Thor #169 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Thor #169, 1969 - The cover utilizes a montage of Kirby, perhaps taken from previous issues? The central figure of Thor may have been changed as well, and looks more like a John Romita drawing. Kirby delivers two full page splashes this issue, but overall the inks are too simplified and unpolished. The result is a fairly mediocre issue. See today's posts or more Kirby or Thor issues.
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Kirby cover pencils = **
"The Awesome Answer" Kirby story pencils 20 pages = **
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Hercules Unbound #9 - Walt Simonson art

Hercules Unbound #9, 1977 - Simonson provides layouts that are unrecognizable as his work. Despite Bob Layton's efforts, the artwork is stiff and amateurish. This issue possibly has the worst artwork in the series. This is number 3 of 6 Hercules Unbound issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson or Hercules Unbound issues. See also this blog's Simonson checklist.
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"Finale" Simonson story pencils and inks 17 pages = *
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Hercules Unbound #8 - Walt Simonson / Wally Wood art & cover

Hercules Unbound #8, 1977 - Wally Wood's final issue of the series is also one of his best. From the good girl cover art to the large paneled title spread, his inks are a fine complement to Simonson's pencils. This is number 8 of 8 Hercules Unbound issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 2 of 6 Hercules Unbound issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson, Wood or Hercules Unbound issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist. See also this blog's Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils / Wood cover inks = ***
"Game" Simonson story pencils / Wood inks 17 pages = ***
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Hercules Unbound #7 - Walt Simonson / Wally Wood art, Wood cover

Hercules Unbound #7, 1976 - Simonson begins pencilling the series, using larger panels than his predecessor. Wood's phenomenal cover inks result in the best cover of the series. His interior inks largely dominate yet enhance the art. This is number 7 of 8 Hercules Unbound issues with Wood art and/or covers and number 1 of 6 Hercules Unbound issues with Simonson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Simonson, Wood or Hercules Unbound issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist or Simonson checklist.
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Wood cover inks (Rich Buckler pencils) = ***
"To Slay A Legend" Simonson story pencils / Wood inks 17 pages = ***
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Hercules Unbound #6 - Wally Wood art

Hercules Unbound #6, 1976 - Larger dramatic panels allow plenty of room for battle scenes. From page two, the action is almost continuous, and Wood does an impressive job. Of note is J.L. Garcia Lopez and Wood's opening splash page, a quiet and somber scene in contrast to the other pages. This is number 6 of 8 Hercules Unbound issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Hercules Unbound issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"Even A God May Die" Wood story inks (Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pencils) 17 pages = ***
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Hercules Unbound #5 - Wally Wood art

Hercules Unbound #5, 1976 - J.L. Garcia Lopez draws his most dramatic splash page yet, and Wood's inks are perfectly suited for it. The double page spread that follows is even more spectacular. Their collaborative efforts are still impressive, and this issue is perhaps their finest. This is number 5 of 8 Hercules Unbound issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Hercules Unbound issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"War Among The Ruins" Wood story inks (Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pencils) 17 pages = ***
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X-Men #143 - John Byrne art

X-Men #143, 1981 - The story replays an earlier event in X-men #96, in which Storm ultimately triumphs over a horde of demons. John Byrne's interpretation gives it a fresh new look, segueing into the current dilemma of a demon run amok. The artist's title typography drips and oozes eerily into the splash page. The story itself is an obvious nod to& the Ridley Scott film, substituting a demon for the Alien and Kitty Pryde for Sigourney Weaver. The pacing and suspense are strikingly similar. This baptism of fire for the X-men's newest member is also Byrne's last effort on the series. This is number 35 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Demon" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 22 pages = ***
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X-Men #142 - John Byrne art

X-Men #142, 1981 -
The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants returns, led by the shape-changing Mystique. Kitty Pryde, armed with the consciousness of her future self, convinces the X-men to stop a present day tragedy. Whether scenes of a post-apocalyptic future or present day battles with super-villains, John Byrne draws both with enthusiastic detail. His best effort occurs on the wide panel spread (pages 2-3), depicting the X-men ready for action. His flat, horizon-line viewpoint is innovative, but not unappealing. Byrne ends his run on the series in spectacular fashion. This is number 34 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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"Mind Out of Time" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 22 pages = ***
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X-Men #141 - John Byrne art & cover

X-Men #141, 1981 - From the post-apocalyptic future, a full grown Kate Pryde sends her consciousness back into her younger self, intent on changing events that could end the world. The dismal title typography on page one reinforces the devastation of a Manhattan yet to come. John Byrne contrasts the darkness and destruction with a brighter, present day splash of Kitty in the Danger Room. Other pages seem to employ smaller panels than usual, but no less exquisite in their detail. Perhaps most astonishing is the cover, where Byrne spotlights Kate and the aged Wolverine. Behind them, an outsized poster shows a gallery of mutants who've been captured or killed. On a different note, Mystique makes her second appearance (her first on this series). This is number 33 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = *****
"Days of Future Past" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 22 pages = ***
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X-Men #140 - John Byrne art & cover

X-Men #140, 1980 - Joining Alpha Flight in the Canadian wilderness, Wolverine and Nightcrawler fight for their lives against the carnivorous Wendigo. John Byrne nears the end of his long run on this title, but still maintains a high standard. His skillful cover seems especially designed to show off Wolverine's new costume. Among the story pages, Nightcrawler's acrobatic avoidance of the beast is a high point (see interior page above). The issue also serves as a precursor to the first Alpha Flight series, which Byrne would write as well as draw. This is number 32 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***
"Rage" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) = *** 
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X-Men #139 - John Byrne art & cover

X-Men #139, 1980 - Wolverine and Nightcrawler travel to northern Canada, the Angel rejoins the team, and Kitty Pryde takes on the codename "Sprite" . Helping out Alpha Flight, Wolverine takes part in the hunt for the Wendigo, coincidentally a foe from his first mission (Incredible Hulk #181). John Byrne delivers a work of exceptional quality. The opening scene displays a single point perspective of Angel in the danger room, followed by a breathtaking spread of the X-men's current lineup. The artwork transitions from an urban environment to the Canadian wilderness with great ease. Byrne caps this issue with a gripping splash of the Wendigo's sudden appearance.  This is number 31 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne or X-men issues.
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Byrne cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 22 pages = *****
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House of Mystery #220 - Alex Nino art

House of Mystery #220, 1973 - The story art of "The Hunter" is distorted to the point of sharp, nearly abstract shapes. Alex Nino's work often resembled cut paper collages, and this issue is no exception. His opening panel of Cerberus the Three Headed Dog of Hades is menacingly marvelous, especially in the inking. Alfredo Alcala also provides story art in this issue. This is number 4 of 14 House of Mystery issues with Nino art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Nino or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Alex Nino checklist.
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"The Hunter" Nino story pencils and inks 8 pages = ***
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Thor #161 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Thor #161, 1969 - Kirby does a terrific cover of Galactus and Ego. Inside he attempts a two page spread of Thor juxtaposed on a photographic montage. It is a technique he used during the 1960s, to varying degrees of success but in this case it tends to distract. Although the opening splash is just well done, Kirby does three more splashes that are astonishing in detail and skill. Vince Colletta's inking neither adds nor detracts from the art. See today's posts or more Kirby or Thor issues.
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Kirby cover pencils (Vince Colletta inks) = ***
"Shall a God Prevail?" Kirby story pencils (Vince Colletta inks) 20 pages = ****
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Hercules Unbound #4 - Wally Wood art

Hercules Unbound #4, 1976 - Wood's inking continues to dominate J.L. Garcia Lopez's pencils, but with eye-pleasing results. The art is wonderfully drawn with many details. The splash page of Hercules' boat being attacked is convincing, and the next spread is exemplary. Wood's skill at depicting texture in the waves and explosions is stunning. This is number 4 of 8 Hercules Unbound issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Hercules Unbound issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"This Savage Strength" Wood story inks (Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pencils) 17 pages = ***
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Conan the Barbarian #37 - Neal Adams art & cover

Conan the Barbarian #37, 1974 - Enslaved by the barbarous hill-tribes, Conan discovers the secret of the gold-skinned wizard that rules over them. Originally drawn for Savage Sword of Conan, this story was colored and re-sized to fit the smaller comic book format. There are more violent scenes than usual, but Neal Adams' exceptional artwork demands attention. Even at a smaller size, his drawings retain most of their details. The title splash of Conan riding his mount through chilling northern winds is especially stunning. Adams' cover is equally brilliant in its composition and rendition. Overall, the issue showcases the artist's drawing skills at their most exquisite. This is number 1 of 4 Conan the Barbarian issues with Adams art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Conan the Barbarian or Adams issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics.
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Adams cover pencils and inks = *****
"The Curse Of The Golden Skull" Adams story pencils and inks 19 pages = ****
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Uncle Scrooge #36 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge #36, 1962 - Magica De Spell makes very first appearance in this issue. Uncle Scrooge's first dime (Old Number One) is also, he believes, is a lucky charm and the the sorceress is intent on taking possession it. Carl Barks' pacing is somewhat more erratic than usual, but doesn't detract from the overall events. His second Uncle Scrooge story, about a destructive goat, is slightly better drawn than the main feature. The four page Gyro Gearloose tale is the weakest of the three, but largely meets expectations. This is 19 of 70 Uncle Scrooge issues with Barks art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Barks, Disney or Uncle Scrooge issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Midas Touch" Barks story pencils and inks 17 pages = ***
"Duckburg's Day of Peril" Barks story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Money Bag Goat" Barks story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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Manhunter (Special Edition) #1 - Walt Simonson cover & reprints

Manhunter (Special Edition) #1, 1984 - The edition reprints the entire Manhunter back-up series from Detective Comics #437-443. The stories won a slew of comic book industry awards for writer Archie Goodwin and artist Walt Simonson, propelling the young artist to greater notoriety. In this special issue, the paper stock is improved and some of the coloration has changed (mostly brightened up) but not to the detriment of the art. Simonson's dazzling new cover utililizes characters and weapons from the original storyline. While I still prefer the originals, this collection is a more than worthy supplement. See today's posts or more Simonson issues. See also this blog's Walt Simonson checklist.
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Simonson cover pencils and inks = ***
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Conan the Barbarian #24 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Conan the Barbarian #24, 1973 - Red Sonja convinces Conan to embark on a bold theft of untold riches, all within a glittering bejeweled tower. "The Song of Red Sonja" not only marked her second appearance, but also won a slew of industry awards in the 1970s. Barry Smith perfects a neoclassical style that had been slowly emerging in the past few issues. Every page is breathtakingly detailed, from the chaotic tavern brawl on the cover to his two magnificent splash pages. Two single page interludes temper the story's pacing with their quiet narratives and open panels (pages 11,18). This exceptional work is not only Smith's finest to date, but one of the best drawn issues of the bronze age. This story was later reprinted in Marvel Treasury Edition #15. This is number 22 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 Song of Red Sonja" Smith story pencils and inks 20 pages = *****
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Conan the Barbarian #22 - Barry Windsor Smith cover & reprint

Conan the Barbarian #22, 1973 - A missed deadline forces Marvel to reprint Conan the Barbarian #1 instead of the story portrayed on Barry Smith's cover (published in the following issue Conan #23). The cover art is a bit convoluted, but recognizable in style and approach. Not too dissimilar from the original, "The Coming of Conan" reproduces faithfully and for the very first time. Also included is a pin-up page (see interior page above) of sketches by Smith, which appear to predate the aforementioned first issue. This is number 20 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 Barry Windsor Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = ***
"Special Hyborean Page Pin-up" Smith pencils and inks 1 page = **
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