Happy 76th birthday Jim Steranko!

What can one say about Jim Steranko (born on November 5, 1938) that hasn't already been said? He is one of the greatest comics creators that has ever lived.

Here Jim Steranko is in front of many of the amazing covers he did in his short career making comics.

Though he was only in the comics business for a few short years, his influence on the medium has been profound.

The Black Widow, Hawkeye and her co-creator dashing Don Heck

The Black Widow is one of  Marvel's most interesting characters. Of all of Marvel's early female characters, the Black Widow was one of their most independent and modern superheroines. While Janet van Dyne, (the Wasp) was chasing Hank Pym (Goliath) and Sue Storm (the Invisible Girl) was having Reed Richard's baby, Natasha Romanoff (a.k.a. Black Widow) was working in international espionage for S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters of International Espionage and Law-Enforcement Division) as well as being Marvel's first superheroine to get her own solo feature in Amazing Adventures. How did her character come about? Was she always so emancipated? Who were her creators? Let's take a look.

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.