Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Ya know, when Carmine Infantino was replaced as DC's publisher, he dove right back into penciling--the very talent that had made him a comicbook legend. Marvel put him on a few books (Star Wars and Daredevil, most notably) and Jim Warren gave him plenty of work, too. It was Infantino's work at Warren that Ol' Groove really digs--mostly because of editor Louise (then Jones) Simonson's propensity for pairing the Golden-and-Silver-Age great with some of the Groovy Age's most far-out artists as inkers. Today's example, "Hide and Go Mad" (Creepy #85, November 1976) was inked by Weezie's future husband, the amazing Walt Simonson. Budd Lewis' shocker looks stunning, proving that an unlikely pairing of such different artists as Infantino and Simonson would make for some rollicking great comics! (And to up the "far-out" factor, Ol' Groove's tossing in Ken Kelly's ultra-cool cover!)
I have been been, more of less, dividing my time reading Groovy Age color comics and the Warren Archives, and I have to say I am constantly surprised by how artists (like Infantino) tend to fare better (for me) in black and white. Infantino has never really made my socks go up and down, except for his pencilling on that first Boston Brand story. This is the first of his Warren work that I remember catching up to and it's like seeing him for the first time! I wish I could explain why this is, but I don't feel that I'm versed enough in comics and art to do so. I've just noticed lately that guys like Steve Ditko have really been coming alive for me in the black and white stuff. Gene the Dean, an artist I've always loved, has actually become even cooler to me seeing his early b & w work. Maybe it's just personal preference, but seeing work in b& w, and then revisiting other work in color almost always gives me a better appreciation for what that artist is doing.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I remember buying this book, I always loved Ken Kelly's beautiful & powerful covers. Strange combination of styles by Carmine & Walter. It looks beautiful too, looks alot like Mike Ploog to me! COOL!
ReplyDeleteI loved Walt's art on Rampaging Hulk when he was inked by Alfredo. It looked powerful, gritty & dark. Perfect for the early tales of the Hulk!