MEDIASCENE NO. 16

This is issue #16 of Jim Steranko's classy "magazine of popular entertainment". Published on newsprint paper like THE MONSTER TIMES, he would later print his other publications in standard magazine format.

This is one killer issue, with a feature on Gil Kane and Richard Corben's graphic novels that were in development at the time. Kane's THE FLAME HORSE was never published and Corben's KING OF THE NORTHERN ABYSS, based on Robert E. Howard's story, "The Valley of the Worm" morphed into BLOODSTAR which found life with Morning Star Press. Also included in this issue are interviews with Bernie Wrightson and Vaughn Bode, a profile of Jack Davis and a feature on The Shadow.

JIM STERANKO'S MEDIASCENE

At the top of his game in the 1960's, Jim Steranko had a keen eye for trends in the comics and genre media. After stunning readers with his remarkable art in Marvel's SGT. FURY AND HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS and CAPT. AMERICA, he essentially retired from drawing comics and, like Frazetta, successfully turned to painting paperback book covers and other graphic design projects. Steranko is also noted for his two-volume HISTORY OF THE COMICS, an essential read for any comics fan.

In 1969, he formed Supergraphics, his own publishing company. Under the imprint, in 1972, he published a tabloid-size magazine called COMIXSCENE, which evolved into MEDIASCENE with issue #7. Each themed issue was beautifully designed and a feast for the eyes for comics and genre fans. With issue #41 in 1980, the publication was changed into a regular, magazine size and re-titled, PREVUE and lasted until 1980. 

Shown today is MEDIASCENE #8, a special pinup issue. It is an excellent example of Steranko's visually-impressive art and design work.