Stalking the Stranger [The Lost and Found: Uncovering Hidden Comic Book Treasures]

Inspector Marat abruptly halted at the closed, office door. The Chief of Detectives was waiting to see him. Beads of perspiration dotted Marat's forehead like a pox that was spreading fast. He hesitated. He didn't want to knock. He didn't want to enter the Captain's office. He didn't want to hear what the Captain had to say.

Marat fidgeted. His fingers trembled as he raised his hand to knock at the door. If the Captain wanted to take him off of the strange case of the Strangler, there was nothing Marat could do about the Captain's decision. Ten women were dead — strangled! Last night, the murderer had followed his usual M.O. When the sun another woman was lifeless and the case was still unsolved. The killer continually escaped Marat even though Marat knew the Strangler almost as well as he knew himself. He didn't know the man's name, but he knew the Strangler's thoughts, his moods, and his methods. It was as if the murderer were Marat's own shadow. He seemed to be within reach of Marat's grasp, but he
couldn't be captured! The case was a mystery to Marat and to everyone connected with it. There was no doubt that the killer was a madman; but in his madness, he was cunningly clever. He left no clues, no tracks, no evidence. As well as Marat knew the killer, the killer knew Marat. It was as if the two men shared the same brain. How could a man catch his double in flesh, soul and spirit? That was the problem! That was why the killer was still on the loose!

"Come in Marat," called the Captain from inside of his office. "Calm yourself, Inspector, and come in. I know what you're thinking. Don't worry. I haven't summoned you here to take you off of the strangler case!"  Slowly, Marat turned the door nob. Swiftly, he pushed the door open. Boldly, he stepped into the Captain'ss office. The Captain's words had given him new life, new courage, new hope. He would not be taken off the case. There was no longer any reason to be worried or fearful. 

Quickly, Marat closed the door behind him. Instantly, his eyes scanned the room. Marat was a good policeman with extraordinary powers of observation. When he spied the attractive, young, policewoman seated near the Captain's desk, he knew that the mademoiselle was going to be his partner and tempting bait for the Strangler. "I can tell by your face that you've put two and two together," said 'he Captain as he addressed his subordinate. "Yes! I know what is in your mind," replied Mara stoically. "The girl is very beautiful. The Strangler will not be able to resist her, but I'm against the scheme even though it is a cunning plot. I always work alone!"

"In the old days, I would have catered to your whim, but this is a difficult case!" answered the Captain coldly. "As closely as you've examined the clues, I too have examined them. drawn my own conclusions. You haven't been the same man ever since the night you found your lifeless wife and her dead lover in your quarters when you returned home. Their suicide pact didn't free you from the evil hold she had on you. Part of you died that night. You are not the same detective you once were. You need help to solve this case!"  Sadly, Marat nodded in agreement. The Captain was right. Finding his wife and her (over had almost turned him into a madman. For a long while, his mind had teeter-tottered on the brink of insanity. He did need help to solve the strange case of the strangler. 

Later that night, the policewoman decoy slowly sauntered through the shadowy side streets and alleys of the city while Marat watched and waited. As she passed a dark corner, it happened! The Strangler grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the shadows. She couldn't see his face, but his hands were around her neck choking the breath out of her lungs. Her vision was clouded. She couldn't even scream for help! Where was Inspector Marat?

Then, a single shot rang out and echoed through the silent streets. The hands around her neck loosened. Someone moaned behind her and a body dropped at her feet. The girl turned to see the Chief of Detectives standing behind her. In his hand was a smoking revolver. On the alleyway floor, was the lifeless body of Inspector Marat. "He was mad," explained the Captain. "He couldn't solve the case because he was chasing himself. His wife betrayed him and it made him hate all women. The ironic thing is — that Marat never guessed that he, himself, was the Strangler. He was two men -- one good, one evil! Now the strange cage of the strangler is finally solved!"

• story author uncredited
• title header illustrator uncredited
• image of Mara be attacked provided by TrUzApalOOza.
• story featured in Monster Hunters #8 (November 1976) 
• published & copyrighted by Charlton Comics

Disclaimer: As the original publisher is no longer in operation and has not issued digital reprints, this collection serves as a valuable archive of these classic tales for the benefit of researchers, scholars, and enthusiasts. By making these stories available, I aim to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of comic books, while also acknowledging the original creators and copyright holders.

The Skull of Simon Magus: A Constantine Story

As John Constantine puffed on his cigarette, the acrid smoke curling around the skull of Simon Magus in his grasp, he gazed out into the fog-shrouded streets of London with a mixture of disdain and fascination as a massive, horned demon slowly emerged from the swirling mist, its eyes glowing red with an otherworldly hunger.

Hi-rez image link [3264px wide]

Demons and Drafts (with John Constantine)

As the sun dipped below the London skyline, John Constantine held a mug of cold British lager, savoring the crisp taste and the fleeting sense of relief that came with another day of outwitting demons and evil warlocks. Standing tall in the crowded pub, his worn trenchcoat flapping open to reveal a rumpled white shirt and a pair of scuffed boots, he gazed out at the room with a mixture of disdain and amusement, the dim lighting and raucous chatter of the patrons a welcome respite from the darkness that lurked just beyond the edge of reality. John surveyed the room and announced "Cheers, mate! Let's get smashed!" to the few patrons conscious enough to understand his words.

[Workflow: I started with some Tengr input images, took the pieces I wanted, and merged them into the final image.   Artifacts cleaned up in Affinity with various Fx, color tweaks, and other adjustments for the finished look and feel.]

Hi-rez image link [2160px tall]

Migraine of the Damned and a Pint of Trouble (John Constantine)

As the sun dipped below the London skyline, John Constantine slumped in his chair at the outdoor cafe bar, one eye fixed on the amber liquid in his pint glass with a mixture of disdain and desperation. The bitter taste of the British lager was a poor substitute for the whiskey he'd rather be drinking, but it would have to do. The sounds of the city's nightlife hummed in the background, a cacophony of laughter and music that only served to grate on his already frayed nerves and continued to amplify the head-pounding migraine he woke up with. But it was the figure lurking in the shadows that really caught his attention - the devil himself, horns gleaming in the fading light, his presence a constant reminder of the deals that had been made, and the debts that still needed to be paid. Constantine's gaze flicked towards the devil, his expression a mask of disdain, but a spark of curiosity flickered in his eyes - what did the Prince of Darkness want now?

Hi-rez image link [2160px tall]

John Enters the Citadel of GazeBrax

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics. This three-part storyline is proposed to be written by Denise Mina, with interior art by Stefano Landini.]

As John Constantine descended into the lower levels of Hell, the air grew thick with the stench of brimstone and the screams of the damned. The sky above was a deep brackish red, with wispy vapor clouds drifting lazily across the horizon like ghostly apparitions. The moon, a burning crimson orb, hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape.

Before him, a massive, purple bulbous creature emerged from the shadows. Its body was covered in thick, scaly skin, and its eyes - a staggering thirteen total appeared to take in the scene from every angle. The creature's short, horn-like protrusions seemed to quiver with malevolent intent as it regarded Constantine with a cold, calculating gaze.

The air was heavy with the scent of sulfur and smoke, and the ground beneath Constantine's feet seemed to writhe and twist like a living thing. The creature's very presence seemed to draw the life force out of the air, leaving only a dull, oppressive weight that pressed down upon Constantine's shoulders.

"You shouldn't be here, Constantine," the creature hissed while spitting green saliva in a voice that sent shivers down Constantine's spine. "This is not a place for mortals." Constantine snarled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not just any mortal, pal. I'm John Constantine, and I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." With a flick of his wrist, Constantine summoned Randar's Defensive Globe, a powerful spell that would protect him from the creature's attack. The air around him shimmered with a faint verdant illumination as the spell took hold, and Constantine felt an increased surge of confidence.

[Workflow: Starter images of the beast, smaller creatures in the foreground, background town, John Constantine, and Randar's Globe were created in NightCafe. The painting canvas texture, drool, and moon were sourced from the internet. The images were then combined together, with a batch of AI-artifact fixes to the beast made by hand (eyes, claws). Fx layers were used for JC's spellcasting. Heavy use was made of IamRensi custom brushes for masking, clouds, and magic aura on the globe.]

Tromping Through the Streams of Paradise Island

A few quick Tengr images that I created with Wonder Woman stomping through some streams and creeks that crisscross Themyscira (Paradise Island). Some minor clean-ups of the original AI images.

The Two-Headed Tumble with John Constantine

As the darkness fell over the city, casting a shadowy gloom over the deserted streets, John Constantine lay on his back, his eyes squinting against the gentle drizzle of rain. It was 7pm on a chilly autumn evening, and the only sound was the distant hum of traffic and the patter of raindrops on the pavement. He was sprawled across the corner of a deserted Chicago sidewalk, the intersection a lonely and foreboding place. As he lay there, he felt a strange sensation, as if the shadowy image of a two-headed dragon was overlaying his own form, its scales glinting in the faint streetlights. The dragon's heads were twisted in opposite directions, one gazing up at the sky with a fierce intensity, the other staring down at the pavement with a cold, calculating gaze. The concrete beneath him was cracked and shattered, a testament to the incredible fall he'd taken just moments before. Now, as he slowly sat up, rubbing his sore head, Constantine couldn't help but wonder what other supernatural surprises the night might hold. Behind him, the neon signs of a liquor store, a game shop, and a cheap $5 store cast a gaudy glow over the deserted streets, a reminder of the mundane world that lay just beyond the realm of the supernatural.

Hi-rez image link [3142px wide]

The Devil's Dust: John Constantine's Last Stand

In the depths of Hell, amidst swirling clouds of devilish dust, John Constantine, the renowned occult detective from DC Comics, finds himself looking upward at the towering 20-foot demon known as Malgorthrax. Kneeling down, John's eyes blaze with determination as he channels his mystical powers. With a swift motion, he places his hand on the dusty ground, casting a spell that unleashes vibrant streams of purple and green plasma. The magical energy surges forth, striking Malgorthrax's hooven feet first, then spiraling upward until the demon is fully engulfed by hex fire.

[Workflow: Used Tengr + Nightcafe to generate separate pieces: demon, John, basic background, and some runic symbols.  Masked in additional layers such as the dust storm, pixel layers to create more dust, plasma particles, runic glow, etc.  Assembled everything within Affinity.]

Hi-rez image link [2563 px wide]

John Constantine casts a powerful spell outward...

Placing a Protection Spell (John Constantine)

John Constantine placed a protection spell on the room. I will probably use pieces of this one in a future creation.

Superman Holds Up a Collapsing Building

I created an homage cover based on Pablo M. Collar's original interior panel artwork.   I began with Tengr to kick things off, sourcing art from My Adventures with Superman #1 (August 2024).  I then expanded the image vertically and added more destructive details by hand, blending in other layers for special effects like dust clouds and falling debris. Finally, I created a variant cover layout to complete the production look and feel of an actual Superman Unchained #6 comic book.

 

John Constantine Taking in the Local Pub

My image of John Constantine taking a break in the local London pub was inspired by artist Moritat's panel image I saw in Hellblazer #2 (2016).

Moritat's inspiring image

Smoke and the Shadows in the Cemetery of Lost Souls (John Constantine)

As the sun began its slow descent towards the horizon, casting a warm, blue-tinged glow over the crumbling headstones within the Abney Park Cemetery, John Constantine stood tall, his eyes fixed on the statued gravestone before him. The angel, its features chiseled from marble, held a bow and arrow in its outstretched hand, its gaze seeming to pierce the soul of the man standing before it.

The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the distant chirping of crickets provided a mournful accompaniment to the silence. A light foggy mist had begun to rise from the ground, shrouding the gravestones in a veil of mystery. The fog was so fine that it seemed to glow with soft, ethereal light as if the very essence of the dead was rising to greet the living.

As Constantine puffed on his cigarette, the flame casting a brief, golden glow on his weathered face, he noticed that the mist was illuminated by shafts of light that seemed to pierce through the fog like rays from the heavens. The light was so intense that it cast eerie shadows on the ground, making it seem as if the dead themselves were rising to claim the living.

"What's the story, angel?" Constantine muttered to himself, his voice low and gravelly.  As he spoke, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and sending a faint whispering through the air. Constantine's eyes never left the angel's face, his mind racing with the possibilities. He knew that in this place, where the veil between the worlds was thin, the whispers of the dead could be heard on the wind. And he had a feeling that this angel was trying to tell him something that would change his life forever.

[Workflow: Used Tengr to generate a variation of a source Llovet image featuring John. Then used Google image searches to find all the other components to use as further elements. Composed these pieces of John, re-used cigarette+smoke+glow from one of my other images, refaced the grave marker behind John, added more trees, applied curves + HSL recoloring effects, fog pixel layers, ray lighting layer, bunches of masking work.  All final edits, and source image clean-ups were done within Affinity Photo.]

Image list:

1. final image of John smoking a cigarette in a graveyard
2. Gravestone Halloween image i used
3. Graveyard with trees
4. green rays that I overlaid with foggy/mist layer

Smoke and the Shadows in the Cemetery of Lost Souls 

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(John Constantine) The Wandering Son of England Returns Home

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics which I started after seeing a painting by Behshad Arjomandi.  This one-shot storyline proposed to be written by Paul Jenkins, with interior art by Giuseppe Camuncoli.]

In the heart of London, where shadows dance with secrets and the rain whispers of forgotten sins, there strides a man unlike any other. John Constantine, the enigmatic and troubled occult detective, returns to his homeland with a heavy heart and a burdened soul. As he strolls down the slick cobblestone streets, the iconic silhouette of Big Ben looms in the distance, its clock face a stark reminder of the relentless march of time. Dark clouds gather overhead, crackling with the promise of a storm brewing both in the skies and within Constantine himself.

Lightning flashes, illuminating the grimy alleyways and hidden corners of the city, casting eerie shadows that seem to reach out for him. But John Constantine is no stranger to the darkness; he is its master and its prisoner, a man caught between worlds, forever wandering the thin line between salvation and damnation. As he navigates the treacherous waters of London's supernatural underbelly, Constantine must confront his past, his demons, and the ghosts that haunt him. For in this city of ancient magic and modern malaise, the wandering son of England returns home, ready to face whatever horrors lie in wait. Join us on a journey through the twisted streets of London, where danger lurks in every shadow and salvation is but a fleeting dream. This is the saga of John Constantine, the man who walks with one foot in the light and one foot in the dark, a reluctant hero in a world that has long forgotten the meaning of the word.

[Workflow: A series of Tengr image prompts to get many elements in the same dark-colored painting format.   Composed these pieces of John, the street, trees, and background buildings into base image, then applied recoloring effects, rain layers, lightning with clouds, water splashes, and then the final layers of comic book branding.  All final edits, and source image clean-ups were done within Affinity Photo.]

Image list:

1. final TrUzApalOOza cardstock variant cover 
2. raw version of the painting (reduced resolution), my original version is too wide for the standard comic book layout so I had to crop out some of the right-hand street scenery
3. and a glance at my Affinity Photo layering panels with Fx filter
4. reference inspiration painting by Behshad Arjomandi
5. the original background image I worked out within Tengr
6. my base John image to merge into the scene, started within Tengr

Imagined DC Comic book cover

raw painted image before converted to a comic book cover

my basic background London before compositing

image that inspired me by Behshad Arjomandi

John Constantine (isolated image)

Affinity Layers Panel

Catwoman Thieving (Jewels for the Taking)

A few Nightcafe images I created of Catwoman collecting some jewelry, which I then cleaned up within Affinity for final posting.

John Constantine (The Trench Coat Magician)

A few Nightcafe and Tengr images I created of John Constantine which I then cleaned up within Affinity for final posting.