Defenders #45 page 3

Having been mesmerised by the Star of Capistan, the gem transforms Doctor Strange into the Red Rajah. With a host, the giant ruby can start to affect others, and it takes control of the male Defenders, leaving the female members to try to free Strange. Here, the Valkyrie, Hellcat and the Red Guardian are menaced by the Red Rajah’s conjuration of a giant creature made of earth, rock and plant, having the form of Strange himself. Kirby-esque action at full tilt from the precocious Keith Giffen, finished by the brilliant Klaus Janson. I love the wonderfully symmetric half splash layout, countered by the crowded cropped profile of the Rajah in the last panel, putting the action ‘centre stage’ and conveying that the creature’s controller is at the edge of the scene, out of sight.