Pencil Ink

Roots of the Swamp Thing #4 - Bernie Wrightson cover reprint & reprints

2026-06-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Roots of the Swamp Thing #4

Roots of the Swamp Thing v1 #4, 1986 - Featuring Bernie Wrightson art, this limited series reprints the now classic Swamp Thing #7 and Swamp Thing #8. Also included is a Wrightson story from House of Mystery #221.

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Wrightson / Roots of the Swamp Thing / DC
ebay >this comic

Wrightson >comics >booksSwamp Thing >comics+collectibles >books+magazines >movies+tv >toys+games >clothing

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Sin City: Hell and Back #6 - Frank Miller art & cover

2026-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Frank Miller

Sin City: Hell and Back v1 #6, 1999 - Wallace exchanges his bullet-ridden car, thanks to an old army buddy. His search for Esther and her kidnapper continues, with her roommate in tow. Frank Miller's heavy use of black is a trademark of his noir works. A careful placement of blue spot color puts the focus on Delia's eyes and voluptuous body. Red is used even more sparingly, as the hero descends into a drug-induced state. Other artists in this comic include Paul Grist and Jason Pearson.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sin City: Hell and Back v1 = 9 Miller issues

- - - - - - - - - -
Miller cover pencils and inks = ***
Miller story pencils and inks 28 pages (black and white) = ***
Miller back cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ***

Frank Miller

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Miller / Sin City / Dark Horse
ebay >this comic

Miller >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Frank Brunner gallery - Man-Thing / Fear covers

2026-06-17T00:00:00.006-04:00

Gallery of all Frank Brunner covers for Man-Thing and Fear, 1970s:

Eclipse Monthly #3 - Marshall Rogers, Steve Ditko art

2026-06-16T18:00:00.000-04:00

Eclipse Monthly #3

Eclipse Monthly v1 #3, 1983 - In the third installment of Cap'n Quick and a Foozle, Marshall Rogers' art continues to innovate and entertain. The last three pages are particularly good due to the seemingly elastic panel shapes. Steve Ditko's Static makes his 3rd appearance as well. Some pages have too many panels with too much dialogue. Still, the artist compensates with his eclectic drawing style and visual effects. Other artists in this copper age comic include Gene Colan.

- - - - - - - - - -

Eclipse Monthly v1 = 3 Ditko issues, 5 Rogers issues
- - - - - - - - - -
"Static vs the General" Ditko pencils and inks 10 pages = ***
"Never Trust a Foozle" Rogers pencils and inks 10 pages = ***

Steve Ditko

Marshall Rogers

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Ditko / Rogers / Eclipse Monthly / Eclipse
ebay >this comic

Ditko >comics >books / Rogers >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Daredevil #18 - 1st Gladiator

2026-06-16T12:00:00.000-04:00

Daredevil #18

Daredevil v1 #18, 1966 - In furthering a lie to impress his secretary, Foggy Nelson orders a Daredevil suit for himself. Melvin Potter, the costume maker, decides to make one of his own along with some deadly weaponry. He subsequently begins his life as the Gladiator. This Denny O'Neil story was drawn by John Romita and Frank Giacoia. Cover by Romita and Giacoia.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st appearance, 1st cover, 1st origin Melvin Potter as the Gladiator

Daredevil v1 = multiple key issues

- - - - - - - - - -
"There Shall Come a Gladiator" 20 pages

1st Gladiator

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Daredevil / Marvel

ebay >this comic

Daredevil >comics+collectibles >books+magazines >movies+tv >toys+games

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #1 - 1st issue

2026-06-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #1

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals v1 #1, 1952 - Archie, Betty and Jughead spend a day at the beach, but when Veronica arrives with all her accessories, thing quickly go awry. One of the earliest spin-offs of the Archie franchise, this first issue boasts over a hundred pages of new content. Artists in this issue include Bob Montana and George Frese. Cover by Bill Vigoda.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st issue

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals v1 = multiple key issues

- - - - - - - - - -

"Beach Nuts" 7 pages
+ other stories

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #1

- - - - - - - - - -

Home / Archie's Pals 'n' Gals / Archie

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Hercules Unbound #4 - Wally Wood art

2026-06-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

Hercules Unbound #4

Hercules Unbound v1 #4, 1976 - Traveling to London to find their friends, Hercules discovers a city ruled by a mutant dictator. J.L. Garcia-Lopez's pencils and layouts are splendid throughout, aided by Wally Wood's superb inks. On the opening splash and subsequent spread, Hercules and friends are savagely attacked on the open sea. Wood adds texture and dimension, especially in his renditions of ocean waves and explosive bursts.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hercules Unbound v1 = 8 Wood issues

Wood gallery
- - - - - - - - - -
"This Savage Strength" Wood story inks (Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pencils) 17 pages = ***

Wally Wood

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Wood / Hercules Unbound / DC
ebay >this comic

Wood >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Take a Tip from a Navy Torpedo

2026-06-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

"the tire that's built like a fighter plane"

US Rubber Company comic book ad, 1940s - Uses examples of fighter plane control and maneuverability to sell bike tires. Published in Military Comics #1.

- - - - - - - - - -

Home / Ads

Gallegher, Boy Reporter #1 - 1st issue

2026-06-14T18:00:00.000-04:00

Gallegher, Boy Reporter #1

(Walt Disney's) Gallegher, Boy Reporter v1 #1, 1965 - A resourceful cub reporter sneaks learns about a big bank robbery and a murdered man. Created in 1891, Gallegher appeared in a story written by author Richard Harding Davis. Short films of the character came in 1917 and 1928, which led to the Walt Disney television episodes starting in 1965. This first issue soon followed, nicely drawn by Dan Spiegle. Photo cover.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st issue

Gallegher, Boy Reporter v1 = 1 key issue

- - - - - - - - - -
"The Man with the Missing Finger" 32 pages

Gallegher, Boy Reporter #1

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Gallegher, Boy Reporter / Gold Key

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Rogue #1 - 1st issue

2026-06-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

Rogue #1

Rogue v1 #1, 1995 - As a young girl, Rogue's first kiss came from a neighborhood boy she liked. Unfortunately, it was also the first time her mutant abilities surfaced, which put him in a coma for the rest of his life. In the present, she decides to go back to Mississippi and visit him. Upon her arrival, his disappearance coincides with some nefarious actors. This first issue was written by Howard Mackie and drawn by Mike Wieringo and Terry Austin. Cover by Wieringo.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st issue

Rogue v1 = 1 key issue

- - - - - - - - - -

"An Affair To Remember" 23 pages

Rogue #1

- - - - - - - - - -

Home / Rogue / Marvel

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Outlaw Kid #15 - mis-attributed Al Williamson reprint

2026-06-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Outlaw Kid #15

Outlaw Kid v1 #15, 1957 - Doug Wildey's art dominates the main features, all starring the title character. On a short text story, a detailed spot illustration is credited Al Williamson. While listed in some comic guides as original, the figure is actually taken from a panel in Wyatt Earp #7. Other artists in this golden age western comic include Jay Pike. Cover by Joe Maneely.

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Williamson / Outlaw Kid / Atlas
ebay Williamson >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Epic Illustrated - magazine series checklist

2026-06-13T18:00:00.000-04:00

- - - - - - - - - -
Epic Illustrated v1
Marvel
1980-86

1 - Frazetta cover, Starlin art + 1st issue key
2 - Starlin art
3 - Starlin art + 1st Dreadstar key

4 - Starlin art

5 - Starlin art

6 - Adams cover, Starlin art

7 - Smith cover, Adams, Starlin art
8 - Starlin art

9 - Starlin art
10,11
12 - Brunner cover
13
14 - Starlin art
15 - Starlin art
16 - Smith art & cover top 10
17 - mis-attributed Simonson art

18
19 - Steranko cover
20,21

22 - non-attributed Starlin art

23,24
25 - Wrightson art, Jones cover
26 - Byrne art

27-32

33 - Byrne art

34

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Marvel

Justice League of America #100 - 1st Seven Soldiers of Victory revival

2026-06-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Justice League of America #100

Justice League of America v1 #100, 1972 - Warned of impending doom by the entity known as Oracle, the JLA and the Justice Society join forces on this one hundredth issue. Their mission? To recover the Seven Soldiers scattered across different eras of time. The Earth-2 versions of Green Arrow, Speedy, Crimson Avenger, Star Spangled Kid, Stripesy, Vigilante and Shining Knight make their first appearances since the golden age. This Len Wein story was drawn by Dick Dillin and joe Giella. Cover by Nick Cardy.

- - - - - - - - - -

Select Milestone issue

Key 1st appearance Oracle, 1st revival Seven Soldiers of Victory

Justice Leag ue of America v1 = multiple key issues, 2 select issues

- - - - - - - - - -

"The Unknown Soldier of Victory" Dick Dillin pencis / Joe Giella inks 24 pages

1st Seven Soldiers of Victory revival

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Justice League of America / DC
ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Vampirella #78 - Jim Starlin art

2026-06-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Vampirella #78

Vampirella v1 #78, 1979 - Jim Starlin provides the art for one of the back-up stories in this issue. A male space traveler visits a different woman on every planet, attending to her needs. This Bruce Jones script cleverly revamps the role of gender and sexuality in a science fiction setting. Sadly, Starlin's pencils are submerged beneath the heavy handed inks of Alfredo Alcala. Except for an interesting repeat pattern of bedroom scenes on several pages, the innovative layouts he's known for are largely absent. Other artists in this bronze age magazine include Russ Heath.

- - - - - - - - - -

Vampirella v1 = 1 Starlin issue

- - - - - - - - - -
"The Service" Starlin story pencils (Alfredo Alcala inks) 11 pages (black and white) = *

Jim Starlin

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Starlin / Vampirella / Warren
ebay >this issue

Starlin >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Rex Dexter of Mars #1 - 1st issue

2026-06-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

Rex Dexter of Mars #1

Rex Dexter of Mars v1 #1, 1940 - An interplanetary adventurer, Rex champions truth and justice on an Earth far into the future. His first appearance in Mystery Men Comics #1 is reprinted here for the first time, preceded by a new expanded origin of his parent's arrival on Mars. All Rex stories were written and drawn by Dick Briefer. Other features in this first issue include art by Adolphe Barreaux, Claire S. Moe and George Tuska. Cover by Briefer.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st issue

Rex Dexter of Mars v1 = 1 key issue

- - - - - - - - - -
"Rex Dexter of Mars" 14 pages
+ other stories

Rex Dexter of Mars #1

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Rex Dexter of Mars / Fox

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Tower of Shadows #3 - Barry Windsor Smith art

2026-06-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Tower of Shadows #3

Tower of Shadows v1 #3, 1970 - Robbers case the house of a hermetic old sea captain in this early Barry Smith tale. The art is unpolished and rough-hewn, consistent with his other works of the same era. Inkers John Verpoorten and Dan Adkins do their best to add definition and clarity, but are only partially successful. Still, Smith's experimental layouts and unusual viewpoints (see interior page below) are not without merit. Other artists in this bronze age comic include George Tuska and Gene Colan.
- - - - - - - - - -

Tower of Shadows v1 = 3 Smith issues
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Terrible Old Man" Smith story pencils (John Verpoorten and Dan Adkins inks) 6 pages = **

Barry Windsor Smith

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Smith / Tower of Shadows / Marvel
ebay >this issue

Smith >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Dumbo / Four Color #17 - 1st appearance

2026-06-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Dumbo / Four Color #17

(Walt Disney's) Dumbo v1 / Four Color v1 #17, 1941 - Following the debut of the Disney film, Dell published this comic book adaptation later the same year. Drawn by Irving Tripp, "Dumbo of the Circus" is a lengthy thirty-nine pages and makes up the bulk of the issue. A second adaptation would emerge in the 1950s with a shorter page count. More features within the same book include reprinted newspaper strips of Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Pluto. Other artists in this issue include Al Taliaferro, Floyd Gottfredson and Manuel Gonzales. Cover by Tripp.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st appearance in comics, 1st cover Dumbo (Disney version)

Select Movie adaptation (1st of 2)

Dumbo v1 = 1 key issue, 1 select issue

- - - - - - - - - -

"Dumbo of the Circus" 39 pages
+ other stories

1st Dumbo

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Dumbo / Dell

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Police Lineup #3 - Joe Kubert art & cover

2026-06-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

Joe Kubert

Police Lineup v1 #3, 1952 - On their father's passing, Mae Crandall and her two brothers embark on a life of crime. Joe Kubert's layouts and page sequencing are far advanced for the genre and the era. Interestingly, his opening panel looks weirdly incomplete (see interior page below). I'd guess a giant spider was blacked out from this metaphorical scene, for whatever reason. Other artists in this issue include Mort Lawrence, Howard Larsen, Gerald McCann and Everett Raymond Kinstler. Cover painting by Renaldo Epworth with Kubert insets.

- - - - - - - - - -

Police Lineup v1 = 1 Kubert issue

- - - - - - - - - -

Kubert partial cover pencils and inks

"Killer at Large" Kubert story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***

Joe Kubert

- - - - - - - - - -

Home / Kubert / Police Lineup / Avon
ebay >this comic

Kubert >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Joe Yank #6 - Alex Toth art

2026-06-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Joe Yank #6

Joe Yank v1 #6, 1952 - Needing companionship on the front lines, Joe makes a pet of a small pig. The pages layouts are fairly standard, but each panel seems purposefully planned. Alex Toth's design sense is more evident than his drawings overall. His pencils are both streamlined and softened by Mike Peppe's inks. While an oddball plot, Toth manages to infuse a touch of humor within a Korean War story. Other artists in this golden age war comic include John Severin, Bill Elder, John Celardo and Dan DeCarlo.

- - - - - - - - - -

Joe Yank v1 = 4 Toth issues

- - - - - - - - - -
"Bacon and Bullets" Toth story pencils (Mike Peppe inks) 7 pages = ***

Alex Toth

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Toth / Joe Yank / Standard
ebay >this comic

Toth >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Fantastic Four #35 - Jack Kirby art & cover + 1st Dragon Man

2026-06-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Jack Kirby

Fantastic Four v1 #35, 1965 - Reed Richards delivers a speech at his alma mater with the rest of the FF supporting him. A professor shares his latest project: an experimental android he calls the Dragon Man. Later, a newly escaped Diablo uses alchemical talents to bring it to life. As usual, Jack Kirby's visuals are capable and entertaining, especially during the action scenes. His cover emphasizes the new character within a merely adequate layout.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st appearance, 1st cover, 1st origin Dragon Man

Fantastic Four v1 = 116 Kirby issues, multiple key issues

- - - - - - - - - -
Kirby cover pencils (Dick Ayers inks) = ***
"Calamity on the Campus” Kirby story pencils (Chic Stone inks) 20 pages = ***

Jack Kirby

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Kirby / Fantastic Four / Marvel
ebay >this comic

Kirby >comics >books

Fantastic Four >comics >books >movies+tv >toys+games

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Metal Men #46 - Walt Simonson art

2026-06-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Metal Men #46

Metal Men v1 #46, 1976 - The Metal Men's old foe Chemo runs amok in the streets and canals of Venice, Italy. Two intricately designed splash pages reside in this terrific effort by Walt Simonson. The first, a worm's eye view of the robotic team fighting atop a Venetian bridge, is simply stunning. Along with his boldly deliberate pacing, the artist fills the majority of scenes with the city's famous gothic architecture (pages 1, 3 and 7 are especially noteworthy). Rather than trying to achieve great depth, Simonson opts for patterned linework and complex shapes to increase visual interest. This story was later reprinted in The Art of Walt Simonson. Cover by Dick Giordano.

- - - - - - - - - -

Metal Men v1 = 8 Simonson issues

Simonson gallery
- - - - - - - - - -
"The Chemo Conspiracy" Simonson story pencils and inks 17 pages = ***

Walt Simonson

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Simonson / Metal Men / DC
ebay >this comic

Simonson >comics >books

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Miscellany - Quiz on Manning

2026-06-09T18:00:00.000-04:00

Quiz:
What was Russ Manning's only war comic he ever drew?

Answer

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Miscellany

Strange Terrors #1 - 1st issue

2026-06-09T12:11:00.000-04:00

Strange Terrors #1

Strange Terrors v1 #1, 1952 - An old woman is afflicted with something even the family doctor cannot cure. Her son begs a specialist, Dr. Crane, to see for himself. Arriving at their remote house, strange hooded men suddenly appear with a craving for blood. The first issue of this St. John horror title contains artwork by Rafael Astarita, Paul Gattuso, Don Perlin, Abe Simon, Al Plastino and Ralph Mayo. Note that zombies is mis-spelled on the cover by Perlin.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st issue

Strange Terrors v1 = 1 key issue

- - - - - - - - - -

"Vampires Dance at Dusk" 7 pages
+ other stories

Strange Terrors #1

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Strange Terrors / St. John

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Descender #1 - 1st issue

2026-06-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Descender #1

Descender v1 #1, 2015 - Disaster strikes a mining colony on a distant planet. A gaseous leak from one of the caves kills every man, woman and child. Ten years later, a android boy is reactivated among the corpses. He awakens to a dead world, but also a galaxy in the mist of war and turmoil. This Jeff Lemire story was drawn by Dustin Nguyen. Cover by Nguyen.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st issue

Descender v1 = 1 key issue

- - - - - - - - - -

"Tin Stars: Part I" 30 pages

Descender #1

- - - - - - - - - -

Home / Descender / Image

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Western Action #1 - 1st Comanche Kid, Kid Cody

2026-06-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

Western Action #1

Western Action v1 #1, 1975 - With this first issue, Atlas-Seaboard publishes its first and only western comic in its lineup. Written by Larry Lieber and drawn by Doug Wildey, Kid Cody is a tenderfoot turned gunslinger when his parents are murdered. In a separate story, a boy raised by Native Americans seeks to avenge the death of his grandfather. This Comanche Kid tale is written by Steve Skeates and drawn by Jack Abel and Al Milgrom. Cover by Lieber and Frank Giacoia.

- - - - - - - - - -

Key 1st appearance, 1st cover, 1st origin Comanche Kid, Kid Cody, 1st issue

Western Action v1 = 1 key issue

- - - - - - - - - -
"Vengeance Trail" 10 pages
"Birth of A Badman" 10 pages

1st Comanche Kid

1st Kid Cody

- - - - - - - - - -
Home / Western Action / Atlas-Seaboard

ebay >this comic

(This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)

Pencil Ink

Roots of the Swamp Thing #4 - Bernie Wrightson cover reprint & reprints

Sin City: Hell and Back #6 - Frank Miller art & cover

Frank Brunner gallery - Man-Thing / Fear covers

Eclipse Monthly #3 - Marshall Rogers, Steve Ditko art

Daredevil #18 - 1st Gladiator

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #1 - 1st issue

Hercules Unbound #4 - Wally Wood art

Take a Tip from a Navy Torpedo

Gallegher, Boy Reporter #1 - 1st issue

Rogue #1 - 1st issue

Outlaw Kid #15 - mis-attributed Al Williamson reprint

Epic Illustrated - magazine series checklist

Justice League of America #100 - 1st Seven Soldiers of Victory revival

Vampirella #78 - Jim Starlin art

Rex Dexter of Mars #1 - 1st issue

Tower of Shadows #3 - Barry Windsor Smith art

Dumbo / Four Color #17 - 1st appearance

Police Lineup #3 - Joe Kubert art & cover

Joe Yank #6 - Alex Toth art

Fantastic Four #35﻿ - Jack Kirby art & cover + 1st Dragon Man

Metal Men #46 - Walt Simonson art

Miscellany - Quiz on Manning

Strange Terrors #1 - 1st issue

Descender #1 - 1st issue

Western Action #1 - 1st Comanche Kid, Kid Cody

Fantastic Four #35 - Jack Kirby art & cover + 1st Dragon Man