The Merchandise GuideComics: Charlton Comics
Compiled by Martin Willey
The Merchandise Guide
Wildman (1927-2016, wikipedia) spent 20 years in advertising while at the same time doing freelance art for Charlton, working with their editor, Dick Giordano. In 1969 Gold Key ended their Popeye comic, and Charlton picked up the rights, assigning Wildman as artist, now as a full-time employee, with writer Joe Gill. In 1971 Wildman was promoted to editor of Charlton's comics, but continued to draw Popeye, even after Charlton finished in 1985. For Space: 1999, Wildman hired the writers and artists, but had no creative input.
Wildman in "Comic Book Artist" #12 (2001):
"I'll never forget the time I sent Nick [Cuti] to New York, to see this new show coming up called Space: 1999. I said 'When you get done, tell me if this is as good as, or equal to, Star Trek.' He comes back, 'Oh man, it was off the wall. It was wonderful.'"
Color comics 1-5, most of the black and white magazine comics.
Nicola "Nick" Cuti (1944-2020, wikipedia) was an American comic writer and artist. In 1972 he was hired as an assistant to George Wildman at Charlton and produced hundreds of scripts. With artist Joe Staton he created E-man. In 1976 he moved from Charlton to Warren (leaving before the end of Space: 1999), and in the early 1980s he joined DC. From the late 1980s he worked again as a background artist for animation series.
The science articles in the Space: 1999 magazine and comic were done by Cuti, who was interested in science. This article on The Stars appeared in the color comic #2 and was also illustrated by Cuti.
Black and white magazine comics- 7 strips, in issues 1,2,4,5,6.
Joe Gill (1919-2006, wikipedia) was one of the most prolific comic book writers in the US, mostly working for Charlton. Early in his career he worked for Timely comics (later Marvel) on their Captain America character. He was the primary writer for all Charlton's comics from the 1950s. With Steve Ditko he created Captain Atom in 1960, and revived the character of Blue Beetle (1964). With Pat Boyette he created Peacemaker in 1966, and with John Byrne he created Doomsday +1 (1976).
Black and white magazine: 7 strips, in issues 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8; color comic issue 7
Mike Pellowski (1949-) was a semi-professional American football player before becoming a comic book writer in the 1970s, working with Marvel, DC and Charlton. More recently he has written children's and humour books, and worked as a comedy writer for comedians.