Weird War Tales #11 - non-attributed Alex Nino art

Weird War Tales #11, 1973 - A Nazi scientist and general escapes execution by transporting himself into the distant future. Alex Nino delivers an unusual story spanning a hundred years. Several panels appear overly crowded, especially on the first page. This may be attributed to too few pages to tell the story properly. The scientist's face on several panels looks noticeably less like Nino's style. Could another artist have contributed? Except for the futuristic vista on page two (see inset above) it's a rather mediocre effort overall. The issue also includes art by Gerry Talaoc and Alfredo Alcala. This is number 2 of 9 Weird War Tales issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or Weird War Tales issues. See also this blog's Alex Nino checklist.
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Untitled Nino story pencils and inks 4 pages = **
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Frontline Combat #14 - Wally Wood art & cover, Joe Kubert art

Frontline Combat #14, 1953 - Wally Wood's deceptively simple cover is expertly composed despite its serenity. Inside, he beautifully illustrates an informative tale of downed pilot's rescue by a seaplane. No bullets, explosions or combat, but just a typical day in the life of a seaplane crew partially told through the viewpoint of a new crew member. Wood masterfully depicts the vastness and the unpredictability of the open ocean. On page three, the plane's lone shadow cast upon a seemingly infinite sea is brilliantly silent (see inset above). Joe Kubert's depicts a story about the greatest naval battle of the American Revolutionary War. Unlike the previous tale, there is chaos and destruction throughout, and Kubert's expressive brushwork suits the mood perfectly. The issue contains additional art by Jack Davis and George Evans. This is number 12 of 13 Frontline Combat issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 Frontline Combat issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood, Kubert or Frontline Combat issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist or Kubert checklist.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ***
"Albatross" Wood story pencils and inks 8 pages = ****
"Bonhomme Richard" Kubert story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Wonder Woman Spectacular / DC Special Series #9 - Steve Ditko, Russ Heath art

Wonder Woman Spectacular / DC Special Series #9, 1978 - This book-length comic toggles between Wonder Woman's war with the Nazis and the godly manipulations of Mount Olympus. The second storyline features Steve Ditko, delivering some of his best bronze age work. His pages appear intermittently, standing out due to sheer effort and inventiveness. These include two double-page spreads of superb complexity (see half on the interior page above). Curiously, Russ Heath is also credited with partial contribution, but his effort is either miniscule or buried by the inker. Other artists in this issue include Dick Ayers, Vince Colletta, Jose Delbo and Jose Luis Garcia (cover). This is number 1 of 1 DC Special Series issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko, Heath, Wonder Woman or DC Special Series issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist or Heath checklist.
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"The Cosmic Quest for the Disc of Mars" Ditko story pencils and inks 10 pages = ****
"The Cosmic Quest for the Disc of Mars" Heath story pencils and inks ? pages = *
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Silver Surfer graphic novel - Jack Kirby art

The Silver Surfer graphic novel, 1978 - This ambitious project by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby was one of the first that could truly be called a graphic novel. Marvel's paperbacks up to this point were reprints and mostly origin stories at that. The one hundred page count for a single story is among Kirby's longest. Eight full page splashes and two double page spreads help manage the pacing. The artist also allows for some experimental layouts while maintaining relevance to the plot. Pages 21, 57 and 58 all break from a typical design, adding much needed variety and interest. Kirby's crisp drawings make this novel among his best works of the late bronze age. Other artists in this issue include Earl Norem (cover). See today's posts or more Kirby or Silver Surfer issues.
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"The Silver Surfer" Kirby story pencils (Joe Sinnott inks) 100 pages = ***
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Justice League Europe #22 - Marshall Rogers art & cover

Justice League Europe #22, 1990 - Marshall Rogers handles the penciling chores capably on his last JLE issue. His cover is intriguing and disturbing, but not uncommon for this quirky superhero title. Some of the highlights include a precisely drawn technology-themed scene on page 9 and the panel illustration of a foggy riverbank on page 18. The Batman makes a brief cameo, reminding me of Rogers' phenomenal Detective Comics run a decade earlier. This is number 3 of 3 Justice League Europe issues with Rogers art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Rogers or Justice League Europe issues. See also this blog's Rogers checklist or Top 10 Rogers comics.
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Rogers cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***"Catnap" Rogers story pencils (Jose Marzan inks) 22 pages = ***
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Teen-age Temptations #4 - Matt Baker cover

Teen-age Temptations #4, 1953 - A woman must decide between her family or an unsavory character. Matt Baker's cover is drawn with great care and craftsmanship. The man's forward stance, the girl's confused expression and the trailer park setting provide enough information to convey the gist of the story. This is number 4 of 8 Teenage Temptations issues, all with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Baker or Teenage Temptations issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
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Vampirella #32 - Jeff Jones art

Vampirella magazine #32, 1974 - Warren magazines frequently allocated a small number of color pages in some issues. This edition contains not one but two artfully colored Jeff Jones stories. Both are breathtakingly beautiful in their draftsmanship. The only flaw in "Dead Run" is its short page count leaves you wanting more. "Harry" begins quietly but sets the mood quite effectively. A seemingly innocent little girl converses with her stuffed animal, and Jones' illustrative drawings are complemented by his well-honed sense of design. Much credit must be given to Richard Corben, a fellow artistic talent whose coloring enables the pages to further excel. This is number 6 of 8 Vampirella issues with Jones art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Jones or Vampirella issues. See also this blog's Jones checklist.
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"Harry" Jones story pencils and inks 6 pages (color) = *****
"Dead Run" Jones story pencils and inks 2 pages (color) = *****
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