Set Description:
Long before 'Cowboys and Aliens', 'Cadillacs and Dinosaurs', and, well, 'Archie meets the Punisher', Dell/Gold Key brought us 'Native Americans vs. Dinosaurs'....
I've been a huge fan of the Turok Son of Stone series (Dell/ Gold Key, and more recently the Valiant/Acclaim and Dark Horse runs) since I was maybe 5 years old. Regret not taking sufficient care of original raw copies I had over thirty years ago which I'd inherited from my dad (loved the covers so much ended up tearing some of them up and turning the pinups into posters, drawing all over them etc - the horror!). Then again, I can point to my childhood fascination with Turok as what led to my subsequent interest in both reading and collecting - so maybe it turned out okay in the end!
After a long journey, I've finally been able to complete this set. This is a combination of slabs which I'd begun purchasing in the 2009 SDCC (my first visit by the way, and now ticked off from by bucket list) from various other sources, as well as raw issues (procured from Milehigh, Worldwide, Metropolis and a host of individual Ebay sellers including a huge set from Neatstuff) which I personally had encapsulated. It's been a great and fullfilling experience so far! I'm now looking forward to working to upgrade my set (hopefully, a minimum of 8.5 grade or higher), as well as continuing to improve my set gallery e.g. replacing 'stock' scanned cover photos with actual scans and expanding this to cover foreign edition issues also (i.e. Spada/Italy, Pop Pictorial/ Australia, Novarro/Mexico) once I'm able to carve out enough time - and saved up enough money! - to do this. (Unfortunately, my work takes me overseas for extended periods of time, so I try and find time to scan and upload photos of books I have shipped back home, whenever get a chance to come back).
For other Turok Son of Stone fans out there, I'd also recommend you check out hhttp://psychosaurus.com/frames/index.html, one of the more comprehensive Turok fan site I've come across to date (unfortunately hasnt been updated lately though), and where I was able to get issue-specific synopsis which I'd embedded in the commentary section of my set. Kudos to whoever set this site up.
Thanks for reading, and happy collecting!
About the series (primary source: Wikipedia, psychosaurus.com and comichron.com):
Turok first appeared in Western Publishing/ Dell Comics' Four Color Comics #596 (October/November 1954). He then moved on to his own title, Turok, Son of Stone. Gold Key, Valiant in 1994 (later Acclaim in 1997) Dark Horse (in 2010) and Dynamite (in 2014) later published the character. Dark Horse has also been publishing 6-issue hardcover collections of the Dell/Gold Key series.
Rex Maxon drew the first book. According to Wikipedia, the writer-creator credit for the characters is disputed, with historians citing Matthew H. Murphy, Gaylord Du Bois and Paul S. Newman as the feature's earliest writers.
The Western Publishing version of Turok was an early, pre-Columbian Native American who, along with his brother Andar, became trapped in an isolated 'Lost Valley' populated by dinosaurs, which they refer to by their most obvious characteristics (Tyrannosaurs are called "Runners", Pterosaurs are called "Flyers", Velociraptors are "Screamers", Plesiosaurs are "Sea Demons", Triceratops are "Rammers", etc.). Interestingly, the Lost Valley was also home to prehistoric cavemen and others. Stories involved Turok and Andar many attempts (all failed) at seeking a way out. According to wikipedia, Du Bois was influenced by his visits to Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico and developed the "Lost Valley" from his visits to the area.
After two appearances in "Four Color" #596 and #656, the title ran 27 issues (#3-29) from publisher Dell Comics (1956–62); then issues #30-125 (1962–80) from Gold Key Comics; and finally issues #126-130 (1981–82) back under the Whitman Comics imprint.
The first Turok one-shot (Four Color #596) was originally written by Du Bois as a "Young Hawk" story. "Young Hawk" was an earlier Native American comic book feature Du Bois created, which appeared in Dell's The Lone Ranger comic-book series.
As late as issue #8 of Turok, Du Bois's last scripts for the series, when the artists had long since established Turok as an adult, Du Bois continued to introduce the two Turok stories in that issue (as he had in previous issues) by describing Turok and Andar as "youths," more befitting Young Hawk than Turok (though Andar was depicted as a youth). The first story in that issue begins, "Turok and Andar, Indian youths, have found their way into a strange network of deep canyons in the Carlsbad area, where ancient forms of life still exist...They have found no way to get out." The second Turok story in that issue begins, "Trapped in a deep canyon in the Carlsbad area of New Mexico, Turok and Andar, two Indian youths, have met ancient forms of life which have disappeared from all other parts of the world."
In Du Bois' last Turok story (issue #8, "Turok Seeks the Trail to Freedom", in which Turok encounters a herd of horses, which he calls "slim-legged creatures," having no word for them, as the horse had not yet been introduced to the Americas by the Spanish), Turok scales the cliffs, and escapes the Lost Valley. He is out, but he returns for Andar, who was wounded. Then an avalanche permanently seals the way out, and the series begins anew. Paul S. Newman wrote the Turok stories afterward.
Approximately 15 million copies sold throughout the 1960-1970 run. Becoming quarterly after it spun out of Dell Four Color, the series entered the 1960s as a Top 20 title and may have been Dell's best-selling action series in 1960, behind only Lone Ranger. Sales began sliding gradually once the title came under Gold Key imprint, and it went from bimonthly back to quarterly. It was one of the last Gold Key action titles around, surviving into the Whitman bagged-only era, where it was available only in three-packs.
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| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Four Color 596 |
| Item: |
Four Color 596 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1283826001
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Owner Comments
In their very first adventure, "The World Below," Turok and Andar are outside of Lost Valley hunting during a drought. They see a cloud rising from the plains, and realize that it's actually millions of bats flying out of a cave. They decide to enter the cave and look for water. When they finally emerge, they find themselves in a huge sunken valley with strange prehistoric creatures. In the second adventure, "The Terrible Ones," the two lost Indians see even more horrible monsters, and wonder how they can survive in such a savage place. Then, they find a tribe of primitive men, and while watching in hiding, they see them paralyze fish in a river using the roots of a strange plant. Taking some of the plants, they make a sticky paste out of the roots and create their first poison arrows. Now, armed more suitably in the brutal land, they befriend the cave tribe, and decide to teach them how to use bow and arrows. (psychosaurus.com)
The Holy Grail first issue for the Turok completist. The very first time I actually got to read this story in full (along with the other earlier issues) was when Dark Horse released its hardcover collection! Got this one slabbed from Milehigh Online (took me a while to decide to buy, as I was waiting for an affordable higher grade copy to come out and still am), Jan 2011. Recently, I've seen the highest graded copy of this (9.4) pop up in Ebay, offered by A-1 Comics (a great seller by the way from whom I was able to get non-Turok slabs in the past). Needless to say, it looked absolutely stunning! Being offered for nearly $8K though which is way above my budget, am still hoping this price comes down in the future.
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| Slot: |
Four Color 656 |
| Item: |
Four Color 656 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0907303002
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Owner Comments
Turok's second appearance, in FOUR COLOR COMICS #656, was an attempt by DELL to see if Turok would be popular enough to deserve his own comic. Like the first book, this one is pure Turok from cover to cover, with no advertisements and only "A Pledge to Parents" on the inside front cover. Even the inside and outside back cover are part of the comic art. The first story is "The Mystery Of The Mountain," in which Turok and Andar are teaching their cavemen friends to use bows and arrows. At night, the man on sentry duty is attacked and disappears. Turok is determined to find out what is attacking the sentries and stop it. In the second story, "The Missing Hunters," the lost Indian braves meet a new tribe, whose hunters have all disappeared. Along with a young woman, they go off to hunt for the tribe, and unwittingly discover what happened to the men of the tribe.
(psychosaurus.com)
Source: Worldwide
Date: May 2011.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 3 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 3 Universal |
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CGC |
| Cert #: |
0161471002
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Owner Comments
TUROK Son Of Stone #3 was actually the first comic Turok had of his own. His first appearances were in FOUR COLOR COMICS #596 and #656. This issue's first story, "The Exiled Cave Men," find Turok and Andar in a section cut off from the rest of Lost Valley. They decide to rejoin the cave men they befriended in the last issue and journey back through the caverns that brought them there. Once they find the tribe, they decide to find them a safer home, where the giant "hoppers" cannot reach them. Building a boat, they find an island with cliffs rising straight out of the water. They go back to get the tribe and build enough boats to relocate the entire group. Then, in "Strange Waters," they leave their friends once again to explore more of the valley they are trapped in. Making an animal skin canoe, they paddle down river. The river flows into a cavern, and emerges into yet another sunken valley, with a lake inhabited by sea monsters. Following them in one of the transport boats is their friend Lanok. Now, they must save both themselves and their friend from the terrible creatures emerging from the deep waters to devour them.
(psychosaurus.com)
Happy with this particular grade!
Source: John Verzyl/Comic Heaven @ SDCC 11
Date: July 2011
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 4 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 4 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0609996005
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Owner Comments
Again, there are no advertisements in this issue, aside from a self-promotional ad for another of Dell's comics, KING OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED. In the first story, "The Bridge To Freedom," Turok, Andar and their caveman friend, Lanok, find living in the open in Lost Valley can be dangerous. So, they decide to look for a cave to seek shelter in. On their journeys, they find a natural rock bridge that crosses to the rim of the cliffs circling Lost Valley. The story continues in "The Smilodon," and has the three friends being stalked by a relentless saber toothed tiger.
(psychosaurus.com)
Source: Brian Howard Art/Neatstuff (another '5 star' Ebay seller)
Date: Jan 2011
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 5 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 5 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0162804003
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Owner Comments
While teaching their new prehistoric friends how to use a bow and arrow, Turok and Andar are shaken by an earthquake. They see smoke in the distance, and go off to investigate. What they eventually find is an erupting volcano and "The River Of Fire." They make their way back to the tribe, evading lava and stampeding animals, and attempt to lead everyone to safety. Then, in "The Secret Place," a bitter shaman is determined to know the secret of Turok's and Andar's deadly arrows. He steals their poison pouches and follows them when they go to gather more poison.
(psychosaurus.com)
This was part of a nice bulk set of 92 raw Turok Son of Stone books (over half of which I had slabbed) I was able to purchase from Neatstuff Collectibles via Ebay, October 2009. I am still thinking about what to do with the remaining bulk of books. Most would probably get a 7.0 or higher grading, so likely at best equal to or if not lower than the grades of the slabs I already have. That said, it would be cool to have a secondary/ primarily mid-grade set completed for potential resale also. Maybe when I've accomplished my major CGC collecting goals and have funds to spare...
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 7 15 Cent Variant |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1133934006
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Owner Comments
Turok and Andar build a new Teepee, but find they must move when Turok's pet wolf gets into mischief in "Friend Of The Wolf." They enter a new canyon, and meet a new tribe to call friends. The story continues in "The Angry River," when the two Indian youths help their new friends by driving off a rival band. (psychosaurus.com)
15-cent cover price variant. From edkalbcomics, May 2011.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 8 15 Cent Variant |
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| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0186032001
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Owner Comments
Purchased from A-1 Comics at the SDCC 2011.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 9 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 9 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0180633007
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Owner Comments
Attacked by a hunting Dimetrodon, Andar's leg is broken in "Fight Of The Fire Makers." They seek shelter in a cave inhabited by primitive people, but are chased out when they build a fire and the cavemen believe it evil. Away from the protection of the cave, they are once again beset by the monsters that inhabit Lost Valley. Another band of primitives come to try to take the cave, but Turok and Andar intervene, driving them back with fire. Andar's leg heals, and in "The Tree Men," the two young Indians are captured by a tree dwelling tribe. They are forced to make fire for the tribe, then discover that the fire is being used to attack their new friends in the cave. This story is the first time Turok uses the word "honker". (psychosaurus.com)
Conspiracy Auctions, June 2011
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 9 15 Cent Variant |
| Item: |
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| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0180633006
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Owner Comments
Attacked by a hunting Dimetrodon, Andar's leg is broken in "Fight Of The Fire Makers." They seek shelter in a cave inhabited by primitive people, but are chased out when they build a fire and the cavemen believe it evil. Away from the protection of the cave, they are once again beset by the monsters that inhabit Lost Valley. Another band of primitives come to try to take the cave, but Turok and Andar intervene, driving them back with fire. Andar's leg heals, and in "The Tree Men," the two young Indians are captured by a tree dwelling tribe. They are forced to make fire for the tribe, then discover that the fire is being used to attack their new friends in the cave. This story is the first time Turok uses the word "honker". (psychosaurus.com)
15-Cent Variant. Conspiracy Auctions, June 2011
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 10 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0162804006
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Owner Comments
Turok, Andar and their cave dwelling friends are prevented from leaving their cave by "The Horned Rogue." Lacking poison arrows, Turok devises a plan to get rid of the ornery triceratops, but a jealous caveman, intent on becoming chief, plots to foil his plan, endangering Turok and the rest of the tribe. Then, in "God Of The Bog," the two Indians are captured by a primitive band and are to be used as sacrifices to a spirit that lives under the bog. When the whole group is saved by the benefit of poison arrows, they are set free. Turok then decides to find out what, if anything, actually lives under the bog. (psychosaurus.com)
Part of my neatstuff (raw) batch, purchased Oct 2009.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 10 15 Cent Variant |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0180633008
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Owner Comments
Turok, Andar and their cave dwelling friends are prevented from leaving their cave by "The Horned Rogue." Lacking poison arrows, Turok devises a plan to get rid of the ornery triceratops, but a jealous caveman, intent on becoming chief, plots to foil his plan, endangering Turok and the rest of the tribe. Then, in "God Of The Bog," the two Indians are captured by a primitive band and are to be used as sacrifices to a spirit that lives under the bog. When the whole group is saved by the benefit of poison arrows, they are set free. Turok then decides to find out what, if anything, actually lives under the bog. (psychosaurus.com)
15-Cent Variant. Conspiracy Auctions, June 2011
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 11 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 11 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0911278017
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Owner Comments
While escaping from a large flesh-eater, Turok and Andar become trapped in the "Valley Of The Vines." They meet a cave tribe that has special knowledge of the strange plants that grow there, and together try to find a way to escape. In "Captive Hunters," the two Indians are captured by a tribe that believes they can hunt only what one of the cave men draws on the cave walls. They enslave Turok and Andar to hunt for them, and Turok decides he must debunk the superstition of the primitives. (psychosaurus.com)
Another great slabbed Ebay purchase from timetrapper. September 2009.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 11 15 Cent Variant |
| Item: |
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| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0186032002
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Owner Comments
Purchased from Terry's Comics at the SDCC 2011.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 12 |
| Item: |
Turok, Son of Stone 12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0609996001
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Owner Comments
A new stranger enters the prehistoric world in "The Conqueror." He turns out to be a fugitive from his people, after trying to conquer all the tribes on the plains outside of Lost Valley. Now, he turns the cave people against one another, after Turok had worked so diligently to forge peace. Then, Turok and Andar raft to an island made of chalk in "Perilous Voyage." The people living there have no stone to make weapons with, and so cannot hunt for food, instead gathering nuts and pteranodon eggs for sustenance. The Indians decide to lead them back across the dangerous water, back to the land where there is stone to make weapons. (psychosaurus.com)
Got this nice 9.4 graded copy from Ebay via neat stuff collectibles. 17 May 2010.
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| Slot: |
Turok, Son of Stone 12 15 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
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| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0186032003
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Owner Comments
Purchased from Terry's Comics at the SDCC 2011.
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