Ron S :: Strange Tales, Doctor Strange and Warlock

Strange Tales #181, Cover

Artists: Jim Starlin (Penciller) , Alan Wess (Inker)

48 Comments - 3,406 Views - 5 Likes

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Artwork Details

Title:	Strange Tales #181, Cover
Artist:	Jim Starlin (Penciller)
Artist:	Alan Wess (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	3,406
Likes on CAF:	5 6
Favorited on CAF:	3
Comments:	48
Added to Site:	1/26/2012
Comic Art Archive:	Strange Tales Issue: 181 Page: cover View

Description

Although I�ve recently been trying to narrow my focus, every once in a while, I come across something else that is so memorable and meaningful, I can�t help myself. Today�s discussion is on the Starlin Warlock run. Ably inked by Alan Weiss, Steve Lealoia, and Mr. Starlin himself, this run captivated me in a cosmic, yet introspective, way unlike any other book of the time.

Warlock was first introduced as �Him� in Fantastic Four #66 in 1968. I think most of us recall that story (at least in general terms). He was bred to be a perfect warrior by a group called �The Enclave� that was planning grow a super powered army to take over the world (don�t they all?). Overhearing the bad guy�s plans while in his gestational cocoon, he somehow realized the difference between right and wrong. As a result, once he emerged from his cocoon, he rebelled and helped the FF defeat the Enclave. He went on to bump heads with Thor and Odin (that didn�t go so well for �Him�), and he generally disappeared after that battle, retreating to the safety of his cocoon. He was resurrected (literally) in 1972 with Marvel Premiere, given a name, �Warlock�, an emerald of power, and then shortly thereafter, his own book, as the hero to �New Earth�, a world created by the High Evolutionary. Written by Roy Thomas and ably drawn by Gil Kane, it wasn�t typical superhero fare. Sure, Warlock had super powers, and a mysterious �soul gem�, but his main villain was the Man-Beast, who brought nothing but evil to New Earth. Warlock was portrayed as the planet�s savior, even to the point of being crucified. Interesting concept, but it lasted only eight issues, and essentially ended with no real resolution for the character.

Then, with Strange Tales 178, Warlock was recast as a cosmic character in search of a purpose, a future and a soul. Written and penciled by Jim Starlin, the character was burdened with the increasingly mysterious soul gem, and floated his way through an ever darkening series of adventures. In retrospect, it was as close to seeing what Shakespeare, Ditko, and Timothy Leary would have done with the opportunity to work together on a graphic novel as any of us were likely to ever see. After 4 issues in Strange Tales, the saga continued back in his own book with issue 9, and finished up with issue 15. Warlock returned from time to time, with the story resolving most notably in Avengers Annual #7, and Marvel Two in One Annual #2.

That run introduced Gamora, Pip, and Death (of course she had been around for a while, but not as such an obvious character), and made Thanos the star he is today. The legendary battles with Thanos� death wish continued into the Avengers and Starlin�s run on Captain Marvel.

That run is to be collected in a trade due out in the next couple of months. I can�t wait!! Warlock was cosmic and cool. If you could understand what was going on, you really �got it�. It had double and triple crosses, murder, self-doubt, angst, heroism, and fun. Nothing was as it seemed, and no less than the fate of the universe was at stake. That run, at least in part, defined the 70�s for many of us.

I�ve been looking for the �right� Warlock piece. I�ve seen some great ones in other people�s galleries, and come close from time to time on others, but held off until now. I�ve wanted something that screams out everything that was great about this book. And, I think I found it. To me, this cover represents everything that was great about this run. Warlock in agony, the universe at risk, and an evil clown overlooking the entire scene.

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About the Owner

	Ron S Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2007
Last Login:	May 2024
Ebay Id:	lihama5
Country:	UNITED STATES
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User Comments

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Chris C
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/26/2012

First!!!! Sorry had to do that. Epic Cover!! Congrats RON!!!

John S.
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

Great cover and a welcome addition to a great collection

Ken R
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/26/2012

WOW that's an incredible cover! LOVE Starlin's Cosmic work!

alessandro gentili
Member Since 2011

Posted on 1/26/2012

THAT'S INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This piece is the HISTORY !!! Congrats,my friend !

. BRAUNY
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 1/26/2012

Wonderful addition to your wonderful collection! Starlin's work in the 70s was fantastic stuff!

Alex B
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/26/2012

Congrats Ron ! it's a truly incredible piece. What a find !

Jim Harvey
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

Great cover! Always loved Jim Starlin's run on the Warlock series beginning in the Strange Tales comic.

Felix Lu
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

The ink budget got blown on this one! Great example. as always. Congrats!

Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator

Posted on 1/26/2012

Terrific cover from one of my very favorite series distributed as it was over so many titles. It was Starlin at his best.

Bill C
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/26/2012

Great addition! Starlin's Warlock may be the best comic run the 70's had to offer

Eric DLS
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

A gem of a cover with a brilliant and informative write up that more than does justice to the piece! Congratulations on your latest treasure Ron!

Frederic Contet
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

Ron, once again, you amaze me! Congrats. Oh and BTW, you may have noticed it's signed to a "Fred"...so if you want to part with it, don't hesitate!

Peter P
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/26/2012

Wow gorgeous cover!! Super congrats! =)

The AvengersFan
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/26/2012

I loved your description once again, as it captured the Warlock saga so well for me as well. The 70's were a magic time indeed. Congrats!

Alberto Giavoni
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

what a great cover for an even greater storyline! however, you should tell us how you stumbled upon this beauty

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/26/2012

a very nice union of artists on this one!

Will Tervay
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/26/2012

Kick ass! Just a great piece. Major congrats.

Wesley Liu
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/26/2012

Great cover, Ron. No one draws cosmic characters, monsters (and clowns) better than Jim Starlin!

Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/26/2012

Incredible addition and I agree with everything you wrote~ Bravo!!

Mike W
Member Since 2007

Posted on 1/26/2012

Vintage Marvel Magic!!! As always, well done my friend!!!!!

Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 1/26/2012

Ron, wow, Bronze Magic! No better feeling in the world than getting a historic, classic cover from the greatest period in comic art, 1972-1975! Starlin at his zenith!

Maria Coppola
Member Since 2011

Posted on 1/26/2012

One of Jim's most legendary runs, Warlock was in a class of it's own when this fantastically written and drawn run came out in Strange Tales. Bravo Ron, vintage and classic!

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/26/2012

Your write-ups are starting to compete with your art - and I mean that in the best way possible! I can't stop staring at this one - it is just an amazing piece of history from a great run.

Ben Bressel
Member Since 2003

Posted on 1/26/2012

phenomenal!

Crees Tyler
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/27/2012

Fantastic! Congratulations Ron

Weng Keong Tam
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/27/2012

Congratulations. Simply stunning

Mark Levy
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/27/2012

I was at sdcc in 80s before I collected art but remember this one on a dealers wall...Lucky for you I didn't buy it cause I would keep it...classic run.

bob fish
Member Since 2011

Posted on 1/27/2012

a stunning inking ! a master cover ! thank's for sharing

DW A
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/27/2012

Great piece of comic history!

Y M
Member Since 2003

Posted on 1/27/2012

Keeper!

- Artemaria
Member Since 2007

Posted on 1/27/2012

Well Ron, you really seem to have reduced this to a science - take superstar artist, add peak period, and buy the best pieces you can find, which are usually covers and splashes. This piece follows that formula, of course, but adds a unique twist, and that is the inking of Alan Weiss. Alan was one of those great artists of the 70s who never quite hit superstardom, although he certainly, and frequently, flirted with it. While the greatness of Starlin's pencils (and boundary pushing themes) are on full display here, Weiss's inks give this piece that special shine that only those combinations of the greats truly have. Congratulations on another redonkulous (clown and all) piece my friend.

Richard Donnelly
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/27/2012

Wow, I have not seen this cover in years! Nice to have this great cover from the Steve Ditko dedicated Warlock story on display!

Don Raskin
Member Since 2010

Posted on 1/28/2012

Pretty friggin' cool. Loved this period of comic books and the art. This is a prime example of how great some of it was.

LEN CALLO
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/28/2012

Congrats Ron. Great to see this one again!

Romain Verlier
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/31/2012

So few CAF galleries thrill me as much as yours !!! This one cover in particular will definitly be my favorite piece in your awesome collection and I look at it and see myself losing all sanity for letting it go the first time at Dan's ..... Sincere congratulations, it couldn't end in a better place !!! Weiss inking is fantastic and Starlin's imaginary is beyond the common superhero stuff, for me he's the best artist ever ...so deep, so complete !!! as is this crazy vintage and supreme cover !!!

J L
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/31/2012

This is getting routine....but your art acqusitions are always super!!!! Congrats.

Tom Coker
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/31/2012

Congrats, Ron! That is very very nice...

Black Adler
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/28/2012

I know why your collection is so much incredibly nicer than mine: you pull the trigger when I keep hesitating. Great example, fantastic addition. Could you start getting interested in McFarlane and Liefield now please. And sell your Kirby, Adams and other common vulgarities to fund the new acquisitions. Good. That will be all, tank you very much Ron !

Jim Stevenson
Member Since 2008

Posted on 10/1/2012

Terrific cover from an incredible run!

Allen Bush
Member Since 2010

Posted on 4/20/2013

Absolutely Epic!

Daren Domina
Member Since 2006

Posted on 3/29/2014

Simply magnificent! Wow, to own a Starlin Strange Tales/Warlock cover! Starlin's game changing series. Amazing pick-up!

Lenny Da Collector
Member Since 2005

Posted on 8/19/2015

Maybe I'm biased because this was one of the first two Starlin comic books I ever read, the other being Captain Marvel #32 so this image is etched in my mind as one of the best Warlock covers out there. Or it could be that objectively, I think it's one of the top 3 Warlock covers done by Starlin from his entire run. I think it's a combination of both.

COL (Ret) Churchill
Member Since 2004

Posted on 3/6/2018

Ron, I have an update for you to consider. You wrote the following in paragraph four:

"That run introduced Gamora, Pip, and Death (of course she had been around for a while, but not as such an obvious character), and made Thanos the star he is today. The legendary battles with Thanos’ death wish continued into the Avengers and Starlin’s run on Captain Marvel."

The Captain Marvel run (issues 25-34) and storyline preceded Starlin's work on the Strange Tales and Warlock run. This included the crossovers into the Avengers, Marvel Feature, and Daredevil and had Thanos with his first death wish arc that shook up the Marvel Universe. In the Stange Tales (where Starlin introduced the Magus) and Warlock storylines (issues 9-11), Thanos actually became an ally to Warlock in order to defeat the Magus, Warlock's future self. All of the this Starlin magic came to a conclusion with Avengers Annual 7 and Marvel Two in One Annual 2 for Thanos' second death wish arc.

Regardless, this cover is incredible as this issue provided Starlin the ability to mock the absurdity of Marvel management during the mid-1970s. Congratulations very late from me with your acquisition. PRC

Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

Posted on 3/8/2018

Marvel really gave Starlin a group of inkers (Weiss, here, his Gemini buddy, Al Milgrom and Steve Leialoha) that meshed seemlessly with his style (albeit all in different ways). I would not trade any of these inkers for the others on the stories/covers they worked on with him. Nevertheless, I would have loved to have seen Weiss ink Starlin on a more regular basis. (Of course, that could be a more general statement in that I would have loved to have seen Weiss do more comic book work, period -- and I definitely include Steelgrip Starkey in that statement. But, I digress.)

Xavier .
Member Since 2010

Posted on 5/9/2018

WOW!!! Congratulation on this spetacular cover! What a classic!

Steven Filosa
Member Since 2006

Posted on 9/28/2020

Such a classic cover. I think Warlock is Starlin's best art (when he did the whole thing himself). All these covers are fabulous, and this is one of the best!!!

And great collection!

Congrats.

Toni S
Member Since 2019

Posted on 10/2/2022

Superb example of Starlin's "cosmic" style! A masterpiece!

Ernest Benevides
Member Since 2022

Posted on 4/24/2024

Winner!!

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