The ASTOUNDING ORIGIN Of JANUS STARK...

Copyright REBELLION

Long after the weekly SMASH! had shuffled off this mortal coil, JANUS STARK continued to thrill and amaze readers in the pages of VALIANT & SMASH!, as well as a few more annuals of his original comic's title.  He was extremely popular abroad, and zee Frenchies had a licence to produce their own adventures of the character - some of which were re-lettered into English and published over here in the mid-'80s.

However, here is how he first began, way back in March 1969.  As far as I know, this strip has only been reprinted once before - in a book called ALBION ORIGINS back in 2007.  The pages which follow are scanned from my own first issue of the 'new' Smash!, and are presented here for your very own delight and delectation.  (Which are essentially the same thing, but you know how I love alliteration.)

The awesome art is by the prolific SOLANO LOPEZ.