:

  • Impy and Baron Weirwulf as Spirits of Charlton Itself: Some readers see the hosts as symbolic avatars of the fading Charlton Comics line—guiding readers through a “haunted” past of comic book storytelling.

  • Recurring Locations: A few fans theorize that certain mansions, cemeteries, and villages are subtly reused across stories, suggesting a shared Charlton horror universe.

  • Moral Echoes: The stories’ emphasis on justice beyond the grave is often seen as a critique of the era’s social and political corruption.

⭐ Review Summary

Haunted remains a gem for fans of vintage horror comics. The stories range from genuinely creepy to darkly humorous, capturing a raw, unfiltered creativity that Charlton was known for.

  • Art: Varied but consistently atmospheric. Steve Ditko and Tom Sutton's visuals are haunting standouts. 🎹

  • Story Quality: Some stories are pulp-heavy, while others feel like lost Twilight Zone episodes—short, sharp, and morally charged.

  • Character Depth: The anthology nature means characters are brief flashes—but that brevity often leads to punchy, effective arcs.

👍 If you're into retro horror anthologies with cult-classic vibes, Haunted is a must-read.

🧟‍♂️ “There is no grave deep enough… when fear walks again.”


Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)

Haunted #1 – 75 (Charlton) (1971-1984)
Language : English