Pendulum Press

Pendulum Press was a publishing company based in West Haven, Connecticut, that operated from 1970[1] to 1994,[2] producing the bulk of their material in the 1970s. The company is most well known for their comic book adaptations of literary classics. The Pendulum Now Age Classics series published black-and-white paperback adaptations of more than 70 literary classics, such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, The War of the Worlds, and Moby-Dick. These stories were later widely reprinted by other publishers (including by Marvel Comics) well into the 2000s. Pendulum also published a line of historical comics, a line of comic book biographies, and a line of comic book adaptations of inspiring stories and morality tales.

Pendulum Press
Parent companyAcademic Industries, Inc.
Founded1970
FounderDavid Oliphant
Defunct1994
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationWest Haven, Connecticut
Key peopleVincent Fago, Nestor Redondo, Alex Niño, Gerry Talaoc, Naunerle Farr, John Norwood Fago, Kin Platt
Publication typesComics, books
Fiction genresAdaptations of literary classics
ImprintsPendulum Now Age Classics Series
Pendulum Illustrated Original

Founded by David Oliphant[2] as a division of Academic Industries, Inc., Pendulum's comics division was overseen by veteran creator/editor Vincent Fago. The company received Title One funds from the U.S. government to produce comics with an educational focus.[1][3]

History

Pendulum Illustrated Classics

Logo for Pendulum's Now Age Books line

In 1970, Vincent Fago, the former editor-in-chief of Timely Comics, was hired by Pendulum to produce the Pendulum Now Age Classics series, which were black-and-white paperback adaptations of literary classics. Specifically designed for classroom use, the series used set type instead of hand lettering, vocabulary appropriate for grade levels, and included word lists and questions at the back.[4]

Acting as a publisher from his studio in Bethel, Vermont, Fago edited and handled production on the nearly one hundred titles in the series.[3] Adaptations were handled by writers like Otto Binder, Naunerle Farr, Kin Platt, Irwin Shapiro, and Fago's son John Norwood Fago.[5]

After having difficulty finding American artists to illustrate the comics,[1] Fago turned to Filipino artist Nestor Redondo, who offered to help recruit some of his fellow Filipino comics artists[1] — these artists ended up illustrating almost every comic Pendulum produced. In addition to the work of Redondo, who illustrated more than 20 books in the series, the Pendulum Illustrated Classics featured the artwork of Alex Niño,[6] Gerry Talaoc,[7] Vicatan, Rudy Nebres, Jun Lofamia, Nestor Leonidez, and E. R. Cruz. (Redondo's brothers Virgilio and Frank also illustrated books in the series.)

Comics in the series were published from 1973 to 1980; the series ended with a selection of Shakespeare plays adapted into comics form.

Ancillaries and reprints

From 1976–1981, Fago produced a multimedia read-along program for the series, called New Matter Sounds. Each packet contained a reading booklet, a student activity booklet, a sound cassette, and an answer key sheet. Some of the packets contained a narrated film strip along with the other materials.

Many of the early issues in the Pendulum Illustrated Classics series were reprinted, in color with new covers, in 1976 by Marvel Comics as Marvel Classics Comics.[8]

In 1984, Pendulum's parent company Academic Industries reprinted a number of the Illustrated Classics (as well as other Pendulum comics) in a smaller format.[9]

In 1984–1988, Pendulum and the Indian publisher Pai and Company (Paico) co-published series as Paico Classics in various Indian languages (as well as the original English). Paico republished the series in 1998–2000.

In 1990–1991, Pendulum itself reprinted a selection of Pendulum Illustrated Classics, retitled Pendulum's Illustrated Stories, in colorized versions with new painted covers. Originally planned to run 72 issues, the company only produced six issues before abandoning the project.[3]

In 1994, Pendulum reprinted its 1974 adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, colorized in a prestige format comic under the banner of the Phonics Classic Achievement Series. It announced more titles but these were also abandoned when the company closed down.

Also in 1994, Lake Illustrated Classics (a division of AGS Secondary) reprinted many of the Pendulum Illustrated Classics under their own banner.

Since 2006, Saddleback Educational Publishing has reprinted many of the Pendulum Illustrated Classics under their own banner, using the 1990-91 cover format.

Other publications

In 1976, to tie in with America's bicentennial, Pendulum published a line of historical comics called the Basic Illustrated History of America. This line was edited by Vince Fago's wife, D'ann Calhoun, and written by Naunerle Farr.

In 1978 Pendulum also published a primer on the value of comics as an education tool.

In 1978–79, Pendulum published a line of comic book biographies under the series title Pendulum Illustrated Biography Series. The books were flip books — half the book would feature one notable person, and then the reader would flip the book over to read the biography of the other featured notable.

In 1978–79, Pendulum published the series Contemporary Motivators, a line of comic book adaptations of inspiring stories and morality tales like Banner in the Sky, God Is My Co-Pilot, Guadalcanal Diary, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Lost Horizon; as well as a rough adaptation of Star Wars. Like the Illustrated Classics series, these comics were specifically designed for classroom use, with typeset instead of hand lettering, vocabulary appropriate for grade levels, and word lists and questions at the back.

In 1979, the company introduced the Pendulum Illustrated Original series, mostly featuring the new superhero Solarman, created by Pendulum founder and president David Oliphant.[2] Solarman was later revived by Marvel Comics in a 1989 series.

Pendulum also published a small line of prose books, by authors such as David M. Kennedy, Bertram Wyatt-Brown, and Joseph Payne Brennan, including biographical, sociology, and poetry titles.

Titles

Pendulum Illustrated Classics

TitlePub. dateAdaptationArtist(s)Notes
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea1973Otto BinderRomy Gaboa & Ernie Patriciohardcover book[10] collecting a version which had been previously serialized in Weekly Reader magazine. Later reprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #4 (1976), in 1991 by Pendulum, with a new painted cover, and in 2010 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Black Beauty1973Naunerle FarrRudy NebresReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #5 (1976)
The Call of the Wild1973Kin PlattFred CarrilloReprinted as #6 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1973Kin PlattNestor RedondoReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #1 (1976); colorized and reprinted by Pendulum in 1990 with a new painted cover
Dracula1973Naunerle FarrNestor RedondoReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #9 (1976)
Frankenstein1973Otto BinderNardo Cruz[11]Reprinted as #15 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Huckleberry Finn1973Naunerle FarrFrank Redondo[4]Reprinted as #8 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Moby-Dick1973Irwin ShapiroAlex Niño & Dan AdkinsReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #8 (1976); colorized and reprinted by Pendulum in 1990 with a new painted cover
The Time Machine1973Otto BinderAlex NiñoReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #2 (1976)
Tom Sawyer1973Irwin ShapiroE. R. Cruz[4]Reprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #7 (1976)
Treasure Island1973John Norwood FagoNardo CruzColorized and reprinted by Pendulum in 1990 with a new painted cover and Reprinted as #40 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1974Kin Platt (as Nick Tall)Nestor RedondoReprinted as #25 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Gulliver's Travels1974John Norwood FagoE. R. CruzReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #6 (1976)
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame1974Naunerle FarrJun LofamiaReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #3 (1976); colorized and reprinted by Pendulum in 1994 (the first [and only] issue of the Phonics Classic Achievement Series)
The Invisible Man1974Otto BinderAlex NiñoReprinted as #2 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Robert Louis Stevenson: Kidnapped1974Kin Platt] (as Nick Tall)Frank RedondoReprinted as #33 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
The Mysterious Island1974Otto BinderE. R. CruzReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #11 (1976)
The Red Badge of Courage1974Irwin ShapiroE. R. CruzReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #10 (1976)
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter1974Naunerle FarrVirgilio RedondoReprinted as #22 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
The Story of My Life, by Helen Keller1974C. N. DouglasTony DeZuniga
A Tale of Two Cities1974Naunerle FarrAlfredo AlcalaReprinted as #5 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
The Three Musketeers1974Naunerle FarrAlex NiñoReprinted in Marvel Classics Comics #12 (1976)
The War of the Worlds1974Naunerle FarrAlex NiñoReprinted as #28 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court1976John Norwood FagoFrank Redondo[4]Reprinted as #31 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
Journey to the Center of the Earth1976Naunerle FarrVal Calaquian
White Fang1976Naunerle FarrFred Carrillo
Around the World in Eighty Days1977D'ann CalhounFrank Redondopart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet, including a student activity book by Gerald Dackerman and Marcia Sohl and filmstrip narration by Jan Leighton
The Best of Poe1977Naunerle FarrGerry Talaoc, Nestor Redondo, Noly Zamora, and E. R. CruzReprinted as #41 in 2006 by Saddleback Publishing as part of their Illustrated Classics series.
The Best of O. Henry1977John Norwood FagoAntonio Caravana a.k.a. Tony Caravanapart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet with filmstrip narration by Chris Davala
Captains Courageous1977John Norwood FagoLeonardo Patriciapart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
The Hound of the Baskervilles1977John Norwood FagoE. R. Cruz
The House of the Seven Gables1977Naunerle FarrDomy Guitierez & Angel Trinidad
Jane Eyre1977Naunerle FarrN. Olimar
The Last of the Mohicans1977Naunerle FarrFred Carrillo
Two Years Before the Mast1977John Norwood FagoE. R. Cruz
Wuthering Heights1977Naunerle FarrJo Amongo
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ1978Naunerle FarrNestor Redondo
A Christmas Carol1978Tom FagenJun LofamiaColorized and reprinted by Pendulum in 1991 with a new painted cover
The Food of the Gods1978John Norwood FagoTony Caravana a.k.a. Antonio Caravanapart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
Ivanhoe1978Naunerle FarrGerry Talaoc
The Man in the Iron Mask1978Naunerle FarrFrank Redondopart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
The Prince and the Pauper1978John Norwood FagoE. R. Cruz[4]
The Prisoner of Zenda1978John Norwood FagoNestor Leonidez
The Return of the Native1978D'ann CalhounFred Carrillo
Robinson Crusoe1978John Norwood FagoE. R. Cruz
The Sea-Wolf1979John Norwood FagoDomy Guitierez & Angel Trinidad
The Scarlet Pimpernel1978Naunerle FarrRudy Florese
The Swiss Family Robinson1978Naunerle FarrFred Carrillopart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
Billy Budd1979Stella AlicoVicatan
Crime and Punishment1979John Norwood FagoVicatanpart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
Don Quixote1979John Norwood FagoFred Carrillo64-page hardcover edition
Great Expectations1979Stella AlicoAngel Trinidadpart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
Heidi1979Sally GrindleyPamela Venus
The Iliad1979John Norwood FagoE. R. Cruz
Lord Jim1979John Norwood FagoFrank Redondo
The Mutiny on Board H. M. S. Bounty1979John Norwood FagoRudy Floresepart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
The Odyssey1979John Norwood FagoNestor Redondo
Oliver Twist1979Stella AlicoFred Carrillo
Pride and Prejudice1979Naunerle FarrNestor Leonidez
The Turn of the Screw1979Susan ConfortiGerry Talaocpart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
Romeo and Juliet1979Rich MargopoulousNestor Redondo
As You Like It1980Naunerle FarrNestor Leonidez
Julius Caesar1980Naunerle FarrVicatan
King Lear1980Naunerle FarrGerry Talaocpart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
Macbeth1980Rich MargopoulosVicatan
A Midsummer Night's Dream1980John Norwood FagoFred CarrilloColorized and reprinted by Pendulum in 1991 with a new painted cover
Othello1980D'ann CalhounVicatan
The Tempest1980Rich MargopoulosGerry Talaoc
Twelfth Night1980Naunerle FarrE. R. Cruz
The Merchant of Venice1980Naunerle FarrJun Lofamiapart of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
The Taming of the Shrew1980Naunerle FarrFred Carrillo
Hamlet1980Naunerle FarrE. R. Cruz

Pendulum's Illustrated Stories

Colorized reprints of the Pendulum Illustrated Classics
  1. Moby-Dick (1990)[12]
  2. Treasure Island (1990)
  3. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1990)
  4. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Mar. 1991)
  5. A Christmas Carol (1991)
  6. A Midsummer Night's Dream (1991)

Basic Illustrated History of America

edited by D'Ann Calhoun with Lawrence Bloch
  • The New World, 1500-1750 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by E. R. Cruz; part of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
  • The Fight for Freedom, 1750–1783 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Virgilio Redondo
  • The United States Emerges, 1783–1800 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Fred Carrillo
  • Problems of the New Nation, 1800-1830 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr & Dennis Dostert, and illustrated by Jun Lofamia
  • Americans Move Westward, 1800-1850 (1977) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Frank Redondo; 16 pp.
  • Before the Civil War, 1830-1860 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr & Dennis Dostert] and illustrated by E. R. Cruz
  • The Civil War, 1850-1876 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Nestor Redondo; part of New Matter Sounds multimedia packet
  • The Industrial Era, 1865-1915 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr & Dennis Dostert, and illustrated by Fred Carrillo
  • America Becomes a World Power, 1890-1920 (1977) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Resty Ronguillo
  • The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, 1920–1940 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Tony Caravana
  • World War II, 1940-1945 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by N. E. Phillips
  • America Today, 1945-1976 (1976) — written by Naunerle Farr and illustrated by Nardo Cruz

Pendulum Illustrated Biography series

Contemporary Motivators series

  1. The Caine Mutiny
  2. Banner in the Sky
  3. God Is My Co-Pilot adapted by Linda A. Cadrain and Charles Nicholas
  4. Guadalcanal Diary (June 1978)
  5. Hiroshima
  6. Hot Rod (1978)
  7. Just Dial a Number by Edith Maxwell, adapted by Charles Nicholas
  8. The Diary of Anne Frank (1979)
  9. Lost Horizon adapted by Catherine Wichterman and Charles Nicholas (1978)

Solarman (1979–1980)

  • Solarman #1: The Beginning (1979) — written by David Oliphant and M. Barbara O'Brien; adapted by Linda A. Cadrain and uncredited artist
  • Solarman #2: Day or Nite (1980) — written by David Oliphant and illustrated by Dick Giordano
  • Solarman: At the Earth's Core (1980)

Books

  • The American People in the Age of Kennedy, by David M. Kennedy (1973)
  • The American People in the Antebellum South, edited by Bertram Wyatt-Brown (1973)
  • A Sheaf of Snow Poems, by Joseph Payne Brennan (1973)
  • The Illustrated Format: an Effective Teaching Tool (1978) ISBN 0883013487

See also

Other companies/imprints known for comics adaptations of literature:

References

  1. Fago, Vincent. "Nestor Redondo and the Pendulum Classics," in Arthur Conan Doyle: Rosebud Graphic Classics (Eureka Productions, 2002), pp. 4-6.
  2. Oliphant entry, Who's Who in American Comics Books, 1928–1999. Accessed Jan. 31, 2014.
  3. Kleefeld, Sean. "Vince Fago Post Script," Kleefeld on Comics (May 16, 2008).
  4. Inge, M. Thomas (1993). LeMaster, J. R.; Wilson, James D. (eds.). Comics. pp. 168–71. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. "D’Ann Calhoun Fago: 70 Yrs. of Art," Archived 2014-02-01 at the Wayback Machine The Herald of Randolph (Sept. 30, 2010).
  6. Arndt, Richard J. "A 2005 Interview with Steve Bissette about Bizarre Adventures!" Enjolrasworld.com: Marvel’s Black & White Horror Magazines Checklist. Accessed May 8, 2013.
  7. Gerry Talaoc at Lambiek's Comiclopedia.
  8. Nestor Redondo entry, Grand Comics Database. Accessed Jan. 29, 2014.
  9. Kujawa Henry R. "Jules Verne, Part 2," Professor H's Wayback Machine (Sept. 6, 2013).
  10. Image of the book cover, ComicBookDB.com. Accessed Jan. 29, 2014.
  11. Bridwell, E. Nelson (November 1974). "In Memorium: Otto Oscar Binder". The Amazing World of DC Comics (3): 30.
  12. Moby-Dick entry, Grand Comics Database. Accessed Jan. 29, 2014.
  13. The Beatles entry, Grand Comics Database. Accessed Jan. 30, 2014.
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