#comicbookhqs

[peterjohnrios]

ComicBookHQs: Muir Island!

From the recent first issue of Death of X (2016), comes an atmospheric shot of the Muir Island Mutant Research Facility by Aaron Kuder (art), Morry Hollowell (color art), Jeff Lemire & Charles Soule (writers) and Joe Sabino (letters). In its earliest appearances by Dave Cockrum (first appearance was Uncanny X-Men 104 from 1977!), the Facility was depicted as almost fortress or castle-like, built into rock. John Byrne’s version was more like the above. Later versions had “garage door” designed sectionals that I’m used to in comics. 

The above version is standard. Nothing too descriptive outside of the sphere and tower. I have to imagine the facility has been blown up and rebuilt numerous times over the years, so I’m not sure if this version is close to what it should be at this point in Marvel’s continuity. 

The cloud surrounding the facility, as per the lackluster story, is the Terrigen Mist unleashed around the world by the Inhumans to find their people. Which also spells doom for mutants. The story takes place between the gap of time from the end of Secret Wars and the beginning of the most recent Inhumans titles (I believe). Either way, not much to the story but worth pulling these two panels out for reference. 

[peterjohnrios]

ComicBookHQs: Wundagore Tower!

The Tower (or Castle as it’s also called) of the High Evolutionary on Wundagore Mountain from the Mighty Thor #135 (Dec’66). Its first appearance here is by Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, Artie Simek and Stan Lee. This is obviously a reprint and restored version of the original printed version of the issue, but the coloring was kept the same more or less. There’s no escaping Kirby’s awesome asymmetrical design sense when you’re reading Marvel Age Fantastic Four and Thor issues. 

It’s not really news, but it still is a wonderful discovery when you see long standing elements of the Marvel Universe show up for the first time, fully formed and recognizable. Obviously, the design of the High Evolutionary’s Tower will change artist to artist, but other elements of this two-part story (starting in Thor #134), such as the High Evolutionary himself, the Knights of Wundagore or the (always cool) Atomic Steeds will more or less stay the same for years. 

[peterjohnrios]

ComicBookHQs: Taa II!

The “home planet” of Galactus, from Fantastic Four #49 (Apr’66), by Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Sam Rosen and Stan Lee. This solar system-sized creation will eventually be called Taa II - named after Galactus’ actual planet of origin - but in this first appearance, it was described by the Watcher as “a gargantuan space station”. It’s so big, that planets are in orbit. I love the Mobius Strip design, the Kirby tech, the imagination of it all. I think the first time I came across this HQ was from the original Secret Wars event. I don’t think I’ve seen too many other artistic versions - after all, it’s hard to beat the original Kirby design.

Also interesting to note, as I read the Galactus Trilogy for the first time, that it was the Human Torch who first set foot on Taa II (although off panel) and not Reed Richards. See what you learn when you actually read the classics rather than accept second hand lore? 

[peterjohnrios]

ComicBookHQs: Z’onn Z’orr!

The ancient Martian stronghold known as Z’onn Z’orr, depicted here by artist Tom Mandrake, letterer Bill Oakley, and color artist Carla Feeny from a John Ostrander story in Martian Manhunter #4 (1999). Z’onn Z’orr first appeared in the first issue of Grant Morrison’s JLA back in ‘96. This image doesn’t quite show the overwhelming presence of the structure, but I do like the atmosphere created by the Antarctic setting. Secret fortresses located in Earth’s extreme poles is a constant DCU element - so what’s one more? 

[peterjohnrios]

 ComicBookHQs: Flash-Space Museum!

This is a mash-up of two DC concepts: The Flash Museum (first drawn by Carmine Infantine in Flash #154 from 1965) and the Space Museum (first drawn by Mike Sekowsky in Strange Adventures #104 from 1959). This is by artist Norm Breyfogle, with lettering by Rick Parker, colors by Noelle Giddings as written by Pat McGreal for Flashpoint #1. No, not the Flashpoint event that kickstarted the New52. But the Elseworlds 3-issue mini-sries from 1999 where Barry Allen/Flash gets struck by a bullet changing his super-hero career (and the DC Universe) forever. The Flash-Space Museum mash-up above is not necessarily visually interesting design-wise, but the concept stood out enough to include it in this series of Comic Book HQs. The flatness of the main building surfaces is along the lines of the Space Museum while the lightning bolt and the running Flash statue obviously belong to the basic Flash Museum design - even though that design isn’t ever really uniform artist to artist. Anyway - a nice addition to this series, especially since it’s a singular concept within the DCU and doesn’t show up (as far as I know) anywhere else.    

[peterjohnrios]

ComicBookHQs: Tower of Fate!

Belonging to the sorcerer Dr. Fate, the Tower of Fate shown in this image is from JSA #3 (cover dated Oct’99) as drawn by Stephen Sadowski, inker Michael Bair, and color artist John Kalisz. Typically, the Tower of Fate manifests itself on Earth outside the town of Salem, Massachusetts. This version is described as “occupying the nexus of the so-called Subtle Realms, a place beyond space and time” (the Subtle Realms are also connected to JSA-villains King of Tears and Johnny Sorrow). The Tower of Fate never has any windows or visible entrances. Depending on the artist, the height of the tower will vary but it should never be skyscraper-ish. In a way, it resembles a Castle piece in chess (I often think of the old ‘80s Dark Tower Roleplaying Game myself - even though that’s not similar at all). In my mind’s eye, Keith Giffen’s version of the Tower of Fate is pretty strong. Sadowski’s version here in this limbo is a great design playing on its supernatural role, especially considering at this time the mantle of Dr. Fate would soon change hands. 

[peterjohnrios]

ComicBookHQs: Wakanda!

Okay, stretching the "HQs" part a bit to include locations as well. But I came across two versions of the African Megalopolis/Nation of Wakanda while reading some pre-Marvel Now comics. 

The top image is a panorama of Wakanda from Defenders #7 (2012) by Terry & Rachel Dodson, with color artist Sonia Oback and letterer Clayton Cowles. The monolithic Panther statue to the right sets off the tone of the panel - and helps to give a sense of setting (outside of the plants/trees). 

The second image - from A+X #3 (late 2012) - is by Pasqual Ferry with color artist Brian Reber and letters, once again, by Cowles. This version of Wakanda is a bit more modern in feel and mood. There's even something slightly Carmine Infantino-ish about it. And oh look! AIM bucketheads! 

(Yes, I've actually read the first 12 issues of A+X. Some cool art - especially this Pasqual Ferry drawn Black Panther/Storm story that I'll spotlight later - and the stories turned out to be fun reads for the most part. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it overall. It's a team up book without all the heavy drama. Mike Del Mundo's art on issue #2's Iron Man/Kitty Pryde story by Peter David was a nice surprise; Dale Keown pops up in issues #1 and #7 drawing the Hulk; and there's even a Ron Lim sighting on issue 11 with Superior Spider-Man and Cyclops. Good stuff.)

Hit the images for a larger view.