Bernie Wrightson: The Early Years

Bernie Wrightson has been working professionally as a comic artist and horror and fantasy illustrator since 1968. His first published professional work was for DC Comics' line of horror titles House of Mystery and House of Secrets. Bernie's work for DC also included his classic run on Swamp Thing from 1972 to 1974. He went on to illustrate a classic series of stories for Warren Publishing in their flagship titles Creepy and Eerie. Dark Horse recently republished his classic illustrated version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Below is one of Bernie's first published pieces, a fan club drawing by Bernie published in Creepy #9 (June, 1966)

 

Before Bernie began working for DC, and in his early days as a comic professional, he often provided drawings for fanzines. These were self-published magazines, put together by comic fans and often published in small quantities. These fanzines gave Bernie and other artists of his generation a chance to hone their craft and keep their work in front of fans. Below is a selection of Bernie's early work from some of these fanzines.

Cover for the 1971 Metro Con program book.

 

An early rendition of Victor Frankenstein and his monster. From the fanzine Colour Your Dreams published by Capitol City Comix in 1972. The drawing is circa 1968.

 

Another version of Frankenstein's monster. From Spa Fon #5, published in September 1969.

 

A sinister drawing of Peter Piper. Published as the back cover of Infinity #3, vol. 2. 1971.