A Marvel Visionary: Jim Steranko, shadows and light

MARVEL VISIONARIES: Jim Steranko, 1999

Whether you’re talking about transforming the sheer optical design of a comics page as a piece of art, pop culture history writing, graphic novel pioneering, or simply raw ideas, there’s no denying the impact of surf guitarist-turned escape artist- turned graphic designer, Jim Steranko. If I have anything critical to say about any of the gentleman’s work, it’s absolutely within the context of his breath-taking contributions. Comics moved on to different styles, sure, but they evolved under the energetic care of the Pennsylvanian wonder. He was so perfectly charming and gracious in person- I can’t overlook that in light of any of his controversial remarks in recent years. I spent an entire afternoon in his company, at a Comic Con before AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. made him so in-demand. I came back to visit awhile the next day, too- he had read the short story I gave him! This experience could shape anyone’s perceptions of a guy. It’s nothing new to gush about facets of Steranko-he brought contemporary graphics style to the late Silver Age of comics, blending pulp sensibilities with modern fashion, design, and ideas that could keep James Bond screenwriters up at night. I found him so personably affable, and there’s no critic likely to have the track record for taking chances- often successfully-you find in him.

Can we say, though, honestly, if we popped open the ‘99 Visionaries volume with great anticipation- and found the X-Men issues therein almost unreadable? The inking’s just not complementary to his layouts, which have flashes of his almost-effortless brilliance. The figures are occasionally bizarre, and Polaris’ gender might rightly be questioned, in her big debut panel in costume. But something about famed Doom Patrol writer Arnold Drake’s script- imitating Stan Lee-style early Marvel conflict-is much more off-putting than the visuals. I’m tempted to defend the double-page spread and much else, but this is not how I’d introduce anyone to Steranko. He loves his wide-spread leg figures, but they’re kind of baffling in their extreme, here. I flipped through both issues, reading pages, and just couldn’t do it. I get how Marvel figured to cash in on anything X-Men, on top of attracting Steranko afficianados. The best thing about these issues is the logo Jim created while doing the covers- for no additional fee. It became iconic!

Things really heat up after that, though.

I’m going to save the Captain America stories for a second installment, because they are easily among the best three issues the title’s ever seen. I’ll go so far as to say I can’t think of a more kickass trilogy of Cap comics! With three unforgettable covers, it’s over way too soon.

So from this volume, we have then two short tales: horror and romance. Digger introduces the Steranko/ Lee story: “At The Stroke Of Midnight!” - a panorama of shadows within and without. The story following is truly so opposite as to seem deliberate! There’s not a shadow found on the pages of the fable “My Heart Broke In Hollywood!”, which looks more like the era’s Day-Glo Peter Max posters. What’s ugly, Victorian and dilapidated in the first one is pretty, Californian and fresh in the second. The one is so guilty, the second, so naive. The panel layouts! Never was the cinematic use of action broken up across a horizontal panel better used by its master in Tower of Shadows #1. Never could you ask storytelling to be better carried by a set of poster/ advertising-like images. It’s the colors and shadowless forms that make this episode in Our Romance #5 look like contemporary album art.

(Pardon, again, the grandiose and carnival-esque language that seems to come naturally with Steranko superlatives: that’s practically the tradition in discussing his work critically- as though we writers are inspired to suit his showman reputation. Is a page, I ask, no less a performance?)

Yep, they’re pretty good.
Next: we'll talk about that Cap trilogy- and how about a podcast interview with the photographer of Marvel Con '75? Oh yes...there's more goodies at Creating Marvels, as linked eatingmarvels.podbean.com