Comic Artist: Rene Pellos

Sometimes, you need to look a little further beyond just your own nation to find talent. I decided to take a look outside the US, and make my way to France. Rene Pellos was a French comic cartoonist best known for his work on Futuropolis. He has the impeccable ability to tell a great story, as seen in these images I've provided.

 

^Above is the image of Futuropolis that I mention previously.

 

Also, an example of his work as a Sports cartoonist. This is not exactly the sort of work I have seen or am familiar with before, but nevertheless, I have to admire his ability to still be able to tell a good story/action.

Comic Artist: Charles Addams

Now for someone a little bit different.

I'm sure most of you out there have heard of the Addams Family, no? Well, this man (yes, that one up there ^) is the creator of these memorable characters. He is not only known for them but for his macabre and dark sense of humor when it came to his comics.

  

I am seriously fawning over his nice use of grayscale, and ability to create a dark kind of atmosphere to his work. It adds a whole new layer of emotion, and drags you into the environment. 

  

The rich use of blacks is also greatly appreciated, and just adds to the dark and 'gothic' atmosphere he is known for. It's astounding how much of an atmosphere can be created with such simple characters.

Comic Artist: Brian Bolland

Sticking to the comic book theme of Superheroes and Villains, and action-packed fun... 

(I swear, we'll go to something different next time!). 

This is the work of Brian Bolland. Now, I will firstly say I am a major fan of Joker. The original Joker straight from the comic pages. One of the most astounding that featured the Clown Prince of Crime was the The Killing Joke. The book was filled with darkness and madness, and a compelling story to give a little background to the Joker. It was absolutely captivating, and I read it all in one go in the aisles of a Books-A-Million. 

The Killing Joke was completely drawn by Brian Bolland.  All his work is incredibly detailed, and each drawing was clearly drawn with love and care. I sincerely admire and appreciate the importance that went to every single line. The line work and mark making is all just impeccable.

Seriously, words can not describe how much I recommend this book. It's a quick read, and the art is something not to be missed.

Comic Artist: Jack Kirby

Note: I realize this is the first post of 2012, and it's already over halfway through the year, but I am reviving this blog. Originally, this blog was used for a photography class - a class I have completed and finished 7 or 8 months ago. Now I am using it again for another class. This time, Illustrated Story I. A class I have been looking forward to for months. I hope to take several more follow up courses to it in the future. Now that that's explained, I'll go continue...

In the past I have always been a massive fan and avid reader of Comic Books. DC. Marvel. And the likes... Alright, so maybe not a an avid reader, but I still consider myself a fan and comic book nerd, nonetheless. The kind of fan that quotes from Batman, and puts on a Thor helmet to go see the Avenger's movie, while shouting out, 'For Asgard!' Yes, that kind of a nerd.

That said, I wanted to approach my research with something I am a little familiar with and find close to my heart. I began punching in names into Google, unsure what I'd find. Until I came across Jack Kirby...

Needless to say, my interest was peeked, and I declared this to be my very first Comic artist I would research. A little backstory...He worked for a number of popular companies, such as DC and Timely Comics. He contributed in the creation of several well known characters, though, his most popular is most likely to be Captain America. What I find most interesting, and most impressive, is that he helped co-create several big characters in the comic book universe with Stan Lee (a major inspirational artist for me). He has been given several awards for his work, including Best Pencil Artist in 1967. 

^Thor...a personal favorite of mine.

I am absolutely in love with this man's penciling. The detail he exerted into his work was astounding. The last example above is, no doubt, my favorite. I understand why he was considered such a talented pencil artist. The direction and entire composition of the piece shows a sense of motion, and draws my eye around the piece, and brings me into the action. It's reasons like this that I fell in love with DC and Marvel comics.