Finishing our mini-celebration of the X-Men’s 60th anniversary.
Here’s a fun page from X-Men First Class, featuring, as part of the story, Kitty a bit out of sorts in an underground drainage system. It’s here she learns the secret of Doc Blake’s cane and his transformation abilities into — well — the last panel tips us off, doesn’t it? (Of course, the cover was a giveaway, too.)
Clear and interesting storytelling, and a wonderful use of shadows and light, make this an exceptionally compelling page. (Once again, although the published page is fine, the original looks much better in black and white.)
Continuing a mini-celebration of the X-Men’s 60th anniversary.
Here’s a perfect (or as perfect gets) Wolverine cover by underrated artist David Williams. It features a pissed off Wolverine (actually, that might be redundant) and a shocked and terrified Kitty Pryde dynamically heading into — or out of — trouble.
Great background detail (nicely adapted from from photo reference) provides extra depth and interest while still setting off the foreground. Overall, a very nice use of shadows and light. (The digital coloring on the published cover handles it less effectively.)
And cliche’s are cliche’s for a reason: Every time I examine the expression on Kitty’s Face I do indeed think one picture is worth a thousand words.
Poster, Creation Con (#1), November 1971, Art By Kenneth Smith
I’ve posted previously about my very first comic book convention in 1971, which coincidentally, was also the very first Creation convention in NYC, organized by teenagers Adam Malin and Gary Berman. (52 years ago. Oof, I feel old. But better than the alternative.)
Thanks to a doting Aunt, I was able to spend a few hours at the New Yorker that weekend, no doubt channeling a Tex Avery cartoon character: Eyes bugging out at all the wonders in the room. I spent whatever little pocket money I had well before I left.
Last year (2022), I happened to have an extra day in NYC before the Thanksgiving weekend, so I trekked out to the wilds of NJ (actually, close to midtown) to visit retailer Anthony Snyder’s warehouse, following up on some art I was interested in. (It’s an impressive collection of comics and comic art — definitely an interesting place to get lost in for a minute.)
As we were closing in on a deal for multiple items, I discovered this gem buried in a portfolio: A poster for that same Creation Con. (Kenneth Smith’s “demon” art was used for both the poster and convention program.) And wow, does that logo scream early 70s.
Delighted I acquired it — and, given the timing, I’m guessing there must be some sort of kismet about Thanksgiving weekend for me. Appropriate, too, because I am indeed thankful — for a lot of things.
Happy Holiday, everyone.
* Fun fact: Unlike many of the hotels that hosted those early New York conventions, the New Yorker is still here. And close enough to the Javits Center, that visitors to the current-day New York Comic-Con often stay there.
Continuing a mini-celebration of the X-Men’s 60th anniversary.
Spider-Man and Wolverine. Team-up or rivalry? Peanut butter and chocolate — or Coke vs. Pepsi?
Doesn’t really matter. Two of Marvel’s most famous icons in one story typically means chaos and fun, especially when a talented artist like Chris Bachalo takes charge.
Bonus points for snow, at least for me. Issues #47- #49 of Amazing Spider-man were the earliest issues I read, and yep, Spidey must ultimately deal with snow. Not to mention the flu. Oh, and he gets his butt whipped by a different kind of dynamic duo: Kraven the Hunter and The Vulture.
Continuing a mini-celebration of the X-Men’s 60th anniversary.
What’s so great about this issue of X-Factor?:
Walter Simonson.
Classic X-Men characters.
Sentinels.
Story by Louise Simonson.
Terrific inks by Bob Wiacek.
Did I mention Walter Simonson?
You get the picture. I overpaid (really overpaid, I think) for this page in an auction bidding frenzy during the pandemic — you can look it up — but I love it, so it’s a win. It’s not going anywhere, unless, in all unlikelihood, I find a better page out in the wild.
We can’t let 2023 fade into the memory books without at least some tribute to the 60th Anniversary of the X-Men.
Neal Adams drew nine issues of the X-Men. John Byrne drew four times as many. I love John Byrne art, but the prices of his pages are — how do we say? — a bit out of whack when compared to the scarcity of Adams.
Oh, and this is a great one from his run, with superb inks by the legendary Tom Palmer. (Despite the disappointing quality of the scan.)
Commission, October 2019, Based on Brian Rolland’s TPB cover, The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen
As a kid, I loved the goofy adventures of Jimmy Olsen.
As an adult, I love Brian Bolland’s art. I wish I had the good sense to acquire a cover years ago, when the price was in a lower level of the stratosphere. But of course, hindsight is 20/20, etc.
So naturally, I get a kick out of Brian’s cover for The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen. Peanut Butter and Chocolate, yes?
Well, mostly. I think Bolland’s interpretation of Jimmy is a just a bit too “adult” — despite the bizarre themes and eccentric characterizations.
Enter Archie All-Star Artist Dan Parent: Turn Jimmy Olsen into Archie Andrews, and presto, you have the goofiness and joy this treatment deserves.
My pal Dan knocked it out of the park, and he is kind enough to show appreciation for my wacky commission ideas.
And let’s face it, the 60s Jimmy Olsen is pretty much a Pete Costanza or Curt Swan version of Archie anyway. Wait a minute — now that I think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of them in the same place at the same time. Hmmmm…
Happy Halloween!
My first two issues of Jimmy Olsen (#104 and 105, 1967) obviously shaped my Olsen worldview forever.
Frankly, it’s gorgeous art like this from Jose Gonzalez – the best of a very talented group of Vampi artists during her original Warren run — which makes the melodrama secondary for me. This is my second piece of Gonzalez art, and this one is an absolute keeper. (Ok, I had to sell the first one to help finance this one.)
Well it was great to see everyone at NYCC. Missed a few folks of course, but saw quite a few, so I think I will take the win. I might have some issues with this show, but it still has one of the best Artist Alley’s around.
Thom ZahlerSara RichardAndy PriceLivio RamondelliDavid NakayamaPaolo VillanelliAaron CampbellShawn CrystalTim SeeleyJohn BeattyBernard ChangScott WilliamsMichael GoldenCharles StewartChrissie Zullo-UmingaDean Haspiel & Peter RostovskyWhilce PortacioJim Salicrup & Janice ChiangFrancesco MobiliJason Shawn Alexander & Jim MahfoodJorge JimenezRick LeonardiTerry MooreRob Liefeld (R) with original art maven Albert Moy — and a great page from Neal Adams’ Superman vs. Muhammad Ali
