(*Not putting down the rest of the 70s run--remember 70-72 were the magical "Making Mine Marvel" years for moi! There was plenty more good stuff from 73 on, too. I'm sure I've mentioned that somewhere...)
Friday, February 14, 2014
Making a Splash: Rich Buckler's Avengers
Happy Valentine's Day, Groove-ophiles! No romance comix today, but I am posting some splashes that I dearly love! Y'all know the Avengers was the mag that hooked me into comics for life. From 1970 through 1972, Avengers wasn't only one of the (if not the) best written Marvel mags (thanks to Roy Thomas and Steve Englehart), but one of the best illustrated, as well*. John Buscema, Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, Barry (Windsor-) Smith, and Rich Buckler made each page a masterpiece. Of the bunch, Rich's work is probably the most neglected by fandom, but Ol' Groove is here to tell ya, it shouldn't be! Young Groove couldn't have been more thrilled with Avengers numbers 101-104 and 106 (April-July and September 1972)--and those issues are still among my all-time faves. I give 'em a twelve out of five on the Groove-o-meter, baby!
(*Not putting down the rest of the 70s run--remember 70-72 were the magical "Making Mine Marvel" years for moi! There was plenty more good stuff from 73 on, too. I'm sure I've mentioned that somewhere...)
(*Not putting down the rest of the 70s run--remember 70-72 were the magical "Making Mine Marvel" years for moi! There was plenty more good stuff from 73 on, too. I'm sure I've mentioned that somewhere...)
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Hey Groovy one!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you my personal Golden Age was 1968-72. But mainly 1970-72. Rich did draw some great issues of the Avengers, FF & Atlas Seaboard issues. Oh ya & Deathlok! DC, Marvel & all those B & W monster & non monster mags blew me away.They were Far Out!
While some have criticized Buckler's ever-changing styles in the Bronze Age, for me that quality is what shows his true talent. Check out what you've posted, inked by Joe Sinnott, which seems to ape Neal Adams and lay it alongside his FF work (also inked by Joltin' Joe) that seemingly apes Kirby. Either style is fantastic and stands among my personal favorite eras of either mag. Really, really good four-color comic art!
ReplyDeleteDoug