The Demon #2 - Jack Kirby art & cover

The Demon #2, 1972 - Jason Blood travels to eastern Europe, summoned by Merlin's tomb. Unknown to him, Morgaine Le Fay follows close in pursuit of a spell that returns her youth. Jack Kirby's straightforward cover is partially offset by the wide panorama on pages 2-3. The ancient Castle Branek looms large on this spread as local villagers and sorcerous minions converge. It is a high point of Kirby's story pages, made more so by Mike Royer's stupendous inking. This is number 2 of 16 Demon issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Demon issues.
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Kirby cover pencils (Mike Royer inks) = ***
"My Tomb in Castle Branek!" Kirby story pencils (Mike Royer inks) 23 pages = ****
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Warlock #14- Jim Starlin art & cover

Warlock #14, 1976 - After fighting obstacles created by the Star Thief, Warlock traverses thousands of light years to save his home planet. Jim Starlin's depiction of the galaxy is colorful and intricately patterned. They fill the backgrounds of nearly every panel with texture and interest. The title character's battles with various creatures becomes more vivid as a result. Starlin's drawings convey a skillful enthusiasm, complemented by impeccable layouts and sequences. Toward the story's end, an exceptional splash page shows a vastly enlarged Warlock dwarfing our own Milky Way galaxy. This is number 6 of 7 Warlock issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin or Warlock issues. See also this blog's Starlin checklist or Top 10 Starlin comics.
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Starlin cover pencils and inks = ***
"Homecoming" Starlin story pencils (Steve Leialoha inks) 17 pages = ****
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Avengers #100 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Avengers #100, 1972 - In this milestone issue, all past and present members of the Avengers converge to battle an imminent invasion. Barry Smith starts out strong with four carefully sequenced pages of arriving heroes (see interior page above). A breathtaking two-page spread follows, as the assembled gather in the English countryside. The scene is solemn but calm and beautifully pastoral. The artwork quickly goes downhill from there. Smith squeezes the rest of the tale into mostly small confining panels, relinquishing the inks to Joe Sinnott and Syd Shores. Though the last sixteen pages are disappointing, this is largely offset by the outstanding first six pages and the exceptional cover design. This is number 5 of 5 Avengers issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Avengers issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = ***
"Whatever Gods There Be" Smith story pencils and partial inks (Syd Shores partial inks) 21 pages = ***
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X-men #119 - John Byrne art

X-men #119, 1979 - Can the X-men stop Moses Magnum before he levels all of Japan? At the request of the government (and over Sunfire's objections), the team assaults a seemingly impenetrable fortress. John Byrne employs more panels than the previous issue, but designs the layouts to streamline storytelling. Colossus' breach of the villain's base is a highlight (see interior page above) as well as the superbly drawn splash of Nightcrawler and Storm. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 11 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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"Twas the Night Before Christmas" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ****
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Wartime Romances #6 - Matt Baker art & cover

Wartime Romances #6, 1952 - Baker's cover showcases his typically beautiful women, and his three stories inside are breathtaking. The splash panels are larger than usual, and help convey the tone and setting of each tale. His knowledge of female stances, gestures, and expressions is simply masterful. See today's posts, more Baker or Wartime Romances issues. See also this blog's Matt Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ****
"Escapades of a Navy Wife" Baker story pencils and inks 9 pages = ****
"Camouflaged Heart" Baker story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
"Engagement for Profit" Baker story pencils and inks 7 pages = ****
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House of Mystery #199 - Wally Wood art, Neal Adams cover, Jack Kirby reprint

House of Mystery #199, 1972 - Adams' last cover for the title is less impressive than others. Wood delivers an outstanding story about snow beasts. His splash page is brilliant, and his art is comparable in quality to earlier EC comics work. There's also a eight page Kirby reprint from the 1960s. This is number 6 of 7 House of Mystery issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wood or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics or Wood checklist.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Sno' Fun" Wood story pencils and inks 9 pages = *****
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Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #276 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #276, 1963 - Donald competes a lifeguarding with the Junior Woodchuck's dog. Barks seems to have done the upper left quadrant of the cover as well. See today's posts or more Barks or Disney issues.
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"Beach Boy" Barks pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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Werewolf By Night #13 - Mike Ploog art & cover

Werewolf By Night #13, 1974 - Mike Ploog's second run on this title opens with a gorgeous splash page, a tribute to Eisner. The remaining pages are artfully done, despite the small panels, and with plenty of detail. This is number 9 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 = ***
"His Name Is Taboo" Ploog story pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) 19 pages = ****
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Avengers #99 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Avengers #99, 1972 - An amnesiac Hercules returns to the Avengers, only to be kidnapped by the god of war. Barry Smith's illustrations are drawn as hurriedly as his previous issue. Aside from the title splash, most pages are comprised of small panels with miniscule images. Inker Tom Sutton partially succeeds in bringing clarity and definition, but not sufficiently enough. SImilarly, Smith's cover inks add little to John Buscema's convoluted layout. This is number 4 of 5 Avengers issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Avengers issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.

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Smith cover inks (John Buscema pencils) = * 
"They First Make Mad" Smith story pencils (Tom Sutton inks) 21 pages = **
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Our Army At War #191 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Our Army At War #191 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1968 - Johnny Cloud guest stars in this issue, and Kubert produces some of best work yet. The dynamic cover and splash page are outstanding, and set the tone for the rest of the book. 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 = ****
"Death Flies High" Kubert story pencils and inks 14 pages = ****
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Wartime Romances #4 - Matt Baker art & cover

Wartime Romances #4, 1952 - A multi-panel cover by Baker begins this issue. He draws all five interior stories, each filled with his much-lauded renditions of lovely women. All are comparable in quality, beginning with larger splash panels and following with smaller ones. Despite their size, even the smallest panels have superb draftsmanship. See today's posts, more Baker or Wartime Romances issues. See also this blog's Matt Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
"The True Love of a War Correspondent" Baker story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
"Road to Disgrace" Baker story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
"I Was the Roving Kind" Baker story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
"I Made False Promises" Baker story pencils and inks 3 pages = ***
"I Plunged into Trouble" Baker story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Incredible Hulk v2 #268 - Frank Miller cover

Incredible Hulk v2 #268, 1982 - In the midst of a hurricane, the Hulk is attacked by a skeletal horseman. Frank Miller uses diagonal white lines to create motion and interest, but the effect obscures an already busy layout. Sadly, the obnoxious advertising banner only adds to the chaos. Other artists in this issue include Sal Buscema. This is number 4 of 4 Incredible Hulk issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Incredible Hulk issues. See also this blog's Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = **
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Werewolf by Night #8 - non-attributed Mike Ploog cover

Werewolf by Night #8, 1973 - Mike Ploog ends his first run on this series with this colorfully asymmetrical cover. The monster seems to have a retro feel from the Kirby books of the 1960s. The artist's somewhat cartoonish style may also have contributed to that impression. The layout is not particularly crowded, and the title typography below works well with the other elements. Some comic book price guides neglected to attribute the cover art to Ploog. 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 = ***
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Magnus Robot Fighter #17 - Russ Manning art

Magnus Robot Fighter #17, 1967 - An exciting and dynamic opening panel depicts Magnus fighting off some alien robots. Manning also creates a alien villain that predates some similar Star Wars characters. Dr. Singh, an Indian doctor, is introduced into the series. This is number 17 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 Deadly Peril from Sirius" Manning story pencils and inks 24 pages = ****
"Crystals of Life" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Flight Service" Manning pencils and inks 1 page = ***
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Incredible Hulk v2 #264 - Frank Miller cover

Incredible Hulk v2 #264, 1981 - Frank Miller's rendering is almost cartoonish in nature, depicting an enraged Hulk among "puny humans". The layout seems too quickly done and his illustration too sketchy for my tastes. The background figures are outlined to increase depth, but also reinforces an overall unfinished feel. Other artists in this issue include Sal Buscema. This is number 3 of 4 Incredible Hulk issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Incredible Hulk issues. See also this blog's Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = *
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The Demon #1 - Jack Kirby art & cover

The Demon #1, 1972 - During the age of King Arthur, Merlin calls forth a creature from the depths. Jack Kirby's hellish creation makes his first appearance. Past the boilerplate first issue cover, the artist opens with a decorative splash of the wizard. The double page spread that follows is a stunning rendition of the fall of Camelot, with all its fury and violence. Kirby uses only three splash oages, but the story is rife with explosive and expansive panels. Mike Royer's inks give weight and mass to the figures, improving upon Kirby's already formidable pencils. This is number 1 of 16 Demon issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Demon issues.
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Kirby cover pencils (Mike Royer inks) = ***
"Unleash the One who Waits" Kirby story pencils (Mike Royer inks) 24 pages = *****
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Our Army At War #207 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Our Army At War #207 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1969 - Kubert does it all in this issue: clever panel sequences, superb drawing, and inventive layouts. His detailed cover sets the desperate tone of this story, and is one of his best efforts on the title. 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 Sparrow's Prayer" Kubert story pencils and inks 14 pages = ****
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X-men #118 - John Byrne art

X-men #118, 1979 - After being rescued at sea by a Japanese ship, the X-men are subsequently taken to the island of Honshu. Their arrival coincides with a conflagration that rages across the port city. This foreign adventure is impeccably drawn by John Byrne. Japanese culture is faithfully portrayed, from the clean architecture to the traditional attire. A bold two-page spread at the beginning shows the ship's view of the raging firestorm. Byrne uses a more nuanced treatment on pages 16-17, where Wolverine and Mariko meet for the first time (see interior page above). Sunfire also makes an appearance, his first since resigning from the team in X-men #94. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 10 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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"The Submergence of Japan" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = *****
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