Top 10 Marvel Comic Book Artists - the 1970s

During the 1970s, Marvel Comics was in research and development mode, finding new writers and artists to expand their line and invigorate their universe. This period of time in the comic book industry is known as the Bronze Age, which extends through the mid-80s. The 70s would establish the careers of some of the most influential artists in comic book history, many of which are still working today. Here are some of the illustrators that continued the fine artistic tradition at Marvel Comics.

Barry Windsor Smith
With the publishing of Conan #1 in 1970, many say the Marvel Bronze Age had begun, and this title was drawn by artist Barry Windsor Smith. His works were first published by Marvel in the late 60s, but Smith's popularity rose to new heights when he, along with writer Roy Thomas, recorded the first comic book adventures of the Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian. Smith's illustrative style was more detailed than what most were used to seeing then, and his vision for fantasy imagery fit the world of Conan perfectly. Smith would also help Marvel realize the artistic potential of their black and white magazine publications such as Savage Tales.

Barry Windsor Smith's Official Website

Sal Buscema
If there was a journeyman, workhorse artist at Marvel comics in the 70s, it was undeniably Sal Buscema. The brother of John, Sal's output during this period was enormous, and he chronicled the adventures of almost every character title in the Marvel Universe at the time. Sal's output ranged from 2-4 comic book titles a month. His style is dynamic and easy-to-grasp, telling the story with the efficiency of a professional at the height of his powers. Sal's work included Captain America, Marvel Team-Up, The Avengers, The Defenders and more. He also helped launch the second Spider-Man title, Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man, which he drew for 19 issues before returning to the title in the 80s, drawing it for another 100 issues.

Ross Andru
Andru is a legend in the comic book industry. With his inking partner, Mike Esposito and writer Robert Kanigher, Ross co-created the Metal Men at DC, working there for the majority of the 60s before moving to Marvel in the 70s. Taking over the illustrative reigns from John Romita, Sr. and Gil Kane, Andru would illustrate the adventures of The Amazing Spider-Man for much of this period. This is no small footnote, for Ross's expert hand would realize the first appearance of The Punisher as well as the first "clone" stories done in the Spider-Man titles. He also illustrated the first-ever Marvel and DC crossover, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.

Neal Adams
While Adams' output for Marvel in the 70s was minimal compared to his work at DC Comics, his impact upon the industry as a whole drew attention to the stories he told on either side of the company fence. Most of his ground-breaking work would be considered done under the DC umbrella, but during this time, Adams illustrated stories for The Avengers, Amazing Adventures, The Mighty Thor and others. A classic tale he chronicled in The Avengers featured Ant Man shrinking in size to travel inside The Vision to cure the comatose android of an infliction, experiencing many Fantastic Voyage-esque adventures along the way. Neal also contributed greatly to the Marvel Magazines such as Deadly Hand of Kung Fu and The Savage Sword of Conan. Adams' appearance at Marvel heralded what was to come with dynamic illustration among its bullpen members.

Neal Adams' Official Website

Michael Golden
Like Adams, the work Golden produced at Marvel during this time was not as prolific as someone like Sal Buscema, but Michael Golden's illustration draws immediate attention. His use of darks and lights, along with the "organic" feel of the characters his drew took the stories he helped tell to a new level. Near the end of the 70s, Golden, along with writer Bill Mantlo, created the comic book world of the licensed toyline, The Micronauts. This was some of the best science fiction being told at the time, and Golden designed a world unique in the genre- Camelot meets Star Wars under the Marvel Universe umbrella. Golden would go on to artistic heights in the 80s with the Marvel publication, The 'Nam.

Howard Chaykin
Chaykin's work for Marvel in the 70s focused on many of its lesser-known publications. Beginning in 1972 with a Man-Thing story, he would work on many of the company's science fiction and fantasy titles throughout the decade. His milestone work would come in 1977 when Chaykin drew the comic book adaptation of Star Wars for Marvel, as well as the first-ever illustrated "expanded universe" tales for the Lucas franchise, Star Wars #7 - #10. Howard Chaykin would go on in the 80s to become one of the seminal creators in the industry by publishing his original character, American Flagg! for First Comics.

John Byrne
New to the industry in the 70s, John Byrne's amazing talent would put him at the top of Marvel's list of creators by the end of the decade. He worked on many titles through those years, such as Marvel Team-Up, The Champions, The Avengers as well as helping launch the character Iron Fist. However, it was his work on The Uncanny X-Men that established him as one of the industry's most gifted storytellers. By the end of the decade, his proficiency was apparent -his work was published monthly across four titles. In the 80s, along with writer Chris Claremont, Byrne's art would chronicle the Dark Phoenix saga, the most classic story in X-Men lore and one of the high water marks of fiction in the comic book field. Byrne would also expand to writing comic books as well, becoming sole creator on many titles at Marvel and DC.

John Byrne's Official Website

George Perez
Perez, whose star in the industry would explode in the 80s, laid the groundwork at Marvel in the 70s by illustrating two of its flagship books, The Avengers and The Fantastic Four. He quickly became known for his detailed style, drawing every column, window and alley way in his backgrounds. This suited a multi-character book such as The Avengers where at any given time, an artist may be asked to draw over 30 characters. Perez did this with style. During this time, he also lent his talents to the Marvel Comics adaption to Logan's Run, which also expanded the story beyond the movie.

George Perez's Official Website

Jim Starlin
Starlin gave birth to what is known as the Marvel "cosmic" universe. This began in his run on Iron Man where he introduced the character of Thanos, Marvel's answer to Darkseid. Starlin continued this theme while writing and drawing Captain Marvel. He then went on to create a ground-breaking run on Warlock, expanding that character's mythos while building the cosmic universe's aliens and worlds in the process. These works culminated in the classic Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2 where the Avengers, The Thing, Spider-Man and Warlock attempt to stop Thanos from blowing out the sun. Starlin emerged from the 70s as an influential writer as well as an artist.

Gil Kane
Gil Kane is also a legend in the comic book industry. His career dates back to the early 40s when he worked on superhero and western comic books. In the 50s, he worked for DC Comics, co-creating modern versions of two of their classic characters, The Green Lantern and The Atom. At Marvel in the 70s, Gil Kane was the cover man. He drew multiple covers for the company each month (Example: In August 1975, he was credited with 19 covers), and his dynamic compositions never failed to capture the eye. He also did some interior art for certain books, most notably The Amazing Spider-Man. During this period, he illustrated two famous storylines - The Night Gwen Stacy Died, as well as the the famous drug storyline from which Marvel had to remove the comics code insignia from the issues because of the drug use inside the pages by one of the main characters. Kane's influence upon Marvel Comics and the rest of the comic book industry is undeniable.

Sources:

The Comic Book Database - Gil Kane, Jim Starlin, Sal Buscema, Ross Andru, Michael Golden