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Speke is a well-known suburb of Liverpool.
However, Steve Does Comics has no suburbs. So bustling is it that it has been officially designated 100% Central Business District.
And that business is chat.
For it is not Speke of Liverpool that concerns us tonight.
Rather, it is Speak, of the, "Your brain," variety.
This can only mean one thing.
And that can only be done by posting it in the comments section below.
Therefore, make haste to do so before the opportunity has passed.
Posts
18 comments:
What was Gerry Conways finest contribution to comics?
Charles, I presume...
Avengers # 156, Daredevil # 90, Daredevil # 93 (the outstanding art played no small part in these three, however! )
Phillip
Charlie did not pose the subject to be considered by this venerable crowd of Forward Facing Stalwarts!
Conway’s biggest achievement was being employed by Marvel to start writing stories for Marvel’s Crown Jewel “Spider Man” at age 19.
Stop and consider that. 19 years old. Incredible.
Charlie, Robert E Howard was 19 when his first story was published in Weird Tales magazine.
The Conway Spidermans were brilliant comics BUT.........never really warmed to Andru artwork.Tried to but something angular(is that a word?) about his figures put me off!Probably spoilt with Romita and Kane.
Anonymous - To me, on Spidey, Ross Andru's quality varied greatly. On # 169, his art was absolutely great - 'Spiderish' - but next issue - Dr.Faustus - Andru's art was poor. Likewise, Sal. Spectacular Spider-man # 3 - great 'spiderish' art. Yet, in other stories - like Tarantula - not good... ( Of course, I read those comics in UK Marvel - I've 'translated' the story issues to the US comics from which they were reprinted! )
Phillip
Phillip
Fair enough. But Weird Tales was likely publishing several stories in a monthly Pulp, judging Buy my collection of pulp comics like amazing adventures, and amazing tales.
Thus whatever risk, Robert E Howard was to weird tales, it was diffused with other stories and art in that monthly issue.
With Marvel and Spider-Man, though, it was all Conway that month and the next 15 or 20 issues after that, As well as the proceeding 10 or so issues.
Conway‘s impact was like the sun, whereas Robert Howard’s was like the moon?
Just my thoughts :)
CH
I also didn't like Ross Andrus art on Spider-Man. My favourite Conway story had to be (as Phillip) Daredevil 90 ( stunning art by Colan/Palmer as well). I would add Spider-Man issues 121 and 122 the "Night Gwen Stacey died" and although I haven't read it in years ( and only read my pals copy back in the day) but the Superman / Spider-Man team up has to be up there
To each their own. Andru was drawing ASM when I first started buying the comic (#128 was my first) and while I can’t say he was one of my early “Love At First Sight / Nerd Crushes” (like Kane, Romita, Colan or the Buscema Bros) I did think his strengths far out-weighed his weaknesses and after two or three issues, I was 100% sold. So much so that when John Romita himself steppped in to draw ASM #32, I was actually disappointed!
Anyhoo…
b.t.
Had I commented under the last post I'd probably have grumbled about Gerry Conway's take on the New Gods - and maybe 'Conway's Corner' in general, the new titles he edited at DC in '76 - so it's probably just as well I was a bit busy and didn't have the time.
Tbh for me Conway seemed a fairly 'meat and potatoes' writer, so his work didn't appeal. But then I preferred the more way out comics - the Kirby DCs, Dr Strange, Warlock, that kind of thing - to standard superheroes like Spider-Man anyway, so it's no real reflection on him.
On the subject of comic creators who've recently passed away, I loved the work of the great Belgian writer/artist Hermann Huppen.
https://www.tcj.com/hermann-hero-of-the-hard-boiled-1938-2026/
-sean
Different Strokes Department:
I stopped consistently buying ASM after Conway exited. I didn’t care for Len Wein’s writing on the book and Mike Esposito’s inks didn’t enhance Ross Andru’s pencils the way Frank Giacoia’s had for most of the Conway run.
I think I must not have bought #169, as I have no memory of it. However, I did buy #170 specifically BECAUSE Giacoia was back (for at least one issue) and I thought it looked really good 😊
b.t.
Sean… just out of curiosity how long do you think it would take Hermanm to produce a book? Half year?
CH
Anonymous, thanks for the topic.
Although I often enjoyed Conway's work, the only thing by him that ever actively caught my attention was the death of Gwen Stacy and its aftermath. Therefore, I shall say that.
As for Ross Andru, he was my favourite Spider-Man artist. I felt his work combined the offbeat angles of Gil Kane and the solid story-telling of John Romita.
Steve, that’s a really fine summation of Andru’s appeal as a top Spidey artist (for those of us who aren’t just repelled by his stuff). In addition to channeling aspects of Kane and Romita, I would say that his people tended to have a certain “Wound Too Tight” quality that reminded me of Ditko to a degree. And of course, his renderings of New York City were thoroughly believable without ever looking “photo-real”.
b.t.
That should be ASM 132, not 32.
b.t.
STEVE - I am surprised there was no coverage here of the UK’s International Wife Carrying Contest in Surrey this year. Can we get it on the agenda for next year? Please?
Charlie, I'm must confess the International Wife Carrying Championship completely bypassed me. I can't believe it wasn't on any of the main channels.
Well, just to bring you up to speed, the international wife, caring competition, in Surrey, England, this year, was one by a Finish couple. The rules are interesting as are the positions allowed.
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