Jim Starlin

Four panels of non-stop action fill this original page from Incredible Hulk #222, Jim Starlin's only story in the entire series.

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Neal Adams

Phantom Stranger v2 #19, 1972 - Arctic explorers happen upon one of the their own, completely encased in ice. Meanwhile, an enormous hand reaches for its next victim. Not one of Neal Adams' better covers on the series, the men essentially all share the same expression. Note how the figure on the left is drawn by Jim Aparo, the story artist inside. The cover is also oddly laid out, causing competing focal points. This is number 17 of 17 Phantom Stranger issues with Adams art and/or covers.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***

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>this issue >Adams >Phantom Stranger

Jace Pearson's Tales of the Texas Rangers v1 #15, 1957 - Alex Toth's back-up story chronicles one of the founding fathers of Texas, Stephen Fuller Austin. Told in a documentary style, the artist relies on captions rather than dialogue or word balloons. The first page is fairly sparse, but the scenes that follow are more effectively drawn and heavily detailed. The main feature (based on the 1950s television show) is also capably drawn, although the artist's name escapes me. This is number 1 of 2 Jace Pearson's Texas Rangers issues with Toth art and/or covers.
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"Famous Texans - Stephen Fuller Austin, Father of Texas" Toth story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***

Alex Toth

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>this issue >Toth >Jace Pearson Texas Rangers

 Frank Miller

Rai v1 #6, 1992 - One of six covers for six different Valiant titles, Frank Miller does his own interpretation of the title characters. Although each is rendered in his preferred graphic style of the period, most are also rich and textural. Interestingly, not only were the covers published at the same time, but placed together they form a larger mural-like illustration. Other artists in this issue include Joe St. Pierre, Sal Velluto and Kathryn Bolinger. This is number 1 of 1 Rai issues with Miller art and/or covers.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = ***

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>this issue >Miller >Rai

Barry Windsor Smith

Daredevil v1 #52, 1969 - Holding a hostage, the deranged Starr Saxon now must contend with both Daredevil and the Black Panther. Barry Smith's cover is more interesting than previous efforts, although the perspective lines seem irrelevant and gratuitous. Though his drawings still lack polish, the artist continues to push the boundaries of layout and panel sequencing. The vertigo-inducing chase scene on page 8 and the Panther's acrobatics (see interior page below) are but two fine examples. Of Smith's three early Daredevil stories, this one is the most visually intriguing. This is number 3 of 6 Daredevil issues with Smith art and/or covers.
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Smith cover pencils (Johnny Craig inks) = **
"The Night of the Panther" Smith story pencils (Johnny Craig inks) 20 pages = ***

Barry Windsor Smith

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Joe Kubert

Unknown Soldier v1 #256, 1981 - Walt Simonson's superb drawings grace the Captain Fear back-up feature one last time. In his large opening panel, seabirds waft about two 18th century warships, perfectly setting the historical period and tone of the story. Simonson utilizes typography and some memorable and innovative sequences (including the interior page below). On page 3, the arc of a lit cigar is flung into a kerosene-soaked ship. The resulting explosion and overall pacing has a fine cinematic quality. This story was later reprinted in The Art of Walt Simonson. Joe Kubert does a reliable but unassuming cover. This is number 3 of 3 Unknown Soldier issues with Simonson art and/or covers.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Captain Fear" Simonson story pencils and inks 6 pages = ****

Walt Simonson

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>this issue >Kubert >Simonson >Unknown Soldier

 
(Walt Disney's) Uncle Scrooge v1 #14, 1977 - Featuring work by Carl Barks, this issue contains material from earlier in the series. The feature story "All at Sea" was first published in Uncle Scrooge #31. Other artists in this issue include Tony Strobl.

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>this issue >Barks >Uncle Scrooge

Marshall Rogers

Silver Surfer v3 #2, 1987 - At long last returning to his home planet, the Surfer reunites with his love Shalla Bal and his countrymen. The artwork by Marshall Rogers is stiffly drawn and conservatively laid out. Pages 13-14 are exceptions, depicting a blistering Skrull attack on our hero. Rogers' uninspired cover isn't much better than his story art. This is number 2 of 13 Silver Surfer issues with Rogers art and/or covers.
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Rogers cover pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) = **
"Shalla Bal" Rogers story pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) 22 pages = **

Marshall Rogers

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>this issue >Rogers >Silver Surfer

Joe Kubert

7.  Rima the Jungle Girl v1 #6, 1975 - A gorgeous opening splash reveals a jungle encampment and a hunter's quest for the legendary white jaguar. The detailing of the surrounding trees and plants is typical of Nestor Redondo's fine craftsmanship. A stunning spread follows, depicting Rima running alongside two jungle cats. Most of the story pages are pastoral in feeling, drawn with consummate skill and grace. Despite what comic book price guides say, there is no Alex Nino art in this issue. However, Joe Kubert supplies yet another competent cover. Other artists in this issue include Ric Estrada. This is number 6 of 6 Rima issues with Redondo art and/or covers and number 6 of 7 Rima issues with Kubert art and/or covers. This is also one of Redondo's Top 10 comics.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Safari of Death" Redondo story pencils and inks 14 pages = *****

Nestor Redondo

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>this issue >Nino >Redondo >Kubert >Rima

Steve Ditko

Amazing Spider-man v1 #25, 1965 - In possibly the silliest plot of the series, a scientist invents a remote control robot capable of defeating Spider-man. Steve Ditko's gallery of characters seems misplaced on the opening splash, but his remaining pages are confidently drawn. The J. Jonah Jameson-controlled robot does seem to have a an organic quality that's visually interesting. Ditko uses this to full effect on the cover design. This is number 25 of 38 Amazing Spider-man issues with Ditko art and/or covers.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = ***
"Captured by J. Jonah Jameson" Ditko story pencils and inks 20 pages = ***

Steve Ditko

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>this issue >Ditko >Amazing Spider-man

Marvel Premiere v1 #7 featuring Doctor Strange, 1973 - A grotesque hand beckons the sorcerer supreme and his companions on this terrific Mike Ploog cover. The oozing, viscous quality is a hallmark of the artist, emphasizing the more horrific elements of the story. Sadly, Ploog never drew a Doctor Strange story in this series. However, this brief glimpse clearly shows his style is compatible with the central characters. Other artists in this issue include P. Craig Russell, Mike Esposito, Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt. This is number 3 of 4 Marvel Premiere issues with Ploog art and/or covers. 
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Ploog cover pencils and inks = ***

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>this issue >Ploog >Marvel Premiere

Jack Kirby

Love Romances v1 #106, 1963 - Despite the cover's confrontational scene, Jack Kirby perhaps unintentionally downplays the characters. The background is rife with details, particularly the room furnishings. While it clearly establishes an upscale household setting, it also detracts from the main figures. Other artists in this issue include Vince Colletta, Dick Giordano and Al Hartley.
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Kirby cover pencils (Dick Ayers inks) = **

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>this issue >Kirby >Love Romances

Weird Mystery Tales v1 #13, 1974 - Researching his next film, a famous director delves into the legend of the London werewolf. Alex Nino's rendition of the monster is savagely fierce and vaguely surreal. The artist favors stacked horizontal panels, displaying wide, revealing settings. The total effect is a story that's suggestively and not surprisingly, cinematic. Other artists in this issue include Alfredo Alcala, Jess Jodloman and Luis Domingez (cover). This is number 4 of 6 Weird Mystery Tales issues with Nino art and/or covers.
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"Search for a Werewolf" Nino story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***

Alex Nino

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>this issue  >Nino >Weird Mystery Tales

Wally Wood

Tales From the Crypt v1 #26, 1951 - Unrelated to any of the stories inside, Wally Wood's cover is meticulously drawn and detailed. This scene of a community exhumation is held at night, yet the artist uses careful lighting to further dramatize the event. The main figure in blue points toward the church cross, perhaps suggesting his role as a pastor. This is easily among Wood's best covers for EC. Other artists in this issue include Jack Davis and Graham Ingels. This is number 4 of 5 Tales From the Crypt issues with Wood art and/or covers.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ****

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>this issue >Wood >Tales From the Crypt

DC Comics Presents v1 #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.
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Newton cover pencils (Dick Giordano inks) = ***
"The Price of Progress" Newton story pencils (Dan Adkins inks) 23 pages = ****

Don Newton

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>this issue >Newton >DC Comics Presents

Walt Simonson

X-Factor v1 #12, 1987 - Near the beginning of his run on the title, Walt Simonson only provides the cover this issue. Focusing on three characters, Boom Boom, Beast and Iceman, there's a lack of hierarchy that flattens the picture plane. Stylistically, the art is consistent with other works from the same era, but the layout falls short. Other artists include Marc Silvestri and Bob Wiacek. This is number 3 of 28 X-Factor issues with Simonson art and/or covers.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = **

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>this issue >Simonson  >X-Factor

Gunsmoke v2 #12, 1958 - The last of Al Williamson's work on the series, "The Elusive Luke McGlue" is his best effort of them all. Short in story length and devoid of much action, the artwork nonetheless shows a mastery of line and brushwork. The first two pages display a multitude of character faces and figures (see interior page below), drawn with great clarity and confidence. Overall, Williamson's inks are sharp and crisp, more cleanly delineating his superb pencils. This is number 5 of 5 Gunsmoke issues with Williamson art and/or covers.
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"The Elusive Luke McGlue" Williamson story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***

Al Williamson

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>this issue >Williamson >Gunsmoke

Joe Kubert 

Star Spangled War Stories v1 #158, 1970 - Imprisoned in a concentration camp, a disguised Unknown Soldier tries to free an invaluable member of the underground resistance. Joe Kubert captures the brutality of the Nazis with cool precision. His fine drawings live within carefully constructed layouts. Pages 2-3 are particularly good, using the body of a fallen prisoner to fit snugly within a long horizontal panel. A brand new Enemy Ace pin-up accompanies his first appearance reprinted from Our Army at War #151 (also by Kubert). Other artists in this issue include Russ Heath and Irv Novick. 
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Totentantz" Kubert story pencils and inks 11 pages = ****
"The Hammer of Hell" Kubert pin-up pencils and inks 2 pages = ***

Joe Kubert

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