A birthday salute to the late, great artist…
It’s fair to say that any time the late Gene Colan — born 99 years ago, on Sept. 1, 1926 — worked on a book he put his own, indelible stamp on it.
So it was with his stints on two different Doctor Strange titles, from the 1960s into the ’80s.
Dig this 13 COVERS birthday salute!
Tom Palmer inks
Dan Adkins inks
Klaus Janson inks
Palmer inks
Palmer inks
Palmer inks
Palmer inks
Frank Giacoia inks
Palmer inks
Palmer inks
Palmer inks
Bill Everett inks
Palmer inks
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MORE
— Dig NEAL ADAMS’ Never-Published Inks Over GENE COLAN’s CAPTAIN AMERICA. Click here.
— A Nifty Page Turn and the Quiet Genius of GENE COLAN. Click here.
September 1, 2025
Some of my favourite words in the same place: Doctor Strange, Gene Colan.
Happy that I own every one of the issues pictured here.
September 1, 2025
Love Gene’s work. Iron Man, Dr Strange, Daredevil….BATMAN. All great but I think as with Jack Kirby if the right inker wasn’t used much was lost. His pencils certainly created an atmosphere, a mood.
September 1, 2025
The right inker being Tom Palmer.
September 1, 2025
Absolutely. He made everyone look better.
September 1, 2025
Great memories!
September 1, 2025
Doctor Strange 177 was the first issue that I bought as a child. He looked so frightening with his blue face and blank eyes. I thought Strange must be a villain. Only Colan made this look work. It’s a pity because it is so striking. It moved the character closer to a superhero. To be honest, that’s what Strange has been from the start. Nonsense words and energy beams. A long way from Hellblaiser.
September 1, 2025
That Doctor Strange 11 looks like it may even have some Romita tough ups too.
September 1, 2025
Pure magic!