Heritage 1b: 1972
Editors/publishers: Doug Murray, Richard Garrison, and Bruce Hershenson
Hopefully all of you dropped by last month when we covered Heritage 1a. The second part of this incredible publication continues with the stellar cast of artists (and writers) paying homage to Flash Gordon in one form or another. As you can see, it starts off with a beautiful Al Williamson/Gray Morrow cover (I have a feeling Morrow did the coloring), and the quality continues in the stratosphere for the whole issue.
The first story is by Reed Crandall, quoted by the authors as being the “greatest living comic artist” at that time. Crandall is obviously an incredible draftsman, but is it only me who feels the faces are somewhat void of life and emotion? You be the judge, look below.
A portfolio by Mike Royer follows, putting to rest the notion that he is only Jack Kirby’s inker. Check it out.
Bruce Jones has always excelled as both a writer and artist, applying his realistic style many times to an EC type of story. Below you can see a few pages of his story, taking us behind the scenes for an interlude between adventures for Flash and Dale.
Larry Ivie has held many jobs in the comic industry including artist, writer, and editor. He contributes a lengthy article on An Evolution of the Flash Gordon Strip, covering several artists and iterations of the classic strip. I have always associated Flash with Williamson and Raymond, but I did not know icons such as Austin Briggs and Captain Marvel artist Mac Raboy also worked on the strip. Many examples of all of the artists’ work, as well as some photos adorn the article. To the left you see one of many small spot illustrations by Williamson that dot the pages here and there. His incredibly lifelike postures and expressions have always amazed me, as well as his command of lighting effects.
Another portfolio follows, this time showing the superbly clean and volumetric work of Australian artist, Stanley Pitt. Some of his work follows.
Showing their command of variety and intelligent placement of visuals, the editors next show us a strip by Steven Harper…and a very different sort of Flash Gordon strip it is! A teaser is below.
From the stark and linear work of Harper, we are then treated to the realistic and wonderfully toned work of Neal Adams, arguably at the apex of his career and talents. His wordless story combines three pillars of fantasy characters, Flash Gordon, Tarzon, and John Carter of Mars.
Several pin ups follow by George Evans, Carlos Garzon, Roy Krenkel, and Reed Crandall, and then we are gifted with some humor to lighten up the joint in two concurrent strips. First up is Flash Gordon? by Adolfo Buylla (possibly showing some love for Mad‘s Mort Drucker), then Carlos Garzon’s Flat Gordon. Check ’em out below!
Some excellent Al Williamson work follows, including his first drawing of Flash, done at 17!
The last strip is a thing of beauty, which the artist, Esteban Maroto, has always seemed to be able to do effortlessly. The sinuous and organic layouts allow for his sumptuous trailing ink lines to really shine. I can think of no one like him.
The very last thing we see on the back cover is a very detailed and very fun piece by Wally Wood…here it comes!
I have always lamented the fact that the editors were not able to continue this incredible publication longer…this would have been one incredible debut album!
Tune in next month when, finally, I might be covering Afta 3! And, don’t forget to go to my site at www.kenmeyerjr.com, to get the pdf…there is soooo much more to see in the pages of Heritage than I showed you here! And…leave comments!
Ken Meyer Jr.
kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com
As always thanks for putting these up. The only thing I can add is that Mike Kaluta loved the Steve Harper strip (though I don’t see it myself ). Frazetta liked his work enough to purchase one of his paintings. I suppose this strip of his is the art gallery equivalent of a Ben Shahn on the same wall as a bunch of paintings by Baroque masters.
thanks for commenting, Ron!
I had never seen anyone draw classic Flash Gordon art by anyone except Alex Raymond and now I feel like I’ve missed out on so much! I love coming by here for stuff like this, Ken!
oh man….you HAVE been missing out…for me, Williamson is the best Flash artist around…the best at most things, actually!
Mr. Meyer, my name is William Steele and I just need to add your name to the list of people that I have encountered on Facebook that actually remember what it means to be a fan (especially of fanzines)! I left fandom over 40 years ago because of the worship of the great God Overstreet. Now, so much later, I have actually found a small group of people who not only share their memories, but take the MASSIVE, staggering effort onus upon themselves to SHARE their collections, instead of bagging or slabbing them and waiting to become wealthy. Amazing. Sir, you are all VALUED ( by this old man, at least). Thanks for listening.