Showing posts with label Joe Kubert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Kubert. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Panel Discussion: Joe Kubert, Artistic Ace!

 


Redartz:  The subject of our tribute and discussion this week is a man perhaps less familiar to Marvel zuvembies,  but certainly revered by DC fans, and the comics world in general. Joe Kubert's career began back in the Golden Age of comics, and spanned every subsequent decade until his passing in 2012. His work was seen at practically every publisher you could name- MLJ/Archie, Quality, Atlas/Marvel, EC, and St. John (where Kubert and Norman Maurer introduced the world to 3-D comics).

But Kubert is probably best known for his brilliant work at DC, where he worked for many years . Here's an example of Joe's earlier work from Eerie #9, 1952 (Avon Publications).



Kubert created, or was involved in the creation of many characters,  including Viking Prince, Tor, Thorn, Enemy Ace; and was part of the team that started the Silver Age with the Flash in Showcase 4. He handled a huge share of DC's noted war comics, his years on Sgt. Rock positively iconic. On many of those war tales Kubert worked with Robert Kanigher, weaving the adventures of Rock, The Losers, Unknown Soldier, Haunted Tank and Enemy Ace. He also handled the art on DC's "Tarzan", and gave us the classic look for Hawkman. And although he was mostly associated with 'adventurous' titles,  Kubert also rendered most of DC's heroic stable: Batman, Superman,  Flash, and the Justice League.  Indeed, as often as Gil Kane's work could be seen on Marvel covers, Kubert's shined on DC covers.

On a personal note,  my first exposure to Joe's art was on the great covers for "Rima the Jungle Girl".
Those books were a visual treat both inside ( gorgeous work by Nestor Redondo) and outside, with Kubert's dramatic covers. Years later I further came to appreciate Kubert's skills when I became intrigued by his "Enemy Ace" strip. His magnificent,  gritty, powerful rendering is unmistakable. And those aerial dogfights and vintage planes- Kubert was a master. 

Speaking of mastery, his eye for drama was second to none. You'll see this on display below in another BitBA Gallery of Great Covers. But first we must mention another of Kubert's contributions to the industry: the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. Founded in 1976, the Kubert School has produced many new professional talents for the comics world.  Just another way in which Joe Kubert's influence continues to this day, and on into the future. 


And now, time to look over some covers (something I always enjoy, anyway). Hope you enjoy them too, and that they inspire you to share your thoughts on this giant of the comics industry...

 








                                  Love the three-part design of the cover on the left below...


  
 

 
  

 
 
This may be my favorite comic cover of all time...
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  


 

 

 
 
 

  
 

 
 

 
Saw this on the racks in 1974 and couldn't pass it up...
 

 
 
 
 
  
Kubert really had a knack for rendering piercingly powerful expressions, as on the right below...
 
 

 
 
 

 

 
 
  
 

Some dramatic perspective, here...

 
 More recently, here's the cover from Joe's Graphic Novel treatment of Viet Nam...


 
 
And how better to conclude this tour of Kubert's work than with his take on the Bible?


In response to HB's request, here is the cover for Justice Inc. #4. Another impressive Kubert...




Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Rank and File: A Comic Art Hall of Fame...



Redartz:  Greetings once again! We're back at it again with a fun poser for you to consider, regarding your favorite comic covers. But first, a quick update for you. 

Several of you have inquired about the circumstances of my power outage and consequent general absence from this space last week. Well, the circuit breaker box on the side of our house literally melted; it's truly miraculous we had no fire. Obviously the power had to be cut, and between awaiting repairs, local safety inspectors and utility officials, we were stuck in the 'dark ages' for about 8 days. Not an experience I'd recommend for anyone, but we made it through. Fortunately the temperatures were mild for the most part. No longer will I take air conditioning and lights for granted!

Anyway, on to our topic. The premise: you have been selected to choose the artwork for a big exhibition. More specifically, this show will showcase comic cover artists throughout the medium's history. And with such a wide possibility of artists to choose from, space allows only 1 cover per artist. So, your task is to pick the artists, and choose a great representative cover for each artist,one that highlights their talent and impact.  As I'm a framer by trade, I'll see that your picks are safely framed, of course! 

Our gallery has several wings, so we can have a section for Golden age, Silver age, Bronze and Modern if you so choose. And while you begin your careful consideration, I'll submit a few nominations to  get the show started. Feel free to improve upon my picks as you see fit. As the week goes on, I'll try to post some more nominees based upon your comments; the better to fill our gallery.  See you at the opening!

My preliminary nominations:
Jack Kirby

Neal Adams

Dave Cockrum

John  Byrne
John Romita, Sr

Barry Smith

Walter Simonson

George Perez

Carmine Infantino

Joe Kubert

More to Come...

A bit late, but here are some of the nominated covers, presented for the appreciation and illumination of one and all. Thanks everyone for each response! And as suggested by our friend HB, you can look forward to seeing 'Hall of Fame Cover' pop up periodically on a single artist basis. Salutations!

Dave Cockrum

Jim Aparo

Steve Ditko

Rich Buckler

Nick Cardy

Mike Ploog

Herb Trimpe

John Byrne

John Buscema

Frank Frazetta

Mike Kaluta

Alan Davis
 

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