This is an often overlooked, at least rarely mentioned rendition of the mighty King Kong. In Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #2, the one-eyed spy tackles the genetic machinations of Centurius, a crazed mad scientist in the Dr.Moreau vein who plans to ravage Earth's flora and fauna and replace them with his own freshly-minted creations.
As it turns out a movie crew is on the same island and Nick is forced to recruit their help to save the Earth. In that effort, the giant robotic replica of Kong is used to battle some of the local dinos created by Centurius. It's a bit lame admittedly, but it did allow Steranko to create the full-page spectacle above, so as far as I'm concerned, all is forgiven.
The cover of the comic echoes the giant nature of the threat in this symbolic image of Fury battling a huge Centurius. Here's a glimpse of the world of Centurius. It's one of Jim Steranko's best double-page spreads and works magnificently inside the storytelling of the comic itself.
Ironically this issue of SHIELD appeared just a few months before Gold Key issued their classic adaptation of the novelized version of the classic King Kong.
It was a zesty summer of Kong indeed.
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This is the one Steranko SHIELD story I've never read / owned, so it's nice to see some interior pages. That "Kong!" page really reminds me of Burne Hogarth's Tarzan work. Lovely stuff!
ReplyDeleteI had not thought of Hogarth, but you're right. That tree has all the characteristics.
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