Today in Comics History, September 1: Happy birthday, Joe Jusko!

Born on this day: painter Joe Jusko, whose illustrative work has graced many fantasy/science fiction books and collections, including the groundbreaking 1992 Marvel Masterpieces trading cards that initiated the painted trading card boom of the 1990s!



from Marvel Age (top) #117 and (bottom) 118 (Marvel, October-November 1992), photographs by Christopher Ebel



"A" Joe Jusko preeumably fondly named after "the" Joe Jusko appears (as a Hollywood agent) in this issue of a Benjamin Grimm comic, but if'n I were Mr. Jusko I'd sue Marvel over this! On behalf of his excellent hair, if nothing else!



from Marvel Two-in-One (1974 series) #46 (Marvel, December 1978), script and pencils by Alan Kupperberg, inks by Chic Stone, colors by Shelly Leferman and Alan Kupperberg, letters by Gaspar Saladino
This story also guest-stars eventually-to-be-killed-by Kevin Smith Daredevil supporting character Karen Page, who's just not up for this nonsense.


But Joe's most visible appearance in comics (and yes, it's really him) is as Captain America on the photo cover of this Spidey comic, with letterer and writer Jack "Squid" Morelli as Spider-Man!


cover of Marvel Team-Up (1972 series) #128 (Marvel, April 1983), photo by Eliot R. Brown
Behind the scenes of the photo shoot:




from "A Cover Is Born" in Marvel Team-Up #128;, text and photos by Eliot R. Brown
A very happy birthday to you, Joe Jusko!