Master of Kung Fu v1 #24, 1975 - Four different pencillers are credited on the opening page, indicating an artistic group effort. Unfortunately, their contributions seem to be scattered and somewhat disorganized. Walt Simonson's work is generally indistinguishable. Jim Starlin appears to have drawn pages 6 (see interior page below), 16, 17, 23, 30 and 31 but are not particularly impressive. Inker Sal Trapani lends some consistency throughout the story, but overall the issue suffers from too many artists and too little cohesion. Other artists in this issue include Alan Weiss and Al Milgrom. Cover by Gil Kane. This is number 2 of 3 Master of Kung Fu issues with Starlin art and/or covers.
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"Massacre Along the Amazon" Starlin partial story pencils (Sal Trapani inks) 6? pages = **
Simonson partial story pencils (Sal Trapani inks) ? pages = *

Jim Starlin

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Frank Miller

Harbinger v1 #8, 1992 - One of six covers for six different Valiant titles, Frank Miller does his own interpretation of the title characters. Although each is rendered in his preferred graphic style of the period, most are also rich and textural. Interestingly, not only were the covers published at the same time, but placed together they form a larger mural-like illustration. Other artists in this issue include David Lapham and Gonzalo Mayo. This is number 1 of 1 Harbinger issues with Miller art and/or covers.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = ***

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>this issue >Miller >Harbinger

Barry Windsor Smith

Conan the Barbarian v1 #14, 1972 - Elric of Melnibone, a creation of writer Michael Moorcock, makes his first appearance in comics. In this unlikely pairing of heroes, the duo join forces against a netherworld queen. Barry Smith's enthusiasm overshadows the more primitive aspects of his drawings. His two splash pages struggle with their respective compositions, yet other pages (particularly the battle scenes) are ably designed. Smith puts equal emphasis on Conan and Elric in a memorable, boldly juxtaposed panel (see interior page below). Despite his progress, Smith continues to develop his own artistic voice. This story was later reprinted in Giant-size Conan #5. This is number 14 of 22 Conan the Barbarian issues with Smith art and/or covers.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = ***
"A Sword Called Stormbringer" Smith story pencils (Sal Buscema inks) 21 pages = ***
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Barry Windsor Smith

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>this issue >Smith >Conan the Barbarian

Matt Baker

Pictorial Romances v1 #18, 1953 - In addition to his troubling cover, Matt Baker illustrates three tales in this giant edition. A struggling artist finds fame but loses his girl in "I Loved a Goddess",  while a young woman disdains her sister's farmer husband in "A Will of My Own". All three stories are sumptuously drawn and artfully laid out. "My Hidden Past" stands out a tad more perhaps due to its longer page count. At 17 pages, it's among Baker's lengthier works from this period. Credit also goes to Ray Osrin, whose inks add significant polish to the drawings. Other artists in this issue include Violet Barclay. This is number 15 of 21 Pictorial Romances issues with Baker art and/or covers.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
"My Hidden Past" Baker story pencils (Ray Osrin inks) 17 pages = ****
"A Will of My Own" Baker story pencils (Ray Osrin inks) 8 pages = ****
"I Loved a Goddess" Baker story pencils (Ray Osrin inks) 8 pages = ****

Matt Baker

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Walt Simonson

Metal Men v1 #48, 1976 - Eclipso, a super-villain first introduced in House of Secrets #61, searches for an ancient hieroglyphic stone. His alter ego's fiance', Mona Bennet, asks the Metal Men to find him before he endangers the planet. Their travels allow artist Walt Simonson opportunity to depict settings as diverse as Germany and Peru. Panels seem smaller and more numerous, but are generally well managed by the artist. Like the Metal Men, Eclipso's distorted face and costume design seem tailor-made for Simonson's linear style. This story was later reprinted in The Art of Walt Simonson. This is number 4 of 7 Metal Men issues with Simonson art and/or covers.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
"Who Is Bruce Gordon and Why Is He Doing Those Terrible Things to Himself?" Simonson story pencils and inks 17 pages = ***

Walt Simonson

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Detective Comics v1 #467, 1977 - In this back up story, the Calculator runs afoul of Hawkman during his crime spree. Marshall Rogers draws his second tale of the series, demonstrating a flair for pacing and layout design. His drawing style is tightly structured but surprisingly contemporary. Terry Austin is credited as inker, but Neal Adams' hand seems evident on many panels (though not mentioned in comic book guides). Other artists in this issue include John Calnan, Vince Coletta and Rich Buckler (cover). This is number 2 of 13 Detective Comics issues with Rogers art and/or covers.
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"The Man Who Skyjacked Hawkman" Rogers story pencils / Adams partial inks (Terry Austin partial inks) 6 pages = ***

Marshall Rogers

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>this issue >Adams >Rogers >Detective Comics

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Warren's sci-fi magazine 1984 contains some of Nino's most innovative art.

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Walt Disney Comics Digest v1 #20, 1970 - Many of these digest-sized issues reprint stories and artwork by Carl Barks. "Iceboat to Beaver Island" was first published in Walt Disney Comics and Stories #174 and "Free Ski Spree" originated in Four Color Comics v2 #1073. Some of the characters featured include Mickey Mouse, Daniel Boone and Sleeping Beauty. Other artists in this issue include Tony Strobl.

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>this issue >Barks >Walt Disney Comics Digest

Creepy v1 #29, 1969 - Mixed in with some new material is a fine Jeff Jones tale, reprinted from Creepy #16. Other artists in this issue include Vic Prezio, Tony Tallarico and Jerry Grandenetti.

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>this issue >Jones >Creepy

Back Issue v1 #15, 2003 - Bronze age anti-heroes are covered in this issue, including Ghost Rider, Werewolf by Night, Phantom Stranger, Demon, etc. A four page Mike Ploog interview is brief but illuminating. Also included are articles on Joe Kubert's Ragman and Jose Luis Garcia Lopez's Deadman series. Other artists featured in this issue include Gene Colan and Don Perlin. Cover by Arthur Adams.

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>this issue >Kubert >Ploog >Back Issue

Best of DC (Blue Ribbon Digest) v1 #5 / Year's Best Comics Stories, 1980 - Collecting tales from the previous year, this digest features Jonah Hex, Superman, Deadman and others. A highlight is a Don Newton reprint from Detective Comics #483. New cover by Ross Andru and Dick Giordano.

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>this issue >Newton >Best of DC

Secrets of Sinister House v1 #15, 1973 - No Nestor Redondo art in this issue, despite what some comic book price guides say. The artist's work does appear in Sinister House #7. Artists in this issue include Romy Gamboa, Jess Jodloman and Jack Sparling (cover).

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>Redondo >Secrets of Sinister House

From Here To Insanity v3 (v2) #1, 1956 - Chock full of silly stories and artwork, this series essentially copies the format of Mad Magazine. Most of the comic strips and articles are in black and white, many utilize cyan and magenta as accent colors. Only three pages appear in full color. Surprisingly, the issue contains illustrations by Basil Wolverton and Bill Ward. Steve Ditko contributes to a three-page tale, about a homely female crooner named Beverly Kaflin. This early attempt at humor is better than expected, but doesn't quite match his work in the horror and science fiction genres from the same era. Despite that the issue says volume 3, this is actually the 2nd volume of the series. This is number 2 of 2 From Here To Insanity issues with Ditko art and/or covers.
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"Starlight Starbright" Ditko story pencils and inks 3 pages (black & white) = ***

Steve Ditko

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>this issue >Ditko >From Here To Insanity

Our Army at War v1 #103, 1961 - When Sgt. Rock is seemingly killed, Easy Company tries to finish the he he started by taking out a retrenched enemy position. Longer than the usual main feature, this Joe Kubert tale is meticulously drawn. As the story progresses, more vertical panels are employed to emphasize the height and scale of the mountainous setting. Five full page splashes further dramatize the plot. Kubert delivers one of his best silver age Sgt. Rock tales. This story was later reprinted in >Our Army at War #203. Cover by Russ Heath.
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"Easy's Had It" Kubert story pencils and inks 18 pages = ****

Joe Kubert

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>this issue >Kubert >Our Army At War

World's Finest v1 #263, 1980 - Graybeard returns with a new gang, only to be thwarted by Captain Marvel Jr. Don Newton's artwork is admirable, combining fine drawing with careful sequencing. His layouts can seem arbitrary, although the page shown below is purposefully designed. Other artists in this issue include Jose Delbo, Rich Bucker and Dick Giordano. Cover by Ross Andru and Giordano. This is number 11 of 28 World's Finest issues with Newton art and/or covers.
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"The Graybeard Gang" Newton story pencils (Dave Hunt inks) 10 pages = ***

Don Newton

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Young Romance v1 #163, 1969 - Embittered by the husband who left her, a woman tells her teenage daughters to stay away from men altogether. Straightforwardly drawn, Alex Toth adheres to a six panel grid on most of the pages. His drawings within the panels are carefully constructed. He also employs silhouetted shadows to sometimes depressing effect. One scene that seems to stand out is the surreal montage on page 5, depicting lovers at differing viewpoints. Dick Giordano's inks are adequate, retaining the intent of Toth's pencils. This story (later reprinted in >Young Love #114) continues into the next issue. Other artists in this issue include Ric Estrada and Vince Colletta. Cover by Nick Cardy. This is number 1 of 2 Young Romance issues with Toth art and/or covers (not including reprints).
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"Next Door to Love, part 1" Toth story pencils (Dick Giordano inks) 10 pages = ***

Alex Toth

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Frank Miller

Incredible Hulk v2 #258, 1981 - Crammed with figures, Frank Miller's cover is diminished by lack of breathing room. Two Soviet Super Soldiers are nearly mirror images in stance, monotonously used to frame the title character. Al Milgrom's weak inking contributes to this overall mediocre effort. Other artists in this issue include Sal Buscema. This is number 1 of 4 Incredible Hulk issues with Miller art and/or covers.
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Miller cover pencils (Al Milgrom inks) = *

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77 Sunset Strip / Four Color Comics v2 #1211, 1961 - Russ Manning takes over this series, picking up where Alex Toth left off. Of his three capably drawn efforts, the story of a carnival plagued by mysterious accidents is the most visually interesting. The opening panel sets a festive tone, complete with colorful posters and stringing lights. Manning's other tales are more subdued, but equally sharp and distinct in their renditions. The inside front cover serves as a contents page, using some interior story panels as art. An alternate version of this issue replaces the back cover ad with a untitled Manning page (Kookie learns how to surveil a car). This is number 1 of 6 Sunset Strip issues with Manning art and/or covers.
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"Carnival Caper" Manning story pencils and inks 12 pages = ***
"Border Bound" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Live Action" Manning story pencils and inks 11 pages = ***
"The Mug File" Manning pencils and inks inside back cover = ***
Untitled Manning back cover pencils and inks = ***

Russ Manning

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