Frank Robbins is the artist few seem to like for some reason. I've been defending the work of Robbins on the internet ever since I joined its virtual ranks a few decades ago. His art is called "rubbery" and "chaotic" and "unrealistic". His critics are sincere and certainly entitled to their opinions, but for me, the energy exuding from a page drawn by Robbins is astounding. His figures never seem to stand, never seem to just sit, but are on the move in some way or other all the time. Exaggeration is the key, taking what is in the real world and making it writhe and dance for the good of the story, that's what Robbins does masterfully. I enjoyed his work on The Invaders and Captain America and his work on Batman and The Shadow before that. He had a long career in the comic strip arena, but his comic books are what make it happen for me. He was one of those lucky few who were able to retire on his own terms and ended his days painting, again with much success.
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Like lots of folk I wasn't a massive Robbins fan back in the day but his run on the Invaders turned me around to what his art was all about (I never managed to get many issues of the Shadow back in the day in Glasgow). I don't think some of the strips he was given at Marvel wee best suited to his style. That Shadow cover is one of my all time favourites and the strip inside is great as well.Robbins is the only artist I now actively collect.
ReplyDeleteSteranko has cited Robbins' work on Johnny Hazard as a big influence; it's a great adventure strip. His inking is part of his strength and I thought when he was allowed to ink himself at DC, his bold use of black (and lettering) really energized the story. There was an unfortunate trend at Marvel by non-artist editors to dilute eccentric art by getting house inkers to homogenize it with the supposed house look. Colletta on Robbins was bad judgement in my view.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt he went into comic books after the demise of his "Johnny Hazard" newspaper strip. I remember Robbins' work on "The Shadow" and some Batman stories.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I thought he affected that "ugly" art style in the Invaders to make the comic look like it came out in the 1940s. (!) Of course as I matured I came to love his art, as well a number of other artists I dismissed back then, like Sal Buscema.
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