The first appearance of the Phoenix. No, not Jean Grey. This was a very short-lived hero published by the equally-short-lived Atlas Comics in 1975 (and recently resurrected by, I believe, Aarden Publications?). The first three issues were actually pretty decent, story and cover by Sal Amendola, about an astronaut who develops powers, returns to Earth to head off an alien invasion, and is seen as a Messiah by the public. Lots of religious overtones here. It was one of the best of Atlas' offerings.
The first 2 issues of Phoenix are really good. I'm sure you can find them for dirt cheap. If you do, jump on them. You won't be dissapointed.
I didn't find credits for the covers (admitted, I didn't look hard), but it looks like Giordano on pencils and perhaps inks.
I didn't find credits for the covers (admitted, I didn't look hard), but it looks like Giordano on pencils and perhaps inks.
Inks for both are definitely Giordano, but the pencils are probably Amendola. Amendola was actually an assistant editor under Giordano for a couple years at DC in the early ’70s, and later worked with him at Continuity, and you can see Giordano’s influence in Amendola’s work.
I didn't find credits for the covers (admitted, I didn't look hard), but it looks like Giordano on pencils and perhaps inks.
Inks for both are definitely Giordano, but the pencils are probably Amendola. Amendola was actually an assistant editor under Giordano for a couple years at DC in the early ’70s, and later worked with him at Continuity, and you can see Giordano’s influence in Amendola’s work.
Definitely Amendola on pencils. His work was a good part of what made those first couple issues really attractive. I don't remember him doing much else beyond this series, though, except for a single Batman story written by Steve Englehart.
I didn't find credits for the covers (admitted, I didn't look hard), but it looks like Giordano on pencils and perhaps inks.
Inks for both are definitely Giordano, but the pencils are probably Amendola. Amendola was actually an assistant editor under Giordano for a couple years at DC in the early ’70s, and later worked with him at Continuity, and you can see Giordano’s influence in Amendola’s work.
Definitely Amendola on pencils. His work was a good part of what made those first couple issues really attractive. I don't remember him doing much else beyond this series, though, except for a single Batman story written by Steve Englehart.
He didn't do much. A couple of Batman stories — the best known of which was “Night of the Stalker” — a few stories for World’s Finest during the time it was an anthology book, some of DC’s John Carter stories for Weird Worlds, a couple of other little things, and later on some stuff for Archie. Most of his comics career was spent in editorial.
And that Atlas Phoenix series was my favorite -- bought them off the stand along with lots of other Atlas stuff. I think I might still have them...maybe not.
Here's an Atlas monster comic (kind of a Hulk-like character, IIRC) that I think I still have today!
And that Atlas Phoenix series was my favorite -- bought them off the stand along with lots of other Atlas stuff. I think I might still have them...maybe not.
Here's an Atlas monster comic (kind of a Hulk-like character, IIRC) that I think I still have today!
Did you ever read "The Brute" from Atlas/Seaboard? It was another Hulk ripoff.
Those last two Wrightson House of Secrets covers are great, especially 94. That one got a "wow" out of me as I was scrolling down. I'm thinking that I need to give HoS/HoM some attention, as I've barely touched them if at all.
@peedmyself they are great covers and here's another one
1972 Jack Sparling
Wow! That's one of the best Sparling covers I've ever seen!
Sparling was a talented artist whose work tended to run up and down on the quality scale, ranging from 'magnificent' to 'I rushed these fifty pages overnight because I needed the money but the work bored me to tears'. When he was good, he was very, very good; when he was bad, he was mediocrity itself. This cover was Sparling at his very best.
Comments
Bernie Wrightson
Jim Aparo
Michael Kaluta
Dick Giordano
Joe Orlando
Michael Kaluta
The first 2 issues of Phoenix are really good. I'm sure you can find them for dirt cheap. If you do, jump on them. You won't be dissapointed.
I didn't find credits for the covers (admitted, I didn't look hard), but it looks like Giordano on pencils and perhaps inks.
Larry Leiber & Wally Wood
I thought it would be good to include the splash page
Ditko & Wood
From 1973, a fun cover by Russ Heath...
And that Atlas Phoenix series was my favorite -- bought them off the stand along with lots of other Atlas stuff. I think I might still have them...maybe not.
Here's an Atlas monster comic (kind of a Hulk-like character, IIRC) that I think I still have today!
Did you ever read "The Brute" from Atlas/Seaboard? It was another Hulk ripoff.
Luis Dominguez
Joe Orlando
Marshall Rogers
Joe Orlando
Jimmy Janes
Bob Smith
Always liked Mister E.
Rich Buckler
Bob Smith
Rich Buckler
Steve Mitchell
Rich Buckler
Dick Giordano
Joe Kubert
Joe Kubert
I would love this cover as a poster.
1972 Jack Sparling
Sparling was a talented artist whose work tended to run up and down on the quality scale, ranging from 'magnificent' to 'I rushed these fifty pages overnight because I needed the money but the work bored me to tears'. When he was good, he was very, very good; when he was bad, he was mediocrity itself. This cover was Sparling at his very best.