Iron Fist #4 - John Byrne art

Iron Fist #4, 1976 - Frank Chiaramonte's inks finally begin to mesh with Byrne's pencils, resulting in a superior effort. The panels are still busy, but overall the art is much improved over previous issues. Byrne's splash page elicits excitement for the first time in the series. Gil Kane also does an especially nice cover. This is number 4 of 15 Iron Fist issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Iron Fist issues.
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"Holocaust" Byrne story pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) 17 pages = ***
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Iron Fist #3 - John Byrne art

Iron Fist #3, 1976 - An overabundance of panels mar this effort by Byrne. It seems to be too much effort for too little results. Even the final splash page is poorly done. The issue's sole highlight is Byrne's expertly composed opening splash, where Iron FIst's face is superimposed upon an airport scene. This is number 3 of 15 Iron Fist issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Iron Fist issues.
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"The City's Not For Burning" Byrne story pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) 18 pages = **
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Iron Fist #2 - John Byrne art

Iron Fist #2, 1975 - As with the previous issue, Byrne's art is a step up from his early work at Charlton but far from his peak. The panel sequences are uninteresting, and his draftsmanship is immature at this point. I do acknowledge his powerful rendition of unbound Iron Fist on the bottom of page 2. This is number 2 of 15 Iron Fist issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Iron Fist issues.
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"Valley of the Damned" Byrne story pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) 18 pages = **
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Adventures of Bob Hope #108 - Neal Adams art & cover

Adventures of Bob Hope #108, 1967 - The main biker figure on the cover is more typically Adams in style, and the dynamic opening splash page could almost be mistaken for an adventure comic. Adams minimizes backgrounds to focus on figures, and the panels with monsters, bikers, and females are detailed and attractive. This is number 3 of 4 Adventures of Bob Hope issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or Adventures of Bob Hope issues.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Ghost Riders of Gasoline Gulch" Adams story pencils and inks 23 pages = ***
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Adventures of Bob Hope #107 - Neal Adams art & cover

Adventures of Bob Hope #107, 1967 - Despite the goofy faces, the figure drawings are the most evident examples of Adams' hand in this story, and especially the female characters. The panels are a tad busy, but of particular note is a skillfully drawn mechanic's face on page seven. A celebrity likeness, perhaps? This is number 2 of 4 Adventures of Bob Hope issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or Adventures of Bob Hope issues.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Summer H-E-L-L-L-P" Adams story pencils and inks 23 pages = ***
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Adventures of Bob Hope #106 - Neal Adams art & cover

Adventures of Bob Hope #106, 1967 - Adams begins his run on this series a month after his first Jerry Lewis issue. The cartoonish faces of Bob Hope and other characters are oddly juxtaposed with more realistic settings and monsters. Frankenstein in particular is drawn seriously and exceptionally. Overall, Adams demonstrates he is as adept at humor as he is in the superhero, mystery and war genres. This is number 1 of 4 Adventures of Bob Hope issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or Adventures of Bob Hope issues.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Badgers Baby Brother - Beastley" Adams story pencils and inks 24 pages = ***
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Daredevil #176 - Frank Miller art & cover

Daredevil #176, 1981 - His "radar sense" now gone, Daredevil seeks out his old mentor while Elektra shadows him from a distance. Frank Miller's triangular-composed cover has its merits, but combined with the masthead and contest promotion, the results are too chaotic for my tastes. The artwork fares better inside, where Miller continues his carefully planned sequences within distinctive layouts. Highlights of this story include a despondent DD amidst a heavy rainstorm (see interior page above) and his girlfriend Heather Glenn's emotional torment on page 6. This is number 18 of 33 Daredevil issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Daredevil issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = **
"Hunters" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 21 pages = ***
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Daredevil #175 - Frank Miller art & cover

Daredevil #175, 1981 - Marked for assassination by a ninja cult, Elektra must join forces with Daredevil to survive. Panels alternate between open and outlined versions in this Frank Miller effort, adding depth and interest. Sequences of horizontal and vertical panels speed up and slow down the pacing as needed. His layouts are exemplary throughout the story, but a clue in the form of a business card wafting from one panel to the next (page 8) is a personal favorite. This is number 17 of 33 Daredevil issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Daredevil issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = ***
"Gantlet" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 21 pages = ****
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Daredevil #174 - Frank Miller art & cover

Daredevil #174, 1981 - A ninja cult known as The Hand is intent on killing Daredevil's alter ego. Elektra, his former lover-turned-assassin, intervenes in only her second full appearance. Frank Miller employs fewer but larger panels than usual within precisely designed layouts. In one superb example, two parallel-recurring scenes reside on the same pages, separated by their panel orientations. Matt Murdock and his law partner quietly meet in side-by-side vertical panels, while Elektra battles a trio of ninjas on the horizontals. These innovations and more are a testament to Miller's skills. This is number 16 of 33 Daredevil issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Daredevil issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = ***
"The Assassination of Matt Murdock" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 20 pages = ****
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Astonishing Tales #3 - Barry Windsor Smith, Wally Wood art

Astonishing Tales #3 featuring Ka-Zar and Dr. Doom, 1970 - A revolution threatens to unseat Dr. Doom from his ironclad dictatorship. Wally Wood illustrates the destruction that follows with great skill. Lights and darks are used to dramatic effect throughout the story (see interior page above). In the second tale, the Petrified Man implores Ka-Zar to return with him to his native Savage Land. Barry Smith's primitive style seems a perfect fit for the jungle lord: roughly drawn but youthful and enthusiastic. The interior page above is by Wood. This is number 1 of 5 Astonishing Tales issues with Smith art and/or covers and number 3 of 4 Astonishing Tales issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith, Wood, Astonishing Tales or Ka-zar issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist or Wood checklist.
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"Back to the Savage Land" Smith story pencils 10 pages = ***
"Doom Must Die!" Wood story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
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Daredevil #173 - Frank Miller art & cover

Daredevil #173, 1981 - After a series of brutal assaults, all fingers point to Melvin Potter, a reformed super-villain known as the Gladiator. DD takes up the cause to prove his innocence. The theme of violence and victimization coarses through this story, ably delivered by writer/artist Frank Miller. Pages are deftly divided into mostly small but effective panels. Highlights include the Gladiator's internal struggles depicted on page 13 and Daredevil's own helplessness and subsequent triumph. This is number 15 of 33 Daredevil issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Daredevil issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = ***
"Lady Killer" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 22 pages = ***
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Daredevil #172 - Frank Miller art & cover

Daredevil #172, 1981 - A war erupts over who controls the mobs, leaving Daredevil in the thick of it. The events leading up to it are recalled by captured thug, nicely visualized by Frank Miller (see interior page above). The artist's storytelling skills continue to evolve, using kinetic figure drawings for the action scenes and repetitive panels to slow down the pace as needed. His opening page, combining large typography with a cutaway of Daredevil inside a water main, is distinctively creative. This is number 14 of 33 Daredevil issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Daredevil issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = **
"Gang War" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 22 pages = ***
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Daredevil #171 - Frank Miller art & cover

Daredevil #171, 1981 - The Kingpin's wife is kidnapped by the mob, and Daredevil must reach him before he makes a critical exchange. Frank Miller's layouts are more daring and his pacing more carefully considered. Images such as the maze of underground pipes on page  11 and heavily shadowed truck on page 2 (see interior page above) only add to the effort. One of the final pages, revealing the Kingpin's desperation, is devoid of most dialogue and relies on the strength of Miller's visuals. This is number 13 of 33 Daredevil issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Daredevil issues. SSee also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = **
"In the Kingpin’s Clutches" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 22 pages = ***
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Ghostly Tales #115 - Don Newton cover

Ghostly Tales #115, 1975 - This giant snake cover has an Indiana Jones-like feel to it. Newton does a lot with a relatively simple composition. The highlights on the snake, figure, and stone steps emit an eerie luminescence. This is the only Ghostly Tales cover by Newton. See today's posts or more Newton or Ghostly Tales issues. See also this blog's Don Newton checklist.
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Newton painted cover = ***
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Marvel Team-Up #27 - Jim Starlin cover

Marvel Team-Up #27, 1974 - Spider-man and the Incredible Hulk battle it out as a terrified bystander looks on. Jim Starlin's only cover on this long running team-up book is unabashedly dynamic. Despite being confined by the masthead, his artwork makes good use of the remaining space. The web radiates out from the left corner, leading the reader's eye toward the combatants. Starlin's drawing skills are surprisingly strong for an early effort. Other artists in this issue include Jim Mooney, Frank Giacoia and David Hunt. This is number 1 of 1 Marvel Team-Up issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Marvel Team-Up or Starlin issues. See also this blog's Jim Starlin checklist or Top 10 Starlin comics.
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Starlin cover pencils and inks = ****
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Thor #213 - Jim Starlin cover

Thor #213, 1973 - This early effort by Jim Starlin depicts the god of thunder bound by lizard-like demons. These alien-looking creatures are typical of the artist's character designs. Overall, the layout is a bit too convoluted. A chain is placed diagonally in the foreground to increase depth, but seems more like an afterthought. The background figure accomplishes this more successfully, but takes up the last remaining area in an already crowded space. Other artists in this issue include John Buscema, Don Perlin and Vince Colletta. This is number 1 of 1 Thor issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin or Thor issues. See also this blog's Jim Starlin checklist or Top 10 Jim Starlin comics.
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Starlin cover pencils (Frank Giacoia inks) = **
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Superboy #157 - Wally Wood art, Neal Adams cover

Superboy #157, 1969 - Wood's inking continues to enhance otherwise lackluster art on this series. The opening splash page is among his better efforts for Superboy. The Adams cover is more crowded than usual, perhaps unnecessarily, although the giant uprooted tree does tell readers that the antagonist has comparable super powers. This is number 4 of 8 Superboy issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wood or Superboy issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics or Wood checklist.
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"Get Lost, Superboy...Who Needs You?" Wood story inks (Bob Brown pencils) 23 pages = ***
Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
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Superboy #155 - Wally Wood art, Neal Adams cover

Superboy #155, 1969 - One of Neal Adams' most dynamic covers of this series uses a radial layout. Superboy robots come from all sides to converge upon the original. It is a much needed, refreshing take on this decades-old title. Although not of the caliber of his legendary EC comcs work, Wood contributes another capable inking job. This is number 3 of 8 Superboy issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wood or Superboy issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics or Wood checklist.
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"Revolt of the Teen-Age Robots!" Wood story inks (Bob Brown pencils) 23 pages = ***
Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
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