Avengers #32, page 3 (Don Heck)

One of Cap's core strengths as a leader on display!  He knows his team well and can push the right buttons to motivate them even at their lowest point.  This battle page is a real prime example of Heck's artwork.  I can see key moments here that could be splashes on their own if the story was done in this century.  

Well put as always, Marcus.  We often underestimate how well script and art have to be integrated in order to have the desired impact - and this is as good an example as any.

Seeing this spectacular page makes me even more ashamed of that young, unenlightened, kid version of myself who just didn't appreciate Don Heck enough (if at all).  Every single panel on this masterfully executed page is absolutely stunning.  You sure know how to pick 'em.

Many thanks, Eric.  I have to confess that, although I liked Heck, his work was somehow overshadowed by that of Kirby, Ditko and Wood at Marvel.  It was only in my adult years that I realized how good he really was.

Excellent page!!!

Many thanks, Dietmar.  What a wonderful collection of Avengers artwork you have and I wish that I had seen them earlier.

I loved these issues with Goliath stuck at his large size. Marvel was tops in integrating the soap opera drama into superhero comics.

Many thanks, Miki.  Ah, yes, those were the days!  And the stories were quite good and believable at that - Stan was great at soap operas!

I joined the ranks of Marveldom with Avengers 26. For me, it was Don Heck who set the bar and I measured everyone against him. Five panels packed with great art, action and dramatic storytelling 

Many thanks, Aidan.  I joined the same ranks with Avengers #21 (and then backtracked to #20, which, as it turned out, was important because Wally Wood began inking in that previous issue).  Alas, Wood left with #22 (although Romita, if my memory serves me correctly, pitched in in #23).  So, in a sense, I began "spoilt" because Wood's inks always transformed the artwork essentially into Wood.  However, I grew to like Don Heck's artwork as well.  This page, in particular, is Heck at his very best, in my respectful view.

KROKK! - the sound of Vibranium ringing throughout Avengers HQ!

As you say, brilliant!

Many thanks, Rick.  Now that is a sound effect that you do not hear every day!  

Love this period of Heck's work, peak form, and this is an exceptional page. Congrats!

Many thanks, Kasra.  Yes, this was indeed Heck's peak period and this page is, on a personal level, exceptionally memorable for me.

What a gorgeous page, and another incredible addition to your collection! Don Heck really doesn't get enough credit for a lot of the historic work that he did! Congratulations!!!!

Many thanks, Alberto.  I especially love the drama that is built into a wonderfully crafted page.  Wood inks on Heck were exceptional, but Heck on Heck is actually very good too (as this particular page demonstrates).

Fantastic CAB!

Many thanks, Nick.  As you've always said, we should be grateful for what we have already been blessed with, and that is why I am going through my archives.

Terrific, classic page. Panel 3 is one of the best Cap portrait shots I can recall. To give Heck his full due though, I do have to quibble with your idea that Heck executed Stan's script. It's well known that the Marvel Method went the other direction. Heck drew the story first, and Stan then wrote dialog to (hopefully) match or enhance the action of the panels.

Many thanks, Aaron.  I do realize that there is controversy as to who did what (which, unfortunately, contributed in part at least to Kirby, Ditko and Wood, in particular, leaving Marvel).  My own sense, though, is that whilst Stan did in fact write the specific dialog, the overall storyline was probably crafted by him as well.  That having been said, it was precisely because this last point was hotly disputed - especially by Kirby, Ditko and Wood - that we have this controversy.  My own best guess is that what was really the case would differ from artist to artist.  However, the nature of the drama and psychology suggests very much that Stan held the tiller for this one.  But even if that be the case, nothing would have carried but for Don's excellent artwork here.  Just another view.  Many thanks for taking the time to comment; it is clear that you are very knowledgeable about Silver Age artwork.

Too bad not from #1. Just kidding.  Only thing that could improve this would be a touch more Cyclops 😉 Congrats btw!

Many thanks, Duke.  While I like Cyclops, he would have ruined this particular page with his presence!

That first action panel is delicious!!! Amazing battle page in Marvel's classic manner!! Big congrats!

Many thanks, Toni.  Yes, this certainly brings back memories - I may be suffering from excessive nostalgia, but things are not quite the same nowadays.

That motivational speach by Cap was incredible...goading Hank into a fight! Heck shows a sense of space in that first double panel that really distinguishes their relative sizes, an important point in this exchange..

Many thanks, Andrew.  Yes, the relative perspective is so well-done, culminating in that last panel.  So much packed into just one page.

The storytelling is very fluid here and I really like Heck's ink line, which is looder and whispier than usual. The page is also a great example of Captain America demonstrating why one of the weaker heroes in terms of strength, is also the team leader. Brains over brawn!

Many thanks, Rubén.  I absolutely agree that a true leader will have more brains than brawn.  Heck's inks on this page are remarkably good indeed.

Congrats CAB, another corker! I particularly love that second panel - the KROKK creeping out of the panel is really accentuated by the inking. Overall tons of historic fun!

Many thanks, Mikail. Don Heck was great on the Avengers but this one by him was truly exceptional in all respects.

You are right and I was guility of it too- the older I get the more I appreciate Heck's art. He was excellent but the flashier artist took the lime light. Great and memorable page (saw it in Marvel Triple Action). 

Many thanks, Kirk. Boy, I feel old as I saw this when it was first published!

Elegance in motion, extreme clarity of line work, harmonious storytelling... that's pure Don Heck! And, yes, he's unjustly underestimated... Great page from a great issue!

Many thanks, Al.  As mentioned, mea culpa as I underestimated him in my youth as well and now appreciate him much more in my old age.

A stellar addition to an awesome gallery. Love Hecks work. Big congrats

Many thanks, Ernest. And many congrats on an awesome gallery yourself.