Fantasy Ink

Veronica Lake, 1922 - 1973

2012-02-02T06:28:00.000-05:00

"I never did cheesecake; I just used my hair."

Star of Sullivan's Travels (1941), This Gun For Hire (1941), and The Glass Key (1942).

More Fun Comics

2012-02-01T07:01:00.001-05:00

More Fun Comics, the first issued published in February 1935, is often credited as the first comic to feature only original material as opposed to reprints of newspaper strips. The title served as a launch pad for heroes such as The Spectre, Doctor Fate and The Green Arrow.

Before that, the title featured adventure stories, here's some of those covers.

More Fun Comics #42, April 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #43, May 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #44, June 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #45, June 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #46, August 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #47, September 1939. Cover art by Fred Guardineer.

More Fun Comics #48, October 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #49, November 1939. Cover art by Craig Flessel.

More Fun Comics #51, January 1940. Cover art by Sheldon Moldoff.

Spring

2012-01-30T17:48:00.001-05:00

By Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1894.

Coca-Cola Ads by Pete Hawley

2012-01-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

Three Coca-Cola ads by Pete Hawley. More on Hawley at Today's Inspiration.

Humphrey Bogart, 1899 - 1957

2012-01-27T07:02:00.001-05:00

...with Mary Astor, Across the Pacific, 1942.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, 1948.

...with Edward G. Robinson, Brother Orchid, 1940.

...with Bette Davis, Dark Victory, 1939.

...with Lauren Bacall, To Have and Have Not, 1944.

...with Lauren Bacall, To Have and Have Not, 1944.

...with Lauren Bacall, The Big Sleep, 1946.

...with Lauren Bacall, The Big Sleep, 1946.

3-D Alien Worlds #1

2012-01-26T06:33:00.002-05:00

A scan of Joe Chiodo's original art for Pacific Comics' 3-D Alien Worlds #1 and then an image of the published comic.

3-D Alien Worlds #1, July 1984.

Early Detective Comics

2012-01-25T06:43:00.000-05:00

Here's some early issues of Detective Comics that have nothing to do with Batman. All cover art is by Craig Flessel.

Detective Comics #2, April 1937.

Detective Comics #3, May 1937.

Detective Comics #4, June 1937.

Detective Comics #5, July 1937.

Detective Comics #6, August 1937.

Detective Comics #7, September 1937.

Detective Comics #8, October 1937.

Detective Comics #10, December 1937.

Detective Comics #11, January 1938.

Space Western Cowboy vs. Nazi Comic Book

2012-01-24T06:52:00.002-05:00

Don't even ask me to explain this one...

Space Western Comics #44, June 1953. Cover art by Stan Campbell.

Cowgirl Pinups

2012-01-23T07:24:00.002-05:00

Some pinups by Gil Elvgren with western theme...

Sitting Pretty, 1955.

Shiner Texas Special, beer ad illustration, 1953.

Tops in Service, 1958.

A Key Situation, 1967.

Hi-Ho Silver, 1969.

Polished Performance, 1964.

Marvel 200's

2012-01-21T11:35:00.001-05:00

The Mighty Thor #200, June 1972. Cover art by John Buscema.

The Amazing Spiderman #200, January 1980. Cover art by John Romita.

The Incredible Hulk #200, June 1976. Cover art by Rich Buckler and John Romita.

The Fantastic Four #200, November 1978. Cover art by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott.

The Avengers #200, October 1980. Cover art by George Perez and Terry Austin.

DC 200's

2012-01-20T06:52:00.001-05:00

Superman #200, October 1967. Cover art by Curt Swan.

Our Army At War #200, December 1968. Cover art by Joe Kubert.

Wonder Woman #200, June 1972. Cover art by Jeff Jones.

Detective Comics #200, October 1953.

Batman #200, March 1968. Cover art by Neal Adams.

Action Comics #200, January 1955. Cover by Win Mortimer.

Justice League of American #200, March 1982. Cover art by George Perez.

Cheryl Ladd

2012-01-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

What the hell, here's some pictures of Cheryl Ladd. She became famous as the replacement for Farrah Fawcett in the hit show Charlie's Angels. Ladd starred in the show beginning in 1977 until it was cancelled in 1981.

Boris Karloff, 1887 - 1969

2012-01-18T06:54:00.000-05:00

The Body Snatcher, 1945.

The Black Cat, 1934.

The Bride of Frankenstein, 1935.

The Mask of Fu Manchu, 1932.

Devil's Island, 1939.

The Mummy, 1932.

Grace Kelly

2012-01-17T17:15:00.002-05:00

Three nice pictures of Grace Kelly.

Superman and Batman vs. a Monster

2012-01-10T06:54:00.001-05:00

Here's a wonderful undated drawing by Dick Giordano...

Monster Monday

2012-01-09T06:50:00.004-05:00

Frankenstein poster, 1972. Art by Jack Davis.

Strange Tales #73, February 1960. Cover art by Jack Kirby.

Weird Mystery Tales #21, August 1975. Cover art by Bernie Wrightson.

Godzilla, King of the Monsters. Lobby Card, 1956.

Science Fiction Sunday

2012-01-08T11:06:00.002-05:00

The Land Unknown movie poster, 1957. art by Reynold Brown.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov, 1985. Cover art by Michael Whelan.

Unknown Science Fiction digest cover by Edward Emshwiller, no date.

Weird Fantasy #14, July-August 1950. Cover art by Al Feldstein.

Caturday!

2012-01-07T09:24:00.001-05:00

Cat Lady by Chris Achilleos, 1998.

Ghost Stories pulp, early 1930's.

Saber Tooth Tiger sketch by Frank Frazetta, 1970's.

Top Cat #19, July 1966.

Four Color #135, 1947.

More Adventures of Fat Freddy's Cat by Gilbert Shelton, 1981.

Playful Kitten by Arthur Frahm, no date.

Welcome to the House of Mystery

2012-01-06T06:51:00.001-05:00

Here's a selection of Bernie Wrightson's introduction pages to DC's House of Mystery title.

Bernie had started working for DC in 1969. He began doing these introduction pages in early 1972 and they appeared throughout that year and through most of the next. Speaking about them in A Look Back, Wrightson said:

In those days I could live a lot cheaper than today. So, I didn't need many jobs to pay the rent. I wanted to do a lot of goofing off, playing around. It was my idea to do introduction pages to the mystery books...If I needed money, I would do two or three of the intro pages and pickup whatever I was getting paid at the time, forty-five, fifty dollars for each of them...I could do it in a night. Almost all of them were knocked out in one night.

House of Mystery #201, April 1972.

House of Mystery #203, June 1972.

House of Mystery #205, August 1972.

House of Mystery #206, September 1972.

House of Mystery #209, December 1972.

House of Mystery #211, February 1973.

King Kong, Ken Kelly

2012-01-05T06:26:00.000-05:00

Limited Print, edition of 600, published in 1991.

It's Like Something Out of Greek Mythology

2012-01-04T06:45:00.002-05:00

For a change of pace, here's some paintings depicting scenes of classical mythology.

The Lament for Icarus by Herbert James Draper, 1898.

Head of Medusa by Peter Paul Rubens, 1617.

The Awakening of Adonis by John William Waterhouse, 1900.

Echo and Narcissus by John William Waterhouse, 1903.

Jason and Medea by John William Waterhouse, 1907.

Lois Lane...in a tree...with a snake!

2012-01-03T20:02:00.002-05:00

Here's an action-packed cover...

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #129, February 1973. Cover art by Bob Oksner.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:29:00.001-05:00

Saturday Evening Post cover, January 1, 1910. Art by J.C. Leyendecker.

Party Time!

2011-12-31T08:05:00.001-05:00

January Calendar Illustration by Bill Randall, no date.

Toasting the New Year by August Bleser, Jr., no date.

Pirate's Ghost!

2011-12-30T07:35:00.000-05:00

I really love this one by Howard Pyle, I should probably save it for Halloween, but this is a good time of year for ghosts too...

"There Cap'n Goldsack goes, creeping, creeping, creeping, Looking for his treasure down below!" Illustration by Howard Pyle for William Sharp's "Cap'n Goldsack," Harper's Magazine, July 1902.

Maritime Paintings by Anton Otto Fischer

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Anton Otto Fischer, famous for his paintings of the sea and ships, studied under Howard Pyle in Wilmington, Delaware. He was also an artist for the U.S. Coast during World War II. Previous post on Fischer with his illustrations for Moby Dick.

Submarine Emerging from the Deep, 1941.

Ships Passing in the Night, n.d.

War Ships, n.d.

Life Boat at Sea, 1941.

Coming Ashore, 1929.

Shark Hunting, 1939.

See Fischer's illustrations for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea here at Golden Age Comic Book Stories.

See some more of his work is here.

Frazetta Forever!

2011-12-28T21:10:00.001-05:00

By Bernie Wrightson, circa 1968.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:28:00.000-05:00

Christmas Greetings from Casey Ruggles and artist extraordinaire Warren Tufts.

Superhero Christmas!

2011-12-24T08:55:00.001-05:00

Action Comics #93, February 1946.

Batman #27, February 1945. Cover art by Jack Burnley.

Batman #33, February 1946. Cover art by Dick Sprang.

Christmas With the Super-Heroes (Limited Collectors' Edition #34), February 1975. Cover art by Nick Cardy.

Superman's Christmas Adventure, 1944.

Superman's Christmas Adventure, 1944.

More Christmas Pinups!

2011-12-23T07:26:00.002-05:00

Christmas Elf by Forest H. Clough, n.d.

Christmas Ornaments by Jim Schaeffing, circa 1950.

Pin-Up in Front of Fireplace by Gil Elvgren, n.d.

A Christmas Eve (Waiting for Santa) by Gil Elvgren, 1954.

Christmas Pin-Up by Earl Moran, n.d.

Sundblom's Naughty Santa

2011-12-22T07:49:00.001-05:00

Haddon Sundblom was most famous for his Coca-Cola ads featuring Santa Claus. Here's a painting by him that was used for the December 1972 issue of Playboy.

A Carl Barks Christmas

2011-12-21T07:40:00.001-05:00

Four Color #203, December 1948. Cover by Carl Barks.

Four Color #367, January 1952. Cover by Carl Barks.

Uncle Scrooge #16, December 1956. Cover by Carl Barks.

A Christmas Trimming, 1999. Painting by Carl Barks.

Glenn Barr: Dave's Comics Ads

2011-12-20T08:16:00.001-05:00

Forget about the Christmas posts for a day and feast your eyes on some ads by Glenn Barr for Dave's Comics of Royal Oak, Michigan. Unfortunately, Dave not in business anymore. These ads are from the pages of and Film Threat and Pure Images.

Pure Images #2, 1988

Film Threat #11, 1987.

Film Threat #12, 1987.

Film Threat #14, 1988.

Film Threat #15, 1988.

Comic Book Christmas

2011-12-19T07:01:00.001-05:00

Archie's Christmas Stocking #3, December 1956.

Walt Scott's Christmas Stories, Four Color #1062, December 1959.

Walt Disney's Christmas Parade, Dell Giant #26, December 1959.

Black Cat Comics #27, February 1951. Cover art by Lee Elias.

Bugs Bunny's Merry Christmas, Four Color #1064, December 1959.

Christmas 1776

2011-12-18T19:02:00.001-05:00

"Christmas, 1776" by Mead Schaeffer. Illustration for The American Magazine, January 1940.

Christmas Pinups

2011-12-17T07:42:00.002-05:00

A couple of Christmas pinups by Bill Randall to get you through the weekend...

Christmas Scene by Bill Randall, n.d.

Jingles, Joy, and Merry. December 1954 calendar illustration by Bill Randall.

The Littlest Snowman Rescues Christmas

2011-12-16T21:41:00.002-05:00

This is just bizarre and a little creepy. Four Color Comics #864, December 1957.

Joe Simon: 1913-2011

2011-12-15T21:54:00.003-05:00

Joe Simon, who along with Jack Kirby created Captain America, died today at the age of 98.

A recent interview.

Wikipedia page.

Hot Rods!

2011-12-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

Hot Rod Race, nd, unknown artist.

Hot Rod King #1, Fall 1952. Cover by Norman Saunders.

Hot Rod Comics #1, November 1951.

Hot Rod Fury paperback book cover, circa 1950. Art by Harry Barton.

Swamp Rat, by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, 1964.

The Comics Journal

2011-12-14T11:38:00.001-05:00

Here's some Comics Journal covers by a few of my favorite artists.

The Comics Journal #81, May 1983. Cover by Bill Stout.

The Comics Journal #90, May 1984. Cover by Al Williamson.

The Comics Journal #117, September 1987. Cover art by Dave Stevens.

The Comics Journal #150, May 1992. Cover art by Mark Schultz.

Christmas: EC Style!

2011-12-13T21:10:00.002-05:00

The Vault of Horror #35, March 1954. Cover art by Johnny Craig.

Christmas Pinup

2011-12-12T07:18:00.001-05:00

Get in the Christmas spirit with this 1947 pinup from Al Moore.

Dark Age: A Collection of Fantasy Art

2011-12-09T07:02:00.001-05:00

Dark Age is an art zine published in 1982 by Dark Age Productions. I think I got mine in the mid-1980's by mail order from Bud Plant. It is 48 pages and printed on nice paper. In addition to the artists below, it contains a 12 page portfolio of Stephen Fabian illustrations. The magazine also has B&W work by Vaughn Bode, Wally Wood, Jeff Jones, Nestor Redondo, Howard Chaykin, and Reed Crandall.

Quite a lineup. The cover sucks. I think most of the artwork has been published before, but I've never seen the Wrightson dragon piece below before. That alone made it worth the $3.95 to me.

Bernie Wrightson

Michael Kaluta

Alex Nino

Bernie Wrightson

Roy Krenkel

John Severin

Back cover by Richard Corben.

Jerry Robinson: 1922-2011

2011-12-08T23:06:00.001-05:00

Jerry Robinson, Batman artist and creator of the Dark Knight's arch-nemesis The Joker, died yesterday in his sleep at the age of 89.

Carl Barks' Carolers

2011-12-07T23:35:00.003-05:00

To help get in the mood for Christmas, here's and oil painting by Carl Barks created in 1972, and below it is the comic book it was based on.

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #148, January 1952. Cover art by Carl Barks.

Batman and Sgt. Rock

2011-12-05T23:01:00.005-05:00

Batman and Sgt. Rock, two great characters that...that never seemed to quite fit together.

The Brave and the Bold #84, July 1969. Cover art by Neal Adams.

The Brave and the Bold #96, July 1971. Cover art by Nick Cardy and Murphy Anderson.

The Brave and the Bold #124, January 1976. Cover art by Jim Aparo.

Pirates!

2011-12-03T07:48:00.001-05:00

"The Sea Rogue's Moon," illustration by Norman Mills Price for Liberty magazine, 1928.

Pirate Wench by Frank Shay. Unknown artist, 1950.

"Treasure Island," illustration by Douglass Crockwell for Coronet magazine, March 1946.

"Scheming Pirates," unknown artist, nd.

Pease Girls

2011-12-02T07:24:00.000-05:00

Paperback cover art by Raymond Pease.

Beach Girl by Joan Sherman, 1952.

Runaway Girl by William Arnold, 1952.

Thursday Odds and Ends

2011-12-01T07:08:00.003-05:00

Betty Page illustration by Gray Morrow, n.d.

Mystery in Space #75, May 1962. Cover art by Murphy Anderson and Carmine Infantino.

Our Army at War #116, March 1962. Cover art by Joe Kubert.

"Saloon Shootout" by Anton Otto Fischer, 1919.

Star Born by Andre Norton, 1970. Art by Dean Ellis.

Korg: 70,000 B.C.

2011-11-30T07:16:00.001-05:00

Scans of the original cover art for the first five issues of Charlton Comics' Korg: 70,000 B.C.

All art is by Pat Boyette.

Korg: 70,000 B.C. #1, May 1975.

Korg: 70,000 B.C. #2, August 1975.

Korg: 70,000 B.C. #3, October 1975.

Korg: 70,000 B.C. #4, December 1975.

Korg: 70,000 B.C. #5, February 1976.

Pencil Pinups

2011-11-28T20:49:00.003-05:00

Here's some pencil preliminaries by pinup artist Al Buell. Previous post on Buell.

Unknown Artists!

2011-11-20T00:22:00.003-05:00

Here's some cool paperback covers, all painted by unknown artist (I mean they're really unknown, no one knows who they are).

The Long Body by Helen McCloy, 1965.

Waterfront Girl by Amos Hatter, 1952.

There Goes Shorty Higgins by Jack Karney, 1953.

The House of Happy Mayhem by Walt Sheldon, 1967.

VIrgil Finlay

2011-11-18T22:14:00.002-05:00

Here's a stunning cover by Virgil Finlay for the October 1962 issue of Galaxy.

A Will Eisner Spirit Drawing

2011-11-16T21:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday's post, and tonight's, are the result of me rooting through a box of miscellaneous magazines.

Here's a drawing of The Spirit by Will Eisner. This is from the back cover and exhibit book for "The American Comic Book," which was held at Ohio State University from May 19 - August 2, 1985. Except for the not very exciting cover, this is the only thing in the book that isn't a reprint of a published comic book, so for that reason I'm presenting it here.

Lord of the Rings by John Severin

2011-11-15T20:34:00.002-05:00

Here's a Lord of the Rings illustration by John Severin. I'm not sure where it was originally published. This scan is from a magazine Trumpet #12, published Summer 1981. The issue also has an article on Franklin Booth and fiction by people I never heard of.

Russ Heath: "Periscope Quaterback!"

2011-11-14T07:11:00.001-05:00

Here is a nice Russ Heath story: "Periscope Quarterback!" from G.I. Combat #63, September 1958.

Jim Steranko Eerie Cover

2011-11-13T21:38:00.003-05:00

Here is a scan of the original art by Jim Steranko for Eerie #25, January 1970 and a scan of the published magazine. This was Steranko's only cover for Warren Publishing.

The Boston Massacre

2011-11-09T07:31:00.002-05:00

Oh look, a painting of the Boston Massacre by Francis Luis Mora.

A Groovy Kind of Love

2011-11-08T06:54:00.001-05:00

Girls' Romances #132, April 1968. Cover art by John Rosenberger.

Girls' Romances #136, October 1968. Cover art by Jim Scott Pike.

Girls' Romances #143, September 1969. Cover art by John Rosenberger and Vince Colletta.

Girls' Romances #144, October 1969. Cover art by Nick Cardy.

Girls' Romances #152, October 1970.

Girls' Romances #153, December 1970. Cover art by Nick Cardy.

Girls' Romances #158, July 1971.

Lois Lane 1, Superman 0

2011-11-07T21:33:00.002-05:00

Once again, Superman gets his ass handed to him. This time by Lois Lane.

Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #85, August 1968. Cover art by Neal Adams.

Sunday Sundays

2011-11-06T20:25:00.004-05:00

Pogo by Walt Kelly. October 15, 1952.

Peanuts by Charles Schulz. June 2, 1952.

Prince Valiant by Hal Foster. July 13, 1958.

Johnny Comet by Frank Frazetta. December 7, 1952.

Flash Gordon by Alex Raymond. May 26, 1935.

Tarzan by Burne Hogarth. March 16, 1941.

Wonder Woman

2011-11-03T07:10:00.001-04:00

Painting for DC Masterpieces Trading Card set. John Bolton, 1994.

Illustration by George Perez, 1990.

Wonder Woman #84, March 1992. Original cover art by Brian Bolland.

Wonder Woman Annual #1, 1988. Splash page, original art by Brian Bolland.

"The Secret of the Magic Tiara," page 1, 1976. This art is from the comic book that came with Power Records Wonder Woman record. The art is by Rich Buckler with inks by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

Wally Wood's Valor

2011-11-02T22:05:00.002-04:00

Here's a couple of covers by Wally Wood for the EC Comic Valor.

Valor #4, October 1955.

Valor #5, December 1955.

Thornton Utz: Illustrator and Cover Artist

2011-11-01T22:05:00.005-04:00

Now that the Countdown to Halloween is over, enjoy some nice artwork by Thornton Utz.

Utz (1914-1999) is best known for his prolific output of covers for the Saturday Evening Post in the 1950's and 1960's. More on Thornton Utz at Today's Inspiration.

Dreaming About Space, n.d.

Train in the Desert, n.d.

Saturday Evening Post Cover, May 1959.

Saturday Evening Post Cover, April 1952.

"Old Fueds Never Die," Saturday Evening Post illustration, n.d.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T21:08:00.005-04:00

To celebrate the last few hours of Halloween, here's the coolest zombie drawing ever by Bernie Wrightson and a couple DC House covers...

Zombie drawing, 1970.

House of Secrets #100, September 1972.

House of Mystery #213, April 1973.

Wednesday Witches

2011-10-26T07:18:00.001-04:00

I can't make it through a Countdown to Halloween without running this classic by Gil Elvgren. More witches below...

Riding High, by Gil Elvgren, 1958.

A Hornbook for Witches by Leah Bodine Drake. Arkham House, 1950.

The Old Witch by Johnny Craig, n.d.

The Witches of Salem by Carl Barks, 1979.

Wendy, the Good Little Witch #21, December 1963.

Tuesday Terror!!!

2011-10-25T07:38:00.001-04:00

Tomb of Terror #2, June 1952. Cover by Lee Elias.

The Terror, 1963.

Weird Terror #11, May 1954. Cover by Don Heck.

Terror in the Haunted House, 1959.

Terror Illustrated #2, April 1956. Cover by Reed Crandall.

Masters of Terror #1, July 1975. Cover by Gray Morrow.

Adventures Into Terror #4, June 1951.

Terror Tales, September 1934.

Monster Monday

2011-10-24T06:59:00.001-04:00

Horror of the Blood Monsters, 1970. Art by Neal Adams.

Monsters Unleashed #5, April 1974. Cover by Bob Larkin.

Famous Monsters of Filmland #6, February 1960. Cover by Albert Nuetzell.

Demon illustration by Bernie Wrightson, circa 1970.

The Bride of Frankenstein, Aurora model box cover, 1965.

Mad #89, September 1964. Cover by Norman Mingo.

Tales of Magic and Mystery

2011-10-23T20:57:00.002-04:00

Two really nice covers for the first two issues of the pulp Tales of Magic and Mystery.

December 1927.

January 1928.

Mister Mystery

2011-10-19T18:26:00.001-04:00

As you Countdown to Halloween, enjoy some more pre-code nastiness with these covers for Mister Mystery.

Mister Mystery #1, September 1951. Cover by Ross Andru.

Mister Mystery #2, November 1951. Cover by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.

Mister Mystery #3, December 1951. Cover by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.

Mister Mystery #4, March 1952.

Mister Mystery #5, May 1952.

Mister Mystery #6, July 1952. Cover by Tony Mortellaro.

Mister Mystery #7, September 1952. Cover by Tony Mortellaro.

Mister Mystery #8, November 1952.

Mister Mystery #9, January 1953.

Mister Mystery #10, March 1953. Cover by Bernard Baily.

Mister Mystery #11, May 1953. Cover by Bernard Baily.

Mister Mystery #12, July 1953. Cover by Bernard Baily.

Mister Mystery #13, September 1953. Cover by Bernard Baily.

Mister Mystery #14, November 1953. Cover by Bernard Baily.

Mister Mystery #15, February 1954.

Mister Mystery #16, April 1954.

Mister Mystery #17, June 1954.

Mister Mystery #18, August 1954. Cover by Bernard Baily.

Mister Mystery #19, October 1954.

!!! Pre-Code Horror !!!

2011-10-18T07:27:00.003-04:00

Here's some nice pre-code horror comics.

Lawbreakers Suspense Stories #11, March 1953.

Monster Crime #1, October 1952.

Worlds Beyond #1, November 1951.

Diary of Horror #1, December 1952.

The Dead Who Walk nn, 1952.

Chamber of Chills #19, September 1953. Cover by Lee Elias.

Amazing Mysteries #32, May 1949.

Swamp Thing Cover

2011-10-15T21:31:00.003-04:00

Below is a scan of Bernie Wrightson's rough preliminary artwork for DC Special Series #14 (1978) and a scan of the published comic. This comic reprinted Swamp Thing #3 and #4.

Casper the Friendly Ghost

2011-10-13T07:12:00.001-04:00

Oh, what the hell. Here's the first three issues of Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1, September 1949.

Casper the Friendly Ghost #2, February 1950.

Casper the Friendly Ghost #3, August 1950.

Dracula Day!

2011-10-12T08:54:00.000-04:00

Moving right along with the Countdown to Halloween, here's some images of everyone's favorite count: Dracula!

Cover art for Brides of Dracula, 1960. Book by Dean Owen, artist unknown.

Tomb of Dracula #1, April 1972. Cover art by Neal Adams.

Splash page for Tomb of Dracula #1, April 1972. Art by Gene Colan.

Vampirella #16, April 1972. Cover art by Sanjulian.

Dracula movie poster, 1931.

Dracula movie poster, 1951 re-release.

Dracula Lives #1, 1973. Cover art by Boris Vallejo.

Simon Bisely Zombies

2011-10-10T18:11:00.001-04:00

A Simon Bisely painting for the Magic: The Gathering series of trading cards.

HORROR STORIES

2011-10-08T08:01:00.003-04:00

Horror Stories was a pulp published by Popular Magazines beginning in 1935. It ran fro 47 issues. Here's a selection of covers from 1935-1941. Some of my more favorite story titles are: "Satan Sends a Rat" and "Death Calls from the Madhouse."

Some House of Mystery Covers

2011-10-07T07:09:00.002-04:00

Some House of Mystery comics with Michael Kaluta covers. The one with the spider always kind of freaked me out.

House of Mystery #265, February 1979.

House of Mystery #287, December 1980.

House of Mystery #294, July 1981.

Vampirella Magazine, 1969-1971

2011-10-05T22:22:00.007-04:00

Here's some early issues of Vampirella with cover art by Frank Frazetta, Ken Kelly, and others. Plus a couple by Dave Stevens from the 1990's, just because I can.

Vampirella #2, November 1969. Cover art by Bill Hughes.

Vampirella #5, June 1970. Cover art by Frank Frazetta.

Vampirella #6, July 1970. Cover art by Ken Kelly.

Vampirella #6, July 1970. Scan of original cover art by Ken Kelly.

Vampirella #7, September 1970. Cover art by Frank Frazetta.

Vampirella #8, November 1970. Cover art by Ken Kelly.

Vampirella #9, January 1971. Cover art by Wally Wood and Boris Vallejo.

Vampirella #10, March 1971. Cover art by Bill Hughes.

Vampirella #11, May 1971. Cover art by Frank Frazetta.

Vampirella #12, July 1971. Cover art by Sanjulian.

Weird Tales 1923 - 1925

2011-10-04T06:27:00.005-04:00

It is early October, which is an appropriate time for some early issues of Weird Tales magazine...

March 1923

April 1923

May 1923

June 1923

July 1923

September 1923

October 1923

November 1923

January 1924

February 1924

March 1924

April 1924

May 1924

November 1924

December 1924

January 1925

February 1925

March 1925

April 1925

May 1925

June 1925

July 1925

August 1925

September 1925

November 1925

L'Invasion des Morts-Vivants

2011-10-03T21:01:00.002-04:00

A nice French poster for the Hammer film Plague of the Zombies.

Happy October!

2011-10-02T17:06:00.002-04:00

What better way to kick off October and the Countdown to Halloween than with some art by Bernie Wrightson.

Al Feldstein EC Cover Recreation

2011-09-30T08:44:00.002-04:00

A 1993 cover recreation by Al Feldstein, and the comic that inspired it.

Weird Fantasy #8, July 1951.

Pinups by Arnold Kohn

2011-09-29T06:38:00.003-04:00

Some pinups and cartoons by Arnold Kohn (1920-1984). Kohn lived in Chicago and began contributing illustrations and covers to pulp magazines in 1944. He also painted many paperback book covers and was a contributor to Playboy magazine in the 1950's. More on Kohn here.

"Take Off Your Glasses So I Can See What You Look Like" Playboy, July 1956.

"There's something I have to tell you dear. You like your pipes better after they've been broken in ..." Playboy, March 1956.

Hanging Around, n.d.

Brunette Pinup, n.d.

Archie's Girls

2011-09-28T22:25:00.003-04:00

Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #94, October 1963.

Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #105, September 1964.

Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #106, October 1964.

Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #124, April 1966.

Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #132, December 1966.

Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #133, January 1967.

...some more Tarzan

2011-09-27T18:16:00.002-04:00

All by Jeff Jones...

Untitled, 2001.

Below, various sketches, no dates...

Tarzan the Ape Man

2011-09-26T21:39:00.003-04:00

Some Tarzan art by a few of the greats...

Tarzan at the Earth's Core. Roy Krenkel, circa 1963.

Tarzan print. Frank Frazetta, n.d.

Plate from The Neal Adams Portfolio, 1978.

The Comic Book Price Guide #5. Joe Kubert, 1975.

Action Comics #2 - 11

2011-09-23T07:56:00.000-04:00

Everyone has seen the iconic cover for Action Comics #1. Here are the not as often seen Action Comics #2 - 11.

Action Comics #2, July 1938. Cover art by Leo O'Mealia.

Action Comics #3, August 1938. Cover art by Leo O'Mealia.

Action Comics #4, September 1938. Cover art by Leo O'Mealia.

Action Comics #5, October 1938. Cover art by Leo O'Mealia.

Action Comics #6, November 1938. Cover art by Leo O'Mealia.

Action Comics #7, December 1938. Cover art by Joe Shuster.

Action Comics #8, January 1939. Cover art by Fred Guardineer.

Action Comics #9, February 1939. Cover art by Fred Guardineer.

Action Comics #10, March 1939. Cover art by Joe Shuster.

Action Comics #11, April 1939. Cover art by Fred Guardineer.

Lots more Action Comics covers here.

The Predicament

2011-09-22T18:42:00.002-04:00

Oh look, another awesome painting by Arthur Sarnoff. This one is from 1955.

Hitler's No. 1 Sex Castle

2011-09-21T22:54:00.002-04:00

Here's a nice one by Mort Kunstler. It is from Stag Annual #12, April 1972.

Board Games

2011-09-13T08:38:00.002-04:00

Batman, 1966.

Lone Ranger, 1938.

Lone Ranger, 1980.

Howdy Doody, 1950.

Blondie, 1940.

Tire Advertisements

2011-09-12T22:02:00.004-04:00

Here's the advertising art for four ads for Fisk Tires. Just for good measure, below those is a Goodyear ad by Dean Cornwell.

Unknown artist, no date.

Art by Percy D. Johnson, no date.

Art by Charles Archibald Maclellan, 1915.

Art by Norman Rockwell, 1925.

Below: Art by Dean Cornwell. Not for Glory, Nor Yet for Gold, 1944.

I'm guessing that is Columbus, Magellan, and Sir Francis Drake. They must be looking at that globe and thinking about all that sweet rubber they were going to plunder from somewhere.

...Bitch...

2011-09-10T23:35:00.002-04:00

Bernie Wrightson, 1973

Jeff Jones: World Without End

2011-09-09T17:57:00.002-04:00

Published by S.Q. Productions, 1980. S&N edition of 1000.

Big Head Flash!

2011-09-08T22:38:00.002-04:00

The classic "Big Head Flash" cover by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. Flash #177, March 1968. A scan of the published cover and the original art.

Virgil Finlay Astrological Drawings

2011-09-07T06:19:00.001-04:00

Friday Odds and Ends

2011-09-02T06:43:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow and Tomorrow paperback book cover, 1956. Art by Bob Lavin.

House of Secrets #103, December 1972. Cover art by Bernie Wrightson.

The Empire Strikes Back radio promo poster, 1982. Art by Ralph McQuarrie.

Green Lantern #29, June 1964. Cover art by Gil Kane.

...and, a couple of pictures of Betty Page (via)....

Brenda Starr

2011-09-01T06:34:00.004-04:00

America's Favorite Newspaper Comic Strip!

Brenda Starr #13, September 1947.

Brenda Starr #14, March 1948.

Brenda Starr vol. 2 #3, June 1948.

Brenda Starr vol. 2 #4, September 1948.

Brenda Starr vol. 2 #5, November 1948.

Brenda Starr vol. 2 #7, March 1949.

Brenda Starr vol. 2 #9, July 1949.

Brenda Starr vol. 2 #12, December 1949.

Batman Pinups

2011-08-29T22:10:00.002-04:00

Here's three pinups from Batman #400 (October 1986).

Steve Rude

Mike Kaluta

Bernie Wrightson

Friday Odds and Ends

2011-08-26T06:21:00.005-04:00

This Island Earth by Raymond F. Jones, 1955.

Betty Page! [via]

House of Mystery #211, February 1973. A classic cover by Bernie Wrightson.

Funny Pages #42, October 1940. Cover art by Paul Gustavson.

Ava Gardner

2011-08-25T06:28:00.001-04:00

Here's a couple of very nice pictures of Ava Gardner.