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

Severin Obit

An informative obituary for John Severin ran in today's Denver Post, with a really nice photo of him, provided by the family.

"Copies of Severin's original art sell for thousands of dollars" . . . interesting how the concept of original art still escapes a lot of people's understanding.

The World of Kull

John Severin, a grand veteran of the legendary EC comics era is also grandly appreciated for his artistic work on the 1971 Kull the Conqueror comic book series, inking his sister Marie Severin's grand pencils. That was also the case for the grand portfolio set published by Goblin Graphix in 1973

Directly below is one of the plates from that portfolio and below that are some graphics from the ads and such that ran in Mirk-Wood Times—the same publishers as the portfolio.

Marie and John Severin — Kull — 1973

And below, I've posted this before, but why not again — Severin's original pen and ink and zip-a-tone art of Kull as king.

Overlooked Legend

Some years back, while attending a comic-con, I watched as Joe Kubert wowed the audience, including me, with his talk and demonstrations. But also attending the con was John Severin, legendary EC/Cracked/Marvel artist. He was totally overlooked by the frenzied mob, who were busy mobbing Kubert. I sidled over and talked with Severin, who was good-naturedly bemused by the spectacle. Through the crowd Kubert waved to him. Severin knew he wasn't a star for these kids, who didn't recognize him. But I told him it was a thrill for me to be talking with him, and he seemed appreciative, and we chatted for quite a while, with him asking a lot about my artwork, even comparing notes! Wow.

A few years later I acquired these two little Severin drawings from a friend of mine who published some of Severin's work. I always enjoy seeing originals to see how the dot screens are cut and the whiteout is used, things like that, all disappearing, of course, by final print.

original King Kull drawing

printed

original Frodo Baggins drawing

printed