Deathlok The Demolisher

Astonishing Tales #25 (August 1974)

Pencil art by Rich Bucker, inks by Klaus Janson

Just picked up Deathlok The Demolisher Origins pocket book published by Panini.  What a find! I didn't know these things existed.  It contains Astonishing Tales #25 - #28, #30 - #35 in full colour but the size of a paperback.

Deathlok the Demolisher Origins Panini (2014)

I first became aware of Deathlok when I read Marvel Team-Up forty years ago and have always wanted to read more about this cyborg.

Marvel Team-Up #46 (June 1976)
Pencil Art by Rich Buckler, inks: Mike Esposito

I have already blogged about this issue when I was writing about Marvel Team-Up here.  Apart from this issue I have only read the first Astonishing Tales in Marvel Firsts: The 1970s so I am looking forward to reading the rest and maybe some of the money I spent will find its way to Bill Mantlo and help with his healthcare costs.

Marvel Firsts: The 1970s Volume 2

Vital reading for Bronze Agers

Rich Buckler is much maligned these days for his swipes from/homages to Jack Kirby when he was drawing the Fantastic Four in the mid seventies but at the time I knew no better and expected to see the FF drawn this way from seeing the reprints of Jack's work in Mighty World of Marvel so I have a soft spot for Buckler.  I'm sure Joe Sinnott's inks had a lot to do with it too.

Fantastic Four #156 (March 1976)

Pencil art by Rich Buckler, inks by Joe Sinnott

The FF as slaves of Doctor Doom, Medusa's long red tresses and the Silver Surfer too!  Who could resist?

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

Comic Book Resolutions 2013 Revisited

So as 2013 comes to a close, how did my resolutions work out? As usual with any resolutions I make I did very poorly. I certainly read a lot of comics but not the ones I had planned to read. Silver Age Spider-man? Nope. Black Panther? Nope. Werewolf By Night? Nope. Walt Simonson's Thor? Stan and Jack's Thor? Neither. I did read some Tintin but only the first four books. I would classify this as an almost total failure. 

Amazing Spider-man #3 (July 1963)
Art by Steve Ditko

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

John Byrne's Incredible Hulk

John Byrne was at the height of his powers when he took over the script and art on the Incredible Hulk for a short action packed run before departing Marvel to relaunch Superman at DC.  

Incredible Hulk #314 (December 1985)
Art by John Byrne

Which is the best Hulk versus Thing fight?

It is one of the all time classic confrontations, in one corner the gamma spawned goliath in green that is the incredible Hulk and in the other the everlovin' blue eyed idol o' millions Ben Grimm alias the Thing.  What we need to know is which fight was your favourite?  Here are some suggestions:

Fantastic Four #12

Fantastic Four #12 (March 1963)
Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, inks: Dick Ayers

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby bring us the very first encounter shortly after the Hulk's own title had been cancelled and before the foundation of the Avengers.  This is real primordial Marvel Age creativity here but is it the best?

Hulk versus Thing from Fantastic Four #12 (March 1963)
Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, inks: Dick Ayers
script by Stan Lee

Herb Trimpe Hulk Covers

Herb Trimpe is my favourite Hulk artist, Incredible Hulk is one of my favourite Bronze Age titles so here are some Herb Trimpe covers for Incredible Hulk!

Incredible Hulk #109 (November 1968)
Pencil Art by Herb Trimpe, inks: John Severin

Incredible Hulk #110 (December 1968)
Pencil art by Herb Trimpe, inks: John Severin 

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

2013 Comics Resolutions Part Two

I have finally got round to completing my list! So many non-comics related stuff to do so little time!  I had decided to make a list of six comic runs or series I must read (or re-read) during 2013.  Here are the final three:

I have attempted to embrace DC's New 52 but I am becoming increasingly disillusioned,  I dropped Marvel almost ten years ago so as I gradually rationalise my monthlies the theory is that I can read stuff I actually enjoy.  I enjoy Marvel Bronze Age horror so I am going to read Werewolf By Night.  This series is nowhere near as good as Tomb of Dracula but well worth a revisit if only for Mike Ploog's art.

Werewolf By Night #7 (July 1973)
Art by Mike Ploog

2013 Comics Resolutions Part One

So many great comics so little time!  I have decided to make a list of six comic runs or series I must read (or re-read) during 2013.  Here are the first three:

Peter Parker's sad demise at the hands of Dan Slott and Disney has prompted a yearning to re-read Silver Age Amazing Spider-man. I aim to read the entire sixties run and continue through to the death of Gwen Stacy.  Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and John Romita established a legend.  Reading these classic tales will remind me of Peter Parker's ascent to greatness.

Amazing Spider-man #41 (October 1963)
Pencil Art by John Romita, inks: Mike Esposito

Happy Birthday Stan Lee!

Stan Lee is celebrating his ninetieth birthday today!  A milestone that must be acknowledged.

Stan Lee

Stan Lee is the most famous comics creator of all time.  To the general public Stan = comics = superheroes. We comics fans regularly discuss the most minute contributions made by creators to the comics mythos and often ignore the vast influence of Stan.  For a period of years every time I surfed the comics related web invariably the words "Stan Lee" would launch a bitter tirade from die hard Kirby fans. This may be some sort of justice for the distorted public perception that Stan created everything but to my mind did not address  the following:

Marvel Comics The Untold Story

I just finished reading Marvel Comics The Untold Story by Sean Howe and if you have not already read it I can most heartily recommend it.  Sean Howe provides an engaging narrative covering the entire history of The House of Ideas, re-enforcing some of my opinions and opening my eyes regarding some of the characters behind the scenes.

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.

Top 5 Team-Up Books: Marvel Two-in-One

In Silver medal position in my run down of my personal list of the top 5 team-up books, just edging out Marvel Team-Up, is Marvel Two-in-One starring the ever lovin', blue-eyed, idol o' millions, Benjamin Grimm.

2 - Marvel Two-in-One (Marvel Comics)

Marvel Two-in-One #1 (January 1974)
Pencil Art by Gil Kane, inks: John Romita

The concept of a Thing team-up series originated with Marvel Feature #12 - #13 (September 1973 - November 1973) and continued for 100 issues from January 1974 to June 1983.  I was lucky enough to pick up the first Marvel Feature issue that paired the Thing with the Hulk, how could I possibly pass up the opportunity to read a comic with a cover like this:

Top 5 Team-Up Books: Marvel Team-Up

Previously I have revealed the number 4 and 5 books in my personal list of top 5 team-up books: World's Finest Comics and Super-Villain Team-Up respectively. Now it is time for the book in the bronze medal position:

3 - Marvel Team-Up (Marvel Comics)

Spider-man with various co-stars
Art by John Byrne

Top 5 Team-Up Books: Super-Villain Team-Up

Whenever I could I would buy a team up book.  I loved reading about unfamiliar characters and how they interacted with more established heroes such as Spider-man or Batman.  If it was a Marvel Comic they would obviously fight first and then join forces to beat the villain.  If it was The Brave and the Bold, written by Bob Haney, all you knew was that absolutely anything could happen even if it contradicted everything previously written about a character. Here is the first of my top 5 team up books:

5 - Super-Villain Team-Up (Marvel Comics)

Pencil art by John Buscema, inks by Frank Giacoia

Hulk Foes: Silver Surfer

As a fan of the Hulk and a fan of the Silver Surfer how could I resist Tales to Astonish #93?  The cover alone is enough to justify a purchase!

Tales to Astonish #93 (July 1967)
 Pencil art by Marie Severin, inks by Frank Giacoia

"He Who Strikes The Silver Surfer" by Stan Lee and Marie Severin is a classic early Silver Surfer tale in which the former herald of Galactus anguishes over his banishment to Earth and his inability to soar the spaceways. 

Father's Day Special: Dads in Comics

It is Father's Day so here is a personal chronological list of Dads in comics:

Jor-El

First appearance in Action Comics #1, June 1938

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Jor-El

Probably the most important Dad in comics history as he decided to send his son, Kal-El, to Earth where he became the first super-hero.  Without Jor-El there would be no Superman and I wouldn't be writing this blog 74 years later.

Hulk Foes: Captain Omen

Although I love Sal Buscema's work on Incredible Hulk I am nailing my colours to the mast and stating that Herb Trimpe is my favourite Hulk artist.  I believe that the strip did not blossom until Herb took it over from the legendary Marie Severin and it became one of the most consistently enjoyable books Marvel published as the Silver Age slipped into the Bronze.  It didn't hurt to have some stellar writers on the book such as Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart and Len Wein, however, it was Herb Trimpe's superb artistry and ability to tell a story that provided the consistency that propelled the book to greatness.  There were many standout issues but I want to focus on a two-parter (#164 and #165, June and July 1973) that introduced Captain Omen.  At this point Steve Englehart was writing the book, a writer who could do no wrong as far as I was concerned, and Sal Trapani was on inks.

Incredible Hulk #164 June 1973 Cover by Herb Trimpe

Hulk: Sal Buscema or Herb Trimpe?



Sal Buscema

Sal Buscema was the main artist on Incredible Hulk from 1975 to 1986, (#194 - #309), give or take a few fill-in issues, and could be considered the definitive Hulk artist of the Silver and Bronze Ages were it not for Herb Trimpe.

Herb Trimpe

Herb Trimpe took over the art on Incredible Hulk in 1968 and handed over the job to Sal in 1975, (#106 - #193), missing only two issues during that time!

So who do you think is the definitive Hulk artist?