Our Army at War - comic series checklist

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Our Army at War v1
DC
1952-77

182 - Neal Adams art, Russ Heath art & cover
183 - Neal Adams, Russ Heath art, Joe Kubert cover
186 - Neal Adams art, Joe Kubert art & cover
187 - Joe Kubert cover
189 - Joe Kubert art & cover
191 - Joe Kubert art & cover
192 - Joe Kubert art & cover
193 - Joe Kubert art & cover
194 - Joe Kubert art & cover
198 - Joe Kubert art & cover
200 - Joe Kubert art & cover
202 - Joe Kubert art & cover
206 - Joe Kubert art & cover
235 - Alex Toth art, Joe Kubert cover
241 - Alex Toth art, Joe Kubert cover
254 - Alex Toth art, Joe Kubert cover

(more to come)

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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.

Journey into Mystery - comic series checklist

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Journey into Mystery v1
Atlas
1958-66

33 - Steve Ditko art
42 - Angelo Torres art
43 - Al Williamson art
44 - Al Williamson art
48 - Angelo Torres art
54 - Jack Kirby art & cover, Al Williamson, Steve Ditko art

(more to come)

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Journey into Mystery v2
Marvel
1972-75

1 - Jim Starlin/Mike Ploog art
2 - Neal Adams art
3 - Jim Starlin art

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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

Strange Tales - comic series checklist

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Strange Tales v1
Atlas
1951-68

53 - Angelo Torres art
62 - Angelo Torres art
64 - Al Williamson art
146 - Steve Ditko art & cover
151 - Jack Kirby layouts/Jim Steranko art
152 - Jack Kirby layouts/Jim Steranko art
153 - Jack Kirby layouts/Jim Steranko art
154 - Jim Steranko art
155 - Jim Steranko art & cover
156 - Jim Steranko art
157 - Jim Steranko art & cover
158 - Jim Steranko art
159 - Jim Steranko art & cover
160 - Jim Steranko art
161 - Jim Steranko art & cover
162 - Jim Steranko art
163 - Jim Steranko art & cover
164 - Jim Steranko art
165 - Jim Steranko art & cover
166 - Jim Steranko art
167 - Jim Steranko art & cover
168 - Jim Steranko art

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Strange Tales v2
Marvel
1973-76

177 - Frank Brunner cover
178 - Jim Starlin art & cover
179 - Jim Starlin art & cover
180 - Jim Starlin art & cover
181 - Jim Starlin art & cover

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(more to come)

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.

New Mutants #11 - Walt Simonson cover

New Mutants #11, 1984 - Cannonball, Sunspot, Wolfsbane, Mirage and others became the next wave of young mutant heroes led by Professor X. Magma is featured on this brightly colored cover, almost indistinguishable as a work by Walt Simonson. Were it not for the signature on the left, this lackluster effort could have been attributed to almost anyone. Other artists in this issue include Sal Buscema and Tom Mandrake. This is number 1 of 1 New Mutants issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson or New Mutants issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils (Tom Mandrake inks) = *
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Simonson, >more New Mutants issues

Hercules Unbound - comic series checklist

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Hercules Unbound v1
DC
1975-77

1 - Wally Wood art
2 - Wally Wood art
3 - Wally Wood art
4 - Wally Wood art
5 - Wally Wood art
6 - Wally Wood art
7 - Walt Simonson/Wally Wood art & cover
8 - Walt Simonson/Wally Wood art & cover
9 - Walt Simonson art
10 - Walt Simonson art & cover
11 - Walt Simonson art & cover
12 - Walt Simonson art & cover

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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.

Rima #1 - Nestor Redondo, Alex Nino art, Joe Kubert cover

Rima the Jungle Girl #1, 1974 - Beginning an adaptation of the novel Green Mansions, this first issue benefits from a trio of superb artists. Nestor Redondo fills the main feature with exquisite, lovingly detailed drawings. In addition to a stunning double page spread (pages 2-3), several large panels display a mastery of exotic flora and fauna. Alex Nino begins a series of back-up stories, marking a contrast in style but impressive in its own right. Joe Kubert's mysterious cover, presenting Rima in a centered layout, is a less memorable effort. The interior page shown above is by Redondo. This is number 1 of 6 Rima issues with Redondo art and/or covers, number 1 of 5 Rima issues with Nino art and/or covers and number 1 of 7 Rima issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo, Nino, Kubert or Rima issues.  See also this blog's Nino checklist, Redondo checklist, Kubert checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Spirit of the Woods" Redondo story pencils and inks 16 pages = *****
"Four Tombs" Nino story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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77 Sunset Strip / Four Color #1159 - Alex Toth art

77 Sunset Strip / Four Color Comics #1159, 1961 - Alex Toth's inside front and back cover art is too hurried and simplistic, but he makes up for it on the two main features. In the first, Kookie trades in his jalopy to impress a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, crooks also want the car for its hidden contents. The facial expressions of the characters on page 2 and subsequent car chase scenes (see interior page above) are among the artistic highlights. Toth's second tale just meets expectations, despite some over-emphasized eyebrows on one of the characters. An alternate version of this issue replaces the back cover story "Kookie's Quandary" with an ad. This is number 3 of 3 77 Sunset Strip issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth or 77 Sunset Strip issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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Toth inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = *
"The Money Wagon" Toth story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"The Night Visitor" Toth story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"Clues To the Missing" Toth inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = *
"Kookie's Quandary" Toth back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Toth issues, >more 77 Sunset Strip issues

Savage Tales #1 - Barry Windsor Smith art

Savage Tales magazine #1, 1971 - Marvel's early foray into black and white magazines, Savage Tales featured Conan the Barbarian, Ka-Zar and several new characters. Most significant of these is the Man-Thing, whose origin also marks his first appearance. Barry Smith opens his exceptional tale with a spacious two-page spread. Conan battles two vikings against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains. Reflecting the title's more mature audience, a female temptress displays some mild nudity (censored when reprinted in Conan #16). Overall, Smith's art has a rawness and excitement comparable to his regular Conan the Barbarian issues from the same era. Other artists in this issue include Gene Colan,& Gray Morrow, Tom Palmer, John Romita and John Buscema. This is number 1 of 3 Savage Tales issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Savage Tales issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.
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"The Frost Giant's Daughter" story pencils and inks (black & white) 11 pages = ****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Smith issues, >more Savage Tales issues

Korg: 70,000 BC - comic series checklist

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Korg: 70,000 BC v1
Charlton
1975-76

1 - mis-attributed John Byrne art
2 - John Byrne art
3-9

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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.

Beware the Creeper #6 - partially mis-attributed Steve Ditko art

Beware the Creeper #6, 1969 - This final issue of the series is also the most disappointing. Comic book guides attribute the story art to Steve Ditko, though his involvement is questionable. I first thought Mike Peppe contributed pencils, but others have pointed out sources crediting Jack Sparling. Still, semblances of Ditko's handiwork appears on pages 7-11 (pencils, layouts or both?). This is a far cry from previous works on the series. Other artists in this issue include Gil Kane (cover). This is number 6 of 6 Beware the Creeper issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Beware the Creeper issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"A Time to Die" Ditko story layouts (Mike Peppe? inks) 11? pages = *
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Ditko issues, >more Beware the Creeper issues

Warfront #37 - Wally Wood art

Warfront #37 featuring Dynamite Joe, 1966 - Wally Wood contributes three stories in this issue, all comprised of small, numerous panels. Despite these restrictions, the artist maintains a decent level of craftsmanship (aided by Dan Adkins and others perhaps). Of the three, "The Lone Tiger" stands out for its finer details (see interior page above). Also residing in this book is Goodyear's "Flash Farrell", a single page ad by Neal Adams that appears in other Harvey comics during this time. Other artists in this issue include Jack Sparling. This is number 1 of 3 Warfront issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Warfront issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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Opening contents page Wood pencils and inks = ***
"Lone Tiger" Wood story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
"The V-3" Wood story pencils and inks 2 pages = ***
"Dollar Bill Cash" Wood story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Wood issues, >more Warfront issues

Conan the Barbarian #14 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Conan the Barbarian #14, 1972 - Elric of Melnibone, a creation of writer Michael Moorcock, makes his first appearance in comics. In this unlikely pairing of heroes, the duo join forces against a netherworld queen. Barry Smith's enthusiasm overshadows the more primitive aspects of his drawings. His two splash pages struggle with their respective compositions, yet other pages (particularly the battle scenes) are ably designed. Smith puts equal emphasis on Conan and Elric in a memorable, boldly juxtaposed panel (see interior page above). Despite his progress, Smith continues to develop his own artistic voice. This is number 14 of 22 Conan the Barbarian issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Conan the Barbarian or Smith issues. See also this blog's Barry Windsor Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = ***
"A Sword Called Stormbringer" Smith story pencils (Sal Buscema inks) 21 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Smith issues, >more Conan the Barbarian issues

Batman #255 - Neal Adams art & cover

Batman #255, 1973 - Neal Adams' dominant image of Batman and the werewolf would have been extraordinary as its own cover. Sadly, the effect is diminished by the smaller mediocre panels. The cover story features a crackpot doctor who treats a desperate man with lycanthropic disease. Neal Adams' last work on the series is also among his finest. His sequencing of the werewolf's transformation (page 6) and the hero's gradual loss of consciousness (pages 12-13) are deftly executed. Most breathtaking is Batman's rescue of a woman falling from her high-rise apartment (see interior page above). The page is perfectly composed, paced and illustrated. This 100 page super spectacular also contains Batman reprints from earlier decades, including art by Jim Mooney, Carmine Infantino, Sid Greene and Jerry Robinson. 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 and inks = ***
"Moon of the Wolf" Adams story pencils (Dick Giordano inks) 20 pages = ****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Adams issues, >more Batman issues

Mystery Tales #44 - Al Williamson art

Mystery Tales #44, 1956 - After a missile attack from Mars, a small fleet of Earth ships travels to the planet to respond with atomic weapons. This tale by Al Williamson is both spontaneous and artfully drawn. Despite the small panels, details are impressively added to the characters' faces, attire and planetary views (see interior page above). Roy Krenkel's delicate lines further improve upon the art, reinforcing his status as one of Williamson's best inkers. Other artists in this issue include George Roussos, Robert McCarty, Paul Hodge, Herb Familton, Mike Seokwsky and Bill Everett (cover). This is number 1 of 4 Mystery Tales issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Williamson or Mystery Tales issues. See also this blog's Williamson checklist.
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"Menace from the Stars" Williamson story pencils (Roy Krenkel inks) 4 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Williamson issues, >more Mystery Tales issues

Marvel Premiere #5 / Doctor Strange - Mike Ploog cover

Marvel Premiere #5 featuring Doctor Strange, 1972 - Loose and often textural, Mike Ploog's style brings a distinctive creepiness to his first Dr. Strange cover. The enormous hand is inconsistent with the interior story, but makes a quite gripping focal point. The overall composition is capably done, despite the cover's competing text elements. Other artists in this issue include Irv Wesley and Don Perlin. This is number 1 of 4 Marvel Premiere issues with Ploog art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ploog, Doctor Strange or Marvel Premiere issues. See also this blog's Ploog checklist or Top 10 Ploog comics.
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Ploog cover pencils and inks = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Ploog issues, >more Marvel Premiere issues

Challengers of the Unknown #82 - Bernie Wrightson art

Challengers of the Unknown #82, 1977 - Resurrected a second time during the bronze age, the title begins with brand new material starting with the previous issue. The Swamp Thing guest-stars just as his own series winds down. Bernie Wrightson, his co-creator, inks only a single small panel within the entire story (see interior page above). While adequately done, this small contribution makes little impact on the overall artwork. Other artists in this issue include Mike Nasser and Joe Rubenstein. This is number 2 of 2 Challengers of the Unknown issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or Challengers of the Unknown issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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"Dark as Death" Wrightson story inks (Mike Nasser pencils) 1 panel = **
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Wrightson issues, >more Challengers of the Unknown issues

E-Man #5 - Steve Ditko art

E-Man #5, 1973 - In Steve Ditko's third back-up tale on the series, he introduces the patriotic Liberty Belle, a different version from the 1940s DC heroine. No origin is given and her abilities seem confined to martial arts skills. Unlike his two previous E-man issues, Ditko employs much larger panels, reinforced by a full page splash. Simple and not overwhelming, the overall effort just meets expectations. Joe Staton continues drawing the E-man lead feature. This is number 3 of 3 E-Man issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or E-man issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"Freedom's Star" Ditko story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Ditko issues, >more E-Man issues

Tomb of Dracula #12 - non-attributed Frank Brunner cover

Tomb of Dracula #12, 1973 - Not widely known, this early Frank Brunner cover is well documented in the book The Brunner Mystique. Inside, a black and white reproduction shows the artist's signature on the lower left, but is clearly cropped out here in the final printing. This layout is not particularly distinctive and his pencils are largely suppressed by the inker. Other artists in this issue include Gene Colan and Tom Palmer. This is number 1 of 1 Tomb of Dracula issues with Brunner art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Brunner or Tomb of Dracula issues. See also this blog's Frank Brunner checklist or Top 10 Brunner comics.
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Brunner cover pencils (Tom Palmer inks) = *
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Brunner issues, >more Tomb of Dracula issues

Flying A's Range Rider - comic series checklist

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Flying A's Range Rider v1
Dell
1952-59

Four Color Comics #404
2-4
5-10
11-16
17 -Alex Toth art
18-20
21-23
24 - non-attributed Russ Manning art

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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.

DC Super-Stars #15 - Joe Kubert cover

DC Super-Stars #15 featuring Sgt. Rock and Unknown Soldier, 1977 - Two of DC's favorite war heroes appear together in an all new story, along with the French resistance heroine Mlle. Marie. The Unknown Soldier's mastery of disguise allows artist Joe Kubert to juxtapose almost mirror images of two Sgt. Rocks. The scene is adequately drawn, made more intriguing by the clever concept. Other artists in this issue include Lee Elias & Romeo Tanghal. This is number 1 of 1 DC Super-Stars issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert, DC Super-Stars or Unknown Soldier issues.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Kubert issues, >more DC Super-stars issues