KEITH GIFFEN's First Published Artwork DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #17 inside Front Cover (Marvel Comics 1975) Bob McLeod inks

KEITH GIFFEN's First Published Artwork DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #17 inside Front Cover (Marvel Comics 1975)

SONS OF THE TIGER pin-up. Pencils by Keith Giffen and Inks by Bob McLeod.

DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #17 has an October 1975 release date in the magazine. This pre-dates Keith's first published story in Marvel Preview #4 (Jan. 1976) by 3 months.

The art is 16.5" x22"

This is Keith Giffen's first-ever professional artwork. It is the first piece of art Keith sold to a publisher and the first piece of art Keith had published in his career.

The art is signed by Keith Giffen with the inscription TO - MR. K FOR BELIEVING. Mr. K was Keith's high school art teacher. Keith gave Mr. K the art as a gift after it was published. The art changed hands many years later when the teacher retired to Florida. The 2nd owner held onto the piece for 30 years. A friend of mine helped facilitate the purchase, and I am the 3rd owner of the art after it left Keith's possession.

I asked Keith about the history of the piece and he told me about it being his first piece sold and published, and he told me the story about giving it to Mr. K.