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Adventure Comics 447 page 13 by Jim Aparo

Artist: Jim Aparo (All)

7 Comments - 293 Views - 6 Likes

Adventure Comics 447 page 13 by Jim Aparo Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Adventure Comics 447 page 13 by Jim Aparo
Artist:	Jim Aparo (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	293
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Comments:	7
Added to Site:	2/9/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This is a great prime Jim Aparo action page from his legendary tenure on Aquaman.

I actually read this run for the first time during the pandemic (from Skeates, Michelinie, Cardy, Aparo and Newton) that DC conveniently released a couple of years ago in 3 beautiful hardcovers and I was astonished by its modernity. Not only is the art superb but the writing, the transitions between the scenes, the dialogues and the exposition extremely fluid for the era during which it was published. It nearly reads like a modern book.

(just take the time to read this page, you'll get actual hints of that writing quality. For one, the use of thought balloons alone, a storytelling device I've always loved, sadly a lost art nowadays).

Jim Aparo had two periods during his run. During the first one, following an acclaimed Nick Cardy run, his art was more roundish, most probably to ease the transition with Cardy's art by aping it a bit. Was it a conscious choice, an unconscious reflex or was he being told to, I don't know but I find his art suffered a bit from it to find its true voice. In the second part, the Adventure Comics stories, Aparo fully developed his own voice/style to an exceptional level of quality. His figures are leaner, his storytelling much more dynamic. So he basically evolved from excellent in the first part to exceptional in the second.

(I actually have a theory about Jim Aparo that while quite respected as an artist would have exploded to super star status/received much/even more recognition if Neal Adams hadn't happened. I find a lot of similarities between their approaches but Neal is more bombastic/realistic. And comic book readers tend to prefer "bombastic").

This page comes from the second run.

The first panel establishes the action clearly with a super strong Aquaman full figure. You can tell just looking at the art how difficult a task he is performing, how tense his body is. The angle Aparo chose is fantastic and can only lead the reader's eye down.

The second panel offers a Neal Adams-esque dynamic shot. A risky one, setting the camera from behind his back but it works quite well in pulling the reader into the action.

Then the camera backs up in the third to establish both his predicament and the new game changing (clever) event in the next panel.

The fourth panel offers a very strong face shot (and a somehow overlong neck) and great great smoke effect. There is one detail that I noted during his run is that Aparo was an expert at subtly establishing underwater scenes. An undercurrent here, some bubbles there. The same can be said with his use of smoke, an element he used more often while drawing the Bat'.

The Fisherman (what a corny name for a villain, even by DC standards) makes his exit surrounded by more (great) smoke. His slightly titled body indicating his urgency.

And the page concludes on a super strong full figure profile (and more smoke!) AND a very subtle device Aparo developed during his second run to enhance underwater scenes, Aquaman's flowing hair. While the scene happens outside of water here, gravity is at play when he jumps down, hence the hair movement. I'm delighted by the presence of this particular detail on this page.

Let's also mention the inventive layouts of the page that really (and subtly) enhance the fact that our hero is hanging/swinging from a pole. That is thoughtful storytelling at work.

Lastly and it was a super strong incentive to get the page, this is full Aparo at work here: pencils, superb intricate inks AND lettering (which says a lot about the expert balloons placement to lead the reader's eye throughout the page).

Simply put, an expert storyteller at work and in full command of his craft.

(Now while feeling lucky to have scored that one, I wouldn't mind adding an underwater page as well, a good Bat page from B&B preferably AND, one can dream, a Spectre page).

This is part 3 of my 2022 CAF birthday party.

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Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 2/9/2022

Absolutely wonderful page and one of the finest runs of Aparo's career. Congrats!

J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 2/9/2022

Eat your heart out, Batsy. Mr Curry has all the moves today. I love the action of this page, and how the panel layout supports it. The slight tilt really adds something to the acrobatic moves and poses throughout. And I agree with your point about Adams. I do think he blocked some of Arapo's path to super success. Great score, and good luck with that Spectre page. Congrats!

Will K
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 2/9/2022

Aparo definitely had it tough following Nick's run on Aquaman (who was still doing the covers). I think it took a few issues for Aparo to work out any kinks he had re: Aquaman. Most notably the rounder faces. But Aparo made Aquaman his own.

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 2/9/2022

An acrobatic and graceful display of the human anatomy by Aparo. A great page from his prime run of the character!

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 2/10/2022

Aparo was one of the best conveyors of comic book action of any generation. If someone wants to fight me on that point, I'll direct them to this page.

Robert Binkley
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 2/10/2022

Cool Aparo Page !!

Tim Soter
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 9/24/2022

Aparo is my absolute favorite, with zero doubt. I have a Fisherman Adventure Comics page from a nearish issue and the panel design is broekn down in a similar dynamic fashion. Love your panel observations here. This is his prime era; all lettering, pencilling and inking.

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