X-men #126 - John Byrne art

X-Men #126, 1979 - Mutant X escapes his specialized cell, leaving a wake of mummified bodies for the X-men to follow. Once cornered, the mutant bends reality to his will, allowing John Byrne to draw several creatively nightmarish scenes. The figures of Wolverine and Nightcrawler twist and turn almost beyond recognition (pages 26-270. These distortions, while seemingly optical in nature, are perfectly executed. Byrne ends the tale with an eerie silhouette of Mutant X, defined only by the textured background. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 18 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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"How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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X-men #125 - John Byrne art

X-Men #125, 1979 - After discovering Jean Grey is alive, the X-men prepare to meet her in Scotland, but not before a distress call tells them she's in danger. Drawn in his engaging style, John Byrne hones his pacing and sequencing skills on many of the pages (see interior page above). Most of impressive is the opening splash, revealing Phoenix's awesome power. Byrne's ominous portrait of her on the next page foreshadows some of the events to come. The Beast, Polaris and Havok also make appearances in this issue. This is number 17 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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"There's Something Awful on Muir Island" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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X-men #124 - John Byrne art

X-Men #124, 1979 - Still trapped within Arcade's deadly game, the X-men encounter one pitfall after another. John Byrne shows the characters fighting for their lives, facing their own individual challenges. Through manipulation and brainwashing, Colossus becomes the Proletarian and turns upon his teammates. These are the most interesting scenes, purposefully drawn to convey the character's inner struggle and doubt. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 16 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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"He Only Laughs When I Hurt" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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X-men #123 - John Byrne art

X-Men #123, 1979 - Last seen in Marvel Team-Up #66, the villain Arcade traps the X-men in an elaborate oversized pinball machine. Each hero faces a different game-oriented threat, entertainingly drawn by John Byrne. His crisp drawing style is enhanced by Terry Austin's fine inking. Most interesting, perhaps, is Wolverine's battle with his own funhouse mirror-images, suddenly come to life. This playful yet deadly tale also features a guest appearance by the amazing Spider-man. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Listen - Stop Me If You've Heard It - But This One Will Kill You" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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X-Men #122 - John Byrne art

X-Men #122, 1979 - Returning to New York City, the X-men spend some time apart during a brief respite. Storm makes her way to Harlem,  running afoul of drug addicts as she traces her roots. John Byrne once again comes through with individualized characters and diverse settings. Scotland, Manhattan and a far flung planet are all drawn with great care. Byrne's opening splash of Colossus is merely adequate, but his scenes of a decrepit drug lair are the most moving. Power Man and Misty Knight also make guest appearances. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 14 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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"Cry for the Children" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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Our Army At War #189 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Our Army At War #189 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1968 - The Teenage Underground Fighters of Unit 3 are introduced in this issue. Kubert's pencils have been watered down by a different inker, and the art as a whole suffers. See today's posts or more Kubert or Our Army at War issues. See also this blog's Joe Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Mission Was Murder" Kubert story pencils 14 pages = **
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Weird Science v2 #18 - Wally Wood art & cover, Al Williamson art

Weird Science #18, 1953 - In a remote part of the galaxy, a rocket ship lands on a rubbery-surfaced moon. Outer space is filled with a multitude of stars in this stunning Al Williamson effort. Dramatic lighting and sensitively applied brushstrokes make this story a standout among his EC works. Wally Wood does an equally compelling job with his Ray Bradbury adaptation, telling the tale of astronauts finding long-dead loved ones on Mars. The same high level of craftsmanship occurs on the cover, where Wood rings an atomic explosion with an armada of flying saucers. Other artists in this issue include Jack Kamen and Joe Orlando. See today's posts or more Wood, Williamson or Weird Science issues. See also this blog's Williamson checklist or Wood checklist.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ****
"Mars is Heaven" Wood story pencils and inks 8 pages = ****
"Snap Ending" Williamson story pencils and inks 7 pages = ****
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X-men #121 - John Byrne art

X-men #121, 1979 - The Canadian government demands that Wolverine returns to their employ, giving the X-men a choice to either surrender him or fight. After brief cameos in the previous issue, Snowbird, Sasquatch, Shaman, Northstar and Aurora make their first full appearances as members of Alpha Flight. John Byrne tempers the inevitable fight sequences with scenes of everyday Calgary (the artist himself appears on page 16). Including the two splash pages, the story art is visually pleasing without sacrificing the storytelling. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum (cover). This is number 13 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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"Shoot-Out at the Stampede" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ***
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Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #235 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #235, 1960 - Donald falls for a real estate scam, to his nephews' horror. An okay job by Barks with a large climatic panel at the end. See today's posts or more Barks or Disney issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
"Want to Buy an Island?" Barks story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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House of Mystery #201 - Bernie Wrightson art

House of Mystery #201, 1972 - Bernie Wrightson does his first of many excellent splash pages for the title, featuring a humorous portrait of Cain with his version of the Frankenstein monster. These exquisitely rendered splashes set the tone for the rest of the book, and usually surpass much of the interior artwork. Mike Kaluta does the intriguing cover, and Jim Aparo draws "The Demon Within", a classic tale that is among the most reprinted stories of the 1970s horror genre. This is number 11 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Bernie Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson splash pencils and inks 1 page = ****
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The Demon #4 - Jack Kirby art & cover

The Demon #4, 1972 - In the bowels of Transylvania, the witch known as Ugly Meg employs a monkey-like creature to defeat and capture the Demon. Jack Kirby's terrific drawings fill every page, including three memorable splashes. The first of these dramatically depicts the title character against the stormy backdrop of a decrepit house. Arms and legs outstretched in bravado, the scene is as exhilarating as it is eerie. The monkey creature would return decades later in Alan Moore's Saga of the Swamp Thing. This is number 4 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) = ***
"The Creature from the Beyond!" Kirby story pencils (Mike Royer inks) 22 pages = ***
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Magnus Robot Fighter #19 - Russ Manning art

Magnus Robot Fighter #19, 1968 - The Outsiders make an appearance in this issue, and Manning seems to add more details in this particular issue. His panels get a bit crowded as well, but the art overall is typical of his standards. This is number 19 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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"Fear Unlimited" Manning story pencils and inks 21 pages = ***
"Alien Phobia" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ****
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Doctor Strange v2 #49 - Marshall Rogers art & cover

Doctor Strange v2 #49, 1981 - Lured into meeting a writer named Morgana Blessing, the good doctor finds out it's merely a pretense for an attack by Baron Mordo. As her Soho apartment transforms into a otherworldly battleground. Marshall Rogers' quiet meditative cover contrasts against the frenetic pace inside. Imaginative textures, patterns and forms fill many of the pages, culminating in a multi-perspective climax. MR version of these mystical characters rivals that of their originator, Steve Ditko. This is number 2 of 6 Doctor Strange issues with Rogers art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Rogers or Doctor Strange issues. See also this blog's Rogers checklist or Top 10 Rogers comics.
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Rogers cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***
"This Menace Reborn" Rogers story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 21 pages = ****
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Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #237 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #237, 1960 - Donald and nephews travel to Loch Ness to photograph the monster. Nessie is more playful than dangerous in this typically well drawn Barks tale. See today's posts or more Barks or Disney issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
"Mystery of the Loch" Barks story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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Doctor Strange v2 #48 - Marshall Rogers art & cover

Doctor Strange v2 #48, 1981 - Brother Voodoo comes to New York, seeking Dr. Strange's help in locating a malicious spirit called the Damballah. Marshall Rogers begins his impressive run on the series, starting with the diagonally-inclined cover layout. The story pages are sharply drawn but engaging. Rogers' brief recap of Brother Voodoo's origin is surpassed only by the inter-dimensional battle between magician and demon (page 15). Kudos to Terry Austin on his compatible inking. This is number 1 of 6 Doctor Strange issues with Rogers art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Rogers or Doctor Strange issues. See also this blog's Rogers checklist or Top 10 Rogers comics.
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Rogers cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***
"The Power Of Dr. Strange" Rogers story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 22 pages = ****
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Warlock #15 - Jim Starlin art & cover

Warlock #15, 1976 - His own galaxy denied to him, Warlock finds a remote planet to confront the vampiric soul gem on his head. Jim Starlin's cover displays a montage of characters within the issue. The thickly drawn lines and poor reproduction obscure many of the finer details, diminishing its impact. By contrast, the story art is beautifully rendered, from the opening splash to the soul gem's emerald-colored environment on pages 26-27. Not coincidentally, Starlin inks his own pencils, contributing to the artwork's success. Though uncredited, Steve Leialoha may have also lent a hand on the last four pages. This is number 7 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 = **
"Just a Series of Events" Starlin story pencils and inks 17 pages = ****
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The Demon #3 - Jack Kirby art & cover

The Demon #3, 1972 - The Cult of the Master Eye uses their power of reincarnation to bring forth the most violent incarnations of past lives. Only Jason Blood can thwart their plans, transforming himself in the Demon. Jack Kirby's cover originates from Jason's dream, yet neither he nor his alter ego are prominently featured. The story art largely meets expectations, but a full page portrait of the title character (page 5) is the high point of the book. This is number 3 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) = ***
"Reincarnators!" Kirby story pencils (Mike Royer inks) 22 pages = ***
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Magnus Robot Fighter #18 - Russ Manning art

Magnus Robot Fighter v1 #18, 1967 - Magnus transforms into an old man in this odd story. Manning continues to invent impressive new robot designs with each issue. This is number 18 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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"Magnus vs. North Am" Manning story pencils and inks 21 pages = ***
"Crystal Crawler" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Doctor Strange v2 #46 - Frank Miller cover

Doctor Strange v2 #46, 1981 - In many Marvel comics of the era, Frank Miller was advertised as taking over as series artist. While that failed to happen, Miller did contribute this one and only Doctor Strange cover. The composition is weak, lacking in hierarchy or central focal point. The heroes, standing back to back in nearly mirror images of each other, are oddly positioned. Miller's drawing also seems hurried and lacking in spirit. Other artists in this issue include Kerry Gammill and Al Milgrom. This is number 1 of 1 Doctor Strange issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Doctor Strange issues. See also this blog's Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Bob McCleod inks) = **
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