STERANKO
Happy Birthday, Jim Steranko!
The Man, The Myth, The Legend!
Those are all true in my description of Jim Steranko. Or, as he’s known, Steranko!
When you reach one name, it does seem that there is something special about the identity or the legend of the person.
It was at the Little Giants Old School Comic Show convention in April that I was attending with Jim Shooter (1951-2025) and many others, where Jim Steranko was also in attendance.
Now, I had met Jim Steranko for the first time at a Heroes Convention and realized that meeting him was something special.
I also realized that I had never asked Jim if I could get a photo with him. So, I decided I should take the opportunity to ask. My friend, and Jim Shooter’s agent, Brittany Byram, was at the show too, and she just happened to walk over, giving Steranko a note from Shooter.
The timing could not have been better. Having Brittany there was a huge help in Steranko taking the photo below with me and her!
Thanks, Jim, and Brittany!!
I have admired Steranko’s work since I first saw it.
These three Captain America covers alone were enough to sell me on his storytelling dynamic, designed, and drawn images!
These images drove my love of Captain America even more.
The drawings below, by me, show my influence at age 17, once I had been introduced to Steranko’s work. I thought these were something of a breakthrough for me during that time when I was working toward getting a job in doing comic art.
Yes, I hid my signature, or tried, and yes, I loved using Zip-A-Tone. But, after all, I was trying to figure out those Steranko effects!
So, all this just to wish my friend very Happy Birthday!
Love you, Jim!
John Beatty