Hulk and Man-Bat

Image founder Todd McFarlane is best known by modern comic book readers as the creator of Spawn.

Todd rocketed to superstar penciller status in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the artist and eventually writer of Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man.

His rendition of Spider-Man’s evil doppelganger Venom and his reinterpretation of many of Spidey’s foes still resonate today.
 
Venom is one of Marvel Comics top characters and has even ‘spawned’ a movie.

But, did you know that Todd drew a monthly title for Marvel before Spider-Man?


He drew The Incredible Hulk starting with issue #330.  It was his work on the Hulk that garnered the penciller spot on Spider-Man.

In Hulk #330 the Hulk is pitted against a brain parasite, Doc Samson and General Ross (whom ‘dies’ in that issue.

Fans familiar with Todd’s artwork may be a bit surprised by his pencils.  While his talent was evident, his sleek polished style would assert itself fully with Spider-Man.

There is no doubt that Batman is DC Comics' top draw.  His cast and rogue’s gallery is second to none.
Almost a half a century ago artist Neal Adams created a true creature of the night: Man-Bat.

At first he appeared to be a villain but eventually he showed his heroic tendencies and he and Batman have had a tenuous relationship since then.

When DC Comics’ ‘Explosion’ of tiles occurred in the 1970s Man-Bat was given his own title.

Unfortunately it did not last long and that’s too bad.

Its first issue alone featured Man-Bat, a woman bat creature, Batman, black magic and plenty of action courtesy of longtime penciller legend Steve Ditko.

Just as quickly the title appeared it vanished due partly because DC Comics tried to expand too quickly resulting in its ‘implosion’.

Both Hulk #330 and the Man-Bat books deserve recognition and make fine additions to any comic book collector’s library.