A Frazetta Hoard!

Frank Frazetta was "The Man" when it came to fantasy paperback covers. There are many great artists who plied their trade this way, but Frazetta rose above the outstanding heard with images that seared into the imaginations of the folks who chanced upon them. He redefined Conan, he elevated Tarzan, and he gave us so many covers which are much better than the books they adorn. That said Frazetta Book Cover Art - Complete Collection Definitive Reference from Vanguard is an absolute trove of his mightiest work presented in its original environment. 

They followed that with the more recent Frazetta - World's Best Comics Cover Artist - Complete Collection Definitive Reference. This book is less impressive than the first, but it is still filled with some of the greatest of the classic images from artist. We are so familiar with Frazetta's horror work, it's nice to see other aspects get coverage. One is that several images were taken out of this book at the request of the Frazetta kids. It leaves several pages blank. 

I added The Fantastic Paintings of Frazetta also, but I must confess to being less than completely impressed. For one thing, the number of paintings included is smaller than I expected are presented in ways which make them difficult to savor thoroughly. We are given close-ups which add little but absorb valuable space in the volume. Frankly, I got the feeling this one was intentionally lean on works to create the greater need for sequels. 

I have long had in my collection the four-part series from Ballantine Books which published the vast majority of Frazetta's paintings at that time. I found the presentation in these Ballantine volumes superior to what Vanguard did with their book. 

It's difficult to resist a book called The Sensuous Frazetta, given how sexy so much of his art is by its very nature. This gives us a good look at all those statuesque dames he drew and painted, as well a choice selection of comics stories. This book has a number of bodacious insights into Frazetta's early career both outside comics and within. 

I've had a low-rent copy of ACG's Johnny Comet book for a long time and so I am familiar with the series. But seeing the work on better paper, with better printing in close to its original format was game-changing for me. This is a sleek handsome comic series, and it's not hard to see where Dave Stevens got some of his inspiration. Can't wait to jump in. 

And White Indian is new to me. I took the chance and was much impressed with these stories. Other works are included, but while such work is far from PC in the world of today, it still appears to make a rousing comic. Looking forward to reading these in the new year. 

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