Teen Confessions #89 - non-attributed Don Newton cover

Teen Confessions #89 , 1975 - A couple's tender moment is eyed by a tough-looking biker in the background. Don Newton does an adequate job on this painted cover, one of his rare works in the romance genre. The rich color palette not only provides warmth but establishes depth as well. The backlighting of the foreground figures is unusual, but contributes to its distinctiveness. This is number 1 of 2 Teen Confessions issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or Teen Confessions issues. See also this blog's Don Newton checklist.
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Newton painted cover = ***
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Zorro #9 - Alex Toth art

Walt Disney's Zorro #9, 1960 - Rather than the two main Zorro features, Alex Toth is instead tasked with drawing a much shorter tale. Bandits take over a small village in old California, terrorizing its passive residents. The artwork is disappointingly minimal with roughly applied lines, especially on the last page. The result is a work that seemingly displays a lack of effort on Toth's part. Other artists in this issue include Warren Tufts. This story has also been reprinted in Zorro v2 #4. This is number 7 of 8 Zorro issues with Toth art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Toth or Zorro issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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"The Banditos" Toth story pencils and inks 4 pages = **
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Marvel Two-In-One #6 - Jim Starlin cover

Marvel Two-In-One #6, 1974 - A face emerges from the mystical cauldron below, resembling a stuffed animal more so than a ferocious beast. That aside, Jim Starlin's only cover for the series features a terrific rendition of Doctor Strange. Nicely detailed, the illustration stands out despite the large masthead. Other artists in this issue include George Tuska and Mike Esposito. This is number 1 of 1 Marvel Two-In-One issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin or Marvel Two-In-One issues. See also this blog's Starlin checklist or Top 10 Starlin comics.
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Starlin cover pencils and inks = ***
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Sea Hunt #6 - Russ Manning art

Sea Hunt #6, 1960 - Mike Nelson, scuba diver for hire, travels to Mexico to help salvage ancient treasure. Russ Manning opens with a beautiful large panel, displaying a bird's eye view of Mayan ruins. Similarly, the second story benefits from a helicopter-level view of a completely flooded town. Both stories are precisely laid out and drawn in Manning's signature streamlined style. This is number 3 of 8 Sea Hunt issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Sea Hunt issues. See also this blog's Russ Manning checklist.
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"Treasure of the Mayas" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"The Fisherman's Feat" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Underwater City" Manning story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
"Hot and Cold Running Water" Manning story pencils and inks 1 page = *
"The New Frontier" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
"Treasure of the Seas" Manning back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Batman #234 - Neal Adams art & cover

Batman #234, 1971 - Batman's old adversary Two-Face resurfaces, intent on finding a hidden cache of gold doubloons. His golden age-era origin from Detective Comics #66 is briefly recapped, along with his incarceration, his re-introduction into society, and his inexplicable return to crime. The villain's maniacal, oversized face is prominently displayed on Neal Adams' cover. The story pages are adeptly laid out, with the two main characters drawn more impressively than others. The ending is a bit anti-climactic, but Adams' opening splash of Batman crouching in an eerie swamp is compelling. Other artists in this issue include Carmine Infantino, Joe Giella (reprint) and Irv Novick. See today's posts or more Adams or Batman issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils (Dick Giordano inks) = ***
"Half an Evil" Adams story pencils (Dick Giordano inks) 15 pages = ***
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Grimm's Ghost Stories - comic series checklist

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Grimm's Ghost Stories v1
Gold Key
1972-82

1
2-4
5 - Al Williamson art
6,7
8 - Al Williamson art
9,10
11-20
21-40
41-46
47 - non-attributed Al Williamson reprint
48-58
59 - Al Williamson reprint
60

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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.

Incredible Hulk #4 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Incredible Hulk #4, 1962 - Jack Kirby's cover touts the two full-lengh features equally, resulting in two rather mediocre illustrations. The interiors fare somewhat better, although the panels are numerous and the layouts more crowded. The opening to "Gladiator from Space" is a notable exception, with its full page art of a typically creative Kirbyesque spacecraft. The inclusion of the cast of characters also gives the page the feel of a science fiction movie poster. Kirby's pencils are slightly diminished in this issue, probably his least impressive of the series. Part of  this issue was later reprinted in Giant-Size Defenders #1. This is number 4 of 5 Incredible Hulk issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Incredible Hulk issues.
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Kirby cover pencils (Dick Ayers inks) = **
"The Monster and the Machine" Kirby story pencils (Dick Ayers inks) 14 pages = ***
"The Gladiator from Outer Space" Kirby story pencils (Dick Ayers inks) 10 pages = ***
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Six-Gun Western #1 - Al Williamson art

Six-Gun Western #1, 1957 - Despite some fine work in this issue by Joe Maneely and Richard Doxsee, Al Williamson's contribution is two small illustrations for the text story "The Bronc Buster". Roughly drawn and executed, they lack the significance of Williamson's more robust works for Atlas. Other artists in this issue include John Romita, Reed Crandall and John Severin (cover). This is number 1 of 3 Six-Gun Western issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Williamson or Six-Gun Western issues. See also this blog's Williamson checklist.
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"The Bronc Buster" Williamson test illos pencils and inks 2 pages = **
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Vigilante #35 - non-attributed John Byrne cover

Vigilante #35, 1986 - John Byrne's first rendition of the title character shows little distinction from others, mostly to the costume design. The two central figures frame the center of the explosion, calling (perhaps) unnecessary attention to the nunchucks. Byrne's layout is also deceptively simple, but is partially offset by the interesting textural background. The results are not overwhelming but certainly eye-catching. Other artists in this issue include Chuck Patton and Rick Magyar. This is number 1 of 1 Vigilante issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Vigilante issues.
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = ***
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