John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition

John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition

John Buscema was one of the most important artists at Marvel Comics for decades. He produced gorgeous pencils for some of the most iconic characters at the House of Ideas, including The Avengers, Thor, The Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, and many more. But he is perhaps most acclaimed for his stunning rendition of the noble Silver Surfer! This Artist’s Edition will include Silver Surfer classics #5 and #6, both double-sized issues, as well as issue #8, a cover and classic page gallery, plus more! All done with the full endorsement and cooperation of the Buscema family.

  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
  • John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
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As with all AE format material (Artist’s Editions, Artifact Editions, Gallery Editions, Art Editions, Studio Editions, etc.), this is a collection of classic comic material and I’ll be reviewing the book and not the story. For a complete list of all current and announced editions, with review links, please visit our Index. Also, see What is an Artist’s Edition and our Artist Index. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition

The first Artist Edition featuring this Marvel silver age mainstay, John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition gives us the best of this 1960’s classic.

More than any other recent collection this Artist’s Edition feels like every page they could get was included.

  • Issues 5, 6 and 8 complete
  • Issue 1 cover, pages 12, 32, 33
  • Issue 2 cover, unpublished cover
  • Issue 7 page 31
  • Issue 9 cover, pages 6, 9, 13
  • Issue 10 cover
  • Issue 12 page 15
  • Issue 13 pages 4, 13, 20
  • Issue 14 pages 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20
  • Issue 15 pages 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Issue 16 page 1

The book is divided into three sections: full issues, then scattered pages, and finally covers. Of the full issues five pages are not scanned from original art and look to be bleached and enlarged pages from the comic. A one page biography of Buscema closes out this volume.

The scan quality is excellent, with most pages showing vivid detail: lots of uninked pencils and margin notes throughout. Most pages have aged well, with some yellowing but no brown pages. It’s surprising how many panels lacked any background at all, relying on the colourist. Expressive faces, hands and body movement is clear and well defined.

John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition

Thankfully a few origin pages were found and included from issue one: those are very powerful images and simply amazing to hold and behold.

Oddly Randall Dahlk’s usual design of a single colour carrying through from cover to cover didn’t happen here: the cover colour is blue and the interior colour is purple. The space theme on Dahlk’s pages are standout designs.

IDW’s strict production shines again, with heavy paper stock, sewn binding and excellent construction. Front and back pages didn’t open as fully as one would like when reading: perhaps a looser binding like Graphitti Designs is employing.

John Buscema is often referred to as the definitive Silver Surfer artist and this edition only serves to strengthen that statement. Few comic pages are as powerful as those crafted by Buscema of the Surfer’s internal torments and emotions. Let’s hope for more Artist’s Editions of his work: early Avengers would be my wish!

John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
John Buscema’s Silver Surfer Artist’s Edition
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