My Love v2 #23 - Jim Steranko reprint

My Love v2 #23, 1973 - As popularity started to wane in the mid-1970s, Marvel's romance titles began reprinting stories from previous years. This particular issue is noteworthy for reprinting Jim Steranko's one and only romance tale (Our Love Story #5). This version is passable but I still prefer the original. Other artists in this issue include John Buscema and Gene Colan (also reprints). See today's posts or more Steranko or My Love issues. See also this blog's Jim Steranko checklist or Top 10 Steranko comics.
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King Richard and the Crusaders / Four Color Comics #588 - Matt Baker art

King Richard and the Crusaders / Four Color Comics #588, 1954 - Coinciding with the Warner Brothers film of the same name, this movie comic boasts artwork by Matt Baker. At thirty plus pages, "King Richard and the Crusaders" is most likely the longest story of the artist's career. With some exceptions, Baker mostly adheres to the publisher's monotonous six panel grid. An occasional character's face is mildly distorted, but overall the knights are gallant and the maidens lovely (see interior page above). Baker recreates the chivalrous age with great skill, drawing the medieval settings with sensitivity and charm. This was one of only a handful of issues he did for Dell, including work on Lassie. This is number 1 of 1 King Richard and the Crusaders issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Baker or Four Color Comics issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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"King Richard and the Crusaders" Baker story pencils and inks 34 pages including inside back cover (black & white) and back cover= ***
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Feature Presentations #6 (Moby Dick) - Wally Wood cover

Feature Presentations #6 featuring Moby Dick, 1950 - Though not the first comic book adaptation of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, it is among the most memorable due to Wally Wood's dynamic cover. Captain Ahab's slightly askew face forcefully conveys his obsession with the whale (mis-colored in grey). This montage contains all the pertinent story elements, with the exception of the narrator Ishmael. Wood's attention to detail is phenomenal for such an early work. His talent is most evident in the tall ship and the churning ocean waters. This is number 1 of 1 Feature Presentations issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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Wood cover pencils and inks = ***
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Tales of Ghost Castle - comic series checklist

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Tales of Ghost Castle v1
DC
1975-75

1 - Nestor Redondo art
2 - Alex Nino art
3 - mis-attributed Alex Nino art

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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.

Pacific Presents #2 - Steve Ditko art

Pacific Presents #2, 1983 - A dirt poor family of four turns to ruthlessness and crime, eventually crossing paths with Steve Ditko's Missing Man. Violent and vicious, many scenes are drawn with a palpable intensity. The most arresting page, however, features the main character in a sequence of open, flowing panels (see interior page above). Dave Stevens once again delivers a Rocketeer cover and story, filled with movie theater action, 1930s nostalgia and partial nudity. This is number 2 of 3 Pacific Presents issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Pacific Presents issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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"Missing Man Meets the Payne Family" Ditko story pencils and inks 18 pages = ***
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Incredible Hulk #3 - Jack Kirby art & cover

Incredible Hulk #3, 1962 - Despite the Hulk's first appearance and origin only two issues prior, this third issue offers a brief recap of the story. The character's tremendous leaping ability is also revealed for the first time, dramatically illustrated on the cover. Jack Kirby continues to engage readers with his dynamic drawings. The issue's artistic high point is the lone splash (page 15), introducing the colorfully nefarious Ringmaster. An assortment of unusual-looking circus folk accompany him, but sadly are not incorporated into the story. Kirby's art just meets expectations without much fanfare. This is number 3 of 5 Incredible Hulk issues with Kirby art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Kirby or Incredible Hulk issues.
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Kirby cover pencils (Dick Ayers inks) = **
"Banished to Outer Space" Kirby story pencils (Dick Ayers inks) 24 pages = ***
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Sea Hunt #5 - Russ Manning art

Sea Hunt #5, 1960 - Russ Manning draws both features and provides a small illustration for a single page text story. In the first tale, diver Mike Nelson tests a new underwater camera, running afoul of foreign agents. The second is decidedly more dramatic, opening with a disastrous train wreck. Most of the scenes occur at night, prompting the artist to use heavy areas of black to full effect. Manning overall delivers a fine job on this tv-related series. This is number 2 of 8 Sea Hunt issues with Manning art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Manning or Sea Hunt issues. See also this blog's Russ Manning checklist.
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"Underwater Eye" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"Trapped" Manning text illo pencils and inks 1 page = ***
"Emergency Train" Manning story pencils and inks 11 pages = ***
"Time and Tide" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = **
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Beware the Creeper #1 - Steve Ditko art & cover

Beware the Creeper #1, 1968 - One of Steve Ditko's signature creations appears in his own series after his debut in Showcase #73. His intriguing cover features the Creeper on the city rooftops, drenched in the storm and unaware of the threat lurking behind him. The drippings look more like icicles than rain, but that aside, Ditko's composition and rendering are formidable. His story art is nearly as good, containing a high level of detail and newfound enthusiasm throughout the pages. Curiously, all inside panel borders are colored rather than white (see interior page above), but neither adds nor detracts overall. This issue is easily one of Ditko's finest late silver age efforts. This is number 1 of 6 Creeper issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ditko or Beware the Creeper issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = *****
"Where Lurks the Menace?" Ditko story pencils and inks 23 pages = ****
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Ironjaw #1 - Neal Adams cover

Ironjaw #1, 1975 - One of Atlas/Seaboard's few barbarian titles, this premiere issue boasts a fine Neal Adams cover. Ironjaw stands on higher ground, fending off enemies while a damsel lies at his feet. Although an overused theme, the artist's triangular layout works extremely very well. Far better than the interior story art, Adams brings excitement and increased attention to the title. For comparison, see Barry Smith's similar cover on Marvel Treasury Edition #4. Other artists in this issue include Mike Sekowsky and Jack Abel. This is number 1 of 2 Ironjaw issues with Adams art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Ironjaw or Adams issues. See also this blog's Adams checklist or Top 10 Adams comics. 
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Adams cover pencils and inks = ***
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Crime and Punishment #66 - Alex Toth art & cover

Crime and Punishment #66, 1954 - One of the few "deep dimension" issues within the series, Alex Toth makes full use of the effect within his own style. Like the interior stories, his cover uses layered halftone screens to make mostly faces and figures more dimensional. Toth captures the violence and brutality of a gang fight like few other artists can. Inside, all three of his stories depict a gritty and realistic view of juvenile delinquency and crime. Boldly drawn and meticulously laid out, the artwork is distinctive for its time and stands out from his vast body of work. This is number 1 of 2 Crime and Punishment issues with Toth art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Toth or Crime and Punishment issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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Toth cover pencils and inks = *****
"War on the Streets" Toth story pencils and inks 12 pages = *****
"The Burner" Toth story pencils and inks 6 pages = *****
"The Armored Car Murders" Toth story pencils and inks 8 pages = *****
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Conan the Barbarian #6 - Barry Windsor Smith art & cover

Conan the Barbarian #6, 1971 - Entering a large teeming city, Conan soon discovers why people have named it "Shadizar the Wicked". On the opening splash, the barbarian steps through an ornate frame, suggestively entering the viewer's space. Superbly drawn and paced, Barry Smith uses decorative elements throughout the story, creating settings that are exotic and visually arresting. The most notable sequences include an intense bar fight (page 5), a couple's tender embrace (page 8) and the quiet aftermath of battle (page 20). Interestingly, after this issue Conan no longer wears his war helmet. This is number 6 of 20 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 = ***
"Devil-Wings over Shadizar" Smith story pencils (Sal Buscema inks) 20 pages = ***
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Monster Hunters #1 - Don Newton cover

Monster Hunters #1, 1975 - The Loch Ness monster is real enough on this brightly painted cover. Don Newton replicates a panel from an interior story but does a far better job. His layout is cleaner and more concise. The rich brushstrokes of the sky and waves increase the sense of movement. Most noticeably, Newton's vibrant color palette heightens the scene's danger and intensity. Other artists in this issue include Paul Kirchner, Joe Staton, Wayne Howard and Pete Morisi. This is number 1 of 1 Monster Hunters issues with Newton art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Newton or Monster Hunters issues. See also this blog's Newton checklist.
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Newton painted cover = ***
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Swamp Thing #5 - Bernie Wrightson art & cover

Swamp Thing #5, 1973 - Accused of witchcraft by her small village, a young woman and her timid brother go into hiding, encountering the Swamp Thing by chance. Angry pitchforked mobs are not uncommon on Bernie Wrightson covers, yet this example has a vaguely Renaissance feel to the layout. Inside, his dramatic opening splash depicts the Swamp Thing shedding his disguise on a ship. The artist nearly matches the high standards of his first issue, despite more numerous panels. The crashing waves on page 4, the quaint European houses on page 11, and the supernatural climax on page 21 are among the story's best artworks. This is number 5 of 10 Swamp Thing issues with Wrightson art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wrightson or Swamp Thing issues. See also this blog's Wrightson checklist or Top 10 Wrightson comics.
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Wrightson cover pencils and inks = ****
"The Last of the Ravenwind Witches" Wrightson story pencils and inks 23 pages = ****
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Rip Hunter Time Master - comic series checklist

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Rip Hunter Time Master v1
DC
1961-65

1
2-5
6 - Alex Toth art
7 - Alex Toth art
8-10
11-20
21-29

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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.

Cinderella Love v2 #15 - Matt Baker cover

Cinderella Love v2 #15, 1954 - Matt Baker offers a stark contrast between two suitors on this simply composed cover. Not only do the boys differ in attire, but the wealthy one leans next to a Greek column while the other stands before a wooden fence. The woman is centrally placed, her dress spreading out in a flower-like radial pattern. Lovingly drawn by Baker, her backwards glance suggests she may have already made her choice. This is number 2 of 7 Cinderella Love issues with Baker art and/or covers. See today's posts, more Baker or Cinderella Love issues. See also this blog's Baker checklist.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***
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Captain Marvel v2 #11 - Barry Windsor Smith cover

Captain Marvel v2 #11, 1969 - Trying to elude a hovering spacecraft, Captain Marvel races within the backdrop of a wildly alien landscape. Barry Smith's simple shapes and extreme foreshortening reveal his inexperience, yet the approach does add to the cover's surreal quality. Herb Trimpe, whose style is not dissimilar from Smith, maintains the integrity of the pencils despite their obvious lack of polish. Other artists in this issue include Dick Ayers and Vince Colletta. This is number 1 of 1 Captain Marvel issues with Smith art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Smith or Captain Marvel issues. See also this blog's Smith checklist.
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Smith cover pencils (Herb Trimpe inks) = **
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Doomsday +1 #5 - John Byrne art & cover, Steve Ditko art

Doomsday Plus One #5, 1976 - The prologue page is a reprint from Doomsday +1 #3, perhaps used by Charlton Comics as a cost cutting method. John Byrne's bullseye view is one of his more memorable covers on the series, although his interior art is quite a step down from previous issues. The layouts are less engaging than before, compounded by the poorly applied inks of Bruce Patterson. His minimal approach leaves out too many details, making this issue easily the worst of the series. Byrne's text illos on the letter pages are reprints from earlier panels. Steve Ditko also contributes two rather mediocre stand alone pages (see interior page shown above). This is number 5 of 6 Doomsday +1 issues with Byrne art and/or covers and number 1 of 1 Doomsday +1 issues with Ditko art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Byrne, Ditko or Doomsday +1 issues. See also this blog's Ditko checklist.
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = ***
"Rule of Fear" Byrne story pencils (Bruce Patterson inks) 20 pages = *
"The UFOs That Aren't There" Ditko story pencils and inks 1 page = **
"A Long Way from Home" Ditko story pencils and inks 1 page = **
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Twilight Zone #9 - mis-attributed Alex Toth art

Twilight Zone #9, 1964 - No Alex Toth art, despite what some comic book price guides say. There are resemblances, but closer inspection reveals another artist's hand (perhaps Fred Fredericks?). This was not uncommon given that Toth's style was emulated throughout the 50s and 60s. The artist's work does appear in Twilight Zone #3 and #4. See today's posts or Toth or Twilight Zone issues. See also this blog's Toth checklist.
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All Star Comics #58 - Wally Wood art

All Star Comics #58 featuring the Justice Society of America and Super Squad, 1975 - After years of annual guest appearances in Justice League of America, the Justice Society finally returns to their own title. Ironically, the masthead downplays their name in favor of the younger, emerging members of Super Squad. An adult Robin, along with the Star Spangled Kid, join forces with Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, Wildcat and the original Flash. Power Girl, Earth-2's more buxom version of Supergirl, makes her very first appearance. Wally Wood, the consummate good girl artist, does his best to feature her on the final pages. Other artists in this issue include Mike Grell (cover). This is number 1 of 8 All Star Comics issues with Wood art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Wood or All-Star Comics issues. See also this blog's Wood checklist.
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"All Star Super Squad" Wood story inks (Ric Estrada pencils) 18 pages = ***
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Frankenstein - comic series checklist

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Frankenstein v1
Dell
1964-67

1
2-4

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Frankenstein v2
Marvel
1973-75

1 - Mike Ploog art & cover
2 - Mike Ploog art & cover
3 - Mike Ploog art & cover
4 - Mike Ploog art & cover
5 - Mike Ploog art & cover
6 - Mike Ploog art & cover
7-10
11-17
18 - Bernie Wrightson cover

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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.

Famous Funnies #212 - Frank Frazetta cover

Famous Funnies #212, 1954 - Buck Rogers' female companion, bound and helpless, floats in space while he attempts to reclaim her. A pair of aliens (perhaps her captors) emerge from their flying saucer in the background. For the first time, Frank Frazetta's artwork on this series extends beyond the masthead. Sadly, the publisher fills every available space with text, marring the overall effect. Buck Rogers' figure proportions are strangely childlike, serving as an additional distraction. On the positive side, Frazetta's lunar landscapes and toy-like UFOs offer a visually appealing contrast. While not his best Famous Funnies effort, this example far exceeds most comic book covers from the same era. This is number 4 of 8 Famous Funnies issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. See today's posts or more Frazetta or Famous Funnies issues. See also this blog's Frazetta checklist or Top 10 Frazetta comics.
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Frazetta cover pencils and inks = ***
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