Tor v2 #5 - Joe Kubert cover, Russ Heath, Kubert reprints

Tor v2 #5, 1975 - Joe Kubert draws a chaotic, yet well composed cover design. Tor fends off a much larger, brutish caveman while Pterodactyls circle around them. The masthead tucks itself behind the brute's arm yet in front of the flying dinosaur's wing, increasing the illusion of depth. The interior reprints "The Giant One" and "Danny Dreams" from Tor #2B, and a Russ Heath "Brontosaurus" page from Tor #2A. All three are printed in color for the first time. This is number 5 of 6 Tor v2 issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert, Heath or Tor issues. See also this blog's Heath checklist or Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Giant One" Kubert pencils and inks 12 pages (first time in color) = ***
"Danny Dreams" Kubert pencils and inks 5 pages (first time in color) = ***
"Brontosaurus" Heath pencils and inks 1 page (first time in color) = ***
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House of Mystery #226 - Nestor Redondo art, Bernie Wrightson reprint

House of Mystery #226, 1974 - Nestor Redondo's work stands out among the few original efforts in this 100 page spectacular. A Victorian couple dotes on their handsome son while his freakish twin is condemned to the woodshed. The art is adequately drawn and nicely detailed, and contributing to the storytelling. The mother's deceptive kiss on her son's cheek on the bottom of page seven is eerily poignant. Among the many reprints is a short Bernie Wrightson story from House of Mystery #180. The portrait of Cain on the cover is a revised Alex Toth page from House of Mystery #182. Alfredo Alcala, Frank Robbins, and Sergio Aragones also contribute art in this issue. This is number 9 of 16 House of Mystery issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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"Monster in the House" Redondo story pencils and inks 9 pages = ***
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Tor v2 #4 - Joe Kubert art, Russ Heath, Kubert reprints

Tor v2 #4, 1975 - An all white background emphasizes form and movement on this Joe Kubert cover. Competently drawn and composed, the scene depicts Tor facing a meat-eating predator. The reptile's serrated back leads the eye from the masthead to the cringing girl at the bottom. The interiors comprise of "Black Valley", reprinted from Tor #3, "Killer Man"" from Tor #2B, and a Russ Heath "Triceritops" page from Tor #2A. The latter two are printed in color for the first time. This is number 4 of 6 Tor v2 issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert, Heath or Tor issues. See also this blog's Joe Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
Kubert (modified) intro page pencils and inks = **
"Killer Man" Kubert story pencils and inks (first time in color) 6 pages = ***
"Triceritops" Heath pencils and inks 1 page (first time in color) = ***
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Battlestar Galactica #12 - Walt Simonson art & cover

Battlestar Galactica #12, 1980 - Walt Simonson's cover is frenetic and yet oddly compelling. Shards of broken glass create interesting shapes and patterns among other lines and textures. The artist maintains the excitement inside, with many dynamic panels on several pages. His starship battles and galactic explosions in space comprise the issue's highlights. This is number 4 of 14 Battlestar Galactica issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson or Battlestar Galactica issues. See also this blog's Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Trap" Simonson story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 17 pages = ***
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Aztec Ace #3 - Nestor Redondo art

Aztec Ace #3, 1984 - This unique sci-fi adventure series heralds in a new penciler with the third issue. Dan Day employs a greater variety of layouts than his predecessor, and at times sacrifices storytelling for visual effects. Nestor Redondo's inks maintain a consistent look on the series, but often struggles to keep up with the demands of the complexity of the scenes. A few exceptions are the fine statuary on pages six and seven and the Egyptian monuments on pages ten and eleven. This is number 3 of 8 Aztec Ace issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or Aztec Ace issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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"Mummy Dust" Redondo story inks (Dan Day pencils) 28 pages = ***
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All Star Comics #50 - Frank Frazetta art

All-Star Comics #50, 1949 - Few people realize that Frank Frazetta contributed to this long running Justice Society of America title. Rather than doing a chapter featuring a JSA member (as was typical), he instead draws a back-up tale of one man's ordeal in the wilderness. Frazetta's renditions of a grizzly bear fall short, but his horses and mountain lions are visually splendid. Despite being crammed into only three pages, this true-life adventure benefits from the artist's gritty, heroic style. This is number 1 of 1 All Star Comics issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Frazetta or All-Star Comics issues. See also this blog's Frazetta checklist or Top 10 Frazetta comics.
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"The 37 Terrible Days" Frazetta story pencils and inks 3 pages = ***
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Warp #2 - Frank Brunner art & cover

Warp #2, 1983 - As in the previous issue, Frank Brunner frequently swipes poses from Neal Adams bronze age stories (bottom panels of pages 1 and 9, center of page 3, etc). Additionally, his layouts are erratic and the drawings suffer from poor planning and execution. Having drawn some of the most memorable Doctor Strange comics in the 1970s, it's disappointing to see such a poor effort in this issue, and on the series in general. This is number 2 of 9 Warp issues with Brunner art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Brunner or Warp issues. See also this blog's Brunner checklist or Top 10 Brunner comics.
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Brunner cover pencils and inks = **
"My Battlefield My Body" Brunner story pencils 18 pages = **
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Stalker - comic series checklist

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Stalker v1
DC
1975-75

1 - Steve Ditko / Wally Wood art & cover (1st Stalker)
2 - Steve Ditko / Wally Wood art & cover
3 - Steve Ditko / Wally Wood art & cover
4 - Steve Ditko / Wally Wood art & cover

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

Amazing Adventures v3 #4 - Jack Kirby art

Amazing Adventures v3 #4 featuring the Inhumans and Black Widow, 1970 - Jack Kirby's opening splash presents a defiant Mandarin with his fist thrust toward the reader. A portrait of each member of the Inhumans adorns his rings of power. Despite his enormous fingers that resemble (in true Kirby style) mummified sausages, this is a terrific visual and clever design concept. The remaining pages are the same as his previous three issues: capably executed without much fanfare. The Black Widow feature clearly outshines the rest of the book, mainly due to the outstanding efforts of Gene Colan (pencils) and Bill Everett (inks). This is number 10 of 10 Amazing Adventures issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Amazing Adventures issues.
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"With These Rings I Thee Kill" Kirby story pencils (Chic Stone inks) 10 pages = ***
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Punisher P.O.V. #4 - Bernie Wrightson art & cover

Punisher P.O.V. #4, 1991 - A baby mutates into a horrific creature that lives in the city sewers. A disturbing Bernie Wrightson splash shows its encounter with the Punisher in a scene reminiscent of Aliens. The visuals are frightening yet utterly compelling. Toward the story's end, Wrightson abruptly shifts from dark underground scenes to a brightly lit tropical beach. This is number 4 of 4 Punisher P.O.V. issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or Punisher P.O.V. issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson painted cover = ***
"Hindsight" Wrightson story pencils and inks 48 pages = ***
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House of Mystery #225 - Alex Nino art, Jack Kirby reprint

House of Mystery #225, 1974 - Alex Nino's art is at its most bizarre on this tale of a man who conspires with the devil to escape the hangman's noose. His opening page's use of mixed textures flatten the picture plane and noticeably lacks depth. Most of the remaining pages are compellingly designed, particularly page five's gunfight using multiple figures to show the split second progressions of time. Frank Thorne and Alfredo Alcala do terrific jobs with their respective stories, and this 100 page issue also includes reprints by Jack Kirby ("Master of the Unknown") and Sergio Aragones. The intro page looks eerily similar to Bernie Wrightson's style, but there's enough inconsistencies for me to conclude it's someone mimicking his techniques. If anyone knows for sure, let me know. This is number 6 of 14 House of Mystery issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino, Kirby or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Alex Nino checklist.
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"See No Evil" Nino story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
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Original Ghost Rider #8 - Mike Ploog cover

Original Ghost Rider #8, 1993 - After two decades of introducing the character, Mike Ploog returns to illustrate this iconic cover. While the theme far from unique, his draftsmanship is outstanding. The details on the costume and motorcycle are excellent. In the background, lines of perspective converge to create the focal point. This issue reprints and re-colors Ghost Rider #1 from 1973. This is number 1 of 1 Original Ghost Rider issues with Ploog art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ploog or Ghost Rider 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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House of Mystery #224 - Alex Nino art, Neal Adams, Bernie Wrightson reprints

House of Mystery #224, 1974 - This mystery title's first 100 page super spectacular is awash in reprints, including stories by Neal Adams (from House of Secrets #85), Bernie Wrightson (from Spectre #9) and two Sergio Aragones gag pages. Of the few original works, Alex Nino's World War Two story of a soldier turned werewolf is a high point of the issue. The artist employs more textured rendering than usual, and the face on the bottom of page seven is distorted to the point of distraction. Otherwise, his artwork is on par with his other 1970s efforts. The first two pages of the story are his strongest, and more indicative of his talents. Frank Robbins and Alfredo Alcala also contribute nicely illustrated stories. This is number 5 of 14 House of Mystery issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics, Nino checklist, Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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"The Claws of Death" Nino story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Planet of the Apes - magazine series checklist

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Planet of the Apes magazine v1
Curtis/Marvel
1974-77

1 - Mike Ploog art
2 - Mike Ploog art
3 - Mike Ploog art
4 - Mike Ploog art
5
6 - Mike Ploog art
7
8 - Mike Ploog art
9
10
11 - Mike Ploog art
12
13 - Mike Ploog art
14 - Mike Ploog art
15-18
19 - Mike Ploog art
20-29

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related issues/series:
Adventures on the Planet of the Apes #1 - Jim Starlin cover
Adventures on the Planet of the Apes #1 - Jim Starlin cover

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

Fantastic Four #132 - Jim Steranko cover

Fantastic Four #132, 1973 - Quite possibly Jim Steranko's worst cover, the Fantastic Four confront the giant-sized Omega. Like his previous effort, the frenetic scene squeezes in far too many characters (is the guy placed between Mr. Fantastic's head and arm really necessary?). The layout lacks breathing room and a clear hierarchy of secondary elements. Joe Sinnott, a usually terrific inker, contributes little to the overall result. Other artists in this issue include John Buscema. This is number 3 of 3 Fantastic Four issues with Steranko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Steranko or Fantastic Four issues. See also this blog's Steranko checklist or Top 10 Steranko comics.
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Steranko cover pencils (Joe Sinnott inks) = *
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Heroic Comics #35 - Alex Toth art

Heroic Comics #35, 1946 - Early in his career, Alex Toth contributed to this series comprised of true life stories. Each tale ranged from one to several pages, usually no longer than five. The two Toth stories that reside here are fairly primitive. The artist has yet to master the visual storytelling skills of his later works and the page layouts are frankly quite poor. The first story's opening panel suffers from minimal effort, and the second gives the impression of repetitive panels. See today's posts or more Toth or Heroic Comics issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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"The Switchboard Heroine" Toth story pencils and inks 5 pages = *
"The Heroic Traffic Cop " Toth story pencils and inks 4 pages = *
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Shadow of the Batman #5 - Marshall Rogers cover & reprints

Shadow of the Batman #5, 1985 - Re-presenting the first appearance of  Clayface III from Detective Comics #478 and #479, this final issue also sports a new Marshall Rogers cover. While competent, the interior reprints are more representative of Rogers' talents. The artist's work from House Of Mystery #254 is included as well. This is number 5 of 5 Shadow of the Batman issues with Rogers art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Rogers or Shadow of the Batman issues. See also this blog's Rogers checklist or Top 10 Rogers comics.
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Rogers wrap around cover pencils and inks = ***
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Aztec Ace #2 - Nestor Redondo art

Aztec Ace #2, 1984 - The saga of this time traveling hero continues through strange worlds and eras of American history. The panels are small and plentiful on each page, almost to the point of monotony in some parts. Nestor Redondo's inking is competent overall, and most evident on the character's faces. The twisted sea monster emerging from the depths on page 23 is one of the story's more memorable visuals, largely due to Redondo himself. This is number 2 of 8 Aztec Ace issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or Aztec Ace issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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"Lightning Snatched from the Tyrant of Time" Redondo story inks (Dan Day pencils) 29 pages including inside front cover = ***
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Punisher P.O.V. #3 - Bernie Wrightson art & cover

Punisher P.O.V. #3, 1991 - The detailed Bernie Wrightson cover gives readers an indication of the carnage inside. Four full splash pages occur in this issue, two of which are especially gory. These violent drawings nearly overshadow several other noteworthy scenes. Pages 6, 10, and 46 contain some of the finest rustic settings ever, due to Wrightson's superlative inking. Interestingly, the panel depicting the villain engulfed in flame and diving into a pond seems to pay homage to Swamp Thing #1. This is number 3 of 4 Punisher P.O.V. issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or Punisher P.O.V. issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson painted cover = ***
"Introspection" Wrightson story pencils and inks 48 pages = ***
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