Ben and Me / Four Color Comics #539 - Al Hubbard art & cover

Walt Disney's Ben and Me / Four Color Comics #539, 1954 - Based on the Disney animated short, the story chronicles the friendship between Benjamin Franklin and an inventive mouse. Al Hubbard opens with a large spacious panel, cleverly titled in letterpress type. His drawings are lively and organic, infusing the characters with humor and personality. To supplement the fictional tale, two biographical pages are also included. This is number 1 of 1 Ben and Me issues with Hubbard art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Hubbard or Four Color Comics issues.

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Hubbard cover pencils and inks = ***
"Ben and Me" Hubbard story pencils and inks 32 pages = ****

"Inventions by Ben and Me" Hubbard back cover pencils and inks = ***

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Human Fly #9 - John Byrne cover

Human Fly #9, 1978 - This obscure John Byrne cover depicts a precarious rescue by the Human Fly. The female's upraised arm is poorly foreshortened and disproportionate to the rest of her figure. The scene's worm's eye view seems to apply only to the foreground, resulting in a mildly distracting inconsistency. On the plus side, the background ornamentation is nicely detailed and Terry Austin's inks do justice to Byrne's pencils (as usual). Curiously, despite two guest stars inside, the White Tiger appears on the cover rather than the more popular Daredevil. Other artists in this issue include Frank Robbins and Mike Esposito. This is number 1 of 1 Human Fly issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = **
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Pacific Presents #1 - Steve Ditko art

Pacific Presents #1, 1982 - Another of Steve Ditko's strange but likable creations, the Missing Man fights crime with his extended free-floating limbs. Although some pages are populated with small, crowded panels, the characters are oddly distinctive and lovingly drawn. Equally noteworthy is a Rocketeer installment by Dave Stevens (art & cover), paying homage to both artist Frank Frazetta and the notorious pin-up Betty Page. This is number 1 of 3 Pacific Presents issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's post or more Ditko or Pacific Presents issues. See also this blog's Steve Ditko checklist.

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Ditko partial cover pencils and inks = ***
"Missing Man Meets the Queen Bee" Ditko story pencils and inks 18 pages = ***
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Vigilante #29 - non-attributed Marshall Rogers cover

Vigilante #29, 1986 - Standing against the backdrop of a setting/rising sun, the title character stands victorious over his foe. Quiet and minimalist, Marshall Rogers' artwork is consistent with other covers in the series but arguably more sophisticated. The dark silhouetted figures contrast beautifully against the banded color background. Interestingly, the serene image suggests an ending rather than the beginning of the story. This is number 1 of 2 Vigilante issues with Rogers art and/or covers. Other artists in this issue include Tod Smith and Rick Magyar. See today's posts or more Rogers or Vigilante issues. See also this blog's Marshall Rogers checklist or Top 10 Marshall Rogers comics.

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Rogers cover pencils and inks = ***
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Gene Autry Comics / Gene Autry and Champion - comic series checklist

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Gene Autry Comics

Fawcett
1941-43

1
2-4
5-10

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Gene Autry / Gene Autry and Champion
Dell
1943-59

11-20
21-40
41-60
61-80
81-101
(continues as Gene Autry and Champion)
102-112
113 - non-attributed Alex Toth art
114-117
118 - Russ Manning art
119-121

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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 #4 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Conan the Barbarian #4, 1971 - Freely adapting from Robert E. Howard's Tower of the Elephant, Conan seeks riches within a jeweled, yet well guarded structure. Barry Smith's artwork displays an increased confidence and maturity. Decorative elements enhance the interior settings on pages 10-16. The seedy tavern on the first page also more thoughtfully detailed than previous issues. His pacing, sequencing and organization is carefully planned and continues to improve. This is number 4 of 20 Conan the Barbarian issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Conan the Barbarian or Smith issues.

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Smith cover pencils and inks = ***
"Tower of the Elephant" Smith story pencils (Sal Buscema inks) 20 pages = ***
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