Cosmic Voyager

While we're in Neptune's domain, let's brave the swells of the briny deep and gaze in wonder at this cosmic voyager.

Ferdynand Ruszczyc — Nec Mergitur — 1905

Last Dime

If I was a kid in 1932, walking past the movie house and this poster was displayed, I'd spend my last dime to see the cartoon . . . and maybe stay for the Cagney gangster film afterwards, though I'd have nightmares that night fer sure, and I might even still be alive now, somewhere around 90, and I'd still give my last dime to see it again.

And the Cagney film.

Disney Studio — Silly Symphony/King Neptune — 1932

Storybook Dream

Even advertising used to be like a storybook dream . . .

Gustaf Tenggren —Dromedary Dates — 1929

Joe Kubert

1926-2012

Joe Kubert

I am horribly sad to learn of the passing of the legendary Joe Kubert, a man who seemed like a rock and would last forever.

Deepest condolences to his family, friends, fans and students.

I'm at a loss for further words.

Sweetheart

What a sweetheart of a cover!

Henry Clive — Picture-Play Magazine — January 1923

Cats, Dogs, Goldfish & Other Dingbats

This is one of those amazing cartoon birds-eye views I was talking about in the last post. What a great display of cartooning, with a penman's salute to Krazy Kat's George Herriman.

Johnny Gruelle — Yahoo Center — Life Magazine — 1927

The River

Wow, this is one of those birds-eye view forced-perspective drawings where all the elements dwindle only slightly in size as they recede. You see this sort of thing in some old cartoons, where it's amazing enough, but to work somewhat realistically is really astounding. Where does an artist begin on such a piece as this?

TC Derrick — The River — 1909

Seductive

I am mesmerized by this 'simple' pencil drawing with its seductive selective lines, beckoning us to come ever closer.

Gustav Klimt — pencil drawing

Spider Woman

Susan Seddon Boulet — Spider Woman — 1986

Pogany Study

Willy Pogany — figure and drapery study

Troubles

You and me pal, we think WE got troubles . . .

Lancelot Speed — from The Red Fairy Book

Exotic Locales

Carl Barks took us on so many adventures with Uncle Scrooge and the boys. The exotic locales were always my favorite, yours too?

Carl Barks — Adventure in Old Persia

(Rug Riders Last Flight)

The Auditorial Arts

Eclectic is a term you can apply liberally to descriptions of this blog. From one subject and genre to another in a heartbeat, and now showcasing one of the Auditorial Arts: character voices. The best in the history of the art, in my opinion, is Mel Blanc. We're very used to hearing him voice most of the Looney Tunes cartoon characters, but here is a rare example of Mr. Blanc voicing Walter Lantz' Woody Woodpecker, usually voiced I believe by Mr. Lantz himself. This characterization sounds like a young Porky Pig without the stutter, but is such a delight.

I don't have the sound file on this blog, you'll have to click here to link over to a really cool web site that you'll want to explore and listen to. There are other Mel Blanc recordings, as well as a great assortment of other rarities, such as Walt Kelly, Boris Karloff, Shirley Temple, on and on.

While you're at it, look in at Whirled of Kelly for a visual treat.

Thank you Samuel for the lead.

What a great place the internet community is!

Elegant

When magazine covers were elegant . . .

Erté — Harper's Bazar — August, 1922

Ariel's Song

This Shakespeare guy has inspired one or two artists over the centuries, even reaching into the world of pulp magazines.

Virgil Finlay — September 1942

Film Magic

Who doesn't admire Ray Harryhausen's film magic, bringing creatures and skeletons and what-not to life in spooky fashion? The non-limited, but autographed, print below is a production drawing of one of his most famous sequences —The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad.

Ray Harryhausen — The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad — production drawing

Oddly Sweet

An oddly sweet little rendering used as a filler in Weird Tales by Hugh Rankin, one of the more interesting early cover artists for that pulp.

Hugh Rankin — Weird Tales — 1935

The Mermaid Song

Oh, I wish I was literate in the language of music that I might hum the tune to this old song. Those who can, let me know if it's catchy, will ya?

decoration: Walter Crane — The Mermaid — 1883

The Whip

I don't remember what story this is from, but Donn Crane made this illustration enjoyable enough that it could be an inspiration for a dozen different writers to go a dozen different directions with stories. I love the demon with the whip. Oh, I love it all. What a great composition with that whip traversing the panel.

Donn P. Crane — M'lady's Carriage (not the official title)

1930s

Whenever I use the word 'whip', I think of Stewie Griffin.