tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post6884943661169644341..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: Growing Pains: Avengers 139Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-78269272432109010462013-05-22T09:35:04.578-05:002013-05-22T09:35:04.578-05:00Been away for a few days, but this is a great revi...Been away for a few days, but this is a great review to come back to. I love pretty much anything Steve Englehart does. The characterization you mention was really strong during his Avengers run. Each character has his or her distinct personality, and the interaction between them is compelling.<br /><br />Another observation about Iron Man's mask: Did you ever notice how his facial expression changes with his mood? Artistic license, I guess. <br /><br />As for the art, hang in there. A young upstart named George Perez takes over in just a couple of issues!Brucenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-22115523793815814022013-05-21T18:53:35.292-05:002013-05-21T18:53:35.292-05:00Just scrolling up and down the blog. By the way, ...Just scrolling up and down the blog. By the way, what the heck is that hanging out of Jan's arm on the cover? Like no IV I've ever seen!<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-6357312337610770172013-05-20T23:40:57.442-05:002013-05-20T23:40:57.442-05:00Among the things I liked about Englehart's run...Among the things I liked about Englehart's run was his deft mix of the cosmic and the mundane dramas. The Avengers had already gone throught the tragic death and strange "resurrection" of the Swordsman and now we have the psychodrama of Hank Pym freaking out over the near death of his wife and an old nemesis coming back to taunt him (and for those of us who read the reprint of Avengers #14 from just a couple of years ago, this is the 2nd time we'd seen Hank go bonkers over the near death of Janet). <br />I wasn't too crazy about Tuska's art -- as far as I was concerned, Perez was a significant improvement over both Sal Buscema and Tuska. Sort of like early Starlin on Captain Marvel-- it wasn't quite as great as it would shortly become but it still stood out from what came before.Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-58820353909404226722013-05-20T21:53:31.995-05:002013-05-20T21:53:31.995-05:00WTF Whirlwind was the Pyms' chauffeur all alon...WTF Whirlwind was the Pyms' chauffeur all along?!<br /><br />I say nay on ol' Shellhead's nose mask. While it may be functional, it certainly does not look good here. I think Jack Kirby drew it best; his version really looked truly metallic. This issue had OK artwork; Tuska and Colletta are both B-list artists in my opinion, their workmanlike styles make the story go along, but it doesn't have the wow factor which makes a reader say, 'Holy shmoley that was a great issue!'.<br /><br />Colletta's feathery inks complements Tuska's pencils here, but again nothing to shout about, although that last panel featuring a closeup of the Beast is well rendered. His face really looks like it has some character here.<br /><br /><br /><br />- Mike 'Iron Man made a move on Moondragon?' from Trinidad & Tobago.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-26823796966478718972013-05-20T18:49:36.751-05:002013-05-20T18:49:36.751-05:00It doesn't matter how many times I see it--I d...It doesn't matter how many times I see it--I don't think I'll ever be on board with Pym's tactic of using ants to weaken the ground your foe is standing on. Because however fast he issues the command, those ants would all have to (a) travel and converge en masse on the spot in question in a matter of seconds, and (b) be little Tasmanian Devils or Quicksilvers in order to dig through the ground fast enough to weaken it before the villain had moved to another spot. (To say nothing of a <i>fast</i> villain like Whirlwind.) There just isn't enough time in either case--and there's too much disbelief to suspend.<br />Comicsfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10064955427593820783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-62236227339118168502013-05-20T16:04:14.264-05:002013-05-20T16:04:14.264-05:00I never understood how YJ's 'wings' we...I never understood how YJ's 'wings' were supposed to work in the first place. But I always liked the costume design. Speaking of which, was it John Buscema who designed it?<br /><br />Colletta's style is instantly recognizable. I think the only time I truly liked his style and appreciated it was on Kirby on Thor. Otherwise I never especially cared for his work.And his corner-cutting tricks are well known.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032477453891087135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-25173645898497423132013-05-20T14:50:47.038-05:002013-05-20T14:50:47.038-05:00Dr. Doom and "hoodie" can only conjure i...Dr. Doom and "hoodie" can only conjure in one's mind images of...<br /><br />THIS --<br /><br />http://livingbetweenwednesdays.com/wp-content/uploads/Avengers025_16b.jpg<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-79776163398715085912013-05-20T14:45:53.232-05:002013-05-20T14:45:53.232-05:00This just in, quasi-related to our fav team..:
ht...This just in, quasi-related to our fav team..:<br /><br />http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/quicksilver-scarlet-witch-confirmed-baddies-avengers-sequel-163604314.html<br /><br />AGAIN, it could just be a false report to throw folks off at this stage, you never know... I ponder at who would play Wanda.<br /><br /><br /><br />(wait..... 'still pondering'...)<br /><br /><br />I've heard others say the same as to Hank's wings.., I take this stance..:<br /><br />If Iron Man had no problem with peripheral sight by staring out of his mask slits, then encumbered more so by having to tilt and turn an armored head (especially the older suits..), or Doc Strange's ornate cape adornment above the neck, or Doc Doom's hoody.., then I'm guessing YJ simply worked it out.<br /><br />david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-48003911119515418732013-05-20T14:01:29.986-05:002013-05-20T14:01:29.986-05:00We were in tune on the "overpowering" co...We were in tune on the "overpowering" comment, David -- I may not have stated what I wanted the way I wanted to (make sense?). <br /><br />Take John Byrne embellished by Terry Austin and Joe Sinnott. Austin -- more Byrne. Sinnott -- more Sinnott. Both inkers help the art, soften it to some degree, make it pop to some degree, etc. Colletta has that sort of impact, though as has been stated to a lighter, softer approach. <br /><br />RE: the Iron Man Mego. In regard to the eyes overall, I wish they'd just left them black. That the figure has the nose-mask sort of freezes him in time, doesn't it? That's funny to think about. Old codgers like us who might know nothing about Megos could probably pinpoint when that figure was released.<br /><br />So anyway, as I said in the post, I like the nose from a practical standpoint. I guess Stan didn't like it, hmmm? I'm pretty sure Sean Howe mentioned that in his book -- will have to check it out when I get home.<br /><br />Funny note about the wings (or whatever the heck they are) on YJ's costume. I think we've discussed before how difficult it would be to have any peripheral vision in that suit. Go back to the post and check out the panel when Whirlwind attacks Hank at the Pym house. As Hank turns his head to his left, Tuska doesn't draw the obstruction to his view.<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-40762640626526184102013-05-20T13:08:50.595-05:002013-05-20T13:08:50.595-05:00The nose on IM's mask: don't like it. Real...The nose on IM's mask: don't like it. Really don't like it.Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-28932881772597610092013-05-20T12:57:18.760-05:002013-05-20T12:57:18.760-05:00Ah, 'the nose'.
Y'know, I can only t...Ah, 'the nose'. <br /><br />Y'know, I can only think of Tuska as really being able to draw the nose well, having seen Sal do it in Avengers for a few issues. I didn't like the Mego figure, but that's more because his eyes made him look like he's smiling. <br /><br />When I mentioned 'over-powering', I didn't say 'heavy'; it was more as Edo mentioned, 'You know it when you see it'.<br /><br />To me, that's over-powering.<br /><br />Typically, you can see Vince's distinctive touch a mile away. Don't get me wrong, I really like his work. It's just distinctive.<br /><br />david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-40013315994992448582013-05-20T12:17:41.949-05:002013-05-20T12:17:41.949-05:00I like Tuska when I take a quick look, and then wh...I like Tuska when I take a quick look, and then when I get in closer it's just ok. The aerial shot of Whirlwind looks great.<br /><br />I'm not a fan of the nose, as somehow he looks more human, but with hollow eyes/mouth. The no-nose mask looks all iron, is more distinctive.<br /><br />Nice review.Garettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-41680727426490762542013-05-20T11:49:29.078-05:002013-05-20T11:49:29.078-05:00Mr. Oyola --
If you've not seen it, there'...Mr. Oyola --<br /><br />If you've not seen it, there's a Marvel Premiere Hardcover called "The Coming of the Beast" that reprints Avengers #'s 137-140 and 145-146.<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words, <br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-61115164095330360662013-05-20T11:40:44.953-05:002013-05-20T11:40:44.953-05:00Awesome!
While I never had this issue or read it,...Awesome!<br /><br />While I never had this issue or read it, this is the era I think of when I think of "classic" Avengers - probably because it was just before when I started getting comics.<br /><br />Since I was introduced to Hank Pym as a mentally fragile, often unstable, switcher of identities, to me that just seems like his basic personality. It never surprised me when he snapped later and did really stupid sh*t.<br /><br />This issue looks great. The Whirlwind fight panels with Yellowjacket look awesome. It is that kind of thing that is missing from today's comics. <br /><br />I may need to get my hands on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-6114794140606675012013-05-20T11:40:13.556-05:002013-05-20T11:40:13.556-05:00Thanks, Edo!
Curious -- any love/hate for the nos...Thanks, Edo!<br /><br />Curious -- any love/hate for the nose mask version of Iron Man's faceplate?<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-42964035382967361832013-05-20T11:31:15.883-05:002013-05-20T11:31:15.883-05:00I know I read the next issue, but my memory of thi...I know I read the next issue, but my memory of this one is a little fuzzy, even though some of the pages/panels you posted look familiar.<br />Your review, however, is - as usual - quite good.<br />As for the 'overpowering' nature of Colletta's inks - I would also describe them that way, even though, as you point out, his style was so feathery and 'light.' But I think of it as overpowering in the sense that you can pretty much always tell when Colletta inks something, for better or worse. He just leaves a definite mark on the art.Edo Bosnar (a.k.a. Herr Frosch)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-19628936116066105512013-05-20T11:11:34.065-05:002013-05-20T11:11:34.065-05:00Lurker here....
This was my first Avengers and my ...Lurker here....<br />This was my first Avengers and my first Marvel.<br />My mother bought this for me because I was a good boy at the barber shop. Ha!<br />Even at the age of 5 I thought it was odd that the Scarlet Witch wore her outfit on her honeymoon. I didn't even know what the Vision was so that didn't bother me.<br />...but I also thought the Wasp was naked.<br />I don't recall this issue leaving much of an impact on me but it was the first of 30 years of collecting the Avengers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-45371404151554704212013-05-20T10:40:22.422-05:002013-05-20T10:40:22.422-05:00That's funny that you use the term "overp...That's funny that you use the term "overpowering" when describing Colletta's inks, as it's a term I'd more associate with Joe Sinnott. But you know what? As far as exerting an inker's influence over a penciler's original line, then I guess "overpowering" is apt even for Vinnie's feathery style.<br /><br />Vinnie does always make the ladies look pretty, too -- both Moondragon and Wanda are shown with very pretty faces.<br /><br />I think I generally knock Tuska down a few notches for some of his "stock poses". But giving the art samples here another once-over, I do really like the way he draws YJ. I don't care for his version of Thor, but you could obviously see that he was at home with Iron Man. I think he did a better job on the Beast in this ish than we'll see next week in the review for #140. Of course, I think everyone was still trying to figure out how to draw Dr. McCoy at this point.<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-18302166947601779662013-05-20T10:34:54.139-05:002013-05-20T10:34:54.139-05:00I always thought Tuska with Colletta inking was an...I always thought Tuska with Colletta inking was an acquired taste, but I find it works well in this particular issue. <br /><br />Does Vince's over-powering style of inking here enhance or detract from Tuska....?<br /><br />I always loved Tuska's old school ability to draw bulking muscles and heroic stances, without the 'over-steroidal' upper-torso excess you see these days. I like a cleanly-drawn, well-staged panel, and Tuska never lets you down.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-84045039530930662492013-05-20T09:29:12.590-05:002013-05-20T09:29:12.590-05:00Thank you, David -- and I see you've appropria...Thank you, David -- and I see you've appropriately switched your avatar for today!<br /><br />I especially like the full page sample near the end of the post. I always thought the panel where Whirlwind bounces off Hank's mug was a great shot, as is the 2-panel action of Hank diving after his nemesis. I don't dislike Tuska at all, but he is down my list of favorites quite a ways.<br /><br />Karen and I thought we did a good job on both today's and next week's write-ups, but since our readers are the ultimate judges of our work, we appreciate your compliment!<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-49377661388005718392013-05-20T09:20:15.630-05:002013-05-20T09:20:15.630-05:00For all my Pym love, I actually haven't picked...For all my Pym love, I actually haven't picked this ish up yet.<br /><br />I recall at the time not picking it up because I initially didn't like the Beast coming in as an Avenger. I grew to like him a bit more when him and Wondy started buddying around, but both the Tuska art and Beast appearance turned me off. <br /><br />I loved Tuska on Ironman, but the 'buck teeth look' didn't fair as well on the Avengers title. With the likes of Milgrom and even worse art to come, it's not so bad now. I'm a bit more charitable with my 40something eyes, so I'm sure to pick this up someday soon.<br /><br />Totally agreed on how Tuska builds awesome fight scenes in the panels, he did that quite well in IM.<br /><br />Great review.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.com