We're going retro and pulp with pop artist FLOPS! In Comics Go Retro, we feature old style comic book art by modern, contemporary artists. This is our third edition. You can check out previous posts with Phil Noto and Cliff Chiang, Sandy Jarrell, and Evan "Doc" Shaner.  Today's featured artist goes by the handle, Flops (see links to his socials below). I stumbled upon his work last year on Twitter (check us out @1ComicBooksBlog) Comics Go Retro is all about the art, so enjoy. Frank Miller's Elektra | © Marvel Comics Superman by Joe Shuster &a ..read more

That's right, bub. Wolverine is turning 50 this year. Let's celebrate.  When we first met... Wolverine was created by Roy Thomas and John Romita Sr (designer) for a two-part story in Incredible Hulk #s 180 and 181 which was set in Canada. Thomas noted that Marvel Comics had become increasingly popular in Canada and suggested writer Len Wein set a story there (read plot synopsis here) Len Wein story | Herb Trimpe (pencils/cover) | Jack Able inks    Glynis Wein colours | Artie Simek letters Marvel Comics (October & November 1974) Wolverine's first appearance is in #18 ..read more

  Marvel Comics, long known as The House Of Ideas, is, according to CBR's David Harth falling behind DC and Indie comics. Here's my take on Marvel and how it can save itself...from itself. Before we go further, let's give credit where it's due. The picture above is from a 1982 Marvel house ad by Michael Golden and Terry Austin. It's an apropos image because for a generation of fans the 80s were another golden age for Marvel. In fact, my original choice was Michael Golden's poster from 1980. What you see is most of the Marvel Comics universe at the time. And this brings ..read more

Patrick Zircher  2023 has been another fantastic year of comic book goodness.  We'll start with... The Best Comic Book Meme Of 2023 Batman's signature dance-move, the Batsui, made a brief comeback in 2023.  However, instead of the brassy, beatnik music of 1969, Batman with the vivacious Jill Saint John.did the Batusi to "Goodbye Horses" by the late Q Lazzarus. This video was almost hypnotic and, oddly enough, it the camp of Batman '66 fits perfectly with "Goodbye Horses" melancholic lyrics but light, pop beats.  2023 was a stinker of a year for super ..read more

  Superhero fatigue isn't stopping studios from adapting comic book properties into movies or streamed series. Here are two comic books that are need to be brought to life: Dazzler and Six From Sirius. Comic books aren't just about superheroes. They're capable of telling stories from any genre. Our first recommendation comes from the world of sci-fi.  Doug Moench creator/writer | Paul Gulacy creator/artist | Gaspar Saladino letter Epic Comics, July, 1984 We found the Six From Sirius trade paperback (published by Dynamite) on Amazon back in 2021 (something we celebrated here&nbs ..read more

  On  #1 Comic Books Blog's Comic Book Art Surf we celebrate the work of comic book artists and illustrators (with comic book potential). Today, it's Nicole Rifkin I often surf the Internet and social media for comic book art. Last year, I stumbled on Nicole Rifkin's Twitter feed (here). I loved the pop, photo-realism of her art (reminds me of the Gray Morrow with a bit of Andy Warhol).  She's not a comic book artist, but I could see her drawing comic book covers, following the example of  freelance illustrators such as Yuko Shimizu, Lia Miternique, or Jenny Frison ..read more

  Tom King, Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles launch a new, take-no-sh*t era of Wonder Woman. We did a post on Wonder Woman artists is actually the first time we've reviewed a Wonder Woman comic here on #1 Comic Books Blog. It's perfect that we start with Wonder Woman #1 (volume 6, September 2023).  Tom King writer | Daniel Sampere, artist |  Tomeu Morey colourist | Clayton Cowles letterer William  Moulton Marston writer/creator | HG Peter artist/creator This latest Wonder Woman series has the US government at war with the ..read more

  We celebrate another Marvel Comics milestone: The Avengers 60th anniversary.  A word on our "cover": It's from the epic mini-series, Avengers Forever #2 Carlos Pacheco pencils | Pepe Merino inks Last year, we lost many comic book legends. One of them was Carlos Pacheco.  The Avengers 60th anniversary is the perfect moment to pay tribute to an outstanding artist. Plus, one of our favourite storylines is one Pacheco drew. You can read more about Carlos Pacheco and his career here on Comic Vine A (Very) Brief History Stan Lee and Jack Kirby launched The A ..read more

  Titan Comics have returned Conan The Barbarian to the Hyborean Age with all its visceral brutality, implacable warriors, blood, and flagons of ale. "Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Conan, destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!" - Mako as The Wizard | Conan The Barbarian, 1982 Patrick Zircher after Barry Windsor-Smith | variant cover Rober ..read more

Lightning struck in July 1983 and  Walt Simonson. brought it with Thor #337.  Before July 1983, I had ZERO interest in Thor outside of the Avengers. Then I went into my local comic book store and saw... Walt Simonson's first issue of Thor doesn't have Thor on the cover. He led with his own creation, Beta Ray Bill smashing the logo up with Odinson's hammer Mjölnir. Thor #337 also made out of John Workman Jr, a letterer, who incorporated captions into panels, and designed incredible fonts. He also brought veteran colourist George Roussos. Right from the get-g ..read more