These two tales are from Aces High No. 2, May/June 1955; a title EC launched under the “New Directions” banner in an attempt to fall in line with the new comics’ code - the noble spasms of a dying giant.
The art for this first story is Bernie Krigstein. B. Krigstein was one of the greatest storytellers to ever work in comics. How great? Take away all the words. Following Krigstein’s panels. The story is clear as a bell.
The art for this first story is Bernie Krigstein. B. Krigstein was one of the greatest storytellers to ever work in comics. How great? Take away all the words. Following Krigstein’s panels. The story is clear as a bell.
This second high-flying tale is penciled and inked by Jack Davis, master of the crosshatch and brush. I have read that Davis did all inking with a brush only and was incredibly quick. Looking at the result, I consider Davis a mortal with super powers.
This ad comes from the same comic. For those interested, an annual salary of $4,205 in 1955 would be about $34,000 in today’s (2010) economy.
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8 comments:
It's too bad EC couldn't recover after all the damage inflicted by Wertham and the senate sub-comittee. Clearly their staff was brimming over with exceptional talent, such as displayed here.
Excellent post. Loved it all, from the gorgeous Evans cover, to the beautifully drawn stories by both geniuses...don't cha just love that Davis splash? And the Marie Severin colors on each are superb, sharp and clear! Sweet scans, man!
Thanks.
Apocolyte: I meant to mention those superb colors by Severin but forgot. She was a genius herself, in good company at EC. I think she is so often (as I have done here myself) overlooked. -- Mykal
A decade ago, my brother spent about three years putting together a complete, very high grade collection of every EC war comic title that was published. He also found equally high grades copies of the two inhouse annuals that EC printed AND then he turned around and sold them in one fell swoop.
I've always considered him to be a "Ferengi" (like from Star Trek). He's all about acquisition and profit. I tend to keep the stuff that I buy.
Chuck: let me see if I understand this: Your brother built up a first class collection of EC War comics, Front Line Combat, Two Fisted Tales, etc., complete? and then he sold them? Ferengi! Ferengi!! -- Mykal
Both great stories with terrific art. Thanks for posting these! I hadn't got around to looking in Aces High for a 1950s story with a nurse in for my project - this is one I can add to the list I'm working through for my article. When I look at this phase of Krigstein's art, I get the impression that John Romita Jr. has somehow absorbed his influence. What do you think? And I've always loved Jack Davis's art - early Mad, and Davis's contributions in particular, helped me see the world for what it really is!! As a result of all that Mad reading I have to manually switch off my expectation that Davis is being funny whenever I read a serious piece, but then a lot of Davis's Mad humor was straight-faced - he's great at drawing people seriously engaged in heavy conversation, whether for real or if it's tongue in cheek.
Hey, KB: Feel free to download 'em, of course! Even use "Revenge" over at your place, if you want. That first story would be a natural for Out Of This World.
Now that you mention it, maybe there was a Krigstein influence with Romita, Jr.. Same kind of distinctive figure outline and simple panel architecture. Good eye! -- Mykal
Downloaded it thanks. That comic is somewhere in my collection also but my copy doesn't look as good as your scans. I'll direct my 7 readers over to your blog to read the story!
KB: Dude, you have more than 7 readers! I look forward to seeing them over at your excellent blog! -- Mykal
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