Western Picture Stories / Giant Comics Editions #11 - Matt Baker cover & reprints

Western Picture Stories / Giant Comics Editions v1 #11, 1949 - Surrounded by abundant text, Matt Baker's cover drawing appears even more lackluster. The figures seem hurried and stiffly rendered. No stranger to westerns, Baker nonetheless falls short on this effort. A note about this issue: St. John Publishing collected remainders of previously printed issues and re-bound them with new covers. Consequently, contents varied widely although usually within the same genre.  supplies this fairly tame bondage-themed cover, whose figures are somewhat overwhelmed by the abudant typography. This is number 3 of 6 Giant Comics Editions issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Baker issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = **
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Baker issues, >more Giant Comics Edition issues

Monster Hunters #6 - Steve Ditko art

Monster Hunters v1 #6, 1976 - Set in the 18th century, a father-and-son scientist team conduct illegal experiments just as the local police inspector closes in. The Steve Ditko art is adequate, despite the large amount of dialogue squeezed into certain panels. The first few pages are the most crowded, eventually subsiding and giving Ditko's illustrations some breathing room (see interior page above).  Other artists in this issue include Tom Sutton and Mike Zeck. This is number 2 of 4 Monster Hunters issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Monster Hunters issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"The Beast or the Burden" Ditko story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, more Ditko issues, >more Monster Hunters issues

Battlestar Galactica #17 - Walt Simonson art

Battlestar Galactica v1 #17, 1980 - Landing on a planet in search of food resources, Apollo and ship's biologist Enoch encounter a primitive, ape-like species. Walt Simonson's layouts and drawings are consistent but a tad monotonous. His trademark style is recognizable on only the first couple of pages (see interior page above). Klaus Janson's inks tend to be more overwhelming than usual. Other artists in this issue include Bill Sienkiewicz (cover). This is number 9 of 14 Battlestar Galactica issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson or Battlestar Galactica issues. See also this blog's Simonson checklist.
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"Ape and Essence" Simonson story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 17 pages = **
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Yellowjacket Comics - comic series checklist

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Yellowjacket Comics v1
Charlton
1944-46

1
2-4
5,6
7 - Alex Toth art
8-10

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

Our Army at War #241 - Alex Toth, Russ Heath art, Joe Kubert cover & reprint

Our Army at War v1 #241 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1972 - On orders from higher up, Sgt. Rock lets a journalist tag along on their dangerous mission. Called Ernie Patterson, the character is mostly likely a reference to Ernie Pyle, the famous World War II correspondent. Russ Heath turns in another splendid work of exquisite detail, but it's Alex Toth's short story that's most memorable. A trio of Roman centurions gathers in a tavern, recalling their earlier, horrendous duties. Panels abut against each other, giving a crowded, claustrophobic feeling (see interior page above). On the first page, Toth masterfully incorporates the title into a scene to create a powerful metaphor. This award winning tale seems just as impactful today due to both exceptional art and storytelling. Kubert delivers a typically competent cover. The issue also includes "The Hot Spot" from G.I. Combat #70 (Kubert). This is number 2 of 3 Our Army at War issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth, Kubert, Heath or Our Army at War issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist, Toth checklist or Heath checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"War Story" Heath story pencils and inks 13 pages = ***
"Dirty Job" Toth story pencils and inks 4 pages = *****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Heath issues, >more Kubert issues, >more Toth issues, >more Our Army At War issues