PART NINE Of FANTASTIC COVER GALLERY...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

And now, from the vaults of history (and a box in my cupboard) comes yet another six sensational, classic covers - plus their back page pin-ups - from that perfect POWER PACK publication from the swingin' '60s - the frighteningly-fearless, fabulous FANTASTIC.  All hail to ALF, BART, and COS, Britain's bombastic stand-ins for STAN, JACK, and, er... IRVING FORBUSH.

Ah, I only have to gaze upon these pulsating pictures by KIRBY, HECK, ROTH, and SMITH to once again (in my mind's eye) be merrily frolicking back in the heady, halcyon days of my childhood, when the world was a better place and I thought I would be a boy forever.  Chances are, you did too - unless you're a girl, that is.

So come with me now - on a journey back to when the world seemed fresh and new, and wonders aplenty were aborning each and every week in the pages of Britain's Brightest Superhero Comic.  There is - there can be - simply no other word for it - it's - FANTASTIC.

  

Don't forget to tune in again for future instalments in this Fantastic series.

SKETCH Of The DAY...

One thing I hope you're not doing is assuming that these lightning-fast sketches rendered with a brush pen are being offered as examples of 'good' comic art.  They're nothing more than mere doodles - but done in ink instead of pencil.  Produced during an idle moment several years ago, they were merely for my own amusement and therefore shouldn't be regarded as reflecting the standard of my finished art.

Anyway, the 'sketch of the day' (as in posted today, but not necessarily drawn today) is a 1960s-looking The INCREDIBLE HULK.  I always preferred the green-skinned goliath as he was drawn in the first five issues of his own magazine by JACK KIRBY.  Consequently, whenever I draw him, there's usually at least a hint of Kirby's version in the result.

 Another 'sketch of the day' coming soon.  (Unless you pay me to stop.)   

FIREBALL XL5 By MIKE NOBLE - PART FOUR...

Images copyright relevant owner

Well, things appear to be 'hotting up' for STEVE ZODIAC and his crew - which is ironic given all the snow and ice that surrounds them. Hopefully, all you cavortin' Crivvies are enjoying this fantastic FIREBALL XL5 adventure, this particular episode originally having been published in TV CENTURY 21 #37, cover-dated October 2nd, 2065.

Comics weren't constrained in the way that television was in the 'special effects department' (especially in the '60s), so ALAN FENNELL, the writer, could really let himself go without having to worry about budget restraints.  Whatever he could think of, no matter how fantastic or far-fetched, artist MIKE NOBLE could deliver - and make it look as real and convincing as anything else he was capable of drawing - which seemed to be absolutely everything.

Be sure to read Part Five - just a click away.

MEET The MIGHTY MEGA-MAN (SKETCH Of The DAY)...

Taking a leaf out of DON HUDSON 's excellent blog, ATTACK AT DON! (here), I thought I'd feature the odd 'sketch of the day' from time to time.  I've got a small drawing pad in which I used to practise with a brush pen while having a latte in my local coffee bar - just quick sketches done 'off the cuff '.  They're not finished art by any means, and it's been a good while since I've drawn anything in it, but the handful of doodles contained therein may be of interest to some of you Criv-ites out there.  Remember, they were just lightning-quick attempts to get the hang of using a brush pen for the first time, so please be gentle.

Incidentally, in case you were wondering, 'DUNN KWIK ' is a pen name I use for dashed-off drawings that I regard as somewhat 'loose' - to say the least.  To see brush art as it should be done, why not jump over to Don's blog at the above link?