POST # 35 - "JEWELS OF GWAHLUR!" by Dick Giordano

Many of you have no doubt heard the sad news
that Dick Giordano has passed away.

As a comics fan growing up in the Silver Age, I recall seeing his name on nearly every DC comic I ever brought home from the drugstore (they didn't have comic shops back then).  My favorite comics featuring Mr. Giordano would have to be ones that had him working with Neal Adams, as I thought his inks over Adams pencils seemed to be a perfect fit.

Dick Giordano, besides being one of DC comics best and most popular inkers, was clearly also a wonderful and talented penciller as well. You can look up his name at the usual places on the web, and find out more about Dick Giordano and his long and respected career as artist and editor, as I am unable to delve too deep into his history at the moment. Suffice to say, the man did excellent work over the many years he spent working in the comics industry. It is my honor to post for you a story he pencilled and inked, for Marvel comics Savage Sword Of Conan # 25, in 1977.  It was adapted from Robert E. Howard's work, by Roy Thomas. You may agree with me that he does an outstanding job, his version of Conan being able to stand shoulder to shoulder alongside the likes of those by John Buscema, Barry Windsor-Smith, Neal Adams, and Gil Kane. That says alot for the man's talent. It is a shame he didn't get to do more like this.

I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and to say thank you, Mr. Giordano, for all you have contributed to comics that has entertained and captivated our imaginations all these years.

IN MEMORIAM:

Dick Giordano

(7/20/1932 - 3/27/2010)

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Here is a link to Mark Evanier's POV ONLINE
where he has more regarding Dick Giordano.

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Plenty of wonderful art found on Dick Giordano's own site.

http://www.dickgiordano.com/

POST # 34 - "CREEPS" by Wally Wood and John Severin

Here we have a fascinating exhibit of two legendary EC Comics artists with widely divergent styles coming together in a once-in-a-lifetime mixture  --   Wally Wood pencils and John Severin inks!

I have stated on previous posts how much I respect each of these talented artists. What is unusual here is that it is Severin inking Wood. Both artists have a strong stamp of individuality in their respective styles, and usually any story where they ink another artists pencils, it is their own style which ultimately shines through and stands out. Severin inks over Dick Ayers, looks like Severin...Severin over Trimpe looks like Severin. But, when the pencil artist is as strong as the inker, the result is an exciting blend. For instance, Wood inks on Bob Oskner was to me a joyous blending of styles. So was Wood inks over Gil Kane pencils. Both artists shined through and the individual talents unique to each formed a synergy that was the best of both worlds.

Is that the case here? You tell me.

In the end, the result is astonishing, and the art is excellent. While I love the strange hybrid art that these masters created here, the truth is that the marriage of styles was ultimately not in the best interest for either artist. Personally, I would loved to have seen more from this unlikely team.

This is classic CREEPY, from issue # 91, 1976. Written by Archie Goodwin, this story remains an intriguing study of a collaboration of giants.

CREEPS!

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*note - originally there was confusion as to the artwork attribution, namely the fact that Severin's name was listed before Wood's (see at bottom of page 1 below)by Warren, which led myself to falsely conclude originally that Severin had penciled and Wood had inked. A closer scrutiny of the artwork and eagle-eyed viewer comments(thank you Tamfos) have, after the fact, resolved the individual art attributions, and I have since updated my original post to reflect the same. Interesting back and forth in the comments section reflect this earlier original misrepresentation. Thank you!

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Alright, friends!

Do you like black and white horror comics?

Sure you do!

I have been busy as usual, and haven't had the time to tell you about

my good buddy Mykal Banta's  latest blog

THE BLOODY PULP

which focuses on some of the

grisliest, goriest, and grittiest black and white  horror mags

ever produced, Myron Fass' EERIE Publications of the 70's!

If you haven't already done so, go drop on by,

and tell Mykal that The Apocolyte sent you!

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