Captain America #302 p. 7 (1985) - cover scene

A page from the first Captain America comic I ever read and owned. Its particular draw to me is the fourth panel which is the closest I'll ever come to owning the cover.

Paul Neary may not be a name-brand Captain America artist, but the title benefitted from his lean storytelling. On this page, he uses a mix of medium and long shots, close-ups and high angles, to create momentum in the sequence. Rings and disks are scattered throughout the page for harmony. It's not all Neary though. Dennis Janke's action lines are superb. His shading as well as the diamond-hatched background in the final panel gives us an unexpected turn in dramatic mood. The Neary/Janke team knew how to propel a story without the need for flash.

Also notice that Cap's "half" shield in the fifth panel is completed by the rubbish in the fourth panel to give the eye balance.

February 1985
Ink over graphite on illustration board
11" x 16"

With thanks to Will Gabri-El for making this page available.