Illustrators #35 (magazine review).

 

 

Only three artists are covered in this latest issue of ‘Illustrators’ but definitely big ones. Peter Richardson goes over the life of Alex Raymond (1909-1956), a life cut short by driving a speeding car with Stan Drake, who was lucky to survive. Raymond’s career not only with Flash Gordon, but with other newspaper strips like ‘Prince Valliant’ and ‘Rip Kirby’ showed a rich talent ended far too short, although no one explains why some artists love fast cars.

Raymond could use both brush, pen and wash well, but not necessarily in the strips at the same time. It’s easy to see why he was a major influence on all those who followed after him. I had a wry smile at Rip Kirby and can even see touches of Clark Kent in his style. If you’ve only heard of but never seen the variety of work he’s done then getting this issue is essential.

If you thought Alex Raymond couldn’t be topped, then think again. Bob Eggleton (1960- ) is here in all his glory with bits of interviews and art over 33 pages and a lot I haven’t seen before, hardly surprising as he live in the USA and not all of his work reaches the UK. He also gives a cautionary note about breathing problems when using an airbrush and was taking all the right precautions but had to stop because of serious respiratory problems.

He’s also one of the few SF artists whose done work on films, uncredited on ‘Sphere’ (1997) and then for ‘Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius’ (2001) and ‘The Ant Bully’ (2006), which must make his resume interesting. Considering his taste in dragons and horror, I’m surprised he hasn’t been picked up for other films. Looking at his paintings, he likes working in oils and acrylics and dabbles with digital when needs. Eggleton thinks the traditional way isn’t likely to die out because there will always be a need for original pieces of work.

Then there’s French artist/illustrator Jacques Terpant (1956- ). He worked on ‘Métal Hurlant’s war strip ‘Branle-bas de Combat’ before the mag folded in the mid-1980s. His art is interesting with either a dark or light palate, suggesting he is after an exact contrast or mood. From the samples show, I would think he matches his style to the requirements of the story.

The choice of artists allows for some you are familiar with and introduces ones you might never have of. There might be fewer this time but you’re given plenty of art to make up for that. The Eggleton section will probably ensure this issue high sales so don’t leave it too long before getting a copy.

GF Willmetts

October 2021

(pub: The Book Palace, 2021. 98 page illustrated squarebound magazine. Price: £20.00 (UK), $21.99 (US) via Bud Plant. ISBN: 978-1-913548-03-2. ISSN: 2052-6520)

check out website: www.bookpalace.com and www.illustratorsquarterly.com