Frank Frazetta, 1928 – 2010
According to biographer / publisher Russ Cochran, legendary illustrator and comics artist Frank Frazetta passed away this morning.
Perhaps best known for his illustrations on the covers of the 1970s Conan paperbacks for Lancer Books and the 1960s Warren Magazines (Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, Blazing Combat), Frazetta worked closely with EC artists Al Williamson and Angelo Torres as well as on various solo efforts for that and other publishers. He worked on The Shining Knight for DC Comics and the oft-reprinted jungle feature Thun’da created by Gardner Fox.
Frazetta spent years as Al Capp’s assistant – often, ghost – on the newspaper strip Lil Abner at the height of its popularity, where he first visualized the astonishingly sexy character Moonbeam McSwine. He went on to draw his own short-lived newspaper comic strip, Johnny Comet, and served as an assistant to Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder on Playboy’s Little Annie Fanny. Kurtzman once referred to Frank as “drawing sexy muscles in places where women don’t ordinarily have muscles.”
Generally regarded as one of the premiere illustrators of the latter half of the 20th Century, Frank Frazetta’s work has been gathered in numerous collections and calendars. His work continues to be licensed for poster reproduction and for adaptation into comic books.
I am truly saddened to hear this. Prints and posters of Frank Franzetta’s art, as well as many many books he painted the covers for, have graced my home(s) for many years, and his work has been a point of fascination for me since my childhood.My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.
Damn, damn, damn. What miserable news. I just heard this morning Lena Horne died, and now this. Damn.
I am truly saddened to hear this. Prints and posters of Frank Franzetta's art, as well as many many books he painted the covers for, have graced my home(s) for many years, and his work has been a point of fascination for me since my childhood.My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.
Sad news, indeed. At 47, he’s still one of the guys I want to grow up to be.
Damn, damn, damn. What miserable news. I just heard this morning Lena Horne died, and now this. Damn.
Amazing talent. I grew up following his art in the 70’s— he was an inspiration to more artists than even he imagined.
Sad news, indeed. At 47, he's still one of the guys I want to grow up to be.
Amazing talent. I grew up following his art in the 70's— he was an inspiration to more artists than even he imagined.
Thank You Frank…
Thank You Frank…
Frazetta was never a “ghost” on Li’l Abner. Not according to Frazetta expert David Winiewicz, who accurately describes the everyday mode of operation in Li’l Abner Dailies: 1954 Volume 20 (KSP, 1994). Al Capp had a platoon of assistants but never surrendered creative control of the strip; i.e., the stories, dialogue, rough layouts and character concepts were his own, as were the final inked expressions. It was way too personal a creation for me to believe anyone besides the volatile Capp was calling the shots creatively.
Frazetta was never a "ghost" on Li'l Abner. Not according to Frazetta expert David Winiewicz, who accurately describes the everyday mode of operation in Li'l Abner Dailies: 1954 Volume 20 (KSP, 1994). Al Capp had a platoon of assistants but never surrendered creative control of the strip; i.e., the stories, dialogue, rough layouts and character concepts were his own, as were the final inked expressions. It was way too personal a creation for me to believe anyone besides the volatile Capp was calling the shots creatively.
we will miss you frank ,you’re art will continue to inspire for ever.xx
sean pavani
we will miss you frank ,you're art will continue to inspire for ever.xx sean pavani