Roots of the Swamp Thing #1 - Bernie Wrightson cover & reprints

Roots of the Swamp Thing v1 #1, 1986 - Featuring Bernie Wrightson art, this limited series reprints the now classic Swamp Thing #1 and Swamp Thing #2. The artist also provides a new wrap-around painted cover. While richer and more dimensional, it still pales compared to the original stories. See today's posts or more Wrightson or Roots of the Swamp Thing issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson wrap-around painted cover = **
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Authentic Police Cases #18 - Matt Baker art & non-attributed cover

Authentic Police Cases v1 #18, 1952 - On this well drawn cover, Matt Baker puts counterfeiting tools on display although few readers would recognize them. Inside, the artist chronicles a partnership between a thief and a would-be actress. The couple’s brazen crimes involve disguise and impersonation, giving the artist the opportunity to depict different women. An unknown inker asserts his own style on the figures, but Baker comes through on most of the characters’ faces. This story was later reprinted in Authentic Police Cases #38. This is number 13 of 29 Authentic Police Cases issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Baker or Authentic Police Cases. See also this blog's Matt Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
"Murder in Mink" Baker story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Adventures on the Planet of the Apes #5 - mis-attributed Mike Ploog art

Adventures on the Planet of the Apes v1 #5, 1976 - Despite what some comic book guides say, no Mike Ploog art resides in this issue. The artist's work does appear in Planet of the Apes magazine. See today's posts or more Adventures on the Planet of the Apes or Ploog issues. See also this blog's Ploog checklist or Top 10 Ploog comics.
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Unusual Tales #6 - Steve Ditko cover

Unusual Tales v1 #6, 1957 - Steve Ditko begins his run on the series with this striking cover. The artist invented many strange fantastical beasts in his early works for Charlton. This sea creature is magnificently drawn and sharply designed. Its festive colors and forms look similar to ancient Chinese depictions of dragons. The people are purposely small by comparison and even the fishing line adds movement and contrast. This is number 1 of 18 Unusual Tales issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Unusual Tales issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = *****
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World's Finest #175 - Neal Adams art & cover

World's Finest v1 #175, 1968 - The Batman Revenge Squad and Superman Revenge Squad bet on the outcome of an upcoming contest between the two heroes. Neal Adams' drawings are excellent, infusing the tale with uncommon realism. The layouts are fluidly designed to make the most of action scenes (see interior page above). His pacing, lighting and foreshortening are equally impressive. Much of the same could be said for his intriguing cover design. This is Adams' first of two stories for the title. Interestingly, the issue also reprints the first appearance of Martian Manhunter from Detective Comics #225. See today's posts or more Adams or World's Finest issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads" Adams story pencils and inks 17 pages = ***
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