JIM STERANKO; NICK FURY AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D #1; COLOR GUIDE

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Tony Robertson, long-time Steranko Fan(and great guy, by the way!), has been unable to determine where this piece fits in making of #1. There are apparently no other #1 color guides out there, but unlike Tony's color guides for the other potential #1, that still showed an unfinished Scorpio, this color guide is almost identical to the finished comic cover. Just a couple of differences. So it would appear this was not the first proposed colored cover sent to Stan Lee to choose which cover would be #1. Instead this appears to be the last version. The only issue is it does not contain the color codes that are needed to be sent to the publisher, although it does show the code for the color yellow. And on its back it has writing indicating normal print issues, and it is on thick paper, a common occurrence for Marvel color guides of the day.

Whoever did it, took a lot time with it. I did ask Mr. Steranko and he confirmed it was his work, but he based that decision, I believe, on the note he wrote in 1994(see above), that is for the other proposed #1, that eventually became #5. There is a lot of agreement out there, though, that if a color guide was prepared for his art, he did it. So I will leave it there.

I welcome anyone who knows anything else about this piece to share the details.

Finally, I would say that Mr. Steranko is the most down to earth, wonderful person I have a talked to in many a year. What a true gentleman. And smart as a whip, and so eloquent. I am convinced the key to a long happy life is to be excited about the future. That he has in spades.

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