[crashryan]

This provides an interesting contrast to the earlier Cliff Merritt book. That one seemed to be aimed at the general public, to give them an positive impression of the Union. This one on the other hand seems intended for Union members to encourage co-operation among themselves.

Am I crazy to see hints of John Cullen Murphy in the pencils? In some panels Cliff resembles Richard Widmark.

Link to the book: Cliff Merritt and the Very Candid Candidate

[jimmm kelly]

Cliff only gives the finger a few times in this one, as compares with the multiple uses of this stock gesture in the earlier book.

The reason I harp on the hand gestures is that this is one detail I use to measure the capabilities of the artist (and also in identifying some artists). Of course, there are artists who used stock gesture deliberately as an aspect of their style. All the good artists that ghosted Bob Kane used those stock gestures--and I'd argue that Dick Sprang's virtuoso use of those gestures demonstrates why he was the best.

But I admire Bernie Krigstein because he uses natural hand gestures in his compositions and doesn't fall back on stock poses.

Likewise, in the '60s, Carmine Infantino began to use much more natural hand gestures in his art.

This book reflects the kind of work I'd expect from Al Williamson, whereas the earlier book had a few too many of those posed shots.