WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? - WHAT DO THEY WANT? (DAY 1)

Yet another pop culture craze in the 1960s was the phenomenon of UFOs and flying saucers. Influenced by books such as Frank Edwards' Flying Saucers, Serious Business (1966) and two seasons of the Quinn Martin-produced TV show, THE INVADERS (1967-1968), as if right on cue, comic books also got in the act.

The first in the 13-issue run of Gold Key's UFO FLYING SAUCERS, was a 68-page "Giant Comic". Comprised of short, 2-4 page stories written by prolific comic book scripter Leo Dorfman (February 17, 1914 – July 9, 1974), and with art by DC Comics veteran Joe Certa and Warren alumni Luis Dominguez, Rocke Mastroserio and Sal Trapani, the issue is an interesting melange of true tales "ripped from today's headlines", including a one-page story of the Foo Fighters (from where the popular rock group derived their name). Since we've just celebrated Independence Day here in the States, I thought I'd stick with the theme, seeing as there was a film of the same name that had not-so-friendly aliens out to destroy the Earth.

UFO FLYING SAUCERS
No. 1
October 1968
Western Publishing Co. (Gold Key Comics)
Editor: ?
Cover: ?
Pages: 68
Cover price: 25 cents

TODAY'S STORIES
"What Is a UFO?"
Text story: Leo Dorfman

"The UFOs and Flying Saucers!"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Joe Certa

"The UFO Robbery"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Joe Certa

"The Foo Fighters"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Joe Certa

"The Age of the Flying Saucers"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Joe Certa

"Early Types of UFOs and Flying Saucers"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Luis Dominguez

"The Pilot Who Chased a UFO"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Luis Dominguez

"Incident Over Alabama"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Luis Dominguez

"The Lubbock Lights"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Luis Dominguez

"The Day They Buzzed Washington"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio (pencils); Sal Trapani (inks)

"The Case of the Singed Scoutmaster"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio (pencils); Sal Trapani (inks)

"Life On Other Worlds"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Luis Dominguez

"The 'Operation Mainbrace' Story"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio (pencils); Sal Trapani (inks)

"Landing In France"
Script: Leo Dorfman
Art: Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio (pencils); Sal Trapani (inks)