Illustrators #43 (magazine review).

This issue of Illustrators focuses on the Western genre, a realm where something called Science Fiction eventually took over in the pulps. As Diego Córdoba delves into the history of the Western through book covers, we observe that some of the artists transitioned to our genre. During the American Depression, a prolific cover artist could get by reasonably well, a testament to their resilience and creativity. Something that has always puzzled me is the size of the pistols in the cowboys’ hands. Many of the artists had never ventured out West, so they found their inspiration elsewhere. The pistols were modeled after the toys their children played with, which explains the out-of-proportion sizes. However, not all depictions were exaggerated, as you will notice when examining the art. Though, I suppose we should be grateful that the Native Americans weren’t depicted with bows and arrows tipped with suction cups. Their clean-cut appearance is attributed to Western films, thereby reinforcing the image of their pristine attire as well.

At least with SF, artists could let their imaginations run wild without such constraints.

Of course, one of the greats who could draw anything was John Severin (1921-2012). In this issue, we explore not just his Western material but his work across the entire spectrum. Although I rarely delved into his comic books or satires when young, Severin’s skill was widely recognized. Córdoba presents a diverse selection of Severin’s work in Westerns, war comics, and satire. Initially, Severin relied on Will Elder for inking rather than doing the same pictures twice, but he was also honing his inking skills, transforming it into a texturing exercise. This section on Severin is the most extensive in this issue of Illustrators, offering not just a glimpse into his prolific career but also serving as a lesson in art.

The second artist featured is Fred Harman (1902-1982), known for a variety of newspaper strips and comics like Bron Peeler and Red Ryder in the USA. It’s interesting to note that these works likely had little to no distribution in the UK during the 1950s. Beyond black-and-white illustrations, Harman was an accomplished painter. From an artistic standpoint, mastering the depiction of a horse in motion can bring a painting to life—a principle that likely applies to other animals as well. Therefore, don’t dismiss this issue as lacking educational value. I learned a great deal from it.

GF Willmetts
February 2023

(pub: The Book Palace, 2024. 98 page illustrated squarebound magazine. Price: £22.00 (UK), $27.99 (US) via Bud Plant. ISBN: 978-1-91354-853-7. ISSN: 2052-6520)

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