Or, maybe I could have titled this post… “That’s gotta hurt!”
Welcome to Day 4 of “12 days of Hulk.” It’s a bad day for Xemnu the Living Titan (Marvel’s “Original Hulk”), who just got clobbered.
Ed McGuinness continues to remain one of my favorite contemporary artists. Plus, as they say, he’s a swell guy too.
When conventions come back in full force, make sure you visit with him at any show he happens to attend. It will definitely be a pleasant and fun experience.
Tell him the blog sent you.
The “original Hulk” appeared in 1960, about two years prior to our ever-lovin’ Hulk.
Ed McGuiness and Mark Morales provide us with an iconic image of Captain Marvel — Carol Danvers — from the latest iteration of the Avengers.
Also along for the ride on this page specifically are Captain America, Black Panther, Doctor Strange and Ghost Rider.
And of course, Loki (quite literally along for the ride) is up to his usual mischief as well.
This latest version of Avengers has been well received: Classic characters, larger than life antagonists, and lots of energy and creativity from Jason Aaron and McGuinness.
“Sometimes, the classics just work. Sure, the new thing is…new. It’s fun and exciting and different. The new thing can show you something you didn’t know you’d love but you do as much as the classics. But sometimes you just need the classics. And that’s exactly what today’s new #1 for Avengers offers...
“Superstars Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness, accompanied by inker Mark Morales and color artist David Curiel, have done an exceptional job of returning the Marvel Trinity–Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man–to the center of the Avengers in this premiere issue, and it’s hard to argue that it doesn’t just feel right.“
Other art teams have handled some stories on this run, but Ed McGuinness… well, he’s just Ed McGuinness. And Morales fine brush work adds depth, drama and focus on a busy page.
(Ed pretty much looks like he did when I met him 25 years ago while he was working on Vampirella for Harris Comics. I wonder what kind of Dorian Gray situation he has going on in his attic… Actually Mark does too. Hmmmm.)
Beginning on the last page of Incredible Hulk # 180 and continuing through the now iconic (and ultra–expensive) Incredible Hulk #181 the introduction of Wolverine foreshadowed the “new” X-men a few short months later.
(FYI, he also appears on the first page of #182, where get’s
forced to leave by the Canadian authorities he works for. Remember when it was
a big deal that Wolverine was “Canadian?” But I digress…)
Since that moment 46 years ago, Hulk and Wolverine have crossed paths more than a few times. And why not? Feels like a reasonable match-up.
This commission jam piece by Ken Lashley on Wolverine, and Paul Pelletier on Hulk — with Mark Morales on inks — captures he dynamics of this battle perfectly.
The original commissioner had a very specific vision in mind —- and obviously realized it — but then chose to sell / trade it shortly thereafter to a comic art dealer. Apparently, the original collector has MANY pieces featuring Hulk vs. Wolverine.
I don’t normally collect commissions (unless it’s a
recreation or re-imagination) with some notable exceptions by comic art
veterans, but this one called it out to me, and it ended up in my possession as
part as a larger acquisition.
All three artists knocked it out of the park.
Which, based on the scene itself, is about to happen to ether Hulk or Wolverine — or both — in a millisecond.
The commission reminds me of this great cover of World War Hulk by Ed McGuinness— up close and personal.
It all starts here. The Incredible Hulk #180 and #181. The Wolverine definitely strikes MORE than once.
Two different Hulk #181 re-imaginations by John Byrne, and one by Art Adams are among the many versions of this cover in existence.
Continuing a multi-part look at Spider-Man vs. Mysterio in honor of Spider-Man: Far From Home landing on digital streaming platforms this week.
Scott Koblish as a person?: Engaging. Upbeat. Energetic. Witty. Et al.
Koblish as an artist?: Engaging. Upbeat. Energetic. Witty. Et al.
Rarely does a creator’s artistic style so match his personality. Hell, there are great cartoonists, past and present, with lively and bright art aesthetics, who are darker personally than Van Gogh on a bad day. (No I will not be naming names. That’s what the rest of the Internet is for.)
Scott’s mostly zany artistic approach to Deadpool is perfectly on point for the character. (And that’s not taking anything away from Ed McGuinness, a fantastic artist whose work I absolutely love — or any other Deadpool illustrator for that matter.)
In this “flashback” issue of Spider-Man/Deadpool, Scott draws the entire issue in classic “Steve Ditko” style. It’s clearly done with affection and reverence, and the finished issue, complete with simulated old-school coloring, “bad” printing (out-of register) and aged paper, is old-school fun.
How “classic” is the art style here, you ask? Review the middle panel on this page. It is most definitely… Classic Ditko! (In fairness, the rest of the issue features more original Ditko interpretations as well. Koblish was clearly having a bit of extra fun here.)
