BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH gets the debut slot… Fantagraphics for a while now has been reprinting collections from various aspects of Marvel’s vast history, including the Atlas Comics Library and Lost Marvels. In 2026, the publisher will add another series — the Marvel Creator Collection, with the first three volumes spotlighting Barry Windsor-Smith. Dig the online retailer description: THE MARVEL CREATOR COLLECTION NO. 1: “BACK TO THE SAVAGE LAND” BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH AT MARVEL VOL. 1 This first of a three-volume series collecting the legendary Barry Windsor-Smith’s work at Marvel features his early work on X-Men, The Avengers, Doctor Strange, and Iron Man, as well as his amazing run on Ka-Zar in Astonishing Tales, and much more. From the moment Marvel brought him to the U.S. in 1969, Windsor-Smith was a creative force to be reckoned with. A passionate devotee of Jack Kirby, Windsor-Smith’s earliest drawing at Marvel reflected that influence, but he quickly developed his own unique, eye-opening style, combining intricately detailed realism with the dreamlike lushness of art nouveau and late-1960s psychedelia. This volume focuses on the earliest of his work, including memorable storylines on The Avengers, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and individual stories for Chamber of Darkness, Tower of Shadows, and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. All new benchmarks of comics art, culminating in what may be the highlight of this period: Windsor-Smith’s collaboration with writer Gerry Conway on an epic tale of civil war in Ka-Zar’s Savage Land. Future volumes will trace Windsor-Smith’s career through such milestones as Machine Man and Weapon X. Full-color illustrations throughout. — A few thoughts: — Volume 1, a 352-page hardcover, is due April 28, 2026. It lists for $49.99. — Dimensions are 11.3 x 0.59 x 8.82 inches — It’s not clear how often these editions will be released. Fantagraphics’ Atlas Comics Library volumes, for example, come out every few months, but at an irregular cadence. — MORE — All the Silver and Bronze Age MARVEL EPIC COLLECTIONS Coming in 2026 — So Far. Click here. — 13 COVERS: The Mighty Mutants of BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH. Click...
An ANNIVERSARY SALUTE to an essential series… By PETER BOSCH Showcase #1 appeared on the newsstands 70 years ago, though historians differ on the release date — either January 3 or January 5, 1956. The title itself was a perfect description of DC’s publishing philosophy regarding the characters appearing in it… a showcase for them. In the 22 years of Showcase’s 104-issue run, some of the most important DC heroes premiered within its pages, including one that transformed the future of comics. In Showcase #4, the Golden Age had come to an end and it was now the start of the Silver Age: Future issues contained the debuts of the new Green Lantern, the new Atom, the Challengers of the Unknown, Adam Strange, Metal Men, and many, many more. (I covered 13 of them here. ) Over the history of the title’s run — from 1956 to 1978, including a seven-year gap in the ’70s — some characters were new and exceptional. Some were second stringers who had been around for awhile and DC was testing the waters to see if there was interest in graduating them to their own series. And, yes, there were some dogs along the way. In honor of the book’s 70th anniversary, here are an additional 13 groovy features that deserved the spotlight given them in Showcase: — 1. Lois Lane. The most famous female reporter on the planet saw her introduction in Action Comics #1 (June 1938), but it took almost 20 years for DC to give her a tryout for her own title in Showcase #9 (July-Aug. 1957) and #10 (Sept.-Oct. 1957). And it worked, for just a few months later Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #1 (Mar.-Apr. 1958) hit the comic racks. The title ran through 16 years, with its final issue being #137 (Sept.-Oct. 1974). — 2. Aquaman. Another character who had to wait years for his own title was Aquaman. He debuted in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941), and appeared over the years as a backup feature in Adventure Comics from the Golden Age to the early years of the Silver Age. He was a founding member of the Justice League of America in The Brave and the Bold #28 (Feb.-Mar. 1960), and finally got his shot in Showcase #30 (Mar.-Apr. 1961). DC tested him in the next...
The Bronze Age stalwart would have been 70…
Worlds lived, worlds died — and Perez made it look amazing…
Perez assembles an impressive resume…
EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW — Man and Superman is out this week…
