American Update: The Atlas Explosion! Western Outlaws – And Sheriffs! (But Mostly Outlaws…)
*Western: Not one, but two western series this week, albeit a pair with very similar titles; Western Outlaws and Sheriffs debuted in 1949, taking over the numbering from Best Western (no, not the hotel chain…) with #60, and lasted until issue #73 in 1952, with such cheery topics as cannibalism and mass hangings among its highlights. We have issues #69 and the final issue #73 in stock, the latter containing a Black Rider story, unusual in a series generally without ongoing characters. In 1954, Atlas revived the title but eliminated those pesky lawmakers, calling it just Western Outlaws; this second series ran from #1 to 1957’s #21, and we have sixteen of the series new in, from #2 to the last issue. Again eschewing recurring characters, this iteration had the expected, but appreciated, stellar roster of artists, with Everett, Maneely, Heath, Romita, Severin and Williamson among the more prominent contributors. Depicted are Western Outlaws and Sheriffs #69 VG+ £26 and Western Outlaws #2 FN £34: Grades and prices on the rest in our cowpunchin’ catalogue.