Joe Kubert

Weird War Tales v1 #51, 1977 - Nestor Redondo and Joe Kubert each make small but significant contributions to the issue. Redondo's intro is looser and more graphically rendered than his usual style. The high point of the issue is a "Tale of the Great Disaster", expanding upon Jack Kirby's Kamandi series. Set in a post-apocalyptic England, the canine residents are threatened by a flaming, oversized insect. Marshall Rogers' art is exceptional, combining innovative layouts with sharply drawn figures and architecture. Though obscure, this tale (beautifully inked by Terry Austin) should count among the artist's best work of the bronze age. Other artists in this issue include Bill Draut and Bob Wiacek. This is number 1 of 2 Weird War Tales issues with Rogers art and/or covers and number 2 of 2 Weird War Tales issues with Redondo art and/or covers.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
Redondo intro pencils and inks 1 page = ***
"A Canterbury Tail" Rogers story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 6 pages = ****

Nestor Redondo

Marshall Rogers

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Charlton Bullseye v1 #4, 1976 - A full color cover houses black and white interiors of previously unpublished Charlton stories. Most noteworthy among these is a Doomsday +1 tale by John Byrne. For an early work, it's as good as his best efforts on the team's regular comic book series. Walt Simonson does a fine portrait of the Peacemaker, viewed in profile and poised for action (see interior page below). Other artists in this issue include Joe Staton (on E-man) and Frank Thorne. This is number 3 of 4 Charlton Bullseye issues with Byrne art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 Charlton Bullseye issues with Simonson art and/or covers.
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"Time-Slip" Byrne story pencils and inks 11 pages (black and white) = ***
"Peacemaker" Simonson pin-up pencils and inks 1 page (black and white) = ***

John Byrne

Walt Simonson

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>this issue >Byrne >Simonson >Charlton Bullseye

Ghosts Special / DC Special Series v1 #7, 1978 - Filled with original material, the issue's highlight is a tale by Alex Nino. While gold prospecting in Africa, two men decide to leave their companion to die. Nightmarish scenes of an avenging ghost soon follow, sharply and menacingly drawn. Nino melds certain scenes together, creating free-flowing panels (see interior page below) similar to murals. Other artists in this issue incude Art Saaf, Fank Giacoia, C.F. Payne, Tenny Henson, Jerry Grandenetti, E.R. Cruz and Luis Domingez (cover). This is number 2 of 2 DC Special Series issues with Nino art and/or covers.
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"Night of the Vengeful Corpse" Nino story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***

Alex Nino

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>this issue >Nino >Ghosts >DC Special Series

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Baker drew the Canteen Kate features for St. John's Fightin' Marines, circa 1950s.


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Magnus Robot Fighter v1 #1, 1963 - In the year 4000 AD, an evil robot plans on dominating human society. Magnus emerges (and makes his first appearance) as the human race's champion against the mechanical oppressor. His origin is told only briefly to Leeja Clane, a fellow resistance fighter. Russ Manning's artwork is spectacular, creating an Earth that's futuristic and coldly technological. The opening splash is smashing, showing Magnus' superhuman strength in action. Several large panels accentuate the artist's superb streamlining. Even the black and white drawings on the inside covers are impressive. A little less so is Manning's back-up feature "The Aliens", drawn simply and straightforwardly. This story was later reprinted in Magnus Robot Fighter #22. This is number 1 of 21 Magnus Robot Fighter issues with Manning art and/or covers (not including reprints).
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"Magnus Robot Fighter" Manning story pencils and inks 27 pages = *****
"The Aliens" Manning story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
Manning inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ****
"North Am City" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***

Russ Manning

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Joe Kubert

Tor v2 #5, 1975 - Joe Kubert draws a chaotic, yet well composed cover design. Tor fends off a much larger, brutish caveman while Pterodactyls circle around them. The masthead tucks itself behind the brute's arm yet in front of the flying dinosaur's wing, increasing the illusion of depth. The interior reprints "The Giant One" and "Danny Dreams" from Tor #2B. Both are printed in color for the first time. This is number 5 of 6 Tor v2 issues with Kubert art and/or covers.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Giant One" Kubert pencils and inks 12 pages (first time in color) = ***
"Danny Dreams" Kubert pencils and inks 5 pages (first time in color) = ***

Joe Kubert

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>this issue >Kubert >Tor

John Wayne Oxydol Dreft giveaway, 1950 - Originally attached to a laundry detergent box, this small format comic compiles reprints from John Wayne Adventure Comics. The cover repurposes an Al Williamson / Frank Frazetta panel from John Wayne Adventure Comics #3.

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>this issue >Frazetta >Williamson >John Wayne Adventure Comics

Mike Ploog

Giant-size Man-Thing v1 #1, 1974 - Regular series artist Mike Ploog illustrates the Man-Thing's first giant-size annual (his second-longest bronze age tale after Marvel Spotlight #2). Two splash pages accompany many spacious panels within the story. His drawings lack definition on certain pages. His best work occurs on the climactic fight scene on pages 30-32. Ploog captures the same scene on the cover, but with greater impact and excitement. Rounding out the book are reprints from Strange Tales #67 and Tales of Suspense #15 (Jack Kirby art) and Amazing Adult Fantasy #11 (Steve Ditko). This is number 1 of 1 Giant Size Man-Thing issues with Ploog art and/or covers.
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Ploog cover pencils and inks = *****
"When the Last Flame Dies" Ploog story pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) 25 pages = ***

Mike Ploog

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>this issue >Ploog >Kirby >Ditko >Man-Thing

Frank Miller

Dark Horse Presents v1 #59, 1992 - Marv and Lucille break out of an underground prison, just in time to see assassins arrive on the scene. Despite his mediocre cover, Frank Miller's longest episode to date is an ambitious effort. Even with three splash pages and numerous large panels, the story's intro is masterpiece of sequential art. No dialogue occurs on the first eight pages, building up to the story's initial setting and central characters. Miller also uses typographic sound effects throughout, including one that subtly references his earlier work on Dardevil (page 12 panel 1). Other artists in this issue include Eric Vincent. This is number 9 of 12 Dark Horse Presents issues with Miller art and/or covers.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = **
"Sin City episode 10" Miller story pencils and inks 21 pages (black and white) = ****

Frank Miller

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>this issue >Miller >Dark Horse Presents

Outer Space v1 #20, 1958 - Steve Ditko contributed three stories, his last for this Charlton science-fiction title. Two are mildly interesting, I admit, even with their flat, simplistically graphic approach. Of the three, Ditko seems to put more effort into "The Greater Jovians", a tale of planetary famine. The artist cleverly uses full pages and insets to reinforce the theme of relative scale (see interior page below). This is number 3 of 5 Outer Space issues with Ditko art and/or covers.
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"The Greater Jovians" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
"Misfits" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
"Far Away Voices" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **

Steve Ditko

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>this issue >Ditko >Outer Space

Neal Adams

DC Special v1 #6 presents the Wild Frontier, 1970 - Neal Adams' stunning cover combines the western and science fiction genres in a bold composition. The level of detail is excellent, especially in the foreground. Even with the larger-than-normal masthead, Adams delivers his best work on the series. Among the reprints is a terrific Joe Kubert tale from Frontier Fighters #6. Other artists in this issue include Gil Kane, Leonard Starr, Howard Sherman and Nick Cardy. This is number 3 of 5 DC Special issues with Adams art and/or covers (not including reprints).
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ****

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>this issue >Adams >Kubert >DC Special

Bernie Wrightson

Captain Sternn, Running Out of Time v1 #2, 1993 - Five full page splashes and three double page spreads enhance this lengthy tale based on Bernie Wrightson's character. The artist adeptly pencils the story, but is neither helped nor hindered by the inking. The spreads are easily the issue's highlights. A stippled skin texture used on the dinosaurs nicely contrasts against the surrounding graphic renderings. This issue also showcases Wrightson's best cover of the series. This is number 2 of 5 Captain Sternn, Running Out of Time issues with Wrightson art and/or covers.
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Wrightson cover pencils and inks = ***
Wrightson story pencils (Shepherd Hendrix inks) 48 pages = ***

Bernie Wrightson

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Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter v1 #4, 1975 - Ric Estrada takes over as regular series artist, chronicling the adventures of the deadliest man alive. Wally Wood also begins his run as inker, bringing an artistry and refinement absent from previous issues. His inks completely dominate, so much so that the pencils appear to be his as well. Most impactful are the close-ups of characters' faces (see interior page below) with their finely crafted expressions. Cover by Dick Giordano. This is number 1 of 5 Richard Dragon issues with Wood art and/or covers.
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"A Time to Be a Whirlwind" Wood story inks (Ric Estrada pencils) 18 pages = ****

Wally Wood

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>this issue >Wood >Richard Dragon

Queen of the West Dale Evans v1 #4, 1955 - The young princess of Sulania visits the humble western town, using the occasion to runs away from her guardians. Russ Manning's opening title panel is inordinately small. Fortunately, his subsequent layouts pick up the pace. A combination of framed and open panels increase visual interest. On page 10, a chase scene broadly suggests the spaciousness of the western setting (see interior page below). Despite what some comic book price guides say, there is no Alex Toth art in this issue. This is number 2 of 15 Queen of the West Dale Evans issues with Manning art and/or covers.
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"Untitled" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***

Russ Manning

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>this issue >Manning >Toth >Queen of the West Dale Evans

Walt Disney Comics Digest v1 #23, 1970 - Featuring Big Red, Super Goof and Brer Rabbit, many of these digests reprinted stories and artwork by Carl Barks. Included in this edition is "Water Ski Race", first published in Donald Duck #60. Other artists in this issue include Tony Strobl. 

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>this issue >Barks >Walt Disney Comics Digest

Two-Gun Western v2 #9, 1957 - Excitedly anticipating a shootout, a young boy narrates a confrontation between two of the best gunfighters west of the Mississippi. Aside from the opening scene (see interior page below), Al Williamson mostly populates the tale with small, varied panels. His reliably drawn pencils are further refined by Ralph Mayo's inks. Faces and figures have more definition, while maintaining fine details in the backgrounds. Their combined artistic effort, as usual, has unerring appeal. Other artists in this issue include Gray Morrow, Joe Maneely, Doug Wildey, and Dick Ayers. Cover by Jay Scott Pike. This is number 1 of 2 Two-Gun Western issues with Williamson art and/or covers.
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"Showdown at Noon" Williamson story pencils (Ralph Mayo inks) 5 pages = ***

Al Williamson

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>this issue >Williamson >Two-Gun Western

Monsters on the Prowl v1 #11, 1971 - With some alterations, the Jack Kirby / Steve Ditko cover was reprinted from Journey Into Mystery #62. Inside, Kirby's "I Was a Slave of the Living Hulk" tale comes from the same issue. Other artists in this issue include Ralph Reese, who provides the only new material in the book.

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>this issue >Ditko >Kirby >Monsters on the Prowl

Walt Disney's Zorro / Four Color Comics v2 #920, 1958 - In this complete two-part story, a corrupt commandante surrounds a Spanish mission in pursuit of his quarry. Alex Toth's art is a bit more hurried than the previous issue and adheres more strictly to a nine panel grid. Regardless, the artist makes do with the layouts, offsetting the repetitive pace with more varied drawings. Toth's illustrations on the back cover are surprisingly exquisite. "Ghost of the Mission"was later reprinted in Walt Disney Comics Digest #52 and Zorro v2 #9. This is number 2 of 8 Zorro issues with Toth art and/or covers (not including reprints).
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"Ghost of the Mission" Toth story pencils and inks 26 pages = ***
"A Bad Day For Bernardo" Toth story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
"El Camino Real" Toth back cover pencils and inks = ***

Alex Toth

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