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.
Billy Tucci, Alex SaviukRon RandallMaryanne Marlowe, Tim LenaghanJoe PradoGreg Goldstein, Afua Richardson Mark WaidMike MckoneNikkol JelenicTony Fleecs, PL ForstnerArt BaltazarTom MandrakeWalter & Louise Simonson w/ Beta Ray BillCraig Rosseau, Dan BreretonMarty BaumannDave JohnsonJose Luis Garcia-LopezTony HarrisDean HaspielGlen Hauman
Once again, HUGE thanks and congrats to all the terrific folks who made this past weekend’s Baltimore Comic-Con just as perfect an event could be.
As noted in previous years, It’s easily one of my favorite conventions — an absolute delight to attend. I had a blast catching up with old friends and colleagues, making some new acquaintances, and hosting some fun panels.
I’m exhausted, but it’s a happy exhaustion, and once again, I miss all of you already.
Ron Garney, Walter SimonsonJamal IgleMike Grell, Mike Gold, John Workman, Steve RudeCully HamnerTerry Kavanagh, Howard MackieLouise Simonson, Chris Claremont, Walter SimonsonMike HawthorneDavid MackScott Dunbier, Joseph MelchiorBob Greenberger, Barry KitsonRichard Pini, Wendy PiniJoe StatonGreg Goldstein and Howard Chaykin with a super fan!
Concluding — for now — our two-week series celebrating a few important X-Men anniversaries in 2020.
A full-page splash of an iconic superhero… on the phone?
Well yes, why not, if done well?
And here in Alpha Flight it’s done very well, by the talented June Brigman and Whilce Portacio.
I love the look on Logan’s face. And, his coif reminds me of
the line from great Warren Zevon song “Werewolves of London:”
“His hair was perfect.”
Wolverine is not self-quarantining here. I double-checked. He’s just chilling at the moment. Also, note there are two things you won’t see anymore in a Marvel Comic. A phone cord and a cigar; old technology and a bad influence on kids, in the order.
But Snik?!? Someone
apparently forgot the “t” in Snikt? That’s an odd one. Chris Claremont first used
“Snikt” way back in X-Men #116. And, apparently it’s become a legit trademark
for the sound of Wolverine’ claws.
Fun fact: The story continues — with Wolverine — in Alpha Flight #53 and, while also inked by Whilce, its penciled by none other than Jim Lee, whose very first Marvel work was two issues earlier, in #51. But this time, he draws Wolverine, a sign of things to come.
Fun fact #2: Whilce
and I bumped into each other —- both of us with unscheduled visits — on
Free Comic Book Day a few years ago. Pretty fun and random coincidence — its
not like San Diego is a small county, or only has one comic book store.
Fun fact #3; If for
any odd reason you have not read the Power Pack series by Brigman and Louise
Simonson, well, stop what you’re doing and get to it. Brilliant. And fun!
More X-men and Wolverine related posts late in the year. Stay tuned.
Claremont and Byrne introduce “Snikt” as Wolverine’s trademark claw sound effects in X-Men #116, December 1978
