Mike Ploog

Lone Wolf and Cub v1 #43, 1991 - An attacker on horseback seemingly appears from nowhere, catching our hero off guard. Mike Ploog employs a subtle Z shaped path for the reader's eye to follow. The diagonals bring added excitement to the scene. I even like how the horse is maniacally threatening. Other artists in this issue include Goseki Kojim. This is number 7 of 7 Lone Wolf and Cub issues with Ploog art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Ploog or >Lone Wolf and Cub issue on ebay.
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Ploog cover painting = ***

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Creepy #100

Creepy v1 #100, 1978 - An unnamed city experiences wanton crime and destruction through a city-wide blackout. Oriented in a horizontal format, Alex Nino lays out his pages (except the opening splash) into six vertical panel grids. As the story is told as a sequence of events, the format works rather beautifully. Each panel is meticulous in its design and purpose. Nino's varied drawings ensure there's maximum clarity with little monotony. Other artists in this Warren bronze age horror magazine include John Severin, Luis Bermejo and Russ Heath. This is number 6 of 14 Creepy issues with Nino art and/or covers (not including reprints). Find >this issue or more >Nino or >Creepy issues on ebay.
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"They're Going to be Turning Out the Lights" Nino story pencils and inks 9 pages (black and white) = ****

Alex Nino

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 Don Newton

Original page, Batman #376:

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Tarzan #81

Tarzan v1 #81, 1956 - Trapped in the cleft of a cliff, Dan-El fends off a gang of killers led by Nagopa the witch man. Russ Manning varies his layouts,  his own style progressing quite nicely. His animal renditions are especially good this issue, staring with the dangerously lunging lion on the first page. Other artists in this Dell golden age adventure comic include Jesse Marsh. This is number 39 of 132 Tarzan issues with Manning art and/or covers (not including reprints). Find >this issue or more >Manning or >Tarzan issues on ebay.
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Untitled Manning Brothers of the Spear story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***

Russ Manning

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Frank Miller

Dark Knight Strikes Again v1 #3, 2001 - Superman's daughter submits to Brainiac, a psycho killer captures Carrie Kelly and the world seems to be coming to an end by Lex Luthor's hand. This is, unless Batman and his allies have a final ace up their sleeve. Complex and involving far more characters than his previous Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller's story ratchets up the tension and action. His artwork, with its overly distorted faces and figure drawings, unfortunately devolves int a harsh, unappealing style. The artist's only saving grace is the paint splattered cover, reminiscent of sports illustrator Leroy Neiman. This modern age superhero comic was published by DC. This is number 3 of 3 Dark Knight Strikes Again issues with Miller art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Miller or >Batman issues on ebay.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = **
Miller story pencils and inks 76 pages = **

Frank Miller

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Joe Kubert

Our Army at War v1 #233 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1971 - A renegade GI named Johnny Doe makes short work of the enemy, and anyone else that gets in his way, including civilians. There's a nuance and complexity to the story that Joe Kubert captures perfectly. Varying perspectives and changing panel shapes, the artist holds the reader's attention from start to finish. Kubert's strong sense of design also permeates the layouts (see interior page below). This story was later reprinted in >DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #18. Other artists in this DC bronze age war comic include Sam Glanzman. This is number 167 of 235 Our Army at War issues with Kubert art and/or covers (not including reprints). Find >this issue or more >Kubert or >Our Army At War issues on ebay.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Head Count" Kubert story pencils and inks 12 pages = ****

Joe Kubert

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Jack Kirby

Challengers of the Unknown v1 #6, 1959 - In two separate adventures, the Challengers are forced to become performers in an interplanetary circus and an uncharted island endows magical powers on June, the Challengers' unofficial fifth member. Jack Kirby's cover is disappointingly short of detail,  but his story art meets expectations. Wally Wood's inking continues to add clear definition and greater richness and texture. Of the two, "Captives of the Space Circus" is more memorable due to its creative setting and characters. This story was later reprinted in >Super DC Giant #S-25. This bronze silver age science fiction comic was published by DC. This is number 6 of 8 Challengers of the Unknown issues with Kirby art and/or covers (not including reprints) and number 3 of 5 Challengers of the Unknown issues with Wood art and/or covers.
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Kirby cover pencils and inks = **
"The Sorceress of Forbidden Valley" Kirby story pencils / Wood inks 10 pages = ***
"Captives of the Space Circus" Kirby story pencils / Wood inks 15 pages = ***

Jack Kirby / Wally Wood

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Quiz:
Which comic had the only collaboration between Jeff Jones and Barry Windsor Smith?
Answer

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Battle #55

1. Battle v1 #55, 1957 - Though relatively short, Al Williamson's story about a World War II tank battle is a masterpiece. The openness of his panels allow the reader to flow from one scene to the next, while others suggest the tank's claustrophobic nature. Williamson's exceptional drawings are further augmented by his precise inking. Shadows are meticulously rendered and placed to infuse dramatic tension at the right moments. Overall, the story is among the finest works of his career. This story has also been reprinted in War is Hell #1. Other artists in this issue include Gene Colan, Bob Powell and George Woodbridge. Cover by John Severin. This is number 1 of 3 Battle issues with Williamson art and/or covers. This Atlas golden age war comic is also one of my Top 10 Williamson comics. Find >this issue or more >Williamson or >Battle issues on ebay.
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"Helpless" Williamson story pencils (Roy Krenkel inks) 5 pages = *****

Al Williamson

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Happy Comics #21

Happy Comics v1 #21, 1947 - Three Frank Frazetta works benefit this issue, all illustrations for single page text stories. Both "High Flying Squirrel" and "Friendly Spider" are drawn straightforwardly with few additional details. A third story, "Sharpy the Salmon", displays a tad less enthusiasm and effort. Other artists in this golden age humor comic include Al Hubbard and Jack Bradbury. This is number 2 of 18 Happy Comics issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Frazetta or >Happy Comics issues on ebay.
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"The High Flying Squirrel" Frazetta text illo pencils and inks 1 page = ***
"Sharpy the Salmon" Frazetta text illo pencils and inks 1 page = **
"The Friendly Spider" Frazetta text illo pencils and inks 1 page = ***

Frank Frazetta

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The Unseen #15

The Unseen v1 #15, 1954 - No Alex Toth art in this Standard golden age horror comic, despite what some comic book price guides say. However, Toth did draw 4 other issues of the Unseen. Find >Toth or >Unseen issues on ebay.

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Amazing Spider-man #113

Amazing Spider-man v1 #113, 1973 - While suffering from an unknown illness, Peter Parker also must contend with the return of Doctor Octopus. Along with Tony Mortellaro, Jim Starlin is credited with assisting series artist John Romita. Assuming he did part of the inking, Starlin's hand is nowhere to be seen. One of his earliest works for Marvel, perhaps he ceded to the "house style" rather than making his own presence felt. Regardless, the results are a little disappointing for Starlin's first professional start in comics. This bronze age superhero comic was published by Marvel. This is number 1 of 3 Amazing Spider-Man issues with Starlin art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Starlin or >Amazing Spider-man issues on ebay.
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“They Call the Doctor... Octopus” Starlin partial story inks (John Romita pencils) 20 pages = *

Jim Starlin

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My Greatest Adventure #80

My Greatest Adventure v1 #80, 1963 - Three outcasts with uncanny abilities are assembled by the wheelchair-bound genius, Niles Caulder. With his leadership they take on the world's menaces, including the threat of the evil General Immortus. The Doom Patrol makes its key first appearance, comprised of Elasti-Girl (Rita Farr), Negative Man (Larry Trainor) and the silver age Robotman (Cliff Steele). The team's adventures begin in this DC silver age superhero comic, lasting until the very end of this title. See more My Greatest Adventure issues. Find >this issue or more >My Greatest Adventure issues.
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"Doom Patrol" 12 pages

1st Doom Patrol appearance 

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Barry Windsor Smith

Original splash page from X-Men #53, 1960s

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Walt Simonson

Battlestar Galactica v1 #20, 1980 - With the entire fleet at stake, Starbuck must duel to the death with Eurayle, queen of Scavenge World. Nearing the end of his run on the series, Walt Simonson's style asserts itself more than any of his earlier efforts. His deftly composed cover art stands out despite all the surrounding text. The same scene within the story is expertly drawn and paced, climaxing in a large, explosive panel. This is number 12 of 14 Battlestar Galactica issues with Simonson art and/or covers. This Marvel copper age science fiction comic is also included in this Simonson gallery. Find >this issue or more >Simonson or >Battlestar Galactica comics on ebay.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
"Hell Hath No Fury" Simonson story pencils (Klaus Jason inks) 17 pages = ***

Walt Simonson

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