Thor #337 - Walt Simonson art & cover

Thor #337, 1983 - In a groundbreaking move, Walt Simonson takes over both scripting and art of this Marvel flagship title. Not since his premiere in Journey into Mystery has the character garnered such attention and deservedly so. Starting with this issue, Simonson introduces Beta Ray Bill, an equine-faced alien who proves himself equally worthy to wield Thor's hammer. On the cover the new hero demolishes the old masthead, an apt metaphor heralding a new direction for the series. Simonson combines inventive layouts with cleverly designed typography. His first several pages are completely devoid of dialogue, slowly building up to the visually explosive title page. After a disappointing run on this title in the late 1970s, the artist more than makes up the difference this time, establishing Thor one of his signature characters. This is 12 of 41 Thor issues with Simonson art. See today's posts or more Simonson or Thor issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = *****
"Doom!" Simonson story pencils and inks = *****
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House of Mystery #236 - Bernie Wrightson cover, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams art

House of Mystery #236, 1975 - A horrific image of an emerging skull by Bernie Wrightson begins this issue. It's among his most detailed bronze age covers, despite the crowded masthead above. The patterned birches on either side of the figures enclose and help frame the potential murder scene. In the opening tale, a ghostly prank among a group of older boys goes awry. Steve Ditko's style (paired with inker Mike Royer) is more whimsical than serious, setting the wrong tone. The last story is about a devious plot to fake a family member's death. Neal Adams' inks keep the scenes mostly in shadow, but his efforts seem to be minimal. His handiwork is barely recognizable with the exception of one or two panels. The interior page above is by Adams. This is number 5 of 5 House of Mystery issues with Adams art, number 1 of 6 House of Mystery issues with Ditko art and/or covers and number 25 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers (13 of 15 covers). See today's posts or more Adams, Wrightson, Ditko or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics, Ditko checklist, Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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"Deep Sleep" Adams story inks (Paul Kirchner pencils) 9 pages = *
'Death Played A Sideshow'' Ditko story pencils (Mike Royer inks) 8 pages = **
Wrightson cover pencils and inks = ****
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Silver Surfer v2 #1 - John Byrne art & cover

Silver Surfer v2 #1, 1982 - A decade past the cancellation of his first series, Silver Surfer appears in this one-shot special during the early 1980s. John Byrne delivers one of his lengthiest works for Marvel, nearing almost fifty pages. The pacing and sequencing is enhanced by no less than six dramatic full page splashes. Despite the best of intentions, most of the artist's pencils are buried beneath densely applied inks. Sadly, Byrne's style emerges only sporadically, most visibly during the journey into Mephisto's realm (see interior page above). This is number 1 of 1 Silver Surfer issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Silver Surfer issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Tom Palmer inks) = **
"Escape To Terror!" Byrne story pencils (Tom Palmer inks) 48 pages = **
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Justice League of America #94 - Neal Adams art & cover

Justice League of America #94, 1971 - Deadman makes a guest appearance, among his first after his series cancellation in Strange Adventures. Series artist Neal Adams steps in and contributes the ghostly cover design and a handful of interspersed pages. One of these is a stunning splash page portrait of one of the League of Assassins' leaders. Though Adams' art appears sporadically throughout the story, they are extraordinary in detail and craftsmanship. His pages generally focus on the story's villains, although there is a tantalizing collection of small Justice League portraits as well. Dick Dillin is the artist on the majority of the issue, which also includes the origins of the Sandman and Starman (reprints from the Golden Age). This is the only Justice League issue with Adams art. See today's posts or more Adams or Justice League issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
"Where Strikes Demonfang?" Adams story pencils and inks 4 pages = ****
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House of Mystery #277 - Steve Ditko cover

House of Mystery #277, 1980 - Steve Ditko drew relatively few DC covers, which makes this one a rare exception. It is a fine collage of menacing faces, evoking his work for Charlton in the 1950s. The warm color palette of the background nicely contrasts against the victim's blue monotone suit, which in turn references the masthead. Other artists in this issue include Mar Amongo, Al Milgrom, Howard Chaykin and Romeo Tanghal. This is number 6 of 6 House of Mystery issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = ****
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Amazing Spider-man Annual #15 - Frank Miller art & cover

Amazing Spider-man Annual #15, 1981 - When a fraudulent swami develops a deadly toxin, Doctor Octopus seizes it to threaten five million citizens of New York City. Spider-man and the Punisher both intervene to prevent the disaster. Despite the serious theme, there are lighter moments throughout the story. Frank Miller handles the various moods deftly, drawing and designing pages with superlative skill. Front page editions of the Daily Bugle are interspersed throughout, cleverly used as chapter dividers. Miller's cover idea is both ironic and amusing (Doc Ock reading the morning paper), but it's the interior pages that feature some of his most brilliant work. This is number 2 of 2 Amazing Spider-man annual issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Amazing Spider-Man issues. See also this blog's Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Klaus Janson inks) = ***
"Spider-man: Threat or Menace?" Miller story pencils (Klaus Janson inks) 30 pages = *****
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Weird War Tales #10 - Alex Toth, Walt Simonson art

Weird War Tales #10, 1973 - During World War Two, a GI parachutes onto an old castle seemingly haunted by a ghostly swordsman. Alex Toth's art has a distinct newspaper strip feel. At times loose and impressionistic, the drawings are perfectly suited to the story. His post-war depictions of a matinee crowd (see interior page above) and restaurant interiors are evident of his fine draftsmanship. At ten pages, this is Toth's only complete story in the entire series. Walt Simonson, by contrast, struggles with one of his earliest efforts for DC. Figure drawing, foreshortening and composition all fall short of his true potential. Other artists in this issue include Quinco Redondo and Nick Cardy (cover). This is number 3 of 3 Weird War Tales issues with Toth art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 Weird War Tales issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth, Simonson or Weird War Tales issues. See also this blog's Simonson checklist or Toth checklist.
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"Who is Haunting the Haunted Chateau?" Toth story pencils and inks 10 pages = ****
"Cyrano's Army" Simonson story pencils and inks 6 pages = *
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House of Mystery #274 - Marshall Rogers art

House of Mystery #274, 1979 - This is one of a handful of Marshall Rogers short stories done during the late 1970s, fresh from his amazing run on Detective Comics. A church minister is invited to a hellish theme park at the invitation of its devilish owner (think Billy Graham meets Bob Guccione). Rogers conveys the story title within the architecture itself, and his pencils and inks work beautifully together throughout. It's an uncommonly sophisticated-looking story, during a time when the title had little to brag about artistically. This is easily Rogers' best work on the title. This is number 2 of 3 House of Mystery issues with Rogers art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Rogers or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Rogers checklist or Top 10 Rogers comics.
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"Hell Park" Rogers story pencils and inks 9 pages = ****
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Amazing Spider-man Annual #14 - Frank Miller art & cover

Amazing Spider-man Annual #14, 1980 - Dr. Doom conspires with Dormammu to unleash a new malevolent force. Meanwhile, Spider-man responds to Doctor Strange's mystical call for help. Frank Miller's cover radiates with power, contrasting the heroic figures with Dr. Doom's image in the background. Inside, the artist delivers one of his most exceptional works. Each page is carefully designed, with enough variations to maintain interest in this lengthy adventure. Miller employs two-page wide panels at certain intervals, dividing the story into more manageable segments. His splendid drawings often pay homage to Steve Ditko's early Dr. Strange issues (see interior page above). Miller's already formidable pencils are further enhanced by inker Tom Palmer. This is number 1 of 2 Amazing Spider-man annual issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Amazing Spider-Man issues. See also this blog's Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils (Tom Palmer inks) = ****
"The Book of the Vishanti" Miller story pencils (Tom Palmer inks) 40 pages = *****
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Star Spangled War #164 - Alex Toth art, Joe Kubert cover

Star Spangled War Stories #164 featuring the Unknown Soldier, 1972 - In this issue's back up story, Alex Toth illustrates the terror of hand-to-hand combat. A GI fights for his life against a Japanese soldier, only to find the perception of the enemy sometimes differs from reality. The artist minimizes word balloons and uses silent panels to tell this tale in a compelling and profound way. Toth mostly uses a grid system comprised of equally divided panels, but his mastery of pacing and layout maintains the tale's intensity. The subtle color palette thankfully reinforces the somber mood. Of all his DC short stories during the 1970s, this is quite easily one of Toth's masterpieces. Joe Kubert's Unknown Soldier cover competes against too many elements, but otherwise fits the bill. This is number 1 of 1 Star Spangled War issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth, Kubert or Star Spangled War issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist or Toth checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"White Devil, Yellow Devil" Toth story pencils and inks 8 pages = *****
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Doctor Strange #179 - Barry Windsor Smith cover, Steve Ditko reprint

Dr. Strange #179, 1969 - This cover features Barry Smith's first rendition of Spider-man, one of handful in his entire career. Amateurish and poorly drawn, it's typical of his early efforts for the comics industry. The figures are distorted and the composition weak. Despite the cover touting Spider-man as a guest star, the interiors contain no new material but an earlier Ditko reprint. This is number 1 of 1 Doctor Strange issues with Smith art and/covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Doctor Strange issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist or Ditko checklist.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = *
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Amazing Spider-man Annual #13 - John Byrne art

Amazing Spider-man Annual #13, 1979 - A thug named Jimbo Ryan not only steals Doctor Octopus' plans, but murders a secret service agent as well. John Byrne teams up with inker Terry Austin on this king size annual, pitting Spider-man against his perennial foe. This lengthy tale is exquisitely drawn with an abundance of fine details. Pages layouts are clear and concise while maintaining a comfortable pace. Byrne's rendition of Spider-man is as good as anyone's, evidenced throughout the story. The artfully sequenced rescue of a falling Jimbo Ryan (page 31) is especially good. Other artists in this issue include Keith Pollard and Bob McCleod (cover). This is number 2 of 3 Amazing Spider-man Annual issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or Amazing Spider-Man issues.
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"The Arms of Doctor Octopus" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 24 pages = ****
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Our Fighting Forces #146 - Alex Toth art, Joe Kubert cover

Our Fighting Forces #146 featuring the Losers, 1974 - Winner of an industry short story award, "Burma Sky" showcased the talents of both writer Archie Goodwin and artist Alex Toth. Retreating from Rangoon during the 1940s, an American fighter pilot takes up his WWI-era biplane to ensure the safety of his comrades. Toth displays a astonishing knowledge of aircraft, from the drawings of hangars and airfields to the aerial dogfights above. Despite the number of small panels, the artist uses each to full effect, telling the story with clarity and poignancy. Toth's art alone deserves the accolades. Joe Kubert provides a less than adequate cover. Other artists in this issue include John Severin. This is number 2 of 2 Our Fighting Forces issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth, Kubert or Our Fighting Forces issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist or Toth checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = **
"Burma Sky" Toth story pencils and inks 7 pages = ****
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House of Mystery #231 - Bernie Wrightson cover

House of Mystery #231, 1975 - A werewolf is seized upon by two men as other villagers arrive bearing torches. Bernie Wrightson's cover uses flailing limbs and weapons to divide up the negative space. The exaggerated folds in the clothing are typical of his eclectic style. Although he probably had little say in the colors, the lighter, softer palette seems to contradict the frenzied scene. Other artists in this issue include Ricardo Villamonte and Gerry Talaoc. This is number 24 of 27 House of Mystery issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson cover pencils and inks = ***
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Amazing Spider-Man Annual #12 - John Byrne cover

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #12, 1978 - John Byrne draws an enraged Incredible Hulk almost better than anyone, as seen on this king-size annual cover. The curved horizontal path of the Hulk's punch conveniently leads the eye to Spider-man himself. During a time when he rarely inked his own pencils, this issue stands out as a more than pleasant surprise. Other artists in this issue include John Romita, Jim Mooney and Tony Mortellaro. This is number 1 of 3 Amazing Spider-man Annual issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts. See today's posts or more Byrne or Amazing Spider-Man issues.
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = ***
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