POST # 12 - "WEREWOLF!" by Frank Frazetta

It is about time I share some work of one of the world's most talented and best loved fantasy artists, Frank Frazetta. I stop short of saying what I really believe, that he is in fact THE premiere fantasy artist. Practically everyone is aware of the amazing paperback book covers Frazetta painted for Lancer Books, depicting the greatest characters of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and others. Of course he also was the main cover artist for the Warren magazine line in it's inception. I don't know anyone in the comic/art world who hasn't been influenced by his incredible body of work.

In recent years, Frank has suffered many hardships. His health was adversely affected from years of painting in a fairly enclosed space which in turn caused him to inhale toxic fumes from paint thinners and turpentine, and a series of strokes has severely limited his ability to paint and draw with his right hand, so he in turn has been using his left hand, and also turning more to sculpture. Most recently, Franks lovely wife Ellie (who has many times served as a model for Frank), who was also his brilliant business manager, passed away in July, 2009, after battling with cancer. It unfortunately has been a rough times for America's greatest fantsy artist recently, and on behalf of the millions of his fans, we offer Frank Frazetta our deepest condolences, as well as our best wishes for the days ahead.

So much has been said about the man's art, I have only one observation to point out.  His skill at composition is I believe THE BEST in comics. When Frazetta draws comics (as well as in his paintings and sketches), he composes each panel in a way like no other artist. Frazetta is the master of composition, truly. I have never seen a single panel of his that did not have every single element in it's proper place, artistically designed to flow and draw the eye from one point to the next. I mean it. Look at each panel as a mini painting, a mini work of art. Fantastic! Incredibly talented! If only more comic artists would take the time to study Frazetta's comic work, I'd be buying more modern comics! Sadly, there are scant few professionals working up to this caliber nowadays.

Now, from CREEPY # 1, published in 1964, and written by Larry Ivie, here is Frank Frazetta's

...WEREWOLF!

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As an extra bonus, here is Frazetta's artwork for CREEPY'S LOATHSOME LORE, witten by Archie Goodwin. From CREEPY # 2. 1965.

POST # 11 - "THE DOORWAY!" by Dan Adkins

Today's tale is from artist Dan Adkins, who got his start in comics as Wally Wood's apprentice, often collaborating with Wood himself, as well as with other young artists in the Wally Wood Studio. Some of his earliest comic stories were for Wood's Tower Comics line in 1965, and soon thereafter was doing solo artwork for Warren Magazines along side such established artists as Wood, Crandall, Torres, Orlando, and the rest of Warren's top-notch art staff.. Adkins showed himself to be an excellent student of Wood's, with a clean, attractive style very similar to his teacher. From Creepy # 11, 1966, please won't you step right through....

THE DOORWAY!

POST # 10 - "DARK RIDER" by John Severin

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From EERIE # 8, 1967, today's tale was written by Archie Goodwin and illustrated by a master of American comics, the great John Severin. Severin's striking use of the limited black and white pallete, punctuated by his grey tones of shadow, makes this quite an unforgettable tale, and easily worthy of showcasing here.

I think you will really enjoy this story. It's about three cowboys trying to make their way home through the mountains in the middle of winter, and the snow isn't the biggest worry they have deal with...they seem to be pursued by a relentless and mysterious...DARK RIDER!

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If you enjoyed this beautifully illustrated Severin story, why don't you click here? That (other) awesome comics blog TEN CENT DREAMS recently posted a couple of other very cool John Severin westerns! Good stuff!

POST # 9 - "BUSINESS HOURS" by John Bolton

Here's a fun story form Marvel's EPIC ILLUSTRATED # 18. From British artist John Bolton, and written by Chris Claremont, here is ...BUSINESS HOURS!

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Here is the cover for this issue, art by John Bolton.

You can find out more about artist John Bolton at his website, just click here.