NIGHTCRAWLER by Larry Stroman

Second only to Wolverine in terms of popularity in the pages of Uncanny X-Men in the early 1980s, was Nightcrawler. While mutantkind is (and always has been) a metaphor for otherness, Nightcrawler was the only hero on the team that couldn’t hide his otherness. Rather than becoming bitter, he embraced his difference and turned that into a disarming charm that was as much a superpower as his teleportation. That resonated with readers who were themselves entering the awkwardness of puberty. For ardent fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Kurt Wagner and his demonic appearance was a bridge back into comic books, and an element of swashbuckling fantasy in the middle of a superhero soap opera.

Larry Stroman was the last breakout penciller on any X-title published in the 1980s. He is best known for his work on X-Factor with writer Peter David, which beautifully showcased his unique style. He didn’t copy the Marvel “house look,” and also wasn’t of the “Image” school. He was like a cross between Mike Mignola, Michael T. Gilbert, and Tanino Liberatore — but on a mainstream Marvel book. Stroman has a reputation for taking a very long time to turnaround commissions, making this ridiculously affordable pin-up a convenient, investment-worthy dose of instant gratification.

NOTE: Alan Cumming has been announced as reprising his fan-favorite role as Nightcrawler in the now-filming AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY