Friday, November 4, 2016
Making a Splash: Colan and Palmer's (Dr.) Strange Days Part 1
By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, Groove-ophiles! Today's the day when Doctor Strange begins to work his magiks on the Silver Screen! The previews look spectacular, and Ol' Groove is dying to see it, but first, why don't we take a look at some of Doc's glory days (artistically speaking) from way back when his mag took over the former Strange Tales title and the art chores were delivered to the dream team of Gene Colan and Tom Palmer! From Doctor Strange issues 172-183 (minus reprint ish #179), take a gander at the awesome artistry mere mortals may need the all-seeing Eye of Agamotto to view!
Colan brought something really special to Doctor Strange and he was the first artist not to try and replicate Ditko's work. A shame he had to draw that pointless abomination of a costume they tried to foist on to the good Doctor.
ReplyDeleteThe amazing thing about the 70s, and the gorgeous Colan/Palmer is a prime example, is that illustration was emphasized from here to about 1992 when the Image age entered the fan popularity. Look at what artists were doing mainstream comics: Neal Adams; Wally Wood; Nestor Redondo and the Philippine contingent; Esteban Maroto; etc. This particular Dr. Strange page is a great example of what I mean by illustration.
ReplyDeleteYes ! Please more Gene Colan Dr Strsnge !
ReplyDeleteColan and Palmer, through 2 iterations Dr. Strange, were one of the teams supreme of comic history, along with Adams/Palmer, Kirby/Sinnott and Byrne/Austin: a perfect synthesis of penciller with their best inker. I don't know what decision making went into switching Tom Palmer from lackluster penciller in Dr. Strange #172 to inker in #173, but the industry gained one of its foremost embellishers for decades. These splashes dazzle with the beauty of the Colan/Palmer collaboration. I know I'm in the minority, but I loved when the good doctor went through his "super-hero" phase gaining a skintight costume and mask along with secret identity in an attempt to save his failing title.
ReplyDeleteTHIS was my favourite version of Dr Strange. If any genuine film was made, Id want it based on this Version of the Mighty Sorcerer and Clea.
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