Friday, February 3, 2012

Making a Splash: Jim Starlin's Warlock

What it is, Groove-ophiles! Y'know, if ya wanna get Ol' Groove in a really, really good mood, just hand him a stack of comics. A stack of Jim Starlin Warlock comics, however, sends him into a state of fanboy nirvana. There are so, so many amazing, astounding, and fantastic comic mags to be found during the Groovy Age, but for some reason Starlin's Warlock has a magical something that pushes them to the very top for Ol' Groove. Starlin's story is like nothing I've ever read before or since. And his art... Yeah, that art, whether inked by Al Milgrom, Alan Weiss, Steve Leialoha, Joe Rubenstein, or Judo Jim, himself, just totally blows me away. The majesty of Kirby. The weirdness of Ditko. The detail of Barry (Windsor-)Smith. The cinematic-ness of Steranko (you know something is special when ya gotta make up a word for it!). From Strange Tales #'s 178-181 (November 1974-May 1975), Warlock #'s 9-15 (July 1975-August 1976), and Avengers Annual #7 (Fall 1977), here are the wondrous Warlock splashes of Jim Starlin (including a couple of the original pieces). Enjoy!

















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17 comments:

  1. Simon B February 3, 2012 at 1:45 AM

    What can I say but... cosmic! Thanks for posting these wonderful pages, O Groovy One! I loved Starlin's Warlock, probably even more than his Captain Marvel. It was a totally insane, psychedelic epic with typically 1970s pessimism and truly memorable characters. A blast!

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    1. The Groovy AgentFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:46 AM

      "It was a totally insane, psychedelic epic with typically 1970s pessimism and truly memorable characters. A blast!"

      Best. Warlock. Summary. Ever!

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    2. Simon B February 6, 2012 at 7:05 PM

      Thanks, Groove! You're very kind.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    Great collection of splash pages from one of the great comic books and artist/writers from the 70's.Best when Starlin did his own inks and colors I think.

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    1. The Groovy AgentFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:47 AM

      I agree, Bill! The other inkers were good, but those first couple issues with Starlin inking himself were mind-staggeringly great!

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  3. Chuck WellsFebruary 3, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    I hear ya, Groove! Marvel did so much "right" between the 60s & 70s (including Starlin's Warlock) that pretty much everything since then from the House of Ideas has paled in comparison. I loved Warlock by Starlin, and it's always nice to have another look at those incredible images. Now, I've gotta go pull my copies and read them all over again.

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    1. The Groovy AgentFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:48 AM

      I've probably re-read my Starlin Warlocks more than any other mags, Chuck. Enjoy yourself!

      Delete
  4. braxburgerFebruary 3, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Boyoboy, I remember reading that "1000 Clowns" one as a wee lad and having my little mind blown... have these ever been collected in a trade? Amazon.com says that an "Essential" volume is coming out in August, but these would be so much better in colour!

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    1. The Groovy AgentFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:50 AM

      As far as I can dig up, these stories have only been published in a couple of Masterworks volumes. I'll definitely grab the Essential reprints, but I agree wit'cha--color is an integral part of the storytelling in this saga...

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    2. UnknownJuly 16, 2012 at 5:38 AM

      It's been traded in a MMW Warlock Volume 2.
      I am currently reading it for the first time, and I have to agree with everything stated here. It's positively the weirdest most beautiful thing I've ever read.

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  5. Richard WilliamsFebruary 3, 2012 at 3:20 PM

    You can never go wrong with a stack of Jim Starlin comics and this run counts amongst his very best. I remember first seeing his art on Capt.Marvel in the old UK weeklies, though I can't remember which mag exactly,and from that moment on I was hooked. I've always loved his unique style and I'm still a firm follower of all things Starlin, having just finished reading his final Breed arc. Long may he reign!

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    1. The Groovy AgentFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:56 AM

      I read the Breed III, also, Richard. I'll read most anything and everything Mr. Starlin put out there. He's working on an illustrated novel right now--sounds cool! Here's a link:

      https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=367245806623797&set=a.170658982949148.45576.100000151434982&type=1&ref=nf

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    2. Richard WilliamsFebruary 4, 2012 at 1:22 PM

      Cheers for the link Groove, its now on my list of must-buys this year and I'm just like you in that I will also pretty much pick up anything that ole Jim puts out!

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    Dear Mr Groove
    Speaking of Jim Starlin;a story I haven't read in more than
    thirty years is "Murder Most Foul" written/penciled by Mr Starlin
    and inked by Joe Rubinstein (co-writer:Paul Levitz ?,
    editor:Al Milgrom,colours/lettering by ?)in "Superboy and The Legion of Super-Heroes" number 239 (cover date May 1978).
    Do you know if it's available in any collection from DC?
    Or maybe a future post,Oh Groovy One?
    If I beg?Pretty please,with sugar on top.
    /Mr Anonymous

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    1. The Groovy AgentFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:57 AM

      Hey, hey, Mr. A! You know, as far as I know that particular gem hasn't been reprinted in the Legion Archives yet. Get yer sugar ready!!

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  7. ClaudeFebruary 4, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Even Starlin's black and white work is 'psychedelic'!

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    I remember picking up that issue of Strange Tales back in late 1974. I was getting pretty bored with comics at that time, and this was just a jolt. You kind of knew Warlock was going to be more of a limited character, he was just so intense. Just about a perfect run in a series.

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