Few and Far

Back when I was collecting comics, I usually purchased based on pictorial quality, and not for the story writing. Comic book stories have usually seemed to me to be silly, simplistic or just downright stupid. Now don't get me wrong, that's part of the charm of being all-in-color-for-a-dime. But as comics evolved to become seemingly more 'mature' and certainly more expensive, I had greater expectations for the story quality. 

EC comics in the '50s are consistently lauded as having had great art and great writing. Yeah, the art was pretty great, and the writing by Kurtzman and the Bradbury adaptations and a few others was way cool. But a lot of the stuff was predictable and silly, even though way above other comics of the time.

In the '80s, beyond the superhero genre, comics took on adult appeal more and more. Art was racier and  of pretty good quality, but many of the stories were either retreads and/or just plain lame. I had great expectations from series like Alien Worlds and others. Here, Al Williamson's art was as good or better than his EC work and very reminiscent of those days, and the writing tries to be — but ends up being a tired old retread (writer to go unnamed here). You can see why some of us buy comics just for the art. REALLY good writing examples in this medium are just few and far between.

Sometime soon, I hope to post some samples of what I think is some really good comic book writing, superhero, no less. Stay 'tooned.

Above, Joe Chiodo —lovely cover of Alien Worlds #1, December 1982

 Above and below, Al Williamson, from that same issue, very strong art

Fair Game

At this here blog thingie we don't discriminate between "fine art" and "popular art", between "good taste" and "tasting good". All images are fair game, some more than others.

Al Feldstein, venerable artist/editor at the old EC madhouse, recreated, as an oil, his cover from Weird Fantasy #15, as many graphic artists have done to make a buck in the collector's market, and why not? 

Now THAT'S entertainment!!!

© 1991 Al Feldstein — recreation of Weird Fantasy #15

Tales from the Crypt

This image is rather morbid, considering his passing, but Frazetta had to have known that his paintings would outlive him.

Frank Frazetta —Tales From the Crypt — 1964

 Frank Frazetta — original painting — 1964

Cannot Overuse the Word

I'm aware that some people's pet peeve is the overuse of the word 'genius' and other such. But I do not use that word lightly when I refer to the EC gang. The whole motley crew was pure genius at what they were capable of. And Bill Gaines was genius for recognizing and fostering their genius, both at EC proper and later Mad magazine.

This piece by Wally Wood, which I don't think was for EC in any way, is genius for its organized complexity—seemingly effortless in its execution. Zoom in on the figures and see how fully realized they are! I cannot overuse the word when it comes to EC guys—they were geniuses!

Wally Wood — Fully Computerized

The Entertaining Comic Group Hard at Work

This is a MASTERful illustration by the late John Severin, a man whose talent sometimes was not appreciated as much as it deserved by people who wanted his work to be goofier.

This piece is an amazing composition, with everyone in proper context to each other, yet with perfect placement for the lettering balloons. What a cool print to receive in the mail just for sending in an idiotic letter to the editor.

John Severin — EC Thank You Note — 1950s

For a Charm of Powerful Trouble

A very cool version of the ol' EC Witch by ol' William Stout:

William Stout — The Old EC Witch — 1994

And to refresh our memory of how it went in the original source:

1 WITCH. Round about the caldron go;

In the poison'd entrails throw.—

Toad, that under cold stone,

Days and nights has thirty-one;

Swelter'd venom sleeping got,

Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!

ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

2 WITCH. Fillet of a fenny snake,

In the caldron boil and bake;

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

3 WITCH. Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;

Witches' mummy; maw and gulf

Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark;

Root of hemlock digg'd i the dark;

Liver of blaspheming Jew;

Gall of goat, and slips of yew

Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse;

Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;

Finger of birth-strangled babe

Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,—

Make the gruel thick and slab:

Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,

For the ingrediants of our caldron.

ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

2 WITCH. Cool it with a baboon's blood,

Then the charm is firm and good.