Red Sonja #12 - Frank Brunner cover

Red Sonja #12, 1978 - Frank Brunner's exceptional cover depicts Red Sonja in the aftermath of a battle, poised to take on the next challenger. A second enlarged portrait fills the space behind her, the magenta color emphasizing her fury and savagery. Despite the busy masthead, the composition stands on its own due to the clear contrast between foreground and background. Brunner would draw several covers for the series, but none more impactful. Other artists in this issue include John Buscema and Joe Rubenstein. This is number 1 of 3 Red Sonja issues with Brunner art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Brunner or Red Sonja issues. See also this blog's Brunner checklist or Top 10 Brunner comics.
- - - - - - - - - -
Brunner cover pencils and inks = ****
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Brunner issues, >more Red Sonja issues

Lennon Sisters / Four Color Comics #1014 - Alex Toth art

The Lennon Sisters / Four Color Comics #1014, 1959 - Unlike the biographical theme of the previous Lennon Sisters issue, the quartet of musical sisters embarks on a Nancy Drew-like adventure. Note the ominous background on the cover juxtaposed behind the typical celebrity publicity photo. Inside, Alex Toth seems to rush the artwork, resorting to a minimum of details throughout most of the pages. Two notable exceptions: the superb scene of a country barn during a heavy rainstorm (page five, panel three) and the frenetic perspective view of a police chase (page 30, panel one). This is number 2 of 2 Lennon Sisters issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth, Lennon Sisters or Four Color Comics issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Mystery of Lonesome Farm" Toth story pencils and inks 32 pages = **
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Alex Toth issues on ebay

The Spectre - comic series checklist

- - - - - - - - - -

The Spectre v1
DC
1967-69

1
2 - Neal Adams art & cover
3 - Neal Adams art & cover
4 - Neal Adams art & cover
5 - Neal Adams art & cover
6-8
9 - Bernie Wrightson art
10

- - - - - - - - - -

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.

Fightin' Army #20 - Steve Ditko art

Fightin' Army #20, 1955 - In this Civil War tale, a stubborn army mule proves his own worth to the Union captain and the entire regiment. Steve Ditko opens with a battle scene, but the timidity of the explosions and cannon fire seems flawed. Still, the artist handily conveys the humor and irony of the story. The relationship between the mule and his young caretaker is especially well emphasized. Other artists in this issue include Sal Trapani. This is number 1 of 4 Fightin' Army issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Fightin' Army issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Gavin's Stupid Mule" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, more Ditko issues, >more Fightin' Army issues

Love Romances #102 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Love Romances #102, 1961 - Jack Kirby uses his splash page drawing for the cover, juxtaposing a new scene beside it. Both of his interior stories are adequately done, despite a repetition of similar faces. Vince Colletta inks the first tale, but the second is perhaps by George Klein. The finishes on "Give Back My Heart" (see interior page shown above) is more appealing and sensitive, marred only by Kirby's painfully slow sequence on the final page. Rounding out the issue is two capable and enjoyable tales by Don Heck. See today's posts or more Kirby or Love Romances issues.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kirby cover pencils (Vince Colletta inks) = **
"By Love Betrayed" Kirby story pencils (Vince Colletta inks) 7 pages = ***
"Give Back My Heart" Kirby story pencils (Martin Stein inks?) 5 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Jack Kirby issues on ebay
>Find more Love Romances issues on ebay

Sherlock Holmes v2 #1 - Walt Simonson cover

Sherlock Holmes v2 #1, 1975 - This odd one-shot issue appears to have been part of DC's adventure genre wave during the mid 1970s. Walt Simonson contributes a cover that seems inappropriately cartoonish. The style suggests it was drawn perhaps a few years earlier than the 1975 publication date. The inclusion of the killer's shadow behind Dr. Watson, while not original, adds a key point of interest to the layout. E.R. Cruz, a regular on DC mystery comics, does a fine job with the interior artwork. This is number 1 of 1 Sherlock Holmes issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
Simonson cover pencils and inks = **
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Walt Simonson issues on ebay
>Find more Sherlock Holmes issues on ebay

Daisy Duck's Diary / Four Color Comics #1150 - Carl Barks art

Walt Disney's Daisy Duck's Diary / Four Color Comics #1150, 1961 - Carl Barks nearly fills the entire issue (except for the cover) with his delightful artwork. Daisy Duck is paired with different supporting characters in each of the five short stories, including Grandma Duck, Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck and her nieces April, May and June. While the quality of art is consistent throughout, Barks' inventiveness seems more apparent in the creatively funny concepts of "Daringly Different". This is number 2 of 2 Daisy Duck's Diary issues with Barks art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Daisy Duck's Diary, Barks or Four Color Comics issues.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Small Fryers" Barks inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
"A Sticky Situation" Barks story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
"Ring Leader Roundup" Barks story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
"Too Much Help" Barks story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Ruling the Roost" Barks story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
"Daringly Different" Barks story pencils and inks 5-1/2 pages = ***
"False Flattery" Barks story pencils and inks 1/2 page = ***
"Friendly Enemy" Barks story pencils and inks 1 page = ***
"Undercover Girl" Barks inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
"The Inventive Gentlemen" Barks back cover pencils and inks = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Carl Barks issues on ebay

>Find more Daisy Duck's Diary issues on ebay

Ghost Rider v3 #20 - John Byrne art

Ghost Rider v3 #20, 1976 - Concluding the two part storyline begun in Daredevil #138, the Ghost Rider and Daredevil face off against the Death Stalker. John Byrne's drawings are merely adequate, with a couple of exceptions: page 15 panel 1's dramatic confrontation and the multi-figured sequence on page 6 panel 1 (see interior page shown above), reminiscent of Eadweard Muybridge. That aside, the artwork suffers most from the passive inks of Don Perlin. Details are absent in some panels and oversimplified in others. Unfortunately this approach emphasizes, rather than compensates, for Byrne's lack of experience. This is number 1 of 1 Ghost Rider issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Ghost Rider issues.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Two Against Death" Byrne story pencils (Don Perlin inks) 17 pages = **
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Byrne issues, >more Ghost Rider issues

The Outer Space Spirit - Wally Wood reprints, cover reprint

The Outer Space Spirit, 1983 - In 1952, Wallace Wood ghosted several newspaper supplements of The Spirit for creator Will Eisner. The strip's temporary turn toward science fiction was unexpected by audiences, but the settings fit Wood's style and inclination perfectly. The resulting works are astonishing in both detail and sincerity. This book not only reproduces those stories in black-and-white, but provides additional context around the event. Given that the original issues are a rarity, The Outer Space Spirit gives readers one of the few opportunities to see Wood's exceptional rendition of the character. See today's posts or more Wood issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist or more books.
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this book on ebay>Find more Wallace Wood issues on ebay>Find more The Spirit issues on ebay

Robin Hood and his Merry Men #38 - Steve Ditko art

(The Glorious Days of) Robin Hood and his Merry Men #38, 1958 - The Sheriff of Nottingham forces an attractive woman to lure Robin Hood into capture. Steve Ditko tries his hand at a medieval tale featuring a classic heroic figure. The artist's signature style is evident, particularly in the characters' faces, but certain forest scenes lack detail. Other panels are crowded, almost claustrophobic. While adequate, Ditko has shown more effort in other Charlton titles of the same era. This is number 1 of 1 Robin Hood and his Merry Men issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Lure of the Maiden" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Steve Ditko issues on ebay
>Find more Robin Hood and his Merry Men issues on ebay

The Unexpected #204 - Don Newton art, Joe Kubert cover

The Unexpected #204, 1980 - A young couple runs afoul of a jealous female conjurer and her flirtatious magician lover. Don Newton's opening page is innocuous, but quickly transitions into a sequence of brilliantly fluid layouts. The story's mystical themes allow for scenes that are almost dream-like and fantastical. Although Newton's first and last pages are merely adequate, the rest is exceptionally and appropriately rendered. Joe Kubert's cover just meets expectations. Other artists in this issue include John Calnan, Bo Hampton and C.F. Payne. This is number 1 of 1 Unexpected issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton, Kubert or Unexpected issues. See also this blog's Newton checklist or Kubert checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Demons are a Girl's Best Friend" Newton story pencils (Tex Blaisdell inks) 9 pages = *****
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Kubert issues, >more Newton issues, >more Unexpected issues

Christmas in Disneyland #1 - Carl Barks, Al Hubbard art

Walt Disney's Christmas in Disneyland (Dell Giant) #1, 1957: Accompanying Santa Claus on his Christmas eve journey, a little boy and girl listen intently to his holiday tales. His stories feature a variety of Walt Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Chip N' Dale, L'il Bad Wolf and Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. Al Hubbard draws the Scamp and Peter Pan features, both displaying his splendid draftsmanship. The issue's highlight, however, features Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck and his nephews on a voyage to the South Seas. Carl Barks uses this unexpected setting to tell one of his most memorable Christmas tales. From his depiction of a volcanic pit (page 10) to the scene of an island on the cusp of exploding (page 16), Barks' humorous storytelling technique is masterful. The interior page shown above is by Barks. This is number 1 of 1 Christmas in Disneyland issues with Barks art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 Christmas in Disneyland issues with Hubbard art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Barks or Hubbard issues. See also this blog's Hubbard checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Donald Duck" Barks story pencils and inks 18 pages = ****
"Scamp" Hubbard story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
"Peter Pan" Hubbard story pencils and inks 12 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Barks issues, >more Hubbard issues

Roy Rogers and Trigger #136 - Russ Manning art

Roy Rogers and Trigger #136, 1958 - Dale Evans looks into a friend's real estate deal, discovering a swindler in the process. Crisply drawn by Russ Manning, his opening panel is especially clever. Emphasizing the immediacy and excitement of the transaction, he incorporates a suddenly rearing horse and wagon into the scene. Like many other examples, Manning seems to establish the tone and setting of stories (even brief ones) with ease. This is number 7 of 15 Roy Rogers and Trigger issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Roy Rogers issues. See also this blog's Russ Manning checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Slicker" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Manning issues, >more Roy Rogers issues

X-Men and The New Teen Titans - Walt Simonson art & cover

Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans, 1982 - While certainly not the first DC/Marvel crossover, this one-shot issue is the first among two super-teams. Both the X-men and New Teen Titans were extremely popular during this era, thanks to their respective writer/artist teams. X-men author Chris Claremont contributes the story but the artwork is assigned to Walt Simonson rather than series artists John Byrne or George Perez. Simonson handles the art confidently, incorporating seven full page illustrations and one double-page spread. Arguably the best splash is Darkseid's summoning of the Dark Phoenix on page 36. Some pages are drawn better than others, but there are enough highlights to impress devotees of both super-hero teams. This is number 1 of 1 X-men and New Teen Titans issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson, Teen Titans or X-men issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
Simonson wraparound cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***
Simonson inside front cover pencils and inks = ***
"Apokolips Now" Simonson story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 64 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find this issue on Amazon
>Find more Walt Simonson issues on ebay
>Find more X-men issues on ebay
>Find more Teen Titans issues on ebay

Miracleman #4 - Jim Starlin cover

Miracleman #4, 1985 - In repackaging the original Marvelman stories for the US market, Eclipse Comics initially used different artists for different covers. Jim Starlin provides the illustration for the fourth issue, depicting the hero's fury and intensity. His facial expression, threatening stance and tilted horizon are typical for the mainstream superhero genre. At the same time. it seems oddly out of sync with Alan Moore's sophisticated storyline. This is number 1 of 1 Miracleman issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Miracleman issues. See also this blog's Jim Starlin checklist or Top 10 Jim Starlin comics.
- - - - - - - - - -
Starlin cover pencils and inks = **
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Starlin issues, >more Miracleman issues

Weird Western Tales - comic series checklist

- - - - - - - - - -

Weird Western Tales v1
DC
1972-80

(continued from All Star Western)
12 - Neal Adams/Bernie Wrightson art, Joe Kubert cover
13 - Neal Adams art
14 - Alex Toth art
15 - Neal Adams art
16-20
21-30
31,32
33 - Joe Kubert cover
34-40
41-43
44 - Jim Starlin cover
45 - Jim Starlin cover
46-50
51-60
61-70

- - - - - - - - - -

related series:
Jonah Hex

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.

Tomb of Dracula #1 - Neal Adams cover

Tomb of Dracula #1, 1972 - This first issue begins Marvel's longest running bronze age horror title. Neal Adams' interpretation of Dracula adheres to the early film version by Bela Lugosi, but the character would evolve into its own Marvel look and feel. The theme of a vampire holding a female victim is a classic one, in this case accompanied by a medieval castle within the foggy moors. The inks are a bit rough and less defined than usual for the artist. Perhaps they were done by colleague Dick Giordano. Other artists in this issue include Gene Colan. This is number 1 of 3 Tomb of Dracula issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or Tomb of Dracula issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
- - - - - - - - - -
Adams cover pencils (Dick Giordano? inks) = ***
- - - - - - - - - -
Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Adams issues, >more Tomb of Dracula issues

Son of Sinbad #1 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Son of Sinbad #1, 1950 - The title character glides onto the scene to rescue a scantily clad maiden bound by her captors. The Errol Flynn-like hero seems oddly gleeful despite the danger. Compared to other bondage covers of the era, Joe Kubert approaches the subject with more grace and subtlety. The exotic surroundings appear more authentic, mostly due to the superb details. Of the two interior Kubert stories, the first is more daring and skillful. The red-hued background of the opening splash creates contrast and depth while maintaining a clear hierarchy of visual elements. Curiously, this character also appears in Abbott and Costello #10. This is number 1 of 1 Son of Sinbad issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert issues. See also this blog's Joe Kubert checklist.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kubert cover pencils and inks = *****
"Ransom of Shipwreck Shoals" Kubert story pencils and inks 8-1/2 pages = ****
"Curse of the Caliph's Dancer" Kubert story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
- - - - - - - - - -

>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Joe Kubert issues on ebay

Mister Miracle #10 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Mister Miracle #10, 1972 - Of the two full splash pages in this issue, the one of Mr. Miracle and Big Barda (see interior page shown above) is the most impactful. Perfectly composed, the reader's eye quickly moves from the faint background to the bold foreground. The drawing's crispness and clarity only heighten the effect. The following pages are just as dynamic, while introducing the tale's antagonist: a disembodied "Head of the Organization". As the action scenes die down, Kirby transitions easily into more dialogue-driven scenes toward the story's end. This is number 10 of 18 Mr. Miracle issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Mister Miracle issues.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kirby cover pencils (Mike Royer inks) = ***
"The Mister Miracle To Be" Kirby story pencils (Mike Royer inks) 22 pages = ****
- - - - - - - - - -
>Find this issue on ebay
>Find more Jack Kirby issues on ebay
>Find more Mister Miracle issues on ebay