Ronin #4 - Frank Miller art & cover

Ronin #4, 1984 - The traditional samurai delves deep into the Manhattan sewers, searching for someone of personal importance. Frank Miller's cover is the weakest of the series, but his interiors continues to dazzle. Forty plus pages (including five double page spreads) demonstrate a mastery of storytelling. Among the highlights are the techno-organic army on pages 10-11 and the clever film strip sequence on pages 44-45. Most compelling perhaps is the minimalist but powerful scene of slowing encroaching darkness (pages 21-22). This is number 4 of 6 Ronin issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Ronin issues. See also this blog's Frank Miller checklist.
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Miller wrap around cover pencils and inks = **
Miller story pencils and inks 48 pages = ***
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Find on amazon: >the trade paperback

The Texan #5 - Matt Baker art & cover

The Texan #5, 1949 - Buckskin Belle meets a handsome tenderfoot in the opening story by Matt Baker. The artwork is nicely done, although the inker is unknown to me. The first page is better than the rest, depicting the taming a wild horse. Baker's cover is a tad better, although why the cowboy embraces a woman during a gunfight is curious. Note that the cowboy's hat is shot clean off to heighten the tension. This is number 2 of 11 Texan issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts, more Baker or Texan issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
"Peril on the Prairie" Baker story pencils 9 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Baker issues, >more Texan issues

Daredevil #50 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Daredevil #50, 1969 - A robotic threat from Star Saxxon proves more than a challenge for Daredevil. Curiously, his foe is mis-colored on the cover and has a somewhat different costume than the inside. The first of several issues by Barry Smith, his artwork is representative of his earliest efforts for Marvel. His emulation of comics veteran Jack Kirby is obvious, but primitive and poorly drawn. The cover layout mostly fails to elicit excitement or interest. Smith's only saving grace is his interior pages, which display a youthful enthusiasm. Kudos to inker Johnny Craig, who does his best to add polish and clarity. This is number 1 of 6 Daredevil issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Daredevil issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils (Johnny Craig? inks) = *
"If In Battle I Fall" Smith story pencils (Johnny Craig inks) 20 pages = **

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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Smith issues, >more Daredevil issues

Green Lantern v2 #88 - Neal Adams art & cover

Green Lantern v2 #88, 1972 - Like many of DC's 52-page bronze age comics, this issue is comprised mostly of reprints. Neal Adams supplies the montage-like cover (except for the bottom panel), showcasing the two original Green Lanterns. Not among his best efforts, details fall short on the small illustrations. Compensating for this is Adams' exquisite pencil sketch for Green Lantern #89. This rough cover increases anticipation for the next issue. An unpublished golden age tale by Carmine Infantino accompanies the silver age reprints. This is number 14 of 15 Green Lantern issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams or Green Lantern issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = **
Adams pencils only 1 page = ***
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Valor #1 - Wally Wood art & cover, Al Williamson / Angelo Torres art

Valor #1, 1955 - One of EC's comics code-approved titles, Valor featured mostly historical adventure tales. Wally Wood's cover, depicting medieval knights in battle, is typical of his fine 1950s work. His interior story, chronicling the return of King Arthur, is equally well drawn. Al Williamson and Angelo Torres tells the story of a Roman-era gladiator. On both tales, the scenes are wonderfully detailed despite the small panels and abundance of text. Other artists in this issue include Bernie Krigstein and Graham Ingels. The interior page shown above is by Williamson. This is number 1 of 4 Valor issues with Wood art and/or covers, number 1 of 1 Valor issues with Torres art and/or covers and number 1 of 4 Valor issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood, Williamson, Torres or Valor issues. See also this blog's Al Williamson checklist, Wally Wood checklist or Angelo Torres checklist.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Arena" Williamson story pencils / Torres inks 7 pages = ***
"The Return of King Arthur" Wood story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Wood issues, >more Williamson issues, >more Torres issues, >more Valor issues

Marvel Two-in-One #55 - John Byrne art

Marvel Two-in-One #55, 1979 - In part three of the Pegasus Project storyline, Black Goliath enters the fray, donning a new costume and renaming himself Giant-Man. John Byrne delivers yet another capably drawn tale, his last on the series. Joe Sinnott faithfully maintains the integrity of the pencils, while adding crispness and clarity. Quasar and Thundra also make appearances. Other artists in this issue include Keith Pollard and Joe Sinnott (cover). This is number 5 of 8 Marvel Two-in-One issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Marvel Two-In-One issues.
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"Giants in the Earth" Byrne story pencils (Joe Sinnott inks) 17 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Byrne issues, >more Marvel Two In One issues

Swamp Thing #12 - Nestor Redondo art & cover

Swamp Thing #12, 1974 - Traveling through different eras in time, the Swamp Thing encounters the same man at each juncture. Nestor Redondo's first cover for the series is skillfully composed and beautifully drawn. His story pages contain the same high level of draftsmanship, from the dinosaur's reptilian skin on pages 1-4 to the lions of ancient Rome on page 7 (see interior page above). Most impressive is the painstaking detail he infuses on nearly every page. This is number 2 of 13 Swamp Thing issues with Redondo art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Redondo or Swamp Thing issues. See also this blog's Redondo checklist or Top 10 Redondo comics.
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Redondo cover pencils and inks = ****
"The Eternity Man" Redondo story pencils and inks 20 pages = ****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Redondo issues, >more Swamp Thing issues

Midget Comics #1 (Fighting Indian Stories) - Matt Baker cover

Midget Comics #1 (Fighting Indian Stories), 1950 - An Indian raises his tomahawk to strike, just as another arrives to the rescue (presumably). Matt Baker's cover is capably designed and illustrated, leading the reader's eye from the masthead to the helpless victim. Native American-inspired patterns, icons and hand drawn letters further enhance the cover's appeal. Only two issues were published in this smaller format (about 5x7), both in the western genre. This is number 1 of 1 Midget Comics issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Baker issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Baker issues

Power Man #45 - Jim Starlin cover

Luke Cage, Power Man #45, 1977 - Jim Starlin's Power Man takes up most of the cover layout, suggesting limited space (and time). His figure has bulk and mass, straining against the chains. His bronze age drawings tend to be slightly cartoonish at times, made more so in this case by the primary color palette. As far as I know, this is Starlin's only rendition of the character. Other artists in this issue include Lee Elias. This is number 1 of 1 Power Man issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin or Power Man 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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Find on ebay:  >this issue, >more Starlin issues, >more Power Man issues

DC Comics Presents #54 - Don Newton art & cover

DC Comics Presents #54, 1983 - Superman and Green Arrow take on a polluting corporation in this environmentally themed story. With twenty-three pages, Don Newton has room to vary panel sizes and layouts. His portrait of Superman on the opening splash page is impressive, taking great care in depicting the hero. Throughout the story, other panels (pages 9-10) seem to reinforce this. By comparison, Newton's cover is just satisfactory. This is number 1 of 1 DC Comics Presents issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or DC Comics Presents issues. See also this blog's Don Newton checklist.
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Newton cover pencils (Dick Giordano inks) = ***
"The Price of Progress" Newton story pencils (Dan Adkins inks) 23 pages = ****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Newton issues, >more DC Comics Presents issues

3-D Comics (Tor #2A) - Joe Kubert art & cover, Russ Heath art

3-D Comics (Tor #2A), October 1953 - Although technically titled "3D Comics", this issue has often been included in comic guides as part of the Tor series. Even more confusing, this is the earlier of two same-numbered issues whose contents differ. Joe Kubert's small cover illustration pales compared to his work inside. Though partially obscured by the 3-D printing effect, there is a high level of effort and detail on all the stories. The scene of a gigantic turtle's attack is one of many exquisitely drawn panels. Additionally, Russ Heath does two splendid informative pages. Other artists in this issue include Norman Maurer. This is number 1 of 5 Tor issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert, Heath or Tor issues. See also this blog's Heath checklist or Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = *
Untitled story ("This is the story of man...") Kubert pencils and inks 8 pages = ****
"Triceritops" Heath story pencils and inks 1 page = ****
Untitled story ("Why is man able to survive...") Kubert pencils and inks 6 pages = ****
Untitled story ("Imagine Yourself...") Kubert pencils and inks 3 pages = ****
"Brontosaurus" Heath story pencils and inks 1 page = ****
"Danny Dreams" Kubert story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Kubert issues, >more Heath issues, >more Tor issues

Spectacular Spider-man v2 #17 - John Byrne cover

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man v2 #17, 1978 - Not long after his stint on The Champions, John Byrne's cover features one of the founding members, the Angel. More visceral than graceful, his artwork comes through despite the domineering masthead and clutter of word balloons. Other artists in this issue include Sal Buscema and Dave Hunt. This is number 1 of 5 Spectacular Spider-man issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Spectacular Spider-man issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Byrne issues, >more Spectacular Spider-man issues

Christmas Parade v2 #2 - Carl Barks reprint

Walt Disney's Christmas Parade v2 #2, 1963 - Carl Barks' superb original cover has been drastically changed, replacing the Donald Duck figure and simplifying many details. Fortunately, with the exception of the back cover, "A Christmas for Shacktown", the inside front cover and inside back cover remain intact. All contents were originally from Donald Duck/Four Color Comics #367. See today's posts or more Barks or Christmas Parade issues.
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Barks issues, >more Christmas Parade issues

The Shadow v2 #3 - Bernie Wrightson art

The Shadow v2 #3, 1973 - A large penitentiary draws suspicion from the Shadow and his team, leading them to the infamous mobster King Cobra. Series artist Michael Kaluta gets a hand from Bernie Wrightson, whose inks significantly enhance the artwork. The opening bank robbery scene (see interior page above) and the exploding prison walls on page 17 are but two of many fine pages and panels. Though their respective styles work well together, only a small handful of other collaborations come to mind. Prior to the first Shadow issue, Wrightson also did a stunning Shadow promotional ad in several DC issues, including Kamandi #2. This is number 1 of 2 Shadow issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or Shadow issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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"Kingdom of the Cobra" Wrightson story inks (Mike Kaluta pencils) 20 pages = ****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Wrightson issues, >more Shadow issues

Nick Fury #6 - Jim Steranko cover

Nick Fury, Agent of Shield #6, 1968 - By this issue, Jim Steranko no longer illustrates the interiors but manages to produce this outstanding cover. A spacesuit-garbed Nick Fury floats adrift while the Earth explodes in the distance. The rough photographic texture of the moon nicely complements the smattering of stars in the background. Devoid of blurbs or titles, the setting suggests the vast silence of space. Not since the EC comics of the 1950s has a science fiction cover made such an artistic contribution. This is number 6 of 7 Nick Fury issues with Steranko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Steranko or Nick Fury issues. See also this blog's Jim Steranko checklist or Top 10 Steranko comics.
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Steranko cover pencils and inks = *****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Steranko issues, >more Nick Fury issues

The World Around Us #28 / Whaling - Angelo Torres art

The World Around Us #28 / The Illustrated Story of Whaling, 1960 - A history of Whaling is outlined from ancient times to closer to the present day. Angelo Torres completes two brief but visually appealing segments, both drawn in his realistic, but graphic style. His expertly rendered scenes of colonial America and his landscape of Mars showcase his artistic versatility. Most of the stories in this issue are relatively short, but it does contain some admirable work from Gray Morrow and George Evans. This is number 6 of 9 World Around Us issues with Torres art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Torres or World Around Us issues. See also this blog's Angelo Torres checklist.
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"Yankee Whaling" Torres story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
"Mars is a World" Torres story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Torres issues, >more World Around Us issues

77 Sunset Strip - comic series checklist

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77 Sunset Strip v1
Dell
1960-62

Four Color Comics 1066 - Alex Toth art
Four Color Comics 1106 - Alex Toth art
Four Color Comics 1159 - Alex Toth art
Four Color Comics 1211 - Russ Manning art
Four Color Comics 1263 - Russ Manning art
Four Color Comics 1291 - Russ Manning art

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77 Sunset Strip v2
Gold Key
1962-63

1 - Russ Manning art
2 - 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.

Twilight Zone - comic series checklist

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Twilight Zone v1
Dell/Gold Key
1961-82

Four Color Comics 1173
Four Color Comics 1288
01-860-207
12-860-210

1 - Frank Frazetta art
2
3 - Alex Toth art
4 - Alex Toth art
5-8
9 - mis-attributed Alex Toth art
10,11
12 - Al Williamson art
13
14 - Angelo Torres art
15-20
21-24
25 - Alex Toth reprint
26-30
31-40
41-49
50 - Walt Simonson art
51 - Al Williamson art
52,53
54 - Walt Simonson art
55 - Walt Simonson art
56-60
61-80
81-83
84 - Frank Miller art (1st in comics)
85 - Frank Miller art
86-92

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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.