This is a "Gonna Make a Change," which takes a look at the odd evolution that comic book series used to make. You see, nowadays, when a comic book series wants to re-tool, comic book companies simply cancel the book and start a brand-new series (heck, change a creative team and books will often reboot). In the old days, however, comic book companies felt that they had too much capital invested in the higher numbers and wanted to avoid starting over with a new #1. So we got to see some weird changes over the years.

Today, I am pretty sure based on a suggestion from someone (but I can't see who - I think this ties back in with it being always better to e-mail me suggestions at brianc@cbr.com, because that way I have a record of your suggestion), I take a look at how Challengers of the Unknown leaned into the occult at the end of the 1960s!

The Challengers of the Unknown debuted in Showcase #6 by Jack Kirby...

Kirby quickly establishes the compelling set-up for the team. Four dudes survive certain death, decide that they are now living on borrowed time, so they decide to become adventurers...

They got their own series and when Kirby was pushed out of DC towards the end of the 1950s, other creators took over and the book continued basically in the Kirby vein, with the notable change being new costumes for the team in Challengers of the Unknown #43...

In 1968, though, the team began to start dealing with the occult...

I really think Dark Shadows had a big influence on DC Comics, as it seems like they followed that show in a lot of ways, with these seemingly disparate books like the occult romances I wrote about recently and Challengers now dealing with the occult.

Anyhow, Denny O'Neil and Jack Sparling took over the book with Challengers #69, with the team set up against a mad scientist, who fatally wounds Prof, of the team. The scientist's daughter takes Prof's place...

Corinna Stark was ALL into the occult, and so she brought the team (along with their new costumes)

This didn't last too long and I covered the final issue here.

I think Corinna Stark was a bold experiment by O'Neil.

Okay, folks, if you have suggestions for comic book series whose evolution you'd like to see me spotlight, just drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!