BRONZE AGE BONANZA: You can just hear the lamentations of their women… — Welcome to BRONZE AGE BONANZA — our monthly series that looks at the greatest covers of the Bronze Age — exactly 50 years later. For more info on this feature, click here. — Last month was a bit lackluster, but now we’re back with a number of bona fide classics — and covers that should be. So dig THE TOP 13 COVERS OF JULY 1970 — RANKED: (And don’t forget: These entries are based on sale dates and not official publication dates.) — 13. Archie Giant Series #178, Archie. There were a gazillon summer-themed Archie issues that came out this month (natch), but this one was the most colorful. I also dig the perspective. And boy, Archie’s enjoying the gag, isn’t he? — 12. Action Comics #392, DC. More summer fun! Actually, the cover’s a bit wonky — just look at Batman’s head — but it’s a camp classic. That’s called toxic parenting right there. — 11. Aquaman #53, DC. More water! Of course, this is Aquaman we’re talking about, so it figures. Nick Cardy could do just about anything and he was particularly adept at giving Aquaman covers an unsettling, horror feel. Not sure who the colorist was but the palette gives the whole thing an appropriately polluted feel. — 10. Daredevil #68, Marvel. This cover asks so many questions, but what I’ve always appreciated was DD’s body language, especially the taut way he’s pulling at his mask with a grimace. Marie Severin would be a superstar if she were working today. I’ve said this before, of course. — 9. Fantastic Four #103, Marvel. The first issue without Jack Kirby interiors but John Romita and John Verpoorten seemed hell-bent on telling readers that this would remain a kinetic, action-packed series. Lots going on here and Romita gives it that oomph by training the reader’s eye in a satisfying circular motion. I just dig how this is framed. Oh, and more water! — 8. Wonder Woman #190, DC. DC injected a lot of horror themes in its superbooks in the early ’70s and this cover plays like an especially sinister version of the Scooby-Doo show opening. Those magenta eyes! — 7. Superboy #168, DC. The people turning on the hero is a hoary chestnut but Neal...
BRONZE AGE BONANZA: Nannies, Surfers and Man-Bats — oh my! — Welcome to BRONZE AGE BONANZA — our monthly series that looks at the greatest covers of the Bronze Age — exactly 50 years later. For more info on this feature, click here. — Kind of a mixed bag this month, but of course Neal Adams, John Romita and Curt Swan make their presences known. So dig THE TOP 13 COVERS OF JUNE 1970 — RANKED: (And don’t forget: These entries are based on sale dates and not official publication dates.) — 13. Nanny and the Professor #2, Dell. When I was little I had such a crush on Kim Richards. Who knew how that was gonna turn out? — 12. Action Comics #391, DC. More proof that the Silver Age didn’t just end one day and the Bronze Age start the next. It was an evolution. Because look at this typically wacky Silver Age set-up. — 11. Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #103, DC. I want devil pajamas like those. — 10. The Twilight Zone #34, Gold Key. This doesn’t give you any real idea what the story’s about but it’s damn unsettling. — 9. Girls’ Love Stories #153, DC. You can never go too outlandish with romance comics, am I right? By the way, where did she get such a fancy mask in a hospital? — 8. The Silver Surfer #18, Marvel. I dig the off-kilter perspective here, with Black Bolt shooting up from below. Marvel’s covers during this period were pretty crowded and this one certainly gives you a lot to look at. This was not only the last issue of the Surfer’s original series, the artists here are a bit of a mystery. — 7. The Witching Hour #10, DC. Ever notice how many Neal Adams covers were green? Seriously, it’s a thing. Anyway, like The Twilight Zone above, I have no idea what’s happening here — but I’d love to know. — 6. The Brave and the Bold #91, DC. You know who’s an underrated Brave and the Bold artist? Nick Cardy, that’s who. Between Neal Adams and Jim Aparo, you sometimes forget his relatively brief run — though he turned in many a cover. As with everything Cardy, *Chef’s kiss*. — 5. Fantastic Four 102, Marvel. It’s a decent John Romita job, sure....
BRONZE AGE BONANZA: Our new feature begins in earnest…
A new monthly look at some of the best art from comics’ greatest age…
Your clearinghouse for the first full year of the Bronze Age…
