Happy New Year!

Some New Year's babies by artist J.C. Leyendecker.

Italian EC Comics

These magazine sized issues reprint classic EC comics from Weird Science in black and white. They're most likely shot from the hardcover Russ Cochran library sets. They're nice little curiosities to have.

I Classici Americani Fantascienza Horror #1, March 1991.

I Classici Americani Fantascienza Horror #2, April 1991.

I Classici Americani Fantascienza Horror #3, May 1991.

I Classici Americani Fantascienza Horror #4, June 1991.

I Classici Americani Fantascienza Horror #5, July 1991.

I Classici Americani Fantascienza Horror #6, August 1991.

Jack Kirby Pencils and Inks

Most discerning comic book fans are familiar with IDW's Artist's Editions. These books present some of the best art ever produced for the medium. Published in the same size as the original art and printed in color, these books offer an experience second only to handling the original art itself, every brush stoke, erased pencil line and bit of white-out is visible. Costing upwards of $100, these books require and investment both in money and shelf space.

IDW's recently published Jack Kirby Pencils and Inks offers this experience at half the price, at half the size but with twice the fun! Measuring 8 1/4" x 12 1/4" and with a cover price of $49.99, this volume won't strain your wallet, bookshelves and can easily be smuggled in the house if need be. This book has comic book stories reprinted in color straight from the original art, with added super extra bonuses of each page being matched by a photocopy of Kirby's un-inked pencils. The introductory matter tells how Kirby purchased a large format photocopier in the early 1970's and used this to preserve his pencil work before inking. An introduction by inker Mike Royer, and short introductory pieces by Jack Kirby (reprinted from earlier sources) add some color and historical context.

Jack Kirby's Pencils and Inks reprints the covers and complete issues of The Demon #1, Kamandi #1 and OMAC #1. A short gallery section reproduces some inked and pencil art for covers and interior pages for other issues of The Demon, Kamandi, OMAC and the cover for New Gods #5. If you're a fan of Jack Kirby I really don't need to say anything else. You probably already have this book or are saving your money for it. If you're someone curious about those big IDW Artist's Editions, here's a nice way to sample them and this book is highly recommended.

Order a copy through your local comic book store or get it direct from the publisher here.

Pipe-Dream by Bernie Krigstein

"Pipe-Dream," one of Bernie Krigstein's masterpieces for EC Comics. This was originally published in Vault of Horror #36, April-May 1954/

Bernie Wrightson Art Auction

Frank Darabont is selling his Bernie Wrightson art collection. Check under your couch cushions for some spare change and put in your bids! You can view the auction catalog or order a hard copy of it here.
Below is an image of the cover and a couple of the pieces for sale.