Pencil Ink comic book blog: art and artists 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 
Unknown Soldier #254 - Walt Simonson art, Joe Kubert cover
Joe Kubert Unknown Soldier v1 #254, 1981 - Captain Fear, a indigenous pirate introduced in Adventure Comics #425, begins as one of several features. Walt Simonson's art is superb, continuing in the tradition of Alex Nino's aforementioned issue. The lead character, prominently displayed on the first page, is unconfined by a typical panel frame. This perhaps hints at the openness of the high
John Byrne Magnificent two-page spread from the classic issue X-men #137. Click on the artwork for an enlarged view. - - - - - - - - - - Home / Artworks Byrne / artwork / bio / checklist / galleries >Byrne original art
Detective Comics #476 - Marshall Rogers art & cover (Top 10)
Marshall Rogers 5. Detective Comics v1 #476 featuring Batman, 1978 - The Joker continues his killing spree, insistent on copyrighting the world's fish supply that now bears his demonic face. A minimal yet effective Marshall Rogers cover sets the tone. From top to bottom, the Batman's cape widens to reveal not only the Joker's victims, but the story title as well. Inside, deftly sequenced
Journey into Mystery #62 - Jack Kirby / Steve Ditko cover, Kirby, Ditko art
Jack Kirby / Steve Ditko Journey into Mystery v1 #62, 1960 - Pre-dating the Incredible Hulk by two years, this furry behemoth version lands on Earth from a distant prison planet. Jack Kirby's enthusiasm is evident in both the draftsmanship and the details. Dick Ayers does an adequate job with the story inks, but Steve Ditko's cover inks are even better. In another tale, a businessman builds up
Aquaman #51 - Neal Adams art
Aquaman v1 #51, 1970 - Appearing in his second of three backup tales, Deadman is transported to an another world via a shape-shifting alien. Despite the short story length and small panels, Neal Adams does a superlative job with the art. His high level of craftsmanship is apparent throughout the pages. Exotic characters and backgrounds (see interior page below) add even greater interest and
Swamp Thing #19 - Nestor Redondo art & cover
Nestor Redondo Swamp Thing v1 #19, 1975 - Another Swamp Thing resurfaces in the Florida Everglades, drawing the original and his friends in pursuit. Without the use of full page splashes, Nestor Redondo draws more intricate smaller panels to compensate. His knowledge of landscapes and vegetation is evident in many scenes, including the illuminated marsh on page 1 and the broad vista on page 10
Fantasy Masterpieces v2 #11 - Jim Starlin reprint
Fantasy Masterpieces v2 #11, 1980 - This title reprints the first >Silver Surfer series by Stan Lee and John Buscema. Later on, early Warlock stories by Jim Starlin were added as a supplement. This particular issue contains a reprint from Strange Tales #181. - - - - - - - - - - Home / Starlin / Fantasy Masterpieces >this issue >Starlin >Fantasy Masterpieces
Marvel Spotlight #6 / Ghost Rider - Mike Ploog art & cover
Mike Ploog Marvel Spotlight v1 #6 on Ghost Rider, 1972 - A recently departed friend returns, ensnaring the Ghost Rider for his satanic master. Mike Ploog's enthusiasm carries over from the previous issue, but the layouts are more confined, especially the recap of the hero's origin. The artwork is also a tad less detailed with a few exceptions here and there (see interior page below). Ploog's
Creepy #6 - Frank Frazetta cover, Alex Toth, Al Williamson art
Frank Frazetta Creepy v1 #6, 1965 - Set in ancient Rome, a local coliseum is run by a corrupt councilman named Bracchus. Al Williamson's contemporary style seems out of place at first glance, but his impressive drawing skills add a cinematic quality to the imagery. His heavy use of shadows complement a variety of cross-hatching techniques. A few faces seem a tad sloppy in execution, but pale
Best of DC #10 / Secret Origins of Super-Villains - Joe Kubert reprint
Best of DC (Blue Ribbon Digest) v1 #10 / Secret Origins of Super-Villains, 1981 - Some of DC's recurring super-villains and their origins are featured in this edition. Among these gems is the first appearance of the Shadow-Thief from Brave and the Bold #36 (art by Joe Kubert). The Penguin, Ocean Master, Captain Boomerang and the Parasite are also featured. Other artists in this issue include
Weird Mystery Tales #16 - Alex Nino art
Weird Mystery Tales v1 #16, 1975 - Due to a local bumpkin's hoax, neighborhood kids become frightened of a farmer's scarecrow. Alex Nino's coarse artistic style has a unnerving quality all on its own. His erratic line sometimes leads to distorted faces on certain characters, but is well-suited for the mystery genre. His bold vertical panels on the opening page are surpassed only by the horrific,
Falling in Love #108 - non-attributed Wally Wood art
Falling in Love v1 #108, 1969 - Similar to Cyrano De Bergerac, a girl asks her brainy best friend to write thoughtful letters to her boyfriend. Sources differ on the story's penciler, but most attribute it to Ric Estrada, who did ample work on DC romance titles. Wally Wood's inks add softness and sensitivity to the drawings, perfectly suited to the genre. This story was later reprinted and
Time Warp #3 - Steve Ditko, Don Newton art
Time Warp v1 #3, 1980 - Like other DC Dollar Comics from the same period, the issue boasts all new material from a variety of writers and artists. Both of the Steve Ditko tales inside seem hurried, but only the "The Dimensions Of Greed" is visually satisfying due to its wildly inventive shapes in the backgrounds. Don Newton's tale of a space plague is adequate, but Steve Mitchell's inks seem
Star Trek v2 #5 - Frank Miller cover
Star Trek v2 #5, 1980 - After initially reprinting Star Trek: the Motion Picture from Marvel Comics Super Special #15, this series migrated to original stories. All the covers were new, including this busy Frank Miller cover. Spock's face is a counterpoint to the four figures below, each carefully posed and positioned. Unfortunately, every available space below the masthead is occupied,
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #367 - Carl Barks reprint
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories v1 #367, 1971 - Combining new and reprinted material, the main Carl Barks story was originally published in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #151. Other characters featured in this issue include Chip n Dale, Scamp and Mickey Mouse. - - - - - - - - - - Home / Barks / Walt Disney's Comics and Stories >this issue >Barks >Walt Disney's Comics and Stories