I found another treasure in the collection of my late sister-in-law Ellen Vartanoff — an unused cover design for Iron Man #24 (April 1970).

It’s clearly not done by Marie Severin, as were so many of the other sketches I’ve shared with you. Though it’s unsigned, I believe it was drawn by Johnny Craig, who also drew that issue’s interior.

I’m unfamiliar with Craig’s loose sketch style, but here are a few pages (inked by George Tuska) so you can judge for yourself. I do see similarities, though.

But this design wasn’t used. The published cover was pencilled by Marie Severin, with inks by either Joe Sinnott or Sam Grainger.

Most of the other designs I’ve shared with you have been followed pretty close by the final covers, but not this. Why? After 51 years, I’m afraid it will forever be a mystery.

But it’s a nice mystery to have!