Savage Tales #7

Savage Tales v1 #7 featuring Ka-Zar, 1974 - Attempting to rescue a woman named Myrain, Ka-Zar follows the trail of her captors to a sacrificial temple. John Buscema's pencils are delineated by the "Crusty Bunkers", an informal group of artists led by Neal Adams. In this story, his contributions are significant, inking the majority of faces and figures (including the saber-tooth Zabu). Where Adams' hand is evident, the panels are greatly enhanced. Other artists in this issue include John Buscema, Alfredo Alcala, Tony DeZuniga and Steve Gan. Cover by Boris Vallejo. This is number 4 of 5 Savage Tales issues with Adams art and/or covers.
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Dream Temple of Kandu Ra" Adams partial story inks (John Buscema pencils) 16 pages (black and white) = ***

Neal Adams

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Adams / Savage Tales
ebay  >this issue

- - - - - - - - - -
Young Romance v1
Prize / DC
1947-63

v1 1 (#1)
v1 2 - v16 4 (#2-124)
125-162
163 - Toth art
164 - Toth art
165-208

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / DC / A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

All-Star Western v2 #10

All-Star Western v2 #10, 1972 - Late in this series run, DC introduces a new western anti-hero. A former Confederate soldier, Jonah Hex makes use of his talent for killing as a full time bounty hunter. The story mostly centers around his arrival in a small town, stringing along the dead bodies of wanted men. The character's personality, occupation and motivation are quickly established, without referring to his past or origins. His disfiguration is only revealed toward the end, piquing the reader's interest. This is Jonah's key first appearance. Also featured in this DC bronze age western comic are El Diablo and Bat Lash. See more All-Star Western issues.

- - - - - - - - - -
"Welcome to Paradise" 16 pages

1st Jonah Hex

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Keys / All-Star Western
ebay  >this issue

Frontline Combat #9

Frontline Combat v1 #9, 1952 - The Civil War is the theme for this special EC issue. Wally Wood chronicles the early days leading up to the conflict. In St. Louis, crowds gather in the streets, anticipating violence. The artwork is exquisitely drawn, starting with the opening panel. A pair of military drums in the foreground and a riverboat in the far distance are carefully placed to increase the illusion of depth. Wood's artwork excels even amongst his talented EC peers. This story was later reprinted in Frontline Combat v2 #9. Other artists in this EC golden age war comic include Jack Davis, John Severin and Will Elder. Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. This is number 8 of 13 Frontline Combat issues with Wood art and/or covers. This issue is also included in this Wood gallery. 

- - - - - - - - - -
"Choose Sides" Wood story pencils and inks 6 pages = ****

Wally Wood

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Wood / Frontline Combat
ebay  >this issue >Wood

Mike Ploog

Lone Wolf and Cub v1 #42, 1991 - Mike Ploog nears the end of his run on the series, depicting one of his more somber covers. Amidst a group of knife-wielding geishas, the lead character seems hesitant and unsure. The dark background makes the women looks all the more sinister. Other artists in this copper age adventure issue include Goseki Kojim. This is number 6 of 7 Lone Wolf and Cub issues with Ploog art and/or covers.

- - - - - - - - - -
Ploog cover painting = ***

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Ploog / Lone Wolf and Cub
ebay  >this issue >Ploog 

Wild Western #54

Wild Western v1 #54, 1956 - A cattle rustler imposes upon the hospitality of his brother, much to the dismay of the wife. Al Williamson's opening panel is rather tame, but remaining pages tell the tale with grit and brevity. Toward the end, a surprising twist is framed in an amorphous shape, heightening the scene's tension. Ralph Mayo's inks add polish and clarity to the pencils. In the same issue, Williamson provides two small text illustrations inked by Angelo Torres. Other artists in this Atlas golden age western comic include Jack Keller, Dick Ayers, Syd Shores and Fred Kida. Cover by Joe Maneely. This is number 2 of 3 Wild Western issues with Williamson art and/or covers.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Where Rides the Rustler" Williamson story pencils (Ralph Mayo inks) 5 pages = ***
"The Debt" Williamson story pencils (Angelo Torres inks) 2 text illos = **

Al Williamson

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Williamson / Wild Western
ebay  >this issue

Creepy #143

Creepy v1 #143, 1982 - Building upon the H.G. Wells classic, the son of the Invisible Man seeks revenge on the man who turned in his father to authorities. One of Alex Nino's more straightforward tales, his layouts use standard four-panel and six-panel grids. His usual sharp, graphic style is replaced with soft washes of gray. While less daring than his other works, the illustrations are skillfully done. All in all, it's fascinating to see a completely different approach from Nino. Other artists in this Warren bronze age horror magazine include Isidro Mones, Al Sanchez and Martin Salvador. This is number 14 of 14 Creepy issues with Nino art and/or covers (not including reprints). 
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Continuing Story of H.G. Wells' the Invisible Man" Nino story pencils and inks 8 pages (black and white) = ***

Alex Nino

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Nino / Creepy
ebay >this issue

77 Sunset Strip / Four Color Comics v2 #1159

77 Sunset Strip / Four Color Comics v2 #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 below) 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 silver age crime comic was published by Dell. This is number 3 of 3 77 Sunset Strip issues with Toth art and/or covers.
- - - - - - - - - -
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 = ***

Alex Toth

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Toth / 77 Sunset Strip / Four Color Comics
ebay  >this issue

Frank Miller

Solar Man of the Atom v1 #12, 1991 - One of eight covers for eight different Valiant titles, Frank Miller does his own interpretation of the title character. 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 Valiant modern superhero issue include Don Perlin. This is number 1 of 1 Solar issues with Miller art and/or covers. This issue is also included in this Miller gallery.

- - - - - - - - - -
Miller cover pencils and inks = ***

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Miller / Solar
ebay  >this issue >Miller

Barry Windsor Smith

Uncanny X-men v1 #214, 1987 - An entity named Malice takes over Dazzler's mind and body, wreaking havoc amongst the X-men. Barry Smith and Art Adams join forces on the cover (their only collaboration?), blending their surprisingly compatible styles. Inside, Smith's high degree of craft is evident in the drawings, layouts and pacing on each page. Additionally, Bob Wiacek does a credible job with the inks, adding definition without sacrificing detail. This is number 8 of 9 X-men issues with Smith art and/or covers. This Marvel copper age superhero comic is also included in this Smith gallery. 

- - - - - - - - - -
Smith cover inks (Arthur Adams pencils) = ***
"With Malice Toward All" Smith story pencils (Bob Wiacek inks) 22 pages = ***

Barry Windsor Smith

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Smith / X-men
ebay  >this issue

Walt Simonson

Manhunter v1 #1, 1984 - During the 1970s, the Manhunter back-up series from Detective Comics #437-443 won a slew of comic book industry awards for writer Archie Goodwin and artist Walt Simonson. This special edition reprints the entire run for the very first time. Though the improved paper stock results in brighter colors, but I still prefer the originals. Simonson's dazzling new cover utilizes characters and weapons from the original storyline, making this edition a worthy supplement. This copper age superhero comic was published by DC. This is number 1 of 1 Manhunter issues with Simonson art and/or covers. 

- - - - - - - - - -
Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Simonson / Manhunter
ebay  >this issue

Tarzan #197

Tarzan v1 #197, 1970 - Accompanying the main story is a Russ Manning reprint from Tarzan #120. Note that Manning provided artwork for a total of 132 issues of Tarzan. Other artists in this Gold Key bronze age adventure issue include George Wilson, Paul Norris and Mike Royer.

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Manning / Tarzan
ebay >this issue

Our Fighting Forces #51

Our Fighting Forces v1 #51, 1959 - From rocky mountain tops to dense jungles, Sarge puts Gunner in precarious situations under enemy fire. Joe Kubert's exemplary tale begins in an underwater cave, where the opening serves to frame the main characters within the layout. A high degree of craftsmanship permeates each page and panel, despite the varied settings. Kubert's artwork stands out more so due to his relatively few stories within this title. "Underwater Gunner" was later reprinted in >Our Army at War #190. Other artists in this DC golden age war issue include Ross Andru. Cover by Russ Heath, replicating Kubert's inside title page. This is number 30 of 110 Our Fighting Forces issues with Kubert art and/or covers. 
- - - - - - - - - -
"Underwater Gunner" Kubert story pencils and inks 13 pages = *****

Joe Kubert

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Kubert / Our Fighting Forces
ebay >this issue

G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #75

G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero v1 #75, 1988 - Marshall Rogers infuses the story with plenty of details, including various military craft and hardware. And yet, little attention is paid to depth as the majority of scenes come from too few vantage points. The figures are still and wooden, almost like plastic army men placed around dioramas. The page layouts and pacing are woefully monotonous. The overall effort is a far cry from Rogers' heyday only a decade before. Other artists in this Marvel copper age war comic include Ron Wagner (cover). This is number 2 of 8 G.I. Joe issues with Rogers art and/or covers. 

- - - - - - - - - -
"Holding Actions" Rogers pencils (Fred Fredericks inks) 22 pages = *

Marshall Rogers

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Rogers / G.I. Joe
ebay  >this issue >Rogers

Phantom Stranger v2 #32

Phantom Stranger v2 #32, 1974 - In the issue's back-up feature, the Black Orchid seemingly turns to crime, starting with the jewelry emporium. Graceful and lithe, Nestor Redondo's artwork is perfectly suited for this female super-heroine. His fluid brushwork appears on all pages, but most spectacularly on the opening scene. This full page splash focuses on Black Orchid's costumed figure as she takes flight. Other artists in this DC bronze age horror comic include Luis Dominguez, Bill Draut and Jim Aparo. This is number 1 of 3 Phantom Stranger v2 issues with Redondo art and/or covers. 

- - - - - - - - - -
"The Crime of the Black Orchid" Redondo story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***

Nestor Redondo

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Redondo / Phantom Stranger
ebay  >this issue >Redondo