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...

Chew the Fat: Heroes in Uniform: Sgt. Rock, Sgt. Fury, and Combat Comics

Redartz:  Greetings everyone, and salutations on this Memorial Day (US). On this weekend we honor those who have served so gallantly in the armed forces. In this spirit, today we will look at some of Marvel and DC's 'war comics'. This is a genre of comics I'm admittedly less familiar with. I've read a few Sgt. Fury stories. From DC, I've read some Sgt. Rock stories, "Haunted Tank", "The Losers" and "Enemy Ace". Therefore my comments will be brief, and I trust all of you to further educate me on these comics.

From my very limited exposure to these comics, I have noticed a general difference in tone between the companies (and this may not be accurate, so all of you who have read these stories are free to correct me here). Marvel's war books seem to be fairly straightforward battle/combat issues, heavy on action. DC's books, to my eye, have a somewhat darker, more thoughtful feel. That may be a reflection of the team of writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert, who produced most of the DC war stories I've seen.

Plus, in the case of Marvel's Sgt. (and later Col.) Nick Fury, the character has been deeply involved with many other elements of the Marvel Universe. He was an early crossover  in  "Fantastic Four", he met Captain America, and of course later was involved with S.H.I.E.L.D. Over at DC, although their battle veterans have made numerous appearances (Sgt. Rock teaming with Batman in Brave and the Bold, Enemy Ace appeared in Justice League), they don't seem to have the same prominent level of involvement. They seem almost to occupy their own 'pocket universe' all their own.  

At any rate, the writing and art in many of these books is striking.  Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Arnold Drake, and Gary Freidrich were among Marvel's battle writers, and Jack Kirby, Dick Ayers, and John Severin drew many of those stories. For DC, Kanigher and Kubert were a great combo. with more fine art from the likes of Mort Drucker, Russ Heath and Severin. All well worth a look. And this reader shall: as the years pile up on this Bronze ager, my comics tastes have widened greatly. As much as I love those costumed heroes, it's been rewarding to explore other genres too. Many of these stories (particulary the Kanigher/Kubert) give the reader some fodder for serious thought. That has to be good...

And now, let's look at some covers: