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[Yoc]

I once had a dog named Asta - does that count?
Naw, didn't think so.  Oh well... 

[narfstar]

I had a great dane we named Hulk

[Powder Solvang]

Getting the thread back on track: even though I don't care much for Carmine Infantino's later work I don't think anything can hold a candle to his early 1960's art on Flash, Adam Strange, Batman and Elongated Man.
Artists whose work was more consistently great: Curt Swan and his frequent collaborator Murphy Anderson.

[rez]

Funny you should say that. Just got back from a comic show and when looking thru a DC box at a dealers table came across his only two issues of Brave and Bold and both were my two alltime favorite B&B covers which I had sold many years ago and regretted.

#70's Infantino pencils with Batman/Hawkman enthralled in a combatlike  deathgrip with each other and #72's a phantom Flash wisping away mid strike against The Spectre as the wreck of a biplane lay at their feet MurhyAnderson inks over Infantino's pencils.

And there they were, back to back, sweet shaped issues in a halfprice box which I was able to fiangle a deal over buying both for $15 about the same price and shape of the ones I'd sold in the late 80s.

Sometimes life is good.




Superman and Green Lantern ain't got ...
nothing on me...

Getting the thread back on track: even though I don't care much for Carmine Infantino's later work I don't think anything can hold a candle to his early 1960's art on Flash, Adam Strange, Batman and Elongated Man.
Artists whose work was more consistently great: Curt Swan and his frequent collaborator Murphy Anderson.

[Yoc]

Congrats on your deal Rez.

[DOC]

I have a 27 year old son that Clark and Kent were names I considered before WE went with Adam Jacob. Adam for no particular reason and Jacob after his grandfather.

My son named his first born Kyle Alan (yep Green Lanterns, thought he might be baptising him, John Hal or Guy..Gnort??) and his newly born 2nd son Connor (Green Arrow). So I guess comic geekiness IS hereditary.

[rez]

It was just too funny only two B&B's and being those particular two issues.

Is someone watching?



[quote author=Yoc link=topic=1142.msg10481#msg10481 date=1232954466]
Congrats on your deal Rez.

[/quote]

[Palooka slim]

If i listed all the artist that i've "been into" at one time or another id probably break my computer.But the two that are consistently favorites of mine are Kirby and J Buscema.

[JVJ]

If i listed all the artist that i've "been into" at one time or another id probably break my computer.But the two that are consistently favorites of mine are Kirby and J Buscema.

I LOVE J. Buscema's work, PS,
especially the early stuff from 1949 to 1961 for Orbit and Dell and Atlas. What a talent! I was always surprised that he never got a shot at an EC story.

I met the man once at an early San Diego Convention and arranged to have him come to my motel room for a two hour chat with me and some friends (Ron Harris and Art Scott if memory serves). This was back in the early 70s. The con was small and informal enough that we sat and looked through a bunch of old comics I'd brought to question him about: like who inked his Roy Rogers work? (Mario Aquaviva) and what was his first story for Timely (a story about robbing Abraham Lincoln's grave). He told us stories about the Timely Bullpen where he worked alongside John Severin, Gene Colan, Syd Shores and Joe Maneely, among others. The convention and his fame soon escalated to a point that prohibited such casual get togethers, but I'll never forget that afternoon.

If you're interested in JB's entire career, I've helped Michel Maillot <mike.jersey@orange.fr> put together the "definitive" listing of his work. I don't know where it's been published, but you can write him and ask. I'm hoping to meet Michel next month when I'm in Paris.

As for Kirby, he's one of a kind. My biography of him (http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/kirby.htm) says it better than any paraphrasing I might manage here.

I think you have good taste, sir. Welcome aboard.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[Palooka slim]

Thanks for that account jvj ive never been the type to care about meeting celebrities but big john is the one guy i wish i could have talked with.ill be sure to check out that list.

[Palooka slim]

You may be able to answer this jvj......i've always wondered who big John preferred to ink his stuff? i cringe when i see his great pencils ruined by some of the guys he was teamed with ....especially *colletta*

[JVJ]

You may be able to answer this jvj......i've always wondered who big John preferred to ink his stuff? i cringe when i see his great pencils ruined by some of the guys he was teamed with ....especially *colletta*

Other than his own inks, he said he liked what his brother Sal did.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[Yoc]

John was a great talent - Sal on his own made me cringe.
He seemed to phone it in on the books I was reading in the early 80s.

[JVJ]

John was a great talent - Sal on his own made me cringe.
He seemed to phone it in on the books I was reading in the early 80s.

I never had much appreciation for Sal, either, Yoc, but the question was who did John prefer inking his pencils and that's what he told me.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[PeterC]

Over at the GCD, we got a series of corrections for John Buscema's work that originated from a French fan magazine called Back-Up by Tristan Lapoussiere.  I don't know if his list was at all related to Jim's work with Michel Maillot.  You can see all the corrections to do with Buscema by looking here: http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&short_desc_type=allwordssubstr&short_desc=&long_desc_type=substring&long_desc=buscema&bug_file_loc_type=allwordssubstr&bug_file_loc=&keywords_type=allwords&keywords=&bug_status=NEW&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=RESOLVED&resolution=FIXED&resolution=---&emailassigned_to1=1&emailtype1=substring&email1=&emailassigned_to2=1&emailreporter2=1&emailcc2=1&emailtype2=substring&email2=&bugidtype=include&bug_id=&chfieldfrom=&chfieldto=Now&chfieldvalue=&cmdtype=doit&order=Reuse+same+sort+as+last+time&field0-0-0=noop&type0-0-0=noop&value0-0-0=  The one with the replies from Tristan is here: http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=679

There's a couple still open (because the info from Back-Up didn't match what we (or atlastales) already had), if anybody's got an opinion...
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=547
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=729
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=816
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=817

Peter

[JVJ]

Over at the GCD, we got a series of corrections for John Buscema's work that originated from a French fan magazine called Back-Up by Tristan Lapoussiere.  I don't know if his list was at all related to Jim's work with Michel Maillot.  You can see all the corrections to do with Buscema by looking here: http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&short_desc_type=allwordssubstr&short_desc=&long_desc_type=substring&long_desc=buscema&bug_file_loc_type=allwordssubstr&bug_file_loc=&keywords_type=allwords&keywords=&bug_status=NEW&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=RESOLVED&resolution=FIXED&resolution=---&emailassigned_to1=1&emailtype1=substring&email1=&emailassigned_to2=1&emailreporter2=1&emailcc2=1&emailtype2=substring&email2=&bugidtype=include&bug_id=&chfieldfrom=&chfieldto=Now&chfieldvalue=&cmdtype=doit&order=Reuse+same+sort+as+last+time&field0-0-0=noop&type0-0-0=noop&value0-0-0=  The one with the replies from Tristan is here: http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=679

There's a couple still open (because the info from Back-Up didn't match what we (or atlastales) already had), if anybody's got an opinion...
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=547
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=729
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=816
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=817

Peter

Much of the information from that French fanzine was probably supplied by me through Michel. I'll check them all out for you if it makes you feel any better.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[narfstar]

Hey Jim Roy needs an early scan of Patsy Walker splash by Ruth Atkinson. Maybe Miss America 12 the first at 300ppi if you can help and Hellcat.

from Roy
"Should've mentioned-- Ruth Atkinson "created" Patsy Walker, so could use a good, very early splash by her of that character... also of the "Hellcat" feature she drew for WINGS COMICS at Fiction House."

[JVJ]

Hey Jim Roy needs an early scan of Patsy Walker splash by Ruth Atkinson. Maybe Miss America 12 the first at 300ppi if you can help and Hellcat.

from Roy
"Should've mentioned-- Ruth Atkinson "created" Patsy Walker, so could use a good, very early splash by her of that character... also of the "Hellcat" feature she drew for WINGS COMICS at Fiction House."

Okay, Narf,
I just finished scanning three Lily Renee St. John romance pages for him. He didn't mention the Patsy Walker page, but I can get that, too.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[Yoc]

Hehehe, Roy must owe you three or four complimentary books a month!
Thanks for helping make Alter-Ego the great mag that it is Jim.

[JVJ]

Hey Jim Roy needs an early scan of Patsy Walker splash by Ruth Atkinson. Maybe Miss America 12 the first at 300ppi if you can help and Hellcat.

from Roy
"Should've mentioned-- Ruth Atkinson "created" Patsy Walker, so could use a good, very early splash by her of that character... also of the "Hellcat" feature she drew for WINGS COMICS at Fiction House."

I sent him the first two pages of the first Patsy Walker in issue #2. That should be "early" enough, don't you think? What's "Hellcat"?

(|:{>

[JVJ]

Over at the GCD, we got a series of corrections for John Buscema's work that originated from a French fan magazine called Back-Up by Tristan Lapoussiere.  I don't know if his list was at all related to Jim's work with Michel Maillot.  You can see all the corrections to do with Buscema by looking here: http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&short_desc_type=allwordssubstr&short_desc=&long_desc_type=substring&long_desc=buscema&bug_file_loc_type=allwordssubstr&bug_file_loc=&keywords_type=allwords&keywords=&bug_status=NEW&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=RESOLVED&resolution=FIXED&resolution=---&emailassigned_to1=1&emailtype1=substring&email1=&emailassigned_to2=1&emailreporter2=1&emailcc2=1&emailtype2=substring&email2=&bugidtype=include&bug_id=&chfieldfrom=&chfieldto=Now&chfieldvalue=&cmdtype=doit&order=Reuse+same+sort+as+last+time&field0-0-0=noop&type0-0-0=noop&value0-0-0=  The one with the replies from Tristan is here: http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=679

There's a couple still open (because the info from Back-Up didn't match what we (or atlastales) already had), if anybody's got an opinion...
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=547
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=729
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=816
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=817

Peter

I'm 99% certain that Michel Maillot provided this information to Tristan, Peter,
but I've looked over the error list and checked the comics themselves. Here's what I think today:

Tex Morgan #5: Probably Pierce Rice, Bill Walsh and J.B. shop work on first and last TM stories.
Wild Western #12: No J.B.
Wild Western #40: No J.B.
Cowboy Romances #1: J.B. on "Cowgirls Don't Cry"
Cowboy Romances #2: J.B. on "Fear"
Crimefighters #4: J.B. on "Abraham Lincoln" (9 pgs)
Crimefighters #5: J.B. on "Glass Girl"
Crimefighters #7: possibly J.B. inks on "Gangster's Goal"
Crimefighters #8: J.B. cover and "Nick Corvin"
Western Winners #5" J.B. on Black Rider
Wild Western #7: No J.B.
Wild Western #8: I'll be Syd Shores AND J.B. on cover and the last TGK story
Young Men #4: J.B. on "Call Me Shorty"
Young Men #5: J.B. on "My Brother is a Spy"
Wanted Comics #50: J.B. on cover, "Make Way for Murder" and "The Model Murder"
Love Diary #35: cover and "The Girl that I Marry"
Lover Journal #19: cover, "Song of My Heart" and "SOS for Love"
The Westerner #40: J.B. on "WBP Meets The Undertaker"
Crime Must Pay the Penalty #46: J.B. on first Mr. Risk story (reprinted from....
Mr. Risk #7 (10/50): J.B. cover and first two Mr. Risk stories

How did I do?

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[JVJ]

Over at the GCD, we got a series of corrections for John Buscema's work that originated from a French fan magazine called Back-Up by Tristan Lapoussiere.  I don't know if his list was at all related to Jim's work with Michel Maillot.  You can see all the corrections to do with Buscema by looking here:

There's a couple still open (because the info from Back-Up didn't match what we (or atlastales) already had), if anybody's got an opinion...
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=729
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=816
http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/errors/show_bug.cgi?id=817

Peter

I revisited these three since the were separated out:
Tex Morgan #5: It's Shores AND Buscema on the cover. I stand by the previous ID on the 1st and last TM stories.
Wild Western #12: They're right, it IS J.B. on the cover. I skimmed over that in my previous post.
Wild Western #40: "Duel to the Death" is neither Buscema nor Sinnott. It's by Bob Brown.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[Brainster]

Single favorite: Dick Sprang, for reasons discussed here:

http://sacomics.blogspot.com/2009/01/tribute-to-dick-sprang.html

Sprang consistently chose his camera angles with an eye for catching the most action and he was a master of perspective.

Others:

Will Eisner.  The scene in Ten Minutes with the girl leaning over the counter to wipe the blood off Freddy's face, then her shock and disgust at seeing the body, and then screaming as Freddy hotfooted it out the door is the finest piece of sequential art ever.

Kirby: His individual panels seldom knocked me out, but sequentially he is the master.

Adams: The best artist on faces.

Colan: Great action and hauntingly beautiful facial expressions.

Aparo: Intriguing use of light and shadow.

Dan Gordon: Classic funny animal and teen comedy artist.  His work on Cookie really stands the test of time.

Murphy Anderson: Tightest line ever.

ETA: Jack Cole:  Greatest fit of artist and character (Plastic Man) ever.

Gil Kane: Best at punches.

Ditko: Superior Spiderman and Doctor Strange.

[JVJ]

My top five are explained on my web site. My reasons are explored in depth on the link pages:

Jack Kirby: http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/kirby.htm
Harvey Kurtzman: http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/kurtzman.htm
Bernie Krigstein: http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/krigstei.htm
Alex Toth: http://www.bpib.com/illustra3/Toth/toth.html
Frank Frazetta (yes, just his comic work!): http://www.bpib.com/frazetta.htm

You can add Buscema and Williamson and, dare I say it, Ray Willner and Matt Baker, as masterful, but they didn't transform the medium as did my top five. Each of the above five left the field enriched and better and vastly changed for their efforts therein. Who could ask for more?

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[kquattro]

My top five are explained on my web site. My reasons are explored in depth on the link pages:

Jack Kirby: http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/kirby.htm
Harvey Kurtzman: http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/kurtzman.htm
Bernie Krigstein: http://www.bpib.com/illustra2/kurtzman.htm
Alex Toth: http://www.bpib.com/illustra3/Toth/toth.html
Frank Frazetta (yes, just his comic work!): http://www.bpib.com/frazetta.htm

You have remarkably good taste, Jim, as your top five are nearly the same as mine. (by the way, the link to the Krigstein bio actually leads to Kurtzman's).

The only changes I'd make to your list would be to put Eisner and Ditko in the place of Krigstein and Frazetta. While both B.K. and F.F. would fall just outside my top five (along with Wood and Cole), I think Ditko and Eisner's contributions to the comic book medium were more significant.

And to extend my list a bit more, I'd also add Matt Baker and Doug Wildey (yeah, I know--he had an affinity to use a lot of photographic sources, but I like his work just the same).

--Ken Q