Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: Charles Sultan, Chesler, golden age
Charles Sultan's Mr. E and Sky Chief in Punch Comics #1, at Auction
Created by Chesler art director Charles Sultan, Punch Comics #1's Sky Chief, was a reflection of the aviation history of the era.
We've talked about the weird and wonderful world of the comic books from publisher Harry "A" Chesler a few times here over the years, but the role of Charles Sultan as art director of the publisher beginning in 1940 is deserving of more attention. In 1941, Chesler's Punch Comics #1 introduced Sultan's Mr. E and secret aerial operative Sky Chief, helping to set the stylistic tone of a key part of the publisher's comic book line. The cover feature of that issue, Sky Chief, was thoroughly inspired by the aviation industry of that era as well. There's a solid VG copy of Punch Comics #1 up for auction, which features the first appearances of Mr. E and Sky Chief, along with other stories featuring Kitty Kelly, Hale the Magician, and the Unholy 3. This issue and other early Punch Comics can be found in Heritage Auctions' 2023 May 14-16 Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction #122320.
Charles Sultan was already known for his work at Eisner-Iger Studio in 1939 before becoming the art director at Chesler from 1940 to 1953. Throughout his career, Sultan made significant contributions to various comic book publishers, including Fawcett, Fiction House, DC Comics and Quality Comics. Among his most notable works are contributions to Fawcett's Spy Smasher, Minuteman, and Bulletman. Like his work on Sky Chief, Sultan worked on a number of aviation features at Fiction House, including Air Heroes, Clipper Kirk, and Sky Rangers.
Even beyond the context of this early war era, the rise and rapid development of aviation technology, both for commercial and military purposes strongly influenced Sky Chief. This issue and other early Punch Comics can be found in Heritage Auctions' 2023 May 14-16 Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction #122320. New bidders can refer to the Heritage Auctions FAQ for guidance and information on how to participate in the upcoming auction event.