I hadn't noticed the signature until you mentioned it. It's certainly different from how he'd sign later on.
So this really predates any of his Marvel work, doesn't it? I also find it interesting because Bob Layton's Big G (from the Hercules mini-series, and also helmetless) really evokes Byrne's version here. You can really feel the talent Byrne would unleash as he "made it". I enjoy his earlier work, when his characters were really powerful and had depth. I never really cared for the "spindly look" his later FF stories showcased.
Nice -- the added image is like another layer to a study that Byrne apparently fixated on.
Question: Did I once read that Galactus is seen by different space races as they see themselves? So for example, he looks like a human being to Earthlings, but might be seen as a Skrull on their homeworld. It's an interesting concept.
Doug, you're very right. John Byrne introduced that concept during his 'Trial of Reed Richards' storyline in which the Shi'ar empress Lilandra put him on trial for saving the life of the world eater. When Galactus himself appeared to plead to the court, all the survivors of the many, many worlds he consumed saw him in a different way, a way only their frail, limited concepts could comprehend.
1975
That's just awesome. From 1974, huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that!
Doug
Hey Doug, yeah, from 1974. I love Byrne's stylized John signature at the bottom right.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed the signature until you mentioned it. It's certainly different from how he'd sign later on.
DeleteSo this really predates any of his Marvel work, doesn't it? I also find it interesting because Bob Layton's Big G (from the Hercules mini-series, and also helmetless) really evokes Byrne's version here. You can really feel the talent Byrne would unleash as he "made it". I enjoy his earlier work, when his characters were really powerful and had depth. I never really cared for the "spindly look" his later FF stories showcased.
Doug
Hey Doug, nice connection with Layton's Galactus from the Herc limited series. I added another Big G Byrne drawing from 1975...
DeleteNice -- the added image is like another layer to a study that Byrne apparently fixated on.
DeleteQuestion: Did I once read that Galactus is seen by different space races as they see themselves? So for example, he looks like a human being to Earthlings, but might be seen as a Skrull on their homeworld. It's an interesting concept.
Doug
That definitely sounds familiar, possibly even during Byrne's run on FF. Definitely a cool idea with Galactus being more of an abstract cosmic being.
DeleteDoug, you're very right. John Byrne introduced that concept during his 'Trial of Reed Richards' storyline in which the Shi'ar empress Lilandra put him on trial for saving the life of the world eater. When Galactus himself appeared to plead to the court, all the survivors of the many, many worlds he consumed saw him in a different way, a way only their frail, limited concepts could comprehend.
ReplyDeleteCheck it out:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p37HCIkDlCQ/UFrMJvQYPuI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/rQHouHB0vNs/s1600/galactus+image+ff+%23262.jpg
Thanks Jef!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. It looks like John Buscema's style more than what we'd soon see develop into Byrne's style.
ReplyDeleteHey Scott, good eye. To me, it's definitely Buscema and Adams.
ReplyDelete