Comics UK

I have been reading some of my old stupendous library Steel Claw stuff. At times the story-lines appear a little bit more mature than those appearing in Valiant-a little bit of international politics, Steel Claw executing a FEAR leader etc.

Anyone know who wrote the stories in the stupendous series??

In February of this year, at http://bearalley.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04 ... eries.html, Steve Holland wrote that the writers of the Stupendous stories haven't been identified. To me, that means we'll probably never know.

I don't know about the Steel Claw issues but Jerry Siegel supposedly wrote the first Spider one.

Hi BillyTheCat: There was a Steel Claw book published called the "Vanishing man" that reprinted early SC stories (see first link) and the writer was Ken Blumer (and I think it was Tom Tully that wrote many of the Steel Claws latter adventures ) 2nd link is to some SC strips with that amazing Jesus Blasco art- it really was a wonderful strip and a great character.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Steel-Claw- ... 1845761561

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ste ... tedIndex=5

Well done, Mr McScotty. I was trying to dig out my copy of the collection but you beat me to it. You're right, it's a really well done strip and I've long been a fan, although I first found it in French reprints, so it's interesting to see the cover of a Balkan reprint on your second link. I'm sure many of you would wish to forget the period when he had a super suit and became a "real" superhero. But I admit to really enjoying that period. How sad

Hi Paw, yes I do indeed remember the superhero Steel Claw, I liked that time also but cant remember his outfit I seem to recall it being a bit naff with 2 small helmet mounted antenna (and yellow)? Steel Claw (imho) is a character that would work very well with todays audience.

Here's the Steel Claw in costume - scanned from the original art.

A quick Google search for "Steel Claw" + "superhero" found this, with another image of him in costume:

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/stclaw.htm

Thanks guys for all the replies. I have a fair bit of Steel Claw material as he was one the characters that sparked a British comics revival on my part about 4 years back. Since then I have been trying to pick up as much material on him as possible and the Titan collection was among the first of my purchases.

The stupendous series really does float my boat though.

Thanks for all the links. I hadn't seen Steve Holland's report on the writers of the stupendous series. Ta mucho.

PS Steel Claw's "superhero phase" did not represent him at his best imho.

Billythecat wrote: PS Steel Claw's "superhero phase" did not represent him at his best imho.

Agreed. It was just an ill-conceived attempt to cash in on the popularity of the Batman TV series. Thankfully that period of the strip's run didn't last long.

While I agree this was not the character's best period, for me it was most enjoyable. Being a complete addict for costumed heroes and masked mystery men, this was a great find. I would also claim that these Steel Claw stories in a super suit are superior to those corny Batman stories of the tv show era. Better drawn, better written, more exciting.

paw broon wrote:While I agree this was not the character's best period, for me it was most enjoyable. Being a complete addict for costumed heroes and masked mystery men, this was a great find. I would also claim that these Steel Claw stories in a super suit are superior to those corny Batman stories of the tv show era. Better drawn, better written, more exciting.

It's down to personal preference of course. I was getting into Marvel Comics back then and I found the superhero Claw stories to be a pale imitation of American superhereoes. Nicely drawn by Jesus Blasco though admittedly.

According to this link Scott Goodall wrote the Fleetway super library Steel Claw series:

http://ukcomics.wikia.com/wiki/Scott_Goodall

Mystery solved?

The Steel Claw is great, I love the later series, The Return of the Claw. If you are after more collections these two have quiet a lot of Claw stories, but note the repro in the album is poor.
http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/ ... RC-UyA.jpg

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/sca ... hfanca.jpg

David McDonald wrote:The Steel Claw is great, I love the later series, The Return of the Claw. If you are after more collections these two have quiet a lot of Claw stories, but note the repro in the album is poor.
http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/ ... RC-UyA.jpg

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/sca ... hfanca.jpg

David hi,

Thank you. I had already picked these up after your recommendation on the Hibernia facebook page. Read and re-read countless times. A great tip for which I am incredibly thankful.