Aside from many pin-ups in fanzines, Kaluta's first professional comics work was a 4-page backup in
FLASH GORDON 18, October 1969.
I have FLASH GORDON 13-17 with art by Pat Boyette on the Flash Gordon stories. Which, on their own,
I find enjoyable. Unfortunately, I've never managed to track down a copy of 18 to get this Kaluta story.
But fortunately, our groovy friend was gracious enough to post this historic first Kaluta story online.
FLASH GORDON is an unusual series, in that it was discontinued and recontinued after some time gaps by multiple publishers.
1-11 published by King Features (Sept 1966-Dec 1967)
12-18 by Charleton (Feb 1969-Jan 1970)
19-27 by Gold Key (Sept 1978-Jan 1980)
and
28-37 by Whitman/Gold Key (April 1980-April 1982)
Issues 31-33 have a great 3-part movie adaptation by Bruce Jones and Al Williamson. Also available in an 8" X 11" offset-printed
trade paperback and hardcover editions. Williamson also did great movie adaptations of
The Empire Strikes Back(1980),
Bladerunner(1982), and
Return of the Jedi(1983), all in MARVEL COMICS SUPER SPECIAL,
and all very much worth having.
