Power Man #48 - John Byrne art

Luke Cage, Power Man #48, 1977 - With his friends held hostage, Power Man must kidnap Misty Knight, but not before her boyfriend Iron Fist intervenes. The action starts immediately on the opening splash, which seems stiff compared to the rest of the story. John Byrne's drawings display a fresh enthusiasm. Characters from two parallel timelines converge, culminating in a second, more explosive splash page (see interior page above). The ensuing fight between the two heroes is superbly choreographed. Note that Iron Fist's appearance occurs not long after the cancellation of his own series. Other artists in this issue include Gil Kane (cover). This is number 1 of 11 Power Man issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Power Man issues.
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"Fist of Iron, Heart of Stone" Byrne story pencils (Dan Green inks) 17 pages = ****
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Weird Mystery Tales #16 - Alex Nino art

Weird Mystery Tales #16, 1975 - Due to a local bumpkin's hoax, neighborhood kids become frightened of a farmer's scarecrow. Alex Nino's coarse artistic style has a unnerving quality all on its own. His erratic line sometimes leads to distorted faces on certain characters, but is well-suited for the mystery genre. His bold vertical panels on the opening page are surpassed only by the horrific, but exquisitely drawn ending. Other artists in this issue include Frank Robbins and Luis Domingez (cover). This is number 5 of 6 Weird Mystery Tales issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or Weird Mystery Tales issues. See also this blog's Nino checklist.
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"Neely's Scarecrow" Nino story pencils and inks 6 pages = ****
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Warfront #39 - Wally Wood art

Warfront #39 featuring Dynamite Joe, 1967 - Told in a mere three pages, Wally Wood chronicles the advent of the P-51 Mustang plane helped change the course of World War Two. The artist's drawings seem convincing from the onset, appropriately emphasizing the aircraft rather than the pilots. This true story culminates in several well-composed panels of aerial dogfights. Other artists in this issue include Bill Draut and Mort Meskin. This is number 3 of 3 Warfront issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Warfront issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"The Trap" Wood story pencils and inks 3 pages = ***
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Morlock 2001 - comic series checklist

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Morlock 2001 and the Midnight Men v1
Atlas
1975-75

1,2
3 - Steve Ditko/Bernie Wrightson art

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

Conan the Barbarian #16 - Barry Windsor Smith cover & reprint

Conan the Barbarian #16, 1972 - The issue features Barry Smith's superb work from Savage Tales #1, reprinting the tale in color for the first time. Resized from the original magazine format, most of the details thankfully survive (excluding some mild nudity censored here). An earlier Conanesque tryout from Chamber of Darkness #4 is also included, drawing comparisons between the two. Smith wraps these reprints in a brand new cover, artfully drawn and composed. This is number 16 of 22 Conan the Barbarian issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Conan the Barbarian or Smith issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Frost Giant's Daughter" Smith story pencils and inks 11 pages (first time in color) = ****
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77 Sunset Strip #1 - Russ Manning art

77 Sunset Strip #1, 1962 - Following a handful of Four Color Comics issues, these LA detectives graduate into their own title. All three stories are approachable, thanks to Russ Manning's confident line. Each tale has its strengths, but the tale of Kookie's accidental exchange with a spy stands out as exceptional. Many scenes occur during the evening, calling for greater contrast and depth. The thin diagonal lines of rain also increase excitement and visual interest (see interior page above). A contents page on the inside front cover borrows panels from each of the respective stories. This is number 4 of 6 77 Sunset Strip issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or 77 Sunset Strip issues. See also this blog's Manning checklist.
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"The Mix Up" Manning story pencils and inks 10 pages = ****
"Blaze of Revenge" Manning story pencils and inks 12 pages = ***
"The Ruby Caper " Manning story pencils and inks 9 pages = ***
"It's Manslaughter"/"It's Murder" Manning text illos pencils and inks 1 page = **
"Business World Espionage" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Manning issues, >more 77 Sunset Strip issues

Showcase #57 / Enemy Ace - Joe Kubert art & cover

Showcase #57 featuring Enemy Ace, 1965 - Not only does this issue mark the character's fourth appearance, but his first solo book as well. Joe Kubert's dramatic cover is partially diminished by the abundant text, but he more than compensates on the interiors. Enemy Ace meets his match in a Canadian fighter pilot known as the Hunter. The artist draws each aerial dogfight with a palpable enthusiasm. On page 19, burning Allied planes fall like leaves around a display of war trophies. This clever metaphor conveys the human cost behind Enemy Ace's reputation. This is number 8 of 19 Showcase issues with Kubert art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kubert or Showcase issues. See also this blog's Joe Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"Killer of the Skies" Kubert story pencils and inks 24 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Kubert issues, >more Showcase issues

E-Man #7 - John Byrne art

E-Man #7, 1975 - In his second back-up story of the series, Rog-2000 encounters a haunted house on a dark and stormy night, with a title reference to Emily Bronte's classic novel. For a humorous parody, it is surprisingly well drawn for its genre. John Byrne' large opening panel sets the perfect tone with its gradated zipatone background and painterly wind-blown leaves. His brushwork is more skillful than others, evidenced by the textures on the burning house (page 7).  This story was later reprinted in the 1985 compilation Rog 2000. Other artists in this issue include Joe Staton (art and cover). This is number 2 of 4 E-Man issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or E-man issues.
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"Withering Heights" Byrne story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Byrne issues, >more E-Man issues

Marvel Spotlight #8 / Ghost Rider - Mike Ploog art & cover

Marvel Spotlight #8 featuring Ghost Rider, 1973 - A canyon in the Southwestern desert beckons Johnny Blaze, leading him to attempt a death-defying motorcycle jump. Mike Ploog's pencils are hopelessly mismatched with Jim Mooney's conservative inking. The darker mood of previous issues gives way to a lighter, more sanitized look. Although Ploog emerges in certain panels, his style is largely suppressed. By contrast, the artist's cover showcases his distinctive, fluid approach. This is number 7 of 8 Marvel Spotlight issues with Ploog art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ploog, Marvel Spotlight or Ghost Rider issues. See also this blog's Ploog checklist or Top 10 Ploog comics.
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Ploog cover pencils (Frank Chiaramonte inks) = ***
"The Hordes of Hell" Ploog story pencils (Jim Mooney inks) 20 pages = *
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Ploog issues, >more Marvel Spotlight issues, >more Ghost Rider issues

Our Love Story - comic series checklist

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Our Love Story v1
Marvel
1969-76

1
2-4
5 - Jim Steranko art
6-8
9 - Jack Kirby reprint
10,11
12 - Jack Kirby reprint
13-20
21-26

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

Sword of Sorcery #2 - Neal Adams art, Bernie Wrightson art & cover

Sword of Sorcery #2, 1973 - Busy and ill-composed, Howard Chaykin's cover pencils are loose and erratic compared to later works. Bernie Wrightson does his best with the inking, but also lacks definition. The inside story fares better, with Neal Adams, Wrightson and others bringing clarity and interest to the initial drawings. This is number 2 of 2 Sword of Sorcery issues with Adams art and/or covers and number 2 of 3 Sword of Sorcery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Adams, Wrightson or Sword of Sorcery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist. Top 10 Adams comics, Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson cover inks (Howard Chaykin pencils) = **
"Revenge of the Skull of Jewels" Wrightson, Adams partial story inks (Howard Chaykin pencils) 23 pages = ***
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Western Gunfighters #24 - Alex Toth art

Western Gunfighters v1 #24, 1957 - A new marshal runs up against the local bully in this gritty frontier tale. The majority of Alex Toth's panels are purposefully dark and moody, suggesting the pervasive fear of the townspeople. The artist infuses each page with an abundance of textures to increase interest and depth. One of the many excellent scenes is the depiction of the bully's gang in the shadows of a leafy tree (page four). Another is the climactic gunfight, where the marshal draws his weapon with unexpected speed. Alex Toth delivers one of the best western tales of his career. Other artists in this issue include Chuck Miller, Pete Morisi, Don Heck, Joe Maneely and John Severin (cover). This is number 1 of 1 Western Gunfighters issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth or Western Gunfighters issues. See also this blog's Alex Toth checklist.
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"His Back to the Wall" Toth story pencils and inks 7 pages = *****
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Toth issues, >more Western Gunfighters issues

Incredible Hulk v2 #222 - Jim Starlin art

Incredible Hulk v2 #222, 1978 - Hounded once again by the US Army, the Hulk finds refuge with a boy who holds a dark secret. Jim Starlin's layouts are adequate, but his pencils are overwhelmed by inker Alfredo Alcala. Even the two splash pages are heavily laden with texture, weighing down both the figures and backgrounds. While recognizable, Starlin's drawings are buried too deep to be effective. Other artists in this issue include Ernie Chua (cover). This is number 2 of 2 Incredible Hulk v2 issues with Starlin art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Starlin or Incredible Hulk issues. See also this blog's Starlin checklist or Top 10 Starlin comics.
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"Feeding Billy" Starlin story pencils (Alfredo Alcala inks) 18 pages = **
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Find on ebay: >this issue, >more Starlin issues, >more Incredible Hulk issues

Thor - comic series checklist

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Thor v1
Marvel
1966-96

157 - Jack Kirby art & cover
161- Jack Kirby art & cover
169- Jack Kirby art & cover
172- Jack Kirby art & cover
173- Jack Kirby art & cover
174- Jack Kirby art & cover 
179 - Jack Kirby art, Neal Adams cover
180 - Neal Adams art
181 - Neal Adams art
182-200
201-212
213 - Jim Starlin cover
337 - Walt Simonson art & cover
338 - Walt Simonson art & cover
339 - Walt Simonson art & cover
340 - Walt Simonson art & cover
341 - Walt Simonson art & cover
342 - Walt Simonson art & cover
343 - Walt Simonson art & cover
345 - Walt Simonson art & cover
346 - Walt Simonson art & cover
347 - Walt Simonson art & cover

(more to come)

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

Fantastic Four - comic series checklist

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Fantastic Four v1
Marvel
1962-96

72 - Jack Kirby art & cover
76 - Jack Kirby art & cover
77 - Jack Kirby art & cover
78 - Jack Kirby art & cover
79 - Jack Kirby art & cover
80 - Jack Kirby art & cover
81 - Jack Kirby art & cover
83 - Jack Kirby art & cover
84 - Jack Kirby art & cover
85 - Jack Kirby art & cover
86 - Jack Kirby art & cover
93 - Jack Kirby art & cover
130 - Jim Steranko cover
131 - Jim Steranko cover
132 - Jim Steranko cover

(more to come)

See all Fantastic Four posts

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.

X-Men - comic series checklist

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X-men v1
1964-2011
Marvel

49 - Jim Steranko cover
50 - Jim Steranko art & cover
51 - Jim Steranko art & cover
52
53 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover
54 - Barry Windsor Smith cover
55 - Barry Windsor Smith cover
56 - Neal Adams art & cover
57 - Neal Adams art & cover
58 - Neal Adams art & cover
59 - Neal Adams art & cover
60 - Neal Adams art & cover
61 - Neal Adams art & cover
62 - Neal Adams art & cover
63 - Neal Adams art & cover
64
65 - Neal Adams art & cover
66-80
81-100
101-107
108 - John Byrne art
109 - John Byrne art
110
111 - John Byrne art
112 - John Byrne art
113 - John Byrne art & cover
114 - John Byrne art & cover
115 - John Byrne art & cover
116 - John Byrne art & cover
117 - John Byrne art
118 - John Byrne art
119 - John Byrne art
120 - John Byrne art
121 - John Byrne art
122 - John Byrne art
123 - John Byrne art
124 - John Byrne art
125 - John Byrne art
126 - John Byrne art
127 - John Byrne art & cover
128 - John Byrne art
129 - John Byrne art & cover
130 - John Byrne art
131 - John Byrne art & cover
132 - John Byrne art & cover
133 - John Byrne art & cover
134 - John Byrne art & cover
135 - John Byrne art & cover
136 - John Byrne art & cover
137 - John Byrne art & cover
138 - John Byrne art & cover
139 - John Byrne art & cover
140 - John Byrne art & cover
141 - John Byrne art & cover
142 - John Byrne art
143 - John Byrne art
144-160
161-185
186 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover
187-197
198 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover
199-204
205 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover
206-211
212 - Barry Windsor Smith cover
213
214 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover
215
216 - Barry Windsor Smith cover

(more to come)

see all X-Men issues

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See today's posts, more series checklists or the master list of series. See also this blog's artist checklists, top 10 lists or readers polls.