Justice League of America #146 by Dick Dillin and Jack Abel
Artists: Dick Dillin (Penciller) , Jack Abel (Inker)
17 Comments - 335 Views - 25 Likes
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DescriptionHere is some solid 70's DC comfort food. 1977 to be exact, the same year Star Wars came out. I'd have just turned 7 when this was in the spinner racks and would have been at the 7 Eleven to get a slurpee, not comics. I wouldn't start looking at superhero comics for another half decade. Despite this being before my time in comic collecting/reading, it feels "of my time" because I watched Super Friends Saturday morning cartoons on TV and either had or had seen the lunch boxes and thermos duos sporting these characters. So, here is fun a cover featuring the World's Finest plus Wonder Woman all in classic poses in front of the two dimensional backgrounds. Oh no! What is happening to the Red Tornado? Better get this book and see! This was one of those double-length issues and details on being in the Superman movie were just a few page turns away. What could be better in the early fall of 1977?I know what some of you are thinking. This is perhaps not the kind of art you might expect to show up in my collection. I really like Dick Dillin's art. I've had pages a long time ago but they moved on. In particular I liked his Black Hawk art. A number of years ago when I was visiting NYC there was a show at the Society of Illustrators on Dillin's work that made me rethink his work. I had written him off as a house style artist of DC with not that much to add but there was always something distinctive of his art such that I knew he drew it. I couldn't put my finger on it exactly but it was a bit more cartoony and dynamic. Characters were always coming in from dramatic angles and there is more length to his layouts than width if that makes sense. So, I've been toying with adding a page by him to my collection but the pages I've seen in recent years didn't really have what I wanted in a page. This did. I came across this cover at OAX. It was at Albert's booth and I had some art that Albert really wanted so this became part of a much larger trade/cash deal. I gave up something pretty iconic but I got some cool art and cash to put towards my downsizing/sales goal. Of course, I ended up trading one piece for 3 pieces so I guess I might have failed on that goal. I'll post other pieces in a few days but until then, What will happen to the Red Tornado? I get to find out because a copy of the comic was included. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Marcus Wai 
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
DC gave you more bang for the buck with these 60 cent giants. Those banners are like ribbons that gift wrapped this cover into one nice package of Dick Dillin and Jack Abel. Their art made you guess what had Red Tornado sprung.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
Just as you love Dick, I love this era of JLA comics. The dynamic composition immediately grabs attention, with the looming robotic figure dominating the page and the Justice League members rushing into rescue Red Tornado. I've always felt that Dillin had a knack for energetic layouts and that's on full display here, using strong diagonal lines to enhance movement and urgency. The perspective on the massive robot makes it feel even more imposing, while Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman appear in full heroic force. Abel's inks give the mechanical elements a great sense of weight and texture, contrasting nicely with the smoother rendering of the heroes. I know there's no way this is a keeper, but try to enjoy it while it lasts!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
Not what I would have expected at all, per your write-up (which, as always, was great) - but, I loved seeing this in your gallery!
John Voytek
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
Really sweet cover....I remember it well. I always loved Dillin's JLA and I really liked the way he drew Black Canary and Green Arrow. Just a thought...but I'm guessing one of the other pieces that you got out of the deal may be a certain Moebius page.
Simon Ma
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
Not just any copy of the comic but a copy signed by comics great Steve Englehart who also seems like a heckuva nice guy (check out the latest ish of Comic Book Creator). His entertaining run on JLA was always overshadowed by his much-celebrated work with Marshall Rogers on Detective. Just like Dick Dillin was always working to some extent in the shadow of George Pérez who I think was drawing The Avengers (Marvel's JLA equivalent) at the same time and then took over from Dillin on the then-annual JLA/JSA crossover when Dillin died one issue in. I always thought Dick Dillin was a cut above the standard DC artist at the time and this cover is a fantastic example of his work, featuring the big three and the Red Tornado.
Will K
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
Dillin didn't do a lot of covers in this period. And although I am not a fan of Jack Abel, he did a pretty good job on this cover. I'm a Red Tornado fan, it's so cool to see him with DC's big 3.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 3/6/2025
1st the Byrne Xmen and now this! You know I love this, right?! Congrats!!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/7/2025
This is a BEAUTY! Congrats Jeff!
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 3/7/2025
The Trinity on a cover, with robots, from the best year ever? Amazing!
Stephen F
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/7/2025
Huge dose of nostalgia on this one Jeff! Congrats!
Ryan Wilson
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 3/7/2025
The WORLD'S GREATEST SUPER-HEROES! Great stuff.
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 3/7/2025
great pickup, must've been an interesting trade with Albert - will we get a podcast on that? ;-p
I remember seeing this cover in a back issue bin at one point and saying wow. the art looks even better!
congrats Jeff!
Michael Weigant
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/8/2025
This cover is outstanding Jeff ! I think you did a great trade,congrats !
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/13/2025
Stunning JLA cover by Dick Dillin and Jack Abel! Lots to love here--Great compositon with the large robot creature dominating the cover and smaller figures of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman flying into frame. Dillin did a terrific job of positioning the characters here. I like how the figure of Supes leads to the robot and then your gaze slides down the eye-beams to the agonized figure of Red Tornado at the bottom of the page. Love that image of Red Tornado's heart or pump or whatever being yanked from his chest. Gorgeous inks by the amazing Jack Abel really bring the cover to life. Fabulous pick-up, congrats!
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