Sunday, January 2, 2011
Making a Splash: Barry (Windsor-) Smith's Avengers
What it is, Groove-ophiles! We love Barry (Windsor-) Smith here in Groove City, but how many of ya out there remember his three-issue stint as penciler of the mighty Avengers? 'Tis a fact, Jack! Issues 98-100 (January-March 1972), those epoch-making, post-Kree/Skrull War tales involving everyone-who-had-ever-been-an-Avenger battling Ares, the Enchantress, and their lackeys from Olympus were drawn by the dude who helped bring Conan to four-color life (and written by Roy Thomas, who wrote both mags pretty much longer and better than most everyone else!). Feast your eyes, Groove-ophiles!
Wonderful artwork! That pic of the Black Knight and Aragorn is just so atmospheric, and the double-page spread of all the Avengers is beautiful. I love the way the Hulk is sitting under the tree, brooding - that says more about his character than any of Roy's words.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see the different inkers at work here. Sal Buscema is as slick as ever, while Tom Sutton seems a strange fit for Smith's pencils.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Groove! I really need to save up and buy these issues :-)
Happy Belated New Year Groovster! This was my favorite Avengers storyline growing up. I always loved BWS & especially Hercules! Inking by Sal Buscema & my good friend "Jolt'in" Joe Sinnott! Avengers #100 is one of my all time favorite comics ever!
ReplyDeleteRight up there wiith Amazing Spider-Man #100-#102, #103-#180's, FF #102-#112. That was my Golden age to me. I could still kick myself. I had the chance to buy one of the pages from Avengers #99. Where Hercules is being beaten down by two giants or a two head giant in a flashback sequence.
cerebus660: I agree--the Hulk sitting under the tree in the shadows does an excellent job characterizing him, as does Wanda's stance (and expression) as she watches The Vision speak. That is one smitten and star-crossed lady!
ReplyDeleteOh, if you want to read those stories on the cheap, Avengers Vol. 3, #48 reprints 98-100 in one of those 100 Page Monsters. (Marvel used to do such cool stuff...)
Mike, as usual, I am in complete agreement with ya, man. The late 90-early 100 issues of Spidey, early 100s of the FF, 80s-early 100s of the Avengers, 130s-150s on Cap--I "cut my comicbook teeth" on those. They'll always be my faves.
Ya, meant to mention those classic issues of Capt.America & Ironman as well. Conan & Subby as well! I especially loved thatb 50's Cap storyline & the Nomad one. Colan, John Romita SR & Sal Buscema did some fantastic Capt.America issues!
ReplyDeletedig this - the iron man figure is sublime
ReplyDeletehttp://www.supermegamonkey.net/chronocomic/entries/avengers_6668.shtml