RBerman's Loincloths-R-Us :: Adventure Comics: Early Bronze Supergirl

Adventure Comics #397 (1970) page 1: Opening splash title

Artists: Mike Sekowsky (Penciller) , Frank Giacoia (Inker) , George Roussos (Inker)

3 Comments - 384 Views - 5 Likes

Adventure Comics #397 (1970) page 1: Opening splash title Comic Art

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Adventure Comics #397 (1970) page 2: Shopping with Diana Prince

Artwork Details

Title:	Adventure Comics #397 (1970) page 1: Opening splash title
Artist:	Mike Sekowsky (Penciller)
Artist:	Frank Giacoia (Inker)
Artist:	George Roussos (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Splash Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	384
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Comments:	3
Added to Site:	3/1/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

See the gallery front page for an explanation of this issue's significance. On page 1, Mike Sekowsky enters his first issue of this book with a bang not unlike Bill Sienkiewicz's celebrated Demon Bear debut splash in New Mutants. Readers were confronted with an unfamiliar woman, eyes wide, her hands thrown up in fright. This EC-worthy image, perhaps referenced from a horror film, accompanies a helplessly flailing Supergirl in the thrall of a giant wizard. Around the edges: a spooky house with a cemetery (which barely enters the actual story), a trio of mystic talismans, a dead tree, framed on three sides by swords and at the bottom by a huge four letter word pierced by a pitchfork.

Many of the pages in this story are loaded with corrections. This one is almost pristine, with white paint just barely evident on some sections of the woman's hair. Supergirl's logo required some correction, a theme that will sound often in this story, perhaps explaining the crediting of two inkers. One caption is absent in the lower left, and the indicia stat has browned into near-illegibility. The colorist opted for nearly uniform green except for Supergirl, the yellow swords, and the flame behind the wizard. This must be the single most disturbing Supergirl splash page up to this point.

This piece was shown and discussed in my interview with Bill Cox for Comic Arts LIVE on August 14, 2023.

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About the Owner

	R Berman ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2018
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Rick W
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 3/1/2024

Love the framing of the swords. Sweet, in-your-face, horror splash!

Miki Annamanthadoo
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 3/1/2024

Great compostion! And the detail is amazing. This is some of his best work!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 3/3/2024

This is giallo horror influenced with incredibe shock value!

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