Best of
Comix

1979

Rackham's Color Illustrations for Wagner's "Ring"


Arthur Rackham - 1979
    I have seldom coveted anything as I coveted that book." — C.S. LewisBefore portraying Wagner's "Ring," Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) had become England's leading illustrator through his interpretations of fairy and fantastic books: Grimm's Fairy Tales, Rip van Winkle, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, A Midsummer-Night's Dream. With his insight into elves, twisted oaks, and bearded heroes, Wagner was the logical step: with the "Ring," Rackham brought his talent for ethereal watercolor and line into new realms of adult mythology.This edition reproduces, in full color, all 64 watercolor illustrations from Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods (1911) and The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie (1912). The original English and American editions also contained black-and-white vignettes and tailpieces, a selection of which appear here: the original text, a dated English translation of the libretto, has been replaced by comprehensive descriptive captions and an introduction by James Spero.Rackham poured all his mature fancy into the "Ring." The gnarled Nibelung Alberich sports with teasing Rhinemaidens, fiery Loge and lordly Wotan tussle with giants and serpents. An ecstatic Brünnhilde is finally consumed on Siegfried's funeral pyre in perhaps the most successful representation of this scene anywhere, either graphically or theatrically. Wagner's Teutonic forests and caves give Rackham free reign for his brooding, haunting nature backgrounds; characters, costumes, and all the tiny details are painted with such textual accuracy and empathy that today's opera companies who wish to return to staging the "Ring" in the traditional manner turn to Rackham's paintings for guidance.The painstaking reproduction of these artworks brings Arthur Rackham's most heroic visions to the many collectors and admirers who cannot obtain the expensive out-of-print editions. With the aid of the clear captions, the Wagnerian cycle may be followed once again in its most time-honored and rich interpretation.

I'm in Training to Be Tall and Blonde


Nicole Hollander - 1979
    

Rom: Spaceknight #1


NOT A BOOK - 1979
    Science Fiction comic based on a short-lived action figure series. Integrated into regular Marvel Universe continuity.

New Tales of the Arabian Nights: The Last Voyage of Sinbad


Richard Corben - 1979
    Appeared first time in Heavy Metal #15 (1978) to #28 (1979). Reprinted in New Tales of the Arabian Nights (1978) and in The Last Voyage of Sindbad (1988).Story: Jan Strnad. Art/Color(colored by overlays): Richard Corben (no signature, © 1978, 1979). Lettering: printed.Adaptación al cómic del clásico de la literatura oriental de la mano del dibujante Richard Corben y el guionista Jan Strnad. En España, cómic originalmente publicado por capítulos en la revista "1984" (Toutain Editor) desde su nº 10 (agosto de 1979).