Space Adventures - comic series checklist

Thunder Agents #10 - Al Williamson / Wally Wood art & cover

T.h.u.n.d.e.r. Agents #10, 1967 - Al Williamson and Wally Wood combine their talents on the high contrast cover, depicting Dynamo facing a shadowy brute. Artfully drawn, the scene has nothing to do with any interior stories. Wood's opening tale reveals the agents of S.P.I.D.E.R. and their plan to use Thunder Agent doppelgangers. Panels are small and numerous but not unappealing, a few may have been pencilled by Williamson. The high point is a sequence of panels that also serve as a cutaway to an underground lair (page 2). Figures descend stairs at each level, naturally guiding the reader (a brilliant concept that works particularly well here). Other artists in this issue include Mike Sekowsky, Ogden Whitney, Manny Stallman and John Giunta. This is number 10 of 18 Thunder Agents issues with Wood art and/or covers (not including reprints) and number 1 of 1 Thunder Agents issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood, Williamson or Thunder Agents issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist or Williamson checklist.
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Williamson cover pencils / Wood inks = ***
"Operation Armageddon" Williamson, Wood story pencils / Wood inks 10 pages = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #11 - Steve Ditko art & cover

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #11, 1959 - The masthead encloses itself in a green box, confining Ditko's art to a smaller space than usual. It is the first of his covers without the issue's story contents, and instead focusing on the Mysterious Traveler himself. Ditko experiments with panel layouts in the opening tale set in India. The staggering panel heights on several pages work effectively, particularly the Indian Rope Trick scene. "Inside The Crystal Globe" is the most different of all his works on the title. Ditko inks with a much thinner line, and flattens depth in the faces. It is an unexpected approach, but unique for his style and beautifully rendered. The opening splash and page designs are impeccable. His last story, about a nefarious swindler, is the weakest but still capably drawn. This is number 10 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Other Form" Ditko story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
"Inside The Crystal Globe" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ****
"Valley Of Eternity" Ditko story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #291 - Carl Barks art

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #291, 1950 - Barks begins the tale with a beautiful opening panel of a city view. Uncle Scrooge casts off an old fishing boat and a used hourglass by giving them to Donald and his nephews. The hourglass is apparently magic, and they travel to its origins in Morocco. The Barks artwork is nicely detailed, and of note is the wonderful large panel of a shark-powered fishing boat. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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"The Magic Hourglass" Barks story pencils and inks 28 pages = ****
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Thunder Agents #9 - Wally Wood art & cover

T.h.u.n.d.e.r. Agents #9, 1967 - Posing as an army soldier, Dynamo must ferret out members of S.P.I.D.E.R., a subversive weapons group. The drawings are a tad less dynamic than previous issues, leading me to believe the penciller is Dan Adkins. Wally Wood's distinctive inks are more obvious, particularly in explosive panels (see interior page above). His skillfulness directly contrasts his poor finishes on the cover. Other artists in this issue include Mike Sekowsky, Ogden Whitney, Manny Stallman and John Giunta. This is number 9 of 18 Thunder Agents issues with Wood art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Wood or Thunder Agents issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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Wood cover inks (John Guinta pencils) = *
"Corporal Dynamo USA" Wood story inks (Dan Adkins pencils) 10 pages = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #10 - Steve Ditko art & cover

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #10, 1958 - Nearing the end of his run, Ditko produces an extraordinary cover and three fine stories. One of the stories is omitted on the cover, but probably improved the design. His inking on the background face is a masterful division of light and dark, creating a powerful visual. He repeats the layout (somewhat less effectively) on the last story's opening splash, but the remaining pages are beautifully rendered. "Little Boy Blue" is the tale that stands the most, employing some innovative panels of the Mysterious Traveler throughout the tale. Page two is the most visually imposing, and arguably detracts from the narration. This is number 9 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = *****
"Who Knows?" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
"Little Boy Blue" Ditko story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
"The Statues That Came To Life" Ditko story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #282 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #282, 1950 - Donald gives his Uncle Scrooge a gift parrot, whom everyone discovers can recite numbers from memory. This delightfully written Barks tale is a favorite of many. The parrot escapes to his native tropics, with Donald and company in pursuit. Barks does his usual splendid job, depicting emotions and scenes masterfully. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Pixilated Parrot" Barks story pencils and inks 22 pages = ***
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Thunder Agents #8 - Wally Wood art & cover

T.h.u.n.d.e.r. Agents #8, 1967 - The subterranean Overlord returns in two action-packed stories by Wally Wood. In the first, Dynamo is kidnapped and transferred to the villain's lair (inexplicably styled as a medieval castle). The reverse occurs in the second tale, as a subterranean is captured and interrogated by the Thunder Agents. Dan Adkins is credited as penciller, emulating his mentor's style while benefitting from his inks. The spaceship interiors are the most interesting, mostly due to detailed machinery in the background. Wood's cover combines several fight scenes in a busy yet eye-catching layout. Other artists in this issue include Mike Sekowsky, John Giunta, Joe Giella and George Tuska. This is number 8 of 18 Thunder Agents issues with Wood art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Wood or Thunder Agents issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ***
"Thunder in the Dark" Wood story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
"Final Encounter" Wood story inks (Dan Adkins pencils) 10 pages = ***
Overlord portrait, Wood pencils and inks 1 page = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #9 - Steve Ditko art

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #9, 1958 - Of the three Ditko stories in this issue, the first two are fairly conservative in their artistic approach. The artist's line is tighter and smoother (not necessarily a negative), but several panels are oversimplified and lack interest. Ditko's third tale is more reliable in its detail and artistry. Set in the Balkans of the 1700s, a king finds a an identical substitute to take his place. Ditko spares no effort in the old European costuming and scenery. This is number 8 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"The End Of Edward'" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
"The Man Who Forgot" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
"The Imperial Double" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #263 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #263, 1950 - An effectively funny Barks gag graces this colorful cover. Donald and his nephews travel to the Pacific Northwest, where our hero discovers his has to sell calliopes to Native Americans. While some panels are minimalist in nature, there are many others that are richly detailed, especially the native clothing and totems. Barks' climactic scenes, including in this issue, are some of the best in the cartoon genre. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
Inside front cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
"Land of the Totem Poles" Barks story pencils and inks 24 pages = ****
"Trail of the Unicorn" Barks story pencils and inks 24 pages = ****
Inside back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
Back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #8 - Steve Ditko art

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #8, 1958 - Two Steve Ditko stories grace this issue. In the first, a blind man helps an impossibly small fugitive, then suddenly regains his eyesight. The artwork is minimal for sure, perhaps giving readers a similar lack of visual information. Ditko's second tale is set in an orphanage high in the Bavarian alps. A blind orphan girl yearns to be adopted but settles for an imaginary friend for the time being. Ditko's art on both stories is distinctive but borders on simplistic. In the latter story, the characters seem unintentionally comical. This is number 7 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"The Man Who Saw Again" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
"The Vision Came" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #256 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #256, 1949 - Donald competes against his maddeningly lucky cousin, Gladstone Gander. The story soon takes them north to the Arctic Ocean, where they eventually find viking treasure. The monotony of the early panel layouts are remedied by larger panels of objects requiring greater scale: a whale, iceberg,viking ship, etc. Barks' drawing and draftsmanship are superb throughout. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = *****
Inside front cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
"Luck of the North" Barks story pencils and inks 32 pages = ****
Inside back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
Back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #7 - Steve Ditko art

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #7, 1958 - While containing three stories, this issue marls a noticable decline in Ditko's art. The first two tales lack detail and effort, with many panels too minimal to be effective. The last story's opening panel is poorly designed, with too much negative space allocated toward the top. Thankfully, the remaining pages are more thoughtfully planned and more consistent with his other works on this series. This is number 6 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"And The Fear Grew" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
"Not Normal" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **
"The Heel And The Healer" Ditko story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #6 - Steve Ditko art & cover

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #6, 1957 - The cover is the most disappointing Ditko effort of the entire run. The host floats over an alien landscape, while he unnecessarily points toward the issue contents. The layout is also too busy and lacks clear hierarchy of elements. On the positive side, this comic is comprised entirely of Ditko art, and contains the most Ditko stories of the series (five). They are all equally well crafted for the most part, but vary in tone and approach depending on the story. He appropriately uses a lighter touch on "When Old Doc Died", especially on the character's deathbed scenes of heaven. Conversely, "Tomorrow's Punishment" is heavily labored over, but fits the theme of an ambitious thief. "The Old Fool" is the most progressive in its layouts, especially in how it incorporates the series host. This is number 5 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = **
"When Old Doc Died" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
"Mister Evriman" Ditko story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
"The Old Fool" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
"Little Girl Lost" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"Tomorrow's Punishment" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #223 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #223, 1949 - Possibly more than any other Barks story, this issue epitomizes the combination of his artistry and love of exotic locales. Commonly referred to as the "square egg" story, it is arguably his most popular work. The writing is Barks at his best, augmented by visual sight gags and realistic scenery. The highlight is the panel of an ancient South American civilization revealed to Donald and his nephews for the first time. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
Inside front cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
"Lost in the Andes" Barks story pencils and inks 32 pages = ****
Inside back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
Back cover Barks pencils and inks = ***
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Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #203 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Donald Duck / Four Color Comics #203, 1948 - With malicious intent, a witch lures Donald's nephews to her cabin with a gold Christmas tree. Carl Barks seems to have used the same character design from Snow White, while adding a more comical feel. Donald Duck's attempts to rescue Huey, Louie and Dewey are brilliantly funny. The old witch's transformations, especially into inanimate objects, are equally entertaining. No overly large panels in this tale, but Barks' storytelling skills are supreme. A short Xmas tale starring Mickey Mouse and Goofy tale also resides in this issue. See today's posts or more Barks or Donald Duck issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
Inside front cover Barks pencils and inks (black and red) = ***
"The Golden Christmas Tree" Barks story pencils and inks 20 pages = ****
Inside back cover Barks pencils and inks black and red) = ***
Barks back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #5 - Steve Ditko art & cover

Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #5, 1957 - The multi-paneled approach to the cover works less effectively than other issues, but Ditko's draftsmanship is superb. The series host is the focal point, not only due to the larger size but its more meticulous detail. Of his three interior stories, the first is the most conservative, although competently done. The second, about a mountain climber, the host appears as a god-like, observant entity rather than simply a narrator. It is an intense but fascinating effect. The finale tale is set in the ancient orient, and allows Ditko opportunity to draw some beautiful and decorative architecture. This is number 4 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Ditko or Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = ****
"The Man Below" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
"Above The Topmost Peak" Ditko story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
"The Sultan" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
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Journey Into Mystery #54 - Al Williamson, Steve Ditko art, Jack Kirby cover

Journey Into Mystery v1 #54, 1957 - This cover by Kirby is typical of his silver age monster comics, and as odd looking as the creature is, it bears no resemblance to the inside story. Williamson's realistic sci-fi story features his own costume and architecture designs whereas Ditko's expressionistic approach gives his story a friendliness and approachability. Their styles contrast greatly, and yet both have their artistic merits. The interior page shown above is by Ditko. This is number 4 of 4 Journey Into Mystery issues with Williamson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby, Ditko, Williamson or Journey Into Mystery issues. See also this blog's Williamson checklist or Ditko checklist.
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Kirby cover pencils = ***
"I Unleashed Monstro on the World" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***
"My Other Face" Williamson story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
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