DRACULA - Gene Colan

Nobody but nobody did a better Drac than Colan...the guy was a phenom. In that he never ever stuck to the prescribed house style of Marvel comics. Instead , using his God given talent to bring figures forth from shadow Gene created the most eerie atmpospheric images and was perfect for this comic book. He is a legend...Like Kirby and Buscema. He will be missed.

The PHANTOM ZONE

The Phantom zone mini- series by Steve Gerber , Gene Colan and Tony Dezuniga…
Shortly after Superman 2 came out and introduced the world to Zod and his Criminal comrades DC comics brought us the Phantom Zone Mini- series. Penciled by Gene Colan and written by Steve Gerber . I was on y way to Florida to visit my Grand- parents…the wait at the airport was horrible for an antsy 14 year old. I found a newsstand and begged my Father to buy me a couple of comic books….One was a Warlord comic book by Mike Grell and the other..PHANTOM ZONE number one. I read both comics and bought the follow up issues as they came out. All I can say is Genes style was different than I’d seen anyone ever on Superman before. I liked it and thought he did a damned good Supes.
There is something eye catching about the way an artist works out his figures and compositions. Cartooning is in and of itself another art form altogether. Sure portrait artists and illustrators get a photo realistic quality and attention to detail down to perfection….but a cartoonist? A few black and white lines on paper and some well placed spotted black ink blobs and you got a comic book. I’m always going to remember this comic book series and what it meant to me during that period of my life.

JAWS 2 - ( with Bob Larkin cover ) Gene Colan art

I remember my Mom taking me to see JAWS 2 ..I had no idea it was out. My Dad worked nights as a truck driver and I guess Mom needed to get out so she said c'mon we're going to a Movie....I have to say..Roy Scheider is the man...I met him at an airport about 6 years ago. He was dressed exactly like Chief Brody..."I said Hello Sir..Don't mean to bother you , but I am a big fan and I just want to say Hi! " He looked at me a little puzzled and said " Hi " I said " Have a nice day " and was on my way...at the baggage carousel I minded my own business and so did he. I hope it was not too unpleasant an experience.

The interiors of this comic book were by Gene Colon and Tom Palmer...it is actually refreshingly breathtaking artwork. If you skip on over to DIVERSIONS OF THE GROOVY KIND you can read the entire book. I guess this post is an Homage to the Memory of Mom taking me to a Movie and to Roy...and Gene.

Hopefully if I get to Florida me and Mom will take in another movie. That'll be cool.

Iron Man / Sub-Mariner one shot!

Sparodically during this week I will put up different covers drawn by Gene Colan who recently left this world and went off to the great big Bullpen in the sky. This cover particularly is my favorite Gene cover...it's very dynamic and has two of my favorite super heroes on one titanic cover. Right after this comic book came out Subby and Iron man were given their very own monthly titles. Of which Gene drew the cover of Iron Man number one....I got this comic book at a convention in NYC for 10 bucks....a great deal in my eyes being as I believe it to be in VG condition. Legendary stuff.