Here are two stories from Battlefront No. 44, January 1957. This first story detailing a soldier’s battlefield education is from the pencil and brush of Dick Ayers (signed). I admire the war-shredded landscape of his splash panel with a Browning M1919 machine gun spittin’ out spent cases. Second panel - one of the flying cases has the firing pin dent on its spent primer. That's attention to detail, Mr. Ayers! The gorgeous cover is by John Severin. All scans are from my own comic.
This second story of cold war defection is penciled by one of my favorites, Gene Colan (according to the Colan Index at the artist’s website). Colan’s ability to bring dramatic tension to a panel, like the ones depicting men and boats dwarfed by the USSR Ship RAK, is nearly supernatural.
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5 comments:
I agree that the artwork isn't too shabby on this one.
Chuck: Not too shabby at all, my friend. Thanks for stopping by! -- Mykal
This is one of those: is it Colan or is it Mort Drucker stories... my guess here is Mort Drucker.
This may be the story that started the whole 'is it Colan or is it Drucker' discussion... in my opinion this is by Mort Drucker. There are a couple of panels that have a Colan feel to it, but that may be because Drucker swiped a pose or just coincidence. Additionally, at this point in his career at Timely, Colan always got the first story in the book and was allowed to do a full page splash, no exeptions.
Ger: Thanks for your thoughts! I know the Atlas Index lists this story as Drucker. Gene Colan's own website lists it as his pencils. When first viewing the story before researching it, my first thought was "Colan." Because the artist remembers it as his work, and because of my gut first impulse, I remain in the Colan camp. But I am always eager to hear opposing opinions, and I appreciate hearing from you. It's an interesting discussion. -- Mykal
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