Art of Homage # 25: Frank Frazetta's "A Princess of Mars"

I believe the earliest piece that

all the homages come from is Frazetta's

original painting from the cover of the

novel "A Princess of Mars," the first novel of

Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series.

First published in 1917, the novel's original

cover was updated with the refined variation that Frank

Frazetta envisioned and popularized in 1970.

(original with title)

And finally, perhaps the most famous homage from the original!

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Missed Gems: SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE

I'm not quite sure how I missed this series

the first go-round.

Possibly the art was something I couldn't

quite get into, initially, or the concept seemed

rather tepid. Regardless, I couldn't have been

more wrong in passing it over!

I recently started the entire run of Sandman Mystery

Theatre through the library system in Georgia

(amazingly enough) and I am so hooked!

The cinematic scope of the adventures, the real

world concerns, the adult nature of the story content,

and the poetic philosophizing and internal churnings

that move the series forward are dazzling!

I would liken it to Law & Order meets 

Downton Abbey. It combines the romanticized

speech of times past and a beautiful mastery of

the English language, while filling each installment

chock full of flair. 

It's gruff and violent, and an unflinching look

at the underbelly of human society.

Something that never changes.

Oh yeah, and a guy that dresses up in

a gas mask to fulfill his perceived destiny

via dream-insights.

I also love the way the art if very fluid and

grey (the coloring job is exquisite) with a

minimalist tone that allows you to see everything

you need, and maintain a dreamy quality as would

any attempt at looking back.

***

Recommended Reading: SOLO (from DC Comics)

"SOLO" was one of my fave comics of the last 2 decades;

a free form artist spotlight where each issue was

dedicated to the sketches, comics, ideas, and insanity

of a featured artist.

Great stuff, and of course, short-lived.

But do yourself a favor and pick these up,

even the issues with artists you're unfamiliar with,

and revel in the unique project that allowed

artists to follow nonlinear pursuits.

Ideas for "Comics Drinking Games"

* Take a shot whenever Warren Ellis or Garth Ennis

mention how much they loathe super-hero comics,

even as they are being paid to write yet another one

(or an introduction to one.)

* Take a swig every time a comics creator

wears sunglasses indoors at a signing or

comic book convention.

* Chug when an old character 'returns'

with absolutely nothing of the original

construct intact!

* Take a swig when a major, unbeatable,

merciless villain gets dispatched within moments

to show off the power levels of the new 

"Hot-for-a-minute" hero

(see also 'professional wrestling;

from heel to jobber in 60 seconds or less.)

* Toss one back when a creator uses the

phrase "That character just isn't viable" in

reference to a fan favorite...and a short time later

introduces a total whiffer of their own.

On second thought, y'all better use grape juice;

I don't want anyone suffering alcohol poisoning.

*** 

Recommended Reading: Best Comics of the Decade (2 Volumes)

It's been a while, but this 2-volume set

from Fantagraphics was one of the coolest things

ever published! (And of course, the true sign of

greatness in comics is that the content has staying power

and a long shelf life! These volumes pass that test.)

It was one of the rare times that the works

of a multitude of different companies

(featuring the coolest, most original

Indy work of the time) were collected

in one place.

For a full run-down on the creators included,

check out this link to

Comic Vine

"Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda..."

This fantastic John Byrne art (a possible

cover or promo piece for the intended future

of 1970's Los Angeles based "Champions")

shows one of the most cried over 'missed opportunities'

of the many abandoned plans in comics!

The Champions were just hitting their stride with

more consistent story-telling and great art

when they were canceled mid-storyline.

The late 1970s were not kind to comics fans!

Too bad we can't get a project that 'recreates' what

continued stories in canceled series were supposed to be...

maybe a 'revived' series format like DC did for the

Blackest Night specials (Suicide Squad, The Question.)

It could work!

***

Art of Homage "plus One": Vignettes

"Hey Everybody--LOOK!

Somebody we know

is getting the stuffing beat out of them,

and all we're doing is looking!"

The art of comic-book-cover-vignettes is

a splendid way of implementing emotional

reaction to amp up reader excitement,

but it does beg the question;

"If you're close enough to see it happen,

aren't you close enough to damned well do somethin'?"

These are a few of my favorite covers that have followed

suit throughout the years--more trend than homage,

or maybe just an instance where the line between

the two muddies!

Did you spot the other trick to vignettes?
Easier to fit a dozen or so characters on a cover

if you draw a floating head rather than their

entire body! Hey, we need some a-those there

comics guys in Congress--they can solve a problem!

***