Kane/Romita--Defenders #20 (1975)
Artists: Gil Kane (Penciller) , John Romita Sr. (Inker)
1,366 Views - 34 Comments - 14 Likes
Additional Images:
Published Cover
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionGil Kane was Marvel's go-to cover artist in the 1970s, drawing covers for everything from Spider-Man to Daredevil, from Conan the Barbarian to the Defenders. Not only could Kane draw beautifully, but he knew how to compose a scene brilliantly. Kane could take the essense of an entire comic book and distill it down to one striking scene. Check out this cover to Defenders #20, penciled by Kane and inked by John Romita Sr. It's simple, yet surprisingly complex. To the left, you have two hideous demons towering over the unconscious bodies of Valkyrie and Dr. Strange and threatening to kill them with some kind of demonic pitchfork. And from the right, rushing to the rescue, is the Fantastic Four's Thing, shouting everybody's favorite battle-cry, "It's clobberin' time!" There it was, the whole story in a nutshell. Everything you need to know in one knock-your-socks-off scene. I wish more of today's artists had that gift.Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Carlo M 
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Gil Kane! Defenders! The Thing! Marvel Bronze Age magic!
Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Spectacular cover. Love Bronze Age Thing covers. Bravo!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Kane artfully crams a ton of imagery into this beauty of a cover!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
When I began art collecting over 30 years ago and Bronze covers were much more affordable, I was initially turned off by them because I hated that the logo area took up so much of the image space. But in the hands of someone who is a true master of design and composition, like Gil Kane, it certainly didn't seem to be an issue. Stunning cover from my all time favorite super group title.
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Love the composition here. And the brushwork. Terrific!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Wow, a fabulous rendition of the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing! For me, that's who this is about. The Dr. Strange and Valkrie "guest appearances" are just gravy! May I STRONGLY suggest though, Bill, that you DON'T crop the borders out? Seeing the old boards is what distinguishes this stuff from being scans of black and white European reprints. Most people want to see the ageing, printers marks and creators notes. I can't stress strongly enough how important the borders are, and now much better the scans look WITH them.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
2 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
Wow, a fabulous rendition of the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing! For me, that's who this is about. The Dr. Strange and Valkrie "guest appearances" are just gravy! May I STRONGLY suggest though, Bill, that you DON'T crop the borders out? Seeing the old boards is what distinguishes this stuff from being scans of black and white European reprints. Most people want to see the ageing, printers marks and creators notes. I can't stress strongly enough how important the borders are, and now much better the scans look WITH them.
Done .
Vik V
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Congrats, Bill. Thanks for sharing all these beauties. It's amazing flipping through your collection.
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
Very cool cover and It’s Clobberin’ Time takes it over the top!
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
I agree, this cover tells a whole story with one beautiful image. Every character is rendered largely and exquisitely. And yeah, having the Thing rushing into battle yelling his patented battle cry? ... That's pure magic. Fantastic grab!!
Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 6/7/2019
I do as well and I simply love this cover!!!
John C
Member Since 2014
2 - Posted on 6/11/2019
That’s why you should not call yourself the Nameless One. Everyone them refers to you as buddy or buster.
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 6/15/2019
Romita over Kane (like Cockrum over Kane!) was a thing of beauty, as this striking cover shows so well, congrats!!
Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 6/19/2019
Bill, a Bronze Age masterpiece. The Defenders title was one of my favorites when I first starting reading comics. The Thing was also one of my favorite characters. Gil Kane's fluid and dynamic covers were all masterful. This is an exquisite piece of art with Kane at his finest. You are really killing it the last few years. Us mere mortal collectors can just sit back at this point and enjoy the Bill J show and tell!
Daniel B
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 3/20/2020
I've always loved the Defenders, and this is a mindblowing cover !!! Love the Thing, it's clobbering time !!!
Paul Roach
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 11/2/2025
Wow, one my favourite covers, evoking so many childhood memories. It was the start of the Gerber run, and the retun of the Nameless One in a tragic tale of Barbara Norris' past. The layout is superb, with action leaping out of the cover to demand the purchase of the comic. And you have to love a "Clobberin' Time". Absolutely stunning cover!
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
8,5x11" CAVEWOMAN SK#3633 ORIGINAL PINUP GIRL by ALEX MIRANDA |
Auctions
 |
Tula Lotay - Woman Sleeping Illustration Original |
Auctions
 |
NEAL ADAMS AND TOM PALMER AVENGERS #93 (1971, CLASSIC |
Auctions
 |
Jack Kirby - Journey Into Mystery #86 - Thor, Page 8 |
Hakes Auctions
 |
GHOSTS #82 COMIC BOOK COVER ORIGINAL ART BY LUIS DOMÍNGUEZ. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Albert Moy
3 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Robert Hughes1/23/2026 7:28:00 PM |
|
Monty B1/23/2026 5:37:00 PM |
|
Mugen R.1/23/2026 4:52:00 PM |
|
ComicLINK.Com Auctions1/23/2026 4:47:00 PM |
|
NELSON H1/23/2026 3:11:00 PM |
|
ENRIQUE ALONSO1/23/2026 2:36:00 PM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
RomitaMan Original Art1/24/2026 4:54:00 AM |
|
Coollines Artwork1/23/2026 9:53:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art1/23/2026 7:20:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art1/23/2026 4:51:00 PM |
|
ComiConArt1/23/2026 3:57:00 PM |
|
Catskill Comics1/23/2026 2:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|