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!