Marvel Premiere #14 / Doctor Strange - Frank Brunner art & cover

Marvel Premiere #14 featuring Doctor Strange, 1974 - In this biblically-themed tale, a powerful being named Sise-neg traverses human history with Dr. Strange and Baron Mordo at his side. Frank Brunner's artwork is wonderfully imaginative, and includes two splashes and a bold double-page spread. Dick Giordano's linework is occasionally a tad harsh, but maintains the integrity of the pencils. Following this issue, the Master of the Mystic Arts continues in his own self-titled series. This is number 8 of 8 Marvel Premiere issues with Brunner art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Brunner, Doctor Strange or Marvel Premiere issues. See also this blog's Brunner checklist or Top 10 Brunner comics.
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Brunner cover pencils and inks = ***
"Sise-Neg Genesis" Brunner story pencils (Dick Giordano inks) 19 pages = ***
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Secrets of Haunted House #1 - Alex Nino art

Secrets of Haunted House #1, 1975 - Finding a fish-like creature on the beach, a couple adopts it as a pet, unaware of its power and ambition. Alex Nino lures in readers with an unnerving drawing style. On the first page, his humorous portrait of the narrator reeling in a fish serves as a metaphor for the creature and his hapless victims. As usual, Nino's drawings (often bordering on the abstract) reside within outstanding layouts. Other artists in this issue include Richard Vllamonte, Ernie Chua and Luis Domingez (cover). This is number 1 of 3 Secrets of Haunted House issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or Secrets of Haunted House issues. See also this blog's Nino checklist.
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"Fish Story" Nino story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #422 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #422, 1952 - A stamp collecting craze soon has Donald and his nephews embarking to British Guiana to find a rare stamp. They find an ancient civilization (as with other Barks stories) and El Dorado, the native indian giant covered in gold. The artist's strength is his visual storytelling, and this tale is no exception. The exotic locales are aesthetically pleasing and character's emotions show a surprising depth. This would be the last Donald Duck Four Color issue before graduating to his own series. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Cover pencils and inks = ***
Inside front cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Gilded Man" story pencils and inks 32 pages = ****
Inside back cover pencils and inks = ***
Back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Dark Mansion #15 - Alex Nino art

Forbidden Tales of the Dark Mansion #15, 1974 - Among other things, this issue includes a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter and other novels. An old witch brings a scarecrow to life, transforming him into a handsome nobleman than can pass through polite society. This adaptation is deftly visualized by Alex Nino, who employs a streamlined style that retains the sophistication of the original. Most noteworthy is his opening panel: a view through the cornstalks that's both secretive and voyeuristic. Other artists in this issue include Howard Chaykin, Dan Green, Gerry Talaoc and Nick Cardy (cover). This is number 3 of 3 Dark Mansion issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or Dark Mansion issues. See also this blog's Alex Nino checklist.
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"Feathertop" Nino story pencils and inks 7 pages = ****
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #408 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #408, 1952 - Donald and his nephews search for a ancient viking helmet, and depicted on Barks' outstanding cover design. Although the story is primarily told in small panels, Barks gives them plenty of detail. Of note are the opening panels where Barks pokes fun at museum artifacts. See today's posts or Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = *****
"The Golden Helmet" Barks story pencils and inks 32 pages = ****
Inside front cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
Inside back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
Back cover Barks pencils and inks = ****
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #367 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #367, 1952 - Passing by the poverty-stricken area known as Shacktown, Huey, Louie and Dewey get the idea to raise money for them for the holidays. Joining their cause, Donald Duck corners his rich Uncle Scrooge for a donation. Subsequently, a disaster strikes his money bin, rendering him penniless. Carl Barks' empathy for the poor comes through in this exquisitely drawn Christmas tale. His opening splash shows impoverished children in the most destitute of surroundings (a rarity for golden age Disney comics). Barks' irregularly shaped panels also add to the interest without detracting from the storytelling. Daisy Duck and Gladstone Gander also show their charitable side in their respective supporting roles. This issue was also reprinted later in Christmas Parade v2 #2. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ****
Barks inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
"A Christmas in Shacktown" Barks story pencils and inks 32 pages = ****
Barks inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
Barks back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Gunsmoke Western #50 - mis-attributed Jack Kirby art

Gunsmoke Western #50, 1959 - No Jack Kirby art, despite what some comic book price guides say. There is, however, some terrific artwork by Reed Crandall. Jack Davis also contributes the cover, although it feels unintentionally comical due to his unique style. Both artists contributed some of their finest work on EC comics only a few years before. See today's posts or more Kirby or Gunsmoke Western issues.
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Thunder Agents #16 - Wally Wood art & cover, Steve Ditko art

T.h.u.n.d.e.r. Agents #16, 1967 - With Dynamo in shock from battle fatigue, his fellow Thunder Agents must rescue him from enemy spies. The hero's suffering is perfectly captured on the opening splash, deftly pencilled by Dan Adkins. Subsequent pages are beautifully inked by Wally Wood, whose electrifying cover begins this issue. Perhaps the most thrilling effort is Steve Ditko's opening Dynamo tale. His singular style permeates every panel, giving fresh perspective to the character. Ditko's nightmarish scene in the opening splash is among his best work on the series. The interior page shown above is by Ditko. Other artists in this issue include George Tuska, jack Abel, Chic Stone and Gil Kane. This is number 16 of 18 Thunder Agents issues with Wood art and/or covers (not including reprints) and number 4 of 6 Thunder Agents issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood, Ditko or Thunder Agents issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist or Wood checklist.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ***
"Dream of Doom" Ditko story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
"A Slight Case of Combat Fatigue" Wood story inks (Dan Adkins pencils) 10 pages = ***
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The Rook #1 - Alex Nino art

The Rook magazine #1, 1979 - Alex Nino's work in magazine-sized formats are often overlooked, as in the case of this short lived science fiction title. His back up story features a man who was transported into another world and becomes its hero, a la John Carter Warlord of Mars. The layouts are a kaleidoscopic patchwork of slanted panels, placed atop looming double page spreads. Nino is at his most graphic and most innovative, and yet the story's readability remains intact. His drawings are strangely unique and his costume design for the hero suggests a old Samurai warrior with a futuristic twist. An extraordinary effort overall. This is number 1 of 1 Rook issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or Rook issues. See also this blog's Nino checklist.
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"Bolt" Nino story pencils and inks 12 pages = *****
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Gunsmoke Western #44 - Angelo Torres art

Gunsmoke Western #44, 1957 - A cowboy's son returns from college as a dude, much to his father's disappointment in this western tale. Al Torres' artwork is rougher and more rustic than usual, in some panels resembling another fine western artist, John Severin. On several panels, including the first page, the artist's foreshortening of arms looks a bit clumsy and amateurish. Despite that, his layouts and drawings are still better than most of his peers at the time. This is number 2 of 2 Gunsmoke Western issues with Torres art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Torres or Gunsmoke Western issues. See also this blog's Angelo Torres checklist.
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"Tenderfoot Trap" Torres story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #356 - Carl Barks cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #356, 1951 - Carl Barks eventually stopped drawing this title to focus on his Uncle Scrooge series, but he managed to eke out a few covers like this fine example. The visual concept is simple, but thoughtfully and skilfully rendered. See today's posts more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ****
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #348 - Carl Barks cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #348, 1951 - Barks' layout is perfectly composed, with the crocodile's upper jaw leading you down toward the central character. The delight on the crocodile's face as he proceeds to take a bite is charmingly funny. Donald's face is meanwhile intently focused, and oblivious to the danger. Sadly, this stunning cover is Barks' only contribution to the issue. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ****
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Battle #63 - Steve Ditko art

Battle #63, 1959 - Pushing through a Japanese-occupied jungle, US soldiers find out their company's mascot was smuggled along with them. The opening panel seems a tad too static, but Steve Ditko's subsequent pages are detailed and purposefully drawn. Shading is minimal, putting more emphasis on the linework. Other artists in this issue include Dick Ayers, Don Heck, Joe Maneely, Jim Mooney, Joe Sinnott and Carl Burgos (cover). This is number 1 of 3 Battle issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Battle issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"The Hidden Doom" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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