Welcome to the latest instalment of a brand-new feature here on Nerdly, where one of our comic gurus, Ian Wells, delves into comics history and dissects Comics Interview, the long-running journal of interviews and criticism from David Anthony Kraft.
A Yak with Dak
In his opening editorial this week David uses the space to talk about newcomers to the Comics Interview team as well as introduce the reader so some of the team who he hasn’t called out previously. Joining as contributing editors are Steve Ringgenberg and Mitch Cohn. Ringgenberg has previously worked in a similar capacity on Amazing Heroes and The Comics Journal. Whilst Cohn has been working at Fantacochronicles. Rick Oliver and Len Sapp are added to the special thanks credit. Robin Snyder joins as a transcriber. One name who has been in every issue who I couldn’t find anything about online is Lesley Benjamin-Aull. Here...
A Yak with Dak
In his opening editorial this week David uses the space to talk about newcomers to the Comics Interview team as well as introduce the reader so some of the team who he hasn’t called out previously. Joining as contributing editors are Steve Ringgenberg and Mitch Cohn. Ringgenberg has previously worked in a similar capacity on Amazing Heroes and The Comics Journal. Whilst Cohn has been working at Fantacochronicles. Rick Oliver and Len Sapp are added to the special thanks credit. Robin Snyder joins as a transcriber. One name who has been in every issue who I couldn’t find anything about online is Lesley Benjamin-Aull. Here...
- 4/18/2023
- by Ian Wells
- Nerdly
I’ve recently spent some time in the Syracuse University Archives researching old comic strips. It turns out they have an incredible collection of original artwork by top tier comic artists – everyone from Hal Foster to Frank Robbins. It’s quite a thrill and every time I view these originals I feel like a kid who’s successfully raided the cookie jar – and got away with it.
That’s how the new Monster Island book made me feel. You might remember Graham Nolan’s independent comic from about 20 years ago. It was a kick to follow along as two military folks fight their way across an island full of monsters. And it’s not Frankenstein or the Wolfman – these are monsters in the classic Kirby-Atlas Comics or Godzilla-toho studios mold. Big and scary and nutty and goofy and fun. My kinda monsters.
You’ve seen this format before. Scott Dunbier...
That’s how the new Monster Island book made me feel. You might remember Graham Nolan’s independent comic from about 20 years ago. It was a kick to follow along as two military folks fight their way across an island full of monsters. And it’s not Frankenstein or the Wolfman – these are monsters in the classic Kirby-Atlas Comics or Godzilla-toho studios mold. Big and scary and nutty and goofy and fun. My kinda monsters.
You’ve seen this format before. Scott Dunbier...
- 9/30/2019
- by Ed Catto
- Comicmix.com
Next Monday marks the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby’s birth. For one horrible moment, let us consider the following question: what if that birth never happened?
No Captain America. No Fourth World. Probably no romance comics. No Challengers of the Unknown. No Kamandi. No “Marvel Age of Comics.”
Think about that last one for a moment. The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, The Hulk, Nick Fury, Thor, Silver Surfer, Black Panther… most likely, they would not have existed; certainly not as the astonishing successes they were.
I will avoid suggesting the American comic book medium would have disappeared decades ago if not for Jack Kirby, although a case could be made for that argument. If Marvel Comics didn’t happen the way it happened, it’s possible that direct sales to comic book stores would not have happened, and that little phenomenon certainly has kept this racket alive.
Nobody put more power,...
No Captain America. No Fourth World. Probably no romance comics. No Challengers of the Unknown. No Kamandi. No “Marvel Age of Comics.”
Think about that last one for a moment. The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, The Hulk, Nick Fury, Thor, Silver Surfer, Black Panther… most likely, they would not have existed; certainly not as the astonishing successes they were.
I will avoid suggesting the American comic book medium would have disappeared decades ago if not for Jack Kirby, although a case could be made for that argument. If Marvel Comics didn’t happen the way it happened, it’s possible that direct sales to comic book stores would not have happened, and that little phenomenon certainly has kept this racket alive.
Nobody put more power,...
- 8/23/2017
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
It’s indestructible! It’s indescribable! Nothing can stop it!
Every one of you watching this screen should look out! Because soon, very soon, the most horrifying monster menace ever conceived…
No, this isn’t advertising copy for a comic convention coming to your town. These lines are from the trailer for that old monster movie, The Blob. But it could be used to describe any upcoming comic con.
Comic conventions are not only thriving but, like the Blob, they are now oozing out from the walls of their convention centers and invading local towns. Geek culture cannot be held within its original confines.
Who would have ever thought, way back when Geek Culture was nestled in little comic shops in the scorned section of town, that we’d get to this point? Unlike the foreboding tone of that Blob movie trailer, this expanding, oozing primordial mass inspires a sense of awe and wonderment.
Every one of you watching this screen should look out! Because soon, very soon, the most horrifying monster menace ever conceived…
No, this isn’t advertising copy for a comic convention coming to your town. These lines are from the trailer for that old monster movie, The Blob. But it could be used to describe any upcoming comic con.
Comic conventions are not only thriving but, like the Blob, they are now oozing out from the walls of their convention centers and invading local towns. Geek culture cannot be held within its original confines.
Who would have ever thought, way back when Geek Culture was nestled in little comic shops in the scorned section of town, that we’d get to this point? Unlike the foreboding tone of that Blob movie trailer, this expanding, oozing primordial mass inspires a sense of awe and wonderment.
- 7/10/2017
- by Ed Catto
- Comicmix.com
It’s time for me to review this brand new book for the second time.
Before we get into that paradox, the bottom line is that Thomas Yeates’ recently published Tarzan The Beckoning is a gorgeous book. But there’s a little bit more to this column than that simple appraisal.
Back in the early 90s, a new publisher called Malibu Comics was creating innovative and fun comics. Malibu had just published Tarzan The Warrior by Mark Wheatley and Neil Vokes. As you probably know, Tarzan, perhaps more than any other character, has been rendered by some of the industry’s all time greatest artists – Hal Foster, Burne Hogarth, Russ Manning, Neal Adams, Joe Kubert, John Buscema, Joe Jusko…the list goes on and on.
So when Malibu was promoting this new Tarzan The Warrior comic mini-series in the 90s, they signaled that they were going to try something very different.
Before we get into that paradox, the bottom line is that Thomas Yeates’ recently published Tarzan The Beckoning is a gorgeous book. But there’s a little bit more to this column than that simple appraisal.
Back in the early 90s, a new publisher called Malibu Comics was creating innovative and fun comics. Malibu had just published Tarzan The Warrior by Mark Wheatley and Neil Vokes. As you probably know, Tarzan, perhaps more than any other character, has been rendered by some of the industry’s all time greatest artists – Hal Foster, Burne Hogarth, Russ Manning, Neal Adams, Joe Kubert, John Buscema, Joe Jusko…the list goes on and on.
So when Malibu was promoting this new Tarzan The Warrior comic mini-series in the 90s, they signaled that they were going to try something very different.
- 10/3/2016
- by Ed Catto
- Comicmix.com
What’s more delightful than a summer fling? You meet someone new, get fascinated and before long you’re spending every moment under the hot summer sun together. This summer’s almost over, but there’s still time for one last fling. Get ready to meet Mitzi McCoy…and her creator’s grandson, Brian Collins.
Mitzi McCoy was a lovely strip that debuted in the late forties. Created by illustrator Kreigh Collins, the series opens in the small midwestern town of Freedom, where readers meet the strong willed heiress Mitzi McCoy.
In her first adventure, she summons her resolve to tell her obnoxious fiancée to “get lost.” Mitzi had discovered her fiancée was burdened with debt, and to make matters worse, he had bragged to a gossip columnist that he was “marrying money.” On top of all that, the scoundrel also included a photo of Mitzi in a bikini to accompany the story.
Mitzi McCoy was a lovely strip that debuted in the late forties. Created by illustrator Kreigh Collins, the series opens in the small midwestern town of Freedom, where readers meet the strong willed heiress Mitzi McCoy.
In her first adventure, she summons her resolve to tell her obnoxious fiancée to “get lost.” Mitzi had discovered her fiancée was burdened with debt, and to make matters worse, he had bragged to a gossip columnist that he was “marrying money.” On top of all that, the scoundrel also included a photo of Mitzi in a bikini to accompany the story.
- 8/22/2016
- by Ed Catto
- Comicmix.com
A few years ago when I had the honor to moderate the Joe Kubert panel at New York Comic Con, I was pleasantly surprised by how many great stories one of the panelists shared.
These tales were spun by Thomas Yeates, one of the first graduates of the Kubert School. Yeates has enjoyed an extraordinary career, drawing iconic characters iconic from Tarzan to Swamp Thing, Conan to Captain Action and even Dracula. And there are so many more.
I still enjoy his brilliant work each weekend when I pick up the Sunday paper and read Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant.
Recently, I caught up with Thomas Yeates and chatted about his recent efforts.
Ed Catto: You’ve been illustrating the Prince Valiant weekly comic strip for some time now. How’s it all going?
Thomas Yeates: Basically it’s great; I’m very fortunate to have landed this job. Particularly working with writer Mark Schultz, who likes hearing my story ideas, which makes it a lot more fun.
EC: What are some the challenges you find as opposed to traditional comics or illustrations?
Ty: The main problem is the reproduction. I’ve had to limit the line work to accommodate a weird registration problem that we see today. Comic books have much better printing. The format differs from paper to paper, but I’ve been able to deal with that.
EC: The longevity of Prince Valiant is astounding. Why do you think it endures?
Ty: Well the main credit for that goes to Hal Foster who created, wrote and illustrated this Sunday only strip. And, of course, the hard work of those who followed Foster. He set the bar so incredibly high that all of us who’ve continued the strip have tried our best to maintain that level of quality. At least that’s what I think.
EC: Who’s your favorite character in the Prince Valiant cast?
Ty: Val himself. His wife Aleta is wonderful too. It’s much better when there are women in action adventure stories. And of course Gawain is always a kick.
EC: I’ve heard rumors that your mini-series, Tarzan: The Beckoning, first published by Malibu in the 90s, is going to be reprinted. Can you tell me more about that?
Ty: Yes. We just finished working on that for about nine months, Dark Horse, two assistants and myself. We fixed the coloring, I added a little new art and tweaked the story. There were production problems in the original version so the new collection will be much better, including pages put back in order that were out of order in the Malibu version. I think it will be out in the fall.
EC: One of the issues Tarzan: The Beckoning dealt with was the slaughter of elephants and the ivory trade. We see that countries and organizations are still struggling with this issue, as evidenced by the crushing and burning of ivory. Do you keep up with the issue and what insights might you have?
Ty: That’s a terrible situation. “When will we ever learn?” as the song says. Yes, it’s ironic that just when The Beckoning is being reprinted with its fight against the ivory trade theme we find elephants being slaughtered for their tusks again, just like when I originally created the story some 24 years ago. Yes, I follow the issue and had input from various experts back when I wrote it. One of them, from the Environment Investigation Agency, came back and contributed an update on the situation for the new Dark Horse edition.
EC: In The Beckoning, your version of Tarzan’s wife Jane was exceedingly lovely. Can you tell me a little bit about how you envision these characters?
Ty: Well I was quite taken by Maureen O’Sullivan who played Jane in the Weissmuller films of the 1930s so she was my inspiration there. Plus Burroughs descriptions of Jane, and Russ Manning always gave her such beauty and dignity and I wanted to maintain that.
EC: I also seem to recall that you snuck a few of your other characters into that mini-series. Is that correct?
Ty: Yes, I do that sometimes to keep myself amused. In the crowd scenes there are environmental activist friends I knew then and The Timespirits as well.
EC: Will you be at San Diego Comic-Con again this year?
Ty: Yes.
EC: What keeps you coming back every year?
Ty: Good question. Why the hell do I keep going? Recently because my daughter Olivia likes to go with me.
By the way I should mention there’s a new reprint of all the Zorro newspaper strips I did with Don McGregor and Tod Smith coming out from a German publisher <at that same time>, including an English language version.
EC: Yes, Uwe Weber filled me in. The German independent publisher “Classic Heroes” Is launching two exclusive Zorro-Dailies Editions in July 2016. The books will be available only thru direct orders at zorrodailies.com or classicheroes.de . He also explained that fans can find the complete information on these two beautiful books, and all the various projects on the ThomasYeates.com site.
EC: What keeps you going as an artist every day?
Ty: What keeps me going as an artist every day is another good question, Ed. I have to make a living and this is what I know how to do. A great script is always inspiring too. I’m still trying to figure out how the great artists I love, like Foster, did it. Sometimes that challenge keeps me going.
EC: Ha! I think there’s a lot of us who to try figure out how you do it, Thomas! Thanks so much for your time and insights.
(Editor’s Note: Prince Valiant by Mark Schultz and Thomas Yeates, is available online along with over 100 other current and vintage King Features comic strips – The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Popeye, Flash Gordon, Buz Sawyer, Johnny Hazard, Zippy The Pinhead and a slew of others at www.comicskingdom.com. Tell ‘em ComicMix sent you, and then ask yourself why you’re talking to your computer.)...
These tales were spun by Thomas Yeates, one of the first graduates of the Kubert School. Yeates has enjoyed an extraordinary career, drawing iconic characters iconic from Tarzan to Swamp Thing, Conan to Captain Action and even Dracula. And there are so many more.
I still enjoy his brilliant work each weekend when I pick up the Sunday paper and read Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant.
Recently, I caught up with Thomas Yeates and chatted about his recent efforts.
Ed Catto: You’ve been illustrating the Prince Valiant weekly comic strip for some time now. How’s it all going?
Thomas Yeates: Basically it’s great; I’m very fortunate to have landed this job. Particularly working with writer Mark Schultz, who likes hearing my story ideas, which makes it a lot more fun.
EC: What are some the challenges you find as opposed to traditional comics or illustrations?
Ty: The main problem is the reproduction. I’ve had to limit the line work to accommodate a weird registration problem that we see today. Comic books have much better printing. The format differs from paper to paper, but I’ve been able to deal with that.
EC: The longevity of Prince Valiant is astounding. Why do you think it endures?
Ty: Well the main credit for that goes to Hal Foster who created, wrote and illustrated this Sunday only strip. And, of course, the hard work of those who followed Foster. He set the bar so incredibly high that all of us who’ve continued the strip have tried our best to maintain that level of quality. At least that’s what I think.
EC: Who’s your favorite character in the Prince Valiant cast?
Ty: Val himself. His wife Aleta is wonderful too. It’s much better when there are women in action adventure stories. And of course Gawain is always a kick.
EC: I’ve heard rumors that your mini-series, Tarzan: The Beckoning, first published by Malibu in the 90s, is going to be reprinted. Can you tell me more about that?
Ty: Yes. We just finished working on that for about nine months, Dark Horse, two assistants and myself. We fixed the coloring, I added a little new art and tweaked the story. There were production problems in the original version so the new collection will be much better, including pages put back in order that were out of order in the Malibu version. I think it will be out in the fall.
EC: One of the issues Tarzan: The Beckoning dealt with was the slaughter of elephants and the ivory trade. We see that countries and organizations are still struggling with this issue, as evidenced by the crushing and burning of ivory. Do you keep up with the issue and what insights might you have?
Ty: That’s a terrible situation. “When will we ever learn?” as the song says. Yes, it’s ironic that just when The Beckoning is being reprinted with its fight against the ivory trade theme we find elephants being slaughtered for their tusks again, just like when I originally created the story some 24 years ago. Yes, I follow the issue and had input from various experts back when I wrote it. One of them, from the Environment Investigation Agency, came back and contributed an update on the situation for the new Dark Horse edition.
EC: In The Beckoning, your version of Tarzan’s wife Jane was exceedingly lovely. Can you tell me a little bit about how you envision these characters?
Ty: Well I was quite taken by Maureen O’Sullivan who played Jane in the Weissmuller films of the 1930s so she was my inspiration there. Plus Burroughs descriptions of Jane, and Russ Manning always gave her such beauty and dignity and I wanted to maintain that.
EC: I also seem to recall that you snuck a few of your other characters into that mini-series. Is that correct?
Ty: Yes, I do that sometimes to keep myself amused. In the crowd scenes there are environmental activist friends I knew then and The Timespirits as well.
EC: Will you be at San Diego Comic-Con again this year?
Ty: Yes.
EC: What keeps you coming back every year?
Ty: Good question. Why the hell do I keep going? Recently because my daughter Olivia likes to go with me.
By the way I should mention there’s a new reprint of all the Zorro newspaper strips I did with Don McGregor and Tod Smith coming out from a German publisher <at that same time>, including an English language version.
EC: Yes, Uwe Weber filled me in. The German independent publisher “Classic Heroes” Is launching two exclusive Zorro-Dailies Editions in July 2016. The books will be available only thru direct orders at zorrodailies.com or classicheroes.de . He also explained that fans can find the complete information on these two beautiful books, and all the various projects on the ThomasYeates.com site.
EC: What keeps you going as an artist every day?
Ty: What keeps me going as an artist every day is another good question, Ed. I have to make a living and this is what I know how to do. A great script is always inspiring too. I’m still trying to figure out how the great artists I love, like Foster, did it. Sometimes that challenge keeps me going.
EC: Ha! I think there’s a lot of us who to try figure out how you do it, Thomas! Thanks so much for your time and insights.
(Editor’s Note: Prince Valiant by Mark Schultz and Thomas Yeates, is available online along with over 100 other current and vintage King Features comic strips – The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Popeye, Flash Gordon, Buz Sawyer, Johnny Hazard, Zippy The Pinhead and a slew of others at www.comicskingdom.com. Tell ‘em ComicMix sent you, and then ask yourself why you’re talking to your computer.)...
- 6/13/2016
- by Ed Catto
- Comicmix.com
I’m not keen on moving these days. When I switch my homestead to a new location, I have to find all the spots I was taking for granted – food stores, gas stations, mechanics, restaurants and so on. It usually also means I have to find a new newspaper. Yes, I’ve just proclaimed myself to be a dinosaur and I still read the newspaper every morning over breakfast. Yes, I know they offer electronic editions but I like one I can hold in my hands.
Assuming there is more than one local newspaper (or local-ish), I have to make a choice as to which one I’ll read. I have two primary criterions – where they fall on the political spectrum and what comic strips they have. The latter may be more important to me than the former. I was raised in a Republican household in Chicago so we got...
Assuming there is more than one local newspaper (or local-ish), I have to make a choice as to which one I’ll read. I have two primary criterions – where they fall on the political spectrum and what comic strips they have. The latter may be more important to me than the former. I was raised in a Republican household in Chicago so we got...
- 5/22/2016
- by John Ostrander
- Comicmix.com
People have been arguing the “who was comics’ first costumed hero” question for decades. Some feel it was Mandrake the Magician, by Lee Falk and Phil Davis (1934), others cite the truly obscure Red Knight created by John Welch and Jack McGuire, and still others prefer to credit E.C. Segar’s Popeye (1929). But I think it’s safe to say that most comics fans and scholars bestow that honor upon The Phantom, created by Lee Falk and Ray Moore 80 years ago this past week.
Neither Mandrake nor Popeye are “costumed heroes.” They perform their feats of daring in their regular work clothes. Whereas the Red Knight got his start in 1934 as a guy named Bullet Benton, he did not don the Red Knight costume and, therefore, the costumed hero persona until April of 1940. I suspect somebody at the Register and Tribune Syndicate took a gander at the McClure Syndicate’s success with Superman.
Neither Mandrake nor Popeye are “costumed heroes.” They perform their feats of daring in their regular work clothes. Whereas the Red Knight got his start in 1934 as a guy named Bullet Benton, he did not don the Red Knight costume and, therefore, the costumed hero persona until April of 1940. I suspect somebody at the Register and Tribune Syndicate took a gander at the McClure Syndicate’s success with Superman.
- 2/24/2016
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
Kurt Busiek is probably one of the biggest name in American comics. He started off doing freelance work for both DC and Marvel on titles like Iron Man, Avengers, and The Untold Tales of Spider-Man. In 1993, Busiek joined with superstar artist Alex Ross co-created the classic Marvels mini-series that showed the major events of the Marvel Universe from the perspective of photojournalist Phil Sheldon. From there, he created the long-running, award-winning Astro City series. Kurt Busiek is most notable for his humane approach to superheroes, making characters feel relatable despite their fantastical powers. In November 2014, Busiek teamed up rising art star Benjamin Dewey for The Autumnlands, a futuristic fantasy series about a world ruled by magic-using animal people that summon a human super soldier from the past to save the disappearing magic. However get more than they were bargaining for. The series is published by Image comics, and after a...
- 10/27/2015
- by Ben Howard
- SoundOnSight
Avengers #55 (1968)
Written by Roy Thomas
Pencilled by John Buscema
Inked by George Klein
Published by Marvel Comics
Avengers #55 marks the first real appearance of Avengers arch-villain, but the Avengers lineup he faces is quite odd. It’s a truly kooky quartet of the recently introduced Black Panther, Hawkeye, Wasp, and Goliath, which is one of Hank Pym’s dozen or so codenames. They open the issue as prisoners of a new, mostly filled with second stringers Masters of Evil, including “sultan of sound” Klaw, Radioactive Man, Whirlwind, and the “mysterious” Melter. Their strings are being pulled by the Crimson Cowl, a truly mysterious figure, who was revealed to be the Avengers’ butler Edwin Jarvis. However, writer Roy Thomas subverts the overused “the butler did it” cliche and throws in an even crazier plot twist that the robot Ultron-5 is behind the Avengers’ capture and infiltration of their HQ.
Roy Thomas...
Written by Roy Thomas
Pencilled by John Buscema
Inked by George Klein
Published by Marvel Comics
Avengers #55 marks the first real appearance of Avengers arch-villain, but the Avengers lineup he faces is quite odd. It’s a truly kooky quartet of the recently introduced Black Panther, Hawkeye, Wasp, and Goliath, which is one of Hank Pym’s dozen or so codenames. They open the issue as prisoners of a new, mostly filled with second stringers Masters of Evil, including “sultan of sound” Klaw, Radioactive Man, Whirlwind, and the “mysterious” Melter. Their strings are being pulled by the Crimson Cowl, a truly mysterious figure, who was revealed to be the Avengers’ butler Edwin Jarvis. However, writer Roy Thomas subverts the overused “the butler did it” cliche and throws in an even crazier plot twist that the robot Ultron-5 is behind the Avengers’ capture and infiltration of their HQ.
Roy Thomas...
- 5/8/2015
- by Logan Dalton
- SoundOnSight
Comic-Con International has announced the nominations for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for 2015. The nominees, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, highlight the wide range of material being published in comics and graphic novel form today, from companies big and small, in print and on line. The awards will be given out during a gala ceremony on Friday, July 10 during Comic-Con International: San Diego.
Best Short Story
“Beginning’s End,” by Rina Ayuyang, muthamagazine.com
“Corpse on the Imjin!” by Peter Kuper, in Masterful Marks: Cartoonists Who Changed the World (Simon & Schuster)
“,” by Lee Bermejo, in Batman Black and White #3 (DC)
“,” by Max Landis & Jock, in Adventures of Superman #14 (DC)
“When the Darkness Presses,” by Emily Carroll, http://emcarroll.com/comics/darkness/
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Astro City #16: “Wish I May” by Kurt Busiek & Brent Anderson (Vertigo/DC)
Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, by Evan Dorkin...
Best Short Story
“Beginning’s End,” by Rina Ayuyang, muthamagazine.com
“Corpse on the Imjin!” by Peter Kuper, in Masterful Marks: Cartoonists Who Changed the World (Simon & Schuster)
“,” by Lee Bermejo, in Batman Black and White #3 (DC)
“,” by Max Landis & Jock, in Adventures of Superman #14 (DC)
“When the Darkness Presses,” by Emily Carroll, http://emcarroll.com/comics/darkness/
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Astro City #16: “Wish I May” by Kurt Busiek & Brent Anderson (Vertigo/DC)
Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, by Evan Dorkin...
- 4/24/2015
- by Luana Haygen
- Comicmix.com
50 years ago, an artist named Wallace “Wally” Wood (or Woody to most people) changed Daredevil’s costume from his original yellow suit to the iconic red and black outfit he still wears to this day. (Even in the Daredevil Netflix show.) But Wally Wood did a lot more than redesign Daredevil and had a long career doing newspaper strips as well as horror and sci-fi books for EC Comics and humor for the immortal Mad. At East Coast Comicon, comic book artist and philanthropist J. David Spurlock, who co-founded the Wally Wood Scholarship Fund and co-wrote a biography of Wood, and veteran comics creators Larry Hama (G.I. Joe) and Bob Wiacek (Uncanny X-Men) swapped stories and chatted about Wood’s life, work, and legacy.
Larry Hama began the panel by saying he learned about Wally Wood during the mid-1960s through a friend at High School of Art and Design,...
Larry Hama began the panel by saying he learned about Wally Wood during the mid-1960s through a friend at High School of Art and Design,...
- 4/13/2015
- by Logan Dalton
- SoundOnSight
I’m a fossil. I know it. Proof positive: I read the daily newspaper. Not on a pad or tablet or my computer, I go out and actually buy the blamed thing. I read it during breakfast. Yes, I still get a certain percentage of my news from the computer and/or Jon Stewart and The Daily Show but I like having the physical newspaper, just as I prefer actual books to an e-reader. If I don’t get to read the paper, I get cranky. Or crankier.
I think I got that from my father, Joel W. Ostrander Sr. He was always the first up in the morning but, during my high school years, I was up second. We’d both be at breakfast and we would read the newspaper. I’d get the sections he was done with; that’s where I learned to be possessive about my newspaper.
I think I got that from my father, Joel W. Ostrander Sr. He was always the first up in the morning but, during my high school years, I was up second. We’d both be at breakfast and we would read the newspaper. I’d get the sections he was done with; that’s where I learned to be possessive about my newspaper.
- 1/4/2015
- by John Ostrander
- Comicmix.com
Pittsburgh Comicon: The Legends Panel
The Players:
Bill Sienkiewicz
-Classically trained painter known for his work at both DC and Marvel, particularly Elektra: Assassin. Sienkiewicz has won more awards than I can count (without taking off my shoes and socks at least)
Joe Rubinstein
-German-born artist most famous for inking the 1982 Wolverine series, as well as The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Holds the Guinness world record for inking more pencillers than any other inker in history.
Mike Grell
-Writer/Penciler/Inker/Editor, known for his work on Green Arrow, Warlord, and for helping Tony Stark expose himself to the public (…as Iron Man. Mind out of the gutter, people). Also owns an awesome hat.
Herb Trimpe
-The first artist to draw for Wolverine (Incredible Hulk #180/181). One of the most iconic artists of the Silver Age, he co-created nearly all of the characters introduced during his run on The Incredible Hulk.
The Players:
Bill Sienkiewicz
-Classically trained painter known for his work at both DC and Marvel, particularly Elektra: Assassin. Sienkiewicz has won more awards than I can count (without taking off my shoes and socks at least)
Joe Rubinstein
-German-born artist most famous for inking the 1982 Wolverine series, as well as The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Holds the Guinness world record for inking more pencillers than any other inker in history.
Mike Grell
-Writer/Penciler/Inker/Editor, known for his work on Green Arrow, Warlord, and for helping Tony Stark expose himself to the public (…as Iron Man. Mind out of the gutter, people). Also owns an awesome hat.
Herb Trimpe
-The first artist to draw for Wolverine (Incredible Hulk #180/181). One of the most iconic artists of the Silver Age, he co-created nearly all of the characters introduced during his run on The Incredible Hulk.
- 9/30/2014
- by Cory Weddell
- SoundOnSight
Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Peppermint Patty will return to the silver screen in November 2015, timing that coincides with the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas, perhaps the most beloved cartoon in television history. But how will the new feature film — with 3-D, CG animation — compare to the hand-drawn charms of that 1965 small-screen classic? Or to the Charles Schulz comic strip that possessed an especially elusive brand of whimsy?
When Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip premiered in October 1950, it couldn’t have been more different from the comic strips stacked around it — among them Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant, Milton Caniff’s Steve Canyon,...
When Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip premiered in October 1950, it couldn’t have been more different from the comic strips stacked around it — among them Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant, Milton Caniff’s Steve Canyon,...
- 7/24/2013
- by Geoff Boucher
- EW - Inside Movies
Was the surrealist ambition to revolutionise consciousness a natural fit with revolutionary politics? The relationship between art and politics has historically been problematic: witness the sterile, unsubtle style of Soviet Socialist Realism. Surrealism’s degree of individualism is arguably more extreme than that of other literary and artistic movements, however, as it focused on exploring the workings of the artist’s mind. Surrealism also pioneered techniques such as automatic writing which restricted the artist’s conscious control over his creation. This passive, inward-looking aspect of surrealism made it apparently incompatible with political commitment. Surrealist leader André Breton nonetheless claimed that his movement’s concern with the liberation of consciousness was a perfect fit with communism’s aim to liberate the people.
In Obscure Objects of Desire: Surrealism, Fetishism, and Politics (Oxford University Press, 2004), Johanna Malt explores how far Breton’s political ambitions for surrealism were realistic. Where these ambitions were misled,...
In Obscure Objects of Desire: Surrealism, Fetishism, and Politics (Oxford University Press, 2004), Johanna Malt explores how far Breton’s political ambitions for surrealism were realistic. Where these ambitions were misled,...
- 1/7/2013
- by Alison Frank
- The Moving Arts Journal
Pretty much the comic book Oscars, the 2012 nominations for the Eisner awards have been announced. There is quite are large showing from Marvel in the superhero department, not so much from DC. Surprising, considering the company’s high profile New 52 relaunch. Save for Jeff Lemire’s nomination for Best Writer, most of DC’s nomination are pre-relaunch, or from their Vertigo imprint which has been left untouched by the New 52. The nominations are usually as controversial as the Oscars, with books and whole companies being left out, much to fans, sometimes, anger and confusion.
A full list of the nominations are below, courtesy of Bleeding Cool, and the award will take place at this years San Diego Comic Con.
Best Short Story “A Brief History of the Art Form Known as Hortisculpture,” by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #12 (Drawn & Quarterly) “Harvest of Fear,” by Jim Woodring, in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo) “The Phototaker,...
A full list of the nominations are below, courtesy of Bleeding Cool, and the award will take place at this years San Diego Comic Con.
Best Short Story “A Brief History of the Art Form Known as Hortisculpture,” by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #12 (Drawn & Quarterly) “Harvest of Fear,” by Jim Woodring, in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo) “The Phototaker,...
- 4/7/2012
- by Tom White
- Obsessed with Film
As many of you may already know, each and every year, awards distributed at San Diego Comic Con to a few select (and noteworthy) nominees who are chosen by retailers and professionals in the comic book industry. The ceremony is better known as the Eisner Awards which is now heading into its 24th year with some great talent in the running. One of the most loved titles in this year’s nominee list is Marvel’s Daredevil, picking up 6 nominations that include Best Continuing Series, Best Single Issue, Best Writer (Mark Waid), Best Cover Artist (Marcos Martin), and Best Penciller/Inker Team Marcos Martin, and Paolo Rivera/Joe Rivera). DC also scored some decent recognition with their iZombie Vertigo series, gathering 3 nominations (Cover Art, Coloring, Inker/Penciller) for the creative team.
You can check out the full list of nominees below.
Eisner Award Nominees 2012
Best Short Story
“A Brief History...
You can check out the full list of nominees below.
Eisner Award Nominees 2012
Best Short Story
“A Brief History...
- 4/4/2012
- by GeekRest
- GeekRest
Back in 1937 a King Features Syndicate staffer was given the job of taking over the coloring and engraving their fairly new full-page weekly comic, Prince Valiant. It was a remarkable assignment; one that only a truly talented artist could perform. The job was given to a 19-year old named Jack Adler.
That assignment was his full work load: he had a week to do it, and given the complexity and beauty of Hal Foster’s work, Jack needed every minute of the work day to make his deadline. Given this workload and his youth, we can forgive him for making a politically incorrect faux pas. His boss was taking an executive on a tour; clearly, this executive was a comics fan who really new his stuff. He asked Jack all kinds of questions that were answered perfunctorily without the teenager taking his eyes off of his work. Finally, his boss...
That assignment was his full work load: he had a week to do it, and given the complexity and beauty of Hal Foster’s work, Jack needed every minute of the work day to make his deadline. Given this workload and his youth, we can forgive him for making a politically incorrect faux pas. His boss was taking an executive on a tour; clearly, this executive was a comics fan who really new his stuff. He asked Jack all kinds of questions that were answered perfunctorily without the teenager taking his eyes off of his work. Finally, his boss...
- 9/21/2011
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
"Has any attack in history ever been commemorated the way this one is about to be?" asked Edward Rothstein in the New York Times a few days ago. "It seems as if every cultural institution, television network and book publisher feels duty-bound to produce some sort of Sept 11 commemoration. Is there a precedent for this almost compulsive variety show about an attack on a nation's people? No examples suggest themselves. And in the United States, the attack on Pearl Harbor — the only incident remotely comparable — doesn't seem to have inspired anything similar, even though that surprise assault initiated one of the most traumatic and transformative decades in this nation's history…. Of course Sept 11 is something different…. Had a bomb fallen on the twin towers," he suggests, "even that would have been less traumatic. This was something unforeseen, expertly planned, a jarring demonstration of vulnerability. So otherworldly did it seem when...
- 9/10/2011
- MUBI
In the 10 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks, film directors have responded in myriad ways. Peter Bradshaw charts the rise and fall of the 9/11 movie
At the Venice film festival last week, George Clooney unveiled his new backstairs political drama, The Ides of March, about a Democratic presidential candidate getting bogged down in compromise, backstabbing and the dark political arts. Clooney said that he could conceivably have completed the film before now, but President Obama had been doing too well, and therefore the time wasn't right.
Perhaps Clooney was being serious and perhaps he wasn't. But the remark typifies the dwindling of the memory of 9/11 in Hollywood cinema. The Obama presidency, ushered in by the catastrophe of the Bush reign, is now perceived to be in trouble, and this enables a prominent Hollywood liberal to make the kind of savvy, ahistorically pessimistic political movie that could have been produced at...
At the Venice film festival last week, George Clooney unveiled his new backstairs political drama, The Ides of March, about a Democratic presidential candidate getting bogged down in compromise, backstabbing and the dark political arts. Clooney said that he could conceivably have completed the film before now, but President Obama had been doing too well, and therefore the time wasn't right.
Perhaps Clooney was being serious and perhaps he wasn't. But the remark typifies the dwindling of the memory of 9/11 in Hollywood cinema. The Obama presidency, ushered in by the catastrophe of the Bush reign, is now perceived to be in trouble, and this enables a prominent Hollywood liberal to make the kind of savvy, ahistorically pessimistic political movie that could have been produced at...
- 9/9/2011
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Last year, Fox announced its intention to reboot the "Fantastic Four" franchise with a new film. And while official word on the project has been scarce, the casting rumors are beginning to heat up.
According to a report on Comic Book Movie, Stephen Moyer is rumored to have been offered the role of Doctor Doom in the new "Fantastic Four" film. While the rumor is unconfirmed, it does include a mention that Doom will be portrayed as a master of the mystic arts and as the ruler of Latveria.
Moyer is best known for his role as the vampire Bill Compton on HBO's "True Blood." However, he has also previously starred in the title role of "Prince Valiant," a live-action film adaptation of Hal Foster's classic comic strip.
Earlier this month, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Adrien Brody were rumored to be up for the role of Mr. Fantastic, with...
According to a report on Comic Book Movie, Stephen Moyer is rumored to have been offered the role of Doctor Doom in the new "Fantastic Four" film. While the rumor is unconfirmed, it does include a mention that Doom will be portrayed as a master of the mystic arts and as the ruler of Latveria.
Moyer is best known for his role as the vampire Bill Compton on HBO's "True Blood." However, he has also previously starred in the title role of "Prince Valiant," a live-action film adaptation of Hal Foster's classic comic strip.
Earlier this month, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Adrien Brody were rumored to be up for the role of Mr. Fantastic, with...
- 8/30/2010
- by Blair Marnell
- MTV Splash Page
Prince Valiant began as a Sunday comic strip in 1937, created by legendary artist Hal Foster. In 1991, the Family Channel began airing The Legend of Prince Valiant, an animated series based on the strip.
The TV show tells the story of an exiled prince who is on a quest to become one of the Knights of the Round Table. As they travel to Camelot, brave Prince Valiant, feisty Rowanne, and woodsman Arn bond in their common desire to defeat practitioners of evil during their treacherous journey. The strong moral center of the series earned The Legend of Prince Valiant the Humanitas Award in 1993 and three Silver Angel awards.
The voice cast for the series includes Robby Benson, Michael Horton, Noelle North, Alan Oppenheimer, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Tim Curry, Samantha Eggar, James L. Avery Sr., and Dorian Harewood.
The...
The TV show tells the story of an exiled prince who is on a quest to become one of the Knights of the Round Table. As they travel to Camelot, brave Prince Valiant, feisty Rowanne, and woodsman Arn bond in their common desire to defeat practitioners of evil during their treacherous journey. The strong moral center of the series earned The Legend of Prince Valiant the Humanitas Award in 1993 and three Silver Angel awards.
The voice cast for the series includes Robby Benson, Michael Horton, Noelle North, Alan Oppenheimer, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Tim Curry, Samantha Eggar, James L. Avery Sr., and Dorian Harewood.
The...
- 7/14/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Comic strip artist best known for Flash Gordon, Secret Agent Corrigan and Star Wars
Al Williamson, who has died aged 79, was one of America's consummate comic strip artists. Chiefly remembered for his work on Flash Gordon, Secret Agent Corrigan and Star Wars, he employed a photo-real style that made even the most fantastic landscapes and action convincing. Williamson was a master draughtsman with a sharp eye for layout and composition. His virile heroes and beautiful heroines graced comic strips for more than 50 years.
He was born in New York, the son of a merchant from Bogotá in Colombia and his American wife. He grew up in Bogotá and began reading American comics, becoming a fan of Flash Gordon when he was 10 after his mother took him to the cinema to see an episode of the serial Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe.
The family later moved to New York, where he...
Al Williamson, who has died aged 79, was one of America's consummate comic strip artists. Chiefly remembered for his work on Flash Gordon, Secret Agent Corrigan and Star Wars, he employed a photo-real style that made even the most fantastic landscapes and action convincing. Williamson was a master draughtsman with a sharp eye for layout and composition. His virile heroes and beautiful heroines graced comic strips for more than 50 years.
He was born in New York, the son of a merchant from Bogotá in Colombia and his American wife. He grew up in Bogotá and began reading American comics, becoming a fan of Flash Gordon when he was 10 after his mother took him to the cinema to see an episode of the serial Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe.
The family later moved to New York, where he...
- 7/14/2010
- by Steve Holland
- The Guardian - Film News
Last year Barnes & Noble commissioned Eisner Award-winning comics illustrator Thomas Yeates to illustrate its new edition of the first three Mars tales of Edgar Rice Burroughs. The handsome new volume, John Carter of Mars, contains A Princess of Mars, The Gods of Mars, and The Warlord of Mars, which together comprise a trilogy recounting the fighting Virginian’s arrival and ascendance on the Red Planet.
A Princess of Mars was Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first book, written after a series of unsuccessful endeavors led him try his hand at bettering what he read in the pulps. His next book was the now-obscure The Outlaw of Torn; Yeates has done his part to revive this overlooked tale of the Middle Ages by illustrating a full color graphic novel edition to be published by Dark Horse under the title The Outlaw Prince (part one). Burroughs’ third book was somewhat better received; Tarzan of the Apes...
A Princess of Mars was Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first book, written after a series of unsuccessful endeavors led him try his hand at bettering what he read in the pulps. His next book was the now-obscure The Outlaw of Torn; Yeates has done his part to revive this overlooked tale of the Middle Ages by illustrating a full color graphic novel edition to be published by Dark Horse under the title The Outlaw Prince (part one). Burroughs’ third book was somewhat better received; Tarzan of the Apes...
- 6/15/2010
- by Steve
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Born in Minnesota in 1905, Wayne Boring attended the Minnesota School of Art and then the Chicago Art Institute. He started working in the comic book industry in 1937, ghost-drawing for Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's studio. When the studio created a Superman comic strip Boring was tapped to ghost-draw that, though later he was actually credited as the artist (often under his pseudonym, Jack Harmon). In 1942 National Comics hired him directly as a staff artist. In 1948 Siegel and Shuster left the company and new Superman editor Mort Weisinger handed the comic’s art duties to Boring. He handled most of the Superman penciling through the 1950s but dropped back to guest spots in the 60s and was let go from DC in 1967. Boring then ghosted for Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant comic strip, drew Sam Leff’s Davy Jones strip, and did some work on Marvel’s Captain Marvel before semi-retiring in the early 1970s.
- 6/5/2010
- by Aaron Rosenberg
- Comicmix.com
ComicCon.org have revealed the full list of nominees for this years Eisner Awards, or to give them their full name: The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Considered by many to be the premiere comic awards (think the comic equivalent of the Oscars), the Eisner Award winners will be announced at this years San Diego Comic-Con in July.
The Nominees:
Best Short Story
“Because I Love You So Much,” by Nikoline Werdelin, in From Wonderland with Love: Danish Comics in the 3rd Millennium(Fantagraphics/Aben maler) “Gentleman John,” by Nathan Greno, in What Is Torch Tiger? (Torch Tiger) “How and Why to Bale Hay,” by Nick Bertozzi, in Syncopated (Villard) “Hurricane,” interpreted by Gradimir Smudja, in Bob Dylan Revisited(Norton) “Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile (First Second)
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Brave & the Bold #28: “Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line,...
The Nominees:
Best Short Story
“Because I Love You So Much,” by Nikoline Werdelin, in From Wonderland with Love: Danish Comics in the 3rd Millennium(Fantagraphics/Aben maler) “Gentleman John,” by Nathan Greno, in What Is Torch Tiger? (Torch Tiger) “How and Why to Bale Hay,” by Nick Bertozzi, in Syncopated (Villard) “Hurricane,” interpreted by Gradimir Smudja, in Bob Dylan Revisited(Norton) “Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile (First Second)
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Brave & the Bold #28: “Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line,...
- 4/9/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
The list is out. Pretty straightforward, with a few surprises (No Todd Klein or John Workman for lettering? And was Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader not eligible?)
Our congratulations to all the nominees. We'll be starting the betting pools in 3... 2...
Best Short Story
• “Because I Love You So Much,” by Nikoline Werdelin, in From Wonderland with Love: Danish Comics in the 3rd Millennium (Fantagraphics/Aben malen)
• “Gentleman John,” by Nathan Greno, in What Is Torch Tiger? (Torch Tiger)
• “How and Why to Bale Hay,” by Nick Bertozzi, in Syncopated (Villard)
• “Hurricane,” interpreted by Gradimir Smudja, in Bob Dylan Revisited (Norton)
• “Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile (First Second)
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
• Brave & the Bold #28: “Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line,” by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz (DC)
• Captain America #601: “Red, White, and Blue-Blood,” by...
Our congratulations to all the nominees. We'll be starting the betting pools in 3... 2...
Best Short Story
• “Because I Love You So Much,” by Nikoline Werdelin, in From Wonderland with Love: Danish Comics in the 3rd Millennium (Fantagraphics/Aben malen)
• “Gentleman John,” by Nathan Greno, in What Is Torch Tiger? (Torch Tiger)
• “How and Why to Bale Hay,” by Nick Bertozzi, in Syncopated (Villard)
• “Hurricane,” interpreted by Gradimir Smudja, in Bob Dylan Revisited (Norton)
• “Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile (First Second)
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
• Brave & the Bold #28: “Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line,” by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz (DC)
• Captain America #601: “Red, White, and Blue-Blood,” by...
- 4/8/2010
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazetta and acclaimed publisher Vanguard Productions have announced a new publishing relationship.
Frazetta said, “We’ve known Vanguard publisher J. David Spurlock for many years. Vanguard publishes the very best! I’ve enjoyed their books on Hal Foster, Al Williamson, Jeffrey Jones, Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Basil Gogos, Carmine Infantino and more. David helped on our Painting with Fire documentary and we helped him on Vanguard’s Roy G. Krenkel, Wally Wood, and J. Allen St.John books. It’s natural that we should work together. I’m looking forward to seeing the quality job they do on the new Frazetta books.”
Frank Frazetta is considered by many to be the greatest heroic-fantasy artist of all time. His work has influenced generations of artists, fans, designers, and movie directors. From his 1950s comics; to his breathtaking book covers featuring Tarzan, King Kong, and John Carter of...
Frazetta said, “We’ve known Vanguard publisher J. David Spurlock for many years. Vanguard publishes the very best! I’ve enjoyed their books on Hal Foster, Al Williamson, Jeffrey Jones, Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Basil Gogos, Carmine Infantino and more. David helped on our Painting with Fire documentary and we helped him on Vanguard’s Roy G. Krenkel, Wally Wood, and J. Allen St.John books. It’s natural that we should work together. I’m looking forward to seeing the quality job they do on the new Frazetta books.”
Frank Frazetta is considered by many to be the greatest heroic-fantasy artist of all time. His work has influenced generations of artists, fans, designers, and movie directors. From his 1950s comics; to his breathtaking book covers featuring Tarzan, King Kong, and John Carter of...
- 3/9/2010
- by Bryan
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Thorgal: Volume One: Child Of The Stars: Aaricia by Jean van Hamme and illustrated by Grzegorz Rosinski (Cinebook, tpb, 96 pp, $14.99)
Found by the Viking chief Leif Haraldson and given the name Thorgal Aegirsson, the orphaned infant grows to young adulthood in Europe’s far north. There, he consorts with dwarves, gods and jealous, petty, evil men. He also finds adventure, love and his past—a past that has its beginning amongst the stars.
Remember Robert E. Howard’s “The Tower of the Elephant”?—that seamless blend of sword-and-sorcery and science fiction? Writer Jean van Hamme duplicates that feat in Cinebook’s double volume Thorgal: Volume One: Child Of The Stars: Aaricia. Thorgal’s origin mines the same territory as Superman—a star child raised on Earth—but with more realistic results. Thorgal is no superhero. He’s intelligent, impetuous, brave and loyal, but except for when the gods intervene, his...
Found by the Viking chief Leif Haraldson and given the name Thorgal Aegirsson, the orphaned infant grows to young adulthood in Europe’s far north. There, he consorts with dwarves, gods and jealous, petty, evil men. He also finds adventure, love and his past—a past that has its beginning amongst the stars.
Remember Robert E. Howard’s “The Tower of the Elephant”?—that seamless blend of sword-and-sorcery and science fiction? Writer Jean van Hamme duplicates that feat in Cinebook’s double volume Thorgal: Volume One: Child Of The Stars: Aaricia. Thorgal’s origin mines the same territory as Superman—a star child raised on Earth—but with more realistic results. Thorgal is no superhero. He’s intelligent, impetuous, brave and loyal, but except for when the gods intervene, his...
- 11/27/2009
- by no-reply@starlog.com (Penny Kenny)
- Starlog
Al Williamsons Flash Gordon: A Lifelong Vision of the Heroic
Flesk Publications, July 2009, $29.95
While Al Williamson did not create the legendary science fiction character, in many ways he inherited Alex Raymond’s artistic legacy. The artist was born in 1931, three years before Flash Gordon memorably hit the Sunday newspapers.
Raymond is considered one of the finest illustrators to work in syndicated comics, along with Hal Foster, with a photorealistic style that brought his world of Mongo and its varied denizens to life. While Buck Rogers was the first Sf strip, Flash Gordon was the best as the stories were epic in scope. The landscape of Mongo was unlike any realm seen in comics before and through the years that special feeling evaporated in the hands of others. Until Williamson.
In 256 pages, we are treated to the three stories produced for King Comics in the 1960s, the short-lived imprint from...
Flesk Publications, July 2009, $29.95
While Al Williamson did not create the legendary science fiction character, in many ways he inherited Alex Raymond’s artistic legacy. The artist was born in 1931, three years before Flash Gordon memorably hit the Sunday newspapers.
Raymond is considered one of the finest illustrators to work in syndicated comics, along with Hal Foster, with a photorealistic style that brought his world of Mongo and its varied denizens to life. While Buck Rogers was the first Sf strip, Flash Gordon was the best as the stories were epic in scope. The landscape of Mongo was unlike any realm seen in comics before and through the years that special feeling evaporated in the hands of others. Until Williamson.
In 256 pages, we are treated to the three stories produced for King Comics in the 1960s, the short-lived imprint from...
- 8/4/2009
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
The Collected Doug Wright: Canada's Master Cartoonist, 1949-1962
Edited by Seth and Brad Mackay
Drawn & Quarterly, May 2009, $39.95
Some claims come with the seeds of their own mocking built right in, and I’m afraid that “Canada’s Master Cartoonist” is right up there with “the premier crimefighting vigilante of the Quad Cities area” – it sounds impressive briefly, and then there’s a lull while we all wait for the punch line. Doug Wright is indeed an excellent cartoonist, and also Canadian – quintessentially Canadian, even, having spent his entire career in Montreal working on strips for purely Canadian markets – but this book’s glowing surety that Canada has precisely one “master cartoonist” and Wright is it comes across as the stereotypical Canadian fresh-faced naïveté that exists only to be foiled.
(I mean, what about such widely disparate names as Dave Sim, John Byrne, Hal Foster, Julie Doucet, Chester Brown, and Lynn Johnston?...
Edited by Seth and Brad Mackay
Drawn & Quarterly, May 2009, $39.95
Some claims come with the seeds of their own mocking built right in, and I’m afraid that “Canada’s Master Cartoonist” is right up there with “the premier crimefighting vigilante of the Quad Cities area” – it sounds impressive briefly, and then there’s a lull while we all wait for the punch line. Doug Wright is indeed an excellent cartoonist, and also Canadian – quintessentially Canadian, even, having spent his entire career in Montreal working on strips for purely Canadian markets – but this book’s glowing surety that Canada has precisely one “master cartoonist” and Wright is it comes across as the stereotypical Canadian fresh-faced naïveté that exists only to be foiled.
(I mean, what about such widely disparate names as Dave Sim, John Byrne, Hal Foster, Julie Doucet, Chester Brown, and Lynn Johnston?...
- 6/8/2009
- by Andrew Wheeler
- Comicmix.com
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