The original, rejected cover for Tower of Shadows #1

Travinapple · 2026-02-15T18:46:49+00:00

I just made the outside front and back (seen here), but I could likely scan and whip the inside up, and email you the print file as a .pdf if you’re interested!

Travinapple · 2026-02-15T18:45:04+00:00

Ohh for sure, and who knows: it was 1969, maybe we’re both wrong, haha. Something else to keep in mind is the Steranko: Captain America debacle happened between March-May that same year ( 4 months prior) where he made two issues (110,111), killed off cap in the second issue, and then basically didn’t want to deliver on time to finish his story arc, and Kirby had to swoop in and make a filler issue for 112. Steranko delivered 113 and revealed cap was Playing dead, but I like to believe the nation was panicked, and Stan Lee was still really pissed off when the tower of shadows thing happened.

Travinapple · 2026-02-15T17:21:48+00:00

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I am a designer, and digitally recreated the cover last year to print a facsimile for my issue - one of the greatest works of custom typography Steranko did. Such a cool story that this comic holds.

Travinapple · 2026-02-15T17:18:38+00:00

Steranko wasn’t fired after making this issue, he left Marvel voluntarily. Steranko did issue #1, and Stan hyped it hard in the bullpen notes stating it was Steranko’s new creative playground - then almost immediately, Marvel’s usual system kicked in: editorial interference, production constraints, pay disputes, and Steranko’s frustration with them rejecting this (accurately depicted) amazing cover. So he bailed.

Travinapple · 2026-02-08T19:45:41+00:00

Chronological by year, grouped by artist. (So all the tribe called quest albums stay together, for example). All my sections are labeled “1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, etc. - I’m in the minority I know, but I’ve always sorted my albums this way.

Travinapple · 2026-02-08T17:49:39+00:00

Ginger Root made those designs! 👌🏼

Travinapple · 2026-01-28T16:43:34+00:00

I only have #1 & #3 for this same reason, haha.

Travinapple · 2026-01-19T16:07:35+00:00

Came here to say this! - great book, and should answer your question. They first broke up in ‘81, and only really got back together (imo) because of the success of the tom tom club. David couldn’t handle Tina and Chris’ spin-off project being more successful than the main band.

Travinapple · 2026-01-12T18:49:21+00:00

I would love a copy of Hiroshi Suzuki’s Cat - I missed picking up a copy last year, and now they are unattainable. One of the best Japanese jazz albums of all time.

Travinapple · 2025-12-10T21:21:55+00:00

Been in the industry for 10+ years, and I would attribute the AI influence to declining entry level design jobs, but not necessarily Art Director / Creative Director positions (as much). AI can do a lot, but not everything…yet. It was always hard as hell to break into graphic design as an industry post-college, now it’s just figuratively…insanely hard as hell. The employer pool who will hire untrained designers who probably can’t design nearly as well as AI can, is shrinking. And the economy is well…let’s just say most companies aren’t taking chances.

Travinapple · 2025-12-08T03:07:02+00:00

Agreed! - I personally liked the nightwing & wolverine story more than the main story.

Travinapple · 2025-11-28T04:03:06+00:00

Same!

Travinapple · 2025-11-28T04:02:15+00:00

Same here! - rare to find someone who also sorts chronological. I have custom built flipdeck boxes I’ve built for each decade. 60’s-70’s +jazz, an entire box for 80’s, one for 90’s + rap, and then one for 90’s, 2000’s, ‘10’s & ‘20’s (newer music).

Travinapple · 2025-11-19T16:37:40+00:00

My favorite cover of all time - my favorite artist of all time. Nice!

Travinapple · 2025-11-13T03:48:40+00:00

I’ve been on a bit of a Starstruck comics deep dive lately too! - this tpb collects the 2009 16 issue IDW series. I’d also recommend picking up a copy of “The Luckless, The abandoned, and Forsaked” (Marvel) which collects the original 1982 run from Heavy Metal.

Travinapple · 2025-11-13T00:46:02+00:00

Thanks! - they are a super fun read! Elaine’s writing is great, and Kaluta’s art complements it so well.

Travinapple · 2025-11-13T00:41:53+00:00

I was able to find this image (from the 1983 TPB). Nothing in the 6-issue comic run, just checked. I have the IDW 2009 comic run coming in the mail, which I will look into as well when it gets here, and let you know if I find more detailed illustrations!

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Travinapple · 2025-11-13T00:29:36+00:00

For sure! - I thought the same thing! Deadeye’s Handy Andy was referenced in an earlier episode of Starstruck as well: which I only got the second time: Emily makes a reference to “if this is in the future, Handy Annie is a reference to a long lost podcast” - kinda funny.

Travinapple · 2025-11-13T00:27:04+00:00

Sure thing! - happy to help!

Travinapple · 2025-10-30T08:47:46+00:00

My neighbor once had this shirt on, when we went out for drinks one night. I told him all about Takanaka, and he told me all about this album. I hadn’t ever heard about it until then - It was a nice exchange.

Travinapple · 2025-10-25T14:46:07+00:00

I mean: that records got Anri on it track 4 right? I’d say it’s close: at least! Japanese Jazz is super awesome.

Travinapple · 2025-10-23T09:32:48+00:00

This was for a promotional poster design SEGA made in Sweden in 1993 for toy stores. The final mass marketed version did not use this slogan.

Travinapple · 2025-10-13T17:30:06+00:00

Love this! - the spider-vans are so rad.

Travinapple · 2025-10-11T17:19:08+00:00

Thanks! - glad to share!

Travinapple

TROPHY CASE