Swan, Curt - AURORA COMIC SCENES #185 Interior Page
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SOLD ON: Thursday, 06/12/2025 7:59 PM
$633.65
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PUBLISHER: Aurora Plastics Co.
COMMENTS: A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Curt Swan pencils/Frank Giacoia inks; Superman Aurora Model Kit #185-140 Page 4 (DC Comics, 1974); image size 10" x 15"
The very last available page to this unique piece of DC Comics history! Iconic Last Panel of art: “This is a job for Superman!”
Read Description ▼
Curt Swan pencils/Frank Giacoia inks; Superman Aurora Model Kit #185-140 Page 4 (DC Comics, 1974); image size 10" x 15"
The very last available page to this unique piece of DC Comics history! Iconic Last Panel of art: “This is a job for Superman!”
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Curt Swan pencils/Frank Giacoia inks; Superman Aurora Model Kit #185-140 Page 4 (DC Comics, 1974); image size 10" x 15"
The very last available page to this unique piece of DC Comics history!
Iconic Last Panel of art: “This is a job for Superman!”The story begins with Clark Kent & Lois Lane speaking to each other while inside the Galaxy building in Metropolis. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a black cloud appears over the city and begins emitting an energy which turns the Galaxy building into negative! Clark commands Lois to run! The next dramatic scene is of Clark Kent changing into the iconic Man of Steel - Superman!
The art is accomplished in ink over graphite on Bristol board. It measures approximately 11 inches x 17 inches and is in excellent condition.
The Superman Aurora Model Kit, was a 1:8 scale plastic model.
The kit allowed fans to assemble and paint a three-dimensional Superman figure, and it came packaged with additional materials to enhance the display, including a backdrop mural for a full 3-D action scene!
What set this kit apart was the inclusion of a specially produced comic book, making it a collectible item for both model builders and comic book fans! Each Superman Aurora Model Kit included an 8-page promotional comic titled Aurora Comic Scenes Superman (Comic Scenes No. 185-140), published in 1974. The comic featured a new, original Superman story written by Marv Wolfman, with artwork by Curt Swan (pencils) and Frank Giacoia (inks).
The Story:
The plot centers on Clark Kent transforming into Superman to investigate a mysterious black cloud over Metropolis, which leads him to the abandoned Metropolis Prison Island. There, he encounters Neutron, a villain who attacks Superman, setting up a classic hero-villain confrontation. The comic served both as entertainment and as a set of illustrated instructions for assembling and displaying the model kit, blending narrative with practical guidance.
Content: 8-page original Superman story, assembly instructions and a display backdrop. Purpose: Promotional item included exclusively with the Aurora Superman model kit; not sold separately.
This combination of a model kit and exclusive comic book made the Superman Aurora Model Kit a unique and memorable collectible for fans of both comics and model building in the 1970s.
Historical Significance of the Superman: Aurora Model Kit
1. Early Superhero Merchandising
• Released in the mid-1960s, the Aurora Superman kit was among the first wave of superhero model kits, debuting alongside kits for Batman, Spider-Man, Superboy, Captain America, and others. This marked a significant expansion of superhero branding beyond comics, predating the widespread action figure and toy lines that would follow.
2. Iconic 3D Representation
• The kit captured Superman in a dynamic pose-bursting through a brick wall-evoking the action and spectacle of the character as seen on the George Reeves TV show. This scene was carefully chosen to take full advantage of the model medium’s ability to depict action in three dimensions, offering fans a tangible, interactive way to engage with their hero.
3. Integration of Comics and Models
• In the 1974 reissue, Aurora innovated by including a short comic book (with art by Curt Swan) and a backdrop scene in the kit. The comic not only told a story leading up to the moment depicted by the model but also doubled as assembly instructions, blending narrative and hobby in a unique way. This approach deepened the engagement for young fans and collectors, making the kit more than just a display piece.
4. Enduring Popularity and Influence
• The kit remained in production for many years, with various reissues and box art changes reflecting the evolving style of Superman and the toy industry1. Its longevity is a testament to its popularity and the strength of the Superman brand. Even after Aurora’s demise in the late 1970s, the kit was re-released by other companies like Monogram and Revell, sometimes with updated features or packaging.
5. Cultural and Nostalgic Value
• For many, the kit represents a formative experience in model building and superhero fandom. It is remembered fondly as a cherished childhood possession, and its box art and design have become iconic within the hobbyist community. The kit’s success also contributed to the broader acceptance and popularity of character-based model kits, influencing the marketing of superhero and pop culture merchandise for decades.
6. Collectible Status
• Today, the original Aurora Superman kit, especially complete with its comic and backdrop, is a sought-after collectible, valued for its craftsmanship, nostalgia, and place in both comic and model kit history!
In summary, the Superman Aurora Model Kit is historically significant for pioneering superhero merchandising, merging storytelling with model building, and leaving a lasting legacy in both the comic and hobby worlds!
Curt Swan’s art style in the comic book included with the Superman: Aurora Model Kit is a direct reflection of the qualities that made him the definitive Superman artist for decades. Swan was renowned for bringing a sense of realism and humanity to Superman, moving away from exaggerated, cartoonish features and instead depicting the character with expressive, relatable faces and fluid, graceful forms. In the Aurora kit comic, these hallmarks are evident:
• Realistic, Expressive Faces: Swan’s Superman is approachable and emotive, with facial expressions that convey warmth, confidence, and empathy. This helped readers connect with Superman not just as a powerful hero, but as a character with genuine feeling and personality.
• Graceful, Dynamic Anatomy: Swan’s Superman is barrel-chested and powerfully built, but never stiff. His figures are shown in natural, believable poses, whether flying, standing, or in action, giving a sense of movement and vitality to every panel.
• Clarity and Storytelling: Swan’s layouts are clear and easy to follow, supporting the narrative without overwhelming it. His backgrounds and supporting characters are rendered with care, grounding Superman in a believable world.
• Norman Rockwell Influence: Critics have likened Swan’s style to that of Norman Rockwell, noting the “Rockwellian appeal” in his depiction of everyday American life and the approachable, big-hearted nature of his characters.
• In summary, the comic included with the Aurora kit showcases Curt Swan’s signature blend of realism, emotion, and clarity-qualities that not only defined Superman for a generation but also made the model kit comic a memorable and accessible introduction to the character for new readers!
Images of the published cover, page, and model kit are for reference only.
Artists Information
Swan was a house artist at DC working on titles like Tommy Tomorrow, he began gravitating towards Superman and his related books, Superboy, World's Finest and Jimmy Olsen, he would eventually leave DC thanks to his personality issue with Editor In Chief Mort Weisinger. He would eventually return and go on to be the artist that defined the look of Superman in the Silver Age, eventually becoming the editor of the title, but after thirty years of keeping up standards of all things Superman, Swan was given the boot in favor of John Byrne's Superman reboot, Swan's comic work began to taper off after this dismissal and he eventually retired, but will forever be recognized as the Silver Age Superman's finest artist.
Frank Giacoia (July 6, 1924 – February 4, 1988) was an American comics artist known primarily as an inker. He sometimes worked under the name Frank Ray, Giacoia made the rounds to almost every Golden Age publisher, notably working on Flash and Batman stories, he also worked at Timely during this period. In the Silver Age Frank worked on many Jack Kirby pages, particularly in Captain America, and he also notably inked the first appearance of the Punisher in AMS #129.
Curt Swan pencils/Frank Giacoia inks; Superman Aurora Model Kit #185-140 Page 4 (DC Comics, 1974); image size 10" x 15"
The very last available page to this unique piece of DC Comics history!
Iconic Last Panel of art: “This is a job for Superman!”The story begins with Clark Kent & Lois Lane speaking to each other while inside the Galaxy building in Metropolis. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a black cloud appears over the city and begins emitting an energy which turns the Galaxy building into negative! Clark commands Lois to run! The next dramatic scene is of Clark Kent changing into the iconic Man of Steel - Superman!
The art is accomplished in ink over graphite on Bristol board. It measures approximately 11 inches x 17 inches and is in excellent condition.
The Superman Aurora Model Kit, was a 1:8 scale plastic model.
The kit allowed fans to assemble and paint a three-dimensional Superman figure, and it came packaged with additional materials to enhance the display, including a backdrop mural for a full 3-D action scene!
What set this kit apart was the inclusion of a specially produced comic book, making it a collectible item for both model builders and comic book fans! Each Superman Aurora Model Kit included an 8-page promotional comic titled Aurora Comic Scenes Superman (Comic Scenes No. 185-140), published in 1974. The comic featured a new, original Superman story written by Marv Wolfman, with artwork by Curt Swan (pencils) and Frank Giacoia (inks).
The Story:
The plot centers on Clark Kent transforming into Superman to investigate a mysterious black cloud over Metropolis, which leads him to the abandoned Metropolis Prison Island. There, he encounters Neutron, a villain who attacks Superman, setting up a classic hero-villain confrontation. The comic served both as entertainment and as a set of illustrated instructions for assembling and displaying the model kit, blending narrative with practical guidance.
Content: 8-page original Superman story, assembly instructions and a display backdrop. Purpose: Promotional item included exclusively with the Aurora Superman model kit; not sold separately.
This combination of a model kit and exclusive comic book made the Superman Aurora Model Kit a unique and memorable collectible for fans of both comics and model building in the 1970s.
Historical Significance of the Superman: Aurora Model Kit
1. Early Superhero Merchandising
• Released in the mid-1960s, the Aurora Superman kit was among the first wave of superhero model kits, debuting alongside kits for Batman, Spider-Man, Superboy, Captain America, and others. This marked a significant expansion of superhero branding beyond comics, predating the widespread action figure and toy lines that would follow.
2. Iconic 3D Representation
• The kit captured Superman in a dynamic pose-bursting through a brick wall-evoking the action and spectacle of the character as seen on the George Reeves TV show. This scene was carefully chosen to take full advantage of the model medium’s ability to depict action in three dimensions, offering fans a tangible, interactive way to engage with their hero.
3. Integration of Comics and Models
• In the 1974 reissue, Aurora innovated by including a short comic book (with art by Curt Swan) and a backdrop scene in the kit. The comic not only told a story leading up to the moment depicted by the model but also doubled as assembly instructions, blending narrative and hobby in a unique way. This approach deepened the engagement for young fans and collectors, making the kit more than just a display piece.
4. Enduring Popularity and Influence
• The kit remained in production for many years, with various reissues and box art changes reflecting the evolving style of Superman and the toy industry1. Its longevity is a testament to its popularity and the strength of the Superman brand. Even after Aurora’s demise in the late 1970s, the kit was re-released by other companies like Monogram and Revell, sometimes with updated features or packaging.
5. Cultural and Nostalgic Value
• For many, the kit represents a formative experience in model building and superhero fandom. It is remembered fondly as a cherished childhood possession, and its box art and design have become iconic within the hobbyist community. The kit’s success also contributed to the broader acceptance and popularity of character-based model kits, influencing the marketing of superhero and pop culture merchandise for decades.
6. Collectible Status
• Today, the original Aurora Superman kit, especially complete with its comic and backdrop, is a sought-after collectible, valued for its craftsmanship, nostalgia, and place in both comic and model kit history!
In summary, the Superman Aurora Model Kit is historically significant for pioneering superhero merchandising, merging storytelling with model building, and leaving a lasting legacy in both the comic and hobby worlds!
Curt Swan’s art style in the comic book included with the Superman: Aurora Model Kit is a direct reflection of the qualities that made him the definitive Superman artist for decades. Swan was renowned for bringing a sense of realism and humanity to Superman, moving away from exaggerated, cartoonish features and instead depicting the character with expressive, relatable faces and fluid, graceful forms. In the Aurora kit comic, these hallmarks are evident:
• Realistic, Expressive Faces: Swan’s Superman is approachable and emotive, with facial expressions that convey warmth, confidence, and empathy. This helped readers connect with Superman not just as a powerful hero, but as a character with genuine feeling and personality.
• Graceful, Dynamic Anatomy: Swan’s Superman is barrel-chested and powerfully built, but never stiff. His figures are shown in natural, believable poses, whether flying, standing, or in action, giving a sense of movement and vitality to every panel.
• Clarity and Storytelling: Swan’s layouts are clear and easy to follow, supporting the narrative without overwhelming it. His backgrounds and supporting characters are rendered with care, grounding Superman in a believable world.
• Norman Rockwell Influence: Critics have likened Swan’s style to that of Norman Rockwell, noting the “Rockwellian appeal” in his depiction of everyday American life and the approachable, big-hearted nature of his characters.
• In summary, the comic included with the Aurora kit showcases Curt Swan’s signature blend of realism, emotion, and clarity-qualities that not only defined Superman for a generation but also made the model kit comic a memorable and accessible introduction to the character for new readers!
Images of the published cover, page, and model kit are for reference only.
Artists Information
Swan was a house artist at DC working on titles like Tommy Tomorrow, he began gravitating towards Superman and his related books, Superboy, World's Finest and Jimmy Olsen, he would eventually leave DC thanks to his personality issue with Editor In Chief Mort Weisinger. He would eventually return and go on to be the artist that defined the look of Superman in the Silver Age, eventually becoming the editor of the title, but after thirty years of keeping up standards of all things Superman, Swan was given the boot in favor of John Byrne's Superman reboot, Swan's comic work began to taper off after this dismissal and he eventually retired, but will forever be recognized as the Silver Age Superman's finest artist.
Frank Giacoia (July 6, 1924 – February 4, 1988) was an American comics artist known primarily as an inker. He sometimes worked under the name Frank Ray, Giacoia made the rounds to almost every Golden Age publisher, notably working on Flash and Batman stories, he also worked at Timely during this period. In the Silver Age Frank worked on many Jack Kirby pages, particularly in Captain America, and he also notably inked the first appearance of the Punisher in AMS #129.