| The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves | |
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The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves #1 (May 1967). Cover art by Pat Boyette. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Charlton Comics |
| Schedule | Bimonthly |
| Format | Anthology |
| Publication date | May 1967 - Jan. 1986 |
| Number of issues | 75 |
| Main character(s) | Doctor M.T. Graves |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Steve Ditko, Steve Skeates, Mike Pellowski, Joe Gill |
| Artist(s) | Steve Ditko, Jim Aparo, Vince Alascia, Pat Boyette, Pete Morisi, Rocke Mastroserio, Charles Nicholas, Rich Larson, Don Newton, Tom Sutton |
| Creator(s) | (title character) Ernie Bache |
The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves[1] was an American supernatural-anthology comic book published by Charlton Comics and best known as a showcase for the popular writer-artist Steve Ditko, the co-creator of Marvel Comics' Spider-Man. The eponymous Dr. M. T. Graves was a fictional character who hosted the stories in each issue of this title, and very occasionally took part in a tale.
The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves's sister titles, with many of the same creators, particularly Ditko, were the Charlton anthologies Ghost Manor (with host Mr. Bones) and its successor, Ghostly Haunts (with Winnie the Witch); Ghostly Tales (with Mr. Dedd); and Haunted (with Impy and then Baron Weirwulf). The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves won the 1967 Alley Award for Best Fantasy/SF/Supernatural Title.
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Following his introduction as Dr. M. T. Graves in Charlton Comics' Ghostly Tales #55 (May 1966), as Dr. Graves the Ghost Fighter in a three-page story by writer-artist Ernie Bache,[2] the character went on to host his own anthology title, The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves. The series ran 72 issues (cover-dated May 1967 - May 1982), generally published bimonthly. Following issue #60 (Jan. 1977), the title went on hiatus for seven months until issue #61 (Aug. 1977) before being canceled with #65 (May 1978). Charlton revived the title three years later with #66 (May 1981) before canceling it once more six issues later (May 1982).[3]
Three additional issues consisting solely of reprints, and titled simply Dr. Graves, were published as issues #73-75 (Sept. 1985 - Jan. 1986).[4]
Among the artists whose work appeared were Steve Ditko, following his falling-out with Marvel Comics; newcomer Jim Aparo, later to be one of Batman's signature artists; regular Charlton talents including Vince Alascia, Pat Boyette, Pete Morisi, Rocke Mastroserio, and Charles Nicholas; and such others as Rich Larson, Don Newton and Tom Sutton. The cover of issue #54 (Dec. 1975) marks one of the earliest professional works of future industry star John Byrne. Writers on the title included Ditko, Steve Skeates, Mike Pellowski, and the highly prolific, generally uncredited staff writer Joe Gill.[3]
The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves won the 1967 Alley Award for Best Fantasy/SF/Supernatural Title.