I'm very sad to hear of the passing of John Severin, part of the legendary pantheon of comic book artists. I had some nice encounters with him and we were neighbors.
Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
When I was fresh out of high school (where I was an editorial cartoonist), I tried shopping a comic strip about the 'frontiers of space'. Even though I had advice from Milton Caniff himself, my samples failed to get enough attention before I was drafted into the army. In the army, I drew cartoons for the camp newspaper, and tried creating a strip about mythology, which again died on the vine. I got a rejection slip from Julie Schwartz himself for a Superman story I tried to sell. He said my art was good but that I needed more experience. Since then I have been an 'advertising cartoonist', creating characters for ads, and even created a strip for an advertising client that ran right on the comic pages next to Gil Kane's StarHawks and Andriola's Kerry Drake. I also create cartoons for science exhibits to explain things on a somewhat humorous level.
Nothing wrong with 'indulging', Thom - I wasn't using the word in a negative sense. You've done paid, professional work and don't let anyone diminish it. I've done quite a bit of paid cartoon and comicstrip work - outside of comics (local businesses, etc) - down through the years, but there are a few individuals who try and dismiss me as 'just a letterer'. Then I see them heralding whoever lettered their latest strip as 'a lettering genius' - even 'though the guy can't do it without a computer. Go figure, as they say.
That's terrible news, but a great little drawing. Thanks Thom.
ReplyDeleteSo you literally 'rubbed shoulders' with him, eh? Have you ever indulged in any cartoon or comicstrip art, Thom?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was fresh out of high school (where I was an editorial cartoonist), I tried shopping a comic strip about the 'frontiers of space'. Even though I had advice from Milton Caniff himself, my samples failed to get enough attention before I was drafted into the army. In the army, I drew cartoons for the camp newspaper, and tried creating a strip about mythology, which again died on the vine. I got a rejection slip from Julie Schwartz himself for a Superman story I tried to sell. He said my art was good but that I needed more experience. Since then I have been an 'advertising cartoonist', creating characters for ads, and even created a strip for an advertising client that ran right on the comic pages next to Gil Kane's StarHawks and Andriola's Kerry Drake. I also create cartoons for science exhibits to explain things on a somewhat humorous level.
ReplyDeleteI guess 'indulging' is all I've done.
Nothing wrong with 'indulging', Thom - I wasn't using the word in a negative sense. You've done paid, professional work and don't let anyone diminish it. I've done quite a bit of paid cartoon and comicstrip work - outside of comics (local businesses, etc) - down through the years, but there are a few individuals who try and dismiss me as 'just a letterer'. Then I see them heralding whoever lettered their latest strip as 'a lettering genius' - even 'though the guy can't do it without a computer. Go figure, as they say.
ReplyDeleteHi Thom,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read about your background with comics. I'm sorry about the passing of your friend.