Detective Comics #400 - Neal Adams art & cover

Detective Comics #400, 1970 - A scientist ingests a serum that transforms him into a human/bat hybrid. Man-Bat makes his very first appearance, just in time for the series' landmark 400th issue. Neal Adams delivers an overall fine effort, despite the bat-shaped panels on page 9, an experiment that seems clumsily designed. Most other scenes are artfully drawn, including the Man-Bat's shocked expression in seeing his face for the first time. The issue's most arresting image, however, is Adams' cover. Batman and Man-Bat are portrayed as two colossal combatants over a miniscule city. This powerful metaphor heightens the significance of their conflict, and of the characters themselves. Even with the large masthead, the layout and its components fit comfortably within the remaining space. Other artists in this issue include Vince Colletta and Gil Kane. See today's posts or more Adams or Detective Comics issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils (Dick Giordano inks) = ****
"Challenge of the Man-Bat" Adams story pencils (Dick Giordano inks) 16 pages = ***
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Thor #343 - Walt Simonson art & cover

Thor #343, 1984 - The series gains momentum as Walt Simonson continues to define the look of Thor and his supporting characters. The cover is a bit stiffly drawn, partially due to the thicker lines and busy placement of elements. The story art is noticeably more sensitive and considered. The opening scenes eventually build up to a stunning full page splash of the Valkyrie's mythical flying horse, Cloudrider (see inset above). Later in the story, Eilif the Lost comes to Thor's aid against a gargantuan foe. The artist effectively conveys his struggle through a painfully slow sequence of panels (page eighteen). This example of masterful pacing is pervasive throughout the book and one of Simonson's greatest strengths. This is 18 of 41 Thor issues with Simonson art. See today's posts or more Simonson or Thor issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.

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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
"If I Should Die Before I Wake" Simonson story pencils and inks 23 pages = ****
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Uncle Scrooge #29 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge #29, 1960 - Uncle Scrooge is determined to find a remote location to hide his money. He soon chooses the asteroid belt within our own galaxy, to the chagrin of Donald and his nephews. The spaceship designs and textural effects of the asteroids showcase Carl Barks' continuing creativity. As in most Uncle Scrooge issues, the lead feature is usually his lengthiest and strongest artistically. The opening panels of back-up stories are typically small, but the main story, "Island in the Sky", appears to be shrinking as well. There is some loss of visual impact, most obvious on the otherwise pleasing "Hound of the Whiskervilles". The Gyro Gearloose tale, "Oodles of Oomph", is well drawn but with a more minimal approach. This is 29 of 70 Uncle Scrooge issues with Barks art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Barks, Disney or Uncle Scrooge issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
"Island in the Sky" Barks story pencils and inks 18 pages = ***
"Oodles of Oomph" Barks story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Hound of the Whiskervilles" story Barks story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Weird War Tales #24 - non-attributed Alex Nino art

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Weird War Tales #24, 1974 - Much of Alex Nino's best work occurs in futuristic settings, and this issue is no exception. A ruthless dictator, on the verge of conquering the planet, eliminates his opposition and deceives the public into a war with an imaginary enemy. This story gives Nino the perfect opportunity to use his uniquely fantastical (and occasionally distorted) style. The tale's highlights include his stunning futuristic skyline on the bottom of page five and the gracefully drawn space battle on the following page. Other artists in this issue include Ernie Chua and Luis Domingez (cover). This is number 6 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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"The Last Battle" Nino story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Vampirella - magazine series checklist

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Vampirella v1
Warren
1969-83

1 - Neal Adams art, Frank Frazetta art & cover
2, 3
4 - Jeff Jones cover
5 - Jeff Jones art, Frank Frazetta cover
6
7 - Frank Frazetta cover
8
9 - Barry Windsor Smith, Wally Wood, Jeff Jones art
10 - Neal Adams, Wally Wood, Frank Brunner art
11 - Frank Frazetta cover
12 - Wally Wood, Jeff Jones, Frank Brunner art
13
14 - Mike Ploog art
15-20
21-26
27 - Wally Wood, Jeff Jones reprints
28-30
31 - Frank Frazetta cover
32 - Jeff Jones art
33 - Jeff Jones, Bernie Wrightson art
34 - Jeff Jones art
35-43
44 - Neal Adams art
45-58
59 - Alex Nino art
60
61 - Alex Nino art
62-66
67 - Alex Nino art
68-75
76 - Alex Nino art
77
78- Jim Starlin art
79-84
85 - Alex Nino art
86-89
90 - Alex Toth art, mis-attributed Alex Nino art
91-107
108 - Alex Toth art
109
110 - Alex Toth art
111, 112

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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.

Marvel Team Up #62 - John Byrne art

Marvel Team-Up #62, 1977 - The recently introduced Ms. Marvel enters the fray against the Super-Skrull, obviously done to help lure readers into her own title. John Byrne's opening scene brings readers right into the midst of battle with the villain demonstrating his aggressive power. Curiously Ms. Marvel's first appearance in the story is framed within a large panel rather than the more deserving full page splash. In general, the Byrne artwork just meets expectations but with a minimum of fanfare. Gil Kane is this issue's cover artist. This is number 7 of 22 Marvel Team-Up issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Marvel Team-Up issues.
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"All This and the QE2" Byrne story pencils (Dave Hunt inks) 17 pages = ***
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World of Mystery #6 - Al Williamson, Steve Ditko art

World of Mystery #6, 1957 - A foreboding haunted house becomes the initiation test for a trio of teenagers. Al Williamson opens with a crumbling Victorian, conveying its age and condition by a broken fence and withered trees. Ralph Mayo's splendid inks keep the panels appropriately dark and ominous. Steve Ditko illustrates a tale of a man who becomes invincible after a freak lightning strike. The art is a atypically textural, yet the artist comfortably meets expectations. The interior page above is by Williamson. Other artists in this issue include Gene Colan, Mac Pacula, Chuck Miller, Sol Brodsky and Carl Burgos (cover). This is number 2 of 2 World of Mystery issues with Ditko art and/or covers and 1 of 1 World of Mystery issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Williamson, Ditko or World of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Williamson checklist or Ditko checklist.
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"Secret of the Haunted House" Williamson story pencils (Ralph Mayo inks) 4 pages = ***
"The Most Dangerous Man in the World" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Best Romance #5 - Alex Toth art

Best Romance #5, 1952 - Photos of couples often appeared on 1950s romance covers, including this one with actors Anne Francis and William Lundigan. Alex Toth illustrates a story about a judge's daughter and her working class boyfriend. The opening scene depicts a serious car accident in lurid detail. Subsequent pages reveal the preceding events, delivered with clarity and sensitivity. This is number 1 of 1 Best Romance issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth or Best Romance issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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"My Stolen Kisses" Toth story pencils (John Celardo? inks) 7 pages = ***
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Captain America #109 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Captain America #109, 1969 - A faux newspaper headline substitutes for the masthead on this issue, something rarely done. It nicely enhances the overall cover design without sacrificing title recognition (the Marvel series stamp on the upper left also helps). "The Origin of Captain America!" not only identifies the theme, but allows the issue to stand out from previous ones. Jack Kirby gives us yet another iconic image of Cap, busting through a New York Times front page reporting the Pearl Harbor bombing. Inside, the artist begins with one of the hero's wartime recollections of battling the Nazis. After these first few pages, Kirby segues into the present with a beautifully rendered transparent effect (last panel, page 6). Three full splash pages add excitement to an already dynamic story, including a dramatic facial portrait of a determined Steve Rogers (page 8). Captain America's origin had already been retold before, but not this strikingly or thoroughly. This is number 10 of 34 Captain America issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Captain America issues.
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Kirby cover pencils (Syd Shores inks) = ****
"The Hero That Was" Kirby story pencils (Syd Shores inks) 25 pages = ****
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Spellbound #32 - Angelo Torres art

Spellbound #32, 1957 - Anthropologists travel to Africa in search of an extinct species of ancestral apes. In this case, Angelo Torres displays an similarity in style to Frank Frazetta, strikingly so in panels 2 and 5 of page three. And yet, there are many fine scenes that stand on their own merit. With the exception of the opening panel, this short sci-fi tale boasts some superb inking. Faces and figures are crisply defined in one of Torres' best efforts for Atlas. Other artists in this issue include Mac Pakula, John Tartaglione, Bob Powell, Ed Winiarski, John Forte and Carl Burgos (cover). This is number 1 of 2 Spellbound issues with Torres art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Torres or Spellbound issues. See also this blog's Angelo Torres checklist.
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"Almost Human" Torres story pencils and inks 4 pages = ****
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Two-Fisted Tales #25 - Wally Wood art

Two-Fisted Tales #25, 1952 - Chronicling one of the American Revolution's most famous battles is no easy task, yet Wally Wood approaches the challenge with artistic gusto. Nearly fifteen hundred men died at the Battle of Bunker Hill (then known as Breed's Hill) in 1775, roughly two-thirds of them British redcoats. Wood effectively suggests the sheer number of soldiers involved by packing any many figures as he can in most of the panels. Even those at a distance are more finely detailed than your typical comic book illustration. His drawings are enhanced by equally masterful pacing throughout. The heroic opening scene, of patriots overlooking the British ships in Boston Harbor, is reminiscent of patriotic colonial-era paintings. Other artists this issue include Jack Davis, John Severin, Bill Elder and Harvey Kurtzman (art & cover). This is number 8 of 18 Two-Fisted Tales issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Two-Fisted Tales issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"Bunker Hill" Wood story pencils and inks 7 pages = *****
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Thor #342 - Walt Simonson art & cover

Thor #342, 1984 - Six issues into Walt Simonson's run on this title, Terry Austin lends his inking talents to the mix. To his credit, he does his best to maintain the integrity of the pencils, ensuring continuity. Thor delves into his Norse mythological roots, allowing Simonson the opportunity to draw some interesting Viking armor, longships, and other symbols of the ancient culture. The artist's cover, depicting Thor and his warrior adversary, is a showcase of the artist's often inventive costume design. The almost jewel-toned color palette (by Christie Sheele?) works unexpectedly well in this context. This is 17 of 41 Thor issues with Simonson art. See today's posts or more Simonson or Thor issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
Untitled Simonson story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 21 pages = ****
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Fantastic Four Roast #1 - John Byrne, Frank Miller, Marshall Rogers, Steve Ditko art

Fantastic Four Roast #1, 1982 - Marvel Comics takes a less serious look at its vaunted universe with this one-shot issue. A formal roast of the Fantastic Four features a gathering of heroes, each providing a humorous jab at the famous quartet. Fred Hembeck's script echoes his delightfully goofy wrap around cover. The artistic chores inside feature a bevy of talented artists, uncredited but many recognizable due to their character affiliations at the time. John Byrne illustrates page 2 and the FF members on page 9, while Marshall Rogers draws Doctor Strange on page 20. The super-villian Sandman on page 7 looks suspiciously like Steve Ditko, but I have yet to confirm it. The most interesting contribution may be Frank Miller's on page 18. Daredevil makes a sudden appearance onstage, with the artist making fun of his own film noir approach (see inset above). The story ends with a double page spread of all the heroes on the move. The aforementioned artists draw their respective characters, but this large montage is more likely comprised of previously used artwork(?). Other artists in this issue include Bob Layton, Al Weiss, Bill Sienkewicz, Michael Golden (2 pgs), Mike Zeck, Sal Buscema, Denys Cowan, and Don Perlin, among others. See today's posts or more Byrne, Ditko, Miller or Rogers issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist, Miller checklist, Rogers checklist or Top 10 Rogers comics.
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"When Titans Chuckle" Byrne story pencils and inks 2 pages = ***
Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 1 page = ***
Rogers story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 1 page = ***
Ditko? story pencils and inks 1 page = ***
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Blackhawk #266 - Don Newton art

Blackhawk #266, 1983 - A back-up tale sheds some light on Olaf, the Blackhawks' Swedish member. He visits old friends from his circus performing days, only to evade Nazi soldiers attending their performance. Don Newton takes a little too much liberty on page two, distorting Olaf's face to the point of distraction. Otherwise his drawings are fine, particularly Olaf's transition into a disguise (page three). Inker Dennis Jensen is a less familiar name to me, but his finishes over Newton's pencils are more than adequate. Other artists in this issue include Dan Spiegle (art & cover). This is number 1 of 1 Blackhawk issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or Blackhawk issues. See also this blog's Newton checklist.
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"Make 'Em Laugh" Newton story pencils (Dennis Jensen inks) 6 pages = ***
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Captain America Special Edition #2 - Jim Steranko reprints

Captain America Special Edition #2, 1980 - Like the previous issue, this edition showcases Jim Steranko's work for Marvel  during the 1960s. In addition to Captain America #113, a Nick Fury story from Strange Tales #159 and the artist's only romance tale from Our Love Story #5 are also included. Finally, a Nick Fury parody by Frank Springer rounds out the book. While these reprints are fine, I suggest hunting down the originals. See today's posts or more Steranko or Captain America issues. See also this blog's Jim Steranko checklist or Top 10 Steranko comics.
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Colt .45 #6 - Alex Toth art

Colt .45 #6, 1960 - Alex Toth drew relatively few lengthy western tales for Dell Publishing, more often producing short back-up stories such as the one in this issue. Newly released from prison, an ex-gunslinger seeks one of the jury members that sent him there. The first panel is a bird's eye view of the back of a general store, a vantage point that looks more like the choice of a cinematographer than comic book artist. As usual, Toth does what it takes to tell the story concisely yet uniquely, even with a meager four pages to work with. This is number 1 of 1 Colt .45 issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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"The Gunslinger" Toth story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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DC Comics Presents #93 - Jim Starlin cover

DC Comics Presents #93, 1986 - Combining multiple heroes with stretching powers is both a clever and amusing idea. Jim Starlin plays up the absurdity and redundancy of these characters (Elongated Man, Plastic Man, Jimmy Olsen and Malleable Man) on his wildly humorous cover. Superman stands in the center of entwined, spaghetti-like limbs while the story's antagonist boldly poses in front of the masthead. Few artists could pull off this visual concept as effortlessly as Starlin has. Other artists in this issue include Alex Saviuk and Kurt Schaffenberger. This is number 7 of 7 DC Comics Presents issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin or DC Comics Presents issues. See also this blog's Jim Starlin checklist or Top 10 Jim Starlin comics.
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Starlin cover pencils and inks = ***
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Solarman #2 - Nestor Redondo art & cover

Solarman #2, 1989 - Marvel Comics created this character with aspirations for an animated television show, but never went beyond the two issues in this series. Nestor Redondo, having never drawn for this publisher before, provides the inks over Mike Zeck's pencils. Their collaborative cover is fairly typical for the genre, yet there is a simplicity in the rendering and color palette that suggests a younger audience. On the story pages themselves, Redondo's inking has a robustness and craftsmanship more representative of a comics veteran. This may well be the artist's only foray into an American superhero comic, yet his delicate style works surprisingly well (especially the first half of the book). His rendition of Dr.Doom is no less menacing and his Solarman is no less heroic than anyone else's. Though he drew mostly adventure and horror comics for the US, there is much of Redondo's work here to appreciate. This is the only Solarman issue with Redondo art. See today's posts or more Redondo issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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Redondo cover inks (Mike Zeck pencils) = **
"This Silent Death This Hostage Earth" Redondo story inks (Mike Zeck pencils) 22 pages = ***
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Shield / Steel Sterling #3 - Alex Nino art

Shield / Steel Sterling #3, 1983 - This series was among several produced by Red Circle/ Archie Comics, all revivals of the super-hero line introduced in the 1960s. When it comes to this genre, Alex NIno is not an artist that immediately comes to mind, and his past attempts have been mediocre at best. His title page is a continuation of events from the previous issue, but without the impact. Still, there are a few noteworthy moments. Many of Nino's layouts are experimental and daring. The sequence of varying backgrounds on page twelve and the Shield's final battle with Deathstar on page 16 are but two fine examples. Other artists this issue include Eduardo Barreto and Al Weiss (cover). This is the only Shield / Steel Sterling issue with Nino art. See today's posts or more Nino issues. See also this blog's Alex Nino checklist.
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"Target USA" Nino story pencils and inks 18 pages = ***
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