A blog on vintage comic books from the golden, silver, bronze and copper age. Over 7,000 posts feature ratings and reviews of great comics and comic book artists of the past, including checklists and top ten lists. Also included are first issues and first appearances of popular characters, old comic book ads and original artwork.
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…
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…
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. - - - - - - - - - - Home / Barks / Walt Disney Comics Digest / Gold Key / Humor…
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…
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…
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…
- - - - - - - - - - X-Terminators v1 Marvel 1988-89 1 - Williamson art + 1st issue key 2-4 - - - - - - - - - - X-Terminators v2 Marvel 2022-23 1-5 - - - - - - - - - - Home / Marvel
"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 . - - - - - - - - - - Home / Ads
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…
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…
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-Me n 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…
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…
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. - - - - - - - - - -…
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…
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…
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. - - - - - - - - - -…
Defenders Annual #1 Defenders Annual v1 #1, 1976 - A group of super-villains called the Headmen are on the verge of world conquest by political and psychological means. To prevent it, Doctor Strange flies to Los Angeles and sends Nighthawk and Red Guardian to Paris and Valykrie and Power Man to India. All this while the galactic being Nebulon remains a threat. This first issue was written by Steve…
Cheyenne Kid #13 Cheyenne Kid v1 #13, 1958 - When a Pawnee tribe is on the verge of starvation due to a dishonest white man, the Cheyenne Kid intervenes on their behalf. Al Williamson opens with a splendid panel, placing central characters against a rugged, rocky landscape. The remaining pages hold the same level of detail although loosely rendered. While similar to Williamson's previous work on…
Quiz : Mike Ploog drew several issue of Kull , but which comic has his only depiction of Conan the Barbarian? Answer - - - - - - - - - - Home / Quizzes / Miscellany
Richie Rich and Cadbury #1 Richie Rich and Cadbury v1 #1, 1977 - Visiting the Rich Automobile Company showroom, Richie and his family butler witness an odd occurrence. A customer drives out in his new car but the wheels suddenly fall off. Only after Richie financially compensates the man does he realize they've been conned. Randal the Vandal gets away but soon returns. This first issue also…
John Byrne Original John Byrne cover from Space 1999 #4 , 1970s. - - - - - - - - - - Home / Byrne / Original art / Space 1999 e b a y Byrne > comics > books (This post has affiliate links which help support this blog)
- - - - - - - - - - Going Steady v1 St. John 1954-55 continued from Teen-age Temptations 10 - Baker cover & reprint + 1st issue key 11 - Baker cover 12 - Baker cover & reprint 13 - Baker cover & reprints 14 - Baker cover & reprints - - - - - - - - - - Home / St. John
Frogman Comics #1 Frogman (Comics) v1 #1, 1952 - Midget subs have been spotted lurking off the coast of Japan, thanks to US Naval intelligence. Suspected of preparing to disrupt shipping lanes, three members of the Underwater Demolition Team are tasked with destroying them. Dan Durkin and two of his frogmen ready themselves for the mission. Artists in this first issue include Mike Suchorsky, John…
My Greatest Adventure #81 My Greatest Adventure v1 #81, 1963 - Two scientists and a reporter travel to a remote valley in Pakistan, looking for clues that lead them to the anthropological missing link. The art by Alex Toth is adequate, filling the pages with remote landscapes and prehistoric life-forms (see interior page below). The artist's best work occurs on the opening splash, depicting a…
Exciting Comics #22 Exciting Comics v1 #22, 1942 - Nazi spies steal a brand new invention that can the restore the dead. Blackbeard the pirate, Attila the Hun and others are brought back to life in giant form and proceed to lay waste to the city. The American Eagle and his his sidekick, the Eaglet , confront the villains directly. This story was written by Richard Hughes and drawn by Kin Platt.…