Tony DeZuniga Week! Bring On the Back-ups: "Island of Fear!" by Mayer and DeZuniga

Ahhhh, the legendary Black Orchid. Created by Golden Age Great and Sugar & Spike creator Sheldon Mayer, this mysterious super-heroine starred in three issues of Adventure Comics (428-430), followed by 8 issues as a back-up in The Phantom Stranger (31-32, 35-36, 38-41). Mayer wrote BO's first four appearances and our man of the hour Tony DeZuniga illustrated them, making her first appearance as back-up in The Phantom Stranger's mag their swan-song. I'm gonna have to do an "If You Blinked You Missed..." post on The Black Orchid one'a these days, but until then, savor this scintillating saga from Phantom Stranger #31 (March 1974). Follow the Black Orchid to the..."Island of Fear!"

Tony DeZuniga Week! "The Avenging Grave" by Kanigher and DeZuniga

Today is Veterans Day here in the U.S, so Ol' Groove thinks its only fitting that we tip our collective hats to the men and women who have given--and continue to give--so much for our freedoms. "The Avenging Grave" written by Robert Kanigher was originally published in Weird War Tales #8 (August 1972). I think it is a sterling example of Tony DeZuniga unleashed. Enjoy!

Tony DeZuniga Week! Black and White Wednesday: "The Billion Year War!" by Conway, Buscema, and DeZuniga

What it is, Groove-ophiles! Didja know that while Tony DeZuniga was best known for his Jonah Hex and mystery work for DC, over at Marvel Tony was the go-to guy for savages, dinosaurs, gods, and barbarians. His work as penciler and/or inker on gazillions of Conan and Conan-like characters made him a Groovy Age fave for fans of the House of Ideas. In Ol' Groove's opinion much of Tony's most inspired work came when he inked/finished Big John Buscema's pencils. Take this "movie-length" Ka-Zar masterpiece from Savage Tales #8 (November 1974) written by Gerry Conway, for example. Buscema's powerful figures and amazing storytelling are enhanced to the Nth degree by DeZuniga's highly evocative and illustrative inks. It's pure Marvel magic, baby, and it's all here just for you!

Tony DeZuniga Week! Groove's Faves: "The Thief Who Loved Supergirl"

Happy Birthday, Tony DeZuniga! To celebrate one of the Groovy Ages' most far-out artists, we're gonna spend the week digging a bonanza of Tony's best. Ol' Groove's gonna kick things off with a fave Supergirl tale that features Mr. DeZuniga's powerful pencils. Tony is best known for his non-superhero work, but stories like "The Thief Who Loved Supergirl" (written by John Albano and inked by Bob Oksner) from Adventure Comics #419 (February 1972) show that the man could draw people in capes pretty doggone well, too!