In Memoriam
Frank Frazetta
(2/9/28 - 5/10/10)
This is my first opportunity to post a tribute to legendary Frank Frazetta, who passed from our midst over 8 months ago. His name is recognized the world over as one of greatest fantasy artists of the last generation, yet even to say that pays him a disservice. He was more than that, as his body of work stretches well beyond fantasy and science fiction. To comic book artists, he was the ultimate comic artist; to painters and cover illustrators his work has been regarded as the epitome of the genre for decades. He has done work ranging from comic strips (ghosting for Al Capp on Li'l Abner, Johnny Comet, etc.), to westerns, to funny animals, to horror and science fiction, to animated film design, movie and fantasy posters (if you owned at least one Frazetta poster in your life, raise your hand with me), and his name will be forever linked to Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard as the cover artist who brought new life to the pulp characters they created in 1912 (Tarzan) and 1932 (Conan) respectively. Modern enthusiasts will remember his invaluable contributions to the Warren magazine line in the 60's. To most of you, a history lesson isn't really needed. But, for those who know little about him, here today you will find much to enlighten you. Not in my words, but in Frank's own words.
There's much we can learn from the master of illustration. Some information here is taken from FRAZETTA #1, a black and white volume produced and published by Frazetta himself in 1969, as his fame and fortune were still rising. Included here is also a biography from 1975, written by Frank himself, telling us what he thought were important accomplishments in his life up to that point, telling us himself the things he thought were important for us to know about him.
Also here from The FRAZETTA Treasury (1975) is a rare interview with Frank and his wife Ellie Frazetta, who was also his business manager and contributed greatly to his success. Sadly, she passed away in 2009, a year before Frank.
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(We interrupt the original post for important information update)
*PLEASE NOTE!
[APOCOLYTIC ADDENDUM-
Information Update:
As readers Rick Tucker and Mr. Door Tree have pointed out to me, there is apparently
major controversy
surrounding the authenticity of the information contained in the volume
THE FRAZETTA TREASURY...
until today I had never heard of this. Since it was published and then purchased by myself I have always believed it was an authentic Frazetta volume, published with the full authority and under the supervision of Frazetta. Allegedly this may not be the case. As I mention in my comments below, it is still hard for me to accept, since it reads like a real interview and 99.9% seems verifiably accurate!
Still, I cannot ignore Rick Tuckers assertion, as well as Mr. Door Tree's comments on my other blog. I know that Mr. Door Tree has extensive knowledge in this area, and when he weighs in, I therefore have to consider it as accurate.
Thank you, Rick Tucker and Mr. Door Tree.
The rest of you can read it and comment below with your opinion or any information that may shed more light on this controversy.
Thank you all.
- THE APOCOLYTE Speaks]
* see also update at end of post...
Thank You!
(now back to the original post as originally posted)
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So much has been said before, so many books have been written about him, and other blogs paying tribute to the man are impossible to count. As an artist myself, one cannot help but be influenced by his genius.
So I'll keep it short and let the man speak to you himself, through his words and his artwork.
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(Thun'da was a creation of Frank Frazetta, published by Magazine Enterprises in 1952.
Here is his origin from Thun'da #1.)
(click images to enlarge)
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As I leave you for now, I want you to look at the 1st panel of Thun'da page 10 (last page) done in 1952, and now go back and look at the photo of Frank painting Conan facing the giant snake (photo taken in 1967).
Frazetta certainly knew how to create compelling and thoughtfully designed imagery, and where the giant snake looked fantastic in '52, he recycled and further refined the imagery 15 years later and it became the basis for Lancer paperbacks classic and stunning CONAN THE USURPER cover art.
There is so much Frank Frazetta contributed to us that I will assuredly be sharing more of his genius with you in days and months to come. In the next day or two, on my other blog, I will be posting little known information about Frank Frazetta's first published oil painting
* (click here), and trying to set GCD's record straight. Stay tuned!
SPECIAL REVISION and UPDATE!
* update and revision - When I made the above original post I was unaware of any
controversy regarding the
authenticity of
THE FRAZETTA TREASURY volume and the contents published therein. Since that initial posting, the spurious nature of that volume has been brought to my attention, and therefore much of the information, such as the alleged interview and the inaccurate information regarding Frazetta's alleged first cover painting has been shown to be untrue. I leave the original post(s), complete with the original inaccuracies, to stand as they are, with this and other clarifying updates attached for all to see.
I apologize for any confusion resulting from these posts. Due to the parties involved who took it upon themselves to publish inauthentic and unauthorized information, I (like many others) was led astray and lied to by assuming the volume was authentic, and until recently I had no idea of the false nature of
THE FRAZETTA TREASURY volume.
Again, my sincere apologies for any involuntary misrepresentation.
