Gene Colan Week : A Prologue

[chocochuy]

Usually a week starts on Mondays or Sundays but, because of the magic that Gene Colan gave to all of us, I decided to start today to pay homage to this late Master of Horror and Suspense (Feel free to post whatever you want from Gene Colan during these days, amigos). May the Homage begin now!

It was during the 90s that I first heard the name and art of Gene Colan but it wouldn't be till the 21th century that I would start to enjoy his art on Daredevil. It was starting to get very dark yet Matt remained a (more or less) merry swashbuckling hero. His version of Daredevil really gave me an impression that the Man without Fear was a worthy friend (and rival) for Spiderman.



I would be a liar if I said I have never read Gene Colan's gorgeous art on the Tomb of Dracula. He would finally found his supreme calling by drawing Vampire stories (Sometimes I think that was his most favorite subject considering his last issue on Captain America) because really knew how to mix darkness, mystery and horror on a awesomely covered awesomeness with a filling of more awesomeness. Just take a look at this picture of Dracula versus the Devil and observe the sheer badassery of Gene Colan.



You'll be missed, Gene Colan. Fare thee well.

Comments

[banjomike]

I think I always preferred his black and white work. Even Howard the Duck (puke) was GOOD art.

HTD

[capt_satellite]

No disrespect, but are you even old enough to have read HTD Volume 1 in the context of it's time with Gerber writing it? The appearances in Man Thing, and Volume 1 of HTD through Gerber's departure in Issue 29 were anything but puke-worthy. At the time and in context they were a revolution...a MUCH needed kick in the pants for the industry.

Funny Bitter, Gritty without being Grim, poignant, very human, and deeply ironic fully 15 years before Irony was the norm in our cultural landscape, the book was a breath of fresh air in a stale room. there was a brief return to form for the 2001 Marvel MAX HTD with Gerber and Winslade. but to judge Howard by the its horrid butchering by George Lucas, or by his other appearances in Marvel continuity is unfair. frankly, Howard was Steve's baby, his alter ego, and nobody else ever got him. Colan's art on haward was DAMN good....don't dismiss all of Howard with a callous (puke). in it's time, it was as revolutionary as the Fantastic Four's first dozen issues, AND it helped bring the concept of Creator's Rights to the forefront enough for it to finally be embraced.

HOWARD >(Puke).

Re: HTD

[banjomike]

I am old enough. I was just talking about the Colon (and Brunner) issues. I was given issue 1 of Duck soon after it came out. I loved the art but the writing just passed me by. Which is odd really when I look at my bookshelf with a full set of Cerebus phonebooks.

I will give HTD a fresh read and see if I like it better. (Except the movie. That was ... bad).

Re: HTD

[banjomike]

Just to add, I did say Colon's art on Howard was good.