Yes! Especially some of the earlier issues! I wish had sought these out earlier in my collector years, but I was too busy occupied by super-hero comic books. Now they're getting a lot harder to find out in the wild.
@jmourgos55 Yes! If I had any in my collection, I would have shown an example, but to my surprise, I don't have any. I could have sworn I had a couple issues!
I met Moldoff at a sci-fi convention in the '80s! He preferred his Golden Age Batman, saying the Tim Burton movie version was too violent for him! I always liked the Silver Age Gold Key painted covers. The DC war, horror, and romance covers had beautiful ink-wash work! I always wondered how to do that, myself. Now, I know! I can do what I learned in college!
The grey tone process itself appears pretty straightforward, but I noticed the one common element amongst almost all the covers I showed, was that Jack Adler did the coloring work. I'm sure he played a big role giving those covers the special look they have.
The Marvel magazines of the seventies had some beautiful painted covers. Magazines such as Conan, Hulk, Deadly Hands of Kung Fu and Blade are some examples. 😊
What a great subject for a video Raph. I've wondered about the process of creating these grey-tone covers, they certainly stand out and would have even more I imagine to a child or teenager perusing the comics racks in the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. Much more striking in my eyes than foil covers, especially the way foil was often haphazardly used in the 90s. For a great retrospective of Nick Cardy's work I recommend "The Art Of Nick Cardy" by John Coates. And maybe an episode on his comics work?
I feel there is a small (but very dedicated) group of collectors who search these out, and with good reason as they are just great to look at. I'm hoping this video will spark more interest and answer some questions about this superb technique that was used by DC.
Good afternoon Raph Well I think you just about covered everything! Thank you for a very informatibe show, I was delighted to hear you Cover the great Mo Gollub and George Wilson. Mo was supurb on his work on Dell and George Wilson's Gold Key Work was peerless. Russ Manning's work was also bloodpumping, which after all is what a good cover is for, "buy that comic son" And I view Jerry Grandenetti in a new light now. Keep up the grear work Cheers Al TheGoldKeyfourcolorkidownunda
Good evening Al. I think I like Mo's work better, but I'm astounded at the sheer volume of Mr. Wilson's work. Incredible that he was able to produce so much work in such a short period of time. Unfortunately, I don't own any more Gold Key Magnus Robot Fighter issues, so I couldn't show any of Mr. Manning's fine work.
These are so good, and I wish I had more. Gold Key and Dell painted covers are still very reasonable (when you can find them), but the grey tone covers have always been a little tough. Wish I had more of the early G.I. Combat covers.
I don't come across the grey wash covers often. They're good. But since I have so many Gold Key Comics I've got a lot of painted covers. They are really great.
I wish I had more of both, as they're rather under-appreciated. I feel like the earlier Gold Key covers are better, at least more varied artistically, but there are so many quality painted covers out there to explore.
Great information and wonderful episode on a topic I love! Savage Sword of Conan would probably be my favorite run of painted covers, particularly those 70’s and early 80’s covers by Boris, Larkin, Norem, etc. My favorite grey tone or wash covers would be those in that early G.I. Combat run. Another modern artist which does a fair number of painted covers is Steve Rude. Beautiful covers!
I just pictured Steve Rude's 3 issue run of World's Finest in prestige format that had great painted covers! There are a ton of other great painted covers in the modern era by many artists worth talking about. I'd love to get more of the 'purty thirty' G.I. Combat, and I'd have to say those early issues are my favorite as well.
Very interesting topic. DC seems to have done tons of these types of covers, particularly with their war and horror comics. I think Marvel may have used the gray-toned technique more for their Bronze Age b/w magazine covers than their standard monthlies. I know the magazines definitely displayed more painted covers.
I have a feeling that Marvel in their Atlas days in the later 1950s had some covers that used a grey tone/wash tone effect. It's hard to say for sure though. Their 1970s magazines had some truly amazing painted covers. I wish I had kept more of those around!
Nice info and acknowledging the artists (some I was not aware of). Like your lead-in music, which sounds reminiscent of those 1930's radio programs (where I think many comic book characters gained their popularity).
I tried to find something 'retro' that was suitable, glad you like it! I used to love listening to those old radio shows, especially the horror themed ones. Lights Out, Tales of the Mysterious Traveler and Inner Sanctum were some of my favorites. Spooktacular!
You're very welcome! A hardcover that has all these covers would be great, as experiencing them first hand in a physical medium is the best way to experience them.
The only problem with your videos is that they're too short and happen only once a week! But hey, I'm sure you'd spend even more time making them if you could. I'm grateful for the excellent content you keep providing. Many thanks.
I'd like to make more, but one a week is about all I can handle right now. I'm finding that 15-30 minutes is probably my sweet spot as well. I do enjoy watching/listening to longer form content, but there's only so much time in the day!
Thank you! I try to piece together a nice variety of different books. As much as I would like to complete runs of titles, it's not always easy and can be expensive. I would love to get more grey tone covers, especially those G.I. Combat issues, but they are tough to find up here.
That Detective #239 is one I hope to get soon, it's my birth month/year cover. Glad it has something special about it! I have all the All Star Western Vol 2 , and that cover #5 is definitely a standout one, now I know why!
Detective #239 can be a tough one to track down, but it's definitely worth looking for! Another plus that it's your birthday issue! There are a few other issues in the Vol. 2 All Star Western Run that have great covers by Neal Adams, but #5 is definitely my favorite!
Great video on a great topic! I have a number of “painted” & “grey tone” cover books of VF or better (and a couple of mid-grade copies). While many are the DC war books, I have almost a full tun of Turok, Son of Stone (Dell/Gold Key) and Kona (Gold Key), but a smattering of others like Twilight Zone, Magnus, Robert Fighter, etc. I really enjoy and appreciate those covers & arrists. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I'd say the earlier Dell/Gold Key painted covers seem to be better overall, but there are so many quality covers to choose from over the years. I bet there are a lot of hidden gems out there that a lot of collectors are just not aware of because they just seem a lot harder to find, especially in decent condition.
I loved it whenever artists used illustrative techniques for comic book covers; it gave me that feeling readers of the past got from pulp magazines, which was a bit more "class" or credibility! I know some Charlton covers were painted but what technique did Marvel use? The one that springs to mind was the cover of Fantastic Four #55, Thing v. Silver Surfer!
It seems Marvel didn't really use any special processes or techniques, but they certainly had a different energy to them compared to other publishers. Kirby, Buscema and Steranko did some amazing covers in the 1960s that just stand out, without any special effects. Amazing artists!
I guess it would classify as Marvel bronze age but Bill Sienkiewicz did a lot of good painted covers. Dazzler, New Mutants, Defenders. They don’t seem to be too popular for some reason but I love his covers. He also did some cool Walking Dead portrait covers
I used to not like Bill's covers, but I've since changed my stance on them, particularly his Dazzler covers which I like best. I'm happy that I still have a few of them kicking around. Maybe not the greatest reading, but the covers are great!
You showed the Neal Adams House of Secrets, which is a similar cover to Batman #227, is that also a grey tone, and would that mean that Detec #31 which it is homage to, is also one?
Detective #31 isn't grey tone, but I would say Batman 227 is a hybrid grey tone, similar to Batman 232. The Batman figure in the background looks like an ink wash with color applied to it after. It's a wonderful cover, and one of the best in my opinion!
@@raph-retro-comics I'm just in the process of completing #198 to present day in the Batman run, just 3 to go. I'm paying in installments for #227 and #251 (I have the facsimile, of #251, just want to get the real thing) Then #232 to replace another facsimile. I will then probably start on 1968, books I did have, but sold my collections in 1984.
I'ma go out on a limb and posit that graffiti artist extraordinaire, Banksy was probably influenced as a kid by these grey tone issues. That sht had to come from somewhere.
Some of the Twilight Zone painted covers are terrific.
Yes! Especially some of the earlier issues! I wish had sought these out earlier in my collector years, but I was too busy occupied by super-hero comic books. Now they're getting a lot harder to find out in the wild.
Russ Manning painted covers from Silver Age are pretty amazing - Magnus Robot Fighter
@jmourgos55 Yes! If I had any in my collection, I would have shown an example, but to my surprise, I don't have any. I could have sworn I had a couple issues!
I met Moldoff at a sci-fi convention in the '80s! He preferred his Golden Age Batman, saying the Tim Burton movie version was too violent for him! I always liked the Silver Age Gold Key painted covers. The DC war, horror, and romance covers had beautiful ink-wash work! I always wondered how to do that, myself. Now, I know! I can do what I learned in college!
The grey tone process itself appears pretty straightforward, but I noticed the one common element amongst almost all the covers I showed, was that Jack Adler did the coloring work. I'm sure he played a big role giving those covers the special look they have.
I really enjoyed all the painted covers that George Wilson did in the Dell/GK Tarzan comic. Spectacular!!
George was a machine! I can't believe the number of covers he did back then!
The Marvel magazines of the seventies had some beautiful painted covers. Magazines such as Conan, Hulk, Deadly Hands of Kung Fu and Blade are some examples. 😊
Yes! Their monster magazines also had some spectacular covers as well, by some very notable artists like Boris.
Aquaman 56 is a striking example of a hybrid cover. Love the painted Turok covers!
Great video!
Aquaman has a surprising number of good covers in the later issues, especially by Nick Cardy. I can never seem to find any in nice shape.
What a great subject for a video Raph. I've wondered about the process of creating these grey-tone covers, they certainly stand out and would have even more I imagine to a child or teenager perusing the comics racks in the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. Much more striking in my eyes than foil covers, especially the way foil was often haphazardly used in the 90s.
For a great retrospective of Nick Cardy's work I recommend "The Art Of Nick Cardy" by John Coates. And maybe an episode on his comics work?
Thank you! I do love Nick Cardy and would like to do some videos featuring artists. Certainly in the future!
Very good subject on grey tone covers. I really like the G.I. Combat covers. Any painted covers are very eye catching for me.
I feel there is a small (but very dedicated) group of collectors who search these out, and with good reason as they are just great to look at. I'm hoping this video will spark more interest and answer some questions about this superb technique that was used by DC.
Another niche for me to collect! Thanks for highlighting these awesome covers.
These are starting to get pricey, but so worth it! I'm always happy when I stumble upon one for a good price.
Good afternoon Raph
Well I think you just about covered everything! Thank you for a very informatibe show, I was delighted to hear you Cover the great Mo Gollub and George Wilson. Mo was supurb on his work on Dell and George Wilson's Gold Key Work was peerless. Russ Manning's work was also bloodpumping, which after all is what a good cover is for, "buy that comic son" And I view Jerry Grandenetti in a new light now.
Keep up the grear work
Cheers Al TheGoldKeyfourcolorkidownunda
Good evening Al. I think I like Mo's work better, but I'm astounded at the sheer volume of Mr. Wilson's work. Incredible that he was able to produce so much work in such a short period of time. Unfortunately, I don't own any more Gold Key Magnus Robot Fighter issues, so I couldn't show any of Mr. Manning's fine work.
Beautiful examples of wash-tone and painted covers!
These are so good, and I wish I had more. Gold Key and Dell painted covers are still very reasonable (when you can find them), but the grey tone covers have always been a little tough. Wish I had more of the early G.I. Combat covers.
I don't come across the grey wash covers often. They're good. But since I have so many Gold Key Comics I've got a lot of painted covers. They are really great.
I wish I had more of both, as they're rather under-appreciated. I feel like the earlier Gold Key covers are better, at least more varied artistically, but there are so many quality painted covers out there to explore.
Great information and wonderful episode on a topic I love! Savage Sword of Conan would probably be my favorite run of painted covers, particularly those 70’s and early 80’s covers by Boris, Larkin, Norem, etc. My favorite grey tone or wash covers would be those in that early G.I. Combat run. Another modern artist which does a fair number of painted covers is Steve Rude. Beautiful covers!
I just pictured Steve Rude's 3 issue run of World's Finest in prestige format that had great painted covers! There are a ton of other great painted covers in the modern era by many artists worth talking about. I'd love to get more of the 'purty thirty' G.I. Combat, and I'd have to say those early issues are my favorite as well.
Very interesting topic. DC seems to have done tons of these types of covers, particularly with their war and horror comics. I think Marvel may have used the gray-toned technique more for their Bronze Age b/w magazine covers than their standard monthlies. I know the magazines definitely displayed more painted covers.
I have a feeling that Marvel in their Atlas days in the later 1950s had some covers that used a grey tone/wash tone effect. It's hard to say for sure though. Their 1970s magazines had some truly amazing painted covers. I wish I had kept more of those around!
Nice info and acknowledging the artists (some I was not aware of). Like your lead-in music, which sounds reminiscent of those 1930's radio programs (where I think many comic book characters gained their popularity).
I tried to find something 'retro' that was suitable, glad you like it! I used to love listening to those old radio shows, especially the horror themed ones. Lights Out, Tales of the Mysterious Traveler and Inner Sanctum were some of my favorites. Spooktacular!
Wonderful covers & art that hopefully gets collected into a hardcover someday. Thank you for all that you do for us. 👍
You're very welcome! A hardcover that has all these covers would be great, as experiencing them first hand in a physical medium is the best way to experience them.
My first thought was the Dell painted covers, but can see the differences with your breakdown.
I do like the older Dell painted covers - there's just a 'classic' feel to them. Especially anything with dogs! 😅
One of the Greatest Painted cover was Sea Devil by Joe Seven its a Masterpiece.
After the G.I. Combat grey tone covers, Sea Devils are my favorite! So many great covers in that run.
More stellar content! Thanks for the comic art history, Raph!
You're very welcome! I really enjoyed doing the research and making this video, as I really like these covers.
The only problem with your videos is that they're too short and happen only once a week! But hey, I'm sure you'd spend even more time making them if you could. I'm grateful for the excellent content you keep providing. Many thanks.
I'd like to make more, but one a week is about all I can handle right now. I'm finding that 15-30 minutes is probably my sweet spot as well. I do enjoy watching/listening to longer form content, but there's only so much time in the day!
Again another stellar video! Thank you for your time!!!!!!!
Love this video, learned a ton. Keep it up!
What an awesome collection you have put together for yourself.
Thank you! I try to piece together a nice variety of different books. As much as I would like to complete runs of titles, it's not always easy and can be expensive. I would love to get more grey tone covers, especially those G.I. Combat issues, but they are tough to find up here.
That Detective #239 is one I hope to get soon, it's my birth month/year cover. Glad it has something special about it! I have all the All Star Western Vol 2 , and that cover #5 is definitely a standout one, now I know why!
Detective #239 can be a tough one to track down, but it's definitely worth looking for! Another plus that it's your birthday issue! There are a few other issues in the Vol. 2 All Star Western Run that have great covers by Neal Adams, but #5 is definitely my favorite!
I always felt like I was getting something special when I purchased a grey tone DC.
They're awesome. I keep an eye for them, but they're getting increasingly difficult to locate. Especially in decent condition.
Great video on a great topic! I have a number of “painted” & “grey tone” cover books of VF or better (and a couple of mid-grade copies). While many are the DC war books, I have almost a full tun of Turok, Son of Stone (Dell/Gold Key) and Kona (Gold Key), but a smattering of others like Twilight Zone, Magnus, Robert Fighter, etc. I really enjoy and appreciate those covers & arrists. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I'd say the earlier Dell/Gold Key painted covers seem to be better overall, but there are so many quality covers to choose from over the years. I bet there are a lot of hidden gems out there that a lot of collectors are just not aware of because they just seem a lot harder to find, especially in decent condition.
I loved it whenever artists used illustrative techniques for comic book covers; it gave me that feeling readers of the past got from pulp magazines, which was a bit more "class" or credibility! I know some Charlton covers were painted but what technique did Marvel use? The one that springs to mind was the cover of Fantastic Four #55, Thing v. Silver Surfer!
It seems Marvel didn't really use any special processes or techniques, but they certainly had a different energy to them compared to other publishers. Kirby, Buscema and Steranko did some amazing covers in the 1960s that just stand out, without any special effects. Amazing artists!
Thank you Raph. I enjoy your videos.
Great info!
Thanks!5
Thanks for the Super! Much appreciated!
I love those 70’s horror/war/western covers
So many excellent covers to choose from! The 1970s were a great time for comic books with quite an extraordinary variety of covers.
Great research, really enjoyed the education.
Thank you!
Washes are made from diluting ink with water. Some effects are dry brush, no water. Sometimes done on textured board. Done lots myself.
I didn't even think about textured board - the interesting effect it can have. Thanks for the insights!
I guess it would classify as Marvel bronze age but Bill Sienkiewicz did a lot of good painted covers. Dazzler, New Mutants, Defenders. They don’t seem to be too popular for some reason but I love his covers. He also did some cool Walking Dead portrait covers
I used to not like Bill's covers, but I've since changed my stance on them, particularly his Dazzler covers which I like best. I'm happy that I still have a few of them kicking around. Maybe not the greatest reading, but the covers are great!
You showed the Neal Adams House of Secrets, which is a similar cover to Batman #227, is that also a grey tone, and would that mean that Detec #31 which it is homage to, is also one?
Detective #31 isn't grey tone, but I would say Batman 227 is a hybrid grey tone, similar to Batman 232. The Batman figure in the background looks like an ink wash with color applied to it after. It's a wonderful cover, and one of the best in my opinion!
@@raph-retro-comics I'm just in the process of completing #198 to present day in the Batman run, just 3 to go. I'm paying in installments for #227 and #251 (I have the facsimile, of #251, just want to get the real thing) Then #232 to replace another facsimile. I will then probably start on 1968, books I did have, but sold my collections in 1984.
I'ma go out on a limb and posit that graffiti artist extraordinaire, Banksy was probably influenced as a kid by these grey tone issues. That sht had to come from somewhere.
Love that theory! These grey tone covers are special, and stand out quite a bit.
Never heard Tomahawk pronounce the way you pronounce it
I blame my Canadian accent, lol. I'm pronouncing it incorrectly.