Pencils to inks comparison, courtesy of Bob McLeod
Published page
Location: GAMMILL KERRY
Artists:
Kerry Gammill
(Penciller)
,
Bob McLeod
(Inker)
424 Views - 6 Comments - 4 Likes
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Okay, so the art in this issue is really funny. As you pointed out, Gammill clearly only did either breakdowns or layouts and the person in charge of pasting on the stat/credits for this issue mistakenly wrote "pencils". Thankfully, all the guys who worked on the Superman titles during this era were great, as you mention, so I'm as happy to see McLeod Superman art as I am to see Gammill Superman art.
Now, I know that since Wendigo only knows how to speak his own name, that's why you probably think this creature's name must be "Aruk", but in point of fact, his name is actually "Four Armed Terror". Interestingly, not only is this NOT his first appearance, but his appearances actually date all the way back to the early 70's, with his first appearance (cameo) being in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #136 and his first full appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #137. Yes, he's a Jack Kirby creation!
The biggest reason I think the art in this issue is funny is because aside from Gammill only doing breakdowns or layouts, he clearly wasn't familiar with Four Armed Terror, because he drew him as the Eight Armed Terror throughout the entire issue! When he received the script for this issue from Ordway, I guess Kerry thought "Four arms on each side, okey dokey boss, you got it." 😄
Unless Gammill was NOT wrong AND Aruk is a totally different AND NEW character!
Resulting in me owning an insane mind-blowing HISTORICAL first birth appearance page!
A TV show I'm telling you!
I love seeing another page of original art from that era of Superman books. I think that you and Ruben are likely correct that McLeod's hands worked on this board to a much greater extent than Gammill's. That being said, when you have two artists working at the top of their game, it's going to be an excellent result no matter who did what.
Well, perhaps you know something I don't. There's only one way to find out. You know the names of the people who would buy such a HISTORICAL and IMPORTANT 1st appearance of Aruk, so I think you should contact them all and ask them to submit offers for it. You may just have a million dollar page here, especially when DC announces the Aruk feature film they have in the pipeline!
Whoever gets the bigger piece of the wishbone gets the wish! I'm guessing aaruk will wish for clarity on if this is his birth page or not. ;) It's definitely more McCleod, but really nice work. Supes really got some clean and crisp artists. And I always like when the artist throws in a little red ink for some color. Great find. Congrats!
Some nice storytelling throughout this one - great transitions from panel to panel. And...wait...is that a Bill & Ted reference in panel 4?! Congrats, man!