Pencil Ink

The Question #1 - 1st issue

2026-08-20T00:01:31.229-04:00

The Question #1

The Question v1 #1, 1987 - Obsessed with rooting out corruption, reporter Vic Sage will go any lengths to get information and make it public. When a damning videotape needs to be secured, he dons a featureless face as the Question and violently wrests it from a gang of thugs. Introduced in Blue Beetle in the 1960s, this first issue starts the Question's first self-titled series. Script by Denny O'Neil and art by Denys Cowan and Rick Magyar. Cover painting by Bill Sienkiewicz.

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Key 1st issue

Question v1 = 1 key issue

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"The Bad News" 28 pages

The Question #1

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Home / Question / DC / Crime
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Tales from the Crypt #24 - Wally Wood art

2026-08-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

Tales From the Crypt #24

Tales from the Crypt v1 #24, 1951 - Upon hearing of a young woman's inheritance, Ralph Kearns woos her and takes her for his wife. Still not content, he kills her wealthy uncle and makes it look like an accident. Wally Wood's opening panel is a departure from his usual style, but effective nonetheless. Still honing his craft, Wood adds plenty of background detail throughout the story. His interior scenes are especially good. Other artists in this issue include Jack Davis and Graham Ingels. Cover by Al Feldstein.
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Tales from the Crypt v1 = 5 Wood issues

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"Scared To Death" Wood story pencils and inks 7 pages = ***

Wally Wood

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John Wayne Adventure Comics #29 - Al Williamson / Frank Frazetta reprint

2026-08-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

John Wayne Adventure Comics #29

John Wayne Adventure Comics v1 #29, 1955 - Several stories in this edition were published in previous issues. This includes "Black Gold", an Al Williamson / Frank Frazetta tale from John Wayne Adventure Comics #4.

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Marvel Preview #21 - Steve Ditko art

2026-08-18T18:00:00.000-04:00

Marvel Preview #21

Marvel Preview v1 #21 presents Moon Knight, 1980 - Backing up the main Moon Knight feature, a Shroud solo story pits the hero against an eclectic criminal called the Crooked Man. Steve Ditko's graphic style works superbly in black and white, filling the pages with high contrasts and intense linework. The Shroud's flowing cape and powers of enveloping darkness are artfully drawn. Ditko's mastery of black and white (often overlooked and underestimated) is rarely matched by his peers. Other artists in this copper age magazine include Tom Palmer, Dan Green and Bill Sienkiewicz. Cover by Sienkiewicz.

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Marvel Preview v1 = 1 Ditko issue

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"Walk a Crooked Mile" Ditko story pencils and inks 15 pages (black and white) = ****

Steve Ditko

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Marines Attack #1 - 1st issue

2026-08-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Marines Attack #1

Marines Attack v1 #1, 1964 - Post World War Two, a GI goes to the home of his buddy, who died saving him during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Introducing himself to his widow, he recounts the details and sheer heroism of her fallen husband. Charlton comics introduces one of several war titles during the 1960s. All stories in this first issue were drawn by Sam Glanzman. Cover by Glanzman.

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Key 1st issue

Marines Attack v1 = 1 key issue

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"Every Man A Hero" 10 pages
+ other stories

Marines Attack #1

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Home / Marines Attack / Charlton / War

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Twisted Tales - comic series checklist

2026-08-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

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Twisted Tales v1
Pacific / Eclipse
1982-84

1 - 1st issue key
2 - Wrightson cover, Ploog art
3,4

5 - Corben cover favorite

6-8

9 - 1st Eclipse issue
10 - Wrightson art

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Home / Pacific / Eclipse

Sea Devils #1 - 1st issue

2026-08-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Sea Devils #1

Sea Devils v1 #1, 1961 - After their first appearance in Showcase #27 and two subsequent issues, the team of adventurers finally get their own series. In this first issue, Hollywood hires the Sea Devils to fight a robot based on the mythical Octopus Man. Unfortunately, the actual one shows up to pose a real danger to the quartet. Written by Robert Kanigher, a separate story ("Secret of the Emerald Whale") was authored by Bob Haney. Both tales are meticulously drawn by Russ Heath. Cover by Heath.

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Key 1st issue

Sea Devils v1 = 1 key issue

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"The Sea Devils vs. the Octopus Man" 13 pages

+ other stories

Sea Devils #1

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Home / Sea Devils / DC / Adventure
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Teen-age Romances #41 - Matt Baker cover

2026-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Matt Baker

Teen-age Romances v1 #41, 1955 - Not your typical beach scene, this young couple seems to have come at the spur of the moment. Though not attired in swimwear, their summer clothing still reveals plenty of skin. Matt Baker captures the moment's serenity, but both his drawing and layout pale compared to his other works from the same era. The loose green fencing adds a rigid counterpoint to the sinewy figures. Other artists in this golden age comic include Carmine Infantino.

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Teen-age Romances v1 = 42 Baker issues

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Baker cover pencils and inks = **

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Home / Baker / Teen-age Romances / St. John / Romance
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Amazing Spider-Man #78 - 1st Prowler

2026-08-16T18:00:00.000-04:00

Amazing Spider-Man #78

Amazing Spider-Man v1 #50, 1967 - Hobie Brown, hired to be a window washer, aspires to be something more. Modifying his newly invented gadgets for climbing buildings, he becomes the Prowler. He proceeds to steal the Daily Bugle's payroll at the same time as Peter Parker's visit to J. Jonah Jameson. This Stan Lee story was drawn by Jim Mooney. Cover by John Romita.

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Key 1st appearance, 1st origin, 1st cover Hobie Brown as the Prowler

Amazing Spider-Man v1 = multiple key issues

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"The Night of the Prowler" 20 pages

1st Prowler

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Home / Amazing Spider-Man / Marvel / Superhero

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Morning Glories #1 - 1st issue

2026-08-16T12:00:00.000-04:00

Morning Glories #1

Morning Glories v1 #1, 2010 - Six new students arrive at the Morning Glory Academy preparatory school, each academically gifted and coming from different places. Weirdly enough, Casey, Zoe, Hunter, Jun, Jade and Ike share the same birthday. As they adjust to their new surroundings, they also get a sense of something sinister in the air. This first issue was written by Nick Spencer and drawn by Joe Eisma. There are four cover variants by Rodin Esquejo.

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Key 1st issue

Morning Glories v1 = 1 key issue

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"Morning Glories" 44 pages

Morning Glories #1

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Home / Morning Glories / Image / Horror

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Black Lightning #1 - 1st appearance

2026-08-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Black Lightning #1

Black Lightning v1 #1, 1977 - Retiring from the Olympics, Jefferson Pierce becomes a teacher at an inner city school. At Garfield High, drugs run rampant thanks to the mysterious syndicate known as the One Hundred. Pierce takes matters into his own hands as Black Lightning. This first issue was written by Tony Isabella and drawn by Trevor Von Eeden and Frank Springer. Cover by Rich Buckler and Springer.

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Key 1st appearance, 1st cover, 1st origin Black Lightning, 1st issue

Black Lightning v1 = 1 key issue

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"Black Lightning" 17 pages

Black Lightning #1

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Home / Black Lightning / DC / Superhero

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Walt Disney Comics Digest #28 - Carl Barks reprint

2026-08-15T18:00:00.000-04:00

Walt Disney Comics Digest #21

Walt Disney Comics Digest v1 #28, 1971 - Many of these digest-sized issues reprint stories and artwork by Carl Barks. Included in this edition is "Fantastic River Race", first published in Uncle Scrooge Goes to Disneyland #1. Other artists in this bronze age digest include Tony Strobl.

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Home / Barks / Walt Disney Comics Digest / Gold Key / Humor
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Rocket's Blast Comicollector #84 - Don Newton cover

2026-08-15T12:20:00.000-04:00

Don Newton

Rocket's Blast Comicollector v1 #84, 1971 - A knife-wielding savage traverses the jungle with his saber-toothed companion, while a dormant volcano looms in the distance. Don Newton may well be depicting Marvel's Ka-Zar in the Savage Land, but more closely resembles Tarzan. Regardless, this monochromatic cover is a notable early work by the artist. This fanzine's interiors are in black and white.

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Rocket's Blast Comicollector v1 = 24 Newton issues

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Newton cover pencils and inks = ***

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Home / Rocket's Blast Comicollector / Newton

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Rom #56 - John Byrne cover

2026-08-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

John Byrne

Rom v1 #56, 1984 - Alpha Flight makes a guest appearance on the series, prompting their creator John Byrne to lend a hand with this issue. The flight path of the two heroes effectively leads the eye through the masthead, but thr layout is generally simplistic. Byrne's rendition is recognizable in style, but pales compared to other works in the same period. Other artists in this copper age comic include Mark Bright and Mel Candido.

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Rom v1 = 2 Byrne issues
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Byrne cover pencils and inks = **

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Home / Byrne / Rom / Marvel / Science Fiction
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Apache #1 - 1st issue

2026-08-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

Apache #1

Apache v1 #1, 1951 - After an attack on miners and their indian friends, a group of Apaches spare a young Navajo boy. Against his better judgment, Geronimo allows him to be raised as one of their tribe. As the boy (now named Lance) grows up, he works with the US army to avenge his dead father. This first issue (and only issue of the series) includes artwork by Lucas Orton and Brigham Barnes.

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Key 1st issue

Apache v1 = 1 key issue

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"Geronimo, Red Wolf of the Badlands" 14 pages
+ other stories

Apache #1

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Home / Apache / Fiction House / Western

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X-Terminators - comic series checklist

2026-08-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

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X-Terminators v1
Marvel
1988-89

1 - Williamson art + 1st issue key

2-4

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X-Terminators v2
Marvel
2022-23

1-5

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Home / Marvel

Let's Race

2026-08-13T18:00:00.000-04:00

"it's tops in flavor"

Curtiss Candy comic book ad, 1940s - Straightforward promotion for Baby Ruth candy bars, touting the benefits of increased pep and energy. Published in Happy Comics #20.

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Home / Ads

Tarzan #132 - Russ Manning art

2026-08-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Tarzan #132

Tarzan v1 #132, 1962 - Risking his own life, Dan-El sneaks into Natongo's kingdom. With the help of Queen Zulena, they're able to break the hypnotic spell from the tall strangers that control his Brother of the Spear. Russ Manning intersperses wider panels among the small ones, enhancing the layouts overall. Surprisingly, his fine drawings extend even to the inside front and back covers, featuring Tarzan himself. Jesse Marsh draws the lead feature. Cover painting by George Wilson.

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Tarzan v1 = 132 Manning issues

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"The Duel" Manning story pencils and inks 5 pages = ***

"Bird's-Eye View" Manning inside front cover pencils and inks (black and white) = ****

"Victory Dance" Manning inside back cover pencils and inks 1 page (black and white) = ***

Russ Manning

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Creepy #76 - Alex Toth, Walt Simonson / Bernie Wrightson art

2026-08-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Creepy #76

Creepy v1 #76, 1976 - Trapped in a room with minimal details, a man concludes he's part of a greater experiment. Alex Toth uses a similarly sparse approach in his artwork. Black backgrounds frame his panels, each containing a succinct drawing. That and Toth's page layouts effectively convey a sense of claustrophobia. Less successful is the issue's frontispiece of Uncle Creepy as a headless horseman (see interior page below). Unfortunately, Walt Simonson's pencils see little benefit from Bernie Wrightson's inking. This is the only collaboration between the two artists I'm aware of. Other artists in this bronze age magazine include Martin Salvador, Jose Ortiz, John Severin and Vincente Alcazar.

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Creepy v1 = 7 Simonson issues, 15 Toth issues, 19 Wrightson issues

Wrightson gallery / Simonson gallery
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Simonson inside front cover pencils / Wrightson inks (duotone) = **
"Ensnared" Toth story pencils and inks 7 pages (black and white) = ***

Walt Simonson / Bernie Wrightson

Alex Toth

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Home / Simonson / Toth / Wrightson / Creepy / Warren / Horror
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X-Men #168 - Paul Smith cover

2026-08-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

Paul Smith

X-Men v1 #168, 1983 - A battle-worn Kitty Pryde is backed up against the wall by an unknown assailant. Paul Smith captures her exhaustion and determination at the same time. She's been featured solo on an X-Men cover once before, but this one (where she's literally spotlighted) is grittier and more compelling. Smith, who also drew the interiors, just joined the creative team and was already making his mark on the series.

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Favorite P. Smith cover

X-Men v1 = multiple favorite issues

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Paul Smith cover pencils and inks

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Home / P. Smith / X-Men / Marvel / Superhero

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House of Secrets #91 - Wally Wood art, Neal Adams cover

2026-08-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Neal Adams

House of Secrets v1 #91, 1971 - A brutal South American dictator quashes a rebellion and orders the execution of their leader "El Aguila". Jerry Grandenetti's adequate drawings appear more polished by Wally Wood's bold inking. Deft placement of shadows and highlights suggest the oppressive mood of the story's setting. Neal Adams does even better with his interpretation of the same theme. The cover's transparent masthead allows his illustration to have a greater sense of scale and space. Other artists in this bronze age comic include Jack Sparling, Sam Glanzman and Murphy Anderson.
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House of Secrets v1 = 9 Adams issues, 2 Wood issues

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Adams cover pencils and inks = ****
"The Eagle's Talon" Wood story inks (Jerry Grandenetti pencils) 7 pages = ***

Wally Wood

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The Cat #NN - Movie adaptation

2026-08-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

The Cat #NN

The Cat v1 #NN (no number), 1966 - When a little boy witnesses illegal poaching, the hunter begins to pursue him through the Rocky Mountains. He eventually befriends a wild mountain lion, which increases his chances for survival. This comic book adaptation of the Embassy Pictures film was drawn by Jack Sparling. Photo cover. Cover identification number 12-109-612.

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Select Movie adaptation

Cat v1 = 1 select issue

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"The Cat" 32 pages

The Cat #NN

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Home / Cat / Dell / Adventure

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All-Out War #1 - Joe Kubert cover + 1st Viking Commando

2026-08-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

All-Out War #1

All-Out War v1 #1, 1979 - In the midst of battle with the huns, Valoric the Thane is mistakenly taken by a a valkyrie for his final reward. But instead of Valhalla, he's transported to the European theater in World War II. Realizing he shares a common enemy with the Americans, this Viking Commando joins them in their fight against the Nazis. This Robert Kanigher story was drawn by George Evans. As busy as the cover is, Joe Kubert's effort is more hurried and below his usual standards. Other artists in this dollar comic include Jerry Grandenetti, E. R. Cruz, Dick Ayers and Romeo Tanghal.

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Key 1st appearance, 1st origin, 1st cover Viking Commando, 1st issue

All-Out War v1 = 1 key issue

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Kubert cover pencils and inks = **
"D-Day for a Viking" 18 pages

1st Viking Commando

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Home / Kubert / All-Out War / DC / War

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Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #23 - 1st Josie James, Melody Jones, Pepper Smith

2026-08-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #23

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals v1 #23, 1962 - Josie and Pepper pass their history test, but their bubbly friend Melody doesn't. Knowing there's an upcoming Spanish test, the girls get an idea to use language tapes while sleeping. A trio of new characters in introduced this issue: Josie James, a redheaded girl-next-door, Melody Jones, a pretty but flaky blonde, and Pepper Smith, a brainy brunette. Josie and Melody would later form the band Josie and the Pussycats. This story was written by Frank Doyle and drawn by Dan DeCarlo. Other artists in this issue include Bob White and Harry Lucey. Cover by Samm Schwartz.

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Key 1st appearance Josie James, Melody Jones, Pepper Smith

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

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"Tongue Twister" 6 pages
+ other stories

1st Josie James, Melody Jones, Pepper Smith

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

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Strange Confessions #1 - 1st issue

2026-08-10T12:19:00.000-04:00

Strange Confessions #1

Strange Confessions v1 #1, 1952 - Tired of being poor and living in a tenement building, Sherry catches the eye of a rich man. She shuns her ex-boyfriend, but her new beau is more nefarious than she realized. Coinciding with the rise of romance comics, this first issue from Ziff-Davis publishing was drawn by Mike Sekowsky and Tex Blaisdell. Photo cover.

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Key 1st issue

Strange Confessions v1 = 1 key issue

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"Tarnished Kisses" 7 pages
+ other stories

Strange Confessions #1

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Home / Strange Confessions / Romance

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Pencil Ink

The Question #1 - 1st issue

Tales from the Crypt #24 - Wally Wood art

John Wayne Adventure Comics #29 - Al Williamson / Frank Frazetta reprint

Marvel Preview #21 - Steve Ditko art

Marines Attack #1 - 1st issue

Twisted Tales - comic series checklist

Sea Devils #1 - 1st issue

Teen-age Romances #41 - Matt Baker cover

Amazing Spider-Man #78 - 1st Prowler

Morning Glories #1 - 1st issue

Black Lightning #1 - 1st appearance

Walt Disney Comics Digest #28 - Carl Barks reprint

Rocket's Blast Comicollector #84 - Don Newton cover

Rom #56 - John Byrne cover

Apache #1 - 1st issue

X-Terminators - comic series checklist

Let's Race

Tarzan #132 - Russ Manning art

﻿﻿Creepy #76 - Alex Toth, Walt Simonson / Bernie Wrightson art

X-Men #168 - Paul Smith cover

House of Secrets #91 - Wally Wood art, Neal Adams cover

The Cat #NN - Movie adaptation

All-Out War #1 - Joe Kubert cover + 1st Viking Commando

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #23 - 1st Josie James, Melody Jones, Pepper Smith

Strange Confessions #1 - 1st issue

Creepy #76 - Alex Toth, Walt Simonson / Bernie Wrightson art