RBerman's Loincloths-R-Us :: Marvel 1978-1987 pages: The Shooter years

Strikeforce: Morituri #12 (1987) cover

Artist: Brent Anderson (All)

4 Comments - 278 Views - 7 Likes

Strikeforce: Morituri #12 (1987) cover Comic Art

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Without mast head

Published cover

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Avengers #282 (1987) page 16: Freeing captive heroes

Artwork Details

Title:	Strikeforce: Morituri #12 (1987) cover
Artist:	Brent Anderson (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	278
Likes on CAF:	7 8
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	8/26/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This unusual series of the late Bronze Age mixed military, sci-fi alien invasion, and superhero tropes. It was a freestanding story, part of neither the main "Marvel Universe" (616) nor the "New Universe" making its presence known in the waning days of Jim Shooter's editorial tenure. Writer Peter B. Gillis showed a knack for memorable characters and thoughtful, erudite dialogue. Penciler Brent Anderson provided memorable designs for a large cast of heroes and supporting characters.

I already owned Anderson's final cover for the series (#20), which shows all the heroes posing together. The #12 cover represented an opportunity to acquire an action scene focusing on the two main characters: Blackthorn, the series' breakout hero, and Radian, who is tempted by the aliens to betray his team.

In the background kneels Hammersmith, a captured alien leader with an octopoid babelfish on the side of his head as as translation device. His foot appears to have an opposable thumb. The aliens in this series, "The Horde," were barbarians who had seized control of spaceships that they didn't fully understand.

In fine Marvel fashion, the characters are depicted in a mid-action "freeze frame" that could not be held for a pose, as Blackthorn leaps onto Radian, bowling him over backwards. Anderson didn't skimp on details, including some Kirby Krackle and the unusual pattern on the sole of Blackthorn's boot. Anderson used a nifty "A" logo for his signature also.

The masthead that was once glued down to this is gone, leaving an orange stain evident in the additional image. On it, you can barely see the penciled word "Traitor!" where that same caption appears on the published cover; the pencil is easier to see in person. I had a new masthead made to flip down into place, as seen in the main image for this gallery entry.

I reviewed this entire series, issue by issue, in 2018 for the Classic Comics Forum.

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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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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/26/2024

Awesome cover! Very dramatic cover art by Anderson! His figures are like those he used for Ka-Zar with a snapshot at the height of the action!

Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 8/27/2024

This is great!

Miki Annamanthadoo
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 8/27/2024

Never read the series but this is a satriking cover and it's Anderson at this peak. Congrats!

F M
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 8/30/2024

Never read the series either but your enthusiastic description has made me curious (whereas I had read reviews stating that while it was a good concept, the result was a failed experiment). Anderson is always solid for one.

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