Captain America #111 March 1969
Jim Steranko is one of those guys whom boys growing up in the 70s greatly admire. Looking at it from the perspective of a pubescent comic book nerd, Steranko appeared undeniably cool. I can easily picture him, based on his reputation, as confident, personable, adventurous, extremely talented, and especially appealing to the ladies – all the qualities a young lad aspired to achieve. Imagine a captivating blend of James Dean’s timeless coolness, and the charming charisma of Matthew McConaughey and Michael Douglas characters in the movie “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”
A rock band member, a magician… perhaps the genuine “Most Interesting Man in the World.” Jim Steranko is foremost a highly influential comic book artist, writer, and illustrator creating groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born on November 5, 1938, in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. Steranko is best known for his artwork on Marvel Comics’ Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. series which began in 1966 and his contributions to Captain America.
- Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Nick Fury is the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., which stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, a fictional espionage and law enforcement agency within the Marvel Universe. Steranko’s innovative and dynamic artwork in this series, characterized by its use of pop art and graphic design techniques, set a new standard in comic book storytelling. He introduced bold page layouts, photo collage elements, and psychedelic imagery that was groundbreaking at the time.
- Captain America: Steranko also had a memorable stint on Captain America during his time at Marvel Comics. His work on the character is highly regarded for its artistic innovation and action-packed sequences.
Sternako’s ‘Outland’ Heavy Metal October 1981
- Writer and Cover Artist: Inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame in 2006, Steranko’s comic covers are in high demand among collectors due to their exceptional artistic quality. Moreover, he made significant contributions as a writer and publisher with “The Steranko History of Comics” volumes 1 and 2, released in 1970 and 1972, leaving an enduring impact on the industry. In the subsequent years, he created and published the sought-after “Steranko’s Supergirls Calendars” in 1973 and 1974. Additionally, his “Outland” series in Heavy Metal magazine in 1981 garnered both critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
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