In a time before the British Author Invasion and the rise of Vertigo titles, this issue of GIANT-SIZE MAN-THING was quite possibly the most literate and literary comic book as-yet published. A heartfelt, emotion-driven Steve Gerber story concerning a dead, bullied schoolkid anchors the issue. Gerber experiments with using huge blocks of text on certain … Continue reading 5BC: Five Best Comics of 1975
And finally, an example of a limited palate being used extremely well. Would this Jim Steranko X-MEN cover be so memorable were it not colored thusly? Cuing in on Lorna Dane’s green hair as the basis for the color scheme of the piece lends the image, and indeed the character herself, an air of mystery … Continue reading Great Covers – X-MEN #50
A very clever and concept-driven cover to X-MEN LEGACY by Mike Del Mundo. This image clearly and emotionally gets across the idea of Legion’s telepathic powers run amok. Incorporating the logo and credits into the image helps to increase the effect.
A beautiful Jim Steranko image from X-MEN. a series that was decidedly third class for most of the 1960s period in which this cover was produced. Great overall composition and use of white negative space, and those skull-eyes gazing upwards at our heroes are very cool. Steranko reportedly hated the logo, so for the next … Continue reading Great Covers – X-MEN #49
It’s been homaged an awful lot over the years, which is a testament to how striking this John Byrne X-MEN cover is. That wanted poster calling out the final fate of so many characters is immediately riveting, as are the figures of an older Wolverine and Kitty Pryde. The damaged and cracked logo at the … Continue reading Great Covers – UNCANNY X-MEN #141
Here’s another excellent Jack Kirby cover to X-MEN. It’s a bit strange for a super hero cover in that we’re seeing almost all of the heroes from the back, where common wisdom would want at least one of them turned towards the camera, so as to engage the reader–nothing commands the attention of a viewer … Continue reading Great Covers – X-MEN #16
This X-MEN cover by Jack Kirby is a nice piece of art, but it’s really the coloring that kicks it into the stratosphere as a great cover. That strong monochromatic red will stand out like a beacon among other covers on the racks and gives the impression of danger, of heat. There are just enough … Continue reading Great Covers – X-MEN #17
What If #27 - July, 1981 WHAT IF #27 represents my first conscious experience with a late-shipping book. In the aftermath of the Earth-Shattering X-MEN #137, the X-Men had reached a level of popularity unrivaled during the period. Back issue prices had skyrocketed, with issues only a couple of months old selling for $5.00 or … Continue reading BHOCOS: WHAT IF #27
Give the People What They Want I’ve been doing this column at ComiX-Fan, formerly X-Fan, for a while now. And yet, in all that time, I don’t think I’ve ever once mentioned the X-Men. And that’s the subject that most people around these parts are most interested in. Despite Eric’s efforts to expand the readership … Continue reading Life In A Four Color World column on X-MEN, 2003
X-Men #137 - September, 1980 More has probably been said and written about X-MEN #137 than virtually any other comic book of the period. And every word of it is true. More than any other single issue, this story made X-MEN the unrelenting sales juggernaut it continues to be to this day. It’s never been … Continue reading BHOCOS: UNCANNY X-MEN #137
The Tom Brevoort Experience 