The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves


The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves was an American supernatural-anthology comic book published by Charlton Comics, often featuring stories by writer-artist Steve Ditko. 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.
Sister titles, with many of the same creators, particularly Ditko, were the Charlton anthologies Ghost Manor and its successor, Ghostly Haunts ; Ghostly Tales ; and Haunted.
The series won the 1967 Alley Award for Best Fantasy/SF/Supernatural Title.

Publication history

Following his introduction as Dr. M. T. Graves in Charlton Comics' Ghostly Tales #55 in the three-page story "The Ghost Fighter" by writer-artist Ernie Bache, the character went on to host his own anthology title, The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves. The series ran 72 issues, generally published bimonthly.
In issue #5, the fourth-wall-breaking story "Best of All Possible Worlds" by Steve Skeates and Jim Aparo involved a reader who's pulled into the pages of the comic book, and has to decide whether to venture back to the real world.
Following issue #60, the title went on hiatus for seven months until issue #61 before being canceled with #65. Charlton revived the title three years later with #66 before canceling it once more six issues later.
Three additional issues consisting solely of reprints, and titled simply Dr. Graves, were published as issues #73-75.
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 marks one of the earliest professional works of John Byrne.
Writers on the title included Ditko, Steve Skeates, Mike Pellowski, and the prolific, generally uncredited staff writer Joe Gill.

Awards

The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves won the 1967 Alley Award for Best Fantasy/SF/Supernatural Title.