Comics!
Look at this! Joe Kubert's Tarzan!
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Joe Kubert’s lines are coarse and chunky like greasy charcoal, laid down in loose, easy gestures. The shapes and spaces they define are open, graceful and solid. If you are a Herriman fan, you will recognize the deliberate scratchiness that invites the eye to play – - and to fill in the missing information.
Weight and light are as real as the jungle, and convey the wonder and mystery of an impressionist painting.
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In the summer of 1972, I sat on my parent's front porch with Kubert's first issue of Tarzan and found myself reading a completely different kind of comic book. These illustrated stories are filled with adventure, danger and a reverence for the mystery of the natural world. Nature is wild, and violent at times. Tarzan’s mastery of this world is made believable by his own understanding that he is part of it. Joe Kubert wrote, edited and drew these interpretations of the Burroughs character, creating the best version of the Ape Man I have ever encountered.
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Kubert’s layout and pacing, his choice of shots, all were a huge influence on my own comics storytelling. His choices keep the reader engaged, right on top of the events, never letting the reader’s mind float back out to the edge of the page. Always keeping the reality close and moving!
These comics were originally published by DC in the early 70's, but now Dark Horse (the current holder of the Tarzan license) has collected the entire run in a three volume hardcover set called TARZAN: THE JOE KUBERT YEARS. The printing is beautiful and the recreation of Tatjana Wood’s colors is not only perfect, but much appreciated. I opened these books up and was immediately taken to the jungle, hypnotized by the world of drawing, just like I was that day on my parents front porch when I was twelve.
These books are a treasure.
As always, if you want to find the comic book store nearest you, call 888-comic-book or visit The Comic Shop Locator Service website.
Cool! These books look pretty neat, I might check em out!
Comment by Tanner Hayes — August 2, 2006 @ 4:12 pm
I hope you do!
Comment by Jeff Smith — August 3, 2006 @ 7:22 am
http://www.felipeattie.blogspot.com
enter please!!!
Please!!!
KINI & SNIFF comics.
Comment by Felipe Attie — August 3, 2006 @ 7:48 am
Kubert’s Tarzan is terrific, and perfectly captured what, to me, were quintesseantial “boys own” stories as a kid. No summer holiday was complete without me having sat through all the Weismuller movies each morning before hitting the neighbourhood and climbing the trees.
Even the Disney movie wasn’t too bad, with some great animation. I have a friend who was the consulting anatomist/biologist on that film, and he talks with some passion about the design of Tarzan from child to man and how they genuinely tried to make him move as an ape would rather than a human, complete with curled knuckles and splayed feet. Would have personally taken that great white hunter’s elephant gun and sorted out Phil “Bongo” Collins, mind you…
Comment by Curtis Jobling — August 3, 2006 @ 8:15 am
Wow I’m impressed, Jeff you have a very poetic way of describing Joe Kuberts work, and I can tell that it means a lot to you. I admire this greatly it’s a quality I think that only a good writer has. Thank you for sharing this though I have to admit I’ve never been a huge fan of Tarzan I am familiar with some of Kubert’s other work, so I might check it out any way. It seems like other comics written in the 70’s had a similar way of narrating the story. They bring you right into the character’s world as if you were also a part of it just like any good book would; I like that aspect a lot. Some of today’s comics seem to be lacking that quality. But you were able to capture this rare quality and bring everyone into the world that is Bone. It’s been such a treat too, I certainly hope you well be taking on other writing projects because it would be shame if you let writing take a back seat to drawing. This is true for me; I find that when I write I draw better because my sketches are inspired by my stories and characters. There is also more feeling and life behind my drawings. So perhaps another joint project between you and Charles Vess is due
Since you both are incredible artist and work so well in complementing each others work how can you not have another project?! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I always enjoy reading about them.
Comment by Jeanette — August 3, 2006 @ 10:25 am
Thank you, Jeanette. I think it IS time for Charles and I to do another story. We will have to see…
And I will be doing both writing and drawing on my next project, Shazam! Monster Society of Evil.
Comment by Jeff Smith — August 3, 2006 @ 4:05 pm
Oh,I was under the impression that you were only going to be drawing for this project. This is great to heart, now I’m going to look even more foward to reading Shazam! MSOE. Woohoo!! Good luck on the project I know it’ll turn out super! lol.
Comment by Jeanette — August 4, 2006 @ 9:02 am
I agree with you 100%, Curtis. There is a “boys” adventure quality to Tarzan that brings back memories, and seeing these comics again really reminded me of how much I loved them as a kid. But looking at them as an adult cartoonist was fun, too. Kubert is a master who knows exactly what he is doing.
Comment by Jeff Smith — August 4, 2006 @ 11:17 am
Had the misfortune of seeing the new TARZAN live action series on telly last night, or rather 5 minutes of it. Sheesh… *rolls eyes*
Looking at the images you’ve posted, especially the first two, it’s the economy of line that Kubert uses that most impresses.
Comment by Curtis Jobling — August 7, 2006 @ 6:04 am
I’ll have to pick these up. I found some old Enemy Ace’s he did in a 50 cent bin recently. Great stuff. Really enjoyed his return to Sgt. Rock.
Comment by Tom Williams — August 8, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
John Buscema said that Joe Kubert was the greatest comic book artist ever (not counting Jack Kirby – who John said was in a league by himself). and he was right..he said Joe put in EXACTLY what was needed to tell a story. As a student of John Buscema’s first year workshop – my next two years were spent at the Joe Kubert school taking Saturday classes…many of which Kubert himself taught and those years of my life were just wonderful…seeing these guys actually compose panels and do finished art just floored me. Got to meet a lot of other amazing artists and writers at these classes, too..(and being a former Joe Kubert Association President has nothin’ to do with my love for the art, either
See ya’ !!
Joe Heffernan
Comment by Joe Heffernan — September 1, 2006 @ 1:12 pm