Marvel Illustrated Jungle Book

(Marvel, 2007)

In early 2007, Marvel Comics decided to do a line of comics similar in content to Classics Illustrated called Marvel Illustrated, which pairs classic author Roy Thomas (Conan the Barbarian) with modern artists to adapt literary tales such as Last of the Mohicans or The Man in the Iron Mask. Their opening shot in this new stream of classics is The Jungle Book, which, unlike the other titles in the Marvel Illustrated line, is not new material, but rather a reprint of four back-up stories from Marvel Fanfare that adapt the well-known Rudyard Kipling tale. However, just because this comic is a reprint does not mean it has no interest to modern audiences.

Art in this book (as well as half the scripting) is handled by Gil Kane, a major penciller on classic runs of books like Green Lantern and Amazing Spider-Man, and it’s a treat to see his detailed pencils reprinted here. Perhaps most interesting, though, is a chance to see superstar artist P. Craig Russell (most notably known for his award-winning Sandman #50) in the first year of his professional career, inking over Kane’s pencils. Russell also provides a new, striking cover for this collection.

— Eric Garneau

Jump to issue:

Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

11-Apr-2007
Cover Price: $2.99
4 copies available from $3.50

Gil Kane, Mary Jo Duffy, Roy Thomas

Gil Kane, Steve Kurth