Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #2
Tales of the Mysterious Traveler v1 #2, 1957 - Based on the radio anthology series from the 1940s, this comic also featured a mysterious host that told chilling stories. Steve Ditko's classic run on this series starts here. Wilbur, a friendless country bumpkin, sees a flying basket in the night sky and prepares to tell the whole town. The drawings are carefully rendered, especially the rural backgrounds and expressive faces. Ditko's first panel nicely sets the stage, capturing the main character's shock and disbelief. This story was later reprinted in Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #14. This is 1 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues by Ditko.
- - - - - - - - - -
"What Wilbur Saw" Ditko story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***

Steve Ditko
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Ditko / Tales of the Mysterious Traveler / Charlton
ebay  >this issue
More Fun Comics #55
More Fun Comics v1 #55, 1940 - A wizard named Wotan threatens a beautiful woman, using her to draw out Doctor Fate. As Inza looks on, two masters of ancient magic battle for domination. Fate emerges victorious after negating his opponent's powers and tossing him off a building. This Gardner Fox story, drawn by Howard Sherman, offers only a brief description of the hero rather than an origin. No powers are mentioned, but it suggests Fate's vast knowledge of science and the occult from past millenia. Bernard Baily illustrates the cover and main Spectre feature. /// key 1st appearance Doctor Fate, Inza, Wotan
- - - - - - - - - -
"Doctor Fate" 6 pages

1st Doctor Fate
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / More Fun Comics / DC
ebay  >this issue
Captain America #251 marvel 1980s bronze age comic book cover art by John Byrne
John Byrne
Captain America v1 #251, 1980 - After Batroc breaks Mr. Hyde out of prison, the duo connive to threaten Manhattan with an explosive-filled tanker. New York City landmarks and architecture are frequently present in this terrific John Byrne story. In addition to Cap's confrontation with the villains, the artist includes a brief retelling of the hero's revival and subsequent career. Most impressive is Byrne's magnificent opening splash. His portrait of Captain America gazing proudly at the skyline is the finest page in his entire run. This is 7 of 15 Captain America issues by Byrne. /// Byrne gallery
- - - - - - - - - -
Byrne cover pencils (Josef Rubinstein inks) = ***
"The Mercenary and the Madman" Byrne story pencils (Josef Rubinstein inks) 17 pages = ****

Captain America #251 marvel 1980s bronze age comic book page art by John Byrne
John Byrne
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Byrne / Captain America / Marvel
ebay  >this issue
Marshall Rogers
Silver Surfer v3 #21, 1989 - The Obliterator returns, seeking revenge and another battle with the Silver Surfer. The initial artist on this series, Marshall Rogers returns to illustrate one more cover and story. Aside from the cover, the artwork is purposefully drawn within competent layouts. In addition to a compelling two-page spread of an asteroid belt (pages 8-9), Rogers also uses large, spacious panels throughout. Much of the credit goes to Dave Cockrum, whose delineations are far better than average. This is 13 of 13 Silver Surfer v3 issues by Rogers.
- - - - - - - - - -
Rogers cover pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) = **
"You Say You Want Obliteration" Rogers story pencils (Dave Cockrum inks) 22 pages = ***
Marshall Rogers

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Rogers / Silver Surfer / Marvel
ebay  >this issue
Matt Baker
Diary Secrets v1 #19, 1953 - While watching a sporting event, a handsome spectator makes a date with the concessions girl. Matt Baker makes the most of this innocuous event, filling the stands with fans of varying degrees of enthusiasm. Judging by the woman on the left in the background, there's little action on the field. Inside, the three Baker stories are all reprints. "Temptation Was My Weakness"(originally titled "How Could I Fight Temptation?") and "My Rx Love" (originally titled "I Dared to Kiss and Tell") are both from Teen-Age Romances #2. "Phony Glamour Led to Tears" (originally titled "I Tried to Be A Hollywood Glamour Girl") first appeared in Pictorial Confessions #2. Other artists in this golden age comic include Lily Renee. This is 10 of 21 Diary Secrets issues by Baker.
- - - - - - - - - -
Baker cover pencils and inks = ****

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Baker / Diary Secrets / St. John
ebay  >this issue
"Marvel is on the move again"
Marvel in-house comic book ad, 1970s - Touting two upcoming new horror titles: Frankenstein #1 and Crypt of Shadows #1. Apparently endorsed by the cast of Marvel heroes floating around the headline. Published in Chamber of Chills #2.

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Ads 
Amazing Spider-Man #101
Amazing Spider-Man v1 #101, 1971 - Trying to rid himself of his spider powers, Peter Parker ingests an untested serum that instead grows additional arms. He hides out in Doctor Connor's abandoned house, where a reluctant vampire named Morbius also takes refuge. When Connors arrives, his transformation into the Lizard starts a battle between villains over the privilege of killing Spider-man. This Roy Thomas story was drawn by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. Cover by Kane. /// key 1st appearance Morbius
- - - - - - - - - -
"A Monster Called Morbius" 20 pages

1st Morbius
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Amazing Spider-Man / Marvel
ebay  >this issue
Superman v1 #249 dc comic book cover art by Neal Adams
Neal Adams
Superman v1 #249, 1971 - Terra-Man makes his first appearance on this well drawn, but oddly composed Neal Adams cover. Superman appears to be ducking from the attack, but his clenched fist suggests he's holding onto the background tower (he's not). Accompanying the main feature inside, a back-up tale reveals Terra-Man's origin. Ably drawn by Dick Dillin, Adams inks the pencils with skill and confidence. The two artists' similarity in style is a distinct advantage, although their collaborations has been rare (I can think of only one other). This story was later reprinted in Limited Collectors Edition #C-39. This issue also includes artwork by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson. This is 21 of 32 Superman issues by Adams. /// key 1st appearance, 1st origin Terra Man 
- - - - - - - - - -
Adams cover pencils and inks = **
"The Origin of Terra-Man" Adams story inks (Dick Dillin pencils) 7 pages = ***

Superman v1 #249 dc comic book page art by Neal Adams
Neal Adams
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Adams / Superman / DC
ebay  >this issue
Detective Comics #484
Detective Comics v1 #484, 1979 - The Batman confronts the criminal genius Mister Zeus in his own lair, but falls for a mythologically-themed trap. Early in his run on the series, Don Newton shows off his version of the caped crusader: serious, pensive and dramatically lit. In Steve Ditko's tale, Baron Tyme forces the Demon to lead him to the ancient tomb of the legendary Merlin. Aside from the opening splash, the panels are fairly crowded. Yet Ditko maintains a respective level of detail, waning only towards the end. Other artists in this bronze age comic include Dick Giordano. This is 4 of 39 Detective Comics issues by Newton and 2 of 4 Detective Comics issues by Ditko. 
- - - - - - - - - -
"Assault on Olympus" Newton story pencils (Dan Adkins inks) 16 pages = ****
"Tyme Has No Secrets" Ditko story pencils and inks 9 pages = ***

Steve Ditko
Don Newton
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Ditko / Newton / Detective Comics / DC
ebay  >this issue
Bernie Wrightson
Original unused cover for Creatures on the Loose #10, 1970s

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Original art / Wrightson original art
ebay  >Wrightson original art
Showcase #17
Showcase v1 #17, 1958 - An archeologist finds an ancient Incan city, only to be attacked by the natives for his discovery. While escaping, Adam Strange is suddenly transported across space to the planet Ranagar. There he befriends the beautiful Alanna and her scientist father Sardath. Donning a space suit equipped with jetpack and weapons, he aids them against a looming alien threat. Both Gardner Fox stories were drawn by Mike Sekowsky, Frank Giacoia and Joe Giella. Cover by Gil Kane. /// key 1st appearance, 1st origin Adam Strange, 1st appearance Alanna
- - - - - - - - - -
"Secret of the Eternal City" 15 pages
"The Planet and the Pendelum" 10 pages

1st Adam Strange
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Showcase / DC
ebay  >this issue
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #83
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories v1 #83, 1947 - Intent on having a daytime nap, Donald Duck is constantly pestered by traveling salesmen. This running gag allows Carl Barks to pace the story rapidly, while Donald's temper slowly comes to a boil. While most of the panels are one-eighth of a page, his final scene is a wide shot of him in a characteristic rage. This story was later reprinted in >Mickey and Donald #7. Cover by Walt Kelly. This is 52 of 280 Walt Disney's Comics and Stories issues by Barks.
- - - - - - - - - -
Untitled Barks story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***

Carl Barks
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Barks / Walt Disney's Comics and Stories / Dell
ebay  >this issue 


All Russ Manning story art on 77 Sunset Strip issues, 1960s

FC #1211
FC #1263
FC #1291
#1
#2
#01-742-209




















- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Galleries / Manning galleries 

Hercules Unbound v1 #2, 1976 - Sent by the god of war, Cerebus and his three-headed dogs are sent to attack Hercules and kidnap Jennifer Monroe. With the addition of this female supporting character, Wally Wood shows off his talent for drawing attractive women. His inks mostly dominate J.L. Garcia Lopez's pencils, with pleasing results. The story's highlight is the splash of Cerebus, striking the ground with enough force to start an earthquake (page 13). This is 2 of 8 Hercules Unbound issues by Wood.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Unleash The Hounds of Hell" Wood story inks (Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pencils) 18 pages = ***

Wally Wood
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Wood / Hercules Unbound / DC
ebay  >this issue
X-men #64
X-men v1 #64, 1970 - Seeking revenge for Hiroshima, young Shiro Yoshida uses his mutant powers to attack the US Capitol building. The X-men intervene and feel the full brunt of his solar powers. Only by tragic circumstances does Shiro change his stance. Sunfire makes his debut as Marvel's first Asian superhero. Later, he would be recruited as one of the new bronze age X-men. This Roy Thomas story was drawn by Don Heck and Tom Palmer. Cover by Heck and Palmer. /// key 1st appearance, 1st origin Sunfire
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Coming of Sunfire" 20 pages

1st Sunfire
- - - - - - - - - -
Home / X-men / Marvel
ebay >this issue