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...

Short Cuts: The Fun and Foibles of Fast Food!

 

Redartz:  One facet of Bronze Age life (and life today, as well) that loomed large for kids was the phenomenon of Fast Food. Few of us were immune to the appeal of a cheeseburger and french fries, courtesy of Ronald McDonald, the Burger King, or some other purveyor of prefab cuisine. It may have been a weekly family meal. It may have been a trip to get a cone after a ball game. It may even have been an afterschool job (my first real job was flipping burgers at McDonalds). Whatever the origin, most of us have some experience, and hence some memories, of these restaurants. 

 

 

Most prominent, and most frequently visited by our family, was McDonald's. I couldn't resist those fries. And  to this day I've a fondness for the Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Just keep Ronald at a distance, please; clowns can be...discomforting.

One standout memory of McDonald's for me actually stems from my brief period of employment therein. One summer's day I went out with a friend to play tennis all afternoon, foolishly forgetting about any sunscreen. That night I was scheduled to work the grill, and all was fine at first. But as the evening wore on, my sunburn became more and more evident, and painful. It got to the point I was almost feverish standing in front of that grill, so I found some relief by ducking back into the freezer repeatedly until my shift ended. Not a pleasant night. 

 

Another chain that we patronized fairly often was Burger Chef: pretty similar to McD's overall, but with a more local flavor. "Burger Chef and Jeff" were the animated spokesmen who enticed kids to drag their families in for a "Fun Meal". This combo of a sandwich, fries and drink also included a toy, which MeDonald's soon 'borrowed' in the form of the "Happy Meal". One fond memory of  Burger Chef is the sight across the midwest of birdhouses in the shape of a Burger Chef store. They can still be seen on occasion, usually with the old logo long faded away. Burger Chef itself faded away in the 1980's, as it was absorbed by Hardee's. 

That's two stories from two fast food places. How many more stories await from you, and how many other such restaurants attracted your patronage? Did you go for the big national chains, or prefer smaller local outfits? Who made the best burgers? Who had the worst commercials? Who watered down the Cokes ? It's all to go this week...

Follow the Leader: Potential Marvel Video!

 

Redartz: Hi gang! Your humble host is rather sidetracked and occupied this week, so it seemed a perfect opportunity to bring out the Leader. You all are quite experienced in this practice, so our weekly discussion is in good hands! As always, the first commenter to chime in gets to set the agenda. Soooo, carry on!

Sound and the Fury: Perfect 'Headphones' Music- Art Rock!

 

Redartz:  If you were like me 'back in the Bronze Age', you spent some time (possibly a great deal of time) sitting in your room, headphones on, eyes closed, just listening to some fantastic lp. And not just listening: absorbing, experiencing, FEELING it. The best music lends itself to such activity, it grabs you on numerous levels. Music offers many styles, many genres, capable of appealing to any taste. But one particular genre, Art Rock, seemed ideally suited. to Serious Listening. 

Art Rock (or Progressive Rock, or Symphonic Rock: labels and genres can be rather fluid things)  arose in the 60's with the experimental work of such acts as the Beatles, Velvet Underground, and even the Beach Boys. Psychedelia also no doubt lent a hand. Albums became 'concepts', the music itself more complex. Yes, it sometimes edged into pomposity or self-indulgence, but the best experimental music led the way to the genre's popularity  peak in the 70's. 

There were many bands active in Art Rock, some exclusively and others just dabbling. This is the crux of our discussion this time; what were your favorite progressive bands? Which left you bleary eyed? What were the best albums, best songs, and conversely, which were the worst? What later acts do you feel owe a debt to Art Rock and it's practitioners?

To give you a starting point, here are three examples by three of my favorite Art Rockers. All three of these bands filled my youthful headphones often, and indeed still do.  

 

 Emerson, Lake and  Palmer:  "From the Beginning:

 

 

The Moody Blues:  "Tuesday Afternoon"

 

 

The Alan Parsons Project:  "The Raven"

 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm grabbing my headphones and a comfortable chair...