Wyatt Earp v2 #4 - Russ Manning art

Wyatt Earp v2 #4, 1959 - Unlike the Charlton and Atlas versions, this series chronicles the Wyatt Earp of the 1950s television show of the same name. After three issues as part of the Four Color Comics run, the character continues here in his own title. Russ Manning, artist of those previous issues, also continues with his exceptional work. His storytelling on both tales is expertly paced and precisely drafted. The second story, "Renegade Trap", boasts of period stagecoaches, furniture, and architecture to paint an enjoyably streamlined picture of the old west. This is number 4 of 13 Wyatt Earp issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Wyatt Earp issues. See also this blog's Russ Manning checklist.
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"Giant of Dodge City" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ****
"Renegade Trap" Manning story pencils and inks 10 pages = ****
"Terrible Traffic" Manning story pencils and inks 1 page = ***
"Portable Prize" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks (black & white) = ***
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Weird War Tales #4 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Weird War Tales #4, 1971 - Comprised mostly of war comic reprints, Joe Kubert's framing pages try to tie them together thematically with a female gypsy narrator. The artist's work not only appears more contemporary, but is far superior in its layouts, pacing and draftsmanship. The cover nicely straddles both the war and horror genre, the combination of which would become this title's distinguishing feature. Kubert would go on to do many more covers for Weird War, but scant few interior stories. See today's posts or more Kubert or Weird War Tales issues. See also this blog's Joe Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
Kubert framing pages pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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House of Mystery #251 - Neal Adams cover, Wally Wood art

House of Mystery #251, 1977 - DC begins its ambitious dollar comics format with this and other series in the late 1970s lineup. Unlike the earlier 100 page super spectaculars, these contained all new stories. Neal Adams begins the first of several covers with this vivid example an alien, octopus-like monster. The children as innocent bystanders is a theme he frequently used in his earliest House of Mystery covers (#178-180s). Wally Wood does a story of a goofy Sherlock Holmes-eque detective and his voluptuous female client. For those who enjoy the artist's funnier side, this tale is among his silliest yet artfully drawn. Alfredo Alcala and Ramona Fradon also contribute some fine work inside. This is number 7 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 = ***
"The Collector" Wood story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Battlestar Galactica #19 - Walt Simonson art & cover

Battlestar Galactica #19, 1980 - The panel layouts are more varied and open than Walt Simonson's earlier issues on this series, and more enjoyable as a result. Janson's inks also seem to back off a bit, allowing the dynamism of the pencils to come to the fore. The artist also employs more of the innovative pacing he had been known for in the 1970s, especially on pages 18,22-27. This is number 11 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 Daring Escape of the Space Cowboy" Simonson story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 17 pages = ***
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