Billy Graham--Luke Cage, Hero For Hire #3 Cover (1972)
Artist: Billy Graham (All)
34 Comments - 1,821 Views - 6 Likes
Additional Images:
Pg. 87 in Marvel Universe of Super Heroes Art Book
Published Cover
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis cover is not only iconic, it's historic: It's the first cover ever drawn for Marvel Comics by an African-American artist. His name was Billy Graham and he was born and raised in Harlem and graduated from New York's High School of Music and Art. He began his career at Warren Publishing in 1969, becoming the first African-American art director of a major comics company. He moved to Marvel in 1972 and joined the team developing Luke Cage, Hero for Hire. Graham brought an authenticity to Luke Cage. Who better to draw a hero from Harlem than a young man from Harlem? Graham inked or penciled the first 17 issues of Luke Cage. He even contributed to the writing. And while the first two covers were drawn by John Romita, by the third issue Graham was assigned those as well. This was not only his first Marvel cover, it was the first cover he'd had published, period. When the editors decided to make Luke Cage more of a conventional super hero, Graham moved on to work with Don McGregor on the Black Panther storyline in the pages of Jungle Action. As a result Billy Graham contributed to the development of not one, but two of the first Black Superheroes in comics. As Luke Cage himself would say, "Sweet Christmas!"This cover came from the family of Billy Graham. I feel privileged to be the caretaker of this significant piece of Marvel History. Featured in the book, "Marvel Universe of Super Heroes," that accompanied the museum exhibition of the same name. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Damon Wright
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Superb! And a great piece if history, to be true! Congrats! Doing the fmamily proud displaying it here!
bob fish
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Great Cover !! From an underated artist in my (humble) opinion
James S 
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
It's been about a month since we got another amazing Bill J piece. Was having withdraws. :-) Nice cover!!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Awesome action! and check out the muscles! Love the POV too. Huge Congrats.
Glen Brunswick
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
The perfect collection for the perfect cover! Sweet Christmas, indeed!
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Very nice, Bill. Love looking at Graham's work, particularly in Jungle Action. So dynamic.
Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
BG’s work on this book was spectacular and this is a wonderful example.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
Graham debuts in a big way! A great looking piece - love the perspective and it's so dynamic! And what an awesome piece of comics history. Really, can't be overstated. Sincere congrats!
Ron S
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/3/2018
That’s excellent and a piece of history. Thanks for sharing and educating!
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
Marvel Bronze Age magic! Everything is perferct about this cover. And I have appreciated the historical context too.
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
Thank you for sharing not only this FANTASTIC cover, but also the interesting info about artist Billy Graham. What a legacy!
Marc W
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
Bill, thank you so much for taking care of this beautiful Cover and for sharing it with us! And for the precious history lesson...
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/4/2018
Great, drama filled cover. Probably my favorite from Luke Cage. Another amazing piece resides in your collection!!!!
Nicolaj Borch
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 12/5/2018
A wonderful Historic action cover with a great perspective.
J M
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/5/2018
Spectacular Luke Cage cover kicking major Butt , congrats
Sean Clarke
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/6/2018
You see this cat Billy Graham was a bad mother... (Shut your mouth!)
But I'm talkin' about Billy Graham! (Then we can dig it!)
Marc Pecorella
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/6/2018
Billy is an AMAZING artist. I'm a big fan of his early Warren work.... BTW, nice cover!
Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/9/2018
Bill, a superb Bronze Age masterpiece. Luke Cage was definitely the baddest ... mf in comics in the 70s. This cover shows Luke's intensity and rage perfectly; it also shows Billy Graham's genius as an artist and inker! Sadly, he died without much mention from Marvel. He is only now finally getting the attention and accolades he so richly deserves.
gene o
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 3/30/2021
Love Graham's stuff; so many great covers in this era!
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