Collectibles: Tom Tyler Tales: The Adirondack Cowboy comic books

There were only two comic books posthumously issued with Tom Tyler as a western screen hero, and they were published in 2003 and 2005. While these dates seem much later than usual for a film star of the 1920's and 1930's, there is a reason for it: none had been published in the United States since then, excluding the Spain-published comic stories of Tom Tyler in the popular BOY periodical for youths, published by Gato Negro in Barcelona. There really was not much of a tribute to Tom as was stars like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers in the states, even though he certainly deserved one.

Tom Tyler Tales: The Adirondack Cowboy was the creation of three Essex County, New York fans of Tom Tyler – the county where Tom was born in 1903. 2003 is a significant year, since it marks the 100^th anniversary of Tom's birth. Calvin Castine, Sid Couchey, and Arto Monaco are the men who provided not only the story and artwork for these two comic books, but also the story behind creating them, Tom's biography and filmography, and a plethora of Tom Tyler memorabilia items reproduced and interspersed throughout the books.

Tom Tyler Tales #1 contains a story about Tom and how he wound up traveling all the way from Port Henry, a hamlet of Moriah in New York state, to Baxter Springs, Kansas. His adventure involves tracking down three desperados called “The Three Saddlemates”, based on the book creators: Sid, Arto, and Cal. This trio is of course reminiscent of “The Three Mesquiteers”. Tom helps Baxter Springs sheriff Gordie, based on Gordie Little, a native of North Country, New York, and of Home Town Cable. Always the hero. Tom rounds up The Three Saddlemates, and sends them back to jail.

Tom Tyler Tales, Too, published in 2005, was the joint effort of Calvin and Sid (Arto died in November 2003). This comic book contains two stories: one including The Three Saddlemates, and the second story, Tom as Major Courage – a superhero play on the name Captain Marvel. As in the other stories, the creators have characters named after them here too. The comic book is not only a tribute to Tom Tyler but also to Arto Monaco. Most notably, profits from Tom Tyler Tales, Too was intended to go towards a historic marker for him in Moriah, which unfortunately never materialized due to lack of interest.