JOURNEY Into MYSTERY THOR COVER - HOW I WOULD HAVE DONE IT...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

I've already added this image to the 'spot the difference' post on JOURNEY Into MYSTERY #83, but I felt it deserved a post of its own.  As you know, several STONE MEN were removed from the cover before publication to give greater prominence to THOR, but I felt that a few of them could have been left in.  Consequently, I did a little work on a copy of the original production stat to show how I would've done things had I been calling the shots.  (Hey, you gotta think big!)  Below is the original for comparison.

ONE MORE TIME - SPOT The DIFFERENCE: The FANTASTIC FOUR #1...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Yup, you've got the idea of this series by now, Crivvies.  Above is the cover of The FANTASTIC FOUR #1 as originally drawn by JACK KIRBY, below is the published version from 1961 after a few amendments.  Incidentally, none of the original proofs were coloured at the time, that was done for their appearance in the MARVEL MASTERWORKS series of volumes which began in the late 1980s.  Eventually, Marvel started featuring more faithful reproductions of the mags as first printed, but it's fun to see how they started out, don'tcha think?

SPOT The DIFFERENCE: JOURNEY Into MYSTERY #95 (Starring: MIGHTY THOR!)...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Okay, admittedly, the difference is a minor one in this instance, and not a change to the artwork but to the lettering.  However, I think these matters are important as well as interesting, and hey - what else would you all be doing if you weren't reading this here humble blog of mine?  The answer is obviously "nothing" otherwise you'd be away doing it, so let's have no complaints about the trivial nature of this post, or indeed me!  ('Cos you know what a sensitive soul I am.)

SPOT The DIFFERENCE: JOURNEY Into MYSTERY #83... (Updated)

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Well, I'm in repeat territory here, but not everyone will have seen my prior post on this classic cover, so I should get away with it.  (And unlike the BBC, there's no licence fee required to view this blog.)  When JACK KIRBY initially drew the cover, he put in more STONE MEN than appeared on the published mag.  However, I'd say STAN LEE's instincts as art editor were correct, as, dramatic as the original version was, THOR The MIGHTY was visually swamped by his descending foes and the cover was just a tad too 'busy'.

I might have left some of the smaller Stone Men in as it was mainly the one behind Thor that compromised the layout, but maybe they'd have upset the balance of the final composition.  It's difficult to be sure without seeing what I have in mind right in front of my baby-blue eyes.

Below is a b&w production stat I altered of the original cover to show how I might have done things.  Lovely, eh?

SPOT The DIFFERENCE: TALES Of SUSPENSE #44...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

I've shown this cover before, but last time I used an ALAN CLASS reprint to highlight the differences.  The one above is as it was originally drawn and lettered (apart from the spelling of 'Pharaoh', which was corrected for its initial printing in an early MARVEL MASTERWORKS volume, from which the above image comes), and the one below is as it originally appeared to the panting public back in 1963, spelling error and all.  (The image below is taken from a later, more archival printing of the same volume.)  A great KIRBY piece indeed.

RIP-SNORTIN' REPOST: ANOTHER MARVEL 'MYSTERY' SOLVED!

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Well, to be honest, it's not really much of a mystery - except to the team responsible for the reprint editions of The TALES Of SUSPENSE/IRON MAN adventures from the early years of MARVEL.

If you're the proud possessor of the softcover printing of MARVEL MASTERWORKS, the first OMNIBUS volume, or even the ESSENTIALS edition of ol' Shellhead's early adventures, you'll see the b&w production stat of TOS #42, mis-numbered as #41 and toting the previous issue's cover blurb.

The books ponder how this 'boob' occurred and consider possible explanations - including what I regard as the most obvious one, making me wonder why anyone thought it was such a mystery. Let me elaborate.

Back when I freelanced for IPC/FLEETWAY, I regularly visited the offices of KING'S REACH TOWER and often saw pages of artwork with missing logos - sometimes removed cleanly, or simply cut or ripped off the page.  The logos were photo-mechanical-transfers (referred to as PMTs - oh, behave missus) and were sharp, high-quality images which reproduced well in the printed comics.

Occasionally, however, there might be none available when required, with no time to wait while new ones were printed.  So, as I said, a logo from an old page of artwork was re-used on a new page - problem solved.

What obviously happened in this case was something not too dissimilar.  They were fresh out of logos, so stuck a copy from a b&w stat of the previous issue onto the cover art for the next issue.  Duplicate stats of the cover would then be made - one for the files and one to be sent for lettering. (Once that was done, a copy of the finished page would be made for colouring.)  As Marvel has quite a number of cover file stats which differ from the printed versions, I'm surprised as to why anyone was puzzled by the matter.

Too easy - Columbo, eat your heart out!     

TRIPLE 'X' MARKS The SPOT (The DIFFERENCE)...

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Okay, I might be over-egging the pudding here, but once I'm on a roll I just can't stop myself.  (Roll & egg pudding anyone?)  This is the 3rd X-MEN cover I've now shown that differs from the published version.  Above is as JACK KIRBY drew it, below is as it saw print after STAN LEE had sanctioned a couple of changes.

Personally, I'm not convinced that the redrawn hand is an improvement as, though it's more realistic, the fingers are smaller than on the other one, making them mismatched.  The altered mouth makes KA-ZAR look less chinless, but I could have lived with the original (which is the one I first saw on U.K. comic FANTASTIC #18 back in 1967).

Got a preference?  Reveal all in the comments section.

  

AGAIN - 'X' MARKS The SPOT (The DIFFERENCE)...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Strike while the iron is hot they say, so having piqued your interest with the previous post, I thought I'd give you more of the same.  Above is X-MEN #1 cover as originally drawn, below as originally published.  I think STAN LEE was right to make the changes as it made the characters stand out more.  What think the rest of you?

If you have an opinion, feel free to leave it in our ever-lovin' but neglected comments section.

'X' MARKS The SPOT (The DIFFERENCE)...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

When the 1st editions of MARVEL MASTERWORKS first hit the scene back in the late 1980s, they weren't always as archival in nature as they could have been.  That's because, back in the '60s, changes were often made between something having been drawn and being published, and very often the only sources available to the Masterworks team were the pre-published proofs before they'd been altered.

One such example is X-MEN #5.  Above is the cover as Jolly JACK KIRBY originally drew it, and below is how the published mag first appeared to the comics-buying public.  As you can see, CYCLOPS and ICE MAN have swapped places, and The ANGEL's face has been redrawn and highlights have been added to his figure.  The corner box has also been altered, but whether it was actually on the original production stat or added by the Masterworks team to complete the cover is uncertain.  (The cover art was sometimes photostatted before all 'copy' and 'dressing' had been added.)

Anyway, a fascinating look at the 'before' and 'after' process I'm sure you'll all agree.  Want to see some more examples?  Then say so in the comments section.

CURIOSITY COMICS: DC/HANNA-BARBERA TEAM UPS...

Images copyright DC COMICS & HANNA-BARBERA

The BATMAN meets TOP CAT?  Seriously?  Yup, it happens in the back-up story of the above issue, and it's played 'straight'.  I've only read the 'bonus features' so far, so can't give you my informed verdict on the main tales, but the BM/TC one was certainly interesting.  If you're looking for something different, these comic mags might be right up your alley.  (Hey, Top Cat allusion - funny.)

Available now from all good comicbooks shops.

RECOMMENDED READING: THE AVENGERS #5.1...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Like comicbooks the way they used to be done?  Then you'd definitely love this 5 part series which concludes with the above issue.  Never mind, there's sure to be a collected edition if you missed what went before.  I really enjoyed this series as it was like returning to the '60s and my youth, which is always a good thing in my estimation.  Nostalgia apart, it's an entertaining tale in its own right, so even if you're a mere youngster, you'll still enjoy it!  Avengers #5.1 - available from all good comicbook shops right now.

   

BABE Of The DAY - IMOGEN HASSALL...

Classy IMOGEN HASSALL

doing what she does best without

even trying - being stunning.  (I'm

 told I've got the same quality.)

RECOMMENDED READING: The MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL (VOLUME 6) #7...

Image copyright MARVEL COMICS

For all those who are fans of monthly mag The MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL, the latest issue (#7) just hit the shops today.  Featuring GUARDIANS Of The GALAXY, DOCTOR STRANGE, & The SILVER SURFER, there's surely some- thing in that line-up to appeal to the dedicated Marvelite.

As I say on a regular basis, there's a special kind of thrill I derive from buying a title that I first started buying as a 13 year old lad another century ago.  To think that it's still going strong (-ish) 45 years later is a satisfying source of wonder to me.  Latch on to the magic that is MWOM by buying this sensational 6th volume, 7th issue now!  Excelsior!

RECOMMENDED READING: X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION VOLUME FIVE...

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Calling all X-MEN fans!  The latest EPIC COLLECTION is now waiting for you at your local comicbook store, so pop along and treat yourself to a copy in exchange for a few paltry pounds.  These are the stories which declared to the comics-buying public that the X-Men were back and here to stay, so if you didn't see these classics the first time 'round, now's your chance to catch up on the thrills you missed way back then.  Or if you read them at the time of publication, now you have a chance to re-aquaint yourselves with these iconic issues.

So what are you waiting for?  Read the spiel, then seal the deal!

BABE Of The DAY - EMILY PROCTER...

EMILY PROCTER sizzles

sensationally as she scans the room

to see where I am.  You gotta hand it

 to her - the lady sure has taste!

RECOMMENDED READING: CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED Deluxe #1 - The WIND In The WILLOWS...

Copyright relevant owners

Here's one I heartily recommend to everyone.  Nothing can replace the book of course, but this is a worthy attempt to portray this classic tale by KENNETH GRAHAME in the graphic novel medium.  The art, by MICHEL PLESSIX is sumptuous, and my only reservation is that the illustrations would obviously benefit from being printed in a larger format.  This is the first volume in the deluxe series and I'm sure you'll just love it, even if (unlikely as it seems) you've never heard of the River-Bankers and Wild-Wooders before.  Available now from all good book stores.

   

INHUMANS PRIME ONE-SHOT...

Image copyright MARVEL COMICS

Haven't read this ish yet so dunno what it's about, but to

be honest, it's the JACK KIRBY variant cover that grabs me

so I'm not really all that interested in the contents.  If, like me,

you're a fan of JK (and no, Melvin, I don't mean ROWLING),

this is one you'll want for your collection.  And where would you

be likely to obtain this impressive item you may be wondering?

Why, surprisingly, all good comics stores will be happy  to

cater to your comicbook cravings.  Pop in soon!

RECOMMENDED READING: X-MEN #1 & GIANT SIZE X-MEN #1...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Are you an X-MEN fan?  Then you're sure to love these two reprints featuring your favourite mutants.  Available in your local comicbook store for a mere 50p (or so) each, these mags are bound to win a place in your heart as well as your comics cabinet.  Grab 'em now while you can!

BABE Of The DAY - RHIAN SUGDEN...

She can hardly believe her eyes as she

spies me across the beach.  "It's the famous

KID ROBSON!" declares RHIAN SUGDEN,

lifting her shades for a better look.  Yes, it's me!

There's only one of me so snap me up while you

can, you sensuous young beauty, 'cos  I'm a

 very popular lad with the ladies, so I am.

KULL In MONSTERS On The PROWL #16...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS and CONAN PROPERTIES, Int.

Sometimes in life you get lucky - and so it was on this occasion.  I first read this KULL tale in the pages of MARVEL U.K.'s weekly SAVAGE SWORD Of CONAN in 1975, but when, several years later, I acquired #s 1-11 of Kull's colour U.S. mag, I didn't realise that this story wasn't included in that run.  When Kull's 'regular' mag first debuted, it was intended as a quarterly publication, but it stalled after issue #2.  Seven months later, MONSTERS On The PROWL took up the reins, and Kull was meant to continue in that periodical.

However, for whatever reason, plans changed again and Kull next popped up in #3 of his own mag a mere three months after MOTP #16.  I didn't know about this comic until regular commenter McSCOTTY mentioned it in response to a recent post, so I immediately tracked one down on eBay for just over £4, including postage.  As I said, sometimes you get lucky, and though the mag isn't pristine, it's good enough to add to my collection and fill the sequential gap between issues 2 & 3 of KULL The CONQUEROR's colour series.

The Kull tale is only 10 pages long, so there's a couple of 1960s stories by LEE, DITKO and KIRBY to round off the required page count, with "MISTER MORGAN'S MONSTER" being particularly memorable.  Tell you what though - instead of merely telling you about this comic, why don't I just show you a few select pages so that you can all see for yourselves?  You'd like that?  Good, here you are then - enjoy.