Here's a look at the dynamic cover by George Wilson for Gold Key's handsome retelling of Tarzan's origin by Gaylord Dubois and Russ Manning. Wilson's image of Tarzan battling a ferocious great ape is classic, but in this case is almost certainly inspired by Russ Manning's own artwork.
Here's the ad which appeared in the previous issue of Tarzan from Gold Key hyping the upcoming classic turn in the series. Manning's sleek Apeman is perhaps even more entwined with his simian enemy.
This Wilson cover is reinterpretation of more artwork by Manning.
This ad depicts the same scene for sure despite some few changes in perspective and distance. Wilson was correct in bringing La closer for the cover as she would've been hard to detect in this original layout.
The connection between this Wilson cover and ad art is extremely close.
Manning's apes seem a bit more human somehow than Wilson. One interesting detail is how the stone knife in Manning's image becomes a somewhat more mundane but more readable steel blade in Wilson's cover. George Wilson's covers were designed for maximum impact in a split second from across a busy room, and fine details can detract.
Great stuff by two fantastic artists.
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Really interesting process to see how some covers were created. I wonder if the cover artists ( amazing art) choose these panels themselves or if the editor/ art director etc told them what to draw/paint.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that editorial selected the cover images, though perhaps in consult with the artists. Western was a pretty buttoned-up operation and I'd say the duties like this were pretty stratified.
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