Kirby original Fantasic Four #52 cover 0

[Carl Elvis]

I found this image of Kirby’s original cover art for FF52 - Does anyone know if it appears in one of those big Artist Edition books?

[PRTeckie]

I do not have an answer to your question, but wanted to thank you for posting this unused cover. I did not know it existed. VERY cool!

[namisgr]

Like on the unused cover, but unlike FF #52, the Italian version published in the early 1970s also had the Panther without a full face mask:

Edited March 7, 2018 by namisgr

[Carl Elvis]

3 hours ago, namisgr said:

Like on the unused cover, but unlike FF #52, the Italian version published in the early 1970s also had the Panther without a full face mask:

 

Wait a minute...it’s the same image!

 

[namisgr]

Yep, just angled differently.  The cape, mask, and utility belt were modified slightly for/from the FF #52 version (not sure which came first).

Edited March 7, 2018 by namisgr

[234wallst]

Wow I wonder what kind of tech they used back then before computers were prevalent to make these types of adjustments.

[Dick Pontoon]

Pencil, ink, brush, pen, bristol board, stat camera, x-acto knife, glue.

Edited March 8, 2018 by Dick Pontoon

[aardvark88]

On 3/7/2018 at 10:36 AM, namisgr said:

Like on the unused cover, but unlike FF #52, the Italian version published in the early 1970s also had the Panther without a full face mask:

Perhaps Kirby wanted to differentiate original drawing of the  Black Panther from the black Panther prototype in

Two Gun Kid (1965) that wore a full face mask and carried a pistol.