Aquaman #59 - Mera and Guess Who?

Does Mighty Mera here remind you of someone else? 

Aquaman #59, 1977-8
Juan Ortiz

Hint: This time Mera is not based on the Wasp. The panel's based on a different John Buscema illustration!

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Black Widow in Avengers #83 (1970) John Buscema, with inks by Tom Palmer

Yep, as soon as I saw Mera here, I knew she was based on  Natasha from one of my all-time favorite Avengers comics--the Lady Liberators issue! 

Aquaman #59 Mera

 

More Mera and guess who??

Left: Avengers #57, 1968   John Buscema
Right: Aquaman #59, 1977-8, Juan Ortiz

Aquaman #60: Mera

 As I've mentioned, I stopped reading comics way back at the dawn of the Bronze Age. In the last decade or so I resumed my interest in comics--specifically comic book history--so I've been catching up on the old characters. One of the fun things about reading stories and series that I'd never read before is seeing all the swipes from the Silver Age! I recently posted a few from the Ant-Man series in Marvel Feature.

And now, here's what popped out at me as I was reading the 1978 Mera back-up feature in Aquaman.  This panel immediately caught my eye: 

Aquaman #60,1978
Juan Ortiz, penciler--inked by Vince Colletta

Okay, just Mera punching someone.  Yes, I know--it's a standard typical pose. But upon seeing this panel for the first time, I was strongly reminded of another panel from the Silver Age. Can you guess which one? 

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Time's up. Let's take a look: 

TOP: Aquaman #60,1978 - Juan Ortiz
BOTTOM: Avengers #60,1968 - John Buscema

 

Yes, it's Big John Buscema again, from Avengers #60! 

Oh, I can hear the chorus now: "But Shaaarrrr--it's just a punch! C'mon, how many different ways can an artist draw a punch?"

Yes, I understand that--but look at the length of the punching upper arm; the other arm in the background; the waist indentation; the curved hip; the knuckles. There are too many similarities. If not a swipe, then the Avengers panel was certainly an inspiration. 

My curiosity piqued, I then took a look at the other stories in this Mera mini-series. And what I found confirmed for me that this was not just a coincidence. Stay tuned!  

Iron Man #21 and Fantastic Four #66 - Tuska Does Kirby!

1967: Fantastic Four #66 Jack Kirby

1970: Iron Man #21 George Tuska 

Panelocity Popular Panel Alert!

The versatile George Tuska had a long and distinguished career in comics; his stint on the '70s Shellhead was particularly notable. And it's no surprise that Tuska picked up some Kirby-isms, as he was one of the artists who worked for Simon & Kirby in the '40 and '50s (usually uncredited; much of Tuska's published work for S&K bore a "Simon & Kirby" credit). 

Avengers #44 and Marvel Feature #10 - The Red Guardian

 

Avengers #44 (1967) John Buscema
Marvel Feature #10 (1973) P. Craig Russell

Avengers #53 and Marvel Feature #10 - The Black Panther Strikes!

 

Avengers #53 (1968) John Buscema
Marvel Feature #9 (1973) P. Craig Russell

Avengers #42 and Marvel Feature #10 - Cover by John Buscema

 This one's from a John Buscema cover: Avengers #42.

Avengers #42 (1967) John Buscema
Marvel Feature #10 (1973) P. Craig Russell

Check out the complete Avengers #42 cover over at the Grand Comics Database. 

Avengers #59 and Marvel Feature #10 - S'more Buscema

 

Moving on to Marvel Feature #10.

Avengers #59 (1968) John Buscema
Marvel Feature #10 (1973) P. Craig Russell

Strange Adventures #222 and Marvel Feature #9 - Infantino and Anderson!

How did some young comic book artists of that generation build their skills? In part by studying the masters. We've already seen John Buscema as one of P. Craig Russell's inspirations; here we have Carmine Infantino (layout) and Murphy Anderson's Adam Strange from the cover of Strange Adventures #222. 

Strange Adventures #222 (1970) Infantino & Anderson
Marvel Feature #9 (1973) P. Craig Russell

Check out the SA #222 cover in its full glory over at the Grand Comics Database.   

Avengers #59 and Marvel Feature #9 -- More Buscema, Baby!

More from Avengers #59 and Marvel Feature #9

Avengers #59 (1968) John Buscema
Marvel Feature #9 (1973) P. Craig Russell

Yep, it's the Wasp--and Hank as Yellowjacket and Hank as Ant-Man. 

Jeez Hank 😖  

Avengers #59 and Marvel Feature #9 -- Buscema, Baby!

 Happy 2022, everyone😊

Recently I read some issues of Marvel Feature. I'd never read this series before, so it was an unexpected bonus to come across some Silver Age swipes 😁  Yay!  

Today, Marvel Feature #9, pencils by the great P. Craig Russell, who was just beginning of what would be an illustrious career. Here in this early effort he was credited as "Craig Russell."  Ant-Man and the Wasp were headlining the series. 

Avengers #59 (1968) John Buscema
Marvel Feature #9 (1973) Craig Russell