Tales of the Unexpected (comics)#2006 limited series

{{Infobox comic book title|

| title = Tales of the Unexpected

| image = Tales unexpected 001.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Cover of Tales of the Unexpected #1 (Feb.–March 1956) by Bill Ely.

| schedule = Monthly

| format = Standard

| publisher = DC Comics

| date = {{collapsible list|(vol. 1)
February–March 1956 – December 1967–January 1968
(vol. 2)
December 2006–July 2007}}

| issues = {{collapsible list|(vol. 1): 104
(continued as The Unexpected)
(vol. 2): 8}}

| genre = Fantasy
Horror
Science fiction

| main_char_team =

| writers = {{collapsible list|(vol. 1)
Jack Miller
Gardner Fox
Arnold Drake
Otto Binder
Dave Wood
Bob Haney
Carl Wessler
(vol. 2)
David Lapham
Brian Azzarello}}

| artists =

| pencillers = {{collapsible list| (vol. 1)
John Prentice
Leonard Starr
Howard Purcell
Ruben Moreira
Bill Draut
Jim Mooney
Sheldon Moldoff
Bernard Baily
Nick Cardy
Bob Brown
Mort Drucker
Murphy Anderson
George Roussos
John Giunta
Jack Sparling
Lee Elias
(vol. 2)
Eric Battle
Cliff Chiang}}

| inkers = {{collapsible list| (vol. 2)
Prentis Rollins}}

| colorists = {{collapsible list| (vol. 2)
Guy Major
Patricia Mulvihill}}

|editors = {{collapsible list|(vol. 1)
Jack Schiff (#1–72 and #83–102)
George Kashdan (#73–82)
Murray Boltinoff (#103–104)
(vol. 2)
Bob Schreck (#1–8)}}

| creative_team_month =

| creative_team_year =

| creators =

}}

Tales of the Unexpected was a science fiction, fantasy, and horror comics anthology series published by DC Comics from 1956 to 1968 for 104 issues. It was later renamed The Unexpected although the numbering continued and it ended at issue #222 in 1982. The title was revived as a limited series in 2006.

Publication history

= Original series =

In response to the restrictions imposed by the Comics Code Authority, DC began a new science-fiction series in 1956.{{cite book|last=Irvine|first= Alex|authorlink = Alexander C. Irvine|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1950s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9|page= 80|quote= As part of a new breed of science-fiction adventure cut from the more wholesome cloth demanded by the Comics Code Authority, Tales of the Unexpected began its 104-issue run with 'The Cartoon that Came to Life' by writer Otto Binder and artist Bill Ely.}} The series featured artwork by Murphy Anderson, Gil Kane, and many others, with stories by John Broome, Gardner Fox, and additional writers. It was an anthology comic for many years, publishing a variety of science fiction stories.{{cite book |last1=Schelly |first1=William |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s |date=2013 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=9781605490540 |pages=142–143}} The series featured Space Ranger as of issue #40Irvine, Alex "1950s" in Dolan, p. 80: "With issue #40 (August 1959), the series became home to Rick Starr, Space Ranger who protected the solar system of the 22nd century".{{cite web |url= http://www.toonopedia.com/spranger.htm|title= Space Ranger|first= Don|last= Markstein|year= 2008|publisher= Don Markstein's Toonopedia|archiveurl= https://archive.today/20240526075857/https://www.webcitation.org/6BWAFY6gj?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/spranger.htm|archivedate= May 26, 2024|url-status= live|df=mdy-all|accessdate= October 18, 2012}} and running through #82 (April–May 1964).{{gcdb series|id= 1196|title= Tales of the Unexpected}} Other features included the "Green Glob" (issues #83–98, 100, 102, 103) and "Automan" (issues #91, 94, 97). The series' last issue as Tales of the Unexpected was #104 (December 1967–January 1968). As of issue #105 (February–March 1968), the title was shortened to The Unexpected.{{gcdb series|id= 1857|title= The Unexpected}}{{cite book|last1= Overstreet|first1= Robert M.|title= Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide|edition= 49th|publisher= Gemstone Publishing|date= 2019|location= Timonium, Maryland|pages= 1070–1071|isbn= 978-1603602334}}

= 2006 limited series =

DC revived the title for an eight-issue miniseries in 2006, focusing on the Crispus Allen incarnation of the Spectre, with a back-up series featuring Doctor Thirteen.

The back-up feature starred a team made up of Thirteen and his daughter Traci, I…Vampire, Genius Jones, Captain Fear, Infectious Lass, Anthro, the Primate Patrol, and the Haunted Tank. It was written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Cliff Chiang.{{gcdb series|id= 20053|title= Tales of the Unexpected vol. 2}}

Collected editions

Showcase Presents: Tales of the Unexpected collects Tales of the Unexpected #1–20, 512 pages, August 2012, {{ISBN|1401235204}}
The Jack Kirby Omnibus Volume 1 includes stories from Tales of the Unexpected #13, 15–18, and 21–24, 304 pages, August 2011, {{ISBN|1401231071}}
Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre includes the Spectre lead stories from Tales of the Unexpected vol. 2 #1–3, 144 pages, May 2007, {{ISBN|1401213804}}
Spectre: Tales of the Unexpected collects the Spectre lead stories from Tales of the Unexpected vol. 2 #4–8, 128 pages, December 2007, {{ISBN|1401215068}}
Doctor 13: Architecture and Mortality collects the Doctor 13 backup stories from Tales of the Unexpected vol. 2 #1–8, 144 pages, September 2007, {{ISBN|1401215521}}

References

External links

{{comicbookdb|type=title|id=1981|title=Tales of the Unexpected}}
{{comicbookdb|type=title|id=10034|title=Tales of the Unexpected vol. 2}}
[http://www.coverbrowser.com/covers/tales-of-the-unexpected Tales of the Unexpected] at Cover Browser
[http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/series.php?seriesid=2133 Tales of the Unexpected] and [http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/mikes/features/series.php?seriesid=2993 Tales of the Unexpected vol. 2] at Mike's Amazing World of Comics

Category:1956 comics debuts

Category:1968 comics endings

Category:2006 comics debuts

Category:2006 comics endings

Category:Comics anthologies

Category:Comics by Arnold Drake

Category:Comics by Brian Azzarello

Category:Comics by Carl Wessler

Category:Comics by George Kashdan

Category:Comics by Jack Kirby

Category:Comics magazines published in the United States

Category:DC Comics titles