Comics Journal 58 Cover & DD 168 Promo: First Miller Elektra
Artists: Frank Miller (Penciller) , Joe Rubinstein (Inker)
49 Comments - 3,977 Views - 6 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionA little known fact is that the first Miller Elektra cover is actually not the cover to Daredevil #168, but rather the cover to The Comics Journal #58, which came out four months earlier (by cover date) and at least one month earlier by any other measure. In effect, it came out at the same time as DD 166, and clearly then Miller already knew he was taking over the series and already had his brilliant first idea and characterization. In addition, contrary to what if oftentimes quoted, that Miller intended Elektra to be a one-issue wonder, Marvel certainly promoted it as the character would be sticking around for a while. And she did.The cover is penciled by Miller, inked by Rubinstein, and depicts both DD and Elektra in classic poses, with the Elektra pose somewhat similar to what was to become DD 168 later. This cover image was also used in various Marvel issues in the months prior to DD 168, including Howard the Duck #8, as a house ad promo for DD 168. Elsewhere in this folder I am uploading both the Comics Journal #58 cover as it was published, and the same image used as a House Ad, and calling attention to the upcoming storyline with Elektra. For both of those, the art was cropped so as to highlight the two characters more clearly. Before buying this I called up Joe Rubinstein, who is a wonderful inker and also a great guy (and comic art fan!), and asked whether he remembered this cover and anything about it. He of course did recall it, as he was unsure about the female character at the time and had to "call up Miller and ask who the chick was." Pretty cool. Well, I guess we all know who she is now. He also mentioned that at the time he wasn't sure whether he got the costume on the arms done right. Short of owning the cover to DD 168, 174-176 or 181, this is as good as it gets for me for Miller DD and Elektra. And in some respects even better. It's not often you get to own the first visualization of such an important character in the Marvel universe, by her creator, at a time when he was just coming into his own. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. And that's a lot! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Filmore W. Bedwick
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/21/2014
Hari, Good to see you back in the scene and of course with something that blows me away!!!
Rich Cirillo 
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/21/2014
There's no stopping you Hari! I have feeling you're not done yet! Congrats on this Vintage Miller cover, I like it Better than a lot of his DD covers!
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/21/2014
Congratulations, Hari! After your note I immediately looked this one up and thought to myself - "Wow, that is one hell of a published cover!" Well, now that I see it in all it's glory I am flabbergasted - it is just so GREAT! Monumental pick-up, my friend...
Jonathan Mueller
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/21/2014
Very nice, and thanks for the background write-up! Congrats and thanks for sharing!
Mike W
Member Since 2007
Posted on 1/21/2014
Congratulations on another excellent pick up, my friend!!! And thank you for sharing the history behind the cover!!!!
Raymond Bryan
Member Since 2011
Posted on 1/21/2014
Just fantastic and congrats!!! Just an amazing addition from a great time in comics!!
Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008
Posted on 1/21/2014
A tremendous cover to brag about Hari* So sit back and let us brag for you my friend.In boxing terms a first round first punch upper cut K N O C K O U T****
Hari Naidu
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/25/2014
Ron S wrote:
Love the history. Thanks for sharing!!Hey Ron! I decided to take a page out of your book and do a solid write-up for a change. I agree it's a nice treat for everyone, so that you for starting this trend!
George H
Member Since 2009
Posted on 1/22/2014
Such an iconic and historic piece! Thanks for sharing the background.
Joseph Serpico
Member Since 2009
Posted on 1/22/2014
That is a brilliant acquisition Hari. I remember the "in house" ad and the Comics Journal issue. To see the original art is impressive. Bravo!
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/22/2014
Um, wow? Doesn't really get better than this for this era of Marvel...
COL (Ret) Churchill
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/23/2014
I would have to write that this falls into the 'effen jaw dropping' category. After finishing crapping in my proverbial pants, I want to thank you much for posting this piece in order to show the magic that was yet to come. Great write-up as well, and keep these gems coming.
Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/23/2014
Possibly one of the greatest DD images of all time. Bravo.
Joseph Melchior
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/23/2014
Boom. Major score. While I had certainly seen it before I'd never realised it was the actual first appearance. Congrats. So now you can give up those 2nd rate interior Elektra panel pages, right? :o)
Hari Naidu
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/25/2014
Joseph Melchior wrote:
Boom. Major score. While I had certainly seen it before I'd never realised it was the actual first appearance. Congrats. So now you can give up those 2nd rate interior Elektra panel pages, right? :o)Nice try, my friend!
Scott Williams
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/23/2014
Pretty neat cover Hari. I think I've seen this once or twice with the previous owner, and the inker in me always thought that cutting all that zip a tone (which I'd done a lot of back in the day) looked to be a royal pain in the ass, but makes for a nice effect.
Joe Rubinstein
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/24/2014
Scott Williams wrote:
Pretty neat cover Hari. I think I've seen this once or twice with the previous owner, and the inker in me always thought that cutting all that zip a tone (which I'd done a lot of back in the day) looked to be a royal pain in the ass, but makes for a nice effect.Glad I did the piece but cutting the zip was hell-on-earth.
- Artemaria
Member Since 2007
Posted on 1/23/2014
You know Hari, many people would be upset that this cover is inked by Joe Rubenstein (who is a great inker) rather than the more traditional Daredevil inker of Klaus Janson (who is also a great inker). If one day, you may find yourself among these purists, please feel free to give me a call as I would be happy to take this off your hands. In the meantime, enjoy it "alot" in your collection and congratulations. Well bought.
Joe Rubinstein
Member Since 2004
Posted on 1/24/2014
- Artemaria wrote:
You know Hari, many people would be upset that this cover is inked by Joe Rubenstein (who is a great inker) rather than the more traditional Daredevil inker of Klaus Janson (who is also a great inker). If one day, you may find yourself among these purists, please feel free to give me a call as I would be happy to take this off your hands. In the meantime, enjoy it "alot" in your collection and congratulations. Well bought.You know Hari, many people would be upset that this cover is inked by Joe Rubenstein (who is a great inker) rather than the more traditional Daredevil inker of Klaus Janson (who is also a great inker) Why do you suppose that happened?
Vincent Zurzolo
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/24/2014
very cool. a classic and iconic image. congrats!
J L
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/27/2014
This is really nice Hari!!!! Love Elektra's pose on this. Congrats!!!! 8 )
Alex B
Member Since 2008
Posted on 1/31/2014
Considering how difficult it is to find a Miller Elektra panel page, I can't even imagine the challenge it was to score this incredible cover ! Huge congrats for this beautiful historic piece !
Horacio Alvarez
Member Since 2008
Posted on 2/2/2014
Hari my friend this cover is AMAZING กกกกกก I love it Congrats กกก
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
Posted on 2/17/2014
Fantastic, iconic image! A (beautiful) piece of history
Jason Budnick
Member Since 2007
Posted on 2/3/2015
Hari, For some reason I missed seeing this when you first posted it and only upon checking out the Lowry submissions did I stumble upon it. I remember this image soo well and to see the art after all these years ... thanks so much for posting it.
C .
Member Since 2008
Posted on 5/4/2015
You don't have an extensive collection in CAF, but you have a HIGH QUALITY!.
Hari Naidu
Member Since 2004
Posted on 5/4/2015
C . wrote:
You don't have an extensive collection in CAF, but you have a HIGH QUALITY!.:) Oh, I have a ton more, just don't post much anymore.
Phill R
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/28/2023
I've had a copy of this for quite some time. This original version is incredible!!!!
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