Ron S :: Tales of Suspense

Tales of Suspense #76, page 18

Artist: John Romita (All)

22 Comments - 1,983 Views - 2 Likes

Tales of Suspense #76, page 18 Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Tales of Suspense #76, page 18
Artist:	John Romita (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,983
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Favorited on CAF:	2
Comments:	22
Added to Site:	10/17/2010
Comic Art Archive:	Tales of Suspense Issue: 76 Page: 18 View

Description

I think most of us know that the 60�s were a time of amazing creativity in the Marvel Universe. Characters were created that drive new stories some 40 plus years later, and are responsible for generating new industries today certainly not imagined at that time. But, even with all that said, you know what I don�t think we give Stan and Jack and Steve and so on enough credit for? The villains! Without a credible villain, there is no tension, no conflict, and thus, no story. Now, not all of the bad guys have stood the test of time (Stilt Man, anyone?). But, a number of them were really creative, even daring for that time. Today, I�m going to talk about one such �villain� that made an impression on me. Batroc, the leaper.

Batroc?

Seriously?

Yes, Batroc! He made his first appearance in Tales of Suspense #75. At the time, I�m sure I had never heard of the term �mercenary.� Really, what elementary school student did? If you think about it, that�s a pretty complex concept to follow. Here was a bad guy that had no axe to grind, no revenge to take, and he wasn�t trying to rule the world. He just wanted to test his skills against Captain America, and it honestly seemed like money and girls were more important than his mission. Frankly, to me, that sounded like a good gig (although at the time girls were not top of mind � that came later). Plus, he was a bad guy that worked with a smile and a large mustache! Seriously, it�s not like the mask was really going to put anyone off his trail. And, he wasn�t a Communist, he was French for gosh sakes!

I wonder if we realize how high a level those comics were written for? How many kids under the age of 10 today know what Cap knew in 1966 (and I learned shortly thereafter)? That is, Batroc was an expert at �La Savate, the French art of boxing with the feet!� (a quote from Cap in ToS #75). How many of us in the US knew people that spoke French? In my neighborhood, Yiddish was more common. But, French? As an aside, do we really think Stan spoke French? Or, did he just look up different ways to say �Holy @#$!@�?

Over the years, Batroc has been, from times, side by side with Cap, and, at other times, �head to foot� against Cap. His first appearance in Tales of Suspense had layouts by Jack Kirby, but the pencils were by Dick Ayers and the inks by J. Tartaglione. The next two issues of ToS were penciled by �Jazzy� John Romita. From my research, those were the only two issues of Captain America�s Tales of Suspense stories penciled by John. I�m not sure if John inked himself, as the splash to 76 lists no inker.

Did I say splash? Sacre Bleu (which, by the way, French people never say)! Yes, I did! Please take a look at the splash to Tales of Suspense #76, �The Girl, the Gladiator, and the Glory!�

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About the Owner

	Ron S Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2007
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	lihama5
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Thomas Vanderstappen
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/17/2010

Stunning !

Mike W
Member Since 2007

Posted on 10/17/2010

Another winner, Ron!! The only thing that almost upstages this beautiful DPS is your description (brilliant)!! You bring back the rallying cry, MAKE MINE MARVEL!!!!!!!!!! Keep 'em comin' my friend!!!

Will Gabri-El
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/17/2010

I was so close to pulling the trigger on this but congrats on getting a great splash Ron..!

. BRAUNY
Member Since 2007

Posted on 10/17/2010

Ron - I enjoy reading your descriptions as much as I enjoy looking at your art collection. Congrats and keep on keeping on!

Carlos DS
Member Since 2006

Posted on 10/17/2010

superbe splash !!! une de plus zut alors ... felicitations ron !!!

E DLS
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/17/2010

Are you kidding me??? Not sure where all this gorgeous vintage art is coming from, but you are on quite the roll my friend. As for the Marvel villains, I agree with you 100%. I always liked Batroc. He had a certain flamboyance that was almost charming, and I loved his exaggerated dialog! Anyway, congratulations on another fabulous Silver Age addition. Can't wait to see the next "rabbit" you pull out of the hat! Keep the great art coming, and keep on writing those wonderful descriptions!

LEN CALLO
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/17/2010

WOW! Whatta knock out! Batroc was a big fave of my childhood as well. Congrats,

Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

Posted on 10/17/2010

What's this, mon ami? The irrepressible Ron S. once again mercilessly pursuing a rare, amazing page of original art? If you've seen his previous CAF additions, you're hip to the extraordinary art Ron's been laying down on us. If not, don't despair, Tiger -- climb aboard cause he's bound to go cannonballing along until he adds another jaw dropper -- This one, however, is clearly a blast --!

Romain Verlier
Member Since 2009

Posted on 10/18/2010

As a french reader I always love Zat Leaper bad guy !!! Sacre bleu Zis splash iz Awesome !!!!!!!!! And to quote Batroc and my friend Carlos Zut Alors !!!!!! I totally agree when you say Marvel made our education and that's why I have so hard times with modern comic books lacking the fun and the philosophy ...

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 10/18/2010

Ron - first, and foremost, thanks for sharing yet another amazing piece of art from your collection. But thanks also for the time you put into your descriptions - it is such a blast to get an insight into why you pursue the things you do. They make a deep and meaningful collection all the more so!

Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/18/2010

Great, classic splash from a time when comics were truly magical. You said it perfectly.

Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/19/2010

Ron, a superb, classic SA Captain America Splash! Congrats! John Romita's Cap is incredible. Batroc is a great villain and the best thing that ever came out of France! lol

- Artemaria
Member Since 2007

Posted on 10/20/2010

I don't know what is more mind-alteringly dizzying, your (paragraph-less) description or this electric kool aid acid test of a splash page with varying perspective angles and things moving all over the place. I'd go for your description as being more dizzying, and the art being somewhat more of the amazing variety. Like Pavlov's dog, I suspect more than one of us starts drooling whenever we click on the link to see what's new in your gallery, sometimes before the art even loads. Yes, it's true, your gallery has gotten to be THAT good. Thanks for sharing your art and congratulations my friend! - A

Mario B.
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/24/2010

woooooooooooooooooooooooow

Lee Benaka
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/27/2010

I just have to echo all the praise. I'm a big Batroc fan, and this may be the ultimate Batroc piece of art. Congrats, Ron!

George H
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/28/2010

This is a stunning piece of Marvel history!!! This is an incredible splash featuring one of my favorite Cap villains and to top it off it's Batroc's 2nd appearance. This issue has always been one of my TOS favorites! Congrats!!!

Josh G.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 12/27/2010

holy merde! zat iz kewl! whoom!

Inkwell Awards
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/10/2011

Awesome page! But don't be dissing my boy Stiltman!

Michael Mikulovsky
Member Since 2009

Posted on 5/6/2011

What!! No love for Stiltman!! Who doesn't love Batroc! I loved seeing him team up with Cap once. I'd love to see Cap & Batroc take down the Red Skull together. Marvel should put him on a new team, maybe the Champions.

Canadian Collector
Member Since 2015

Posted on 8/22/2017

Mind blowing splash page!

Sean Rutan
Member Since 2012

Posted on 12/12/2017

How have I not commented on this already!?! One of my favorite pieces on this entire site! Congrats!

CJ Design
Member Since 2018

Posted on 5/6/2024

DAYUM!!

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