Synopses & Reviews
Harvey Kurtzman discovered Robert Crumb and gave Gloria Steinem her first job in publishing when he hired her as his assistant. Terry Gilliam also started at his side, met an unknown John Cleese in the process, and the genesis of Monty Python was formed. Art Spiegelman has stated on record that he owes his career to him. And he's one of
Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner's favorite artists.
Harvey Kurtzman had a Midas touch for talent, but was himself an astonishingly talented and influential artist, writer, editor, and satirist. The creator of MAD and Playboy's "Little Annie Fanny" was called, "One of the most important figures in postwar America" by the New York Times. Kurtzman's groundbreaking "realistic" war comics of the early '50s and various satirical publications (MAD, Trump, Humbug, and Help!) had an immense impact on popular culture, inspiring a generation of underground cartoonists. Without Kurtzman, it's unlikely we'd have had Airplane, SNL, or National Lampoon.
The Art of Harvey Kurtzman is the first and only authorized celebration of this "Master of American Comics." This definitive book includes hundreds of never-before-seen illustrations, paintings, pencil sketches, newly discovered lost E.C. Comics layouts, color compositions, illustrated correspondence, and vintage photos from the rich Kurtzman archives
Synopsis
Jack Kirby created or co-created some of comic booksand#8217; most popular characters including Captain America, The X-Men, The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, The Mighty Thor, Darkseid, and The New Gods. More significantly, he created much of the visual language for fantasy and adventure comics. There were comics before Kirby, but for the most part their page layout, graphics, and visual dynamic aped what was being done in syndicated newspaper strips. Almost everything that was different about comic books began in the forties on the drawing table of Jack Kirby. This is his story by one who knew him welland#151;the authorized celebration of the one and only and#147;King of Comicsand#8221; and his groundbreaking work.
and#147;I donand#8217;t think itand#8217;s any accident that . . . the entire Marvel universe and the entire DC universe are all pinned or rooted on Kirbyand#8217;s concepts.and#8221; and#151;Michael Chabon
Synopsis
Jerry Robinson is one of the living legends of American comics. As a member of the original
Batman team, he created the first and most iconic of all supervillains, the Joker, and cocreated Robin, the archetypal sidekick. During the Golden and Silver Ages of comics, Robinson worked on every comic book genre there was, and brought to life his own super heroes such as London, Jet Scott, and Atoman. His artistry also extended beyond comic books into editorial cartooning and popular syndicated newspaper strips such as
Still Life and
Flubs & Fluffs, as well as magazine and book illustration, fine arts, academia, and humanitarian affairs. Robinson has been an influential teacher, an important curator of cartooning art exhibits, and a tireless champion of artists rights. This rich, fully illustrated collection of his work was written in collaboration with the artist himself.
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Synopsis
Jerry Robinson is one of the living legends of American comics. As a member of the original Batman team, he created the first and most iconic of all supervillains, the Joker, and cocreated Robin, the archetypal sidekick. During the Golden and Silver Ages of comics, Robinson worked on every comic book genre there was, and brought to life his own super heroes such as London, Jet Scott, and Atoman. His artistry also extended beyond comic books into editorial cartooning and popular syndicated newspaper strips such as Still Life and Flubs & Fluffs, as well as magazine and book illustration, fine arts, academia, and humanitarian affairs. Robinson has been an influential teacher, an important curator of cartooning art exhibits, and a tireless champion of artists rights. This rich, fully illustrated collection of his work was written in collaboration with the artist himself.
About the Author
Denis Kitchen is a pioneering cartoonist, writer, editor, and underground comic book publisher. He represents the Kurtzman estate, and maintains the archives. In 1986 Kitchen established the nonprofit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and served as its president for its first eighteen years. He lives in western Massachusetts.
Paul Buhle is a senior lecturer in the American Civilization and History departments at Brown University. He has written and edited thirty-five books, including
Jews and American Comics, and lives in Rhode Island.
Harry Shearer is a comic personality and author, director, satirist, musician, radio host, playwright, multimedia artist, and record label owner.