Friday, October 31, 2014

MY PERSONAL STERANKO TOP TEN COMIC BOOKS !!!


 Okay, I've yet to do this on my blog previously, but here we go. Here's my top 10 favorite comic books illustrated by Jim Steranko (although not necessarily written by him.)

Batman piece I don't see much!
One Superman #400 spread by Steranko!
 
Our Love Story #5 splash page!
 Jim Steranko is my all-time favorite comic book artist. I've been fortunate to pick up a lot of items he's come out with over the years. Comic books, paperback book covers, trade paperbacks, magazine covers and even a couple of hardback book covers. 



That's Steranko's hand design for Spyman!
#10: Harvey Thrillers' Spyman #1
This is the one that launched a comic book career. Steranko created characters for Harvey Thrillers, with the most notable, Spyman. I still fondly remember being hooked with that great cover.   
Steranko's original cover for Incredible Hulk Special #1!
#9:   Captain America #110 "No Longer Alone!"


Who can forget the power of the rampaging Hulk as lavishly illustrated by Steranko!  Those dynamic hands, the awesome cover to the first Incredible Hulk Special
Pure genius. 

#8:   Strange Tales #168: "Today Earth Died!"
One of the scariest Nick Fury stories that still haunts me today! Who can forget the UFO, the alien whose purpose is to "destroy all life-- everywhere"! As Earth's complete destruction begins...
That first page lays it all out!
  #7:   S.H.I.E.L.D. by Steranko Complete Collection:  "The Man Called...D.E.A.T.H."
Now what can I say here, a Steranko try-out? A gem, seeing the first time Steranko draws Nick Fury! You can't find these two pages just anywhere, but you can find it in this collection & the Artist Edition -- which will really knock your socks off!



#6:   Strange Tales #167 "Armageddon"
That glorious four page spread (back in the day you had to buy two copies in order to see the spread in all its splendor!) It's all here! The ultimate climax between Nick Fury and the Yellow Claw we'd been waiting for. 
And how about that gasp at the ending?


   
#5:   Tower of Shadows #1: "At the Stroke of Midnight!"
Steranko takes on horror comics. And how he does! His original cover was rejected. His even pacing and cinematic layouts were outstanding. Breathtaking!
The Gravedigger never looked so good!  
Outland begins in this issue of Heavy Metal!

#4:   Heavy Metal: Outland
This one is a little harder to find, especially since it's not been collected in the states. It's only been serialized in Heavy Metal magazine. Now that's appalling! His artwork has never looked so good. You can find it on the Art of Jim Steranko web site. 
Do yourself a favor, get in there and read it, enjoy it, get excited over it.  
It was exciting when this issue hit the stands!
 

#3:   Nick Fury #1 "Who Is Scorpio?"
This launched a new dynamic to Silver Age of Nick Fury! Scorpio was a new mysterious villain for Fury to match wits with. Few, since Will Eisner, have done styling like Steranko. Silent pages! Nick Fury shot in the back. 
These were the best of times!  
This is the Fiction Illustrated #3 digest, the Fiction Illustrated book title is Chandler instead!
Rumor has it Chandler Red Tide is Steranko's next project!
 #2:   Fiction Illustrated: Chandler
I've only had the pleasure of enjoying the digest, titled Fiction Illustrated. I've never seen the magazine sized edition titled Chandler! Noir has never looked better. I loved getting the Dark Horse Presents featuring Steranko's Chandler: Red Tide. Stunning! 
Cannot wait until the main feature comes along!

How big? That big! Huge! Heavy!
Teaser cover!
Teaser cover!
 #1:   Nick Fury Artist Edition
Now, this is the granddaddy of my Steranko collection. I just had to spring for the Artist Edition and am I glad I did. First of all, it's huge! Man, I was never as excited as I was when I got this in the mail. It's, by far, the best presentation of Steranko's work on Nick Fury from Strange Tales
Stunning!  
Painted cover to Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
My favorite pulp hero done by Steranko!
Steranko cover story pushing the boundaries yet again!
Unseen Shadows - showcase of Shadow paperback covers!
I hope you've enjoyed my trip down memory lane. I trust you can see why Steranko is Number One in my book.

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!
Portland Nova Con 5
Steranko's classic hero - Talon!

Cover & side to Supergraphics Comic Collector box!
The other side of the Comic Collector box!



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