Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Marvel's adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs'
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar continues in Marvel's
Tarzan #8 (October 1977), 'cause ish #7 was a fill-in. Writer Roy Thomas and penciler John Buscema are joined by inker Rudy Mesina. Mesina, a Filipino master with a lush style that (to moi, at least) subtly evokes Alfredo Alcala at times, really gives Big John a different look from what we're used to. Check out "The Man and the Mangani" and let us know what you think of this artistic team...
 |
| Cover art by John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala |
Wonderful art, as usual for the Marvel Tarzan books. I know Buscema probably wasn't too fond of Mesina's inks (just as he apparently didn't like the 'heavy hand' of any of the Filipino artists) but I find them quite lovely. And yes, at places the style is a bit reminiscent of Alcala.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if he didn't like how his artwork was inked John Buscema should have done more than pump out loose breakdowns for others to finish for years. But that wouldn't have fit into his narrative of earning a good living and accolades from a comics industry he constantly bad-mouthed. I think he looked great under Palmer, DeZuniga, Alcala and the rare Giordano inks.
DeleteDid all the 70s Filipino artists work for Alcala at one point? His influence is akin to all the artists who worked for Neil Adams and started aping his style a la Nasser or Sienkwiecz.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any DC or Marvel Tarzan comics. It's a huge gap, I think, in my geek-dom. I do have the first DC Korak and all of Weird Worlds but no Tarzan!
ReplyDelete