This post is Filed Under:
Home page Highlights,
Interviews and Columns
KC Carlson. Art by Keith Wilson.
by KC Carlson
SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Dan Spiegle: A Life in Comic Art
Dan Spiegle: A Life in Comic Art (TwoMorrows): Dan Spiegle is one of those men where, if you’ve been reading comic books for a while, you’ve probably seen his work. and possibly not known it.
Spiegle worked in near-anonymity for many of his early career. His first work as a cartoonist was in 1950 for the seldom-remembered Hopalong Cassidy newspaper strip. Later, he worked for Western (Dell/Gold Key) drawing such series as space family Robinson, Korak, child of Tarzan, and brothers of the Spear — all without published credit. He was also frequently called upon for various film and TV adaptations, including P.T. 109, Maverick, Rawhide, The Rifleman, Tarzan, Flipper, and Lassie, among others. one of his odder assignments in the mid-sixties was the short-lived Mickey mouse very secret Agent, a series where the cartoonish mouse (drawn by Paul Murry) was placed against a reasonable background featuring reasonable human characters (all drawn by Spiegle).
What was odd about that was that Spiegle was also very capable of drawing in a “cartoony” style, as he demonstrated on various issues (through several publishers) of Scooby-Doo, beginning at Gold essential in the 70s. It was here that he was first paired with writer mark Evanier, who ultimately became Spiegle’s many frequent collaborator. The pair worked together on Blackhawk at DC Comics, as well as several creator-owned series and characters, including DNAgents and Crossfire (Eclipse Comics) and Hollywood Superstars (Epic). before this, while still at DC, Spiegle also illustrated unknown Soldier, Nemesis (in The brave and the bold with Cary Burkett), and Mister E (co-created with Bob Rozakis, running in secrets of Haunted House), as well as stories for Batman (Tales of Gotham City), Tomahawk, Jonah Hex, teen Titans, and the secret six revival in action Comics Weekly.
In the 1990s, he drew two Indiana Jones miniseries for Dark horse (Thunder in the Orient and Spear of Destiny), as well as being involved in the short-lived revival of Terry and the Pirates comic strip. Spiegle has also done a enormous amount of work for various Disney comics publishers, from spin and Marty (1957) and the film adaptation of Old Yeller (1958) to Pocahontas (1995).
TwoMorrows’ upcoming Dan Spiegle: A Life in Comic Art takes a look at this amazing career. Written by John Coates, the book covers all of the above and so much much more in interviews filled with Spiegle’s insights about the comic book industry, as well as meeting celebrities (including “Hopalong Cassidy” William Boyd and “Maverick” James Garner). Plus, lots of artwork and an evaluation of Spiegle’s artistic process. Don’t miss this extensive look at one of comics’ least-known but many fascinating artists and cartoonists. 104-page B&W (with color section) softcover. Recommended.
THIS MONTH IN classic COMIC book COLLECTIONS
ACG Collected Works: Adventures into the Unknown
ACG Collected Works: Adventures into the unknown volume 5 (PS Artbooks): Collecting issues #21-25, from July 1951 to November 1951, of the classic horror comic, featuring work by Edward Mortiz. 288-page color hardcover. NOTE: Deluxe versions and TPB versions of previous PS Artbook collections are also available in the catalogue.
Best of EC Comics volume 1: Artist’s Edition
Best of EC Comics volume 1: Artist’s edition (IDW): IDW’s newest artist edition (oversized volumes reprinting original artwork at actual size with wonderful reproduction) features the best of the best! classic selections from the legendary EC Comics library — all reproduced from the original art. (Which in that era was huge!) check out this list of classic stories (many written by Al Feldstein):
50 girls 50 by Al Williamson and Frank Frazetta
The Corpse on the Imjin by Harvey Kurtzman
The flying device by Bernie Krigstein
Touch and Go by Johnny Craig
Judgment Day by Joe Orlando
Plus a wonderful cover by Frank Frazetta, and an interior cover gallery by EC greats. These artist Editions frequently sell out quickly, so don’t miss out! 160-page B&W large-scale (15” x 22”) hardcover.
Brenda Starr: The complete Pre-Code Comic Books: volume One
Brenda Starr: The complete Pre-Code Comic Books: volume One (Hermes Press): Subtitled “Good Girls, Bondage, and other fine Things”, that pretty much sums this volume up. Collects the first eight pre-Comics Code issues published by four star publications and conventional publishing from 1947-1949, completely restored for this collection. numerous covers from these issues were by Matt Baker and Jack Kamen and used in Seduction of the Innocent. artwork by Dale Messick is also included, but it’s unclear if this is reprinted material from the original newspaper strip. This is a deluxe hardcover including aCOLLECTIVE THOUGHTS: FOR may ’13 books (###) This post is Filed Under:
Home page Highlights,
Interviews and Columns
KC Carlson. Art by Keith Wilson.
by KC Carlson
SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Dan Spiegle: A Life in Comic Art
Dan Spiegle: A Life in Comic Art (TwoMorrows): Dan Spiegle is one of those men where, if you’ve been reading comic books for a while, you’ve probably seen his work. and possibly not known it.
Spiegle worked in near-anonymity for many of his early career. His first work as a cartoonist was in 1950 for the seldom-remembered Hopalong Cassidy newspaper strip. Later, he worked for Western (Dell/Gold Key) drawing such series as space family Robinson, Korak, child of Tarzan, and brothers of the Spear — all without published credit. He was also frequently called upon for various film and TV adaptations, including P.T. 109, Maverick, Rawhide, The Rifleman, Tarzan, Flipper, and Lassie, among others. one of his odder assignments in the mid-sixties was the short-lived Mickey mouse very secret Agent, a series where the cartoonish mouse (drawn by Paul Murry) was placed against a reasonable background featuring reasonable human characters (all drawn by Spiegle).
What was odd about that was that Spiegle was also very capable of drawing in a “cartoony” style, as he demonstrated on various issues (through several publishers) of Scooby-Doo, beginning at Gold essential in the 70s. It was here that he was first paired with writer mark Evanier, who ultimately became Spiegle’s many frequent collaborator. The pair worked together on Blackhawk at DC Comics, as well as several creator-owned series and characters, including DNAgents and Crossfire (Eclipse Comics) and Hollywood Superstars (Epic). before this, while still at DC, Spiegle also illustrated unknown Soldier, Nemesis (in The brave and the bold with Cary Burkett), and Mister E (co-created with Bob Rozakis, running in secrets of Haunted House), as well as stories for Batman (Tales of Gotham City), Tomahawk, Jonah Hex, teen Titans, and the secret six revival in action Comics Weekly.
In the 1990s, he drew two Indiana Jones miniseries for Dark horse (Thunder in the Orient and Spear of Destiny), as well as being involved in the short-lived revival of Terry and the Pirates comic strip. Spiegle has also done a enormous amount of work for various Disney comics publishers, from spin and Marty (1957) and the film adaptation of Old Yeller (1958) to Pocahontas (1995).
TwoMorrows’ upcoming Dan Spiegle: A Life in Comic Art takes a look at this amazing career. Written by John Coates, the book covers all of the above and so much much more in interviews filled with Spiegle’s insights about the comic book industry, as well as meeting celebrities (including “Hopalong Cassidy” William Boyd and “Maverick” James Garner). Plus, lots of artwork and an evaluation of Spiegle’s artistic process. Don’t miss this extensive look at one of comics’ least-known but many fascinating artists and cartoonists. 104-page B&W (with color section) softcover. Recommended.
THIS MONTH IN classic COMIC book COLLECTIONS
ACG Collected Works: Adventures into the Unknown
ACG Collected Works: Adventures into the unknown volume 5 (PS Artbooks): Collecting issues #21-25, from July 1951 to November 1951, of the classic horror comic, featuring work by Edward Mortiz. 288-page color hardcover. NOTE: Deluxe versions and TPB versions of previous PS Artbook collections are also available in the catalogue.
Best of EC Comics volume 1: Artist’s Edition
Best of EC Comics volume 1: Artist’s edition (IDW): IDW’s newest artist edition (oversized volumes reprinting original artwork at actual size with wonderful reproduction) features the best of the best! classic selections from the legendary EC Comics library — all reproduced from the original art. (Which in that era was huge!) check out this list of classic stories (many written by Al Feldstein):
50 girls 50 by Al Williamson and Frank Frazetta
The Corpse on the Imjin by Harvey Kurtzman
The flying device by Bernie Krigstein
Touch and Go by Johnny Craig
Judgment Day by Joe Orlando
Plus a wonderful cover by Frank Frazetta, and an interior cover gallery by EC greats. These artist Editions frequently sell out quickly, so don’t miss out! 160-page B&W large-scale (15” x 22”) hardcover.
Brenda Starr: The complete Pre-Code Comic Books: volume One
Brenda Starr: The complete Pre-Code Comic Books: volume One (Hermes Press): Subtitled “Good Girls, Bondage, and other fine Things”, that pretty much sums this volume up. Collects the first eight pre-Comics Code issues published by four star publications and conventional publishing from 1947-1949, completely restored for this collection. numerous covers from these issues were by Matt Baker and Jack Kamen and used in Seduction of the Innocent. artwork by Dale Messick is also included, but it’s unclear if this is reprinted material from the original newspaper strip. This is a deluxe hardcover including aBurroughs file copies. 288-page B&W (w/color) hardcover. Recommended.
MODERN-DAY SHELFBUSTERS! (Gimongous Hardcovers)
Animal man Omnibus
Animal man Omnibus (DC): Collecting grant Morrison’s entire 26-issue run of this proto-Vertigo early-1990s series, illustrated by Chas Truog, Doug Hazelwood, Tom Grummett, Paris Cullins, and others, with every cover (including a new one) by Brian Bolland. also includes the animal man story from secret Origins #39. animal man used to be a regular superhero (if odd and obscure) before Morrison got a hold of him, and this series is an extended adventure into the fringes of reality, with people turning into pencil-like drawings and frequent check outs from other super-folks (both popular and very, very obscure). animal Man’s odyssey of self-discovery encompasses both spiritual enlightenment and the depths of despair, ultimately leading to animal man meeting his maker. (No, not that one!) For mature (and well-grounded) readers. 712-page color hardcover. available in July.
Mighty Thor Omnibus
The Mighty Thor Omnibus volume 2 (Marvel): Collecting the fabled Stan Lee/Jack Kirby run of journey into mystery #121-125, Thor #126-152, Thor annual #2, and Not brand Ecch #3 from the marvel Age of Comics! (Well, okay, the Not brand Ecch story might not be quite so epic. Funny, yes! Epic, nope.) featuring classic appearances of Loki, Odin, Ego, Ulik, Sif, and other words that look like I’m just randomly typing letters (like Ragnarök). Plus, Hercules, the Wrecker, absorbing Man, the Destroyer, Super-Skrull, and more! Plus, all the Tales of Asgard backups and all the original lettercols are included. all in a book so thick, that Mjölnir couldn’t dent it! available with two different covers: Klassic Kirby or modern Esad Ribic. (Not random typing — that’s his real name!) 768-page color hardcover. available in August.
Promethea: The Immateria Edition
Promethea: The Immateria edition (DC): Collecting the entire 32-issue series by Alan Moore, J.H. Williams III, Mick Gray, and Charles Vess in a distinct 16.25” x 12.25” horizontal widescreen format, developed to present every two-page spread in the series on a single page (no gutters!). (Or, in other words, every page of this volume has two original pages of artwork, printed side-by-side.) For those of you who don’t know, Promethea tells the uniquely strange tale of common college student Sophie Bangs, whose life is radically changed after her research into the mythical warrior woman leads to her change into Promethea. Plus, lots of information on magic from the mind of Alan Moore. 496-page color hardcover in an unusual format. available in September.
Archie 1,000-Page Comic Digest
Archie 1,000-Page Comic digest (Archie): Do you like big books, but not the huge price tags?! Well, then, check this out! Over 100 classic Archie stories from across their 70-year publishing history are included in this full-color, digest-sized special, for less than 15 bucks! just the thing for long automobile trips. (Please don’t read while driving!) 1024-page color softcover digest. (Ooh, my spine!)
BOOKS about COMICS
Best of alter Ego volume 2
Best of alter Ego volume 2 (TwoMorrows): Collecting much more wonderful features from the 11 original 1960s issues of the classic superhero fanzine by Jerry Bails, Roy Thomas, and others. This represents the origins of modern superhero comics fandom! 160-page B&W hardcover.
Modern Masters: Cliff Chiang
Modern Masters: Cliff Chiang (TwoMorrows): Spotlighting one of modern comics’ many dynamic artists, whose bold, modern style also has a classic feel. currently the artist on DC’s new 52 wonder Woman, Chiang is also known for work on Human Target, green Arrow/Black Canary, and beware the Creeper, as well as various miniseries, one-shots, and covers. one of his best-known projects is the fan-favorite Dr. Thirteen back-up story, “Architecture & Mortality”, from Tales of the unexpected (wr