Tales to Astonish #40, page 1
Artists: Jack Kirby (Penciller) , Sol Brodsky (Inker)
25 Comments - 2,582 Views - 1 Like
Additional Images:
Tales to Astonish, Cover
Artwork Details
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DescriptionIn the 60’s, the Marvel age began with heroes both large and small. The Ant-Man, debuting in issue #27 of “Tales to Astonish”, was one such hero. Although Kirby later admitted to not liking Ant-Man as a character (see Mark Evanier’s great book “Kirby”), he really did some great work with perspective. Kirby apparently had a view that heroes had to be larger than life, and the Ant-Man was, well, ant sized. Of course, that didn’t hold back the Atom at the Distinguished Competition. Eventually, Ant-Man grew into “Giant-Man”, but we all knew where he started. And, remember, Ant-Man was enough of a big hitter to be a founding member of the Avengers. If you appreciate history, you can’t really think about the 60’s without thinking about Jack Kirby, and the Ant-Man!For many of those Ant-Man issues, Dick Ayers was Kirby’s inking partner – but not all! In early 1963, Issue #40 was penciled, and ready for the next step in the production process. Ayers was the planned inker, but at the last minute….well, we actually don’t know what happened. But, Sol Brodsky had to step in to ink the issue. Sol who? Sol Brodsky! I’m far from an expert, but I’ve done a little research (thanks to Whatifkirby.com, Wikipedia, and WorldLingo!). Sol was a freelancer who became the production manager (read utility player) in the early days of Marvel. He designed the logos for many of the early Marvel titles including the Fantastic Four and inked Fantastic Four #3 and #4! When Bill Everett was having troubles getting Daredevil #1 in on time, Sol and Steve Ditko inked in backgrounds and secondary figures, and put the cover and splash page together from Kirby’s original concept drawing. He drew an occasional romance or western book, and occasionally inked covers, his last being John Buscema’s cover to Sub-Mariner #1 in 1968. How do I know that it wasn’t always the plan to have Sol ink the issue? Well, if you look really close at the splash page, you can see that Ayers name is pencilled in as inker. It was then whited out, and Brodsky’s name was lettered in by Artie Simek as the inker of the issue. Oh, did I say splash page? I guess I did… Allow me to present the splash from Tales to Astonish #40, “The Day the Ant-Man Failed!” by Jack Kirby and Sol Brodsky! I really love the Silver Age splashes. They’re dramatic and fun, and draw you into the story from the first glance. In my opinion, the image on this splash is much better than the cover. I’ve included a shot of the cover in the gallery too. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Alex B 
Member Since 2008
Posted on 9/27/2010
What a great piece ! I agree it would have made a much better cover also. Congrats again and again and...
Will Gabri-El
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/27/2010
Sol Brodsky was a great inker, often overlooked but I'd rank him pretty highly when it comes to his pairings with Kirby! And congratulations on picking up a great splash --it brings back memories for me as among my earliest Silver Age art purchases from the early 1990's.
Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/27/2010
Oh man I love this. First of all, Ant-Man is awesome and to get such an amazing splash by Kirby is truly rare since there were so few. Brilliant job. Congrats on this A+++ piece.
Mike W
Member Since 2007
Posted on 9/27/2010
Awesome splash, my friend!! Ant-Man has always been a very cool character IMHO! Just read Avengers #161 and tell me I'm wrong! in any case, another ASTONISHING acquisition!!! Congratulations!!
. BRAUNY
Member Since 2007
Posted on 9/27/2010
Your wonderful lead in to this page is only exceeded by the greatness of this splash. Congrats!
Demetrios Williams
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/27/2010
It simply just doesn't get any better than this my friend! Congrats on another wonderful addition to an already impressive art collection!! Thanks for sharing my friend!!
Michael Hosey
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/27/2010
You've been doing vintage a lot lately. Very nice.
glen gold
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/27/2010
This is a tremendous piece of art. Congratulations. Sol B. also did a lot of art fixes at the last minute -- corrections and so on -- I have some Kirby pages with Stan asking Sol to change Reed's neckwear to match the page beforehand. His style is great for early Kirby -- really wonderful.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
Posted on 9/27/2010
Ron - always enjoy when you update your gallery, but this one really took my breath away. What an amazing splash! Congratulations on another amazing addition.
- Artemaria
Member Since 2007
Posted on 9/27/2010
Small character. Big big splash. Tremendous congratulations my friend. Soon the Tales to Astonish will be about your collection!
Terry Doyle
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/28/2010
I always liked the Ant-Man. The costume design was really excellent and the series had lots of potential (never fully-realised). I was saddened when they changed the character in to a giant superher. Awesome splash, congrats!
Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005
Posted on 9/28/2010
Ron, hi, an astonishing pick-up, my friend! congrats! Ant-Man is one of my favorite characters; I cant wait for the movie! ps: most splashes are better than their cover and this one is a perfect example!
The AvengersFan
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/28/2010
Whoa Ron! Very cool splash! I for one have always been a fan of Mr. Pym in general and the Ant-man costume in particular. It just screams Silver Age to me. Thanks for posting!
Robert Altamura
Member Since 2006
Posted on 9/28/2010
Great splash page. Also a very interesting description.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 10/1/2010
Great page, and I really enjoyed your write up! I wish more people cared enough about their art to discuss it at length the way you do!
Mike Pascale
Member Since 2004
Posted on 10/11/2010
Absolutely stunning, Ron! I agree that this image is actually more arresting and provacative than the cover. Not only for the perspective but the funky-cool-menacing masked guy. Thanks for providing a great bit of history on the piece as well as the powerful people behind it. All part of a glorious history that should not be forgotten! Congrats!
Steve Welch
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/17/2010
This is a great splash featuring one of my favorite under-appreciated Marvel heroes. Awesome pickup!
Inkwell Awards
Member Since 2008
Posted on 1/10/2011
I dig Ant-man but let's hear some love for the Hijacker! Goofy but fun Kirby at it's best!
Bill C
Member Since 2009
Posted on 3/7/2013
Stunning piece! Kirby's Ant Man was actually one of my favorites from Marvel's silver age. Wish Kirby would have done more. This has got to be one of the best examples from the series that one could possibly find, congrats
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