Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Groove's Faves: "Hell Hath No Fury" Like Early Barry (Windsor-) Smith Art

Check it out, Groove-ophiles! Here's a rarely-seen bit of early Barry Smith magnificence from Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #12 (February 1969). Written by fellow Brit Steve (Warrior, Dr. Who) Parkhouse, "Hell Hath No Fury" really put our favorite eye-patch wearing spy through his paces, baby! Bummer, though, that Smith and Parkhouse only got to do this one issue (work visa problems?), but did they ever let it all hang out. Smith's figure-work is still Kirby-in-the-rough, but his layouts and storytelling show that he'd been studying Steranko (and maybe Eisner and Kurtzman). Ol' Groove especially digs pages 1, 14, and 17--and oh, yeah, that far-out cover! Enjoy!

4 comments:

  1. I didn't know Steve Parkhouse done Nick Fury. cool.

    nice post. I don't remember having read this before, although I'm sure I have. can't see how I'd've missed it. well, I've read it now!

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  2. Hey Groovy one!
    Yet another iconic post! Thanks! I bought this as a boy & loved Barry's version of Kirby here & on his few issues of the Avengers & X-Men. If I ever win the lottery. I'd definetly try to get a few pages from Steranko's Capt.A stint. Plus Barry's early Conan & Avengers #100! I just missed out on a beautiful Hercules page from Avengers #98 for $750. But saw it recently & the owners now wants $3,500 for it!! GGRRR!!

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  3. Another cool issue I've not read before. Early BWS certainly bristles with potential, though his style would evolve in a totally different direction.

    Andrew
    ComicsBronzeAge.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jarring memories and introducing fans to forgotten classics is why DotGK exists, fellas! Glad to serve!

    ReplyDelete

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Special thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics and Grand Comics Database for being such fantastic resources for covers, dates, creator info, etc. Thou art treasures true!


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