Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day one and all. The Dojo celebrates Moms all across the globe. Merle Haggard said it best in this country classic. 

Look for Tarzan goodness at the Dojo tomorrow. 

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The Long Kiss!

This is a striking romance cover by Art Cappello for this 1973 issue of  Charlton's Love and Romance. I'm always amused by these kinds of images, two folks ostensibly sharing a single moment but having very different thoughts. I wouldn't mind actually reading this charming tale, the drawing Cappello is so inviting.

But then when we revisit our smoochy couple in K.G. Murray's rendition of the story in Heart to Heart Romance Library we've skipped ahead to 1974 and the two are still manacled in one of the epic lip-locks of the age. No wonder he was not planning to leave the island.

Valentine's Day Charlton Cover Medley Part Three. 

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Art By Cappello!

Art Cappello was a Charlton regular, especially on Romance books. Some of his covers in the 70's in particular have a real distinctive character, a blend of a strong line and some engaging design. Cappello was a longtime assistant to Vince Colletta, working on backgrounds.

Here are some Cappello covers. These have a somewhat-Marvelesque feel to them, the first even looks like it was inspired by by John Buscema to me. Cappello seemed to really have a handle on drawing figures with life in them, his lovers seemed to really crush into one another in a vital way, their kisses had some vigor. Sadly many romance covers are somewhat sterile, the artist not seeming really to be able to communicate the sense of bodies in motion. Cappello has that down.

Below is a piece I stumbled across online, a bit of Gorgo art by Cappello featuring a very alluring young lady in the foreground. I'd love to get a more direct view of this bit of charming illustration.


Here's a link which features some originals by Cappello.

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