Magnus Robot Fighter #3 - Russ Manning art

Magnus Robot Fighter v1 #3, 1964 - A giant robot attacks North Am in this splendidly drawn tale. Manning takes the opportunity to use many large panels to show scale, including a full page depiction of the robot. This wonderfully illustrated issue is Manning at his best. This is number 3 of 21 Magnus Robot Fighter issues with Manning art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Manning or Magnus Robot Fighter issues. See also this blog's Manning checklist.
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"Giant from Planet X" Manning story pencils and inks 27 pages = *****
"A Matter of Judgment" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Omac v2 #3 - John Byrne art & cover

Omac v2 #3, 1991 - Omac takes on Adolph Hitler, and Byrne's illustrations succeed in their 1940s period look. Of note are the first three full pages at the beginning, and the five page silent action sequence. This is number 3 of 4 Omac issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Omac issues.
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = ***
"Mein Kampf" Byrne story pencils and inks 45 pages = ***
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Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #263 - Carl Barks art

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #263, 1962 - Who else could do a story on popcorn, explosives, and the Duckburg World's Fair? Barks does his typical Donald and his nephews story: nicely written and well drawn. See today's posts or more Barks or Disney issues.
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"The Candy Kid" Barks story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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Omac v2 #2 - John Byrne art & cover

Omac v2 #2 , 1991 - The second in this b&w series, Byrne's opening page is masterful. His superb drawing complements his storytelling. This is number 2 of 4 Omac issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Omac issues.
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = ***
"Brother Can You Spare an Eye?" Byrne story pencils and inks 45 pages = ****
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Mystery in Space #116 - Jim Starlin cover, Steve Ditko art

Mystery in Space #116, 1981 - On another planet, a dictator forces his best scientist to develop a will-sapping drug. Of the four meager pages, Steve Ditko seems to put most of his effort in only two of them. The first page is painfully minimal, with little information to help establish the setting. Similarly, Jim Starlin's cover spends too much time in the rendition and not enough on composition. The result is mediocre at best. Other artists in this issue include Trevor Von Eeden, Bob Smith, Johnny Craig and John Celardo. This is number 4 of 4 Mystery in Space issues with Ditko art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 Mystery in Space issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin, Ditko or Mystery in Space issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist, Starlin checklist or Top 10 Starlin comics.
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Starlin cover pencils and inks = **
"With His Head in the Stars" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = **
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Superman: The Secret Years #4 - Frank Miller cover

Superman: The Secret Years #4, 1985 - Superman flies joyously with a bald eagle, overtly symbolizing his American patriotism. Frank Miller relegates his inks to the bird alone, contrasting against the largely outlined figure. The result is a Superman that looks oddly and disturbingly muscle-bound, even by comic book standards. Miller's final cover of the series is sadly also his weakest. Other artists in this issue include Curt Swan and Kurt Schaffenberger. This is number 4 of 4 Superman The Secret Years issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Superman the Secret Years issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = *
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Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #202 - Carl Barks art

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #202, 1957 - Barks is at the top of his game during the 1950s, and this story is no exception. Donald and the boys help Scrooge with his rainmaking dilemma. See today's posts or more Barks or Disney issues.
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Untitled Kakimaw Indians story Barks pencils and inks 8 pages = ****
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Korak Son of Tarzan #11 - Russ Manning art

Korak Son of Tarzan #11, 1965 - Two tales by Russ Manning place Korak in exotic, undiscovered lands within Africa. In the first, he fights alongside the Stork Men of Pal-Ul-Don as they defend their territory. The artwork shows promise, but falters from lack of depth and detail in many panels. The second story features the hero's first foray into the City of Opar. Manning's art is more polished and distinctive, especially the large panel of the fabled city (page 3). The view is wide in scope with an equal distribution of light and dark to enhance depth. Interestingly, two educational pages feature Korak touting the benefits of good fitness habits. This is number 11 of 12 Korak issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Korak Son of Tarzan issues. See also this blog's Manning checklist.
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"Invasion from Pul-Ul-Don" Manning story pencils and inks (Mike Royer partial inks) 15 pages = **
"The White Pygmies Strike Back" Manning story pencils and inks 9 pages = ***
"Keeping Fit with Korak" Manning inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
"Keeping Fit with Korak" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
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Mystery in Space #114 - Steve Ditko art, Joe Kubert cover

Mystery in Space #114, 1980 - In a future where mankind has been bombed back to the Stone Age, a group of primitives finds a tape recorded message from the past. The art largely meets expectations as Steve Ditko toggles from the future to the past. Joe Kubert's cover borders on being too cluttered, but manages to maintain clarity. Other artists in this issue include Johnny Craig, Dan Spiegle, Trevor von Eeden, John Celardo and Tom Yeates. This is number 2 of 4 Mystery in Space issues with Ditko art and/or covers and number 3 of 4 Mystery in Space issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert, Ditko or Mystery in Space issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist or Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Battle Cry" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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House of Mystery #185 - Neal Adams cover, Al Williamson, Wally Wood art

House of Mystery #185, 1970 - Al Williamson's story looks like it had been done a little earlier, perhaps a reject from a Gold Key or Warren series? Regardless, it is beautifully rendered and comparable to his only other bronze DC story in Witching Hour #14. Wally Wood imitator Wayne Howard's short story is ironically inked by Wood himself, and Adams does his usual terrific cover on the series. The interior page shown above is by Williamson. This is number 4 of 7 House of Mystery issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 House of Mystery issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Williamson, Adams, Wood or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics, Williamson checklist or Wood checklist.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Beautiful Beast" Williamson story pencils and inks 11 pages = *****
"Voice from the Dead" Wood story inks (Wayne Howard pencils) 3 pages = ***
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Thor #340 - Walt Simonson art & cover

Thor #340, 1984 - The colors on this appealing cover are oddly reminiscent of Paul Cezanne's palette, with equally pleasing results. Walt Simonson continues to impress with his sensitive linework and masterful pacing on this series. The scale and grandeur of his Asgardian settings are distinctly different from Jack Kirby's 1960s editions, but are just as compelling. Overall, the first half of the book is more aesthetically interesting, especially the sharp compositions on pages three and five. Toward the story's end, Simonson's panels tend to shrink, crowding some of the details. On a final note, Beta Ray Bill's original, more human-like form is presented for the first time in the series. This is 15 of 41 Thor issues with Simonson art. See today's posts or more Simonson or Thor issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
"Though Hel Should Bar The Way" Simonson story pencils and inks 22 pages = ***
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Adventure Comics #431 - Alex Toth art

Adventure Comics #431 featuring The Spectre, 1973 - With this issue, the Spectre takes over as the central feature. Controversial at the time, writer Michael Fleisher and artist Jim Aparo bring the character back to his disturbingly violent roots of the 1940s. Alex Toth's back-up tale, of a dystopian future where animals talk and reason, is tame by comparison. Drawn in thick expressionistic lines and heavy shadows, the artwork nonetheless is masteful in its pacing and storytelling. This is number 4 of 7 Adventure issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth or Adventure Comics issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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"Is a Snerl Human?" Toth story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Mystery in Space #113 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Mystery in Space #113, 1980 - Small mysterious creatures converge on an astronaut just outside his spaceship. Joe Kubert's cover was among many prevalent during the bronze age. In a pleasant surprise, the artist also drew the corresponding story inside. With only three pages, Kubert proves himself a master of layout and efficient storytelling. Other artists in this issue include Michael Golden, Bob Wiacek, Jerry Grandenetti and Joe Staton. This is number 2 of 4 Mystery in Space issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert or Mystery in Space issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Gremlins" Kubert story pencils and inks 3 pages = ***
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Justice League of America #66 - Neal Adams cover

Justice League of America #66, 1968 - This cover is the first by Adams on the series. The layout may have been provided by Carmine Infantino, which accounts for the clumsiness of the composition. Regardless, Adams adeptly shows how to incorporate multiple figures into a cohesive design. It's also interesting to see the artist's depiction of Green Arrow, prior to his redesign of the character in the Green Lantern series. See today's posts or more Adams or Justice League issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics. 
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
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Korak Son of Tarzan #10 - Russ Manning art

Korak Son of Tarzan #10, 1965 - A village doctor is the only hope for Pahkut, recently shot by an evil hunter. Russ Manning's streamlined artwork tells the story with both clarity and brevity. Perhaps the most arresting panel is on page 14, where African warriors are starkly portrayed in light and shadow. In the second tale by Manning, Korak rescues women and girls destined to be buried with their dead king. The pages are impeccably drawn and sequenced. Most noteworthy is the story's opening panel, depicting Korak emerging from the dense jungle foliage. This is number 10 of 12 Korak issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Korak Son of Tarzan issues. See also this blog's Manning checklist.
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"When the Rhino Charged" Manning story pencils and inks 15 pages = ****
"The Pit" Manning story pencils and inks 9 pages = ****
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Donald Duck #30 - Carl Barks cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck #30, 1953 - This clever Carl Barks cover juxtaposes two contrasting moods: Donald Duck's joyous romp and his obliviousness to the sheer terror of his passengers. Most of the visual elements are airborne, capturing the precariousness of the ride. A lone cactus at the bottom provides additional context for the setting. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues. 
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
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House of Mystery #184 - Neal Adams cover, Alex Toth, Wally Wood art

House of Mystery #184, 1970 - Alex Toth's minimalist style tells a less exciting but capable story. Wood successfully teams up with Gil Kane on a sword and sorcery tale which seems out of place for a horror series. Neal Adams provides another nice cover design, though it's not quite evident the children are at an archaeological dig. The interior page shown above is by Wood. This is number 3 of 7 House of Mystery issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 5 of 8 House of Mystery issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Toth, Wood or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics, Wood checklist or Toth checklist.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Eyes of the Basilisk" Wood story inks (Gil Kane pencils) 10 pages = ***
Toth intro page pencils and inks = ***
"Turner's Treasure" Toth story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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