The Gold Key era of comics is one of the most fascinating sectors of the Bronze Age, but not everybody knows the ins and outs. For instance, have you ever heard of Doctor Spektor? Your Major Spoilers Retro Review of The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor #1 awaits!

THE OCCULT FILES OF DOCTOR SPEKTOR #1

Writer:  Donald F. Glut
Penciler: Jesse Santos
Inker: Jesse Santos
Colorist: Uncredited
Letterer: Uncredited
Editor: Uncredited
Publisher: Gold Key Comics (Western Publishing)
Cover Price: 15 Cents
Current Near-Mint Pricing: $50.00
Release Date: May 1, 1973

Previously in The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor: Though this issue constitutes the first of Adam Spektor’s adventures into the forbidden and arcane, it is not his first appearance. That came several months earlier, where the good Doctor appeared as a traditional horror host in the fifth issue of Mystery Comics Digest. It was a good fit, as Spektor is a paranormal investigator and expert in matters occult, creating an in-universe reason for him to be presenting the cases from his “occult files.” This issue’s story starts in that same place, as we witness the events occurring in a Transylvanian cemetery.

As the skeleton reforms into the legendary Baron Tibor (who was himself first seen in Mystery Comics Digest #4, a story which explains how he ended up staked in Europe), the vampire cult gets to see their fanged hero in bloody action. At the same time, back in upstate New York, Doctor Spektor is visited by his new executive assistant, a Native American woman named Lakota.

There are a lot of strange moments in this issue vis-à-vis Lakota’s heritage, all of which seem intended to celebrate her. In the context of 2025, unfortunately, it feels like Spektor is needling her with quasi-racist micro-aggressions throughout the whole story. His mysterious potion, seen in that last panel, is part of his recent investigations into historical references to vampirism and the possible real-world events that inspired the legends. One such story or rumor involved Baron Tibor and his long history of bloodsucking, which quickly sends the Doctor and Lakota off to Transylvania.

One of the sad truths about collecting Western Publishing titles (which include the Gold Key line, as well as books published under the Dell Comics, Whitman Comics, and Western labels) is that they were seldom printed on the best quality paper. The degradation leads to browning, which in turn can hide some impressive art. The work of Jesse Santos on this issue is a perfect example, showing remarkable subtlety and realistic emotion, even while saddled with substandard coloring. That first half-page panel is remarkable stuff, almost making me wish the story was presented in black-and-white. As for Doctor Spektor, he is immediately waylaid by the vampire cult upon arriving in Transylvania, left unconscious while Lakota is stolen away to feed their vampiric leader… but now that he’s no longer starving, the Baron is a bit reluctant to drain her life away.

When the Doctor and the Baron met face-to-face, Spektor is clearly overmatched, but with a little quick thinking, gains the upper hand. That’s when Tibor implores him to drive a stake into his heart! It’s a shocking enough moment that even the occult investigator pauses, allowing his vampiric foe to explain the truth. While his body lay desiccated in the earth, his spirit was in the netherworld, being tortured for his myriad sins. The experience changed him, making him want to give up his evil ways, and brought us back around to Chekhov’s Doctor Spektor’s potion: a potential cure for vampirism!

In short order, Baron Tibor frees Lakota, the townsfolk erupt in violence, dealing with the vampire cult, and Baron Tibor is freed to find a new life as a recurring ally throughout the next two years or so. As for The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor #1, it’s actually a clever little tale showing off Don Glut’s skills as a writer (something that fans of ’70s comics and ’80s cartoons already recognized) and excellent art by Santos, earning a better-than-average 3.5 out of 5 stars overall.

Doctor Spektor starred in 25 issues of his own solo book, every issue of Spine-Tingling Tales, and made occasional appearances throughout Gold Key’s line and Glut’s works through 1982, with Western Publishing going under in ’84. Spektor himself was briefly part of the Western revival from Dark Horse Comics circa 2014.

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