Category Archives: Genre

Destroyer Duck #5 [1983]

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This is Kirby’s last issue of DESTROYER DUCK, as usual inked by Alfredo Alcala on the 20-page story “Shatterer of Worlds” and cover. Steve Gerber was joined on the writing by Buzz Dixon, who would take solo writing chores on the next two post-Kirby issues.

This story finishes up the main story with GodCorp’s plans in the oil-rich nation of Hoqoom. Some very weird stuff, including possibly the only time cannibalism was so explicit in a Kirby story. Also, a nice battle with the Destroyer Lawyer against the Cogburn:

Destroyer Duck #5 [1983]

(I have to mention the Cogburn, as I still get one or two searches a week for Cogburn leading people to this weblog)

This was a fun series, a bit uneven and a few dated references but a lot of good qualities. It would be nice to see it reprinted some day in a nice permanent format.

Published 1983

Nick Fury And His Agents Of SHIELD #1 [1973] – When the Unliving Strike

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This reprint comic has the SHIELD stories from STRANGE TALES #146 and #147 (1966), “When the Unliving Strike” and “The Enemy Within”, knocking out parts of two pages in the former and the first two full pages of the latter story bringing it down to 21 pages. Both stories have layouts by Kirby, pencils by Don Heck and inks by Mike Esposito (whose name the reprint editor actually took the time to fix from the “Mickey Demeo” pen-name of the original).

It’s the men of SHIELD against the forces of Them this time, continuing their pursuit from the previous issues. But of course you know those yellow bee-suit costumes better as…

Nick Fury And His Agents Of SHIELD #1 [1973]

AIM, Advanced Idea Mechanics. It turns out the Them are affiliated with AIM, a private group of geniuses bent on world domination, who at this point are still considered a reputable organization, as one of their members tries to undermine Fury’s role as director of SHIELD. Fury foils their immediate plans, an attack on the famous barber shop which serves as a SHIELD front, but AIM’s Count Royale has other schemes.

Some fun stuff in here. A few hints of Kirby, though the Heck/Esposito combination overpowers most of it, but is good in its own right.

Published 1973

The New Gods #3 [1971] – Death Is the Black Racer

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No, I’m not entirely sure what the deal with the Black Racer is either. I’m sure Kirby had something unrealized planned for the character/concept, but we’ll never know. Anyway, in this story the Racer, an envoy of death, pursues Lightray, but is redirected to Earth by Metron, where he’s drawn to paralyzed Vietnam vet Willie Walker, who takes his role as an aspect of the Black Racer.

The New Gods #3 [1971]

I may not understand it, but that’s some pretty art. Elsewhere on Earth, Orion and Dave Lincoln pursue the local gangs that have been recruited into the plots of Apokolips.

Colletta inks the 23-page story and cover (which features a photo background of a cityscape).

Published 1971

Sgt. Fury #12 [1964] – Cover

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Another early FURY cover, this one inked by Chic Stone. I’m not a huge fan of generic floating head covers, but that’s a really nice action pose of Fury, and the headshots here capture each of the Howlers nicely.

SgtFury12_526.jpg

Published 1964

Tales of Suspense #37 [1963] – Cover

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Some great alien creatures on this Kirby/Ditko cover. I especially love the sample from Saturn. Plus the usual crazy Kirby tech over on the ray gun.

(possibly Ayers inks, see comments)

TalesofSuspense37_524.jpg

Published 1963

Kid Colt Outlaw #107 [1962] – Cover

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Man, that horse looks surprised. You’d think after 107 issues with Kid Colt it would be used to this kind of stuff by now.

Not the best Kirby alien, but I love the details lavished on the space-ship, with the layout giving the image a real 3-D look. Excellent Ayers inking.

KidColtOutlaw107_523.jpg

Published 1962

Ghost Rider #21 [1976] – Cover

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Another of Kirby’s many 1970s covers from various Marvel books, the first of his three GHOST RIDER covers, which marked the transition of the character to more of a super-hero from his horror/fantasy roots. Pretty busy cover, but a nice dynamic pose for the main characters. Al Milgrom inks.

GhostRider21_522.jpg

Published 1976

Tales to Astonish #54 [1964] – Cover

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Man, Giant-Man had some of the sorriest villains ever. El Toro, with these little tiny horns on his head? Sad.

Still a lot to like on this Kirby/Ayers cover, from Giant-Man’s pose to the details on the various buildings.

TalestoAstonish54_521.jpg

Published 1964

The Demon #12 [1973]

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Kirby’s riff off Frankenstein continues in “Rebirth of Evil”. First there’s a flashback to Etrigan’s old encounter with the original Baron Von Rakenstein and his creatures years in the past. Great double page spread of the assorted beasties. Back in the modern day, we see that the Demon didn’t quite manage to wipe out the Rakenstein evil, as the modern Baron has inherited his ancestor’s instruments and has Jason Blood prisoner and plans to put his head on the creature’s body.

The Demon #12 [1973]

Fortunately Blood transforms before the cut can be made, and frees the creature, who also has a telepathic link to a psychic girl who Harry and Randu went for help in finding Jason.

Mike Royer inks the cover and 20-page story.

Published 1973

Hi-School Romance #58 [1956] – Cover

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Another romance image of the classic design (couple in the foreground, jealous potential rival in the background), this one published by Harvey. Very attractive girl (though maybe redrawn a bit?  Or heavily inked?), and there seems to be a bit of young Reed Richards in the face of the guy in the foreground.

HiSchoolRomance58_519.jpg

Published 1956