Feline Fury! Marvel Comics’ Tigra

Marvel’s Were-Woman: Tigra has gone through a lot of changes over the decades but I like her earliest appearances the best-in particulate two.

Coincidentally both appearances are draw by John Byrne.

John has a real knack for taking a classic character and making it his own.  In Tigra’s case her early appearances penciled by Byrne carry that distinct Byrne look.

To start off her hair is curly, unlike her other appearances by other artists. and she definitely more catlike in her poses and moves as befits her feline nature

Byrne would later go on to completely redefine her in the pages of The West Coast Avengers.

In 1976, not long after he moved from Charlton Comics to Marvel Comics, John drew a single issue of Marvel Chillers: #6, that featured Tigra The Were-Woman and Marvel’s latest Native American superhero: Red Wolf.

While John did not draw the cover he did pencil the interior with inks by Frank Springer.

Much of John’s earlier style is present in the story although there are hints of his well-known and established style asserting themselves.

It’s a good story and Byrne does a competent job.  Still it’s obvious in his art the Neal Adams influence and while his page layouts are adequate the dynamic nature of his later work is lacking.

Also the intricate detail he is now known for was partially lacking as much of the backgrounds are more filler than pivotal to the story.

One year later when John teamed with writer Chris Claremont on Marvel Team-up #67 John’s art had vastly improved, aided by Dave Hunt’s inks.

His page layouts are much more dynamic and his attention to detail has really improved.

By this time Byrne’s signature style has almost full asserted itself.

It shows with his renditions of Spider-Man, Kraven The Hunter and especially Tigra.  

It easy to see why John was chosen to pencil the Uncanny X-Man after Dave Cockrum’s departure.

Both comics can be purchased in mint condition for around $5 t $10 each.