<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Neal Adams – ComicAttack.net</title> <atom:link href="https://comicattack.net/tag/neal-adams/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://comicattack.net</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:06:40 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3</generator> <image> <url>https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-Review-1-1-32x32.jpg</url> <title>Neal Adams – ComicAttack.net</title> <link>https://comicattack.net</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Ink Stains 171: Graphic Visions 1</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-171-graphic-visions-1/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-171-graphic-visions-1/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Batman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DC Comics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Mosher]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bruce Patterson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Carl Taylor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dan adkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dave Sim]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank cirocco]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jay Zilber]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Onoda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Larry Lankford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mercy Van Vlack]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Gustovich]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rich Morrissey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rick Williams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tim Conrad]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tom Artis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wes Smith]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=160575</guid> <description><![CDATA[Graphic Visions 1: Summer 1975Editor/publisher: Chris Lomelino Graphic Visions is right in my fanzine wheelhouse. First, it’s one of those cute, lil half size zines. Second, it houses a plethora of fandom regulars like Rich Morrissey, Rick Williams, Wes Smith, Jay Zilber, Mercy Van Vlack, Frank Cirocco, Bruce Patterson, Dan Adkins, John Onoda, Carl Taylor, […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="571" height="792" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160576" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cover.jpg 571w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cover-216x300.jpg 216w" sizes="(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><strong>Graphic Visions 1: Summer 1975<br>Editor/publisher: Chris Lomelino</strong></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignleft size-full"><img decoding="async" width="357" height="577" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160578" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco-1.jpg 357w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco-1-186x300.jpg 186w" sizes="(max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><strong><em>Graphic Visions</em></strong> is right in my fanzine wheelhouse. First, it’s one of those cute, lil half size zines. Second, it houses a plethora of fandom regulars like Rich Morrissey, Rick Williams, Wes Smith, Jay Zilber, Mercy Van Vlack, Frank Cirocco, Bruce Patterson, Dan Adkins, John Onoda, Carl Taylor, and several more. It’s a zine with a fair amount of variety (though, no continuous strips), and it has that fannish feel that many of us love. You can see the cover above by Tom Artus, a well composed piece of barbarian subject matter. But hey, let’s get to the heat of the meat here, and find out what fills in the pages!<br></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">First up (after an editorial) is an installment of the column, <em>Update</em>, by Jay Zilber, who boldly proclaims his disdain for the whole barbarian/sword and sorcery genre, then goes on to review several comics featuring that subject matter in a very well written fashion…and he does not let them off lightly! The article is nicely illustrated not only by the Frank Cirocco piece you see above, but also a nice full page Conan illo done in the usual immaculate style of Dandy Dan Adkins! Check it out below. Jay was kind enough to answer a series of questions from me via email. First, he shared how he got involved in fandom with “Columbus, Ohio wasn’t exactly a fannish activity epicenter in 1970, but I managed to attach myself to a couple of comics-trading buddies – let’s see, I would have been about 13 back then – and from time to time we’d get together and paw through each others’ collections. Inspired by our local letterhack celebrity Gary Skinner, whose LOC’s graced many DC Comics lettercols in the 60s and 70s, I had my first of many unremarkable letters published in <strong><em>Action</em></strong> #393 (cover date Oct. 1970), From there, I caught the attention of one Mike Flynn, who had just founded the <em>Legion Fan Club</em> and invited me to contribute to the club newsletter/fanzine, <em><strong>The Legion Outpost</strong></em>. Which I did … and so the legend began.”</p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="401" height="765" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_adkins.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160579" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_adkins.jpg 401w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_adkins-157x300.jpg 157w" sizes="(max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">I also asked Jay which might be some of his favorite zines. </p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-black-color has-text-color is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p><strong>The Legion Outpost</strong>, of course. I also wrote for Rich Morrisey’s revived <strong>Batmania</strong> – and then I picked up a monthly review column for <strong>The Journal</strong>, a Canadian tabloid that was superficially similar to <strong>The Buyer’s Guide </strong>but much slimmer. In 1976 I published the first of three issues of <strong>Fandom Funnies</strong>, the “hook” for which was that I parodied other popular fanzines of the time – most of which I now find terribly embarrassing in hindsight. A few years later, almost on a whim, I co-produced one issue of <strong>Glx Sptzl Glaah!</strong>, the Sheldon Mayer appreciation fanzine – yes, Ken Gale, if you’re reading this, you helped – and then a novelty item. <strong>Fandom Calendar 1980</strong>, which got hijacked by the publisher. (Long unpleasant story there, better left forgotten.)</p> <p>I have absolutely no memory of writing that article for the fanzine you shared with me, <strong>Graphic Visions</strong> #1! But I do at least remember corresponding with Chris Lomelino and I’m still in touch with Jim Main. I wonder if they fed me the idea for reviewing the latest haul of barbarian and barbarian-adjacent comics, which doesn’t sound like something I would have gravitated toward on my own.</p> <p>Sometime among the mid-70s, I hooked up with the United Fanzine Organization, which was (and still is, to this day!) a central clearing house for small press publications. At the time, I felt very strongly that the UFO should broaden its scope to include some of the better-known semi-prozines of the era, those with slicker production values and larger circulations, which would in turn help the smaller zines – many of which were truly hidden gems – to get more visibility. Toward that end, I cajoled myself into the leadership position of the UFO, and aggressively courted Gary Groth and Kim Thompson at <strong>The Comics Journal</strong>, along with Mark Gruenwald’s <strong>Omniverse</strong>, and gosh, I forget who else. Gary and Kim humored me for a few months, and I turned that into a gig covering DC and Marvel news for them, also writing a few reviews and articles for <strong>TCJ</strong> and <strong>Amazing Heroes</strong> – until my interest frankly waned and I became preoccupied with various professional obligations.</p> <p>Oh yeah, somewhere in there I sold 3 mystery stories to DC Comics! My timing, alas, couldn’t have been worse, coming at the exact moment when the DC Implosion killed the market for barely-known, barely-skilled freelancers. Just as well, though. One thing I figured out pretty quickly was that I wasn’t really interested in coming up with new ways for giant-sized omnipotent super-beings to rend one another limb from limb.</p> </blockquote> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">The article also features art by John Onoda, Larry Lankford (I think his is a Frazetta swipe), Wes Smith, Rick Williams, Carl Taylor, and Russ Rainbolt. I’ve always been curious how (or if) working in the fanzines helped anyone later in life. Jay shared by saying “All of that fan writing <em><u>absolutel</u>y</em> helped me to improve my business writing skills. You can’t be successful at <em><u>anythin</u>g</em> unless you have learned to (A) communicate clearly and (B) strip all personal pronouns from your text, so that it never sounds like you’re specifically blaming the other person for everything they screwed up.”</p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Lastly, I wondered if Jay stayed in touch and what he has been doing since ending ties with the fanzines of long ago. </p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">I had the opportunity to get to know Paul Levitz and Marty Pasko pretty well. I remember one time I tried to reach Marty at the DC Offices; I was put on hold for a bit, and then found myself stammering directly at Julie Schwartz! It was a very different time; I really didn’t appreciate how small their staff was or how intimate their offices were back then. So sure, I leave a message with Julie Schwartz to have Marty call me back. Then my brain freezes, and I can’t remember my own phone number!</p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">My 40-year-old unpublished <em>Ear-Fall-Off Floyd</em> story, illustrated by Jim MacPherson, was finally, recently published in Kurt Erichsen’s <strong>Endeavor</strong> #16. I just wish the story idea had been cleverer, but Jim’s pictures are still pretty to look at, and the rest of the issue is a fun read. (See below)</p> </blockquote> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="782" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Endeavor-16-Floyd.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160699" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Endeavor-16-Floyd.jpg 612w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Endeavor-16-Floyd-235x300.jpg 235w" sizes="(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Mike Dobbs follow with an article reviewing some of the output of the Atlas Comics of the 70s. I have a nice nostalgic memory of that line, which featured some interesting titles and good art, but I do remember it being pretty spotty. The general thesis seems to be that Atlas was a purely commercial venture (some might say crassly so), trying to hit as many super popular themes and characters as possible. To put a bright and energy filled face on that article, below I spotlight several spot illustrations by the (then) incredibly prolific Carl Taylor, with his wonderfully energetic frankenstein creation style mashup of Gil Kane and Jack Kirby. These are inked by Taylor, Wes Smith and a young Mike Gustovich!</p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><br></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="560" height="792" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_taylor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160580" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_taylor.jpg 560w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_taylor-212x300.jpg 212w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="379" height="648" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_adams-conrad.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160581" style="aspect-ratio:0.5848765432098766;width:290px;height:auto" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_adams-conrad.jpg 379w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_adams-conrad-175x300.jpg 175w" sizes="(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><em>On the Market</em> is next up, a fanzine review column. These were pretty invaluable back then…remember, folks, no internet…just word of mouth, <strong><em>The Buyer’s Guide</em></strong>, <strong><em>RBCC</em></strong> and a few other places where you could get an idea of who was in an upcoming zine and if it seemed worth ordering. One of the reviewers is Bill Blyberg, who went on later to produce his own very nice zine, <strong><em>Woweekazowee</em></strong>.</p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><em>Space Fillers</em> follows, by Rod Snyder, and takes comic fandom in general to task for leaning a bit too much towards slicker, more professional fanzines (me, I think there is room for them all, crud to pro-). To the left, you can see one of the illustrations adorning the article (or, probably more likely, just stuck next to it), a Neal Adams piece inked by Tim Conrad! The editorial says it is a <strong><em>Blackmark</em></strong> (Gil Kane’s creation), but I think I recognize it from a portfolio shown more fully in another zine (can’t remember which…possibly Heritage or similar).</p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Up next is an article by Morrissey on <em>The Phantom Stranger</em>…the thing I found funny was the illustration next to it (by a young Dave Sim, about 2 years before <strong><em>Cerebus</em></strong>) is of The Spectre! Check it out.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="491" height="648" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_sim.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160582" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_sim.jpg 491w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_sim-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 491px) 100vw, 491px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">That about wraps up the content, other than more spot illustrations, which I will show below. You will see Stan Sakai (inked by Williams), and another beautiful Frank Cirocco piece. Always remember, you can access a pdf of the entire zine from my website! By the way, you can see the second issue of this zine reviewed in the column; either go to my website, kenmeyerjr.com, or just <a href="https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-162-graphic-visions-2/">here</a>!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="413" height="432" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_sakai.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160583" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_sakai.jpg 413w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_sakai-287x300.jpg 287w" sizes="(max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="631" height="1024" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1-631x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160585" style="aspect-ratio:0.6163549369290996;width:520px;height:auto" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1-631x1024.jpg 631w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1-185x300.jpg 185w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1-768x1246.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1-947x1536.jpg 947w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1-1262x2048.jpg 1262w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art_cirocco2-1.jpg 1417w" sizes="(max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Thanks for stopping by to see this blast from the distant past! Also thanks to Manny Maris, for again allowing me to use one of his zines to scan for my column, as well as Jay Zilber for his time and input. If any of you have good collections out there and want to do the same, I will be very grateful!<br><br>Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com<br></p> <p></p> <p></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-171-graphic-visions-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 164: Venture 2 and 3</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-164-venture-2-and-3/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-164-venture-2-and-3/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Batman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DC Comics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[History]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Horror]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[San Diego Comic Con]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sexy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brent Anderson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank cirocco]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gary winnick]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jack Kirby]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jim Pinkoski]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Johnny Hart]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michael Kaluta]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=160009</guid> <description><![CDATA[Venture 2/3: 1973/1974Publishers/editors: Frank Cirocco and Gary Winnick Those of you that have read this column for a long time know Venture is a huge favorite of mine. I wrote letters of comment to it frequently, as well as befriended Brent Anderson through it (we corresponded through the mail a lot and he inked my […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="796" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_covers-1024x796.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160010" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_covers-1024x796.jpg 1024w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_covers-300x233.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_covers-768x597.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_covers.jpg 1296w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The front covers!</figcaption></figure> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><strong>Venture 2/3: 1973/1974<br>Publishers/editors: Frank Cirocco and Gary Winnick</strong></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Those of you that have read this column for a long time know <strong><em>Venture</em></strong> is a huge favorite of mine. I wrote letters of comment to it frequently, as well as befriended Brent Anderson through it (we corresponded through the mail a lot and he inked my first published work, an illustration of Bruce Lee). It was always a thrill to get a new issue, even if the zine only lasted 5 issues.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="580" height="780" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cirrocco1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160011" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cirrocco1.jpg 580w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cirrocco1-223x300.jpg 223w" sizes="(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">This column, as you can see from the covers above, illustrates issues 2 and 3. The third issue is when Frank Cirocco really started becoming “Frank Cirocco,” master of zipatone! I really loved his mysterious and incredibly well designed pin ups sprinkled throughout the issues (like the one above). But, I am getting ahead of myself…let’s start perusing issue 2.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="613" height="808" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cirrocco.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160012" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cirrocco.jpg 613w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cirrocco-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 613px) 100vw, 613px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">It’s really pretty amazing the leaps Frank took between those issues, in the span of one year. However, the first story (and Venture was all about original stories) is by his partner, Gary Winnick, and is called <em>The Wizard’s Tower.</em> Taking place in a blasted post disaster Earth, a winged man finds a mysterious tower and gets a big surprise. Below you can see a sampling. Gary also had a predilection towards the ol’ zip.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="581" height="788" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_wizard.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160013" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_wizard.jpg 581w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_wizard-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Cirocco follows next, with a multi-chapter tale of magic, a sort of sick science, and of course…a surprise at the end! I think the boys were big EC fans! Below you see a few pages from <em>Issac-7/Ivory Towers/Undead</em>.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="546" height="752" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_isaac.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160014" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_isaac.jpg 546w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_isaac-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="548" height="758" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_ivory.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160015" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_ivory.jpg 548w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_ivory-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="(max-width: 548px) 100vw, 548px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="562" height="763" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_undead.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160016" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_undead.jpg 562w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_undead-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="564" height="784" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_undead2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160017" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_undead2.jpg 564w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_undead2-216x300.jpg 216w" sizes="(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Brent Anderson seemed happy enough doing his funny little <em>Grimmley’s Tales</em> in both issues, featuring an utterly hapless little alien seemingly all alone on a desolate planet. Sigh with sympathy below.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="569" height="771" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_grimmley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160018" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_grimmley.jpg 569w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_grimmley-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Winnick appears again with <em>God of the Mists</em>. At first, I thought maybe Gary was a big Kate Bush fan, judging from the appearance of his female character, but then remembered this story was about 8 or so years too early to have known of Kate. Check it out.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="574" height="784" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_god.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160019" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_god.jpg 574w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_god-220x300.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 574px) 100vw, 574px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sort of a marriage of Swamp Thing and the Creature from the Black Lagoon?</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="580" height="785" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_god2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160020" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_god2.jpg 580w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_god2-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">See what I mean? Kate!</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Cirocco returns again with Ziggy, a tale with…you guessed it.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="494" height="674" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_ziggy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160021" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_ziggy.jpg 494w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_ziggy-220x300.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Hey, I was wrong! Brent does do a non <em>Grimmley</em> piece…one that must have taken a loooong time, as you can see below.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="564" height="762" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_brent.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160022" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_brent.jpg 564w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_brent-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">There are a few pinups by Winnick and Cirocco, as well as a few more <em>Grimmley’s Tales</em>, which you can see in the PDF! For now, on to issue 3.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="588" height="786" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_letter.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160023" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_letter.jpg 588w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_letter-224x300.jpg 224w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">a letter included with one of the issues</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Above you see a letter that whomever owned the zine was nice enough to keep…it shows another beautifully designed piece by Frank. On Facebook, Frank was nice enough to give me a little nutshell version of <strong><em>Venture</em></strong>‘s history.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p><strong><em>Venture</em></strong> was a creative time of learning how to not only draw comics, but assemble a book with a professional enough look to sell commercially. Brent and I were in high school when it began in 1972 (I, a sophomore and he, a junior). It kicked off our amateur art careers that eventually led to a relationship with Neal Adams (pin-ups purchased at SDCC and #5’s consigned cover) to eventually starting our professional careers in NYC at <em>Continuity</em> in 1976.</p> </blockquote> <p></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Issue 3 has something new…sketches from the above mentioned Neal Adams, sprinkled throughout the issue. Check out the master of realism below!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="581" height="753" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsangel.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160024" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsangel.jpg 581w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsangel-231x300.jpg 231w" sizes="(max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="562" height="697" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsarrow.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160025" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsarrow.jpg 562w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsarrow-242x300.jpg 242w" sizes="(max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="575" height="570" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsbats.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160026" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsbats.jpg 575w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsbats-300x297.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsbats-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="692" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsdead.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160027" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsdead.jpg 550w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsdead-238x300.jpg 238w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="516" height="544" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsvision.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160028" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsvision.jpg 516w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_adamsvision-285x300.jpg 285w" sizes="(max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">One of the first full page images we see, however, is a nicely detailed rendition of Robert E. Howard’s most famous creation by Jim Pinkoski, seen below.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="560" height="765" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_pinkoski.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160029" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_pinkoski.jpg 560w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_pinkoski-220x300.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">The cleverly titled <em>Flashback</em> (combined with the visuals) might give you a clue as to who is the star of the next story by Frank, where his love of Jeff Jones (I believe) is shown in the wistful imagery of the story.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="576" height="777" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_flashback1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160030" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_flashback1.jpg 576w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_flashback1-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="579" height="776" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_flashback2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160031" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_flashback2.jpg 579w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_flashback2-224x300.jpg 224w" sizes="(max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Another installment of sad ol’ Grimmley appears next.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="585" height="767" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_grimmley-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160032" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_grimmley-1.jpg 585w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_grimmley-1-229x300.jpg 229w" sizes="(max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Gary Winnick appears here, with<em> Bugz</em> (written by Frank Morant), the visuals reminding me very much of Kenneth Smith and his elaborately detailed and sometimes whimsical creatures. You be the judge!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="576" height="774" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_bugz.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160033" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_bugz.jpg 576w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_bugz-223x300.jpg 223w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">There is a nice little bit of coverage of the San Diego comicon from waaaay back in 1973 by Frank and crew, complete with the requisite blurry black and white photo reproductions! This was such a huge deal for people like me that lived nowhere near San Diego or New York, the only places to have cons back then, really.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="605" height="792" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_photos.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160034" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_photos.jpg 605w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_photos-229x300.jpg 229w" sizes="(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">S<em>in Eater</em> is next, by Cirocco (also written by Morant), with, what? A surprise ending! Plus, lots of zipatone, a gorgeous maiden who is not as empty headed as she seems!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="580" height="770" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_sin.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160035" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_sin.jpg 580w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_sin-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">An especially gorgeous back cover finishes up this issue by Cirocco, also a master of mood.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="591" height="782" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cover_bk.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160036" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cover_bk.jpg 591w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/art_cover_bk-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Thanks for coming…both of you! Please leave comments if you have time, and don’t forget to go my site here, to get the pdfs of the entirety of both issues. And…come back next month for another installment of <strong><em>Ink Stains</em></strong>! Thanks to Frank for adding the inside scoop as well.</p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</p> <p></p> <p></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-164-venture-2-and-3/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 161: The Collector 20</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-161-the-collector-20/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-161-the-collector-20/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Cons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Everett]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bill g wilson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dan adkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dick Giordano]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don Newton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don Rosa]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gil kane]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Sinnott]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John G Fantucchio]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Romita]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Robert Kline]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sal Buscema]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Fritz]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=159839</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Collector: August 1970Editor/publisher: Bill G. Wilson Hello again, fellow fanzine freaks! This month I chose something comparatively small, The Collector 20 (partially because I have an event coming up later this week and I am just darn busy in general). About a third into the zine’s run, but still a bit before Bill Wilson […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p class="has-black-color has-text-color"><strong>The Collector: August 1970<br>Editor/publisher: Bill G. Wilson</strong></p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="573" height="756" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159840" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cover.jpg 573w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cover-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 573px) 100vw, 573px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Hello again, fellow fanzine freaks! This month I chose something comparatively small, <strong><em>The Collector</em></strong> 20 (partially because I have an event coming up later this week and I am just darn busy in general). About a third into the zine’s run, but still a bit before Bill Wilson was really hitting on all cylinders. Much of the art is quick sketches done probably at the con covered in this issue, but it is still great from an historical perspective, in my opinion. We start with a somewhat early Don Newton cover of the Phantom, seen above.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="483" height="748" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fritz.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159841" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fritz.jpg 483w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fritz-194x300.jpg 194w" sizes="(max-width: 483px) 100vw, 483px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">After a short editorial page (which also shows an unpublished Gil Kane piece and a Dan Adkins sketch), there is the nice Frazetta-esque Steve Fritz piece seen above. Following is a con report by editor Wilson on the 1970 Comic Art Con in New York (prefaced by an ad featuring art by Gray Morrow, which Manny Maris tells me, looked great in color). It has the requisite grainy reproductions of instamatic photos, some of which you see below, with editorial notations.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="570" height="770" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159842" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos2.jpg 570w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos2-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="566" height="777" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159843" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos.jpg 566w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos-219x300.jpg 219w" sizes="(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="563" height="758" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159844" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos3.jpg 563w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/photos3-223x300.jpg 223w" sizes="(max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Some of these photos accompany an extra article on the con by fandom favorite, Duffy Vohland, in his namesake column, <em>Duffy’s Tavern</em>. Since we see the wonderful Bob Kline (with then wife, Missy) above, why not check out the energetic centerfold below?</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="454" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/kline.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159845" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/kline.jpg 720w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/kline-300x189.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">A few pin ups follow, one by Bill Wilson (of his character, Hyperman) inked by Joe Sinnott, and another by Don Rosa, using his earlier less cartoony style (the latter will have to be seen in the pdf)…look! Below!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="547" height="755" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/wilson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159846" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/wilson.jpg 547w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/wilson-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="(max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">The letters column follows, with one of several illustrations by <strong><em>Realm</em></strong>‘s Ed Romero, as well as sketches from Bill Everett and Sal Buscema (I would not be surprised if all or most of the sketches were obtained at that convention…probably for free!). There is a nice pin up by Mickey Mason, who would be featured in the following issue.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="558" height="780" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/mason.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159847" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/mason.jpg 558w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/mason-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Ralph Alfonso follows with a profile of great Frank Frazetta, then a couple of ads appear, and the back cover of Thor, by the one and only John G. Fantucchio, seen below. There is an insert as well, with autographs and a Joe Kubert (verrrry quick) sketch, which you can see in the pdf, along with the articles and such. I hope this column is not toooo short for you, hopefully next month’s is more expansive. I am off to Canada!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="431" height="583" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fantucchio.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159855" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fantucchio.jpg 431w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/fantucchio-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 431px) 100vw, 431px" /></figure></div> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Thanks to obi-wan, Manny Maris, for helping me out with some pagination problems (and missing pages) at the last minute, in addition to providing the zine in the first place!</p> <p></p> <p class="has-black-color has-text-color">Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-161-the-collector-20/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 145: Lollapaloosa 5</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-145-lollapaloosa-5/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-145-lollapaloosa-5/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Batman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DC Comics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Superman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alan Hanley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Anderson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dan adkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Earl Geier]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gary wray]]></category> <category><![CDATA[jm dematteis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Staton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Beatty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[michael chen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Saenz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mitch o'connell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Terry Beatty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wendy Pini]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=157725</guid> <description><![CDATA[Lollapaloosa 5: November 1980Editor/publisher: Mitch O’Connell Mitch O’Connell was always sooooo smooooooth! I envied his cool style, his line control and his visibility! Mitch was always a go getter with a great work ethic, and remains so to this day. Even way back in 1980, you could see he was gonna go places…and he did, […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="648" height="155" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_banner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157727" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_banner.jpg 648w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_banner-300x72.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color"><strong>Lollapaloosa 5: November 1980<br>Editor/publisher: Mitch O’Connell</strong></span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="583" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157728" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_cover.jpg 583w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_cover-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Mitch O’Connell was always sooooo smooooooth! I envied his cool style, his line control and his visibility! Mitch was always a go getter with a great work ethic, and remains so to this day. Even way back in 1980, you could see he was gonna go places…and he did, with several interesting stops along the way! <strong><em>Lollapaloosa</em></strong> was his zine and he was all over that sucker, deservedly so. You can see the cover above illustrating his imaginative decision on a point of view, his smooth brush and line work, and his better than average grasp on typography. A great start to a zine STUFFED with content..so, let’s get going.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">There are several full page illustrations by O’Connell, as well as others you will see as we go along…but first, below is an <strong><em>Elfquest</em></strong> piece by creator Wendy Pini and Mitch.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_pini.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157729" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_pini.jpg 612w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_pini-213x300.jpg 213w" sizes="(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /><figcaption>(these scans were sent to me by Mitch, I think, so there are some shadows here and there)</figcaption></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The first actual feature is <em>The Bob Kane Batman Exhibit, Two Views</em>.</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">From the outset, we can feel the (undeserved?) pride of Kane, as he shows the authors through the exhibit. The actual credit for the creation of Batman has been disputed for a long time, with many refuting Kane’s claims of being the Dark Knight’s sole creator. In fact, I watched a documentary entitled <strong><em>Batman and Bill</em></strong> recently that was very illuminating. The quest by the filmmaker to get Bill Finger the credit he deserved was a long process of ups and downs…but he eventually succeeded. Justice prevails! You can see it on Hulu and read a bit about it <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6067832/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The article is illustrated by editor McConnell, who shows his deep love of the character here and elsewhere in the zine.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Next up is the first of several sequential stories, entitled <em>The Voyagers</em>, a sf story written by Ron Clark and illustrated by <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">O’Connell</span> in tones probably not showcased very well in a zine like this. But it still looks good. Check out a bit below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="588" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_voyagers1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157730" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_voyagers1.jpg 588w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_voyagers1-204x300.jpg 204w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">A text feature on <em>The Fiction House Artists</em> by Susan Latanzio follows. As stated in the article much of the work was done by the Iger studio, which included such greats as Will Eisner, Lou Fine, Reed Crandall, and others. Several more illustrations follow, some of which you see below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="433" height="636" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beatty.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157732" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beatty.jpg 433w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beatty-204x300.jpg 204w" sizes="(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px" /><figcaption>Terry Beatty</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="474" height="597" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_adkins.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157733" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_adkins.jpg 474w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_adkins-238x300.jpg 238w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption>I had my suspicions that “H. Kansas” style of inking looked very familiar and up, it is Mitch!</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="653" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_chen.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157734" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_chen.jpg 653w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_chen-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="565" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_batman.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157735" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_batman.jpg 565w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_batman-196x300.jpg 196w" sizes="(max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">I was lucky enough to get some feedback from the man himself, on fandom and his later work, Mitch said:</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color"><strong>Lollapaloosa</strong> #5 was the last issue, it came out in ‘80, just after I graduated High School in Boulder, and was soon off to Chicago to attend Art School (<strong>The School of the Art Institute</strong> and the <strong>American Academy of Art</strong>). Much of the art printed was in my “portfolio” that I showed to any Art Director that would pay attention. In fact, I remember showing Joe Orlando, the legendary EC artist, then Art Director at DC, the Overlord story in his office. No surprise, but it didn’t lead to any work at DC. I loved the comic ‘zine scene, and before this, had my illustrations printed in every ‘zine that would have me,<strong> TBG</strong>,<strong> RBCC</strong>, <strong>The Comics Journal</strong>, <strong>The Comic Reader</strong> and on and on and on. I’ve always enjoyed every aspect of art, but especially be to be “published”! To cut out the middle man, I just put out my own ‘zine. That spirit continued when I self published my first two books of art, “<strong>Good Taste Gone Bad</strong>” and “<strong>Pwease Wuv Me</strong>”. After that, I wised up and was very happy to have the professionals (mostly the legendary Last Gasp) publish my books. As for ‘<strong>Lollapaloosa</strong>’ it seems I was following the model of all ‘zines I read, with articles and contributions from many other artists, especially going for the draw of getting professional artists on the masthead. I had a lot of fun being a publisher, and I think it shows how half the enjoyment of being an artist is doing the work, and the other 50% is showing it off. And if you have to go the extra mile to get folks to pay attention, that’s the name of the game!</span></p></blockquote> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Another sequential story follows, <em>The Haunting Beast</em>, by Rex Lindsay, who does not skimp on the detail and probably went through a lot of ink on this one!</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="587" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beast1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157736" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beast1.jpg 587w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beast1-204x300.jpg 204w" sizes="(max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="611" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beast2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157737" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beast2.jpg 611w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_beast2-212x300.jpg 212w" sizes="(max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">There is a Neal Adams Charlton <strong><em>Doomsday Plus One</em></strong> pin up next (that I have seen published elsewhere), followed by a Joe Staton/Bill Anderson Hawkman seen below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="749" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_staton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157738" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_staton.jpg 749w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_staton-260x300.jpg 260w" sizes="(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Below you will see a detailed and well rendered piece by an artist I have not seen before, Eric Gehlin, who went on to do some work for <strong><em>Dungeons and Dragons</em></strong>.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="616" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_eric.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157739" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_eric.jpg 616w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_eric-214x300.jpg 214w" sizes="(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">George G. Snowden III follows with an article on his love of EC comics, illustrated by McConnell and others, and that is followed by pin ups from <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">O’Connell</span>, Bill Wray, and Earl Geier. The third story follows, titled <em>The Super Hero</em> by McConnell (the credits also say a few pages were laid out by Neal Adams).</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="564" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_superhero1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157740" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_superhero1.jpg 564w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_superhero1-196x300.jpg 196w" sizes="(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="593" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_superhero2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157741" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_superhero2-1.jpg 593w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_superhero2-1-206x300.jpg 206w" sizes="(max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">J. M. Dematteis follows with a text feature called <em>The Great Comic Book War</em>, that ties into the previous story somewhat, as it chronicles artist Neal Adams’ battles to get artists better rates, credits, art returned, etc. The Guild that Neal started changed the industry for the better, and he deserves a ton of credit for that.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The last story, <em>Overload</em> by <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">O’Connell</span>, follows…see below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="681" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_overload1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157742" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_overload1.jpg 681w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_overload1-236x300.jpg 236w" sizes="(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="672" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_overload2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157743" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_overload2.jpg 672w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_overload2-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">A house ad follows, then a film monsters pin up by Wray and the back cover by Mike Saenz, seen below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="602" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_cover2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157744" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_cover2.jpg 602w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/art_cover2-209x300.jpg 209w" sizes="(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">And that is the end of this issue. But <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">O’Connell</span> would go on to contribute to so many publications, including <strong><em>Heavy Metal</em></strong> and several comic book companies, but even more impressive, mainstream mags like <strong><em>The New York Times, Village Voice, Chicago Tribune</em></strong> and many others…the guy gets around! Early in his career, he also did a ton of clip art for various services…you could see his art in the craziest places…your local hairdresser, for example. You can read a lot about it on his blog <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://mitchoconnell.blogspot.com/2016/08/clip-art-hidden-shame-of-illustration.html?fbclid=IwAR2Q0VSx3ZfW2NZ68S6I-TWUsE2vAyMY4rIUQccLCU-BYXtysG5VOKOF6TI" target="_blank">here</a>, but below is just one example of his incredibly clean and marketable s</span>tyle.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="549" height="797" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-21-at-3.44.57-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-157746" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-21-at-3.44.57-PM.png 549w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-21-at-3.44.57-PM-207x300.png 207w" sizes="(max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px" /></figure></div> <p>Mitch has always had a great sense of humor about the world, and never takes himself too seriously. He is alllll over social media, and is very savvy in the ways of self promotion. You can see his blogspot <a href="https://mitchoconnell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>, for example. He had no trouble blanketing the world with his mashup of Trump and <strong><em>They Live</em></strong> seen below.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/41276744_1565697813980729_r-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157747" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/41276744_1565697813980729_r-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/41276744_1565697813980729_r-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/41276744_1565697813980729_r-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/41276744_1565697813980729_r.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">And that brings this installment to a close. Get the pdf, because there is a LOT more! Also, here are a few links to bone up on all your Mitch needs!</span></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mitchoconnellart/?fbclid=IwAR1SqZZL9HZBkJltPBWAmbPT0-1PlHDxKEMwqAJFT62Qp8vz43oededVRNQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mitch.oconnell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MitchOConnell?fbclid=IwAR2Q0VSx3ZfW2NZ68S6I-TWUsE2vAyMY4rIUQccLCU-BYXtysG5VOKOF6TI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Etsy</a></p> <p><a href="https://mitchoconnell.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR26rJo3B_MbayDJYvNRWiB0zT7WkpiaM2F2a_x_cetZ8czGSG2amEzqqVk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blogspot</a></p> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Mitch calls himself “The World’s Best Artist,” and who am I to deny him? How can you, when, after a block of congratulatory praise on one of his sites, at the bottom it reads: “* Yes, of course Mitch is writing this all himself! But isn’t it much more impressive when it seems like someone else is praising him? :-)”</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">His Facebook posts are always pushing the buttons of people with no sense of humor…keep pushing, Mitch!</span></p> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</span></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-145-lollapaloosa-5/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 142: Heritage 1b</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-142-heritage-1b/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-142-heritage-1b/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 01 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Adolfo Buylla]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Al Williamson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alex Raymond]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Austin Briggs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Berni Wrightson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bruce Jones]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Carlos Garzon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dan Barry]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Esteban Maroto]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Frazetta]]></category> <category><![CDATA[George Evans]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gray Morrow]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mac Raboy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Royer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reed Crandall]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Roy Krenkel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stanley Pitt]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steven Harper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wally Wood]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=156604</guid> <description><![CDATA[Heritage 1b: 1972Editors/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 […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="598" height="776" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156605" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_cover.jpg 598w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_cover-231x300.jpg 231w" sizes="(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color"><strong>Heritage 1b: 1972<br>Editors/publishers: Doug Murray, Richard Garrison, and Bruce Hershenson</strong></span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Hopefully all of you dropped by last month when we covered <strong><em>Heritage</em></strong> 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.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="554" height="773" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_crandall1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156606" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_crandall1.jpg 554w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_crandall1-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="549" height="782" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_crandall2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156607" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_crandall2.jpg 549w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_crandall2-211x300.jpg 211w" sizes="(max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px" /></figure></div> <p>A<span class="has-inline-color has-black-color"> portfolio by Mike Royer follows, putting to rest the notion that he is only Jack Kirby’s inker. Check it out.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="587" height="749" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_royer1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156608" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_royer1.jpg 587w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_royer1-235x300.jpg 235w" sizes="(max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="581" height="763" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_royer2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156609" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_royer2.jpg 581w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_royer2-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="533" height="743" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_jones1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156610" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_jones1.jpg 533w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_jones1-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="768" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_jones2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156611" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_jones2.jpg 550w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_jones2-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="309" height="400" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_spot.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156612" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_spot.jpg 309w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_spot-232x300.jpg 232w" sizes="(max-width: 309px) 100vw, 309px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Larry Ivie has held many jobs in the comic industry including artist, writer, and editor. He contributes a lengthy article on <em>An Evolution of the Flash Gordon Strip</em>, 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.</span></p> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Another portfolio follows, this time showing the superbly clean and volumetric work of Australian artist, Stanley Pitt. Some of his work follows.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="561" height="781" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_pitt1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156613" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_pitt1.jpg 561w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_pitt1-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="510" height="757" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_pitt2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156614" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_pitt2.jpg 510w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_pitt2-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="551" height="726" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_harper.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156615" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_harper.jpg 551w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_harper-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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. </span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="568" height="752" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156616" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams1.jpg 568w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams1-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="579" height="754" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156617" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams2.jpg 579w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams2-230x300.jpg 230w" sizes="(max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="575" height="742" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156618" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams3.jpg 575w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_adams3-232x300.jpg 232w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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 <em>Flash Gordon?</em> by Adolfo Buylla (possibly showing some love for <strong><em>Mad</em></strong>‘s Mort Drucker), then Carlos Garzon’s <em>Flat Gordon</em>. Check ’em out below!</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="520" height="741" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_buylla1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156619" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_buylla1.jpg 520w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_buylla1-211x300.jpg 211w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="539" height="765" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_buylla2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156620" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_buylla2.jpg 539w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_buylla2-211x300.jpg 211w" sizes="(max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="555" height="759" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_flat1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156621" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_flat1.jpg 555w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_flat1-219x300.jpg 219w" sizes="(max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="561" height="764" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_flat2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156622" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_flat2.jpg 561w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_flat2-220x300.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Some excellent Al Williamson work follows, including his first drawing of Flash, done at 17! </span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="554" height="765" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_williamson2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156623" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_williamson2.jpg 554w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_williamson2-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="557" height="726" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_maroto1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156624" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_maroto1.jpg 557w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_maroto1-230x300.jpg 230w" sizes="(max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="580" height="752" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_maroto2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156625" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_maroto2.jpg 580w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_maroto2-231x300.jpg 231w" sizes="(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The very last thing we see on the back cover is a very detailed and very fun piece by Wally Wood…here it comes!</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="826" height="1024" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_wood-826x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156626" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_wood-826x1024.jpg 826w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_wood-242x300.jpg 242w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_wood-768x953.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/art_wood.jpg 1148w" sizes="(max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px" /></figure></div> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">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!</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Tune in next month when, finally, I might be covering <strong><em>Afta</em></strong> 3! And, don’t forget to go to my site at </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.kenmeyerjr.com/" target="_blank"><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">www.kenmeyerjr.com</span></a><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">, to get the pdf…there is soooo much more to see in the pages of <strong><em>Heritage</em></strong> than I showed you here! And…leave comments!</span></p> <p></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ken Meyer Jr.</span><br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</span></p> <p></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-142-heritage-1b/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 137: Evil Eye 1</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-137-evil-eye-1/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-137-evil-eye-1/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2020 06:00:24 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DC Comics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Superman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Al Bradford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bruce D. Patterson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harry Harrison]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Martin Greim]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Robert Cosgrove]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Fritz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tom Fagan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wayne Pond]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=154548</guid> <description><![CDATA[Evil Eye 1: 1974Editor and Publisher: Alan Bradford I recall seeing Al Bradford’s work in several fanzines of the past, but all this time, I did not know he did a zine of his own, Evil Eye! I am very happy to rectify my mistake and feature the variety filled zine in this installment of […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="588" height="778" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154549" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_cover.jpg 588w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_cover-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /></figure> <p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Evil Eye 1: 1974<br>Editor and Publisher: Alan Bradford</span></strong></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">I recall seeing Al Bradford’s work in several fanzines of the past, but all this time, I did not know he did a zine of his own, <strong><em>Evil Eye</em></strong>! I am very happy to rectify my mistake and feature the variety filled zine in this installment of <strong><em>Ink Stains</em></strong>. When I asked why Bradford decided to jump in the zine pool, he told me he did it because, “Bob Cosgrove and Marty Greim were having so much fun doing it (it seemed), so it was sort of “monkey see, monkey do.” The fact that I never did a second issue should tell you all you need to know about that experience. I enjoyed putting the ‘zine together, but getting it printed, marketed, and sold, not so much.”</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Above you see a Neal Adams (and Bradford) cover to start things off with a double super punch. After that, coupled with the editorial, we see an illustration by Al’s (ex) wife, Susan. Following that is a somewhat atypical barbarian illustration from <strong><em>Comic Crusader</em></strong> leader, Marty Greim (inked by Bradford).</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The general theme of this issue appears to be Jack Kirby, and more specifically, the Fantastic Four (there is an article later in the zine I will mention in a bit). Below you see an over the top illustration of a typically complex Kirby-like costume by Bob Cosgrove and Al…they went a long way for the joke!</span></p> <p></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="572" height="757" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_cosgrove.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154550" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_cosgrove.jpg 572w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_cosgrove-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px" /></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="248" height="360" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_kato_doom.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154554" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_kato_doom.jpg 248w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_kato_doom-207x300.jpg 207w" sizes="(max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The Kirby theme continues with the next article (an unused piece from Cosgrove’s own <strong><em>Champion</em></strong> zine), <em>The Fantastic Years</em>. The article is illustrated profusely by Cosgrove, Bradford, Bill Black, Greim (an impressive double page spread), Gary Kato (seen at left), and Steve Fritz, and features an issue by issue breakdown of <strong><em>The Fantastic Four</em></strong> up to issue 102, then 108, and, lastly, the specials. Below, you can see a smattering of the pin ups.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="576" height="778" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_black.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154551" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_black.jpg 576w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_black-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_doom.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154552" width="568" height="750" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_doom.jpg 568w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_doom-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" /><figcaption>art by Bob Cosgrove</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="520" height="690" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_fritz.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154553" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_fritz.jpg 520w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_fritz-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Al was nice enough to answer a few questions in the Book of Face, the first delving into his beginnings as a comics fan and aspiring artist.</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">I’ve drawn since I could hold a pencil or crayon, at about two or three years old. Everyone starts out drawing. Those of us who never stop are called “artists.” Though I didn’t know their names until much later, I have to say my earliest artistic influences were Al Plastino and Wayne Boring, the two major Superman artists of the 1950s. The first two artists of whose names I was actually aware were Gil Kane and Carmine Infantino, and it was about this time (the last few years of the 1950s) that I began to think that drawing comics was what I wanted to do when I grew up.</span></p></blockquote> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Next is a story by Gary Kato and his brother Bert entitled <em>Fungus</em>…you might say it has a somewhat magic ending. Below you can see a seed of the story, but you can have fungus leafing through the entire spore-y in the pdf. I’m here all night, tip your waitress.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_fungus.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154555" width="541" height="765" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_fungus.jpg 542w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_fungus-212x300.jpg 212w" sizes="(max-width: 541px) 100vw, 541px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Al continued illuminating, expounding on his discovery of fandom below.</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">It was in early 1969, I was 18, in my first year of art school. My younger brother, Pete who was still in high school, the captain of the rifle team (!) and definitely NOT a comics fan, was in the school’s shooting range one afternoon for target practice. A new member of the team was looking around at the walls of the range, which had a number of safety posters taped to them. He commented on the posters: “Oh wow, these are all by Will Eisner!” He expected NO flicker of recognition from Pete. But he was astounded when Pete casually replied: “Oh, yeah, the guy who created The Spirit.” “How did you know that? Are YOU a comics fan?” the kid (Bob Polio by name) asked. Pete assured him that he wasn’t but that his big brother WAS. Of course Bob had to meet me, so Pete introduced us. Bob showed me Stan’s Magazine Exchange in a nearby town, which had a loft filled with old comic books. I met Bob Cosgrove and Marty Greim at Stan’s, and the rest is history. </span></p></blockquote> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Al mentioned to me that Bob Polio went on to work for New England Comics, producing advertising and flyers for them and doing the lettering on the first round of Ben Edlund’s <strong><em>The Tick</em></strong>.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="306" height="432" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_elric-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154557" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_elric-1.jpg 306w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_elric-1-213x300.jpg 213w" sizes="(max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Al Bradford’s fantasy roots (ok, I will stop now) show in the next article (<em>The Chronicle of the Black Sword</em>), spotlighting Michael Moorcock’s character, Elric of Melnibone. A couple of really nice illos by Al grace the article, as well as one by his then wife, Susan. See one at left and another below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="588" height="634" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_bradford.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154558" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_bradford.jpg 588w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_bradford-278x300.jpg 278w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="273" height="432" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_kato.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154573" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_kato.jpg 273w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_kato-190x300.jpg 190w" sizes="(max-width: 273px) 100vw, 273px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">We all had our favorite fanzines back then, and Al was no exception. He told me his list included <strong><em>Comic Crusader</em></strong>, <strong><em>Champion</em></strong>, <strong><em>The Collector</em></strong>, <strong><em>Batmania</em></strong>, <strong><em>The Buyer’s Guide</em></strong>, <strong><em>RBCC</em></strong>, <strong><em>Star Studded</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Squa Tront</em></strong>. He also said that “I did art for the first five and a few articles for the first two. In addition I was a member of CAPA Alpha, The comics APA founded by Jerry Bails, off and on from 1971 to about 1983.”</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Fan fixture Tom Fagan enters with a short story called <em>Spaced Out</em>, illustrated (in a style somewhat reminiscent of Jeff Jones) by Gary Kato, left.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">One great thing about fandom is the friends we made back then, in many cases, stayed with us our whole lives. Al was no different, saying, “besides the aforementioned Polio, Cosgrove and Greim, I was friends with Bhob Stewart, and Tom Fagan, and am still friends with Bill Black, Rich and Wendy Pini, and a bunch of people from CAPA-Alpha who are now Facebook friends.”</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Al was very happy and surprised to get permission from author Harry Harrison to adapt his story, <em>The Finest Hunter in the World</em>. Below is a few pages from the somewhat EC-esque art by Al.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="588" height="778" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_hunter1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154559" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_hunter1.jpg 588w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_hunter1-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="567" height="778" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_hunter2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154560" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_hunter2.jpg 567w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_hunter2-219x300.jpg 219w" sizes="(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">As much as we might have hated it, our time in fandom had to come to an end as our lives continued. Most of the time, it was after we graduated high school, maybe college…and “adulting” forced it’s way into our lives. Alan Bradford was, of course, no different. Below, he elaborates on his post fandom days.</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">I didn’t work professionally in comics, other than my ONE pro credit, thanks to Marty Greim and Bill Black. I inked a ten page Atomic Mouse revival story that Marty wrote and penciled, and Bill Black published in his <strong>Americomics</strong>, issue #4, in 1983. I did however go on to work as a commercial artist in the 80’s & 90’s, doing advertising art, newspaper paste-up (in the waning days of physical cut-and-paste, pre-computer, designing giftware and catalog and ad design for Spoontiques, which, at the time, was the world’s largest manufacturer of pewter figurines and gewgaws. Just before the turn of the millenium I quit Spoontiques to start my own giftware company. I was tired of being a wage slave for a multi-million dollar a year company, while getting no bonuses or recompense for my hundreds of design ideas beyond a weekly salary, and not a particularly good one at that. However, Although I had no problem coming up with ideas and handling the logistics of getting them produced as actual products, I was woefully undercapitalized and couldn’t afford to hire the necessary sales force or even office staff. After cleaning out my savings and getting into a certain amount of debt, I called it quits. I went into building backyard sheds for a number of years, and when the owner of the shed company died in around 2009, I worked for a roofing company that specialized in large industrial roofs (mostly sheet rubber) until I retired in 2015. I’ve gone back to drawing since then, mostly just fan art, though a handful of professional jobs, including several book covers and interior illustrations for my friend. Dwight Decker.</span></p></blockquote> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The issue wraps up with a few spot illustrations by Griem/Bradford, Bruce D. Patterson, and Bob Polio, and a backcover by Wayne Pond. I think this must have been before Wayne started doing a lot of comic character head shots in a cartoony style…and no noses! Check out the back cover below.</span></p> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="588" height="778" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_pond.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154561" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_pond.jpg 588w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/art_pond-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">OK, we finally have the issue fully flowered, but to see Al’s vision come to fruition, you better plant the pdf on your computer! Sorry, I said I would stop.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Thanks this issue go out to the zine’s creator, Al Bradford, and Manny Maris for the scans! Come back next season, I mean, installment, for more fan fun!</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</span></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-137-evil-eye-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 136: Comic Crusader Storybook</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-135-comic-crusader-storybook/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-135-comic-crusader-storybook/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2020 06:00:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[History]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Indie]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Al Bradford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alan Hanley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Biljo White]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Black]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brian Buniak]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Carl Taylor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dan adkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dennis Fujitake]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dick Giordano]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don Newton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Thorne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gary Kato]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gene day]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Grass Green]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jerry Ordway]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jim Steranko]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Sinnott]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Staton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Bryne]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kurt Schaffenberger]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Martin Greim]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mike machlan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pete Iro]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ronn Foss]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rudy Nebres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Clement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Ditko]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tom Sutton]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=154234</guid> <description><![CDATA[Comic Crusader Storybook: 1977Editor/publisher: Martin Greim There are so many amazing fanzines in the past, full of incredible input from so many individuals. Some stand out because of the quality of the contents. Some stand out because of the sheer size. Some stand out because of the input of either enthusiastic fans or seasoned professionals […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="864" height="632" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_banner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154235" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_banner.jpg 864w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_banner-300x219.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_banner-768x562.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></figure> <p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Comic Crusader Storybook: 1977<br>Editor/publisher: Martin Greim</span></strong></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">There are so many amazing fanzines in the past, full of incredible input from so many individuals. Some stand out because of the quality of the contents. Some stand out because of the sheer size. Some stand out because of the input of either enthusiastic fans or seasoned professionals (sometimes both). There are, however, very few publications that can claim to have <em>all</em> of the above between two covers. Martin Greim’s <strong><em>Comic Crusader Storybook</em></strong> is the only one that can really fill that bill, in my opinion (though someone will surely correct me). After an incredible run with his regular version of <strong><em>Comic Crusader</em></strong> (you can see issues 5,6, 10-15 profiled in <strong><em>Ink Stains</em></strong>, accessible through my website at kenmeyerjr.com, in the <strong><em>Ink Stains</em></strong> section), Greim topped it off with one of the most incredible achievements of fandom. Pros such as Joe Sinnott, Dick Giordano (both seen above), Rudy Nebres, Jim Steranko, John Byrne, Neal Adams, Frank Thorne, Kurt Schaffenberger, Fred Fredericks, Joe Staton, Dan Adkins, and Gene Day all had a hand in the pages of this fanzine. And established fans (some to become pros) like Carl Taylor, Dennis Fujitake, Gary Kato, Don Newton, Biljo White, Grass Green, Ronn Foss, Mike Machlan, Pete Iro, Bill Black, Jerry Ordway and others combined all the aforementioned enthusiasm with laudable skill to tell the stories featuring characters originated in fandom itself. In Greim’s lengthy introduction, he shares many details about each character and the creators behind them.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The first story (broken into two parts, with part two ending the zine) features Greim’s character, Defender. Below, you see one of the two pin ups (the other by Nebres alone) and a page from the editor’s creation.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="546" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_steranko.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154236" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_steranko.jpg 546w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_steranko-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px" /><figcaption>Defender, by Jim Steranko and Rudy Nebres</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="535" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_greim.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154237" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_greim.jpg 535w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_greim-223x300.jpg 223w" sizes="(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">It has been stated too many times that Griem’s methods involved a lot of swiping, possibly some tracing, of some of his heroes. Above, eagle eyed comic fans can see elements of Wally Wood and possibly Russ Manning (Defender’s alter ego is actually named Manning)…Greim references this in his intro. In other panels, I think I see elements of Burne Hogarth and a few others…but, honestly, Greim does such a great job of running it through his sensibilities and abilities, that it becomes pretty darn seamless.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Up next is The Eclipse, a Ronn Foss superhero, with the strip itself being pencilled by Gary Kato. Below you can see the pro pin up and a page from the story, showing Gary’s great layouts. Gary does another story later in the book that shows his love of Ditko…stay tuned!</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="524" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_thorne.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154238" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_thorne.jpg 524w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_thorne-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px" /><figcaption>Eclipse, by Frank Thorne</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="520" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kato.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154239" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kato.jpg 520w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kato-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /><figcaption>A page from the story, art by Kato and Ronn Foss</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Greim mentions in the intro that The Eclipse was actually originally going to be a revival of the golden age character, Dr. Mid-night, but that was nixed by DC’s Julie Schwartz…so, after some rethinking, The Eclipse was born and first published in <strong><em>Alter Ego</em></strong> issue 5.</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">One of the most constant and productive fans at that time had to be Alan Hanley…he was everywhere! His cartoony style was reminiscent of some of Hanley’s heroes, such as C. C. Beck (Captain Marvel, the big red cheese…in fact, Goodguy’s “other” name is Major Marvel), and many of the villains and other characters were barely concealed homages and parodies of existing characters. Below you see a pin up and a page from the story.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="522" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kurt.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154240" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kurt.jpg 522w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kurt-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px" /><figcaption>Kurt Schaffenberger’s rendition of Hanley’s Goodguy.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="536" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_hanley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154241" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_hanley.jpg 536w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_hanley-223x300.jpg 223w" sizes="(max-width: 536px) 100vw, 536px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Up next is Grass Green’s character, Xal-Kor the Human Cat, who first appeared in the “Texas Trio” publication, <strong><em>Star Studded Comics</em></strong> (along with many other fan characters). In the pdf you can see a pin up by Mike Machlan/Don Newton/Bill Wilson of the character, and below you can see a page by Green and Brian Buniak.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="495" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_xalkor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154242" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_xalkor.jpg 495w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_xalkor-206x300.jpg 206w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">On Xal-Kor’s heels is the first of three stories featuring the artwork of a favorite of mine, Dennis Fujitake. This story shows how easily Fujitake slipped into humor, and what a command he had of human gestures. Later in the book, you will see not only did his Hawaiian compatriot, Gary Kato, have a deep love of Ditko, but Fujitake did as well.</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">I was able to get an email response from Dennis (NO, the person on fb was wrong, he has NOT passed away!) about this zine, which you see below, in his usual humorous and self depreciating manner.</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">I forgot I had done these. I think I must have done them while I was working at an ad agency in a local department store. The main clue I use to deduce the timeline is the Zip-a-Tone which was an acetate sheet with the halftone dot patterns printed on them in various textures. One pasted them on the line art and used an Xacto knife to trim away the excess. I believe this ancient technology no longer exists. The one thing that still bothers me is my horribly sad lettering skills. Ah, to be young again with all that energy to burn while glued to my drawing table spending hours drawing just for the fun of it. <br>The Sorcerer’s Apprentice must have been a humorous one-shot story I dreamed up for Marty’s book. There are no credits but I believe I was the writer and artist on the strip. I must have seen it as an opportunity to use some of Ditko’s Dr. Strange techniques for the spells and arcane incantations. I had fun doing this one. I think I was using a combination of pen and brush for the inking. <br>The second strip starred Space Guardian that I was supposed to just ink. I have to apologize to Carl Taylor who actually penciled the strip. When I got the pencils from Marty the carbon from the pencil lead was especially thick and heavy on the bristol paper. I was concerned about trying to erase the pencil lines after inking it. I was worried that the ink would not be able to be properly absorbed into the paper so that when it came to erasing the excess pencil lines a lot of the ink would be lifted away. Rather than sending it back to Marty I decided to re-pencil the entire strip on my own bristol paper. <br>Steve Ditko’s influence was still strong as reflected in the fight scenes. Lots more Zip-a-Tone as well as terrible lettering. Again, it was a fun story to draw especially with all the different faces and characters. It would have been really great if not for my shoddy lettering. <br>The third story was by Howard Keltner. Dr. Weird is obviously a play on Dr. Strange. However, it did provide me with another chance to have fun doing a Ditko like story. What astounds me today is the amount of detail I put into the background. I don’t think I’d have the stamina now that I had back then. Dang, that was a lot of work. To all of you young artists out there, enjoy your youthful energy and put it to good use because it’s not going to be there forever. Oh, and did I mention the shabby lettering?<br>Well, that’s all that my steel sieve of a memory can recall. Just be glad that I’m typing this and not hand lettering it. </span></p></blockquote> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="497" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154244" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake1.jpg 497w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake1-207x300.jpg 207w" sizes="(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px" /><figcaption>From Fujitake’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Bill Black makes an appearance next (after the pin up by Mike Machlan, seen in the pdf), with one of several characters that filled the pages of the many zines in his fan empire, Paragon Press. Bill was one of those “mini moguls” who showed a great work ethic and love of comics.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="533" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_black.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154245" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_black.jpg 533w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_black-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Bill was nice enough to add a lot of great elaboration for this column through Facebook…I will let him share it below.</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">My remembrance of my contributions to <strong>CCSB</strong> is sketchy but I’ll do my best to piece it together. There is no copyright on the book but I assume it came out in 1978? At that time I was very busy working a full time job in Tallahassee, FL, doing freelance art for a film production company out of Orlando, inking for Roy Thomas at Marvel Comics and publishing Paragon Publications (5 books in 1977-78). Therefore my contribution to Marty’s magnum opus was limited. Marty, along with Bob Cosgrove, came up with a plot for an up-dated version of the Golden-Age superhero, The Black Terror. This involved crossovers with my character, The Shade, and Bill Wilson’s Hyperman. When inking <strong>What If?</strong> No. 9 (Avengers in the 1950s) I was assisted by a young and very talented teenager, Steve Vance, whom I met thru Tallahassee fandom. Steve was more excited about my working for Marvel than I was! Some of the pencil art was sketchy so I had Steve draw the motorcycle on page 4. He went on years later to working for Marvel and DC (and <strong>Mad Magazine</strong>!) but that bike was his first published pro work. So Steve penciled my Shade story in <strong>CCSB</strong>. I dialogued, lettered and inked it but only pages 2 (splash), 4 and some figures on page 5 were penciled by me. Marty inscribed the book “To Bill- You were always a pro – even before you made it. Many thanks for the years we’ve worked together. It’s been a great pleasure. Best, Marty.” That would imply that <strong>CCSB</strong> was published after <strong>What If?</strong> No. 9 (copyright 1978). Readers are probably unaware that I, along with my wife, Rebekah, appear as characters in the Martin Greim entry entitled “The Demon of the Dark Glass.” “Schwartz” is German for Black. Reb and I visited Marty’s New England home in 1971 and that trip may have inspired this story. It was great fun to co-star with Marty in a comic book story! I launched AC Comics in late 1982 using re-worked Paragon Publications stories under the new imprint. The <strong>CCSB</strong> Shade story appeared in <strong>Americomics</strong> No. 2, June, 1983, with a new art team of Rik Levins (who later had a very long run on <strong>Captain America</strong>) and Willie Blyberg. Marty and Steve are credited. Here the Black Terror is re-named The Terror with a mask now like an “X” across his face and keeping Marty’s white hair, black streak innovation. This character was assimilated into the AC Comics Universe and appeared in many stories over the decades. If memory serves he is currently partnered with the Rad, a character who is Ms. Victory’s daughter. And, of course, AC reprinted many of the Golden-Age Black Terror stories so Marty’s <strong>CCSB</strong> was actually a window into the future.</span></p></blockquote> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">In an interesting twist, the story begun above continues (after another Machlan pin up, inked by fellow Inter-Fan, Pete Iro) in the following story, both containing the classic character, Black Terror, although the hero in this case is Bill Wilson’s (<strong><em>The Collector</em></strong>) Hyperman. Hyperman’s costume was “jazzed up” by fan fave John G. Fantucchio, as told by Greim in the intro. You can see a beautifully rendered page by Mike Machlan and Jerry Ordway below).</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="515" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_ordway.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154246" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_ordway.jpg 515w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_ordway-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The next story features The White Raven, an Al Bradford character that, before this zine, only appeared in a pin up. Gary Kato does the art, and here you can really see his Ditko influence. First, though, is a pin up by John Byrne of the character, obviously modeled after a certain member of the star ship Enterprise.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="493" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_byrne.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154247" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_byrne.jpg 493w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_byrne-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" /><figcaption>White Raven by John Byrne and Al Bradford</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="526" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kato_raven.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154248" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kato_raven.jpg 526w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_kato_raven-219x300.jpg 219w" sizes="(max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">If human bodies with big ol eyeballs is your jam, then the next story will satisfy your needs. It features Biljo White’s classic, 50’s inspired (in my opinion) The Eye! Below you can see newspaper icon, Fred Fredericks (The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician) pin up of the character, followed by a page from the story.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="523" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fredericks.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154249" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fredericks.jpg 523w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fredericks-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 523px) 100vw, 523px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="492" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_biljo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154250" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_biljo.jpg 492w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_biljo-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px" /><figcaption>Biljo White’s work</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">And…if funny animal superheroes are your cup of tea (more food and drink analogies later), Greim follows with his Captain Marvel inspired character, Thunderbunny. Art by Gene Day and Jerry Ordway.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="493" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_day_ordway.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154251" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_day_ordway.jpg 493w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_day_ordway-205x300.jpg 205w" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Another InterFan product appears next by Steve Clements, Mike Machlan (surely the clean up hitter in this zine), and Pete Iro, The Matrix. The art appears as if it was done by Jack Kirby on speed! Some busy but really well rendered pages populate this story, one seen below.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="531" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_machlan.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154252" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_machlan.jpg 531w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_machlan-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 531px) 100vw, 531px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Following is another Greim story, with the character actually based on him and drawn by him as well, but…inked by Dapper Dan Adkins! A definite visual change from the preceding story.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="547" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_adkins.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154253" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_adkins.jpg 547w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_adkins-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px" /><figcaption>Greim and Adkins</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Next up is Mr. A, by Steve Ditko. Mr. A appeared in several fanzines in the 70s, most of the stories espousing Ditko’s libertarian views. This particular strip is different in two ways…there are no words and Mr. A actually battles costumed characters. Ditko was an anomaly in many ways, but the manner that interests readers of this column is the frequency in which he contributed to fanzines, especially with this character.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="522" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_ditko.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154254" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_ditko.jpg 522w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_ditko-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Bob Cosgrove’s character, Space Guardian, appears in the next story. And, super bonus, it is another beautifully rendered story by Fujitake. Note the naturalistic gestures and stances throughout, as well as the dynamic action work. Apropos that Fujitake’s uncanny synthesis of Ditko and Jeff Jones follows the Ditko story.</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">One interesting side note, though. The story credits Gil Kane/Jack Kirby admirer, Carl Taylor with layouts. That seems like such a strange team to me, and I did not see any evidence of Carl’s easy to spot style. I was proven right when Carl, on the ol Facebook, told me, “Martin had Fujitake erase almost everything I drew, instead of just mailing my art back. He also gave me the wrong size to draw the story. He hated that my version was more of a Marvel style than the early DC type art he wanted. I sent Machlan a copy of my splashes pencils to ink but the splash that is in the story is all Fujitake’s. Only about 5 panels I drew survived in the whole story but the look & design of the characters is mine. I learned a lot from Martin but he and I argued a lot about how to do comics back then. I made copies of my pencils though So I still have those.” </span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="648" height="336" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carldave-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154440" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carldave-1.jpg 648w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carldave-1-300x156.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /><figcaption>Another great Carl Taylor/Dave Stevens piece</figcaption></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="263" height="432" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carldave.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154374" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carldave.jpg 263w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carldave-183x300.jpg 183w" sizes="(max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px" /></figure></div> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Check out all this great work from Carl. Above and at left are pieces Stevens inked, and of the second group, Carl explains “Here’s a very quickly done book I sent Marvel in response to getting a rejection letter regarding me doing a picture for the Marvel Universe books. One of their inkers told me to tell them he’d ink it & they rejected me doing a single figure drawing because they didn’t think my storytelling was good enough. I drew this book to show my storytelling and to tell them I was never going to try to work for them ever again. They answered by featuring me in 3 Marvel stories later on. I then self published my own zine and had a letter of support in it from Kirby. This is what I sent Martin which he said they would’ve only looked at for 2 minutes.”</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="545" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154355" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl1.jpg 545w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl1-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px" /><figcaption>The cover to Carl’s pulse pounding rebuke to Marvel!</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="537" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154356" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl2.jpg 537w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl2-224x300.jpg 224w" sizes="(max-width: 537px) 100vw, 537px" /><figcaption>Page one, more pulses are pounding!</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="552" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154357" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl3.jpg 552w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/carl3-230x300.jpg 230w" sizes="(max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px" /><figcaption>Yes, more pounding.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="544" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-Page-003.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154442" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-Page-003.jpg 544w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-Page-003-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="546" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-002.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154441" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-002.jpg 546w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-002-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="559" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-004.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154443" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-004.jpg 559w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Carl-Taylor-VS-Marvel-004-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px" /><figcaption>How’s that for sticking it to the man!?</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Carl also said that “Martin was wrong about me & Marvel. They did 3 stories featuring me in them as their answer to what I sent them. I’m the character “Mayhem” in an issue of <strong><em>Spider-man</em></strong>.”</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">One crazy side note…a very young Dave Stevens was supposed to ink Carl’s version of this story, but got too busy with professional work! Below you can see several unseen pages from his layouts for the SG story…not necessarily in the right order since it has been many years since they were done!</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="524" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154485" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl1.jpg 524w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl1-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="564" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154486" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl3.jpg 564w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl3-235x300.jpg 235w" sizes="(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="569" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154487" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl4.jpg 569w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl4-237x300.jpg 237w" sizes="(max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="562" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154488" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl6.jpg 562w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl6-234x300.jpg 234w" sizes="(max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="566" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl7.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154489" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl7.jpg 566w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl7-236x300.jpg 236w" sizes="(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="508" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl8.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154490" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl8.jpg 508w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl8-212x300.jpg 212w" sizes="(max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="744" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl9.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154491" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl9.jpg 1024w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl9-300x218.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl9-768x558.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="576" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154492" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl10.jpg 720w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carl10-300x240.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Before we see Dennis’s version, a few last words from Carl…</span></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Back then I was getting criticism from pros that since I could draw whatever I wanted, I should try to do something that couldn’t be printed in a regular comic. Mike Friedrich was working on <strong>Star*reach</strong>. He wanted me to do a western. I did three pages, introduced Dave Stevens to him too. Stevens was supposed to ink this too. But, I felt like I was faking too much stuff and I had poor references, so I never finished it. I drew this in the age of undergrounds and Mike’s ground level Comics. I was trying to make Martin’s story fit in with the latest trends. He wanted to do as close to a DC Green Lantern as he could, though. He said I turned his story into a violent slug fest. I still have the letter somewhere. When I said I was going to publish my version, he threatened to sue me if I did. I think that’s why he never sent me back my originals and probably erased them. We still kept in touch, as you can see from that letter he sent me about his Archie work. I was getting my art published in the letters pages and Rich Buckler gave me a Steel Sterling story to do to. Unfortunately when he called me saying he needed it, I was so sick I couldn’t walk across the room without passing out. So, he reassigned it to Adrian Gonzales. I have copies of the pencils I did for that story too.</span></p></blockquote> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">And now Dennis’s take on Space Guardian…</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="544" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_sg1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154255" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_sg1.jpg 544w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_sg1-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px" /></figure> <p></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="546" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_sg2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154256" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_sg2.jpg 546w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_sg2-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px" /><figcaption>Look at that sinuous landing in the last panel!</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="745" height="960" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122128021_3401740436574585_3889512513317033153_o.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154280" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122128021_3401740436574585_3889512513317033153_o.jpg 745w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122128021_3401740436574585_3889512513317033153_o-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /><figcaption>An actual letter from Marty to Carl looooong ago</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="698" height="960" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122178220_3401741606574468_2106383340346182236_o.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154283" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122178220_3401741606574468_2106383340346182236_o.jpg 698w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122178220_3401741606574468_2106383340346182236_o-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 698px) 100vw, 698px" /><figcaption>page 2</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="693" height="960" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122488397_3406789352736360_7403214067837481048_o.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154349" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122488397_3406789352736360_7403214067837481048_o.jpg 693w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/122488397_3406789352736360_7403214067837481048_o-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="(max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px" /><figcaption>The Marvel character modeled after Carl Taylor!</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">If you did not get your Fujitake fix from that, then lucky for you, he is up next again, in a story featuring the uber classic fan character, Dr. Weird! Dr. Weird first appeared in the very first issue of <strong><em>Star Studded Comics</em></strong>, and is the brainchild of Howard Keltner. First, though, a typically sumptuous pin up by the late Tom Sutton.</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="547" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_sutton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154257" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_sutton.jpg 547w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_sutton-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="524" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_dw-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154258" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_dw-1.jpg 524w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_fujitake_dw-1-218x300.jpg 218w" sizes="(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px" /><figcaption>Dr. Weird by Dennis Fujitake</figcaption></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">The last story is part two of Greim’s Defender strip, but first, we are treated to a pin up by none other than Neal Adams! Granted, this looks like the sort of quick piece he probably did at a convention, but still…</span></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="560" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_adams.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154259" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_adams.jpg 560w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/art_adams-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></figure> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">And there you have it, folks. I need to reiterate…this book is big (which is why this installment is equally massive)! 168 pages, including covers! In the intro, Martin says the book took three years to finish, and I am not surprised. In fact, considering the number of creators involved, I am surprised it ever got done at all! This is definitely one you need to get the pdf(s) for…the book is so big, there are 3 of them, so go to my site and get the suckers!</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Thanks again for stopping by and if you have time, please leave a few comments behind.</span> <span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Also, thanks to Dennis Fujitake and especially Carl Taylor for helping out with some inside items!</span></p> <p><span class="has-inline-color has-black-color">Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</span></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-135-comic-crusader-storybook/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>7</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 129: Destiny</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-129-destiny/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-129-destiny/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:15:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DC Comics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[History]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[alex nino]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alfredo Alcala]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bob Juanillo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Charles Rodrigues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Clyde Caldwell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dan adkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don Newton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Edna Jundis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gray Morrow]]></category> <category><![CDATA[James Shull]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jessie Santos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jim Pinkoski]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Pound]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mario Navarro]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mike vosburg]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nestor Redondo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Paul Hugli]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Roy Krenkel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Scot Goode]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stephen Fabian]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Leialoha]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Terry Eaton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tim Kirk]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=152046</guid> <description><![CDATA[Destiny (Fandom Media 4): 1974?Pubisher and editor: Paul Hugli This installment of Ink Stains features a fanzine I had no clue existed (either in this form, Destiny, or the previous form, Fandom Media)…but, holy spot illustration, Batman, there is a lot of talent in this issue! I really have no background information on this fanzine […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color"><strong>Destiny (Fandom Media 4): 1974?<br>Pubisher and editor: Paul Hugli</strong></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="584" height="864" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_cover.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152047" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_cover.jpg 584w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_cover-203x300.jpg 203w" sizes="(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px" /></figure> <p></p> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">This installment of <strong><em>Ink Stains</em></strong> features a fanzine I had no clue existed (either in this form, <strong><em>Destiny</em></strong>, or the previous form, <strong><em>Fandom Media</em></strong>)…but, holy spot illustration, Batman, there is a lot of talent in this issue! I really have no background information on this fanzine and, unfortunately, it appears editor Hugli might have passed away. There is no credits page or anything, either, so there are a few illustrations I have no info on. But, regardless, onward!<br></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="566" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_nino.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152048" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_nino.jpg 566w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_nino-236x300.jpg 236w" sizes="(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px" /></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">The cover you see at top, and the illustration immediately above, are by unmitigated genius, Alex Nino. This issue has a segment (interviews and art) centering on some of the more well known Philipino artists of that time, including Nino. Like many amateur publications in general, this could have really benefitted from a proofreader! I only now noticed looking through that “Tarzen” is referenced several times in one interview. Maybe Hugli was another boy wonder publisher…with English not being his best subject, who knows. He definitely exceled at procuring art! This zine is one of the most diverse and well populated publications from that time I can think of. The first three pages (including the cover) includes not only Nino, but Neal Adams, Clyde Caldwell, Gray Morrow and (maybe) Stephen Fabian! You definitely need the pdf for this sucker!</p> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">The first feature is an interview with <strong><em>National Lampoon</em></strong> artist, Charles Rodrigues. Immediately following that is the Philippine artist section, starting with an interview with the incredibly stylish work of Nestor Redondo. Personally, though I have always marveled at his incredible control of the brush and the beauty of his figures and such…his work always just sorta left me cold. I know I am in the minority…art is, after all, subjective. Interview Orvy Jundis actually interviewed Redondo at his home in the Philippines.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="363" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_redondo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152049" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_redondo.jpg 720w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_redondo-300x151.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption>Nestor Redondo</figcaption></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">The Nino interview took place during a visit to the US by the artist. One thing Nino mentioned is the difference in income between the US and the Philippines at that time. He said a sable brush costs what the average person makes in 3 days. I lived there as a kid and can attest to that. Living off base, I saw the general standard of living and beggars came by our door frequently.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="382" height="519" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_santos.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152050" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_santos.jpg 382w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_santos-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 382px) 100vw, 382px" /><figcaption>Jesse Santos</figcaption></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">Jesse Santos was also interviewed during a visit to the US (both he and Nino were visiting San Francisco then, in 1974). Santos was less of a stylist than, for example, Nino, and more of a commercial illustrator who also did comic book work. I remember his painted covers for companies such as Gold Key.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="864" height="605" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_alcala.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152051" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_alcala.jpg 864w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_alcala-300x210.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_alcala-768x538.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">Following Santos is the last of the Philipino artists, Alfredo Alcala. Possibly the best known of all the Philipino artists, for his incredibly detailed inking of John Buscema on <strong><em>Conan</em></strong>, as well as many other titles, mostly for DC Comics. His Wikipedia entry states that his Voltar character, published starting in 1963 in the Philippines, predated Frazetta’s version of Conan by a few years. Like most of his contemporaries, Alcala was self taught.</p> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">After the Philipino artists segment, there is a <em>Warrior Portfolio</em>, including pieces by John Pound, Mario Alvarado, Steve Leialoha, Bob Juanillo, Clyde Caldwell, Stephen Fabian, Don Newton (whose piece looks like it was meant for a Fandom Media cover), Nino, and a couple of artists I don’t recognize. See a few below.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="544" height="720" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_fabian.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152052" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_fabian.jpg 544w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_fabian-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px" /><figcaption>Stephen Fabian</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="484" height="660" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_loha1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152053" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_loha1.jpg 484w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_loha1-220x300.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px" /><figcaption>Steve Leialoha</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="864" height="562" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_newton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152054" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_newton.jpg 864w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_newton-300x195.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_newton-768x500.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /><figcaption>Don Newton</figcaption></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">An illustrated poem by Hugli and Mario Navarro, <em>I Love Nature</em>, followed by what might be seen as the pulp version of “Who is stronger, the Hunk or the Thing?,” <em>The Shadow or Doc Savage</em>, by Ed Noonchester. The article is illustrated by pin ups and spots from Mike Vosburg, Leialoha, Scot Goode, Edna Jundis, “Ortega,” and one other with no signature.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="493" height="700" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_goode.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152055" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_goode.jpg 493w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_goode-211x300.jpg 211w" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" /></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">A two page strip, <em>World of Mine</em>, by Hugli and Terry Eaton is next, and then the last bits of the interviews are continued, with spots by Roy Krenkel, James Shull, Dan Adkins, Jundis, and Jim Pinkoski. An inside cover pin up (cannot make out the signature) precedes the back cover by Tim Kirk, seen below. Could that be Bilbo?</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="440" height="578" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_kirk.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-152056" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_kirk.jpg 440w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art_kirk-228x300.jpg 228w" sizes="(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px" /></figure> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">That about wraps up this enigmatic little zine. Remember get the pdf on my site at <a href="http://www.kenmeyerjr.com/ink-stains.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kenmeyerjr.com</a>, and I think it is worth it for sure.</p> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">I hope you enjoyed this outing of <strong><em>Ink Stains</em></strong>. I may do an extra column to cover a mimeo zine scanned for me by the generous Manny Maris, <strong><em>Fandom Presents</em></strong>, from 1964. Remember, I appreciate any comments you want to share! Seeya next time!</p> <p class="has-text-color has-very-dark-gray-color">Ken Meyer Jr.<br>kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-129-destiny/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 114: GASlite 10</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-114-gaslite-10/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-114-gaslite-10/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 01 Jan 2019 11:00:27 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Batman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bronze Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Silver Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dan adkins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dick Giordano]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Frazetta]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gary Dumm]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gil kane]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Isaac Asimov]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jack Kirby]]></category> <category><![CDATA[klaus janson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[P. Craig Russell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Peter Kuper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Robert Crumb]]></category> <category><![CDATA[T. Casey Brennan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tony Isabella]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vaughn Bode]]></category> <category><![CDATA[William Gaines]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=143673</guid> <description><![CDATA[GASlite appears to be the interview zine to see! Kirby! Adams! Giordano! Bode! Asimov! GASlite 10: 1973 Editors/publishers: Peter Kuper and Seth Tobacman I will be the first to admit, I had not heard of this particular fanzine until uberzine aficionado, Emanuel (Manny) Maris pointed it out to me and very graciously sent me hi […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #000000"><em><strong>GASlite</strong></em> appears to be <em><strong>the</strong></em> interview zine to see! Kirby! Adams! Giordano! Bode! Asimov!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143674" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_cover.jpg" alt="" width="490" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_cover.jpg 490w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_cover-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><strong>GASlite 10: 1973</strong></span><br /> <span style="color: #000000"><strong>Editors/publishers: Peter Kuper and Seth Tobacman</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">I will be the first to admit, I had not heard of this particular fanzine until uberzine aficionado, Emanuel (Manny) Maris pointed it out to me and very graciously sent me hi res scans and a pre-made pdf as well. But, judging by this issue, they had some clout!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-143675 size-full" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_russell.jpg" alt="" width="312" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_russell.jpg 312w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_russell-144x300.jpg 144w" sizes="(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Manny stated to me, via email that </span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><em>‘<strong>G.A.S. lite,</strong>‘ usually referred to as <strong>GASlite</strong> (originally <strong>Unofficial </strong><strong>Organ of the Graphic Arts Society of Northeastern Ohio</strong>, then <strong>Official </strong><strong>Magazine of the Cleveland Graphic Art Society</strong>) was started by Tony Isabella and published by him, starting with #1 in 1969, up to #7.</em></span></p> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1545072903994_425570" dir="ltr"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1545072903994_425599" dir="ltr"><em><span style="color: #000000">Tony moved to NYC, and gave the title to Peter Kuper (later publisher/co-founder of <strong>World War 3</strong> magazine and successor to Spy vs Spy creator, Prohias in <strong>Mad Magazine</strong>) and Seth Tobocman (also publisher/co-founder of <strong>World War 3</strong> magazine, started in 1980, with the 43rd issue published in November of 2017)</span></em></div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1545072903994_425570" dir="ltr"> <p><em><span style="color: #000000">Both Peter and Seth were obvious Crumb fanatics – just before publishing this last quadruple-size 68-page issue of <strong>GASlite</strong> (their previous two issues – #8, 1971 and #9, 1972 – were digest-size 20+ pagers), they published the first (1972) of two volumes of the <strong>Melotoons</strong> sketchbooks by R “The Shlep” Crumb; the 2nd was published in 1975.</span></em></p> </div> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1545072903994_532953"><span style="color: #000000">As stated, this particular issue (also referenced inside) is actually four issues combined into one, accounting for the high page count. Very much a good bang for your buck! Above you see the Crumb cover and also an early piece by P. Craig Russell (who, at the time of this publication, was probably finishing up his assistant status to the great Dan Adkins, also in this fanzine). You can read an interview I did with Craig a few years ago <strong><a style="color: #000000" href="https://comicattack.net/2010/03/06/pcr-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a></strong>. So, let’s dive into the heat of the meat, as Colbert would say.</span></div> </div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000">After a Gary Dumm strip (he would go on to work extensively with Harvey Pekar) and the table of contents, we are immediately thrust into the dichotomy that was Jack Kirby (his interview). A plain spoken worker bee with a fairly unparalleled imagination, he comes across as well mannered and humble, probably just as we all expected. Below you see a couple of Kirby pieces adorning the interview in particular and the zine in general.</span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143678" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kirby.jpg" alt="" width="507" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kirby.jpg 507w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kirby-235x300.jpg 235w" sizes="(max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px" /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143679" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kirby2.jpg" alt="" width="497" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kirby2.jpg 497w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kirby2-230x300.jpg 230w" sizes="(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px" /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000">A two page Flakey Foont strip by Crumb follows (in sketch form), and then another good sized interview follows, this with inker of great standing (among many other things), Dick Giordano. The questions are intelligent, probing and insightful in all the interviews…although, hooboy, they could have used a proofreader! No art by Dick, but there is a nice Frazetta sketch folded between the pages, seen below. Following that is one of a few illustrations by <em>another</em> incredible inker, Klaus Janson.</span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143680" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_frazetta.jpg" alt="" width="471" height="576" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_frazetta.jpg 471w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_frazetta-245x300.jpg 245w" sizes="(max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px" /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143681" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_janson.jpg" alt="" width="627" height="421" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_janson.jpg 627w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_janson-300x201.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px" /><em><strong>GASlite</strong></em> originator, Tony Isabella, is next, with a story entitled <em>Gift Horse</em>. Then Neal Adams takes over in a succinct and to the point interview, peppered with quick sketches (see one below). Neal comes off a bit terse and full of himself here, but I have a feeling there was some humor that did not come through the cold type. They do mention that the interview was done at 3 am at the tail end of a convention, so it is understandable!</span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143682" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_adams2.jpg" alt="" width="413" height="504" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_adams2.jpg 413w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_adams2-246x300.jpg 246w" sizes="(max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-143684" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_bode2.jpg" alt="" width="179" height="262" /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-143683" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_bode1.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="218" />Following Adams is a single page sketch strip of Mr. Natural by Crumb, and then the next interview…with none other than <em><strong>Mad</strong></em> founder, William Gaines! More fan fiction, this one being <em>Tonan?</em> by M. Hudak, succeeds Mr. Gaines, and then a double header interview greets our eyes. The iconic Vaughn Bode and award winning Warren writer, T. Casey Brennan fill the bill admirably. Of course, Bode spot illos are sprinkled throughout. This is a 13 page interview, folks, they did not skimp!</span></p> </div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000">More Crumb sketches appear (one seen below), and then a severe about face appears in the form of an interview with, that’s right, Isaac Asimov! I know, there are a<em> lot</em> of exclamation points in this installment, but I cannot help it! See? There goes another.</span></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-143692 aligncenter" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_crumb1.jpg" alt="" width="497" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_crumb1.jpg 497w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_crumb1-230x300.jpg 230w" sizes="(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px" /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000">That about wraps up this issue, but really, there is a lot to digest! If you like a variety of in depth interviews (most of them), then this is really for you. A few more visual treats follow below (Janson, then Kane).</span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143693" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_creeper.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_creeper.jpg 488w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_creeper-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="(max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143694" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kane.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="576" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kane.jpg 435w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/art_kane-227x300.jpg 227w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" /></span></div> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: #000000">Obviously, seeing the full pdf is essential in a zine like this (which can be gotten on my site at kenmeyerjr.com). The visuals are wonderful, but those interviews really make this an outstanding fanzine. Thanks this time goes out to Manny for providing this for me, as well as giving up his time to add more info that I would have had on my own. Please check out the fanzine pages on Facebook, where a lot of us old geezers hang out talking zines!</span></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"> <p><span style="color: #000000">Have a great (rest of the) holiday, everyone!</span></p> </div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"> <p><span style="color: #000000">Ken Meyer Jr.</span><br /> <span style="color: #000000">kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</span></p> </div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr"></div> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-114-gaslite-10/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ink Stains 113: Imagination 1</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-113-imagination-1/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-113-imagination-1/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[kenmeyerjr]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2018 07:08:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Horror]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ink Stains]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Meyer Jr.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Berni Wrightson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Stillwell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gray Morrow]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Howard Chaykin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jeff Jones]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michael Kaluta]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=143133</guid> <description><![CDATA[Imagination was another one of those beautiful fanzines (in content and design) that seemed to fly before our eyes and disappear forever. Imagination 1: 1971 Editor and publisher: David Jablin As stated in the tag line, there were so many fanzines, of all levels of quality, that seemed to come and go in flashes. The […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #000000"><em><strong>Imagination</strong></em> was another one of those beautiful fanzines (in content and design) that seemed to fly before our eyes and disappear forever.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143135" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_cover1.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_cover1.jpg 488w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_cover1-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="(max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Imagination 1: 1971</strong></span><br /> <span style="color: #000000"><strong>Editor and publisher: David Jablin</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">As stated in the tag line, there were so many fanzines, of all levels of quality, that seemed to come and go in flashes. The surprise comes when a zine with such a high quality of contributors as this one does the same. Editor and publisher David Jablin has gone on to work a lot in television and film and provides some engrossing and entertaining reminisces generously given to me through email. The same can be said for main artist, Bill Stillwell.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Fanzine authority Emanuel Maris provided some valuable information about this zine also, by telling me there was actually an earlier, alternative edition, stating: </span></p> <blockquote><p><span style="color: #000000">The first printing of <em><strong>Imagination</strong></em> 1 came out in time for the NY Lunacon in April ’71. I bought my copy at Jablin’s table at the ’71 NY [Seuling’s] Comic Art Convention in July. Jablin told me at that time that he was sending back the entire run right after the con to the printer, because the back cover by Stillwell was printed too dark for the fine pencil gradations to be revealed (indeed it was), and that he was revising the contents, so ‘buy this copy now before its destroyed.’ Unfortunately, in revising the contents, he did not change the introductory page 1 to include credits for the new material. Among items that differed was that the <em>Al In Toiletland</em> strip was tossed, as were some poetry pages, pages were shuffled, and the <em>Lady Madona</em> strip by Eric [Howard Chaykin] Pave and inker Stillwell was added, as well as Adam’s unpublished newspaper strip (printed sideways). The <em>Nova Christus</em> preview portfolio – in both editions – <em>is</em> by Chaykin. The actual <em>Nova Christus</em> strip, signed by Chaykin, appeared in Mark Wheatley’s <em><strong>Nucleus</strong></em> #7. Chaykin was credited in <em>neither</em> edition of <em><strong>Imagination</strong></em> 1.</span></p></blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000">At any rate, no reason to not dive right in and see some of the great work inside that, by design, illustrates the premise delivered by the title of the fanzine, and Jablin’s opening editorial. Right now, though, we can have a blast reading his answers to a few of my questions, with my questions included. To read the entire Jablin interview, see the link in the <em><strong>Imagination</strong></em> line within my <em><strong>Ink Stains</strong></em> section. Take my word, it is worth it. David put a lot of time into it, formatting it, adding graphics, etc.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381210"><span style="color: #000000"><em><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381209">Q: When and how old were you when you got into comics in general?</span></em></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381204"><span style="color: #000000"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381203">I was three years old when I picked up my first comic book. It was at a local barber shop in Flushing, Queens while reluctantly waiting for a haircut. Stuffed between some issues of <em><strong>Archie</strong></em> and <em><strong>Highlights</strong></em> magazine, was a well worn <em><strong>Superman</strong></em> comic — issue 113 to be precise. I can pinpoint this as the precise </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381206">moment I was first transported to another universe. I couldn’t read it but I could somehow follow the story. I was so entranced that I didn’t even notice I was getting my haircut. Afterwards my mother took me right down the block to the corner candy store where I discovered that there were racks full of these amazing“comic books” stacked taller then I could even reach.</span></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381219"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381218" style="color: #000000">As I grew up, this corner candy store named <em>Dottie’s</em> would be my haunt for many years on the days when the new comics came in. And I wasn’t the only kid hanging around the corner literally waiting for them to be delivered and unbundled. As a matter of fact one of these rapid comic fans was a young Howard Chaykin who lived just down the block. </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381222"><span style="color: #000000"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381221">There is no doubt that comics taught me how to read. I used to ask my parents how to pronounce the words printed in bold and explain what they meant. Invulnerable, invincible and x-ray became part of my vocabulary. In fact I remember very clearly how in kindergarten I got in trouble for secretly wearing my Cooper Superman halloween costume shirt under my clothing. I left just my top button open so just the top of the “S” could peak out. When any of the other kids curiously asked, “What are you wearing under your shirt?” I quickly buttoned up as if I was hiding something and said “Oh, nothing…” The teacher did not find this funny and I was sent to the principal’s office where I actually tried to pull the same stunt on him! Needless to say they called my mother to come in and I was lectured about my hyperactive </span>imagination.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">At around age six or seven I begged my mother to take me up to the DC offices for a guided tour they offered back then. Some editor, I don’t remember who, explained the whole comic making process to us. I was riveted. They showed us pages for what I now know was <em><strong>Superman</strong></em> 141—a three part “imaginary” story where The Man Of Steel returns to Krypton. It was the first time I saw original comic art! There were these beautiful HUGE pages, drawn by Wayne Boring (for what in retrospect was probably his best issue ever). I stared wide-eyed at all these amazing pages with my adrenaline pumping. I was immediately hooked. If I were directing that moment in a film, it’s where I’d call for the old Hitchcock “dolly-zoom” shot on little me.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381227"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381229" style="color: #000000">I was completely sucked into the story’s concept of going back in time and meeting one’s long dead parents as an adult (it was all concisely explained in dialogue on the cover). Wayne’s renditions of life on Krypton blew the top of my young head off. Boring was the artist that drew that first issue of <em><strong>Superman</strong></em> that I saw back in the barber shop. By then I could recognize his “style.” </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381225"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381224" style="color: #000000">There was my favorite character, Superman, drawn not on some cheap newsprint, but on large heavyweight paper. I was fascinated by the ink brushwork over the pencils. I asked the editor what the artists name was. “Boring.” It got a derisive laugh from the other kids. I was annoyed that they were not as in awe as I was. I raised my hand and offered that the cover looked as if it were drawn by a different artist. “Good eye, kid” Mr. Editor said. “His name is Swan, Curt Swan” (who would actually become my favorite <em><strong>Superman</strong></em> artist). But his name too also elicited another stupid giggle from this group of nit wits.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">At the end of the tour each kid got a free piece of original art. They purposely gave me a <em><strong>Superman</strong></em> daily strip by Wayne Boring! Just four panels but they had both Superman and Clark Kent in them. Kent was in profile with that strange way Boring drew Clark’s glasses from that angle. I still have it.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">A couple of years later I took a similar tour up at the offices of <em><strong>Mad Magazine</strong></em> on MADison Ave. (<em><strong>Mad</strong></em> would also play a big part in my young adult life).</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">I immediately started drawing comic book characters incessantly. Over the years I learned by “swiping” from all my favorite artists. For those who don’t know the industry term, it basically means closely studying and analyzing their techniques and then copying them.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">I became quite the aficionado, able to instantly recognize each artist style. When Marvel started doing creator credits I began to know them all by name. DC followed suit shortly thereafter. Here were heavyweights like Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, Joe Kubert, Steranko, all at the peak of their powers.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Comic collecting became a serious habit. DC, Marvel, Warren, an occasional Gold Key… I absorbed them all. I also had definite opinions and creative ideas on how to improve them. I wrote an occasional “letter to the editor” that got published.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">On weekends I’d troll used book stores for back issues. I unearthed amazing stuff that was done before I was even born. Here’s where I discovered EC Comics and the genius of Wally Wood, Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, Harvey Kurtzman, etc.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381241"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381243" style="color: #000000">My school notebooks were full of sketches — usually mash ups of my favorites like Superman fighting The Hulk, Batman battling Captain America. I had Kirby’s Thor down. I memorized how to draw a Gil Kane punch. By age ten I had a drafting table in my bedroom. I learned the tools of the trade. I had Windsor & Newton brushes and ink and some rapidiograph pens. I graduated to using real strathmore paper. I wrote and drew practice stories in black and white heavily influenced by the art styles I was seeing in Warren’s <em>Creepy</em> & <em><strong>Eerie</strong></em> magazines. I learned to use zip-a-tone and letraset rub on fonts. </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381237"><span style="color: #000000"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381236">However, even back then I admitted to myself that I was </span>not<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381245"> a natural. I needed the crutch of copying other artists to draw what I saw in my head. I had no real style of my own. But,what I did have was a good eye for talent. I recognized what great comic art was and knew all about who was doing it.</span></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381232"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381231" style="color: #000000">During my early teens, on two separate occasions, I found two hardcover books that were complete revelations. Each was prominently on display at that cool bookstore on the east side that was right next to where Cinema I & II used to be. Going to the movies there and then roaming this bookstore was one of my favorite pastimes. That and checking out at all the pretty girls in Manhattan who somehow seemed hotter then the ones from Queens.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381257"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381259" style="color: #000000">Anyway… The first was Alex Raymond’s collected <em><strong>Flash Gordon</strong></em> strips beautifully reproduced in black and white. First time I’d ever seen them. I was completely blown away by his sheer artistry. This led to me becoming obsessed with other comic strip greats like Hal Foster and Milton Caniff.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381251"><span style="color: #000000"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381255">The other book was Jules Feiffer’s, <em><strong>The Great Comic Book Heroes</strong></em>. Here, an artist whose weekly cartoons in <em><strong>The Village Voice</strong></em> I loved, wrote a loving tribute to the greats artists of his time. It was a wonderful historical look back at the beginnings of what he unapologetically called an “art form.” </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381253">Although the golden age styles of drawing in the book seemed primitive to me, my mind was truly expanded by having this comprehensive historical context.</span></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381249"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381248" style="color: #000000">The one artist in the book whose work totally stood out for me was Will Eisner. I don’t recall the year but, of all companies, Harvey Comics published some issues of Eisner’s <em><strong>The Spirit</strong></em>. They were reprints but I did not know that at the time and it was work I had never seen before. Eisner’s unique panel design and cinematic storytelling techniques became a huge influence on me.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381277"><span style="color: #000000">But finally, here it was… actual books, featuring actual comic art<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381281"> on the shelves of an actual hip eastside bookstore — not on a squeaky spinning rack in some crummy corner candy shop. </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381279">This moment was probably the first inkling I had that I wanted to create something with this art form that could be distributed on this kind of level.</span></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381273"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381272" style="color: #000000"><i id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381271">Quick sidebar. Years later I met with Feiffer in NY when I was developing a comedy for HBO. Great guy. He was one of my screenwriting heroes who is STILL drawing comics! Anyway, I asked him if he’d like to write an ongoing animated segment featuring a Ronald Reagan claymation puppet I that was having designed. He was gleefully interested. We were in the studio where the puppet and oval office set were, just cracking up, when we got the word that Reagan had just been shot. All went quiet. We agreed that maybe the timing wasn’t so great for this. After Reagan recovered Feiffer got too busy working on a screenplay. Satirical mastermind Harry Shearer stepped in and wrote a very funny Ronald Reagan ‘rap’ song with Harry doing the impression. </i></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381287"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_381286" style="color: #000000">Comics taught me to think visually and how to dramatically tell a story in pictures. These skills fueled my desire to become a filmmaker. Understanding the art of sequential story telling gave me the raw ability and confidence to direct —which I did for several of the TV projects I produced over the years — to some acclaim if I may brag. Being able to draw particularly came in handy when working with cinematographers to be able to do a quick sketch or storyboard.</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000">Back in the pages of <em><strong>Imagination</strong></em>, the first thing we see after the editorial is a full page illustration teasing of a “sci fi classic” by Neal Adams. Unfortunately, I don’t think this fanzine went beyond the initial issue, so hopefully that Neal Adams guy found work somewhere else. Someone who <em>does</em> appear though, is Jeff Jones, with a story entitled <em>Explored</em>. In just these few pages seen below, anyone with eyes can see why Jones was lavished with praise from the very beginning. In this simple and short black and white story, his sense of composition delivers some gorgeous, minimalistic pages. If you see the word “sublime” in the dictionary, there should be an image by Jones next to it. Make it so!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143136" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones1.jpg" alt="" width="459" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones1.jpg 459w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones1-213x300.jpg 213w" sizes="(max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143137" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones2.jpg" alt="" width="461" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones2.jpg 461w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones2-213x300.jpg 213w" sizes="(max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143138" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones3.jpg" alt="" width="464" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones3.jpg 464w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_jones3-215x300.jpg 215w" sizes="(max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">David continues with his memories of fandom below.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395436"><span style="color: #000000"><em><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395435">Q: What was your first exposure to fandom? A specific zine? A Convention?</span></em></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395421"><span style="color: #000000"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395431">My “fan-aticism” for comics went to the next level when at the age of ten I </span>begged<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395429"> my parents to take me to the very first comic book convention in New York at the Statler Hilton. Here were my favorite comic artists in the flesh! I made my parents sit through the panels where comics were being seriously discussed by their creators. In a way it calmed their nerves that I was not alone in my strange fascination with comic books. My dad seemed to appreciate the fact that, for the most part these artists were men of his generation who wore jackets and ties. </span></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395442"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395441" style="color: #000000">I was a polite young man so, after a panel, if there was the opportunity, I would approach these guys, introduce myself and let them know what a fan I was of their work. I usually pointed out something about their style I felt was unique. My comments always seemed to be appreciated. I remember at this first convention when after a brief chat Gil Kane signed my program. I remember thinking his hair was combed exactly like Green Lantern’s. </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395447"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395446" style="color: #000000">But my actual favorite thing about these conventions was spending hours drooling over the original art that was for sale. The conventions became a major yearly event for me. </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395452"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395451" style="color: #000000">As I’m sure you know, these early conventions would be hardly recognizable by today’s extravaganza “comic-con” standards. They were relatively small and intimate affairs. Aspiring artists and writers from all over the country attended and were able to show their portfolios to editors and professional artists — as well as anybody else interested in taking a look. I was among this strange group — all of us toting around big art portfolios while touting our big ideas.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">These events are where I initially met many of the remarkably talented “amateur” artists that I felt in my bones were bound for greatness. People like Bernie Wrightson, Jeff Jones, Mike Kaluta & Howard Chaykin. Their artwork blew my mind. These guys were the real deal… the young guns in town. Long haired hippie types that wanted to shake up the industry. It was the sixties! Protest and pot where in the air. Revolution… political, musical and sexual swirled all around us.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">An interesting phenomenon at these conventions worth noting was that small groups of aspiring artists and writers would spontaneously gather around discussing the hot button topics of the day. We were all craving change. New and innovative styles of storytelling, better print quality, new formats geared to an older more sophisticated audience. We were passionate about artists having the ability to maintain the rights to their creations and being able to do material not censored by the Comics Code Authority. It was in this heady environment where the lightning bolt first struck telling me that I must produce my own independent publication someday.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395464"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395463" style="color: #000000">I always seemed like the youngest guy in the room. Im 14-15 at the time but “played older.” I was able to fit in with these mostly 18-20 yr. olds. I was passionate and knowledgeable. I was a funny guy. I made them laugh. They liked me. </span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000">Next up is the first of several short sf fiction stories, <em>The Catalonian Chapel</em>. Unfortunately, the editor did not list detailed credits anywhere, so there is no evidence of who did this story, the others, or any unsigned illustrations. There are also watermarked images in the background of all the stories as well…but no credit, and they are too faint to identify.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Oh wait, that Adams guy did get some work! Evidence presents itself in the story below, <em>Tangent</em>. This is a few pages of evidence of the incredible visual realism Neal had, seemingly from day one. The note at the end of the last page is that it was an unpublished syndicated strip. Feast your eyeballs below (and see the complete story in the pdf accessible on my site).</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143139" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_adams.jpg" alt="" width="444" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_adams.jpg 444w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_adams-206x300.jpg 206w" sizes="(max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Bill Stillwell, really the main visual star of this fanzine, follows with the first of a couple stories, <em>A Gift of Love</em>. Bill loved illustrating gorgeous woman in all their glory (it would seem), and this strip is no different. On that subject and his social status at the time, Bill expounded through email to me, “I was always the designated driver. Didn’t smoke, drink, or use drugs (I got contact highs from all my friends, but the smoking thing discouraged me from doing it myself). But girls, well that was something I could do, very well. I have always loved women and more, I appreciate them. As far as their form goes, well, let’s just say that I was only a leg man professionally. ;-)” Also, Bill was lucky enough to get some valuable feedback on this story from none other than Frank Frazetta! He explains, “Some guy at one of the Phil Seuling Comic Cons in NYC offered me $1000 for <em>A Gift of Love</em>, but Frank Frazetta saw it, along with his pal, Roy Krenkel, and told me I shouldn’t sell it, because one day it would mean more to me, if I kept it. He was right (he was also very gracious in his praise and encouraging–praise from Caesar, indeed).”</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">You can see a few pages below.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143140" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell1.jpg" alt="" width="457" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell1.jpg 457w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell1-212x300.jpg 212w" sizes="(max-width: 457px) 100vw, 457px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143141" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell2.jpg" alt="" width="478" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell2.jpg 478w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell2-221x300.jpg 221w" sizes="(max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Another single page of fiction is next, and then another story by Stillwell. This is called <em>Lady Madona</em> (written and penciled by Eric Pave). Bill told me about his beginnings below, again through email.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357762"><span style="color: #000000">I began reading comics, like <em><strong>Superman</strong></em> and <em><strong>Captain Marvel</strong></em> in my pre-teens. When <em><strong>The Fantastic Four</strong></em> came out in 1961, and then <em><strong>Spider-Man</strong></em>, I became a Marvel fan. I was about 14, at the time. In those days, it was hard to learn who the comic artists were. After the fact, I learned that I liked Curt Swan and Kurt Scaffenberger on <em><strong>Superman</strong></em>, Carmen Infantino on <em><strong>The Flash</strong></em>. Later on, I really liked Frank Frazetta (who didn’t?), Jeff Jones, Berni Wrightson (who taught me to use a brush) and Jeff Jones. I also knew and admired Mike Kaluta, Barry Windsor-Smith (who, together with Jeff and Berni comprised The Studio) and, of course, Neal Adams, and Al Williamson.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357818"><span style="color: #000000">I got involved in comic fandom as a result of my meeting all the above artists, plus Roy Krenkel, through my good friend and college classmate, Alan Asherman (author of the <em><strong>Star Trek Compendium</strong></em>). He introduced me to all these guys and we all hit it off very well. I admired all of them. I also admired Jack Kirby, for his explosive dynamism, though it was not my style, nor did I ever meet him. I never published my own fanzine, but did illustrations for a few, including Sal Quartuccio’s <em><strong>Hot Stuf’</strong></em>.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357769"><span style="color: #000000">My aim as an artist was to continually improve and become a professional. I was, more or less, a realist, so the guys who drew what I considered to be “real” figures (even if idealized) appealed the most to me, like Frazetta and Adams and Big John Buscema. By that time, I preferred Marvel comics and my favorite character, to this day, is Thor. I think I did put effort into that goal. Had I continued in the field, I think I would have done pretty well.</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000">For some reason, maybe it is the costuming, the visuals remind me of a young Howard Chaykin (see my comment on this later). Samples follow.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143142" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell3.jpg" alt="" width="527" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell3.jpg 527w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell3-244x300.jpg 244w" sizes="(max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143143" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell4.jpg" alt="" width="523" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell4.jpg 523w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell4-242x300.jpg 242w" sizes="(max-width: 523px) 100vw, 523px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143144" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell5.jpg" alt="" width="526" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell5.jpg 526w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell5-244x300.jpg 244w" sizes="(max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Editor Jablin has an uncanny knack to paint his remembrances with emotion and detail, as you can see below, with another answer to my question.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396720"><span style="color: #000000"><em><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396719">Q: Did you have any favorite zines as a reader?</span></em></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395457"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_395456" style="color: #000000">At the time I really wasn’t into the whole zine scene. I think I bought a few issues of <em><strong>Squa Tront</strong></em> at a convention because they were printed so nicely. But usually whenever I picked one up the art looked amateurish to me. They had poor layout and design and shitty printing.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396724"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396723" style="color: #000000">That changed when I stumbled upon an issue of Wally Wood’s <em><strong>Witzend</strong></em>. This was a game changer to me. Not so much a fanzine as a high quality “art” magazine which was being independently published, featuring professional comic artists “doing their thing” outside the limits of the comics code. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">I thought, THIS is what I’d like to do — BUT featuring the up and coming artists that I know about!</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396730"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396729" style="color: #000000">I would spend time in bookstores carefully studying the layout and design of the hip counter culture magazines of the day. I was particularly inspired by a literary and art magazine called <em><strong>The Evergreen Review</strong></em>. It was smart, it was sexy it was funny. My three favorite attributes. This is where I wanted my publication to fit in, next to a copy of <em><strong>Evergreen</strong></em> on the shelves. I’m around 15 when I have this epiphany. </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396732"><span style="color: #000000">Step 1. Get the money to do it.</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000">More fiction follows (<em>Tanganyika</em>), then a few pages of poetry and spot illustrations. The big wham bam visual in your face experience is delivered next by the incomparable Berni Wrightson. Conjure Woman contains the usual gorgeous ink work of Berni…the first page is below. You are welcome.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143147" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_berni1.jpg" alt="" width="473" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_berni1.jpg 473w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_berni1-219x300.jpg 219w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Stillwell has not left the building either, since the next feature is a teaser for an upcoming feature of his, seen after more Stillwell quotes. Bill was lucky enough to know some incredible artists, some of which are mentioned below, as well as his continually changing path in life.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357779"><span style="color: #000000">After meeting the artists through my friend, Alan (Asherman), I was invited to join them every time they had a monthly meeting at Jeff Jones’ apartment in NYC–“First Fridays,” they were called.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357871"><span style="color: #000000">I learned an enormous amount from all of them. And they were generous and encouraging to a fault. Wonderful group of supremely talented guys.</span><br /> <span style="color: #000000">Roy Krenkel taught my how to spot blacks, Berni taught me the proper use of a Windsor Newton #3 brush for inking, Al Williamson showed me how to use a pen and Jeff and Mike taught me how to do composition. Vaughn Bode was a brilliant guy, a cartoonist with a devastating wit. It was like having a graduate course in art.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357875"><span style="color: #000000">I arrived as a professional with the publication of a single ink drawing for <em><strong>Venture Science Fiction</strong></em>. This led to my doing two pro strips for Jim Warren in <em><strong>Creepy</strong></em> #35 (<em>Godslayer</em>, which I wrote and illustrated, and <em>The Cadaver</em>, in <em><strong>Creepy</strong></em> #37, which I illustrated from a script, edited by Archie Goodwin).</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357879"><span style="color: #000000">I <em>was</em> a professional, but thereafter, I was swallowed whole by medical school, internship, residency, fellowship and marriage. And from there, I directly went into practice on Long Island. I still did occasional medical illustrations, for others, when asked, or when illustrating my own books.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357883"><span style="color: #000000">Until I was injured in 2001 (broken back), I was an orthopedic surgeon, hip and knee specialist, Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery at State University of New York, at Stony Brook. I was also an Instructor at the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University. Pain from my back injury forced me into retirement in 2002, but except for being a little shorter than I used to be, I’m OK–not dead, obviously, and not paralyzed (though I could have been either). Better lucky than smart!</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357887"><span style="color: #000000">I do keep in touch with Mike Kaluta and Alan Asherman on Facebook. Jeff, Vaughn Bode and Berni are gone, as are Frank Frazetta Roy Krenkel, Gray Morrow and Al williamson–sad to say. I was privileged to know them all. I also still touch base with Howard Chaykin on FB, now and then, (see Eric Pave–his pen name–in the strip, <em>Lady Madona</em>, in <em><strong>Imagination</strong></em>, which I inked). [<strong>So I was right! There IS some Chaykin there! -Ken</strong>] I am very proud of both Mike and Howard, who have become institutions of excellence in themselves. So glad “I knew them when.”</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143145" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell6.jpg" alt="" width="468" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell6.jpg 468w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_stillwell6-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">The last story in the zine is by Jeff and Berni’s studio mate, Mike Kaluta. He does like those women up on slabs of stone, doesn’t he? This could be another one of those stories slated for the <em><strong>Web of Horror</strong></em> magazine.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143148" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta1.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta1.jpg 500w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta1-231x300.jpg 231w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143149" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta2.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta2.jpg 495w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta2-229x300.jpg 229w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143150" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta3.jpg" alt="" width="505" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta3.jpg 505w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_kaluta3-234x300.jpg 234w" sizes="(max-width: 505px) 100vw, 505px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">What? That Stillwell guy is still…well…here? That’s right…here he is on the backcover (hey, I am not complaining)! Also, a few final thoughts from Bill on the course of his life, especially in these later years.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_358001"><span style="color: #000000">Prior to my retirement, I also wrote and illustrated a massive book on surgery, called <em>The Art of Total Hip Arthroplasty</em> (fancy name for a hip replacement–one of my specialties). Still available on Ebay, I hear. Today, I write and sell medical information products for the lay person, self-illustrated, of course, available on my website, Dr. Bill’s Clinic <a style="color: #000000" href="http://drbillsclinic.com/">here</a>. I also sell my own line of pharmaceutical grade fish oil and other premium nutritional supplements <a style="color: #000000" href="http://drbillsclinic.com/fish-oil.html/">here</a>.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_357894"><span style="color: #000000">I also run a Facebook Group on health and extending longevity, which you and any of your members are invited to join (it’s FREE!) called “Live Longer and Prosper!” and can be seen <a style="color: #000000" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1766901833585339/">here</a>. Keeps me busy and out of the pool halls!</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_358008"><span style="color: #000000">Anyway, that’s a capsule summary of my history in comic art. I like to think that I might have made a real name for myself, had I continued to improve and work. But as a surgeon, I was fortunate to touch the lives of thousands, who are alive and without pain, because of my surgeries and other treatments. Surgery is rather like living sculpture, in a way. And that’s not a bad legacy. I remain interested in comics and the art form, and read them, to this day. But I do think I made the right choice of career.</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143146" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_cover2.jpg" alt="" width="508" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_cover2.jpg 508w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/art_cover2-235x300.jpg 235w" sizes="(max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">And now, the last few questions (again, remember, more are coming in an update) answered by editor Jablin, below.</span></p> <blockquote> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396767"><span style="color: #000000"><em><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396766">Q: About how old were you when you put <strong>Imagination</strong> together? </span></em></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396739"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396741" style="color: #000000">It took about a year and a half from start to end. So I guess basically between the ages 15 and 17. By now my parents knew that I was serious about all this — so they were not shocked when I asked if I could use the money I received as gifts for my Bar Mitzvah to publish my own magazine. </span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396735"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396734" style="color: #000000">I made a compelling case for my passion project. I did my homework and researched the hard costs of just printing a limited run of like 1,500 – 2,000 units with the kind of quality paper and art reproduction I was looking for. I had a “business plan” on how to recoup these costs and possibly even make a profit if I were able to sell the entire print run. My folks were under the impression that this would just be a one-off. In my mind what I was trying to accomplish would be like a TV pilot — a sample of what I’d like to continue to produce on an ongoing basis. I would share that dream with them another time however.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396759"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396758" style="color: #000000">I was an excellent student at school with high grades so it was difficult for them to poo-poo it out of the box. The amount they agreed to invest was $2,500. That was a hard number “not a penny more.” I also had to keep my father in the loop with whatever I was doing. <em><strong>Imagination Publishing Co.</strong></em> was born of which I am now officially the self-appointed “editor and a publisher.” It’s a company run out of a basement in Flushing with only one employee who can only work after school.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396754"><span style="color: #000000"><em>Q: How did you come about your material?</em></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396748"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396750" style="color: #000000">I’m around 16 when I go to a convention with a mission and a <i>real</i> commitment for <i>real </i>money burning a hole in my bell bottom jeans.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396744"><span style="color: #000000"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396743">First, I approached Mike Kaluta. I was a fan. The detail and quirky concepts in his work mesmerized me. I basically pitched him my idea of creating this sample “pilot magazine” that would demonstrate that a premium printed magazine </span>packaged with the right mix of quality contributors, each whose work has something unique to say, could find this older more sophisticated audience if distributed in the proper venues — like bookstores — mixed in with the other big-time art and literary mags.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396810"><span style="color: #000000">Of course<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396809">, all contributors would retain the intellectual rights to their material as well as own their original artwork. I was completely upfront and said that money was being invested by my parents who believed in my ability to actually pull it off. I explained my lofty ambitions for quality layout and design. I showed him samples from other publications I was inspired by.</span></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396814"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396813" style="color: #000000">The one BIG catch was that I only had enough money to print a limited run of copies at this quality level. Therefore I would be unable to pay any fees to the artists and was looking for contributions to this venture from specific talent who were my favorites.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Mike wanted in.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Now from previous conventions I knew Kaluta was friendly with some of my other favorites like, Bernie Wrightson and Jeff Jones. I was aware that each had already contributed spot illustrations or small galleries of their drawings to other fanzines. What I wasn’t aware of at the time was that these three super talented artists shared a single studio space n the city. Mike invited me over to meet “the guys.”</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">When I look back I realize that I did all of this before I could drive. But I was a subway ninja on a mission. Gimme the address I’ll get there.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">This shared space would later become known in the biz as “The Studio.” Other artists like Barry Smith would join. It evolved into a kind of cool comic artist commune. It was a large loft space with each artist having their own unique spacious work area. There was always great music playing. These guys had pretty braless girlfriends who would waft through occasionally. They were smoking pot and getting laid. I wanted out of my parents house so bad after seeing that.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">But on this first visit it was just the four of us. To cut to the chase I did my passion pitch and the boys were all in.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">We brainstormed together about a common format of some kind. I suggested something that could be done relatively quickly. I pitched the idea that the three of them each write and draw a 3 page story — something that would be representative of their unique sensibilities.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Strangely enough the idea for this three page story concept came to me while looking at this HUGE painting by Jeff Jones hanging on the wall. It was at least ten feet high. It depicted a nude women aging from a nubile nymph to a voluptuous women to a sagging octogenarian. They laughed when I described it as “beautiful, frightening and funny all at the same time.” <strong>[below you can see the painting I am pretty sure David is talking about]</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-143409" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jeffrey-jones_1944-2011_three-ages-of-woman_c-1976_oil-on-canvas.jpg" alt="" width="444" height="648" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jeffrey-jones_1944-2011_three-ages-of-woman_c-1976_oil-on-canvas.jpg 444w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jeffrey-jones_1944-2011_three-ages-of-woman_c-1976_oil-on-canvas-206x300.jpg 206w" sizes="(max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px" /></span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396817"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396816" style="color: #000000">I pointed to it and said, “that’s a whole story right there.” I went on about the “rule of three” in comedy (will touch on my comedy career in your last question). They all liked the idea of the quick rhythm of it. They really liked the beautiful/frightening/funny notion. The timing was perfect for them. They could all jump right in. They’d set a deadline and all finish at the same time. I was excited. They were excited. The challenge was afoot. The game was on.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">BTW: Many years later I saw an image of that painting in a Jones retrospective online — but I never saw it published in print anywhere. Gotta wonder where that humongous original hangs today…</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543516607462_396861"><span style="color: #000000">Next up. Neal Adams….</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="color: #000000">And that does it. A classy zine that I wish would have continued for much longer. Do not forget to look at the pdf in the <em><strong>Ink Stains</strong></em> section on my site at kenmeyerjr.com.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Thanks this time go out to Greg Turner, one of several, who, if their incredible zine collections turn up missing, should not consider me the thief. Nope, not me. Also, Emanuel Maris for input. And lastly, especially, Hulk-sized thanks go out to Bill Stillwell and David Jablin, who put aside some of their valuable time to answer my questions, which added an enormous amount of great content to this installment of <em><strong>Ink Stains</strong></em>!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">POST POSTING NOTE: Thanks to Emanuel, you can see a pdf of the original printing of this zine from the Ink Stains section of my website <strong><a style="color: #000000" href="http://kenmeyerjr.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a></strong>, look for the zine and then the link for “alternative printing.”</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">Ken Meyer Jr.</span><br /> <span style="color: #000000">kenmeyerjr@yahoo.com</span></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/ink-stains-113-imagination-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>8</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>