Avengers #88 Cover (Sal Buscema) (1971)
Artists: Sal Buscema (Penciller) , Sal Buscema (Inker)
19 Comments - 2,216 Views - 4 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionAs one of my all-time favorite Avengers covers, this cover is special to me for a number of reasons. I was too young to read this issue when it first came out but picked it up in back issues (and when it was reprinted in 1980) and loved not only the cover art but the interior art and story from first read. The cover has Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, a funky monster/alien villain and a (sort of guest) appearance by the Hulk. And I was really a fan visually of the Clint Barton Goliath. The interior art was cool with some nice battle pages and a great semi-splash page that stuck with me. Although the ending was a bit rushed, the story was interesting too with some horror overtones and the Hulk being shrunken to microscopic size (where he then meets the Hulk's first love Jarella for the first time as continued on in Hulk #140). I'll upload a better scan sometime soon.You can stop reading this long posting now if you want. :) Even better when later I realized the comic was written by Harlan Ellison, an author who adult themed short stories I was just discovering back then. From a teenager, my interest in Harlan Ellison grew as well, such that he became one of my favorite authors and my shelves became lined with signed first editions of his books, most of them inscribed to me in person by Harlan at various science fiction or comic cons he attended or purchased directly from him through the mail. I met him a number of times over the years at the various cons--besides being a great short story writer, he was quite a character. Unfortunately, Harlan died last summer. I later discovered through a friend that he knew where this cover art was and somewhat ironically it had been owned all these many years by Harlan Ellison, and now by his Estate (ie, his wife). And they may be willing to part with it. I thought--it's going to be super costly but how cool if I could acquire this cover from Harlan Ellison/his Estate given not only how much I loved the cover but how much I was a fan of Harlan Ellison. What's that cliche about not meeting your idols? Although I had met the man (and once or twice his wife in a cordial Con setting), that wasn't the same as "meeting" his Estate (wife) and its (her) Art Representative. The process proved painful. Caveat Emptor. I enjoy the cover notwithstanding and have let the past recede. In the end, I'm very happy to have acquired one of my all-time favorite Avengers covers. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Glen Brunswick 
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 8/20/2019
That's a great one! Congrats on exiting the rabbit hole with the cover intact and in tow.
Ron S
Member Since 2007
Posted on 8/20/2019
Excellent! I wondered where this had gone. Nice to see it in a perfect home.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/20/2019
Sometimes, when you struggle to obtain something, it makes you appreciate it that much more. I'm sure you won't let that painful process taint your admiration for Harlan or this amazing cover. Congrats man!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
Posted on 8/21/2019
Outstanding pick up! Love the use of scale and all the action is great to look at. Huge congrats!
alessandro gentili
Member Since 2011
Posted on 8/21/2019
Outstanding cover by one of most underrated Marvel artist. Huge, huge congrats !
Bill J
Member Since 2009
Posted on 8/21/2019
Wonderful pick-up! Stunner of a cover by the fabulous Sal Buscema!
Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006
Posted on 8/22/2019
So glad you have this but sorry that the experiance was sullied.
Gene Park
Member Since 2004
Posted on 8/25/2019
No doubt this cover made it to the right collection! Congrats!
J L
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/26/2019
Fantastic cover Daren!!!! I'm glad the arduous task of bringing this to your collection didn't sour your enjoyment of the art itself. Congrats again on taking down a killer Sal Buscema cover!!!!
John S.
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/28/2019
Happy that you managed to secure this in the end. It was a long process but ultimately this is a piece that means that much to you, that you are better with it, then without it. Just think of how you would feel if i had picked this up :-)
Harlan kept this back as it meant a lot to him, and i'm sure he would be pleased that it now resides in your collection.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
Posted on 10/17/2019
Wow, amazing art and a great story. I always love a story where the art finds its way into the right collection. Very happy for you. Congratulations!
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
Posted on 1/9/2020
Impressive Avengers cover worthy of your admiration and persistence!
Greg Gross
Member Since 2006
Posted on 11/5/2022
Sal Busceman Bronze Age covers are terrific and this one is no exception!
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
Posted on 2/5/2023
Here the end results justify and adversity it took to get this to where it belongs. Congratulations.
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