Hit Comics #25

Hit Comics v1 #25, 1942 - During WWII, a battle at sea results in the death of a young boy aboard an American ship. When he ascends to heaven, they send him back to Earth with an angel called Mr. Keeper. Kid Eternity, making his key first appearance, has the power to bring anyone from history or mythology to life. The duo's exploits continue in this series, usually fighting crime or helping people. This story was later reprinted in >Secret Origins #4. 
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"Kid Eternity" 15 pages

1st Kid Eternity

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Tarzan #69

Tarzan v1 #69, 1955 - Dal-el arrives at his kingdom of Aba-Zulu, just as the princess Tavane taken is hostage by the witch doctor Nagopa. More varied layouts improve upon Russ Manning's drawings. A few larger, wider panels allow for more details and context. Two of the more memorable scenes are the witch men's lair on page 2 and the hero's return to his kingdom on the final page. Both have stark differences in tone, but share thoughtful compositions. Other artists in this Dell golden age adventure comic include Jesse Marsh. This is number 31 of 133 Tarzan issues with Manning art and/or covers (not including reprints).
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Untitled Brothers of the Spear story Manning pencils and inks 6 pages = ***

Russ Manning

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Journey Into Mystery #44

Journey Into Mystery v1 #44, 1957 - A petty thief goes on the run and encounters mythical little green men. The large opening panel has superbly delineated trees and foliage, creating a dark and intense mood (see interior page below). Al Williamson's pencils are impressive, made more so by Ralph Mayo's luscious inking job. The issue also contains a one page text story with a small illustration that looks most likely by Williamson. Other artists in this Atlas golden age horror comic include Vince Colletta, Tony DiPreta, Frank Bolle, Don Heck, Doug Wildey and Ed Winiarski. Cover by Bill Everett. This is number 3 of 4 Journey Into Mystery issues with Williamson art and/or covers. 

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"Menace of the Green Men" Williamson story pencils (Ralph Mayo inks) 4 pages = ***
"The Heat's On" Williamson text illo pencils and inks 1 page = **

Al Williamson

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"Fool your friends"

 

The Super Home Radio Mike lets your voice come through the radio. Amaze and mystify your friends indeed. Published in Two Fisted Tales #18.

Adventures Into Darkness #13

Adventures Into Darkness v1 #13, 1954 - No artwork by Alex Toth in this Standard golden age horror comic, despite what some comic book price guides say. The artist did contribute to 3 earlier issues of Adventures Into Darkness. 

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Western Gunfighters v1
Atlas
1956-57

continued from Apache Kid
22 - Wood art
23 - Williamson art
24 - Toth art
25

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Western Gunfighters v2
Marvel
1970-75

1
2 - Williamson, Baker, Kubert reprints
3 - Baker reprint
4 - Smith art
5-13
14 - Steranko cover
15-17
18 - Williamson reprint

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Iron Man #1

Iron Man v1 #1, 1968 - Continued from Tales of Suspense, Iron Man finally gets his own self-titled series. Held captive by A.I.M., Tony Stark sees his armor duplicated and an army turned against him. While the story doesn't reflect the importance this key first issue, Iron Man's origin from Tales of Suspense #39 is recapped in a three page backup tale. This Marvel self-titled superhero series would total 332 issues and last until 1996. See more Iron Man issues.
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"Alone Against A.I.M." 17 pages

Iron Man #1

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Jim Starlin

Warlock v1 #14, 1976 - After fighting obstacles created by the Star Thief, Warlock traverses thousands of light years to save his home planet. Jim Starlin's depiction of the galaxy is colorful and intricately patterned. They fill the backgrounds of nearly every panel with texture and interest. The title character's battles with various creatures becomes more vivid as a result. Starlin's drawings convey a skillful enthusiasm, complemented by impeccable layouts and sequences. Toward the story's end, an exceptional splash page shows a vastly enlarged Warlock dwarfing our own Milky Way galaxy. This story was first reprinted in Warlock v2 #4. This is number 6 of 7 Warlock issues with Starlin art and/or covers. This Marvel bronze age superhero comic is also included in this Starlin gallery. 
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Starlin cover pencils and inks = ***
"Homecoming" Starlin story pencils (Steve Leialoha inks) 17 pages = ****

Jim Starlin

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Journey Into Unknown Worlds #51

Journey Into Unknown Worlds v1 #51, 1956 - There seems to be an underlying religious theme to Wally Wood's tale, centered around a town on the verge of a great flood. The artist's clever use of light and shadow dramatizes the event. Most pages depict scenes of torrential rain, adding another layer of complexity. Steve Ditko illustrates the tale of a man realizing that he's not native to Earth. Should he stay or should he return to his home planet? Expertly paced and designed, the scenes are speckled with blustery leaves, a metaphor perhaps, for the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. Other artists in this Atlas golden age science fiction comic include John Severin. This is number 1 of 1 Journey Into Unknown Worlds issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 2 of 2 Journey Into Unknown Worlds issues with Ditko art and/or covers.
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"He Was Nobody" Wood story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"The Faceless Man" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***

Steve Ditko

Wally Wood

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Giant-size Conan the Barbarian #3

Giant-size Conan the Barbarian v1 #3, 1975 - The third installment of Robert E. Howard's Hour of the Dragon appears in this issue. This new material occupies most of the issue, sharing space with a poor reproduction of Conan #6 by Barry Smith. Other artists in this Marvel bronze age adventure comic include Gil Kane and Tom Sutton. Cover by Kane and Tom Palmer. 

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Joe Kubert

Our Army at War v1 #159 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1965 - Feeling guilty over a nurse who scarified her life for his, Sgt. Rock searches for her killers and gets temporarily blinded in the process. This tale of loss and obsession is beautifully drawn by Joe Kubert. His layouts constantly change, combining open and framed panels for increased depth. His kinetic style culminates in a daring splash age, depicting an enraged Rock going on the attack. Kubert's cover, which replicates one of his inside panels, is less effective due of its larger proportions. Also included is "The Silent Piper", a Joe Kubert reprint from Our Army at War #91. Other artists in this DC silver age war issue include Henry Boltinoff. This is number 96 of 235 Our Army at War issues with Kubert art and/or covers (not including reprints). 
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Blind Gun" Kubert story pencils and inks 16 pages = ****

Joe Kubert

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Jack Kirby

Fantastic Four v1 #15, 1963 - Getting the FF to leave their headquarters, the Mad Thinker takes over their technology and uses it against them. Not sure what makes a block-headed android so awesome, but there it is. Jack Kirby's cover is far too busy, but his interiors are not much better. His panels squeeze in plenty of details but the results are chaotic. Same goes for the opening splash, with its homage to Rodin's "The Thinker". Ironically, the pin-up of the foursome is the most well laid out page of the whole issue. This Marvel silver age superhero comic marks the key first appearance of the Mad Thinker. This is number 15 of 116 Fantastic Four issues with Kirby art and/or covers. 

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Kirby cover pencils (Dick Ayers inks) = **
"The Fantastic Four Battle the Mad Thinker and His Awesome Android” Kirby story pencils (Dick Ayers inks) 20 pages = **
"Fantastic Four Pin-Up Page” Kirby story pencils (Dick Ayers inks) 1 page = ***

Jack Kirby

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Walt Simonson

Battlestar Galactica v1 #13, 1980 - Above Scavenge World, a Cyclon spaceship closes in on the Galactica, intent on a collision course. Like his cover, Walt Simonson's pages show his talent for illustrating spaceships. Although only credited with layouts, the artist's influence is keenly felt throughout the story. Toward the climax, a full page splash depicts an explosion of massive scale. This is number 5 of 14 Battlestar Galactica issues with Simonson art and/or covers. This Marvel copper age science fiction comic is included in this Simonson gallery. 

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Simonson cover pencils = ***
"Collision Course" Simonson story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 17 pages = ***

Walt Simonson

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All Jack Kirby covers or story art on Sandman, circa 1970s.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

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Witching Hour #20

Witching Hour v1 #20, 1972 - Conspiring with a partner, an old woman brings back loved ones from the dead for money. Nestor Redondo graces this horror tale with his classical artistic style. Masterful lighting and other details enhance every page. Perhaps the most memorable scene occurs on page 7, as Redondo abruptly shifts from rectangular to trapezoidal panels to heighten tension. Other artists in this DC bronze age horror comic include Don Heck and John Calnan. Cover by Nick Cardy. This is number 1 of 5 Witching Hour issues with Redondo art and/or covers. 

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"Death is a Demon in Disguise" Redondo story pencils and inks 9 pages = ***

Nestor Redondo

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