RIP Tom Palmer, who brought an unparalleled blend of dynamism and elegance to his distinguished run as an inker and finisher on Avengers.
Tom’s work first made a massive impression on me 30 yrs ago when I read his X-Men collaboration with Neal Adams on the introduction of Havok. The precision and motion needed to bring these unique powers and costume to life were executed perfectly, still resonating with me today.
I’ll forever see the Stern, Buscema, and Palmer run on Avengers as a high water mark for the series, in large part because of Tom’s polish and consistency.
Remarkably, Tom managed to bring that same visual excellence from the 1980s well into the 1990s in Avengers, helping the title maintain artistic quality when many other series were falling apart.
This poignant panel of Monica consoling Cap comes from my fave Tom Palmer story, Avengers: Under Siege, an arc featuring action, peril, and tons of heart. I’ll always remember Tom’s comics for moments like this when he brought gravitas to fantastical situations.
Such a great talent.
