Redartz: Greetings once again! We're back at it again with a fun poser for you to consider, regarding your favorite comic covers. But first, a quick update for you.
Several of you have inquired about the circumstances of my power outage and consequent general absence from this space last week. Well, the circuit breaker box on the side of our house literally melted; it's truly miraculous we had no fire. Obviously the power had to be cut, and between awaiting repairs, local safety inspectors and utility officials, we were stuck in the 'dark ages' for about 8 days. Not an experience I'd recommend for anyone, but we made it through. Fortunately the temperatures were mild for the most part. No longer will I take air conditioning and lights for granted!
Anyway, on to our topic. The premise: you have been selected to choose the artwork for a big exhibition. More specifically, this show will showcase comic cover artists throughout the medium's history. And with such a wide possibility of artists to choose from, space allows only 1 cover per artist. So, your task is to pick the artists, and choose a great representative cover for each artist,one that highlights their talent and impact. As I'm a framer by trade, I'll see that your picks are safely framed, of course!
Our gallery has several wings, so we can have a section for Golden age, Silver age, Bronze and Modern if you so choose. And while you begin your careful consideration, I'll submit a few nominations to get the show started. Feel free to improve upon my picks as you see fit. As the week goes on, I'll try to post some more nominees based upon your comments; the better to fill our gallery. See you at the opening!
My preliminary nominations:
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| Jack Kirby |
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| Neal Adams |
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| Dave Cockrum |
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| John Byrne |
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| John Romita, Sr |
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| Barry Smith |
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| Walter Simonson |
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| George Perez |
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| Carmine Infantino |
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| Joe Kubert |
More to Come...
A bit late, but here are some of the nominated covers, presented for the appreciation and illumination of one and all. Thanks everyone for each response! And as suggested by our friend HB, you can look forward to seeing 'Hall of Fame Cover' pop up periodically on a single artist basis. Salutations!
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| Dave Cockrum |
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| Jim Aparo |
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| Steve Ditko |
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| Rich Buckler |
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| Nick Cardy |
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| Mike Ploog |
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| Herb Trimpe |
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| John Byrne |
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| John Buscema |
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| Frank Frazetta |
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| Mike Kaluta |
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| Alan Davis |
Redartz: 1975; what a year! Marvel was still putting out the "Giant-Size" issues, as well as Marvel Value Stamps. Atlas Comics were trying to make a go of the comic business. DC was debuting numerous new titles and characters. It was an exciting time to be a comic reader, which leads us to our topic today: the best stories of that fine year.
I've pored over loads of issues, and prodded my memory to recall my favorites. So, as always, this subjective list; based upon a combination of personal preference and historical impact. Your list my vary. Order is random. No deposit, no return. Void where prohibited.
Ok, now that the formalities are complete, on with the countdown:
1. Defenders 33- "Webbed Hands, Warm Heart" by Steve Gerber, Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney. Inspired lunacy from Mr. Gerber with 'musical brains', the Headmen and a very angry baby deer.
2. Detective Comics 457- "There is no Hope in Crime Alley" by Dennis O'Neal and Dick Giordano. A nice closer look at the Batman's origins by a couple of his best storytellers. Oh, and uncredited backgrounds by the great Terry Austin.
3. Warlock 11- "How Strange My Destiny, Pt. 2" by Jim Starlin and Steve Leialoha. Starlin's epic tale continues the exploration of Adam Warlock. Great cast, great art, great story, great comic.
4. Tomb of Dracula 41- "Re-Birth" by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan and Tom Palmer. Dracula returns, in another fine issue of this fine series. Wolfman, Colan and Palmer just keep it rolling.
5. All-Star Comics 58- "All-Star Super Squad" by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada and Wally Wood. Power Girl debuts in this engaging revival of the classic DC title.
6. Howard the Duck 1- "Howard the Barbarian" by Steve Gerber, Frank Brunner and Steve Leialoha. A very imaginative,enjoyable first issue, Brunner and Leialoha rock visually. A fun guest appearance by Spidey, and a tower of credit cards.
7. Amazing Adventures 34, "A Death in the Family" by Don McGregor and P. Craig Russell. A dramatic high point in this excellent series. Phenomenal art, as usual.
8. Avengers 142- "Go West, Young Gods" by Steve Englehart, George Perez and Vince Colletta.The Avengers in the old West. Absolutely wonderful. Another Kang war, Immortus, the Brand Corp., Thor and Moondragon on a train, and Hawkeye having way too much fun. How did they pack so much into one issue?
9. Giant-Size X-Men 1- "Second Genesis" by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum.There are better stories of the 'new team', but this classic giant introduces us to the group that became a pillar of the Marvel Universe. Wein and Cockrum get things started with a bang.
10. Giant-Size Man-Thing 4- "The Kid's Night Out" by Steve Gerber, Ed Hannigan and Frank Springer; "Frog Death" by Steve Gerber and Frank Brunner. A personal favorite, with a rather emotion-laden lead story. A bit preachy perhaps,but quite impactful to a shy fourteen year old comic fan. And it's offset by the return of Howard the Duck in a Brunner-illustrated short. Loads of fun, the scene in the cigar store is a blast.
Incidentally, if Will Eisner's Spirit stories in the Warren magazine had been 'new', they would certainly have made the list. Those "Spirit"s were high on my buying list all that year. And this year, it seems, was a very solid one for Marvel (and for one Steve Gerber). But, that's just my take. What think you?
Redartz: Hi fellow 'panelologists'! Awhile back you may remember we did a post examining some of the most striking individual panels from Bronze age Spider-Man comics. Well, it seems time to follow that up with a look at some great panels from the Avengers. Technically, some of these 'panels' are full pages, but still constitute a single image nonetheless.
Choosing these examples was a very difficult task (although looking through all those issues was a treat to the eyes). The Avengers was blessed with some truly spectacular artwork over the course of our time frame here. The finest artists and inkers of the era were assigned to the title, and there was an embarrassment of fine panels from which to choose. So to add some degree of challenge, I tried to use some panels perhaps less obviously classics. And so, with no further delay, let's have a look at some Assembled Avengers.
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| Giant-Size Avengers 2 (Dave Cockrum) |
Here's a panel, actually most of a page, from one of the greatest "Giant-Size" books Marvel ever published. The climax of the first Kang War, as Kang tries to identify the identity of the Celestial Madonna. Dave Cockrum inks himself here, and it shows as a labor of love. Excellent representation of time twisting as two of Kang's identities come together in battle.
The Avengers enjoyed some pretty fine Annuals, and this one was among the best. And the beautiful visuals from Golden and Gil are a big reason why. I love how much interaction Golden crams into this panel.
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| Avengers Annual 10 (Michael Golden and Armando Gil) |
Speaking of Annuals, this was a classic. Jim Starlin's Thanos epic, in Avengers Annual 7. Here we have the last page of the story, and if there's a better way to visually summarize the tale's conclusion I can't imagine it. A truly perfect blending of scenes; Starlin cements himself as one of the Avengers' finest storytellers.
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| Avengers Annual 7 (Jim Starlin and Joe Rubinstein) |
John Buscema was responsible for many great Avengers Silver Age stories, and he was still riding high in the Bronze. Check out this incredibly touching panel of Cap after the war with Zemo. And mention must also be made of Tom Palmer's rich inks. Magnificent.
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| Avengers 277 (John Buscema and Tom Palmer) |
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| Avengers 270 (John Buscema and Tom Palmer) |
This art team was so good, they deserve another panel. Amazing composition in this example, and the perception of depth is enhanced by the heaviness of the foreground vs. the sparse background
Now we have Big John inked by Joltin' Joe Sinnott, another stellar teamup. This particular panel struck me for it's remarkable attention to individualizing what is basically a common henchman. Just a bit player, but Buscema really gives him a unique close-up for his 'starring moment'.
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| Avengers 153 (John Buscema and Joe Sinnott) |
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| Avengers 153 (John Buscema and Joe Sinnott) |
From the same issue, we get this magnificent shot of a looming revived Wonder Man. Great framing between the buildings, and note the perfect alignment of the skyline between Wondy's legs. It's all in the details...
And now here's another of the Avengers' greatest illustrators: John Byrne! This panel just jumped out at me; very unusual lighting: total darkness to the left, with Deathbird silhouetted by the white-hot explosion to the right.
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| Avengers 189 (John Byrne and Dan Green) |
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| Avengers 189 (John Byrne and Dan Green) |
And here's another panel from that issue, with another example of evocative lighting. Hawkeye is in total silhouette, framed by girders (it could almost be a fine-art etching). His pose, Deathbird's expression, the frame's balance; all perfection. Byrne's genius shows, once again.
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| Avengers 186 (John Byrne and Dan Green) |
Another rather experimental panel from Avengers 186 offers us a very memorable depiction of the Scarlet Witch. Now that looks like a Hex. I'm continually amazed by Byrne's variety of illustration techniques. Also, credit must be given to Dan Green's smooth, polished inking. Not overpowering, but nice: letting Byrne's dynamics shine through.
One more panel from Mr. Byrne, from the great issue 181. Here he does a masterful job at showing the Beast's acrobatics. It brings to mind some of Steve Ditko's depictions of Spider-Man...
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| Avengers 181 (John Byrne and Gene Day) |
From John Byrne to George Perez; this is like touring a candy factory. Just too many goodies. This panel exemplifies some of Perez' strengths; group shots, detailed backgrounds, facial individuality, and solid composition. Plus he does the best 'Kirby Krackle' this side of the King himself.
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| Avengers 160 (George Perez and Pablo Marcos) |
George Perez loves to fill each page, each panel, to the absolute maximum. Sometimes this involves the use of odd-shaped panels, repetitive panels. or tight spaces. This narrow gem was stuck mid-page, but it has enough detail for an opening splash...
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| Avengers 162 (George Perez and Pablo Marcos) |
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| Avengers 162 (George Perez and Pablo Marcos) |
This panel gives us a shining look at the Golden Avenger. The only other artist I can think of who gave us such a scintillating Iron Man was Bob Layton.
This panel is fascinating- so much action underway in such a small space. Perez depicts the ant-covered Wanda, struggling Iron Man, downed Cap, mid-stride Wonder Man and attacking Vision, all while also showing Ant-Man's creative shrinking dodge. A fantastic panel from a fantastic issue.
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| Avengers 161 (George Perez and Pablo Marcos) |
And here is another shot from that great issue,
showing a powerful, determined Scarlet Witch. I'm not always
comfortable with Pablo Marcos' inks, but he works wonders over Perez...
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| Avengers 161 (George Perez and Pablo Marcos) |
Stepping back a few issues, here is a nice group shot from one of Perez' earliest stories. Avengers Assemble, indeed...
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| Avengers 151 (George Perez and John Tartaglione) |
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| Avengers 148 (George Perez and Sam Grainger) |
And another early Perez offering; a cool low-vantage point shot of Cap and Iron Man. Note the fun use of the logos; borrowing here that lick from the old Justice League stories.
Next, another Avengers illustrator represented. This panel from George Tuska shows a bit of playfulness. Effective use of the leaves and their shadows on the topless Vision, reflected also in Wand's hair. And speaking of Wanda, you can really see Vince Colletta's inks at work in her face...
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| Avengers 137 (George Tuska and Vince Colletta) |
Our Pal Sal, responsible for countless Avengers tales through the years. Here's the opening page/panel from a classic. And I give much credit as well to Joe Staton's inking here. Staton really gives an attractive polish to Sal's pencils, he may be my favorite inker for SB.
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| Avengers 132 (Sal Buscema and Joe Staton) |
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| Avengers 127 (Sal Buscema and Joe Staton) |
Look at the expressions on Mantis and the Swordsman in this shot. Spot on. Incidentally, Mantis' face here has a Romita-esque flavor...
Here is another panel, from the opening page, from that same issue. It's a personal favorite: the first Avengers story I ever read. And this great group shot helps explain my fondness for the book.
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| Avengers 127 (Sal Buscema and Joe Staton) |
A couple years later, Sal gets inks from the ever-skillful Klaus Janson. Klaus, like Terry Austin, makes just about any pencilwork look even better.
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| Avengers 172 (Sal Buscema and Klaus Janson) |
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| Avengers 117 (Bob Brown and Mike Esposito) |
Next, here's a powerful panel from one of the greatest Avengers arcs of all: the Avengers/Defenders war. Bob Brown and Mike Esposito convincingly show the force of this struggle between two titans. In water, Namor would have the advantage, but here Cap seems to be more than holding his own.
Finally, how could we not acknowledge Neal Adams' early Bronze age Avengers work? This panel, from the spectacular issue 93, shows off Adams's talents beautifully. And, of course, Tom Palmer's contribution is not to be ignored. There is wonderful fluidity and motion to Ant-Man's figure and the grasping pseudopods (love that term). And there is the 3-D effect of Ant-Man breaking the panel borders...
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| Avengers 93 (Neal Adams and Tom Palmer) |
Well,there you have it. A selection of some eye-pleasing panels from some of the great creators of the Bronze, depicting some of the greatest characters of the age. No wonder researching such articles is a pleasure! And speaking of pleasure, what is yours? Do you agree with my choices, or are there others that jump out of your memory? This list of panels, and creators, is certainly not comprehensive; who and what got overlooked? By all means, look through a few of your issues and tell us what you come up with.
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