Monday, February 28, 2011

Groove's Faves: "Death Is Bliss!" by O'Neil, Wein, Kaluta, and Friends

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Let's take another trip back to the 30s via the 70s! "Death Is Bliss!" from DC's The Shadow #4 (January 1974) is one cool and creepy tale! Written by the dyn-o-mite team of Denny O'Neil and Len Wein with pencils by Mike Kaluta and inks by some of his mightily-talented pals (Howard Chaykin, Steve Hickman, and Bernie Wrightson--Can you follow the signs that reveal who inked what, Groove-ophile?)--whooEE! We're talkin' high-octane comics greatness, baby!
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8 comments:

  1. Mike MikulovskyFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:33 AM

    Ok Groovy one, Bernie Wrightson inked the first 5 pages. Steve Hickman inked pgs6-15, Howard inked pages 16-20. Great series it's a shame Michael Kaluta couldn't draw faster. DC should have just gave him more time to do the series up front. To get like 6 issues under his belt first. I'd still love to see a Shadow GN done by him.

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  2. hobbyfanFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Kaluta did a Shadow graphic novel----but it was for Marvel. "Hitler's Astrologer" came out a few years back as a hardcover OGN.

    I remember picking off Shadow #4 for mere pennies at a flea market more than 30 years ago. Much better than the abomination that Chaykin helped produce years later.

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  3. bobFebruary 28, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Many, many thanks! The DC Shadow of the 70s is my favorite comic, ever. You made my day...

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  4. JimFebruary 28, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Best of the series. Loved this issue.

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  5. Mike MikulovskyMarch 1, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    That's right, I forgot about that Marvel Shadow GN. I either bought it & forgot or for some odd reason didn't care for it?

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  6. Geoff GroganMarch 1, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    one of my favorite comic books ever.
    read it at least once a year!glad to see it celebrated!

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  7. Mike RhodeMarch 1, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    The Marvel GN was inked by Russ Heath, iirc, a great artist, but his style didn't work well with Kaluta's on this.

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  8. Mike MikulovskyMarch 1, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    I loved heath's DC war & ghost comics. But I'm sure that's why I don't remember the GN much. I mustn't have like the jelly of two different styles. Because I know I have always loved Mike Kaluta's art.

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