Kevin's Watch

George Tuska was the artist penciling Iron man when I first started collecting the comic back in the mid 70s. I could tell at that time that Tuska probably wasn’t the most talented artist I had seen but he did have a very distinct style that, as I discovered over the years, was very consistent. His run on Iron man did produce many readable issues and during my formative years, becoming acquainted with the Iron man character, the images Tuska created pretty much defined what I think of when I imagine Iron man. Tuska penciled other comics like the Champions and guest penciled many other Marvel titles.

I can see how his style could grow on you...

...my first comic was Iron Man #237, back in Dec., '88, penciled by Jackson "Butch" Guice, inked by Bob Layton Sr., colored by Bob Sharen and written by David Mcilline:

It featured Stark in his, at the time, newer MK VIII armor.

Layton had this to say about that issue on his website ( www.boblayton.com/.../may06letterspage.htm ):
"Funny you should mention Iron Man #237--Wizard just named that story as #50 in the "100 Best single issues since You Were Born" feature in their May ('06) issue, along with the Iron Man alcohol saga (at #41). As far as my comments about the penciler: Jackson Guice was the most polished of the five Iron Man pencillers you mentioned--with very clean and well-defined drawings. But, I always got the impression from Jackson that Iron Man wasn't his 'cup-o'-tea' as far as characters goes. Jackson and I have worked together on many occasions over our careers on projects like Iron Man, X-Factor, George Romero's Copperhead, Thor and at Valiant on X-O Manowar. He's a talent, to be sure."

These two only worked together on eight issues- #233-240, but Guice's IM is still my favorite by a long shot and so's the MK VIII suit, followed closely by the MK V and then the film version.

Not-coincidentally, Mr. Guice is also my favorite all-time comic artist and gets my nominee for THE Iron Man artist of the '80s!

Some of Guice's latest- Cap#47 & #37:


*more of his newer stuff here: www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/categ ... 272&page=1

I started collecting comics in the summer of 1968, just when Marvel was expanding with all their new books: Iron Man, The Sub-Mariner, The Silver Surfer, S.H.I.E.L.D., etc.

Tuska's Iron Man is the one I identify with today too. As you've already said; Tuska wasn't the most talented guy in the bullpen, but his style was immediately recognizable. I've always had a warm spot in my heart for Tuska, and didn't know until recently that he was well on in years even then.

Tuska drew interesting and distinctive hands and - for whatever reason - a lot of guys with a gap in the middle of their two front teeth. :cletus: <--gap-toothed smilie kevinswatch doesnt - but should - have.

One of the two of my letters to the editor that Marvel printed was in a Tuska Iron Man. I've no idea which issue.

My other letter to the editor is in Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #71. It's quite an embarrassment today.

EDIT: Which brings to mind John Severin, another under-appreciated Silver Age artist.

why the nose - please answer.

The girl Tony was dating at the time thought the Tin Man was hawt.

dANdeLION wrote:The girl Tony was dating at the time thought the Tin Man was hawt.

sgt.null wrote:
why the nose - please answer.

I always thought that, while it looked good, Iron Man's nose-less helmet wasn't very functional. Ever slipped a plastic bucket over your face when you were a kid (or in my case, yesterday)? It smushes your nose uncomfortably. I thought Iron Man must feel the same way and that Tony Stark was a slave to form rather than function.

George Tuska