Ever since I had become interested in the Fantastic Four, I had a burning desire to read the first issue of that series. from having haunted the Humor section in my local bookstores over the years (which is where anything even vaguely related to comics wound up being shelved), I knew that this first story … Continue reading BHOC: SON OF ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS
Possibly the best issue of WHAT IF and certainly one of the best-looking as a young Klaus Janson inks Gil Kane to great effect. Writer and soon-to-be-Editor in Chief Jim Shooter delivers on all fronts with an emotional story that packs a real wallop to it. A tour de force by writer Paul Levitz and … Continue reading 5BC: Five Best Comics of 1977
SUPERMAN #276 gave the comic book reading world something it had been lusting for since around 1940, a battle between the Man of Steel and his publishing arch-rival Captain Marvel. Except that this issue cheated--despite having recently licensed the Big Red Cheese from Fawcett for the new SHAZAM series, here an equivalent stand-in, Captain Thunder, … Continue reading 5BC: Five Best Comics of 1974
So, having enjoyed the three issues of FANTASTIC FOUR and the three issues of MARVEL’S GREATEST COMICS that I had sampled, I then took the next obvious step: I bought the latest issue of FANTASTIC FOUR to see what was going on with the group now. I purchased this issue in Valley Stream while on … Continue reading BHOC: FANTASTIC FOUR #187
Another subscription copy of the giant JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA run that Steve Englehart was producing with artist Dick Dillin. This issue in particular wasn’t really to my taste as a kid. Partly that’s because it’s a story that focuses on the Atom, Aquaman and the Elongated Man almost exclusively, and while I liked all … Continue reading BHOC: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #142
A striking George Perez AVENGERS cover that I edited. The thing that makes it the most striking, however, is the limited color palate of red, which was the idea of fellow editor Ruben Diaz. It was a great thought, focusing the eye on the triumphant Ultron and setting a mood of intensity. I also liked … Continue reading Great Covers
Phil Noto delivers a knockout punch on this cover for AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN. Rarely has the power of the Hulk’s blows been so viscerally communicated as here, where he trashes the early Iron Man with a single punch.
