Wyatt Earp v2 #11 - Russ Manning art

Wyatt Earp v2 #11, 1960 - An outlaw gang of ex-soldiers tries to take over Tombstone, making enemies of both Wyatt Earp and the criminal community. Russ Manning's two stories and two single pages are dependably drawn and confidently paced. His storytelling skills are one of his best assets, establishing the characters and guiding the reader through the plots. Manning's inside back cover depicts the necessary uses of a gun during the old west. While typically these pages are hurriedly done, the artist puts an impressive amount of time and effort into the panels. Overall the art in this issue maintains a consistently high standard. This is number 11 of 13 Wyatt Earp issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Wyatt Earp issues. See also this blog's Russ Manning checklist.
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"Ambush in Apache Hollow" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"The Tombstone Dude" Manning story pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
"Victory of the Vigilantes" Manning story pencils and inks 1 page = ***
"The Very Necessary Gun" Manning inside back cover (black and white) pencils and inks = ***
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Spectacular Spider-man v2 #57 - Frank Miller cover

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man v2 #57, 1981 - J. Jonah Jameson stands against an unseen villain while Spider-man makes a timely arrival. Covers featuring secondary characters are not new, but Frank Miller's layout feels overly crowded. Also, the title character seems to be added begrudgingly rather than integrated into the whole. Other artists in this issue include Jim Mooney. This is number 11 of 12 Spectacular Spider-man issues with Miller art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Miller or Spectacular Spider-man issues. See also this blog's Miller checklist.
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Miller cover pencils and inks = **
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Durango Kid #6 - Frank Frazetta art

Durango Kid #6, 1950 - A young French couple settles in the American frontier, only to be murdered a year later by pirates seeking revenge. Frank Frazetta's portrait of the duo looks carefully considered, as if taken from photographs. The Frenchman has a more than obvious resemblance to Errol Flynn, but his wife is unfamiliar and may also be a movie star from the same era. Frazetta's artwork is splendid, although several panels (including the opening one) would have benefited greatly from drawn in backgrounds rather than blank areas. The pirate captain's facial features are appropriately scary, even satanic. This is number 6 of 16 Durango Kid issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Frazetta or Durango Kid issues. See also this blog's Frazetta checklist or Top 10 Frazetta comics.
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"Pirate Fury" Frazetta story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Readers' Poll: Best Neal Adams Comics Character or Group

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Uncle Scrooge #16 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge #16, 1955 - Uncle Scrooge uses a hypnotist to delve into a past reincarnated life, hoping to find a long lost buried treasure. Along with Donald and his nephews, they embark to a remote island in the Caribbean. In addition to being an enjoyable story, Carl Barks illustrates many terrific scenes including a tropical hurricane. Other highlights include the idyllic seafaring panel on page four and the amusing collision of Donald and Scrooge on page seven. Barks contributes two shorter tales in this issue, both capably drawn but suffer slightly from comparison to the main story. This is 16 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 = ***
Barks inside front cover pencils and inks = ****
"Back to Long Ago" Barks story pencils and inks 21 pages = ****
Gyro Gearloose Barks story pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
Uncle Scrooge Barks story pencils and inks 6 pages = ***
Barks inside back cover pencils and inks = ****
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New Mutants #48 - Barry Windsor Smith cover

New Mutants #48, 1986 - Mirage and Cannonball face off against a mutant-hunting Sentinel on this last Barry Smith cover of the series. The nicely positioned layout draws the focal point toward the antagonist rather than the heroes. The Sentinel's size is amplified by not only the relative scale, but the enormous foreshortened hands on either side. The pink and purple hues skew toward an unusually feminine palette, but does reinforce Smith's sophisticated lines. Other artists in this issue include Jackson Guice and P. Craig Russell. This is number 10 of 10 New Mutants issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or New Mutants issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils and inks = ****
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Vampirella #4 - Jeff Jones cover

Vampirella magazine #4, 1970 - A nude woman sits atop a obscure creature while surveying an alien landscape. Jeff Jones produces one of his first cover paintings with the assistance of fellow artist Vaughn Bode. This somewhat minimal layout benefits from subtle washes of monochromatic color, adding to its dreamlike quality. This is number 1 of 8 Vampirella issues with Jones art and/or covers. See today's posts, more Jones or Vampirella issues. See also this blog's Jones checklist.
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Jones cover painting (with Vaughn Bode) = ***
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House of Mystery #272 - Don Newton art

House of Mystery #272, 1979 - A viking army proceeds to storm an ancient castle rumored to contain a vast treasure. A lone sorcerer is it's sole occupant, but the marauders get more than they bargained for. Though short in length, Don Newton draws an admirable handful of pages. The vikings overlook the ominous castle in the opening panel, and the addition of disturbing and contorted clouds in the background make this the story's highlight. Dan Adkins adds his usually dependable flair to Newton's pencils. This is number 2 of 2 House of Mystery issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Don Newton checklist.
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"The Sorcerer's Castle" Newton story pencils (Dan Adkins inks) 5 pages = ***
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Frontline Combat #7 - Wally Wood art

Frontline Combat #7, 1952 - As Harvey Kurtzman's bold cover states, the entire issue is dedicated to the events surrounding the battle of Iwo Jima. Of the four stories, Wally Wood's has the least amount of action, choosing instead to set the stage and provide some geological and historical background of the island. A military plane suffers from flak damage, causing the pilot to land on the non-yet-infamous island. Although the plot is relatively mundane, the artist draws every panel in excruciating detail from the aviation controls inside the plane to Iwo Jima's barren topography. Wood delivers yet another masterpiece on this EC war title. Other artists this issue include Jack Davis and John Severin. This is number 6 of 13 Frontline Combat issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Frontline Combat issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"Iwo Jima" Wood story pencils and inks 6 pages = *****
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Authentic Police Cases #7 - Matt Baker cover

Authentic Police Cases #7, 1950 - Two policemen break into a gangster's home, momentarily distracting him. His moll struggles to escape before the shootout ensues. Matt Baker creates an opulent setting on this cover, reinforced by the decorative furniture. The drapery of the girl's dress is sumptuously drawn, adding to the sophistication. The overturned chair suggests an altercation just minutes before. This scene has no accompanying tale inside and the text box refers to another story. This is number 2 of 27 Authentic Police Cases issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts, more Baker or Authentic Police Cases issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
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Readers' Poll: Best Steve Ditko Comics Decade

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Vampirella #1 - Neal Adams art, Frank Frazetta art & cover

Vampirella magazine #1, 1969 - The deceptively simple cover design is one of Frank Frazetta's most revered covers for Warren Publishing. Details such as Vampirella's heel perched on a skull and the batwing-like shadow behind her are masterful touches. A black and white version of her (also by Frazetta) greets the reader on the inside front cover. Neal Adams illustrates a tale of a beautiful woman seeking refuge from her underwater home of Atlantis. The artwork is entirely reproduced from pencils, complete with all the nuances of line and shading. The fight scenes are particularly violent, something rarely seen in Adams' more mainstream comics. Still, the drawings are nonetheless both alluring and spectacular. Note that this first issue was recently reprinted as a commemorative edition. This is number 1 of 3 Vampirella issues with Adams art and/or covers and number 1 of 5 Vampirella issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Frazetta or Vampirella issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist, Top 10 Adams comics, Frazetta checklist or Top 10 Frazetta comics.
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Frazetta cover painting = ****
Frazetta inside front cover pencils and inks = ***
"Goddess from the Sea" Adams story pencils 6 pages = ****
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New Gods #16 - Don Newton art

New Gods v1 #16, 1978 - Well into his run on this former Kirby title, Don Newton begins to make the characters his own. Several pages are a tad crowded for my tastes, but these are offset by the roominess of others. The double page spread on pages 2 and 3 has many beautifully clothed figures, some of which could have benefited from non-monochromatic colors. Joe Rubinstein inks Newton for the first time, and employs more than a few zipatone patterns in addition to his delicate brushwork. Like much of Newton's work, the character faces and their expressions take center stage. This is number 4 of 7 New Gods issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or New Gods issues. See also this blog's Newton checklist.
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"The Titan and the Hunter" Newton story pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) 17 pages = ***
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Two-Gun Kid #30 - Al Williamson / Angelo Torres art

Two-Gun Kid #30, 1956 - A fearless gunfighter suddenly meets a man he doesn't dare shoot. Even in this brief story, Al Williamson draws better than most of his peers. His opening splash depicts the cocky gunfighter heavily draped in shadow. The painterly background and large areas of black serve to heighten the drama. Frequent collaborator Angelo Torres does his usual fine job, adding spontaneity to Williamson's dynamic pencils. Other artists in this issue include Joe Maneely, Chuck Miller. This is number 2 of 3 Two-Gun Kid issues with Williamson art. See today's posts or more Williamson, Torres or Two-Gun Kid issues. See also this blog's Williamson checklist or Torres checklist.
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"Afraid of No Man" Williamson story pencils / Angelo Torres inks 4 pages = ***
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Durango Kid #5 - Frank Frazetta art

Durango Kid #5, 1950 - A surprisingly weak opening panel begins this tale of a devious merchant inciting war among the natives. The falling tree makes a compelling diagonal element, but the attacking indians lack the finishing inks of Frank Frazetta's previous issues. That aside, the remaining pages meet expectations with the artist's beautiful wilderness renderings. Page three's forest scenes are especially teeming with detail. In the end, Dan Brand applies frontier justice with a good old fashioned fist to the face of the merchant. The panel gives resolution to the story, but looks more comedic than serious, even by 1950s standards. This is one of four Frazetta / Dan Brand tales nicely reprinted in White Indian #12. This is number 5 of 16 Durango Kid issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Frazetta or Durango Kid issues. See also this blog's Frazetta checklist or Top 10 Frazetta comics.- - - - - - - - - -
"Trees of Death" Frazetta story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***
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Tarzan #214 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Tarzan of the Apes #214, 1972 - This eye-catching cover is more fantastical than usual, and perfectly suited to the interior story. An Edgar Rice Burroughs adaptation, Tarzan temporarily suffers from wild hallucinations after ingesting putrid food. The art by Joe Kubert is one of his best to date, from the two-page spread of a orgiastic African feast to the full page splash of an albino gorilla. His masterfully paced layouts tell the tale with clarity and maximum effect. With this issue, Kubert hits his stride on the series. Other artists in this issue include Dan Green. This is number 8 of 44 Tarzan issues with Kubert art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Kubert or Tarzan issues. See also this blog's Kubert checklist.
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Kubert cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Nightmare" Kubert story pencils and inks 18 pages = ****
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Uncle Scrooge #14 - Carl Barks art & cover

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge #14, 1956 - Uncle Scrooge and company travel to the Tibet in search of the lost crown of Genghis Khan. Little do they realize that they'll have to wrest it from the lair of the Abominable Snowman. The Himalayan setting can be a tad monotonous, with only background mountains and snow, but Barks does his exemplary storytelling skills to lead up the confrontation with the creature in a larger panel. His version of the Abominable Snowman is the least ferocious I've seen and resembles more of an overgrown childish native. Two shorter Barks stories also reside in this issue, including an amusing tale of Scrooge's pursuit of oil on a single square inch of land. This is 14 of 70 Uncle Scrooge issues with Barks art and/or covers (not including reprints). See today's posts or more Barks or Uncle Scrooge issues.
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Barks cover pencils and inks = ***
"The Lost Crown of Genghis Khan" Barks story pencils and inks 19 pages = ****
Untitled Uncle Scrooge fortune telling story Barks pencils and inks 8 pages = ****
Untitled Gyro Gearloose concrete fence story Barks pencils and inks 4 pages = ***
Barks inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
Barks inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***
Barks back cover pencils and inks = ***
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Where Monsters Dwell #8 - non-attributed Bernie Wrightson cover, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko reprints

Where Monsters Dwell #8, 1971 - Not credited in comic book guides, Bernie Wrightson inks this cover by Marie Severin. It seems hurriedly done, with more effort focused on the four-armed demons than the victim. This ongoing reprint title also contains a Jack Kirby story from Tales To Astonish #26 and two Steve Ditko tales from Tales to Astonish #21 and #26. This is number 1 of 1 Where Monsters Dwell issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson, Kirby, Ditko or Where Monsters Dwell issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson cover inks (Marie Severin pencils) = *
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Authentic Police Cases #6 - Matt Baker cover

Authentic Police Cases #6, 1948 - On Matt Baker's first cover of the series, a thug tries to push a woman off a speeding train. Her torn blouse suggests a violent struggle while her shapely legs leads the eye to the text below. Despite the danger, her winsome figure is artfully posed to serve as the scene's focal point. Baker's one point perspective suggests speed as well as distance. Incidentally, this scene doesn't occur in any of the interior stories. This is number 1 of 27 Authentic Police Cases issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts, more Baker or Authentic Police Cases issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = *****
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House of Mystery #259 - Don Newton art

House of Mystery #259, 1978 - Space policemen from the future visit a once peaceful and populated planet now overrun by aliens. Don Newton's layouts are uninspiring, crowding panels on certain pages. He does a passable job with the drawings, although far from his best effort. Michael Golden's story about a Caribbean treasure, by contrast, is thoughtfully designed and paced. This issue marks the last dollar comic of the series, boasting eighty-pages of new material. This is number 1 of 2 House of Mystery issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or House of Mystery issues. See also this blog's Don Newton checklist.
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"Return to Camelot Seven" Newton story pencils (Bob Layton inks) 5 pages = ***
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Frontline Combat #6 - Wally Wood art

Frontline Combat #6, 1952 - The War of 1812 was a particularly bloody period of American history, and Wally Wood does his best to illustrate the savagery of war. His opening panel illustrates the deadly aftermath of a frontier battle. A wounded Indian narrates the rise and fall of Tecumseh, the great chief who led a coalition of tribes against the white man. Like many of his previous issues on this title, Wood composes his scenes with great attention to detail, even in the smallest panels. In the last scene, the artist cleverly uses creative typography and the reader's own imagination to finish off the tale. The issue also contains art by Jack Davis, Harvey Kurtzman and John Severin. This is number 5 of 13 Frontline Combat issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or Frontline Combat issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"War of 1812" Wood story pencils and inks 7 pages = *****
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