I've bunched together all the classic X-Men issues related to the Savage Land : Issue 10 and issues 60 to 63.
What a treat! We have two Silver Age greats doing the art for these two sets of stories. First up is the great Jack Kirby doing some truly fine linework. This incredible shot of the icy passageway to the Savage Land is my favorite
I've noticed that Kirby takes advantage of Angel's flying to show some really deft landscapes.
Next up is Neal Adams. This is just a sampling of his gorgeous figurework.
When you read this issues, notice how these two artists have dramatically different renditions of the Savage Land. Kirby illustrates a wondrous place that reminds me of Crichton's Jurassic Park. Adams, on the other hand, gives us a moody and foreboding Savage Land.
I treasure issue 10 for Stan Lee's linear storytelling. It's a simple, straightforward tale and therein lies its beauty. I still love these done-in-one tales. No need to read the previous issue and no need to pick up the next.
Roy Thomas gives us beauty of another kind, in his elaborate script for the four-issue tale presented in 60 to 63. The highlight is Thomas' handling of Karl Lykos/Sauron.
Neal Adams drew a smiling Pteranodon head; that's amazing!
From origin to development we get a thoroughly complex character in Karl Lykos/Sauron. I can't even call him a villain or a hero for that matter - he is so complex a character it's hard to draw the hero/villain line with him.
With Lee, Thomas, Kirby and Adams as the creative team and the Savage Land as a backdrop, you cant' go wrong with these X-Men tales.
Posted by Pete Albano - December 4, 2011
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