If you're a fan of KEN REID's art (and, let's face it - who isn't?)
then you'll love this latest instalment of The NERVS from SMASH!
& POW! #139, cover-dated September 28th 1968. Revel in the rol-
lickin' and riotous representations of internal idiocy in one boy's body
and bonce, where lunacy and laughter abound. Is anyone drawing
comic strips as well as this today? I've yet to see them!
>>Is anyone drawing comic strips as well as this today? I've yet to see them!<<
ReplyDeleteIf you mean paying such attention to detail, backgrounds and facial expressions, I would say there are, but they are few and far between. I think there are several reasons one could attribute to this, but my LEAST favorite would be that modern artists are lazier than older artists. I think a lot of modern artists have to wear several hats now days (art, colors, letters, self promotion, HR duties, ect) The days when an artist could walk into an office, surrounded by other artists where a spirit of cooperation and competition engendered a constant leveling-up of ones craft are gone.
I was thinking mainly of British comics, JS, where I can't think of one cartoonist who is currently doing the kind of detail that Ken did with seeming ease. There must surely be some who are capable of it (I would hope), but there appears to be a tendency nowadays to go down the 'simple look' route. Perhaps it's because of some TV animation being as basic as possible (to reduce the expense), and cartoonists following that example. However, if so, it also attracts to the 'industry' (not that there really is one in Britain any more) those who can't draw beyond that standard, who get work because it's the 'style of the moment' that some editors are looking for. Who knows for sure 'though? I think Ken's style would have fitted (or fit, as you Americans say) right in at Mad Magazine. What you say is also true of course.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I could see Ken Reid working at MAD, a thought that never occurred to me until you mentioned it here; I always felt his natural home was the British weeklies of the 60s. Sort of a time capsule effect as far as I experience it when looking at the art, as in it takes me back. Great to see all of this Reid art - as you've said yourself - you do spoil us. Needs a decent scan job to reproduce all of that detail as well, which many postings elsewhere on the web do not take account of. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteKen's art would've certainly have fitted the comicbook incarnation of Mad, PC, because, in some ways, it was similar to Basil Wolverton's art, but it would also have suited the magazine version - 'though he'd needed to have drawn less panels per page obviously, else it'd have been too sore on the eyes with all that detail. It won't be too long now before I've got published examples of every page of Odhams and IPC art he ever drew, I think.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! He would have been a perfect fit at Mad!
ReplyDeleteYou also bring up an excellent point about the influence of Television animation (like Adventure Time and it's peers.) I love Adventure Time, but there's no denying that the draftsmanship takes a far back seat to the script - and that's work out fine for the show. However, it's also encouraged some downright horrible looking imitators.
btw - Thank you so much for posting these pages. I love seeing the old English comics. I was exposed to them briefly when I was young and feel in love with the style and format.
If you're a fan of British comics (I'm sure England does them too), then you're in the right place, JS. More coming in the future.
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