Heroic Comics #70 - Frank Frazetta art

Heroic Comics #70, 1952 - Accidentally starting a fire, an elderly woman is rescued by her frequent neighbor. As large as the opening panel is, Frank Frazetta leaves out many details (see interior page above). As a whole, the story is quickly yet adequately drawn with a minimum of effort. Appearing also in this issue is an anti-drug ad that appears in numerous comics by the publisher. A teenager becomes an addict, a drug pusher, and eventually a pariah. As far as public service ads go, this Frazetta effort is among the most convincing. This is number 5 of 15 Heroic Comics issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Frazetta or Heroic Comics issues. See also this blog's Frazetta checklist or Top 10 Frazetta comics.
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"Always Around When Needed" Frazetta pencils and inks 2 pages = ***
"We Can Stop the Enemies of Youth" Frazetta pencils and inks 1 page = ***
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Our Army At War #202 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Our Army At War #202 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1968 - Overly dramatic DC covers were the norm in the 1960s, including this "death" issue. Sgt. Rock lives, and Kubert draws him in a variety of styles. A highlight is Kubert's excellent Battle Album pages. See today's posts or more Kubert or Our Army at War issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Sarge is Dead" Kubert story pencils and inks 13 pages = ***
"Battle Album" Kubert pencils and inks 2 pages = ****
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Swamp Thing #23 - non-attributed Nestor Redondo art

Swamp Thing #23, 1976 - A news masthead heralds a new direction for the character, but the series ends with this issue. The Swamp Thing's origin is retold, mimicking some of Bernie Wrightson's panels from Swamp Thing #1. Nestor Redondo's last issue is also unfortunately his weakest. While some of his illustrations are well executed (pages 4-5 & 10), most fall short of earlier standards (perhaps also aided by studio assistants?). One saving grace is a montage creatively formed around the Swamp Thing's face (see interior page above). As with the previous two issues, some comic book guides have failed to attribute this work to Redondo. This is number 13 of 13 Swamp Thing issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or Swamp Thing issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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"Rebirth and Nightmare" Redondo story pencils and inks 18 pages = **
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Werewolf By Night #4 - Mike Ploog art & cover

Werewolf By Night #4, 1973 - The pencils by Ploog suffer from incompatible inking. There's little to no depth in the scenes, and the darker tone of the story is gone. Ploog's art had potential, but is generally overwhelmed. This is number 4 of 12 Werewolf issues with Ploog art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ploog or Werewolf By Night issues. See also this blog's Ploog checklist or Top 10 Ploog comics.
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Ploog cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Danger Game" Ploog story pencils (Frank Bolle inks) 20 pages = **
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House of Mystery #186 - Neal Adams art & cover, Bernie Wrightson art

House of Mystery #186, 1970 - This unassuming bronze age issue boasts superlative art by both Neal Adams and Bernie Wrightson. The cover, featuring children around a statue of Pan, is thematically consistent with others in the same series. Adams' story of a lonely little girl and her mythical companion is a masterpiece. When her idyllic surroundings turn nightmarish, the artwork captures the tone and details perfectly. Similarly, Wrightson's tale of an immortal Egyptian cat is a breathtaking piece of work. A double page spread not only displays the story title, but an unforgettable sequence that transforms feline into human female. Not surprisingly, both tales have been reprinted several times over the decades. The interior page shown above is by Wrightson. This is number 5 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wrightson or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics, Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Nightmare" Adams story pencils and inks 12 pages = *****
"Secret of the Egyptian Cat" Wrightson story pencils and inks 10 pages = *****
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Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #267 - Carl Barks art

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #267, 1962 - Donald's cousin Whitewater talks him into driving logs down the river. Barks fills this story with plenty of visual details. See today's posts or more Barks or Disney issues.
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"Log Jockey" Barks pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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Ghosts #57 - Alex Nino art

Ghosts #57, 1977 - Challenging a stranger to a duel, an arrogant French baron gets more than he bargained for. Only three pages, the tale is drawn in Alex Nino's dark foreboding style. Mostly laid out in tall vertical and wide horizontal panels, the technique effectively slows the pacing and extends the reader's experience. Other artists in this issue include E.R. Cruz and Luis Domingez (cover). This is number 3 of 4 Ghosts issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or Ghosts issues. See also this blog's Nino checklist.
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"The Ghost Held a Gun" Nino story pencils and inks 3 pages = ***
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X-men #114 - John Byrne art & cover

X-men #114, 1978 - Jean Grey and the Beast return to New York, unaware that their teammates survived an explosion by tunneling into the Savage Land. John Byrne's cover not only depicts the missing X-men, but captures the devastation felt by the survivors. Much of the story is set in a hidden prehistoric world, revealed in a stunning full page splash. The artwork throughout is sensational and made more so by Terry Austin's inks. With the re-introduction of Sauron from X-men #60, Byrne pays homage to Neal Adams (page 27 panel 5) and ends the tale with a second unforgettable splash page. This is number 6 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ****
"Desolation" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = *****
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X-men #113 - John Byrne art & cover

X-men #113, 1978 - The heroes escape Magneto's shackles, but find themselves trapped in his imploding base, hidden deep within a volcano. John Byrne draws the X-men's showdown with Magneto with verve and enthusiasm. Just as interesting, a sequence the story's beginning offers vignettes of Storm's tumultuous childhood. Byrne's depiction of her perfectly captures the character's determination and humanity. While the cover lacks depth, the interior artwork meets and even exceeds expectations. This is number 5 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Bob Layton inks) = **
"Showdown!" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ****
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X-men #112 - John Byrne art

X-men #112, 1978 - Transported to Magneto's volcanic lair, the X-men engage in an all-out attack on their powerful foe. John Byrne delivers another phenomenal issue, full of action and visual engagement. His opening splash features all the X-men, tightly placed with the frame but exciting nonetheless. Every page is distinctly drawn within clearly designed layouts. While the fight scenes are impressive, the finely detailed schematic of Magneto's headquarters (pages 12-13) is even more remarkable. Other artists in this issue include George Perez and Bob Layton (cover). This is number 4 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Magneto Triumphant!" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = *****
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X-men #111 - John Byrne art

X-men #111, 1978 - After finding the X-men's mansion empty, the Beast tracks them down to a traveling circus, where they perform as freaks of nature. John Byrne masterfully captures the Beast's shocked expression on the opening splash. The following spread displays a gallery of mutants across a widened panel. Byrne lays out each panel and page with great care. His illustrations are succinct and cleanly rendered, reinforced by Terry Austin's inks. The high points of this exceptional work are Wolverine's escape (see interior page above) and the intimidating final splash page of a resurgent Magneto. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum and Terry Austin (cover). This is number 3 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Mindgames!" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = *****
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X-men #109 - John Byrne art

X-men #109, 1977 - Upon their return to Earth, the X-men face Weapon Alpha, a Canadian super-hero intent on capturing Wolverine. This John Byrne creation would later be known as Vindicator, then Guardian, who would eventually form the super-team Alpha Flight. With this second issue, the artist begins to make the characters his own, especially favoring Wolverine. Byrne's storytelling is clear, concise and widely appealing. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum and Terry Austin (cover). This is number 2 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Home are the Heroes" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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X-men #108 - John Byrne art

X-men #108, 1977 - Sent to stop a power-mad alien emperor, the X-men must also diffuse a device that could destroy reality itself. Picking up the continuity from last issue, John Byrne's sharp drawing style brings greater detail to the settings and characters. Abstract concepts such as the fabric of the universe and the "energy lattice" are deftly visualized for the reader. His first of a long run of X-men issues, Byrne delivers an impressive effort and begins an equally long collaboration with inker Terry Austin. The story also guest stars the Starjammers, making only their second appearance. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 1 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Armageddon Now!" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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Swamp Thing #22 - non-attributed Nestor Redondo art

Swamp Thing #22, 1976 - Mutated by an H-bomb test, a local community is forever quarantined in the Arizona desert. Mistaken for one of them, the Swamp Thing is captured by the government. Toward the end of his run, Nestor Redondo still continues to deliver a distinctive and attractive drawing style. Most impressive are his desert landscapes (pages 1-4) and the dramatic splash of an incapacitated Swamp Thing (page 2). Ernie Chua's cover pales by comparison. Note that some comic book guides have failed to attribute this issue to Redondo. This is number 12 of 13 Swamp Thing issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or Swamp Thing issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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"The Solomon Plague" Redondo story pencils and inks 18 pages = ***
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Swamp Thing #21 - Nestor Redondo cover, non-attributed art

Swamp Thing #21, 1976 - Transported to an alien craft in outer space, the Swamp Thing becomes part of a collection of living oddities. This science fiction setting is a first for the series, allowing artist Nestor Redondo to invent exotic characters and creatures from other planets. Some of his designs are admittedly strange but the overall artwork is quite skillful. His renditions of the spaceship on pages 1, 6, 10 and 15 are especially good. Some comic book guides have failed to attribute this issue to Redondo. This is number 11 of 13 Swamp Thing issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or Swamp Thing issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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Redondo cover pencils and inks = ***
"Requiem" Redondo story pencils and inks 18 pages = ***
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Werewolf By Night #3 - Mike Ploog art & cover

Werewolf By Night #3, 1973 - Ploog's work becomes more frenetic than usual, but with no loss in details. The art gets better and more horrific as the story progresses. Frank Chiaramonte does a nice inking job. This is number 3 of 12 Werewolf issues with Ploog art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ploog or Werewolf By Night issues. See also this blog's Ploog checklist or Top 10 Ploog comics.
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Ploog cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Mystery of the Mad Monk" Ploog story pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) 20 pages = ***
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Magnus Robot Fighter #10 - Russ Manning art

Magnus Robot Fighter #10, 1965 - Manning adds artistic details in the first few pages, including a nicely drawn panel of crowded figures. Toward the end he enlarges the panels, adding drama to the climax. This is number 10 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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"The Mysterious Octo-Rob" Manning story pencils and inks 24 pages = ***
"Fear of the Unknown" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Our Army At War #192 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Our Army At War #192 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1968 - Many pages had great potential, but for the most part Kubert's pencils are brought down by Jack Abel's inks. The two page spread is only adequately done for the same reason. See today's posts or more Kubert or Our Army at War issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"A Firing Squad for the Sergeant" Kubert story pencils (Jack Abel inks) 23 pages = **
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