Back In Bronze!

Been away so long I thought I would never be back but here I am!  I have been a little busy of late but I have not stinted on keeping up with http://stevedoescomics.blogspot.co.uk/ Sheffield's finest remains an inspiration to this lazy blogger.  How does he keep his hectic schedule?  There must be something in the Yorkshire water?  Anyway I know the question on the tip of everyone's tongue: "what has Silver and Bronze Age Subjects been reading?"  Well, one of the best reads has been George Perez and Len Wein's post-crisis re-boot of Wonder Woman, why can't DC get anywhere near this level of excellence these days?  Although I could be wrong as I'm not up to date with the latest at DC since the New 52 fiasco although I gather that Action and Detective will be returning to their original numbering which is one good thing I suppose.

George Perez and Len Wein's excellent Wonder Woman 

art by George Perez

I have also been re-reading one of my favourite runs of all time, Herb Trimpe's tenure as artist on The Incredible Hulk.  I have blogged before about my appreciation for the late, great Herb here, here and here, but as the years pass by my fondness grows for the tales delineated by this great artist.

Incredible Hulk #110 (December 1968)

Herb Trimpe (pencils) and John Severin (inks)

Incredible Hulk #123 (January 1970)

art by Herb Trimpe

I hope to be back soon with more musings, I'm a bit upset with the current revelations about Captain America and I'm building up to a post to air my views so watch this space.  I'll leave with a great cover of Captain America and The Falcon with a gorilla.  You can't beat gorilla covers!

Captain America and The Falcon #135 (March 1971)

Art by John Romita

A Salute to Jack Kirby: The King's Return to Captain America

It is Jack Kirby's birthday, he would have been 96 years old today.  It is impossible to overstate Jack's contribution to comics or twentieth century culture for that matter. Here is a small salute to the King.

PFC Jacob Kurtzberg (1945)

Criticised at the time, Jack's mid seventies run on Captain America is one of my fondest Bronze Age memories.  So in honour of the King's birthday here is a trip down memory lane:

Captain America #193 (January 1976)
Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, inks: John Romita

Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel are making a movie about the Guardians of the Galaxy, unfortunately not the Silver and Bronze Age version but an update from 2008.  Whilst never stars, the Guardians did appear in some excellent Bronze Age comics.  Re-reading the stories what struck me was the contrast between the Silver Age trappings of the debut tale from 1969 and the Bronze Age stylings of their next appearance in Marvel Two-in-One in 1974.  Arnold Drake and Gene Colan brought us the origin tale in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969).

Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969)
Pencil Art by Gene Colan, inks: Mike Esposito

Captain America by Jim Steranko

Captain America by Jim Steranko, inks:Joe Sinnott, script: Stan Lee
Captain America #111 (March 1969)

To my mind Jim Steranko is the second greatest Captain America artist ever and he only drew three books! Pencils on #110 and #111 with inks by Joe Sinnott and script and pencils on #113 which was inked by Tom Palmer.  Each issue is a true classic.

They Made The Avengers: John Buscema

The late, great John Buscema for this fan is the definitive Avengers artist.  Jack Kirby may have launched the series and co-created many of the characters but Buscema's tenures on the title left an indelible impression on me.  John made his debut with Avengers #41 (June 1967) and continued on the title as the main artist until #85 (February 1971).  He made guest appearances on the title between 1971 and 1976, his last issue before his second long term commitment to the title was #153 (November 1976).  Fans had to wait nine years before our prayers were answered and John returned with #255 in May 1985.  We then experienced his greatness through to #300 (February 1989).  John's contribution to the Marvel style is often overlooked these days but after Kirby, Ditko and possibly John Romita, Snr, he was probably the most important artist Marvel had in the Silver and Bronze Ages.

Avengers Assembled

If you had to pick six Avengers to be on the team who would you pick?  The Avengers Assemble movie has gone with Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye.  Mostly obvious choices for the movie audience, Hawkeye being the exception.  Hardcore comics fans will always have a favourite line-up but I am betting most would not favour this six.  Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's Ultimates updated and re-booted the Avengers in an alternate ultimate Marvel universe in 2002 and the movie takes its tone from their re-imagining.  Samuel L. Jackson may be fanboy heaven as Nick Fury but for this Silver and Bronze Age fan this is not really the Avengers.

The Avengers Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, Inks: George Roussos
Avengers #4 (March 1964)

Devil Dinosaur

Devil Dinosaur
Pencil art by Jack Kirby
Inks: Frank Giacoia

Jack Kirby returned to Marvel Comics in 1976 and created the ongoing series Devil Dinosaur in 1978.  The comic lasted nine issues before cancellation.