"The Claws of the Cat" Master Of Kung Fu 38 and 39

Marvel's Master of Kung Fu was started as a way to milk the whole Kung Fu fad of the early 70's with the success of the TV show Kung Fu and Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. It was a throw away idea that had no business going on for more than 25 issues. But then a funny thing happened, a brilliant new artist, Paul Gulacy got on the book and along with Doug Moench it was reinvented and revitalized.

Jim Steranko's Nick Fury Agent of S.H.E.I.L.D.

Jim Steranko was a phenomenon. He exploded onto the comics scene in the mid 60's doing the triple threat of writer, penciler AND inker and all better than anyone. In the few years that he worked in the field he revolutionized the industry.

Strange Tales #167, April 1968 is a great example of one of the many stunning covers that Steranko produced in his brief time spent in the comic book industry.

Jamie Hernandez' LOCAS

Jamie Hernandez has created one of the best depictions of punk rock in comics or perhaps any media. From the very start Jaime Hernandez had a well filled out world with well filled out characters. He must have know people like this in order to have gotten them so realistic. He captures the enthusiasm for life in his characters like no other. He also has a wide range of characters from his two main characters, Hopie, the wild one, to Maggie, the sweet one, to Izzy, the goth/witch. And Terry, the wanna-be punk rock star and jealous lover. Everyone has their favorite Locas. Mine is Hopie, the little spitfire.

Chris Ware's "Fiction Versus Nonfiction"

I love these strips which give us insights into the creative process. Here in Chris Ware's Fiction Versus Nonfiction we get an insight into how representational characters, or cartoons, can sometimes capture the spirit of reality better than realistic work can.

Harvey Kurtzman; Under the Influence

Harvey Kurtzman was a hugely influential cartoonist to a generation of creators.

Hey Look written and drawn by Harvey Kurtzman originally published in Lana #2 1948.

Originally published in the New Yorker March 29, 1993

THUN'DA by the incomparable FRANK FRAZETTA!

Before Frank Frazetta was doing Conan paintings for paper back book covers he was busy creating stunning comic book art. Some digging on the internet has uncovered these absolutely stunning  pages of Frank Frazetta original art that I just felt needed to be shared in detail.

Thun'da Jan. 1952, page 11, panel 1, written by Gardner Fox and drawn and inked by Frank Frazetta

Thun'da original art by Frazetta

Nobrow #7, 'A Brave New World' of graphics

I haven't seen such a cool magazine since the old Raw Magazine. 

Nobrow #7 this is a really cool magazine with half of it dedicated to comics and the other half dedicated to illustration.

Alan Moore's Hypernaut from 1963

Can hardware have a heart? 

Can circuits have a soul? 

Heads up humanity... Here comes 

the Hypernaut!

A sizzlin 1963 souvenir by Affable Alan Moore, Sturdy Steven Bissette and Charmin Chester Brown!

José Muñoz' Batman

Argentina born 

José Muñoz 

creates stunning kaleidoscopes 

breathlessly walking the line between abstract an realism.

In case you haven't read my previous post on José Muñoz, I'm a huge fan of his work.

Rafael Grampa's Wolverine!

Brazilian Rafael Grampa burst onto the American comics scene with Dark Horse's publication of Grampa's 'Mesmo Delivery'. Exciting by his work, Marvel and DC comics hired him to work on different projects for them like a story for the 250th anniversary issue of Hellblazer and the artsy Batman Black and White.