Comics Bronze Age (1970 - 1985)
Inside: -ARVELS HONOR ROLL "EYOND THE "IG 4WO -IKE 'RELLS 7ARLORD
PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGES 4-5
2010
PRINT
EDITION
While we’re at it, what is
Comics Bronze Age?
Comics Bronze Age is an
online magazine celebrat-
ing the Bronze Age of the
American comic book
(roughly 1970 to 1985). At
the heart of the publication
is one fan’s effort to revisit
and review just about every
issue published during his
formative years.
And just who is that
crazy fan-turned-editor?
SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS THE
Your Comics Bronze Age
editor is Andrew Wahl, a life-
long comic-book aficionado
and resident of the Pacific
‘BRONZE AGE’ OF COMICS?
Northwest. A career journal-
ist, Wahl left his newspaper
job in 2008 to work on his
master’s degree and various
freelance projects.
"9 !.$2%7 7!(, Note: This article first appeared online on
S TO THE MID Sv )T WOULD SEEM How often is Comics
#OMICS "RONZE !GE EDITOR OUR HOBBY HAS ADOPTED A DElNITION FOR Bronze Age updated?
June 1, 2009. The conversation continues
THE "RONZE !GE SIMILAR TO 3UPREME #OURT
I
at: comicsbronzeage.com/?p=2648 Comics Bronze Age offers a
TS A GIVEN THAT MOST READERS OF THE *USTICE 0OTTER 3TEWARTS DElNITION OF OB
new review of an old comic
ONLINE VERSION OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE SCENITY h) KNOW IT WHEN ) SEE ITv every weekday. Check out
FANS OF "RONZE !GE COMICS #OLLEC
ICS FROM THE Sv IS AGREEABLE TO MOST 7HILE EXACT STARTING AND ENDING POINTS the latest reviews at:
TORS OF OTHER ERAS MIGHT LOOK DOWN ON BUT THAT STILL LEAVES COMICS FROM THE S ARE CERTAINLY ELUSIVE #OMICS "RONZE !GE ComicsBronzeAge.com
THESE BOOKS AS UNWORTHY AND hCIVILIANSv 4HE /VERSTREET #OMIC "OOK 0RICE 'UIDE BELIEVES A MORE CONCRETE DElNITION FOR THE
PROBABLY DISMISS THEM ALTOGETHER AS SILLY DElNES THE PERIOD AS hCOMICS PUBLISHED PERIOD IS POSSIBLE /VER THE COURSE OF SEV
!BOVE LEFT #OVERS TO 'REEN ,ANTERN
CHILDHOOD EPHEMERA "UT FOR US TRUE BE
FROM TO v /NLINE POWERHOUSE ERAL MONTHS THE 4ALKING 0OINTS AREA OF THE BY .EAL !DAMS #ONAN THE "ARBAR
LIEVERS THERES LITTLE DOUBT THE "RONZE !GE E"AY ENDS THE "RONZE !GE AT 7EB SITE WILL SEEK READER INPUT AND LOOK IAN BY "ARRY 7INDSOR
3MITH 'IANT
PROVIDED THE GREATEST TREASURES -Y#OMIC3HOPCOM EXTENDS THE PERIOD TO TO BUILD CONSENSUS ON THIS TOPIC 4HE END 3IZE 8
-EN BY 'IL +ANE AND $AVE
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THE "RONZE !GE 5NLIKE THE 'OLDEN AND 7IKIPEDIA MEANWHILE GOES WITH THE VERY IS THE "RONZE !GE OF COMICS ALL ART REPRINTED IN THIS ISSUE Ú BY THE
RESPECTIVE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS
3ILVER AGES THERES LITTLE AGREEMENT ABOUT HEDGY hINFORMAL NAME FOR A PERIOD IN THE 4O KICK THINGS OFF HERE IS A BRIEF
WHEN EXACTLY THE "RONZE !GE STARTED HISTORY OF MAINSTREAM !MERICAN COMIC 3PECIAL THANKS 4O -ILE (IGH #OMICS
AND EVEN LESS ABOUT WHEN IT ENDS h#OM
BOOKS USUALLY SAID TO RUN FROM THE EARLY 3EE "2/.:% !'% 0AGE FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT
Web: #OMICS"RONZE!GECOM \ E-mail: EDITOR #OMICS"RONZE!GECOM \ #OMICS"RONZE!GE
REVIEWS: A TRIO
OF A+ MARVELS
!,, 2%6)%73 "9 !.$2%7 7!(, Official Marvel Wiki still lists Avengers Annual #10 as the
character’s first appearance, at least as a child.
#OMICS "RONZE !GE EDITOR
Character quotable: “I’m Maddy Pryor. I been sick. But
THE AVENGERS ANNUAL #10 I’m better now.” — A little girl in the background of a hos-
pital scene, setting off years of fan debate about whether
Published and © by she’s that Madelyne Pryor.
Marvel, 1981
Title: “By Friends
DAREDEVIL #191
— Betrayed!” Published and © by
Marvel, Feb. 1983
Synopsis: The
Brotherhood of Evil Title: “Roulette”
Mutants goes on the
attack, first targeting Synopsis: A para-
Ms. Marvel, then the lyzed Bullseye be-
entire Avengers team. comes an involuntary
participant in a game
Writer: Chris Clare- of Russian roulette
mont initiated by an emo- #OVER BY *OHN "YRNE AND 4ERRY !USTIN
Penciler: Michael tionally distraught
Golden Daredevil. Writer/co-plotter: Chris Claremont
Inker: Armando Gil Penciler/co-plotter: John Byrne
Writer: Frank Miller Inker: Terry Austin
Review: As Bronze Penciler: Miller
Age classics go, #OVER BY !L -ILGROM Inker: Terry Austin Review: For young comic-book fans in 1980, X-Men
Avengers Annual #137 was a life-changing event. The entire Chris
#10 has it all: The introduction of an important new Review: Much of #OVER BY &RANK -ILLER Claremont/John Byrne run had been addictive, but this
character (Rogue); the return and repositioning of Frank Miller’s initial double-size issue brought a whole different level of high.
another (Ms. Marvel); great guest stars (Spider- Daredevil run was strong, but this superb coda offered Claremont’s skills are on full display, with a well-crafted
Woman, and a brief appearance by the X-Men); and the best clue of the greatness to come. The emotionally story, good pacing, and strong characterization. Byrne’s
powerful teams of heroes (The Avengers, of course) rich story explores themes of violence and father-and-son pencils offer a perfect mix of grace and power, all beauti-
and villains (the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants) going relationships, while the Russian roulette plot would tie fully inked by Terry Austin. Then-Editor-in-Chief Jim
toe-to-toe in an extended, well-choreographed battle. Daredevil and Bullseye together forever. Art wise, Miller Shooter deserves some credit, too, for insisting on the
More importantly, it’s got A-game work from two of the really comes into his own as a storyteller, using layouts gut-wrenching ending that still cuts deep today. The best
era’s top creative talents: Chris Claremont’s script is to control time, dramatic impact and flow. His work gets a superhero comic of the Bronze Age. And one of the best,
thick with strong characterization and his signature nice polish from inker Terry Austin, and subtle colors Lynn period, of any genre or era.
soap-opera drama, all captured brilliantly by penciller/ Varley. Daredevil #191 is unbelievably sophisticated for a
colorist Michael Golden. An outstanding superhero Marvel comic of its era, and remains quite brilliant today. Grade: A+
comic.
Grade: A+ Cool factor: Everything. This one’s that good.
Grade: A+
Cool factor: Story. Art. Coloring. This one’s just top Notable: Double-size issue. … The (first) death of Jean
Cool factor: In the days before Previews and advanced shelf. Grey. … The original ending to this issue was eventually
solicitations on the Web, this one took a lot of young fans printed in 1984’s Phoenix #1.
by surprise. Just imagine walking into a mom-and-pop Character quotable: “You feel lucky, Bullseye?”
grocery and finding this one on the spinner rack. — Daredevil, not doing so well emotionally. Character quotable: “The X-Men do not realize it
— they may never realize, or accept it — but this day
Not-so-cool factor: The Al Milgrom cover. It’s not hor- X-MEN #137 they have won perhaps the greatest victory of their
rible, but, come on, Michael Golden is one of the best young lives.” — Uatu, the Watcher.
cover artists of his generation. Published and © by Marvel, Sep. 1980
A word from the editor-in-chief: “I felt the way the story
Notable: First appearance of Rogue. … The Over- Title: “The Fate of the Phoenix!” was originally designed to end, it did not have enough
street Comic Book Price Guide also lists this as the first consequences for what happened — it wasn’t an end-
appearance of Madelyne Pryor. That fact has largely Synopsis: Amid lunar ruins, the X-Men duel the Shi’ar ing.” — Jim Shooter, from “The Dark Phoenix Tapes” in
been debunked, though it’s interesting to note that The Imperial Guard to determine the fate of the Phoenix. Phoenix #1, Apr. 1984.
2 \ ! NEW REVIEW OF AN OLD COMIC %VERY WEEKDAY AT ComicsBronzeAge.com
REVIEWS: MARVEL, DC WEREN’T ALONE
Atlas (Seaboard) Character quotable: “Bringin’ Cool factor: It’s pre-Marvel John Title: “The Origin of God!”
down Raven’ll take something Byrne. That’s always cool.
more vicious … a smasher, a Synopsis: And on the first day,
destroyer … a DESTRUCTOR!” Notable: This issue includes a there was nothingness. And then
— Jay Hunter, about to don his text backup story (uncredited), some more nothingness. And
Destructor togs for the first time. with illustrations (also uncred- then …
ited), titled “The Space Sirens.”
Charlton Writer: Jim Starlin
Character quotable: “I just had Penciler: Starlin
a horrible thought. This whole Inker: Starlin
set-up reminds me of … a trap!”
— Commander John Koenig. Review: This one-pager would
be stronger if something similar
Star*Reach to its last panel hadn’t already
been used in the first story.
STAR*REACH #1 Grade (for the whole issue): A-
Published and © by Star*Reach, Cool factor: Top Bronze Age
Apr. 1974 #OVER BY (OWARD #HAYKIN creators are set free to tell the
stories they want to tell, with
Title: “… the Birth of Death!”
concepts and characters they
#OVER BY ,ARRY ,IEBER Writer: Steve Skeates
Synopsis: An old man shares own.
AND 7ALLY 7OOD Penciler: Skeates
a bedtime story with an ailing Inker: Skeates Not-so-cool factor: With the
THE DESTRUCTOR #1 young boy — a story about the
exception of “Cody Starbuck,”
origin of Death! Review: Steve Skeates’ odd fish
the stories fall short of the art in
Published and © by Atlas tales have more in common with
Writer: Jim Starlin this first outing.
(Seaboard), Feb. 1975 underground comix than with the
Penciler: Starlin fantasy-inspired material in this
#OVER BY *OHN "YRNE Notable: The Star*Reach logo
Title: “The Destructor” Inker: Starlin issue. was designed by longtime X-
Review: Editor Mike Friedrich Men letterer Tom Orzechowski.
Synopsis: Jay Hunter’s criminal SPACE: 1999 #3 Title: “A Tale of Sword & Sorcery”
activities get his scientist father kicks off the first issue of his leg-
Collector’s note: The first print-
killed — but not before the old Published and © by Charlton, endary “ground level” series with Synopsis: A generic barbarian
ing features a “Cody Starbuck”
man helps him become a super- Mar. 1976 a short story by already-hot-in- hero and a generic old wizard
cover by Howard Chaykin and a
hero. the-mainstream creator Jim Star- emerge from the chaos to do
Death-with-naked-green-women
Title: “Bring Them Back Alive!” lin. Given new artistic freedom, battle.
Writer: Archie Goodwin back cover by Jim Starlin. These
the writer/artist responds with
Penciler: Steve Ditko Synopsis: Three members of Writer: Ed Hicks covers were reversed for subse-
… a cosmic story about Death!
Inker: Wally Wood the Moonbase Alpha crew join Penciler: Walter Simonson quent printings.
OK, no shock there, but the art is
with other captives in an attempt absolutely stunning. Inker: Simonson
Review: One of the best series to escape an intergalactic zoo. Character quotable: “… Tell
of the entire Atlas (Seaboard) Review: This slight story plays Lord Gideon Miss Breedlove
Title: “Death Building”
line, The Destructor is one part Writer: Nicola Cuti with fantasy genre tropes, with is safe, and in the best of …
Spider-Man, one part Dare- Artist: John Byrne Synopsis: An elevator and an loose art by Walter Simonson What? … No, I can’t speak
devil. That makes sense, given acid trip lead a young man to a the only thing making it notable. to him myself … no … she’s
those are the characters Steve Review: Nicola Cuti’s story is cosmic showdown with Death. sleeping … .” — Cody Starbuck,
Ditko and Wally Wood were best fun if not original, as the heroes Title: “Cody Starbuck” busy with what would become a
known for at Marvel. The pair of Space: 1999 find themselves Writer: Jim Starlin Chaykin signature in the years
makes for an odd but excellent trapped with other aliens, en Penciler: Starlin Synopsis: In the wake of war ahead.
art team here, with Ditko particu- route to a space zoo. The mix Inker: Starlin and crumbling empires, space
larly being in fine form. There’s a of action, drama, and a little swashbuckler Cody Starbuck en- A word from the editor: “If (the
bit of a struggle for control, with mystery make for a good read, Review: More Jim Starlin, more counters beautiful women — and artists and writers) make their
both artists’ styles quite appar- though there’s always a nagging beautifully drawn, cosmic comics treachery! work good enough to please
ent throughout. But, for the most feeling you’ve read this story featuring Death. This one adds even half the numbers of peo-
somewhere before. Of course, drugs, topless women … and Writer: Howard Chaykin ple they sell to in their straight
part, it’s the strengths of each
the big draw here is some of the Starlin himself! Penciler: Chaykin work, they come out financially
that shine through. Given room
earliest professional art by com- Inker: Chaykin ahead. And their concepts,
and time to grow, this series
could have been outstanding. ics legend John Byrne. Like all Title: “Fish Myths” and “Subur- characters and artwork remain
of his Charlton work, Byrne’s art ban Fish” Review: Howard Chaykin’s theirs … and so they work that
Grade: B+ here is raw and energetic, with sex-fuelled space adventure is much harder to make them bet-
hints of the greatness to come Synopsis: In this pair of seem- the most accomplished piece ter.” — Mike Friedrich, explain-
Cool factor: An inspired Ditko on on just about every page. ingly semi-autobiographical sto- of storytelling in this issue. This ing the Star*Reach approach
a book that wants to be Spider- ries, a fish struggles with college, one’s thick with potential. to comics, in the introduction to
Man? Hard to go wrong with that. Grade: B+ marriage and American values. this issue.
Web: #OMICS"RONZE!GECOM \ E-mail: EDITOR #OMICS"RONZE!GECOM \ #OMICS"RONZE!GE \ 3
REVI
%NTER THE SAVAGE LAND OF 3KARTARIS x
Warlord
-)+% '2%,,3
WHILE NOT THE MOST ORIGINAL,
THIS SWORD-AND-SORCERY EPIC
IS CLEARLY A LABOR OF LOVE
"9 !.$2%7 7!(, FAVORITE ARTISTS OR THAT ON THE RIGHT
#OMICS "RONZE !GE EDITOR BOOK &RANK 2OBBINS WORK COULD
BE QUITE ENJOYABLE 3UCH DISCOVERIES
I
N EARLY WHEN LAUNCHING HAVE BEEN PURE JOY
THIS CRAZY VENTURE TO REVIEW /NE BOOK )VE BEEN FORCED TO
ONE "RONZE !GE COMIC EVERY REEVALUATE IS -IKE 'RELLS 7ARLORD
WEEKDAY ) WAS CERTAIN REVISITING 7HY ,ITTLE -E DIDNT MUCH CARE FOR
OLD FAVORITES WOULD BE THE BEST PART THIS SERIES ) REALLY DONT KNOW BUT ITS
ABOUT PUBLISHING #OMICS "RONZE !GE BEEN A BLAST THE SECOND TIME AROUND
4URNS OUT ) WAS WRONG 4HE BEST PART 7HILE BORROWING HEAVILY FROM THE
HAS ACTUALLY BEEN REDISCOVERING AND WORK OF %DGAR 2ICE "URROUGHS AND
REASSESSING CREATORS AND SERIES THAT OTHERS -IKE 'RELLS PASSION FOR THIS
FOR WHATEVER REASON DIDNT hCLICKv MATERIAL IS AS OBVIOUS AS IT IS CONTA
WHEN ) WAS A KID &OR EXAMPLE GIOUS &ILLED WITH SMART SEXY CHARAC
WHO KNEW *IM !PARO WOULD TERS AND WELL
CHOREOGRAPHED ACTION
THREATEN TO CRACK MY LIST OF THESE EARLY ISSUES ALL EARN HIGH MARKS
4RAVIS h4HE 7ARLORDv -ORGAN AS SEEN
Want more Warlord reviews?
ON THE COVER OF 7ARLORD !LL ART ON THESE Several other issues have already been reviewed
TWO PAGES BY SERIES CREATOR -IKE 'RELL on the Comics Bronze Age Web site. Check them
out at: comicsbronzeage.com/?tag=title-warlord
Bronze Age Warlord collected editions
• Showcase Presents: Warlord Volume One (2009)
Collects 1st Issue Special #8, Warlord #1-10,12-28
• Warlord: The Savage Empire TPB (1991)
Collects 1st Issue Special #8, Warlord #1-10, 12
4 \ ! NEW REVIEW OF AN OLD COMIC %VERY WEE
IEWS
1ST ISSUE SPECIAL #8 WARLORD #1 WARLORD #2 WARLORD #3 WARLORD #4
Published and © by DC, Nov. Published and © by DC, Published and © by DC, Published and © by DC, Published and © by DC,
1975 Jan.-Feb. 1976 Mar.-Apr. 1976 Oct.-Nov. 1976 Dec. 1976-Jan. 1977
Title: “Land of Fear!” Title: “This Savage World” Title: “Arena of Death” Title: “War Gods of Skartaris” Title: “Duel of the Titans”
Synopsis: Air Force pilot Travis Synopsis: Fleeing the city of Synopsis: Separated from Synopsis: On the hunt for a Synopsis: Morgan’s legion lays
Morgan ejects from a crashing Thera, Travis Morgan and Tara Tara, the soon-to-be Warlord is unicorn, Morgan is captured by siege to the city of Thera in an
SR-71 — to discover the hidden, find an assortment of dangers in captured by slavers and forced lizard men who worship a recent- effort to earn freedom — and
savage world of Skartaris! the jungles of Skartaris. to fight in a gladiator arena. ly arrived “god.” rescue Tara from Deimos.
Writer/penciler/inker: Mike Grell Writer/penciler/inker: Mike Grell Writer/penciler/inker: Mike Grell Writer/penciler/inker: Mike Grell Writer/penciler/inker: Mike Grell
Review: As the story goes, Review: Picking up right where Review: A bit more grounded Review: This issue gets off to Review: The conclusion of the
Warlord began life as a newspa- 1st Issue Special #8 left off, than Warlord #1, this latest issue a slow start as the half-a-year first Deimos arc ends with a
per strip called Savage Em- writer/artist Mike Grell contin- of Mike Grell’s hollow-Earth epic delay between issues neces- bang (and a sword fight). By
pire, which creator Mike Grell ues the business of mythmak- is still chockablock with genre sitates another origin recap. today’s standards, this storyline
tweaked on the fly when pitching ing as he lays out more of the tropes. Again, there is not much But, once the story gets down feels a bit rushed, but that’s
it to DC as a comic book. hollow-Earth world of Skartaris. new to be found in this captured- to business, Grell delivers a certainly better than dragging
Whatever its origins, Grell was Grell packs this issue with by-slavers-and-forced-to-fight-in- fun done-in-one tale with some it out over several “decom-
on to something here. Though plenty of action (including one an-arena plot, but Grell tells his clever twists. Even the recap is a pressed” issues. While most
not shockingly original — think fantasy cliché too many in the tale eagerly. This issue’s slave treat, though, as Grell executes of Warlord #4 works, Morgan’s
swords, sandals and sorcery, all form of a satyr), yet still finds revolt also sets Travis Morgan on it as a beautifully drawn two- showdown with Deimos doesn’t
set in an Edgar-Rice-Burroughs- time for character development. the path to becoming the Warlord. page spread. The artist really ring true. Why would a powerful
esque hollow Earth — Grell’s He’s already displaying a good On the art side, Grell continues to understands the visual nature of sorcerer fight The Warlord with
Warlord manages to surpass the story sense, both as a writer impress. This issue is the first to the comic-book medium, and he blades? What do work well are
sum of it’s parts. The writer/ and an artist. The art here is feature a double-page splash, a regularly delivers crafty storytell- the continued hints of forgot-
artist’s passion for this material particularly nice; his inking on technique that became a signa- ing and explosive splashes. With ten advanced technology from
is contagious; there’s little ques- later issues could be a little ture for this series. Grell’s inking the exception of some issues Skartaris’ past; it’ll be interesting
tion he’s having a blast with this rough, but this work is nicely remains refined, and his storytell- with anatomy, Grell is a master- to see how this develops. As for
origin issue, and readers almost polished. ing this issue is a notch above. ful comic-book artist — and even the art, Grell’s inking is starting
certainly will, too. better comic-book creator. to get a little scratchy, especially
Grade: B+ Grade: B+ the shading.
Grade: B+ Grade: A-
Cool factor: One of the better Cool factor: Let’s go with Mike Grade: B+
Cool factor: The debut of Mike first issues of DC’s Bronze Age. Grell’s art this time out. There are Cool factor: Nice character mo-
Grell as auteur, a development some really nice pages this issue. ments. Beautiful splashes. Great Cool factor: The continued hints
that would lead to many good Character quotable: “Stick it cover. about advanced technology give
comic books over the years. in your ear!” — Travis Morgan. Notable: First appearance of Ma- Warlord a unique flavor.
(You’re such a badass they call chiste. … Warlord was canceled Character quotable: “God help
Not-so-cool factor: Why is you Warlord, and those are the after this issue, only to return a me — I love this!” — The War- Not-so-cool factor: Deimos’
Skartaris called “Tartarus” on first strongest words you can come half a year later at the behest of lord (with “it” behind battle and costume. It’s hard to take seri-
reference? up with?!) new DC publisher Jeanette Kahn. carnage, of course). ously a bad guy in a half shirt.
EKDAY AT ComicsBronzeAge.com \ 5
BRONZE AGE: From the site:
other opinions
comic, is cover-dated October
1970. This is the clear dividing
line both artistically and indus-
“How about ‘Whatever Hap-
pened to the Man of To-
morrow?’ — this story was
1970 TO 1985
try-wise (as it marks Kirby’s published in 1986, ended the
departure from Marvel). I’m not original run of both historic Su-
“It’s not as simple as just the sure where the debate is.” perman titles, AND marked the
’70s, and I think young talent/ — Thelonious_Nick retirement of Julius Schwartz.”
fans getting into the business is — Michael Cobb
the key.” “With the lifting of some restric-
#ONTINUED FROM 0AGE
SKETCH OF HOW THIS MAGAZINE
4(% 2)3% /&
4(% 8
-%.
7HILE THE "RONZE !GE WAS
— Pete Doree
“Fantastic Four #102 is cover-
tions in the CCA, circa 1971, it
allowed writers, artists and edi-
tors to be a little more realistic
“Looking at Marvel, the Bronze
Age seemed to end when
John Byrne took over Fantastic
dated September 1970. Conan in their storytelling.” Four.”
CURRENTLY SEES THE "RONZE !GE CLEARLY ALREADY UNDERWAY BY
#1, first purely Bronze Age — Jim Kingman — Edo Bosnar
.OTE THAT THERE ARE BOTH BUSI THIS POINT THE IMPORTANCE OF
NESS AND CREATIVE DIMENSIONS THE REINTRODUCTION OF -ARVELS
DRIVING THE SHIFT BETWEEN AGES MUTANTS IN 'IANT 3IZE 8 -EN
(OPEFULLY ROBUST CONVERSATION -AY MUST BE NOTED
OVER THE NEXT YEAR WILL HELP 7ITHIN lVE YEARS THE 8 -ENS
SKETCH OUT AND EXPAND THIS REGULAR SERIES WHICH RETURNED
FRAMEWORK WITH !UG WOULD
PROVIDE THE BENCHMARK ALL
4(% 02%
"2/.:%
0%2)/$ /N THE BUSINESS
OTHERS WOULD BE COMPARED TO
BOTH CREATIVELY AND IN TERMS
OF SALES
FRONT -ARVEL lNALLY FREES
ITSELF FROM THE RESTRAINTS OF A
DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH RIVAL $#
AND RAPIDLY EXPANDS /N THE
4(% 0/34
"2/.:% 0%
2)/$ 4HE EMERGING DIRECT
CREATIVE SIDE .EAL !DAMS $# MARKET CREATES A DEMAND FOR
WORK ON BOTH $EADMAN AND MORE PRODUCT 0ACIlC #OMICS
THE "ATMAN FRANCHISE AND *IM IS THE lRST TO STEP TO THE PLATE
3TERANKOS .ICK &URY !GENT OFFERING *ACK +IRBYS #APTAIN
OF 3()%,$ LOOK NOTHING LIKE 6ICTORY AND THE 'ALACTIC 2ANG
3ILVER !GE COMICS AND SERVE AS ERS .OV 3OON OTHER
PROTOTYPES FOR THE ERA TO COME PUBLISHERS LIKE &IRST AND %CLIPSE
JOIN 0# IN OFFERING BOOKS THAT
4(% "2/.:%
!'% "%').3
4HE NEW DECADE STARTS WITH
OFFER A MIX OF GROUND
LEVEL AND
MAINSTREAM SENSIBILITIES AND
BETTER DEALS FOR THE CREATIVE
A SEISMIC EVENT WITHIN THE TALENT 4HE "IG 4WO WOULD
COMICS INDUSTRY *ACK +IRBY EVENTUALLY FOLLOW SUIT
LEAVES -ARVEL FOR $# $OES
THIS MAKE &ANTASTIC &OUR
+IRBYS LAST AS REGULAR PEN
CILER COVER DATED 3EP
4(% "2/.:%
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7ITH THE PUBLICATION OF #RISIS
THE SIGNPOST FOR THE END OF THE ON )NlNITE %ARTHS STARTING IN
3ILVER !GE AND 3UPERMANS 0AL !PR $# LITERALLY ENDS
*IMMY /LSEN /CT THE "RONZE !GE AND ALL PREVI
THE lRST "RONZE !GE COMIC OUS AGES TOO 4HE SERIES OFFERS
/R DOES THAT LATTER HONOR GO TO A CLEAR CUT WITH THE PAST ALLOW
'REEN ,ANTERN !PR ING MUCH OF THE COMPANYS LINE
THE lRST ISSUE BY LEGENDARY TO BE RELAUNCHED THE FOLLOWING
CREATIVE TEAM $ENNY /.EIL YEAR /VER AT THE COMPETITION
AND .EAL !DAMS 4HAT RUN -ARVEL 3UPER (EROES 3ECRET
PROVIDED THE lRST BREAKOUT HIT 7AR HAS A MORE TRADITIONALLY
OF THE "RONZE !GE AND THE "RONZE SENSIBILITY BUT THE
DEBUT ISSUE HAS BECOME ONE OF lNAL ISSUE !PR
THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER BOOKS OF DOES OFFER A GOOD END POINT FOR
THE ERA -ARVELS "RONZE !GE
6 \ ! NEW REVIEW OF AN OLD COMIC %VERY WEEKDAY AT ComicsBronzeAge.com
50 KEY BOOKS OF THE BRONZE AGE
T
HIS LIST lRST APPEARED Marvel Feature #1 (Dec.): First Astonishing Tales #25 (Aug.): 1977 1980
ONLINE ON *ULY )T appearance of the Defenders. First appearance of Deathlok; first
George Pérez professional work. Marvel Spotlight #32 (Feb.): First The X-Men #129 (Jan.): “Dark
WILL EVENTUALLY BE REVISED
WITH A lNAL VERSION BEING ADDED 1972 Spider-Woman. Phoenix Saga” begins; first Kitty
Pryde and Emma Frost.
TO #OMICS"RONZE!GECOM AS A Amazing Adventures #11 (Mar.):
REFERENCE PAGE &OR NOW ITS STILL First mutated, furry Beast. The X-Men #137 (Sep.): Death of
A WORK IN PROGRESS $ISAGREE Phoenix.
Marvel Team-Up #1 (Mar.): Spider-
WITH A BOOK THAT MADE THE
Man gets second monthly series.
LIST 4HINK THERES A KEY BOOK
MISSING !DD YOUR TWO CENTS AT The Defenders #1 (Aug.): De-
COMICSBRONZEAGECOM P fenders graduate to own series.
1970
Green Lantern #76 (Apr.): Land-
mark run by Denny O’Neil and
Neal Adams begins — as does
the Bronze Age.
Conan the Barbarian #1 (Oct.):
Marvel lands the license to Robert #OVER BY (ERB 4RIMPE
E. Howard’s most popular creation. #OVER BY (OWARD #HAYKIN
The Incredible Hulk #181 (Nov.):
Fantastic Four #103 (Oct.): First First full appearance of Wolverine.
non-Jack-Kirby FF. Star Wars #1 (Jul.): The first
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 1975 of six issues adapt the smash #OVER BY *IM 3TARLIN
movie and pop-culture phenom-
#133 (Oct.): Kirby moves to DC; enon; 35¢-cover-price variant is DC Comics Presents #26 (Oct.)
Strange Tales #178 (Feb.): First
“Fourth World” begins. one of the era’s most valuable First New Teen Titans.
Starlin Warlock.
issues.
1971 #OVER BY *ACK +IRBY Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May): First The New Teen Titans #1 (Nov.):
“all-new, all-different” X-Men. Iron Fist #14 (Aug.): First Saber- Debut of DC’s premier Bronze
Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth tooth; 35¢-cover-price variant is Age title.
#1 (Nov.): First issue of Kirby’s The X-Men #94 (Aug.): New one of the era’s most valuable
longest-running Bronze Age title. stories starring the new X-Men issues. 1981
begin; Marvel’s premier Bronze
Cerebus the Aardvark #1
1973 Age title.
(Dec.): Dave Sim launches his
Daredevil #168 (Jan.): Miller
takes over as writer; first Elektra.
Captain Marvel #25 (Mar.): Jim First Issue Special #8 (Nov.): self-published opus.
First appearance of Warlord. Fantastic Four #232 (Jul.): Byrne
Starlin art begins.
The X-Men #108 (Dec.): John story and art begins.
Amazing Spider-Men #121 1976 Byrne art begins.
(Jun.): Death of Gwen Stacy. 1982
Superman vs. the Amazing Spi- 1978
Superboy #197 (Sep.): Legion der-Man (???): First crossover The Legion of Super-Heroes
of Super-Heroes becomes title book from Marvel and DC. All-New Collector’s Edition #C- #285 (Mar.): Keith Giffen art
feature. 56 (???): Adams draws Super- begins.
All Star Comics #58 (Feb.): man vs. Muhammad Ali.
Detective Comics #437 (Nov.): Justice Society returns as title Daredevil #181 (Apr.): Death of
“Manhunter” by Archie Goodwin feature; first Power Girl. Fantasy Quarterly #1 (Spring): Elektra.
#OVER BY 'IL +ANE and Walter Simonson begins. First Elfquest.
The X-Men #101 (Oct.): First Wolverine #1 (Sep.): Wolverine
Cancelled Comics Cavalcade
Amazing Spider-Man #96 (May): 1974 Phoenix.
#1 (Summer): First of two rare,
gets own mini-series.
First of three drug issues released
without the Comics Code Author- Marvel Two-in-One #1 (Jan.): Detective Comics #466 (Dec.): in-house editions collecting mate- 1983
ity seal; leads to revision of CCA. The Thing gets his own title. Marshall Rogers art begins. rial orphaned by the DC Implo-
sion. New Mutants #1 (Mar.): X-
House of Secrets #92 (Jul.): First Amazing Spider-Man #129 Spectacular Spider-Man #1 franchise gets second monthly
appearance of Swamp Thing. (Feb.): First Punisher. (Dec.): Spider-Man gets third 1979 series.
monthly series (not including the
The Avengers #93 (Nov.): Ad- Marvel Premiere #15 (May): out-of-continuity Spidey Super Daredevil #158 (May): Frank Thor #337 (Nov.): Simonson
ams joins the “Kree-Skrull War.” First appearance of Iron Fist. Stories). Miller art begins. story and art begins.
