Frank Miller



4. Amazing Spider-man v1 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 below). Miller's already formidable pencils are further enhanced by inker Tom Palmer. See the original cover for this issue. This is number 1 of 2 Amazing Spider-Man annual issues with Miller art and/or covers. This Marvel copper age superhero comic is also one of my Top 10 Miller comics. Find >this issue or more >Miller or >Amazing Spider-man issues on ebay.
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Miller cover pencils (Tom Palmer inks) = ****
"The Book of the Vishanti" Miller story pencils (Tom Palmer inks) 40 pages = *****


Frank Miller
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Marshall Rogers
Silver Surfer v3 #12, 1988 - Bound and captured, both Nova and the Surfer contemplate their next moves against Reptyl the Non-Human. Marshall Rogers' drawings are straightforward in general, resorting back to the more conservative approach early in his run. The artistic highlight of the issue is page 12, depicting Nova on the attack against a spaceship armada. This splash page is powerfully dynamic and perfectly composed. This copper age superhero comic was published by Marvel. This is number 12 of 13 Silver Surfer v3 issues with Rogers art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Rogers or >Silver Surfer issues on ebay.
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Rogers cover pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) = **
"Sick" Rogers story pencils (Joe Rubinstein inks) 22 pages = **
Marshall Rogers

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Four Color Comics v2 #890
Wyatt Earp v2 / Four Color Comics v2 #890, 1958 - Two fine stories by Russ Manning grace this second issue of the series. A young marshal learns some hard lessons in "Tin Star Trouble", while some unemployed ruffians cause trouble for the locals in "The Last of the Buffalo Hunters". The visual appeal in both tales is evident, especially in key scenes. The chasing down of a fugitive across an open field (2nd story, page 13) and Wyatt's stealthy approach from inside a cavern (1st story, page 14) are but two examples. Manning also tries his best to retain the likeness of Hugh O' Brien, actor of the tv show of the same name. This is number 2 of 13 Wyatt Earp v2 issues with Manning art and/or covers. This Dell golden age western comic is also included in this Manning gallery. Find >this issue or more >Manning or >Wyatt Earp issues on ebay.
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"Tin Star Trouble" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"The Last of the Buffalo Hunters" Manning story pencils and inks 16 pages = ***
"The Buntline Special" Manning back cover pencils and inks = ***

Russ Manning
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Marvel Comics #1
Marvel Comics v1 #1, 1939 - In a story by Carl Burgos, a scientist named Phineas Horton creates the first synthetic man. The only problem? He bursts into flame when exposed to air, like a Human Torch. In another story, a hero with winged emblems on his chest makes his debut, foiling crimes as the Angel. A third tale chronicles the plight of a wealthy family whose plane goes down in the African jungle. When his parents die, a young boy adapts to to his new environment as Ka-Zar. This superhero comic contains key first appearances of three different golden age characters. Also included is the Sub-mariner's debut from Motion Picture Funnies #1, with four additional pages by creator Bill Everett.
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"The Human Torch" 16 pages
"The Angel" 8 pages
"Ka-Zar" 12 pages

1st golden age Human Torch appearance
1st golden age Angel appearance
1st golden age Ka-Zar appearance





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Incredible Hulk v1 #5 marvel 1960s silver age comic book cover art by Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Incredible Hulk v1 #5, 1963 - The first feature pits the Hulk against an underworld ruler named Tyrannus while the second places him in Asia fighting the military hordes of General Fang. This last Jack Kirby effort on the series is merely adequate. Even with exotic settings, the artistic squanders their potential with somewhat crowded layouts. On the cover, the diminutive soldiers in the background are curiously inconsistent with the ones in the story. Still, is it an improvement from the previous issue. Kirby's clear composition and hierarchy of elements just meet artistic expectations. This silver age superhero comic was published by Marvel. This is number 5 of 5 Incredible Hulk issues with Kirby art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Kirby or >Incredible Hulk issues on ebay.
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Kirby cover pencils (Dick Ayers inks) = ***
"Beauty and the Beast" Kirby story pencils (Dick Ayers inks) 24 pages = ***

Incredible Hulk v1 #5 marvel 1960s silver age comic book page art by Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
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Showcase #45
Showcase v1 #45 featuring Sgt. Rock, 1963 - Why would Sgt. Rock be appear in this tryout series when he's already featured in Our Army at War? Possibly because this lengthy tale recounts his early days as a private and how he eventually earned his stripes. Russ Heath replicates Joe Kubert's opening page on the cover and frankly does a better job. That aside, Kubert's story art is comparable to his other war stories from the same period. The layouts are busy but purposefully designed. His line drawings are kinetic in style. On page 24, a sequence of Sgt. Rock in deadly hand to hand combat, stands out as the finest page in the entire book. This story was later reprinted in >DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #18, >Our Army at War #275 and >Sgt. Rock Special #3. This is number 5 of 19 Showcase issues with Kubert art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Kubert or >Showcase issues on ebay.
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"Sergeants Aren't Born" Kubert story pencils and inks) 25 pages = ***
Joe Kubert
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Vampirella v1 #11 warren magazine cover art by Frank Frazetta
Frank Frazetta
Vampirella v1 #11, 1971 - A woman holds up her scythe in a triumphant gesture, her blade already bloodied from a recent victim. The metal ornamentation on her right arm is mirrored by the coiling snake on her left arm. Her tattered cloak wafts about in an unseen wind while an iguana-like creature remains mostly passive. Considered a classic by many horror enthusiasts, it's certainly one of Frank Frazetta's finest painted covers for this publisher. This was later reprinted in Creepy #91. Other artists in this Warren bronze age horror magazine include Tom Sutton. This is number 4 of 5 Vampirella issues with Frazetta art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Frazetta or >Vampirella issues on ebay.
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Frazetta cover painting = ****

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Mike Ploog
Lone Wolf and Cub v1 #40, 1990 - With a blazing inferno in the background, our hero is drawn in mid-leap with baby in hand. Mike Ploog's composition is fairly standard, but the fine details more than compensate. The pale analogous colors in the background nicely contrast agains the darker, more high contrast textures toward the bottom. Other artists in this issue include Goseki Kojim. This is number 4 of 7 Lone Wolf and Cub issues with Ploog art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Ploog or >Lone Wolf and Cub issue on ebay.
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Ploog cover painting = ***

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Steve Ditko
Tales of the Mysterious Traveler v1 #3, 1957 - An artist returns to his native Czechoslovakia, using his talents under an assumed name while spying on the Reds. This tale of espionage seems more appropriate for a war comic rather among mystery tales. Steve Ditko does a fine job on the opening scene, revealing the Traveler's face in the textured background. Remaining pages, however, are decidedly minimal and lackluster. The artist's cover, by comparison, is an interesting array of vignettes from the stories inside. Other artists in this Charlton golden age horror comic include Dick Giorando. This is number 2 of 11 Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues with Ditko art and/or covers (not including reprints). Find >this issue or more >Ditko or >Tales of the Mysterious Traveler issues on ebay.
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Ditko cover pencils and inks = ****
"Secret Mission" Ditko story pencils and inks 5 pages = **

Steve Ditko
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1994 #25
1994 magazine v1 #25, 1982 - Fusing religion and salesmanship, the God of the Month Club proposes a radical new way for future citizens to worship. Alex Nino fills each page with nightmarish imagery that suggests the internal organs of an alien creature. This experiment by the artist is more repellent than attractive, but I give him credit for the attempt. Just like a previous issue of 1994, Nino's pages together form a massively large panel (as pointed out on the letters page). Other artists in this Warren bronze age science fiction magazine include Rudy Nebres and Frank Thorne. Bondage cover by Lloyd Garrison. This is number 15 of 17 1994 issues with Nino art and/or covers. Find >this issu or more >Nino or >1994 issues on ebay.
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"The God of the Month Club" Nino story pencils and inks (black & white) 10 pages = ****

Alex Nino
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John Byrne
Phoenix The Untold Story v1 #1, 1984 - This special edition and key first issue reprints X-men #137, the stunning conclusion to the "Dark Phoenix" saga. Printed on heftier paper with brighter colors, the issue also boasts a five page alternate ending never before published. Accompanying this is an idyllic splash of Scott Summers and Jean Grey, intended as an alternate opening to X-men #138. John Byrne's new cover seems basic and straightforward, but when viewed with the back cover, the full panorama is spectacular. An in-depth interview with writer Chris Claremont and Byrne rounds out the book. This copper age superhero comic was published by Marvel. This is number 1 of 1 Phoenix The Untold Story issues with Byrne art and/or covers. Find >this issue or more >Byrne or >X-men issues on ebay.
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Byrne wrap-around cover pencils (Terry Austin inks) = ***
"Return to the Ashes" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 5 pages = ***
Byrne alternate splash pencils 1 page = ****

John Byrne
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Matt Baker
Authentic Police Cases v1 #35, 1954 - On this Matt Baker cover, a gunman falls to his death after a rooftop shootout with police. His all-white suit stands out against the more somber background, while an overlapping elbow places him in the close foreground. Reliably drawn, Baker's new cover re-packages older material inside. Among these is "Midwest Cops Smash the Crimson Gang", one of his early works from Authentic Police Cases #10. Other artists in this St. John golden age crime comic include Ralph Lane. This is number 26 of 28 Authentic Police Cases issues with Baker art and/or covers (not including reprints). Find >this issue or more >Baker or >Authentic Police Cases issues on ebay.
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Baker cover pencils and inks = ***

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Sensation Comics #1
Sensation Comics v1 #1, 1942 - After her debut in All Star Comics #8, Wonder Woman becomes the lead feature in this DC golden age superhero series. In addition to her first solo adventure, this comic also has the key first appearances of two new superheroes. In separate stories, professional boxer Ted Grant dons a feline costume to become Wildcat, while genius-athlete Terry Sloane decides to fight crime as Mr. Terrific. The rest of the book introduces lesser known characters like Little Boy Blue, the Black Pirate and the Gay Ghost (yes that's his name). This entire issue was later reprinted as >Famous First Edition #C-30. Wildcat's origin was reprinted in >Secret Origins #3. See more Sensation Comics, Wonder Woman issues or the >first issue of Wonder Woman's first self-titled series. Find >this issue or more >Sensation Comics issues on ebay.
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"Wildcat" 10 pages
"Mr. Terrific" 8 pages

1st Wildcat appearance
1st Mr. Terrific appearance



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