Enjoy.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Introducing Frankie
Briefer was still growing as an artist and a writer when he created comics' first ongoing horror series and the medium was still in its infancy, but nonetheless there are signs of major talent in this 1940 story. Powerful images. A fine eye for composition and panel-layout. A flood of visual and narrative ideas.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Monday, August 1, 2011
"Shakespeare made enjoyable"
Stories by Famous Authors Illustrated was a knock-off of Classics Illustrated. As far as I can tell both the title and the publisher never made any real impression, but some of their ad copy is good for a chuckle.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Joe Kubert and the importance of sucking
The following story sucks.
There are glimpses of talent here but on the whole it's crude and ugly, like something a teenager might draw.
As a matter of fact, it was drawn by a teenager. This seems to be the first story published by Joe Kubert, who would, in a few years, produce some of the most beautiful and influential comics of the Golden and Silver Age. He was able to do that, in part, because he was in a field where a young artist could support himself while learning his craft.
The first requirement for achieving greatness is the opportunity to suck.
There are glimpses of talent here but on the whole it's crude and ugly, like something a teenager might draw.
As a matter of fact, it was drawn by a teenager. This seems to be the first story published by Joe Kubert, who would, in a few years, produce some of the most beautiful and influential comics of the Golden and Silver Age. He was able to do that, in part, because he was in a field where a young artist could support himself while learning his craft.
The first requirement for achieving greatness is the opportunity to suck.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Keri Krane -- another groundbreaking Golden Age series by Dick Briefer
Dick Briefer is famous among knowledgeable comic buffs (particularly here in Mippyville) as one of the best and most innovative cartoonists of the Golden Age. His fame rests almost entirely on his three interpretations of one character, Frankenstein.
But Briefer created other series as well and at least one also deserves a place in the history books. Keri Krane was (as far as I can tell) the first tough female private eye appearing in genuine noir stories. Briefer's style was light and there were humorous touches but these were not funny stories. As you can see here, Krane dealt with truly bad people and faced dangers that were decidedly non-cartoonish.
But Briefer created other series as well and at least one also deserves a place in the history books. Keri Krane was (as far as I can tell) the first tough female private eye appearing in genuine noir stories. Briefer's style was light and there were humorous touches but these were not funny stories. As you can see here, Krane dealt with truly bad people and faced dangers that were decidedly non-cartoonish.
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