BERNIE WRIGHTSON: The Horror of it All

The work of this artist is as distinctive as that of his signature. They each can be seen as identifications of his purpose.  It is undeniably his own and in a league of rarity. Whether literary classic, graphic story-telling, book cover or poster he has done it all. Few artists cross and include the many boundaries of great illustration in their chosen genre. A standard of a truly great illustrator is the work can stand alone and be admired for it’s mastery of light, draftsmanship, color and craft. Bernie Wrightson passes every criteria as; yes, he is a great teller of story. 

It is in the realm of mystery, suspense, men and monsters that Wrightson thrives. There exist in Wrightson’s world; mayhem, gore, scares and thrills, as it is rightly so. There is horror galore in his art. While along with the horror, brutality and intensity; there is beauty. He is able to convey a sensitivity and understanding in his pieces. That understanding is of the human condition and spirit. 

“People in your life kind of come and go, you have relationships, you get divorced, you move on and things change, but the one constant, never-changing thing in my life has always been monsters.”

                                                                                                                                                                              Bernie Wrightson  

A major housing of his talents is realized in the Dark Horse Edition of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly’s “FRANKENSTEIN.”  It was as a true labor of love in that Wrightson undertook the drawings of the piece without a commission or contract. The Dark Horse Edition of Shelly’s novel is actually the 25^th anniversary publishing of the Wrightson illustrated version. Wrightson began to shop around his art (at that time incomplete) to potential publishers. Marvel Comics would be the first to publish Wrightson’s version but it was limited to direct sale comic shops as was a subsequent printing by Underwood Miller. 

The Frankenstein Portfolio

Strangely enough the majority issued by both publishers were destroyed while they languished in warehouses either by fire or flooding. It seemed that the books (like Dr. Frankenstein) were somehow cursed.  The Dark Horse silver Anniversary printing was sold in major book stores to rave reviews and are coveted by Wrightson fans and lovers of the drama’s glory. It is a phenomenal piece and a much treasured article. Wrightson’s drawings hold their own with the greats of any era or style of comparable works of any illustrated fictional narrative.

DC Comics would print in it’s EC comics style book “House of Secrets” what would become a major and lasting contribution to the medium in 1971.  The short story written by Len Wein and drawn by Wrightson; “Swamp Thing” is now one of the company’s and the creative team’s crowns. Wein and Wrightson would work on the comic book series for ten issues. These issues are considered landmarks. Swamp Thing in it’s way has become part of the popular culture; TV, movies, magazines and graphic novels. In particularly the “Swamp Thing” stories of writer Alan Moore are acclaimed by critics and legendary among fans. An all new "Swamp Thing" TV series will be appearing in a few weeks at the DC Universe. This looks to be an excellent adaptation for the character.  

#DCUSWAMPTHING

The creations of Wrightson exhibited here

Exalted by critics, extolled by his peers

These samplings of horror, his fans’ delights

All for your pleasure, while possibly frights

Take them each and all as you will

Possibly as thrillers and perhaps for the chills

The End

...speaking of Neil Gaiman

 

Writer’s writer Neil Gaiman is among the most versatile and prolific in today’s world of social media, constant and “fake news” along with and among other such antics. Some would argue that books and the print medium are dying (if not already dead) but; Mr. Gaiman continues in the best tradition of  author, scribe, story-teller and historian in the most ancient,  beautiful and personal of forms; books. He is most recognized as creator of fantasy but his readership crosses over into main stream literature in almost every possible format. Gaiman creates original titles for novels, picture books and adolescent books along with screen plays, graphic novels and essays. If I’ve left anything out Neil; I apologize. His seminal piece; Sandman, initially written for DC Comics’ Vertigo line of adult fiction cemented his work as epic in form. Sandman consists in multiple books spanning possibly three generations of readers. 

Gaiman’s most recent publication is his retelling of the ancient tales of the Vikings. His “Norse Mythology” featuring Thor-the Mighty, Oden-The All Wise All Father, Loki-The  Shrewd, Heimdall-The Watcher,  Sif-The Lovely and a host of frost giants, dark elves and monsters. Gaiman is at his best and most comfortable with his telling’s of these most ancient of religious legends. Herein he is funny, engaging and full of remarkably unexpected twists. 

There is no one that could possibly speak more eloquently for Neil Gaiman than himself. Following are many of his quotes, insights and comments on his chosen art form. The remaining graphics (largely produced by his foremost collaborator artist Dave McKean) consist of images from his book covers, illustrations, film stills and most importantly the master story man’s own words.