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| Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt; Amazing Spider-Man 129 |
Redartz: We, as a group, have in the past (either here, or in that fondly remembered BAB) discussed the most significant covers, and the most significant splash pages. Today, we take it a step further (and smaller): what is the most memorable single panel from a Bronze age Spider-Man story? Granted, dealing with just covers and splashes is a big enough task. Originally I'd planned this post to cover all Marvel Bronze Age books, but that was casting a pretty wide net. Look for other characters to be dealt with as we go along.
Considering individual panels is like picking a specific glass of water from the ocean. That said, there are definitely panels that stick to your memory, or have become iconic images in and of themselves. A few, to prime the pump (again, to narrow the search parameters a little, we will include only panels that are part of a multi-panel page, not full page splashes). In no particular order:
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| Ed Hannigan and Al Milgrom, Spectacular Spider-Man 70 |
Hannigan and inker Milgrom, doing a nice job channeling Ditko with a modern touch. Their work on SSM made it one of my favorite books at the time.
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| John Byrne and Tony DeZuniga, Marvel Team-Up 70 |
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| John Byrne and Tony DeZuniga, Marvel Team-Up 70 |
Two individual panels, consecutive action, but two fun bits with Spidey and Thor, beautifully rendered. The perspective in that first panel is perfect, and wonderfully emphasizes Spidey's involuntary ride.
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| Gil Kane and John Romita, Amazing Spider-Man 122 |
Two masters at their best in a very poignant scene. No more needs be said.
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| Gil Kane and John Romita, Amazing Spider-Man 90 |
As in the preceding example, Kane and Romita etch so much emotion in one single panel. Those two artists are perfectly suited for each other. This panel hit me like a brick as a 9 year old reader.
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| Ross Andru and John Romita, Amazing Spider-Man 151 |
An unsettling image from the first clone saga. Live Peter says goodbye to dead Peter.
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| John Byrne and Terry Austin, Marvel Team-Up 79 |
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| John Byrne and Terry Austin, Marvel Team-Up 79 |
Two fabulous panels (okay, technically three) from one of the best MTU issues ever. By the incomparable Byrne and Austin. That grin showing on Spidey's mask is worth the purchase price of this book.
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| Jim Starlin and Joe Rubinstein, Marvel Two-in-One Annual 2 |
Great twisted composition here from Starlin. Balanced, yet full of movement. We knew Starlin drew excellent aliens, here we ascertain that he does a stellar Spider-Man too.
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| Ed Hannigan and Jim Mooney; Spectacular Spider-Man 64 |
Just a very nice, quiet image.Mooney's inks can be overpowering, but very subtle here.
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| Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt; Amazing Spider-Man 136 |
Andru showing his expertise with architecture, and with Peter and Mary Jane.
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| Kieth Pollard and Jim Mooney, Amazing Spider-Man 200 |
Great use of shadow from a classic anniversary issue. Love how the dark tones frame the flashback image; very effective.
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| Ron Frenz and Brett Breeding; Amazing Spider-Man 252 |
An excellent introduction to the black costume, and to Spidey's acrobatics. I was skeptical of the new look at first, but this issue's art (and this cool panel) helped convince me.
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| Ron Frenz and Terry Austin, Amazing Spider-Man 248 |
Peak moment from one of the absolute greatest Spider-Man stories. Frenz and Austin aced it.
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| John Romita Jr. and Brett Breeding, Amazing Spider-Man 248 |
Love the action presented here, and the positioning of the ball and chain. JR Jr. cut his drawing teeth on Spider-Man, and he did his father proud.
Well, those are some of my standout favorite panels. Some of these images are quite familiar, others possibly forgotten (until you leaf through the book and say, "Whoaaaaa....". Any critique, agreement, other choices?
